North Jax Resto Tour

I went for a drive yesterday on the north side of Jacksonville to take some photos -- the less-healthy equivalent of one of my usual urban photo walks! (As in most American cities, things are too spread out here to walk, unless you're downtown.)

I came across this used car dealership and I was certain that building must be an old fast-food restaurant. It just looks the part, you know? I did some research, and it turns out it was an outpost of the local Milligan's Beefy Burgers chain, which succumbed to competitors in 1974.

This little neighborhood watering hole had an amazing green car sitting out front.

I liked the sign, too!

This one has a great paint job. I don't think I've ever seen a restaurant so prominently advertising chicken gizzards.

And finally, there's this great old Chinese restaurant over on U.S. 1, Chopstick Charley's. I just assumed it was long closed, as I think many people would, but I was astonished to find that apparently it's still in business! It's been there since the early 1950s and is known as Jacksonville's oldest Chinese restaurant.

I got out for a while to give my brother and his family some space. This is the longest visit I've ever had with them, and I don't want to put them under too much pressure to "entertain" me. I had lunch at a little restaurant in Springfield called Crispy's, where I sat and read my book. I'm going to try to get out and about some today, too.

In the afternoon my brother and I visited Mom again -- she seemed a little less coherent this time, but I think it's because we were sitting in a public area (the dining room) with a lot of distractions, and another woman (also with dementia) was sitting at our table asking us lots of repetitive questions. It was hard for Mom to focus on us, and vice-versa. She seems much better when she's in her room interacting with just one or two other people.

Last night's Marvel movie: "Doctor Strange," with Benedict Cumberbatch and Tilda Swinton. It's worth it for the effects alone!