On my way back from Sapelo yesterday, I stopped outside of Cobbtown, where 152 crosses the Ohoopee River at Collins Bridge. I stood on the bank in the flooded bottom watching little offshoots of tannic water roll over white sand and thought, this is the most beautiful place, the most glorious dancing light, I've ever seen. The older I get, the more I long to be nearer to that river, where I swam as a kid. Thank you for this, Janisse. I don't know where we'd be without you. If you hear of any writer's shacks for sale in Tattnall County, please let me know.
I think this speaks so much to the third space that is created through writing, even if unintentionally through non-fiction works- that of the imagined space we get taken to when we read beautiful words. In that way, the Tuscan light you experienced does exist, if only in your mind. I wonder, is that less beautiful than in real life? Maybe for those of us who live in places when the light is something sublime, we can't help but make descriptions of it larger than life when our start point is already heavenly. Those of the lucky light places 🌷
I love to travel and of course have favorite places. One of those places is Southern Georgia especially coastal Georgia. I’ll never forget my years in St Mary’s and Cumberland Island. It’s heartbreaking when people make assumptions about a place without taking the time to know it or witness it. That said, we’ve just returned from a month in Hong Kong which will always feel like a second home for us but what a relief to return to California. There truly is no place like home, and when we’ve made it our home a little piece of our heart is always there.
When I was in my early twenties, I had a brief romance with a guy who lived in Albany, and drove a few weekends down from Athens to see him. I drove mostly through rural areas and farmland. I remember once driving past a wide open field --it was late afternoon, late fall--and the light poured down like butterscotch, warm and pure and comforting. In that moment I thought, "I could die right here and be satisfied." All to say, I'm with you. There is something magical about Souega.
I am wondering if you thought about air pollution when you were in Tuscany since air quality alters the light we experience. The Northern European painters who made the light of Italy famous were not living in our polluted world. I first went to Tuscany in 1971 and the light was amazing but it has been different on my return trips. When I first hiked from the north to the south rim of the Grand Canyon in 1962 as a 12 year old, you could easily see all the way across the canyon. But when I was at the north rim a few years ago the other side of the canyon was not visible and there was an interpretive sign explaining that visibility varied based on current air pollution conditions. It’s sad but true but the light we experience is not the light of the past.
I know from having experienced and loved the light of my Gulf coast home for so many decades now that it changes all the time. If someone were to experience it for just a week or a month, depending on the timing of their visit, they might not see the splendor that I know is there. Those of us who get to experience a single place over many years and seasons are so blessed. In the late 90s I visited Venice in early spring and was amazed by the beauty of light. Then about 10 years later I was back in Venice in December. On this visit, the light was not amazing but the cold, the music, and the early dark were enchanting. If Venice or Tuscany was my home, I could speak about the light across the seasons and years the way I can speak about the light at my home.
Most importantly, I’m very happy that you in south Georgia and I on the edge of the Gulf have remarkable light to love and admire.
Thank you for sharing your perceptions of Tuscany ! I wondered what your experience would be and I was not surprised to discover your preferences for our Southeastern Homelands ! I love the uniqueness of where we are and I am thrilled that you are offering so many Teaching and Sharing opportunities…..
I am very busy working on various projects and eventually, when I am able, I will join you on these excursions into writing ! Meanwhile, I will continue to journal every day, as I have consecutively for over 22 years…..
Thank you for your Presence online and in the World !
Sending you Much Love and Appreciation from the Sandhills of Central Florida !
This is a nice reminder that all places have their value and it is important to tell the stories of our place. Tuscany has had many years for layers of stories to be told so we think we’re supposed to fall in love with it. South Georgia has beauty and history and much to love as well.
On my way back from Sapelo yesterday, I stopped outside of Cobbtown, where 152 crosses the Ohoopee River at Collins Bridge. I stood on the bank in the flooded bottom watching little offshoots of tannic water roll over white sand and thought, this is the most beautiful place, the most glorious dancing light, I've ever seen. The older I get, the more I long to be nearer to that river, where I swam as a kid. Thank you for this, Janisse. I don't know where we'd be without you. If you hear of any writer's shacks for sale in Tattnall County, please let me know.
I am going to start actively looking for a writer's shack for you. Beyond my wildest dreams!!!
I think this speaks so much to the third space that is created through writing, even if unintentionally through non-fiction works- that of the imagined space we get taken to when we read beautiful words. In that way, the Tuscan light you experienced does exist, if only in your mind. I wonder, is that less beautiful than in real life? Maybe for those of us who live in places when the light is something sublime, we can't help but make descriptions of it larger than life when our start point is already heavenly. Those of the lucky light places 🌷
Thank you so much for this.
Shhhh! Don’t speak too loudly of the light and beauty of Souega lest the hordes or tourist turn their sites on us!
Here is a link to the artist, Church Goin Mule. Churchgoinmule.com. She’s in the Mississippi delta.
Beautiful light, it's not an everyday thing. Might only happen a handful of days per year, in whatever beautiful place you happen to be in.
I suspect the average modern human is either indoors or on a screen and doesn't even notice when it does happen.
Being happy where you are is a sign of wisdom and mental health.
I love to travel and of course have favorite places. One of those places is Southern Georgia especially coastal Georgia. I’ll never forget my years in St Mary’s and Cumberland Island. It’s heartbreaking when people make assumptions about a place without taking the time to know it or witness it. That said, we’ve just returned from a month in Hong Kong which will always feel like a second home for us but what a relief to return to California. There truly is no place like home, and when we’ve made it our home a little piece of our heart is always there.
Wonderful commentary, Janisse. But then my grandmother always said I was obstreperous.
When I was in my early twenties, I had a brief romance with a guy who lived in Albany, and drove a few weekends down from Athens to see him. I drove mostly through rural areas and farmland. I remember once driving past a wide open field --it was late afternoon, late fall--and the light poured down like butterscotch, warm and pure and comforting. In that moment I thought, "I could die right here and be satisfied." All to say, I'm with you. There is something magical about Souega.
I am wondering if you thought about air pollution when you were in Tuscany since air quality alters the light we experience. The Northern European painters who made the light of Italy famous were not living in our polluted world. I first went to Tuscany in 1971 and the light was amazing but it has been different on my return trips. When I first hiked from the north to the south rim of the Grand Canyon in 1962 as a 12 year old, you could easily see all the way across the canyon. But when I was at the north rim a few years ago the other side of the canyon was not visible and there was an interpretive sign explaining that visibility varied based on current air pollution conditions. It’s sad but true but the light we experience is not the light of the past.
I know from having experienced and loved the light of my Gulf coast home for so many decades now that it changes all the time. If someone were to experience it for just a week or a month, depending on the timing of their visit, they might not see the splendor that I know is there. Those of us who get to experience a single place over many years and seasons are so blessed. In the late 90s I visited Venice in early spring and was amazed by the beauty of light. Then about 10 years later I was back in Venice in December. On this visit, the light was not amazing but the cold, the music, and the early dark were enchanting. If Venice or Tuscany was my home, I could speak about the light across the seasons and years the way I can speak about the light at my home.
Most importantly, I’m very happy that you in south Georgia and I on the edge of the Gulf have remarkable light to love and admire.
Totally agree. How can other people not see it?
This makes me smile. It is the love of place that lets you see its full beauty.
Thank you for sharing your perceptions of Tuscany ! I wondered what your experience would be and I was not surprised to discover your preferences for our Southeastern Homelands ! I love the uniqueness of where we are and I am thrilled that you are offering so many Teaching and Sharing opportunities…..
I am very busy working on various projects and eventually, when I am able, I will join you on these excursions into writing ! Meanwhile, I will continue to journal every day, as I have consecutively for over 22 years…..
Thank you for your Presence online and in the World !
Sending you Much Love and Appreciation from the Sandhills of Central Florida !
Johnny Dame
This is a nice reminder that all places have their value and it is important to tell the stories of our place. Tuscany has had many years for layers of stories to be told so we think we’re supposed to fall in love with it. South Georgia has beauty and history and much to love as well.
Dorothy was right. Oz was a life changing adventure, but, well, you know the rest.
But no gnats and Trump signs all over the place in Tuscany. But I still cry when I leave Southeast Georgia.