 The old Frampton Plantation in Yemassee, SC has a fountain/wishing well and when I visit I can’t resist to throw a coin into it. While I’m there, if a child visits I always give them a coin to toss into the water. I love to see a smile and expression full of hope and anticipation grow on their faces as they make a wish. The tradition of the wishing well has its beginnings in European folk history. Of course in years past underground streams were important sources of clear, fresh water. The early Celts and Germanic people considered springs or streams to have healing and rejuvenating properties, guarded by spirits who may or may not be friendly. The tradition of dropping coins in ponds and fountains began when people placed the coins as gifts for the deity to show appreciation. According to belief, any wish spoken over the source of water would come true. A person could make a wish or ask for a blessing from the spirit(s) of the well. People threw silver or copper coins into the well or stream as thanks to the spirits, for good luck or for helpful magic. Tossing a coin into a wishing well has added benefits. Copper and silver are biocides, meaning that they neutralize harmful bacteria in the water, including those that cause the "rotten-egg" or sulfur smell. Silver and copper metal in coins helps keep the water sweet. Some people believe that the guardians or dwellers of the well would grant them their wish if they paid a price. After uttering the wish, one would generally drop a coin in the well. That wish would then be granted by the guardian or dweller, based upon how the coin would land at the bottom of the well. If the coin landed heads up, the guardian of the well would grant the wish, but the wish of a tails up coin would be ignored. It was thus potentially lucky to throw coins in the well, but it depended on how they landed.  No matter what age we all love to stop and throw a coin into a wishing well. Whether it is only superstition or maybe a real folklore, I will continue to make my wish. However, now I will have to take a few minutes to watch which way the coin lands.
May all your wishes come true.
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 My dear Emily Grace, don’t shed any tears for me. The tragedies of my life have been indescribable. I have had tears of joy and tears of sorrow; the loss of my family, husband, and child, but the love I’ve known will hold in my heart and never fade. Always remember, one single rose means…I love you.” With all my love forever, Miranda I wrote Miranda in 2008 when I lived in Leander, TX. It was the second novel that I had written. The story of Miranda began one late night and was finished a few weeks later. I've wondered how each of my stories evolves in my head, but late at night, just as a movie on TV, my stories flow. I believe Miranda evolved after I had visited a train station that had an old, black train engine sitting on a lonely set of tracks, undisturbed, but full of memories. I was able to climb aboard the train engine and stand quite on its metal steps thinking about all the people who had traveled on that old train, their stories of happiness and sorrow. A few weeks later, I began writing about a young girl from a wealthy family who lived in the late 1800's, one who was fascinated with trains and dreamed of traveling across the United States. It is interesting, my characters always name themselves. It is as if they are alive and telling me their stories.  As the story progressed, I began to think of James Garner always playing a gambler and had to add the character Nicholas Vaughn Ellsworth, a well-known gambler, and a legend in the West. I’ve always love San Francisco and couldn’t resist having Miranda travel on the Trans Centennial Railroad to San Francisco. Miranda falls in love with Nicholas Vaughn Ellsworth, knowing it’s scandalous to want a life with him. He gives her one pink rose, which means love, and her special locket with their picture, believing her life is perfect. Miranda’s life story continued with each twist and turn of her happiness and sadness just as all of lives. This isn’t just a story about her life; it is a story about how she handles her life. How she fights to continue and never gives up no matter what tragedies fate throws at her. Miranda’s story will bring tears of happiness and of sorrow to your eyes and I hope it will leave you with a sense of knowing that God has a purpose for you. Please join me on my adventure of writing. www.diannshaddox.com Miranda, Keep your faithfulness for life no matter what tragedies life sends swirling at you. Don’t lose your joy for life, for when you grow old, you may still exist, but you will have ceased to live. Life must not be envisioned through others’ eyes, It must be envisioned through your own. I too treasure meeting travelers on my journeys. You, my child, have been an encouragement for an old man in troubled times. Your traveling companion, S L Clemens, Mark Twain  |
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Hi I'm Diann welcome and join me on my adventure. I'm the author of "A Faded Cottage" & "Whispering Fog" and Founder of Diann Shaddox Foundation. I'm a member of the Wyandotte Nation & I have Essential Tremor (ET). I love to travel, cook, which leads to eating and I love wines. Chardonnay is my favorite unless I'm eating steak then I'll take a glass of Cabernet.
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