Bug eyed in the rain

Bug eyes in the rain, Johns Island, S.C.

It is pouring again. Wow.

I found this bright eyed fella on the porch of the Tomato Shed Cafe on Johns Island yesterday. He had his eye on my tomato pie.

Angel Oak Tree - Johns Island

Angel Oak, Johns Island, S.C

We might not have a snowstorm but it is a drippy day to be entertaining visitors from Canada. I headed towards Johns Island during a break in the rain this morning and we were awed as always at the magnificence of Angel Oak tree. I did notice that they had placed signs on stands so as to make photos as almost any angle difficult. Rascals. Do you think they want to encourage us to buy the photographs in the gift shop?

Turns out the beautiful prints in the shop are by my friends Leah and Kathy. The salesmen said they were one of his most frequently purchased items.  Go ladies!

The Angel  Oak has come to symbolize Charleston.  It is a Southern live oak located in Angel Oak Park, on Johns Island near Charleston.  The Angel  Oak Tree is estimated to be in excess of 1500 years old, stands 66.5 ft  (20 m) tall, measures 28 ft (8.5 m) in circumference, and
produces shade that covers 17,200 square feet (1,600 m2). From tip to tip  Its longest branch distance is 187 ft.

The Angel Oak Tree is thought to  be one of the oldest living things in the country.  The land where the Angel Oak Tree stands was part of Abraham Waight's 1717 land grant.  The  City of Charleston now owns the property.  The Angel Oak Park is free and  the tree should be added to any visit to Charleston, Kiawah or Seabrook  Islands.

Imported Models

Donald E. Perry

Dianne Perry

My Dad and wife Dianne are with me this week so I am taking as much time off as possible to spend with them. This afternoon I made them pose for me. Sit here, sit there, look this way, look over there. My father is still a handsome gentleman at eighty six. I may be a year older myself today, but I hope I've inherited some of his genes. Meanwhile I understand that they are missing the worst snow storm in five years in Canada so we are appreciating Charleston's sunshine.

When one cake isn't enough!

Birthday Cake, Charleston, S.C.

I may be getting older but yummy cakes made by people who love me are a happy consolation prize. Thanks to the good volunteers at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital I was well taken care of. Thanks folks! Then the hundreds of birthday greetings on Facebook are just too much fun. Wow.

I had a nice day. I actually went inside a church with my folks instead of just taking a picture of the outside :). Perhaps that is a good way to start a new year of my life. Quick walk, afternoon movie to see The Quartet at the Terrace Theater and then a sunset dinner overlooking Shem Creek with both my son and my parents. Can't beat that. After a call from my daughter I would bill is a perfect day.

Aquarium Visit

Jelly Fish tank, SC Aquarium, Charleston, S.C.

My son suggested a visit to the SC Aquarium yesterday and it was the perfect time for it. No crowds. The otters were full of energy. All the critters were on their best behavior. I'm trying to show my dad the best of Charleston without wearing him out. I love the jellyfish tank, the sea horses and the otters. The albino alligator is quite dramatic - check out Doug's Photo Blog recent entry on that big fella.

Garden Walking - Magnolia Plantation

Magnolia Plantation, Charleston, S.C.

I took the day off since my folks are here from Canada. One of my volunteers gave me a pass to Drayton Hall so we headed out Hwy 61 to be greeting at the gate with the news that Drayton Hall was closed. That was a surprise but I am always happy to go back to Magnolia Plantation. It is one of my favorite places in the world.

The sun was out and the camellias are in their glory. What a beautiful day. I gave my Dad a break and we took the tram ride through the swamp. It was like riding through a nature documentary with all the birds and gators showing off for us. It is a good time of year to renew my annual membership with all the activity starting in the egret rookery. Action time!

 

Canadian Visitors

Donald & Dianne Perry, Charleston, S.C.

When we had the cold snap last week I carried out my towels and tablecloths to protect my early blooming azaleas because I was expecting visitors from Canada today and I wanted to impress them with blossoms. Heheh. I made it! When I picked up my father and Dianne it was sunny and almost 70 degrees. What a glorious warm welcome to the lowcountry.

My father always built impressive swings for us when we were kids so I was proud to show him that I had carried on the family tradition of having a swing in my yard. 

I have taken as much time off as possible for next week to spend time with them. It is hard to take time off and still be in town. I've already been tracked down to deal with work issues and so far all I've been away for was a few hours to do the airport run. I may need to lose my phone :).

Rogue Elephants of Santee

Santee, S.C.

Yes. Santee, S.C.

You never know what treasure will turn up as you drive the backroads of the lowcountry. From the giant teapot in Elloree to the UFO in Bowman, these elephants now hold a place of honor. They appear to be Indian with the detailed painted features.

The building has been abandoned for some time and these popped up recently so it will be interesting to see what is planned. They were too heavy for me to hitch to the back of my little car and drive home.

In other news, my folks are coming down from Canada on Wednesday afternoon to get some sunshine and warm weather. My azaleas are in bloom and I carefully covered them up to protect the blossoms for my visitors on our chilly night. I've been busy this evening simmering and baking so I won't spend all my time cooking while they are here. I haven't had company stay in my little house yet so it will be a test of the system. G'night kids!

Charleston East Battery

"Charleston East Battery"
12 x 16, oil on linen
 
Once and awhile, an artist will paint a work of art based on one of my photographs. I can't think of anything more flattering especially when I really like the painting. In this case, Gina Brown painted a scene from East Battery that includes the William Ravenel House.  Isn't it lovely? Visit Gina's blog and her art web site.

Roper Xavier Society Gala

Madeleine Albright, Charleston Place Hotel, Charleston, S.C.

Last night was the annual Roper Xavier Society gala at Charleston Place Hotel. The featured speaker was Madeleine Albright and she was a treat. She was absolutely charming and told stories of her time as Secretary of State and humorous anecdotes about the different pins she wears on her shoulder. The event is a donor appreciation gala for the Roper St. Francis Healthcare foundation.

It is always fun to see the folks you work with everyday scrubbed up and in their special occasion duds. Woohoo! I made my annual trip to a hair dresser and let them fancy me up for the occasion. It was a lovely evening. Tomorrow morning most of these folks will be back in scrubs and lab coats hard at work.

Beach Walking

Starfish, Pawley's Island, S.C.

I took a brisk morning walk on Pawley's Island beach this morning. I went up yesterday for the annual gathering of the clans of volunteer program managers from around the state. From parks, aquariums, hospices, libraries etc. any agency that uses volunteers needs someone to manage them. Our professional association is SCAVA and this was our annual winter workshop.

My normal place is behind the scenes, behind the camera but this time I was lined up as a presenter. Not my usual role and they had me down to talk for an hour and forty five minutes. Yikes. Luckily my topic was right up my alley, "Take Your Best Shot - Promoting Your Volunteer Program With Photography". I can do that. I may not be the best photographer or the best speaker but I can promote the people doing good work. I think I pulled it off!

It is almost 11:30 pm. If anyone else is flicking around on their tv, I might suggest you turn to PBS. They are doing an interview with the gentleman who did the documentary on Rodriguez, the mystery singer who was a phenomena in South Africa but entirely unknown in this country although he lived in Detroit. If you miss the show playing right now, check out the documentary "Searching for Sugarman". I love this story.

Crown Royal Maple - Give it a shot!

Crown Royal Maple tasting event, Social, East Bay St., Charleston, S.C.

It is nice to blog enough to be considered worth inviting to media events. This evening I was invited to a tasting party for the new maple flavored Crown Royal Whisky at Social. I invited fellow blogger Chuckography thinking two bloggers were better than one. I may be in the minority but I don't get the idea of shots. If a drink is worth drinking I want to taste it so I tried The Manitoba which was mixed with Ginger Beer. I did like it.

There was a nice sized group and lots of media presence gathered for the brief presentation, toast and demonstration on how to mix drinks. We left as participants were invited to try their hand at mixing their own shot recipe. I am not sure that I would buy a bottle but I can see enjoying a mixed drink with it in. The maple taste is quite strong but I do love maple! That is MY drink being mixed in the last photo.

UFO Welcome Station - Before & After

UFO Welcome Center, Bowman, S.C.

It may hold a place of honor in the Backroad Wonders of South Carolina, but the UFO Welcome Center in Bowman, S.C. looks a little worse for wear. The fence is down and the siding is flapping in the breeze. The UFO may actually take off flying in a significant storm. Then who will we have to welcome the aliens? It is a sad state of affairs.

The top, more recent photo was taken a week or two ago. The bottom one is from 2004.

I hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy through this wicked flu season. I've been very busy at work lately as we seem to be rushing headlong into 2013. In other news, I got a new refrigerator this morning - yipee! It isn't a fancy schamcy thing but it does have a bottom freezer which I think I will like.

Everyone's painting now, let's get painting now...

Wentworth St., Charleston, S.C.

I just got back from Lowes after deciding I was brave enough to paint a piece of wooden furniture. Pinterest, I tell ya. It is a dangerous place to hang out. There are pictures of amazing recipe ideas and crafty projects. As I checked out at Lowes the cashier told me everyone in Charleston must be painting something this weekend.

The gentleman I caught above is painting the outside of the Lucky Brand store at King & Wentworth St. I hope my project turns out as well as his did.

I went to the the Cirque de Soliel performance with the Charleston Symphony today. It was grand. When those performers fly through the air so gracefully I want to clap my hands and beg for more. Amazing.

Dr. Clifford honored with Real Award

Dr. Clifford honored with Real Award, Charleston, S.C.

Some people enlighten us. Some people entertain us.

Some people save our lives.
Back in December I asked y'all to consider voting for Dr. Clifford for the Real Awards, a new award for front line health care workers sponsored by Save the Children. He won in the Pediatric category! Yippee!

Since it was my idea to nominate him and I typed his info in on the very last day, I was invited over when the Save the Children staff came down from Washington, DC this morning to honor him. He is invited (paid trip) to go to Washington in April for the award ceremony. I am proud as punch. Voting was a small part of the selection but it certainly was considered and I thank everyone who supported this terrific gentleman.

Dr. Clifford’s passion for humanitarian medical work began during an undergraduate foreign study trip to Kenya. Now serving on the Board of Directors for Remember, a not-for-profit ministry to the persecuted church, Dr. Clifford has led medical teams into Thailand, Burma, China, Jordan and Iraq. Understanding the desperate need in struggling communities around the globe, Dr. Clifford has treated thousands of children with little to no access to healthcare. Dr. Robert Clifford is a general pediatrician with Coastal Pediatric Associates in Charleston, S.C. and is on the Clinical Teaching Faculty at the MUSC Children’s Hospital. His interests include international pediatrics, immunization advocacy and preventive care. Currently serving as the Chairman of Pediatrics at Roper and St. Francis Hospitals, he certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Cattle Creek Campground

Cattle Creek Campground, S.C,

I've featured a couple of these church based campgrounds and this evening I am presenting Cattle Creek. Wooden tent cabins are built in a circle and used once a year for revival style camps. There were a few differences at this camp. Piles of hay appear to be delivered to each unit to cover the dirt floors. Cattle Creek has a proper white church and a cemetery on the property so the cabins didn't form a complete circle. The meeting house was still in the middle.

There wasn't much evidence of outhouses and I read that some of the campgrounds now have porta-lets delivered. The campgrounds are usually used once a year but this one had a bonus July agenda posted on the door. It recommended that children were bathing suits to Children's Services.

Edit: Sorry for the typos, kids. I discover some of them in the morning and patch the entry up.

Praise House at Dereef Park

Dereef Park, Morris St., Charleston, S.C.

I had a meeting at Roper Hospital the other day and parked on Rutledge Ave. so I could take a quick detour to check on the activity at Dereef Park on Morris St. The little Praise House has been in bad shape heading to worse for many years. The current plan seems to be to move it to the other side and the city of Charleston intends to repair it. I am relieved. It is a favorite of mine and on my list to fix up when I won the lottery. This relieves my mind since I never even remember to check a lottery ticket. I'll be happy to see it fixed up and usable.

Click here to see the news about Dereef Park.

A toast to bright sunny days!

King St., Charleston, S.C.

These gentlemen threw open the windows, hung a flag and turned their second level apartment into a bar porch. I took this on Saturday so it might have been the perfect spot to watch the Charleston Marathon action.

I realize there has been a lot going on today with Martin Luther King events and the inauguration, but I worked and haven't had the television on yet. I got so much done working the holiday I wish I had a week of days like today. It was wonderful. Without meetings, hundreds of emails or the phone ringing I actually got some things checked off my "to do" list. May I have another please? The rest of you relax for a couple of days and let me catch up.

Y

My Kitchen Helper

Mural on canvas

I've been decorating my home with some of my old photos on canvas. Canvas is perfect when the original is a picture painted on textured wall and doesn't need expensive framing. I've become a frequent costumer of Canvas 4 Life and I've been tickled every time I unwrap an order. You upload and size your own image.

Does anyone remember this old Charleston gal? She was painted on a restaurant supply warehouse on upper Meeting St. She is long gone from Meeting St. and now lives with me. I am hoping she will come out of retirement and wash some of my dishes.

This little Piggie

Piggy Banks, King St., Charleston, S.C.

This little piggie went to King St.!

These colorful, life size piggy banks marching in the window of the Rebekah Jacob Gallery on King St. made me smile. You'd have to save a few pennies to get one but they would handle a lot of change. I liked them!