Guard on Duty

199 St. Philip St., Charleston, S.C.

There is a snappy new coffee shop called Hope and Union Coffee Co. on St. Philip St. I haven't gone in yet but I've watched the renovation progress with interest.

I've walked that route for years and happen to have in my handy, dandy old photo file a picture of what the gate to their shop used to look like. There was a guard on duty. Three nights a week. We're not telling which nights. Wanna take a chance?

I think I should print a copy for them. Don't you?

Someone call PETA

Wadmalaw, S.C.

Quick! Some call PETA. A sock monkey has been crucified.

Moses comes to Charleston

Charleston, S.C.

When I was in Kenya earlier this year I sat in a meeting with the physician and administrator of Plateau Mission Hospital, the little hospital we had purchased a water purification system for.

Since my background is in maternity nursing I paid special interest to that part of the hospital. I asked the nurses to show me everything and documented it with pictures. I brought home a copy of their five year plan, got out a calculator and translated the Kenya Shillings to US dollars to see what they were dealing with. It dawned on me that the funding they needed to renovate their maternity unit was $695.00

$695 to renovate a whole hospital unit. That stuck with me and I went to our Women's & Children's staff and said. "What do you think? You might be able to take care of this."

We had already sent a small box with lifesaving infant laryngoscope and suction, but this group took the project on. I spoke at the nurse's retreat and described what I'd seen. The nurses brought out their check books and held bake sales. They sweet-talked the Obstetricians and Pediatricians. They blew me away with their compassion and enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, the gentleman who escorted us when we were in Kenya was due to arrive in Charleston this week. The Water Mission International headquarters is less than a mile from my hospital and they brought their international country directors in for a week long meeting. Moses was in town! It was his first trip out of Kenya and I couldn't wait to see him. He had been so kind and welcoming to us and had such an infectious joyful personality. He had been so excited to try pizza for the first time and visit a McDonalds.

Moses had been in meetings all week and yesterday was finally the day we got to welcome him to our hospital. I could hardly sit still waiting. I watched him as he walked up the hospital door by himself. I couldn't remember if we hugged in Kenya but we did this time! He was swarmed with chattering nurses and staff all eager to meet him. He coolly handled a press conference with Channel 4 and was interviewed by "West Of" newspaper with complete confidence.

The Women's & Children's staff presented him with a check for $3,200 to take back to help renovate the hospital. Watching his impressions as he toured our modern facility was humbling and delightful. I work with some incredible people who saw a need and chose to make a difference. It was one of the best days of my life.

Drunken Drowning Butterfly Leaves

King St., Charleston, S.C.

I like saying Gingko Biloba. Gingko Biloba. Gingko Biloba. You could name a child Gingko Biloba.

I walked past this golden beauty in front of the Library Society Building on lower King St. in the dark this evening and remembered I had this picture taken at the same time of year last December. It was taken in daylight so will have to do.

The Gingko Biloba family of trees are so old they are assumed to have been around for 230 million years ago. Darwin called them 'living fossils'. The trees are so hardy that one of them lived through the atomic blast that destroyed Hiroshima.

Ginkgo biloba - The maidenhair tree

With their neat parachute shape, the leaves tend not to fall in a tidy heap, but to catch on branches of surrounding bushes. The actual material of the leaf is still quite resilient when fallen, and if they land on still water do not lie flat, resembling not so much a dead leaf as a drunken drowning butterfly, or miniature capsizing yacht.

It may look like fall but it still feels like summer. I am just back from a late walk and need another shower before bed. Don't stay up too late kids.

Wednesday Funny

Charleston, S.C.

Grandma's Gift
One Christmas, a parent decreed that she was no longer going to remind her children of their thank-you note duties. As a result their grandmother never received acknowledgments of the generous checks she had given.

The next year things were different, however.

"The children came over in person to thank me," the grandparent told a friend triumphantly.

"How wonderful!" the friend exclaimed. "What do you think caused the change in behavior?"

"Oh, that's easy," the grandmother replied. "This year I didn't sign the checks."
____________________________

I made a completely ginger dinner. Blenheim spicy Ginger ale, chicken mushroom ginger soup and ginger ice cream. How many miles am I going to have to march in the rain to walk that off?

Corner Stores of Charleston

Corner Store
by Jonathan Richman

Well I walked past just yesterday
And I couldn't bear that new mall no more
I can't expect you all to see it my way
But you may not know what was there before
And I want them to put back my old corner store.

Well I walked past just like I say
And I felt this hurt that would not go home
I can't expect that you're gonna see it my way
But you may not know the trees I've known
And I want them to put back my old corner store.

I know it costs more money to shop there
But this was love, this was love
I know you had to pay more money
I'll pay money, I'll pay more
I don't care what the mall has got
I want back that corner store

And what did I feel when I walked by slow
Sorrow sorrow, all around
Why I would feel sorrow I now know
I smell a ghost smell from the ground
That old wooden smell from the old corner store

I walked past one final time
And I wished the worst on the place I shop
Now I can't expect everyone to feel like I am
But I spot a trend that has got to stop
And I want them to put back that old corner store

Giant Black Bean Burritos

Juanita Greenberg's Nacho Royale, King St., Charleston, S.C.

There are new Mexican restaurants popping up all over Charleston but Juanita Greenberg's giant black bean burrito, side of guacamole and margarita are still tops in my book. Mmmmmm. I am nothing if not loyal.

Lounging Ladies

Wentworth St., Charleston, S.C.

I dashed home from work in time to get to Dr. Maria Cordova's dental office on Wentworth for my bi-annual tea stain removal program. Why does everything looks better steeped in tea except my teeth? As I left I spotted this classy gal lounging on a piazza and poked my little pocket camera through the fence. I bet she never has to have her teeth cleaned.

Sunday Funny

Market & Meeting St., Charleston, S.C.

Eyebee posted this joke. I don't get it but I am a loyal Canon girl. ;)

The Smiths were unable to conceive children and decided to use a surrogate father to start their family. On the day the proxy father was to arrive, Mr. Smith kissed his wife good-bye and said, "Well, I’m off now. The man should be here soon."

Half an hour later, just by chance, a door-to-door baby photographer happened to ring the door bell, hoping to make a sale. "Good morning, Ma’am", he said, "I’ve come to....."

"Oh, no need to explain," Mrs. Smith cut in, embarrassed, "I’ve been expecting you."

"Have you really?" said the photographer. "Well, that’s good. Did you know babies are my specialty?"

"Well that’s what my husband and I had hoped. Please come in and have a seat!"

After a moment she asked, blushing, "Well, where do we start?"

"Leave everything to me. I usually try two in the bathtub, one on the couch, and perhaps a couple on the bed. And sometimes the living room floor is fun. You can really spread out there. "

"Bathtub, living room floor? No wonder it didn’t work for Harry and me!"

"Well, Ma’am, none of us can guarantee a good one every time.. But if we try several different positions and I shoot from six or seven angles, I’m sure you’ll be pleased with the results."

"My, that’s a lot!", gasped Mrs. Smith.

"Ma’am, in my line of work a man has to take his time. I’d love to be in and out in five minutes, but I’m sure you’d be disappointed with that."

"Don’t I know it," said Mrs. Smith quietly.

The photographer opened his briefcase and pulled out a portfolio of his baby pictures. "This was done on the top of a bus," he said.

"Oh, my God!" Mrs. Smith exclaimed, grasping at her throat.

"And these twins turned out exceptionally well – when you consider their mother was so difficult to work with.."

"She was difficult?" asked Mrs. Smith.

"Yes, I’m afraid so. I finally had to take her to the park to get the job done right. People were crowding around four and five deep to get a good look."

"Four and five deep?" said Mrs. Smith, her eyes wide with amazement.

"Yes", the photographer replied.. "And for more than three hours, too. The mother was constantly squealing and yelling – I could hardly concentrate, and when darkness approached I had to rush my shots. Finally, when the squirrels began nibbling on my equipment, I just had to pack it all in."

Mrs. Smith leaned forward. "Do you mean they actually chewed on your, uh…equipment?"

"It’s true, Ma’am, yes.. Well, if you’re ready, I’ll set-up my tripod and we can get to work right away."

"Tripod?"

"Oh yes, Ma’am. I need to use a tripod to rest my Canon on.. It’s much too big to be held in the hand very long."

Mrs. Smith fainted.

Holiday "to do" list....

Belvedere House, Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

Such a busy time of year....

To do list: This is likely the last weekend to sneak around and add your name to the charitable Angel Trees around town. It's simple. Draw an Angel on a pretty little card with a ribbon. List your favorite color, size and what you want for Christmas. Watch the gifts roll in!

Joan. Blue. Medium. Chocolate. Photo Gadgets. Gift Cards......

Heheh. Oh, I'm just kinda kidding.

Signed, sealed, rented!

Charleston, S.C.

I rented my downstairs apartment after writing an entry this week about being a landlady - to a reader who learned it was vacant from the blog. How very, very cool is that?

I have a handyman busy this weekend (thank you Charlie!) painting and cleaning to get it ready for her. The previous tenant was so cluttered and messy I almost forgot it was a cute little apartment. I need to hunt down a good deal on a new frig this weekend.

Warning: Wide angle lens makes things look bigger than they appear!

A Rose is a Rose, is a Rose....

Hutson St., Charleston, S.C.

Palmetto Rose Legend: It is said that during the War Between the States Confederate Soldiers went off to war wearing Palmetto Roses woven by their sweethearts in South Carolina.

Tourists can't go far in Charleston's historic district without being approached by young boys offering to sell them a palmetto rose. It became a problem with home owners concerned about boys with knives trespassing on private property to climb palmetto trees to cut the fronds needed to make the roses.

Now-a-days the kids take an after-school entrepreneurship class, learn basic business skills, get a license and run their own business. This summer the Palmetto Artisan Program program won an award at the US Conference of Mayor's city livability awards.

There is so much going on today, it feels like the first weekend packed with holiday related activities but it's drippy, chilly weekend and much more tempting to snuggle up inside.

Joan's Quirky Peninsula Walking Tour Photo Ops

Visiting Charleston for a day and already have the beautiful historic home album? Here is your quirky walking tour photo op directory. These scenes are all on the walkable peninsula.

There are a million more but I've already included many in the churches, sign and side walk graffiti collections. Everyone who lives here will recognize them all.

Time to turn the gas log fireplace on, make a cuppa tea and hit my corner of the couch. Happy weekend, kids!

Nurse Florence Sock Monkey

Charleston, S.C.

I get lots of google hits searching for "Dr. Sock Monkey" and they land on the right spot. Something was missing though and I took care of that last night, embroidering concerned eyebrows and putting the finishing touches on hair fuzz. You can't run a hospital without nurses.

Meet Nurse Florence Sock Monkey! We presented her to our VP of Nursing today and she was a big hit.

I make the monkeys but the talented costume designer is Loretta Kennedy. Loretta missed our luncheon shindig (don't know why. Joe who checked me out at Publix saw that I was making pie came to the party), so here she is in all her glory. I told our lucky owner that I'd have to borrow her next week for her formal monkey portrait in front of the hospital. The outfit is perfect with the white pinafore criss-crossing in the back and a real vintage St. Francis Nursing School pin. She is a grand finale to our monkey business this year.

Thanks Loretta! You are the monkey outfit Queen!

Finger Lickin' Good

Charleston, S.C.

I made six key lime pies for my volunteer's holiday luncheon tomorrow and I have a sticky spoon licking out six cans of condensed milk. Yum. Gotta do it. You can't just throw out a condensed milk can until it's scraped clean. Sugar high!

Instructions for Northerners moving South

Amos Tire Center, Round O, S.C.

Why didn't anyone tell me these things when I moved here?

For Northerners Moving South

In the South: If you run your car into a ditch, don't panic. Four men in a four-wheel drive pickup truck with a tow chain will be along shortly. Don't try to help them, just stay out of their way. This is what they live for.

Don't be surprised to find movie rentals and bait in the same store....do not buy food at this store.

Get used to hearing "You ain't from round here, are ya?"

Save all manner of bacon grease. You will be instructed later on how to use it.

Don't be worried at not understanding what people are saying. They can't understand you either. The first Southern statement to creep into a transplanted Northerner's vocabulary is the adjective "big'ol," truck or big'ol" boy. Most Northerners begin their Southern-influenced dialect this way. All of them are in denial about it.

The proper pronunciation you learned in school is no longer proper.

Be advised that "He needed killin" is a valid defense here.

If you hear a Southerner exclaim, "Hey, y'all, watch this," you should stay out of the way. These are likely to be the last words he'll ever say.

If there is the prediction of the slightest chance of even the smallest accumulation of snow, your presence is required at the local grocery store. It doesn't matter whether you need anything or not. You just have to go there.

Do not be surprised to find that 10-year olds own their own shotguns, they are proficient marksmen, and their mammas taught them how to aim

In the South, we have found that the best way to grow a lush green lawn is to pour gravel on it and call it a driveway.

AND REMEMBER: If you do settle in the South and bear children, don't think we will accept them as Southerners. After all, if the cat had kittens in the oven, we wouldn't call 'em biscuits.

Moving Picture Show - Kenya Style!

Plateau Girl's School, Eldoret, Kenya

Earlier this year, my health system raised the money for a water purification system from Water Missions International for a little hospital in Eldoret, Kenya. I was given the once in a lifetime opportunity to go to Kenya to document the commissioning of the system. It was a trip I will never forget.

About a mile from the hospital we stopped to tour the Plateau Girl's Boarding School. The girls were hard at work learning Chemistry and tough Geometry. I asked the Head Mistress what she needed and she said she would love to have a lending library for her students.

When I came back I boxed up a couple boxes of books and shipped them over. It was crazy though - books weigh a ton and take forever to ship. I talked to my CEO and he agreed to let my volunteers sponsor the purchase of a TV/DVD player that would be compatible with our DVDs. The idea was that I could then find educational documentaries as well as some fun movies that the students would enjoy.

We did it! I opened my email to find these pictures this morning. If I know them they had a whole ceremony to open their gifts. This is above and beyond anything they would have dreamed of and may be the first tv many of them will have seen. Too fun.

Now I have to figure out the DVD part. It isn't easy to think of what kinds of shows are suitable for a remote village in Kenya. I am thinking of the Planet Earth series but I'd like some fun entertainment as well, maybe Sound of Music, March of the Penguins. Little House on the Prairie? Classics. Any suggestions would be welcome. In fact, if you have used DVDs that might suit, I'll take them too!

Blog Buddies

Charleston, S.C.

Blog meet up! I met a co-blogger today, which is always fun. After reading each other's blogs and enjoying his wildlife photography for years, Richard Baas and his wife finally headed up the coast stopping in Savannah and arrived in Charleston today. We'd hoped to meet up at some point and I looked up from my desk this morning to him in front of me. He's lucky I didn't sign him up as a hospital volunteer :).

Richard has been doing some very impressive wildlife photography and is heading out to the Center for Birds of Prey in Awendaw in the morning. I can't wait to see his view of Charleston! It was great to meet you both.

World AIDS Day - Charleston

World AIDS Day, Charleston, S.C.

Worls AIDS Day activities: Panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt are on display today in our hospital lobby and we were entertained at lunch by singers from the broadway show RENT.

They singers were incredible but after coming all the way out they only sang one song(?) so luckily they were followed by the Citadel Gospel Choir. RENT is going to be performed at the Music Hall in January so this was a promo. The tickets go on sale today. It looks like it will be a high energy production.

Next?

Hampton Park, Charleston, S.C.

Renting out parts of this big old house helps pay the taxes and allows me to live on the peninsula where I can walk out and bring you back pretty pictures.

Being a landlady has mostly been a positive experience. I've made real friends, done things with tenants socially, baked for them, and when I had my family living here I invited tenants to join us for holidays. I've seen two sets of tenants get married after leaving my property. That is full service!

My downstairs tenant is moving on and I've been stumbling though weekly yard sales to get to my door. Reflecting back on people who have rented here, I've come up with these careers.

Rickshaw Driver
Juggler
Art History Professor
Navy - Nuclear Sub
Exotic Dancer (rent paid in a very thick envelope of cash)
Physician
Carpenter
Contractor
Server
Physical Therapist
Taxi Drivers
Lawyer
Coast Guard
What shall I look for next? A tinker, a tailor?