Handsome Traveler....Columbia Airport

I spied this good-looking chap in a plaid shirt as I was waiting to board a plane today.  As you may or may not know, I am always encouraged to see a well-turned-out traveler, having seen far too many people traveling in ensembles thrown together in a way that suggests "I ran from my burning house in the middle of the night." 

He quite makes the point that one can be comfortable and still look put together.

Hat Society....Main Street

You have, perhaps, heard of the Red Hat Society....the Big Hat Society....or perchance,  the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. As I stood by and watched these attractive be-hatted friends chatting, I fancied them members of some sort of like-minded society. 

And though that may well be true (who indeed knows?), I'm thinking the hats were a happy coincidence, not a membership requirement.

Erin....With Bonsai

While perusing a most wonderful display of bonsai, I spied this vision in green. How darling, don't you agree, from the seersucker sundress to the backpack and even the sandals.  After lurking behind the miniature trees and taking one photo, I approached her for another....

 ....and pretty Erin was cheerful about obliging my request.  We both marveled at the works by the talented fellow who'd created these trees and was selling them at the Soda City market.  (You can see him at work in the background of the photo above.) While I was quite enamored of them all, I found myself returning to this one...

 ...a sort of Alpine forest that would fit on the dining room table.  I can't, for the life of me, think why I didn't bring it home.

Kiber....Main Street

This adorable young woman at first seemed a tad skeptical about having her photo taken by a silly old chap.  Indeed, who can blame her for viewing me with a little apprehension. Here's another look at her incredible ensemble, this one also showcasing the subject's wonderful smile:

I now must add to her misgivings...by expressing my hope that I have her name recorded correctly.  My addled brain thinks she told me "Kiber" but my so-called smart phone autocorrected it to read "Liner".  So until a smart person corrects me, Kiber it shall be!

Soda Jerk....Soda City

 

The sight of this jaunty fellow (along with an invigorating glass of his handcrafted honey basil soda) inspired me to get back to my work, which I confess I have neglected these last few weeks. He was, of course, no jerk at all in the mannerly sense. His manners were as delightful as his appearance--which captured the archetypal look of a soda jerk with bow tie, rolled sleeves, and paper hat. 

His business venture--launched with friends who are cocktail enthusiasts--is called the Cannonborough Beverage Co.  They intend to bottle their sodas and are ramping up the business by serving their delicious concoctions at markets such as (the aptly named) Soda City market on Main Street.  I urge you to imbibe!

That Teowonna....Saluda's

I am a fan of That Teowonna!, a blog written by this Teowonna, a woman who thrills me with her boldness and sense of humor. She looked marvelous in this orange polka dotted dress, which she told me her mother had sewn for her.  Teowonna and I chatted about the once-again-popular peplum, or as she prefers to call it (as do I, now), a flounce.  Our reason for bumping into one another? We were both there to meet style coach Mr. Brian Maynor.

Lace 'n' Boots....Haiku Columbia

I quite liked what this young woman had going on....the long lace vest, short floral dress, and the no-nonsense boots to anchor it all.  I encountered her at a booth where people were invited to concoct 17 syllables of verse about our fair city.  I see that the Haiku Columbia folk are counting my humble lines among their favourites...and (as they've taught me to say here) dang, I'm honored, indeed.

Colourful Cap....Soda City

While shopping at the Soda City market on Main Street this morning, I was delighted by this woman's unusual cap. Quite striking.....

Here's another look.  I believe I understood her to say that she'd purchased it from a vendor at the market.

I came home from the market with a lovely bouquet of blooms from Floral & Hardy and delicious fresh roasted beans from Indah Coffee. I promptly brewed my coffee and enjoyed it in this mug, painted for me by this chap.  The mug would look quite handsome wearing the hat, don't you think?

Beachcomber....Carolina Coast

I was taken with this classic blue-white-and-wicker beachcombing ensemble--and was trying to sneak up for a photo.  Alas, I quite startled (some might even say annoyed) this woman, for which I do apologize.  Nevertheless, it was a sunny breezy day by the ocean, something which we both agreed we found quite pleasant.

Another startle--and this one for me--is that this makes my 701st post on this blog, at least according to that ticker gadget on the "dashboard".  Rather something, it seemed to me, for a chap who's been called a Luddite (among other things, of course).