Make America Kind Again

Sidewalk Graffiti, Charleston, SC 

Make America Kind Again. Don't get me wrong. I see kindness every day but I'm always happy to see more. Carry on! 

While I breath, I hope

Dum Spiro Spero, Charleston, SC 

Sooner or later I find everything in the pavement and by this time I thought I had read the streets of Charleston thoroughly. It was a treat to find a new old phrase. Dum Spiro Spero is inscribed on the state seal of South Carolina:

The state seal was the first of South Carolina's state symbols. It was first used in 1777, although it looked different then. At that time, it was two sided, and impressions of the two sides would be put into wax so they could be affixed onto documents. This proved difficult, so eventually the two sides were combined so that they fit next to each other on a one-sided seal, which is what we have now.

The left oval was originally the front of the seal, and it has the first of our two state mottos on it: "Animis Opibusque Parati," which is Latin for "Prepared in Mind and Resources." The picture is of a palmetto tree and represents a battle victory against the British at present-day Fort Moultrie during the Revolutionary War.

The right oval was originally the reverse side of the seal, and it has our second state motto: "Dum Spiro Spero," which is Latin for "While I Breathe, I Hope." The picture on this side of the seal ties in with the motto, because the woman pictured is the Roman goddess Spes, who was the goddess of hope.

Smiley toes!

Wentworth St., Charleston, SC  

I went to a work related farewell party at the Watch restaurant in the Restoration Hotel this afternoon. This is the second rooftop bar/restaurant I have been in recently and it is a treat to see new views of the peninsula. On my way back to my car my tootsies stopped for a smile. 

For Steve

McClellanville, SC   

You know I have the greatest collection of sidewalk inscriptions but this was a first. I slipped away from my outdoor luncheon table, leaving my companions to chat while I took a picture of the poem in the pavement that caught my eye. It turns out I was eating lunch with the poet William P. Baldwin who had written and inscribed the poem in honor of the gentleman who had laid the patio tile before passing away. Sometimes all the pieces come together.

Backtrack here to see more of my collection of concrete thoughts.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love is for all, you and me, Charleston, SC   

A valentine message in the pavement for all of us!

Signs & Messages

1st Class Hair Design, Line St., Charleston, SC   

Here are a few of the hand painted signs and quirky messages that caught my eye on a recent walk. Make of them what you will!

I watched yesterday's inauguration exactly where I've watched every important event in the last 40ish years - on a hospital television. These moments are imprinted in my brain, who I was with, what hospital, what waiting room. Yesterday's was one of the most awkward since if you don't know everyone you are with you can't read how a comment will be taken. Feelings are strong and raw. Healthcare is in a very uncertain time and that is one of my top concerns. All the best to us all.

King Market, King St., Charleston, SC 

Beleaf it or not

Leaf, Charleston, SC

I may be odd but I find it endlessly fascinating to see what people take the trouble to write in the pavement. You see wet cement, no one is watching, you have a stick or a key, what shall you write?! How shall you leave your mark on this city for years to come.

Leaf. 

As the pavement turns....Valentine's edition

Scraper & Fish, Charleston, S.C.

Short stories in the pavement. As Valentine's Day draws closer I can't help wondering.....

Where are they now? Does Scraper still love Fish? Did Dundee do Jock? Does Andrew bring Heidi back to their piece of pavement on anniversaries? Did Barko and Linko settle down and have little Binkos? Are Chan! & Mike! happy forever? Did "Love No One"? find the love of his life?

Luckily I can turn the corner for another episode of "As the Pavement Turns".

We came, we saw, we left our mark

The 4 Horseman, Charleston, S.C.

We've been winning top tourism awards lately but folks in the know have been coming to Charleston for years and many of them left their name in the pavement. Yep, the 4 Horsemen, Elvis, Jesus, the Godfather, Susan Anthony and Captain Blye. Been here, seen that, scratched my name in the pavement.

Elvis, Charleston, S.C.

Jesus, Charleston, S.C.

The Godfather, Charleston, S.C.

Susan Anthony, Charleston, S.C.

Capt. Blye, Charleston, S.C.

In memory of those who didn't

She Returns From War, King St., Charleston, S.C.

"Let us never forget their service and always be worthy of the sacrifices made in our name."

President Obama

Concrete Thoughts

Hi! Charleston, S.C.

I haven't mentioned it lately but I can boast of one of the finest collections of sidewalk graffiti thanks to the sidewalks of Charleston, S.C. and it's creative inhabitants. Here is a teaser selection from my albums:

Never Forget

Cannon St., Charleston, S.C.