Yard scene

Yard scene, Charleston, SC   

This interesting line up caught my attention - Wentworth Mansion, slate roof and bicycle shelter. Nothing in new construction in Charleston seems to be such a feast for the eye on every street and around every corner.

Sniff, sniff. Almost everyone I know either has or is recovering from some kind of cold. Luckily I am on the almost better end. With the number of colds and viruses people catch each year and the dent they put in our lives it seems there should be more effort to prevent and cure them. I realize there are at least a couple of hundred different viruses to deal with but sheeesh. It seems like there should be more effort to do research. I put a call out for ideas for names for fundraising events for colds and this is what we came up with:

What would you call a fundraising event to raise money to cure colds?

The March for Mucous

The Sniffle Shuffle

The Viral 5K

Snot Trot

Honk & Toss 5K

Gesundheit Gala

Bronchial Bash

Runny Nose 5K

Rhino Run

Coughing Cuties

"Bless You" Barn Dance

Phlegm Aid 2017

The Red Nose Run Dear

Cough it Up!

Coryza Cause

The Nose Bowl

Music by The Buger Boys Band

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood....

Neighborhood House, 77 & 79 America St., Charleston, SC

I had the chance to tour the Neighborhood House on America St. just before Christmas and left so impressed with their projects. From soup kitchens, walking groups, wellness programs and classes the place was a beehive of activity. We actually went planning to help serve lunch but were told there was already a full line up of volunteers arranged for and that helping out required pre-planning. As a volunteer coordinator I was impressed! The welcoming porch on the historic house had comfy rocking chairs and book shelves. Pictured below is the amazing Vonceil Mitchell - kitchen manager.

The Neighborhood House currently provides educational opportunities for adults in basic literacy, budgeting, computer skills, health and wellness, and art programs such as painting and crocheting. In addition, programs like the clothing closet, food pantry, emergency financial assistance, and soup kitchen help meet basic needs of those in our community. 

The little tree that could

Windermere Blvd, James Island, SC  

I always check in with this fiesty little tree when I walk the greenway through to South Windermere. Growing out of a crack in a post my little tree that could is healthy and thriving. I shared the photo on facebook and was reminded that the West Of Newspaper featured it in an article by Bill Davis a couple of years ago. I am not the only one who appreciates it.

West Ashley’s (un)official TreeBahrain’s Tree of Life may be the original site of the Garden of Eden. And, sure, the Avenue of Baobabs of Madagascar is certainly impressive.Johns Island may have the Angel Oak. Athens, Ga., may have the “Tree That Owns Itself.” The General Sherman sequoia and drive-through redwoods can call California home.But all of these famous trees may soon bow in respect to a tree that calls West Ashley home.

The majestic and hardy … Pole-Tree!

Pronounced “poultry,” or “pole-tree,” or maybe both, it takes its name from its environmental niche, a circular perch atop a sawn-off telephone pole.

Home for Destitute Children - Mt. Pleasant

Home for Destitute Children, Mt. Pleasant, SC  

This sign stopped me in my tracks. There is a beautiful and prosperous home on the location now. See the link for some historical and clearly posed photos. 

At this site in 1881, Abby Munro, a Quaker from Philadelphia, established a home for orphans, neglected, and destitute children. Funds to purchase and operate the home were solicited locally and from friends in the North. It was incorporated in 1883 and is believed to have been the first orphanage for colored children in the State. Room and board cost approximately one dollar a week per child. The children were taught to cook, wash, iron, knit, sew, mend clothes, and all the duties of a household. The older children attended school regularly and made commendable progress in their studies. The orphanage operated here until the building was destroyed by fire in 1920.

Am I the only one who got slapped back into reality at work today?! Hello 2017.

Shem Creek Park Walking

Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, SC   

Sidetracked  by the sniffles this long weekend it was lucky I had stockpiled some photos. You can't go wrong walking the lovely boardwalk at Shem Creek. There aren't as many shrimp boats as there used to be but they are still picturesque. I love it. You can always catch folks fishing, shrimping, kayaking and paddling. Vickery's is one of my favorite spots for sunset dining.

One of my goals for last year was to cut my tv cable and I think I have it figured out. I lined up antenna's to both tv's and figured out an Amazon Firestick on one and Chromecast on the other. I am still learning it all but it should save me a tidy monthly sum. I was watching so little regular television during the unbearable election coverage that I really don't miss it. Netflix does lead to hours of binge watching though!

I am enjoying this bonus day off. Happy New Year to you all.

Happy New Year 2017~!

Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, SC 

Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2017 treats you kindly. 2016 has had a few bumps in the road for a lot of people.

I am just back from a lovely dinner at Bistro Toulouse with friends. We try to go to a different restaurant each year to celebrate and eat early enough to be safely back on our respective couches by midnight. The simple fact that I have friends to celebrate with makes me feel very fortunate. Happy New Year! Thanks for dropping by Charleston Daily Photo and for all your kind comments. 

Charming little cottage - old village Mt. Pleasant

Old village Mt. Pleasant, SC   

Charming little cottage in old village Mt. Pleasant - good views, open concept. With the prices there it would still probably be out of my price range! Cute. I am guessing it is a rabbit hutch?

I finally surrendered to a miserable cold and came home early afternoon to crash on my couch with trashy tv. I'm not alone in my viral misery since when I stopped at BiLo to pick up cold remedies the shelves looked like they had been ransacked by wild congested animals. Achhoooo! I ain't got time for this. 

Patjens Post Office - Mt. Pleasant

Patjens Post Office, Mt. Pleasant, SC   

With winter evenings dark so early I make the most of the photo-ops I find on my weekend walks and I found so many scenic finds in the quaint old village area of Mt. Pleasant. What a cute little Post Office!

In 1899, the Patjens family built this small office adjacent to their store on Church Street, to serve as the post office in Mount Pleasant. The Patjens family served as postmasters until 1917. Patjens Post Office has been owned and maintained by the Alhambra Garden Club since 1971, when it was moved to Edwards Park. The club restored the building in 2001.

Old Village Mt. Pleasant

Old Village Mt. Pleasant, SC    

Is there any more charming village than old town Mt. Pleasant? With the historic homes, beautiful gardens and shade tree streets I hope the inhabitants are as happy as I imagine them to be.

Old Village:  Mount Pleasant’s most historic neighborhood, once only accessed via ferry boat, The Old Village is a special place that was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 in order to preserve its architectural styles and encourage harmonious growth and development in the area.
The Old Village sits right on the Charleston harbor, with spectacular views of downtown Charleston and the Ravenel Bridge. Nestled quietly amid grand live oaks with a ‘Normal Rockwell-esque’ setting, it’s only a hop, skip and jump to the beautiful Sullivans Island and Shem Creek. The shops in the village have been preserved as well so you can still sit at the soda fountain and get a milk shake at the Pitt Street Pharmacy or eat a fine meal at The Post House restaurant.

Picturesque playhouse

Mt. Pleasant, SC

Isn't this the most adorable playhouse? The entire yard looked like it was primed perfectly to catch the eye of a walker-by with a camera - me! I took advantage of it. There was no actual sign of children so it might not be a play house but it certainly made for a charming scene.

I am home with the sniffles this evening and had some lazy time to process photos. 

Moe's Mural Woes

Moe's Southwestern Grill, Mt. Pleasant, SC 

I visit mural districts when I travel, I try to keep up with most local displays and I knew I had to track down this one since it may not survive the Mt. Pleasant zoning department. Painted by artist Odeith, it is considered larger than an allowed sign in that part of town. 

Sadness. It will be very painful to see this painted over. Check out his website for other international examples of his work. Hopefully there will be some way to save it. 

The work, a portrait of Marilyn Monroe, Al Capone and John Lennon by Portuguese artist Odeith, was cited in July by Mount Pleasant’s zoning department for exceeding the maximum allowed signage. Businesses in the town are allotted a certain amount of signage per square foot of commercial frontage.
But while oversized, garish or low-quality signs might indeed visually pollute Mount Pleasant, it’s tough to argue that a mural by an internationally known artist is an eyesore. The town ought to encourage public artwork rather than stifle it.
Unfortunately, the Mount Pleasant Board of Zoning Appeals made the wrong choice on Monday, when it voted 4-3 that the mural should be removed.

Old Pitt St. bridge walking

Old Pitt St. Bridge, Mt. Pleasant, SC  

I stopped at BiLo on the way home from a funeral visitation to find the cold and flu remedy shelves ransacked and in disarray. Apparently I'm not the only one who got the sniffles for Christmas. Achooo. Netflix and chill for the rest of the evening. 

I did drag myself out to walk this morning aiming to get a picture of the controversial mural at Moes. It is very cool and I hope they don't make them take it down. I got the mural shot, walked the boardwalk at Shem Creek, roamed old Mt. Pleasant and then hiked down to the old Pitt St. bridge. For a sniffling gal I got my steps in for the day. 

The Old Pitt Street Bridge was once the trolley trestle connecting Mt. Pleasant to Sullivan's Island in the late 1920's. It closed when the Ben Sawyer bridge opened in 1945. Now the spot is an attractive park area and popular for fishing, crabbing, bird-watching and strolling. 

Christmas Eve Tradition

Baby in waiting, Charleston, SC  

Each year the newborn nursery nurses at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital make sure there is one extra crib ready for a special guest. The manger in the nativity scene at the front of the hospital has been empty. According to tradition the nurses call Security to unlock the front door at midnight and they carry the baby out and lay Him in the manger.

Special thanks to all the healthcare workers, firemen/women, police officers, service workers etc. who work special holidays like this so the rest of us can celebrate.

Merry Christmas everyone!

What are you grateful for?

Marion Square, Charleston, SC   

What are you grateful for? That was the question answered on the decorations on one of the trees at Marion Square. Note: I did NOT add that second one ;)

The square is a winter wonderland at this time of year with colored lights in the palm trees. We walked King St. and enjoyed the bright lights and holiday decorations and had a delicious dinner at Fish Restaurant. A perfect way to end a busy day at Christmas.

Christmas doors - Charleston

Charleston, SC   

I think the owners of these houses should earn a tax deduction for entertaining the folks who pass by and stop to admire their home. After all, that is why Charleston keeps winning tourism awards, right? The historic homes are maintained so beautifully, and it costs a fortune. Thank you folks. We appreciate it each time we walk by. Merry Christmas to you and thank you for your beautiful home which we all enjoy,

Charleston at Christmas

Dog & Horse, Church St., Charleston, SC   

I am getting slack. Who knew we had a Dog & Horse Fine Art & Portraiture store on Church St.? I didn't. Click the link to check it out. Dogs and Horses doggone it.

The Meeting St. Inn looks festive as always at Christmas but do you notice something missing from the frequently photographed windows on Tradd St.? The pig is gone from the window. The property may have changed hands but I don't believe city council voted to let them take the pig out of the window.

SUP Lesson

Colonial Dorchester State Park, Summerville, SC 

Today is cold and damp but yesterday was an extraordinarily warm midwinter gift. I grabbed a sandwich and was sitting on a bench at Colonial Dorchester State Park watching a young father chase his daughter. They were laughing and taking turns tagging each other when they paused to watch a group of stand up paddlers go by.

The little gal called out wanting a ride and the paddlers turned around and came to the bank. Dad helped the four year old on the board and off they went. They were all so patient and kind and she got an experience she will never forget.

And now it's so cold and gray again it is hard to believe it even happened!

Model train display at Belmond Charleston Place Hotel

Belmond Charleston Place Hotel, Charleston, SC   

It never gets old and is a treat to see each year - the model train display under the grand chandelier in the lobby of the Belmond Charleston Place Hotel. The stairs on either side were full of parents lifting excited children to watch the trains roll by. Thank you Belmond Charleston Place!

Funny, until I looked it up for the link I had been calling it the Belmont with a "t". It took me years to stop calling it the Omni. I'll get there. 

Music in the Chapel - St. Thomas, Cainhoy

St. Thomas Church. Cainhoy, SC   

I took the photo above in 2009 when I first visited the Chapel of St. Thomas/St. Denis or the Brick Chapel on Cainhoy Rd. This evening I attended a Christmas concert by the Barefoot Movement group in this same historic chapel in the woods. It was quite an amazing experience. Thanks to my friend Renae for giving me the heads-up! They had heaters in the church yard, a cash bar and served popcorn and grilled cheese sandwiches. We felt quite wicked sipping wine in church. Many thanks to the organizers and performers.

In other news - why, why, why do people go to concerts where incredible musicians are singing and playing, if they plan to talk all the way through them? I gave some nasty glares to the group chattering behind us without much effect. Sheeesh.

Beaufain St. pinkie

Beaufain St., Charleston, SC  

Pink!

The funny thing is, I had this image in my camera and then happened to be talking to a gentleman who mentioned painting his house pink. Yep. It was this one. He wanted it to have a New Orleans mood. I imagine like the other houses in pink, they have to be painted brighter to allow for the quick fading in the sun. Click here to see every other time I have mentioned the word pink in this blog.