Best No Parking sign

Avondale Mural, Charleston, S.C.

Living in a college rental part of town, I am especially tuned in to No Parking signs. I've collected quite a number and variety of signs and this takes the cake. I don't think I would park here. Love it! This is one of the murals behind the shops at Avondale.

I just moved furniture, rolled up my oriental carpet and lugged it to the porch by myself. Huff puff. The folks from Rug Masters are to come by to get it in the morning for cleaning. I'm not really worried about anyone stealing it overnight since I can hardly move it.

Bring me to a Travel Agent!

McIntosh Travel, Society St., Charleston, S.C.

It isn't a travel agency anymore but this building on Society St. still has the McIntosh Travel agency sign hanging and it reminded me of this picture below that I took years ago.

There must have been a child in the family helping to promote business. "Mcintosh Travle. The Numer One Cruise Line"  and the picture of the black cat says "Please bring me to a travel Agent!" Cute :)

I didn't mean to travel more than a few inches from my couch this evening but after a lazy dinner of potato pancakes (yum, yum)  my legs seemed to decide they were going for a march with or without me so I tagged along and we did the King, Meeting, Broad St. loop. Now I am wide awake again. 

Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance - Jesus Saves

Jesus Saves, Charleston, S.C.

What a beautiful day!

I've posted pictures of this church before but it seems particularly suited for today. Happy Easter kids!

Lake View

Lake Marion, S.C

I missed the first day of the Farmer's Market but I did have breakfast with my son overlooking Lake Marion. Not too very bad. 

The water is high and the trees are lush and green again. Almost time to dust off the kayaks for the summer!

Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door

Angel Door Knocker, Warren St., Charleston, S.C.

I've been carrying around a page from the Post & Courier on Decorative Door Knockers in my backpack, meaning to eventually track down the locations. Most of them of course are on mansions in the lower peninsula. Then, to my happy surprise I spotted the angelic gal right around the block from my house. She may not date back as far as some of the ones in the article but she has a certain rusty charm.

The hard copy version of the article has all the pictures but apparently the online version does not. Sorry. This photographer's site has some of them.

Have a Good Friday!

Have a good day! Coming St., Charleston, S.C.

Long weekend I love you. When I am queen every weekend will be a three day weekend.

I convinced myself that yesterday was Friday and make it to a 5 pm matinee to see Salmon Fishing in the Yemen at the Terrace Theater. I had my cuppa hot tea in hand and thought I had the entire theater to myself until a couple slipped in late. It was the perfect ending to my short work week. Since yesterday was my Friday I was convinced that I was going to stop by the first day of the Farmer's Market for fresh veggies on my way home from my walk this morning. I am happily muddled.

It is odd for me to be out walking on a weekday morning watching the city waking up. I am happy to see that the old Abercrombie & Fitch building on King St. is being renovated for something new. Sermet's Corner is putting the finishing touches on their renovation. Things are popping on King St.

Y'all have a Good Friday.

Say "Amen"

Amen Street, Charleston, S.C.

Uhoh. I should be in bed, shouldn't I? I get a second wind around 11 p.m. and want to keep going.

Amen Street is a seafood restaurant on East Bay St. I had to keep clicking until the sign spun so you could read it. I was trying to remember why it was called "Amen St." and came across this bit of history from their website: 

Amen Street and 205 East Bay Street:Amen Street began as Wragg’s Alley, a small passage through Samuel Wragg’s property, running from East Bay to Motte Street (now part of State Street). By 1788, Wragg’s Alley had been extended westward to Church Street and renamed Amen Street. According to tradition this name was given because “amens” could often be heard from two nearby churches – St. Philip’s and the Methodist Meeting House. In 1839, Amen Street was absorbed into the widened and extended throughway, Cumberland Street. Unfortunately from that time until now the colorful name had disappeared.

Go get some oysters, kids! 

Baking up a storm

Middleton Place, Charleston, S.C.

I've been baking a carrot cake and the house smells yummy. I've squeezed one last cake out of the oven before it gets too hot to bake.

When I had a growing family at home I baked constantly and took it all in stride. Now it is such an occasion that I can never be sure I have staple ingredients on hand. Vanilla, huh? When did I last use vanilla? So I buy another bottle just in case and now I have three. Three bottles of vanilla but only half a cup of sugar. Luckily the Piggly Wiggly is on my regular walking route.

Today's photos are from my recent Middleton Place walk. 

My good news this week is learning that two of my hospital volunteers have won the Governor's Award for Volunteering. Yipee! They are sisters and won in the Family Volunteer category. I am very pleased. I love it when I can earn recognition for people who give so much. Later in the month I'll escort them to the State House to be honored for their years of service. Color me proud.

And a white picket fence.....

Old Museum pillars, Canon Park, Charleston, S.C.

From this angle it does almost look like a giant fence for the house across Ashley Avenue. We usually take the picture of the old museum pillars from the other side. This was once the nation's first and oldest museum founded in 1773. How sad that all that is left after a fire is these grand pillars. 

91 degrees in Charleston today. What the heck? It is April 2nd? We had a lovely rain in the evening so I have all my doors and windows open to catch a little of the cool breeze. I did get a quick walk in and found this floral arrangement for you on Radcliffe St. You are welcome.

Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance - St. Andrew's Parish Church

St. Andrew's Parish Church, Hwy 61, Charleston, S.C.

In a way, I did attend! I caught the last day of the St. Andrew's Parish Tea Room yesterday. The Tea Room  is a southern church tradition that amazes me each year. The church members cook and serve exactly the same food every year - she-crab soup, chicken or shrimp sandwiches, congealed salad, coconut cake and the parking lot is full every single day. Loaded buses pull up from retirement homes.

This is the annual fundraiser for the church and I'm glad I didn't miss it. I know so many people that go each year or serve at the event it feels like old home week. When I googled for information to get my facts straight, I found all the pictures I'd taken in past years.

History: In the late 1940's, shortly after the church was reopened, a group of women often spent all day cleaning and preparing the church for worship services. They had their lunch on the lawn, and soon began to share their lunches with tourists who stopped to see the old church. Because there were no restaurants in the area at that time, and as a way of raising funds for renovation, the ladies began selling coffee, lemonade, and sandwiches to tourists. Thus the Saint Andrew's Tea Room was born. Today waitresses are dressed in late 18^th century costumes and serve a full lunch in the Parish Hall. A full gift shop is available and tours of the historic church are available. Proceeds from the Tea Room and Gift Shop provide financial support to a variety of ECW programs and services including mission and ministry in the world and at home, care and outreach in the community and church, support for parish programs and upkeep and restoration of the historic church building.

 

Cooper River Bridge Run - Competitive Wheelchair Race, part 2

Cooper River Bridge, 2012 - Wheelchair Racer, King St. Charleston, S.C.

I don't know anything about competitive wheelchair racing but I may be a new fan. How cool is this? I am in awe of these athletes. A didn't have time for many pictures this morning but a few more from this category uploaded here. Congratulations!

Now that I have exhausted myself uploading a few pictures I may need an afternoon nap. ;) Isn't that the proper thing to do after a race?

Cooper River Bridge Run - Competitive Wheelchair Racers

Cooper River Bridge Run - Wheelchair Racer, King St., Charleston, S.C.

I aimed to catch the first runners going by in the Cooper River Brridge Run this morning since I will be heading out shortly to get to a friends funeral. The run was delayed so what I did get to see were the competitive wheelchair racers. Wow! I can't even imagine the arm muscles they need to do this. Quite impressive. A few more photos in this category added here.

Good luck to everyone else out there wheeling, running and walking today!

Watching the world go by

Charleston, S.C.

This looks like the perfect spot to watch the Cooper River Bridge runner go by from. Good luck to all the runners and walkers tomorrow. Over 40,000 registrations have been accepted. 

Running the bridge? Here are my friend Noah's: Tips from a Local.  Have a great time!

Ten Amazing Practical Jokes

Just in time for April Fools day.

A Sad Week

Tom Gardner

It's been a sad week, kids. A dear friend of mine passed away.  I am going to miss him terribly and daily. Tom Gardner, retired Navy, retired Charleston Police Officer, hospital volunteer and good friend to many, was my sidekick in so many projects. For every hair-brained idea I had, he'd ponder for a few minutes, announce how he thought we could pull it off and we did. The only reason I am ever in a picture is because he was a Navy Photographer and would take the camera and turn it on me.

As much as I am relieved that he won't have to suffer, selfishly I am having a bdd time with this and I know I am not alone. Thanks to everyone who stopped by and called today. Let's help each other through this. My sympathy to his family, Gary & Reggie and his sweetheart Diane.

Thomas Henry Gardner:  Thomas Henry Gardner CHARLESTON - The relatives and friends of PHC Thomas Henry Gardner, USN (Ret) are invited to attend his funeral services Saturday, March 31, 2012 at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow in Live Oak Memorial Gardens with military honors. The family will receive friends this Friday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at J. HENRY STUHR, INC., WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway where a Fleet Reserve Service will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. Memorials may be made to Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, Building Fund, 3075 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414. 

Water like Glass

Charleston Marina, Charleston, S.C.

It's almost the end of the week and I haven't used these two pictures I took at the Charleston Marina when I met up with co-workers for breakfast at the Variety Store. While I waited for my Crab Benedict to be delivered I walked out on the dock to check on the boats. It was the kind of day that should not have involved sitting in an office. 

Feeding Time

Follow the bucket! Middleton Plantation, Charleston, S.C.

I was going to follow him as well. :))

I walked into the hospital cafeteria yesterday and a gentleman commented that I must have worked there for a very long time. I said, "Yes, I have. Why?" He said, "They immediately started making your lunch without a word being said as soon as they saw you walk in."

Yep! That is me. Tuesdays. Veggie wrap, light on everything. Heheh. If I ever changed my habits the sky might fall. I am a creature of habits but most of them are good.

Tuesday Chaos

Gillon St., Charleston, S.C.

Gillon St. is one of the charming cobblestone streets down near the water front. The story is that ships used the heavy stones as ballast for weight and then dumped them on the streets of Charleston.

I have lived two or three lives today and am glad to be home.

My day began with a neighbor pounding on my door calling for help for a roommate she thought was dying. He didn't, although he is in serious condition. I helped her deal with rescue workers, got to work, met with the son of a dear former volunteer who had passed away and then attended her funeral. She was fittingly buried in her hospital volunteer uniform. I topped off the evening by serving as photographer for the hospital's employee service awards at the Convention Center. Home feels very sweet.

Joggling Board sighting

Joggling Board, Middleton Place, Charleston, S.C.

A joggling board sighting for Waldo who has fond memories of them.

I lead so many people to the Old Charleston Joggling Board site that I should get a cut!  Check out this link with more joggling board history and this grand old photo:

 

One ringy, dingy....

Phone booth, Montague Ave., North Charleston, S.C.

I said, "Hey! There aren't many of these around anymore!" and then I realized this wasn't one either. There was no phone on the end of the cord. The phone booth has ended up as a period piece of sticker art on Montague Ave. in old North Charleston. 

Peacock Courting Season

Middleton Place, Charleston, S.C.

Peacock courting season at Middleton Place. I just don't think she is that "into him". Heheh.

Middleton Place in full glory

Middleton Place, Charleston, S.C.

Time has been slipping by and I knew this might be the last weekend to get the blossoms in full glory. My annual pass to Magnolia Plantations had expired so I decided to go to Middleton Place this time. It is a little further out and has a more formal garden to wander in as well as a restaurant and Inn. The weatherman threatened storms today and I stayed just a few steps ahead of the dramatic skies.

My camera packing friends have been haunting the gardens making me jealous lately with their beautiful pictures on Facebook. I almost expected someone I knew to pop out from behind an azalea bush. A couple  did call out to me and I was able to meet a couple of online friends - artist Kathy Bates and her husband Bill (below). She is a very talented water color artist and I was tickled that they recognized me.

Middleton Place is beautiful at any time of the year but especially now. Go!

Amtrak - 40th Anniversary

Amtrak Exhibition Train, Charleston, S.C.

The Amtrak Exhibition train pulled on to the tracks next to Ansonborough Field for the weekend so after the Walk for Water this morning I headed in that direction. I have some happy memories of riding the train from Charleston to Washington, DC and to New York City with my kids when they were little. We used to like to get the bedroom compartments when we could. 

Amtrak Police Officers and canine partners are traveling with the train. Officer Dan Scanlan gave me his card with a picture of him and his dog Bleckey so I made them re-enact the pose below.  Check out the view of Dockside apartments framed by the train window.  Makes me want to go on a train ride.

Walking for Water

Walk for Water, Charleston, S.C. 2012

I am a strong supporter of Water Missions International. I love their very practical water purification system that can turn muddy, contaminated water into pure drinking water. Love it. A few years ago the health system I work for sponsored the shipment and installation of one of the units for a small hospital in Eldoret, Kenya and I got to go to document it.

Today was the annual fundraising Walk for Water in Charleston. The skies were cloudy but we were spared the rain and a cheerful crowd started in Canon Park carrying empty buckets and filled them up with murky water at White Point Gardens to carry back and get some idea of what most of the world has to do on a daily basis. It's a great cause and I am so proud that it is based right here in Charleston. They welcome you to come and see the units being made if you are interested. The enthusiasm is contagious!

Find your photos at this link: Walk for Water 2012