Move the darn car out of my picture

Pink House, Chalmers St., Charleston, S.C.

Okay, I'll say it out loud - we all want to take pictures of the little pink house on Chalmers St. and we want YOU to quit parking your car in front of it. The last thing I'd like Mayor Riley to rule on before and if he leaves the Mayor's office after his record breaking forty year term would be to put up a "No Parking" sign in front of the quaint cottage. I wouldn't even mind a sign restricting parking to vintage or cute car parking that would be an asset to a photo.

The distinctive little pink building at 17 Chalmers Street is said to be the oldest standing tavern building in the South. Built within the walled city of Charles Towne in the mid 1690s by John Breton, this oldest stone house in the city was constructed of 'Bermuda stone'. The West Indian coral stone had a natural pink cast, so the building was known as the Pink House from the beginning. Tradition holds that the Bermuda stone was brought in ships as ballast, as the cobblestones on Chalmers Street were, but it is more likely that it was cut in Bermuda and imported as a building material. The stone is soft enough to be cut into blocks and then when exposed to weather, it gradually hardens and becomes stronger. Its elasticity was proved in the great earthquake on 1886 when nearby brick structures suffered damage. The tiled roof is original terra cotta tile of an ancient vintage. The curved shape of the tiles was said to be formed over the workmen's thighs. The Pink House also was one of the few buildings in Charleston to survive 1989's Hurricane Hugo virutally unscathed.

In the building's early days, as a 'groggerie' and coffee house for sailors visiting the port from all over the world, this area was a red light district called Mulatto Alley and the street was lined with many small houses, most of which were bordellos. The Pink House was not a fashionable bistro for Charleston gentry, but rather a simple tavern, where the seamen found their 'three Ws'......whiskey, wenches, and wittles. Around 1800 the area was cleaned up after many citizens petitioned the City Council. Thomas Elfe, the famous furniture maker, wrote a letter complaining about the noisy parties at night.

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!

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. 

In the pink

Camellias, Bennett Hotel, Charleston

When I moved to Charleston my family lived a few blocks from the library and we traipsed back and forth carrying armfuls of books. The library was two stories and built of pink marble.

After the new library on Calhoun St. was built the shabby pink building sat abandoned for years. Not the spot is the grand new Bennett Hotel and some of the pink marble has been re-purposed into Camellias Bar. I did a quick walk through the lobby this weekend and grabbed a shot through the door.

Technicolor Pachyderms

Magnolia Rd., Charleston, SC  

Pink elephants on parade

What'll I do? What'll I do?

What an unusual view!

I could stand the sight of worms

And look at microscopic germs

But technicolor pachyderms

                                         Is really too much for me

I am not the type to faint

When things are odd or things

are quaint

But seeing things you know that ain't

Can certainly give you an awful fright!

What a sight!

Chase 'em away!

Chase 'em away!

I'm afraid need your aid

Pink elephants on parade!

Pink elephants!

Pink elephants!

If the shoe fits - pink it!

Charleston, S.C.

I mentioned last week that friends of Gene Glave were going "pink" in support of her chemo treatments and I've been wondering what I could do to show my support for this special lady. I only own one pink shirt and have been tying to remember to wear it on Wednesdays when the Team Gene - Fight Like a Girl support team rallies on her behalf.

Walking up King St. I noticed the colorful chocolate stiletto shoes in the window of Christophe's Chocolatier. I told them what I needed it for and left it in their hands. Tuesday afternoon I picked up the coolest solid chocolate shoe in brilliant pink with silver details. Beautiful!

Thanks Christophe! It was a big hit. Go Team Gene!

Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance - French Huguenot Church

French Huguenot Church, Charleston, S.C.

Hello - something is different here. The beautiful French Huguenot Church used to be a brilliant white and now it is pink. Apparently it was damaged enough during the restoration of the Dock St. Theater across the street that is went through an entire renovation and while they were at it they went back to match the original shade of pink. I was not consulted.

Restoration in Progress: The current restoration project began due to damage caused to the church by other construction done in the area, namely from the Dock Street Theatre, which underwent a multi-million dollar renovation, completed in 2010. While work has been going on for quite some time now, a major change just took place. The color of the exterior stucco, which as most of you will remember, used to be white, has been reverted back to its original pale pink.

Pink Bagels for Sale!

Pink Ribbon Bagels, Panera Bread Company, Charelston, SC 

My team and I sold 250 bagels yesterday morning - pink ribbon bagels! I wasn't sure we could pull it off but they were very much in demand and we sold out. Panera Bread makes these especially during October and donates the profits to breast cancer research.

Yesterday 100% of the proceeds were donated and for the rest of the month a percentage of profits from the bagels sold in their stores goes towards the cause. Thanks Panera! 

Shades of Pink

Palmer House, Charleston, S.C.

Wow....it was an overcast day yesterday but I almost needed my sunglasses. The traditionally pink Palmer House is getting a fresh coat of paint and it is even pinker.

The bright new shade makes the previous tint almost look beige. Check out the "before" look on their Palmer House Bed & Breakfast website. Heck, go ahead and book a room while you are there. Perhaps they paint it bright knowing that the sun and ocean air will fade it shortly.

Here is another shade of pink Charleston favorite.  Both of these houses overlook the harbor with dramatic views.

Pink House - large scale version

Charleston, S.C.

It isn't raining at this very moment in time so let's celebrate with another bright sunny photo of one of the fine mansions on the battery. I imagine this one is in many tourist albums.I recently featured the little pink house on Chalmers St. so we will call this the larger version of beautiful pink homes.

The Post & Courier has been inviting readers to submit photos featuring a different topic each week. This week's album is on Spanish moss. Can't go wrong there. You have to answer an annoying question to view the gallery but there are some pretty lowcountry scenes: Post & Courier Reader Gallery. My friend Larry's is #9 and in my happily biased opinion one of the best shots.

I missed restaurant week in Charleston but luckily West Ashley continues on through this week. I walked down and joined a friend at Al Di La. On the other hand, scratch that link. Their web site is too annoying to bother with.

Pretty in Pink

Charleston, S.C.

Here is another sweetie in pink with nice clean lines. This is probably the back view that you see from behind Gaillard Auditorium.

I liked having an extra hour yesterday! Can we do this every day? Imagine what I could do with an extra hour a day.

Read. Lately that is what I have been doing. I used to be a bookworm but after computers and laptops I fell out of the habit. Lately I've been downloading books and reading again and I have no control over myself. I charge through a book as if I am afraid someone is going to steal it from me if I stop. I read into the middle of the night and wake up early and read some more. Oddly, I am on a North Korea streak...The Orphan Master's Son, Escape from Camp 14. Lord have mercy. It is hard to believe such a awful place exists in this time. It is horrifyingly fascinating. How very fortunate we simply to be born where we are.

Here is another similar home one in pink. 

Bennett Hotel at Marion Square

Bennett Hotel, Marion Square, Charleston, SC  

Once and awhile when I am marching down King St. I climb the steps to the Francis Marion parking garage and look down to see the progress of the hotel being built in the spot of our old library. After a long period where it didn't seem like much was happening it certainly is now. The hotel is to be nine stories high with a planned opening date of fall 2017.

The article in the Post & Courier does answer one question for me. The old library was built of pink marble and I had wondered where that might show up. It turns out they plan to built the hotel bar out of it.

Post & Courier: “There have been a few delays, so it might be a little bit behind schedule,” he said Thursday. “But when you’re taking a 100-year view, what’s a few months’ difference?”
At the groundbreaking about 18 months ago, he said he was building a structure that would be memorable a century later. The materials include limestone, copper and cypress. The bar being built off the lobby incorporates pink marble that was in the old library.
“This will be the five-star luxury hotel in downtown Charleston,” Bennett said Thursday. “I believe it will be finest hotel ever built in our city, certainly ever built in my lifetime.”

Before view of former library at Marion Square, Charleston, SC   

Gene Glave - a sad loss

Gene Glave, Charleston, S.C.

Lights burned a little dimmer at Roper St. Francis Healthcare yesterday afternoon when we learned our darling Gene lost her battle with cancer. She passed away, fittingly on a Wednesday when coworkers regularly showed support by dressing in pink in her honor.

I got to know Gene best years ago after she happened to google her name and found sweet things I had said about her on my blog. I'd gather a happy gang of groupies to go to her theatrical performances. Going through the series of pictures I have of her wearing pink wigs, dancing, dressed in costumes, hugging people, I can at least say that we knew we had a treasure when we had her. She was appreciated, loved and supported by everyone who knew her, every day.

In true Gene style, she left a status update message on her Facebook status profile. Pediatric nurse, actress, blogger, dog lover, dragonboat paddler, character extraordinaire and best friend to so many she is going to be missed.

Hello everyone... I wanted to take a moment to talk about life, the greatest of journeys. You have all brought so much enrichment, meaning, love, and light to my life, and to share your laughter, your tears, your joys and frustrations has been a blessing and a privilege to me beyond any measure of thanks in words.

I have gone on ahead now in this journey of life but what I carry is a celebration of our friendships, camaraderie, and love. You can rest assured that we will meet again and until that time I will be watching over and sending my love to each and every one of you. The greatest success in life can simply be measured by how we treat each other along the way and I have been overwhelmed by your selflessness, your caring, your heartfelt love and concern.

I love each and every one of you beyond measure. May God nurture and keep you, and may you keep each other until we meet again ;-) ALL MY LOVE AND THANKS !!! Gene

A last packed house for Gene Glave

Sunrise Presbyterian, Sullivans Island, S.C.

Gene could pack a house until the very end and was sent off in a way that would have delighted her. Friends from the theatrical world, Dragon Boat paddlers, church family and fellow nurses filled the church on Sullivan's Island this afternoon.

Gene's close circle of friends remembered that she claimed she wanted her funeral full of women in colorful prom dresses and facebook has been buzzing with messages posted from dressing rooms in Goodwill stores around town. Party City had pink boas. One gal wore her Mother of the Bride dress. One squeezed into her pink junior prom frock. I held out okay through the service but the sight of these loving women who have been feverishly distracting themselves from their sorrow by shopping to please Gene in this last request almost did me in.

Pink on pink

Charleston, SC   

I have the exact same climbing blossoms on my fence this year but I can't recall the name of them. They are making a dramatic show this summer. To be clear this is not my home but a pretty entrance I keep an eye on and photograph frequently. 

It's been a busy day, kids! Hang on. Friday's around the corner. 

In other news, now that Rick Perry is out of the Presidential race, it's time for my Perry family members to stock up on random Perry for President merchandise.

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"! 

Camo Baby!

Hand knitted baby bonnets, Charleston S.C.

There is a team of baby luvin' knitters busy at this very moment, all over the lowcountry making sure that our babies are sent home with something hand made for them. Most of the baby bonnets I get are traditional pink and blue with smattering of yellow thrown in for good measure.

Yesterday a lady brought me two bags full of these - hot pink, deep blue, orange and on the top of the pile, a camouflage bonnet! I love it. Some macho dad is going to be very happy. I packed them off and sent them over to the new hospital in Mt. Pleasant to welcome our brand new babies. Thanks Rosemary!

A little healing doggie luvin'...

Gene & Ellie, Charleston, S.C.

My friend Gene is going through a ruthless series of chemo treatments. When Gene went through breast cancer a few years ago, she created a one woman show about her year with cancer that was sold out at each performance, became a Piccolo Festival featured performance and she is still in demand as a keynote speaker at conferences.

Sadly, her story wasn't finished and she is bravely doing battle again.

Gene's friends have rallied and pronounced Wednesday's Fight Like a Girl - Team Gene Day wearing pink to work and offering support. I looked up this week to see that Pet Therapist Caroline Hunt had brought Ellie for a visit sporting a colorful pink bandanna.

Ellie was just the ticket. They snuggled and rubbed noses and then she melted into Gene's lap in the most perfect way as if she knew exactly what was needed. Gene gave us permission to post the photo on her Team Gene facebook site. Prayers and well wishes gratefully accepted. Go Team Gene! We love you!

Chalmers St.

Pink House, Charleston, SC    

I frequently pass this darling home on Chalmers St. that is often described as the oldest home on the peninsula but rarely find it without a car parked right in front of it. No car blocking the view and crepe myrtle trees in bloom - my lucky day!

A short walk down the street I always stop to admire my initials in the author Josephine Pinckney's home. JP! How considerate.

2011 - the Year of the Crepe Myrtle

Crepe Myrtle trees, Charleston, S.C.

I've been living in Crepe Myrtle heaven. Wow! We've had just enough rain to make them gloriously heavy with blossoms, red, pink, white and purple. Between the Crepe Myrtle blossoms and real tomatoes the summer heat has lost a little of it's sting.

I need to take my camera down to that MUSC stretch of Calhoun St. across from Roper Hospital. Wow. It looked incredible this morning after the rain.

In this today's photo is the Goat, Sheep, Cow shop on Church St. Anyone been in yet? Goat cheese. Mmmmm.

I had a late lunch meeting at Cafe Fork and tried to leave my office relatively organized since I have jury duty next week. That should be interesting.