A Blessing of Solitude

(Shot in Ormond Beach, FL in 2004)

This book is simply amazing...

Again, sharing from Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom:

"May you recognize in your life the presence, power, and light of your soul.
May you realize that you are never alone,
that your soul in its brightness and belonging connects you
intimately with the rhythm of the universe.
May you have respect for your own individuality and difference.
May you realize that the shape of your soul is unique,
that you have a special destiny here, that behind the facade of your life,
there is something beautiful, good, and eternal happening.
May you learn to see yourself with the same delight, pride,
and expectation with which God sees you in every moment."

Little wrenlet

We had a bit of a cool front come through Tuesday afternoon, with winds and temperature drops to the high 40's. I saw this little Carolina Wren all fluffed up and perched in the evening sun on a post outside on the deck, and couldn't resist at least trying for a photo through the kitchen window.

First year of the new garden

Remember this "cement pond" we had in our back yard? We did a deconstruction last fall and had that 18' x 36' hole filled to create a new garden area. Below was the result of the landscaping that was done to redesign the entire area with all the new plants labeled so you could see what all we planted.


Fast forward eight months! I was so thrilled to see that everything came up this spring and started blooming away! I am still not sure that the Lenten Rose will make it with the limited shade, and the Autumn Fern is looking a bit peeked, but everything else is simply beautiful!

I love, love, love our new garden and have not regretted our decision to do away with the pool not one single nanosecond.

Opening the door

Celtic Art by Jen Delyth

From Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom:

"...When a well awakens in the mind, new possibilities begin to flow, and you find within yourself a depth and excitement that you never knew you had. This art of awakening is suggested by the Irish writer James Stephens, who said, "The only barrier is our readiness." We often remain exiles, left outside the rich world of the soul, simply because we are not ready. Our task is to refine our hearts and minds. There is so much blessing and beauty near us that is destined for us, and yet it cannot enter our lives because we are not ready to receive it. The handle is on the inside of the door; only we can open is. Our lack of readiness is often caused by blindness, fear, and lack of self-appreciation. When we are ready, we will be blessed. At that moment the door of the heart becomes the gate of heaven..."

Beauty... at what cost?

We would like to think that we are evolved enough in our society by this point to be more aware of how women are viewed, but sadly, it's still a huge issue in advertising. I saw this clip on Ordinary Courage and wanted to share it here as well. When will we, as a society not be OK with this any longer?

Funny, but it sort of reminds me of what a wonderful counselor friend said to me when I was bemoaning Sam's diagnosis of autism and its impact on our lives. She said, "Jayne, this perfect life you think you would have had if Sam had not been diagnosed with autism doesn't exist." Touché. I hope that someday we will change our views and advertisers will have to be more truthful in the images they project.

A Friendship Blessing

I am finally (finally) reading the book Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom which has been recommended to me by so many people. Anam Cara translates as "soul friend." What a lovely, wonderful book. It is one of those books that you have to read and digest slowly for the concepts are meant to be given much thought. I have already found so much in the book that resonates with how I have learned to live my life over the years. I especially loved this poem quoted in the book, and wanted to share it here.

A Friendship Blessing

May you be blessed with good friends.
May you learn to be a good friend to yourself.
May you be able to journey to that place in your soul where there is
great love, warmth, feeling, and forgiveness.
May this change you.
May it transfigure that which is negative, distant, or cold in you.
May you be brought in to the real passion, kinship, and affinity of belonging.
May you treasure your friends.
May you be good to them and may you be there for them;
may they bring you all the blessings, challenges, truth, and light
that you need for your journey.
May you never be isolated.
May you always be in the gentle nest of belonging with your anam cara.

Rainwater

I am always looking for new books to enjoy on my Kindle, and recently visited a blog with a blurb about Sandra Brown's new book, Rainwater. I did not read anything about the book, but I've read many of her books in the past and have enjoyed them, so I looked forward to enjoying her latest offering.

I won't give any details except to say that I was only a few chapters in when I found myself smiling. Smiling because the main character, Ella, has a son, Solly, and he has autism. Autism is not even mentioned until the end of the book, but as I read scenes of his behaviors, I knew. And, as the book was set in the Depression era, I knew that they did not know exactly what was wrong with Solly as the word and diagnosis did not exist.*

It's so interesting to see that autism, and even writing a book with an autistic character, has become so mainstream. Surely Ms Brown has had it touch her own life for her to be able to write so eloquently about this child and his behaviors. April is Autism Awareness Month, and it occurred to me that I had not even addressed it here on my blog. Thank God that there is so much more education and awareness, and kids are no longer sent to asylums to live out their days. Thank God for authors like Sandra Brown who are writing about characters embracing and loving their children for who they can be. No longer is autism a dark and mysterious disorder, but one in which we know can be benefitted from functional treatment and management.

*From Wikipedia: Leo Kanner of the Johns Hopkins Hospital first used autism in its modern sense in English when he introduced the label early infantile autism in a 1943 report of 11 children with striking behavioral similarities. Almost all the characteristics described in Kanner's first paper on the subject, notably "autistic aloneness" and "insistence on sameness", are still regarded as typical of the autistic spectrum of disorders.

Aren't geraniums just the best?

They bloom, and bloom, and bloom all summer long and require very little care. Just deadhead them, throw a bit of water or Miracle Grow on them weekly, and they will be happy to stay gorgeous all summer long. They are heat tolerant, and can be used in so many places.

I found these beautiful double bloom, variegated pink geraniums at the garden center and knew they'd be perfect in my porch pots! I don't think I've had a summer pass without at least having two at my house, sometimes more. So much beauty for so little effort. What a plant!

The new side bed!

Back in March, I asked for suggestions about what to use in a side bed by my driveway where I'd pulled up some Sweetspire. Well, I took the suggestion of an evergreen, and got it planted last week. I chose a Bowling Ball Arborvitae, which will maintain its shape and only get around 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 ft in size. I also pulled up the red Dianthus in the front (which clashed with the hot pink Weigela in bloom time) and replaced them with cool white Begonias.

We had trimmed back the Weigela, and it now looks more proportionate in the bed. The Zebra Grass is coming back, and the Dwarf Nandina is as sturdy as ever. All in all, I am pleased with the re-do.

On the kitchen table

Oh yes indeed.... it's all about spring now!

Bloom on Blue Chip

Back in March, I posted about learning about a new variety of miniature Butterfly Bush that can be used in containers on your deck. Well, last week, I went by our local garden center, and asked off hand if they'd heard about this new plant. "Why yes," said the helpful young man, "they are right over there in those white pots!"

I was so excited! They had received probably 15 of the Blue Chip Butterfly Bushes! They were a bit pricey at $24.99, but you know I had to take two of them home with me. I put them in 5 gallon pots on the back deck and can't wait to see them in bloom, and to see the many hummers and butterflies that are attracted to them.

Yesterday, as I was watering one of them, I noted it is already starting to bloom. I am giddy with anticipation!

New backyard birds?

We returned home from Cumberland late Friday night, and the next day was filled with chore of lawn and laundry. Husband had cut the grass and was sitting on the deck, when he called me to come outside. "Did you hear that?" "Hear what?" I asked. "I just heard a rooster crowing!"

Sure enough, within a few minutes, we looked towards the tree line behind our next door neighbor's house, and there was this huge rooster and his hen. We later talked to the neighbor behind us, and he told us that they simply appeared on Wednesday, the week we were gone, and had been hanging around since. We have no clue where they came from, or how they got to our neighborhood, but there they are!

Every now and again, they'll wander over to our tree line, where they were when I snapped these photos, but they seem to prefer the tree line next door. It's been rather funny actually, unless of course you live in that house and awaken each morning to his early crowing!

Saying our farewells

Thank you for indulging me this week and allowing me to share our adventures on Cumberland Island. I can't remember another vacation where I truly wanted to cry as I did when the ferry pulled away from the dock. There is something so very special about this place that seeps into your soul in a way I can't adequately explain.



This guy was at the beach all three days we went there. We looked forward to seeing him each day. Goodbye my friend... maybe we'll see you again some day.



I don't think I've ever seen, or will ever see such beautiful, enormous oak trees. For perspective, enlarge the photo below and note the normal sized picnic table on the far right of this giant beauty.


The Lucy R. Ferguson was awaiting us at the dock to whisk us back to Fernandina Beach and reality. I know I will return some day and look forward to being embraced once again by the magic that is Cumberland Island. Farewell to this very beautiful, enchanting place...

Birding on Cumberland

As you might imagine, the birdsong on Cumberland Island was amazing. We were serenaded throughout the day, and could see so many birds flying among the oak and palmetto. But, here is what I know about myself. I am a lousy in-the-field-birder apparently! When they are in my own backyard and enjoying seed in a controlled environment, I can shoot away. But, put me in a thick maritime forest, and well, they all seem to allude me! I heard so many Summer Tanagers (pictured above) as I knew their "pit-a tuck" sound well.

But, others, like this bird below (some sort of Vireo?* Anyone know?) were not only hard to see, but darn near impossible to photograph as they scampered around the canopy of the forest.

*White-eyed Vireo says Lisa! Thanks Lisa!


And the Warblers! Oh, the Warblers! There were oodles and oodles of them high up in the live oaks, enjoying the insects within the Spanish Moss. I want to say this one below is a Yellow-throated Warbler? I could very well be wrong so someone please correct me if I am mistaken.* This was the best photo I could manage to get of him.

*Again, thanks to Lisa, this little guy was identified as a male Northern Parula


Another mystery bird for me is seen below. I thought he might be some sort of flycatcher*?

*Wrong again! Thanks to Julie Z for the ID of a Red-eyed Vireo!


This one I know because as we rounded a corner on our trip with the naturalist, he yelled, "Check out the Wood Stork!" Just as I raised my lens, he took off. It's blurry, but still a cool find to see one in flight. They are so prehistoric looking, aren't they?


Finally, some birds that are also pretty prevalent on the island... Cattle Egrets. They follow the horses around because when the horses move through the grass, they stir up insects, and that is an easy meal for an Egret.

We did go on a birding outing one morning at 7AM, but for some reason, the birds did not get the memo, and the place Joe took us (a marshy boardwalk area) was eerily quiet. All except for the "conkaree" of the Red-winged Blackbirds. Maybe with some practice, I'll become a better field birder.

A typical day on the island

Our naturalist guide, Joe, felt it necessary to differentiate between what are called the "wild horses of Cumberland" and what he termed are "feral" horses which roam the island. Domesticated horses were brought to Cumberland by man for farming, planting and other needs. When the heyday of the plantations ended, and many of the private residences were abandoned, the horses were simply released into the wild. Thus, they became feral horses and their descendants roam the island today. Two foals in the same herd had been born just days prior to our arrival. Above is the brown foal. There was also a mare with a black foal and this particular herd stayed on the grounds of the inn.

When we went on a tour of Dungeness, we saw many wild turkeys roaming, and would hear them gobbling each morning all around the island. The males were much more colorful than the wild turkeys I've seen here and we enjoyed their mating displays.

Eating is an event at Greyfield and is included in the price of lodging. A continental breakfast starts each day at 7AM, and consists of coffee, tea, cereal with milk, bagels, toast, and fresh fruits. But, a sit down breakfast is also served starting at 8:30, and boy, do they know how to do breakfast! It always included fresh squeezed orange or grapefruit juice, scrambled eggs, applewood smoked bacon, and either grits, pancakes, or oatmeal. The first morning we were there, they had fresh blueberry muffins steaming from the oven. They were divine!

Lunch was even more fun. There was a large cooler in the kitchen and when you were ready to eat lunch, you simply headed to the kitchen, opened the cooler, and found a nice packed picnic basket with your name on it. It included plates, cups, napkins, a sandwich, chips, a pasta salad of the day, and cookies or a brownie for dessert. You could fill drink canteens with lemonade, fruit tea, or water to take with you on your picnic. Any guest was welcome in the kitchen at any time and there was always fresh fruit for snacking. Below, you can see our basket we took to the beach gazebo one day for a lovely lunch.

Dinner is a real treat at Greyfield. It starts when a chime rings at 7:30 and all the guests head downstairs to the dining area. There are fresh flowers on the table along with tea light candles lit, and they serve a gourmet dinner with fresh bread, appetizer, entree, and dessert with coffee. All the food was so delicious. I did not think I could eat three full (very full) meals a day, but with all the walking, hiking, and biking, we were hungry enough!


During one of our tours towards Dungeness, we were lucky to be able to spot one of the leucistic deer that roam the island. They are not true albinos since they have black noses and dark eyes, but due to a lack of natural predators, have been able to survive there. He was pretty far across the clearing and I had to use a maximum zoom, but at least you can see how white he is.


On our naturalist tour, we were again lucky to spot an alligator sunning on the banks of a marsh area. This guy was not very large or aggressive, thankfully. It was so cool to see one out in the wild just being a gator!

On the beach at Cumberland Island

Because Cumberland Island is a protected seashore, you can go for miles and not see another living human being. We drove down the beach for probably 10 miles in the back of a truck and maybe saw three or four other people. Even the number of day visitors is limited in order to decrease the impact upon the seashore. We saw many flocks of migrating birds in "V" formation flying along the shoreline.

Below is a grouping of Brown Pelicans which we saw the day we went for a tour with one of the naturalists, Joe (who was driving the truck).

Joe explained how the sea water being deposited on the dunes makes naturally occurring "salt pruning" to happen to the trees. The foliage is killed off and the tree, in order to adapt to the conditions there, starts to grow inward towards the forest in order to survive. You see many trees which have no growth on the side towards the ocean, and they lean backwards towards the forest as they protect what can grow.



There were lots and lots of gulls, and this one was being particularly photogenic for me. Thankfully, due to his distinct features, I was able to actually ID this one as a Ring-billed Gull.


The Sandpipers were another issue all together! There were so many varieties, in so many stages of their life cycle, it was massively confusing to determine who was a what! This Cormorant, in flight below, was a tad easier.



The birds above, which appear to be Sanderlings (another variety of Sandpiper...thanks Laura!), are digging in the sand together searching for tasty treats. The gull below seemed to float on the breeze along the shoreline. The dunes along this beach stretch inland probably 100+ yards and are unlike anything I've ever seen. In June, sea turtles will start to emerge from the sea to nest on these quiet, protected beaches. What a sight that must be!

1st African Baptist Church

Another one of the (now famous) historic structures on Cumberland Island is the 1st African Baptist Church. "The Settlement" was the area where freed slaves lived on Cumberland Island, and in 1893, the church was founded on its north end. It was rebuilt in 1937, and is the only church on the island, though it is no longer in use.

As I walked out of the church, I saw this wonderful long-needle pine cone on the ground which you can see above on the right lower corner of the church. I picked it up, noted its perfect shape and was marveling its sheer size. That pine cone came home with me, and below is shown next to a pine cone from the tree line behind our house!


The church is now famous because John F. Kennedy, Jr. married Carolyn Bessette in 1996 and did so inside this tiny church. Their reception was held at Greyfield. I can fully understand why they chose this secret, and very remote location as there is no way the paparazzi would have ever found it in these dense woods.

As you walk in, the first thing you see is this altar area and in front of it, a small table with a wooden cross where people have placed pine cones and other tokens, along with a vase where monetary donations for the church have been offered up as well.


This church is in such a remote area, and yet, it is understood that no one would do anything to disrespect this historic structure. Below is a wider view of the front of the church.



The above plaque is on the outside of the structure and commemorates its construction in 1937. If you listen quietly, you can almost imagine the spiritual strains of the hymns that were sung here with so much feeling.