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Jacksonville National Cemetery

The Jacksonville National Cemetery has new signs of opening phase 2 in the burial grounds. The cemetery is located way out Lannie Road on the Northside of the city. It is available to bury members of “the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable”, as written on its web page.

Eligibility includes the following:

“A Veteran’s spouse, widow or widower, minor dependent children, and under certain conditions, unmarried adult children with disabilities may also be eligible for burial. Eligible spouses and children may be buried even if they predecease the Veteran.

Members of the reserve components of the armed forces who die while on active duty or who die while on training duty, or were eligible for retired pay, may also be eligible for burial.”

As I rode through the huge space, I noticed so many Christmas decorations left by family members. Most years wreaths are laid on the tombs. Today, being December 15, I’m not sure.(UPDATE- Wreaths Across America was 12-17-22 and my Grandson participated with his Trail Life troop.)

The cemetery is 526- acre’s and is expected to serve Jacksonville veterans for “the next 100 years”.

See you tomorrow,

Sources: Jacksonville National Cemetery, Google Search

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December 14

Jacksonville Celebrates Christmas with Nativity Scenes- Day 14

It is believed that St. Francis of Assisi was credited with having the first nativity scene in 1223. So, given that, the tradition of the manger scene is quite old and of course important in the world of Christian history.

Jacksonville, Florida is not considered to be in the Bible Belt but is “partially” so. Florida’s neighbor, Georgia is in the Bible Belt and while Florida is not considered to be “in” the Belt, it is considered very religious.

According to a search on Google, Jacksonville is considered diverse with various faiths. It also claims 94.4 % Christian. With that said, to see Nativity scenes throughout the city is no surprise.

Today, I was on Lannie Road and saw this Nativity way out in the country. It warmed my heart.12-14-22

See you tomorrow,

Category: Country Life, Faith | Comments Off

December 10

Parade of Trees- Day 10

Just Outside of Jacksonville in Green Cove

The Parade of Trees is held at Christmas time in Green Cove Springs just south of Jacksonville. Individuals and businesses purchase a tree and decorate it to their own heart. Some are dedicated to those who have gone before them, others to a cause and still others to their business.

We walked by the Baptist Church’s “empty” tree and made the comment that while the church was requesting and executing on getting people’s prayers answered, it needed to do a little work on their boring tree.

This just goes to show you cannot judge a book by its cover. The tree had no ornaments because the sign says to “take an ornament” off of the tree. We had a good laugh. Good for the Church, giving as usual.

See you tomorrow,

Category: Churches, Faith, Holidays, Travel | Comments Off

December 9

Lures in Jacksonville, Florida

May 27th, 2021, I was looking for a large water-type tank and dropped in at 2148 Ellis Road N.to ask because they had several in their corner lot. I was met by an orange cat who did not move and was totally unconcerned at my visit.

To my surprise, as I walked inside the old tin facility, several ladies inside were making fishing lures! The shop was in a metal building and the entire time I was there, the ladies spoke with me, tried to figure out if they could assist my request but did not for a moment stop their work of making bait-tackle.

They were dipping some type of plastic in a warm machine which created the form of long candles and then the warm form went into a liquid, probably water to cool it. The set were then hung out to dry and moved to another location. It was a consistent process and I watched them time and time again as each set of lures were made and handled for packaging.

The company was called Soft Plastics of Florida. It is listed as a “mold maker”, established in 2003 and incorporated in Florida. To be such a small place and quite unkempt, it reported an annual revenue of $484,000 according to Manta. Wow.

I rode past today on the way home and the gate was locked with a for sale sign nearby.

See you tomorrow,

Category: Random Posts, Sports | Comments Off

December 8

Big Courthouse. Tiny Christmas tree. Day 8

This…is a true story.

This big building is of the Jacksonville, Florida Courthouse on Adam’s Street. The little tree is the only Christmas decorations (with the exception of a clerk who had Christmas cards posted on the wood behind her desk) that I saw on my visit today.(Granted, I only visited two floors and a few departments).

The tree below is the only one that I found while visiting the two floors on which I went. Apparently the employees in the filing area (room 73) decorated this tree to make the season bright in their area. Beautiful.

Of course, I only visited a couple of floors and departments so maybe there were other trees throughout? For sure, there was not even a sprig of greenery or bolt of lighting in the open lobby today though.

Merry Christmas to all and I do hope the employees go home to Christmas joy. They don’t seem to be getting much yule tide cheer at work. (Not being critical just being observant). Also, don’t most businesses have a ‘decorating committee”?

UPDATE: I have been told that the Courthouse has no budget to decorate for Christmas. Also, someone suggested the reason there is no Christmas tree is to not show partiality to one religions since its a courthouse? Still, there should be a Christmas tree put by the city but I’m grateful someone in an office celebrated “the reason for the season”.

See you tomorrow,

City Courthouse: 501 West Adams St., Jacksonville, Florida 32207 (904) 255-2087

This. Is a true story.

This big building is of the Jacksonville, Florida Courthouse on Adam’s Street.

The tree is the only one that I found while visiting the two floors on which I went.

I do hope the courthouse workers have a Merry Christmas and have trees at home to enjoy. They don’t seem to be getting much yule tide cheer at work.

Category: Business, Government, Holidays | Comments Off

December 7

Flagler College Tree- Day 7

St. Augustine, Florida is a most beautiful place to see anytime and many times over during the Christmas season. Today’s tree is from the stunning Flagler College located at 74 King Street, St. Augustine, Fl 32084. The campus is named for railroad builder and financier, Henry M. Flagler who built a Spanish Renaissance type hotel in 1888. Today, that old hotel is a liberal arts institution named Flagler College.

The college has its roots from 1968 to the present with the current President being the former Mayor of Jacksonville, John A. Delaney. The campus is 19 acres and is situated in the downtown St. Augustine area.

The tree is located in the Rotunda, just outside of the famous campus dining hall and Lewis Auditorium.

See you tomorrow,

Sources: Flagler College, Ramey [Idea about a tree a day came from the editor of the Daily Record, Karen Mathis].

Category: Business, Holidays, Travel, Visit This | Comments Off

December 6

Basilica Christmas Tree- Day 6-

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine has a simple Christmas tree with tags offering those with tender hearts to donate. While I was there, besides the tree was a large, brown bag of snacks and crackers apparently left by a parishioner for the less fortunate.

The Cathedral is a monumental building with tall ceilings, beautiful beams and incredible decor. The room was completely empty of people when I walked in. Before leaving, no more than 4 people came and went. It was open at 11:00 am and I was met at the St George Street entrance (side door) with a very sweet and friendly lady encouraging me to enjoy my time.

Martin Luther caused quite a stir in the Catholic Church in the 16th-century causing the Reformation with “Christ Alone”. He also is believed to be the first to add lights (by candle) to the Christmas tree. The Catholic Church resisted use of Christmas trees which was a Lutheran Church tradition. In 1982, the Catholic Church set up a Vatican Christmas tree for the first time in Vatican City.

Fast forward, 2022 and the Cathedral Bascilia has a tree in the sanctuary.

Merry Christmas to All and to all a good night.

See you tomorrow,

Sources: Wikicommons (Luther photo), History . com, Ramey, [Idea about a tree a day came from the editor of the Daily Record, Karen Mathis].

St. Augustine Basilica Location: 38 Cathedral Place, St. Augustine, Fl 32084. Go visit.12-6-22

Category: Buildings, Churches, Faith, Holidays, Travel, Visit This | Comments Off

December 5

CASTLE OTTTIS: Remembering Christ

The name of the castle was unusual to me. I have ridden past it for years and years on my way to and from St. Augustine, Florida. It was named after Otttis (yes, three t’s), one of the two builders; the other being named Rusty Ickes.

On their website it is clear that it was built “In remembrance of Jesus Christ” and built for the purpose of”beauty and as a landscape-sculpture”. So the builder himself indicated that the castle was built as an art piece such as the Eiffel Tower or The Washington Monument in Washington, DC not as a business or residence. The tour guide today said it was in the design of an Irish Abbey (Christian Church) and going inside it sure appears so. There are 88 open windows and the structure is taller than 50 feet. At the top it has a castle look with stones affixed. On this day, we met one of the two builders of this structure, Randy.

Our trip began with a friend setting up the visit “by appointment”. When driving in we were met by a man about 6 feet with a flowing beard and brown hair with a hat and sunglasses. Who knew it would be Randy Ickes a man who once had a vision for a castle and enacted on the task to actually follow through and build it.

The castle is located about 3 miles North of St. Augustine, Florida on 3rd Street St. just outside of the Nation’s Oldest City, St. Augustine. Construction began May 1, 1984. The masonry was completed in full by Ottis Sadler and Rusty Ickes and by 1998 the exterior was complete. In the span of 3 years, (1988-1991) Lee Carpenter completed the interior portion with primarily “cypress wood and some southern-pine”. There are 8”elaborate stair cases, an alter, pulpit, series of pews, choir loft and Bishop’s chair” wrote one person describing it. In 1992 it was recognized by the American Institute of Architects.

Sources: Atlasobscura, CastleOttis, Personal visit and observation…

If you choose to go, contact randy @ castleotttis.com

See you tomorrow,

Category: Buildings, Churches, Travel, Visit This | 1 Comment

December 5

Christmas in Rural Jacksonville. Day 5

Christmas decorations in rural areas brings such beauty. These trees were placed at the same home; one under a tent so the family could enjoy the season in rain or shine and a small tree at a dirt entrance off of Pickett Road in North Jacksonville.

Both trees had decoration on them and with the small tables and play toys, obviously the children will enjoy.

See you tomorrow,

Category: Holidays | LEAVE A COMMENT

December 4

Free Bagged Tree- Day 4

Obviously, I did not get a tree up until day 4 when I was taking my grandson to a school event and there was a FREE sign on a bagged tree roadside. After dropping him off , I returned to the freebie and getting out of the car met the tree owner who was standing in his driveway. He helped me put the “free” bagged tree in backseat of my car and I ended up home putting up a Christmas tree. It’s about 7 feet tall and already has lights.

Callie, my 4 month old kitty loved it. (I’m not sure how I’ll handle it when I get the ornaments up but, we’ll see going forward.)

See you tomorrow,

12-3-22

Category: Family, Holidays | LEAVE A COMMENT