A Pause Before We Head North

Before we get into our next journey I wanted to touch on some things related to our posts - and - our home state.  I've gotten a question or two about cameras we use for our photos and videos.  (I think they were wondering if we'd ever used a camera before!!)  Actually, none of us could be considered skilled photographers in even the remotest sense but we have fun seeing this stuff and really want to capture the sights and the moments so we can share them with you.  So far we have used a motley combination that includes a relatively inexpensive Samsung Video/Still Camcorder, a really nice Nikon (naturally owned by Linda), an iPad-2 (videos and stills), Sherwood's iPhone and her digital Canon.  They all take pretty fair pictures with the two "real" cameras and surprisingly, the iPhone, being the best.  The problem is - getting the various picture formats to work with the devices we use to update the blog!!!  Apple, Microsoft and Samsung, in particular, seem to be involved in a tug-of-war in the software department so it has been a challenge.  But, thanks to amazing new sites and applications - such as "Blogspot" (for live updates via the iPad), "Best Album" (for uploads from iPad to the Picasa website as well as Picasa itself!) and "Docs To Go" (which does an amazing job with document transfers from iPad to PC) - we've managed to "keep on truckin' in spite of the challenges.

Now, for the other thing - our state.  If you've hung around with us for any length of time it's probably clear that we have an ardent love affair with South Carolina.  In fact, this entire country is so magnificent, so beautiful that all three of us get choked up sometimes just contemplating how very blessed we are. I won't harp on the Palmetto State too much right now but as we began to talk about cameras I realized that the first time we used a couple of them was on a trip to Charleston.  On that particular outing we visited the South Carolina Aquarium and, later, the nearby Benedictine Monastery of Mepkin Abby located near the town of Moncks Corner.  (Right above Goose Creek!!) The Monastery is an absolutely gorgeous place, deep in the lowlands along the Cooper River.  It is a community of Catholic monks belonging to an order, most frequently known as Trappist, who follow the Rule of St. Benedict.  It was established in 1949 on the site of the Mepkin Plantation whose origins go all the way back to a 1681 land grant from the Lords Proprietors.  Interestingly, the property was later owned by Henry Laurens who served as fourth (or fifth depending on how you count 'em) President of the Continental Congress. prior to ratification of the Constitution and the election of George Washington as the first "constitutional" president.  The last private owners were the extraordinary playwright and Congressional Representative Clare Booth Luce and her husband Henry.  Their transfer of the property to the brotherhood in 1949 was not only an incredibly fortunate thing for South Carolina and the Benedictine Order but it also served to preserve a part of the lives of the Luce family in the memorials that are found on the grounds. 

Oh, while you're here check out the gift shop!!

This an industrious and creative group and they have set up a number of different enterprises to help support the monastery.  For many years they raised chickens and sold the highly sought after eggs (the brothers are vegetarian) to restaurants, stores and institutions in the area.  The facilities they used for raising the chickens were equal to or better than any found in the business (I saw them) but, unfortunately, an animal rights group targeted them and they eventually closed their egg operation to avoid confrontation.  They now raise and sell  mushroom products and I highly recommend them.  They also make something called "Drizzle" which is a kind of syrup made from fruit they raise and which is spectacular on many foods including meat, vegetables and pasteries. You can check them out on line too.



Interstingly (and sadly) in December, shortly after our return from Los Cabos, Brother Gregory, the last founding member of the order passed away quietly and peacefully in this tranquil idyll. 





The main thing I want to say is that this is a community of almost pure love and if you ever get a chance to visit, by all means please do.  The abby can also be used for retreats and meetings and I guarantee you won't find a place that offers more "peace and quiet."  



Whether you come here for a meeting, to attend one of the services and be soothed by the incomparable sound of the fantastic voices of these gentle souls or just for a brief sight-seeing stop I'm sure you will quickly recognize that this is a very special place.  I hope you enjoy these scenes of this incredibly lovely spot and remember the message of peace and love these gentle people embody.  See ya.