Two is two!

Ruby & Harper turn two, Charleston, S.C.

We tried to do a re-enactment of an annual birthday photo but the gals weren't having any part of it! Ruby and Harper turned two and were determined NOT to be in a family photo. Do you think it is called the "terrible two's" for a reason? Too funny! They had a great party and a wonderful time laughing and running around but pictures - no, I don't think so.

Keep an eye out for Ruby & Harper in the Lifetime television series Army Wives.

The long & the short of it

Charleston, S.C.

He made the picture, didn't he? Thank you for running in front of my lens. I am careful about featuring people without their permission or awareness but from the back, unrecognizable, they are fair game.We still have plenty of days to wear shorts sprinkled through a lowcountry winter.

Yeah for five days off. I don't have big plans but it is lovely to be free from work responsibilities for five glorious days. I haven't done too much baking except for shortbread so it's time to get to work!

Before & After - Cannon St. mural

What was Eye Level Art with the mural by Shepard Fairey is now Cannon Green. It isn't open until spring but already has a web site billing at as Charlestons' permier venue site:

Located in the Cannonborough neighborhood, Cannon Green
is Charleston's premier venue for celebrated occasions.
A sophisticated urban concept with the classic elegance of the
South, Cannon Green features three distinct offerings:

• A chic cafe & wine bar
• An artfully landscaped courtyard capable of
  hosting a wedding ceremony or private party
• An elegant & unique event venue for up to 250 guests

It's a blue, blue Christmas

Hospital Christmas Tree, Charleston, SC

It's a blue, blue, ICU Christmas! Check out this creative tree made from blown up hospital gloves by our Intensive Care Unit staff. I hear it brought a lot of smiles. It is perched on a rolling stool and had to be pushed from room to room for the patients to admire. Love it! I work with such creative characters.

All I want for Christmas...

What else could these people want for Christmas? Life looks pretty good. I took the top photo on the weekend and the one below last year.

I am on the run to get a walk in before it gets too dark out.

Seems I've been writing a lot of reference letters and scholarship recommendations lately. Time consuming business that is to do it well. Do you think it would be reasonable to start charging a modest percentage of the scholarship for my cut? Harhar.....

Teeny Tiny Houses of Charleston

Cannon St., Charleston, S.C.

I found a few more candidates for my Teeny, Tiny Houses of Charleston category.

I went to a holiday shindig that was cancelled due to illness and then wandered off to enjoy dinner at Heart Woodfire Kitchen on Folly Rd. with a good friend.  Great food! Fresh and reasonable, just the way I like it.

Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

It's a Baby Tree!

Ashley Oaks Ob/Gyn Christmas Tree, Charleston, S.C.

Isn't this the cutest thing? Dr. Kathryn Hargrove from Ashley Oaks Ob/Gyn flagged me down and said I should get a picture of her office Christmas tree. It's become a tradition for new mothers to bring or send in a picture of the babies she delivered during the year. The tree was full of adorable baby pictures!

Green monsters at the door

Redux, Charleston, S.C.

Redux Contemporary Art Center has a new mural by Mark Hosford. I have taken pictures of almost all of the murals they have featured. Funny thing is, I've never been inside. My daughter used to go when she lived here and in my mind I wrote it off as her territory where mom didn't need to be popping up. I guess she has been living across the country long enough that everything should be considered fair game now.

Dark and rainy night here and I am itchy and twitch because once again I worked late enough to miss my brief window of walking time before it got too dark. Aaaargh.

Bogard St. display

Bogard St., Charleston, S.C.

I walked the Bogard, Spring, Cannon route this morning and caught up with some of my old favorites. I've photographed this lady's display on Bogard this morning but this time the homeowner was sitting on her porch steps and asked me to bring her back a copy of the pictures. I think I will.

I am watching the heartbreaking memorial service from Newtown, Connecticut on tv. It's hard to watch but impossible to turn away from. What a sad time this is.

Greetings from Cannon St.

Cannon St., Charleston, S.C.

When I pointed at my camera giving her the international sign requesting permission to photographer her, she waved and said, "I am Minnie Mouse!" And on close up, she is dressed in Minnie Mouse pants and hat and cheerfully waving at people passing by. I got back in my car smiling.

In other news, I am getting bogged down in randomly spam comments lately. Sigh. Here is a stupid example:

I think what you typed made a ton of sense. However, what about this? suppose you were to write a awesome title? I am not suggesting your content isn't solid., but suppose you added a title that makes people desire more? I mean "Water Bottle Fountain" is kinda plain. You ought to glance at Yahoo's front page and watch how they create article headlines to get people interested. You might try adding a video or a pic or two to grab people excited about what you've written. In my opinion, it might make your blog a little livelier.

So, there ya go. If I add a photo or two it might make my blog a little livelier. I've held back from putting a spam screener on the comments because I hate having to do that. We shall see.

I hope everyone is having a good weekend! It is slipping by too fast for me.

The David

The David, Old Santee Canal Park, S.C.

A Torpedo decked out in Christmas lights aiming at a beautiful historic house is an odd sight. I had a late lunch at the Dock restaurant this afternoon and it seemed to make sense to take a spin through Old Santee Canal Park but they were setting up for evening holiday festivities. I took a quick shot of the David and slipped out of the park before it was hit with happy holiday chaos. 

The David

Also known as "the little David", the Davids were small steam powered torpedo boats that operated around Charleston about the same time as the Hunley. In fact, one was sometimes used as a towing vessel for the Hunley.

The David was conceived and designed by Dr. St. Julian Ravenel, who recruited David Ebaugh to build her. She was privately funded and built at Stoney Landing up on the Cooper river, out of view of the many Northern spies in Charleston.
The David was designed to ride very low in the water and attack by ramming a spar torpedo. However, she was not a submarine- she had an open cockpit and was powered by a small steam boiler. Some books claim that the Davids used water filled ballast tanks to ride low in the water, however, the builder described filling the hull with thousands of pounds of iron to lower the water line.

The David made a somewhat successful attack against the federal New Ironsides; at least damaging her enough to cause her to withdraw and make repairs. This was the first successful torpedo attack in history. The original David almost made history again with a bold attack on a Federal ironclad on the Stono river, however its torpedo failed to detonate.

 

Scaredy Cat

Murals at Avondale, Charleston, S.C.

Scaredy Cat

I guess I’m just a scaredy cat …
I am afraid of everything.
Sometimes I almost jump a mile
when I hear a telephone ring.

It's even scary in my room
so I’ve got to have a light.
Who knows, there might be monsters
under my bed at night! 

C.J. Heck

Aaack! This was a new mural I spotted this morning behind the shops at Avondale. Freaky kinda cat!

A sad, sad day

Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, S.C.

What a sad, tragic day. I've been busy at work all day and just now catching up with news footage from this elementary school shooting. What an unbelievable horror. Poor little precious kids.My heart goes out to the families and loved ones.

Christmas Quotes by Famous Folks

Charleston, S.C.

Christmas creates a happy and pleasant atmosphere for most people, but the Christmas atmosphere can be hard to describe in words. Here you have a series of great quotes about Christmas phrased by famous people.

1. Agnes M. Pharo: What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.

2. Carol Nelson: Christmas is a time when you get homesick – even when you’re home.

3. Helen Keller: The only blind person at Christmastime is he who has not Christmas in his heart.

4. Harlan Miller: Probably the reason we all go so haywire at Christmas time with the endless unrestrained and often silly buying of gifts is that we don’t quite know how to put our love into words.

5. Shirley Temple: I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph.

6. Norman Vincent Peale: Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.

7. Mary Ellen Chase: Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind.

8. W.J. Cameron:There has been only one Christmas – the rest are anniversaries.

9. Larry Wilde: Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.

10. Charles Dickens: I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.

The Real Awards - Votes Invited

 Some people enlighten us. Some people entertain us. 

Some people save our lives

 Charleston Pediatrician, Dr. Clifford leads medical teams to Thailand, Burma, Jordan and Iraq. 

He has led medical teams to Burma for the 7 years treating children and mothers in refugee camps along the Burma Thailand and China border. In Rangoon, 2 orphanages of 50 children each have been treated annually since 2007 including the installation of water purification, vitamins, de-worming medicine, food and clothes. Many lives have been saved over the past 7 years thanks to his dedication. 

Nominated by Diana Glupker

How lovely would it be to have this respected lowcountry Pediatrician win this international award? Pretty darned lovely I say. Enjoy reading the nominations and consider voting daily for Dr. Clifford. 

Vote Here Daily 

Have a Joggly Holiday

Joggling Board, Charleston, S.C.

I found a couple more Joggling Boards for my collection. Soon I'll have tracked them all down!

Psssst....if you are looking for one, I found Island Time Joggling Boards to have the best prices.

This little festive piggie....

Charleston Window Box, Charleston, S.C.

Oink, oink. The festive window piggie is decorated for Christmas. We don't lack for holiday color do we?

Lowcountry at Christmas

Nathaniel Russell House, Meeting St., Charleston, S.C.

Charleston is decked out in it's finest holiday wear. Meanwhile, I have volunteer holiday parties all week and have nothing festive to wear. Red and green don't seem to be my usual colors. When is the black and blue holiday? I have a closet full of those colors.

 

Charleston Men's Choir

Charleston Men's Choir, Sottile Theater, Charleston, S.C.

The only perform a few times a year but each performance is a treat if you enjoy a stage full of gentlemen (and one woman!) singing to you - and I do. The annual Charleston Men's Choir Christmas Concert was this afternoon and a gentleman who used to sing with the choir offered to escort me. Holy Cow it was the perfect storm of driving chaos today with King St. closed for 2nd Sunday and the Mt. Pleasant Holiday Parade this evening. It took a little planning to figure out how to pull it all off since my companion lives on the Isle of Palms, but we did, had a great time and he treated me to dinner at Magnolias after the concert.

I mentioned this gentleman last week. He is a ninety one year old veteran who flew with the Flying Tigers in China in the 1940's. I feel so incredibly honored to have this connection to the stories he has to tell and to be able to ask questions about his experiences and see his collection of memorabilia. How lucky am I? Pretty darn lucky I say.

Charleston Cats

Black Cat, Charleston, S.C.

This must be a new breed of cat I am not familiar with. Anyone?

Literary Canine Companions

  Literary canine companions
Are dogs a writer's best friend? Seven
S.C. authors argue yes in new book    By Jennifer Berry Hawes jhawes@postandcourier.com  Josephine Humphreys Charleston native and author of "Nowhere Else on Earth," "Dreams of Sleep," "Rich in Love" and "The Fireman's Fair."

I love to write with my dog nearby because writing is lonely. At least when my dog's with me, I feel like there's another presence in the room, another brain at work, even if its frequency is different from mine. A dog is the only way a writer can be un-lonesome but still get work done. Ten other reasons for writing with a dog:

1. The dog never says, "When is your next book coming out?" 
2. The dog understands why someone might stare off into space for several hours. He won't think you're crazy. 
3. The dog believes you're doing something important. 
4. The dog doesn't mind frequent breaks for snacks. 
5. When you read a passage to the dog, he'll say "I love that!" with his eyes. 
6. Unlike a cat, he won't say "I don't get it." 
7. The dog will keep your feet warm while you write. 
8. He can bark at intruders and interruptions. 
9. He won't want to go to the movies the night before your deadline. 
10. By example, he reminds you that readers will trust you and follow you down a mysterious path into another world

I spotted the article by Jennifer Berry Hawes in today's Post & Courier. The book is Literary Dogs & Their South Carolina Companions and is available from Amazon and I happened to have a picture of author Josephine Humphreys' canine companion Archie.

Overheard on Church St.

Church St., Charleston, S.C.

Tourists chatting on Church St.:

"So, there are no Churches on Church St.?"

"Right. You can imagine how disappointed we were on Broad St."

Christmas Elves hard at work in Charleston

Meeting & Tradd St., Charleston, S.C.

How perfect was it that I was walking up Meeting St. as this glorious house was being decorated? Perfect, perfect, perfect. This scene will be in a thousand photographs just as it is at Halloween but mine will be the first because I stood on the sidewalk with the owner of the property as she watched her elves adjust the hat designed by a sail maker for her house. What a gift of joy she gives to Charleston each year with the creative and original decorations. Thank you Rebekah!

The Gathering Cafe

Carrot Cake, The Gathering Cafe, Charleston, S.C.

I met with friends to try a new West Ashley restaurant this evening - The Gathering Cafe at Orange Grove and Sam Rittenburg. Now that I live West Ashley I am tickled to hear of tasty new places close to me with great food and plenty of parking. Thanks to my friends Kathy and Leah for the suggestion. From top to bottom although not in that order, we enjoyed the carrot cake, meatloaf, salmon, pork loin (mine) and a visit from chef/owner Nathan Conkle.

I notice that their web site offers printable coupons for a free dessert and glass of wine until 12/15. Go for it!

The Gathering Cafe in West Ashley is a casual, family owned and operated cafe-restaurant offering satisfying food choices to the community of Charleston. We strive to offer the freshest ingredients, and we strongly support the use of organic and local food sources.
Owner, chef and South Carolina native, Nathan Conkle, brings over fifteen years experience to the tables of this new cafe. The Gathering strives to create an atmosphere of comfort where  both individuals and families can gather and feel welcome. The Gathering also offers tasty, take-away choices for those on the move. Please join us in celebrating life's nourishing food!

Our future Physical Therapists

SCRUBS U, PT/OT/Speech Therapy

I hosted twenty five students interested in exploring Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy tonight. Good evening but I think it took me right through to my bed time. Yawn. Thanks to our dedicated staff for making it such a fun experience! There is nothing like letting kids learn about something they are really interested in. Magic.

Christmas Trees for a cause

West Ashley Optimist Club - Christmas Tree Sales

Hey folks, if you haven't picked up your Christmas Tree yet, consider getting one from the West Ashley Optimist tree lot on Playground Road. It is their only fundraiser and the money goes directly to youth programs - scholarships, sports programs etc.

I got mine this evening. Thanks gentlemen!

Outhouses at Sunset

Outhouses, Indian Springs Camp Meeting Grounds

Hey, they look quite nice in that late afternoon light. I took this at the Indian Springs Camp meeting grounds. The wooden cabins are in a circle and the outhouses match up to the cabins in a bigger circle outside. Each wooden tent cabin has it's own numbered outhouse.

I've used enough outhouses in my life to last me forever. When I get back from a trip overseas now, I want to get on the floor and hug the first porcelain flush toilet that I find. We are sooooo fortunate.

Wild Kingdom of Harleyville

Carved bear in a tree, Harleyville, S.C.

My back yard is green and natural with no flower beds or formal plantings and I am tempted to leave it like that. I mentioned to a friend that the only thing I would kinda like would be a full size carved bear coming out of the trees. I may need to buy a chainsaw and learn how to make one. The conversation reminded me of the carved bear in a tree in Harleyville, S.C. Check out the eagle perched on top.

Further on the same drive through this little town is a giant carved eagle. Sadly on this trip it looks like part of his beak is missing. Too much time in the sun without sunblock? It happens to us all.

Rejoice!

Charleston Symphony - Rejoice

Shhh....no photos allowed. I sneaked my camera out during the last encore to remind you that there is one more performance this evening. I love the Symphony Gospel Choir. I joined a couple of friends for a quick bite at Caviar & Bananas before enjoying the concert. By the end, everyone was on their feet clapping and swaying with the joyful music. Let the season begin!

Rejoice! A Spiritual & Gospel Holiday Celebration

12/1/2012 7:30 PM
SATURDAY

Dr. Isaiah R. McGee, conductor and Gospel Choir Artistic Director
David A. Richardson, Spiritual Ensemble Music Director
The 12th annual performance of the joyous sounds of the  holiday features the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, the CSO Spiritual Ensemble, and the CSO Gospel Choir performing spiritual songs, sacred hymns and rousing gospel. Acclaimed vocalists Lori Hicks, soprano, and Dove Award nominee Bryan Wilson, tenor, will perform as special guest soloists. From the traditional "Go  Tell It on the Mountain" to the more modern sounds of Kirk Franklin's "Silver and Gold," this concert is sure to get you in the spirit of the season.

Buy Tickets

 Location

Sottile Theatre - Maps & Directions
44 George Street
Charleston, SC 29401