more Southern lights

Late evening Southern lights are a wonderous sight. Catching them requires watching the sky just before sundown. The clouds seem to magically catch those last rays as the sun dips below the horizon. And in just a few moments - they're gone.

North Georgia red clay

North Georgia has red clay soil. This photo was taken just before sundown as the sun's rays hit the embankment behind a small company near Rocky Face, GA. I love the colorful South!

first Fall leaves

Leaves are starting to turn here in North Georgia. The first golden edged leaves are beginning to drop and there's a chill in the early morning air. It's time to trade open toed sandals for socks and sneakers, and grab a light jacket as you head out the door. Christmas is just around the bend.

getting there early

Early on Saturday morning at the Creative Arts Guild's Festival, you can see rows of vendor tents. Within 15 minutes of this photo, jewelers, potters, fiber artists, painters, sculptors, face painters - dozens and dozens of artisans busily set up shop for the day. This same scene will be played out over and over again this Fall at the countless art fairs and festivals sprinkled across the South. Ya'll come by to see us, OK?

cool, long shadows

As early Fall brings a chill, long morning shadows seem to linger just a bit longer.

painted Southern sky

Words can't express the beauty of this Summer Southern sky. Enjoy.

such a lovely day

It was such a lovely day that we just had to paint it......

holding hands

These trees, located on the banks of the James River in Virginia, appear to be holding hands. I don't know what type of tree they are, but the root system is fascinating.

R. E. Powell

This is a home-made, hand-carved tombstone located in Tunnel Hill, GA. It reads "R. E. Powell, Die 1893". One can only wonder 'who was R. E. Powell?' What was the date of birth? What was the cause of death? What did R. E. Powell do in life? Was there a spouse? Children? A mystery indeed.

the art critic

This is Bunch, the art critic cat. She's a bunch of fur, a bunch of colors, a bunch of noise - and a bunch of trouble. She's my buddy when I'm working in my art studio, always inquisitive and asking "Wh-oh-oh-wow??" She thinks she's a little four-legged person in a fur suit.

Southern hospitality

We Southern ladies know how to throw a bash! This was the refreshment table at the Tunnel Hill Heritage Center's "Echoes of Our Past" artists' reception. There was cool white punch, almond cookies, banana nut loaves, white grapes, nacho chips, ginger snaps, sugar cookies - just to name a few goodies. And they were all hand-made by artist Sandra Babb, who also furnished the table decorations including flowers from her garden. Historical Foundation members, the featured artists and Civil War reenactors stopped in for a snack.

just off the main road

Just off the heavily traveled secondary highways you'll find adventures down gravel roads. There may be fields of hay drying in the sun, small creeks waiting for fishermen, or trails through the woods beckoning the hiker.

morning jewels

I spied these dew covered spider webs under a bench at the Tunnel Hill Heritage Center. There's an old adage about counting spider webs at a certain time of the year and it's supposed to tell how many snows you'll get. I don't remember all the details, but whenever I see a spider web sparkling in the morning sun, I always remember my Grandma's stories.

formerly the Cisco, GA, post office

Yes, that's right. The very small building pictured was once - not too long ago - the Cisco, GA, post office. It was moved to make way for the newer structure which is a modular building. It's about twice as large as this old building, but it's still quite small. You'll find all sorts of interesting things when you venture off the main highways.

old general store

This old general store sits at the corner of the Tunnel Hill battlefield. It was built in the early 1920's but now houses items of interest from the past. During the "Battle of Tunnel Hill" the Historical Foundation uses it as a base of operations and welcomes visitors to inspect its quaint personality. While painting there last June, both Sandra and I heard the long disconnected pay phone ring three times. Honest. Ghost.

dueling

This was an impromptu jam session at the "Echoes of Our Past" art exhibit at the Tunnel Hill Heritage Center recently. Deborah had brought her fiddle to play some Civil Way and patriotic tunes during the informal event. The bearded gentleman was driving by on his way to the battlefield. But upon hearing the fiddle music he immediately parked, grabbed his banjo case and hurried to join in. What a delight!

peacock bedspread

Dalton, GA, is known as the Carpet Capital of the World. But it didn't start with carpet. It started with hand-tufted bedspreads. They could be seen on clotheslines in front of small 'mom and pop' businesses along Peacock Alley - the section of Highway 41 running from north of Chattanooga, TN, to Atlanta, GA. The bedspread in the photo is an original handtufted item offered by raffle donations to the Tunnel Hill Historical Foundation. If anyone might be interested, contact me at beejw@charter.net and I'll put you in touch with the appropriate person.

horse soldier

Sunday skies were beautiful blue at the Battle of Tunnel Hill. This horse soldier was walking his horse in preparation for the battle. Soldiers would water their horses before they themselves would drink. They depended upon each other for survival.

dancing at Meadowlawn

During the Civil War reenactment weekend in Tunnel Hill, there is a Saturday night ball complete with era authentic music played by bandmembers wearing period clothing. There is no sound equipment used. The ladies and gents are dressed in their finery as they dance the Virginia Reel and the Tennessee Waltz. The event begins at 7:30 pm and goes on until everyone is too exhausted to dance another step. There's root beer, apple cider and sarsaparilla for drinking. Everyone will be up early the next morning getting ready for Sunday's outdoor church service and the battle to follow.

cannons away

I was fortunate enough to catch a smoke ring from cannon fire at the "Battle of Tunnel Hill" reenactment on Saturday. You can see it just to the left of center in the clouds.

once upon a meadow

This is one scene from last years reenactment. The battle lasts for 45 minutes to an hour. Just when you think you've decided the outcome, you'll be surprised. Stop in to enjoy the living history, sip some homemade root beer, and wander among the sutlers' tents. It's a step back in time.

near the "Big House"

This building sits just outside the fence at the Clisby Austin House - the "Big House". I just returned from the battlefield and reenactors are setting up period tents getting ready for this weekend's "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment. The weather man says there's only a 20% chance of showers on Saturday. It was a gorgeous morning with a breeze and the smell of hay. Hope you can come by and see us.

early in the battle

This photo from last years reenactment shows soldiers around the headquarters. Soon mounted troops swept across the field and clashed with foot soldiers, guns firing and swords drawn.

Clisby Austin House

Union General William T. Sherman plotted the destruction of Confederate troops in his Atlanta Campaign and March to the Sea while staying in the Clisby Austin House in Tunnel Hill, GA. Just around the corner from Clisby Austin, Union soldiers who were eventually the first soldiers ever to win the Medal of Honor raced with a hijacked Southern steam engine, The General, through the Western and Atlantic Railroad tunnel.
In just a few more days, the "Battle of Tunnel Hill" reenactment will take place on this historic property. It reminds us that there was once a war fought here.

Sumner's Headquarters

I was painting Saturday at the "Battle of Tunnel Hill" property and thinking about how peaceful it is. Then there came a "clang, clang, clang" from the Southern meadow. After crossing Keys Battery I saw the noisemaker was Joe Don Holland who was staking out the reenactors' parking area. A few reenactors are already camping out and planning for the coming weekend. This photo shows the cabin used as headquarters during the battle. Off to the right you can see the Clisby Austin house. I hope you're making plans to come see the "Battle of Tunnel Hill" on September 6th and 7th.