Ashley Fetner Fine Art Photography

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:  when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.  ~Charles Dickens
Kay

In March and April one of my favorite flowers bloom—the Common Hyacinth.  The blooms open fully and resemble little star fish.  There is an ancient Greek legend that describes the origin of this highly fragrant flower:  Two of the gods, Apollo and Zephyr, liked a handsome young Greek called Hyakinthos.  It is said that Apollo was teaching him the art of throwing a discus and Zephyr, who was the god of the west wind, was overcome with jealously and he blew the discus back.   It struck Hyakinthos and killed him.  From his blood grew a flower, which the sun god, Apollo named after him-the Hyacinth.  Hyacinths have been commercially cultivated since the second half of the 16th century.  Also in the Netherlands the hyacinth is cultivated in a minor extent for the perfume trade.   In Europe they became very popular in the 18th and early 19th century. The word “Hyacinth” was found in an ancient language called “Thracopelasgian” which was spoken 4,000 years ago!   In the Victorian language of flowers the blue hyacinth signifies sincerity.  March 7th is set aside as World Hyacinth Day—-we just missed it!
Kay

From: Song at Sunset
                                                              By: Walt Whitman

“O setting sun! though the time has come,
I still warble under you, if none else does, unmitigated adoration.”
 
                                Kay

From: Song at Sunset
                                                              By: Walt Whitman

“O setting sun! though the time has come,
I still warble under you, if none else does, unmitigated adoration.”
 
                                Kay

From: Song at Sunset
                                                              By: Walt Whitman

“O setting sun! though the time has come,
I still warble under you, if none else does, unmitigated adoration.”
                                  Kay

From: Song at Sunset
                                                              By: Walt Whitman

“O setting sun! though the time has come,
I still warble under you, if none else does, unmitigated adoration.”
 
                                Kay

                           From: Song at Sunset
                                                              By: Walt Whitman

“O setting sun! though the time has come,
I still warble under you, if none else does, unmitigated adoration.”
 
                                Kay

Miscanthus Ornamental Grass –backlit by the evening sun….

                                     Kay

Once known as the Virginia Nightingale the Cardinal was later named for their similarity to the robes of the Roman Catholic Cardinals.  The Cardinal is one of the most popular birds in fact Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina all have the Cardinal designated as their state bird!  In the 1800’s Cardinals were highly valued for their color and song and were sought after for cage birds.  They were caught and sent to northern states and to Europe. But this practice was stopped by the passing of the Migratory Bird Treaty in 1918.  How wonderful to see them in their own habitat…..
Kay

As early as 1810, South Carolina had established Post Roads so mail could be delivered in the larger towns as well as to the small back roads communities.   In 1813 Peter Garlick’s store was more than likely the drop off and pick up point for the Liberty Hill mail.  The first recorded Postmaster was Joseph McD. Garlick (probably a relative of Peter) in January of 1818. Early on mail was transported on foot, horseback, two-wheel carts, buggies or two-horse wagons. Many times the carries had to travel over steep and rough terrain in all kinds of weather and it was not uncommon for wagons, buggies or even cars later on, to become mired-up to their axils. The Liberty Hill mail would arrive at different hours from noon to even night!  Sometimes the mail carriers would make their presence known by blowing a bugle as they came into town.  Mail delivery was a very important part of life in these small rural communities. Since 1813 there have been many Postmasters as well as different locations for the post office in Liberty Hill.  The present  Liberty Hill Post Office was built in 1900 and has the distinction of being on the list of 116 post offices in South Carolina that continue to serve the same community that they served in 1860.  I read the account of an owner of a small store in South Carolina who was appointed Postmaster.  Over six months went by and no mail left the town and the postal authorities in Washington wrote the Postmaster to inquire why.  They received this explanation: “The bag ain’t full yet.”
Kay