Wild Kingdom of Harleyville, SC

Bear carving, Harleyville, SC

I always look for the bear carving when driving through Harleyville, SC. I almost missed him this time but sure enough, he is still there! There must have been a wood carver living in the town at some point because the eagle a little further up the road appears to be done by the same artist. Familiar roadside art work that I always look for.

The driveway gorilla was a new surprise and required squealing brakes and backing up for a shot. Thanks Harleyville!

Bear with me

Bear with me, Charleston, SC 

Bear with me, kids! It's that time of year. Boo!

Festive Easter wear

Coburg Cow at Easter, Charleston, SC   

The Coburg Cow was bravely trying to look cheery for Easter in the rainy drizzle while back at my house the bear easily won the Easter egg hunt.

Bearly Winter

Charleston, SC  

It almost looks like fall! It has been oddly warm lately but the leaves are yellow and dropping. I can't keep up with the layer of leaves in my yard. My bear was nicely posing in the bright color. It tickles me to no end seeing him looking as if he has strolled through the trees from the neighbor's property.

Fall is in the air

Charleston, SC  

Fall is in the air. In the air and on my nose. Suddenly there is a thick layer of leaves in my yard which is how we do fall here. Mr. Bear lives in my backyard and welcomes me home each evening and makes me smile every time I see him. I hope he doesn't decide to hibernate for the winter.

Owling good time!

These aren't sharp photos but I was so tickled to get them I can't care about the quality. My birdfeeder has been a popular spot lately and the bear's head has become a landing pad before they dart in for dinner. I thought I'd hang out in the back yard for awhile and see if I could capture a cardinal on the bear's head.

I'll need to get a bit closer and before dusk but not only did I catch the little splash of red but look what landed right after him - an owl! This was fun. I need to set up a tripod and get a little closer.

Sunday evening

Tire swing, Charleston, SC 

Between Mother's Day and graduation events Charleston has been hopping! We'd been threatened with stormy weather from tropical storm Ana but had a lovely weekend and I've had all the windows and doors open enjoying the breeze.

I cooked up a storm this morning and hosted a group of very special volunteer ladies for a Mother's Day luncheon. We had a lovely time and then I took them out for a photo op with my bear in the backyard. Heheh.

This is one of my favorite Mother's Day images. The boat on the side of the road to Folly Beach is painted over and over with personal greetings and I spotted this message last year.

Bearly Blooming

Bearly Blooming, Charleston, SC 

Yes, that is a bear in the background and he lives in my yard. I love my bear! I found him guarding the door to an antique store in Walterboro and rescued him. I believe he began his life in an amusement part in West Virginia but he seems content hanging out in the lowcountry. I pity anyone who wanders in the dark into my backyard. Boo!

Busy week but I made it to my 5 p.m. matinee and saw the Age of Adaline and let the work week melt away as I sat in the theater with my kiddie pack of popcorn. Enjoy your weekend, kids!

Bear with me

A moment in the sun, Walterboro, S.C.

Walterboro gets a lot of bad press because of it's high crime rate. It's too bad since it isn't far from Charleston and I have to tell you they have some great antique stores. Check out the bear! I've been wanting a chain saw carved bear for my back yard and while this fella came from an amusement park at least he was light enough to be moved. Luckily he cost too much for me to see if he would fit in the back seat with his head sticking out the window.

I bought the cool frame below for the frame ($19) thinking I could enlarge a print to go in it. I hung her up and I find myself getting attached to her. The sketch was drawn when I was three years old so she would be my age now. Maybe it's me! I brought home the platter as well and can see a small turkey on it for Thanksgiving.Now, I wonder if I can find a used bulletproof vest so I can go back to Walterboro? I hope they solve some of this crime soon so y'all can check out the deals.

Bear on George St.

George St., Charleston, S.C.

Where does a brown bear on George St. go to get out of the rain from tropical storm Andrea? I'd hide out in Caviar & Bananas myself. This fella was a surprise!

A few years ago I took a picture of this giant blue bird in the same spot. It reminded me of this (slightly altered) childhood song:

There was an old bear who swallowed a bird.....

How absurd! to swallow a bird,
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider,
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her,
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly,
I don't know why she swallowed the fly,
Perhaps she'll die.