3/31/2014

weekly update 3/31/2014

This was a very busy week for me. For someone who is quite content to sit in front of a tv, sleep late, read a book, and pass the time in solitude, I really had much to do this week. I played trivia in a bar, attended an interesting lecture, went on a day trip to Macon, Georgia, did amazingly large tours at both DH and BC, visited some historic ships that are docked on the river, and went to two theater productions.

Donna's sister, Nancy, is in Savannah for a visit from Portland, Maine, so on Monday, I met them at a restaurant in the historic district for a light dinner. I've been wanting to go to the Monday trivia night at the Crystal Beer Parlor for a long time, so since I was already in the city, I stopped there on my way back to the condo. I did poorly, but I thought it was fun. I think I've convinced Dave and Lisa to come with me when I try again. The game is set up for teams, which is one reason I didn't do well this week; my little team of only one person was competing against larger teams. I'm not discouraged, as my competitive nature has been suppressed through the years to the point where I don't expect to win anything, and I'm not disappointed when I don't. As I sat and tried my best to answer the questions (how long is the term of the president of France? what does “exempi gratia” mean? who was the smallest president of the US?), I watched the diners being served their dinners - man, everything looked good! That means next time I'll go hungry and get something to eat while I stumble with the questions. The Crystal Beer Parlor is the only bar in Savannah that serves Genesee Beer, another plus. I will be back.

 

On my walk at the Y on Tuesday, I saw a snake swimming in one of the ponds. It was about 3 feet long! I tried to get a photo of it, but I couldn't - I wasn't going to get close and ask it to pose. That's scary. Now I've found another reason to give up the walking. In the evening, there was a lecture given by the Savannah Victorian Society. This group does not meet often, the the talks are always interesting, and I know a lot of people who belong to this group. A professor of fashion design at SCAD talked about Victorian dresses and styles. It all made me very happy to live in a time when I can wear my jeans and t-shirt almost everywhere I have to go.

On Wednesday, Donna, Nancy & I drove up to Macon Georgia to see the cherry blossoms. The city has thousands of trees, and there's a festival each spring. Because it's been so cold in the south this winter, some of the blossoms were delayed, but we still saw some wonderful blooms. I had never been to Macon before. The city is quaint, and the old buildings have been maintained while the new buildings add a more 21st century feel to the city. Macon is not as big, nor as historic, as Savannah, but it was a nice day-trip. We also stopped at the Ocmulgee National Monument Park, which is near to Macon. There are Indian Mounds there that date to the Mississippian Period, 900 -1300 AD. It was a nice day to do some sight-seeing. 

 

Thursday I spent running errands. It is almost a punishment for me to have to go to the mall, because I hate it. But my supply of bagels was exhausted, I did my last crossword puzzle in the car on the way back from Macon, and I needed new shoes. So I decided to get it all done on Thursday. The search for the perfect shoes was arduous. I am picky, and I know just what I want - the same shoes I've always worn before. Styles change and leave me behind, but after searching in many stores to find something I could settle for, I happened upon a shoe store in a strip mall that had Clark's - not only that, they had black, low heeled, clog-like Clark's. Exactly what I wanted. Now I won't have to drive out that way again for many more weeks. The whole experience exhausted me, so, although there was a lecture at the Jepson, and Thursday is Dave-and-Lisa-at-The-Rail night, I skipped both those entertainments and just stayed in.

The Nina and the Pinta, replicas of two of Christopher Columbus's ships, are docked along River Street. They will be there for a week or so, and I wanted to see them. They are small, and I couldn't imagine sailing across the ocean in one of those ships. It was very interesting. Not many people were visiting that morning, so I could ask all my stupid questions (does this boat have a motor now? yes. What are the highest waves you've ever experienced? 6 - 8 feet. Was is scary? no) I went from there to DH. Not only were the normal crowds large, but there were two bus loads of visitors at the same time. I am very much a but-i-always-do-it-that-way person, so to have to get off my routine and skip from room to room out of order was upsetting. I think I handled myself well. After that, I went to 17 Hundred 90 for a drink with Donna, Nancy and another sister, Denise, who's in town from Florida. I'm beginning to like going there. It's only two blocks from DH, and it's relaxing to go and have a nice martini after my tours. Still not finished, I then went out the the Wilmington Island Methodist church to see a local performance of The Man Who Came To Dinner. Many friends from Book Club were involved in the production, so I wanted to support them. The play was very well done. My friend, Sylvia's, husband had the lead, and this was obviously not his first attempt at treading the boards - he actually WAS Sheridan Whiteside. Well, done, Charles!

 

Saturday I had to drag myself out of bed early to be at the cemetery by 9 am. With all I had done all week, it was getting more and more difficult to get up, but this was the day of our big fund raiser, the Annual Home and Garden Tour. I hopped on an orange and green bus downtown, and told a little of the history as we drove about 29 ticket holders out to BC, and then led them around the historic part of the cemetery while telling the stories of some of the people who are buried there. It was pretty much the same as I give on the Second Sunday Tours, but there was also a horticulturalist to talk about some of the trees, plants and flowers, and two costumed “residents” to give more of the story. It had rained all night Friday, and it was cloudy & gray when I woke up, so I didn't wear my long black skirt and cape. Mud and puddles were everywhere, and so rather than risk destroying the costume the very first time I wore it, I went in my jeans and t-shirt. I'll wear my Victorian garb next year – maybe. That wrapped up early, so I had time to go to a matinee at the SCT of The Importance of Being Earnest. It was delightful. Unfortunately, there were only about 10 people in the audience (and I fear I was the only one who was not a parent or grandparent of an actor). These kids work so hard, and do such a terrific job, I wish they could be rewarded with packed houses and large appreciative audiences. 

 

By Sunday, I was exhausted. I didn't do anything but take a nap and watch tv.