Category: News

Yesterday afternoon a group of talented historical re-enactors entertained and educated folks at Magnolia Plantation.  This particular program is titled “Through the Eyes of the Enslaved” and included storytelling, blacksmithing, and outdoor cooking.  Featured presenters were Joe McGill, James Brown, Sara Daise, Christine Mitchell, Dontavius Williams, Jerome Bias, Nicole Moore, and Gilbert Walker.

The following information is quoted from Magnolia Plantation’s website; “Living History Through the Eyes of the Enslaved” is offered in cooperation with the Slave Dwelling Project, created by Joseph McGill, Magnolia’s history consultant. Through the Slave Dwelling Project, McGill has traveled to 17 states to spend the night in 91 structures that were once the home of enslaved families. He launched the project at Magnolia nearly seven years ago.  “Living History Through the Eyes of the Enslaved is our opportunity through the Slave Dwelling Project to tell our own stories,” McGill said. “We’ve assembled a group of African American historians who’re doing on-going research to bring to the public up-close and authentic educational demonstrations.”

I used Mansfield Plantation as home base for my travels last weekend.  It was the third time I have stayed there.  It is perfectly situated and absolutely gorgeous. Once one of the largest rice plantations in South Carolina, for years it fell out of the hands of the original owners.  Now it is owned by a descendant of the original family owners, John Parker, and his wife, Sallie Middleton, both of whom have made it their life’s work to restore the property to its original condition.  

Nothing clears the cobwebs out of my head quite like a road trip.  The opportunity to drive wherever the fancy takes me, with nowhere to be at any particular time, except the preference to be somewhere appropriately scenic at sunrise and during the late afternoon and evening. Furthermore, the most seductive routes are those less traveled, which sometimes gets me into some tight spots requiring third party assistance (see image from a previous similar trip).  Fortunately this time I managed to stay out of trouble.  I used Mansfield Plantation for my home base and struck out into the Pee Dee country from there.  Here are some surprises from the road.

I would love to credit the photographers who took these photos, but unfortunately I don’t know who they are.  At the same time, I have to share them.  They were posted in an online article that I found while researching bird feeders for my garden. The sub-topic had to do with trying to dissuade unwelcome guests.  I thought these were hilarious, especially the bear!!

Since the weather and the winter season have not been very conducive to gathering new aerial material, I have been going back through my 2016 folders and pulling out some images that I had not previously spent much time on.  My favorites have to do with the lowcountry barrier islands, particularly at low tide, because the sand bars and tidal action make wonderful patterns in the oceans and creeks.  These are a couple that I found this afternoon.  We live in a most beautiful part of the world.

It has been a little chilly for outdoor activities lately so I spent some time at the computer playing with some images that I took at McLeod Plantation a few days ago.  This is half the fun of photography; taking images in different directions after the fact, depending on your mood or whim.

While winter storm Helena is ravishing much of the Carolinas, Virginia, and New England, Charleston has dodged the bullet.  Aside from a couple of brief flurries and some admittedly chilly weather (relatively speaking), we chived right on.  Friends had scheduled their annual New Year’s Oyster Roast at their beautiful Johns Island home, and as the day wore on and the clouds cleared out, the way was paved for a perfect afternoon. Happy New Year!

Right now my Mum is struggling in a hospital thousands of miles away.  It’s hard to accept that age catches up with you with all its misery.  The body doesn’t want to cooperate anymore in many ways yet the spirit doesn’t age.  Such a profound conundrum and one that requires such wisdom and compassion.  I wish I was able to be there, but failing that, I’m so glad that I was with her just a couple of short weeks ago.  As an example of that irrespressible spirit, here are some images of her at age 87 joining me on a helicopter flight over the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa.  She was feeling pretty poorly at the time, but that didn’t stop her.  Mum, you are amazing!

This morning when I woke and saw the fog thick outside my window, I took the opportunity to scoot down to McLeod Plantation to take a few moody shots.  I have photographed McLeod over the years, indeed it is one of my very special personal places, and I knew this morning would be perfect.  Not many folks would come crowding early in this weather and I supposed (correctly) that I would probably have the place to myself.  I am still going to edit some of these further to give them a different, arty look, but here are a couple pretty much straight out of the camera.

Wishing all a very Merry Christmas. May the spirit of Christmas remain with us throughout the year. “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests”.  Luke 2:14  This was Christmas Eve on Folly Beach this morning.  Gotta love Charleston!