Molly - Pet Therapy

Pet Therapy, Charleston, SC

Molly, the pet therapy dog at Mount Pleasant Hospital was on the receiving end of all the loving this evening when I caught three little elves patting her into a coma. She wasn't complaining at all.

Coleman Marine Supply

Coleman Marine Supply, Morrison Dr., Charleston, SC 

Not a bad landmark for a Marine supply business, eh! It certainly is eye catching.

I just got back from a dinner/household shower thrown by a group of my hospital volunteers for one of the ladies whose house flooded during our recent floods. She was quite surprised and emotional to know that so many people cared for her. I do work with some fine people. She was in the group from the Shadowmoss area that not only got flooded for the second time just after being rebuilt but was robbed as well. Can you believe that? Thieves went in and took what valuables weren't water damaged. That is a sad statement. Tonight her friends tried to heal some of the damage done.

House & Garden

Governor Thomas Bennett House, Barre St., Charleston, SC   

Waaaaa.....I miss my Thanksgiving day leftovers. I could happily live on turkey dressing and mac and cheese for a long time. I smiled in the car coming home to tasty leftovers to warm up.

I am not enjoying it being dark by the time I got home. I popped into Home Depot to buy a couple bags of mulch and spread them out in the dark. In the morning I'll discover what I did to my yard.

Isn't that a beautiful room? I had these pictures left from when the Charleston History Before 1945 group had a tour of the Governor Thomas Bennett House last month. You can see why it is a popular spot for weddings, in fact I've attended a beautiful wedding in the garden below.

Meet your new Mayor

Charleston Christmas Parade, Charleston, SC   

I happened to be in town for brunch and finished up just as the Christmas parade was starting and spotted our newly elected mayor John Tecklenburg and his wife Sandy. Behind them I was pleased to see the bagpipe band with my friend Karen playing.

Senior Center Choir

Lowcountry Senior Center Choir, Charleston, SC  

It always feels like the beginning of the Christmas season when the Lowcountry Senior Center choir arrives to entertain at the hospital. They were followed by the pipes recorder band. I look forward to this happy group every year.

I've had a busy week and am enjoying a lazy catch up morning watching the new season of Broadchurch on Netflix instead of the depressing world news. I have pansies waiting to be planted and it is a nice sunny day. I hope everyone is having a good weekend.

Torie goes to Prom

Teen girl with rare cancer gets prom she wanted, help to fund treatments

Click the link to see the video. This is what we did at my hospital on Thursday night thanks to a great and supportive team of nurses who rallied to make a special evening for a young lady named Torie.

Your future surgeons in training

SCRUBS U Surgical Careers

I've been missing in action as a blogger lately but not because I've been lazy. I've been on the run all week. Wednesday evening I welcomed your future surgeons and our operating room staffed introduced them to surgical techniques. What is more fun to practice on that chicken feet? They repaired tiny fractures with tiny screws.

There is nothing, I tell you, nothing better than teaching people who are eager to learn. I made them all promise to take care of "old lady Joan" when I came to see them as my surgeon in years to come and treat me kindly.

Merry, merry!

Charleston, SC  

I had to look twice to determine if it was part of the wrought iron work. Hi little fella!

How many can you name?

East Battery, Charleston, SC

This was an interesting looking truck I spotted on East Battery. My son was immediately able to name each character pictured. Not sure I could.

I am ready to drive my sister back to the airport to Edmonton in the morning. It's been a great holiday and the weather has stayed perfect. We've been everywhere and done a lot. Shopped on King St., walked the battery, picnicked on Johns Island and Lake Marion, went to the movies, dessert at Taste of India, music at the hospital today and capped it all off with the Progressive Dinner this evening. It has been great catching up. As we were walking past the Daughters of St. Paul bookstore on King St. I asked Shirley if she'd like to meet the Pope Francis and he was happy to welcome her to Charleston.

Sunshine and music on Johns Island

Archie, Johns Island, SC  

I can't complain about the glorious weather we've had for my sister Shirley's visit, can I? We spent yesterday morning at the Magnolia Plantation Holiday Market, mid day we headed to Johns Island for a delicious picnic lunch with friends and then capped off the evening with tea and dessert at the Taste of India.

Shirley brought her guitar with her and entertained us after lunch. It has been perfect. I've taken a lot more pictures than I have had time to process but we are having a wonderful time. Somehow the world's most photogenic dog appears in most of this evening's pictures. Archie improves every shot!

I hope everyone has had a good holiday weekend.

Thanksgiving Day

Folly Beach, SC 

A lovely warm Thanksgiving day and we made a quick change and carried all of our table settings outside and enjoyed dinner in the sunshine.  I always want to do this but is is usually just a bit too cool to pull it off.

Good food, friends, family and a walk on the beach. I have much to be thankful for. I hope you have as well.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I am aware each and every day how much I have to be grateful for and that includes the camaraderie of this virtual community of friends. I hope everyone has a wonderful day. I woke up to see this proclamation on the Charleston History facebook page and borrowed it to share. 

Fall is in the air

Charleston, SC  

Fall is in the air. In the air and on my nose. Suddenly there is a thick layer of leaves in my yard which is how we do fall here. Mr. Bear lives in my backyard and welcomes me home each evening and makes me smile every time I see him. I hope he doesn't decide to hibernate for the winter.

SC Artisan's Center - Walterboro

SC Artisan's Center, Walterboro, SC   

The SC Artisan's Center is in Walterboro and packed full of colorful crafts, painting, metal work and pottery.  I've wondered if it is such a success in this location, why don't we have a similar showcase for South Carolina Artisans in other parts of the state? It seems their wares should be promoted in Charleston, Columbia and Greenville etc. There must be a reason. Perhaps it would compete with other local galleries.

Behind the shop was the little cabin pictured below with a brightly colored red rocking chair on the porch. Walterboro's tag line is "Front Porch of the Lowcountry" and their symbol is a red rocking chair. They have a lovely downtown street with enough antique stores to explore and make a day trip worthwhile. We had lunch at Castillo's Pizza restaurant and I'd order my eggplant parmesan sandwich again any day.

South Carolina’s Official Folk Art and Craft Center
The South Carolina Artisans Center’s mission is to interpret, market, preserve and perpetuate the folk art and fine craftsmanship of South Carolina Artisans while creating a better understanding of our rich and diverse cultural heritage. Come see the best South Carolina has to offer in handcrafted art.

 

Teeny, Tiny Houses of the Lowcountry

Walterboro, SC  

I don't know that it was ever actually a home but it is a cute little cottage. I cracked the door open and saw an old Santa's Workshop sign. Don't get your hopes up, kids. It looks like Santa may have moved on although he left his red rocker on the porch.


This little cottage is behind the SC Artisan's Center shop down the road in Walterboro.

Checking their website I see that Walterboro claims to be the Front Porch of the Lowcountry and their symbol is the red rocking chair. So there you have it!

Teeny, tiny business buildings

Charleston, SC  

No one would build a business in a building this size anymore but they are all over town. Members only no less.

Charleston has a new Mayor. Mayor Tecklenburg will be our next Mayor. Congratulations! Take good care of us.

I am nodding off kids, so early to bed. Y'all turn the light out. 

Youth Appreciation Banquet

2015 West Ashley Optimist Club, Youth Appreciation

Introducing the 2015 Youth Volunteers of the Year as honored by the West Ashley Optimist Club. The club's main goal is to be a Friend to Youth and they hold a recognition banquet every year. I am delighted to get recognition for a student who volunteers at the hospital. All non-profits are invited to nominated so these students represented different area agencies. Congrats ladies!

Work hard and be nice

Work hard and be nice

Would that be so hard, really? I need a sign like that to carry around with me. 

All in the family - Jimmy Bailey for Jimmy Bailey, Jr.

Jimmy Bailey, Charleston, SC  

A familiar face just came to my door - Jimmy Bailey knocked rallying support for his son Jimmy Bailey, Jr. in Tuesday's run off election for Charleston City Council. I think I can do that! All the best to our candidates and thank you for working to improve Charleston. May all the best folks win and lead us into the future. Charleston is growing at breakneck speed and needs thoughtful guidance.

Mr. Bailey recognized me. Since I work with so many students and healthcare mentoring programs and he works with the YESCarolina program, we have landed at some of the same events supporting teenagers in the lowcountry. You can read about his work with YESCarolina here.

I have a hard time posting lighthearted entries when there are so many terrible things happening in the world and recent terrorist strikes in Kenya, Beirut and Paris. I read the news and keep up with what is happening and wish I had more to contribute to solutions. I feel so sad and helpless. 

Butterflies

“The caterpillar does all the work, but the butterfly gets all the publicity.” 

― George Carlin

“I have no problem overcoming the butterflies in my stomach. 

Of course, neither do the fish I thought I caught with my butterfly net.” 
― Jarod Kintz, 99 Cents For Some Nonsense

“Butterflies are not insects,' Captain John Sterling said soberly.

'They are self-propelled flowers.” 
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Cat Who Walks Through Walls

“Well, I must endure the presence of a few caterpillars if I wish to 

become acquainted with the butterflies.” 
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince