Charleston, S.C. A Wrinkle in Time...

You never leave someone behind, you take a part of them with you and leave a part of yourself behind.
-- Author Unknown
The story of my trip or vacation, or whatever you would like to call it, begins with high expectations of fun and sun and laughing and joy. I had hoped for an escape from the reality, from my "day to day". What you hope for, what you want; is hardly what you get.

I have been visiting Charleston S.C. since I was a baby...it's been a second home for many reasons, it's where my mom's side of our family lives, it's been our family vacation each year, and it's where my brother was born and is now buried.

I knew I needed to visit Charleston this year, I get a nostalgic ache in my stomach to lounge on the beach and see my family. I had that ache mid July and made plans with my parents to join them at my Aunt's house on the beachfront in Folly Beach, S.C.

I bought my ticket and my friend John was kind enough to drive me to the airport and watch my car while I was gone. I left early, I had to be there around 4:30am in order to get all set for my flight.

I met a really nice couple on the plane, the mom (I can't remember their names) sat next to me and told me all about their daughter, she has a full ride to the Citadel playing volleyball and they were going for the weekend to watch her play.

I arrived in Charleston and my parents scooped me up just in time to take me to my grandma's house to prepare for her performance. I thought my Mama's (what we call her) group of ladies were performing, but I was wrong, it was a performance by members of the Elk's lodge.

This is the Elk on the ceiling atop of the stage. There are pictures of men all over the walls (many of my family members) and it's sort of exactly what you think any of those lodges are like. And my family have been members for a very, very long time.

The performance was called the Grand Ole Opre and my dad and I had to chuckle at some of the music because it was kind of like a country version of American Idol. Some of our favorite lyrics were: "I love this bar, it ain't that far, come as you are, I love this bar!" and the classic, "Let's walk through the garden cuz I'd sure like to check you for ticks."

I took several pictures of the event, there were some wild costumes. I have to say, although I know I am biased, that my family did the best!

My aunt Annette, Mom, and Aunt Marlene

My Mama, she is 94 this December!

Here are some others:

Me, my mom and my Aunt Dot (Dorothy, Mama's sister, she is 90ish too)

And Pops, my goofy dad, no less talking about the tick song...he loved it so.

My Mama can still rock the stage at 94 years old! Watch out Madonna and Reba!

Unlce Melvin as Willie Nelson...loved the braids.


Uncle James making the ladies swoon...

My cousin Jimmy representing the family well.

This lady was hilarious...and I was told she was a wallflower...


Aunt Marlene and Uncle Melvin...I know they have beer...but those ladies have nothing on my Aunt Marlene!

Before I knew it, the show was over...and the food was pretty great too. I had BBQ beef with hash and rice I gave my dad my baked beans...no one should want me to have those! And the cherry cobbler was great too.

Please see Part 2.