Teeny, tiny houses of Charleston

Bull St., Charleston, S.C.

Here a couple more shots to add to the series of teeny, tiny houses of Charleston taken on a Bull St. walk this weekend. They might not really be so small in square footage but they are in respect to the large neighboring homes. Cute little things indeed.

My Canadian niece Elizabeth is studying this year at the University of Essex in the UK. Peak in on her travels and say hello on her blog: Keep Calm and Travel On.

Take a moment and vote for Bernie Ditter on the Salute to Senior Service link. Bernie is an extraordinary volunteer not only for the Juvenile Justice Dept. but for Roper Hospital. This is an easy vote and you can repeat daily if you are inclined: http://www.salutetoseniorservice.com/volunteer-contest/entries/bernie-d/

Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance - French Huguenot Church

French Huguenot Church, Charleston, S.C.

Hello - something is different here. The beautiful French Huguenot Church used to be a brilliant white and now it is pink. Apparently it was damaged enough during the restoration of the Dock St. Theater across the street that is went through an entire renovation and while they were at it they went back to match the original shade of pink. I was not consulted.

Restoration in Progress: The current restoration project began due to damage caused to the church by other construction done in the area, namely from the Dock Street Theatre, which underwent a multi-million dollar renovation, completed in 2010. While work has been going on for quite some time now, a major change just took place. The color of the exterior stucco, which as most of you will remember, used to be white, has been reverted back to its original pale pink.

Powder Magazine celebrates 300th birthday

Powder Magazine celebration, Cumberland St., Charleston, S.C.

These cute little gals were posing for me but kept their eyes on their mothers behind me. There was a crowd lined up to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Powder Magazine and the festivities were getting ready to start as I walked by this morning.

The small brick building on Cumberland Street is distinctive for its three-feet-thick walls, four groin vaulted arches, and a pyramid roof, architectural necessities in case the loose gun powder stored there in the 1700s exploded.
“It was very well built,” said retired USC art and architectural historian John Bryan. “And the proof of that is the fact that it is still there.”
The magazine was completed in 1713 under the Lord Proprietors rule and was part of the walled city called Charles Towne. That city was four blocks wide and two blocks long, bordered by the present Meeting, Cumberland, East Bay and Water streets.

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2013/04/18/2730582/powder-magazine-celebrates-tricentennial.html#storylink=cpy

Thank a volunteer - Lowcountry Senior Center

Lowcountry Senior Center, James Island, S.C.

Next week is Volunteer week but we've been pro-active and held volunteer recognition events this week. I've been party hopping and have been hugged by so many wonderful people I should be radiating good will.

I've helped host volunteer award luncheons for Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, Mount Pleasant Hospital, Roper Hospital and today I attended a recognition brunch for the Lowcountry Senior Center volunteers on James Island. What a great group. Joe Hanf, pictured getting the smooches above has volunteered for over 10,000 hours for the Senior Center.

Events unfold

Magnolia Plantation Gardens, Charleston, S.C.

I've spent the entire evening watching the story in Boston unfold, amazed at the work done by law enforcement, FBI, EMS, hospital staff and the city of Boston. My heart is full of gratitude for everyone who worked tirelessly to bring this awful incident to some closure.

Need something to read?

Window Books, Hollywood, S.C.

I lightened my load and got rid of so many things when I moved downsizing to a smaller house last year. The only thing I have caught myself regretting has been that I gave away so many of my books. I had boxes of books that had been in my attic since my move before that - over twenty years earlier. I gave away all of my recipe books now that I google all recipes. If the internet is down, I am completely helpless and unable to make a meal.

I spotted this window full of books in Hollywood, S.C. in Robert Sarvo's Antique Store. Maybe I should buy a few. 

Travel Tuesdays - Endebess, Kenya

Kenya

On Tuesdays I allow myself to stray out of the lowcountry and dip into old travel albums. These shots were  from a trip I took a few years ago to document the installation of a water purification system designed by Water Missions International for a community hospital in Kenya. The hospital I work for raised the money and sponsored the project and I was fortunate to be part of it.

After the commissioning ceremony we traveled a bit and visited other hospitals, clinics, schools and a school for the blind.  I took these between Kitali and Endebess if my memory serves. It was a market area that sold veggies and piles of used clothes and repaired bikes. I was a quick hit taking pictures of the market ladies and kids and showing them their image in the back of the camera to whoops of laughter.

The Eatery at the Depot - Branchville, SC

The Eatery at the Depot, Branchville, SC..

An interesting fact about Branchville is that it is the site of the oldest railroad junction in the world. The world! They celebrate the fact each year with the Raylrode Daze Festivul.  The actual depot burned but has been restored into a museum and restaurant called the Eatery at the Depot.

Branchville then became the first railroad junction in the world when the railroad company extended its rails on to Hamburg, across the Savannah River from Augusta, Georgia and to the north, to Orangeburg and Columbia. Both rail lines closely paralleled the Old Indian Trails. The "Best Friend," the first steam railroad in the South, if not in the United States, hauled freight and passengers over the Charleston to Hamburg line through Branchville.

To satisfy the demand, the railroad persuaded a Mr. Chatrand, operator of the tavern known as "The Branch Eating House," at the fork in the Indian trail, to move his establishment to the Branchville depot, Chatrand did so and erected the same sign used by his old establishment. But for railroad purposes, this was not satisfactory, according to old accounts. Hence, the "ville" was added to the name of "The Branch," which soon became known by its present name, "Branchville."

I've been through Branchville before but never happened to be there when the restaurant was actually open. I finally got to sit down and enjoy dinner and has a very pleasant meal. Cars were lined up and the place was quite busy so I felt lucky not to have to wait long.

Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance - Ravenel

United Methodist Church, Ravenel, S.C.

We haven't added to the Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance series lately but this lovely historic church in Ravenel, SC fits the bill for a spring time image. The azaleas were in bloom and I had to stop to take a picture and wander through the churchyard cemetery.

There was an odd startling moment when I saw a tombstone with the name of a vibrant and alive friend on it. That is always weird.

“Spring had really come. The south opened like a mouth. It blew one long breath, humid and warm, and flowers quivered inside the seeds, and the round earth began to ripen like fruit.”
Jean Giono (found in Provence: A Country Almanac)

Honoring Volunteers

Peri-op Volunteers, Charleston, S.C.

I may be one of the most fortunate people in the world - getting to work with people who do a job because they want to make a difference. I spend my days recruiting, interviewing, processing, scheduling and training hospital volunteers and I have the best team anyone could every hope for. I love these folks. My health system has over 600 volunteers who serve during a year and in 2012 my team worked well over 82,000 hours. What an incredible group of people.

Volunteer Week is in April and we have a few recognition events the first of which was today. This is a very small part of the volunteer teamp. For this photo grouping we tried to gather volunteers who greet patients coming in for surgical procedures, staff the OR Waiting Room, pre-surgical area and recovery room. What a difference this team makes. Thanks folks! You are the VERY best.

North Charleston Riverfront Park

Riverfront Park, North Charleston, S.C.

My kids attended the Academic Magnet High School when it was housed on the old Navy Base so we did the trip down memory lane driving around the old base and North Charleston's Riverfront Park during my daughter's recent visit. I always like to check in on the outdoor sculptures at the park. 

The scene below is their fancy bandstand. It must be quite a sight to see fireworks going off over the river.

I'll take this town.....

Charleston Street Poetry

I'll take this town,
I'll make it my own
I'll walk the street.
I'll feel the beat
of the sun on my face
I'll say, I like it here,
and I'll stay.

And I did! 

Asleep in a tree

Magnolia Plantation Gardens, Charleston, S.C.

See the dark spot in the ancient oak tree? That is the final resting place of the former owner of Magnolia Plantation. John Drayton Hastie's remains are inside a container that is tucked inside the oak tree that was  planted by his ancestor three centuries ago.

Each year it seems to disappear a little more until soon, I imagine he will be completely enclosed within the tree. Not a bad resting place.

I Heart My City - Charleston

King St, Charleston, S.C.

Check this link to an I Heart My City entry on Charleston on the National Geographic site by Barrett Caldwell. It's fun to think of how you would answer the questions.

Ready for another National Geographic thing that tickles me to no end? They link to this blog on their Free Things to do in Charleston site. That is pretty cool for a long time National Geo fan like me.

Here's lookin' at you kid

Hollywood, S.C.

He is a giant treat waiting for you on a street corner in tiny Hollywood, S.C. Many years ago I first spotted him on the water side of the Charleston City Marina behind the Rice Mill building and I was pleased to see that he hadn't disappeared entirely. He is a established Hollywood personality now.

It is hard to get a feel for the size in the picture but years ago the business owner told me that it took a crane to move him to the location. Stop by and say hello. 

Gandhi visits North Charleston

Mahatma Gandhi, North Charleston, S.C.

I've been on the look out for a mural of Mahatma Gandhi that I heard was in North Charleston but no one seemed to know where it was. I finally asked a server at Evo's Pizza and was informed that it was on the wall inside a bar - The Sparrow.

It was early in the afternoon and with the establishment relatively empty the manager let me wander and admire. The artist is Douglas Panzone.

Charleston Battery soccer players run the Cooper River Bridge Run

Charleston Battery runners, Charleston, S.C.

There were a lot of fun costumes in the Cooper River Bridge Run this morning but these gentlemen from the Charleston Battery soccer team were actually in uniform. Run gentlemen!

Congratulations Cooper River Bridge Runners/Walkers!

Cooper River Bridge Run - 2013, King St., Charleston, S.C.

Amazing. They look like they are flying. The wheelchair racers were so fast most of them had already passed by when I arrived.  After the initial serious competitors, I love the sense of humor and outfits people wear to enjoy the day. Town is happy chaos and I am sure every restaurant will be full. I am sorry I didn't offer to make brunch for participants I knew. Maybe I will do that next year.

Spring time glory

Magnolia Plantation Gardens, Charleston, S.C.

Magnolia Gardens pulls me like a magnet at this time of year. It is impossible to resist and you can see why. How perfectly lovely. I did a quick walk through the blossoms and the swamp walk happily clicking away. Photographers were tripping over themselves today with all the latest equipment, long lenses and tripods. I slipped in between them, snapped a couple shots and skipped along my merry way.

Cooper River Bridge run in the morning, kids. Who is running?

Kindness

Be Kind, Charleston, S.C.

I love this quote from Roger Ebert. "Kindness" covers all my political beliefs." RIP Mr. Ebert.

Folly Beach Impressionist Art

Mural, Folly Beach, S.C.

Yikes, it has been a busy week. I need to run away. Maybe back to the beach.

Today's image is a mural on Folly Beach. It looks like an impressionist art piece, doesn't it?

The local internet community is a-buzz with the story of an upcoming reality show based in Charleston. Mostly a not very happy buzz but that might just be me.  Ewwww. When will the reality show stage pass? Soon please.

Spring Break Charleston Style

Marion Square, Charleston, S.C.

There is a early warm day in Charleston when Marion Square fills up with college students in bikinis, Frisbee players, happy dogs, picnickers and now hammocks. These must be the perfect trees. I left, walked around and came back and there was a different hammock in place. Happy Spring Break!

Spring Break Charleston Style

Blue Bicycle Books, King St., Charleston, S.C.

Blue Bicycle Books window display stays current with the passing of time but it doesn't keep sleeping kitty awake.

Uhoh. Luckily tomorrow is National Walking Day because I was a slacker this evening. I did do a quick mile loop around the hospital during my break this afternoon but couldn't make myself get back out this evening until it was much too late and dark.

“Walkers are 'practitioners of the city,' for the city is made to be walked. A city is a language, a repository of possibilities, and walking is the act of speaking that language, of selecting from those possibilities. Just as language limits what can be said, architecture limits where one can walk, but the walker invents other ways to go.”
― Rebecca Solnit, Wanderlust: A History of Walking

New entry to the Sandwich Honor Roll

Wich Doctor, Folly Beach, S.C.

I am enjoying my extra day off so much that I probably need to figure out a way to retire. Harhar. This is sweet. I walked on Folly Beach this morning after doing a few errands along the way. After the beach and boardwalk I found this place to grab a bite.

I have a few favorite sandwiches around town - the Eggplant & Goat cheese at Hominy Grill, the Portobello Mushroom at Five Loaves and the Duck Confit at Caviar & Bananas but this Jerk Caribbean pork with plantains, mango ketchup & grilled scallions formally joined the honor roll today. It was so good I soon had some company at my table.

First paddle of the year

Lake Marion, S.C.

With both of my children with me this weekend and it was good to wet the paddles for the first time this year. Bike rides, a bonfire and lazy evenings reading. I am a fortunate woman. 

Even better - I worked Friday so I could take today off. Woohoo!