A Room with a View and the Beginning of Freedom

Did you ever consider the volume of people and events contributing to our freedoms? So many partook in helping to develop our current state over the years. Why the ride of Paul Revere popped into my mind at this moment, I do not know. I read an article recently about a young woman who also alerted townspeople of impending danger. The reality is, we may never know of each piece and parcel that built this foundation. In addition, we may not stop to investigate those who stood together to ensure a future of opportunities. As children, we heard about founding forefathers. We learned presidents’ names. We studied various details of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Did we ever once think about where and how these individuals lived? 

Perhaps as we age, our appreciation deepens and then we embark upon understanding. Alas, that is where I find myself. Today I would like to share a peek into a family with multiple members who gave so we could be free. The Rutledge Family who lived in Charleston, South Carolina, or could I say clan as they herald from Scotland. 

Have you ever stayed in a B&B, a Bread and Breakfast establishment? A dear friend of mine found the John Rutledge House Inn. Imagine this... John wrote multiple variations of the United States Constitution in this very house. Yes indeed. See photo below of the room where guests now partake in meals and fellowship on the second floor. This is where John pondered words that would later allow us to live as we do today.   

Steeped in history, this beautiful home allows us the opportunity to envision life in earlier days when times were slower, simpler, and the nation took its first steps. The photos infused here amongst details of some Rutledge family members' lives are from our stay last year. If you have the chance to go to Charleston, I highly recommend at least a few nights in this lovely house.

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Photo at left above features the front view of the John Rutledge House Inn. To the right, the back of the home with courtyard offer an entirely different facade. Below left, notice the view of the courtyard from an upstairs hallway window. Below right shows the ornate staircase and detailed landing. Look at the intricate carvings after the brick, approaching the stairs. Such craftsmanship throughout the house.

    

         

The concierge offered us this photo below of the original home. Not much has changed on the exterior over the years. The next photo depicts the plaque designating the John Rutledge Home, where John Rutledge lived and served as President of South Carolina and the first Governor of the State of South Carolina.

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I am often fascinated in imagining who stepped across thresholds and climbed stairs. The number of feet crossing and to whom they belonged. What were their lives like? Whom did they love? What did they do?

       

This room below at right is named the Signers Ballroom. Artifacts from the era encircle the room. The photo below offers a view of the house across the street.

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Here are some notable timeline entries of the lives and service of a few Rutledge family members:

John Rutledge

1761 began practicing law

1762 provincial assembly

1774 Delegate to the First Continental Congress

1775 Delegate to the Second Continental Congress

1776-1778 president and commander in chief of South Carolina

1779-1782 served as governor

Signed the U.S. Constitution

1789-1791 Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court

1790-1795 Chief justice of South Carolina

Edward Rutledge

1773 Career began as a lawyer

1774 Delegate to the First Continental Congress

1775-1776 Delegate to the Second Continental Congress

Signed the Declaration of Independence

Revolutionary War - captain in Militia of South Carolina, specifically the Charleston Battalion of Artillery

May 12, 1780 after British capture, prisoner at St. Augustine through July 1781

1782, 1786, 1788, 1792 member of the South Carolina state house of representatives 1790 member - South Carolina state constitutional convention

1794 offered appointment of Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court in by President Washington, but did not accept

December 6, 1798 elected governor of South Carolina

Hugh Rutledge

Practiced law

Veteran of the American Revolution

1783 Served as Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives

Incidentally, Edward Rutledge was the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence at 26 years of age. Other relatives also participated in government and the formation of this nation. 

Can you think of another family with multiple members who contributed to the birth of the United States of America?

The John Rutledge House Inn has insightful drone footage from outside the property right through the front doors. You can take a virtual tour of sorts and then perhaps book at stay. You'll be glad you did.

Rebecca and her husband share a townhouse with their rescued dog named Ranger, who is not spoiled in the least. They are enjoying a new season nestled in a quaint southeastern US city. She is a proud mom of an American soldier and an Aerospace grad student. If it were up to Rebecca, she would be traveling - right now. First up, trips to see their two grown sons. As a member of ACFW and FHLCW, she tackles the craft of fiction while learning from a host of generous writers.

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Going Out on a Limb - Arbor Day Around the Globe

Trees.

Life-giving, majestic, sentinels of time. We line driveways, create memorials, use as privacy buffers, climb on, hang from, and depend upon them for resources. They flourish in our books, movies, and Art of many mediums. Yet our thoughts and attention go deeper than the day-to-day applications. 

What is our fascination?

AI answered my question with the hypothesis that this “stems from a deep, multi-faceted connection, blending physical, emotional, and biological factors. Trees offer essential life-giving benefits (oxygen, shade, resources), possess calming aesthetic beauty, and foster a sense of grounding and permanence.” Additionally, AI surmised we benefit from reduced stress in their calming presence. I agree with the point that older trees “evoke a sense of history, wisdom, and stability.” The realization that trees communicate, share nutrients, and support one another adds to the wonder.

I am not alone in my fondness for trees. As a collective, the United States celebrates trees on Arbor Day. What I did not realize is that states declare this on different months and days. It makes sense as the seasons switch by region, and therefore planting parameters as trees burst forth in flower and unfurl their leaves at varying times.

On April 12, 1872, Nebraska City, Nebraska established roots of the very first Arbor Day. You can read the history in Carla Olson Gade’s post. After this historic event, other states joined the revelry. Now over 50 countries participate as well. Impressive that the efforts and initiative of one man in 1872 who addressed a need for trees in the barren plains of America spread across the globe. To date, over 500 million trees have been planted! (I read posts of an earlier celebration by Spain in 1594 but couldn't find a solid source or agreement of the location.)

From humble beginnings of shovels and hands, this day now monitored by The Arbor Day Foundation has scientific support and detailed planning. According to their website, they "use GIS mapping, environmental, socio-economic, and location data paired with local guidance to identify areas of greatest need." Combined efforts worldwide aid in replenishing this natural resource.

In honor of the upcoming Arbor Day on April 24th in Georgia, I would like to share some stellar trees we visited recently across the country. Join me at our first stop Point Defiance, Washington with its monumental trees. 

I'm not sure which specimen you see at left in all its stately glory. Below, left and right, say a hearty hello to Giant Sequoia ‘70437’ at 8.36m/27.43’ in girth and 39.02m/128.01’ tall. Goodness that is a lovely tree. Despite a document providing statistics on 22 of the resident trees, I could not find an estimated age. I queried and found it is probably relatively young at anywhere from 50-150 years. Sequoias can reach full height of nearly 250-300 feet. Can you imagine? I took the second photo at bottom right sheltered beneath its lacy limbs. Snuggled under the canopy, childhood stories danced in my thoughts. What a special spot.

  

There are many other old growth and interesting trees at Point Defiance. With each encounter, I wondered what they witnessed over the years. The people passing. Technology changing. From horses to horse and buggy, to cars, and eventually planes flying overhead. All the while the steadfast tree extends roots deep below and branches wide. Embracing our exhales and releasing a gift we often take for granted.

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Our next stop is John's Island near Charleston, South Carolina. Wait until you see this Low Country Treasure. Estimated at over 400 years, this Live Oak Tree is 65 feet tall and about 28 feet around. It shades roughly 17,000 square feet of area. The longest branch is 187 feet! The caretakers of the Angel Oak supported some of its limbs and repaired others. Visitors flock to this mammoth tree each year in droves. The parcel now housing Angel Oak Park was part of a 1717 land grant to Abraham Waight. Later, in the mid-1800s, Justis and Martha Angel acquired the land. Hence the name Angel.

Do we even need words?


   

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Take a walk around the Angel Oak with me...

And another view...

Look at those limbs...

Our last stop is with the Patriot Tree at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. To be honest, this was a bonus. I had no idea we would cross paths with this sentinel. We visited our son last week and stopped to appreciate this 175 year old Live Oak. Imagine, this tree existed in this very spot before the Civil War changed the landscape. How's that for perspective?

That concludes our current tour. Which was your favorite? 

If you would like to read some prior posts featuring trees:

Liberty Trees
Trail Trees
Trail Trees II
Stave Churches, fashioned from trees and an old lilac tree to boot.

Rebecca and her husband share a townhouse with their rescued dog named Ranger, who is not spoiled in the least. They are enjoying a new season nestled in a quaint southeastern US city. She is a proud mom of an American soldier and an Aerospace grad student. If it were up to Rebecca, she would be traveling - right now. First up, trips to see their two grown sons. As a member of ACFW and FHLCW, she tackles the craft of fiction while learning from a host of generous writers.

Connect with Rebecca: Facebook Goodreads Instagram Pinterest X/Twitte

Unexpected Encounter - Trifecta

Where Modern Art and history meet, the intersection is golden. The depth of value at an historical site climbs as multiple facets merge. In the case of Dickman Mill Park, the effect is tripled. This Park features the trifold attraction of a former wood processing site, an Art installation, and related media honoring the Puyallup People.

Dickman Mill Park rests along Puget Sound in Point Ruston, Washington. We favor this area with the walking paths, Point Defiance Park, and local eateries. It is possible to move from the end of Point Defiance to the Tacoma Chinese Reconciliation Memorial all on foot while discovering historical markers along the way.

We passed one such marker on two recent trips. On the first, my husband remarked how neat it is when efforts combine to bring history to life through Art. True words. We walked the length of the exhibit, read the accompanying details, and observed the metal creation, noticing varied images depending on the vantage point. On the second pass, we enjoyed the installation again and gained even more appreciation after listening to the accompanying media. With two simple clicks, visitors can hear a tribute to the Puyallup People and learn of their history in relation to the area. Song, language, legend.

This unexpected trifecta exists as a treasure hunt from what we experienced with visitors encountering the exhibit. Yet another example of getting out what you put in. Imagine multiple scenarios:

A passerby observes the landmark from a distance and keeps walking...

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Another takes a few moments to enter the location and view the site as is. Walks through the stages of the presentation and exits to complete the stroll.

The final visitor peers from afar, explores while reading the placards, and pauses to avail themselves of the additional media. Channeling a three bears experience here as Goldilocks listens to the SoundCloud and declares it, "Just right."

In researching this post, I discovered there is a fourth enhanced option of online discovery after the fact. I’m grinning now because I did not realize there is also text within Mary Coss’ steel Ghost Log. Now I am itching to go back to see it in person. Third time is a charm, right? Getting ahead of the story. Let's go back a few years. Or maybe more than a few.

Did you know, Tacoma was known as the “Lumber Capital of the World.” How did they acquire this moniker? A plethora of timber along with proximity to the railroad and the ocean provided an ideal location for waterfront sawmills. Dickman Lumber Mill Company operated on this site from the 1890s to the 1970s and was in fact the last remaining mill in 1977. All that remains at present are a refurbished head saw, crumbling concrete foundations, and the 8’ by 44’ steel Ghost Log created by local artist, Mary Coss.

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At the height of use, the head saw could cut nearly 150,000 feet per day. Wait until you watch the video offering a snapshot of volume in its heyday. The size of the trees! Cutting by hand – two men at the saw. The worker climbing the tree with haste and only a rope. Imagine the bravery required for many facets of this mill.

 

Long before the mill existed, the Coast Salish people lived on this land. The Ghost Log serves to honor the Puyallup Tribe. As I mentioned earlier, text exists upon this structure. The artist added traditional Twining and Lushootseed words with the help of the Puyallup Tribe. How neat is that? I encourage you to listen to this short recording, titled Ghost Timbre. This rich collage of voices, songs, and sounds celebrates the history of a people and this site.

What do you see in the sculpture above? I believe Art allows us to see and ponder anew each time we observe a piece. Depending on where you stand when you look at the Ghost Log, you can envision multiple objects, scenes, or even possibilities.

I think desired aspects of traveling could be equated to books if one is a mood reader for example. At times we hope for a light escape. At others we seek a humorous tale. Sometimes, we long for an in-depth story to transport us in time, space, or perhaps both. When the next opportunity arises for viewing a site brimming with history, I wonder which you will choose.

As a child, Rebecca loved to write. She nurtured this skill as an educator and later as an editor for an online magazine. Rebecca then joined the Cru Ministry - NBS2GO/Neighbor Bible Studies, at its inception. She serves as the YouVersion Content Creator, with over 145 Plans, in 46 languages on the Bible.com app.

Rebecca and her husband share a townhouse with their rescued dog named Ranger, who is not spoiled inthe least. They are enjoying a new season nestled in a quaint southeastern US city. She is a proud mom of an American soldier and an Aerospace grad student. If it were up to Rebecca, she would be traveling - right now. First up, trips to see their two grown sons. As a member of ACFW and FHLCW, she tackles the craft of fiction while learning from a host of generous writers.

Connect with Rebecca: Facebook Goodreads Instagram Pinterest X/Twitter

Jólabókaflóð - What Is It?

Sears Catalogs. JCPenney Catalogs. Does anyone remember those bulky books landing in the mailbox and the ensuing page turning while dog-earing the toy section? Dating myself with that admission, but I do remember those seasons.

If we take a trip back even further, in years and location, the youngsters in Iceland in the year 1944 flipped through the Bókatíðindi, or book catalog to choose titles for their Christmas gifts. Why books and not toys? Shortages of every sort resulted from WWII. While Iceland gained their independence from Denmark in 1944, even in their newly free existence, they did not have abundant resources. At the time, paper as an unrationed commodity allowed Iceland to produce books. The Icelandic book trade published the Bókatíðindi and sent it to each and every household in November, coinciding with the Reykjavik Book Fair. To this day, both the catalog and the book fair delight readers and fuel a tradition known as Jólabókaflóð, or Christmas Book Flood.

In researching this piece, I found varying opinions as to the validity of the history of this tradition. The consensus boils down to an opportunity for the publishing world to promote its products and consumers to embrace them while enjoying related holiday festivities. Think Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – developed by a clever employee of Montgomery Ward Department Store. Now a household staple. Most who place a young buck with crimson nose on their tree, table, or Christmas sweater are not familiar with his origin. And yet, they embrace the nostalgia of a commercialized tradition. Or consider Elf on the Shelf – a social media phenomenon where the stakes are high for parents to live up to their children’s expectations of elf antics. This rather new tradition multiplied out of the book penned by Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell in 2005. Each of these examples display creativity and now beloved holiday activities derived from marketing.

So what exactly is Jólabókaflóð? According to Jolabokaflod.org, this encompasses the season of new book launches through the time when readers delve into the pages at Christmas. The volume of books notates a flood. Icelanders open gifts on December 24th by and large. Some partake in hot chocolate or Christmas ale (non-alcoholic). Many give and receive books as gifts. Hence, the tradition.

Multiple online sources exclaim the bookaholics abound in Iceland. According to statistics, nearly half the people read at least eight books per year. Curiosity reigned and a cursory web search yielded that conversely the median number of books read by each American is four per year. Though this number is skewed by bibliophiles or avid readers who devour gobs of books each year and the flip side of Americans who do not partake in pages at all. Perhaps Americans could join in on this tradition and up the ante?

Last year our youngest son and I decided to celebrate Jólabókaflóð after we both discovered social media posts extolling the event. We discussed, divided and conquered so to speak. Unbeknownst to my husband and our oldest son, we did a bit of recon to determine what types of books they each enjoy. Some research and a few carefully considered purchases later, we were on our way to our first book flood. Ah, and of course, the required accompanying chocolate hopped into our carts. Be still my heart. Seeking titles that our family members might like allowed us to draw closer and garner deeper understanding of our respective lives at the time. This was helpful as our children are grown and live miles apart. We all loved this new exchange and collectively agreed to continue in 2025. Half the fun is the hunt. Let the games begin. What shall they read this year?

So, dear readers, I share this Icelandic festivity with you so you might consider imparting with your friends or family. Search for a book you think they’ll fancy. Wrap it however you see fit. Attach a treat, chocolate perhaps. And spend some quality reading time with loved ones this Yule.

Gleðileg bókajól (Merry Christmas from the book world or Merry Bookmas)!

As a child, Rebecca loved to write. She nurtured this skill as an educator and later as an editor for an online magazine. Rebecca then joined the Cru Ministry - NBS2GO/Neighbor Bible Studies, at its inception. She serves as the YouVersion Content Creator, with over 135 Plans, in 45 languages on the Bible.com app.

Rebecca lives near the mountains with her husband and a rescued dog named Ranger. She is a proud mom of an American soldier and an Aerospace grad student. If it were up to Rebecca, she would be traveling - right now. First up, trips to see their two grown sons. As a member of ACFW and FHLCW, she tackles the craft of fiction while learning from a host of generous writers.

Connect with Rebecca: Facebook Goodreads Instagram Pinterest X/Twitter

If you would like to read more, here are a few sources:

Jolabokaflod Christmas Book Flood • Reading for Pleasure

Jolabokaflod: A Cozy, Book-Filled Icelandic Holiday

Jólabókaflóð: The Christmas flood of books