Where Have They Gone?

Where have they gone

 

Where have they gone?

Why, just yesterday they were here

There was laughter

And games and hugs and bedtime stories

Family meals

School plays

Trips to the beach

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the new year

Special times

Why, just yesterday my mother held me in her arms

While an aunt made faces

And funny sounds

Holidays

We came together

Grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins

Yes, the cousins

All sizes, all shapes

Boys and girls alike

Playing in the old barn

Doing things we knew we shouldn’t

Carefree

Life was forever

Lightning bugs, hide-and-seek, and tag

Presents, trees, and eggnog

Bedtime stories

Sleigh bells

Santa

The laughter

The turkeys and hams and holiday treats

But…

Where have they gone?

What’ll I do?

My grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins

It’s almost Christmas

…and they’re no longer here.

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Writing Is For The Birds

Writing is for the birds

 

I’m finally working on a new book and thought I’d found the perfect place to write—at the beach on a long, lonely pier. As far as I could see in either direction was nothing but sand and water, well, with the exception of three dolphins fishing for lunch in the water beneath me. Ah, yes, the perfect spot for writing.

A glorious spot to set out the old laptop. The ocean waves were mesmerizing. The sun was warm. Salt water splashed onto the sand, leaving behind soft, sizzling foam. Nope, there was nothing to distract me. Nothing could come between me and my characters. Well, nothing but a lone crow that wouldn’t take no for an answer.

The critter wanted more than to read over my shoulder. It wanted food and I’d come empty-handed. So, as punishment, the bird summoned a few friends to be sure that not one word would ever leave my fingertips.

First one, then two. Then came another and another. Different sizes. Different colors. Didn’t matter. They just came. Whizzing by my head. Darting between my feet. Hopping onto the bench and railing beside me.

Flying overhead, dropping little “Go away!”messages.

And if one left, two took its place.

Soon it was 1963 all over again. Birds of different feathers had begun to flock together. And they were everywhere!

The noise was deafening. Squawks and caws. Incessant chattering. Wings beating like parade drums. Screeching and screeching. Eardrum-piercing screeching! Closer and closer they came. No fear.

Beaks like sharpened spears, aimed at my thumping heart.

They marched and came at me like tireless zombies. They were terrifying.

I expected to look over the railing and see Alfred Hitchcock, or Poe, strolling along the beach.

Wait, did that bird over there just say, “Nevermore?” Was this how it was to end?

I’m not sure about the end being near, but this bird was definitely laughing when I finally surrendered and grabbed my things to leave. After all, they’d only allowed me to sleep for ten short minutes. But what a dream…

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A Stroll Along Savannah’s River Street

Savannah's River Street

 

A walk along Savannah’s River Street is a modern-day stroll back in time. If you listen carefully you can almost hear the cheers as the S.S. Savannah, the first steamship to cross the Atlantic, pulled away from the port on that May day in 1819. Or, perhaps the sounds of joy are those of General James Edward Oglethorpe and the 120 travelers of the ship “Anne” when, in 1733,  they landed on the bluff soon to be named Georgia, the 13th and final American colony. Savannah was Georgia’s first city. A closer inspection, though, just might reveal hundreds of present-day tourists making their way along the historic waterfront, exploring the 100-year-old cotton warehouses, now converted to shops, restaurants, and boutiques.

Passing under the Talmadge Bridge, the entrance to Savannah’s deep water ports and terminals, is one of the many cargo ships that dock each and every day. This one is making its way back to the open ocean and will, in just a few minutes, pass directly in front of our house.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s Barque Eagle and the HMS Bounty, which appeared in the film “Pirates of the Caribbean II” as the Edinburgh Trader, are scheduled to visit Savannah next May for the Tall Ships Challenge 2012. The ship below is currently docked on River Street.

Souvenir shops along the cobblestone street feature items from jewelry and clothing to seashells and…

A block over, on Bay Street, is where you’ll find sights such as this 209 year-old-bell, the oldest in Georgia, that once hung in the cupola of the City Exchange. A watchman rung the bell to signal the close of the business day, and to alert citizens of fire. The bell was imported from Amsterdam.

President George Washington presented this cannon, and others, to the Chatham Artillery (Savannah is in Chatham County), after he visited Savannah in 1791. This cannon was manufactured in Strasburg in 1756

Savannah was once ranked first as a cotton seaport on the Atlantic and second in the entire world. The cotton exchange building, completed in 1887, was the center for that particular commerce. The building now serves as the offices of the Savannah chamber of commerce. The figure you see at the top of the dome is actually a live hawk that flew away just as I snapped the picture..

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Pumpkin Soup, Cloggers, Charlie…And A ‘Possum

Pumpkin Soup

 

Sure, living in our neck of the woods is great if you like the beach, palm trees, warm temperatures, tidal creeks, and marshland. But there are other equally appealing attractions. For example, the Harvest Fest on Oatland Island, which is a stone’s throw from our front door.

The festival took place last weekend at the Oatland Island Wildlife Center and it was a fun step back into time.

The crowd enjoyed a variety of activities, good food, and more wild animals than you could shake a stick at, including bison, wolves, cougars, snakes, armadillos and, well, you’ll see a couple of them below. But the grinding of sugarcane always takes center stage.

Grinding sugar cane the old-fashion way…

…using a one-horsepower engine named Charlie. Yep, Charlie walks slow laps while attached to a pole hooked to the cane-grinding device. The horse’s lazy movement turns the wheels that smash the sweet juice from the bamboo-like stalks of cane. Charlie did stop working long enough for me to to rub his nose and pose for a photo. Then it was back to the old “grind.”

Making sugarcane syrup from the freshly-ground cane.

These two ladies were tasked with making homemade cornbread (not a box in sight). The corn was ground by hand in a separate, smaller cabin. Then they made and cooked the batter in the cabin fireplace.

Cornbread-making instructions from a pro.

Homemade pumpkin soup cooked on an open fire. Absolutely delicious.

Nothing modern about this place.

This critter (an opposum) had the softest fur ever (very kitten-like). But its hind feet had a thumb each and that was too weird for me. Still, it was quite tame and enjoyed snuggling.

This owl enjoyed a scratch behind the ears. A little bit of gentle back-stroking seemed to be equally as pleasing.

Did you know an owl cannot move its eyes? They rotate their heads, instead, when needing to look to either side.

Cloggers stomping to a Miranda Lambert tune.

White Ibis taking advantage of low tide to find a bit of lunch.

Nothing like stumbling on a clutch of gator eggs, ’cause you know what’s nearby…

 

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Are You Lonesome Tonight?

Are you lonesome tonight?

 

Do the chairs in your parlor seem empty and bare?

Do you gaze at your doorstep and picture me there?

Is your heart filled with pain, shall I come back again?

Tell me dear, are you lonesome tonight?

I wonder if you’re lonesome tonight

You know someone said that the worlds a stage

And each must play a part.

Now the stage is bare and I’m standing there

With emptiness all around

And if you wont come back to me

Then make them bring the curtain down.

Is your heart filled with pain, shall I come back again?

Tell me dear, are you lonesome tonight?

*Are You Lonesome Tonight lyrics ~ Elvis Presley

 

/by

No Phone, No Lights, No Motor Car

No Phone, No Lights, No Motor Car

 

It’s as primitive as can be, a tiny island off the coast of Georgia that’s accessible only by boat. And the only residents have wings.

We kayaked over yesterday to do a little exploring, and believe me, it was well worth the effort. The weather was gorgeous (82 degrees), and the skies were a brilliant blue, with a hint of a few clouds on the horizon, an approaching front that delivered on its promise to bring rain today.

The tide was on its way out, which allowed us the opportunity to see the oyster beds as we approached. Kayakers are often treated to the sight of small sharks feeding in and around those beds. Another treat is to see dolphins swimming nearby.

We beached our kayaks, stripped off the life jackets, and set out hiking in the sand. And…wow! The island is truly deserted, and as far as the eye can see is…well, have a look for yourself…

 

We were joined by a third paddler on the way back, a pelican that kept showing off his diving and fishing skills.

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October In Virginia

October In Virginia

 

Drive north on I95 to Richmond, take a left, and you’ll soon find yourself surrounded by some truly spectacular scenery. Then, do yourself a favor and hop out of the car to enjoy a brief hike along the upper James River and in the Cumberland State Forest. You’ll be glad you did.

*Photographs by Christopher Fowler

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Coroner’s Investigator Paul Beecroft: A Stroll Through England’s Green and Pleasant Land

Coroner's Investigator Paul Beecroft: A Stroll Through England's Green and Pleasant Land

 

Falcon taking a sun bath

This Deer, one of a number that roam the farm and the surrounding farms is quite tame. Over the months I have spotted her a number of times. The day before these photos were taken she had spotted us from a field away and ran over to us and then followed me all over the fields and right up to the house.

However it wasn’t me she was interested in, it was Dax. She came right up to Dax and quite gently head butted her. After that it was like a game of tag which didn’t overly impress Dax after a few minutes play and she just wouldn’t clear off. Of course I didn’t have the camera with me on this day but I did the following day and once again she came over. She had one nuzzle with Dax before Dax cleared the fence and hid behind me.

 

 

 

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Unwind

Unwind

 

When the day is long, the body is tired, the mind is stressed, and you simply want to release all the worries, it’s nice to have a place to go to unwind. And our new home is just such a place, and it’s where we left our tension-filled remnants of the 2011 Writers’ Police Academy (while you were having a fantastic time we were working our buns off!).

So please join us for a stroll around the new backyard. Meet our new neighbors. I think you’ll find it to be quite relaxing and beautiful. I know we do.

Okay, take a deep breath. Now, let it out slowly and follow me…

 

Now, don’t you feel better?


 

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