Wragg Square remodel

Wragg Square, Charleston, SC   

I was delighted to see that the Parks Conservancy had taken on Wragg Square. 

What an improvement! Thanks Park Angels! 

Flying break dancers

Break dancers at Marion Square, Charleston, SC   

Flying break dancers at Marion Square! They are regular performers during Saturday Farmer's Markets and I always stop in amazement and to drop a few bucks in their bucket.  #thebreakcircuit

Dramatic skies

Marion Square, Charleston, SC  

There were dramatic skies for the family fun Piccolo Spoleto day on Saturday and we had some impressive rain since then. I worry for the artists and crafters who prepared all year to set up outside. Swim over and buy something!

PS: I spell check Piccolo every single time I use the word. Piccolo, piccolo, piccolo.

My new leather dealer

Leather Designs by Mikiko, Charleston, SC   

Uhoh. I spent my Spoleto festival budget on the first day at the Wragg Square craft sale.

If I am not lugging my camera in a backpack, I travel lightly. I always wear a tiny cross body purse just big enough to hold my cell phone (with step counter), keys, debit card and a couple of bucks. The little black purse I have been wearing daily for years is looking sad and scruffy so I've had my eyes out for one of the perfect size. I didn't mean to find two of them.

Thanks to Mikiko Kory, Leather Artisan I am all set. She sells her work regularly at a craft co-op on Church St. but I didn't catch the name.

Creating Beauty from Brokenness

Smashed Glass Arts, Wragg Square, Charleston, SC    

I stopped by the oasis greenhouse created by Smashed Glass Arts in Wragg Square this morning. Look closely to see that the structure is made from cut up used water bottles.

Smash Glass Art Studio is a non-profit organization created to encourage art [of all facets], sustainability and community building. We offer free classes to the northeast region of Charleston County, South Carolina; from Awendaw to Santee. We smash barriers and build relationships between generations and races using broken, recycled and found materials. The Smash Glass experience includes Fine Art,  Dance, Fashion and Guitar - all of which use a S.T.E.A.M approach (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math). ​​

Teeny, tiny houses of Charleston

1 Kracke St., Charleston, SC   

This is a sweet little renovation on Kracke St. Looking at the side view it isn't so very teeny, tiny after all! Built in 1893 is has three bedrooms and two baths. That would be one more bathroom than I have.

I hope everyone stayed dry and out of traffic jams today. What a mess.

Mural puzzle

Coming St. Grocery, Spring St., Charleston, SC   

What is going on with the faded old mural on this building, kids? Any idea? Small patch left but it is brightly painted. Are they refreshening the entire building? The bottom photo is from a few years ago.

(Shots below are from earlier views)

Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance - Yemassee Junction

Yemassee, SC    

If I am ever driving through Yemassee, SC I must stop to check on the Yemassee Junction/Holy Temple Church mural. According to Google images I am not the only person who does that. We could each chip in a buck as we pass by towards mural maintenance.

These pictures were from a day trip from last weekend aiming to head to lunch at Fletcher's Finds, where you eat lunch inside an actual antique shop but arrived after it had closed for the afternoon. A drive takes longer when you stop to admire every quirky scene along the way. I didn't go to church and I missed lunch but a drive in the country at spring time in the lowcountry is always a successful day.

It's Jasmine time!

Confederate Jasmine, Charleston, SC   

 Jasmine here, jasmine there, jasmine everywhere!

Whatcha doing this afternoon, kids? There is a tour of a part of Charleston not usually included in the grand mansion tour packages. If the rain holds off for us it should be fun. Click the link for details and maybe I will see you there.

Cannonborough-Elliotborough Tour of Homes

Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (EST) 

Something missing Sergeant Jasper

Colonial Lake, Charleston, SC 

Such a big change is shocking, shocking. When I lived downtown the Sergeant Jasper apartment building always seemed like the downtown option for tiny but affordable apartment living. No more, kids. There is no tiny but affordable housing on the peninsula. It's gone, gone, gone. I am sure there will soon be luxury condos.

Magnolia Blossoms

Magnolia Blossom, Charleston, SC  

Have I been posting a lot of blossoms lately? Get used to it! Charleston is a garden in spring time. 

Beep, beep!

Charleston, SC   

It is so darn cute. There must be a story behind it. The house could use a little love but by the look of the permits in the window I am sure that is going to happen soon.

I hope everyone had a good Mother's Day. My mother passed away on Mother's Day and in her honor my sisters and I get out one of her old china tea set cups and toast her with her tradition cuppa hot tea. Cheers to mom! My son joined me for the Indian buffet at Nirlep restaurant where we cleverly thought we might miss the usual Mother's day crowd. We were correct.

Meanwhile Charleston/Mt. Pleasant has a traffic fiasco this evening with the Wando bridge and 526 West bound being shut down. It may be a good evening to stay snug and tight. Be safe out there.

 

Flower beds at Hampton Park

Hampton Park, Charleston, SC   

High-five to the gardeners of Charleston County Parks. Skip the purchased Mother's Day bouquet and take mom to Hampton Park. It is a colorful living bouquet at this time of year.

Our Sago palms survived the winter

Fresh growth on Sago palm, Charleston, SC

Our sago palms took a chilling hit during Charleston's freak winter snow storm. I took everyone's advice and tried to believe there was hope. Tada! These aren't mine but ones I spotted with fresh new fronds on my morning walk. Welcome back! Mine is going to survive as well.

Buildings at Hampton Park

Hampton Park, Charleston, SC   

I expect it is an old park management building but it appears to be unused. It's a lovely building. 

Art in the Park - Hampton Park

Art in the Parks, Hampton Park, Charleston, SC

I had read about new art installations at Hampton Park so made that my walk destination this morning. I found all four of the pieces along the side of the walking path. It's a colorful start. I am ready for more! I am pleased to read that we may get more art along the Greenway and Bike Way as well. 

These were designed by art Joseph Dreher who worked with local students and the Boys and Girls Club to create the portraits. See the Charleston City Paper for more details. 

Plant Vitae, an installation featuring sculptures engraved with local children's drawings, maps of Charleston, and images of plant life, is now on display on the southern edge of Hampton Park, along Mary Murray Drive. The installation is part of the Art in the Parks program created by the Charleston Parks Conservancy in collaboration with Redux Contemporary Art Center and the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs.
The four large-scale pieces in Plant Vitae are made from wood and transparent cast acrylic, created by Georgia-based artist Joseph Dreher a.k.a. JOEKINGATL. Dreher worked with local students from schools near Hampton Park, as well as the Boys and Girls Club, to create the portraits found in the final pieces.
In a press release Dreher says, “People are my primary interest and it is my appreciation for people that informs so much of my creative work. My work is always multidimensional because I see a world where people are not flat. They are not obstacles, or heroes, or rogues, or saints. They are people — dimensional and deep. There are no strangers in your world when you meet people fully prepared to accept who they are.”