COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS

"This morning we were up at half past five, early enough to see the sunrise dripping wet out of the ocean"

This is just one of the fascinating descriptions logged in a 1905 journal that I purchased for twenty-five cents at a York, PA auction. The journal is impressive, both in content and appearance. Writing in the journal was done with a quill pen.

From what I can tell, it was written by a Mr. R.F. Gable during his trip from York, PA to Savannah, GA, by way of a coal-fired steamboat.  After some research, I found (what I think is) his grave site at Prospect Hill Cemetery.

While in Savannah he wrote a graphic description of the destruction caused by moss to a tree. 

"the moss is a parasite that lives by inserting its delicate suckers into the bark, and draws its sustenance from the flowing sap.  It is repelled by trees in perfect vigor, but in one enfeebled by age or accident, the moss gains foothold, and goes on with its' quiet works of destruction until it consumes the heart blood of its helpless victim" 

This diary is over 100 years old and every time I read a passage it seems we've lost some of the color in our language. In fact, RF Gable's description of the warm weather made me anxious for spring. I was going to count down the days, but instead I found a link that did it for me. Read on....


   SAVANNAH WEATHER IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!    

GIFFORD PINCHOT STATE PARK in July

Warm days at the lake here in Pennsylvania seem like a lifetime ago. Are you waiting for winter to end? Click HERE to view a countdown clock to the first day of spring.