Day 15 - Write 31 - Downtown Art Walk and Lunch in the Park

Downtown streets are deserted on a Sunday morning.

Sunday morning was clear and cool so we decided to head downtown for a walk. The streets were quiet with none of the hustle of workers going from their designated parking spots to the high rise office buildings. Everything is closed up on a Sunday morning so we had much of the town to ourselves.


Many of the buildings in downtown Jacksonville are covered with colorful murals. It's delightful to see them peaking out from between buildings and around the corners. I captured a few of them on our walk.

After a four mile stroll around downtown we headed over the bridge for a picnic beside the river. It was easy to pick up a plant-based sandwich at the local deli and enjoy it on a bench in the shade.

A simple sub with lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, banana peppers and onions. Eating plant-based doesn't have to be complicated. 

 Write 31 Days 

A writing challenge every October every day

Life Powered by Plants 

eXtra Big oX

The neighborhood where we live used to be a dairy farm and there's reminders all around. The roads in our neighborhood are named after the dairy owner, his wife and a son  who died young. There's an old milk processing plant that's now a church and daycare, grain silos here and there

And this eXtra big guy.

 I called him an oX for the sake of this X post but I think he's probably a bull or steer. 

Sorry, I may live on an old dairy farm but I know very little about cows...

He stands about 20 feet tall and he has bright red eyes. I have no idea what he's made of but he's been here for as long as I can remember and he looks pretty good. 

It's eXceptionally eXtraordinary to see this eXtra big oX standing eXactly in this same spot everyday.

Want to see more X posts? Check out Jenny Matlock: Alphabe-Thursday

Fun Things to do on a Walk - Finding Street Art

One of the neat things about walking is that you get an up close look at what's happening around you. While visiting Chattanooga's North Shore we scooted through an alley and I was delighted to see that the walls were covered with what some would call graffiti but I consider street art.

This one in particular caught my eye...

Street art by J.W. Butts (mute0n) found in Chattanooga, TN

There were three electrical boxes that were all covered but the one in the center looked more composed, not just a random splashing of color.  I like the lady with the big hair, she kind of spoke to me as I walked by. 

When I got home and did a little research I found that this painting was done by southern artist, J. W. Butts. He signed his creation mute0n. 

BTW - we never would have seen this if we'd been on the bus. Click here to check out a few other things we saw while walking.

It always amazes me how much there is to see in the big, beautiful world of ours.

So park your car, get off the bus 

and use your feet to see what you can find!

I'm sharing my find at Monday Mural

Blue Monday - Seeing Blue in Chattanooga

Before leaving on a weekend trip to Chattanooga I ran across a link up at Smiling Sally's blog. Blue Monday link up where everything is BLUE! I put it in the back of my mind to find blue things in Chattanooga and I wasn't disappointed.

Walking is a great way to banish the blues it's also a great way to find some.

Here's a few of the blues I found in Chattanooga to share for Blue Monday...

The Houston Museum of Decorative Arts

Anna Safley Houston spent her life collecting husbands and art glass. Born in Evening Shade Arkansas in 1876 she spent her life amassing a huge collection of colorful glassware, china, antique dolls, furniture and music boxes. At the time of her death she had over 15,000 water pitchers in her collection. Just a small portion is on display in the museum. It's said that  even though she had a limited education she was a shrewd business woman who treasured her collection more than her personal well being. 

Anna was an interesting character. She was married and divorced at least nine times that can be verified. Her favorite husband was James W Houston who even though he wasn't wealthy he did own a pick up truck. The truck came in handy for Anna as she bought estates and large pieces of furniture that needed to be transported!

The museum has a collection of 44 "Gibson Girl" plates illustrated by Charles Dana Gibson. The Royal Daulton Works in England produced a set of Gibson plates entitled," The Widow and Her Friends". On the top left is the first plate in this series. It shows a woman who's just lost her husband. As the plates progress she's having a jolly good time going out and having fun. So much fun that her friends have to give her a talking to. The last plate shows her as she settled down and has become a nun. So much for having fun!

While walking in Coolidge Park along the Tennessee River we came upon this guy. 

Blueboy Pull Toy #1

A statue that was purchased by the city of Chattanooga for $32,500 from local artist, John Petrey.

And at the Tennessee Aquarium I found these beautiful blue jelly fish.

Click HERE to check out this post on the Walnut Street Bridge. It's also blue! It was my favorite place to walk in Chattanooga.

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Wednesday Walking - Street Art in San Marco

This is where I share the favorite place we walked this week

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Our walk through the San Marco was cut short when the clouds rolled in and began dumping buckets rain. Before we ducked into the nearest restaurant our walk took us by this guy. A bronze sculpture located in front of Threatre Jacksonville on San Marco Blvd.

"The Entertainer"

I think she looks like someone skipping happily down the street.

"The Entertainer"

by John Kennedy

In celebration of the Arts in San Marco

I love the quote at the bottom of the plaque

"Seek the lofty by reading, hearing and seeking great work at some moment everyday."

Thornton Wilder