Shared Illusions

This is a neighborhood of the greater JAX area in which we are staying. It’s one of the oldest, along with sister neighborhood, Riverside. 5 Points is in Riverside. We popped into it last night and were none too impressed. Perhaps there’s more to Riverside, but we really like Avondale. We walked to the small downtown area this morning. Good vibes.

Upon returning to our abode of the moment, we saw David, our host. He had invited us earlier for a tour of his home and the timing was right. So loved getting the history. Built in 1923. Overgrown with vines and bushes when he came looking. Butt ugly, he said. But he recognized the solid goodness of the bones. The price had come down and a deal was struck. David peeled away, stripped away, and rebuilt. Result – a stunner. The front porch is intimate and welcoming.

The interior is well appointed with many Japanese, Korean, and Chinese pieces of furniture and art from his time stationed in Japan while in the navy. He has a wonderful collection of Sake jugs! His are similar to the one pictured below. All are blue on white.

The foyer holds a beautiful Japanese Tansu staircase chest, similar to the one below.

Later on we headed to JAX beach. Took a languorous walk by the ocean and collected shells. The beaches are so long and so wide! And at this time of year, so empty and perfect. I was going to swim, but a phone call from a friend lasted a while and the sun hid and it got so cool, I didn’t. We headed to Neptune Beach upon the recommendation of a friend and found Fish Camp for dinner. Oh, my. What a meal. The flounder was tender, resting upon red potatoes, under which was a jalapeno cheese coulis, the whole surrounded by a rosemary gastric, and all topped with fried shoestring leek. It so made up for the disappointing redfish yesterday on Amelia Island. Although, while the fish lacked subtlety and grace the location made up for it. I got to sit in a swing at the bar, ocean just over the dune.

In the evening Christmas light extravaganza was in order. At JAX beach lifeguard chairs are hauled in from the beach and decorated.

In the same shared space many decorations made from plastic bottles are displayed, along with informative signs re longevity of stuff that often gets tossed: cigarettes, straws, plastic bottles… They ALL take far too long. So a use a trash can, already!

And then there was this house on Beauclerc Rd.

I love traveling at Christmas! Everything is so festive. And since we married mid December, we always feel especially appreciative of the decorations that enhance our anniversary. 30 years on 12.14.21! We realized tonight that we have been together for half my life. Wow. And good night.