I rediscovered them whilst sifting through the hundreds of photographs, that I've taken on my travels with Diane, in preparation of her birthday album.
One of the most beautiful places that Diane and I have visited was a private plantation home
outside of Savannah.
She told me that the chigger infested Spanish moss growing in the old live oaks
was historically used to stuff mattresses and why
generations of mothers whisper to their children at bedtime
Good night, sleep tight,
Don’t let the bedbugs bite.
But I don't know? Is it true?
Lovely shot of a favorite place of ours to visit.
ReplyDeleteThe colonial historians around here tell us the "sleep tight" is a reference to the fact that mattresses were supported by ropes tied to the bed frame. They had to be tightened so the mattress didn't sag. The bed bug line was generic bed bugs because people didn't bath regularly and shared beds with visitors. Who knows; both wonderful stories though.
Darryl and Ruth :)
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ReplyDeleteHi Maggie. We don't have chiggers here in Colorado, but my dad and brother got them when we tromped around the great grandparents' homestead in Kansas years ago. Oh how they suffered. I cannot imagine chiggers in a bed. The shadows are fun to photograph. Yours have good texture; I especially like the front porch railing shadow. Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, I'm itching just thinking about it. No chiggers here, thankfully.
ReplyDeleteLove the shadows. I've been to Charleston, but never Savannah. Looks beautiful.
I'd never heard that about the moss. I that the used hay. Very interests fact and beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your shadow shots Maggie - especially the one of the dappled sunporch floor. My mom always used to say that to us but I've never seen a bedbug - thankfully!
ReplyDeleteI love the photo of the tree with the spanish moss dripping down from it! Magnificent shadow!
ReplyDeleteShapely indoor shadows in agorgeous settings but especially love the moss shadow from the tree. I have never heard the word chiggers before! At first I thought it may have been an alternative word for chipmunks!
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful shadow shots!
ReplyDeleteMy Shadows...
Beautiful shadows, inside and out! Thanks for your beautiful contribution to Shadow Shot Sunday!
ReplyDeleteShadows in my Kitchen, please come and see.
Rose
I would be happy losing myself in any of these photos. And speaking from experience...chiggers are NO fun!!! I've gotten into them plenty of times!
ReplyDeleteThat expansive lawn under the live oak looks luscious!
ReplyDeleteShadowy Cactus Fruit
beautiful shadow shots! lovely...
ReplyDeleteI've been to Savannah a lot, but never heard that one! I remember bringing home Spanish moss when I was a child. I doubt my mother would have allowed it if it contained bugs. Of any kind. She was a bug-hater. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great week, Maggie!
This is lovely. That shot of the office -- that really is stunning. I'd love to work there.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots, Maggie. I'll be eager to see Diane's album. ;-)
ReplyDeleteMaggie-
ReplyDeleteYour shadow shots are beautiful-- shadows are one of my favorite things to photograph. I love the stories too-- I had no idea where that little saying originated- true or not - it's a great story.
We've been so many places- but never to Savannah- you make me really want to go!
Xo
Vicki
My mother used to say that to me, too. She was from Arkansas. My aunt bought an antique, four poster bed and discovered it had bedbugs in the wood. Beautiful photos. xo Jenny
ReplyDelete