No Parking

No Parking, East Bay St., Charleston, S.C.

I have a good collection of "No Parking" signs. They probably catch my eye in sympathy because it is such a personal issue. I never know when someone will decide to park directly in front of my drive. The offender acts completely ignorant of the fact that it might bother anyone. The last culprit snapped sarcastically, "Hey - thanks for the welcome to the neighborhood" when I said he had kept me from parking at my own home so I expect he must have moved here from a land without driveways. I hope he didn't get a scholarship.

No Parking Sign - Folly Beach

No Parking Sign - Folly Beach, S.C.

Apparently one weekend walk on Folly Beach can give me enough photo ammunition to fill a week of blog entries! As the owner of a very narrow drive in downtown Charleston I am always interested in creative "No Parking" signs and this one gets my vote of approval.

I knew the image looked familiar. I tracked back through my photos to find that it is the same image that was on a pirate flag hanging on the wall at the old Buccaneer Restaurant.  Further research claims it to be Blackbeard's flag.

Thou Shalt Not Park Here

No Parking Sign, Hassell St., Charleston, S.C.

I don't think they want you to park at the Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagog on Hassell St. Not only that but they really don't want you taking pictures of the area either.

The gate was open to the parking alley as I walked by and the sign made me grin and reach for my camera. In an instant a police officer and temple member were on either side of me asking what I was taking pictures of. When I explained that their parking sign was fun they looked relieved and waved me on. It is a good addition to my No Parking series.

Signs of the times, Chicago style

No Parking

Had to laugh at this one! What part about No Parking in Front of a Driveway Don't You Understand?

We have no hours. We're never open. We're always closed.

Crochet Tree Owl!

Killing People is Rude

He That Loveth a Book

United Airlines - Hemisphere Magazine

Nothing like heading home to Charleston and finding Chef Sean Brock in the United Airlines Magazine. 

He is everywhere!

Best No Parking sign

Avondale Mural, Charleston, S.C.

Living in a college rental part of town, I am especially tuned in to No Parking signs. I've collected quite a number and variety of signs and this takes the cake. I don't think I would park here. Love it! This is one of the murals behind the shops at Avondale.

I just moved furniture, rolled up my oriental carpet and lugged it to the porch by myself. Huff puff. The folks from Rug Masters are to come by to get it in the morning for cleaning. I'm not really worried about anyone stealing it overnight since I can hardly move it.

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.

Move the darn car out of my picture

Pink House, Chalmers St., Charleston, S.C.

Okay, I'll say it out loud - we all want to take pictures of the little pink house on Chalmers St. and we want YOU to quit parking your car in front of it. The last thing I'd like Mayor Riley to rule on before and if he leaves the Mayor's office after his record breaking forty year term would be to put up a "No Parking" sign in front of the quaint cottage. I wouldn't even mind a sign restricting parking to vintage or cute car parking that would be an asset to a photo.

The distinctive little pink building at 17 Chalmers Street is said to be the oldest standing tavern building in the South. Built within the walled city of Charles Towne in the mid 1690s by John Breton, this oldest stone house in the city was constructed of 'Bermuda stone'. The West Indian coral stone had a natural pink cast, so the building was known as the Pink House from the beginning. Tradition holds that the Bermuda stone was brought in ships as ballast, as the cobblestones on Chalmers Street were, but it is more likely that it was cut in Bermuda and imported as a building material. The stone is soft enough to be cut into blocks and then when exposed to weather, it gradually hardens and becomes stronger. Its elasticity was proved in the great earthquake on 1886 when nearby brick structures suffered damage. The tiled roof is original terra cotta tile of an ancient vintage. The curved shape of the tiles was said to be formed over the workmen's thighs. The Pink House also was one of the few buildings in Charleston to survive 1989's Hurricane Hugo virutally unscathed.

In the building's early days, as a 'groggerie' and coffee house for sailors visiting the port from all over the world, this area was a red light district called Mulatto Alley and the street was lined with many small houses, most of which were bordellos. The Pink House was not a fashionable bistro for Charleston gentry, but rather a simple tavern, where the seamen found their 'three Ws'......whiskey, wenches, and wittles. Around 1800 the area was cleaned up after many citizens petitioned the City Council. Thomas Elfe, the famous furniture maker, wrote a letter complaining about the noisy parties at night.

Elite Parking Society

Society St., Charleston, S.C.

Parking spots are so precious in Charleston we tend to get creative with our No Parking signs. Is this one threatening the howling hounds of hell?

Violators will be dealt with accordingly

Parking sign, Meeting St., SC  

These folks are exceptionally gracious about parking violations. "Violators will be dealt with accordingly". Hmmm. I wonder what accordingly is? I tend to collect No Parking signs. 

Holy Hat Shop!

85 1/2 Spring St., Charleston, S.C.

I was posting this picture when I noticed the "Sale" sign along with the "Rent" sign. I had to take a commercial break and walk up to Spring St. to check it out. I might be in the market for a funky wee cinder block hat shop with a crucifix on it to live in happily ever after in my little old lady age.

No parking spot though. Forget that idea. Besides, I'd have to paint it blue and you would all have to wear hats when you came to visit.

Violators will be dealt with

No Parking, Charleston, S.C.

 "Violators will be dealt with accordingly." 

What does that mean, do you think? It sure is polite but I bet it is going to hurt. 

Tuesday Hodge Podge

Taco Boy, Huger St., Charleston, SC

The Taco Boy opening in a most unlikely spot on Huger St. has captured attention. They have made the best and most colorful use of space. They had someone directing traffic in the large parking lot, the restaurant was packed and noisy and the patio was full. What a happy success story. Long may it last. Now I am too full to go for a walk.

In other news, I skipped out of work and across the parking lot to have lunch with our local Tea Blogger from Uniquely Tea. We talked "Blog talk" and she drank her tea iced while I had mine hot.

Charleston Magazine had an article on the tall ships as they left the Charleston Harbor. I noticed that they mentioned Coastal Yacht Charters and the same Captain that I did. Hmmmm. It turns out they made exactly the same trip at exactly the same time I did on one of their other yachts. We have almost the same pictures. Theirs. Mine.

Charleston County Parks used one of my pictures as their featured photo this month and will send me a certificate for a Gold Pass to the parks. Yipee! No more paying $7 to park at the Folly Beach pier. Not bad at all. They are still taking submissions so send them a shot.

Ending on a light note, Shoebox presents this list of:

Underwear Brands to Avoid:

* Li’l Leakies
* Newman’s Own
* Blaghoyevich
* Creep-ups!
* Elas-ticks
* Super Thong
* Johnson & Johnson mint-flavored floss thong
* Big n’ Tasty
* Fully Loaded
* Untidy Whities
* Skiddy’s
* Fruit of the Womb

See what I do when I don't go for a walk? Sad.

Will it build good will and better friendships?

Marion Square, Charleston, SC   

It was a shock to walk down King St. and see the red of the Confederate flag flying high over King St. It has become such a symbol of a painful past that it was a relief in recent years to have had it removed from our statehouse property.

We haven't seen the last of it yet and today folks from out of town placed it high on top of their vehicles and parked on the top deck of our public parking building. Protesters were already on site as crowds are thronged at the Southeastern Wildlife Festival at Marion Square wondering what is going on. Hopefully it will be resolved peacefully and soon.

It was the writing on the fountain sponsored by the Rotary Club that caught my eye, "Will it build good will and better friendship?" No. No, it won't.

On the road - Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Delta delivered me and my bag safely in Portland, Oregon where I was met at the airport by my daughter and her boyfriend. It's always a sweet thing, isn't it, to have someone waiting for you?

After freshening up we headed out for an ethnic treat I can't get in Charleston and enjoyed Ethiopian food. Yum, yum. Tasty bits of stews and veggie mashes are served on a giant spongy pancake that is torn to scoop up the mixtures so you share a large platter and dive in with your fingers trying not to appear too greedy.

My gal shares a nice little arts and craft style cottage with two friends and they have completely painted the inside themselves. Their landlady must be delighted at the improvements they've made.

Yesterday we wandered all day through streets filled with non-chain shops, boutiques, book stores, parks and coffee shops. She apologized for it being overcast but I don't leave the lowcountry seeking sunshine. When I leave Charleston I am desperate for cool crisp air, hills and preferably a waterfall or two. I believe I will hit the jackpot here.

Checking out the sidewalks for graffiti I see lots of it - in chalk! Some is even in dribbles of paint that will eventually wear off so no permanent harm done. Other impressions, houses are adorable and manageably sized where I am but the grass is dead and brown from the dry summer, bikes are everywhere and bike parking corals are popular and popping up everywhere, people here bus their own tables and restaurants have a tap for folks to refill their own water.

Telephone poles have so many layers of signs and event posters tacked to them that they are bulging and fat. Hungry for take out? I passed a waffle window where you could walk up and order your waffles to go.

We are heading out on a road trip this morning, down the coast towards the redwoods. It's lovely to be on an adventure and seeing new sites. Y'all take care and behave while I am gone.

Wild Kingdom of Santee

Santee, SC 

Just back from Lake Marion where the public boat landings looked like airport runways with boats lined up coming and going. Smith's parking lot in Santee was full and searching for a spot behind the building we happened upon this fun surprise - an elephant and a giraffe tucked away in the woods behind the building. I have no idea why but I loved it. 

PS: Smith's also carries Blenheim's ginger ale, mild, medium and HOT. 

Happy July 4th, kids!

Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance - St. Andrew's Parish Church

St. Andrew's Parish Church, Hwy 61, Charleston, S.C.

In a way, I did attend! I caught the last day of the St. Andrew's Parish Tea Room yesterday. The Tea Room  is a southern church tradition that amazes me each year. The church members cook and serve exactly the same food every year - she-crab soup, chicken or shrimp sandwiches, congealed salad, coconut cake and the parking lot is full every single day. Loaded buses pull up from retirement homes.

This is the annual fundraiser for the church and I'm glad I didn't miss it. I know so many people that go each year or serve at the event it feels like old home week. When I googled for information to get my facts straight, I found all the pictures I'd taken in past years.

History: In the late 1940's, shortly after the church was reopened, a group of women often spent all day cleaning and preparing the church for worship services. They had their lunch on the lawn, and soon began to share their lunches with tourists who stopped to see the old church. Because there were no restaurants in the area at that time, and as a way of raising funds for renovation, the ladies began selling coffee, lemonade, and sandwiches to tourists. Thus the Saint Andrew's Tea Room was born. Today waitresses are dressed in late 18^th century costumes and serve a full lunch in the Parish Hall. A full gift shop is available and tours of the historic church are available. Proceeds from the Tea Room and Gift Shop provide financial support to a variety of ECW programs and services including mission and ministry in the world and at home, care and outreach in the community and church, support for parish programs and upkeep and restoration of the historic church building.

 

Spring Tea Rooms

Old St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Charleston, S.C.

Southern Church Tea Rooms are a phenomena. No doubt about it. I go each year to confirm that.

I've been in the business of good people doing good things long enough in this town that it is like old home week. I know the gentleman parking cars, I know the hostess Ruthie in her colonial costume. I know the coconut cake is Mizz Arlene's special recipe. I know the server Richard. I know I am going to order chicken salad sandwiches on white bread and she-crab soup. I recognize and get hugs from someone at almost every table in the church hall. I know I will be back next year and I like it.

You have until April 5th to enjoy lunch at the historic church and you will see what I mean. See their website here.

 

 

'Mornin' Judge

Hominy Grill, Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

Good news for the brunch crowd lined up every weekend in front of Hominy Grill on Rutledge Ave. They are expanding. Sometimes I feel so bad for the throngs of customers waiting in the heat to get in when I walk by, I am almost tempted to wave for them all to follow me home and offer to make pancakes. Almost. Not quite.

I am starting my Spoleto activities as the festival winds to a close. I went to see Trombone Shorty at the College of Charleston cistern last night. It was so cool! I've never been to an official night time event under those grand oak trees with the lights on the old buildings. The temperature was perfect, my companions delightful and the music lively. I didn't risk taking pictures although I do have the same fake press pass that Chuck has. Chuck gave me one for my birthday and I leave it causally tucked in but visible in my backpack so I look semi official if no one examines it too closely.

I am off for a late morning walk. I got up early to meet a gentleman in a parking lot to do a deal and we both left happy.