Wounded Senior

Oak tree, Charleston, S.C.

We love this grand and ancient split oak tree on the campus of Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital. I was startled to see a huge limb broken off and laying in the parking lot this morning. Poor wounded tree.

They already had an arborist making a house call offering advice on the best way to take care of the damage with the least harm to the tree. By afternoon there was a large pile of cut wood laying in the shade of the tree.

Below is a photo taken earlier this year before the limb loss.

Deperately Seeking Oak Tree

Split Oak Tree, Meditation Garden, Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, Charleston, S.C.

I've featured this grand split oak tree before but it is so rare to catch it without cars parked around it that I can't resist snapping a photo when I go by. Today's picture is to bring to your attention a reader's plea for help in finding another tree. I hope she doesn't mind me sharing her note. Let us know if the tree she is seeking rings a bell! I am mentally replaying all the sidewalks of Charleston trying to figure out which one she means. Help her if you can:

I was hoping you could help me with something. My mother & I visited Charleston many years ago and have a single picture that, unfortunately, has disappeared of an old oak tree in Charleston. It was in a residential neighborhood of Peninsular Charleston and it was so unique because it had grown through/around the wall and the iron fence of the property. And it was a HUGE tree! A lot larger than you normally find in Charleston! We are now back in Charleston - permanently - and have started the search for this tree. I know you have walked nearly every inch of the peninsula and was wondering if you had any knowledge and/or pictures of this tree. Unfortunately, our discovery of this tree was nearly 15 years ago and we realize it may be gone by now, but if you have any knowledge of it - or know anyone who does - I would be so appreciative! My mother is longing to find this tree again!

Love the blog!

Grand Oaks in the Mist

Meditation Garden, Charleston, S.C.

I work in a garden. No doubt about it. On foggy mornings like this I take a detour under the oak trees on my way to the hospital and visit my favorite trees.

It was hard to make myself get up off the couch and go for my walk this evening but I did it late and just got back. It is still foggy and mysterious feeling. I felt like I was Oliver Twist expecting the Artful Dodger to dart out from around a corner. Boo!

You can click the smaller pictures to get the larger view.

Ancient Oaks and Spanish Moss

Live Oak with Spanish Moss, Moncks Corner, S.C.

This is the kind of weekend it was. A bright shiny gift. Now we have revived enough to stand a little more cold weather if necessary.

Unrelated to this beautiful tree, I love this story in the Post and Courier by Brenda Rindge about the kids selling painted and decorated keys to raise money for Crisis Ministries to build their new shelter. I'm sure the parents steered them but how cool that they have taken on the project. Let's spread the word. I think I'll send them some money. Article here: Kids Hold Keys to Caring.

The Legend of Healing Oak

Charleston, S.C.

Hit by a bolt of lightning years ago, the ancient oak split down the middle and continued to grow in two separate directions. The legend passed down for generations is that the tree absorbed the energy from the lightning and became a healing force often bringing about miracle cures.

Or………the other story is, I was walking to my car yesterday and noticed the crutches laying under the tree. I told myself that if they were still there in the morning I'd carry them into the hospital. I got my camera to take a picture and coming from my cool office to the humid heat the lens clouded up and gave the photo a decidedly spooky look. Boo!

Trees.....

Charleston, S.C.

It is difficult to realize how great a part of all that is cheerful and delightful in the recollections of our own life is associated with trees.
Wilson Flagg

Favorite Tree Nominee

Charleston, S.C.

On the off chance that you don't already have a favorite tree in your life, I am submitting this live oak for your consideration.

There is always music amongst the trees in the Garden,
but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it.
~Minnie Aumonier

Under the Oaks

Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, Charleston, S.C.

I was asked to give the reflection/prayer before our hospital manager's meeting yesterday and couldn't be there. I left this little video to play instead and from what I hear it was a big hit. Much better than me trying to pray in public!

I took these pictures entirely on our hospital campus. See what you think. Do I work in the most beautiful place in the world? How perfect for a hospital to have a healing garden like this for those who are suffering and in pain. If you live in Charleston, please know that you are welcome to visit our garden under the oaks.

PS: The one picture I did not take was the cool rainbow shot. One of the construction workers shared that one with me.

Pouring Rain

Charleston, S.C.

Weather is a great metaphor for life,
sometimes it's good,
sometimes it's bad,
and there's nothing much you can do about it
but carry an umbrella.

Pepper Giardino

The Great Grandmama of the Live Oaks

Angel Oak, Johns Island, S.C.

I am having a solitary day and paid a visit to the grandmother of all oak trees - the Angel Oak on Johns Island. I could have stayed all morning offering to take family pictures of fellow tree worshipers so they could all be in their pictures. It's a peaceful crowd who come to wander under limbs so heavy they curl around on the ground propped on blocks of wood. Visitors nod as if we recognize each other aware of why we've come.

She is a difficult tree to get a picture of and the results are always disappointing after the grandeur of the experience. I'll be back to try again.

According to SCIWay
The Angel Oak on Johns Island is believed to be between 500 and 1,500 years old, making it one of the oldest live oaks in the country. While its height of 65 feet may not be impressive, the shaded area covered by its foliage extends over 17,000 square feet!

Edit: Check out this same day entry: Laughing Soul

Old Trees

The Garden under the Oaks, Charleston, S.C.

It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit. Robert Louis Stevenson

Most of the pictures of the lovely oak trees I post are taken on my walk from my car to my office in the morning. I've been enjoying showing you a sneak peak at this lovely meditation garden. It's always been a beautiful spot, and is absolutely incredible now.

We are waiting delivery of a life size statue of Jesus that is being hand carved by a sculptor in Ohio. Opening festivities are being planned for when the final touches are in place but awestruck visitors are discovering it and slipping in already. Bring your camera. Holler if you need directions.

Accidental Filter

Charleston, S.C.

Like this accidental vignette filter? It is a budget filter effect caused by taking a camera out of deliciously cool air conditioning to our humid heat. I took a few shots as the lens gradually cleared from the inside out. Neato.

This is the new meditation walking labyrinth in the gardens under the oaks at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital. The fence is down, the fountains is bubbling but it hasn't been formally opened so you are getting a sneak preview foggy peak at it. It is a breathtaking spot.

Green Churchyard with a Light and Pleasant Awning

from The Excursion: "The Pastor"

...to a spot
Where sun and shade were intermixed; for there
A broad Oak, stretching forth its leafy arms
From an adjoining pasture, overhung
Small space of that green churchyard with a light
And pleasant awning. On the moss-grown wall
My ancient friend and I together took
Our seats...

William Wordsworth


Taken this morning between meetings, right before it started to rain and I slipped on the gravel, fell face forward with one arm raised, thinking, "Save the camera, save the camera!"

And nobody knows, tiddly pom......

Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, Charleston, SC

It's cold outside, kids! The hibiscus plants look like swaying ghosts wrapped in my old white bed sheets, the geraniums are in off the porch and the taps are dripping.

I am guessing no one else has this Charleston picture (except me, me, me!), although there are rumors we might see a few snowflakes tonight. We don't often see one of our grand live oaks covered in snow and it was a beautiful sight. I took the picture almost ten years ago.

Altogether now, in the voice of Winnie the Poo:

(Tiddly Pom)
The more it goes
(Tiddly Pom)
The more it goes
(Tiddly Pom)
On snowing.

And nobody knows
(Tiddly Pom)
How cold my toes
(Tiddly Pom)
How cold my toes
(Tiddly Pom)
Are growing.

The more it snows
(Tiddly Pom)
The more it goes
(Tiddly Pom)
The more it goes
(Tiddly Pom)
On snowing.

And nobody knows
(Tiddly Pom)
How gold my toes
(Tiddly Pom)
How cold my toes
(Tiddly Pom)
Are growing.