mojosmom

What a beautiful city Charleston is! A dream for someone like me who loves to walk, and loves history and architecture. And the Charleston Bookcrossers are a great bunch of folks. The early arrivals went out Thursday night for fish and chips, drinks, and a good time, but we were up betimes to head for breakfast on Friday. inkognitoh, kiptrix, Solittletime and I went on a fascinating bus tour, by Gullah Tours. Our guide, Alphonso Brown, has also written a guidebook, which I bought and put to good use later on. We visited the forge of Philip Simmons, who has done many beautiful wrought iron gates around Charleston:

Then we went to a book sale:


Friday night was the Meet & Greet. Among the many celebrities attending were Bruce:
,
Bumma and Skyring:

A good time was had by all.

Saturday we gathered at the Marion Square Farmers' Market to release books:

Fortunately, we had a lot of release bags, because it rained, but not before we had plenty of time to wander about, admiring the produce and eating beignets, crêpes and other goodies. Some of us ducked into the Starbucks across the street and waited out the rain. I walked around a bit, shopped for gifts at the City Market
and then went back to the hotel to rest up for Trivia Night, which was also tremendous fun.

On Sunday, I went to Mass. Really I did. bookczuk and javaczuk sing in the choir of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, which is why I went. The building is still standing. ;-)) Some folks went off to brunch afterwards, but I wanted to wander, so czukie directed me to a couple of nearby cemeteries. The Unitarian Church in Charleston and St. John's Lutheran are next door to each other, and their graveyards adjoin. It's very interesting to compare the two:

and


I went to the Gibbes Museum, particularly to see the exhibit, Grass Roots: African Origins of an American Art, about basket weaving, with some stunning examples of the work. A local sweetgrass sewer, Mary Jackson, just won a MacArthur "genius grant".

From there, I proceeded to walk around the historic district, guidebooks in one hand, camera in the other. After a while, it started to rain again, and my phone rang. It was czukie, offering to kidnap me and get me out of the rain, so of course I accepted. We went off to Folly Beach and thence to the czuk homestead for crab cakes and company.

Then Monday came and I had to leave! Waaaahhhh!!!! Skyring and I shared a cab to the airport, and then I sat around and sat around as my flight was way late leaving. Despite the fact that I was assured I'd get to Atlanta in time to make my 2:35 connection, that didn't happen. I think I got off one plane just as the other was taking off. Delta re-booked me on a 4:00 flight that, in the event, didn't leave until about 5:30. But I eventually did get home, and the cats were happy to see me, and I to see them.

I can't believe I never got around to posting about last weekend, and here this weekend is all over but the shouting, as they say.

( Hyde Park Jazz Festival )

On Sunday, I went back to the Art Center, as there was an event to kickoff Chicago Artists Month. All of October there will be events going on all over the city (I should say, even more art events than usual, as there are always a lot anyway). There was some rather outré performance art; these kids seem to have mixed reactions, from intrigued to "what the heck?":
.

( Springfield )

Today, I went up north for the annual Lake County Women's Coalition Tea, this year honoring Women in Law Enforcement.

Now I have to do my homework for Italian class, and start getting ready for Charleston. I can't believe I'm leaving in just a couple of days! Looks as though the weather will be generally pleasant, but I'd better pack the umbrella. I'd also better figure out what books to bring to a) read, and b) release. By the way, I've booked a Gullah Tour for Friday at 11:00, if anyone is interested in joining me.

(posted on BC Conventions & Meetings forum as well and cross-posted to bookcrossing.)

Figuring that I'm not the only one who will want to share, I've made a reservation for a non-smoking room with two beds at the Comfort Inn on Bee Street (near the historic district). It's not fancy, but it was the cheapest (with my "Mature Guest" discount!) I could find in the area (estimated total, with tax, is $546.55). The reservation is for four nights beginning Thursday, October 9. Obviously, I'd prefer it if someone could share all four nights, but will consider all offers.

PM me via BC if you're interested.

and heading to Charleston in October. Yes, I just "bought" my plane ticket (in quotes because I used a bunch of Amex reward points instead of $$). I will be arriving on Thursday, October 9, and leaving on Columbus Day. I'm excited!! Now I just need to settle on housing.

*Forgive me, bookczuk, but I have to say that your state song is just a tad over the top.