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.