Mr. Diamond and I just returned from a fabulous two weeks in North Carolina. My heart is still there and if you have any inkling of who I am at all you know that my dream will always be to be someplace, on a beach, in North Carolina, Kindle and iced tea in hand.
The weather on our recent trip was less than spectacular, we had a little fender bender that took out a whole day of fun in the sun and yet—-it was the perfect trip in many ways. The day we had the accident we were 2 miles from boarding the ferry to go to Bald Head Island and I was determined to get there so on our next to last day at Oak Island we completed that task successfully.
Once we got on the island we decided to grab a bite to eat and cup of coffee to warm up before the short walk to the lighthouse and the only place available was MoJo’s on the Harbor. It was a great choice but the best thing about the place was the “mojo” that was evident from the dollar bills that were present everywhere.
I asked our waitress about the bills and she told me the story behind the unique decorating style around the bar and it all began with a couple, Brooke and Nonie Williams, who were friends and their first customers on their first day of business. Brooke signed a dollar bill and the tradition began. Folks wanted to join in and later colorful waterproof markers were available to customers to decorate their own.
The bills are getting more and more vibrant and artistic and as our waitress related to us the reason has changed somewhat since the original dollar was signed. Brooke passed away in September 2012 and if I understood correctly the owners will eventually donate all of the bills to a cancer charity in his honor. What a lovely tribute to a man who obviously had a zest for life and service to others. (You can read his obituary here).
Funny how a stop at a small place can make me appreciate life just a little bit more.
It turned my already wonderful day into a day of reflection on how a small gesture like signing a dollar bill can make a difference.
And in case you wondered—the food at Mojo’s was fabulous. From the steaming cups of coffee that she delivered in my favorite color mug to the fried pickles with ranch dressing for dipping to the mahi mahi fish tacos—-it was delightful and just the fuel we needed to complete our windy, chilly trek to the lighthouse.
That, my friends, is a post for another day. Stay tuned. Have you ever experienced “mojo” in an unexpected way?
37 Comments
Leave a commentI would have guessed smiley faces but the heart are very pretty! What a great idea and a fun place to visit and eat. I would love to spend some time in N.C. I’ve hear so many wonderful things!
Yea, the yellow did not show up well so I went for hearts and a love theme. 😉 It was such a great idea and there were some really artistic bills hanging up but I am just not that great at spur of the moment artwork. 🙂
Fish tacos with mango salsa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sigh…..warm summer days… There is a bar/cafe a ways outside Apache Junction (Tortilla Flats) that has a similar story to tell. We’ve left many dollars there (on the walls and in the register!!!! LOL!). Hugs…………….
Doreen, that is awesome that you have seen the same type of thing!!! The fish tacos were amazing. Just the right amount of slaw and mango—not overwhelming. Perfect blending.
In the summer, The Pettibone Boat Club (near the park we put our little 5th wheel) has fish tacos on the menu that are “KILLER”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But mango ‘anything’ is my fave!!!!!!!!
Ditto. Mango rules.
🙂
ok…have to say it…you are adorable!!! 🙂 I love the picture of you the most.
Haha! I am such a goof, aren’t i??? Chris took it and I know my scarf does not match my sweater but it did match my coat. 🙂
lol…you are so like me….anytime someone compliments me, I do just what you did! I love the shot of you…your face made me feel happy inside….scarf not matching and all. lololol
Well I am a bonified goof —I speak the truth. And I obviously am a poet at this moment. 🙂
lol…well, the poet in me loves that, so it’s all good. 🙂 Have a great day!!
🙂
Don’t you just get giddy when you discover a place like this with an interesting story? What a wonderful thing for the owners to eventually donate this money to charity.
I agree. It was such a fun atmosphere with all the bills decorating every nook and cranny!
How fun Beth! Love the smile.. 🙂
🙂 Goofy, I know–but hey–it’s me!
Not goofy.. Happy!
That I am. Hope you are, too! Warming up?
24F. Another inch of snow. Freezing drizzle on the way. We are ready to leave for Florida!
Ugh a million times over.
I was so interested in the bills all over the walls. I never would have thought of doing such a thing. A charity will really enjoy the bills.
I think so–they were not all $1 bills either so that is nice! It was such a neat thing to look at.
I don’t guess I’ve ever been to N.C., but I’d love to go — sounds like it has the best of all the states! I love the idea of framing a wall with dollar bills. Much better than framing a wall with rejection letters, ha! Glad you had such a good time; maybe next time you’ll get to stay a bit longer, in warm and sunny weather!
Yep–next trip will definitely be better weather. I can almost guarantee it!
What a great story behind those dollar bills. You just never know what you’l find when you are out exploring! The fish tacos look fabulous!!! 🙂
The fish tacos were perfect!!! And yes—-there is a great story! Sometimes it is a surprise what I happen upon!
I appreciate people like this. No wonder they have great Mojo. 🙂
🙂 Exactly!
I spy sweet potato fries!! Yes? mmmmm…..
my mom and I are on a quest to find the restaurant that makes the best sweet potato fries. I guess we need to head south of the border.
Fried pickles? like dill? I love dill pickles! why has no one up here thought to fry them?
What a wonderful gesture donating all those bills.
These were perfect sweet potato fries, too. I commented on that because sometimes places cook them too long but these were perfect. And yep===fried dill pickles. They are delightful even if not too healthy.
What an interesting concept with the dollar bills, but if that was up north, they wouldn’t last long on the wall..
Oh you think so???? You might be surprised.
Looks like a fun trip minus the fender bender. Your dollar bill looks adorable. What a clever way to “wallpaper” a place
It was pretty cool to see all of the artistic ones. Mine was lame compared to many of them. The fender bender–yea—could have done without that. Took out a whole day of fun!
It is these type of places that “make” a trip. I love the story to go with the pictures. Thank you for sharing pieces of your vacation. 😉
It does make for interesting decor.