Mahogany brown covered in tan-colored hides



Also, in July, I attended a drum circle. The fellow in charge is named Hawk, and he conducted a really fun class. He had drums from Africa, from the Southwest, US and even a 100 yr old drum from Cuba. We played, and chanted while trying out the various instruments- one of which was a tortoise shell. Hawk also had some really great stories to tell- all in all, a really great time!

White chalk to write today's "Specials"





After going to the Halsey Center to see the salt art exhibit, Page and I scooted a little further downtown to check out Queen Street Grocery and Cafe (which, for the past 3 years, has won "Charleston's Best"  for street corner eatery). Nestled in a quaint, old Charleston neighborhood, it's a bit difficult to find a parking spot on the street, but we persevered and located one. With charm of its own, and really tasty food to boot, we're glad we popped in, though, because it is off the beaten path, and parking iffy at best, we probably won't pop in again.

Irridescent emerald green in flight

I have had the most beautiful little visitor to my shrimp plant of late-  a hummingbird! I have lived in this house for 10 years now, and have never seen one in my yard. I was practically giddy with excitement when I looked out my livingroom window the other day and spotted him humming about the red flowers. He will perch waaay up in the trees overhanging the house when I'm outside, after flying right in front of my face, hovering as tho' to check me out before speeding away straight upwards. Caught him leaving another branch yesterday morning. I'm sure the joy of his presence is fleeting just like he is, but till he departs for good, I find myself frequently looking out that window hoping for just one more glimpse.

White as the driven....salt?

Hard to believe that this just regular ole table salt

Who knew!?!?!?!? That my son, Travis, actually looked at my blog periodically to see what was up. NOT ME!!!!!! So, I'm going to be adding more entries because he doesn't check out my pics on FaceBook. This was an exhibit at the Halsey Art Institute in downtown Charleston. Motoi Yamamoto started the installation during Spoleto, working 10 hour days until it was completed (I don't know how long it took). It remained on display till July 7th, when at the close of business, anyone who was so inclined, could come take away some salt (the dismantling of the art piece) and everyone met down at the harbour to throw the salt into the water, hence the title "Back to the Sea." It was quite marvelous, looking like a crocheted piece instead of salt. All he

uses is the above bottle, which his family happens to make back in Japan for the dispensing of oil for cooking, and the brush. I even gave it a try and it's not terribly difficult, but I definitely do not have the patience! His is quite the incredible piece......(as opposed to mine, shown below)



Pitch Black With the Lights Turned Out!

                                          Linville Caverns, North Carolina




The Farmer's Market, Asheville, NC

Almost forgot another thing that I've been wanting to do for years. Don't know if it was on the bucket list, per say, but I've wanted to go visit Linville Caverns for years. On the last weekend of April (and, it's now mid June- tsk, tsk, I AM behind on my blog), Page and I wound our way up to the caverns, located about an hour away from Asheville. Not the biggest and best, but beautiful in their own way. All those tubes, glistening in the wetness, almost seemed like flesh- they reminded me of the Oods, from Dr. Who. Loved the shade of green! To demonstrate what early adventurers experienced when their lanterns faltered, the guide switched off the softly glowing lights within the cave, along with her flashlight. You could not even see your hand in front of your face. Not easy to get out, especially with surprise holes along the way, but just follow the sound of the rushing water inside and you'll get to the light of day- eventually (and, hopefully in one piece). Afterwards, we tootled on down to Asheville, just 3 miles down the road from the big, ole Western North Carolina Farmer's Market. We were both really excited about visiting there (hence the close proximity of our hotel!). Colors, smells, veggies and fruit everywhere plus a special event with nursery owners= lots and lots and lots of plants and flowers. A feast for the eyes! Everything from cheeses, preserves and little girl cowboy hats inside. We'd go again. For strength on the road back, we ventured into Asheville itself and happened upon a brand new Italian restaurant. We were in heaven! We'd go back there again, too (Strada Italiano Restaurant)

Shimmering Bridal White



emory helping jeff get ready



wedding eve- lorrie,nicole, emory









nicole and chris clements



nicole and her mom, jean

 


nicole and emory



 




 

the happy couple, chris and nicole clements


It's hard to believe that just 3 short weeks ago, on Sat, May 26th, 2012, my niece, Nicole Gunn became Mrs. Chris Clements. Emory and I shared a room in Conway, New Hampshire,(it was the first week of Travis' summer internship, so he couldn't make it) strolling the streets and poking into some fantastic, lovely boutiques the morning of the big event. It was beautiful, and the reception so much fun- GREAT dance music and had an opportunity to get caught up with Jean, Nicole's mom (I just love her!) and her Chris. It is a lovely town, inhabited with lovely people. I need to go back for a longer visit. to go for a longer visit.





Sea Turtle Green

I am soooo woefully behind on my blog!!! Actually, I had forgotten about it! I took a class in art dolls on line and have become totally enamored with them, focusing all my attention in that direction. This close to activating my web site-just need to catalog all the styrofoam. Sounds easy, but very time consuming, hence, I haven't done it yet. I really,really need to get that done so I can then add things- like art dolls!- to my market page.

Meanwhile.....something to cross off my bucket list= watching the release of rehabilitated sea turtles! Timing is everything. My friend, Pam ,called to tell me about it and the release date was on a Friday in May. In fact, I think it was the first Friday we had off of our new 4, 10-hour day work schedule! Had bronchitis (didn't know it at the time), but didn't want to miss the opportunity, so I took Jeff and went to Isle of Palms and watched 2 teenagers, Hamlin (75lbs) and Jammer (100lbs) happily swim out to sea.