Random Connections – Page 158 – A collection of photography and exploration focusing on Upstate South Carolina and beyond.

More Florida Wildlife Encounters

December 27, 2008 Tom 1 Comment

Today the plan was to head up toward the Sebastian area, have lunch, and visit the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. We headed north on US 1, stopped at Hale’s Groves for some citrus, then stopped at Rock City Gardens to look at the plants. Lunch was at the Sand Bar at Captain Hiram’s. It … Read More “More Florida Wildlife Encounters” »

Christmas Day Paddling and Wildlife

December 26, 2008 Tom No Comments

Paddling, Travel

I do feel just a bit guilty. As the northern part of the country is suffering through a blizzard, we have 80 degree weather here in Florida on Christmas Day. It was actually a bit too hot for my tastes. We got up early to see what Santa had left under the tree. Since my … Read More “Christmas Day Paddling and Wildlife” »

Holiday Update

December 24, 2008 Tom No Comments

Miscellaneous, Travel

It’s hard to believe that it’s already Christmas Eve. The year has been a busy one, and it seems like it has flown past. So this Christmas Eve we find ourselves doing some last-minute wrapping, tracking Santa on NORAD, and watching Ghost Hunters and the Dragnet Christmas Story on Hulu.com. So a quick update that … Read More “Holiday Update” »

Family Gatherings and Family Bibles

December 21, 2008 Tom No Comments

History and Genealogy

Saturday night was our annual Taylor Family Christmas gathering. Several were not able to make it this year, so we only had 3/4 of our family present. Even so there were still 28 of us present. This year Mom made a big pot of “grandma soup” and Dad bought some barbecue. Not exactly standard Christmas … Read More “Family Gatherings and Family Bibles” »

The Commons

December 18, 2008 Tom 1 Comment

EdTech, Internet, Photography

The number of libraries, museums, and other organizations that are putting their historic photos on Flickr is growing. Add to that number the New York Public Library. As it turns out, these organizations are part of a larger Flickr endeavor called The Commons. This includes the Smithsonian, Library of Congress, Brooklyn Museum, and Eastman House, … Read More “The Commons” »

Pomegranate on Main

December 18, 2008 Tom No Comments

Restaurants

Tuesday evening we got together with our friends Karen and Herman and tried out Pomegranate on Main. We were in the mood for something different by tasty, and this certainly fit the bill. I only had my cell phone here, so the photos don’t do the place justice. Atmosphere POM is located just across the … Read More “Pomegranate on Main” »

Duncan Family Restaurant

December 17, 2008 Tom No Comments

Restaurants

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a restaurant review. We’ve been eating at home most of the time, and when we do go out, it tends to be to our regular spots. So finding new places lately has been rare. To make up for my slackness, I’m going to do two back-to-back restaurant posts. This first one is my latest visit to the Duncan Family Restaurant in Duncan, SC. Despite previous very, very bad experiences in this location as another restaurant, Duncan Family Restaurant has turned out to be a delightful surprise.

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What Have They Done with My XM?

December 16, 2008 Tom 1 Comment

Entertainment, Music

I really haven’t had much time to pay attention to the outcome of the XM-Sirius merger, or SiriusXM, as it’s now called. I knew there would have to be changes as duplicate channels were merged into a single service. I guess it’s been about three weeks since I started to notice the program changes. Most … Read More “What Have They Done with My XM?” »

The Season of Need

December 15, 2008 Tom No Comments

Miscellaneous

The time from Thanksgiving to Christmas always seems bring to our attention those that are less fortunate in our communities. Laura and I always try to participate in Angel Tree and other charitable works. This year, though, my friend Cindy Sanders from the Middle Tyger Community Center (MTCC) sent us some statistics that just floored … Read More “The Season of Need” »

A Messiah Weekend

December 14, 2008 Tom 2 Comments

Music

As previously mentioned, this weekend was the performance of Handel’s Messiah by the Greenville Chorale and the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra. This is the third year of Christmas collaborations between the two groups. As part of the collaboration we do one concert on our turf at the Peace Center, then drive up the hill to perform … Read More “A Messiah Weekend” »