Good morning, Sunshine!

Pitt St., Charleston, S.C.

Good morning, Sunshine! A cheerful soul lived on Pitt St. and makes me smile every time I cross the pavement scribbles. Years of smiles - that isn't a bad gift to leave behind.

Here is something else I found on Color Me Katie that made me grin this morning. Enjoy!

Travel & Leisure Magazine's Best Cities

Legare St., Charleston, S.C.

Travel & Leisure Magazine published their list of 2010 Best Cities of the U.S. and Canada. I've been to all of them except San Francisco. I might have to take care of that. I was too young to appreciate it when I was in Quebec City so I need to get back there as well.

1 New York City
2 San Francisco
3 Charleston, South Carolina
4 Chicago
5 Santa Fe, New Mexico
6 Vancouver
7 New Orleans
8 Quebec City
9 Victoria , British Columbia
10 Washington, D.C.

Of course, I've also been to Lahore, Islamabad, Kabul, Kandahar, Nairobi....

Old Rice Mill

Old Rice Mill, Charleston City Marina, Charleston, S.C.

It's a grand old building, isn't it? I don't often get to grab a picture from the water but this evening I was invited out for a sunset boat ride by Matt Galvin from Coastal Yacht Charters. What a perfect end to a day! Thanks Matt! It was such a treat to be out on the water.

The Rice Mill building doesn't look like it's changed much through the years. At one point I remember there was a restaurant on the first floor but now I believe it can be rented out for special occasions.

West Point Rice Mill was a small sliver of land protruding into the Ashley River in the 1830’s, when a steam-driven rice mill was built and powered by water from large areas of man-made pond. An 1859 fire destroyed the mill, which was replaced one year later with a structure that housed giant boilers and massive cylindrical shafts for grinding and brushing kernels into polished rice and flour. The 15-acre complex included separate shipping wharves, carpenters’ sheds and cooperage facilities, as well as new artesian wells for water supply.

For more than half a century, the West Point mill was among America’s largest and most productive, annually cranking out hundreds of thousands of barrels, and when a foundering rice business finally forced the facility to close in 1926, much of the oversized inventory was bought by Henry Ford for display at his Edison Institute antique museum in Dearborn, Michigan.

Hang on, kids! Friday is coming.

Bastille Day at Fish Restaurant

Bastille Day, Fish Restaurant, King St., Charleston, S.C.

I borrowed a blue beret and went with my favorite french-man to the Bastille Day celebrations at Fish Restaurant on King St. Chef Nico Romo was everywhere and the food was delicious. They had the whole deal....cancan dancers, a horse and carriage, cigarette smoking guitar player, and a pomme fritte guillotine station.

We went for a walk after dinner and I am still happily full.

Stick a Fork in it...

Carolina Nursery, Moncks Corner, S.C.

My evening didn't go as expected (hmmmph). I walked back up King St. and picked up a tasty gyro from the new little hole in the wall - Eat a Pita.

They are rakes rather than forks but isn't this cool? This is a section of the entrance gate at Carolina Nursery in Moncks Corner.

Sadly it looks like the nursery is going through hard times right now. I hate it every time I hear of a business in economic trouble. Sad times. Sad times but definitely a cool gate. The bottom shot would be fun with a colorful sunset behind it.

The Legend of Healing Oak

Charleston, S.C.

Hit by a bolt of lightning years ago, the ancient oak split down the middle and continued to grow in two separate directions. The legend passed down for generations is that the tree absorbed the energy from the lightning and became a healing force often bringing about miracle cures.

Or………the other story is, I was walking to my car yesterday and noticed the crutches laying under the tree. I told myself that if they were still there in the morning I'd carry them into the hospital. I got my camera to take a picture and coming from my cool office to the humid heat the lens clouded up and gave the photo a decidedly spooky look. Boo!

Before......Westendorff building

40 Warren St., Charleston, S.C.

The old Westendorff & Son Hardware store building on the corner of St. Philip and Warren has been empty as long as I remember. This morning there was a glossy postcard on my porch announcing plans to renovate it to be a neighborhood restaurant that will resemble an old timey hardware store. Coolness!

This is good news. It has been a shame to watch such a great building sit abandoned. The new owners are offering refreshments and a sneak preview of what is planned on Wednesday evening, 7/14 from 5:45 - 7 p.m. The architect's presentation is at 6:15 p.m.

I've stayed in my house long enough that one by one all the cool things are landing in my part of town.

The house that is eaten by the vine

Coming & Duncan St., Charleston, S.C.

It begins. By the end the summer the house will be completely covered with the vines. At some point the owner will trim around the windows to let a little light in. By winter he'll trim it back to the ground. I can't resist watching the progress each year.

So, what is the consensus? Do we have to try this work thing again tomorrow? If so, I need to get to my bed. Put your toys away, kids. Lights out.

Exercise, tea and vitamin D

Charleston, S.C.

Just as I'd hoped. I waited long enough for researchers to come up with a study that matched my lifestyle. I drank my tea, walked in the sunshine to take this picture just for you and helped prevent dementia at the same time.

Study: Exercise, tea and vitamin D to ward off dementia
By Mary Brophy Marcus, USA TODAY
Improved living and diet habits — including lots of physical activity, regular tea-drinking and sufficient vitamin D levels — could reduce the risk of brain decline, according to three studies presented Sunday.

"These are encouraging," says William Thies, chief medical and scientific officer of the Alzheimer's Association. "These types of studies make people think, 'Well gosh, maybe I can do something about this disease.'"

Summer Escapes

King St., Charleston, S.C.

This is one instance where the vehicle in front of the building did improve the shot. Also note, that this is not the fence or gate you want to climb over! Ouch.

Vogue magazine has a "Summer Escapes: Charleston" article. Check it out. See if you agree with their recommendations.

Stay dry, kids! That was some downpour of rain we had last night.

Home from the farmer's market...

King St., Charleston, S.C.

This pretty gal carrying a giant watermelon home from the Farmer's Market was getting lots of smiles and nods as she marched down King St. I heard one lady say, "Do you know how far she carried that watermelon? All the way from Marion Square!"

I am sure it got heavier and heavier the further down the peninsula she got and I finally passed her as she gave her arms a rest on the bench in front of Old Towne. Katie - you can skip the gym work out today! Hope you enjoy the watermelon. We did!

Get the Scoop, kids!

John Stango, Scoop Gallery, Broad St., Charleston, S.C.

I know, I know, I usually sit in a dark movie theater by myself on a Friday afternoon (and love it) but this evening I was happy to have company and walked to tiny little contemporary art gallery Scoop Studios on Broad St. for the opening of John Stango's pop art show.

Brightly colored patriotic themed paintings hung on the walls and owners Saramel Evans and Colleen Deihl tempted us with vodka infused with cucumbers and adorable little mini moon pies - thanks to Andrea Lever the pastry chef from Magnolias and Blossom.

I felt ever so grown up and cultured going to an art opening on a Friday night, oh my!

God's Acre - Healing Springs

God's Acre, Healing Springs, Blackville, S.C.

Does God pay taxes? This acre of land on the outskirts of Blackville, S.C. is deeded to God Almighty.

The property includes a natural spring whose water has healing powers according to local tradition.

By tradition, Healing Springs got its name during the Revolutionary War. In 1781 after a bloody battle at nearby Windy Hill Creek, four wounded Tories sent inland from Charleston by General Banastre (the Butcher) Tarleton were left in the care of two comrades who had orders to bury them when they died. Luckily, Native Americans found them and took them to their secret, sacred healing springs. Six months later the Charleston garrison was astonished by the reappearance of the six men. All were strong and healthy.

You can stop at the Healing Springs Country Store for a picnic sandwich but don't make any cracks about the family picture of the Amish on the lunch counter - they are really Mennonites dressed up in Amish clothes. Yeah for sandwich making Mennonites with a sense of humor!

The water jugs in the picture belong to a gentleman from Aiken, Georgia who claimed drinking the spring water had kept him alive for twenty eight years. I scooped up a handful and drank it just to be safe.

No news is good news

Bull St., Charleston, S.C.

Looks more like Savannah doesn't it?

Wow. Reading the newspaper is not a positive way to begin a day lately. Everything in the news sucks. Y'all take care out there. Things are tough.

Palm trees in the puddles

Concord St., Charleston, S.C.

When I am lazy I snuggle in my corner of my couch and endlessly clear old pictures off my over-used camera cards. This was one taken on a recent rainy day walk.

The brick facade behind the Harris Teeter grocery store on East Bay St. is a familiar sight to everyone in Charleston and I liked the way the palm trees reflected in the puddles.

Stay cool, kids!

Pulling up to the station, St. George, S.C.

St. George, S.C.

There is a cheerful mural of a train pulling up to a station facing the Mystic Gas Station & Convenience store in St. George, S.C. Entering the store, the shop keeper looked suspiciously familiar. He was clearly the model for the train engineer in the mural and was happy to don his cap to pose for a picture. Fun!

Recording the Memories

Not my grandmother's house, Hwy 176, S.C.

When I rush to take a picture of a new building I realize that what I wish I had was photos of what used to be there. I'll see the new place for the rest of my life but it is immediately hard to remember what used to be there.

I've been taking pictures long enough to have recorded some "before and afters" but this morning's Dear Abby column struck me as such a brilliant idea that I want you all to do it before it's too late. The writer recommends taking pictures of every room in your grandparent's home. I wish I had that!

I'm always talking about my grandparent's home in Beamsville, Ontario. They had glass front lawyer style bookshelves with large carved birds perched on top. They treated themselves to a bird carving to celebrate each wedding anniversary. The arched entry into the living room had a hoya plant with the little wax blossoms growing from one end to the other and oval frames on the wall of my Scottish deep sea fisherman great-grandfather with his pierced ear.

I wish I had good pictures of all these memories but it isn't too late for you. Borrow a wide angle lens if you need to and capture the memories!

ABBY: After Grandma passed away at 101, the thought of disman­tling her home and dispersing her belongings was heart­breaking because her house had remained unchanged for so many years. I knew we couldn’t keep everything, but never seeing her house again was too much to bear.

I asked my cousin to take photos of every room, every hallway, every closet and every view inside and out, so I could make an album of “Grandma’s House.” Now I have an album of photographs that makes me feel like I’m standing in the middle of it again. My cousin even photo­graphed the auction in which we sold the things none of the family wanted or couldn’t fit in their homes.

With all these reality TV programs that deal with hoarding and clutter, I wanted to share this idea as a healthy alternative to keeping “things” in place of memories. Looking at my photo album is even better than having the actual items because everything is in the setting I remember. What I’m trying to convey is, sometimes you really can’t take it with you, and a picture is the next best thing. — JULIE IN BRA­DENTON, FLA.

DEAR JULIE: Thank you for a valuable suggestion. I’m sure I’m not the only grand­child who wishes that she had thought of it when my grandparents’ home was be­ing dismantled. I’m sure that looking at your album brings back a multitude of happy memories.

If had a paint brush....

Coming & Vanderhorst St., Charleston, S.C.

There is a beehive of activity in my neighborhood today as this large house in a busy intersection is renovated. I can't resist taking a picture each time I go by.

I'm glad someone is working hard because I have no intention of doing anything productive. Shame on me. It used to be whenever I had a three day weekend I attacked some home improvement project. Maybe paying for air conditioning repair can count this time. Paint me lazy.

Happy Birthday America!

Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

Happy Birthday America! Thanks for welcoming me! I've spent more of my life in American than any other country and I appreciate the gracious welcome I've received.

Stinky Business

Abercrombie & Fitch, King St., Charleston, S.C.

Why, I ask you, why is this shop allowed to poison our main shopping district with the smell of perfume so strong it hurts your nose just to walk by? I can't imagine the effect it must have on the employees who work there. I've tried a couple of times through the years to cross the threshold but turn right back. I'm not alone. There are other pages of complaints online so they obviously know it's an issue.

Here is an article about a group of teens protesting the smell in their area.

I found this quote about the way they pump the perfume into the air:

Abercrombie said it's spent more than $3 million on scent machines to pump its Fierce fragrance through its stores — meaning that they've been committing the olfactory equivalent of subliminal messaging while you're shopping.

Aaack! It would be one thing if the smell was contained behind closed doors but they leave them flung wide open and the smell is so overpowering even crossing the street doesn't help.