Movies at Marion Square

Marion Square, Charleston, S.C.

John C. Calhoun is showing his disapproval of this evening's movie. Not gonna watch it.

Friday's message

Marion Square, Charleston, S.C.

Friday's message:

"Press yourself against whatever you find to be beautiful and trembling with life."

Still Life with Shells & Bottles

Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

Still life with shells and bottles.

No yard is safe with me. I'll spot the quirky character bits and save the photo for a day when I walk in the dark without my camera. I've been doing that a lot lately, coming home tired, crashing with my bowl of leftovers - getting noddy in my corner of the couch, and then finally getting in the mood to go for a hike long after I should. Luckily the downtown streets are still swarming with college students late into the evening.

What movie shall I see tomorrow afternoon, kids?

Fun with silver foil

Vanderhorst St., Charleston, S.C.

Everything is more fun wrapped in silver foil!

Bouquets on Bogard

Bogarden, Bogard St., Charleston, S.C.

Best "Use of an Empty Lot" award goes to the lush and colorful Bogarden Community Garden. I took photos of this experiment last year so nice to see it is still active.

Through the attic window

Coming St., Charleston, S.C.

The gentleman in the attic is trapped and quietly signaling for help. Can you hear him through the glass? Heeeeeeelp me.

What can I put in my attic window?

Bottle Brush?

Charleston, S.C.

Bottle brush plant? Is that what it is called? Tremendously cool.

I had dinner with the ladies last night but it wasn't a typical snack and gossip. It was one of the most fascinating groups of women I've ever shared a lemon chicken (yummy!) dinner with. The gathering included one well traveled navy wife, four women who had been in the foreign service, one in the British Foreign Service, myself and another lowcountry lady.

Wow. The conversation bounced from political uprisings, accidents in foreign countries to kidnappings and encounters with famous people in exotic locations. When one mentioned a country - Senegal, Qatar, France, Pakistan, China - I listened as the rest of them back tracked years to figure out if they might have crossed paths. These gals have seen it, been there and done it and I was delighted to be included.

Events of the day

Marion Square, Charleston, S.C.

When I was a kid and people discovered I was from a family of ten and one of eight siblings, they couldn't resist eagerly suggesting that we could play volleyball. Oh yippee. I couldn't care less about volleyball but these folks looked like they were having a lovely time yesterday morning when I walked through Marion Square.

I stayed up late watching the news last night and tried to stay up to speed all day by slowing my pace as I passed through hospital waiting rooms to catch a glimpse at CNN. I've shared almost every major world news event with random strangers in hospital ward waiting rooms and today was no exception.

I ended my afternoon by hugging a lady in the Women's Services waiting area who was proudly wearing her President Obama t-shirt as she waiting for the birth of her grand niece - a grand niece who will read about Osama Bin Laden and today's events in her history books many years from now.

My Adirondack Chairs

Adirondack Chairs, S.C.

Yeah! Aren't they pretty? I am pleased as punch. I bought these for $29 each at Home Depot and stained them in a mad rush yesterday afternoon.

I still have to paint a little side table and these could use some touching up (tough getting a brush in between all the slats) but I firmly believe you shouldn't work too hard on both weekend days. One day you paint, the next day you sit and relax and drink a Corona. They are very lightweight but seem sturdy enough and just as perfect as I had hoped.

Sweet Sundays

Anson St., Charleston, S.C.

Check out all the stuff these folks have collected! Here is the link to a larger version so you can see the wacky treasures.

Just googled "chicken avocado panini" for recipe suggestions and will steer my walk past Harris Teeter for bacon and cheese. Oh yum. I intend to spend this afternoon sitting in my freshly painted Adirondack chairs and relaxing. Sweet. Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

Through the gate on Anson St.

Anson St., Charleston, S.C.

Today's photo was taken through a gate on Anson St. I walked to Harris Teeter this morning to get the ingredients for chicken mushroom ginger soup. Yum.

I spent all afternoon painting four Adirondack chairs blue. I'm such a sloppy painter, my hands and arms are covered in paint and my back hurts. I think it is time for a long soak in the tub with a cuppa tea. Hopefully I won't fall to sleep. Zzzzzz...

Dancing with the Stars - Oxygen Ball

Dancing with the Stars, Oxygen Ball 2011, Charleston Marriott, Charleston, S.C.

I was lucky to be invited to the American Lung Association's Oxygen Ball last night at the Marriott Hotel. I was offered the chance by a co-worker who didn't even know that I had been volunteering for the Lung Association for years by taking the pictures for the kids who go to Camp Puff'n Stuff the annual camp for children with asthma.

This was the most fun event! It had a Dancing with the Stars theme and local personalities are paired up with professional dancers. I invited my friend Mitzi to go with me because she is a Dancing with the Stars freak which made it even more entertaining. I have two left feet so am easily impressed by dancers.

Here is the info about this year's participants including Anita Zucker and Chef Brett McKee (above), Carolyn Murray, Jefferey Rhodes and Mary Norton. Wow - you could tell they had put hours of practice into their performances because they were terrific! They had a silent and live auction, tasty food stations and an Oxygen Bar were you could sniff flavored oxygen.

It was a lot of fun and my hat is off to Jim Darby and Bob Rife from Roper St. Francis Healthcare who lead our team of Respiratory Therapists and the ladies from our local Lung Association for their good work.

Outdoor Living

Patriots Point, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

I mentioned that I'd been looking for Adirondack Chairs - they are expensive! Yikes. I happened on what seems to be a great deal. Home Depot has some kits that need to be put together that they are selling for $29. I grabbed the four I wanted so now I can tell you about them. They might be a little smaller than regular but seem sturdy enough and come partially assembled. Here is another blogger who was pleased with them.

I think I will paint mine deep gray/blue. Can't beat that price!

Olde Jasminetowne

Confederate Jasmine, Charleston, S.C.

Charleston is at risk of being overgrown with Confederate Jasmine. It's swarming over fences and winding around Palmetto trees. Soon we'll have to cut bits out just to get in our doors and let a little light in the windows. We might as well rename the city Jasminetowne.

Dining Out for Life

This is pretty cool! If you eat out at a participating restaurant tomorrow, 25% of the proceeds will go to the Ryan White Program. Check out this list to find a participating restaurant and thanks to everyone who participated.

Step right up and tell us how you feel....

Vanderhorst St., Charleston, S.C.

I swear people leave me messages to find. Can you read this? "Thanks Obama for making government cool again."

I sense a touch of sarcasm in the next block: "Obama knows what's best for everyone!"

Coburg Cow's Easter Wear

Coburg Cow, Savannah Hwy, Charleston, S.C.

When I stopped by Mayor Riley's campaigne kick off yesterday on the way home from work, I parked in the shopping center next to the Coburg Cow and noticed she still had on her Easter finest. Check out that bonnet!

It is definately worth reading Warren Cobb's write up on the history of the Coburg Cow in Charleston and from SCIWay I found this little snippet of video of what we aren't supposed to be doing anymore - riding that cow!

Joggling Board on the Beach

Patriots Point, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

I spotted another joggling board a couple of weeks ago when I attended a wedding on the Mt. Pleasant side of the harbor. What a perfect spot for a wedding. I knew the hotel was there but discovered lovely little cottages that people can rent and have a wedding right on the beach. It was beautiful.

Maybe I should get married!

Harhar. ;)

Now, with all the links I direct for information on joggling boards isn't it surprising that I don't even have one? I am the single biggest promoter of these fun lowcountry seats.

Play it again, Joe!

Triangle Bar & Grill, Charleston, S.C.

Mayor Riley announced today that he is seeking his tenth term as the Mayor of Charleston. He has been our Mayor since 1975.

Ten terms - that is amazing and seemed historically significant enough for me to stop by on my way home to be there for the announcement. Mayor Riley has accomplished a lot during his long tenure. I'm willing to give him a chance to check a few more things off our list during the next four years.

Sunday Night Hodge Podge

Legare St., Charleston, S.C.

Silly things I may need: Silicone Ice Ball Maker.

I discovered a couple of lowcountry bloggers. Stop by and say hello to:

Soak & Simmer: Sun, food, water, and sun. From the bluegrass to the lowcountry.

Charm of Charleston: Charleston, South Carolina – from Sand to Sandwiches

Dining Around Charleston: Exploring the Holy City's Hidden Gems

I was so excited to learn that the new Boeing plant in North Charleston will cover it's roof with solar panels and will be entirely powered with renewable energy. Thanks Boeing!

Photographer Jeffery Stoner made a recent trip to the lowcountry and added some photos to his gallery: Jeffrey Stoner Fine Art Photography

The garden photos were taken through a gate on Legare St. Thanks to all of you who send me ideas for photos and emails responding to something I've mentioned. I love hearing from you. Forgive me for not always responding immediately.

Knock, knock...

Hwy 78, S.C.

I thought this was a fitting photo for Easter Sunday. This cardboard cut out of Jesus appears to be trying to enter a house up on Hwy 78. I keep an eye out for him each time I pass that way. He disappeared for a long time but he is back at the door still waiting to be let inside.

Happy Easter kids!

Cemetery Walking

Bethany Cemetery, Charleston, S.C.

I never tire of walking through the old cemeteries in the lowcountry. My guests from yesterday were going to try to find the tomb of their great grandfather Dr. Alonzo McClennan in the Humane & Friendly Society Cemetery.

I had searched before without success, but this time I spotted the tombstone as soon as I walked through the gate. It's been a beautiful warm day and since I arrived before the family, I took a walk through old Bethany Cemetery (above) which is immediately across the street.

As I walked out of the gates I could see that they had easily found the marker as well. Jeanette McClennan and her husband Bill were joined by Dr. Jim Tolley and his daughter Jessica. It seemed a fitting closure to this part of the history of the gentleman who lived in my house to find his tomb.

Baby, Come Back

Vanderhorst St., Charleston, S.C.

Years ago, on my earlier blog I wrote about the impressive gentleman who had lived in my old Charleston house. Dr. Alonzo McClennan was an important Charleston figure, an early physician and pharmacist, he had a school for black practical nurses, a hospital on Cannon St. and published a medical journal. A plaque was recently placed at the location of the former hospital on Cannon St.

Dr. McClennan lived in my house on Vanderhorst St. in the late 1800's. The bottom floor of the house would have been his clinic where he saw patients.

I've always been proud to live in the home of such an interesting character. One of his descendant's family members in New York happened upon my blog and sent me an email pleased to know there was still a connection in Charleston to their great grandfather and finally after all these years, they came to visit. They were driving their son to Savannah on a college tour and made a stop in Charleston to learn more. This morning they toured MUSC, visited the Waring Library and the Avery Institute where they were received like honored guests.

I figured they would stop for lunch before they got to me, and I made carrot cake, key lime pie and pralines for their afternoon visit. They arrived in one of Charleston's afternoon downpours and it was a sentimental journey as they walked through the house, stood in front of the house's fireplaces and saw the rooms where their ancestor took care of his patients. They left me copies of old pictures and filled in some gaps in what I knew.

It was a wonderful afternoon and a real treat to meet Dr. McClennan's family and it all happened because of some scribbles I wrote on this blog. This was a cool day, kids.

Bella Mafia

St. Philip St., Charleston, S.C.

Who wants to join my Bella Mafia?

I was carrying the flowers home from Harris Teeter and thought they made the perfect touch to the sidewalk inscription.

Happy Thursday!

King St., Charleston, S.C.

Work has been like a race course this week so I am going to pretend this is Friday. I finished off a fund raising sale at 4 p.m. and dashed to the Terrace Theater to sit in Jane Eyre with my hot cuppa tea. It is the perfect way to let the work week melt away. It was bright and sunny when I walked in the theater but I soon realized that the thunder and pounding rain wasn't all part of the gloomy movie sounds effects. I left the theater to find a dramatic rainbow and learn that I'd missed a wild hail storm.

It's the weekend, kids! I have some exciting visitors coming tomorrow afternoon and plan to enjoy a long weekend.

Airmail Please!

Eutawville, S.C.

When I was a kid in India, without tv for entertainment, no telephones and only half an hour of English music on the radio on Sunday night, my friends and I competed in soliciting pen pals from far and wide. I have no recollection of what prompted this, but I sent an ad to the Winnipeg Free Press promising to correspond with anyone who would write me by Airmail.

The postman's arrival was a big deal and everyone gathered round when I got an envelope from Canada. The only person responding to my ad was a ninety year old gentleman by the name of Alfred Stone who wrote from the Wentworth Lodge Retirement Home in Dundas, Ontario.

He rambled on for pages in blue ink handwritten letters on thin paper sent by Airmail as requested. He thought I had nerve insisting on the extra postage but surface mail took 4 - 6 months to arrive. If I was to have a senior citizen as a pen pal, Mr. Stone was the right one. He had just started violin lessons and was rehearsing for a performance. He had recently taken up woodworking and was making an bowl made of intricate inlaid pieces.

Mr. Stone knew exactly the right trick to keep me writing back. In each envelope he sent, he included a crisp two dollar Canadian bill. Gasp! Real pretty foreign money! He signed the letter, which I have to this day, "You can I am sure, use this."

You betcha! I kept my fortune in a worn envelope with tiny ticked pencil marks for each addition, translating it into Rupees and recalculating it endlessly according to the current exchange rate. I was the sister with MONEY.

We went to see Mr. Stone. When my family returned to Canada for a visit we drove to meet him. We walked down to the community room where he played us a tune on the piano and showed me the ribbon he won at the fair for his hand carved wooden bowl. He was a good catch.

Best tips for colicky babies?

Charleston, S.C.

This picture makes me laugh. Allie isn't colicky but was definitely not in the mood for photos. She did calm down so maybe the statue has calming powers. ;)