Officer's Quarters in the rain

Officer's Quarter, Old Navy Base, Charleston, S.C.

Waaaa....it is Sunday night. The only thing I promised that I would do this weekend was my taxes and I haven't started them yet. Sob. This happens every year. I end up getting a refund but I can't make myself do them.

Sunday night and Army Wives should be on so I'll treat you to another scene that you might spot in the series. They showed a glimpse of this building last week and said something like, "can you imagine the parties you could hold." What a grand mansion!

Constructed in 1905 this is the Officer's Quarters H-I on the old Charleston Navy Base. I am so pleased to see that it has been renovated. It was heart breaking to watch this beautiful building fall to ruin and vandalism. Check this link for Robert Behre's Post & Courier article about the renovation.

Now, would someone please come over and do my taxes?

Fashion Statements - St. Patrick style

What fun! Since it is Charleston Fashion Week, I thought I'd feature a few of the fashion statements made in honor of St. Patrick's Day at the parade this morning. These are only the human ones, pets were a different category entirely!

Did everyone have a good time today? The festivities seem to get bigger and bigger each year. It is a lovely night but I just had to close my windows in the hope that the packs of celebrating college students won't keep me awake all night. I can hope, can't I?

St. Patrick's Day Parade - King St.

St. Patrick's Day Parade, King St., Charleston, S.C.

They might not look like it here but this gang consists of some cracker jack Emergency Room staff from Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital! More photos here.

I want it, I need it.....

Dr. Ann, Charleston, S.C.

Of course she needs it!
 
Dr. Ann, Charleston's own physician and author of wellness books, reinforces my need for chocolate. Thank you, Dr. Ann!

Friday Happenings

Apple Store line, King St., Charleston, S.C.

Guess who is getting a new iPad? Not me - but I did pass this early morning line up as I was marching down to the Harbour Club for a breakfast meeting this morning.

I've been hopping from meeting to meeting this week. I had almost daily breakfast meetings from the Marina Variety Store (crab benedict) for Volunteers, Garden Hilton for American Heart Association (Dr. Ann spoke about healthy eating while we ate) and this mornings yummy omelet at the Harbour Club for Trident United Way. Surely I have gained a pound a day while we solved the world's problems.

One of my favorite Leprechauns - Patrick Stuckart stopped by to visit me at the hospital this afternoon. I think that guarantees me a weekend of good luck!

Castle Law

Castle Law, Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

No trespassing. I think he means it.

If a man’s home is his castle, the Castle Doctrine gives citizens in their homes the right to protect themselves, other people, and their property by force – in some instances even deadly force. This gentleman is using a reminder, right next to his back door.

Poe in Blue Plaid

Poe Studio, Savannah Highway, Charleston, S.C.

Cute little Poe Studio on Savannah Highway is an eye catcher.

Here is a trivia bit about Edgar Allan Poe: when he lied about his age and joined the army he signed up under the name Edgar A. Perry. Yep. When you really want an adventure be a Perry.

This site has some other interesting facts about Edgar Allen Poe.

Hampton Park Walking

Hampton Park, Charleston, S.C.

Many years ago I spotted a notice in the Post & Courier inviting bids to run this concession stand and I called to ask about it. That summer I could have pictured myself serving tasty snacks in this pretty little building. I was a Labor & Delivery nurse then you understand, but somehow I was confident I could run a concession stand. Heheh.

Spring is sprung

Charleston, SC..

Der spring is sprung Der grass is riz
I wonder where dem boidies is?

Der little boids is on der wing,
Ain't dat absoid?
Der little wings is on de boid!

Anon

Respecting the tree

Tree, Ashley Ave., Charleston, S.C.

I love it that they respected this tree enough to simply divide the one way street around it. Thank you! I grin to myself and say, "cool!" every time I drive this way.

Edit: I won't pass by with such a careless smile next time. Comments steered me to the possibility that this was the tree that Denmark Vesey was hung from.  The Post & Courier had this to say: 

Today, the patch of green in the middle of Ashley Avenue at Fishburne Street is hardly noticed by drivers and pedestrians. Few are familiar with the story of the "Hanging Tree," the place where Denmark Vesey likely was executed in 1822 for his role in an interrupted slave revolt. The tree, a symbol of violence and oppression, refers to the politics of fear, a certain "way of life" in the South that demanded a uniquely American response. That response culminated with the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s with Martin Luther King Jr.'s eloquent appeals for justice.

 This link has a picture of an earlier tree in 1939.  Thanks for the input folks. I learn something every day.

The Hump Bar - Get Over It

The Hump Bar, Meeting St. Road, Charleston, S.C.

Shall we meet for a drink at The Hump Bar?

Get over it, because it isn't a real bar. It is a set for the series Army Wives. In between seasons the windows get boarded over and it looks abandoned but right now flowers are blooming and it would be easy to imagine cars pulling up expecting it to be open rather than the facade that it is. Interior shots are filmed somewhere else entirely. No drinks for you :(. Sorry.

Mayor Riley & Friends

Mayor Riley & Friends, Charleston, S.C.

I walked to Harris Teeter this morning to buy emergency staples - tea and eggs (Cadbury) and ran in to Mayor Riley with a couple of city council members on the grounds of Gaillard Auditorium. It's a lovely day and everyone seemed cheerful and festively dressed.

Correction:  Apparently they are mascots celebrating at a kid's festival on the grounds of Gaillard Auditorium.

Scenes of the Lowcountry

Scenes of the Lowcountry from Joan Perry on Vimeo.

I put this together a couple of years ago when I was first trying software that could pan a photo in a slideshow. Wow, we live in a beautiful place. Enjoy!

Teeny tiny Barber Shop

Lee's Barber Shop, Ashley Ave., Charleston, S.C.

Awwww....it is so tiny and cute! Don't come early for your appointment. You might not fit in the door.

Just noticed the For Rent sign. I think I'll go to Barber School and set up shop. I'll have to change the name.

Walking on Water

Hampton Park, Charleston

Look at us!

There is a narrow ledge where the water spills over between the fountain and the pond at Hampton Park that birds like to perch on and pretend they are walking on water. Any kid worth his salt has tried to do the same thing as soon as his/her parent's back is turned.

Surely that wasn't just my kids? I bet you've done it yourself.

Yipee for Fridays!

Hair's Best, Coming St., Charleston, S.C.

Such a cute little hair salon. I've never seen anyone go in or out but it looks like it is still in operation.


Weekends are a bit like rainbows; they look good from a distance but disappear when you get up close to them.  ~John Shirley

Weekends are already too short and this weekend we get shorted an extra hour.  It hardly seems possible that it is time to move our clocks forward already.

I've been in Columbia today hanging out with Directors of Volunteer programs from hospitals around the state and made it home to discover that I've already seen every matinee movie listed at the Terrace Theater. What?! Every time they discover an extra closet they turn it into another movie theater you'd think they could stay a step ahead of me. I skipped my movie ritual and just got back from a late walk about town dodging hoards of loud drunken college students. I thought they were supposed to be on spring break. Did we import a new crop for the week off?

Tin Can Man

The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (2005) (TV)

Tin Thing: Welcome to the Total Intelligence Network, T.I.N. for short.

Toto: What in the name of all that is holy are you, okay?
Tin Thing: Oh, I'm a T.I.N. thing, a fully robotic information gathering device for the Wicked Witch of the West. And I can answer any question in the universe. Anything.
Toto: I got one. Why are the women so confusing, okay?
Tin Thing: Let me process that.
[holds his breath as an antenna sprouts from the top of his tin head]
Tin Thing: [releases deep breath] It only seems that way because men are so simple.

Scarecrow: You know, I'd give my stuffed flipper for only half of your brain.
Tin Thing: Take it from me, brains don't make you happy.

I found this little can fella in a yard in Byrnes Down neighborhood and thought he was pretty cute.

Don't let me forget that I am supposed to be in Columbia in the morning.  

How does your garden grow?

Garden, Mary & Alexander St., Charleston, S.C.

Oh, I am sleepy. I need to get myself to bed early for a change. 

This evening's picture is a colorful scene in front of the community garden at Mary & America St.  It wasn't active yet but I caught these yellow flowers in front of the wall mural. 

I had a good mini blogger meet up with Notoriously Nice Mike at The Grocery and we talked about everyone in town. Yes, you and you and you! It was fun catching up while eating delicious food. It's been a long time since we were almost the only bloggers in town.G'night kids. No John Stewart for me this evening. 

Noodle Night

Tuesdays are Ramen Noodle Nights at Two Boroughs Larder just around the corner from me. Here is the noodly scoop from their web site: 

Ramen is a traditional Japanese staple and is more than just a bowl of noodles. There are four basic elements to every bowl - the broth, the tare (salty soy reduction at the bottom), the noodles and toppings (suddenly that spice packet included with the pre-packaged noodles seems much less appetizing).  In Japan most major cities actually boast their own signature ramen dish. Noodles can range from thin and curly to thick and straight. Toppings include (but are not limited to) bamboo shoots, shredded pork, fishcakes, chilis, eggs and spinach.
Every Tuesday night, starting around 5pm and in addition to the full menu, TBL is planning to hook up your ramen.  Pork. Chicken. Vegetarian.  Your choice!

I tried the spicy pork broth, mushrooms, poached egg and Kimchi. They are going to do Noodle Night every Tuesday. Yum, yum and the company was even better.  Happy birthday to my buddy Dr. G. pictured with Ms. Two Boroughs Larder, Heather Keenan.  Here is the Charleston City Paper review.

Avondale Murals

Avondale Murals, Charleston, S.C.

Following up on my last post, here are some more of the incredible murals behind the Avondale shops on Savannah Highway. What a treat! More info here: Avondale Scene. Click for more details.