CONTEMPORARY EXPLORER

"I had my art and life, but was always alone without her...." "My life, full of things often waited for the next thing.  He stood on the corner, with all his belongings in a bag, waiting the for next dream..." "Few people even noticed it, as they turned the corner toward the glitzy city beyond. Just a small two unit apartment, where I lived..." Early morning, the windows still dark reflecting the dampness outside. I wanted coffee and breakfast. A cold hard business day awaited.  A man and his young son waited to ordered. The boy suffered a bad disability of some type. I could tell it from his walk and speaking. They sat near me. The father helping his son. The boy wandered toward the play area. The dad watched him closely, making sure the other children treated him right. I turned my head toward the dad, “Nice son you have. I admire how you work with him.”  Bitting his lips he said in a soft voice, “Yes, he faces some ch...

Wandering a new city is always fun, but sometimes doubting in terms of challenge. I always pick out a couple of galleries or a museum within walking distance. I head for those addresses, sometimes arriving and sometimes not. But always finding art along the way like painted warehouse windows. It is the gallery of the street and life that  always delight a city wandering.

Doesn’t matter.  Suits, orange construction vests, fancy duds, it doesn’t matter.  You’ll be standing in line at Lupies.  No economic preferences here. You might score a table or booth but the real prize is a seat at the tiny counter. Its the best view of the kitchen and where the real magic happens.   The menu is simple southern fare with a nod to old favorite comfort foods.  Everything is fresh and plentiful.  Specials are always a surprise and often posted on the side of the building.  Many of the specials are from the low and slow cooking method so well loved here in the South particularly low country.  But there are also some more adventurous dishes including some with spices capable of punching you in the face.    The chef/owner keeps things moving in an impossibly small space yet somehow it all flows.  The exchange between the staff is surprisingly congenial for such small busy kitchen.  Perhaps confidence i...