Well, we are home again, to a somewhat muggy Waco, after three days in wonderful Charleston. On Saturday, we strolled through the farmer’s market across the street from the Francis Marion Hotel. The temperature was a balmy 68 degrees, with a slight breeze. We sampled a lot of local delicacies, and I bought some fresh curry powder (yellow, mild, and garam masala, a bit sweeter). The man who ground these spices, also gave me three recipes for chicken, salmon, and potatoes. I see a curry dish in my near future.
We also tasted another southern delicacy, boiled peanuts. “Eat the shell!” proclaims the sign, and we did. They were delicious. We also tasted and purchased roasted pecans.
Then we walked a couple of blocks to our favorite used book store – The Blue Bicycle. Usually we come away with quite a stack of books. Last year, there were too many for our suitcase, so we had them shipped home. This year the pickings were a bit slimmer, and we only bought three: Anita Brookner’s Making Things Better, Francine Prose’s A Changed Man, and Pat Conroy’s The Lords of Discipline. I believe this last completes my wife’s collection of Conroy’s works. I did hold another book in my hands that I would loved to have purchased – a signed, first edition of Gone with the Wind, but at $19,900 dollars, it was out of my budget.
Then we went to our favorite place for lunch – Jestine’s Kitchen. We always stop there for the delicious southern food, especially the best fried chicken anywhere. The desserts are special, too. I got a blueberry and blackberry cobbler with granola. Count on a line to get in to this small restaurant, but it is always worth the wait.
We are already counting the days to next year’s conference and some new adventures in Charleston.
November 7, 2011 at 1:38 pm
Sounds glorious! I will need to make a visit and see some friends of mine in Charleston. Sounds like a lovely place to meander.
November 7, 2011 at 2:33 pm
This sounds like such a great experience, Jim. I love this post.