Art on the Street

When leaving the Farmers' Market, I spotted this young artist and loved her style.  I bought 2 of her prints right off the bat.  Yes, New York City has so much to offer.  

Oh, the People You'll Meet

My adventures take me to many places around the world and one of my favorites is the farmers' market.  Here I am with Beverly Bingam, who has been farming all her married life, at her stall in Hagerstown, Maryland.  I've realized, from my travels that farmers and gardeners like to share, not only what they grow, but themselves.  Beverly and I really hit it off.  We think alike!  Did you notice the price of her eggs?  What a bargain!

So True, Have YOU Started Planting Yet?

This was a poster Beverly had up at her stall.  Being sustainable is good for you and good for the planet.  Reduce your carbon footprint today........start a garden!  Need advice, find a neighbor who gardens and ask questions.  Personally, I like to ask questions because I can always ask for details or clarification.  Be brave, ask questions!

Every Sunday Morning

Almost every town across America has a farmers' market these days.  Hooray!  Being Green is cool.

Here I am with Shamsa and Halima (in the purple) at their stand in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia.

I loved the name of their farm.  It's a CSA (community supported agriculture) farm and a retreat center.

Check it out at:  www.farmofpeace.com

The First of the Season

Fresh strawberries-----yum!  This is what you could be growing, or if not, shop for them at the local farmers' market like this one in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia.

Or How About Some Tomatoes

This is another booth at this very small farmers' market in Berkeley Springs.  If you are in the D.C. area, I suggest you visit this little town in the mountains of West Virginia.  It has so much history.  George Washington bought land here when he was surveying the area.  There are rumors, too, that he "took the baths".  This town houses the smallest state park in our country and you can follow in our first president's footsteps and "take the baths" there, too. 

Time to Get Moving

I love to take the train the most.  It my favorite way to travel.  Riding the rails is such a great way to make new friends and it reduces your carbon footprint, too.  Try it!  And let me know what you think!

Got Tickets?

Yep, buying my train tickets from Charles at Amtrak.  Trains have been moving travelers for many, many years.  One of the greatest advantages of taking the rail is that most train stations are in the heart of the city and it's easy to get to where you are going from there.  Also, if you buy in advance, the prices are very reasonable.

Heading North

We'll be flying out of JFK to Europe shortly.  Ohhhhh, I am excited!!

Track my journey to the Old World.  I am planning on having lots of fun!

Toto, We are Not in Kansas Anymore!

Yep, we are on the road.........on the East Coast of the USA.

First stop.......the Big Apple!

Quite the View

I am atop one of the many, many fabulous restaurants in New York City.  I love this town-----so much to see and do----it's fun!  Can you name the building behind the palm tree?

The Best Way to Get Around

Now, unless you you are rich and can afford a personal driver/chauffeur, the subway is the best way to get from one place to another in NYC.  It's easy and there are many friendly folks who will give you directions if you get disoriented.  If it's a fairly short hop, you can always hail a cab.

Step Inside and You Will be Charmed

I love the library.  I love books.  The  Brooklyn Public Library is a must see!  Promise.

Yum, Yum, and Yum

Make sure when you visit The Big Apple that you stop into Eataly.  It was the most exclusive deli restaurant ever.  I just stepped in to get a lemonade and walked into a huge maze of incredible foods from around the world.  With each section, there was a cool little seating area with tables and chairs serving the most delicious food.  It's in the East Village.

Let's Go Surfin' Now, Everybody's.........

Can you believe it?  A surfboard in New York City.  Well, it's not right in New York City, but about 35 minutes in Rockaway.  Isn't that cool-------waves---------minutes from Manhattan.

Playground----Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

This is the view from my balcony at Ocean Bay Drive and Resort.  What a glorious day!  All those college kids on the beach are from Virginia Tech.  It's a tradition to come to this 60 mile stretch of Atlantic coastline and relax when college is out for the summer.  These coeds were playing hard and having a good time.  Me, too!  Mom got brave and went swimming and diving through the waves,  even though the water was a little cool.

Surf's Up in the South

Well, the surf in Myrtle Beach is a lot different than the surf at Sunset Beach.  Usually storms bring in the great waves here, especially at Pawley's Island, a town south of my vacation spot in North Myrtle Beach.  There are a number of surf shops in the area and this is one of them.  So, if you need any gear to ride waves, find Pipeline Surf Shop on North King's Highway.

SUP, What's Up?

SUP stands for "stand up paddling."  It's the latest rage in the surfing world, although some hardcore surfers pooh, pooh this new water sport.  Bryon is one of the owners of the Pipeline Surf Shop and he was showing me the most recent addition to SUP boards.  The board behind him is INFLATABLE.  Now, can you imagine that!  Yep, it's a one-man operation (or one-woman).  Comes with a pump and you just blow it up at the water's edge and, presto, you're ready to paddle anywhere, rivers, streams, lakes, oceans, anywhere!

And Farther South

There are some very charming small towns south of Myrtle Beach that were once home to huge rice plantations.  Oh, my, I had a fish dinner at Lee's Inlet Kitchen in Murrell's Inlet that was absolutely fabulous! The she crab soup was heaven!  The young men in this photo, Jamie, with the beard, and Blake, were working at the Surf the Earth surf shop at Pawley's Island. They were very friendly and gave me a lot of local history.  Blake is a 6th generation resident.

And if You Want Something Sweet........

 Max Goree is the owner of Pawley's Island Bakery.  Trained as a professional chef in France and working in famous restaurants led this baker to open up his own shop just south of Myrtle Beach.  Oh, my, get ready for some delicious pastries!  I was swooning over the coconut macroons and his lobster/crab bisque was out of this world.
It's the place to have lunch, or be a little naughty if you want a sweet treat!

Come, Let Me Read to You

                     

Jessica and I met up at the Myrtle Beach Public Library. She's in training to be a children's librarian.  I did a storytelling hour there with preschoolers.  What a fun time Mom and I had.  Those sweet little children were so attentive as we read, HARRY THE DIRTY DOG, and told them of our adventures around the world.  Afterward they wanted to hug us both!  Children always have their hearts open.

So True, So True

Yes, "Dream Big".  Keep your dreams in your heart and nurture them, let them grow, and always have hope that your dreams will come true!  This llama was a gift from a local Myrtle Beach artist to the library.  I loved sitting on him and so do the kids.

Put Your Heart in all YOU Do

This piece of art in the Children's Room at the Myrtle Beach Public Library was part of a mural dedicated to the classmate of some local 2nd graders.  I loved it, so I thought you would too!

Goodbye, Myrtle Beach

Now, I know most of you have heard the name of this coast town in South Carolina, but don't know much about it.  Well, I was very impressed with the friendliness of the locals and the hospitality of everyone I met.  I encourage you to visit.  I had a great time, made new friends, and learned a lot of American history during my stay. It's a fun place for a beach vacation!  

This is the view from my balcony.  The moon was bright and the surf was singing to the night as I said my farewell.

Hello from Myrtle Beach

Look at these poppies.  I'm in the middle of a spring garden on the coast of South Carolina.  Come on along and see a little more........

The Caretakers

Marilyn and Kathy (holding me) are two of 400 volunteers at Brookgreen Gardens, a 4,000 acre estate just a little south of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  They were pruning and cleaning up the poppy bed at the entrance to the property.  Kathy loved telling me about the history of the gardens and the Huntington's who bought the place in 1920.

Enjoying the Ride

Paul is from Quebec City in Canada.  Every spring he and his wife come south to the United States driving down in their  recreational vehicle, affectionately known as an "RV".  They head straight for Florida and then meander up the Eastern Seaboard, camping along the way, and bike riding.  It takes them two months to get back home.  Sounds like a fun life.  They also explore, so that's why they were here at Brookgreen Gardens.  Of course, they spoke with a French accent and Paul imparted an beautiful quotation with me, "On n'est rien sans amour" (One is nothing without love.)  Very French, don't you think?

Take Me Away

The collection of American sculptures at Brookgreen Gardens is the largest in our country.  They were everywhere.  The original owner, Anna Hyatt Huntington, was a well-known sculptress and her pieces are showcased in the Garden.  She loved to sculpt horses and other animals.  These two horses are at the entrance to the estate and are the work of Anna Hyatt.

Just the Place for Me!

Well, because I love to learn and am just the most curious of dogs, Brookgreen was right up my alley.  There was so much to take in.  The education department opens its door to many of the neighborhood children and school groups, and, now, me!

Follow Me......

This is Linda, a retired science teacher, who now coordinates the Education Department at Brookgreen Gardens.  Oh, my, did we have fun talking.  Mostly, though, I was listening.  Step inside and see what I saw.

Yikes!!

Now this is what I learned.......that little fellow in the glass case is called a red rat snake or corn snake and loves to eat mice.  When I got a little squeamish because there are no snakes in Hawaii and I'm not used to them, Linda said..."Everything in Nature has a reason to be here, or it wouldn't be here."  Now, I thought that was very profound, don't you?  And, it makes total sense.

What a Long Snout you Have, Grandma.

This is another example of the wildlife in the Myrtle Beach area.  The Education Department of Brookgreen Gardens provides many learning opportunities which teach children to respect nature and take care of the environment.  As I said, this place is just right for me, a little dog that loves to learn and take care of Mother Earth.

Looking for Dinosaurs?

No, this is not a fossil hunt.  On the grounds of the Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington estate, Brookgreen Gardens, the staff uncovered the remains of the overseer's house.  This area of South Carolina was known for growing "Carolina Gold" rice and slaves were used to plant and harvest the crop.  In the mid to late 1700's, Charleston, a town south of Myrtle Beach, was the richest town in the United States because of rice.

 

Catch a Wave........

This sculpture felt like home.  I was just on my way to the restaurant when I passed it and couldn't resist taking a picture.  Did you notice the plants in the garden?  They're edible!

Got Timber?

At Brookgreen Gardens, as part of their educational program, they have a room showcasing the history of the area.  Harvesting trees and making turpentine was big business.  There was the coolest map painted on the floor which showed the rivers and stands of forest.  This coastal area of South Carolina is rich in natural resources.

Guess Who?

Can you guess?  Did you guess?  

So.....if you are ever in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, historically called "The Low Country", due to the ocean tides pushing fresh water from the rivers over their banks and a perfect place for growing rice, please make sure you venture further south to Pawley's Island.  That's were  Brookgreen Gardens is located.  For more info go to: www.brookgreengardens.com

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina-- the Low Country

                               

Isn't this reporter beautiful?  And her personality is just as beautiful. Libba Holland reports the Fox Morning News on WFXB.  She was interviewing me because I'm doing a storytelling hour at the local library that, I know, will be lots of fun!!

Live Better with Shane Norris

                             

Shane produces shows for the Fox, Channel 13, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  He is the broadcast journalist who invited me to be on the news when he found out I was doing a storytelling hour at Chapin Memorial Library.  We talked for a good hour after my taping.  I really like this new friend;  he's full of wisdom and great ideas to better others' lives, and he likes sharing.

Summer in the City, THE City

Yes, can you see that statue in the distance?  I'm in the Big Apple.  I love this city---it has so much to offer.  I am always learning, learning, learning when I visit here.  Come along..........explore with me!

The Grand Deli-----Dean and Deluca

I needed some nourishment so I stopped into this very well-known delicatessen in Manhattan to look around.  Debbie was showing me the olive section.  Can you imagine, this is just the olive section!  That's New York City for you.  It has everything!

Should You Want to Rent

Be prepared.  Living in the Big Apple is very, very expensive.  Give Lance, the broker, a call and see if the price has dropped on this studio in SoHo.

Take a Whiff

I am in one of my all time favorite restaurants, Homemade, in a suburb of Brooklyn called Red Hook.  This is the front window!  It was such a cool place to eat and the food was perfectly delicious.  Kombucha, Mom's #1 drink, was on tap.  Homemade kombucha.

The Ambiance of Homemade

Talk about comfy.  This is the dining room---relaxing and inviting, don't you think?
What I like most about New York City is the creative energy that flows through the town.  I always get inspired when I'm here; little touches that make a big difference get me thinkin'.

Anyone for a Slice of Cheese?

I was tempted.  And what little dog do you know that doesn't like cheese?  It's in our blood!

Slurp! Slurp!

Homemade lemonade right on the counter.  Perfect for a hot summer afternoon.  That's Jenny in the background.  She's the one who brought me here.  She's a famous food writer so she knows all the city's secret spots for great food, reasonable prices, and a cool setting.

Step out the Back Door, Please

This is the garden terrace of Homemade.  So simple, yet so well-designed.  I love that Americans are following the lead of their friends in Europe and dining out-of-doors.

About as Fresh as You Can Get

Yes, the chef at Homemade, the restaurant, has a garden out back.  This place is a must see, must dine experience when visiting New York City.  You can take the subway or a cab to Red Hook in Brooklyn and discover for yourself the excellent atmostphere and cuisine.  I know you will be pleased!  I know for sure!