11/25/2013

weekly update 11/25//2013

I started off bright and early Monday morning to take the VW to the repair shop. I was trying a new shop. The Goodyear near my condo doesn't do any maintenance beyond the basics for a foreign car, and I think the only VW car dealership in the area sees me coming (with my VISA) from a mile away and charges accordingly. This new place was recommended by a friend who also owns a VW, and I was pleased. When I first walked in, I was surprised that the sign said no credit cards. But after they looked at the car, they added a little fluid to the coolant tank, and didn't even charge me for that, so it wasn't a problem.

After that, since I was already out by the malls, I went in search of a new pair of black dress slacks. Few things are more painful to me than shopping for clothes. Each time I go, I'm stunned that I have gone up ANOTHER size, and the visions of my fat butt in a three-way mirror is something I try to avoid. But, it needed to be done; in fact it was way overdue. I had a coupon, and Penney's was having a sale, so I found a pair that I liked ok. I had to shorten them, but I did that later in the week. I walked around the mall, trying to get ideas for the very few people I buy Christmas presents for, but didn't have any luck. I did treat myself to a Yankee candle with an evergreen scent that I know I'll enjoy during the holidays, and some new earrings. I won't have to go back to the mall for another year.

Monday evening there was a lecture on runaway slave sponsored by DH at the Second African Baptist Church. I had been past the church many times, but never inside, so this was an opportunity to see that while listening to a interesting talk. It was a little difficult to hear the speaker at times, but I enjoyed learning something about a topic I know very little about. I had just finished reading The Warmth Of Other Suns (excellent - I recommend it to anyone who has an interest), a non-fiction book about the Great Migration of southern blacks to northern cities beginning at the end of World War I and continuing until the Civil Rights era. Although the times were very different, the struggles were similar.

Thursday evening, Donna & I drove to Lisa's house, which is on the eastern edge of historic downtown. We walked to Forsyth Park, and then back to Lisa's where she gave us bottled water . I probably looked as if I were dying, but I think they believed the water would revive me, and we set out again to walk to the Jepson Art Center for a lecture on JFK and how the media changed during the days surrounding his assassination. After walking back again to Lisa's, I was really sore. I think I've walked enough now so that I don't have to do it again for weeks.

I spent way too much time of the events of 50 years ago this week. I watched nearly every program on tv. It brought all the memories back, not only of the real events of that time, but also of my feelings. I remember exactly where I was - in 10th grade at Penfield High School, in art class, the last class of the day. The whole weekend was dreamlike. Jackie holding herself so dignified and regal, Caroline kneeling by the casket and John saluting (the children probably not aware of what was happening), the shooting of Oswald. I don't think an event affected me that much until 9/11.

On Saturday, after opening the visitor center at Bonaventure Cemetery, I went to the Oatland Wildlife Center because they were celebrating Harvest Days. My neighbor, Suzy, was going to join other member of her fiber guild to do spinning and weaving demonstrations, among many other interesting programs. There was also several craft tables set up for children. One

that I thought was especially creative was making Indian Corn cobs from toilet paper rolls. It brought back all the many memories I have of doing toilet paper roll crafts with Emily. Not that all the time I spent doing things is remembered by any of the them, but sometimes I see something like this craft and it brings it all back to me: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, many princesses, holiday characters, etc. were all things we colored, cut and pasted. Indian corn was something I'd never thought of. 

 

Donna and I spent time Saturday afternoon at Sam's Club. I walked in and it was as if I was in a daze. Perhaps I've grocery shopped only for myself for too long, but I can not figure out why anyone would need a box of 24 cans of green beans, or enough Cheerios to last until the beginning of the next century! I walked around in awe of the huge packages of everything, and not a single serving, or even a family size in most cases (I don't think I could even lift the box of brownie mix I saw). And, when I got to the check out with a few printer cartridges and some bottles of wine I intended to buy, I was told that they didn't accept credit cards. OK then - take it all back. My Publix does just fine. Donna, on the other hand, found lots of things that interested her, and it's lucky for me that she did. She got a rotisserie chicken, some potatoes, and stuffing. Helen joined us at Donna's condo and we had a mini-Thanksgiving feast there. Everything was excellent. (Did you know bread too close to the broiler can actually catch fire? Baking Soda is a good extinguisher). 

 

Since the Bills didn't play this week, they couldn't lose. I didn't go to Coach's, and I'm glad I didn't. The Lions and the Chiefs both lost, in close heart-breaking games, and the Cowboys and Steelers both won. Not much for me to like there. The Broncos / Patriots game was really exciting and I was up watching it until the end of overtime.

I wish you all a very HappyThanksgiving Day, surrounded by family and loved ones.

11/18/2013

weekly update 11/18//2013

This was an incredibly slow week. There is little to report as I did almost nothing. Part of the reason for the inactivity was problems with the car. Just like me, it's getting older and is slowing down. I have an appointment to have her checked at the garage this week.

I mostly just watched tv and read this week. I am watching every special that is on regarding the Kennedy assassination. It doesn't seem possible that it was 50 years ago.

I did go out to dinner on Saturday night with my Ladies Dining Out group. We went to fancy restaurant in the downtown area. It was expensive, but good. The best thing about the group is the company, however, not the food.

And I subbed at Bonaventure on Sunday morning. I wasn't on the schedule, but it didn't matter. I would have been going to Coach's anyway for the early games. Finally, Buffalo looked like the team I know it to be. The Lions were awful. The Steelers looked silly in the bumble bee retro uniforms. And, I'd expected a more exciting game between the Chiefs and the Broncos - it was really quite boring.

I hope to have more to write week.

11/11/2013

weekly update 11/11//2013

Book Club was on Monday this week. We had all read books by Lisa Genova. She is neurosurgeon as well as an author. Her three books are Still Alice, Left Neglected, and Love Anthony. The books are all fiction about people living with neurological diseases and conditions. Rather depressing. I read Still Alice, which is about Alzheimers. I couldn't help but think about my mother as I read the novel, and also I couldn't help but wonder if I will have the same thoughts and feelings as the protagonist when I get the disease (it's hereditary). Man, talk about depressing. Next month we're all going to bring in a favorite book that we've read. That should be better!

After book club, I stopped to pick up a pizza and went to Donna's condo. Lisa also came over, and we ate and played Rummikub. I didn't win one game, but that's ok. It was fun to be with them.

On Wednesday, there was a free concert to kick off the Savannah Music Fest. The event won't be until March, but I think they were trying to get people interested enough to volunteer. I didn't know what the music was going to be, so imagine my surprise and disappointment when it was a Kentucky Bluegrass group. It was ok, and, although not my favorite genre, I enjoyed it. Nothing says great music better than a fiddle and a banjo!

Another docent at DH needed to switch this week, so I gave tours on Thursday instead of Friday. Being a real creature of habit, this threw me way off. I water Audrey on Friday mornings before going to DH, so I did that Thursday this week. All day Friday, I kept thinking that it was Saturday, and I looked for the SEC games on tv. I think I'm back on schedule now, but I was really confused for a while. Speaking of Audrey, my rubber tree plant, she certainly has grown. I named her Audrey after the plant in The Little Shop of Horrors. I've been in the condo for almost 4 years now, so that's how old she is. Here's a picture of her when she was a baby, and today. She's out of control. The dragon tree has also grown, but not as much as the rubber tree. Audrey has even had a baby!

Audrey in 2009

Audrey today

Thursday evening was the Annual Meeting for the Bonaventure Historical Society. It was held as a famous local restaurant, and it was quite nice. I realized that I knew most of the people there, and most of them know me. Of course, what's not to like - I was eating a huge meal, surrounded by people who love history. 

  

On Friday, I had nothing to do, since there was no DH. In fact, I had meant to go grocery shopping, but I was even too lazy to get out and do that. (I did go walking in the morning. The people here don't know what cold is. I was in my shorts and a t-shirt; they wore hooded sweatshirts and long pants. It was in the 60's).

Saturday I had to unlock the Visitor Center at BC. I was expecting a slow day because this was the day that the Rock And Roll Marathon was being run in the historic district (and since it was 26 miles, many other places in Savannah, but not near the cemetery). Everyone was either running or couldn't get out of the city because so many roads were blocked off. Sunday, I had to give a tour. Everything changed, and I guess that the runners in town for the marathon were ready to relax and just have a leisurely tour, or the people who couldn't get out on Saturday decided to come out on Sunday instead. There were four private tours (that never happens) and five historical society tours all going on at once. I kept running into the other tours. It wasn't my best guided walk through the cemetery by a long shot.

And, of course, even with EJ back, the Bills were disappointing. Coach's Corner, where I usually watch the games, is a Steelers bar. I was glad I had someplace else to be that afternoon, so I didn't have to sit in the middle of huge group of Pittsburgh fans and watch that horrible display. Except for the Lions, I didn't like the outcome of too many of the games.

I'm getting more and more frustrated with the galaxy phone. I think I should have gone with the iphone, but now I’m locked in for 2 years, so there's nothing to be done. When composing an email, it should be such a simple thing to cut & paste, or copy & paste, but I just can't get it. I've been back to the store many times for help, and each teenage customer service rep tells me something else. I'm beginning to think that perhaps the problem isn't as much with the phone itself, but maybe with yahoo. They are always changing, and I don't like the changes, even with the laptop view. I may be going with gmail soon. I have an account there, so I may switch.

11/4/2013

weekly update 11/4//2013

It seems that in spite of my honest and sincere efforts to quit walking, I've been at it regularly for 2 weeks now. It's supposed to replace my swimming, but I really do not like to go for walks. I've surprised myself by keeping at it. I was at the Y for 4 times again this week.

I had some errands to do on Wednesday, beginning with going to the south side for bagels. Since I was near to the big Verizon store, I stopped there to get a speaker dock for my phone so I could listen to Pandora in the night when I can't find anything on tv (over 800 channels and I can't find anything to watch!). I wanted one like I had for my apple itouch, but since I now have a Galaxy phone, there is nothing like that. my old dock was also a clock, had a sleep timer, and alarm that could be set for either a buzz or music, and a night light. If I remember, it cost maybe the great price of $20. The only thing Verizon could offer me was a portable speaker, and the least expensive was $130! Just to listen. So, I told them I'd think it over. It didn't take me too long - not gonna happen.

After my errands, I met Anne Nedd at the Ships of the Sea Museum. Neither of us had ever been there, and it was on my summer bucket list before I gave up on that. It was very interesting. I think we both enjoyed (I know I did) the model ships and other displays, and also we liked being inside the historic Scarbrough house. The museum is located in a home that was built in Savannah in 1819 for wealthy merchant William Scarbrough, and designed by well-known architect John Jay. Since it was modified in the mid-19th century and used as a school for about 100 years, it was not possible to re-fit it as a house museum (which is fine - Savannah has plenty of house museums), but was perfect for the display of maritime artifacts and models, many of which are linked to Savannah.  It was a nice day.

Scarbrough House

the slave ship, The Wanderer

Thursday was Trick 'n' Treat night. Not much going on here, since we live in a gated community, and the riff raff are kept locked out. I remember Halloweens past when I would get over 300 beggars at Pebbleview Drive, but those days are past. I don't know if it's as much the move to Savannah as the changing times - does anyone go door to door any more, or is all parties and functions held by fire and police departments? Anyway, there was supposed to be candy available at the club house if any of the (very few) children that live in the development wanted to get some. I went with my bowl of Butterfingers. Perhaps I looked more like a witch than I thought I did, and scared all the little ones away, because there was no one there. Darn, had to eat my candy myself.

eating my "leftover" candy bars

The Savannah Film Fest was ongoing this past week. I've never been, but Donna went last year and really enjoyed seeing some of the movies. It's like the Sundance - lots of indie films, many created by film students at SCAD - not not nearly as famous or large. Donna had an extra ticket to a movie that was filmed in Savannah last year, and she asked if I'd like to go Friday evening. Since I was already downtown after my DH tours, we met and had a light supper and then went to the movies. It was scary - a cross between the Blair Witch Project and the Jonestown Massacre. A cult suicide was filmed in mock documentary style. Bloody, scary, depressing. Following the film, the filmmaker, a couple of actors, and the producers came on stage to talk about the film, and that was interesting. I know it was filmed in Savannah, but I have no idea where, because I didn’t recognize the big field that served as the area of the commune. The path into the place, however, looked a lot like where I walk every day at the Y - yuck.

Saturday, I was content to sit in the condo and watch the college football games. Lisa tested to me that she was going to be at the Savannah Stage Company's performance of The Turn of the Screw that evening, and suggested that I join her and her step mother there. OK, I can do that. Of course, I was confused - again. I thought it was the Savannah SHAKESPEARE Company and the play was The TAMING of the SHREW. Nope. Another horror / suspense / drama. I got my fill of scary stuff this week.

Naturally, I was disappointed in the Bills Sunday game. The loss was not unexpected, but it was disappointing. I think the hardest part was how the game went. We lost it on turnovers. The Chiefs offense didn't score one touchdown, but the special teams and defense did. A fumble returned for a TD, an interception that was costly. I think Jeff Tuel did remarkably well at quarterback, but there just wasn't enough experience there. On the other hand, EJ Manuel doesn't have a lot of experience, either, so I don't expect big things when he returns next week. Maybe next year? Please? In all, there weren't a lot of games this week that I did like. At least the Lions didn't lose - it was their bye week.