Old Citadel, Charleston

Old Citadel, Charleston, SC  

Isn't this a lovely, moody shot of Marion Square and the old Citadel building? It is dated 1941 and was being sold on eBay for $5. Now it is mine, mine, mine. 

Annette of the skies

Citadel campus, Charleston, SC     

I have a couple of friends named Annette so I always grab a shot of this neatly cared for F 4 Phantom under the oak trees on the campus of the Citadel when I go by. She certainly is the stand-out show stopper on this site of urban ghost planes.

Bearing the name Annette, the F4-C Phantom II wears the green and brown camouflage scheme commonly seen on US Air Force Phantoms during the Vietnam War. At a time when the last remnants of the active US Phantom force – converted to QF-4 drones – are being shot down as target practice for more modern jets, it’s good to see one so well looked after.

Charleston Strong

Charleston Strong, Rutledge Ave., Charleston, SC  

Heading to a spot for my morning walk I was trying to dodge special event crowds. I headed up the peninsula to avoid the March of Dimes walk and I ended up in the lap of the Boat Show at Brittlebank Park. Ooops!

I've often driven past the Charleston Strong mural but this is the first time I walked along that stretch of flying doves painted after the shooting at the Emmanuel AME church last year.

To prepare for the Charleston Strong mural, the twelve foot high, 293 foot long wall lining the college’s former baseball field along Rutledge Ave., was repaired and given a double basecoat of paint. The first elements of the mural were painted by cadets who attend fine arts classes at the college, to enable members of the community to paint their doves around it.“The Nine Doves image is over ten feet tall and dark Citadel blue with the words "Charleston Strong" painted next to it in red,” said Tiffany Silverman, director of The Citadel Fine Arts Program. Silverman created the mural concept, then engaged the college’s Krause Center for Leadership and Ethics to help move it forward.  “Doves are not only a sign of peace but also a symbol of hope. We hope that the mural will be a powerful, visual reminder that the spirit of Charleston Strong will continue no matter what challenges lie ahead,” Silverman said.  See more at: http://www.citadel.edu/root/charleston-strong-mural#sthash.hD7drmtX.dpuf

I went to the Lowcountry Voices concert this evening and then out to dinner with my son at Lola's the recently opened Cajun restaurant in North Charleston. The weather was perfect to sit outside and enjoy a late dinner. So far so good on my weekend! Hope yours is going well.

Those aren't gifts in the bag

Pitt St., Charleston, SC  

This is one of those common Charleston scenes that make me smile - a Citadel cadet on the weekend with a bag of laundry.

One last day in August to get everything done before the end of the month. How did that happen?

Edit: Ooops, The problem with setting a blog to post ahead of time means it has nothing to do with what has happened since. These streets are probably still waterlogged. I took the photo yesterday and since then we have had up to 10 inches of rain in some areas. I lollygagged this morning and went in an hour late to escape the worst of the street flooding but it has been a mess. 

One giant ringy dingy

The Military College of S.C., Charleston, S.C.

It has been awhile since I walked the beautiful campus at the Citadel, the Military College of S.C. but I headed there last Sunday morning and was greeted with this scene. Wow! That is a giant ring. I can imagine that everyone visiting the campus must have their picture taken standing by the ring.

Interesting note for House of Cards fans, I imagine this would be the model for the ring that meant so much to Kevin Spacey.

Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance - Summerall Chapel

Summerall Chapel, The Citadel, Charleston, S.C.

This morning's walk took me to the campus of the Citadel - the Military College of South Carolina so our church photo in lieu of attendance is the Summerall Chapel.  Built in 1936 it is a beautiful chapel and a sentimental favorite for weddings of graduates. I've attended the Christmas candlelight service that is a highlight each year.

Summerall Chapel is a shrine of religion, of patriotism and of remembrance. Every time the Corps marched the length of the parade ground, they could see the words, “Remember Now Thy Creator in the Days of Thy Youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Marching inside, the Corps saw the flags and the stained glass windows calling them to remembrance and reverence. Once the Corps was seated, the Color Guard marched in with precision and ceremoniously placed the flags of The Citadel and the United States in a position of honor and respect. The inscription above the altar, "To the Glory of God, and In Memory of The Citadel's Patriot Dead" served as a reminder of all who had gone before and lived the values of The Citadel.
Today, Summerall Chapel remains a special place in the lives of the Corps as well as its alumni. In the first place, it is for many of our cadets a place of sanctuary, a safe haven away from the constraints and stresses of cadet life. Secondly, it is of course a place of worship.

I hope everyone has had a good weekend. I have! Just got back from an oyster roast at Bowen's Island do I am fat and happy.