Let’s call it “Polite Charleston Snow.”

It only falls every few years, blankets everything beautifully in white and then is gone the next day.  We’re an active part of the 49-out-of-50. A snow sampler if you would.

There were plenty of snow pictures online, in the newspaper and on television of snowmen, kids romping , stunned & chilled palmetto trees and the sound of “ice bergs shifting overhead.”

Everybody whipped out their cameras and became  photographers to capture the beauty and the odd wonders that appear when our familiar sights became most uncommon. Sharing pictures with friends and relatives up north or other cold climes receive a general response of “You call THAT snow?”

Some of us kicked back, relaxed and realized a snowy Friday leads into a laid back weekend and we all deserve a wintry “time out.”

Hey, be warned that not all those wet spots on the floor are tracked-in snow. Better look closer.

A walking-talking- year-round Valentine is a pleasant person with an upbeat  attitude, a positive outlook and an eye for things that please others. When you find that, share the love.

In the midst of a rare nature’s treat and a heart-felt holiday, we return again to the wonderful drama of loud high-performance cars racing around long and short tracks with restricted and un-restricted plates (whatever that means).

Hope this overview helps you to sample the diversity of blogs produced right here in our lowcountry. Keep your windshield ice scraper in a safe place so you can find it again in a hurry.

I’m Chuck and my palm trees have already recovered. Oh, and be sure to support live music.

The rotten weather has shifted to California …and back to the middle of the country. Whew – finally – a breather for us in the Southeast. We almost experienced a Lake (Murray) snow effect and Canada was worried about a possible cold snap from South Carolina.

The chill whetted my appetite but not quite to the point of an 11-pound pizza. Well, depending on the toppings. And, you always want to be careful planning a SURPRISE! 70th birthday party. I know, I recently had a nice one.

Bad weather keeps the kids inside so Moms have to keep on their toes to stay ahead. And you tend to read a bit more thus a quote  such as “the body was splayed on the kitchen floor” will more than likely grab your attention.

Venturing out of course opens the door to all sorts of social events and we are always looking for new views of Charleston and what is of special interest here in the Low country.

The terrible news from Haiti did produce a rare bright spot and here are some observations – and photos -  on the bird whose ” mouth holds more than its belly can.”

Speaking of photos, a local man with a Leica muses on why he took a particular photo which prompts me to share the news of finding a new camera very suited to my needs. If you are patient, they will build it and people will buy it.

This is just a sample – an overview – of delightful blogs produced locally.

This is Chuck. Go see what the fuss is all about. Thank you.

Global warming has been delayed. You might even say it has been put on ice.

There is no fireplace handy so can’t throw another log on the fire but it’s tempting to nudge the thermostat up a notch or two. Can’t remember if Charleston’s climate is listed as “tropical” or “semi-tropical” but right now it’s certainly not “typical.”

It’s safe to say that when your toothpaste is frozen the temperature is in free fall and it’s probably time to reassess your surroundings, your relationships and your expectations.

A series of cold, cold days in an unrelenting row is a good time to do some indoor testing, especially if you’re in the midst of a pell mell meltdown. And, reaching out to help someone in need is especially good when there are 24 degrees of anxiety. Sometimes a supportive kind word or suggestion is all it takes.

Ever have a sinking feeling that leaves many unanswered questions? In depth research – and underwater photography – often provides answers and allows an informed discussion of an issue. Just the facts, ma’am.

Chill out. While it’s not always Red Sales In The Sunset, selling items no longer needed is a good way to gain a few bucks, clear some space and provide treasures to someone else.

The 300th time just might be the charm. Doing anything that often is bound to bring results – expected and unexpected. Makes you want to stay the course and aim for the 400th. Or 500th?

Peeling tomatoes often is the easy part part in a tasty sausage pasta meal when you know how to do it. Has to be easier than taking the skin off those tiny little grapes. And Vice Presidents usually don’t misspell “grape” either.

“First do no harm” is part of a special oath for professionals and probably should be a goal everybody aspires to in their lives. Not a bad place to start regardless of the weather or time of year.

“Hey, look at that“ is another common expression that could help one share an experience on a frosty evening. I’m Chuck and hope you’ll enjoy the views I’ve gathered here for a Roundup. Thanks…and stay warm.

If you’re looking for gold star charts showing  “Best of the year” or “Decade Of  The Century” or “Millennium Moments,” etc. better look elsewhere. Lots of people are making their lists and checking them twice. This, however,  is a roundup of local bloggers posting their thoughts as the year winds down.

They had me at “Squeakquel” even before I started seeing Sold Out signs at the theaters. Grabbing my attention meant the search for tickets was on…A-L-V-I-N!

Delightful kitchen aromas beckoned us to nosh and chat and enjoy family gatherings . Diet is a 4-letter word that will come to mind a little bit later. Just savor the moment for now.

The red Santa suit is hanging back in the closet with moth balls in the pockets. ‘Tis the season to relax and reflect on yet another successful production.

Meanwhile, an enjoyable Myrtle Beach musical interlude was captured by an experienced photographer and he shares his love for the band with all of us. Jot down the name of the performers ( it has a familiar ring) and try to catch their live show as soon as you can.

Hey, we see a pattern developing here – perhaps setting a 20-30 year high, er, that is, a 20-30 year low. Bring in the plants and throw another log on the fire. Think about hot and humid summers.

The teens have their vampires and werewolves and  slow-moving zombies continue their undead shambling for our attention. So where does Lady Gaga fit into all this? Check here for all the answers.

A good thing to remember when using SKYPE and your webcam to communicate with others is to smile and not shake and shiver violently. Try to remember the heat and humidity that will show up here again. Eventually.

Is it possible to have a happy car crash? Sure, if your dozing dogs are doing the crashing and NOT doing the driving.

This year ends, the new one starts and the debate will continue on what defines a decade.

I hope you get to see and hear Rory Block when she comes back to Charleston. I saw the Blues and root music star perform recently and wrote about the evening at the Pour House. Thanks.

One big downside to being retired is missing the office parties and grazing through trays of sugar cookies in the break area. Yeah, that’s about the ONLY bad part.

Planning an office party at a bowling alley should be so easy that even a caveman could do it.

This time of year we are especially reminded of how important we are to businesses. People with products and services to sell are wise to make an extra effort to make customers feel wanted and appreciated.

As the year comes to an end, it’s often good to look back at important milestones…such as a ’stache review. And you should always encourage a new blogger when they do their first posting.

Football and Bingo usually go hand-in-hand (?) but, when you really think about it, maybe there could be a connection. This is a blogger Roundup – not The Answer Man.

It would take a whole committee to answer some questions and situations and, fortunately, some people have grouped together to share their “collective wisdom.”  It’s good to see what is on their mind(s) every now and then.

Yes, you did hear a loud sigh of relief as a semester ended and the second guessing began. Do students still stop the instructor and ask “will THIS be on the exam?” I always thought that was a good approach to studying.

Vintage bike pictures are always a treat, especially when the clever captions are supplied by a clever man who really knows his bicycles.

And that’s a good segue to discuss pictures taken one hundred years ago on large glass slides and viewing them on a modern laptop computer. This is Chuck and that actually happened a few days ago at a photography meetup.

Stay warm this weekend. Thanks.

Black Friday is officially over.

While many stores will continue their price-slashing frenzy, you don’t have to be up before the sun to grab the bargains. One early-rising shopper lamented his pre-dawn lack of caffeine.

Roaming around in the dark is no place to play games and we are reminded that the online people have their day coming up on Cyber Monday.

Don’t forget that this particular Friday or Monday is not the only option to save money. Day-by-day opportunities are on the shelf right in front of us 24/7. Sort of like going on a grocery store cattle drive if you’re into branding.

This might be a good moment to take a break and maybe grab a bite to eat. Something to keep up your strength as you pile high slices of leftovers to make some of that turkey disappear. Actually, this is a guest appearance by a person who hopefully has visited Hawaii …you know… the state formerly known as the Sandwich Islands.

Now that Thanksgiving has passed, we continue marking the calendar to the next great holiday and try to see it through a child’s eyes. I believe the countdown started just before Halloween this year. Seems to move forward earlier and earlier.

One economic surprise gift that our area received early this year might be out shadowed by an even greater one that looks likely to be really HUGE.

Here’s a football fan of America’s Team that got his birthday wish granted but who also has to contend with an automated phone dialer that keeps him irritated on a daily basis. “What we have here is a failure to communicate.”

When you decide to go out on your own and actually work from home, you should recognize that you will miss more than idle chatter by the water cooler. Look down. There also is no safety net beneath you.

Have you ever hopped on the back of a powerful motorcycle and taken off fast on a winding road? Or perhaps had the passenger sitting behind you as you navigate the curves? In college I had a Vespa motor scooter. Briefly. Check out this web log site. It’s much, much more exciting than my scooter ever was.

I did not think I would be doing another Roundup so soon but it’s always a pleasure. I’m Chuck and invite you to go and see what I’ve been up to. Thanks.

Part of the fun of looking at blogs is learning something new. Or being reminded of something you already knew but had forgotten. That makes it new. Again.

Michael has not posted lately but he has great tech techniques he’s willing to share. Because I find myself hanging onto high tech by my fingernails, I appreciate he is there to help.

Camden is a Revolutionary kind of place and spending time there is educational and healthy. There’s a new hiking trail that is described as “relatively flat.” Works for me. The Patriots learned a valuable lesson in warfare in Camden. Go check it out.

Speaking of the military , remember you should never call a US Marine a “soldier.” The Marine Corps celebrates its 234th birthday November 10. It’s ok to say “Happy birthday Marine.”

A recent survey of people using the internet tells us that some users connect with four or more devices.I couldn’t even think of more than one, well, sure, a fancy phone and maybe my little netbook. But more? I did see that many still use Dial Up as opposed to Broadband.

Let’s see..Thanksgiving is coming later this month so a check in the mailbox would be a thankful event. Maybe the IRS will do just that. Actually, they are trying to do that again for lots of people who may or may not expect it.

“Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ….“should sound familiar. Maybe it’s like that art joke that laments there wasn’t enough of Degas to make the Van Gogh.

Many people react to certain buzz words like “sex” or “sea creatures” or even “cooking.”. See what comes to mind when this blogger provides details.

A new Wrapper came riding in on the scene in 1979. It was in New Jersey but he was from Britain and he didn’t frame it in a musical way. Something else to think about.

This will be my last Roundup for a while but I invite you to enjoy a quick Hollywood Moment at Chuckography. My blog started out talking about the 1960s. Now we’re up to the 1970s.

Possibly, something to think about.

Looks like a nice weekend. Get out and enjoy yourselves.

So, if I have this right, we “Fall Back” this Saturday as part of Daylight Savings. That could mean a lot to really, really late night Trick or Treaters. Or, I could have it backwards. Again.

Blood Curdling would be a good way to describe Halloween if you also include some Shakespeare.

Leaves changing colors define Fall but so does  going to the county fair up in Ladson. Can you “picture the Fair?”

As long as you drivers are paying extra attention to the little kids in costumes running around in the dark, don’t forget there are some HUGE things that can smack your car. Same old advice: be prepared for the unexpected.

Another view of Halloween in the woods has the advantage of being educational as well as fun. Don’t everyone dress up as as Smoky The Bear though.

Have you ever had a chance to tour a lighthouse?  Morris Island is out but the one on Sullivan’s Island will let you in the door next month during an Open (Light) House. You won’t be climbing a lot of steps though. Guess that would  be called Light House Keeping?

It’s also MLB “World Series” time so “Buy me some cheesesteak and Cracker Jack..”

The ideal job MIGHT be working from home. Check out these observations and decide for yourself. Beats stuffing envelopes.

Bike lanes and bike paths are fine but it would be even better if you could go online and find directions to plot your bike ride safely. Yes, that would be great.

Speaking of cell phones, “can you hear me now?” Oh, that’s right, we weren’t discussing those handy dandy devices. Be sure to hang onto yours.

Finally, I admit I belong to a GANG. In fact,  two of my gangland involvements are mentioned on my blog. Go check it out Gang Busters.

Thanks and have a fun – slightly longer – weekend.

The end of a long week in the workplace. Work sometimes is the easy part..it’s those co-workers that keep you keyed up. Thanks Millie Hart for sharing your brown bag lunch. (I love the Sharpie pen note written ON the slice of bread.)

Maybe there should be more food property rights  negotiations between lunch makers and lunch eaters? It’s important in the marketplace as well as back at the office.

“Oh those kids today.” Well, apparently, here in South Carolina about 50% do not graduate high school. That places our state in the 50th position in the US. In Charleston County,  20% of 9th graders read at the 4th grade level. Good column today Brian Hicks.

We ARE discussing/moving toward better water quality in this area. Folly Beach did some trash talk a few nights ago. Remember the slogan: “Water The Future.”

Handicap parking by not-so-handicapped drivers really came into the news a while back so it’s time for an update. Pull into this clearly marked space. Thanks for the blog emphasis at Think South.

What can you say about Veggie Cous Cous that hasn’t already been said? I just like the sound of saying it. However, getting it into a conversation is not easy to do.

Several beautiful local sites (sights?) for weddings are featured today. Just click here or snap here.

Gotta get up early tomorrow for Barcamp at the Old Navy Base. Hope you all took a look at my  Two Redheads posting and the need to support our  “local” music scene.

Thanks for following the Lowcountry Bloggers.

Well, for those who WERE off Monday, the week just flew by.

Speaking of banks, I see a local one has gone mobile. Hmm.. I am picturing a recreational vehicle with a bank name spray painted on the side. Would I be eager to deposit my money in something with wheels on it? And the motor running?

I think they announced they are using Twitter or Facebook as opposed to strictly online banking

Self-torture could be a planned activity if its for a worthy cause. Hey, I found my cat at a mall pet store years ago. He had his back to me and never turned around. He must have been on break. I got him anyway.

What a pleasure to be reading GMLc again. It’s sort of like smelling pluff mud once more after you’ve been away from it for a while. I mean this in the nicest way.

Do not go to Google to answer the Eunuch Quiz. This blogger challenges us often with mind-teasers that makes you keep a tab open to Wikipedia. Check it out.

Flipping through the paper yesterday, I saw a familiar name in the Community section and enjoyed a view “behind the camera.” Might be time to drive over to the old Navy Base and see what’s going on in all those refurbished buildings and new businesses popping up.

And, now for the further adventures of Squeaky Man. It is just a coincidence that the Smart place she went to shop for her Pet is the same store where I bought my orange cat four years ago. Then they had an agreement with the local pet shelter and displayed available critters.

Here’s a guy who is no longer a “heavyweight” and mighty glad to break another barrier on his way to scaling down. He talks about a weighty topic though, so go and see what’s on his mind.

A lady we know presents an interesting view  of what’s going on in her country and I salute her loyalty and energy in trying to make a difference both here and at her home. “We need to love our country and our neighbors.” Keep it up Kat.

If I read the Tweet correctly, it appears there are more Ben Folds fans here about. I hope she was able to see him in concert a few months ago at the PAC. If you are into arts and crafts, see what this “stoned” lady is creating.

Several people chided me about my recent vacation postings that seemed to center on drinking beer in Ireland and Munich. Because I do not wish to bore people by focusing only on a limited topic, I am pleased to recount my Dublin Literary Walking Tour experience.

Life is too short to limit yourself ..or to drink cheap beer.