3/10/2014

weekly update 3/10/2014

The week began with Book Club on Monday. We all read books or stories by the famous local author, Flannery O'Connor. During the discussion, we found that no one really liked the depressing works she had written, and we all wondered why she is so highly regarded as a literary icon. I didn't even want to read the book, but I persevered and finished The Violent Bear it Away; I don't recommend it. I joined the Book Club in the first place to force myself to read books that I wouldn't pick up, and to have a discussion with others about what we'd read. This month did that for me, and I'm glad. Now I can get back to reading some books that I bought at the Book Fest, things that would interest me more.

I made an appointment to have my a/c unit cleaned and checked before I turn it on for the season on Tuesday, but I was stood up. I also want to have my dryer vent cleaned, and Anthony gave me the name of person who has done that for other owners. I called him, but he didn't return my call. I'm trying to keep my maintenance up-to-date, but I'm not very successful. I have another company coming on Monday - I hope - and they should do both chores for me.

As it turned out, I didn't have to rush to get my a/c ready. It's been incredibly cold. I'm really beginning to give up my support of global warming. As I was shivering on Friday, I kept reminding myself that in Rochester, the temps were in the minus degrees. Our pool is undergoing a renovation, and it's supposed to take about 3 weeks. At first I thought I wouldn't be able to begin my tan in March, which is what I have done since moving here. Now it's beginning to seem like I'll be happy to be in shorts and flipflops, and maybe not a swim suit, in April!

The tours at DH and BC are growing. This is the beginning of the tourists season here. I had many visitors at both the museum and on the Second Sunday tour that I could impress with my knowledge and speaking skills. un-hun.

I treated myself to real, good, coffee house coffee twice this week. That's something I almost never do. I was too early for a meeting of the Savannah Music Fest volunteers on Wednesday, so I wandered to the Starbucks after I found a place to park near the Lucas Theater. Say what you want about Starbucks, and their contribution to commercialism in America with their overpriced java, they do make a good cup of coffee! After the tours at BC on Sunday, I (mistakenly) thought there was a free philharmonic concert at the Telfair Academy. It wasn't to begin until 5, but rather than go back to the condo and risk not being able to get up enthusiasm to go out again, I just went downtown. I went to the Espresso Bar and got an iced coffee, which I took to the square while I waited for 5 o'clock to come. When I went inside for the concert, I was surprised to find that I needed a ticket, and I didn't have one, and it was sold out. So I didn't get a free concert. It was a very nice day, however, so I drove around a little and took some pictures of the green water in two of the public fountains. The water is turned green for St Patrick's Day each March. 

it's difficult to see the green water at the Forsyth Park fountain, but in Columbia Square, by DH, it really looks green

 

I took a journey down memory lane this week. I'm finally reading Big Russ and Me, the memoir by Tim Russert, about growing up in Buffalo, NY. If he were alive now, we'd be about the same age, so many of the things he talks about in the book ring very true to me. I especially liked his remembrances regarding FOOD. When I was young, and living at home, dinner was never an adventure. Every night it was meat, potato, veggie, and dessert. This was the same in most homes at that time, I believe. A real break from that would be an occasional spaghetti dinner, but that was as ethnic as my family every got. When I was older, however, I had a chance to find out that there was more than that. Tim Russert brought back many of the memories of some things I miss here in the south. We have wings here, of course, and that began in Buffalo, but I've only found one bar in the area that has Genesee Beer. When I was in Rochester, a fish fry was always available every Friday - wonderful beer battered, crispy deep fried white fish with oily fries and cole slaw. The Charbroil on Island Cottage Road was a favorite place to enjoy a Friday fish fry. You can get a fish fry in Savannah, but it's not the same. Also in the book I was reminded of Beef on Weck. I don't think that ever became really popular in Rochester, although you could find in on some menus. But there was a little roadside stand in Leroy that made the very best beef on weck sandwiches, and I would go there whenever I visited my friend who live in Leroy. And hot dogs - there was a different brand mentioned in the book, but I remember Zeigle's hot dogs. Fat, natural casing, pop-open hots that were only good if they were grilled over a charcoal fire. I've traded these delights for Low Country Boil and shrimp and grits. But I would give a lot to have a beef on weck, or a Zeigles white hot now. 

And also, traveling way back in time - HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLEN.  March 12.  Hope it's a good day for you.  I love you.