Maypole?

Unitarian Churchyard, Charleston, SC  

Do you think it is a maypole? I spotted it through the gates at the Unitarian Churchyard where children had been playing.

In fact, what the heck is a maypole? I googled to find this odd song: Summerisle the Maypole Song.

Happy nurses' week to all my friends who are nurses. They were giving away these adorable cookies at the hospital today. They were yummy as well as pretty. I almost hated to eat mine. They were made by Mamee's Minis in Summerville and donated for our Nurses' Week celebrations.

Open Faith, Open Hearts, Open Minds

Unitarian Cemetery, Charleston, SC  

Found wisdom on the steps in the Unitarian Church in Charleston. 

Live out of your Imagination

Gateway Walk, King St., Charleston, SC   

I always pause to read the featured quote on the gate to the Unitarian Universalist Church entrance to the Gateway Walk on King St. This was struck me a funny for Charleston where we treasure history so.

Here is a complete map to the Gateway Walk which includes some of my favorite spots and more details about the Garden Club's early project.

The Garden Club’s first civic project was the dream of Mrs. C. P. McGowan, president from 1928 to 1930. The Gateway walk, after visiting a peaceful garden in Paris.   Landscape architect Loutrel Briggs designed the original walk which is named for the ten wrought iron gates along its course through the city. Entrance to the Gateway Walk. The walk begins at the gates of St. John’s Lutheran Church on Archdale Street, crosses King Street and Meeting Street, and concludes at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church. It opened in 1930 to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the founding of Charleston. The club maintains the walk with proceeds from its fundraising projects.

Cemetery Blossoms

Unitarian Cemetery, Charleston, S.C.

I went to a friend's wedding this morning (congrats Lynne and Eric!), did a quick change of clothes and took advantage of being downtown to get a walk in. Taking the shortcut through the Unitarian Cemetery I caught a few bright blossoms in contrast to the old tombstones. It is one of my favorite places and well worth exploring.

It's after midnight kids. I'd better get to my bed. Y'all turn the lights out.

Winter Storm Warnings

Unitarian Churchyard, Charleston, S.C.

Today's photo is from a recent walk through the Unitarian and St. John's Lutheran churchyards. She is a sweet angel isn't she?

The only thing we can talk about in Charleston today is the threatening ice storm due to hot tomorrow even though today was lovely and warm. We don't see much snow or ice in the lowcountry so it's big excitement each time. Everyone is buying up batteries and wine. We get a little confused with hurricane preparations but it seems clear that wine is required. Stay warm kids!

Live out of your imagination

King St., Charleston, S.C.

The Unitarian Church changes this sign on King St. often enough to keep me entertained. Thank you folks.

It's Friday kids! Hurrah!  It has felt like a long week but let's put that behind us and make plans for the weekend. What shall we do?

Cemetery Walking - Unitarian Churchyard

Unitarian Cemetery, Charleston, S.C.

I didn't manage to take the entire week off to be with my guests but it has worked out to almost every other day off. This time off feature is very nice. I need to marry rich and retire!

Luckily the rain held off this morning and we parked at Colonial Lake, followed Queen St. to King and came back through the Unitarian Cemetery Gateway Walk. Then as you can see in the final picture - I send my folks to jail - the old Charleston jail. 

Before & After - Unitarian Cemetery

Unitarian Cemetery, Charleston, S.C.

I matched up another scene from the U.S. Geological Survey collection. I was tempted to ask a random tourist to stand in the same spot as the gentleman in the picture but they were dressed in such baggy, sloppy clothes that it didn't have the same effect.

This picture was easily recognizable as the Unitarian Cemetery. It is titled: Charleston, South Carolina, Earthquake August 31, 1886. Displaced monument in the cemetery of the Unitarian Church.

Thanks again to the Librarian commenter for leading me to these fantastic old photos. There is enough on the site to entertain me for awhile! I added another few blossom photos to my cemetery collection while I was there.

I am off to bed, kids. This is the summer of the kayak and if the skies are clear I intend to explore a bit of Lake Marion in the morning.

Friday, sweet Friday

Unitarian Cemetery, Charleston, S.C.

The prayer flags in yesterday's picture reminded me of this one taken in the Unitarian Cemetery.

It's Friday kids! I didn't accomplish everything I intended to this week but I'm pleased to see the weekend. The Terrace Theater is showing movies at 4:30 p.m. now, and I've spent the last couple of hours letting the work week wash away while I sipped my hot tea, chewed black licorice and watched Potiche.

Blossoms in the Unitarian Church Cemetery

Unitarian Churchyard, Charleston, S.C.

There isn't much depressing about the riot of color in the cemetery on the grounds of the Unitarian Church. It's hard to resist overloading the blog with blossom pictures right now. I'm afraid this is what you are going to get for a while!

The pathway in the lower photo is from the entrance at the gate on King St.

I hope everyone has had a good weekend. Remember - when I am Queen, we will all have three day weekends.

Cemetery Walking

Unitarian Church Cemetery, Charleston, S.C.

It was a gray and overcast day here in the lowcountry, perfect for a walk through one of our old cemeteries and the Unitarian Church Cemetery is one of my favorites. It's always a bit wild and ungroomed looking with birds and the odd cat looking quite at home.

I found this poem on their web site:

Soul Of A Man
Won't somebody tell me, answer if you can!
Won't somebody tell me, what is the soul of a man
I'm going to ask the question, answer if you can

If anybody here can tell me, what is the soul of a man?
I've traveled in different countries, I've traveled foreign lands
I've found nobody to tell me, what is the soul of a man

Blind Willie Johnson

Cemetery Walking - Unitarian Church

Unitarian Cemetery, Archdale St., Charleston, S.C.

I walked this morning through the old Unitarian Cemetery on Archdale St. just before the rain started. The camellias are in their glory and I love the browning petals on the ground as much as the rare perfect bloom. I think I may need to get some camellia bushes for myself. All I have is one white bush.

I love the saying on this tombstone. It makes me hope the couple had a long and happy marriage.

I hope everyone has had a good weekend. According to my tradition I have left all my chores to do in the last few hours. Blah. Anyone want to come over and do my taxes for me?