Finding The Magic

As the extremely HOT summer raced to an end, I wanted to find time (and a cooler day in a string of triple digit temperatures) to share The Stickman's sculpture in the South Carolina low country with my daughters.

We sat at the breakfast table on a Sunday morning and decided the time was right. We just gathered the necessaries for the little ones and got in the car. We drove on some of the same back roads which I took in April (Stolen Day Part I) We found the restaurant which has views of the marshland and boats, the giant fish carvings and the tank full of amazing fish. We stopped for a little shopping at a string of outlet stores, of course, and then made our way to see the sculpture. We felt like typical tourists on holiday but we wanted more.

I wasn't sure if the magic would be there this time. I certainly didn't know how my daughters would feel about the place or the sculpture. We found the turn-off from the main highway and meandered through the pines and marshy foliage. At the end of the road, we parked by the old village square and walked across to the 'Domed House' which Patrick Dougherty built. We were not disappointed.

In the months since April (Stolen Day Part II) , the fantasy has settled and weathered. . .

Its limbs seeming to take up residence along with the surrounding ancient oaks. . .

Its 'windows' opening onto the grassy lawn and taking in the vista across the bluff. . .










Its sticks rattling in the breeze off the May River...

Its magic settling over us in the late afternoon sun...


We entered the fantasy. Is this what art does?