Thursday, May 19, 2011

Simply Ghostly

In full disclosure, this week's simple pleasure is over a week old.

Due to a series of unfortunate events, I was late getting here last week. By the time I did, Blogger Man had closed the hatch, and my post was unable to fly.  Here I am this week, better late than never, to share the simple pleasure that I have named  Redbeard's Ghost. 

This is the oak grove at the end of my street. 

There's nothing at all unique about it. Spanish moss drips from nearly every oak tree south of the Mason-Dixon line.  Around here, it's as common as kudzu and cornbread, and most folks pass right on by without a second glance.

But I like it. I like the way it hangs from the trees like a scraggly grey beard.   It has a romantic look to it, in a spooky sort of way.


It wasn't the grey beards that gave me my simple pleasure this week, though. It was a beard of a different color.  The other evening, I was driving home at sunset, and I saw something that I had never noticed before.

Don't those scraggly beards kind of look like they're on fire?  


They did to me.
I was completely jazzed by the sight.
The whole grove was bursting with flaming beards.

I pulled Ebenzer to the side of the road to get pictures. I think I sat  there for about 30 minutes just watching the show. Unfortunately,  I couldn't quite capture the beauty of it all. I was still using that borrowed camera, and I couldn't figure out how to work the thing.

I'm so glad to have a new shiny red Kodak...  


I have spent the past week trying to recapture the sight with no success. I guess just like any good simple pleasure, I was supposed to stop and appreciate the moment.  


I'm so glad that I did. 

Watching the sun set on the Spanish Moss is this week's simple pleasure.

*****
Joining Dayle at
for her weekly Simple Pleasures party.

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

Fantastic Shots! They absolutely look like a forest fire! :-)

Linda W said...

Incredible! I, too, love Spanish moss and miss seeing it up close and personally. Thank you for sharing something I love and miss!

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Yowza! That's not a word, but that's how your simple pleasure made me feel. What unique beauty, all provided by the Creator, and all for our pleasure. This may well be my favorite of the day. It's just magnificent! I also love Spanish moss, even on an ordinary day, but this puts it in a whole new light. Really spectacular, Debbie.

Denise said...

Pretty cool shots. I shall have to go exploring with you to observe this beautiful site for myself. Quite amazing.

PS Glad you finally got your new shiney red Kodak.

Lynn said...

How cool that you noticed that perfect moment! The pics are fun, thanks for sharing:@)

Chatty Crone said...

I agree whole heartedly - I love driving a little further south and seeing the Spanish Moss - it is a totally different feeling.

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Oh I sooooooooo agree...the Spanish Moss is just enchanting and we have taken pictures of it when visiting other states...you can just hear stories of the past come out from those trees. You captured it with your camera and then brought it all to life with your words.

Nikki (Sarah) said...

these are amazing...and they do look like they're on fire....I think nature has the best of the best...and these trees...wow. Glad you got them and posted.

Kathleen said...

I would love to see that for real. Your photos are great. I've never seen Spanish Moss before, thanks for sharing.

Kay K said...

Nature ....nothing like it !!! GOD is awsome to allow us such beauty ...great pictures thanks for sharing

Joan Hall said...

These are breathtaking! A wonderful simple pleasure.

Anonymous said...

Breathtaking shots, Debbie!

The Charm of Home said...

Debbie,
We, when we are lucky, get to go to FL every year. It just wouldn't be summer without our 1,000 mile trip to this Spanish moss tree lined oasis. I just said to my husband the other day I can't wait to see the Spanish moss dripping from the oaks. Thanks for giving me a little preview, it is one of my favorite things in the whole world. (Must be because Mom and Grandad were born there that I love it so.)
Sherry

Christine said...

For someone who lives in the Pacific Northwest, both gray beards and the blazing red beards, are beautiful!

Crickit said...

Great Simple Pleasure! Spanish moss doesn't grow around my neck of the woods! It is beautiful and spooky all at the same time. :)

Ms.Daisy said...

Debbie,
Wow! I remember seeing Spanish moss many times but I've never seen it in the setting sun as you have captured it in these pictures. Thanks for sharing these with us...they are beautiful!
I love the way you think.

~Jean

Ten Cow said...

Those pictures are really neat! I've never really been anywhere but Utah so it's fun to see those trees. Moss doesn't grow like that here in the desert! What a wonderful simple moment!
-Mariesa

Marlis said...

Love love love your photos. They are fabulous. and yes they do look like fire. It's too dry here to even think about moss. So seeing it in pictures is fabulous. thanks for dropping in with your kind comments. I also love the fried green tomatoes and congrats to the graduate! How wonderful for all of you. xo marlis

FrouFrouBritches said...

Oh my! They do look like they're on fire! I never would've thought of that.

I love the spanish moss! There is something so romantic looking about it, ya know? So pretty!

no spring chicken said...

Ooh! It's hard to imagine that anyone could ever get used to such a lovely grove. Of course here the native tree is Juniper which is interesting in it's own right, but giant oaks wearing long scraggly beards that catch fire at sunset? Wow!!

Blessings, Debbie

Renée said...

I learn so many dazzling things from you. We don't have any moss around here, except on rocks in shady spots. I have been your way several times, seen the moss and never thought of beards. I guess I'm just not a romantic, but I certainly appreciate your perspectives. Keep on having these "simple" experiences just for me!

Miss Char said...

Debbie, these are beautiful pictures and what a wonderful simple pleasure it was to discover that the sun gave the reflection of fire on the moss. Just goes to show you if we just slow down for a minute we can see wonderful things. Love it, thanks so much for sharing.

Tanna said...

Love these photos, Debbie! I too am enchanted by the moss... and sunlight... and all God's beautiful gifts for us to enjoy! I think He likes it when we appreciate our blessings. ;)

I love that your car is Ebenezer. I always name our cars, too... Fatty Patty Hog Dog is my current ride. I keep them until they are coughing up a hair ball. LOL! I've only had Patty a year and I still miss Sissy, my last ride, sometimes. LOL!

Have a great day. blessings ~ tanna

Leslie {Goodbye, house. Hello, home!} said...

I would have sat there, too.
And taken pictures with my matte black Canon.
You captured a beautiful moment in time...

Decor To Adore said...

Oh these images made me so happy! I remembered my first trip to Savannah and as I walked along my daughter and I were putting moss on our heads, faces,etc. until we were told mites live in it. :)

Anonymous said...

I love those pictures, you've done a great job on those. We don't get to see much of the Spanish Moss over here in Ireland, and as you said it looks a bit magic :-)

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Me again!!
That pic is amazing so I can imagine how breath taking it was in person. Don't you just hate when you can't capture it.........but then I always feel like it must have been just for me!
and how exciting is that........He created that beauty just for that moment in time for lil ol me
and you!! or whoever!!

It really does look like it is on fire, so neat to see those great lil love gifts from the Lord.
Blessings Abundant,
Nellie

Sandra Evertson said...

Lovely and spooky at the same time!
Sandra Evertson

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

What a beautiful sight! I think God gives us those special scenes to remind us tht He is near and in control of everything! Thanks so much for sharing and for your sweet comments.
Hope your weekend is wonderful.
Cindy

CAL said...

The first time I ever saw this was on a trip to Florida. I kept thinking it was a tree disease or taken over by spiders. You are right it is beautiful lit up by the sunset.

bj said...

I saw the moss on a trip once, a long time ago. The old, huge trees are so pretty.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I love Spanish Moss and these pics are beautiful! They seem to always be large??

Canadagirl said...

Oh neat! That is for sure something that is not in my neck of the woods. I love how we all get to share the different kinds of beauty that God has in different parts of His beautiful creation. Thank you so much for sharing this. ((HUGS)) It was amazing and I can't imagine how stunning it would have been to see it IRL.

Blessings and ((HUGS))!
-Mary

Tami said...

Wow! That is beautiful. I would sit there a lot to watching. Great pictures. I love spanish moss on trees-it reminds me of east texas where my grandparents lived. It sure looks beautiful there where you live.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

The trees are beautiful and huge!
ps. I did not mean the pics are big, I meant the trees are huge, large, big :) I do not make myself clear....

Sharon said...

How fun, Debbie!

I felt like I was on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland - (Redbeard was a pirate, wasn't he???)

I love that you find simple pleasures in the most wonderful places. God likes that in us, I think...

Thanks for sharing...Arrrrr :)

Beloved's Redheaded Bride said...

Spanish Moss and a Georgia Clay quote in your "about me"! I would say we probably have the same southern twang! ;) My husband and I are from Savannah way in the low country.

I clicked on here through Mary's blog. Thanks for letting me peak in.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails