Aha Moments at Marion Square

Marion Square, Charleston, S.C.

I get the coolest emails. Last week I was invited to stop by the Mutual of Omaha's silver Airstream today and have an "Aha Moment" recorded.

Huh? Aha.

The aha moment's homepage definition is: A moment of clarity, the aha moment is a defining moment where you gain real insight - wisdom you can use to change your life.

I was flattered, agreed, and then had to quickly think of what I would talk about. I decided to talk about Water Missions International's neato water purification filter that turns muddy contaminated water into clean safe drinking water.

The hospital I work at raised the money to buy one of the units for a little hospital in Kenya and I was lucky enough to go over and be present when the tap was turned on. The idea that there is a sweet, practical and efficient system to create clear water out of mud just blows me away.

I babbled, I repeated myself. Who knows what I actually said, but they were very welcoming and made it easy. They told me I was welcome to invite YOU to stop by Marion Square tomorrow and have your Aha Moment recorded. They have some appointments but are happy to take walk-ins. Go say your piece!

Besides...who can resist an Airstream?

Pictured, Kait Ebinger, Jessica Henry and Dave Regos. Thanks folks!

A Fashionable Class Project

Welcome to the Dollhouse, Anson St., Charleston, S.C.

I commented earlier this year that the one festival in Charleston that I am not involved in at all is Charleston Fashion Week and wondered if it might be the fact that I cut my own hair, wear my favorite clothes until they are tattered shreds and love dansko and MBT shoes. Ya think?

Fast forward to Friday night and I found myself front row at the "Welcome to the Dollhouse" fund raising fashion show put on by students from the Art Institute of Charleston. The best part was the finale where the students were challenged to design dresses made entirely of paper products. Pictured below, my friend the talented Monique who designed the paper dress pictured on her model.

Fun! We weren't assigned projects like this when I was in school.

Where in the World?

Where in the World?

Most of my quiz entries are "What Small Town SC?" or "Where in Charleston?" but this one is for our travelers who have explored further afield and I am asking because I would like the answer myself.

I scanned the image from my Dad's box of old brittle slides and can't identify the location. The large pillar structures on the left have to be a clue. Any ideas? Here is a larger version but I can't identify any national style of dress.

Hydrangea Heaven

Smith St., Charleston, S.C.

The hydrangeas are so beautiful this year I can't bear the fact that I don't have any of my own. Happily I have friends who have hydrangeas so I have a bouquet of blue ones on my desk.

Whatcha all up to this Friday night? I worked too late to get to my movie. That can't be good.

Need any help?

Calhoun St., Charleston, S.C.

Everyone needs a little help now and then and you have to appreciate someone wiling to earn an honest buck. Ummm......wonder what the estimate on "Killing" is?

All in a day's work, me hearties......

Charleston, S.C.

I had the hat, I had the coat, I had the saber. All I needed was a cute (ahem...) pirate. Bingo! A security guard doing routine rounds walked innocently walked by my office and I kidnapped him for my cause. Aaaargh.

After I announced that our heart walk theme was to be Pirates this year, I had to figure out a way to make it work.

Thanks to Joseph, Jennifer, Janeigh and all my pirates for posing in the heat! Whew. You were good sports.

"Fiercely Protecting Your Heart"

Too Darned Cute

Sullivans Island, S.C.

Too darned cute for words so it saves me thinking of any. I was taking pictures of my friend Amber's son Brody on Sunday morning and the little boy on the right - Luke, joined the fun. Adorableness doubled.

Camera Candy Christmas

No Trespassing Sign, Backroads, S.C.

When I write my book it will be about the delightfully quirky side of the lowcountry. The turn-the-corner-suddenly-make-me-happy scenes that you come across on the backroads. The thanks-for-letting-me-live-long-enough-to-witness this whackiness spots.

Does the owner of this country estate need the actual No Trespassing sign? I think not. I suspect the census takers will take a pass on this property.

Before & After - Spring St.

35 Spring St., Charleston, S.C.

I am enjoying these before and after features even if the changes don't always make me happy. This little shop on Spring St. went from wildly colorful to drab in preparation for selling. It has a big old barn of a house behind it that looks like it needs complete renovation.

The weekend is over almost before it has begun, kids and I'm not ready. As usual I try to cram all my chores into the last hour so clothes are in the wash and I'm sorting through a stack of bills.

I am uploading a zillion pictures taken this weekend from the Piccolo Art show to adorable kids at picnics and at the beach as well as some extraordinarily quirky finds from a long drive in the country. Seems like I've covered a lot of ground in two days.

Event Prep

King St., Charleston, S.C.

I am guessing there was an event at the William Aiken House today. This gal figured out a way to get the job done without a ladder!

It's hot, hot, hot today but my dinner was fresh tomatoes, silver queen corn and peaches from the Farmer's Market so there are a few tasty consolations for the temperature. Yummers.

Etsy Artist's Market

Etsy Craft Market, Music Farm, Charleston, S.C.

I've served my time behind tables at craft sales, even supported myself for months during a period when I was waiting for my working papers, selling Applehead Dolls (of all things!). Lord, that was a long time ago.

These days clever crafty folks sell their wares on Etsy.com. Pictured above, darling hand crochet children's items from Joy Leftwich (left) at Little Miss Frilly and below check out the cute critters from finkelsteins.etsy.com.

Lowcountry Etsy merchants gathered together today at the Music Farm to sell their handiwork in person. There was no admission fee and the place was bustling with activity. I wish them all the luck in the world. Here is the City Paper write up on the event.

Before & After - Snookies Little Sweet Shop

Snookies Little Sweet Shop, Bogard St., Charleston, S.C.

Marching down Bogard St. this evening I couldn't believe my eyes. Snookies Little Sweet Shop is gone, gone, gone. Completely wiped out. Break my heart gone.

It was never really a Sweet Shop but it could have been yet. I took a picture of it every time I did the Bogard route. Where is the Board of Architectural Review when I need it?

I am completely bummed. Snookies. Gone.

Edisto Mystery Tree

Edisto Island, S.C.

Ssssshhh! It's a Mystery Tree.

I have to feature current decor of the Edisto Mystery Tree every summer. Here is the entry from last June.

It's better than a Christmas tree dressed for the season in summer finery. Someone clearly wades out with all the goodies to decorate it but to my knowledge they've never been caught in the act. Love it.

Hang on kids. The weekend is coming.

Who done it?

Ashley Ave., Charleston, S.C.

I must be driving to work a little later this week because flipping the radio to NPR I landed in the middle of Radio Reader's morning story. It got my attention when I realized the book was about a murder in Charleston in 1910 and all the streets they mentioned were familiar.

The book they are featuring is Dead Weight, a new novel by Batt Humphreys.

Charleston, South Carolina in 1910 is the scene of a true story. There is a trial in the town, a triangle of animosities. A Jewish merchant murdered, a black man accused and a white populace primed for a hanging.

A reporter from New York arrives to cover the story. Hal Hinson follows the facts, but finds that Charleston is a much more complex and seductive city than he imagined.

He discovers a dangerous balance in the racial divide, a country of beauty and cruelty and a love story that echoes of Shakespeare in its ending.

Now I am going to have to drive to work late every day until I find out who done it. I love books and movies featuring familiar territory.

My Perry Tradition

Perry Rd., S.C.

It's tradition. Ya gotta do it. Whenever there is sign with your name on it you have to climb through the bushes and pose by it. Don't you? Don't you?

Teeny, tiny houses of Charleston

King St., Charleston, S.C.

I walked to the tip of the peninsula Sunday morning to sniff the ocean air and on the way back noticed this. It has to be the teeniest, tiniest little house on King St.

I couldn't remember what had been in front of it until I googled to discover that the demolition had been documented by the Post & Courier. It is unusual to see such a compact building in the midst of all South of Broad mansions.

More Link Love

Ladson St., Charleston, S.C.

A cool car always improves the view doesn't it? Photo unrelated to content as usual. I take pictures on my walk-about and bring them back like candy for you.

Folks have mentioned lately that they are now following blogs I had linked to here, so this evening I am presenting a few more lowcountry blogs for you to consider. Some of these are business related but that is fine with me as long as I am entertained. Enjoy! Leave them a note and say "hello!"

Maverick Southern Kitchens

Lily Charleston

Patrick Properties

Proverbial Hyperbole

SC Lowcountry Nature Art & Journaling

Fuzzco

Fried Green Tomatoes

53 Cannon

Charleston Today

Sassy Steel Magnolia

Carolina Moon Reflections

Chuckography

Backroads S.C.

Backroads, S.C.

Help me. I have to go to work in the morning. Gasp.

I hope everyone had a good long weekend. I haven't been able to motivate myself to do a single productive thing but I do feel rested with the extra day off. I had a nice dinner at Rue de Jean last night (fried goat cheese salad and truffle potato soup) and enjoyed My Name is Ruth at the Footlight Player Theater on Queen St. There is so much going on this week it can make your head spin.

Edit: I am adding this link for Beach Bum. I couldn't get close enough to get a good shot at the cars in this one. It was right down the road from the first picture.

I won't forget....

Marion Square (scene from a few years ago), Charleston, S.C.


And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
~Lee Greenwood

SRS demolishes giant cooling tower

Just down the road and yet we didn't hear a peep about this.

NNSANews — May 26, 2010 — On May 24, 2010, the Savannah River Sites (SRS) massive K Cooling Tower was safely demolished as part of the Site-wide Footprint Reduction Initiative funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

As the second-largest cooling tower to be demolished worldwide, the 450 foot-tall and 345 foot-wide tower posed a unique challenge to SRS project managers and commanded the attention of even the most seasoned industry veterans.