6/9/2013

weekly update 6/9/2013

I started out on Monday with a bridge lesson. I had seen a posting for “bridge player wanted” at the mail center at the condo, and I'd seen it before. I had often thought of calling, but this time I really did it. I thought that since I had played a lot of cards throughout my life, I would not have a hard time to pick up bridge. I was wrong. There's so much with bidding, and what a bid “means” to the partner, and how to play, not necessarily to win the trick but to set yourself up tricks later in the hand. I think my bridge career is going to be a short one.

I didn't get to the pool as often this week because the weather wasn't that good here. On Monday & Tuesday there were late afternoon thunderstorms. And it rained all day on Wednesday and Thursday. I think we had so much rain because of Tropical Storm Andrea. There was some isolated flooding here in Georgia, but nothing major. The weather forecasters have been calling for an active hurricane season this year, but they say that every year. It wasn't a bad week to have to be inside so much because I watched a lot of the French Open tennis on tv.

I went to two lectures this week. One was given by a marine archeologist about discovering and researching ships that were sunk during the Civil War. He included the Hunley, which I've seen with Jan & Ishy when we've visited Charleston, so I find that interesting. At the Telfair Art gallery, the talk about a new collection that is opening. I don't think it's really a new exhibit; I think they're bringing out some paintings in the collection that are not always on display. The lecture focused on how the collection was begun, and how it evolved. Again, quite interesting to me.

After the lecture Thursday evening, I walked to The Rail to meet Lisa & Dave. It was pouring as I walked to meet them, and when I finally arrived at the bar, I was soaked. It was also pretty crowded that evening, and there aren't usually too many others at the pub. Maybe that was because people were looking for a place to enjoy their suds where it was dry. Lisa & Dave will be leaving to return to Wales soon, so my chances to meet them on Thursdays are growing slimmer. This week, I also invited myself along when they went to super after The Rail.

I had purchased a ticket for the Tybee Tour of Homes weeks ago, but they were calling for more rain for Saturday. When I woke up, however, it was sunny and nice, so I drove out to Tybee Island for the tour. It was ok. There were eight homes open - mostly new homes that were build or remodeled in the last couple of years, but also a couple of “cottages” and one church. It would be difficult to chose a favorite, but I liked one of the newer ones that had views of both the ocean and the lighthouse, and a little converted cottage a few blocks from the beach.

the little cottage that was so cute, and typical of the 1930's type of home built on Tybee

a huge, new construction "cottage" that has views of the beach & ocean as well as the lighthouse

a stained glass window in the Episcopal church that features the Tybee lighthouse

 

Sunday I had to be at Bonaventure at 8:30 to walk around with another member of the historical society to document “artistic” monuments. Everyone knows that anything before 11 am is a struggle for me, so 8:30 just about killed me. And then Elizabeth suggested we meet again tomorrow morning! I hope that's the last of it! I also had to do the Second Sunday tour. At Davenport House this week, as well as this tour at the cemetery, I had good groups - all seemed interested, many asked intelligent thoughtful questions, and it was a pleasure for me. It's not always like that, but this was a good week.

 

one of the most ornate headstones in the Cemetery

  

It was incredibly hot on both Saturday and Sunday, & when I had to be outside, walking from house to house, or tomb to tomb, I was sweating and pretty miserable. It's nice to come back to the air conditioned condo and sit with a margarita after I've been out in the muggy afternoon heat.