Halloween 50s Style!

Halloween 50s style! Charleston, SC

Not everyone can dress for Halloween in a hospital but some of us can and my volunteer team led the charge. Elvis and Rick James joined the parade serenading the staff and patients. It was a fun day. I think I got my 10,000 steps in.

Boo!

Boo! Charleston, SC

I liked the skeleton looking through the glass. People do make some effort to decorate their homes for holidays and I am an appreciative audience. 

While I breath, I hope

Dum Spiro Spero, Charleston, SC 

Sooner or later I find everything in the pavement and by this time I thought I had read the streets of Charleston thoroughly. It was a treat to find a new old phrase. Dum Spiro Spero is inscribed on the state seal of South Carolina:

The state seal was the first of South Carolina's state symbols. It was first used in 1777, although it looked different then. At that time, it was two sided, and impressions of the two sides would be put into wax so they could be affixed onto documents. This proved difficult, so eventually the two sides were combined so that they fit next to each other on a one-sided seal, which is what we have now.

The left oval was originally the front of the seal, and it has the first of our two state mottos on it: "Animis Opibusque Parati," which is Latin for "Prepared in Mind and Resources." The picture is of a palmetto tree and represents a battle victory against the British at present-day Fort Moultrie during the Revolutionary War.

The right oval was originally the reverse side of the seal, and it has our second state motto: "Dum Spiro Spero," which is Latin for "While I Breathe, I Hope." The picture on this side of the seal ties in with the motto, because the woman pictured is the Roman goddess Spes, who was the goddess of hope.

Doors of Charleston - Halloween Style

Halloween style! King Street, Charleston, SC 

There seems to be daily sad news lately with today's being the shooting in the temple in Pittsburgh. It is heartbreaking that there is so much hate in this world.

It does me good to get out walking and pound frustrations into the pavement. I am grateful for these home owners who made me smile as I went by.

Charleston Halloween Party in Progress

Halloween, Charleston, SC  

 I check on this house every year on my Halloween photo op rounds and it never fails to delight. Enjoy!

 

Halloween continued

Salters, SC 

The skeletons were hung by the chimney with care...

(Taken through the window of an empty home in Salters, SC)

Folly's Past

Folly Beach, Charleston, SC 

A throw back memory of when Folly Beach had more character spots than new rental properties. Who remembers this building very close to the pier?

I am having a hard time reading comments lately so forgive my lack of response. I can see they are there but click to find a blank screen. Don't stop leaving them! I promise to figure it out and get back to them all. 

Duck for donuts!

Duck Donuts, Charleston, SC 

We still get a little excited when a new restaurant or eatery opens West Ashley and Duck Donuts has caused a bit of a stir! I was meeting friends for coffee on Sullivan's Island this morning and stopped by to pick up the Halloween assortment to take with me. They were a hit! The fresh warm base donut is the same but they are then dipped into the different flavored frostings and toppings. 

Bear with me!

Halloween 2018, Charleston, SC 

It's time to start dragging your skeletons out of the closet and posing them around the yard. 

I even got a head start on the hospital pumpkin decorating contest by photocopying pictures and gluing them on a (fake) pumpkin. I can't do that much work on something that it going to rot. 

Missed a spot!

King St., Charleston,SC 

Can you imagine going to all this trouble every time you needed to wash your windows or touch up the paint? The old Bluestein's Menswear store on King St. is one of my favorites and always catches my eye.

Only 7,000 steps today. Boo. It's already getting dark too early for me. I like to crash for awhile when I get home from work and by then it's too dark to walk. 

All dressed up on King St.

Dry Bar, 556 King St., Charleston, SC 

This snappy renovation stands out even more with the new brick buildings built on either side.

 I may be the only one not certain what a Dry Bar was but it is a hair blow out salon. 

Southern version of snowy white fields

Dawson Rd, Eutawville, SC 

I've already started seeing posts of snow so thought I'd share our southern version.

It looks like a good cotton crop this year! 

Run West Ashley, Run!

West Ashley Greenway, Charleston, SC 

The Avondale 5K was held this morning but instead of running past my house, they directed the runners to a section of the West Ashley Bikeway. I hope the stretches of uneven pavement and root systems weren't a problem because it was a lovely scene seeing them come out of the woods. Congrats to all! 

Queen St.

Queen St., Charleston, SC 

Their car is tucked in safely under the shed. 

How many folks could gather in the screened in room above before it all 

came tumbling down, do you think? The house at 92 Queen was built in 1870. 

Bear with me

Bear with me, Charleston, SC 

Bear with me, kids! It's that time of year. Boo!

Heartbeats of the Holy City

Solveig Bracy, The Principle Gallery, Charleston, SC 

I had a fun evening last Friday when artist Kyle Stuckey invited all the people he had painted portraits of to the gallery opening of Portraits of Charleston: The Heartbeat of the Holy City." There were so many familiar faces but I was there for my volunteer Solveig Bracy who was one of the featured portraits. We had a little pre-party at my house and then went down to enjoy the festivities. Thanks Kyle!

Oil painter Kyle Stuckey, alongside Principle Gallery, is working on a project to bring the community together using the art of portraiture. This show will represent 50 portraits of people that live in Charleston and call it their home, and it has two main goals: to showcase those who make a positive impact on Charleston in all their unique ways and to encourage an art culture that brings us all together.
Stuckey explains: “I want to create a show highlighting the beautiful diversity that makes a vibrant community and showcasing the people that work to make this city the best it can be. I also believe that art in all forms is one of the most important aspects of life. Like most people, I grew up thinking that only two types of people did art: the wealthy who could spend lots of money or the strange starving artist who created the art. But now I realize everyone should (and can!) have art in their lives - whether as a buyer, an appreciator, a model, or an artist.”
The 50 chosen participants will come from all different kinds of backgrounds, careers, and walks of life. They may be artists, chefs, doctors, public servants, educators, community leaders, factory workers, news anchors, business owners, or fishermen. They may be young, old, rich, or poor. Each person is a unique and important puzzle piece that collectively creates our great community, and through art we can reflect that beautifully.
Kyle Stuckey will paint a 14x11 portrait of every participant in his artistic style - designed to capture the essence of each individual. A short write-up of what each Charlestonian does and who they are as a person will accompany each painting. 
Since this show is all about community, 25% of all work sold will be given the to the local charity, Teachers' Supply Closet.

Baskets of ferns

Parcel 32, King St., Charleston, SC 

This is exactly what I picture my baskets of hanging ferns should look like. Sadly they don't. I just tossed the one I bought in the spring since it was half dead. These are lovely and on the upper piazza of what is now Parcel 32 restaurant. I ate there back when it was Fish restaurant but haven't tried the new one yet. 

Mural Monday - Faces of Avondale

Murals of Avondale, Charleston, SC

I love these faces in the murals behind the shops at Avondale

even more now that the vegetation has overgrown them. 

Tour of the KKBE Cemetery

KKBE Coming St., Cemetery, Charleston, SS

Thanks to the Charleston History Before 1945 group for coordinating a tour of the KKBE Cemetery on Coming St. We pass it all the time but the gate is locked so it was wonderful to be welcomed in to explore and hear the history stories of this historical cemetery. Thanks to our tour guides Randi Serrins and Anita Rosenberg who shared the history and even a good ghost story.