Frewil Apartments

Frewil Apts., Charleston, SC 

It's Frewil but my brain always reads it as Free Will and sings it out when I pass by. It is always decorated with bikes, wet beach towels, grills, lounge chairs on the porch and at least one wheelchair. If these walls could talk there would be enough short stories for a good book. 

Red Solo Cup

Charleston Still life with Red Solo Cup, Vanderhorst St., Charleston, SC  

The tales the Frewil Apartment building could tell would be a great book of short stories. 

This old house

Vanderhorst St., Charleston, SC 

This old house. It was built around 1840 and was my old house. I noticed it is for sale again and had stickers taped up offering a sublease for the summer. When I walk by I still feel responsible and want to close the gates and shut the shed doors. My brother Jim painted that house for me from top to bottom - a couple of time, and the trees were planted in honor of my parents. Now it appears to be a rental property with no more window boxes, flags or rocking chairs on the porch. Two pairs of tenants fell in love and ended up marrying while we owned the house. I hope the new owners enjoy living there as much as we did.

The Spoleto Festival is in full swing and today I finally feel like a participant. Vivaldi at St. Philip's Church, a bite to eat at Leaf, and then Casus Circus at Memminger Auditorium. Color me artsy!

And the gates shall remain closed

6 Thomas St., Charleston, S.C.

I used to live on Vanderhorst St. and had always been aware that Robert Barnwell Rhett the Father of Secession lived in my house. He is listed as the occupant of 42 Vanderhorst in the 1851 census directory. Googling his name came up with his name attached to the much more impressive home on the corner of Vanderhorst and 6 Thomas St. He must have come down in life to have moved from this mansion to my old home.

I've always loved the beautiful home but was unfamiliar with the story behind the massive iron gates I have walked past hundreds of times. Here is an old Post & Courier story about the house.

The house has an enduring bit of Charleston lore associated with it. Along Vanderhorst St. (bordering the property to the south) are large and very decorative iron gates. The set of gates to the west is said to have been the spot where a woman bid farewell to her fiance, telling him as he left that she would not reopen the gates until he returned. The man was killed in the Civil War, and no subsequent occupant of the house has reopened the gates to this day; they remain locked shut.

 

 

No Parking. Please. Pretty Please.

Charleston, S.C.

This is the time of year we welcome the rush of new college students to Charleston. Bless 'em. I'm so glad they have a change to further their education since it's clear they have come from remote and deprived towns without the modern concept of private driveways. This is what my driveway has looked like more often than not this month. The sad thing is that is often the parents moving the kids in who simply pull up and park where ever they like.

I've photocopied a generous stack of pictures of tow trucks to put on windshields for the time being but here is an assortment of Charleston's "No Parking" signs. I need to come up with the perfect sign.

Home early

Vanderhorst St., Charleston, S.C.

I love the sight of towels drying over a porch railing. It makes me hope that the occupants are having the perfect lowcountry summer. They should be working a little, studying enough to justify staying in town, spending a lot of time on the beach and yet not keeping me awake all night long (hint, hint).

I ended my day early with a photo op in town that didn't leave enough time to get back to my office so...oooops, I am home early. Walking home I cut through the MUSC shortcut between Ashley and Rutledge and spotted these flowers in the fountain. A lady called out asking if I was the "Charleston blogging lady" and explained that someone regularly left a floral arrangement in the fountain. Nice to meet you Terry! Thanks for saying hello.

Image Sign

Vanderhorst St., Charleston, S.C.

What do you think? Does the art work symbolize something significant about each business owner in the building? I hope so.

What would yours be?

Tight Corners

Vanderhorst St., Charleston, S.C.

Some one took the turn a little too tightly. Not quite sure how they solved it but the easiest way might have been to take the sign down.

Jury duty continues. I have a sneaky feeling I won't be back to work this week. Ooooooh nooooo ;).

Thanks to the Charleston City Paper for printing my tribute to Gene Glave. It felt like such an honor and responsibility to do her justice and I appreciate all the loving feedback.

Fun with silver foil

Vanderhorst St., Charleston, S.C.

Everything is more fun wrapped in silver foil!

New spring growth

Vanderhorst St., Charleston, S.C.

A tree grows in Charleston. Many do, but this one won't need trimming. I spotted this new growth at the new Ashley Hall Dining Hall building at Vanderhorst & Rutledge Ave. on my walk this evening.

I've been coming home late and so brain fried lately, I crash with a quick meal and my tea, completely relax in my favorite corner of the couch and then want to go for a long walk around 9 p.m. I perk back up and am awake long into the night. I need to get my act together. In other, sadder news - I ate my last Cadbury egg and I carelessly promised myself not to buy anymore. Sob.

Before & After - Rutledge Ave.

Rutledge & Vanderhorst St., Charleston, S.C.

I walk enough to keep up with the changes in the neighborhood and it's my job to pass it along to you. This is the new Ashley Hall School building at the corner of Rutledge & Vanderhorst St.

Speaking of progress, I am slipping. Wired Mazagine published their list of The 10 Most Significant Gadgets of 2010 and I don't own a single one of them. Am I alone?

They are:

1. Apple iPad
2. Berkeley Bionics eLEGS
3. Microsoft Kinect
4. Windows Phone 7 on Samsung Focus
5. Sprint Evo 4G
6. Apple iPhone 4
7. MacBook Air
8. Samsung Galaxy Tab
9. Canon S95
10. Kindle 3

Vanderhorst St. Skateboard Team

Vanderhorst St., Charleston, S.C.

The Vanderhorst St. skateboard team. You've seen them if you drive this street in the evening.

Let's hope they all survive the semester. Let's pray I survive the semester. It could be worse. I've had the College soccer team living across the street from me before. When I asked if I could take their picture they just wanted to know if they were in trouble. Nah. So far so good. Sail on.

Moving Day Mess

Vanderhorst St. Charleston, S.C.

Funny snitched from Misscellania:
After his graduation, the son is asked about his future plans by his mother and father. The student replies that he'd like to go to college, as other members of his family had.

Pleased with his response, the Dad pressed on. "What would you like to take when you go to college?" he asked.

After giving it some thought and glancing around the kitchen, he replied: "The refrigerator, if you can get along without it."

This what all the streets look like in town this weekend. Naturally it always rains as soon as the worn mattresses and sofas are laid out on the pavement. Sidewalk scavengers drive around ready to pounce on anything salvageable.

If had a paint brush....

Coming & Vanderhorst St., Charleston, S.C.

There is a beehive of activity in my neighborhood today as this large house in a busy intersection is renovated. I can't resist taking a picture each time I go by.

I'm glad someone is working hard because I have no intention of doing anything productive. Shame on me. It used to be whenever I had a three day weekend I attacked some home improvement project. Maybe paying for air conditioning repair can count this time. Paint me lazy.