Charleston Window Boxes

Window Boxes, Charleston, SC    

I had blossom envy admiring the window boxes on the peninsula this morning. It was wicked hot but the gardens were lush and colorful. I did spot tiny irrigation pipes to some of them which must help in the heat. They really are glorious.

Winter window boxes - Charleston

Charleston, SC   

Aren't these window boxes glorious? Our temperatures are falling now so I wanted to include the blossom shots before the freeze hits them. Hopefully most will survive. Stay warm, kids!

Window boxes

Window boxes, Charleston, SC    

Charleston's window boxes are so lovely all year long it shames me and I fully intend to come directly home and spruce up my yard and plants. I don't of course, but I fully intend to at that moment. Well done, homeowners and thank you. 

Blossoms in the breeze

Charleston, SC   

One of the most shocking videos of the islands after hurricane Irma show all of the leaves blown off the trees. It was terrible. I can't even imagine. We were so disoriented years ago after hurricane Hugo blew all the Spanish Moss from the oak trees. I have not been back downtown but took these pictures the day before Irma hit. I hope we still have some blossoms.

I feel like I have been in a hurricane time warp of worry and relief. Whew. I had water to my front and back steps but none in the house thank goodness. I have a fan running to dry my shed but I can deal with that. I feel so fortunate compared to so many.

Flowers for Friday

Charleston, SC  

It's Friday!  Our afternoon thundershower has come and gone. 

The sadder and uglier the news, the more likely I am to post pictures of flowers. 

I aim to stock up on quirky images for you this weekend if things go according to plan. 

Broad St. blossoms

Broad St., Charleston, S.C.  

Seriously? Are there gardeners in Charleston who specialize in window boxes? There must be. That is the only way to explain the fact that we have beautiful window boxes in every season of the year. This is lovely.

Meanwhile, in other news, blossoms are popping out all over. Charleston is turning into a spring garden. I skipped out of work early today and treated all of my volunteers to an afternoon at the movies. We went to see the Second Best Marigold Hotel at the Terrace Theater. I got out early enough to stop at Home Depot and the pop-up garden shop on Wappoo Road to replace my hibiscus plants. Lovely!

Charleston window boxes December style

Charleston window box, Charleston, S.C.  

I found all of these gorgeous blooming window boxes on a recent walkabout town. In December!? They are glorious. I can only assume most of these homeowners hire gardeners to maintain them and to them I say, "Thank You".  

Window boxes on State St.

State St., Charleston, S.C.

Let's hear it for three day weekends! Hurrah!

I found a reddit.com question asking "What is the most beautiful piece of music?" and have been reading the suggestions, clicking on the recording and enjoying music I have never heard before. What a treat! I want to listen to them all and download a bunch. That could keep me occupied for awhile since there are over 7,000 comments.

I admit to being a reddit lurker. The only time I participated was when a young pregnant gal described what sounded like a seizure and was wondering what everyone on the internet thought she should do about it. I checked back every five minutes until she reported back to let me know that she was in the Emergency Room. Whew.

Have a good weekend, kids!

This little piggie

Tradd St., Charleston, S.C.

This little piggie looks like he is ready to nibble on the greenery. These folks on Tradd St. always have a lovely window display.

In other news, I bought a rowing machine. Gulp. I've never been an "indoor" exerciser but as it starts to get dark earlier, if I let myself crash after work it is pitch dark by the time I am ready to go out marching. So, we shall see. Will I, or won't I? I've rowed for half an hour three evenings in a row. Hopefully I can keep it up. I will expect to win every arm wrestling challenge in a couple of weeks.

September Blossoms

Window Boxes, Charleston, S.C.

Not too very bad, eh, for September window boxes in Charleston? Thanks to all the homeowners in historic Charleston who go the extra mile to delight us as we walk by.

Superstorm Sandy Donation Sites

Broad St., Charleston, S.C

We still have flowers blooming in our window boxes while the north east has been whipped to shreds. The Post & Courier passed on these donation sites accepting contributions for victims of the superstorm. Let's do it. 

The Red Cross: If you would like to give to the Red Cross, which has opened more than 190 shelters along the East Coast and has hundreds of disaster relief workers on standby, you can donate online, by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS, or by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10. The Red Cross is also seeking blood and platelet donations. To learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org.

The Salvation Army: You can donate $10 to the Salvation Army by texting “STORM” to 80888. If you are already volunteer-certified, you can sign up to help out with disaster relief.

AmeriCares: You can donate to AmeriCares’ relief fund to help the organization, which is distributing supplies to 130 clinics in the 13 states affected by Sandy.

World Vision: Despite flooding at its Bronx, N.Y. warehouse, World Vision is organizing relief efforts. You can text “GIVEUSA” to 777444 to make a $10 donation, or donate online to help.

Operation USA: If you would like your donations to go to efforts abroad, Operation USA is helping victims in Haiti and Cuba, who were also deeply affected by the storm. In addition to donating online, you can text “AID” to 50555 to give $10.

International Medical Corps: Another option for donating abroad is the International Medical Corp, who are coordinating efforts in Haiti.

New York Blood Center: You can donate blood, which will be used to help injured people, as well as hospital blood banks affected by the storm.

School Days

Window Box, Charleston, S.C.

First week of school for the lowcountry and I made a mother cry.

All the back-to-school ads brought back fun memories of my kids and since I don't have any children in my immediate circle I called a single mother of a great teenager and asked mom how her daughter was set for school. She started to cry. I had waited almost too late to offer to help out a bright young gal whose mother works a minimum wage job. I got the cash I would have spent on my own and put it in an envelope to take care of a couple outfits for the first day at school and class supplies.

The lady slipped by my office to get the envelope and was so grateful when she left that I felt the sting of tears in my eyes. It was shame really, for letting her get to that stage. One of the nurses I work with asked what was wrong and kicked into action. By the end of the week we had a box of gently used fashionable clothes of the right size, school supplies and gift cards. She has four new "aunts" looking out for her. Thanks Kelly, Beth and Ginger! I love ya.

Window Box Love

Charleston Window Boxes, Charleston, S.C.

I wonder if there are gardners who just go around maintaining these wonderful window boxes. I walked the lower peninsula this morning and felt I was walking in a garden. The crepe myrtles and oleanders are in full blooms as well as these glorious flowers.

G'night kids. Time to see what the new week has in store for us!

Glorious Greenery

Meeting St., Charleston, S.C.

Wow. Isn't this a glorious show?

It makes me a bit ashamed that I just got rid of my window boxes but to be fair mine tend to end up as trash cans for the college kids in the neighborhood.