Dear Long Lost Friend

The other day a friend of mine sent me an email and in it, he stated that he used to live in Charleston off and on for about ten years.  I responded by telling him all about the Charleston I’ve come to know and love since moving here.  Then this morning I thought, you know that response would make a great post for my Local Voices Blog.  So placate my desire to tell you all about the city you live in for a minute and pretend you are one of my long lost friends. 

I didn't know you had lived here Charleston!  It is a nice place to live and the food, and the people are great!  Recently, they opened up an Asian Market on Rivers Avenue and they have an pretty good assortment of locally caught seafood.  I go there about once a week to pick up fresh fish.  Next time I go, I am going to pick up some muscles. Reason being, the other night I took my wife to "Corks, Bistro" down in the ole Park Circle area.  While there we ordered appetizers and they made some muscles in a white wine, with champagne and garlic sauce that was to die for!  Not sure I can replicate it but I think I’ll try! 
 
Not long ago, an ole Army buddy from my days in Special Forces invited me to a party he and his wife held at the Island House on the intercostal waterway over on John’s Island.  What a place, perfect for a large gathering.  His wife had a Low Country Boil and oyster roast catered...I ate about a hundred pounds of shrimp, sausage, potatoes, corn on the cob and of course oysters!  It was pretty good I guess!  I sure wish I had gotten the name of the guy doing the cooking. 

Anyway, one of these days, I’m going get my own boat.  I told my wife that when I do, I would like to dive for some lobsters.  My buddy dives for them and I won’t give up his secret spots near the bridges on the intercostal but man, those lobsters he gets are way bigger than the little ones we used to catch down in the Keys.  
 
Real Estate here is difficult for sellers but my wife and I were able to buy a nice brick home for less than we ever imagined.  It needed a lot of work and it has been a struggle but it has all been well worth it.  The neighborhood is great; we love it. 

Then a few months ago my wife found out that its ok to have some chickens in town so she ordered about two dozen!  We don't call them chickens though...apparently around here they call them, "Yard Birds!”  I’m not sure why.  Hopefully, her “Yard Birds” will start laying eggs soon!  Notice I said hers and not mine; if the cops show up, I’m going out the back door. 

Just so you know, my second book “Burnt Yellow and Red,” which is the sequel to my first one, “The Night Eagles Soared,” is now in production with an expected prerelease date to be set in the spring.  I’ve even started taking advance orders for signed and numbered copies.  You never know, it may be a collector’s item one day. 

Since I published the first one, life hasn’t changed a great deal for me.  Hopefully, I won’t let the fame go to my head!  Just kidding, just kidding…really.  I’m still the same ole Steve I used to be; always amazed by the little things that make life so good and I am so happy to be living here in the Low Country.  There are so many new things to discover, everyday!  But hey, I don’t have to say anything, you used to live here off and on for ten years!  When ya coming back to stay?

All the best! 

Steve

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