The Marshes of Glynn

One of Eugenia Prices books mentions a quote from a poem called, "The Marshes of Glynn," by Sidney Lanier. The poem is actually about the marshes surrounding Blythe Island and the rest of Glynn County.
I checked out a book of his poems, and found that not only had he written, "The Marshes of Glynn," but has also written one of my other favorite poems, "The Song of the Chattahoochee." So I thought I might quote a little of his writings.

"As the marsh-hen secretly builds on the watery sod,
Behold I will build me a nest on the greatness of God:
I will fly in the greatness of God as the marsh-hen flies
In the freedom that fills all the space 'twixt the marsh and the skies:

By so many roots as the marsh-grass sends in the sod
I will heartily lay me a-hold on the greatness of God:
Oh, like to the greatness of God is the greatness within
The range of the marshes, the liberal marshes of Glynn."

Here are several pictures of the Marshes of Glynn. The Turtle River flows through this area, making Blythe Island an island.

The Lighthouse

Not long after I arrived here, Eric and I visited the lighthouse on St Simons Island.
The lighthouse was built in the early 1800's, then was torn down during the Civil War so the "Yankees" couldn't use it to their advantage. It was then rebuilt.
We climbed all the way up to the top and the breeze up there was worth the climb"
This lighthouse is a main part of one of Eugenia Price's books in the St Simons series, called "The Lighthouse."

The Zoo

Last weekend Eric, Benaiah and I visited the Jacksonville Zoo. We had a great time inspecting all of the animals and even took a little train ride around the park. Benaiah didn't like the whistle on the train too much.

Happy Traveller

Christ Church Frederica

I have been reading several series of historical novels by Eugenia Price, an author who actually lived on St Simons Island. She wrote one series about Savannah , one about St Simons Island and another about Florida. So far I have read 6 of her books. I presently put down the Savannah series to read her spiritual autobiography. So far, it is really exciting!
The St Simons series is all about the man who built the lighthouse, his decendants, and the other families who inhabited the island. The books are completely historical except for the dialogue. I love history and these books have just been such a fascinating way to learn it.
Anyway, all of this to say that Christ Church Frederica is one of the places of importance in her St Simons series and Sharon, the girls and I were able to visit it and it's grave yard. (This is where I got the tick on me!) The graveyard contains many of the bodies of people in her stories.
Not only is this church and attraction because of Eugenia Price, but also because of John and Charles Wesley.
The sign in the above pictures is under an oak where these men of faith first started this church. They used to hold services under this tree to preach of their face-to-face meeting with God, not just religion. Touring this church is where I learned of John Wesley's quote from his diaries about this area. (Quoted in "Happy 4th!")

CARROTS

Benaiah has been enjoying trying a few solid foods now. He's not so hot on rice cereal, but loves pureed carrots and sweet potatoes. He did try something green, peas, but gagged and hates them so far. By the time he's done, both he and I (or Eric) usually need a bath. But it is so fun seeing him try new things!

Sheepie

Benaiah loves his Sheepie that his Great Uncle Bill and Aunt Annie gave him. They often wrestle.

Big Lips Bird

Arnie the Armadillo

We actually spotted a LIVE armadillo on our way home from picking Eric up. Eric hopped out of the car and followed the little guy. He was really cute and didn't care about much else but rooting around in the grass for whatever armadillos eat. (The armadillo, not Eric. Although Eric is cute!)

Fort King George

Sharon, the girls, Benaiah and I visited Fort King George. The fort is just north of Darien, overlooking the Altamaha River. The fort has been completely rebuilt, and also has an indentured servant housing area (If you can call it that. They lived in palm frond huts!)
We also stopped off at the outlet mall near I-95. I am enjoying the shopping down here. How are we going to get it all back?!

St Augustine

Two weekends ago, Eric, Benaiah and I visited the Castillo de San Marcos in St Augustine, Florida. The Castillo is a fortress the Spanish built during the 1600's, but has been used also by the British and the US.
We toured all of the rooms, and also were able to watch them fire the cannon at 3 p.m. I can't imagine how hot the guards must have been in those costumes! The temperature was over 100 degrees and the humidity was close to 100 percent too.
We also visited the Ripley's Believe It or Not museum.

Sleeping Beauty

Benaiah takes at least 2 naps a day now and weighs over 15 pounds.

"Color Me Happy"

Sharon, Ashton, Brittany, and I visited "Color Me Happy", a ceramic painting store. We each found an item to paint and had a great time. We have done lots of fun things together since we have been here. Sharon went back to work just this Monday so it's just the girls and I home during the day. But we are planning to go see more sights all together before we leave.

The Hofwyll/Broadfield Plantation

Several weekands ago, Eric, Benaiah and I visited the Hofwyll/Broadfield Plantation. It's not a plantation like you would normally think of in the South. It is a small rice plantation that at one time had several hundred slaves. Rice planting was much harder than cotton picking on the slaves, since yellow fever and malaria were rampant in the flooded fields.
We also found that some of the dangers that existed then still exist on the plantation - mosquitos and ticks. The park office actually had a warning up that the mosquitos were at a high level. Boy, were they! I think they thought the bug spray was candy coating. Then I felt something tickle on my toe and I looked down and there was a big tick on my toe! (I've already had to remove one since we've been down here.) I flung my sandal off, trying to get the thing off. Eric came to the rescue and killed it. Benaiah and I decided to wait in the car after that. I can handle the heat, but not the nasty creepies down here! (Helen, you don't have to worry about us moving down here!)
The mansion and the families that lived there were very fascinating though.

Happy 4th!

We hope you all had a good 4th! We went up to a party on Eric's campus so I could meet some of his classmates. We got quite bug bitten there, in the shade. Let me tell you, John Wesely's description of Georgia was just about right! In his journal he wrote that south Georgia was nearly as hot as hell and the bugs are simply flying mouths! (I thought that was and interesting statement from him.)
Anyway, I am rambling now, where was I? Oh, the 4th! Then we went to Jeckyll Island with some friends for (how did you guess?) barbecue. We came home early though since Eric had school in the morning.
He's doing really well in his classes and has about 6 more weeks till he's finished. Yay! Well, we hope you all are enjoying our blog and look forward to getting home before too long.

Happy 40th!

Richard turned 40 last Sunday, so Sharon and the girls put on a surprise party for him after church. He was very surprised and we all had a great time. Brittany and her friend, Madison, put on a magic show for him and we all had barbecue (the food of the South), then ice cream cake.
It rained, but the kids were all out playing in the pool still since the rain here is very warm.

Cumberland Island

A couple of weekends ago, we and the Cropps drove down to St. Mary's (just above Florida) and took a ferry to Cumberland island. The island is full of wild horses and also has the abandoned Carnegie mansion from the late 1800's.
The ferry was about 50 feet long and took about 45 minutes to get over there. It was wonderful to feel a breeze since summer is definitely here.
We hiked around the southern area of the island and saw the wild horses grazing around the ruins with their young.
We ate our picnic lunch under the live oak trees as we watched the horses. What a great trip!

Hats

Hats are a must down here when one doesn't have much hair. Benaiah is doing better about wearing them now.
We had him weighed at 4 months and he weighed 13 pounds, 4 ounces. He's a growing boy! He just started eating carrots this week and he loves them, but what a mess!

The Cropps

Benaiah and I have had a great time with the Cropps. He has babysitters right here!

Their new house is great. Benaiah and I have our own room, which they had all set up for us when we arrived with a crib and everything. We are both being spoiled!