CharlestonToday.net keeps growing

If you haven’t visited us yet on CharlestonToday.net, please have a look. Our content and coverage keeps expanding.

In addition to regular posts about art, music, dance, and theatre, we have two special columns which you can see in the left column of the page.

The first is “Looking at Charleston” which offers a unique view of historic architecture on the peninsula—homes, churches, and public buildings. All the material comes from unpublished writings of Gene Waddell who is an architectural historian and now the archivist at the College of Charleston Library. This is not your typical tour of downtown (who lived where, how many surviving ancestors they have, and how many times the building burned). No, it is about architecture: who the architects were, where they learned their design concepts, why they chose these particular designs, which materials they selected and why, and how the buildings were built. It is a guaranteed to give you a fresh perspective on the city, literally, around you.

The other column is “A Nuff is a Nuff” which is co-authored by our friends Harriet (Hattie) and Goodwin (Goodie) Nuff. Their view of life is from the practical human side. They don’t always agree, but both have worthwhile things to say. And they’re fun. You’ll see. Watch, too, for Goodie’s cousin who may write in occasionally: Itzhak (Itzha) Nuff.

We’ve also got other fun and reflective columns coming soon. As well as plenty more about the cultural season ahead of us this Fall and Spring.

Take a peek at CharlestonToday.net.

Silent and Still

A simple stone bench in a private Charleston garden. Just waiting for someone to approach gently, sit quietly, and do nothing but take in a moment of existence. Even from the street, gazing at this scene through the garden fence, a passerby can realize that there is a quiet place within where nothing touches you. No event. No person. No thought or feeling or worry. Nothing at all.

In that inner territory of solace, you rediscover that you have everything you need, which is nothing. Simple being, presence, awareness—whatever you want to call it. The only true sanctuary. The only real possession. The only guaranteed security. The utmost accomplishment of enduring worth. Always near at hand. •

A New Site in Town

The Charleston Observer is not going anywhere, for now. But here’s our latest venture. Take a look at www.CharlestonToday.net. And tell your friends!

Currency Hard to Come By

Think these coins will ever make a comeback? As children on Sullivan’s Island, we used to stand shoulder-deep in the surf, probe the bottom with our feet, and somehow manage to pick up sand dollars with our toes.

Of course, the only value they had was as skipping rocks. Nothing glided so smoothly or effortlessly across the waves as they did.

Some months ago, while strolling on Folly Beach, I chanced upon one of these now rare jewels (fully intact). It sits motionless on a table at home, dry and white. But it gives me a special joy each time I look at it. The joy of timeless days at the beach, in the surf, heedless of the sun. A priceless currency, for sure. •

The Tooth Fairy

Ever wondered what the tooth fairy looks like? My five-year-old daughter never wonders. She just draws. In an instant. No revisions. With fascinating details. And in full color.

She said recently: “Sometimes my mind just goes blank and I don’t think about anything.” Ah, to be a child. (It’s still possible. We just forget now and then.)

A large coin in one hand and a still bloody tooth in the other

With hand outstretched, waiting for the reward (while sleeping)