Dog, dog, cat, cat, beer

Folly Beach, S.C.

Dog, dog, cat, cat, beer. What else do you need? I spotted this cut out porch fencing on Folly Beach. Naturally.

Tub Time!

Warren St., Charleston, S.C.

This old bathtub in a yard on Warren St. always makes me smile. I'm afraid I am the one poking my camera lens into people's yards. I only share the good stuff!

The Goose Lady

We love Toruń and we love its quirky statues and sculptures. There are literally dozens of them scattered all around the Old Town. One such addition is the sculpture of a medieval-clad woman holding a basket of eggs and a goose. Unfortunately, she's about to drop one of the eggs...oh no! It's not the Golden Egg is it?!!

These boots are made for walking

Charleston Shoe Co., 161 King St., Charleston, S.C.

These boots are made for walking...all over the building apparently!

Monkeying around with photography

Cross, S.C.

Talk about yard art! This looks like something that might have started life in a miniature golf spot. Now he has found a home in the rural countryside near Cross, S.C.

If the shoe fits

Ashley River, Charleston, S.C.

This is pretty cool.

My friend Andre is a Deacon in the Catholic Church and because 1) he used to work in the restaurant business and 2) he is the coolest Deacon around, he is very much in demand to perform weddings for the most interesting people in town.

This evening Matt Galvin from Coastal Yacht Charters and his fiancee Sarah, invited us out on their boat at the end of the day. We nibbled on cheese and sipped white wine while they discussed wedding plans. What was important? That the marsh be green and the river at high tide when they said their vows. Gotta love people who have their priorities straight. A simple sweet wedding at Lowndes Grove overlooking the marsh followed by a party with their loved ones.

New Board of Charming & Quirky

St. Philip & Line St., Charleston, S.C.

Charleston has a Board of Architectural Review that reviews changes to historic building but after seeing scaffolding in front of another one of my old favorite hand painted signs, I hereby declare the establishment of the Board of Charming & Quirky.

Folks, you are simply going to need to apply before you paint over signs that are so much part of the character of the lowcounty. I LOVE the hand painted "Home of the Hand Wash" sign. Aren't there days when we could all use a gentle hand wash?

It looks like we are all going to have to get up and go to work tomorrow after all. I've been loving all the rapture jokes and photos.

Anyone else find the Charleston Farmer's Market so packed that it isn't much fun anymore? I used to love the market but now it is almost impossible to walk through the aisles, food lines are too long and hoping to find a place to sit down for a bite is out of the question. Can the stalls be spread out a bit, please? Pretty please? I do like my fresh tomatoes and peaches but lately the whole thing just makes me cranky.

Charleston Girl painted the Folly boat for her wedding announcement! It's been a long, long time since I've done that.

Suzie visited one of my old haunts - Magnolia Cemetery.

Friskies has made an iPad game for cats. Why not!

Spoleto Festival tickets are out. Whew. Hard to believe it is that time of year already.

Maybe I am wrong. Maybe they are repairing and repainting the Home of the Hand Wash sign. Have a good week kids!

Polaris Missile Drive By

Polaris Missile, Hwy 26, Charleston, S.C.

I was sitting on the passenger side heading up Hwy 26 yesterday and grabbed this quick shot of the Polaris missile that is visible around the Remount Rd. exit. This is a quick teaser for Eugene who intends to track it down and get a good photo of it this summer. I want to see it when he does!

Ride the Jolly Rancher!

Jolly Rancher, Magazine St., Charleston, S.C.

This trend of decorating cars makes me grin every time. Somebody likes Jolly Ranchers. Check out the missing "T" in Own Car. Lovely!

The Good Luck Stork

Poland is a very superstitious country...with many quirky tales. I particularly love the superstition about chimney sweeps. If you see one, you have to hold your button until you see someone of the opposite sex wearing glasses. Apparently, it brings loads of good luck!

Similarly, the arrival of the stork to Poland brings its own legend of superstitions. The first time you see a stork each year signals your character for the rest of the year. For example, if you see it sitting down, you will be very lazy. However, if you first see it flying mid-air then you will be very productive and hard-working throughout the year. Luckily, I saw my first 2011 stork in mid-flight...and so far the prophecy is true. Was up at 7.15am and did 7km on my cross-trainer!! ;-)

Here is a photo taken yesterday of the stork in action. Proof that 2011 will be a very productive year indeed!!

Awaiting the Rain!

Was walking home this evening and almost splatted this poor frog! It was sitting on the pavement minding its business. Walked right past it and it didn't even flinch. Apparently, it was sitting waiting for the rain which is forecast this evening. Let's hope it moves away before some passer-by does accidently splat it!

Blues Patrol on a Mission

Rhythm & Blues Car, Charleston, S.C.

I can't be everywhere all the time but happily my readers know my taste and keep me in mind as they spot the charming and quirky side of the lowcountry. I do get fun mail! This altered police car was sent by Jessica of the Garden Blog - Children of the Corm. The text on the side says, "Department of Rhythm and Blues" and "Blues Patrol on a Mission from God".

Check out the larger image here. Thanks Jessica! This is a perfect gift for me.

I have another present! Tina was in Charleston a couple of weeks ago doing college tours with her daughter and found this little note attached to the wall at one of the college art shows. Ha! Love it.

Tina wrote: I thought it was the strangest thing to put on the wall. Thought I'd share this with you.

The entire time we were in Charleston I thought of you. I thought, "I wonder if Joan takes this street on one of her walks?" I love your blog and love your philosophy on life in general. Keep up the great work.

Thanks ladies! You made my day.

Lost his Head but Lose your Mind!

Sad to see that the quirky statues and sculptures around Toruń are being subjected to mindless vandalism. A lot of work and time was put into making these and they are destroyed in a matter of seconds by some drunken idiots! You know who you are...you should be ashamed of yourselves!!

The Hanging Rooster

Spotted this hanging rooster outside a local pub. Thought it was quirky enough to put it up here on TORUŃ DAILY PHOTO!

The Angry Straw face!

This quirky item sits on the bar at Damroki. He certainly doesn't seem to be happy that he has a set of hair made from straws!!! Either way...it's a fun piece and TDP certainly had to take a photo of it!

Mr Parker

The list of quirky statues in Toruń is growing every month. Here is a new one situated surprise surprise above a pen/stationary shop on the corner of Sz.Chełminska and Ul. Szeroka.

Hay!

Wentworth St., Charleston, S.C.

Hay! Here is a little gift for you - a link to the annual "What the Hay!" contest between Hobson and Utica, Montana. Apparently the Bale Trail is the biggest attraction in Montana.

People are just too funny. Thank God. Now I want a couple bales of hay.

Thanks for all the suggestions of places Kristi should see on her honeymoon in Charleston. I think we did pretty good. Feel free to add more.

Storks don't bring babies. Eagles do!

Everyone knows storks don't bring babies. Eagles do!

I am pretty sure I took this around Harleyville, SC, but please do correct me if I am off. I'm not very good at jotting down all the locations.

I may remember it as Harleyville, because Harleyville is the home of the giant wood carved bear in a hollow tree with an eagle on top. Clearly there is someone handy with a chain saw living in the area.

Every time I go through I look for the tree trunk and say "Hahah, the bear's still there!" and I am content that everything is as it should be in rural South Carolina.

Quirky Roadside Wonders SC

Friendly Rosinville Old Girl's Society, Rosinville, S.C.

This is one of the charmingly quirky roadside wonders of rural South Carolina. You come upon the intersection and pass it before you quite realize what you've seen. Trust your inclination to go back. It's a covered stage, with a white picket fence. The Friendly Rosinville Old Girl's Society, the FROGS, arrange the display which usually involves dressing up ancient mannequins and putting them on display.

The scene changes with the seasons. The mannequins form a choir for Christmas, stage the passion play for Easter, and put on a patriotic display for Independence Day.

I am fascinated by the effort put into the arrangement and I'm ashamed to say I've joined the scene on occasion but only in complete admiration. The lady who stopped and called to report me can relax. I was checking the mannequin's pulse and her arm was laying in her lap.

I'd love to get ahold of some new mannequins to contribute to the cause.

Greetings from......

Bowman, S.C.

There was a time when I would take pictures of quirky roadside scenes, design a postcard at amazingmail, add a message and have it sent directly to friends. One of a kind postcards. This is the card from Bowman, SC. Heheh. The official UFO welcome center.

Try it. It will make you oddly happy.