Bottle Tree

Bottle Tree, Hwy 15, SC   

I've featured bottle trees before but this is a show (car) stopper! Wowza! When you have a display like this I don't imagine you mind people pulling up to take a picture. I had to enlarge my shot to figure out that the statues on guard at the door appear to be Chinese warriors. These folks are enjoying their property.

It's been a bright and sunny day but I hit the door as a thunderstorm hit. Thunder and lightening, oh my! Stay dry, kids.

Blossom season!

Bottle tree at the Avery Research Center, Charleston, SC   

It's clearly blossom season! The bottles are blooming at the Avery Research Center. 

Welcome springtime. 

Sunny pictures for a rainy day

Avery Center, Bull St., Charleston, SC    

How about a few sunny pictures on a dreary rainy day? My plants are getting a good soaking and my caladium bulbs are saying,"thank you, thank you."

Today's pictures are from a recent walk by the the Avery Research Center on Bull St.

The mission of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture is to collect, preserve, and promote the unique history and culture of the African diaspora, with emphasis on Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry.  Avery’s archival collections, museum exhibitions, and public programming reflect these diverse populations as well as the wider African Diaspora. The Avery Research Center is located at 125 Bull Street, Charleston, SC 29424 in the historic Harleston Village.  Phone: 843.953.7609.

Blooming bottle brush tree

Bottle Brush/Callistemon

The bright colors of the blooming bottle brush tree caught my eye as we wandered the old Navy base this weekend. The bush is thriving next to the historic restored Quarters H-I mansion.

Bluffton Bottle Tree in Blue

Bottle tree, Bluffton, SC  

This gentleman has quite the collection of bottle tree information: Felderrushing.net

History of Bottle Trees: Although glass was made deliberately as early as 3500 B.C. in northern Africa, hollow glass bottles began appearing around 1600 B.C. in Egypt and Mesopotamia. Clear glass was invented in Alexandria around 100 A.D. Soon around then, tales began to circulate that spirits could live in bottles - probably from when people heard sounds caused by wind blowing over bottle openings. This led to the belief in "bottle imps" and genies (from the Arabic worddjinn) that could be captured in bottles (remember Aladdin and his magic lamp? This story originated as an Arabian folk tale dating back thousands of years, even before clear glass was invented). Somewhere in there, people started using glass to capture or repel bad spirits. The idea was, roaming night spirits would be lured into and trapped in bottles placed around entryways, and morning light would destroy them.

Bottle tree

Bottle tree, Charleston, SC

Bottle tree in the Hampton Park area. Also a Hillary supporter and owner of an interesting statue.

I am in cranky technology no man's land. Nothing works exactly as it is supposed to. Desktop, phone, tv, copier. Everything is slightly off and misbehaving in some way. I have a trillion passwords that keep needing to be changed. Aaaargh. Some days you wonder if it is all really an advance at all. 

Bottle Tree

Bottle Tree, Bull St., Charleston, S.C.

The fellow at this site really is into the history of Bottle Trees: History of Bottle Trees. This particular bottle tree is in front of the Avery Research Center on Bull St.

The mission of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture is to collect, preserve, and promote the unique history and culture of the African diaspora, with emphasis on Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry.  Avery’s archival collections, museum exhibitions, and public programming reflect these diverse populations as well as the wider African Diaspora. The Avery Research Center is located at 125 Bull Street, Charleston, SC 29424 in the historic Harleston Village.  Phone: 843.953.760

Feeling blue

Bottle Tree, Cypress Gardens, S.C.

I have a better shot of this bottle tree enlarged on my wall hiding my fuse box. This one is at Cypress Gardens. Sunday was such a lovely day that was a perfect destination for a picnic.

While I was at Cypress Gardens I discovered an upcoming event you might be interested in. Yup - a Ukelele Festival!

Blackwater Ukelele Festival

Saturday, September 14, 2013
The Blackwater Ukelele Festival is put on by local ukulele enthusiasts. They kick the festival off with a workshop appropriate for the beginner through intermediate players. The workshop is taught by local ukulele legend Donald "Noodle McDoodle" Whitley, one of the best ukulele players on the east coast.
A free concert will be put on by the Charleston Hot Shots, a "Skiffle" band and The V-Tones, a unique ukulele swing band. Another unique feature is the Boat Jams, where ukulele players man the Bateau boats, 10-12 to a boat, and are rowed around the swamp singing and jamming together. Even the non-ukulele playing visitors to the park get a real kick out of it.
There is open mic where the local ukulele crowd gets to perform, some for the first time. For the non-uke playing members of your family there are the regular park attractions a gift shop, island vendors, craft vendors and food vendors. Admission: $10 Adult, $9 Seniors, $5 (6-12 yr), 5 and under are free. For more information visit: http://festival.charlestonhotshots.com/

2012 List of Banished Words

Bottle Tree, Folly Beach, S.C.

Beautiful blue bottle tree on Folly Beach unrelated to entry. 

Lake Superior State University 2012 List of Banished Words

• AMAZING

• BABY BUMP

• SHARED SACRIFICE

• OCCUPY

• BLOWBACK

• MAN CAVE

• THE NEW NORMAL

• PET PARENT

• WIN THE FUTURE

• TRICKERATION

• GINORMOUS

• THANK YOU IN ADVANCE

I sit in management meeting so I could come up with a lot more, but I would like to immediately offer up these words for banishment consideration:

• Squee

• Smitten

• Swoon  

• Noms 

 Clearly I've been reading too many blogs written by young women who squee, swoon over and are often smitten by noms.