LaCount Anderson

Growing up in Savannah, Georgia holds many memories of being in nature. Weekends afforded me the luxury of boating on the Wilmington River sailing with a friend; fishing for shark; and attempting to water ski ( I never mastered that). Last year we had a delightful ride with old friends on that river. While enjoying lunch on the boat we encountered this familiar site; seagulls having lunch.

I enjoy old cars.  It reminds me of my youth and the hours I spent helping my dad, in the driveway, on most Saturday mornings do routine maintenance on the family car.   Back then it was easier to do service and repair small things gone wrong than it is today.   Old cars also remind me of the model cars I used to put together from a trip to K-mart or hobby shops I would visit.   We called it “airplane glue” down where I am from.  I would usually smell up the back of the house and have a few days of dried glue on my fingers when putting together my model cars.  

Time marches on and I have come to that realization upon my last birthday.   Next year will be a big one for me and fond memories are just a part of getting older.  So, I take the time to sketch a few cars from the past; most of them are older than me. 

We live in a beautiful part of eastern NC. Just a few counties over, toward the outer banks, is the small town of Hertford, NC. Last Saturday we drove to Hertford. Along the way we picked up my sister-in-law in Gates county and ended up at the Nicholson House, a country restaurant in the community of Belvidere, NC, located in Chowan County (near Hereford). I learned on our Saturday drive that Belvidere, noted for its rural life and wide open spaces for farm land, is also the home of Wolf Man Jack, a disc jockey that most “boomers” can remember. As we drove by his house and looked at his grave in the family cemetery we racked our brains as to whether it was Chicago, New York, or Los Angeles that broadcasted his radio show. I guess it matters not; what does matter is that he is from Belvidere.

This sketch from my sketch book, The Nicholson House, is an old 19th century Victorian home converted many years ago to a lovely restaurant. We enjoyed our Saturday lunch and for a little while reminisced on life in the 19th century, shopped for deals in the gift shop, and enjoyed the beautiful day and ride in the country.

Sunsets this time of year are just amazing. Whether it is at Lake Wilson; or down in Savannah, Ga. (my home town); or even the view above the grocery store in our neighborhood. The sunset helps me to stop, slow down, and think about the creator. God says “Be still and know that I am God.” Check out your sunset tonight.

Last weekend I had enough of staying home. Anna and jumped into our car and headed East on highway 64 East with no particular destination. We just drove. We came to Jamestown and noticed on the highway an old fire truck that was sitting in a field. In looking at the headlights I have determined it is a 1970s vintage truck. This is my interpretation of the old girl. (More later about our Saturday adventure)

www.lacountanderson.com – Prints available

As our staying at home in NC has been slightly adjusted to phase 2 of reopening, I am choosing to visit places (socially distanced) that are quiet and peaceful. A visit to parks in our area allows me to be in nature. Stopping to listen to the sounds of nature results in peace for me. My visits remind me that God is here with me when I become anxious. A recent visit to Lake Wilson, in Wilson, NC yielded this watercolor.

“I’ve seen it in the lightning, heard it in the thunder,
And felt it in the rain;
My Lord is near me all the time,
My Lord is near me all the time. ” Barbara Gaultney

This painting is inspired from one of my visits to the country of Eswatini located in southern Africa.  

Over the past few months my studies have led me to think more about nature.   As I walk through wooded areas, visit parks, and experience the fragrance of the flowers, I am more and more aware of God through being involved more in nature around me.    I have always been aware that God reveals himself to us through nature.   It seems my senses are much more aware these days.

Last week my wife and I visited a park and spent a couple of hours sitting in our camp chairs.   The picture you see is a result of our visit to the lake.

“For the beauty of the earth. For the beauty of the skies. For the love which from our birth. Over and around us lies. Lord of all, to thee we raise. This our joyful hymn of praise.” -Folliott S. Pierpoint