Visiting St. Simons Island

Posted by AR on March 21st, 2010 filed in Coastal Journal
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While I was on St. Simons this past week, I feel like I took a bazillion photos, but this one keeps coming to mind as one I want to post. The light in the trees at sunset touched my heart with a powerful sense of warmth and peace. It was good to be back on the island again. And it is always good to remember a beloved mentor, who is now with the Lord.

“My usual way with a novel,” said Genia, “is to write it all out—just get it down in a rough draft. . . . I dare not stop the writing to cut and polish. Some authors do. With me, polishing breaks some mysterious flow that I cannot explain. . . . I’m in high gear most of the time and can’t wait to put the story down. Tay [her editor] said often that she felt this method accounted, at least in part, for the fact that my novels keep a reader reading. Maybe. True or not, it is the way I work best.”

Savannah Flowers

Posted by AR on March 20th, 2010 filed in Coastal Journal
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The azaleas are not in bloom yet but the camellias are. This one was in the front yard of Andrew Low’s house.

I can’t even remember where I took this. I know this lamp was at the end of one of the squares. Savannah is such a green and alive city.

Journeying Through Savannah

Posted by AR on March 19th, 2010 filed in Coastal Journal
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This shot reminds me of being in England and how people, especially in the townships would ride bikes. But this was taken in Savannah, Georgia, in front of the original building of The Savannah College of Art and Design.

This little guy always looked so sad to me. I have noticed him for years. Years ago when I lived in Savannah, I would look at this lion and wonder about its history. First of all he and one just like him continues to guard the front steps to the Low home—the same place where Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts of America in the reception room of this house.

Savannah Steps . . .

Posted by AR on March 18th, 2010 filed in Coastal Journal
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These steps reminded me just how welcoming the city of Savannah is. It is a feast for a photographer’s eyes. Even on a gray day, the colors of Savannah stand out. Speaking of gray or in this case grey. Notice the brick on these steps. They are called Savannah grey brick and were made locally in the late 17 and 1800′s. Ships that sailed into the port of  Savannah carried grey ballast bricks that quickly became a popular building material throughout the city. It wasn’t long before residents began to emulate the distinctive color. True Savannah Grey bricks are hard to find. In fact they are so rare that one lady wrote, “The only way I could get a true Savannah grey brick was to steal it.”

Even today this type of brick is a bestseller not only in the city but in the surrounding areas. I also have a single Savannah grey brick at the cottage in Toccoa. And I had almost forgotten how I got it until I saw these townhouse steps. The answer to your next question is “yes.” While living in the city years ago, the restoration group uncovered some old construction in the downtown area. I was doing some photography at the time and not unknowingly took a brick that had been tossed to the side.

I thought of Miss Jo (and Parker Wilkes) when I passed this shop: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish . . . . (smile)

And then this late afternoon shot was just dreamy. An old oak tree and windows from the 1800′s. On his march to the sea, Gen. Sherman did not burn this city. Therefore, everywhere you turn, history abounds.

They Found Me!

Posted by AR on March 16th, 2010 filed in Uncategorized
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The last few days I have watched two bluebird couples fight over the lone bird house that I put on the hillside overlooking the cottage. I have no idea if they will actually nest or not. The important thing is that they found me! The second important thing is that I need to buy another blue bird box . . . and fast!