Yard Update

A vibrant green weed started popping up under our elephant ears so Jim let them grow wild creating a luscious backdrop!

In the spring, he planted purple heart and wandering jew in the flower boxes on a our front porch. With the height of the purple heart, they became gigantic and are still thriving! The purple heart flowered the entire season.

Formosa lilies started blooming randomly throughout our yard. This plant throws it seeds all over the place so we let them grow wherever they show up.

This orange visitor stopped by.

A monarch visited! Since these beauties are endangered, I took a bunch of photos.

Jim captured this bee with buck teeth. 

This clip is a hummingbird moth buffeting on our butterfly bushes. This unique creature appears and acts like a hummingbird but is quite smaller. I actually thought I was filming a baby hummingbird until I zoomed in on the video. Seeing its back close up, it is definitely a moth!

A couple of days later we noticed 5 of its caterpillars on our tomato plant which they are known to devour. Normally we let nature do its thing but this was our tomatoes. They were removed from the plant and most likely became a juicy meal for hungry birds.

Have a marvelous day/evening (wherever you are on the clock)! ~Val

Guignard Brick Works

The Guignard Brick Works include 4 kilns of the past that have been preserved as historical property.

The Guignard family used these in the 1920s to make clay bricks. This business dated back to 1901.

Part of the rail system used to transport these bricks has been preserved as well.

On the hardware I can make out May 1904. The manufacturing company is too difficult to read but it was fun trying to figure out what it reads after many decades of rust.

Contrasted with modern housing surrounding them, they have developed character over time with sprouting plants and grass. It is as though they could come alive if they were in a fairytale.

We have driven by these quirky looking structures many times and finally stopped to check them out. It was worth the time to see them up close.

Have a marvelous day/evening (wherever you are on the clock)! ~Val

First Thursdays on Main

The First Thursdays on Main are held the first Thursday of each month, year round.

The Boyd Plaza outside the Columbia Museum of Art in South Carolina becomes a beer garden from 6pm - 9pm.

Besides beer, there is live music and food.

Up and down Main Street are also opportunities the enjoy live music, local businesses and local artwork.

Outside the Mast General Store we watched The Runout whose unique sound is categorized as alt-country/Americana.

Next we headed to the plaza for Stankface. 

This band plays Neo-Soul/Funk-Hop. Their original songs are so poetic and soulful. Definitely one of my favorite local bands!

George Fentner and the Strays played after. I have to quote their website to describe them. "Culling influences from nine proficient performers, the band has developed a soulful, southern sound rooted in rhythm and blues, improvisatory rock, and captivating musical left turns".  This results in tons of fun!

They have a groovy vibe that makes me want to sip cocktails on the beach.

An artist was painting en plein air while the above band was playing.

I loved seeing this sculpture/fountain I have seen many times in the daylight, finally at night!

There was more to First Thursdays on Main including additional bands but it is impossible to enjoy everything so one has to pick and choose. We will definitely enjoy more of these nights in the future!

Have a marvelous day/evening (wherever you are on the clock)! ~Val