Medal of Honor parade

Charleston, S.C.

The Medal of Honor Society Convention runs today through Saturday and the public was invited to line the streets along the Battery and honor the recipients by cheering and waving flags.

Sadly it rained continuously and not many of us stuck it out. Those who did energetically waved damp flags as our heroes went by on their white trolleys. Hopefully the rest of their activities will go as planned. It is an honor to have them here.

Charleston Fashion Statement

Affordables, King St., Charleston, S.C.

Rachel mentioned in comments seeing Charleston women wearing cute rain boots. It's true! Every College of Charleston student seems to buy a pair of colorful rubber boots on the first rain day and Affordables on King St. is the place to go!

Rain Walking

SNOB, Charleston, S.C.

Yum. Makes me hungry just looking at the picture and imagining what delicious magic is simmering inside. The expression South of Broad was in common use for the wealthy historical district below Broad St. long before Pat Conroy's book by the same title. Slightly North of Broad is a wonderful restaurant on east Bay St. just north of Broad St.

The folks at SNOB have their own blog which I've discovered includes a few of their famous recipes. I can swear by their shrimp and grits recipe. One entry even includes photos I took.

I live on the other side of the tracks and used to have an oval SNOC logo on my car for Slightly North of Calhoun. Heheh.

In other news, I went to work early and headed for home when it started to rain. With all the talk of more rain I was afraid I might not be able to get home at all. Now...shall I go out for a rain walk?

Rainy days

Charleston, S.C.

Dang kids, it's raining again. Who has a really big truck and wants to drive me to work? I expect I'll be dodging flooded streets again tomorrow. Time to check the tide chart.

Rain doesn't bother me. I enjoy a good downpour as long as I don't have to drive in it. I grew up just down the road from the rainiest place in the world - Cherrapunji. We used to run outside like wild maniacs the day the monsoons began. We'd slip and slide in the mud, climb in the fifty five gallon drums under the rain spout and undo our braids. No baths tonight, mum!

I walked three miles to school then, rain or shine. We would look up the hill at what was normally a path, to see what looked like a rushing waterfall, take off our shoes and wade right through it.

The city of Cherrapunji is 1,290 meters above sea level and much of the torrential rains run off the mountains into the valley below, which receives an annual rainfall of 1,270 centimeters. Once it rained 2,290 centimeters in one season!

For those of us not used to centimeters here is the conversion: 2290 cm = 901.6 inches of rain in one season. Yup!

Paint the town Pink

Bob Ellis Shoe Store, King St., Charleston, S.C.

I haven't cleared away the red from the heart walk but students from the Art Institute are out on King St. painting the town pick for October.

Rainy day lunch treat

Tabbuli Grill, 6 Market St., Charleston, S.C

What a perfect rainy day not to be at work stressing about driving the flooded streets of Charleston. I headed out walking in a break in the rain, was soaked through by King St. and it made complete sense to stop by the newly opened Tabbuli Grill on Market St. for an indoor lunch. Yummers! Their official opening isn't until this weekend but I can give my lunch the Charleston Daily Photo stamp of approval.

Check out their menu here. I had the chicken kabob pita. I licked the sauce off my fingers. I'll be back.

Now that I've showered and dried off it might be tea and nap time. How sweet it is having a sneaky day off when everyone else is working. Carry on kids!

Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Bull St., Charleston, S.C.

Late but I squeezed a church photo in on Sunday. Here is your bonus funny:

One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex was staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. It was covered with names, and small American flags were mounted on either side of it.

The seven year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside the little boy, and said quietly, "Good morning, Alex."

"Good morning, Pastor," replied the young man, still focused on the plaque. "Pastor, what is this?"

"Well, son, it's a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service."

Soberly, they stood together, staring at the large plaque.

Little Alex's voice was barely audible, trembling with fear, when he asked, "Which service, the 8:30 or the 10:45?"

Start! Lowcountry Heart Walk - 2010

Start! Lowcountry Heart Walk, Charleston, S.C.

A few of my closest friends got up bright and early and joined me at the Heart Walk this morning. Whew...it got a little warm out there but everyone seemed to be having a great time. Adorable kids, dogs, Zumba warm up (thanks Prisca!) and I heard there was even a goat!

More photos here.

We had 695 walkers registered on our team and last I checked, had raised over $52,000 for the American heart Association. Good stuff, kids. I am so very proud of my gang of pirates. We stormed the city in style! Thanks everyone!

Lake Erie Boat Hammock

Lake Erie, Canada

Clearly this isn't a lowcountry scene but I must be allowed to leave the Charleston peninsula once and awhile. When I was in Canada over LaboUr day, my brother drove me through cottage country along Lake Erie to Port Dover. I made him stop to let me get a picture of these contraptions.

How about this, eh? This is how they store their boats. The boat rests in the sling and is cranked up above the water level. All I can figure is that you would have to wade out in the water to get in the boat each time but I guess they don't have to worry about tides. Pretty neato I thought!

Wine Tasting for a Cause

Wine Tasting under the Oaks, Charleston, S.C.

I've been so busy lately, I've been tossing a few pictures on facebook instead of the blog.

It is pretty obvious I am a fierce supporter of the American Heart Association. Not sure exactly how it started but it snowballed and now I am the company leader for my health system. Looking around the people that I love, so many of them wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for advances in heart disease awareness and treatment. It makes me feel like I am on a winning team.

The Lowcountry Heart Walk is tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. starting in front of the SC Aquarium. I plan to be there with 700 people on my team and the registration site says we have raised over $50,000. Woo hoo!

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of bake sales, book sales, raffle baskets, men in red dresses, and a lovely finale last night was a wine tasting under the oak trees in the meditation garden at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital. My friend Andre Guillet offered to host the event and the tickets flew out of our hands! It was the perfect evening. Thanks to Andre, Chris, FISH Restaurant (yummy treats!), Jimihatt, Ashley Bakery, Dianna Sheridan, Mark Dickson, Tom Gardner, Charlie Black and all my incredible volunteers. Picture me blowing kisses!

You are still welcome to join the fun! Register online and walk with us, or if you are inclined you can make a donation.

Bird Shit Bridge

Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, S.C.

Maybe they should just paint it white.

Kinda Sorta

Sweetgrass Basket Fountain, Market at Oakland, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

I saw a little picture of this sweetgrass basket fountain in the Post & Courier recently and wondered where the heck it was. Now I can't find the original photo on the newspaper web site but I did find the real thing!

I was at our new Mt. Pleasant Hospital this morning interviewing potential volunteers and kept my eye out for a place for a late lunch on my way home. I turned into the Market at Oakland shopping area that has the Kohl's store and Walmart and had the most scrumptious lunch at Gringo's Fresh Southwest. It is described as "kinda, sorta Mexicanish". Heh.

What a great find! Owner Reggie Kinney had an amazing display of fresh ingredients laid out to put my order together and kept offering tastes of everything so I could make up my mind. Great find! The restaurant is a bit tucked away so here are the directions.

On the way out I practically walked into the fountain in one of the mallish traffic circles. Very cool.

Cemetery Strolling - Magnolia

Magnolia Cemetery, Meeting St., Charleston, S.C.

I get asked in emails on occasion to track down a certain tomb. People come across my cemetery albums but are looking for something in particular that they don't find.

I never mind going to Magnolia Cemetery. In this case I started in St. Lawrence on Sunday morning before I crossed back to Magnolia next door but didn't find what my reader was hoping for. Yet. No worries. I'll go back.

Plundering for Philanthropy

Buccaneer Restaurant, Charleston, S.C.

Thanks to the Buccaneer Restaurant for offering to donate 10% from their proceeds on Talk-Like-A-Pirate day to the American Heart Association. It's a worthy cause "Me Hearties"! I appreciate their support and enjoyed a fine dinner with friends.

Vanderhorst St. Skateboard Team

Vanderhorst St., Charleston, S.C.

The Vanderhorst St. skateboard team. You've seen them if you drive this street in the evening.

Let's hope they all survive the semester. Let's pray I survive the semester. It could be worse. I've had the College soccer team living across the street from me before. When I asked if I could take their picture they just wanted to know if they were in trouble. Nah. So far so good. Sail on.

Calling all Pirates! 9/19

The Buccaneer Restaurant, Faber St., Charleston, SC

Calling all Pirates! Sunday, 9/19 is the high holy day for Pirates - National Talk Like a Pirate Day. The folks at Talk-Like-a-Pirate encourage Plundering for Philanthropy and the Buccaneer Restaurant has jumped on board, offering to donate 10% of their day's proceeds to the American Heart Association. Spread the word! This may be the most delicious fund raising we've ever done. Rally your family and friends, me Hearties!

If you are inclined to dress the part, gift certificate awards will be given at 6 p.m. to best adult and child pirates. I took all these photos in the restaurant so be sure to bring your camera. There is a real human skull over the bar. Aaaaargh!

Teachers, military, health care workers etc. get an extra 15% discount this month so bring your ID. See you there.

Next weekend we storm the city as Pirates at the Start! Lowcountry Heart Walk.

Pedal Power

Market St., Charleston, S.C.

Years ago in Hong Kong I took a picture of an ornately decorated rickshaw. They laughed when it was suggested that they might actually be used for transportation. They were purely for photo ops and expected a nice tip for being in a picture.

Fast forward to Charleston where bicycle rickshaws are all over. Amazing. I rode in one for the first time this summer when I had friends visiting. I felt kinda sheepish being transported around town where I walk daily but I did arrive without being soaked with sweat. Go rickshaw drivers!

Paper Dresses

Mary Porter, House of Couture, Wentworth St., Charleston, S.C.

Paper - it's completely made of paper! I believe the dress was done as a window display during the Spoleto Festival. I'm glad they left it in the window of the Mary Porter House of Couture shop on Wentworth St. It is amazing.

She stole the show!

SCRUBS "U" Pediatrics, Charleston, S.C.

There is nothing as magical as teaching people who are hungry to learn. This evening was my SCRUBS "U" career program on Pediatrics hosted by Dr. Drew Baker and the amazing Women's & Children's staff at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital. No wonder they have won "Best Place to Have a Baby" for thirteen years in a row.

Thank you, thank you Kelly, Gene and Beth....and a special thanks to our darling model Katie born this morning and whose mom let her make a special appearance.

Before & After - Smith St.

192 Smith St., Charleston, S.C.

Once again I was not consulted about the renovations planned for this quirky property on upper Smith St. They have painted over the historically accurate (drug induced?) checkerboard porch ceiling. Happily they left the funky guard lions at the front door. Here is the real estate web site. I am sure they have done a fine job but I do wish I knew what it used to look like inside, don't you?

Monday Hodge Podge

Charleston, S.C.

Do you think these folks may have treated themselves to a gardener?

According to Cosmopolitan Charleston, King St. will be closed to traffic every second Sunday. Coolness abounds!

If you want to see a very good movie, catch Winter's Bone at the Terrace Theater. Wow. Not a lighthearted romp in the park mind you.

My friend Pam from Tales from the Microbial Laboratory has started a new blog called US 17 Coastal Highway. Pay her a visit and let her know your favorite parts of Hwy 17.

This site is about a road that is definitely more - US 17 Coastal Highway. It stretches from downtown Winchester, Virginia south to Punta Gorda, Florida - 1,189 miles of highway, much of which runs along the Atlantic Ocean. We love this road, and our goal here is to show you why. Welcome to the Coastal Highway.

Join the Walk - Start! Lowcountry Heart Walk 9/25

Men in Red 2010, Charleston, S.C.

I'd really like it if y'all would consider participating in the Start! Lowcountry Heart Walk on Saturday, 9/25. I can't think of any area where research dollars have worked so many miracles, can you? I love being on the winning team. Join us. Donate a bit if you can, raise some money and join the walk.

• Bill Edwards from Harborview Exxon is going to bring his sweet red '55 Chevy convertible to lead the walk again.


• Andre' Guillet is hosting a Wine Tasting under the Oaks at St. Francis Hospital on 9/23 to raise funds that has almost sold out. Call 402-1194 to see if there are any $15 tickets left.


• Women are paying the brave gentlemen at Roper St. Francis Healthcare to wear Red Dresses to raise money for the cause. The Red Dress is the National Symbol of Heart Disease awareness. I started a little prank asking men to wear the dresses years ago and it took on an odd life of it's own and brings in quite a bit of $ for the cause. You can donate to Richard's campaign here. More photos here.


• The Buccaneer Restaurant is donating 10% of their profits on National Talk Like a Pirate Day, 9/19 - please bring your family and friends and eat there that day anytime from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Me hearties! Prizes for best Pirate costumes at 6 p.m.


• I'm working on lining up Prisca to teach everyone some Zumba moves as a warm up at the walk.

Join up or donate online at: Start! Lowcountry Heartwalk. I suspect some day we'll all be grateful for the advances made in treating heart disease. I hope you can participate! Spread the word!

Kindness

Be Kind, Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people; as I grow older, I admire kind people.
Abraham Joshua Heschel

Accidental Purchases

Charleston, S.C.

I ended my walk yesterday morning at the Charleston Farmer's Market intending to buy two tomatoes and a basil plant and accidentally bought this necklace. I should know better than to carry a debit card on an exercise walk.

I am pleased though. They are there every week but I am usually strong enough not to look. Web site: the Scarlet Poppy.

Saturday Morning Stroll

Charleston, S.C.

I took the wide angle lens for stroll this morning. Weird effect.

In other news - Doe's Pita is closing downtown! Noooooo! Who is going to make me my Avocado Pita Pocket All the Way? This is serious. Can I call an emergency City Council meeting?

My tradition after any trip is to go for a long walk to reclaim my territories, pick up a few groceries in my back pack and stop for an Avocado Pita Pocket at Doe's. That is what I did on Tuesday after getting back from Canada. This sad. Thanks Doe. You've taken good care of us for a very long time.

Never Forget

Cannon St. Fire Station, Cannon St., Charleston, S.C.

Dot, dot, dot.....

East Bay Wine & Spirits, East Bay St., Charleston, S.C.

Red dots. There is a rash of them all over town. Must be catching.

Famous Charleston Quotes

Not my house, Charleston, S.C.

Scarlett: Rhett! Rhett, where are you going?
Rhett Butler: I'm going back to Charleston, back where I belong.
Scarlett: Please, please take me with you!
Rhett Butler: No, I'm through with everything here. I want peace. I want to see if somewhere there isn't something left in life of charm and grace. Do you know what I'm talking about?
Scarlett: No! I only know that I love you.
Rhett Butler: That's your misfortune.

Guess where in Charleston?!

Mural, Charleston, S.C.

Any clue where this mural is? Let's see if anyone knows and then I will post the location.

Edit: Correct answer in comments! Thanks folks. I need to get some prizes, don't I? This is a mural painted by David Boatwright on one of the renovated sheds down in the Market.