Support your local Orthopedic Surgeon

Sidewalk, Charleston, S.C.

Like wearing high heels in Charleston? Good luck with that! We must have the busiest Orthopedic Surgeons in the country.

Gadsden St. Fire

Gadsden St., Charleston, S.C.

It is always shocking to see the damage a house fire can do to these grand old homes. What a sad loss. According to the Post & Courier article twelve people were displaced from their apartments.

Searching for more details I discovered that Twenty Six Divine is holding a Gadsden St. Fire Relief Party on Sunday afternoon for a few of the residents.

Gadsden Street Fire Relief Party 

When: Sun., June 1, 4-8 p.m.
Phone: (843) 754-8899
Price: $20

Katie Seley and Robert Gibb lost their home and all of their belongings in the Gadsden Street Fire that occurred on May 11. Seley is a longtime employee at Twenty Six Divine, so to help the couple rebuild their lives, the owners of Twenty Six Divine are pulling the community together to throw a party that will raise funds for Seley and Gibb. Enjoy braised pork and chicken tacos, pineapple-jalapeno mimosas, pastries, libations from The Recovery Room, music by Moonlight Ale, and art from Alicia Penn. All proceeds go to the couple.

Charleston Grit Blog Party

Charleston Grit Blog Awards, Charleston, S.C.

Charleston Magazine held a cocktail party for their Charleston Grit bloggers at Reclaimed Designworks on East Bay St. this evening and I was surprised with an award. It was the first award and presented with a bit of humor by Grit editor Nate Anderson.

I won the award for Best View of the Bridge Run for People Who Didn't Run. That works! My friend Renae Brabham won a more serious award for Editor's Pick blog. Congrats Renae! Nice to meet some of the faces behind the blogs.

Award for Best Southern Charm Blog Contributor went to Jeremy McLellan. Ha!

Some of the faces behind Charleston Magazine

Candle gifts from Charleston Bath Works

After party-ice cream-party by jenis.com!

HCS, Renae and Andy Paras

Don't Cuss, Call Us

Speedy Cab, Charleston, S.C.

I walked the West Ashley Greenway through to South Windermere on Monday morning and happened upon this wacky vintage taxi cab. Love the "Don't Cuss, Call Us" line! I tried to flag it down for a ride back home but couldn't get the driver's attention. So I cussed.

Teeny, tiny houses of Charleston - Ashley Avenue

Ashley Ave., Charleston, S.C.

I'm not the only one featuring tiny houses these days but Charleston does have a good share of them sprinkled between the mansions. I like the mix.

In other news - we have a new BBQ restaurant to try. Swig & Swill has their "Now Open" sign up on Savannah Highway next to the Glass Onion and even more importantly, walking distance to my house. I can pig out and waddle home.

Local celebrity Bill Murray crashes a lucky groom's Bachelor Party. I think it was at Oak Steakhouse.

Whew. Nothing warms things up more than a quick walk.

Raised bed garden on Queen St.

Queen St., Charleston, S.C.

These folks made such good use of their little front yard on Queen St. that I check on it every summer hoping that they do it again and they haven't disappointed me yet. Ya think maybe if I knock on their door with a little dessert they would invite me in to a tasty fresh veggie dinner?

The entire peninsula smells of confederate jasmine right now. In fact hopefully I still carry the scent from walking through it. Horticulturists ought to be able to issue tickets to people in Charleston if they don't have one of three plants in their yards: 1) Azaleas, 2) Confederate Jasmine and/or 3) Hydrangeas. I am hanging in there with two out of three but my jasmine hasn't done much of anything on my new property. Too much shade perhaps.

In memory of those who didn't

She Returns From War, King St., Charleston, S.C.

"Let us never forget their service and always be worthy of the sacrifices made in our name."

President Obama

To the future

Shepard Fairey mural at Tivoli, Charleston,S.C.

I zipped into town this morning to get a picture of the Shepard Fairey mural that is next to Butcher & Bee on upper King St. and happened to catch this little gal examining it. She was so cute she improved the shot. Too bad her twin wouldn't join her.

Let the festivities begin!

Piccolo Spoleto, Marion Square, Charleston, S.C.

Charleston is throwing a party! The Piccolo Spoleto Festival has began yesterday and the first Saturday is always happy chaos at Marion Square - the Farmer's Market, Art Show and the Seed & Feed Marching Abominable band entered the park in style. I steered my morning walk through the Art Show admiring the paintings and photography. I haven't bought tickets to anything but today it didn't matter. Party on!

Parish House Tea Room - Eutawville

Parish House Tea Room,Eutawville, S.C.

Don't depend on it being open without phoning ahead to check but if you get lucky you will have your lunch in a slice of history. We were the only customers last Saturday and got the owner's life history, but she said they had a house full for Mother's Day.

We never actually got a menu but were told what was being served - potato salad, chicken salad, creamy she crab soup. Not bad! We didn't order desert but a slice of cake was wrapped and sent home with us anyway.

Since we were the only people there I felt free to roam and explore the old Parish House. Notice the cushion on the chair on the left below? There were two padded cushion chairs because the regular customer sits in one chair on Sundays and another on Wednesdays. Love it.

S.C. Governor's Volunteer Awards 2014

S.C. Governor's Volunteer Award winners, Columbia. S.C.

I escorted a couple of volunteers to the Governor's Mansion property this morning to join other volunteers being awarded the S. C. Governor's Award for Volunteering. What an impressive group!

Charleston was well represented by Bob & Norma Gebo from Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, Alexis Violette from Roper Hospital and the Ninth Circuit Solicitor's Office Victim Impact Panel group.  

How much is that doggie on the boat?

1600 Meeting St., Charleston, S.C.

Eye catching mural here. I appreciate people making such an effort to keep me entertained. I was snooping around to see the changes happening at 1600 Meeting St. and a lot has been done. Times they are a' changing! I am generally locked up in my office during weekday hours so not sure if they have been serving food from the promised Land Yacht yet or not. Here is their website.

Time to settle in and watch the episode of Fargo I recorded the other night. Not too bad.

Froggie went a-courtin'

Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

Frog went a-courtin' and he did ride, uh-huh
Frog went a-courtin' and he did ride, uh-huh
Frog went a-courtin' and he did ride
With a sword and a pistol by his side, uh-huh.

Well he rode right up to Miss Mousey's door, uh-huh
He rode right up to Miss Mousey's door, uh-huh
He rode right up to Miss Mousey's door
Gave three loud raps and a very big roar, uh-huh.

Said, "Miss Mouse, are you within ?" uh-huh
Said he, "Miss Mouse, are you within ?" uh-huh
Said, "Miss Mouse, are you within ?"
"Yes, kind sir, I sit and spin," uh-huh.

He took Miss Mousey on his knee, uh-huh
Took Miss Mousey on his knee, uh-huh
Took Miss Mousey on his knee
Said, "Miss Mousey, will you marry me ?" uh-huh.

No Dogs Allowed

Old Charleston Jail, Magazine St., Charleston, S.C.

No dogs allowed but perhaps their puppy crimes weren't severe enough to warrant being locked up in the old Charleston Jail on Magazine St. It is supposed to be one of the most haunted places in town but at least we won't have to listen for haunted howling.

The old jail, beside being the location of spooky tours, is the home of the College of the Building Arts.

Shepard Fairey decorates the Holy City

College Lodge, Calhoun St., Charleston, S.C.

Charleston artist Shepard Fairey is leaving his mark in an exciting way and I caught a few of the pieces of art and then happened on him in action. He was giving a talk at the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art  yesterday and then joined his team to finish the piece on King St. Photographer Bad Jon has a terrific series of the work being put up.

So far I've seen the one on College Lodge, on top of the Francis Marion Hotel and the one below on Groucho's Deli on King St. I understand there is another up by Butcher & Bee. I am loving this!

John C. Calhoun is very, very puzzled!

Shepard Fairey, Charleston, S.C.

Free Hugs!

Free Hugs, King & Calhoun St., Charleston, S.C.

I asked him if he was doing it because he needed hugs or he thought that other people might. At that very moment a gal rushed up saying, "I really need a hug. I've had an awful day." So there ya go!

I've been doing a lot and will be back with more photos. I have tossed a few on facebook quickly but will backtrack and post them here. Meanwhile have a great weekend!

*Note to self - get more cards with my web address to give to people like this gentleman so they can find their pictures.

Marsh Art

Coco Vivo Art Gallery, Broad St., Charleston, S.C.

We can't help it. We are suckers for marsh art. I used to joke that I'd like to be a Marsh Artist as opposed to learning Martial Art. This painting caught my eye at the Coco Vivo Art Gallery on Broad St. Flipping through their web site it looks like the artist is Mitch Billis who appears to divide some of his time between the lowcountry and Tuscany. Not. Too. Bad. Here is his website.

While we are on the subject of art, go ahead and bookmark Barbara Stroud's blog. Barbara is my "lazy girl's art walk" as she introduces new artists each week and I can enjoy learning about them without the crowds of the evening art walks. 

I just finished the last episode of True Detective so my regular life may now resume. It's been a week of gluttony TV watching.

Beautiful gardens

Legare St., Charleston, S.C.

This is another beautiful garden in Legare St. Look at the roses around the doorway of the little building. Gorgeous. I need a gardner!

This has been an odd week. I am in a gluttony of tv watching after finally getting my hands on the True Detective series. I go for a quick walk around the neighborhood, grab dinner, dim the lights and settle in. I've been very busy at work but basically getting nothing else done around here at all. Oh well. It can't last much longer! There is so little I care about watching it is a treat.

Before & After - Garden Style

Legare St., Charleston, S.C.

I could never resist taking a picture over the fence of this wild garden on Legare St. but the last time I walked by I stood scratching my head in bewilderment. It's all gone. Wiped out. Wow.

I am guessing the house is for sale and needed to be characterless for potential purchasers. Thanks for the smiles through the years. Hope things are well with the mystery gardener.

What's going on at the edge of the town?

White Point Gardens, Charleston, S.C.

          James James
          Morrison  Morrison
          Weatherby George Dupree
          Took great
          Care of his Mother,
          Though he was only three.
          James James
          Said to his Mother,
          "Mother", he said, said he;
     "You must never go down to the end of the town,
      if you don't go down with me."

          James James
          Morrison's Mother
          Put on a golden gown,
          James James
          Morrison's Mother
          Drove to the end of the town.
          James James
          Morrison's Mother
          Said to herself, said she:
     "I can get right down to the end of the town and be
       back in time for tea"

          King John
          Put up a notice,
          "LOST or STOLEN or STRAYED!
          JAMES JAMES
          MORRISON'S MOTHER
          SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN MISLAID.
          LAST SEEN
          WANDERING VAGUELY;
          QUITE OF HER OWN ACCORD,
      SHE TRIED TO GET DOWN TO THE END OF THE TOWN-
       FORTY SHILLINGS REWARD!

           A. A. Milne