Up the Wall

St. Phillips St., Charleston, S.C.

Someone was clearly driven up the wall!


I spent the day in Leadership classes at Trident Technical College with hundreds of other leaders from my health system. When I finally checked my mail I had an email from a cousin I hadn't seen since I was about fourteen years old in Canada. He was in town to run the Charleston marathon this weekend and it dawned on him that he had a relative here.

I was out for my walk by the time we talked and stopped by Charleston Grill to see if they could sneak us in without reservations during restaurant week. What fun! If I was to land a surprise cousin - Tim Halls was very cool! I had a perfect evening with him and his wife Sharon and we sorted out our very busy family tree. Isn't he handsome? We are the same age.

We had a lovely evening. Live jazz and the shrimp and grits were some of the best I've ever had.

MLK Day Parade, Charleston 2012

MLK Day Parade, King St., Charleston, S.C.

Martin Luther King Day Parade on King St. I try to go every year. He was such an incredible man I like to see people celebrating in his honor. More photos uploading here: MLK Parade Charleston 2012

PS: The extra day off doesn't hurt either, does it?

A new Super Hero - Mr. Peanut

Down Bubba Lane

Bubba Lane, S.C.

I know quite a number of lowcountry gentlemen who could live on Bubba Lane.

I stopped the car to grab a shot for a friend of mine named, you got it, "Bubba." I never knew his real name until he signed on to Facebook. This is for you Bubba!

Presidential candidates swarm the Holy City

Mayor Riley at Marion Square, Charleston, S.C.

Holy confusion, kids! The city is swarming with Republicans, giant black SUVs and buses with Newt Gingrich's face plastered on the side. Newt leered in the window overseeing my caprese sandwich at Caviar & Banana. One gentleman in the crowd had a vehicle with a giant stuffed dog on the roof and a sign saying "Dogs Against Mitt Romney," so that settles that.

Newt Gingrich's bus outside Caviar & Bananas

I had planned to meet my blog buddy Chuck to talk about a few of his photo projects and to hear about a speaking engagement I had suggested him for and I didn't realize what a hotbed of activity I had picked as a location. We were directly across from the Sottile Theater where the debate was taking place.

Earlier that morning, however, I had timed my morning walk to hear Mayor Riley stake a claim in the lowcountry for President Barack Obama. He was surrounded by College of Charleston Democratic students. I ran into reporter David MacDougal who wrote the event up for the Post & Courier.

"I speak from a city and county where, four years ago, a majority of residents voted for Barack Obama as president," Riley said.

"In about an hour, in an event that is apparently closed to the press (at the Sottile Theatre), candidates will be talking" about why they should be elected to lead our country, Riley said. "We have a leader in this country. He resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and his name is Barack Obama."

Running through the Cornfield

Jesus and St. John in the cornfield, Mepkin Abbey, Moncks Corner, S.C.

Why? Why are Jesus and St. John running through the cornfield holding hands? John seems bewildered by it himself. He is looking up at Jesus with questions in his eyes.

This statue is so puzzling to me that I have to visit it whenever I am at Mepkin Abbey. It is off to the right of the main garden area. The field isn't planted with corn now but the statue clearly says, "Jesus and St. John in the cornfield." I didn't notice until I reviewed the pictures that they had lost hands and fingers.

I always want to run through the high grass when I am there and come rushing out just like Jesus and John.

In other news I am just back from Barbara Ven Thullenar's wedding reception at Crave in Mt. Pleasant. It was a lovely affair. I was a little worried because the only other time I had met this gracious lady was when I had taken pictures of her at a camp for children with cancer and she was in a Pollyanna outfit fully made up. I wasn't sure I'd recognize her dressed as a bride. Congratulations to the happy couple!

Thursday night blog hopping

Respect the Beach, Folly Beach, S.C.

Today's photo is from a recent walk on Folly Beach. Respect the Beach. I do, I do!

It is wild and windy out there, kids! I went out to find out what was flapping in the breeze on my porch and a chair cushion went sailing by.

I have a couple new-to-me blogs to introduce:

Moore on Running: Noah is an old friend of mine. A few years ago I watched him get in shape and transform into a lean, trim, running machine. It looks like he is still at it and coordinating spontaneous group runs. Noah is a very cool gentleman.

Joe's Retirement Blog:  Joe is retired on on the road. For the time being he is in the Charleston area and visiting some of our favorite haunts. Enjoy!

VERT Indigo: I am late to the game but have become a fan of Lisa Shimko's art. This is her art blog. Fun stuff. I want one. A bird, no a panda, no maybe a pink elephant. No prices listed but dreaming is easy.

Gotta go see what mischief Stephen Colbert is up to with the South Carolina Presidential primary. He is going to make some announcement on his show tonight. Y'all batten down the hatches. Don't blow away.

Floating Camellia

Camellia

I have a soft spot for reflections and was chasing this camellia around the pond as it floated in and out of cloud and branch reflections. The camera couldn't decide what to focus on but in this shot it hit the blossom quite well.

More later, kids! I am off to hunt and gather. Food. Food. I always get home starving.

The Grocery - Oh Yum!

Pimento Cheese Bites, The Grocery - Charleston, S.C.

How cute are these little Pimento Cheese Bites on a melted Coke bottle platter? Pretty damn cute I say, and tasty! I went to the brand spanking new restaurant called The Grocery on Cannon St. last night with my friend Jo and we had a finger licking good time. Hallie had recommended the Crispy Pimento Cheese bite snacks so we started with them.


Everything was delicious but I could eat a plate of the sausage in this next image. It was so darn different and good. I loved it.  The sizes of the servings on the menu had to be explained. These generous servings were the "snacks", "bites" and "tastes". None of these were even the main entree sized portion or the larger platter to share for the table. Truthfully we were completely satisfied and couldn't manage dessert although we made our server recite them just for fantasy material.

We had a lovely evening. Thanks folks!

Boudin Blanc, Sweet-Sour Cabbage, Apple, Bacon wrapped Prune

Swordfish Crudo, Grapefruit, Avocado, Citrus Vinaigrette

Beef Short Ribs, Roasted Bone Marrow, Grilled Bread, Gremolata

Lamb Shoulder, Roasted Chick Peas, Sautéed Greens

Warm wishes from Folly

Folly Beach, S.C.

I'm on the run, kids so here is a fun old shot from Folly Beach.

Love, Truth, Peace, Moon, Joy, Water, Warm, Dog, Now.

What more can you ask for?

Have a nice day!

A World Apart

Ward's Lake, Shillong, India

Look familiar? At first glance, it looks rather like the white bridge at Magnolia Plantation but it couldn't be further away.  This is a man made lake I recently returned to visit in the town I grew up in in northeast India. I can't tell you how many picnics I enjoyed as a child on these grounds.

Shillong is a hill station and when the British were in India they came north to enjoy the cooler weather. The lake was built by William Ward, Chief Commissioner of Assam. The British were long gone by the time I was there and a family of eight Canadian kids spend many an afternoon rowing the boats around the lake. Happy days.

There are paddle boats on the lake now, but when I was young, there was a fancy swan themed boat with a canopy.  It is known to be such a romantic spot that there are actually warning signs against "obscene acts."

Ancient Oaks and Spanish Moss

Live Oak with Spanish Moss, Moncks Corner, S.C.

This is the kind of weekend it was. A bright shiny gift. Now we have revived enough to stand a little more cold weather if necessary.

Unrelated to this beautiful tree, I love this story in the Post and Courier by Brenda Rindge about the kids selling painted and decorated keys to raise money for Crisis Ministries to build their new shelter. I'm sure the parents steered them but how cool that they have taken on the project. Let's spread the word. I think I'll send them some money. Article here: Kids Hold Keys to Caring.

Fading Beauties

Camellia, Moncks Corner, S.C.

Camellias are a winter gift to the south. We are so used to living in a colorful garden that they keep us from suffering too much in the winter. These are white camellias that took a chill with the cold last week. Now it's warm again and the puddle of petals on the ground is as beautiful as the blossom. 

Here is a fun essay on Camellia names.

If the Bloom Is Off the Rose for You
Camellias, native to Asia, have become fixtures in the West ever since their introduction in the 1700s. Their leaves are dried to make traditional green or black tea, and many gardeners plant them for their showy winter blooms, which have a wide range of colors. Camellias thrive in temperate regions, but there are now also cold-hardy varieties that have expanded the growing range as far north as Canada.


There are countless species in the genus camellia, but these three species (or hybrids of them) are the most common:
JAPONICA The most common ornamental species, it has large showy blooms, like a cabbage rose or a peony. The flowers fall off like a wilted pompon when spent, rather than shedding their petals one at a time.
SASANQUA Another ornamental, but its blooms look more like an antique rose with fewer petals than C. japonica and a prominent yellow stamen. The petals fall to the ground singly.   SINENSIS Also known as the tea plant, this species is the source of traditional black, green, oolong and white teas. It is squat and has small, fragrant white flowers.  

Dining Reflections

The Grocery, Cannon St., Charleston, S.C.

I had heard that something called The Grocery was going into the old Altman Furniture store on Cannon St. and assumed it would be another one of the gourmet grocery store/restaurants that I am growing so fond of.

Apparently not. The description still sounds like that but through the window it looks like an upscale restaurant. The menu looks delicious but yikes, pricey. "Tastes" are $18 and "Plates" are "$30". Sorry kids. I won't be taking you all out to dinner there anytime soon.

I am sure it will be wonderful food. Let me know! The floor to ceiling window to this dining room part was right at sidewalk level so it will be fun to see dinner parties in action.

Flying Babies

Read Brothers, King St., Charleston, S.C.

Watch out for flying babies on upper King St. I believe this is one of Phillip Hyman's.

I did my walk past Piggly Wiggly this morning meaning to toss a few things in my backpack only to discover that I left my driver's license and debit cards locked up in my camera bag at work. Ooops. It's going to be a frugal weekend.

Behind the Orange Curtain

Cool, eh? A little antique shop in the old breezeway between two buildings with eye-catching bright orange drapes. It is the John Pope Antique store. I've never been in it but walked past hundreds of times. I wonder what kind of treasures he has up there? Here is a little more info.

Happy Friday, kids! It's been a long, sniffly week but I've pulled it off. The weekend feels like a welcome friend. At least I am ahead of the game and have "head cold" checked off the list for 2012. Done.

 

Smile!

Vanderhorst St., Charleston, S.C.

Doesn't everyone walk around with a Smiley sticker in their pocket? I have friends who are clowns and always trying to stick Smiley stickers on me. I finally asked for a couple to dot the "i"s in the pavement. Smile!

Bedtime already. I got caught up working on a slideshow for work and the time slipped by. Now I am wide awake.

Vanderhorst St., Charleston, S.C.

Vote for Best of Charleston

Shem Creek Shrimp Boat, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

Quick, quick! If you are a local or familiar enough with Charleston, take a couple of minutes and enter your votes for the Charleston City Paper's Best of Charleston Awards this week.

You need to enter in 35 categories to make your vote count so throw some sugar around and recognize your favorite restaurants, bars, chefs, parks, movie theaters, dry cleaners, churches and personalities.

My hospital has been honored with past wins for Best Hospital and Best Place to Have a Baby (Yipee for Roper St. Francis Healthcare!) and Charleston Daily Photo has taken home the crown for Best Local Interest Blog a couple of times in the past. It is a lot of fun. Go vote!

The King on Folly

Planet Follywood, Folly Beach, S.C.

I love this mural wall on Planet Follywood on Folly Beach but this is the first time I spotted the artist's name and was able to follow up.

The sign in the photo below, led me to James Christopher Hill who actually has a new blog himself at: James Hill Artwork.  Here is the link to his portfolio page. The wall at Folly is still a favorite of mine.

2012 List of Banished Words

Bottle Tree, Folly Beach, S.C.

Beautiful blue bottle tree on Folly Beach unrelated to entry. 

Lake Superior State University 2012 List of Banished Words

• AMAZING

• BABY BUMP

• SHARED SACRIFICE

• OCCUPY

• BLOWBACK

• MAN CAVE

• THE NEW NORMAL

• PET PARENT

• WIN THE FUTURE

• TRICKERATION

• GINORMOUS

• THANK YOU IN ADVANCE

I sit in management meeting so I could come up with a lot more, but I would like to immediately offer up these words for banishment consideration:

• Squee

• Smitten

• Swoon  

• Noms 

 Clearly I've been reading too many blogs written by young women who squee, swoon over and are often smitten by noms.

Tuesday evening hodge podge

Charleston, S.C.

I put myself in Isolation at work today. I taped a sign on my door saying, "Joan has a cold. Enter at your own risk" and tried to stay inside my office. I'd like to be done with these sniffles by tomorrow please.

Check out this recipe for Champagne Marshmallows. Oh my. Or this one for Salmon Bisque.

Isn't it a shame to cut off bright hibiscus blossoms to wrap the branches against this cold night? I hope I didn't wait too long.

Criggo. Always a smile.

Exploding Flowers. Pretty.

Charleston Magazine put the link up to my article. Smile!

Stay warm, kids!