Yo ho, yo ho, it's an artist's life for me.....

Charleston, S.C.

I am on the run for a date with a little girl in an Easter bonnet but wanted to thank the folks at Quixotic RIE for including me in their series on artists. Wow! I feel honored to be included.

Here is the piece they did, as well as including quite a few photos: Quixotic RIE. Drop by and visit!

Mixology Magician!

Evan Powell, Fish Restaurant, Charleston, S.C.

I like it when something good is billed as the "first annual"!

This evening I went to what was called a Mixology Dinner at Fish Restaurant. Mixologist Evan Powell mixed the drinks and chef Nico Romo whipped up tasty treats to go along with them. The dinner was served in the upstairs room of the restaurant. I can't even guess all the ingredients that were in these drinks but I especially liked what Evan called the Rising Sun (described as being made with Aperol, Yuzu Marmalade, Brut sparking, and preserved orange slice) and his award winning winning Black Thai lemonade.

It was a lovely evening, good food, good drink and delightful company at our table. Thanks folks!

Evening Light

Dock St. Theater, Church St., Charleston, S.C.

This has been a rush, rush, rush week but the one advantage of ending my days with meetings in town is that I get home in time to walk while the light turns Charleston into a sparkling jewel box. These were taken on a Queen St./Church St. route but you can't go wrong lately, everything is so beautiful.

Bloggers get even better looking! A Picture a Day is off on a European adventure and left her sister in charge as guest blogger. Her sister happens to be Valarie, Miss South Carolina US. I met Valarie a few months ago when she graciously visited the friendly little hospital across the river, on Valentine's Day as an honorary volunteer and posed for a million photos with all of our staff and patients.



Queen St., Charleston, S.C.

Eat Your Way to Enlightenment

Roti Rolls, SC Aquarium, Charleston, S.C.

I didn't catch what was written on his shirt until I looked at the photo. I did in fact, enjoy eating myself to enlightenment and for a good cause this evening. I just got back from the Japan fundraising event at the SC Aquarium. What a perfect place for a party. Sadly they locked me out of the otter room but other than that it was a pleasant evening and I hope they made a lot of money for the cause.

Restaurants throughout the Lowcountry will delight your tastebuds with their spin on Japanese cuisine. If you were planning on donating money to aid in Japan, now is our opportunity to come together as a community and make a difference. Enjoy an evening of musical entertainment, delicious and unique food and beverages, while surrounded by the beauty of the South Carolina Aquarium.

Thanks to everyone who sponsored and donated to the cause. There was even a Japanese story teller to entertain us.

WWJS

King St., Charleston, S.C.

Sidewalk Curator reporting in from King St. Not sure what to say about this one!

Philadelphia Alley

Philadelphia Alley, Charleston, S.C.

I ended my day at a meeting in town and arrived home in time to walk while it was still light out which is a treat. I googled Philadelphia Alley to link you to some general info of this quaint little lane and came up with a picture I took myself a few years ago - thank you Google! Then I happened upon another picture I took on this blog describing a trip to Charleston. Photos do get around!

I have a carrot cake in the oven for a birthday treat tomorrow and it is smelling pretty good in here. Yum.

A glimpse of the rare caged joggling board

Joggling Board, Charleston, S.C.

The rare caged joggling board.

For Waldo who is fond of joggling boards. Soon we will have them all photographed and tagged.

Here is the history of this lowcountry tradition: Joggling Board.

I Love All of You

Hutson St., Charleston, S.C.

Someone left a message for y'all on Hutson St. I'm just the messenger.

Wild weather reported for tomorrow but I have my windows open so the wind can whip through tonight.

This is very cool: Jess at Children of the Corm aged a statue for her yard. Clever!

Sucker Jeans: Southern Style! Has anyone tried them? Should I?

Our seersucker is all seasons, heavyweight and in solid colors like black and denim blue. And from our exclusive fabric, Sucker™ brings you the world's first, denim alternative, heavyweight, premium-cut, five-pocket, copper riveted, seersucker jean. Our seersucker jean is made even better by our totally unique, proprietary fit that combines a wide, contoured waistband, with a tilted rise and narrow yoke.

Mixology Dinner at Fish Restaurant on Friday. I ain't never been to no Mixology Dinner before. Let's do it!

I will answer emails, kids, I promise. I'm just drowning in them.

The end of the weekend

John's Island, S.C.

I took a lot of photos at a surprise party for my friend Gene Glave last weekend but this was one of my favorites. These little gals were in a world of their own not far from where a couple of hundred people were celebrating.

Thousands of people headed to Charleston this weekend for the Cooper River Bridge Run so I escaped in the other direction and this is what I spent my time looking at. Lovely. And now, I have twenty minutes to wash clothes, pay bills and get my shower to be ready to look Monday in the eye. I hope everyone has had a good weekend.

I am NOT Incontinent!

Tradd St., Charleston, S.C.

I am going to keep loading you up with flower pictures for the time being.

I mentioned a few weeks ago that the hospital had asked me to participate in one of their commercials. I had done it before and it was fun. Last time I played the wife of a tv gentleman who had a rash on his arm. This time? I play Miss Incontinent Charleston. Yikes!

The spots are to start playing this month so I may as well give you a heads up. I know I will be hearing about this. People will probably lay down a towel before they let me sit. People - I am NOT incontinent! I am playing a role.

Here is the link:Commercials. Scroll down to Commercials and then select Burning Question #3. My only line is: "When I laugh, I leak!"

If you go to page 2 of the Commercials and choose "Need a Doctor Today" you can see the old one.

I am hoping that people will be so distracted by my long hair that they won't hear what I am saying. Right? Right?

Wisteria Lane

Meeting St., Charleston, S.C.

Wisteria Lane turns out to be Meeting St. I like this little gal who couldn't resist smelling the fragrance.

Whew. I earned my keep this week. I feel like I have been on a race course everyday and still left my desk a mess when I escaped. All good stuff but lots of it.

Check out this article in Vanity Fair about the 2011 Food & Wine Festival and calling Charleston "America's Paris". I do wish they had used some of Paul Cheney's pictures to go with the article.

I'm laying low and staying out of the crowds this weekend. Y'all have fun! Bridge run, Flowertown Festival. Happy chaos all around.

Thank you to everyone who emails for permission to use my photos. I appreciate the courtesy and it is nice to know where my photo trail leads.

Favorite Trees

Tradd St., Charleston, S.C.

This sweetie on Tradd St. is on my "favorite trees" list and I stop to say hello when I pass by.

While we are on the topic of trees, here is link to the beautiful journal
South Carolina Lowcountry Nature Journaling & Art by Pam Johnson Brickell. She has pages dedicated to her favorite trees. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Jim!

Mawlai, Shillong, India

One hundred and forty seven years ago tonight, give or take a hundred years, I sat straight up and wide eyed on the top bunk of a double bunk bed (yes, one bed - four kids) listening to the howling wind and knowing that my mother was giving birth in the next room. It was her eighth baby and perhaps less frightening to deliver with my Dad's help than go to an unfamiliar hospital. Things happened so fast the decision was quickly made for her.

Happy birthday Jim! Aren't you glad your sisters raised you right?

We strapped him on our backs and played wild games of tag, hardly ever dropped him on hard cement floors and halfheartedly taught him to read a bit in English. Click here to see a picture of my dad sharing a special moment with my two youngest brothers.

Lend a Hand for Japan

Meeting St., Charleston, S.C.

I like this house on Meeting St. Have I missed anyone's house yet? Surely I've taken pictures almost every corner on the peninsula of Charleston.

In other news, here is some info on a fundraiser in support of Japan that will be held next Wednesday. Spread the word! Here is the link for tickets: Lend a hand for Japan at the SC Aquarium


CHARLESTON (March 29, 2011) - At the S.C. Aquarium on Wed. April 6, from 7-10 p.m., restaurants including Tristan, Triangle Char and Bar, O-Ku, Roti Rolls, Fleet Landing, 82 Queen, Fiery Ron's Home Team BBQ, Smoky Oak Taproom, Cork Neighborhood Bistro, 17 North Roadside Kitchen, Sunfire Grill, Wasabi, Tommy Condon's, and Queen Street Grocery will put their spin on Japanese cuisine, and local guest bartenders will serve up specialty cocktails to Lend a Hand to Japan. There will also be live musical entertainment, and guests will be free to explore all of the Aquarium's exhibits.

The event is a fundraiser to aid Japan via the Japanese Association of Zoos & Aquariums (JAZA) along with the American Red Cross.

The massive earthquake and resulting tsunami on March 11, 2011 in Northern Japan damaged 14 animal institutions located in Japan. The worst damage occurred at facilities located on the coast of Tohuku area. Institutions like the Aquamarine Fukushima and Marinepia Matsushima Aquarium experienced critical damage including structural, electrical, and environmental. Because these institutions are not able to distribute basic necessities like food and water, the animals at the zoos and aquariums there have suffered greatly.

Right now the World's Community of Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) are rallying behind Japanese institutions affected by the tragedy. The South Carolina Aquarium is a member of both WAZA and the AZA.

"Among the many casualties of the tragic earthquake and tsunami were several of Japan's leading aquariums and zoos," said Kevin Mills, South Carolina Aquarium president and CEO. "We are proud to host of this community effort that will in part aid our sister institutions in their recovery."

One hundred percent of the ticket sales and silent auction proceeds will benefit JAZA and the American Red Cross, which are already mobilized and on the ground providing aid in Japan. Tickets are a minimum donation of $40 and everything is included.

Advance tickets are available at helpjapancharleston.eventbrite.com/ and will be on sale at the door the night of the event.

Lend a Hand to Japan is being made possible through the generous support of numerous local organizations including Charleston City Paper, the South Carolina Aquarium, Stage Presence and Other Brother Entertainment, and Two Fish Enterprises. All participating organizations have generously donated their time, services, and products to make this evening possible.

Pull up a chair...

Magnolia Plantation Gardens, Charleston, S.C.

Sweet spot, eh?

I think I need a couple of real Adirondack chairs myself for this summer. Any recommendations? Maybe if I by one I'll learn to pronounce the word. Aridarock, Arindock, Adarinadack.

Bunny Season!

Charleston, S.C.

I'm sure they'll be bringing me chocolate eggs.

Chasing the Black Cab - King St.

King St., Charleston, S.C.

I used to chase down the British Black Cabs for photo ops but they've been scarcer lately.

I interviewed a lady from Scotland this morning and that reminded me of the photo of my dream car found in Edinburgh a couple of years ago. Yep! A Black Cab with a bottle of Corona on the side. Perfect! I can travel with a wedge of lime.

It's cold outside, kids! I'm trying to make myself go for a walk but I've been dragging on a snuggle under a warm blanket watching last night's recorded Army Wives and sniffling. Sniff.

Places to see before you are 15

Tradd St., Charleston, S.C.

The overcast skies made my photo walk a treat this morning. This is a yard on Tradd St. that I always admire. Some people must get tired of me poking my camera over their fence. :)

Budget Travel magazine came up with a list of places that they decided kids should see before they by the age of 15. There was a lot of discussion on the page so not everyone agreed. I for one, wasn't going to drive my kids to California to go to a zoo in San Diego, but not only did they see the Grand Canyon - they hiked to the bottom and slept the night when they were nine and ten. They didn't see the Redwoods by fifteen but they have now. I still haven't seen Monticello myself. Shame on me.

15 places kids should see by age 15

Grand Canyon - Arizona
Niagara Falls - New York
The National Mall - Washington, D.C.
Williamsburg - Virginia
Walt Disney World Resort - Florida
Independence Hall - Pennsylvania
Alcatraz Island - California
Ellis Island - New York
Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming, Montana and Idaho

Redwood National Park - California
Monticello - Virginia
The Freedom Trail - Massachusetts
Fenway Park - Massachusetts
Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve - Idaho
San Diego Zoo - California

My kids saw the top grouping but not the bottom ones. What do you think? Does the list make sense?

Blossoms in the Unitarian Church Cemetery

Unitarian Churchyard, Charleston, S.C.

There isn't much depressing about the riot of color in the cemetery on the grounds of the Unitarian Church. It's hard to resist overloading the blog with blossom pictures right now. I'm afraid this is what you are going to get for a while!

The pathway in the lower photo is from the entrance at the gate on King St.

I hope everyone has had a good weekend. Remember - when I am Queen, we will all have three day weekends.

Bursting into bloom at Magnolia Plantation Gardens

Magnolia Plantation Gardens, Charleston, S.C.

I walked in heaven this morning. The city is like a garden right now and the gardens are glorious. My annual pass expires on 4/3 so I was just in time to scamper through the blossoms without paying an entry fee.

The place was swarming with photographers tripping over each other trying to get the perfect shot. The crowd mainly consisted of photographers and little old ladies so I fit perfectly in both categories!