Humor that Heals

Caring Clown Program, Charleston, S.C.

I went to lunch with a couple of clowns on Friday. The folks at Cafe Fork didn't know what hit them when I walked in with four hospital clowns but they were great sports and besides the always tasty lunch the chef sent out complimentary desserts for us all. As it turned out I was the only one who could stuff my face without worrying about clown make up. Bob Mason aka Dr. Geezer brought the Caring Clown program to Charleston quite a few years ago. He has since grown his posse to a small cast of characters who use gentle humor on their rounds.

Mission Statement: The Bumper "T" Caring Clowns, Inc. is a volunteer organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of hospitalized patients, their families friends and caregivers. Therapeutic Clowning is a powerful tool in promoting the healing process. Sharing the Humor that Heals: We’re clowns with a mission—volunteers dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of hospitalized patients, their families, friends and caregivers. Our clowns complete a comprehensive clown training course on the art of gentle humor. We use therapeutic clowning as a powerful tool to promote the healing process.

The Macintosh

Burden Creek Goat Cheese Gnudi with Stone Crab

I want a restaurant named The Macintosh to have some Scottish connection but I guess the Scottish version is Mackintosh with a "k". Jeremiah Bacon is the executive chef at the latest new restaurant on King St. but I also keep my eye out for Chris Delaney in the kitchen who used to work at McCrady's. Chris came out to say hello to us last night when we stopped in for a drink and bite to eat at the bar.

I didn't do too bad considering I just had my little pocket camera. Everything we had was yummy - the scallops, the soup (licked my bowl thank you) but those Gnudi with the Stone Crab in the first photo are melt in your mouth deliciousness.  The giant bowls make the servings look small but they really were good sized portions. Not cheap but so very tasty. I want more.

Extra walking is going to be necessary tonight!

Chris Delaney & Andre' Guillet

Hot and Sour Pork Belly Soup

A sad loss

Charleston Rifle Club, Charleston, S.C.

I went to a volunteer recognition event today at the Charleston Rifle Club. The Charleston Rifle Club is an old social club on the Ashley River. Thanks to Pam Dillon at the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program who throws a nice event as always.

After the luncheon I treated myself to a walk down the long dock to sniff the river and found this sign. There were other signs under the trees designating them as being planted in memory of a loved one but this one had a personal message tacked on in front of it. No truer word was said when it applies to the loss of a loved one. I am sorry for their loss.

Stephen Colbert present Charleston's Best City Award

Stephen Colbert presents Charleston with the Conde Nast "Best City" award. Yeah us!

Shrimps, Live Crabs!

Cosgrove Ave., North Charleston, S.C.

I spent the day in meetings at Trident Technical College and this sign is one of the little gifts always waiting for me when I cut through Cosgrove Ave. to get back on the highway. I love the red curly hand painted letters. Sorry for the color - I had to take it through the windshield at a stop light. Shrimps! Jala-peno Peppers! Step right up.

Through the glass window

Queen St., Charleston, S.C.

Rain, rain and I walked for over an hour in it. My house is for sale. Friends know that although I haven't spoken of it here. It's time for me to find foster parents for my tenants and downsize to something more suitable for the lazy, little old lady I aspire to become.

My house is a quirky Charleston house though and not suitable for everyone so I'll wait for the right person and it's not a bad place to do my waiting. I got an email this morning saying someone wanted to traipse through the house from 5:30 to 6 pm. I was at work of course and couldn't magically and remotely whisk piles of papers away or cram any unfolded laundry back into the dryer. So, I squeaked home just early enough for a fifteen minute spit and polish and then headed out into the rain.

I walked in and out of shops to stay dry, drooled on jackets at Half Moon Outfitters. I turned off East Bay onto Queen and spotted this face looking at me from the RLS Gallery. Ending up at Caviar & Bananas I took advantage of their salad sampler deal and got a tiny dab of almost everything in the deli case to finish putting in my time. There is no sign of anyone being in the house, no agent's card left. My guess is that they cancelled but I'll probably never know. 

My Octoberfest

Fall in South Carolina

I sat with good friends under tall pine trees yesterday catching up on gossip and eating well. After they left I went for a walk and found a few signs that summer is slipping away. October in the lowcountry is one of my favorite times of the year. Those looked like Magnolia leaves in that first picture. Is that what Magnolia blossoms do? Have I never paid attention before? Red?

Feeling Kinda Tarty

Pear Tart

I am not the amazing Tartlette (spend some drooly time on her site!) but I am packing a fall picnic to take out into the country. Perfect! Y'all enjoy this gorgeous weather.

Apple Store Window

Apple Store Window, King St., Charleston, S.C.

He accomplished so much with the time he was given. It makes me feel like a bit of a slacker.

Pink Glove Dance Video Contest

Remember the Pink Glove dance video last year? This year there is a contest and hospitals all over the country and Canada have participated. They are wonderful! All the videos can be viewed here and the winning top three based on "like" votes will receive donations in their name to a breast cancer charity of their choice. The amounts of the donations are $10,000 for 1st place, $5,000 for 2nd place and $2,000 for 3rd place.

Here is the cool news - the video in top place right now is from Lexington Medical Center in Columbia, S.C. and is the only South Carolina entry. Let's get voting kids! Click "like, like, like"! 

Pumpkin Decorating Ideas

Hospital Pumpkin Decorating Contest, Charleston, S.C.

I don't usually recycle blog posts but it is apparent from the hits on this site that what people are looking for are pumpkin decorating ideas and some of them are specifically looking for hospital competitions. So, here you go - I am going to make it easier. These are our winners from a couple of years ago (dated by Octo-Mum) and we are pretty darn good! I especially like the "P" section rather than the C Section delivery pumpkin. Heheh.

Go forth and win your contest and let me know in comments if you come up with something brilliant.

Wednesday Ramblings

King St., Charleston, S.C.

Today's photo has nothing to do with anything except the glorious weather in Charleston at the moment and my hope that it lasts forever. Forever.

Sad news about Steve Jobs death from cancer. What a creative loss to the world.

Pecha Kucha 11 tickets are on sale here.

My niece Alexei and her husband Dan tour as Handsome Furs. She sent out a link to her upcoming tour schedule and it made my head spin. Check this out: Handsome Furs Tour Dates. They have been performing all over the world for a while so you can imagine that their photo album pages are pretty amazing.

Almost bedtime and I need to clean my house. Blah.

Nag, nag, nag

Fortune, Charleston, S.C.

Sometimes the pavements needs to mind it's own business. I once got a fortune that said, "the person next to you wants to kiss you." I kept it in my wallet and pulled it out at dinner parties.

Passing Ships

Charleston, S.C.

 

Sleepy me. I must remember that it is a big mistake to do chores on a weekday.  Bedtime, kids but I do love people who decorate their windows as much for the people passing by as they do for the folks inside. 

The joys of homeownership

Charleston, S.C.

Sleepy me. I might actually go to bed at a reasonable time for a change. I didn't sleep much last night. I am so familiar with all the noises in this old barn of mine and something wasn't right. I rent out rooms above and below me and I kept hearing things vibrate and hum that didn't belong. I hesitated to go to bed without knowing what was going on and I kept going outside in the dark snooping around the property to see if I could figure it out.

I didn't think I should bang on tenants doors at 2 a.m. so I finally sent them an email asking them to let me know of anything unusual and I tried to get some sleep. Luckily "downstairs" was still up shortly afterwards emailed back that his toiled needed to be adjusted and he took care of it. Yawn. Much better than an exploding water tank overhead.

I did chores around the house today and got a bee in my bonnet to freshen up the old bathroom vanity and mirror. I can never find my painting clothes and always decide that "this time I will paint neatly" and I wear my regular clothes inside out to protect them against splatters. Then it never fails that I have to go to the bathroom and I'm trapped inside clothes that are buttoned inside out. I go through this routine on a regular basis. :)) Sad, I know. If I could just learn a lesson or two as I go through life it would all be so much easier.

I need to put on one more coat of paint but will leave that for tomorrow so I can do the whole ritual again. Maybe I can go to the bathroom before I start and work quickly.

Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance

Jesus Feeds His People

This week's Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance is on a small roadside building close to Lake Marion.

Do not drop clothing donations on their porch but I expect they might accept food. Meanwhile, here is a cute religion related joke for you:

 Religious Light Bulb Jokes  

How many charismatics does it take to change a light bulb? One, since his/her hands are in the air anyway.
How many Calvinists does it take to change a light bulb? None. God has predestined when the lights will be on.
How many Brethren does it take to change a light bulb? CHANGE?!!!
How many Pentecostals does it take to change a light bulb? 10, one to change it and 9 others to pray against the spirit of darkness.
How many tv evangelists does it take to change a lightbulb? One. But for the message of hope to continue to go forth, send in your donation today.
How many Roman Catholics does it take to change a lightbulb? None: Candles only.
How many Amish does it take to change a lightbulb? What's a light bulb?
How many Polygamous Mormons does it take to change a lightbulb? Five. One man to change the bulb, and four wives to tell him how to do it.
How many Jehovah's Witnesses does it take to change a light bulb? Three. One to screw in the bulb, and two to knock on your door and ask you if you've seen the light!
How many Unitarians does it take to change a lightbulb? We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your light bulb for the next Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.

Green Space

Backroads, S.C.

I had to find one of my favorite green photos just to move some of the pink pictures down the page.

What a lovely day! Air conditioning off, windows open. A couple of my friends joined me at my Friday afternoon matinee yesterday (thanks Tom, thanks Nancy!) and we saw 50/50 at the Terrace. It was a
"cancer buddy" movie and I should have taken tissue in with me. Sniff. If we haven't had cancer ourselves (I have not), most of us have helped a friend through it. I certainly have and it brought forth some strong memories. Happy ending though and some very funny moments. We had a bite to eat at Mustard Seed afterwards and it was a good beginning to my weekend.  Go out and make the most of it kids!

Design Sponge Craft Event & Book Signing comes to Charleston

Charleston, S.C.

Heya Design Sponge fans - Charleston and Savannah dates announced and info here: Design Sponge Book Signing and Craft Event. It will be at Dwelling on King St.

Pink Heals Tour - Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital

Radiation Oncology crew with the Pink Heals Tour, Charleston, S.C.

The Pink Heals Tour Fire Engines roared on to the hospital campus this morning and by the time they were done we had four of the bright pink engines parked in front of the Cancer Center. It seemed like everyone there had a name to scribble on the trucks in memory or in honor of a survivor or a loss. More photos uploading here. It was a colorful hot pink photo op - you might need to wear shades!

Shallow Thoughts

King St., Charleston, S.C.

• I buy the occasional powerball ticket but never remember to check it. Never. I simply buy a day or two of fantasy. I assume that if I really win something I'll read a headline in the P & C saying, "King St. Convenience Store Sells Winning Ticket" and I'll hope to find it crumpled up in the bottom of my backpack.
• Someone landed on my blog after googling "elderly women to date". Sad.
• Someone landed on my blog after googling "parks in Afghanistan." Amazing. I walked through parks in Kabul many years ago. 
• True shallow confessions - I watch Tosh.0. He can be so awful with a happy smile.
• Isn't it amazing how people believe your entire job consists of the one tiny project that relates to them? Sorry caller. I know my tone was icy. 
• I went to bed perfectly happy and woke up wanting a black trench coat.  How do these things happen? 
• The end of tomato season is scaring me. 
• I need some of Chef Nico Romo's curried crab soup soon. Mmmmm.
• Am I the only one that finds the Charleston Farmer's Market claustrophobic? There is an entire park available. Can't we move the stalls back a few feet so people can actually walk? Huh, huh, huh? 
• It's already dark too early to take pictures on my evening walkabout so you get the leftover weekend shots. I wouldn't advise climbing over this gate on King St.  
•  G'night kids.

A Little White House

King St., Charleston, S.C.

THE TALE OF CUSTARD THE DRAGON

By Ogden Nash

Belinda lived in a little white house,
With a little black kitten and a little gray mouse,
And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon,
And a realio, trulio, little pet dragon.

Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink,
And the little gray mouse, she called her Blink,
And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard,
But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard. 

Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance

Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance - King St., Charleston, S.C.

I used to post a church photo every Sunday but I've been slipping lately. Here is a little sweetie I spotted in a window in lower King St. Here are some of the earlier posts in the series: Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance.

So sad to say goodbye to the weekend. I hope you have all had a good one.

The Gathering of Volunteer Program Managers

LASCAVA workshop at James Island County Park

I got away from my office on Friday afternoon and met up with fellow volunteer program managers at the conference center at James Island County Park. The group is called LASCAVA and is the lowcountry branch of the SC Association for Volunteer Administration.

I don't want to boast, but this groups pulls the strings behind the scenes on an awful lot of what goes on in this town. You might not know us but these ladies and gentleman coordinate recruit, train and place volunteers who serve in hospitals, hospice, libraries, meals on wheels, Water Missions International, Habitat for Humanity, Trident United Way, 211 Hotline, Parks & Recreation and more, more, more! Hundreds of thousands of hours of community service annually flows through our hands. It's a pretty amazing group.

This little piggy went to market

Guard Pig, Charleston, S.C.

We used to have canons guarding the harbor and now we have Guard Pigs. There is a pig on either side of the entrance to this beautiful home and I've been told it is the home of the owners of the Piggly Wiggly grocery chain.

Check out the dramatic skies! I think we'll have another thundershower this afternoon but it made for wonderful pictures this morning. The only problem with long walks is that I come home starving. I stopped at the Savannah Bee Company shop on King St. for tiny bottle of sourwood honey and I'm eating it on toasted English muffins. So much for exercising to stay in shape. Oooooh......sticky keyboard.

Charleston Hospitality

Charleston Hospitality, King St., Charleston, S.C.

Put your feet up. Make yourself at home.

LOVE

LOVE, Cannon St., Charleston, S.C.

There are some benefits to living amongst the college student chaos - creativity! I don't think you'd spot this driving by but I can peek in driveways when I am on foot.

Lot's of action around town. The Farmer's Market is packed so tight I walk the outskirts and just dash in for my tomatoes and there is an October Fest tent set up on upper King St. Y'all have a good weekend!

Before & After - Colonial Lake

Colonial Lake, Charleston, S.C.

The trees grew. I notice that difference in so many old photos of Charleston.

Hey - it's getting dark earlier. I need to get myself out marching before it gets too late.

Friday afternoon

East Bay St., Charleston, S.C.

I took this a few weeks ago when I was climbing the stairs in all the parking garages in town to see what views I could find. I had to wait until another rainy day to post it. Cool, eh? We don't have too many tall buildings to get scenes like this.

Thanks to Linda Benedict from Island Life newspaper for inviting me to the "Night for the Children" gala at McCrady's last night. It was a delicious treat as always and lucky for me I didn't win anything I bid on in the silent auction. My plan of attack is to look like a participant by bidding early when everything is affordable and assume that I will be outbid.

I am home early after a workshop at James Island County Park, my evening plans have been unexpectedly cancelled and the rain is making my couch look awfully attractive. Later kids! 

Gunpowder Tea & Percussion Caps

White Point Gardens, Charleston, S.C.

Check this out. It's from the: CHARLESTON MERCURY, November 30, 1860, p. 1, c. 2

Resolutions Aux Temps

To the Editor of the Charleston Mercury: 
                A party of young ladies, recently, while sipping inspiration from the China leaf, became warmly imbued with the spirit of the times, and after electing officers, etc., drew up the following resolutions: 
                Resolved, That we, though by Divine authority termed the "weaker vessels," are nevertheless endowed with resolute wills, and hence have the power to make resolves, and to keep them, 
                Resolved, That since the election of Lincoln to the Presidency, we consider our allegiance to the North as ended, and will therefore use our influence in favor of an immediate secession, 
                Resolved, that we honor all men who are for this movement, but are determined to secede ourselves from all who are opposed to it, 
                Resolved, That at present the best "feather in the cap" of any young man, is the "Palmetto cockade," and it makes our hearts flutter to see one mounted above a manly brow, 
                Resolved, That "gunpowder tea" shall be our favorite beverage, and "percussion caps" the only ones that we shall set, 
                Resolved, That "Yankee Doodle" is now defunct, and we can henceforth play only marches and quicksteps, and sing of the Lone Star, the Soldier's Return, etc., 
                Resolved, That the Military Institution of the State is a great institution, and her Cadets great fellows, 
                Resolved, That notwithstanding we feel duly grateful to the Yankees for their past services in making our shoes, &c., we are now seized with a decided predilection in favor of French boots, and hope to get a supply as soon as our Southern President becomes inaugurated. 
                Resolved, That since the weather is getting quite cold, and manufacturing establishments South rather scarce, we will hold on to our Northern "goods and chattels" a while longer, knowing that our silks and worsteds are from Europe, and feeling that to our calicos and cotton stuffs, at least, we have the original, the "God-given" right, 
                Resolved, That though our Palmetto shades are dearer to us than life, yet we love every State at the South--two of them especially--and dwell with delight upon the beautiful lake scenery of the one, and the mountain and grotto view--ideal-painted--of the other, 
                Resolved, That we honor the sons of Carolina in proportion to their patriotism, and are ready to yield up our hearts to the first Garibaldi who shall show himself, 
                Resolved, That we wish the world to know our views on the present issue of events, and will therefore place them at the disposal of the Charleston Mercury.  

________________________

Priceless!

Wednesday Night Hodge Podge

Legare St., Charleston, S.C.

I've been here, I've been there, I've been everywhere.

Worked late last night hosting thirty students interested in Pharmacy careers. They had a great time learning how to mix IV's, draw up solutions and package meds. The pharmacists had the brilliant idea to use candy for everything - they taught compounding drugs with frosting and food coloring, packaged Skittles candy and filled gelatin capsules with candy sprinkles. I saw more than one kid licking fingers. We probably sent them home on a sugar high but they learned a lot. I also finally got to meet night shift Pharmacist and fellow blogger From the Land of Palm Trees. Thanks for coming in on your evening off!

I got home late last night but just in time for a quick preview of the new restaurant Macintosh on upper King St. I joined friends who had already eaten but I was starving and happily tried a few things off the brand new appetizer menu. I think it officially opens this weekend and I'm looking forward to having dinner there. No menu on their website yet but I am sure it will show up here.

I did my quick walk around the neighborhood this evening. I'm not going to like it getting dark earlier. As I headed back down my street I passed two college girls who said, "Hey! You look just like Susan Sarandon!" That's a new one but I think I'll take it.

Secret Gardens

Secret Garden, Charleston, S.C.

Mary: It's a secret garden.
Dickon: Secrets are safe with me.