11/30/2014

weekly update 11/30/2014

I finally got to watch the Bills play twice this week. Because of the snow in Buffalo, last Sunday's game was moved to Detroit, where they could play inside. The game was pretty much a runaway right from the start (could the Jets really be that bad???), but at last I got to sit at Coach's and watch a game where I wasn't embarrassed to wear my Bills t-shirt. Of course, there were only about six other people watching the game, but I still had a good time watching my team win. This week, Dave and Lisa and (surprise!) Donna met me at the bar to watch the game. I had hoped to meet there all season, but with one thing or another, this is the first chance we've had. We had a booth, so I could have that tv turned to whatever channel I wanted. The game wasn't exciting, or very good, but it was another win. That made the whole afternoon that much nicer. Lisa had a nice photo taken of me and Dave watching intently, but he threatened me of what might happen if I posted it to this blog. Use your imagination.

Tuesday, the Lunch Bunch met at B Mathews. The group was small, with many getting ready to travel for the holiday, but it was great to be with these friends. Donna joined us, too, so that was nice. It was a dreary and rainy day, and I didn't feel like I wanted to go out again, but I visited a friend in the hospital in the afternoon. Beth's husband suffered a stroke almost 2 weeks ago, and I wanted to offer what tiny encouragement and friendship to her that I could. So, Tuesday afternoon, I did that.

Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, was a quite, peaceful day for me. I had ordered a turkey dinner from the same take out place that Allen and I had used last year, and it was just as good. I stayed in my pajamas and watched the three footballs games (not very exciting ones, but hey, it's Thanksgiving!). I had turned down invitations to join others for the feast, so I didn't have to be by myself, but I wanted to be. It was nice. 

enough for more than one meal!

Go Lions!

Friday, guess what? I didn't go to the mall! I ordered some books online - ones I've wanted to read for a while, some for book club because we just got our list for next year, and a few by authors that will be at the Book Fest in February. That's all the shopping I want to do. I returned all the my turkeys and pilgrims to their boxes in the closet, and dragged my Christmas stuff out. But, aside from a wreath on the door and the poinsettia door mat, I didn't decorate the condo. So, the boxes are sitting on the floor in the blue bedroom waiting for me to get some enthusiasm.

Saturday, I expected to have another leisurely day. Perhaps I'd get at the decorating, or just finish reading my book. Suzy was participating in a craft show and sale at a gallery downtown, and I wanted to go, but I also read in the newspaper that Fort Pulaski was having a Civil War Thanksgiving with demonstration of how the soldiers may have spent the day during the war. Hum, let's see - shopping? or history? - that's pretty much a no-brainer for me. The fort had an old time band (the instruments were interesting), costumes that could be donned by visitors (some really cute Civil War 10-year-olds), and wheel barrow races ( no one wanted to try to push me across the course). There was probably more to do, but in the afternoon I was scheduled to be at BC, so I had to leave. The cemetery was crowded, so I was kept busy for the entire three hours. Donna and texted that she was going to the light parade on River Street, and asked if I'd like to go. So, when I left BC, I went to 17 Hundred 90 for a drink because it was a little early to stand along the river and wait for the show to begin. I was surprised to meet Jeff Freeman, one of the directors at DH, sitting at the bar, too, after a long day at the museum. We chatted for a while about history and DH until Donna joined us. Then we wandered down to the riverfront, where we met Dave & Lisa to see the boats. They all sailed from the Westin across the River, up to the port, and we waited for them to sail back again, but they seemed stuck. We decided to give up and we left.

the Union Band (after all, the Union held Pulaski through most of the War)

one of the wonderful lighted boats

 

Overall, it was a lovely holiday week. I hope everyone who reads this also had a wonderful Thanksgiving. And while I was thinking of what I'm most grateful for, you all came to mind. The friends I have made in Savannah and the friends I still have in Rochester, friends everywhere. You are all important and special to me. And if I never have a chance to tell you, let me do it now: THANK YOU!

11/23/2014

weekly update 11/23/2014

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!!!

Last week was a dull, inactive time, but this week it was just the opposite. I was busy every day.

My week began with a trip to the auto restoration shop. The rear window of the VW has come undone, and I needed to have the entire roof replaced. I made this appointment just after I returned from my trip in October, but it took this long to have a new roof shipped to Savannah. I had to drop the car off early Monday morning, and picked it up again on Tuesday. I took a few photos, but you really can't see how bad it was. But now that repair is finished, it looks as if I'll be able to keep this car for another little bit.

Since I didn't have my car Monday evening, Donna was kind enough to drive me to a lecture at DH that I was very interested in. Dr. Jonathan Bryant spoke about the Federal prosecution of the slave ship The Antelope in 1820. It was a loaded with legalese, but I was able to follow enough, and I know enough, to understand that this was one of many cases that led up the secession of the Southern States and the start of the War of Northern Aggression.

Tuesday, Donna drove me to the auto shop to pick up my car. We stopped on the way home to have coffee at Cohen's Retreat. She wasn't able to join us for dinner a few weeks ago, and I wanted her to see this place. They have a nice coffee shop in one of the rooms, so we stopped there. In the evening, the condo HOA Board hosted a meeting. I've been upset at meetings in the past because some residents are rude and inconsiderate and meetings have tended to disintegrate into shouting matches with name calling and accusations. I don't need that; in fact, I wasn't going to go. But elections were going to be held for open slots on the Board, and I was curious about who might be appointed. As it turned out, the very few owners who have caused such dissension in the past weren't in attendance, and the meeting as orderly and civil. It was wonderful Three new members were elected and the budget was passed. And I didn't get an ulcer or have to leave early.

 

HOA Board President, Secretary (Suzy), Treasurer and Management coordinator

Wednesday, I attended the dedication of a historical marker at the Jepson House Education Center. To show how out of my league I was, I walked 5 blocks from where I parked my car so that I wouldn't have to put $1.50 in a meter, while I'm pretty sure most of the others in attendance had donated tens of thousands of dollars to the restoration and furnishing of the center. The women's jackets alone must have cost more than my whole closet full of clothes. But, I was interested, and I wanted to see the building, so when I had an opportunity (I was invited because I am a member of the Georgia Historical Society), I went. 

 

Thursday, I joined Lisa and Dave at the Rail for a very quick Guinness. We talked about the snow in Buffalo, and how it looked as if there wasn't going to be a Sunday afternoon game for us to watch together at Coach's (turns out we were right - the game was switched to Detroit on Monday, and Dave & Lisa will be out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday. Perhaps we're doomed not to watch a game at the bar this season). I couldn't stay there too long because the MP condo social committee was hosting a wine & cheese party that evening. Building on the good feelings I had following the HOA meeting, I wanted to go.

Friday I was gone for more than 12 hours. DH had a docent “day” which began with a tour of City Hall. I had done this tour before and enjoyed it, but I was hoping that more would be said about the maps in the gallery. Donna, Lisa & I saw them a week ago, and they were interesting, but a little difficult to see. I had hoped there would be more explanations, but there wasn't. Instead, it was a history of the building, and a tour to some places that the public is not ordinarily allowed. After that, we went to Skylar's for lunch. It was interesting to visit with other docents, because I hardly ever get to say more than “hi” as we pass when changing shifts and I don't know many of them. There was also a lecture about Johnny Mercer in the afternoon, but Friday is my day to give the tours, so I had to miss that. As soon as DH was finished, I met Donna and Helen at 17 Hundred 90 for a drink (or three, as it turned out). And then went to the lovely Lucas Theater for a viewing of the movie classic, To Kill a Mockingbird. That is one of my all time favorites, so when I learned it would be on the big screen at this wonderful theater, I bought a ticket. It was grand. But it sure made along day for me!

DH docents in City Hall Counsel Chambers

 

 

 

Saturday, since I had to get up at the crack of dawn anyway to open BC at 10, I continued out to Oatland Wildlife Center to the Harvest Fest. Suzy's group of weavers always has a display, and I like to see them. There are also other demonstrations going on at the frontier village display. I was surprised when someone I know from BC was cooking cabbage over an open fire. I chatted with her for a while, as well as Suzy, and wandered around the exhibits. It was a very nice day weatherwise, and I enjoyed being there. There are a pair of Bison that are in an exhibit at the Center, and I walked past them on my way back to me car. I got close to the gate and said to one of them “why aren't you in Detroit?” and he looked back at me as if he knew what I meant. After a nap in the afternoon, I went to Donna's for soup and Rummikub. She made wonderful homemade turkey soup and it really hit the spot.

Kathryn, who works with me at the BC visitor center, also volunteers at Oatland

stroller parking outside the log cabin

 

Because there was no Bills' game on Sunday, I didn't have to go to Coach's. I didn't even leave the condo. I had a lazy day, watching the NFL games, reading my book, and just hanging around my home. I like those days.

11/16/2014

weekly update 11/16/2014

Well, the walking is still continuing. I was upset when I read the news on Tuesday morning that there is a pack of 4 wild dogs on Whitemarsh Island that roam near the YMCA hiking trail and had frightened a jogger. I'm almost as afraid of dogs as I am of driving, so this is not a good sign. But I went anyway, hoping I wouldn't see any dogs, and I didn't. I know that the strategy is to show no fear when confronted by an aggressive dog, but because of my overpowering terror, that's not the reality of what would happen.

I attended two evening lectures this week. The first one was sponsored by The Learning Center, and it was about FDR and the Holocaust. Like so many opinions of the horror of the concentrations camps of WWII, it's easy to look back and say not enough was done. But what was known, and how much was known, and by whom it was known at the time make Monday-morning quarterbacking of this awful event a useless endeavor. The other lecture was sponsored by Armstrong Atlantic University and was held at the outdoor patio at the Ships of the Sea Museum - one of my favorite places. It was about literature in the late 19th century and how it reflected the imperialistic attitudes of the times. Interesting.

I was supposed to give extra tours at BC this week. The National Preservation Trust was meeting in Savannah all week, and the Bonaventure Historical Society supposed there would be an interest by these people in touring our wonderful cemetery. Well, not exactly. No one signed up, so I didn't have to give the 2 tours on Wednesday and Friday that I had thought I would be doing. That's OK.

Thursday, I spent in great anticipation of a good, well-fought TNF game. Unfortunately, it was anything but. The first half was OK, but I had a sinking feeling when the Bills offense couldn't get more than 3 points when the defense handed them 2 turnovers. The second half was painful to watch. My fantasies of an extended season have been dashed. I want EJ!

Then Friday was DH and Saturday was BC. Nothing exciting or different there, but the tours at DH were more crowded due to the Preservation conference. I had hoped to go to the production of Arsenic and Old Lace at the church on Wilmington Island where I've enjoyed performances in the past. My friend Sylvia's husband was going to play a part in this play as he has in the past, and I was looking forward to it. But I got a call Friday afternoon from Sylvia saying the evening performances were sold out. I spent the evening watching some of the many Hallmark Movie Channel Holiday shows I've recorded. On Sunday, I didn't even go to Coach's because the Bills weren't playing.

So, a rather ho hum week. But I must brag - I do ho hum very, very well.

11/9/2014

weekly update 11/9/2014

There has been an exhibit of old city of Savannah maps on display at City Hall for several weeks. I've wanted to see it, but waited until Donna and Lisa were back in town before going. It was interesting, but the maps are hung too high on the wall to be able to see them very well. After that, we went to Vic's on the River for lunch. It was a great day spent with good friends. Monday was also the first book club meeting held at the new library. The facilities are wonderful, but we had yet another new leader. I thing that makes three in the last year. Because of the lack of direction, about half the members don't even read the book any longer, and that does not make for good discussions. I'm disappointed and more than a little disillusioned with book club, but will give it a few more tries to see if this librarian may stay, and if she proves to be a good leader. 

I have to practice more with selfies - I don't do well

a map from 1890 (i think Lisa's house is on this one)

 I tried to get back into my walking routine. I'm not going to the pool any more, since it's too cold in the water. Last year, when I wasn't able to swim, I'd try to walk at the Y several days a week. I have been meaning to get back into that habit when I returned from my visit to Rochester, but I haven't found any motivation. I still have very little desire to go out and do it, but I did force myself three times this week.

On Friday, I had my usual DH tours, but it wasn't exactly as I thought it would be. This is the weekend of the Rock and Roll Marathon in Savannah, and there's 20,000 runners in the city for the event. I remember that last year during the marathon, DH was really busy with runners who were also here to enjoy this great city. This year that wasn't the case; I didn't have even one runner in the 4 tours I gave. Also because of the race, many streets were closed on Saturday morning. I was supposed to go to the Mall because I'd purchased a ticket to give me a discount for purchases at Belk's (that's Sibleys for anyone reading in Rochester) for a fund-raiser a while ago. As soon as it dawned on me that I didn't even know if I’d be able to got to the Mall, I used that for an excuse not to go.

Also on Friday, the Dining Out group met for a leisurely, enjoyable dinner at Cohen's Retreat. I'd been there for lunch once in the summer and was impressed by it, so I hoped it might be a good place for my group of good friends to meet for dinner. It was wonderful. I had the veal marsala - delightful.

it tasted as good as it looks

Saturday, like I said before, was a day full of marathoners, so I didn't venture out during the day. Actually, I was scheduled to open BC, but because of the traffic congestion, the Historical Society not to open until the afternoon, so I wasn't needed at 10 am. The Historical Society hosted the Annual Meeting in the evening. It was held at Johnny Harris, a local old-time restaurant that is famous for it's barbeque. The food was great, and it was nice to see many of the people in the Society that I have come to know as friends. 

President Lee Malenforte giving the State of BC speech

  

Sunday was a disappointment. The only bright side I could see was that the Dolphins were also defeated in a thriller that the Lions won in the last minutes of the game. I was giving a tour at BC in the afternoon, so I wasn't able to get to Coach's to see the game from Buffalo, and I guess that's a good thing.

11/2/2014

weekly update 11/2/2014

This week started off very very early. Lisa and I went to the Amtrak Station to meet Donna on her return to Savannah. I was up at 5:45 am to drive to the station to greet Donna as she got off the train. It was really wonderful to be with my “besties” again, but I gotta tell ya - I went right home and went back to bed. Later that day I went to a memorial service for a friend from BC who died last week. Chuck St Arnaud was an army lifer, and the tribute involved a lot of military tradition. It was interesting. And in the evening, I gathered with other residents here at the condo clubhouse to watch Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas. While that's one of my all-time favorites, I don't think it was appreciated as much by the others.

Tuesday, Suzy and I visited our neighbor, Mike, in the hospital. He had driven himself there last Friday when he wasn't feeling “quite right” and ended up in surgery for 5 bypasses! His car was still in the hospital parking lot, and I think it was a relief to him to have Suzy drive it back to Mercer Point. I think Mike looked good, but tired. It was such a shock to get the text from him to say he had the surgery. (Note to Suzy: please don't text me “I could go at any time now” when you're ready to drive with me someplace - particularly the hospital; my imagination computes a different meaning to that phrase). On Thursday, when I got back from my evening out, I noticed that the lights were on in his condo, so I knocked on the door. They had released him that afternoon, so now Mike is home again, recovering.

Wednesday, I went to Donna's. I had saved all the Southern Living, Southern Lady and other magazines that I subscribe to for her while she was in Maine all summer, and there was a big pile in her living room when she returned. I had put some notes in some of the mags, and one was for a recipe for chicken and rice that I thought sounded really good. She invited me over to make the casserole, and it really was good! We drank a lot of wine, ate a lot of chicken, and talked a lot about our summers. It's so good to have her back!

Speaking of enjoying friends I haven's seen all summer, Thursday found me at The Rail with Lisa and Dave. Donna joined us, too, and after our traditional Guinness, we all went to Juarez for Mexican food. Earlier that day, I'd been with the Lunch Bunch, and we went to the German Bier Garten since October Fest will be ending soon. So, I had an international diet on Thursday.

Friday, of course, I had to be at DH. On one tour, I couldn't decide if that was a couple were there in costume, but I think all the body piercings and tattoos were not part of the get up, but for real. It's not often that we have tourists like that on the tour - I dunno, maybe no interest in architecture or history? - but for the most part we get retirees who are traveling. After I did my duty there, I went back to he condo to get ready for Sylvia's party. When she first invited me, I thought I would go as a Buffalo Bills fan, with a t-shirt and perhaps one of my stuffed toys. But I had sewn a costume a long time ago in case I am ever asked to be a “performer” at BC. I've never been asked (the story they give me is that I'm such a great tour guide, they need me to get the visitors from site to site on those rare days when we have the costumed actors). I've never used the widow's clothes, so I thought this might be my chance. I painted my face and put on the long black outfit. Surprisingly, Charles asked if the mourning clothes actually were my Bills costume!

the scary party-goers

and the scariest of all

On Saturday, as soon as I got up, I had to put all the Halloween stuff back in the closet because, of course, it was no longer Halloween, and I can't stand to have things OUT OF ORDER. So back it all went and I got out the Thanksgiving décor. I forget how amusing I think that inflatable roast turkey looks on my dining room table.

Sunday, I was at the cemetery in plenty of time to open up, since I was an hour off. My phone had the time right, but my clocks were all an hour ahead. I had a quiet day, because I didn't go to Coach's. Neither the Bills nor the Lions were playing, so I had nothing to watch. It was cold for most of the day, in fact, when I first check my weather app when I woke up, it was 1 degree colder in Savannah than either Rochester or Niverville. That's cold, but it won't last here.