I live about 2 hrs. away from Charleston, SC and since living in the South this past 21 yrs., I have become absorbed by its history. I used to think how romantic it was in the "old days". We visit Charleston whenever we get a chance and we never tire of the sights and carriage rides. On one of these, our guide was telling about the ladies literally dancing holes in their slippers at a ball and sending a servant home to fetch another pair! It was not all romance as I had pictured it as he told us that the lifespan of women was only in the 40's and 50 yrs. due to disease, lack of medication, dying in childbirth, etc. The men did not live much longer, either. Nutrition was bad and if you look at uniforms from that era of the South, people were short of stature and the women mostly petite. I cannot imagine how hot it must have been wearing the heavy cumbersome gowns in the heat of Charleston most of the year! Still, it was romantic and beautiful as evidenced by the homes, carriage houses, cobblestone streets, elegant furnishings and gardens that can be visited to catch a glimpse of the past in this wonderfully historical place! Everyone should visit Charleston at least once in a lifetime.
TA-TA for now sweet friends, come again soon. I will have the kettle on and the table set in the garden for tea.....
