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It’s the Little Things…

December 8, 2009 By 6 Comments

Because she loves to create snippets of beauty in her spaces, she designs for herself and no one else.  She doesn’t save the best only for her public places; she attends even to corners that no one but her will ever see.  She enjoys creating beauty from things that are meaningful to her, or just plain pretty.

She once argued with her husband about the value – to her – of keeping a lamp lit in her powder room during the day.  He: irritated by her wastefulness.  She: in despair that he did not realize how the lamplight transformed the half bath into the architectural space it was designed to be.  Rooms crave personal accoutrements to give them life, to personalize them.  Besides, it made her happy every time she passed by that room…the warm glow of the lamp drew her in, if only visually, and with it, it seemed her house had gained a whole other room.
Perhaps only someone with similar sensibilities can understand this.
Today she created another pretty little place, where it once was merely utilitarian.  It started as a way to give her lovely orchids a humid environment to steep in after her showers, to caress their fragile blooms.

But now the littlest of her orchids is spent of its blooms.
So she will love it in its new, permanent location, and soon transplant it to a slightly larger terra cotta pot.  It will adorn her most private, corner shelf and she will enjoy showering with it until it blooms again next year.
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A View From The Pier

December 2, 2009 By 6 Comments


From the pier in Jacksonville Beach this afternoon, I took the following pictures:

adaptable bird
It was a clammy day, misty and kind of warm-cool, that weird sort of weather that can’t quite decide what it is.
But clearly, everyone was enjoying that day for what it meant to them.
this poignant scene makes me hope that everyone is okay


spectacular!


And then I went home.
Filed Under: Blog

Going Rogue Myself, Part Deux

December 1, 2009 By 5 Comments


After Sarah Palin’s enormous  Going Rogue tour bus pulled into the parking lot, she, her daughter, Piper, 8,  her parents Chuck and Sally Heath, and her Aunt Katie who was tenderly cradling Palin’s one-and-a-half-year-old son Trig, climbed onto the podium and made brief welcoming remarks:

Then they hurried inside and disappeared behind the black curtains that ensconced the private, book signing area situated in the middle of the bookstore.  All the media were ushered to the coffee shop, while the hundreds of fans lined up in the store like one very long airport security queue.  I hung out with the on air anchors Diane Dimond of Entertainment Tonight and Darren Kavinoky of Inside Edition and their camera crews; all of Jacksonville’s local network news stations and print media and their online counterparts; freelance photographers; and two very accomplished high-school journalists, including my colleague, Nick Lulli, from 2News Now. (His assistant Megan Moser was denied inside press access and was made to wait outside the store.)

While we were waiting in the press area, the first of the Palin fans with signed books passed by to a lights-ablaze phalanx of reporters and photographers, eager to hear their first impressions of the gorgeous (in my opinion, this isn’t journalism after all) and charismatic figure that arouses such passion in people. This Palin phenomenon  reminds me of people and their feelings about cats. Think about it:  with cats, people either  love ’em, or really hate them. Is there anyone out there who’s simply indifferent on the topic of Sarah Palin (or cats)?  I think we can all agree on one thing: you’ve got an opinion one way or the other about Palin, and it’s solid. And the crowd at this event were solidly pro-Palin.
We killed time, chatting amongst ourselves.  We waited to be escorted by security (in small groups of three or four photographers) into the actual Palin book signing area where we were welcome to get what shots we could, without interfering, or asking any questions.  She was seated at a table with a showcase of her books behind her, and the wrist-banded book owners were ushered into the black-curtained area.  Her parents and Aunt Katie were mingling with her fans and the media; all very casual and chatty.

Piper was sitting behind her mom at the book signing table. So poised, and patient, just watching the people pass by, until finally, she was bored, got up and moved around the area,  and was just being eight in a crowd of adults.

I tried, we all did, to get clear shots of Palin unobstructed by her fans; or engaged with a particular one.  It was a challenge, dodging outstretched arms, and darting between the bodies of the people who’d waited so very long for their few moments of face time.   Palin was friendly and seemed very approachable if not for the  handlers that moved the 600 or so people past that signing table in two hours time.

I was there when a nine-year-old girl, who was dressed as a Sarah Palin ‘mini-her’ approached the table. She presented her book, and a nicely homemade card describing her admiration for Palin, featuring a her photo, dressed as Sarah Palin (again) for Halloween and explaining that her mom is the chairman of a Draft Palin 2012 grassroots organization.  I’d spotted her earlier, in the crowd,  outside, before the event.  She did bear an uncanny similarity to her grown-up hero. Take off the glasses and side sweep the bangs, and she might have been Piper, actually.

I just happened to be there at the exact moment when this child presented her card to Palin.
Shortly, our group was asked to leave so we returned to the coffee shop where Chuck Heath,  and Aunt Katie were soon interviewed by Inside Edition and Entertainment Tonight.  Naturally, they tried to get a rise out of both Chuck and Aunt Katie by bringing up Levi Johnston, and I listened as they each gave responses that were just plain nice and genuine toward him. No “money quotes” to be had on this day; these adults appeared to regard Levi as basically a nice kid, who they believe has  gotten involved with “handlers” who are really the ones making the money – off him.  Chuck was quite affable when speaking about Levi and it sounded like they’d all spent quite a bit of time together in the past, enjoying sports and being friends.
Piper, too, wandered over to the media line and was interviewed by Diane Dimond of ET.  I listened (and filmed) as she vainly tried to get Piper to talk with her but she seemed to be a bit out of touch with the eight-year-old set.  Piper was composed, and sweet, and while willing to be interviewed, couldn’t come up with answers to the typical, boring grown-up type questions (“What do you want to be when you grow up?”  “What kinds of games do you play on the bus?  Oh?  What other kinds of games do you play?”)  I very nearly leaned over the Diane Dimond’s shoulder and tossed the kid  a couple of better questions, something Piper would have fun answering, instead of the repeated, “I don’t knows…”  Dimond was getting from her.  I kept thinking how much better I’d have interviewed, had I had the ET mike in my hand. I know, I know… From amateur to know-it-all in two short hours, that’s me.


Palin kept to schedule and after two hours, she stopped signing books, thanking the Books a Million staff as she left the store and got onto the big bus and rolled out of Jacksonville to her next stop of the day,  Orlando.
Her fans waved her off and the store hustled to restore order so those other customers who didn’t come for Palin could get in and shop.  I hung around chatting with Inside Edition’s Darren Kavinoky while his crew packed it in, and prepared to follow along with the book tour.


He was a congenial guy, an attorney from Los Angeles who’s now with Inside Edition, covering the tour in its entirety.  He’s building his media career, just like the rest of us. 

We all have to start somewhere.  




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Giving Thanks for Pete’s

November 26, 2009 By 4 Comments

Today I had to stop by Pete’s Bar in Neptune Beach for their annual Thanksgiving Day “c0cktail party”. It starts at 10:00am and the crowds pour into the street, partying and drinking, and toasting the holiday (for those of us who are released from kitchen duty) under a lovely Florida sun with temps in the upper 60s.



This year, Neptune Beach closed off one block entirely for four hours so people could spill out of the bar, onto the sidewalk and into the street. People were milling about, hugging it out with friends – old and new – the way only people who’ve been…celebrating for a while can do.
It was like partying at a beer tent, back when we lived in Michigan (do they have beer tents in the south or is it a regional thing?). I’ve lived at the beach for ten years now and today was my first Thanksgiving Day at Pete’s.
A bit about Pete’s Bar. Established in 1933, it’s one of these beloved, neighborhood hole-in-the-wall bars, with a dark interior, several pool tables, a long bar with many tables, and smoking. It’s been featured in a John Grisham novel, and is one of many bars in the town center area of Atlantic and Neptune Beaches. But Pete’s is a bar’s bar; like the place I met my husband, The Post bar in Detroit, Michigan. It’s your basic, neighborhood joint where generations of beaches residents have to come to celebrate life’s moments, and probably cry about them too; to pick up guys or girls, or maybe just pass the time.
The Thanksgiving cocktail party tradition started over 20 years ago, when an employee volunteered to work for the owner who lived upstairs, so she could spend Thanksgiving with her family. People would stop in to keep him company, and over the years it just evolved into this Thanksgiving tradition, with Bloody Marys at 10am, beer and drinks, too; finally it became a big ole good time, a street party on Thanksgiving day. By the time we arrived today, the crowd was in high spirits and it was time for us to crack a beer.
At 2:00, the Neptune Beach law enforcement rolled in to clear the street to good-natured cheers and jeers, all in good fun.
(When the officer arrived to inform the crowd that the outside party was over for this Thanksgiving.)
After that, people either went home to continue with their personal Thanksgivings, or retreated inside the bar, to continue toasting, hollering, shooting pool, or hanging with friends.



And that’s how Thanksgiving is done at Pete’s.
**************
(part two of the Palin book tour is coming.)




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Going Rogue Myself

November 24, 2009 By 10 Comments



With Inside Edition’s Darren Kavinoky

Early this morning I fashioned a press ID; using a lanyard I actually found lying on the floor of my car (what luck), I attached an atlantic beachlife decal to the end of it, hung it around my neck and voila! My press ID. It was cheesy looking, but you know what? No one laughed out loud, and I accomplished what I set out to do today.
I got up at an ungodly hour after just a few hours of sleep and picked up my two young colleagues, high schoolers Nick Lulli and Megan Moser.
Nick formed the online news network 2News Now, and Megan often accompanies him on assignments. Nick had called Books a Million last week, gave our names/affiliations and was assured that we were “on the list” of those who were to be given press credentials for the Sarah Palin “Going Rogue” book tour, which rolled into Jacksonville this morning.
People who wanted their books signed by Palin were made to queue for wristbands yesterday; having procured the wristband meant that they’d be allowed to queue again today, for a chance to briefly meet Palin and have their book signed by her. I heard that people were forming the line by 8:00am Monday morning, and the coveted wristbands were to be handed out at 5:00pm.
Books a Million was telling people that only 500 or so should expect to make it through the line during the two hour signing on Palin’s schedule. Two thousand people showed up for wristbands, and about 600 did get their books signed by the end of the event. (Sarah Palin left signed book plates for the wristband holders who did not make it in. I managed to snag one one for me, Nick and Megan, being a member of the media and all. Angling for that was an ancillary goal of the day, too.)
But we were going in as part of the media. So no waiting for us, and prime access for camera and video shots for the media.
I couldn’t actually believe that they’d let me in, but you know? I walked the walk and no one doubted my authenticity. For the security that was evident all around – at least 30 members of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, rooftop lookouts, and private security – we amateurs arrived early, were the first of the media to climb onto the press riser and stake our spot. No one was there with an actual list, and no one questioned us. We were given the same access as the reporters from Entertainment Tonight and Inside Edition, and all the local print and electronic media outlets. This was big.


Whenever someone would ask, “Who are you with?” I’d nonchalantly show my makeshift press ID and say, “Atlantic Beachlife; I’m a community blogger.” And after Palin arrived, made brief remarks to the very excited crowd and introduced her family, they went into the store and the signing began.
We weren’t sure what kind of access we’d have after that, but suddenly I was told, “Hurry on in, the press area is in the coffee shop,” and off I scurried with the rest of the pack, my cheap looking “press ID” obviously worked because now I really was one of them. Once I was in the thick of the action I was behaving like a member of the media on pure instinct: seeking my shot, finding my opening. I got the adorable Piper to tell me that yes, she did style her hair all by herself and that her favorite TV show is “Miley Cyrus.”
Sarah Palin’s Aunt Katie was delightful. We talked after the ET and Inside Edition interviewed her, and we connected, because she hugged me when we were finished.
And why not? It’s the theme of Palin’s book after all. If she can go rogue, so can I. And now that I’ve pulled it off, and successfully, too, I am officially considering myself and this blog a member of the media.
Props to Nick Lulli, who told me it’d be easy to do. I’m not above learning the ropes from a sixteen-year-old. Media’s changed, I know that. Community bloggers have a voice.
And this is mine.
***********
more to follow
Filed Under: Blog

William Morgan’s Dune Home

November 17, 2009 By 9 Comments

The famed architect William Morgan designed many interesting homes very close to our own in Atlantic Beach, and also in Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra Beaches. There are two that I know of that are currently on the market, and available for lease in Atlantic Beach.
My husband and I called his office last summer, and asked if we could meet him to talk over the concrete construction technology (www.montenero.us) my husband is developing for safe and sustainable homes. We’d met William Morgan casually at his book signing at The BookMark a few weeks earlier, and to my astonishment, he invited us to come to his home and meet him there. We live just two blocks away, so we eagerly accepted the chance to have a more intimate conversation with him, and to see another of his personal designs. His home is built into the side of a dune, too, and sits oceanfront.
He and his wife could not have been nicer or more welcoming to us. I brought a small bag of Peterbrooke chocolate covered popcorn as a small gift, and we settled in for chat. I petted their cat, who, as cats do, hopped up onto the table and approached me, sensing the cat lover that I am. We talked about architecture, and he gave us his thoughts on marketing the ‘safe and sustainable’ modular construction technology. We felt privileged to have had an audience with them both.
We’d bought, and he signed his beautiful coffee table book from The Master Architect Series VI “William Morgan – Selected and Current Works”. So, I can locate every William Morgan-designed home in all the beaches area, and across Florida, as well as many of his other outstanding projects for the private and public sectors throughout the United States.
The pictures here are the two homes that I am aware of that are currently being offered for sale and/or lease.

(the beach is just steps away from this cool, contemporary home)

If you’ve ever wanted to live in his famous Dune house, why not lease it? Here’s a view of it from the street (and not a very good one, sorry. Perhaps I’ll edit this tomorrow.) The Dune house viewed from the beach side is pictured at the top.
I am so embarrassed that I never sent a hand-written thank you note to the Morgans for inviting us into their home. My mother raised me better than that, and I know she’s chiding me from Heaven at this very moment. Although a blog post does not compensate for a personal note, I do want to publicly acknowledge how much we enjoyed visiting with them and how touched we felt that they invited us – just two folks – into their home, and gave his point of view on our modular concrete technology. Yes, a note is on my agenda tomorrow along with another, though not overdue, note of appreciation to someone else. My etiquette skills are still somewhat intact. But I’d rather be late than to let it go unsaid altogether.



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Play to Win!

November 16, 2009 By 5 Comments

Last summer I did “My Midsummer Giveaway”, which was hosted by Nicholas Landon Jewelry. She was the person who donated the nautical-styled leather and pearl bracelet (that was featured in the pages of a summer 2009 issue of Food and Wine Magazine. Impressive!) Well, now you’ve got another chance to win, and this time she’s hosting it at her own site (just Google it, since, regrettably, Blogger is not allowing me to create live links).

I own two of her leather and pearl necklaces, each adorned with a different pewter charm. I wear one of them every day, either alone, or paired with differently-styled necklace and I just love the look for a beachlife esthetic. (But it works in any locale.)
The giveaway item is one of her new designs, featuring a stamped charm that will be inscribed with whatever you desire (providing it fits!). You can read about it over at her blog (http://www.nicholaslandonjewelry.com).
They’re shown as nautical markers, but I thought immediately of two things I should like inscribed on them if I win (which I certainly won’t because then it would seem rigged, no?!).
I’d do either atlantic beachlife or my favorite mile marker from some place I love in the Florida Keys. Can’t you just see that? Mile Marker 0 is Key West, but I’d pick the mile marker of my favorite snorkeling spot (MM 77).
All of her necklaces and bracelets are unique, hand-made by a wonderful person (not massed produced in China for Wal-Mart) who I’ve gotten to know through my blog. I can personally endorse her quality work and I hope you all will wander over to her place, take a look at her treasures, and enter her giveaway.
What do you have to lose? You could be the winner! (Or I could too, ’cause I’m playing to win.)








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Surfboard Tricks

November 15, 2009 By 5 Comments

Can you do this?
He reluctantly allowed me to photograph his trick. I met him on the beach, and he spends a lot of time surfing. And chatting.

He was friendly, and a bit of an eccentric fellow who’s been around these parts a long time. He observed me photographing my friend and others, and chatted me up while I tried to keep my eyes on the water. I didn’t have much success with my pictures, but he was a rather unconventional dude and when he performed this trick, I had to snap it. He said I could post it on my blog (“the Internet”) but didn’t want his name used.
Okay.
It was an changeable day; sunshine to the north and foreboding clouds to the south; great waves, a glistening sea, and an upbeat mood among the Wednesday surfers, mostly men and boys, hurriedly going into the water, probably expecting the storm that never did come.
I thought about how lovely it was to be on the beach on a mid-November day, barefoot, in shorts, and standing knee-deep in the water attempting to get some decent surfing pictures. After ten years here, I’m still so glad that I don’t have to face long, dark winter months ahead. We have sunshine and cooler weather coming, which equals perfect to me.


And surfing in November without a wetsuit. I love it.
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Tropical Storm Ida’s…

November 12, 2009 By 7 Comments

My neighbor Ernest.


…surf blew through here yesterday and so I went to the beach to take pictures of the surfers and the waves.

The Veterans’ Day holiday: school’s out and surf’s up.

Ernest surfs every day that he can. Really enjoy his Facebook updates: what a life!



Ernest.

Not Ernest.


The surfers were flocking to the beach all day long. These pictures were taken from the 19th Street beach in Atlantic Beach. The water was still warm and I got fairly soaked while standing in the surf aiming for my money shot.
These are fun shots, but I didn’t get what I was trying for. But I’ll live to photograph another day, so enjoy them and keep checking back. I’m not planning to abandon my passion for spreading the word about our awesome community.
Want to visit, in real life? Let me know: I’ll hook you up to all the right places.
There’s something for everyone here at the beaches.



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Jeannie Meets Pat Conroy!

November 11, 2009 By 6 Comments

Dear Pat,

Tonight, while standing in line to meet you amongst all the happy people milling about waiting to do the same, I learned something about you that made me love you even more.

I was told that during this major publicity tour for your new novel “South of Broad”, you chose just two, small, independent bookstores to make appearances at: and one of them was our own beloved The BookMark in Atlantic Beach, Florida. (No, I don’t own The BookMark, but just ask the owner: she knows that I wish I did.) And there you were, patiently meeting and talking and talking and talking with person after person while the line snaked its way around the small shop, out the door and down the street.

I was prepared for the long wait. I knew I’d be amused, chatting up my neighbors in the line, everyone who’d come out for you, too. It was festive and fun, each of us lugging our armload of Conroy books-to-be-signed as the line inched its way toward you. I kept glancing at you during the long wait. You showed no impatience, and you appeared to be genuinely listening to and interacting with each fan, when it was, finally, their turn for face time with the Pat Conroy.

I wondered what people could possibly be saying to you. I’d have loved to be loitering nearby, pretending not to listen. When it was finally my turn, I had nothing witty to offer; no questions, sought no advice. I really just wanted to meet you, and have my three books personally signed to me, by you. I had to express how deeply I appreciated your coming to our town, to our bookstore. You see, we have a special community here, the storefront bookseller in a unique pedestrian town by the sea, and it’s really enhanced because important writers like you do show up and meet your readers in events like this.

Thank you for posing with me. While I wasn’t going to monopolize your time (like some people were wont to do, and you were so gracious in receiving them all) especially since I didn’t have too much to say and the line was still out the door and folks were waiting in the rain; neither did I intend to let my moment pass without a photo to record it!

So, thank you for meeting me, Pat Conroy. I’ve loved your books, your writing is like poetry, and now I can see that you are a true gentleman, too.

Oh, and this? You were awesome.
Sincerely,
Jeannie
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