Through the fence

Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

This fence made a pretty frame even if it is a bit cobwebby. This was taken through the iron fencing surrounding the Ashley Hall School for girls on Rutledge Avenue. In the photo below you can see the shells on the shell house.

How is everyone's week going? From all the posts around Charleston it feels like everyone but me is spending their days eating, drinking, partying and enjoying the Spoleto Festival while I've been cooped up in my office. Hmmmph. For someone who has a "people" job I seem to spend a lot of time at my desk clicking away at my keyboard. 

For the record, my school campus didn't look like this, did yours?

Travel Plans

Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

This is one of my favorite houses on Rutledge Ave. draped in spanish moss. I am getting used to making do with my little pocket canon camera on most of my evening walks now rather than the heavier DSLR. I was beginning to walk lopsided from the weight.

I got on the phone with my daughter in Portland last night and we coordinated booking tickets to India for November. Woohoo! First off - how wonderful to have a daughter who is able to pay for her own ticket. Although I have been back to India, this will be the first time I go back to the hills in the far north east where I grew up since I graduated from high school. It's is going to be a sentimental journey indeed. Now, shall I make any effort to refresh a language I haven't spoken since I was seventeen? Yikes.

I had to be at work bright and early to sell some pot. Pots. I sponsored a fundraising cookware sale in this heat and did very well, thank you. The profits allow me to play lady bountiful and buy wheelchairs, blanket warmers and training mannequins for the hospital.

Thanks for all your great comments. It takes great self discipline not to respond to them while I am at work but they do delight me!

Fire at Bogard & Rutledge

Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

I can't even imagine waking up to this but luckily someone did wake up and got everyone else out. No one was hurt although I'm sure they lost almost everything. The Post & Courier site has a lot more photos here. Fire is always a worry with these old wooden houses.

'Mornin' Judge

Hominy Grill, Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

Good news for the brunch crowd lined up every weekend in front of Hominy Grill on Rutledge Ave. They are expanding. Sometimes I feel so bad for the throngs of customers waiting in the heat to get in when I walk by, I am almost tempted to wave for them all to follow me home and offer to make pancakes. Almost. Not quite.

I am starting my Spoleto activities as the festival winds to a close. I went to see Trombone Shorty at the College of Charleston cistern last night. It was so cool! I've never been to an official night time event under those grand oak trees with the lights on the old buildings. The temperature was perfect, my companions delightful and the music lively. I didn't risk taking pictures although I do have the same fake press pass that Chuck has. Chuck gave me one for my birthday and I leave it causally tucked in but visible in my backpack so I look semi official if no one examines it too closely.

I am off for a late morning walk. I got up early to meet a gentleman in a parking lot to do a deal and we both left happy.

Pretty, pretty please!

Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

Still Life with Shells & Bottles

Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

Still life with shells and bottles.

No yard is safe with me. I'll spot the quirky character bits and save the photo for a day when I walk in the dark without my camera. I've been doing that a lot lately, coming home tired, crashing with my bowl of leftovers - getting noddy in my corner of the couch, and then finally getting in the mood to go for a hike long after I should. Luckily the downtown streets are still swarming with college students late into the evening.

What movie shall I see tomorrow afternoon, kids?

Beware - Attack Dog!

Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

My friend Jerry used to cut my hair until I slipped into the bad habit of hacking away at my own bangs and piling the rest on top of my head. Now I never see him unless we get around to arranging dinner or I catch him out taking care of his garden. I am kicking myself that I missed catching his wisteria in bloom on that trellis.

Jerry let me explore the rest of the garden despite Sister the guard dog. Harhar. Sister's paws were wet from dangling them in the fish pond.

Earthquake in New Zealand

Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

Today's photo is of the blossoms framing the shell house at Ashley Hall School on Rutledge Ave. on my walk this morning but what was in my mind was this note I got about the earthquake in New Zealand. I had paid close attention to it because my brother Bob and wife Elaine had just posted their safe arrival home from a holiday there. I was so relieved to see that they were safe.

Dear Joan:

My name is Paul Freeman. I am part owner of a very small Painting/finishing company in North Charleston. The reason for me in contacting you is to ask you if you have been watching any of the news coverage on the horrible Quake which struck the city and region Of Christ Church New Zealand.

I was wondering if your organization has or will contact the stricken people of that town and is your specialized talents are of any use to them at this time of need. I have a friend who lives in Dunedin NZ a town south of The region hit by the quake. As a result of my friendship with this person I have had personal contact on all the going on's in the wake of this horrible event. I remember all the wonderful work you have done and was wondering if you can or are able to help these people. I am attaching a link to a volunteer group started by students at a university in ChristChurch which may be able to help you direct any help you may be able to give them.

Thank you for your attention to this.

Paul is right. These folks can use our help now. The first link is to a local student army of volunteers who are posting needs on Facebook so you can see exactly what is going on. The second link is for donations to the Red Cross in New Zealand which I expect is what they need most from us now. Thanks Paul!

UC Student Volunteer Army

Red Cross New Zealand

Before & After - Rutledge Ave.

Rutledge & Vanderhorst St., Charleston, S.C.

I walk enough to keep up with the changes in the neighborhood and it's my job to pass it along to you. This is the new Ashley Hall School building at the corner of Rutledge & Vanderhorst St.

Speaking of progress, I am slipping. Wired Mazagine published their list of The 10 Most Significant Gadgets of 2010 and I don't own a single one of them. Am I alone?

They are:

1. Apple iPad
2. Berkeley Bionics eLEGS
3. Microsoft Kinect
4. Windows Phone 7 on Samsung Focus
5. Sprint Evo 4G
6. Apple iPhone 4
7. MacBook Air
8. Samsung Galaxy Tab
9. Canon S95
10. Kindle 3

Flute Playing Statue

Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

My friend Leah emailed me a few weeks ago when she was trying to track down a flute playing statue of a young boy. I knew I'd seen one but couldn't place the location. This evening I walked past him and had to grab a picture through the fence at Ashley Hall girl's school on Rutledge Ave.

Wow, that was quite a rain storm, kids! I was glad to be safely home listening to it all.

Kindness

Be Kind, Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people; as I grow older, I admire kind people.
Abraham Joshua Heschel

Tribute Ride

Tribute Bicycle Ride, Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

Jonathan Sanchez - Charleston City Paper, wrote the most touching tribute to his friend Edwin Gardner who was tragically killed in a bicycle accident last week.

Edwin Gardner, he had a way with words - and life.

What a gift it is to be able to write something that makes you wish you had known the person. He sounds like he was a terrific father, husband and friend to many. Friends gathered today for a mass bicycle ride in his honor beginning and ending at Canon Park. I can't think of a more fitting tribute.

Happy Birthday America!

Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

Happy Birthday America! Thanks for welcoming me! I've spent more of my life in American than any other country and I appreciate the gracious welcome I've received.

Looking down Rutledge

Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

Luckily it's called Charleston "Daily Photo" because a photo is all I have for you tonight. I took my laptop and work to do up to bed and I'm nodding off....zzzz...zzz.

If I had a hammer....

Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

This is Woman Build week at Habitat for Humanity and I am signed up to build/repair a house tomorrow morning. I thought I'd take along picture of this house that I like on Rutledge Ave. as a guide. I don't have a flag so it might not look exactly like this when I am finished.

If I take my camera do you think they might let me take pictures instead of actually getting on a roof and hammering? How do I get into these things? Wish me luck.