Gone South

I have been enamored of the South since encountering finely mannered Southerners as schoolmates when in Cincinnati.  

We took a trip to Charleston recently and while there had a chance to visit Middleton Place, a former rice plantation and current national historic landmark.

One of the attractions of the South is the presence of Live Oaks.

The house was destroyed in the Civil War.  This would have been the view from the porch.  Most visitors would have arrived by boat on the Ashley River.

Middleton Place is the site of America's oldest landscaped gardens, laid out in 1741.  Azaleas were added in the early 20th century.

Charleston is perhaps my favorite city.  This is a typical Charleston house.  Behind the door is an open porch facing a small garden. 

Good Grief!

Another visit from winter this morning

Poor little tulips

Hope

Two weeks ago today we had to put Hudson to sleep.  He had developed another episode of pancreatitis that wrecked havoc with his poor little self.  He was 14 1/2 years old. 

It has been a difficult two weeks.

The day after he died, the Snow Iris finally bloomed. 

It is a most welcomed Spring.