Bonnet Parade-Happy Easter

 Fine Easter Bonnets
Time to Wear Your Very Own
Which One Will It Be?

Snack Time-Camera Critters

White Bird at Shem Creek

Searching for a Little Snack
Reflection Eats Too??

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Circular Church

The Circular Church

A Diverse Community

Building and Graveyard

History : The members of Circular Congregational Church are proud to be one of the oldest continuously worshipping congregations in the South. Among highlights of our history are: Charles Towne's original settlers founded this protestant, or dissenting, church about 1681. The graveyard is the city's oldest burial grounds with monuments dating from 1696. The first meeting house on this site gave Meeting Street its name. The third structure here, a vast, circular hall built in 1804, burned in 1861. Bricks from "Old Circular" were used in building the present sanctuary in 1890.

Pineapple Fountain

Waterfront Park

Pineapple Fountain and Pool

Delight of Children

Undercover

 Undercover Girl

Gradually she emerges...

What fun at the beach!

Kayak-ABC WEDNESDAY "K"

Shem Creek common sight

Canoes absent from the scene

Many kayaks glide by

Go here to see what other bloggers posted for "K"

Beads on Cannon

 Jo owns Beads on Cannon in Charleston, SC. The shop originated as a jeweler and watch maker's store in 1850 so it is appropriate that it now should hold Jo's well-stocked shop for customers interested in making jewelry. Her amazing inventory contains beautiful beads from all over the world as well as vintage gems from the 30's and 40's. After a professional career as a middle school librarian, Jo entered this business and went back to school and studied Chinese for 3 years to make it easier to talk to vendors from Asia when she was at market, looking for more beads for her store. Born in New Jersey, she has lived in Charleston for 30 years...guess she likes it here!

Barbara the Blogger

Friends are Everywhere

Charleston Blogger

We Met for Coffee

Despite appearances Barbara, the Charlestonian photo blogger and I  REALLY did meet for coffee at Cafe Medley on Sullivan's Island!

Two Birds-Camera Critters

A Bird in the Hand 

is Worth

Two in the Bush!

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Sweetgrass Baskets

The Sweetgrass Baskets

Purchased for Family Heirlooms

Gullah Culture Gifts

History: Sweetgrass basket making has been a part of the Mount Pleasant, SC community for more than 300 years. Brought to the area by slaves who came from West Africa, basket making is a traditional art form which has been passed on from generation to generation. Basketmaking has always involved the entire family. As a custom, men gathered the materials while women weave the baskets.

Material: Baskets are made with Sweetgrass, Bulrush or Marsh, Long Leaf Pine Needle, and Palmetto Leaves. Baskets can be cleaned with mild soap using a cloth or soft brush. A simple design can take 6-12 hours and a more creative, complex design can take as long as 5 days.

"Jammin" with Steel Drums

 Two days ago I showed you a portrait of a story-teller whom I met at an event at Pinckney National Historical site.  A group of Lincoln Middle School students entertained us with their music. A very talented group!!

The Vernal Equinox-Theme

The unfolding of the Vernal Equinox is like the unfolding of the petals of a floral blossom  The flower gradually reveals its beauty until it reaches the apex of its form. At which time the perfect shape and vivid hues balance one another much like the balance of day and night of the equinox.  Then the flower slowly fades and decay begins the process that leads to the death of the flower. The days lengthen to accommodate nature and balance the life and death of the blossom: the gradual and inevitable natural cycle of birth, decay, and rebirth.

Sharing with City Daily Photo’s “Festival of the Equinox” extra theme day. To see other interpretations, 
go here.

Added later: I probably should have labeled it in my narrative as a camellia since some viewers thought it was a rose.

JABULILE- ABC WEDNESDAY-"J"

I recently visited Pinckney National Historical Park because of an outdoor program of story-telling and steel drum music. I met and talked at length with Carolyn E. White who is a folk-life historian with a wonderful wit and wisdom on Gullah life and culture. Some of her travels have taken her to several African countries, and it was in South Africa that she was given the 
Zulu name Jabulile.

Go here to see more ABC WEDNESDAY posts from bloggers across the globe!  

The Good Doctor

This lovely woman from India is diminutive but dynamite.  While visiting South Carolina several states and miles from home, Dr. Swapna, used all of her medical knowledge to both placate and cure me when I became ill.  Her professionalism and personal charm is just what one needs in a doctor when far from one's own primary physician.  Wish I could take her home with me, but I doubt that I could persuade her to leave the Charleston area where she and her husband and two children have found a home that she loves outside of India.

The Wreck

Fred , a former attorney, is the owner of the The Wreck, short for The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene, an unusual seafood restaurant in Mount Pleasant, SC. At first glance the name appears to refer to the waterfront restaurant's look, topped off with a shabby, screened-in porch. (In actuality, the Richard and Charlene was a trawler that slammed into the building during a hurricane in 1989.) But looks aren't the thing here—it's all about the food.The Wreck with its fantastic menu rose like a Phoenix after Hurricane Hugo on September 21, 1989 laid waste to Shem Creek and the area. Prior to the hurricane the shack on the property sold fresh shrimp, but it evolved into this restaurant that the locals love and the tourists find after someone takes kindly to their quest for good food. 

Fred showed us around the empty restaurant one afternoon, informing us that it wasn't open 'til 5:00 pm for dinner. We returned and had great seafood and the best She Crab Soup that I have tasted anywhere. The scallops, oysters and shrimp weren't bad either! If you're in the 
area, I'd advise a visit!

Since it's St. Paddy't Day, I chose Fred's photo because he looks like someone from "the oulde sod!"

A Day at the Beach-Camera Critters

 I Could Live Here.  

Just give me a little home

 on the ocean

 I'd be in 

heaven!

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Fort Moutrie 1776-1947

Palmetto Palm Logs

The Original Building

A Waterway Fort

The original Palmetto log fort was begun in 1776 and only partially completed when attacked by a squadron of British warships. Col. William Moultrie and his men staved off the assault in the Battle of Sullivan's Island. The current structure was completed in 1809. Union soldiers abandoned the fort in December 1860 for the stronger Fort Sumter. Following the surrender of Fort Sumter, Confederate forces fortified Moultrie as one of a string of batteries and forts protecting Charleston's harbor. In February 1865, Confederates evacuated the city leaving the fort behind, hidden under a band of sand that protected its walls from federal shells. The interior of the fort has been restored to reflect the story of American seacoast defense through World War II, and a visitor center is located near the fort. The National Park Service administers the fort. 

How do you like dem apples?

  A wonderful student sculpture in the students' gallery at the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art.

ABC WEDNESDAY-I-INCREDIBLE BLOOMS

Incredible blossoms in Cypress Gardens, South Carolina.

To see more ABC WEDNESDAY posts that represent the letter "I" go here.

Inflatable Tube

Inflatable Tube

Useful on Land or on Sea

Colorful Shem Creek

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Future technician

With the exception of a short time in Jacksonville, Florida, which she loved, Ericka has been a lifelong resident of Charleston.  I went into Paolo's on John Street to buy a chocolate gelato.  The shop was out of that flavor, but, despite all the other delectable selections, I decided to pass until another time.  Ericka and I chatted and I learned that she is now attending Trident Technical College, studying to become a pharmacist technician. She hopes to transfer to the College of Charleston, and after graduation return to Jacksonville,  With that million dollar smile and sparkling personality, I think she'll succeed!

Saleswoman Par Excellence

I visited Beads on Cannon, a very well-stocked bead store in Charleston.  Not knowing much at all about making or repairing jewelry, I asked for help and Lissa gave me friendly and expert advice.  She even fixed my two pairs of earrings herself.  Talk about service! Lissa has been working at this particular shop for six months but has had many years of experience with beading and jewelry..  After living in the Bronx she moved to Charleston for the warmer weather and because she was "tired of shoveling snow."  Can't say that I blame her.  Lissa also gave me great advice for a nearby restaurant serving shrimp and grits, my current favorite dish! What service!!

Butterflies are Free- Camera Critters

"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."  ~Hans Christian Andersen

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An Important Day, 2013

Eat Healthy!

Open 7-days a week, Mount Pleasant Seafood is the place to go.
For ALL your seafood needs.
There are recipes in their store and on their website, too.
Eat Healthy!

Renting a kayak for exercise is another option!

Shrimpers Preferred!

Shem Creek Hosts All Boats

Yachts, Sailboats and Kayaks, too

Shrimpers are Preferred!