To Bee or not to Bee

Savannah Bee Company, King St., Charleston, S.C.

Oh Yum. Look at all the bottles of liquid gold. They have tiny little spoons and tasting bottles. Here is the video of Mayor Riley cutting the ribbon at opening ceremony for the recently opened Savannah Bee Company store. Sweet!

I bought a tiny bottle of the tupelo honey to start with. I've already given it away so I'll have to get back down there.

Amazing Wando HS Soccer Goal

Wow. You don't usually get sports entries from me but check out this Wando High School soccer goal. I found it on the P & C Charleston Battery Blog: This is pretty amazing stuff from Wando in their upset victory over Irmo in the Class AAAA state title game last week.

'Mornin' Judge

Hominy Grill, Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

Good news for the brunch crowd lined up every weekend in front of Hominy Grill on Rutledge Ave. They are expanding. Sometimes I feel so bad for the throngs of customers waiting in the heat to get in when I walk by, I am almost tempted to wave for them all to follow me home and offer to make pancakes. Almost. Not quite.

I am starting my Spoleto activities as the festival winds to a close. I went to see Trombone Shorty at the College of Charleston cistern last night. It was so cool! I've never been to an official night time event under those grand oak trees with the lights on the old buildings. The temperature was perfect, my companions delightful and the music lively. I didn't risk taking pictures although I do have the same fake press pass that Chuck has. Chuck gave me one for my birthday and I leave it causally tucked in but visible in my backpack so I look semi official if no one examines it too closely.

I am off for a late morning walk. I got up early to meet a gentleman in a parking lot to do a deal and we both left happy.

John C. Birdhead

John C. Calhoun, Marion Square, Charleston, S.C.

I continue my efforts to make John C. Calhoun roll over in his grave. Check here to see the rest of the series.

Couldn't make myself go out for my walk tonight kids. It's me and my corner of the couch this evening. It's been a crazy day and my little brain crashed.

Window Painting

Mellow Mushroom, King St., Charleston, S.C.

I walked by and happened to catch this gal painting the window of the Mellow Mushroom pizza store on King St. last night. Mmmmm....pizza. I wasn't even thinking about pizza or mushrooms, extra cheese, pepperoni and black peppers until I posted that picture. Mmmm.

Yipee! I just met a fellow and sold an old inflatable kayak that had been stored unused for years. Now I have some cash in my pocket and he will be a happy paddler. I love it when everyone feels like they made a good deal. This is fun. Wonder what else I have that I can sell.

I am impressed!

Charleston, S.C.

People leave me messages on the sidewalk. I am impressed.

Ticket to Paint

Aiken Rhett House, Elizabeth St., Charleston, S.C.

Whatcha gonna do? I haven't had any photo editing tools for a long time and now I do. I bought Lightroom and it's hard to resist playing a little. This is the Aiken Rhett House on Elizabeth St. which is open for tours.

I am now the proud owner of BAR (Board of Architectural Review) approval and a building permit to paint my house. God help me. Truth is, my brother Jim (the one who lives in India) comes back to visit periodically and lets his siblings put him to work painting. He has painted my house twice before and offered to do it again. He has no clue what the summer heat and humidity in Charleston is like and I don't want any of you to tell him. He said he would simply get up in the morning when it was cool.

Haaaaaahahahah.

Ain't no cool in Charleston in the summer.

Too late. I already paid for his ticket to paint and he will find out when he gets here in a couple of weeks. Sssssshhh.

After my visit with the City of Charleston permitting office, I stopped by Tabbuli Grill on Market St. for my favorite chicken kabob dinner. I have a mental list of places that are comfortable to go in and eat alone and are yummy and this is one that always makes me feel welcome by myself. Thanks folks!

Tuesday Blog Hopping

Charleston, S.C.

Nice bit of fence with the upside down hearts. I think it was Chalmers St. Another shot to add to my hearts album.

Charleston Insideout wrote a lovely post about coming home to Charleston.

The Accidental Cootchie Mama wants advice on the perfect gift for parents. What do you think?

Book of Joe, the world's best blogging anesthesiologist found this cute little disco ball key chain iPod speakers. Do I need one of these? A key chain, a speaker, a mini disco ball - all in one! Maybe I do.

Mental Meatloaf found some cool door shots in NYC.

It's lovely that it stays light so long these days but boy could we use some rain.

The Longevity Game

East Bay St., Charleston, S.C.

This is such a pretty stretch of houses on East Bay St.

I answered the questions on the The Longevity Game site and it claims I could well live until I am 97. That sounds simply exhausting.

While no one can actually predict life expectancy, and the game can’t take existing medical conditions into account, the factors you’ll encounter do have a significant impact on longevity.

Some of the factors tracked in the game:

Weight/ body mass index (BMI)
Drinking
Smoking
How you handle stress
Driving record

Let me know that at least a few of you will be around to entertain me.

A few more from the cemetery

Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, S.C.

A few more from Magnolia Cemetery. Since then, I've been here, I've been there, I've been everywhere - an engagement party in Hanahan (hi Heather, Jason), a tall glass of pear cider at Closed for Business and then a fried green tomato and crab stack at Fleet Landing overlooking the water.

Do we have to do Monday?

I guess this is why it is called Magnolia Cemetery

Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, S.C.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

I guess this is how the cemetery earned it's name. I've never really thought of it before. It's the first magnolia picture I've taken that pleased me.

Like a bird, on a bird....

Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, S.C.

I checked a few chores off my list this morning and treated myself to a walk through Magnolia Cemetery. This bird perching on a bird carved on a tombstone made me smile.

Oooooooh....it's nap time and now I have to get dressed and go out. Bad timing. More cemetery pictures later. Stay cool kids!

Charleston has a Cheese House?

Marion Square, Charleston, S.C.

The festival continues and this evening Marion Square hosts the Saturday night block party. I walked through just as things were getting started and met the gentlemen from Charleston's new Cheesehouse and tried their tasty cheese. Charleston has a Artisan Cheese House? Who knew? Shall we arrange to take the tour? Cheese samples...mmmmmmmm.

Stuck in the house

Charleston, S.C.

Poor little fella. He must have slipped in under the door and he can't get out. I spotted him yesterday morning as I was leaving for work and left the window open hoping he would find his way but I just discovered he is still here.

He is too fast for me! I tried throwing a towel on him - that used to work for the baby chimney swifts that fell from nests into the fireplace in the spring and the bats that used to get in the bedroom windows but so far this little darling is still on the loose.

What is better than subscribing to a CSA? Having volunteers with gardens who bring me bags of fresh veggies! Doesn't this look like heaven? Yum.

Heirloom Book Company

Heirloom Book Company, 123 King St., Charleston, S.C.

I haven't been inside yet but we have a new book store in town. Heirloom Book Company has opened on King St.

Located at 123 King Street, Heirloom Book Company offers an extensive selection of rare, out-of-print and new books, alongside prints, photographs, vintage first editions and other unique novelties — all catering to the food arts. The creative vision of owners Brad Norton, Bryhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifan Lewis and Carlye Dougherty, the unique book houses thousands of publications ranging in a breadth of subjects, from the perfect Southern cookbook, to literature about haute cuisine, international eats, at home beer brewing, cooking vegan and gluten-free, the art of wine pairing, farm-to-table favorites, craft cocktails and more. Only the fifth of its kind in the country, Heirloom Book Company also features a boutique garden shop in back. For more information please visit

The link takes you to the currently renovated building but I grabbed these shots one night as I marched down King St. and spotted work in progress. Original!

Hiker vs Biker Challenge

Happy Feet PERRY vs. Hot Wheels CARROLL

Me turn down a challenge? Not likely.

My CEO, Allen Carroll was in a serious bicycle accident last year. He is an experienced long distance cyclist and was on a ride in Monks Corner when a pit bull ran out and attacked his bike. He was thrown, breaking fifteen bones. Happily for all of us, after a long and painful recovery he is back at work and back on his bike.

Mr. Carroll lives in Mount Pleasant and is aware that I am more of a walker than a biker. He threw out the challenge, that if I would walk to work from Roper Hospital in downtown Charleston to Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital (West Ashley) he would ride his bike from Mount Pleasant Hospital (closer to Awendaw).

Hmmmph. I can do that.

We figure it should take us each about two hours and we've set the date for Friday, June 24th. We are making it a fundraiser for the American Heart Association and I am accepting sponsors. How hard is that? Eight miles? You can sponsor me for $1 a mile! How affordable am I? He will have to ride about 35 miles.

I already have $50 for my cause! Ha! I set up a team page so feel free to support one of us: AHA Donation Web Site. There is probably a minimum donation on the web site so I accept cash or you can mail it directly to AHA for Hiker or Biker: American Heart Association, 409 King Street Suite 300, Charleston, SC 29403.

I went ahead and posed for the "after" shot. I definitely see a happy hour at the end of this day. Fun!

Christmas year round

Christmas Trees, Hwy 61, Charleston, S.C.

I should save this sign for "Christmas in July" but truthfully they never do take it down.

Wow. The cheapest tickets to see Stephen Colbert in Charleston on July 1st are $67. Damn. I would have liked to go to that.

View of the Ashley River

Ashley River, Charleston, S.C.

Yesterday was the kind of day that makes lowcountry men without boats hurt deep inside when they cross the river. I need to keep a tissue handy. The sky was blue, the clouds billowy and the water still as a mirror waiting for a boat to make a ripple. I'm surprised there aren't more accidents on bridges.

I have a bad habit lately of coming home after a busy day, crashing with my dinner, being completely lazy until just before 9 p.m. and then I am refreshed and in the mood for a three mile hike.

Now, completely unrelated to anything except for the fact that both you and I like these kinds of things: Awesome people hanging together. Some of them are quite unexpected!

Patriotic Wear

Muddy Waters Coffee Shop, Hwy 61, Charleston, S.C.

I wore my best patriotic themed outfit for my walk this morning. Seems like someone could have offered me a ride.

:)

Memorial Day

Marion Square, Charleston, S.C.

This scene was taken a few years ago at Marion Square but worth reposting.

A commenter on Facebook this morning said something that felt very meaningful. He wrote, "I always try to make sure I act in such a way to make those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice proud. No one should lay down their life for me in vain." Amen.

And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
~Lee Greenwood