Christmas is…….the celebration of the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ.  

Taking a step back from shopping, wrapping and cooking on Sunday night, I attended a service of Lessons and Carols at The Cathedral Church on Coming Streeet.  What a wonderful night of Christian inspiration it was!

Organized around the talents of the praise music collective, Holy City Hymns, the service included nine bible lessons and associated hymns, sung by talented musicians from a variety of local churches.
The Cathedral was candle-lit, joyful and welcoming.  What a blessing to be part of such a large group of Christians, praising our Lord with word and song.  Each pew contained worshippers in family groups (many with small children), young adults, older folks (like me!) and groups of staff from churches and employers all over Charleston.
The contemporary music, provided by Holy City Hymns, raised the voices, hearts and hands of those in   attendance;  a melody of happiness and praise that was uplifting for all and pleasing to God.
This second annual service of Lessons and Carols at The Cathedral Church was my favorite event celebrating Christ's birth and will be added to my family's "must do" list during Advents seasons to come.  Many thanks to Holy City Hymns musicians and singers for the perfect Christmas gift.

Thank you, also, to food truck Carolina Creole, for their absolutely amazing Cajun food; the Shrimp PoBoys were delicious.  Inviting a food truck to visit The Cathedral after the service was a great idea!

For more information about the music featured in the service, or to download/purchase their music/cd's, go to holycityhymns.com.   Information about the anticipated locations of the Carolina Creole food truck can be found at creolefoodtruck.com, or on their facebook page.

Brrrr…it's cold out there, campers!!  A great way to warm up is a visit to Black Tap coffee, at 70 1/2 Beaufain St.  A short walk from King St., with on-street parking for those with wheels, Black Tap does the best Pour Over Coffee around.
On my first visit to Black Tap, I asked A LOT of questions about the coffee, the pour-over method and why it's better than perked or drip. The staff was patient with me, giving me a demonstration while chatting with me about their offerings.  Their cup of pour-over coffee is smooth, rich and really quite perfect.
Three words to describe the atmosphere at Black Tap are sleek, upscale and funky.  With seating around the windows and at a center community table, it's the place for both students and professionals to see and be seen while sipping a steaming cup of coffee and typing up a project on your computer (Wi-Fi, check).
Black Tap is your ultimate downtown pour-over destination.

Have I expressed my gratitude to the Terrace Theater lately??
Where else can you see great documentaries, like Muscle Shoals?
My son joined me for this homage to the Muscle Shoals, Alabama recording studio sound, and we were totally enthralled by it.  Not only was the list of talent interviewed long and varied (from Etta James to Bono) but the details about the formation of Fame Recording Studios and its competitors, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, were fascinating. As huge rock and blues fans, my son and I were impressed by the drive and skill of Rick Hall, and the bravery and determination of his studio band, The Swampers, who left Rick to form their own recording studio.
The music and period footage set a rich, deep mood, explaining some of the pull of the Tennessee River town of Muscle Shoals, and inspired me to play Southern Rock very loudly in my car, with the windows down and the wind blowing in my hair, all the way back to W. Ashley.  My last comment about Rick Hall and the Swampers....I bow to you; we are not worthy.

 An Ode to the 1970's Volkswagon....
My second car, in 1976, was an orange, 1970 VW Beetle...the bug.  It had a tiny, undersized steering wheel (illegal at the time-oops!), a lovely large trunk in front, a radio that could pick up public radio in upstate New York, but no local stations, a heater that worked only in the summer, and never, ever in the winter, a windshield defroster that only cleared a 4 inch space on the lower left side (which required me to scrape ice off the windshield by sticking my mittened hand out the window, holding an ice scraper, while driving 70 mph on the highway), no working seatbelts, an engine that often only started when you hit he orange distributer cap with a wrench, or pushed the car downhill while popping the clutch, and handling that couldn't be beat!!  I once drove off the road during a snowstorm, ending up backwards on a rotary.  I just had to shift into reverse, drive back over the snow bank, and onto the road. It was never really, completely, stuck.
It had a tendancy to decrease speed when heading uphill....which meant starting up Temple Mountain at 50 mph, and arriving at the top going barely 20 mph, with a long line of frustrated drivers behind me.  It could tear around the flat streets of Boston, however, dodging in and out of 4 lane traffic, with ease.  The horn worked, which aided in this procedure.  When blizzards hit, and no other car could travel the roads, you could pack the car with stranded motorists and push effortlessly through the snow, getting to work before everyone else...something that I rarely could do in good weather.  It had a fiesty windshield wiper motor that liked to catch on fire, causing me to pull over when the smoke became too thick, to scoop up roadside sand to toss onto the flames.  Replacement motors would do the same thing.
After all of this, you would think that I would not look fondly on it's memory.  On the contrary, I still dream that I open my garage door and see it parked there, always saying "Whew!  I'm so glad that I kept that car!"
A close friend had a VW bus, which carted us up to the White Mountains each winter to ski.  It didn't always make it back home without a tow truck.  On one such trip, the sun had set, the temperature had dropped below zero and the bus quit, drifting silently to the side of the highway.  We tied a white t-shirt to the radio antennae, and, as this was the 1970's, prior to cell phones, sat in the dark praying that someone would stop to help us.  I can still remember how cold my feet were, because I only had my old, hard ski boots on, with wet, wool socks.  I took off my ski mittens and wore them on my feet until help came.  I looked like a frozen, demented lobster.  Good times.
Now I hear that the last VW bus will roll off South American assembly lines at the end of this year.

Another icon from my youth will be gone, but my memories will remain, a happy blast from the past whenever I see a picture of, hear a story about or hear the clucking sound of a vw bug or bus.....

ah, what sweet automotive blisss.

Show your support for our wounded veterans by purchasing tickets and attending Lt. Dan Weekend, with a concert by Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band on Saturday, Sept.14, at 6pm.  Held at the Citadel's Johnson Hagood Stadium, funds raised help the wounded veterans who fought for YOUR freedom.  Tickets are $20.00, available on-line athttps://www.ticketriver.com/event/7768
Let's all get together next Saturday for a good time, benefitting the best of all causes, our Military heroes.  See you there!!

Searching for quality makeup and facial care downtown?  Look no further than 255 Lower King St., at bluemercury makeup/skincare/spa.  bluemercury spa is your "go to" spot for Laura Mercier, Trish McEvoy, Bobbi Brown and NARS cosmetics, among others. They also offer selected facials and waxing treatments.   The ladies employed there are friendly, kind and very helpful- just what I was looking for! (There IS another cosmetic store on lower King, whose name I will not mention because,  as my momma always said, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all...")
When I stopped by bluemercury today, I was searching for the perfect makeup brush.  Caren, the esthetician I spoke with, understood immediately what I needed.   Completing my purchase, I left with a smile on my face and an invitation to return soon, which I most certainly will!!   blue mercury spa, a cool haven for beauty on lower King.

I may be the last person on the planet to discover this, but Pandora Radio is really cool!  At the urging of my tech-saavy children, I opened an account with Pandora on my laptop.  It's as easy as pie, just enter your favorite band and Pandora does the rest.  As a lifelong  fan of Southern Rock, I entered the Allman Bros. as my "band of choice".  Pandora developed a playlist for me from that choice.  Now, while I work in my art studio, cook dinner or just fold the laundry, I can rock out not only with the Allmans but other amazing, bluesy bands.  On my playlist right now are Stevie Ray V., the Stones, L. Skynyrd, Led Zep, The Band and, oh my goodness gracious, Joe Cocker.  I'm now working "With a Little Help from my Friends" up on "Cripple Creek" on a "Misty Mountain Hop".                Life is Gooooood!!!!!

A great way to expand your intellectual and emotional horizons is to take a class.  In my case, I was interested in a refresher class in water color painting (my last class was in 1981....just a few years back!).  REDUX Contemporary Art Center, located in a funky little warehouse on St. Philip St., met my needs, and then some.   Offering many types of art classes, taught by talented artists, REDUX also has an art gallery and artist studio space.
I signed up for the One Night Watercolor Workshop,  taught by C of C Fine Arts grad Camela Guevara.  The 3 hour workshop, taught last Tuesday night, was both fun and informative.  We began with color washes, then progressed to brush strokes and brush handling styles.  It was fun to experiment with colors, both blends and gradients.  We moved on to dry and wet brush treatments, outline and fill-ins, color bands, dab and stab & twist techniques.
"Cami" Guevara encouraged us, showed examples of watercolor artwork and offered us a variety of watercolor mediums to work with.  Beginning with 100 wt paper, and moving on to 140 wt paper, we practiced with tube and crayon type watercolors, as well as gouache color.  She demonstrated how the same brush size can create very different effects, depending on how the brush is held.  We were also allowed to be creative, trying different brush strokes and color combinations within the guided format.  Our large practice/work sheets were sent home, enabling me to make a watercolor style flip chart to refer to when I paint.  The class was fun, informative and most important to me, encouraging.  I'm looking forward to more classroom time at REDUX!

 For those of us in Charleston who love to shop, and I DO love to shop, the addition of two lovely new stores on King St. was reason enough to take a stroll down King during Tax Free weekend.
L'Occitane en Provence is a wonderful shop full of scents and lotions inspired by the fragrances of Provence, France.  Located at 246 King St., beside Brighton Jewelry, L'Occitane has been open for about two weeks.
When you step inside, the sights and scents are soothing and subtle.  Verbena and Lavender greet you, shea butter lotions soothe you and the lovely and friendly staff helps you to choose the product that is perfect for you.  My choice was the basic 20% shea butter hand cream.  I was looking for a product to help soothe the Psoriasis on my hands, and this cream turned out to be exactly what I was looking for...non-greasy and soothing, it has already begun to heal a very severe flare-up.  Thank you, L'Occitane!!

Specializing in Acrylic and gold jewelry, Moon and Lola opened at 322 King St., beside Phillips Shoes, on Friday.  The store is bright, open and colorful, with their signature monogrammed jewelry artfully displayed.  One word that comes to mind when you see their products is...FUN.

I especially liked the gold charm bracelet with acrylic charms shaped like the states of the U.S.

What fun to create a bracelet showcasing all of the states you have lived in or visited!

There are large acrylic hoop earrings, three initial cut-out necklaces and many other very creative pieces  that will please the eye and not harm the pocketbook.  Prices range from $30.00 up to $300.00, so you can be as naughty or as nice as you'd like.

All of the pieces can be created to your own specifications and shipped anywhere in the United States.

I am sure that the ladies in my family will be sporting this colorful jewelry very soon.

Author Honore de Balzac

 I have come to love Honore de Balzac rather late in life, discovering his works in my fifties after hearing him referenced in my children's recent performance of The Music Man.  Who was this author with the interesting name, when (and what) did he write?  As a lover of Dickens, Hardy and Hugo, I was destined to love the characterizations created by Honore de Balzac.
I began by reading the novel Ursula, from Balzac's series of stories, The Human Comedy.
The story of Ursula, a beautiful young orphan, raised by her distant relative and benefactor, "Uncle Minoret" is set in the French town of Nemours in the 1830's.  Balzac tells the tale of how Ursula is guided, loved and taught by a group of four elderly gentlemen.  Her uncle, Dr. Minoret, guided her world view, the Catholic curate, Abbe Chaperon, took charge of her religious training.  Monsieur de Jordy, a retired military captain and professor was her intellectual mentor and Monsieur Bongrand, lawyer and Justice of Peace, guarded and protected her present and future holdings.  These four gentlemen met each evening at 9pm, after little Ursula went to bed, to discuss her future, and to play whist and backgammon.  Their friendship  lasted all of their lives and molded Ursula into a kind, pious lovely, young woman.
The introduction of elderly Dr. Minoret's relatives, all residing in the town of Nemours, brings negative forces to bare around them.  The greedy relatives exhibit jealousy, greed, dishonesty and prejudice when presented with the spotless character of Ursula.  Events transpire to defraud her of her inheritance when Uncle Minoret passes away, something which is prepared for by the relatives and protected against, unto and after the grave, by her four benefactors.
I loved, loved, loved this book and am looking forward to my next chosen story in The Human Comedy, Father Goriot.

Peaceful pic, peaceful place.  My recent visit to the Spa at the Sanctuary at Kiawah Island made me feel just as relaxed and peaceful as this picture of the rising moon over our hotel.
The Spa is a lovely little oasis within the Sanctuary complex,
with a staff of friendly folks whose welcome puts you at ease
immediately.  You are greeted, escorted to an inner series of
rooms to change into a fluffy robe and sandals, and then given the choice of either a comfy chair in the waiting room or a reclining upholstered chaise in the bright and cheerful lounge.  Iced water and tea, along with house-made granola bars were provided. While listening to either soft music or the gentle sounds of the water sculpture on the lounge wall, you close your eyes and completely unwind.
We chose to have a 60 minute massage, followed by a visit to the mineral pool, dry sauna and steam room.  Next we chose the perfect polish color and relaxed during an expertly done pedicure.
The staff at the Spa was so friendly and professional- we met a sweet young woman from Jamaica who met all of our needs at the Spa and helped us to feel right at home.  Our treatment staff was expert and friendly as well.   All in all, a lovely Spa experience is waiting for you, just 2 miles past the Kiawah main gate, at the Sanctuary.

Has anyone been to the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art lately? This little gem, located at the College of Charleston, on the corner of Calhoun and St. Phillip St., has intriguing art exhibits, free admission and parking nearby in the St. Phillip St./George St. garage.
The current exhibit is absolutely fascinating to both art lovers and bibliophiles.  It's called REBOUND, Dissections and Excavations in Book Art...yes, book art.  The five featured artists produce amazing, three-dimensional images using recycled/reclaimed books and magazines.  Each piece begins as a simple volume of the printed word and ends as a sculpted 3D visionary piece.  As a past educator and current artist, I was mesmerized by the talent and imagination exhibited by each artist featured.  Some of my favorites were the works of Brian Dettmer, who uses knives, tweezers and surgical instruments to excavate pictures from the chosen books, without adding to them, the sculpted telephone books of Long-Bin Chen and the reconfigured volumes of Doug Beube.  Doug Laramee's sculptures are thought-provoking mood pieces and Francesca Pastine's works are all created in a liquid-look, flowing style with Artforum magazines.  This highly creative exhibit will be at the Halsey until July 6th- well worth the visit!

Quiche was one of the first dishes I taught myself to make, using the Joy of Cooking cookbook...
I have now discovered that Julia Child's recipe in Mastering the Art of French Cooking is so much better and I have discarded my old tried and true quiche recipe.
I made Julia's pie crust, as well, from Chapter Four, p.139, Pate Brisee.  It was rich, tender and buttery- actually, perfect, and it was only my first try at making my own pie crust.
I then used the Quiche au Roquefort recipe from page 148, with a few changes.  I substituted 3 oz. of goat cheese for the roquefort and added Smoked, apple chardonnay chicken sausage from Trader Joe's.  I pre-cooked the sausage by simmering the whole sausages in 1" of water first, then draining the water, slicing the sausages lengthwise, and grilling them in olive oil and butter.  The result was the most delicious quiche I have ever eaten.  I served it with grilled brussells sprouts, making it a meal hearty enough for my husband, who loved the savory mix of flavors.  Julia Child truly was the Master!

Isn't this a beautiful, unspoiled place?  It's called Captain Sam's Spit, on Kiawah Island, SC.  It's enjoyed by people, turtles, birds and is the only location known where dolphins strand feed.  Sounds like a place that should be preserved, doesn't it?
Unfortunately, this precious piece of sand is now in limbo.  "Big Money" folks are trying to build McMansions on it, accessing it and ruining it by building a road straight through Beachwalker Park's parking lot and board walk.  The state of SC court system has gone back and forth with approval of this project.  Pray that this little piece of natural heaven is preserved.
As Dr. Suess says in his story of abuse of power, Yertle the Turtle,
"Then again, from below, in the great heavy stack, came a groan from that plain little turtle named Mack.  Your majesty, please....I don't like to complain, but down here below, we are feeling great pain.  I know, up on top you are seeing great sights, but down at the bottom we, too, should have rights."

What's better than eating a DELICIOUS cupcake?... Eating a delicious cupcake AND having the proceeds go to a great cause!  Cupcake bakery, at 433 King St., offered a Boston Cream cupcake recently, with 100% of that cupcake's sales going to One Fund Boston, to help those affected by the Patriots Day bombing.
This amazing cupcake was offered until May 4th, so I zoomed downtown on the 4th to try one (actually two, but who's counting...)  The gold cupcake was moist and buttery, with a tasty vanilla pudding filling, topped with creamy chocolate frosting.  They were so good that we ate them while driving down Radcliffe Street....quite a trick.
I also bought a Salted Caramel Chocolate cupcake, just for the fun of it.  It was rich and decadent, topped with chocolate cream cheese icing, crunchy sugar and sea salt and a thin drizzle of caramel.  I actually had to share that one, unfortunately.
I am already looking forward to my next visit to Cupcake.

Hannah Fay with her new BFF Hoda

 Another GREAT thing about retirement, which is already amazing (if you don't count the absence of a paycheck part), is being able to do things spontaneously.  Thursday morning I was able to join my daughter and her pals at the College of Charleston to see the fourth hour of The Today Show film two shows.  I managed to be in line by 6am, dressed and somewhat put together- the girls saved me a spot in line, as they arrived closer to 5:30am.  They all looked fabulous, wearing full makeup AND cute shirts that spelled out
WE LOVE HODA AND KATHY LEE!!
It was so much fun to watch Today Show hosts Hoda and Kathy Lee jump right into all things Southern and Charleston.  We were able to stand in the front so didn't miss a thing!  There were many cute signs, lots and lots of girls (and a few men who were, I'm sure, dragged along) and a really great game show sequence that my daughter,  Hannah Fay, participated in.  She answered all of her questions correctly, won her team a prize and got to hug her idol, Hoda!  Now that was a great day, wouldn't you say?

Margeaux, Katie, Betty and Hannah Fay

Tuesday, April 30th will be a red letter day for me...I'll be joining my first retired persons group.  (AARP doesn't count!)  Last Tuesday, I attended the Center for Creative Retirement's weekly program, as a guest.  Sponsored by the College of Charleston, the group meets at St. Joe's Catholic church in West Ashley, with two speakers scheduled each Tuesday.                                                                        I almost chickened out, when I drove up behind the nursing home minivan, but "no guts, no glory", as my former marine hubby says.  I forged ahead, and was so glad that I did.  The group members who greeted me were so nice that I was immediately put at ease.  Then, the first speaker began, and I was hooked.  The topic was The Internet and Your Privacy, presented by Allyson Stuart, Prof. Chas. School of Law.  She was bright, well informed and an engaging speaker.  The second excellent speaker was a political science prof. from C of C, whose name escapes me (due to my advanced age of 55, I would imagine....).  She spoke about Women in SC Politics.  Both speakers gave interesting talks, with many helpful bits of information, but really, my favorite part was the question and answer period that followed.  Here's the surprise...as brilliant as the speakers were, the audience members were even more so!  Their questions were incredibly insightful and intelligent- I felt like I was in a college level classroom.  Thank you  College of Charleston- I have found a place to BE!!  

Reflected Fairy Land, Magnolia Gardens

Boats travel through the marsh by the Ashley River.

Peaceful pictures from my weekly walk at Magnolia Gardens, taken in my daily search for beauty in this wonderful, God-given world.  Beauty is all around us.  We just need a few minutes to stop and take a look.  While I was stopping to look around me, I also saw a water snake and a "mystery snake", who was slow enough for me to snap a picture of.  I've sent it to my son the naturalist to identify.  The water snake looked just as afraid of me as I was of it.  I don't know which one of us took off faster, me or the snake!!  

I am a movie buff.  From the time I lived alone at age 18, and watched Rudolph Valentino and Lon Chaney movies into the wee hours to keep myself company, I've been hooked.  Movies transport, entertain, instruct and can grab your heart and tear it out.  That being said, the question is, HOW did I get to age 55 without watching The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, especially since I love, love, love Humphrey Bogart?
I finally saw it on TCM this week and I was mesmerized.
It's a story of good vs. evil, of good becoming evil, of expectations met and unmet, and the intermingling of greed and paranoia.
 Humphrey Bogart's character transforms from an average guy, down on his luck, to a man obsessed with gold (both getting it and keeping it).  This transformation is  riveting and horrifying to both the audience and the other characters who are in the Mexican wilderness with him.
I have to say, though, that Walter Huston steals some of Humphrey Bogart's thunder by portraying a character both honest and real.  Walter Huston usually played dapper and handsome characters but he played this role with beard stubble and minus his false teeth.  Directed by his son, John Huston, it won him an academy award for best supporting actor.  I'm still thinking about his and Humphrey's performances, especially their facial expressions - The Treasure of the Sierra Madre - a true film classic.

Just returned from a visit to Macon, Georgia where we were treated to a wonderful performance of

the classic American musical, The Music Man.

My lovely daughter-in-law, Rachel, excelled in the lead role of Marian Paroo. Her angelic, bell-toned vocals and graceful ease on stage held the audience spellbound.  My son, Jeffrey, was bold, energetic and appropriately nasty as "the spoiler", anvil salesman Charlie Cowell.  What a joy to see your children exhibit their many acting and singing skills, while watching the crowd around you clearly enjoy them, as well.  We especially enjoyed the creative train scene that opens the show, the talented members of the barbershop quartet and the perky, stage savvy children who acted the roles of Winthrop and Amaryllis.

Theater Macon really shines as a premier community theater venue, with creative staging, professional grade actors, singers and dancers, and top shelf costumes and sets.  From the detailed period sets of My Fair Lady and Titanic to the minimalist sets used in The Music Man, the quality of the visual experience is quite impressive.  Director Jim Crisp, Jr. showcases the abundant talent in Macon with skill, creativity and imagination.  Kudos to all involved, and be sure to see The Music Man, which runs through 

Saturday, April 20.

Another beautiful day for a walk at Magnolia Gardens.  I discovered this area, with a very still bamboo forest.  It felt like you were in another world.
"I am a traveler passing through the earth, as all my fathers were."
Psalm 39:12

How lucky are we to live in Charleston?  Beautiful scenery, great food, and....amazing an shopping and fashion scene.  My daughter, Hannah, was an intern at the recent Charleston Fashion Week, and loved every minute of it.  Where else can you meet fashion designers ranked nationally, coordinate models, AND wear a cute dress doing it??  Many hours, little sleep and clearly tired designers did not deter Hannah Fay from enjoying the entire experience.  Live life to the fullest and enjoy every opportunity afforded you, girl.

My Naturalist son, Ethan, in the Native American shelter he is building on Seabrook Island.

PEACE.  Yes, there is a place quite nearby that is abundant with peace, beauty and God.  On Seabrook Island is Camp St. Christopher, and the Barrier Island Program.  Both take place under the guidance of the Episcopal Church, on the loveliest 300 acres of coastline habitat.  My son, Ethan, works there as a Naturalist, teaching school children from all over the southeast.  He loves teaching the children about the environment and honoring his God by doing so.  An amazing guy.  

I was blessed to be able to spend the weekend there recently, on a retreat called "Be Still and Know God."  I was and I did and do.....you would be surprised how clear God's voice is if you take the time to LISTEN!  I even heard him over the roar of the wind and rain, actually I heard him IN the wind and rain, telling me to be quiet, peaceful and to wait with Him.  So, my dear friends, that is what I'm doing- Waiting with the Lord!

I do love my record player...yes, to play LP's.  I also love that folks are getting back on board with them.  There is nothing like putting Allman Brothers Band Beginnings on the turntable and rocking out to "Dreams I'll Never See".  Gee, I loved 1973!

Life of Pi is a banquet of color; a moveable feast, Indian style.  The movie, based on the book of the same name, written in 2001 by Yann Martel, pulls you in right from the start, with its vibrant and artfully staged introduction of zoo animals.  Leave it to master director Ang Lee, who creates scenes so beautiful that you keep them in your mind, revisiting them over and over again.  I will always remember Pi viewing the sinking cargo ship while floating underwater, the tiger who shares the lifeboat with Pi waiting for him in the boat at the banyan tree island and the night filled with jellyfish.
I will now read the book, as I am sure it is just as wonder-filled and lyrical as the movie.  This was the perfect way to spend the first day of spring...with color and beauty and inspiration.  Many thanks to Yann Martel and Ang Lee.

A few camellias were still in bloom.

My favorite bird is the great blue heron- so regal.

One of the perks of my newly found freedom is my weekly walks at Magnolia Gardens.  Not only is it incredibly beautiful there, but it is so peaceful.  These pictures were taken on the River Path, which runs between the marsh and the Ashley River.  My walk this week took me through the swamp garden, where I marveled at a tree with TEN great blue heron nests in it.  The nests are as big as a trash can lid and were tended by both male and female birds.  While I watched the  male swooping back and forth across the marsh, collecting grasses for the nest, which he delivered for the waiting female to weave into place, silent alligators were gliding through the water beneath the tree.  When the third gator arrived, I decided it was time to leave!

Beautiful morning, sunshine, 50 degrees...perfect for a long walk along the Ashley River.  I arrived at Magnolia Gardens at 9:30am, and headed down the gravel pathway towards the river, passing a few camellias still in bloom- red with yellow centers, plump white ones- gorgeous.  Around the bend by the boat landing, I found a path called the River Trail, which cuts between the marsh and the river.  Approx. 1 1/2 miles long, and 15 feet wide, it was peaceful, and oh so quiet.  Other than an employee giving lessons to someone on how to dock the pontoon boat....funny...I was the only person on the trail.        I was able to get great pictures of an anhinga, great blue heron, moorhens and two very large alligators. Now, if I could only figure out how to upload them to this blog, I'd be in business!!  Stay tuned for that- my class at the Apple Store is on Monday, so I have hope!

Do you want amazingly comfortable sandals, at a great price (mine were $16.50 on Amazon), which are also made with sustainable products like jute, recycled tires, etc. AND are the only fair trade footwear on the planet?? 

soleRebels are for you- they feel like you are walking on clouds and are good for your heart and soul....because you are doing the right thing for the Ethiopian women who craft them.  These women make a high quality product and are paid a living wage for their work.  We who buy them get to walk in comfort and do something great for our fellow man and the planet.  Yup, a win-win situation.  

I'm groovin in mine...beige leather, recycled tire rubber soles and cute blue jean colored accents- match my blue toe polish, too!  Can't beat that.

Attention all those who have had chicken pox.... you might want to get the shingles shot, as I now have the shingles and it is most definitely NOT fun.  Medical professionals say that most who get shingles are over 60 years old, but this 55 year old certainly wishes she had been immunized against it.  If you even think you might possibly have shingles, taking anti-virals immediately is supposed to be helpful.

I am hoping to feel better soon, so that I can resume work on my book.  Until then, rest, sleep and play on the computer!

Another peaceful day today, listening to the rain outside my window while working on illustrating the next two pages of my book.  I think it would be nice to put a bird feeder outside that window and maybe a butterfly garden along the fence.

"I am a traveler passing through the earth, as all my fathers were."

Psalm 39:12

The Art Collection of Jonathan Green and Richard Weedman

is currently on display at the Gibbs Museum in Charleston.  One Thursday per month, 

both Mr. Green and Mr. Weedman conduct a tour of the collection they have shared with us.

My daughter and I, along with about 100 others, filled the main upstairs gallery, full of

anticipation.  Jonathan Green is my favorite contemporary artist, with many of his works hanging in my home.  His pictures are calm and peaceful, yet infinitely joyful. They make me stop and smile each and every time that I pass them.   His and his partner Richard's peace and joy is shown in the collection on display- how lucky we were to hear both men describe their art and life journeys, their  passion towards life and their deep biblical spirituality expressed in art.  

Both men discussed their long quest to preserve and possess the art created by the WPA government artists in the 1930's.  As much as I've read about the WPA, I have somehow missed the story of the artists who were paid by the US government to create, paint and sculpt; a huge blessing which was blotted out when influential art galleries despaired about a perceived glut on the art market caused by the huge amount of art created.  The government's response was to destroy all government owned art from that period.  The art that was privately or gallery owned was saved, yet most of the saved works ended up in garage sales and antique shops.  Jonathan Green and Richard Weedman have been on a life quest to rescue this art...Bravo to you both!

What better way to fill a day during the first week of "ma vie recommence" experience than to see a French film?  Well.....here's my take on Amour:

Talk, talk, talk, eat very noisily, talk, talk, have a stroke.

Smoke, chase a pigeon, have another stroke, 

Alienate your family, smother your spouse with a pillow,

Barricade yourself in your apartment and die.

Cheery flick.  Gotta love French films, though.  Pretty gutsy.

Carving out a peaceful place to work and grow today.  I think it will be one baby step after another when it comes to creating a distance between past tensions and future life.  

Baby step number one....working on the illustrations for my second book, and shifting my thoughts during the day to that.  I have the next two pages in my head, which is becoming a less cluttered place.

Baby step number two...I watched fat drops of rain swell on the ends of the black tree branches in my front yard.  They grew, elongated, disappeared down into the grass and started over again in a new place on the branch.

My Life Begins Again....

At age 55, I begin to live for myself..not for an employer, not for those I love, who are many but for pure joy and beauty and the expansion of my universe, as I know it.   And now, life.