Peaceful Places

When I have an afternoon of just a bit of energy, and have had my fill of cabin fever, these are usually the two places we go near us. Sometimes it may be to Jones Gap, which is a state park kept in the wild, and the Saluda River runs through it. But I love these two bridges, Campbells Covered bridge and Poinsett Bridge, and we take the dogs with us, because they enjoy it every bit as much as we do!

CAMPBELL'S COVERED BRIDGE

Campbells Covered Bridge official address is Gowansville SC, but it is out in the country of northeastern Greenville County. Built in 1909, it crosses Beaverdam Creek

and is the only covered bridge left in SC. Behind it on the left are the remains of the grist mill which operated here for many years. It is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a wonderful place to enjoy nature and man made beauty together.

 POINSETT BRIDGE

Poinsett Bridge, named for Joel Roberts Poinsett, was built of local stone in 1820 as part of a road from Columbia, SC to Asheville NC. The bridge includes a 14-foot Gothic arch, is wide enough for a carriage, and stretches 130 feet over Little Gap Creek and is in the tip most section of Greenville County, not far from the NC state line. Though no longer in use, the stone bridge remains largely intact. The bridge is part of the 120-acre Poinsett Bridge Heritage Preserve. Poinsett bridge is off U.S. Highway 25 north of Greenville, SC. and was also named to the National Register of Historic Places. It is a lovely area and attracts local visitors especially in the summer to escape the heat. The Poinsettia Christmas flower was also named after Joel Poinsett.

Both of these photos are available at Bellesouth Studio and would make special gifts for those who live in the area, or who have moved away and would like a special reminder of their time here. Or, if you are a bridge lover, these would be for you! The photo of Campbells Bridge is had a painterly effect added to it, the Poinsett Bridge has had no effects added. Check them out!

Where do you like to go for a short get away?

Click on any photo you would like to see closer!

Come see my latest postcards I've received on Postcards Buffet!

New Art Cards In The Store AND A Story: The Gift

Just as I had hoped, I have now made art Note Cards for my shop BelleSouth Studio! Original Art! And yes, One Of A Kind! They would make great gifts! And they come with envelopes! Can you tell I'm excited? 

Yes, yes!

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These are watercolor and have paper tape down the side, with some stamping on two of them.

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These are acrylic and have numbered Gaffer tape on the side.

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And they have paint on the back as well as the front!

Visit my store!

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The Gift

(63rd in The Story Series)

Yesterday I heard a loud THUMP against one of the windows and thought a bird had flown into it. As I rose from the bed, I noticed Rochester, my golden kitty, frantically slapping his paws around in several places as he stood on his hind legs. After a few minutes, he seemed to have success in whatever he was after, and dropped to the floor. As he trotted toward me, he was mewing softly and urgently and I realized I was about to be given something.

As he came to my feet, he stopped and lowering his head, he gently placed a...... FLY before me. The Fly, realizing after a couple of seconds that he was free, took off, no doubt grateful he had escaped this furry creature. Rochester looked confused when it flew away, but received my thanks gratefully, purring loudly as I petted him and congratulated him on being the Mighty Hunter.

Later, as I was once again resting on the bed, he was at the same window, staring upward fixedly. I realized The Fly was probably there again, looking longingly at the freedom outside. Suddenly Rochester lunged, pummeling the windowpane with his paws again, and once more claimed victory by dropping to his feet and trotting toward my bed. This time he hopped up beside me to offer his gift, and the poor Fly was too injured to do anything but try to crawl madly away. Rochester kept pinning him down, taking him into his mouth and bringing him back to me. Finally a tissue dispatched The Fly and again there was confusion as to where his trophy had gone. But after he had received affection and soft words, he was happy and curled up to take a nap.

I know that is a habit of cats to bring back their kills. Our outside cat has left us mice, shrews, birds, and recently a baby bunny (I know, that was sad. He had the cutest little ears....) I'm just thankful that the inside cat has nothing bigger than the size of a fly to find in the house!

PS-I know it looks like I have no readers because I receive so few comments, but the truth is several people simply comment on Facebook. That's fine and all, I would just love to see some comments on the actual blog for others to read. (Hint, Hint)

Come see my latest postcards I've received on Postcards Buffet!

A Gift For Someone

Ahhhhhhh, what a nice feeling! In spite of the horrible migraines, and lack of sleep which have filled most of December for me, I was able to accomplish something special for someone! And it was something important to me to get done. I cannot show you the gift, but I can show you the process of getting it out into the mail.

The hardest part was finding a box just the right size. Rochester is asking if I'm sure this will fit this box.

He has to inspect it to make sure....

He approves! 

"OK Mom, what's next?"

The packing material is on the bottom, and the present is wrapped with purple shoelaces.

A card is tucked under them, and we can see who it is for....... then the rest of the packing material goes over it and the box is sealed.

Rochester does the final inspection and approves of the decorations. (If I were stronger, I would have decorated the box a bit more nicely, but no one will complain, I'm sure!!)

Now, Judy, since you know that this is for you, you will promise me now that you WILL NOT open the wrapped present till Christmas DAY!!! You may unpack the box, but the gift remains wrapped till CHRISTMAS DAY, not Christmas EVE, OKAY?? And I know you will not lie to me, so I am taking you at your word. :)

I will post the picture of the gift after Christmas morning.

Merry Christmas!!

Click on any picture to see details.

Come see my latest postcards I've received on Postcards Buffet!

Birthday Gifts

If you were looking for the Tuesday Story series yesterday, I apologize, I just couldn't do it. This morning I went to my twice a month acupuncture appointment, with a 1/2 hour massage afterward, and it seems to have freed me up a little bit and taken the pressure off. Usually I will feel better for about a week and a half and then start going downhill days before my next appointment. With acupuncture, it seems to help temporarily, and although I may still be in a flare, it doesn't seem quite so bad.

Anyway, I thought I'd share a great gift I received for my birthday, which was a little over 2 weeks ago. My sweet husband went to Etsy, and purchased vintage papers and images for my art work. He didn't realize it at the time, but he ordered it from a seller in Holland, and was a little perturbed when it didn't show up in time for my birthday. Once it arrived, we figured out why it hadn't - it had to come further than John realized. He looked at the package and murmured "Well, I wondered why the shipping seemed high, now I know!"

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The seller had everything wrapped in bundles with pink satin ribbon, and enclosed in an old wallpaper remnant tied with an old piece of lace.

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There were old playing cards, small old photos and vintage images.

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Even old hand colored postcards and school flashcards!

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Old French dictionary pages, a turn of the century French magazine, and several other large images, some in color and some in black and white.

I look forward to using all of these in my art and told my husband that this was one of the best gifts ever!

Come see my latest postcards I've received on Postcards Buffet!