WarWoman Dell

I have always said, if there were ever a picture that could describe my soul it would be this one.  WarWoman Dell is located in the Northeast section of Georgia in a wonderful town called Clayton.  The drive to Clayton reminds me of of the mountains in Colorado, they just seem to be right in front you, calling to you to keep moving forward.

Clayton is located in Rabun County and you will see a little of everything there, mountains, waterfalls, springs, forest, lakes and so much more.  Rabun County is nestled in the southern tip of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains.  It is a convenient drive from the major metro areas of Atlanta, Georgia, Asheville-North Carolina, Greenville-South Carolina and Chattanooga-Tennessee. 

History of WarWoman

WarWoman was a beloved Cherokee dignitary who voiced the decision of the Council on war and peace. Legend states that each spring this woman visited the Dell to preside over rituals.  

America's first natural born botanist, William Bartram, explored the area in the 1770's.  He documented the plants, climate, geology and culture of the people of this period and paved the way for future development.  A railroad bed was constructed here which would have connected the south and mid-western markets in Cincinnati.  Work stopped suddenly at the beginning of the Civil War and no rails were ever laid.  Unmanageable logging in the late 1800's and early 1900's degraded the forest.  The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCCs) went to work restoring the land by planting trees and controlling erosion.  Enrollees in Company 457  built the original picnic shelters, fish holding tanks, latrine and stonework drains in WarWoman dell. 

I was introduced to WarWoman Dell after attending a  Woman's Ceremony that was held in that general area, many moons ago. The second my feet touched the ground at WarWoman I was in love.  This is a place that no matter where I moved, it always stayed in my heart and has always been considered my sacred sanctuary. 

In 2008 when I visited there shortly after returning to Georgia, my heart sank.  The trails were no longer taken care of.  There were many trees down, the energy was extremely low and somehow it had lost a huge part of its spiritual energy.  Sometimes, I often go there and just sit by these huge hemlock trees often referring to them as my elders.  Those trees have heard many of my stories, my sorrows and stories of my spiritual path.  One of the most favorite times I had at WarWoman was when I was walking a trail and as I looked down to the ground I found a Hawk feather.  Many people that I have gone there with; always tells me the same thing, they say: "Oak, watching you here (WarWoman) is like seeing you walk right out of Nature as if you were a part of it."  To be truthful, often I felt like I was a part of WarWoman.

Many times, I would go there and walk this small trail away from  everything and sit by this tiny waterfall and just play my drum.  I always felt spirit activities there often wondering why I was always drawn to a certain place where there was a spirit of a young girl.  She would always stay at a distance from me but she was always near me.  The stories are endless when it comes to WarWoman Dell.  If you ever visit North Georgia, put WarWoman on your list of places to visit.  I hope you will love it as much as I do. 

I see you standing there

I was at the doctors office with my mother and out of nowhere, I had sentences that kept echoing in  my mind.  So I pulled out my writing book and began writing.  For a little while I did not even  notice I was in a waiting room, it was like I had gotten lost in this poem.  

If you are a writer, you most likely understand what I mean by I am never without something to write on and pens. There are a few material things I cannot be without in my life: camera, writing tablets, pens, candles and matches.  If I had to say I am addicted or obsessed with something it would be those items. (Oh and Lip Balms!! Yes, a little off topic there, but still the truth).

I took the picture posted above one day a friend and I went to the botanical gardens.  I love to photograph trees and branches especially if they are crooked. I do this because I find them so unique and beautiful.  They have a lot of character and grace.  Of course I have never seen a tree I did not think was beautiful.  Yes, I even love the trees that are coming to the end of their life journey and are just standing there. If you look closely at the bare trees, you will often see hawks sitting in them; which makes the scene even more beautiful!

I see you Standing There

(c) 2012 Eva WhiteOak Thomas

As I see you standing tall,

especially during the Fall,

I see you with such beauty and grace,

which confirms I am in the right place.

Visions of your wisdom flows,

throughout your colored leaves as they glow,

they show signs of their journey,

throughout their life, which seems like eternity.

Your leaves, your branches and your bark,

places images upon my heart,

I am truly blessed each day,

to be able to watch you sway.

As you move to natures song,

slow soft movements, yet so strong.

I admire the gifts you freely give,

and how easily you can forgive.

If only people could truly hear,

the words you speak beyond our ears.

It is sad the messages you send our way,

are often missed every day.

I see you standing there tall and proud,

as if you are reaching for the clouds.

I honor you standing there and everything you do,

I know there would be no life without you.

The next time you pass by a tree, stop and feel,

how the energy flows because it is so real.

They never ask for anything in return,

Just for us to listen, so we can all learn.

If you ever need a friend,

all you have to do is find a tree to befriend,

it will shower you with unconditional love,

and teach you so much from above.

Nature Photography

Clipped from www.squidoo.com

Nature Photography at Zazzle

Photography of things in Nature

I have always loved taking pictures of Natures Beauty. It was not until a couple of years ago I started taking photography a little more seriously and wanted to do more with it. I honestly have a deep love for all of the beauty I see in nature while hiking or just walking in the woods. I have been known to just sit for hours taking in all of the energy that I feel when I am outside. I have also been told more than once, when I am in nature, my energy just merges into the scenery. I found that to be a great compliment and it was something I really understood. When I am taking pictures of natural things, I try to focus on the unusual, the unique and/or things people would just walk by or who would just give a fast glance at. Tree stumps is one of my favorite things to photography. So this lens dedicate to some of my photography, in hopes that you will be able to see a little of the magic I see in nature and all of the beauty that it holds. Read more at www.squidoo.com

Beauty of the Garden

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Walk Through the Botanical Gardens

Beauty of the Garden

Follow me and let's take a walk through the Botanical Gardens. Along the way stop for a few moments and take in the warm fuzzy feelings that the beauty of the garden can give to you. Recently, as most of you already know I have set my goals and focus on becoming a more serious photographer. I believe that each artist has a certain focus and places a lot of attention into that focus. Photography has reached the top of my own personal goal list, I know what I want to focus on and I know what I want to accomplish. But as with every goal, we must learn to take those baby steps and try not to run before we can walk. Read more at www.squidoo.com

http://amplify.com/u/a1a2os

Celtic Tree Moon Calendar

Clipped from www.squidoo.com

Celtic Tree Calendar

Celtic Tree Moon Calendar

n Celtic lore, trees were not merely sacred static objects, but warehouses of memories-repositories of knowledge. Trees were here to maintain earthly wisdom with their longevity. As with our legends that speak of each us being born with a certain Animal Medicine Animal Spirit Totems it is also said that our birthdays are represented by a certain Tree Medicine this is referred to as a Tree Moon. The Celtic Tree Calendar is a calendar with thirteen lunar divisions. If most people used a fixed date for each month instead of following the waxing and waning lunar cycle, that would make the calendar fall out of sync with the Gregorian year because some calendar years have 12 full moons and others have 13. Read more at www.squidoo.com

http://amplify.com/u/a18vy5

Clipped from www.squidoo.com

Our Trees

A tree begins with one leaf!

All of my life, trees have been much more than a huge plant. I have always had a sacred bond with them. I felt the safest when I was a child and climbed up in the trees. I always felt like I could hide from the world below. In my young mind I always felt like trees were my protectors. Fifty Two years later, I feel the same way! When I took this picture earlier in the spring, I was amazed how one tiny acorn could turn into a huge Oak Tree one day. That is why I call this picture "A tree begins with one leaf"; just as in life a journey begins with one step. According to Jamie Sams, author of The Sacred Path Cards, she explains that according to the Cherokee they teach that the "Standing People" (Trees) and all others of the plant kingdom are the givers who constantly provide for the needs of others. Read more at www.squidoo.com

http://amplify.com/u/a16d0u

Nature's Beauty

This is a new design I created in honor of Fairy's Day this month. http://amplify.com/u/a15f7o

Clipped from www.squidoo.com

My Spirit Name

WhiteOak-A Journey to my Naming Ceremony

When you decide to write a small biography it is a lot different from writing about a certain topic or belief or even another person. When you write this kind of lens, it is about you, so it makes a bit more personal. So the first question should really be; why did I decide to write a lens about myself? I have been visiting a lot of other lens lately and I have noticed that many people have written a lens about their self. I personally found that to be interesting because we are given an insight to who the Lensmasters are, and it helps us to know them a little better. When we are given our birth name or baby name, the parents usually give it to us with some symbolic meaning. Chances are those meanings are not as spiritual as they are giving honor to someone. The spiritual aspect of the name of a baby is as important (according to my beliefs) as the name would be giving someone honor. A little more on this later. So, without further delaying- I will begin with this. I was born in 1958, I am a double an Aquarius with a Taurus Moon, and I am 100% true to my sign! What in the world does this mean? It means I am a one of kind of something and have not figured that part out yet

(Laughs), Not really this is what it means: Read more at www.squidoo.com

http://amplify.com/u/a14yzi

Nature Photography at Zazzle

I have a lot of plexos listed on this page for different art sites. Be sure to add your links, it never hurts to have your links anywhere you can. http://amplify.com/u/a14mag