Not what I looked like in High School

Emma, Charleston, S.C.

Wowza. I didn't look like this in high school. Emma, a friend of mine's daughter, calls each year to see if we can take a picture that will win her Miss Photogenic Hanahan High School. I explain that I am not a fashion photographer but that we can see what we can do.

Each year she comes to the door and I think, wow, if she doesn't win it won't be her fault. She is such a pretty gal. We've won two out of the last three years. Good luck Emma!

Cheraw Dance in Mizoram

Cheraw Dance in Mizoram, India

Don't say I never invite you to anything.

My brother Jim is helping to coordinate the Guinness Book of World Records Bamboo Dance in Mizoram in North East India on March 12. That just gives you time to get your passport in order, do a little practice and get a team together. They are aiming for about 12,000 dancers.

The Lone Sailor

The Lone Sailor, North Charleston, S.C.

Sir Geoffry at the Navy Yard Blog posted an entry on the Lone Sailor statue on the banks of the Cooper River.

There are currently twelve of these replica statues found around the country honoring those that have served in the sea services of the United States and any community can apply to have one. The web site gives all the details.

It's a chilly night out. I'm glad he has that warm jacket on.

Visit SCRUBS "U"

SCRUBS "U" Program, Roper Hospital, Charleston, S.C.

My student healthcare mentoring program got a nice write up in the ADVANCE for Nursing Journal: Visit SCRUBS "U" by Joe Darrah. Thanks Joe!

More from Magnolia Cemetery

Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, S.C.

It hasn't stopped raining long enough for me to go for my walk this morning so no new pictures from the day. This set is from last weekend's stroll through Magnolia Cemetery.

There is a new book on historic Magnolia Cemetery called City of the Silent. Amazon says it will be available by the end of the month.

Red dot, dot, dot....

Red Dot Store, Hampton, S.C.

Sometimes I forget that every state doesn't use Red Dots to identify liquor stores. It's one of those quirky and colorful South Carolina things that I love so much and this is the best explanation I could find:

Why is there a red dot on South Carolina liquor stores?
It is believed to have its origin in the South Carolina Constitution of 1895, article 8, section 11, which prohibited alcohol sales between sundown and sun-up. The red ball designates the sun and identifies the store as one that sells alcohol. The State newspaper, 10/03/1984, gave the following theory:

In the 1940s, the state was forcing liquor stores to shrink their signs dramatically, so as not to advertise alcohol too blatantly. Stores were allowed to use lettering only a few inches high on doors or windows. A Charleston liquor store "highlighted" the tiny lettering with a dramatic red dot, and everyone else followed suit.

Bonus joke courtesy of Phil's Phun.

A man ran through a crowded train looking very agitated, calling out, "Is there a Catholic priest on board?"

When he got no reply, he ran back up the train shouting, "Is there an Anglican priest on board?"

Still no reply.

By now becoming more desperate, he ran down the train shouting, "Is there a Rabbi on board?"

Eventually, a gentleman stood up and said, "Can I be of any assistance, my friend? I'm a Methodist minister."

The man looked at him and said,

"No, you're no bloody good. I need a corkscrew!"

Up the coast in Myrtle beach

Myrtle Beach, S.C.

I'm up the coast in Myrtle Beach at a South Carolina Volunteer Administrator's workshop hanging out with the big kids in Volunteer management. Our featured speaker was Sue Ellis from Energize.com. I grabbed the chance at the end of her lively presentation to grab a picture of some of the Charleston gang. Pictured left to right: Shirley Coggin - SC aquarium, Sonya Donnelly - 211 Hotline, Sue Ellis - Energize.com, Lynne Collier - Roper hospital, Kendra Wilson - Callen Lacey Center for Children and me, who needs to get some sleep.

It's weird being at Myrtle Beach in the winter. It is like wandering through a ghost town.

A Scratch for Every Itch

Charleston, S.C.

Photo unrelated to entry. You should be used to that.

"Happiness is having a scratch for every itch." Ogden Nash

My Scottish grandmother used to come in from her garden saying "Ooch, it's guid to be tired and rest."

You have to read it in a Scottish accent.

She'd get hungry and say, "Ooch....it's guid to be hungry and eat."

This seemed the definition of wealth - to have an itch and be able to scratch it. I carried it further to suit the situation, "It's guid to be thirsty and drink, it's guid to be horny and #*&^..., it's guid to need chocolate and have some," you get the drift. You wanted it, you got it. How much more can you ask for?

I've had a very busy day. I've been at work before seven each day this week, yawn. It's guid to be tired and rest, aye.

St. Lawrence Cemetery

St. Lawrence Cemetery, Huguenin Avenue, Charleston, S.C.

Isn't it beautiful? The giant metalwork cross makes for a dramatic entrance to St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery. There isn't much to find online about St. Lawrence Cemetery. If you drive up Meeting St. until you cross the railway track there is a little sign pointing to the right directing you to Magnolia Cemetery. The entrance to St. Lawrence is on the right. You can walk through from Magnolia.

It is a wonderful place to spend a few hours with a camera. Usually it's just me and a couple of confederate history buffs hanging out there. They worship at the Hunley submariner's tombs while I hop over tombs taking pictures of the angel's faces.

Through the glass window - upper King St.

King St., Charleston, S.C.

No movie star pictures today!

I walked up to the Meeting St. Piggly Wiggly yesterday to buy fresh blueberries for my pancakes. It was wild and windy but it wasn't a long walk so I just tucked my little pocket camera in my back pack. I held it up close to one dirty glass shop window to take a picture and got carried away. Click, click.

Today's series is a collection of snapshots taken though the glass windows on upper King St. Locals will recognize most of them. It's reassuring that we haven't been taken over by national chain stores, yet, eh?! We have a ways to go before complete gentrification.

Cemetery Walking - Magnolia

Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, S.C.

Thanks to whoever decorated the cemetery for me. I seemed to follow a photo op trail. I spent hours at Magnolia Cemetery on Saturday morning.

Are we ready to face another week? Yawn.

Down the Red Carpet

Hippodrome, Charleston, S.C.

I had a chance to attend the pre-premier party for the movie Dear John at the Hippodrome. The sold out event was a fundraiser for Carolina Autism and was attended by Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried. Fun! Chef Sean Brock and the staff from McCrady's whipped up their amazing treats for the event.

The movie was sold out so I came on home and watched Amanda Seyfried on Big Love which is one of my favorite shows. Meanwhile, the Dear John stars and fans are probably all still partying at the after party at the aquarium.

Of all the galas, in all the towns........

Charleston Place Hotel, RSFH Gala, Charleston, S.C.

Of all the galas, in all the towns, in all the world, she wears that gown into mine....

Ha! Is the correct quote "Great minds think alike" or "Fools never differ"? Julie Diamond (right) and I wore exactly the same gown to the RSFH Gala last night. Julie's husband Joe has the office next to mine and she had actually called me to ask how formal the event was and what I was wearing. I guess I didn't describe it very well. We had a good laugh and decided we both had good taste.

It's fun to dress up once and a while. I even had my hair done for this one and it's become a once a year ritual. I have to face the hairdresser and it's clearly obvious that I have been hacking away at my own hair all year before I pile it up in a clip each morning. Sabriam Brinton at Whispers on Wentworth looked stunned at the chopped up mess I'd made after I last cut it with bandage scissors and trimmed me up to be presentable. Tada! Miracle worker. Thanks Sabriam!

The Duchess at our Gala

Charleston Place Hotel, Charleston, S.C.

I think it is safe to say that the Duchess of York isn't used to being danced into dinner at Buckingham Palace by high energy gospel singers but she was last night in Charleston and she was a great sport!

I went to the Roper St. Francis Healthcare donor appreciation gala last night at Charleston Place Hotel. Sarah Ferguson filled in for the announced speaker Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Medical Correspondent who sent a video message from Haiti.

Wow. We clean up pretty good for hospital folks and supporters. They open up all the ballrooms and the festivities practically take over the hotel. The evening had a lowcountry theme and was beautifully decorated. I definitely felt like I was playing with the big kids. The event recognizes donors to the Roper St. Francis Healthcare Foundation and with all the work I do with students I do contribute a smidgen out of every pay check towards nursing scholarships.

I took a lot of teasing because last year I was the guest of Fr. Terry who is not only a Vice President at our hospital but also a Catholic Priest. This year I told him I was going with my favorite Deacon Andre'. He announced that since I dumped a priest for a deacon, he got to sit with the Duchess. Heheh. I think we both got a good deal.

More photos here.

Guess where in Charleston?

Charleston, S.C.

Any clue where I took this picture this morning? I can tell you it was not on East Battery.

Friday Night Hodge Podge

King St., Charleston, S.C.

The picture has to be lopsided to catch the observation tower behind the building.

Yipee! It's Friday! It's been a scattered day. I started bright and early in a Vision Council at Trident United Way in North Charleston and ended the night at a raunchy and hilarious Rodney Carrington concert at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. What personality profile do I fit in?

Check here for some lovely garden photos from another "Perry". He isn't exactly a relative but I claim every Perry who does anything cool.

Need a private office to get some peace and quiet? Check out the Office Pod.

WomansDay.com wrote to ask if they could use this picture of a dessert I took at a charity dinner. Chef Sean Brock from McCrady's had taken baby carrots and dipped them in dark chocolate to make this gorgeous dish. They didn't tell me the article was going to be titled 8 Curious Chocolate Covered Creations and include chocolate covered crickets and squid. I can testify that this dessert was delicious.

According to Fortune Magazine there are no best Companies to work in South Carolina. We didn't even make their list. Hmmmph. I think I work for a darn good company.

G'night kids. Let's have a great weekend.