Tight quarters

Prices Alley, Charleston, S.C.

Ooopsie! Charleston alleys are full of charm but can be tricky for practical purposes.

I just got home from the Walk for Water but couldn't resist grabbing a shot of this on my return. I didn't stick around to find out if they made it.

It is pouring rain. Stay dry!

The Hospital Herald - 1899

The Hospital Herald, Charleston, S.C.

This is a page from the Hospital Herald, Charleston 1899. I have discovered that the Waring Library at MUSC has digitized the copies of the medical journal. It is a fascinating glimpse at medical history in the lowcountry and I have been reading them all. Copies of the journal can be found: Lowcountry Digital Library.

The Hospital Herald is described as: The Official organ of the Association of Colored Physicians of South Carolina, edited by Dr. A.C. McClennan, surgeon in charge of the Colored Hospital and Training School for Nurses at 135 Cannon St., Charleston, S.C. Topics discussed in this issue include the financial needs of the hospital and solicitations of donations for indebtedness. Other topics include winter illnesses, sanitation and hygiene, and nurse-training.

How times have changed. They are hoping for donations of $15 to support a free bed for a month and $300 would pay the salary of the Head Nurse for a year.  Click below to see local Charleston advertisers in the Herald.

Charleston Fashion Week

Charleston Fashion Week, Marion Square, Charleston, S.C.

I joked a couple of years ago that the one festival I wasn't involved with at all was Charleston Fashion Week and wondered if it was because I tend to wear Dansko shoes. Heheh. This year, thanks to Charleston Magazine and the American Heart Association I was offered tickets to last night's fashion show. Lordy, I could have used up a camera card just taking pictures of women's shoes. No sensible Danskos in sight. It was an experience. As I understand it, the entire event started as the brainchild of Ayoka Lucas pictured above and has blossomed into a very successful event. 

I wasn't seated in a place to get good pictures so just grabbed a couple to document the event. I have to admit that my favorite part of the night was the kid's fashions. They were so adorable.

Charleston view

Charleston, S.C.

We get so excited about views overlooking the peninsula because we have so few high rise buildings in Charleston. Isn't this glorious?

I hosted a career evening for students interested in Emergency Medical Services this evening at Roper Hospital. Besides the normal skills, ambulance ride etc. I had a special treat up my sleeve. I couldn't tell the students about it since I wasn't sure we could pull it off but we did. I took forty kids up to the roof of Roper Hospital and let them check out the helicopter and talk to the pilot and flight staff. I am not sure who was more excited - them or me!

I need to get to bed, kids. Late night tonight and long day tomorrow. G'night. 

Your personal shopper - me!

Charleston, S.C.

Clicking around the blogosphere, I realize I have been slacking off on blogging duties. There is a general tradition of displaying wares for readers to buy. I don't take pictures of myself trying on new outfits in fitting rooms, displaying my feet in new shoes or raving about purses or nail polish colors.

Have no fear! I found a fresh exciting sale that no one else is promoting. Who knew that tombstones went on sale for Easter and Mother's Day? Tell them I sent you.

No promotional blog give-a ways to commenters. Sorry about that. Maybe next year after they get a rush of sales from my promotion.

Colorful Morning Walk

Magnolia Plantation Gardens, Charleston, S.C.

I go for a long walk every weekend morning and during the spring it is hard to resist walking through the gardens at Magnolia Plantation. Wow.....look at this. We aren't at peak blooming season yet but it is completely glorious. I did more stopping and admiring the flowers than I did quick marching.  I renewed my annual pass so I will be back frequently.

I hope everyone had a good weekend. If you didn't it wasn't because of the weather. Busy week ahead so I am lollygagging and watching the Army Wives sad episode. Sniff.

Gruesome puzzle

What is this carcass?

This evening we have a new game of  "can you identify this carcass?". It isn't really a game but I am puzzled. I was up around Lake Marion last night and found this on my bike ride this morning. I stood there scratching my head. There are no limbs or wings and it was the size of a small deer. What the heck is it?

The perfect Leprechaun!

Leprechaun, Charleston, S.C.

I have had a crazy day, kids and can always use some good luck so I was happy to see my favorite leprechaun this morning. This gentleman will be 83 next month, still works and drops by the hospital each year for St. Patrick's Day with a basket full of candy to pass around. How cool is that.

It's a green time of year

King St., Charleston, S.C.

Even the skull bikes are turning green in preparation for St. Patrick's Day in the JLINSNIDER window display.

Exotic doors on King St.

Indonesian Door panels, Seeking Indigo, Charleston, S.C.

Charleston is known for beautiful doors but this does stand out.

This is quite an amazing sight to find on King St. in Charleston. I am not, I repeat NOT, supposed to be shopping when I go for an exercise walk but I popped into Seeking Indigo to look at a sweater I saw in the window and spotted this inner entrance to their spa. I am not a spayee (like that spelling?) person for the most part but I was impressed with the Indonesian door. I am sure there is relaxing music, aromatherapy and tinkling bells behind the carved wooden panel.

Check the web site for more info about their magical healing experience. Me? I am pleased with my sweater. 

Before & After - Spring St.

Spring St., Charleston, S.C.

The little hat shop has gone through quite a transformation since I walked up wondering if it was the building I should buy and live in happily every after. At that time I wrote this entry.  Internet branding company Fuzzco turned the building into a stylish office space featured in remodelista here.

If you like it then you gotta put a dollar on it - living local

My ice coffee at Persimmon Cafe, Calhoun St., Charleston,S.C.

If you like it then you gotta put a dollar on it! Support local business.

I liked the idea that a coffee shop had opened inside of the College Laundry on Calhoun St. so much that I looped my Saturday morning walk in that direction and ordered an ice coffee. Perfecto! Thanks Robert.

Eater Charleston: Charleston's newest coffee shop is tucked inside one of downtown's most visible laundromats. Owned by Robert Cassi, who recently helped open Mount Pleasant's Sesame Burger, Persimmon Café is located in the corner of the facility that once housed a soda machine.
Instead of vending Coke products, a press release announced the space is now "a walk-up counter service café that specializes in local ingredients & an ever changing menu. We offer Charleston Coffee Roasters coffee with organic choices." They are also serving a variety of sandwiches on bread by Charleston carb hotspot Brown's Court Bakery, soups, bagels, gourmet popcorn and non-coffee drinks, like basil lemonade.

 

Belk Pop Up Shop - King St.

Belk, 341 King St., Charleston, S.C.

It hasn't been long since I walked King St. but there were so many changes this morning it was almost disorienting. Williams Sonoma has moved up the street to a shiny new space. Then, I passed this bright and colorful shop with excited people mingling about. I discovered it was a branch of Belk and was a short term "pop up" store featuring Cynthia Rowley now but will soon promote southern designers. I happened to be there when they made their first sale and the staff broke into applause. 

Post & Courier: Belk department store hasn’t been in downtown Charleston for years, but it will return March 9 for a three-week run as part of the Charlotte-based chain’s 125th anniversary celebration.

Belk will open a temporary shop called Belk @ 341 King at 10 a.m. one week from Saturday, and it will be open through March 31, according to Susan McWatters, Belk regional vice president.

It will feature designs by seven of the 15 winners in the chain’s Southern Designer Showcase competition, including those of dress designer Megan Masters of Mount Pleasant, as well as a line designed exclusively for Belk by Cynthia Rowley, who has a shop at 178 King St.

I asked two of the buyers - Dedra and Katie to pose for me. Good luck ladies! I am sure it will be a big hit.

Food Photo Challenge - Happy Snapping!

I don't feel alone now that everyone is taking pictures of their meals. Holy City Sinner passed along this Food Phone Photo Show challenge. I usually carry a wee pocket camera now but this will be of interest to those of you who snap your dinner with your phone.

Jericho Advisors, a business management firm, is running a contest to find out who has the best food porn in the Holy City. Officially, it’s called the Food Phone Photo Show Challenge, but Food Porn Contest is much more fun to say.  The business is asking for you to take pictures of your food and send it to them for chance at a cash price. A team of three judges – including Chef Craig Deihl from Cypress, Holly Herrick and Erin Perkins – will pick the best photos. Winners can earn up to $100.

Click the image to enlarge for more information how to participate. The contest runs through March 24th.

Pie in the face - for a cause

Charleston, S.C.

Our Physical Therapists allowed their patients to make donations to Water Missions International for the privilege of throwing a pie in their a face. They counted up their donations today and three of them each took a pie in the face. Good fun for a good cause.

The Charleston Walk for Water is coming up at the end of this month. Join the fun at the Walk for Water of consider making a donation: Walk for Water

Beleaf me or not

Reflections

I love these picture. Any one watching may have thought I was nuts. I kept waving my hand around watching the reflection in relation to the floating leaves. I am so easily entertained.

Wasp Catchers

Rosinville, S.C.

This picture in front of the little convenience store in Rosinville. S.C. is a period piece with the chairs lined up and the pay phone in the background, my potential lottery winnings posted in the window, but what caught my eye was the glass jar hanging from the awning. It is a insect/wasp trap. Closer view:

Not that I have a wasp problem but it is interesting. It took me a few minutes but I tracked down these traditional glass wasp catchers from Garrett Wade:

The time-honored way these work is that the wasp (or hornet, yellowjacket, or fly) is enticed by any sweet liquid to fly up into the jar through the hole in the base. Once inside, the bug will invariably drown. When full, you simply pull out the top stopper and empty the Trap. Hang it from any convenient branch, nail or hook; it requires no maintenance whatsoever, except an occasional look-see and cleaning. Leave outdoors all the time, except if freezing.

These are still made in modern forms today, but ours are exact replicas of an antique Victorian wasp trap which we came across years ago during trip through the Lake District in England

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Before & After - Brooks Service Center

Brooks Service Center, Charleston, S.C.

Before & After: I found a couple "before" pictures of the former Brooks Service center that is now the Xiao Bao Biscuit restaurant. Quite a difference!

Now I need to get myself in there and try it. Who has eaten there? Recommendations?

Xiao Bao Biscuit, Charleston, S.C.

I had a cow!

"West Of", Westie Award, Charleston, S.C.

I won a cow! Since I moved West Ashley I was eligible to win one of the annual "Westie" awards from "West Of" newspaper named for our local icon - the Coburg Cow statue. Nothing could have tickled me more. I think you can enlarge the image below to make it readable but I was primarily nominated for all the student mentoring programs I coordinate at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital. Happy day!

Editor Lorne Chambers dropped off my cow on Friday afternoon and I've been grinning ever since. Thanks folks!

Citadel Mall Rookery

Rookery by Citadel Mall, Charleston, S.C.

I don't look forward to the post academy award season because theaters replay all the winning movies and I have already seen them. Hmmmph. I ended up going to Citadel Mall to see Safe Haven as my Friday matinee and ordered the kiddie treat pack of popcorn, small drink and  M & Ms. It is the best deal.

Coming out of the theater at dusk I drove my car to the other side of the parking lot to enjoy the thrill of all the birds in the rookery in the pond next to the theater. It is amazing. There are so many birds that the trees look like they have white blossoms.It didn't hurt that I was there at sunset.