Friendly looking home

Halsey Blvd, Charleston, SC    

Cheerful house! Water view. Gargoyle on the porch. What more could you ask for?

I've always admired this friendly looking home on Halsey Blvd./Lockwood when I drive by but it isn't on any of my usual walking routes so I made a point to detour to it yesterday morning. I hope the owners enjoy their home as much and more than I do! 

A patriotic show

Belvedere Hotel, Charleston, SC   

I am a day late but loved this picture of the giant flag draped over the porch. The gorgeous building is the Belvedere Hotel on Rutledge Avenue right across from Colonial Lake. The other flags are from the annual Memorial Day tribute on Lockwood Ave. It is a sight to see along the waterfront. 

I have NOT had a relaxing evening after searching for the source of a dripping noise inside my house. Boo hiss. The drip pan from my air-conditioning unit in the attic had overflowed and was dripping through the ceiling. Climbing around hot attics is not my idea of fun. Blah. Charles, my loyal heat and air repairman from Carolina Climate Masters responded to my plea for help and although I still have a wet ceiling I do have air-conditioning again. 

Historic Rice Mill building

West Point Rice Mill, Lockwood Blvd, Charleston, SC 

I have had requests for use of an earlier picture I took of the Rice Mill building at the Charleston Marina by couples wanting to use it on their wedding invitation. Now they have another view as their option. Funny how everyone who asks to use a picture promises to send me a copy but they never do. Wedding invitations, books, book covers, bank debit cards etc. I've never been sent a copy of what they needed my image for. I've tracked back to a couple of web sites that asked for permission and I do appreciate being asked. Luckily I have often received a donation to the American Heart Association for photo use so no harm done.

It is an impressive building. For a while there was a bar and restaurant named Pussers which seemed an unfortunate name, but now it seems to be mostly used for events. I didn't know until this very moment that it was known at the West Point Rice Mill.

In 1840, Jonathan Lucas III built a four-story brick, steam-powered rice mill on the Ashley River.This mill burned on November 20, 1860. Construction of a new mill began quickly. Although hampered by the Union blockade, the mill was capable of full operation in late 1863. When Charleston was occupied by the Union Army in 1865, the mill was used as a food distribution center. Its neighbor the East Point Rice Mill had been rebuilt in the mid-1840s by engineer James McLaren and the Scottish merchant James Robb. The mill passed to Robb's sons James Jr and William on his death in 1859. After the Civil War, the mill resumed operations and its production increased. In 1886, it suffered damage from the 1886 Charleston earthquake. Brickwork was damaged and the gables were brought down. At some point before the 1920s, the entire roof was replaced except for the kingposts and trusses.

My cell phone step counter says I have walked 9,464 steps today but I think we will round that off and count it as 10,000 since I am not going back out. 

Patriotic display on Lockwood Blvd.

Memorial Day 2015, Lockwood Blvd., Charleston SC 

Thanks to the Evening Exchange Club for this annual patriotic display of flags on Memorial Day. I'd like to think a perfect day like this was what soldiers had in mind that felt worth fighting and giving up their lives for. Let's treasure, honor and protect it in their memory.

My mother was in the Royal Canadian Air Force stationed in London during World War II and her brothers, my uncles, were both pilots. My family was fortunate and they all came back alive. My mother's role was to gather information on lost and injured soldiers to notify families of their loss. I can't even imagine what a heartbreaking job that must have been and the gift those soldiers gave that we might enjoy days like this.

Teach a man to fish:

Lockwood Blvd., Charleston, S.C.

Not a bad place to live, eh?

I was trying to think of an interesting post to go along with the theme "teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a lifetime" when my happy clicking landed me on a Teach a man to fish - humorous alternatives" post. Thanks for the smile, Calum!

Teach a man to fish and he will kick your ass and steal your fishing pole.
Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime. Teach a man to create an artificial shortage of fish and he will eat steak.
Teach a man to fish, and you can sell him a ton of accessories.
Teach a man to fish and you've fed him for a lifetime ... unless, of course, he doesn't like sushi -- then you also need to teach him how to cook.
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.
Give a man a fish he'll eat for a day, if you teach a man a fish he'll get drunk then fall out of his boat and drown.
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; Teach him to use the Internet, and he won't bother you for weeks!
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Give a man religion and he will starve to death praying for a fish