If I were a forest nymph I’d walk barefoot without the sticks and stones hurting my feet.
With Greta von bon by my side, I’d wander the hills and meadows and gaze through the vistas in jubilant meditation.
Berries and sunshine would sustain me. The water of a cool stream would be my drink and a place to swim and make friends with the fish that swam beside me and deer that came to drink at its side.
It would almost always be sunny, but when it did rain it would be a welcome treat.
Sometimes I’d let myself be drenched in the shower and others I’d find a nice spot under a canopy of trees, where only a few drops could trickle down through the leaves to reach me.
Like Snow White or St. Francis of Assisi, I’d have many animal companions by my side.
The birds would alight on my shoulders or head and fawns & foxes would follow me and sleep close, curled with Greta and I, chipmunks snuggled close into her fur, on the soft mossy earthen floor.
And Greta would love them all. She’d play hide and seek games with the rabbits, let the chipmunks scurry over her fur in their play, and run happy and free through the fields & grasses with the deer.
The days would be long and warm and the nights cool & tranquil- filled with the softest forest breeze and the sky busting at the seams with stars.
I’d pick colorful flowers for my hair and make bracelets of grass.
My heart would be filled with a golden light and I’d have nothing to do put admire the beauty around me, commune with the animals, LOVE, rejoice in the dawn, bathe in the moonlight.
(This post was inspired by a visit to Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina. It was designed by Anna Hyatt Huntington in 1931 in the shape of a butterfly’s wings.
The photos here are some of my favorite sculptures & sights I saw.
In particular, I loved the very first one pictured above, because it conjured feelings in me of if I were a forest nymph, the skinny St. Francis of Assisi holding a bird, and the 8 month old Greyhound [so cute I wish I could pet him.]
The giant grasshopper [about 4 inches!] my friend spotted in the foliage was fun to see too.
Leave a comment and tell me, what’s your favorite sculpture out of the ones I shared above and why? Or do you have a favorite sculpture not pictured here that’s inspired you? Do tell!)
p.s. If you missed the photo of me hugging the 200+ year old tree it’s cause you’re not subscribed to the newsletter! you can sign up here and next time you won’t miss a thing!
Gosh!! Hard to pick my faves–those sculptures are breathtaking! If I had to choose, my top a3 would be Pegasus, the Girl with the Deer & the man who was suspended in midair–really cool!
(Also loved your essay on being a forest nymph–your words conjure up such feeling!)
I agree, they were breathtaking! I love that deer’s skinny little legs!
I must have spent a half an hour trying to decide which was my favorite but could not come up with a clear cut personal favorite. Well written and beautiful photos including the nymph hugging the tree.
: )
Your description of life as a forest nymph sounds like life in the Garden of Eden, with the humans communing peacefully with all the animals. That garden you visited looks incredible! Where in SC is it? Never knew such beautiful places existed in SC as you’ve shown on your blog. The sculptures are all gorgeous but my favorite for sure is the one of the man who looks like he’s flying, 2 below St Francis. I also love the horsey who has plants growing out of him!
It’s close to Huntington Beach where I visited the Atalaya (https://stelladeer.com/a-fireplace-in-every-bathroom/)
yeah it’s amazing all the places you can discover that you never knew or imagined existed! I loved looking at all the sculptures- they were so inspiring. Both to be creative & artistic and also to be free.
I love the flying man too – when I titled the picture I called him “the acrobatic man”
yes that horsey is so cute! I want to make one like him. I think those are all succulents and they’re pretty easy to take care of. I love how they did his mane and tail (kind of hard to see in the pics) with the longer plants hanging down. so creative!
Oh, cool! That’s neat that you got to go see the works of the artist after visiting her home.
I didn’t notice the use of plants to make the horsey’s mane and tail but now that you point it out I can see it. Very clever! I have heard that succulents are easy to take care of. Maybe you can find a how-to online of how to make your very own plant-horse! Haha