Some years ago, I saw the movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
Those of you who know me know that I am NOT a movie person,
so where or when or even WHY I saw this, I have no idea
although I'm pretty sure it was NOT in a theater.
However, it made a deep impression on me (notwithstanding
Kevin Spacey's scandals, I still like him as an actor),
and the Savannah Bird Girl statue in Bonaventure Cemetery,
symbolic of both the book and the movie, stayed in my mind's eye for years.
I won't go into the history of the book, the movie, or the statue itself;
links are available at the end of this site. Suffice it to say that
she became so popular that replicas of all sizes were soon available.
I coveted one for years, but in all practicality, I hadn't the money for one,
and living in Wisconsin at that time, we (read: Neal)
would have to either cover her or bring her inside over winter.
In 2007, when my Mother passed away,
I again considered setting up one of the replicas as a sort of memorial:
she was as calm and contemplative as the Savannah Bird Girl appears,
and she was an avid birdwatcher, a hobby she passed along to me.
The same practicalities pertained, however, so I gave up that idea.
I remember thinking, though, that she would sure make a lovely fountain.
In 2015, we moved to Florida;
in 2017, we bought a house with a courtyard that is
overlooked by my office sliders and the dining room windows;
it is the front entryway of the house.
Now the reasons to NOT buy a replica no longer existed;
obviously, she could be outside all year round!
So I began a search for a good-sized replica and to compare prices.
And what to my wondering eyes should appear, but the website for
BIRD GIRL FOUNTAIN.COM,
the ONLY authorized replica of the Bird Girl
converted to a fountain!
THIS is what I'd been waiting for all these years!
Now, for a decision: Bowl, or Disappearing? Her location,
on either side of a bamboo grove, could have pipes underground
for the irrigation system. The hole would have to be 4' x 4' x 1';
Neal made a 4' x 4' cardboard template,
put it down on the two areas I considered for her,
and poked all around the template
Because of bamboo roots and irrigation pipes,
we determined it was too risky to start digging in the courtyard;
besides, when we move to a condo or assisted living
(or, as Neal likes to say, a cardboard box under a bridge),
we can take her with us if we purchase the Patio Bowl version.
Also, the height would be better as she would be raised almost a foot,
and the bowl would add even more dimension to her,
more proportionate to the place she would occupy.
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Next, we had our yard maintenance
person, Lee Worman, clean out the
courtyard of weeds and mulch,
put down weed barrier and stone,
and we were ready to go . . . .
Lee & Trish did this on 20 February.
I had several email communications
with Kenny of SOUTHERN GRACE,
who answered my questions
with patience & alacrity,
so on 22 February,
I ordered the Savannah
Bird Girl with bowl
and lights.
Then, we waited.
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