The gift for the folks who have everything...

Water Missions International, Charleston, S.C.

Yes! Buy them an outhouse! I's quirky, original, practical and fun. For a $100 donation to Water Missions International you can have a Sanitary Pit Latrine installed in a country where it is desperately needed.

Sanitary Pit Latrine: The Healthy Latrine is a low-cost yet sturdy, robust, aesthetic and durable type of construction developed by WMI as part of a state wide pilot Project in the Department of Colon, Honduras and used around developing countries to provide access to adequate sanitation facilities to needy families and households in rural and sub-urban settlements lacking any other type of sewage facilities.

This Latrine was developed to improve health and living conditions on children and adults because it is a well-known fact that about three quarters of poor families in developing countries lack these types of facilities. Lack of proper sanitation represents more than half the sources of gastrointestinal diseases caused by waterborne bacteria, viruses and worms.

Water Mission Internationl's primary project is building water purification systems. That is how I met them and got involved, eventually traveling to Kenya to document the installation of a system for a little hospital in Eldoret. When I was touring their facility on Savannah Highway I spotted this outhouse made out of poured concrete in the corner and was enchanted.

I grew up using outhouses and love this solution since it uses a gallon of back flush water from the purification system. Neato!

Seriously. I bought one last year for Christmas and intend to do it again this year. It would be the perfect fun/serious gift to give in people's names. I tried to talk WMI into personalizing them but they still suspect I am nuts. Wouldn't it be great to have a picture of your outhouse with your name on it? I can see a line of Joany Pony Potties. I'd probably go visit them.

Here is the donation link or just give them a call. The latrine is listed in their holiday catalog.

Pony up for a holiday potty!

Whole Chicken Dinner 50 cents

Whole Chicken Dinner, MacDaddy Landing, S.C.

It took me a minute to get what they meant, laughed out loud and told the cashier that I had to go out and get my camera. How funny!

I've had a good weekend. I kicked off the holidays with my annual tradition of going to the Symphony Gospel Choir with friends. There is nothing like the foot stomping, hand clapping choir members belting out spirituals to put me in the holiday spirit. They were soooo wonderful. Thanks to Debby and Andre for the good company. After the concert at St. Matthews we walked up to FISH for a drink. What a perfect evening.

I am snuggled in my favorite corner of the couch waiting to watch FIG restaurant Chef Mike Lata on Iron Chef America in a few minutes. I've had some of the best food I've ever had in my life at FIG. Watch it if you can! I know he will make Charleston proud.

Making magic out of scraps of wood

Charleston Farmer's Market, Charleston, S.C.

It's a good day simply not having to set an alarm clock. I always wake up before the alarm goes off but love, love, love not having to leap out of my warm nest.

The Farmer's Market is still in full swing and when I walked through this morning Ashley Harwood was turning the tiniest little pieces of wood on a lathe and making delicate ornaments with sea urchins. I asked how many she broke and she looked as if I had asked an odd question. Heck, I'd be snapping them off left and right and using them for fancy toothpicks. I guess that is why I am not a wood artist and she is.

They are beautiful aren't they? She makes bowls and other artwork as well and was recently featured in the Post & Courier.

Go visit at: turningnative.com

Backroads, S.C.

Kingstree, S.C.

I love this little scene. I took the picture on a drive through Kingstree, S.C. a few years ago. I made my patient driver circle the block so I could get the shot and behind the business we spotted the little cottage below that looked like the owner's home. Look at all the flowers!

The last time I passed that way it was hardly recognizable, dull and drab and not worth taking a picture. The person who had imprinted the property with their colorful personality and was clearly no longer in residence.

Non stop Chef Eric Gaffin

New Dream Catering, Savannah Highway, Charleston, S.C.

He is here, he is there, he is everywhere! Does Chef Eric Gaffin from New Dream Catering ever sleep? He just landed in the lowcountry last year but he has been working non stop since he arrived.

He offered to help make 400 pounds of Potato Latkes for Chanukah in the Square, he is the featured chef for the Giving Back Cheer event tomorrow night at the Bennett House benefiting the Palmetto Project. He is blogging (now with recipes...yum), writing a newsletter and following him on Facebook makes me tired and hungry.

Eric's latest project is Candlelight Cuisine, a benefit for the Lowcountry Food Bank. It is for singles and he promises it will be great:

Great food begets great company. Meet someone to get cozy with this holiday season by sharing an incomparable five course dinner featuring Chef Gaffin’s signature creations at a secret new downtown location.

This event includes a five course gourmet dinner, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and a wine pairing served with dinner.

Get some sleep Eric. You have a busy week!

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day, Charleston, S.C.

We had a display of panels of the AIDS quilt hanging at the the friendly little hospital across the river today in recognition of World AIDS Day. Volunteers from the Ryan White Program were there to share information about their services. Thanks to Ann Caldwell (above), the Magnolia singers and Live 5 News for covering the days events. The quilt panels never fail to make it personal.

Late cold walk tonight. I just made it to Broad St. and marched right back home. Nothing warms up a chilly house better than a brisk walk though, does it? Now it is unbearably stuffy in here.

Paging Dr. Sock Monkey

Calhoun St., Charleston, S.C.

I often get email requests for photo use but this was a new one. This blogger needed a picture of Doctor Sock Monkey and sent me the link to her entry. A doctor's work is never done.

More of last year's sock monkey fun here.

Holiday Activities

Horse Barn, Charleston, S.C.

There is so much going on in Charleston it's almost hard deciding what to do. Here is the event calendar from Charleston Scene for the holidays so you can plot your festive activities.

So far I bought tickets for the Gospel Christmas Concert at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church for Saturday. Listening to someone belt out a spiritual never fails to put me in the holiday mood.

Any other recommendations? What is your favorite holiday activity?

Under Foot

Those Who Give Up Freedom For Security, Deserve Neither.

You know I did it. I am so fascinated by what people chose to write in wet cement I kept stumbling, tripping tourists and back tracking to take pictures of the pavement in San Francisco.


Buy More Drugs


Lower Haight Rocks


Goonies


It Could Not be Helped


Jesus Loves Bob ( I sent this one to my brother!)


Queer Love

Charleston Harbor

Charleston Harbor, Charleston, S.C.

I am so tickled that I can be on the west coast one day and the east the next that I had to walk to the water this morning. It is a bright and shiny day.

I spotted this gentleman picking things out of the pineapple fountain and for a moment wondered if he was taking coins. In fact he was going for his walk and picking up trash along the way. He showed me his little bag with soggy candy wrappers and cigarette butts. He moved quickly and roved all over the water front park spotting litter and picking it up. He said he lived five miles away but came into town for church and tried to "be a good example for you young people". Wow.

Home again, home again....

Napa Valley, CA

I'll get back to Charleston Daily Photos tomorrow!

My friend Andre' happened to be in California spending Thanksgiving with his son and family not too far from where my daughter and I were in San Francisco. They picked us up on our last morning and gave us a royal tour of Napa Valley wine country. We had such a lovely day tasting wine at three different wineries and ended with dinner back in town. What a beautiful part of the world. I love being in places that I have heard about all my life and discovering that they live up to their reputation.

Many thanks to our kind hosts!

I had to have a 3:45 am wake up call to catch my plane this morning (yawn) and it's nice to be back on my couch having a grilled cheese sandwich this evening. I suspect it will be an early night. I hope to have a chance to snoop around everyone's blog and catch up with all your Thanksgiving festivities. Thanks for all your kind comments while I've been traveling.

For Marcheline - here are my shoes, babeeeeeeeeeeee!

On the road - San Francisco

San Francisco, CA

Climbing hilly streets in San Francisco, sipping tea in coffee shops and drinking coffee in tea shops. I liked Rani's reflection in her glasses.

Found the painted lady houses but I've been ruined living in an old house too long and can only see what a nightmare they would be to paint. We walked through Haight Ashbury and then spent yesterday afternoon in the SF Museum of Modern Art. I felt so incredibly lucky to find that the special exhibition was on photography especially Henri Cartier Bresson. Wow.

My daughter does the travel research and I am happy to be led to her discoveries when we are together. We found a Burmese restaurant Monday night and French Vietnamese last night. I believe she has an Ethiopian dinner planned for this evening. The best thing is, she actually has a job now and I am not paying for every meal. Miracles happen!

San Francisco - Day Two

San Francisco, CA

Day two in California. We have walked and walked up and down hills! This is clearly not the lowcountry. We bought a bus pass but it still seems tomakes sense to walk most places. Coit Tower, Telegraph Hill, Chinatown, Lombard St., City Lights Book Store, City Hall. The amazing sculpture above was a happy surprise! With the time difference I'd be ready to pack it in for the evening but my daughter has discovered a Burmese Restaurant for dinner.

I bought new shoes so wacky I won't have anything to wear with them and will need a whole new wardrobe, haircut and perhaps a new house to go with them.

Y'all behave while I am away.

San Francisco Visit Day One

Balmy St. San Francisco, CA

I am watching the sun set over San Francisco from our tenth floor hotel room, resting my legs after hiking up hills all day and enjoying a cuppa tea. Not much to complain about here. We've had a lovely day starting off exploring the Mission District mural neighborhood where I was just in the nick of time to help with an emergency delivery on Balmy St.

We had giant burritos for lunch, headed (very briefly) to the chaos of Fisherman's Wharf and back through Chinatown. You know how I am about sidewalk graffiti and this is a wonderland of messages in the pavement. I keep tripping up traffic to read what is underfoot. I've also learned that MBT rocker bottom shoes are not necessarily the best for climbing up and down hilly streets.

Y'all be good! We can't all stop working and run away.

That Magical Time of Year

Angel Tree, Charleston, S.C.

It's that magical time of year, kids! If you hurry you can sneak your name and gift list on Angel trees going up all over town and just wait for nice people to buy you everything you hoped for.

Oohhh, I'm just kidding. Kinda.

In other news it is after 4 a.m. Charleston time and I am settling into bed in a Nob Hill hotel in San Francisco. I am wide awake and have been catching up with my daughter. Can't wait to see what adventures we find in the morning!

Our Health Care Heroes

Health Care Heroes Banquet, Francis Marion Hotel, Charleston, S,C,

I just got back from the Health Care Heroes event sponsored by the Charleston Business journal at the Francis Marion Hotel, an event that leaves you feeling very good about people in health care.

Kristy Hill, the nurse pictured above with her husband, actually donated her own kidney to a gentleman who needed it. I nominated the lady to my right below, Estelle Whitney for her years of volunteering with newborns in our nursery and Dr. Blake Ohlson was recognized for his work with amputees. I work with a pretty impressive group! Congratulations folks!

Bin Loaded

Sego Palm shadow, Charleston, S.C.

Aaaargh. I simply want to know if tomorrow is a recycling day. Everyone on my street dragged their blue bins out last Thursday. They were left spilling all over the sidewalk but we figured it was Veteran's day and smacked our foreheads...duh. We left them out another night in high hopes of a make up day but that just left one more night for tipsy college students to kick them over.

Our pick up schedule is every other Thursday so surely the county web site can make sure we are on track with a handy dandy calendar, no? No. Instead of a simple calendar you type your address in for exactly nothing to happen.

Red Cross

Smith St., Charleston, S.C.

The Smith St. house that has the red cross painted on it was actually the local headquarters of the American Red Cross during World War I. It housed the administrative services of the Red Cross as well as the Blood Bank until 1989 until it returned to being a family residence.

This seems a good time to congratulate fellow lowcountry Canadian Eugene from Imabug who just won his second annual award for amounts of blood donated to the Red Cross. What an amazing gift. Think of the lives he has saved. Congratulations Eugene!

Sea Fever

Folly Beach, S.C.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

By John Masefield (1878-1967).
(English Poet Laureate, 1930-1967.)

It was that kind of day, wasn't it? So bright and warm it felt wrong to be inside. I wish I knew the head-stand gal's name so I could send her a copy of her picture. The lower photo is of my friend Debby who invited me to walk the beach on this perfect morning.

I hope everyone has had a good weekend.

Our Lady of the Organic Garden

Highland Lakes, North Carolina

I was a passenger in a car today and spent my time flicking through old pictures on camera cards pleased to come across this set I took on a visit to North Carolina some time ago. The statue is in the garden of Highland Lake Inn near Hendersonville. I've been in that area a couple of times through the years as everyone from Charleston has during the heat of the summer, and each time made a point to visit her.

I've been told the area used to be a Catholic Boy's and Girl's camp called Our Lady of the Hills before it was taken over by the Inn. Now she oversees the organic garden. I finally found some of the background history of the property on their web site.