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.