Charleston Mercury Advertisement

I took the pricey plunge and decided to pay for an advertisement in the monthly Charleston Mercury newspaper. I have been a subscriber for several years and feel the Mercury's readership includes many folks who might like what I did with "Stories from the Underground: The Churchyards of Charleston."

I paid for a quarter-page ad but I think I got more for my money as the ad seems a little larger. And I received the three Santas at no extra charge! 

Here's the full-page view. I like how I am paired with one of Charleston's premier antiques shops, Geo. C. Birlant & Co.  located at 191 King St. 

My ad is in the Mercury's glossy holiday insert. According to the Mercury's director of account services, the paper reaches 50,000 household members. 

Butterfly Migration

 

Just two days before Halloween and temperatures in the low 80s, the beach beckoned! And I’m glad we went to witness something I’ve not seen before. 

This beautiful butterfly, a Gulf Fritillary, was one of hundreds flying southbound along the beach tree line at Sullivan’s Island. 

This little lovely is also called Passion Butterfly. 

It was difficult to photograph the fluttering fritillaries. I did my best as they streamed by one, two, three, or more at a time. 

The Gulf Fritillary, it seems, cannot stand cold weather, so south they go. In the U.S. in the winter you may see them in the southern parts of Florida and Texas. Many trek to Central America and beyond. Amazing that such a small fragile critter can cover such distances. 

Fun Neighborhood Arts and Crafts Fair!

 

My books and I yesterday made the short drive to the Coosaw Creek Country Club clubhouse and pool area to participate in what has become an annual early November arts and crafts fair. 

This was my second year to have a table at this popular event. It was very timely this time last year as my new book, “Stories from the Underground: The Churchyards of Charleston” had been released just weeks earlier. 

I decided to offer several of my old lightly used (and freshly washed) Coosaw Creek clothing and golf items as free gifts with the purchase of my more expensive books. The sweatshirt you see here on the left did find a new home! 

We have some “crafty,” creative and artistic residents in our fine neighborhood. Fifteen or so of them had creations to display and sell. 

The four hours went by quickly! I enjoyed many conversations with folks who stopped by my table and whose tables I visited. 

I figured I would not sell as many books as I did at last year's event, and I didn’t. But I actually did better than the “guesstimate” figure I had in mind. 

I did not leave empty-handed in other ways too. I bought a nice hoodie sold by Jairy Hunter who has his own clothing company called Holy City Brand Apparel. 

Check out his Instagram site here. 

Thanks Alesia for this nice pix. 

I am so pleased with this purchase! It fits great and is very comfortable. I am wearing it right now as I write this post while sitting on my back porch. 

Jairy has previously purchased a few of my books to give as gifts, I believe, so it is nice to reciprocate. 

Plus in my “Churchyards of Charleston” book I go into how the Holy City of Charleston earned this nickname. 

Here are two other items I purchased from neighbors: a decorative Christmas plate made from clothesline rope and a lovely long and thick scarf sewn by my crafts fair table neighbor named Biddy.