31 July 2009

Cemetery Funny


Charleston, S.C.

Bill and Sarah were Londoners and were blessed with seven healthy children. After many months of discussion, they finally decided to move to New York. It should have been a simple enough move, but when they arrived, they had great difficulty finding a suitable apartment to live in.

Although many were big enough, the landlords always seemed to object to such a large family living there. If only Bill wasn't so honest about the size of his family!

After several days of unsuccessful searching, Bill had an idea. He told Sarah to take the four younger children to visit the local cemetery while he went with the older three children to find an apartment. After looking for most of the morning, Bill found a place that was ideal.

The landlord asked him, "How many children do you have?"

Bill answered with a deep sigh, "Seven . . . but four are with their dear mother in the cemetery."

He got the apartment.

30 July 2009

A Doctor's Work .....


Candace & Dr. Sock Monkey, Charleston, S.C.

A Doctor's work is never done.

Hahah. I am cracking myself up with these sock monkeys.

29 July 2009

Drip, drip, drip....


Vanderhorst St., Charleston, SC

Summer in Charleston. Aaargh. I wasn't a step ahead of the cloud burst today and had to plot my way home to avoid the flooded streets. It's all so much more fun when you don't have to drive in it.

Flood Cams, I tell ya. I want Flood Cams. Why can't I go online before I leave work and know what intersections are flooded?

Calling all bicyclists...


Warren St., Charleston, S.C.

SullySullivan Photography has a call out to anyone who has a bike:
If you are a charleston resident this message is for you guys. I need your help this wednesday, if you own a unique, cool, hip, beat up, expensive, stolen, inexpensive bike I need you to stop by my studio at 253 A St Phillip street. I could really use everyone’s help on this. Tell all of your friends, come in a group or individually. Your image could possibly be used for a magazine story i’m doing about biking in charleston. If you are interested shoot me an email and let me know approximate times. I will be there all day and night. TELL ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!! Yes I will give you the images so you can have them for looking pleasure! It will be a great time! Or you may call me with any questions 843 452 8764 or email sully@davidsullivanphotography.com . Anyone is welcome. Thank you!!!!! Sully

Now you know as much as I do. Damn curious. Almost worth getting a bike to find out what he is up to. Please go. Let me know.

28 July 2009

CDP Meal of Approval


Marion Square, Charleston, S.C.

This is the second in a series on my favorite picnic meals in my favorite lowcountry spots. Mmmmmm.

I got home starving as usual and walked up to Five Loaves Cafe on Canon St. They offer a salad & half sandwich combo for $7.50 and I always get exactly the same thing.

Menu
Salad: Tomato, mozzarella, roasted sweet peppers, asparagus and baby greens
Dressing: Wild mushroom and soy
Sandwich: Grilled portobello, sweet onion, roasted pepper, parmesan and spinach spread on a croissant. Ask them to add one slice of provolone cheese. It's a deliciously sloppy sandwich so ask for a couple extra napkins.
This evening's picnic location is Marion Square where there was a photo shoot, a frisbee session, kick ball, a kid selling palmetto roses, a couple of happy dogs and me. Not a bad way to interrupt a walk. Sad though, when you go home heavier than you started.

27 July 2009

Digging in to a new week


Vanderhorst St., Charleston, S.C.

Vanderhorst & Smith. Through the years this apartment building has been home to countless high energy, late night College of Charleston student festivities. Frisbees flying, beach towels drying, beer cans rolling, lawn chairs left collapsed and rusting in the yard. I suspect there are many happy but vague memories of parties held here.

Hordes of tipsy residents from this property used to leap up to grab the corner of the barely reachable flag flying from my porch. They would give it a hard enough jerk to snap the wooden flagpole and wave it victoriously high as they staggered down the street late at night. How do I know? We recaptured one flag in the wee hours of the morning from a couple of stunned students living in one of those top floor apartments. I finally stopped hanging them at all.

It's an impressive building yet I've always wondered why they painted it this color.

G'night kids. I am just back from a late walk to realize that I left all my weekend chores to do on this Monday night. Blah. How did that happen?

26 July 2009

Early morning dinner on the farm






Thornhill Farms, McClellanville, S.C.

Ever wonder who the lucky people are who get to be guests in magazine dinner party photo shoots? This time it was me! Lucky me and my friends. Wowza. Charleston Magazine was doing an article on Chef Sean Brock for their October issue and I was allowed to invite a few friends to Thornhill Farms in McClellanville for the occasion.

While Chef Brock was busy with piles of fresh produce in the farmhouse kitchen, we lazed around on the porch sipping wine at 9:30 in the morning. The photo shoot was to represent a dinner party so we were forced to eat the most delicious four course meal with wine, Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka and sip bourbon.

Fellow lowcountry blogger Heather from Home Ec101 joined the party. I stayed out of photographer Peter Frank Edward's way and won't steal any of their thunder describing or showing too much of the incredibly delicious meal. You will have to wait for the October issue of the magazine. I know I will. I need a couple of the recipes. If you notice, our plates are completely empty. :)

25 July 2009

Sidewalk Curator's Report


Knowledge is Power, King St., Charleston, S.C.

I haven't posted any sidewalk graffiti in well over a week and we can't have that. This one was fittingly in front of the Library Society on King St. I expect it is gone now with the new sidewalk upgrade project. Sob. They ruined all my good sidewalk art.

Bonus silly joke from Now That's Nifty:

A young man called directory assistance. "Hello, operator, I would like the telephone number for Mary Jones in Phoenix, Arizona."

"There are multiple listings for Mary Jones in Phoenix," the operator replied. "Do you have a street name?"

The young man hesitated, and then said, "Well, most people call me Ice Man."

24 July 2009

Picturing the Painting



Hampton Plantation by Katherine K. Schneider

Paint Charleston Daily and I tend to appreciate the same scenic lowcountry spots. When she posts a painting I can usually think back to a similar view that I have in one of my albums.

This is Hampton Plantation, a lovely spot up the coast between Charleston and Georgetown. It is the former home of South Carolina poet laureate, Archibald Rutledge, who lived here and gave it to the people of South Carolina. As with what seems like every other house in town, George Washington dropped by in 1791.

Greetings from......


Bowman, S.C.

There was a time when I would take pictures of quirky roadside scenes, design a postcard at amazingmail, add a message and have it sent directly to friends. One of a kind postcards. This is the card from Bowman, SC. Heheh. The official UFO welcome center.

Try it. It will make you oddly happy.

Opportunities


Philadelphia Alley, Charleston, SC

Nancy Meeks, who works in the Pharmacy at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, happened on this picture deep in my smugmug album. She left this in the comment section.

Opportunities

Who's that soul inside the doorway?
What's he doing there alone?
Is he sleeping. . .waiting. . .crying?
Or just chatting on the phone?

Was he hungry. . .thirsty. . .cold?
Wondering when the sun will shine?
Was he stranger, friend. . . or foe?
Was he hurting? . . . Doing fine?

Did you stop to ask the question,
"S'cuse, me, sir. Are you okay?"
Or did you simply press along?
So many ops. . .so fleeting day. . .


Nancy L. Meek ~ July 11, 2009

23 July 2009

AC in use


Old County Store, Hwy 176, S.C.

This is one of my favorite handwritten signs. Computer generated signs took so much fun out of life. Sadly this particular Country Store is closed.

My theory is that you don't ever get used to the heat. You simply get used to sweating in public. Drip, drip, drip.

It's so hot in South Carolina that...

* A seat belt makes a pretty good branding iron.
* When the temperature drops below 95, you feel a bit chilly.
* It's so hot outside it will make you return things you never stole.
* It's hotter than a steel playground at noon.
* You can attend any function wearing shorts and a tank top.
* The best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.
* Hot water now comes out of both taps.
* You actually burn your hand opening the car door.
* You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.
* It's so hot you could spit fire. But, please don't.

22 July 2009

Green Churchyard with a Light and Pleasant Awning


from The Excursion: "The Pastor"

...to a spot
Where sun and shade were intermixed; for there
A broad Oak, stretching forth its leafy arms
From an adjoining pasture, overhung
Small space of that green churchyard with a light
And pleasant awning. On the moss-grown wall
My ancient friend and I together took
Our seats...


William Wordsworth


Taken this morning between meetings, right before it started to rain and I slipped on the gravel, fell face forward with one arm raised, thinking, "Save the camera, save the camera!"

21 July 2009

CDP Meal of Approval


Maritime Center, Charleston, SC

Does Pita
, Avocado Pita Pocket all the way to go, can of Orangina, water view from the Maritime Center dock. Yum, yum.

20 July 2009

Interesting Link


Pink House, Chalmers St., Charleston, SC

Quick entry to share a link I happened upon to the World Traveler's Blog - an account of a solo ride around the world by bicycle by a young Danish gentleman.

Wow. Wish I'd known he was coming through town. In this entry he was in Charleston and took a nice set of pictures. I always enjoy seeing familiar scenes through a visitor's eyes.

Before & After - Charleston



Vanderhorst St., Charleston, S.C.

I found another "Before & After" shot for you. This time it is mine.

The house was covered with old white fiberglass shingles when we bought it, which happily covered unpainted wood siding that was in surprisingly good condition. My brother Jim and his girlfriend Cheryl (hi Cheryl!) drove the VW van from Vancouver to Charleston twenty some years ago, had a nice lowcountry holiday and painted my house blue right after hurricane Hugo power washed it for us.

When I end up spending every long weekend painting and joke that my house is held together with 170 years of thick paint, it is because it is the truth.

That is my brother up there on the top of the ladder. Shudder.

18 July 2009

A Fine Fox Terrier


Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton, SC

A Fine Fox Terrier and Much Loved Companion.

I remembered the name of the seaside development where the little chapel I posted last Sunday was, Palmetto Bluff. This fantasy land village is on the water near Bluffton, S.C.

As usual the cemetery caught my eye but looked oddly laid out with each tombstone lined up perfectly, pine bark groomed, not a weed in sight. Odd, eh? Old cemeteries in South Carolina tend to be adventures in landscaping and this was simply too immaculate. Kneeling down to read the inscription I realized I was taking pictures of perhaps the most beautiful location for a pet cemetery in the world.

Hmmmm. Wonder if they would let me be buried in a pet cemetery? This is a sweet spot.

17 July 2009

Friday Night Hodge Podge


Charleston, S.C.

Fridays. Gotta love 'em.

Amuse is closing. I am not happy. I've often enjoyed being their only customer but I don't expect they were quite as thrilled about it. Sadness. They are open until the end of the month so catch them if you can.

Wow. Looks like the drought is over! Mustang Rolling almost got it's wheels wet.

Tea drinkers unite! I brought Uniquely Tea a couple of bags of loose tea in Kenya and she wrote a beautiful entry about it. Thank you!

I monkeyed around at work today. Heh.

Jest for fun: Designs shaved into heads.

Tomorrow is the Scott Kelly Worldwide Photo walk and it is booked full. I won't be able to make it but since it is my regular walking route I met with Eugene and showed him some of my favorite photo ops along the way. I am very sorry that I will miss it. Have a great time!

More Tiny Charleston


Charleston, S.C.

I was having fun with tilt-shifting Charleston scenes to make them look like miniature models. I think I have the technique down pat now. The trick is to actually take a picture of a miniature scene in Charleston. I took this at Charleston Place Hotel when they had their model train set out over the holidays.

16 July 2009

All You Need is Love


Folly Beach, S.C.

What would you do without me to document these fleeting images? Huh, huh, huh?

I doubt that particular graffiti lasted long in the waves. I've since enlarged and given this picture to friends who married on the beach.

I have never been a public speaker and tend to operate behind the scenes but I've been front and center so often lately that hopefully I am learning something. Whew. This had better get easy soon. It's all very stressful for a shy girl.

The day before yesterday I was on Healthbeat TV, yesterday I was featured with a full page color picture in House Calls Magazine and this evening I was asked to speak to the Mended Hearts Support Group about my trip to Kenya. Since they were all former cardiac patients I took Dr. Sock Monkey down in my back pack and introduced them to the new doctor in town. I got a big kick out of having the former Mayor of North Charleston pose with the good doctor. Heheh.

Anyone have any chocolate in the house?

15 July 2009

Wednesday Funny


Charleston, S.C.

Any picture is better with a British black taxi in it!

This evening's funny is snitched from Miss Cellania.

An American tourist was walking along a London street on a windy day, when he noticed a beautiful woman walking towards him.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew the woman's dress up, to reveal that she was wearing no knickers.

The American, trying to sound as English as possible, said to the woman: "It's a bit airy, isn't it, love?"

The woman scowled and replied angrily: "What the 'ell did you expect, feathers?"

Dr. Sock Monkey reporting for rounds....


Dr. Sock Monkey, Roper Hospital, Charleston, S.C.

I am still playing around with the theme "Don't Monkey Around With Heart Disease" for my American Heart Walk team so here is Dr. Sock Monkey reporting for rounds. Ha! I cracked myself up with this one. I made the monkey and Dr. Geer donated a shirt for the cause.

I carried Dr. Sock down to Roper Hospital one quiet Sunday morning to figure out a photo op and naturally got caught by a visitor as I pulled a monkey out of my backpack. His mother was in the hospital for a cardiac procedure so it all made sense to him and he had a quick consult with the physician.

Dr. Sock Monkey has his own Heart Walk donation site. Somehow it is easier for him to ask for money than me. He has already raised $150 (thanks Mike, thanks Darla!). Consider making a donation! Help Dr. Sock Monkey stop heart disease in the lowcountry.

I am having a little kick off on Friday and asked the cafeteria to order peanuts for me. Hmmm...maybe little bananas?

14 July 2009

A Tasteful Pursuit - Charleston





A Tasteful Pursuit - Charleston, McCrady's Restaurant, Charleston, SC

If I walk to a five course dinner and waddle home afterward, does it cancel out all the calories? I am depending on it.

I was invited to take pictures at the "Tasteful Pursuit - Charleston" benefit dinner at McCrady's Restaurant tonight and I am glad I agreed. I've got the pictures uploading here for those of you looking for them tonight but meanwhile I am falling to sleep on my keyboard and will have to sort and edit later. It was wonderful. One of my favorite meals ever. Chef Sean Brock was joined by Tyler Brown, Ken Verdinski, Mike Lata and Winburn Carmack and they dazzled us.

I have to include this last shot because I was "blog spotted" which still always startles me. Susan White (left) is a regular reader who recognized me from the blog. Hi Susan! It was great to meet you. :)

13 July 2009

Trident United Way - Kick Off


Trident United Way Kick-Off, Charleston, SC

Clearly I work with a bunch of nuts, but they are nuts for a good cause. We had our Trident United Way kick off event this morning. They had set up a couple Wii machines as give-away items and I made them pose with all their toys. People had a blast playing tennis, boxing, etc. all day and raised an impressive amount of money for United Way. Times are tough but the people who are able to, are still donating money for worthy causes. God bless 'em.

FUNNY, but NO.


Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

Photo unrelated to content. You know that by now.

FUNNY, but NO.

Only about 20% of what gets turned in gets accepted and becomes a Shoebox card. Here, are some of my favorites from the 80% that didn't make it:

Motherhood often requires kissing a few boo-boos.

And every now and then, having to divorce one of them.
Happy Mother’s Day!
_______________

Thanks, Mom, for having “the talk” with me.

Turns out I like sex quite a bit.
________________

Dad, thanks to you, I’m not a stripper.

Thanks to your ankles, specifically.
“Too thick to strip” is tough to hear, but it’s true.
Happy Father’s Day!
________________

Thanks for not being the kind of dad who answered the door
in your underwear.

And especially not in mom’s underwear.
Happy Father’s Day!
_________________

Maybe it’ll cheer you up to imagine you’re a cowgirl and one night
around the campfire, you take off your hat and your hair falls
and the cowboys realize you’re gorgeous and they love you.

Or maybe that just works for me.
_________________

Would you take it as a huge compliment if I got your face
tattooed on my shoulder blade?

If not, call me right now! NOW! So…much…blood…
_________________

How do I love thee?

Well, awkwardly at times, to be honest.
_________________

You’re 21! There’s nothing holding you back now!

Except prison.
_________________

Babies are so beautiful…

After they wipe them off.
Congratulations!
_________________

If you get home from your birthday celebration to discover your underwear jammed full of singles,

it’s best not to try to remember how.

And just drop the credit cards in a nearby mailbox. There’s like a law where they have to return them to the people.

__________________

Something for every occasion!

12 July 2009

Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance


Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance, Bluffton, SC

This sweet chapel is in a waterfront community near Bluffton but for the life of me I can't recall what it was called. A wedding was in progress and it all looked very Disney worldish and too perfect to be real.

Bonus funny:

Drawing God

A kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they drew. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's artwork. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.

The girl replied, "I'm drawing God." The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."

Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing the girl replied, "They will in a minute."

More Tiny Charleston


Meeting St., Charleston, SC

I've left a dripping trail of sweat all over Charleston for anyone who wants to follow my walking route. While I was walking I thought this shot might make a better tilt-shift Charleston view. It looks like a wee model fire station.

In other news, I was happy to have Byron flag me down and ask for $3.18. I knew he'd been missing and he admitted to spending sixty days in jail. His story was that he'd been picked up sleeping on a bench after being told not to be on King above Calhoun St. Then as he woke confused out of a deep sleep, they assumed he was intoxicated. He was released this morning and walked all the way down from Leeds Ave.

I suspect the police report might be a little more complicated than that, do ya think? Still, nice to see the rascal.

Tiny Town Charleston


Warren St., Charleston, SC

I've been following the Tiny Charleston blog and especially liked the shot of Spirit of Charleston. The odd focus makes them appear to be part of a miniature scene. Imabug has more Charleston tilt shift photos. I played with a few pictures of mine last night but don't have the perfect shot yet. The technique seems to work better on busy street scenes with people and cars. Fun!


What are tilt-shift style photos?
Tilt-shift miniature style photos are pictures of real-life scenes that are manipulated to look like model photographs.

Now you can easily transform your existing digital camera photos into tilt-shift style miniatures using tiltshiftmaker.com. Our online photo editing tool is fun and requires no registration or signup.


Let me know if you do any cool ones!

11 July 2009

I Heart Charleston




Hearts, Charleston, SC

Eventually the pictures fall into categories and earn their own album. Hearts. Bikes. Sidewalk Graffiti. Travel. Cemeteries. Magnolia Gardens. Doors. Back Roads. Sometimes I didn't know things were a particular interest until I find I've taken enough pictures to rate a category.

10 July 2009

Finger lickin' good.


J Paul'z, James Island, SC

I like J.Paul'z before the happy evening chaos when the staff is just getting started and it is still a dark and peaceful refuge.

I happened to be there as a photographer was setting up a shot for their web site. I enjoyed watching someone else figure out the tricks of food photography in a dark room (always stealing ideas I am...) and snuck one shot of Chef Tracy Little with my little pocket Canon. They may be best known for their sushi but I order from the tapas menu and like the tiny pulled pork BBQ biscuits, caprese salad stack, mini crab cakes, cheese board and tomato pie. Finger lickin' yummers.

They have a separate dining area that might be perfect for a blog meet up. Hmmmm.

Are you beginning to understand why I have to walk a couple miles a day?

Day 1. Rain.


Ashley Marina, Charleston, SC

A historic document has been uncovered recently. It's been translated to English and posted on the Web: Noah's Blog.

Day 1
Rain.

Day 2
Rain.

Day 3
Rain.

Day 4
Rain.

Day 5
Rain.

Day 6
So I was loading up the last of the animals last week when I walk past my neighbor Roger, the Molech-worshipper. He looks up and says "Hey, looks like rain."

True story.

___________________

Funny. I found it on J-Walk although I admit I took the photo here in Charleston last week.

09 July 2009

One Sentence Stories


Reflections, East Bay St., Charleston, S.C.

True stories, told in one sentence.

These are the 50 most popularly-rated sentences of all time. Just like high school, though, sometimes the losers are the cooler kids to hang around with.

While my husband (then boyfriend) proposed, I could see a man standing on a picnic table and peeing into the bushes in my peripheral vision - but it was the best night of my life all the same.

Five years later, I still have a scar of my husband's entire dental impression from when he bit my abdomen.

My heart broke as I pulled the black cape around my neck and saw the tag that was labeled, "Does not enable you to fly."

The first time I met my father was when he made a delivery to my house as a UPS worker.

Quitting a job that you love is much harder when your boss starts crying in the middle of the conversation.


Many more on their web site. You can vote to decide which new submissions move up to the "Best Of" pages. I bet I could do one but I'm too hot to think. Just back from my walk all sweaty and sticky.

Meeting St. Gate Sign


Meeting St., Charleston, SC

Not exactly what you expect to find on a Charleston home is it?

I am off to hunt and gather but here is something kinda fun: Eternal Moonwalk. They take submissions. I am thinking. Thinking.

Before & After, Elliott St.



Elliott St., Charleston, S.C.

I like these before and after shots. I walk so much I get to track the progress.

Disgusting morning so far, kids. I had mentioned hearing the pitter patter of little feet above the ceiling and suspected a critter was coming down into my hall closet. I cleaned it out and left some tempting glue pads last week. Last night I heard thumping and squeaking but couldn't bare to deal with it in the dark. Cringe. This is so gross. Not a pretty sight. I need to cleanse and reset my eye palette by looking at something incredibly attractive.