Fences: Andersonville

Living in the Deep South means many Civil War sites that can be visited. Not too far from our town is Andersonville. An area dedicated to the a part of Civil War history, to one of the largest Confederate military prisons during the Civil War. The prison was only in operation for about 14 months, but during those 14 months, such saddness, such inhumane conditions. . . more than 45,000 prisons came through this site, around 13,000 died in this camp.

Now, it is Andersonville Village. A state park with so many accounts and history of that time and that spots dark details. But they do a great job and sharing history that was beyond the fences of this one prison. There are battle reinactments, but there are also reinactments of what life was like during this time. There military funerals, still today. And many ceremonies honoring various aspects of our military history.

We visited on a quiet day, walking with the boys through the sections and stories of the once was prison. Reading about the hunger, the loss, the desperate attempts of escape. Realizing how different our world is, in some ways at least.

Joining in with "FENCES"

Thank you Jan and Jer

http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/

TP 214: Grounded

Grounded. Now that is a theme...not grounded as in grounded for life, but grounded as in the ground beneath our feet, or I suppose our back. Now that is an idea, lying on your back, watching the stars, getting stove up if you happen to be over the age 40. Or maybe I am just not in good enough shape. But now I am off on a tangent. I need to stay "grounded" here ...

In honor of our first fall like weather, here is my "grounded."

Visit Carmi here:

Smiles!!

Fences: Upon The Suwanee River

I enjoy going back through my picture files and seeing how the kids have all changed and grown over the years. I am not sure I like that I have grown thicker and older. But, hey, such is life. Glad to be here.

I also realize how many quick trips we do take. This particular one to was to visit family in Florida. As we drove through Suwanee, could not resist the stop. And the oldest was in a silly mood and actually had some fun with picture taking along that green fence. Who knew a few years later that would be watching a reality TV show about loggers on that particular river?

"Fences" is hosted by:

Jan and Jer

TP 211: Weathered and Worn, The Last of It's Kind

Several years ago, a true vacation was just not possible, so we did a couple day trips.

Not a true staycation, because we did leave town, but not the state.  This particular adventure was to check out some sights listed in various Cuirosities of Georgia type books.

About an hour from home, was the last remaining wooden confederate flag pole- dubbed "Old Woody" in the books. Now, I am not that into civil war and am not into flag poles, but thought that we would include that stop in with several other stops.

As we drove around the small town's square, I was unable to locate the flagpole that the book was describing. I parked the car the my sons and a nephew got out to walk around the old courthouse.

How hard could it be to find an old flag pole?!?

No luck, so we entered the courthouse to ask one of the employees.

Funny thing, they had no idea!  Had never heard about it and did not know their town square was listed in several books. I guess we were the first to show or the first unable to figure out a wood flag pole from a not wood flag pole.

As we talked to the ladies in the office, someone walked up that did, indeed, know about the pole and explained why we could not find it: it's encased in concrete to keep it from rotting!!

We headed out to find the pole on the corner. We had walked right by it before and had missed the marker covered by the holy shrubs next to it.

As you can see, my oldest was none to happy to have to pose for a picture by "Old Woody."

While it remains the only standing wooden flag pole from the confederacy, it has only stood the test of time by the casing of cement covering the wooden core. Guess it was getting too weathered and too worn and just did not stand up to the newer aluminum and steel poles used now.

Our trip was not quite complete though, that was just a silly stop along the way.  We continued our journey to find the Cohelee Bridge: the most southerly remaining "kissing bridge" (covered bridge if you will).

What the weather and age has not done, artist have.

No more wooden bridges these days, and I don't believe we need covered bridges to go "kissing" in either. I am glad it has remained. I am glad it shows the workmanship of days gone by, when people built and made things that were to stand the test of time.

And just so you know, I did not make the boys JUST looke at a flag pole and an old "kissing bridge," after burgers we checked out some Indian Mounds too.   

Now that is something that they don't make anymore . . .

Thank you to the host: Carmi!

TP 210: Parrellelism at the St. Pen

The curves and the arches and the old and the flaking is what I am sure caught my eye in the picture. We were moving my step-daughter to Philly and decided to take a tour of the St. Pentitiary. A very intersting trip.

The arches, while curved, also offer the parrellelism that is the theme this week.  I guess you could say it represented a parrellelism in life too. This site once housed beings in this cramped space. While it was dark and a spot of transgressions, well, look at those arches! Towards the bottom center of the picture, are some sort of cabinets. I am sure in their day they were beautiful. The stone work and architecture has, for the most part, stood the test of time. As have some of the stories and lessons from this structure.

And think, at one time, behind those doors dotting the walkway, lives lived in the confines of this building, stifling and tedious and not always warranted.

Meanwhile, outside the doors, the walkways, the walls, there was a parrellel life being lived. Kids playing, adults working, games being played, laughter and most importantly freedom.

I guess life is always full of parrellels...

Hosted by CARMI, go by and check out his site.

Smiles!!