Frullati

Cafe near Borgo Pio, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok

Today would be a perfect day to find a tranquil spot... off the beaten path.
Relax... pull up a chair and savor a fruit smoothie with me, Roman style.

For Cloud Lovers - Clouds Like Wild Fire

Clouds at Sunset, Oregon Dunes NRA, Oregon  © Doug Hickok

As the day ends, a cluster of clouds blowing inland from the sea is torched by the light of the setting sun, just as they scurry dramatically over a ridge of grassy dunes.
May your weekend be as breathtaking as clouds ablaze with sunset's fire.

Three for Thursday - Reflections in a Ballet Theatre Window

Ballet Shoe, Charleston Ballet Window Display,
Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

 Ballerina, Charleston Ballet Window Display, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Ballet Dancers, Charleston Ballet Window Display,
Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Illustrated here, in these three images, is a little dose of Charleston culture and style. The Charleston Ballet Theatre, a professional dance company, stages various performances, both modern and traditional, throughout the year. Additionally, it features a school for aspiring dancers. Reflected in the Theatre window is a yellow Charleston single house, the William Akien House (circa 1810). This National Historic Landmark is a prestigious venue for weddings, dinners, and other special events, and was featured in the 2004 film, The Notebook. 

Ash Wednesday - Angel of Alms

Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, traditionally begins a time of prayer, fasting and alms giving for Christians around the world.

If you are in the frame of mind to give alms this Lenten season, please take a moment to visit the site of one of our fellow photographers, Sidney.

Happy Fat Tuesday!

French Quarter, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Here is our daughter wearing a Carnevale mask she brought back from Rome. She and her friends are in New Orleans today for the Mardi Gras celebration. So, on that note, happy Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras, and Carnival to everyone! Today is the perfect day to feast on the biggest hot fudge sundae you can find.

Mysterious Monday - Porter's Lodge

Porter's Lodge, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



What is that skittering sound? 
Is it coming from behind the door? 
I thought I saw a shadow flicker... Am I imagining things? 
No! I definitely heard it this time! 
They say there are ghosts all around Charleston. 
Could it be the ghost of General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregaurd? 
Or did an alligator find it's way here from the swamp? 
Oh! There it goes again! 
I can't stand it... I have to look. 
Aw man... I'm so embarrassed. It's just up and coming rapper, Zee Puff Schmooie, 
on her iphone, tweeting her latest lyrics to her cookin' producer, A Cee.

Saint Michael's Sunday

Saint Michael's Church, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

This colonial era church is the oldest in Charleston (1761), and has withstood earthquakes, hurricanes, fires and the bombardments of the American Civil War. It stands today as a symbol of Charleston's enduring qualities.


For different views of this church, see this earlier post and this post.

A Stroll Through Early Spring In Charleston

Balustrade, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Piazza and Palm, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Saucer Magnolia, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Hidden Garden, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Old Iron Fence and Camellias, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Flowering Cherry Trees, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


The early Spring blooms continue here in Charleston. On a stroll through parts of the historic district, I discovered plenty of flowers and warm hues to grab my eye.

From the Archives - Weekend Wishes

Via G. Zanardelli, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok

Here's wishing you a delightful weekend. Maybe you can take a bike ride... or visit a museum... or learn about a famous artist, like Andy Warhol for instance... or take a trip to beautiful Italia. Or maybe you can ride your bike to an art museum that features an Andy Warhol exhibit... in Italy. Yes, that's the ticket!

A Fine Night to Dine

Restaurants and Shops, East Bay St., Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


There's been a little chill in the night air this week, a reminder that old man winter is not quite ready to exit the stage. Yet these kinds of nights are perfect for enjoying the show that is called "Charleston's Fine Dining". Along East Bay Street are restaurants that play out plenty of these culinary performances. But if Shakespeare is more your kind of dish, then try this theatrically scripted post...

Pirate Alley Iron

Gate to Pirate Alley, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



Two signature fixtures of Charleston are its ornate ironwork and brick walls covered with stucco. A little side light here brings out the texture in both. This gate opens to Pirate Alley, an area in the French Quarter, where the old colonial stories tell of visiting pirates spending their booty on grog and other diversions. One tale tells of the time when the flamboyant freebooter, Jack Sparrow, danced a fast flamenco with a fuchsia flamingo at a nearby tavern called The Flaming Fandango. But, to be honest with you, I'm a bit skeptical about the veracity of such yarns. Arr.

Sign Language

Old Sign, Burnsville, North Carolina  © Doug Hickok


There's more to a sign than just its letters. Often, it's the hues that catch the eye.

Misty Monday - Old Oaks and Tidal Marsh

Old Oaks and Tidal Marsh, Daniel Island, SC  © Doug Hickok


Yesterday the Lowcountry had a foggy start to the day, so I went out early to capture
the misty mood of the morning.

Early Comes the Spring

Daffodils, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Red Camellia, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Daffodils, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Narcissus, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


The weather here has been so warm lately that we now have a yard full of the hues of early spring flowers. We also have tea olives beginning to bloom. They have tiny white flowers, easily missed by the naked eye, that have the most stunning and far reaching fragrance. It seems they're all a few weeks early this year.  
So the good news is, it's Spring!

Color Therapy

Pink Door Under Renovation, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


This paint job could give any contractor the blues.  The color therapist recommends extensive rehab to restore a healthy pink glow.

This pink's for you, Leanne.

Priceless

Receding Ridges, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina  © Doug Hickok


May your weekend be as golden as mountains aglow at sunset.

Posts on a Purple Porch

Porch Balustrade, Georgetown, SC  © Doug Hickok


To continue from yesterday's theme, here is another pattern of lines photographed against a purple background. A porch is an ideal place to have a restful gathering; to sit back and relax a bit. So why not add a shade of orange, and a green hue to that 
eye-catching purple, and have a nice gathering of secondary colors? 
You can almost here them conversing, speaking that special language only colors can speak, when they are happily together.

Bridge Wednesday - Pylons on a Purple Palette

General Westmorland Bridge on a Foggy Morning, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok




Here is a multi-pylon bridge to guide you over the mid-week murk,
and safely into the weekend. Woop. Woop.

The Creatures Among Us, Part One

Old Tree and Haystack, Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 
Tennessee  © Doug Hickok


Ents


(Etymology note: Ent is an Old English word for "giant")

Mysterious Monday

18th Century Row Houses, Elliott St., Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


It was a dark and misty morn. Fog shrouded shapes seemed to loom in the gloom. A creeping stillness silenced every sound. Street lamps dimmed as an air of mystery tightened its hold on the narrow alleyway. Suddenly, a door creaked slowly open, and from within the shadows emerged a...
What honey? My chocolate chip pancakes are ready? Sorry, I gotta run.
Mysterious Monday continues... to be mysterious.


(Unless you wish to complete the mystery yourself)