COURTHOUSE OAKS

A few weeks back, I blogged about a wedding at the old courthouse. The bridal couple were beautiful and so was the setting beneath all the great oaks.

A few days ago, part of a tree on the grounds fell and they had to take down the rest. And it seems another one is coming down, too. This will make six in the past six years that have been lost in this vicinity. If the county doesn't start taking care of them, they'll lose the one thing that distinguishes them from thousands of other courthouses throughout the country.


Here are some pix I took earlier this week. First one is the stump. See my shadow as I hold up my camera to take the shot?

Here's a better view of the stump. It's about five-six feet wide.

Here's the stump from a few yards away. The courthouse is to the left, in the background.

Here's a longer view of the empty place on the lawn. It's in the middle, behind the tiny tree.

 And this is the tree that's doomed. They say it can't be saved so down it will come. Sigh.

I think I must have been a druid in a previous life, so upsetting to me is this sad affair.

WEDDING

I was fortunate enough to be present when a young couple exchanged vows in front of the old courthouse on the mainland. They fell in love on our island and wanted to marry down here so they eloped -- kind of. Relatives and friends knew they were going to do it but since they've thought about it for years, no one was really sure what would happen.

It was a gorgeous day, not too hot but sunny. When the probate judge came out of her office, the bride chose the patio surrounding the stone-walled planter for the ceremony. There, under the magnificent oaks dripping spanish moss, the bride and groom said their vows as their daughter watched.

The bride was beautiful, the groom handsome and the little girl an absolute doll.

Oh, and before the ceremony, we had to have an obligatory whale picture of little Miss Julia!

A shame they couldn't stay with us longer, but pre-K awaits the little one and a cruise awaits the honeymooners.

All good wishes go with them. May the rest of their life go as smoothly as the ceremony.

MORNING WALK

The local art association sponsored an arts/crafts fair in Postell Park today. We got there right before the vendors opened. The old oaks and the neat tents made for pretty pictures.

This is when we were approaching, looking at it from between the trees.

This was the first section in front of the casino.

This is the back view of booths facing the sidewalk.

And this is the last section backing up to the local bar and tea shop.

Gorgeous day to be out! A shame I didn't have enough money to buy anything.