2/15 and 2/22/2015

Weekly Update 2/15 and 2/22/2015

This a two part weekly update.

I had an unexpected and quick trip to Rochester. I received a call from Brian that Ishy had been taken to the hospital with a minor stroke. I was far away, and needed to go to try to help if I could. I cleared my calendar, and made a flight plan. Monday morning, I boarded a Jet Blue flight to Rochester, landing in a snowstorm at rush hour. Thanks to cousin Jim for the ride to Ishy's house. All week while I was there, it was snowy, and COLD, and was a terrific reminder of why I don't live there now.

Ishy is fine. If you have to have a stroke, hers is the best one to have. By the time I got to Rochester, she had been released from the hospital and was home. She has a slight loss of motor coordination in her right arm and hand, but with work, she should have full use soon. So, I really wasn't needed at all; in fact, I was probably a hindrance because I just kept telling her what I would do, which is no help at all. It was good to see her, and I'm glad I went, if for no other reason than to reassure myself that she is fine. 

sitting at Ishy's kitchen table, boring each other

the snow pile at the end of Ishy's driveway

 

But the travel! OMG. I know I’ve sworn this before, but this time I think I may stick to my promises and NEVER FLY AGAIN. Between the incompetent airline staff and the inconsiderate homeland security people (with signs throughout all airports “your security is important to us” which should be changed to “your inconvenience is of no concern to us”). On the plus side, coming home was probably the only direct flight there will ever be between ROC and SAV, as we were not allowed to land in Atlanta due to high winds. Our plane was diverted to Savannah, and after a few brief panicky moments when I thought they wouldn't let me off the plane, but would make me return to Atlanta when they were finally able to resume the trip, I was HOME. But the entire experience was a nightmare.

Back in Savannah, things returned to normal very quickly. I had a lecture to go to on Wednesday, a luncheon on Thursday, DH on Friday, BC on Saturday. My routine.

Wednesday was also Georgia Day, the celebration of James Oglethorpe landing in Savannah in 1733. Each year, Second graders at all the schools in the area dress in colonial costumes and march down Bull Street from Forsyth Park to City Hall. I love to watch the enthusiasm of the kids as the walk, march, skip, jump, run and frolic in the parade. Such energy!

 

And while I was at Forsyth Park, I needed to take a photo of the lovely trees that are just beginning to bloom. It sure beats the piles of snow on every street corner in Rochester!

huge blooms and Spanish Moss  -  ah, the South

 

On Thursday evening, I invited Anne and Donna over to watch The Theory of Everything on pay-per-view. I think Stephen Hawking is amazing, and I wanted to see this movie. As far as I could tell, the movie was true to the reality of his life and first marriage. It was a good movie. I still haven't seen American Sniper, and I'm not sure I want to.

So, everything has returned to normal here. It's very good to be away from the snow and cold, and also good to know that Ishy has support and will continue to get better all the time. Getting old is not easy, and we're all finding this out.

2/8/2015

Weekly Update 2/8/2015

Monday was book club. Only six attended, and that's too bad, because it was a good book that was discussed The Lacuna. I think book club may be on the way out. It's been a good group, and I always enjoyed it, but perhaps it's time to move on. I had to leave as soon as the discussion ended because there was a lecture sponsored by The Learning Center. The speaker was local newspaper columnist Jane Fishman, who spoke about her friendship with Sandy West, the owner of Ossabaw Island. I have never been to Ossabaw (it's hard to get to, and you have to be invited), but it's one of the barrier islands off the coast of Georgia, not far from Tybee. Sandy West owns the island and is 102 years old. She has worked to ensure that the island is not developed and will remain ever wild.

I was supposed to walk with Lisa on Tuesday, but there was a bad accident at the signal light at Johnny Mercer Blvd right at the entrance to Mercer Point (go figure - that's a dangerous intersection and it's more so now that the library has open and drivers who want to go east to Wilmington Island have to make a u turn at the light. Very poor design management). So, I wasn't able to go downtown. I postponed, and Lisa and I finished the scavenger hunt on Wednesday. Because I went to another lecture at The Learning Center at noon, and Donna attended as well, the three of us actually finished the hunt in the afternoon. Donna was the designated photographer for us, and the pictures she took are much superior to the selfies Lisa and I attempted last week. 

 

Friday, I was surprised to see some of the wallpaper was hung at DH. They are beginning at the attic level, so I was half way through my first tour before I realized that any was up at all. I think it looks pretty good, but it still might be too overwhelming once it's on all the walls. I didn't go to 17 Hundred 90, but that's ok - I need to skip once in a while.

I was busy on Saturday. I first went to the Colonial Muster at Wormsloe Historic Site. This event is held every year, and I usually try to go. They display exhibits and showcase people and activities as they were in colonial times in the new colony of Georgia. I never tire of listening to James Ogelthorpe tell of his adventures! 

 

As soon as I left there, I went to a tea that was given by the Girl Scout Troop 2012 in Savannah. This troop is made up of ladies all about my age, all of whom were former Gril Scouts (and still living in the past). The tea was very nice, many finger sandwiches and cookies, as well as tea. There was a large collection of dolls, and the speaker spoke about this “obession” that she has with Girl Scout dolls. I recognized the Ginny doll, from about a thousand years ago, and Molly, the American Girl doll, from only a few years ago. All were amazing. 

 

2/1/2015

Weekly Update 2/1/2015

At one of the Lunch Bunch meetings many months ago, One of the ladies had created a “scavenger hunt” of things to notice in Savannah. She did it because she works with people who are not from Savannah, but who jog in the historic district. She thought this would be a good way to get them to look at what they are running past, and see some interesting things here. There are 30 items on the list, and some are quite obvious - James Oglethorpe statue, the Pink House - but some are hard to find. Lisa and I went out Monday to walk around and see how many we could find. We found 25, and took pictures of ourselves at the sites of the pictures. It was fun, but by the time we were finished, my feet were killing me! I haven't walked much this year. We may go out again to find the remaining five, but I'm going to have to recover first.

That evening, there was a meeting of the Savannah Victorian Society. The speaker was a graduate student at SCAD in Historic Preservation, and he had interned in Newport, RI last summer. He showed slides of some of the places he visited there. It was interesting to me because he showed a lot of the lesser know homes that are still private residences, not the big mansions that every tourist sees. And, of course, the Tennis Museum and Grounds.

Speaking of tennis, I've been watching the Australian Open. The second week was really boring. All the matches were far from close or exciting (or the ones I watched anyway, as I would often fall asleep). And the Canadians were out in the Quarters. The Women's Final was less than entertaining, and the Men's kept my interest only for the first two sets - then Murray just collapsed. Ugly.

On Wednesday, Lisa, Dave and I went to the Civic Center for a Blue Man performance. I had never been to one before, but they had, and they promised that I would enjoy it. I did! It was fun, and entertaining, and I especially liked the music.

Thursday, I attended a lecture at Massie School. The lecture was given by the wonderful speaker, Dr Stan Deaton, who is the past president of the Georgia Historical Society. When I am aware of him giving a talk, I try to go. His topic was Could George Washington Be Elected Today, but it was more about how George Washington shaped the Presidency and why what he did was important. Fascinating. 

 

Friday was a really busy day. I had to do my tours at DH, and although hallway is still bare of wallpaper, the museum was open and ready for visitors. I am missing a big chunk of my spiel as I can no longer explain the horrible ashtar pattern, but I muddle on, replacing it with a few facts about the re-papering project. From there I went to 17 Hundred 90 (surprise!). You know, for someone who claims to have no friends, I do quite well. I met Donna there. And Jamie, Raleigh and Jeff were there after they finished at DH, so I visited with them. A recent transplant to Savannah that I've met through the Lunch Bunch came, and she brought with her a couple who were visiting from Rochester. I reminisced about Jeff Tyzik and GEVA theater, and made it clear I did not miss the winters in the least. Then I made two new friends. A couple sitting at the bar began by telling me that they've seen me there a few times (ya think?), and asked if I was “a local” (as most tipplers at 17 Hundred 90 are). So I exchanged some banter with Gail and Dan. Then, the Dining Out group was meeting at Billy's Place, a new restaurant that Donna and I have wanted to try for a while. It's restaurant week in Savannah, and I'm sad to tell you that this was the only time I got out for a good meal through the whole week.

Saturday, I continued to be busy. It was my turn to unlock the Visitor Center at BC, but no one came in the morning to sit at the the desk. I really had nothing else to do, and I had showered and brushed my teeth before going over there (something that I sometimes skip if I don't get up on time), so I stayed. Then I needed to go to the Publix to buy enough stuff to make chili for the Super Bowl. And some candy. Then, I needed to go back to DH for a baby shower. Its been decades since I was last invited to a baby shower, and I was delighted to be included in this one. The girl who manages the DH gift shop on Friday afternoons, as well as other times, is having a baby girl in a few weeks. All the little clothes and cute towels and toys were so much fun to watch her open. Luckily, I had a baby blanket I had knit sitting in a closet, so I washed it up and, along with a pack of diapers, gave that to her. The shower was all finished in time for me to go to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Savannah Children's Theater. Of course, I thought that was outstanding! With my busy life, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to see this performance, but it worked out.

Sunday, I finished reading The Lacuna for Book Club. I enjoyed the book, but what's not to like? A novel with the political beliefs that mirror my own. Then, I had to clean - BAH - because Dave and Lisa and Donna were coming over for my chili and to watch the game.
We all said we didn't care who won (well, maybe I wanted the Pats to lose, and Donna wanted them to win, but not that much) and that we just wanted to see a good game. It was very exciting! And now, the long long wait until next September. Go Bills.