3/29/2015

Weekly Update 3/29/2015

Monday was a very nice day. I went with Lisa and Donna on a Newcomers Group day tour to Brunswick, GA. Although there are many friends and people I know in Savannah who are members of this group, I usually don't like it - I'm too fat, not rich enough, and too fumpy to feel comfortable in the group. But Lisa asked me to go with them on this adventure, and at the time it sounded like a good idea. It surely was! The only cog in the wheel was that I was supposed to meet Lisa to drive to the pick-up point together at 7 am, and I didn't open my eyes until five minutes before we were to meet, but we made it to the bus in plenty of time, and everything after that was perfect. It was cloudy and cool (so I had an opportunity to wear my Easter Bunny sweater), but it didn't rain until the bus ride back.  

Lisa, me & Donna at Hofwyl-Broadfield

We began at Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, which has been a rice plantation since the early 1800's. When rice cultivation became increasingly difficult following the Civil War, the enterprising siblings of the fifth generation resolved to start a dairy rather than sell their family home. Ophelia Dent was the last heir and she left the plantation to the state of Georgia in 1973. Today, it is a Georgia State Park, and a visitor center has been added on the grounds of the plantation. Many family photos and heirlooms remain in the house, and that makes it even more interesting to me. There is also a lovely lawn, with many live oaks trees, and a magnificent view of the marsh where the original rice fields were planted. 

the house is as it was when the last family member lived there, and many pieces are antiques. I love the family photos throughout

 

We then continued on the Brunswick GA. Who knew that there is a fascinating historic district in Brunswick? I always thought it was just a bridge (we were told that this suspension bridge is 4” taller than the Tallmadge Bridge in Savannah) and a HUGE parking lot because Brunswick is the primary export facility for Ford and GM, and the central import facility for Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Volvo, and is also used by Audi, BMW and VW. There are always thousands of cars at the port waiting to be processed for sale in the US. But this area is rich in history. It was settled by English settlers beginning just before the Revolutionary War. The residents were British loyalists during the war, and needed to relocate during the conflict, but returned to their homes following the war. The town was not officially incorporated until 1856. During the Civil War, the citizens abandoned the town, and then suffered from post-War depression, not unlike many areas of the South. The lumber and paper business, as well at the port, helped Brunswick to recover economically. During WWII, German u-boats threatened the coast and blimps became a common sight to guide US ships along the coast. During this time, Brunswick built nearly 100 Liberty Ships. Today, the economy is built around the port and tourism, as well as a Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. The Historic downtown is undergoing an revitalization - we ate lunch at a restaurant on Main Street. We had tour of the Old City Hall, which I enjoyed comparing to my past. The lovely residential area in the older part of town has many lovely Victorian homes - we had wine and dessert at a fabulous B&B. 

Main Street historic Brunswick

Brunswick Manor, where we had wine and dessert

 

The tours at DH on Friday were really crowded, probably because there was a lot going on in Savannah this weekend. There was a Women's half marathon and 5K race on Saturday, the Savannah Music Fest is ongoing, and the wildly popular annual Tour of Homes and Gardens was being held. So, I had full tours on Friday. No one was going to be at 17 Hundred 90 for drinks this evening, so I skipped it and just went home after the tours. I wanted to see the performance at the Savannah Children's Theatre of Little Red Riding Hood, and since I was just sitting at home, I decided to see that on Friday instead of Saturday night. It was fabulous, of course.

Saturday was an early morning for me. Since I'd overslept on Monday, I set not one, but two alarms for early Saturday. As they both went off at the same time, I went into my Three Stooges routine, as I was desperately trying to turn the one alarm off before it woke all my neighbors, while it was OF COURSE the other alarm that kept ringing. But I was up and ready to go downtown to ride the trolley full of tourists to Bonaventure for our part of the Tour of Homes. This is one of the few times each year that we have costumed portrayals of individuals in the cemetery to tell their stories. Although I would love to be Little Gracie, the make-up involved to turn me into a 6-year-old girl has not yet been invented, so I'm a guide. I talk on the trolley ride about some of the history, and then at the cemetery, I herd the visitors from site to site and answer questions. The Tattnalls are the family that owned Bonaventure plantation before it became Evergreen Cemetery. Josiah Tattnall III (1791-1871) sold the plantation to Peter Wiltberger in 1847. Sarah Lawton was the wife of prominent lawyer, statesman, railroad president, brigadier general, and diplomat Alexander Lawton (1818-1896). Johnny Mercer (1909-1976) is the prolific songwriter and lyricist, and probably Bonaventure's most famous “resident”. Dr Richard Arnold (1808-1876) was the mayor of Savannah at the end of the Civil War and was a part of the group that rode out to meet General Sherman as he was making his march across Georgia. 

Commodore Tattnall

Johnny Mercer

Sarah Lawton

Dr Arnold

 

Sunday was the day I had been looking forward to all week. Dave Winkler had challenged me, Lisa & Donna to an Easter craft project. We were tasked with creating a bunny or chickie, 3D, 12 inches in height. As I was thinking about my bunny, I had visions of this extremely cute rabbit that any Fifth Avenue shop in NYC would be proud to have in its display window. As I began to glue cotton balls to a glass vase from the Dollar Store, I realized how overrated I'd valued my skills as a crafter! I had cotton stuck to my glue gun, hot glue all over my kitchen counters, and I burned my fingers more times than I could imagine before I was finished. But I think all our projects were great! Donna's even tasted wonderful!

Lisa's Chick, my bunny, Donna's cake & Dave's rabbit.  good work!

3/22/2015

Weekly Update 3/22/2015

Just like last Friday, I got stood up at BC again on Monday by a group of students that I was supposed to give a tour to. But unlike last Friday, this was a gorgeous spring day. There were many tourists coming out to the cemetery because Savannah was inundated with them for the St Patrick's Day festivities, so I spent the morning at the BC visitor center to hand out maps and answer questions. After all, I'd gotten out of bed, was showered and dressed, so why not? I had to be back to the condo in the mid-afternoon. The a/c inspector came to make sure I was good to go to turn it on for the season, and everything looked good.

Tuesday was the HUGE St Patrick's Day parade in Savannah. Savannah has the 3rd largest parade in the country, after New York City and Boston. Of course, I wasn't brave enough to try to get downtown to watch, and I don't really like parades that much anyway, but I watched it on tv off and on for the day. The same cute little Irish dancers that I'd seen last Saturday were in the parade, and just as adorable. There were the usual high school bands, floats, and politicians, as well as bagpipes, military units, and families who just wanted to march, or build a float.

Tuesday was also a warm day, what I've come to expect of Savannah in the Spring. It got to 85º, and I went to the pool. I didn't get in the water - it's still too cold - but I did get started on my tan. I take it very slowly at the start, so I was only there for about an hour. but it felt good to be in the warm sunshine. That weather didn't last. I was able to get to the pool one day this week. 

 

Thursday, the lunch bunch met at an Irish pub on River Street. I was really nice, although we'd just been Erin-Go-Braugh-ed to death. We drank more Guinness and and I had potato soup and a reuben, while others had shepherds pie and bangers and mash. There were lots of photos on the walls of the restaurant, Keven Barry's. It was named for an Irish patriot who was hanged in 1920 when he was just 20 years old following the botched ambush of an British military truck in Dublin. 

 

Friday was DH, and it was still very crowded, although I expected that everyone would have left town by then. The tours were all full. After that, I went to 17 Hundred 90. Donna, Dave and Lisa came to share a drink, visit, and make me laugh, which I really needed because I'm so disgusted with my phone. For anyone who has read my blog faithfully, you know that I really do not like my Samsung Galaxy phone. I want an iPhone! My 2-year contract is almost up, so when my phone died, and I didn't know whether it's because the contract is so close to the end, or if this issue was storage, which has ALWAYS been an issue. Whatever, it was dead; I couldn't even make an emergency call. When I returned it to the center nearest me, I was told that unless I wanted to sign another 2-year contract for a Galaxy phone, or pay a hefty penalty to get out of the contract and get an iPhone, I was out of luck - they could nothing for me. Isn't that sweet? After I calmed down, I went to a larger Verizon store, and they were able to get my phone working, but not without erasing all my data. They asked if it was ok if they did that, but really, what choice did I have? I spent most of Saturday evening trying to recreate all I had lost. I'm was livid. How many more minutes until August?

I'm always fascinated by the tides. There was a super moon on Friday (it was too cloudy to see, and I didn't get any photos, but I'm sure it was wonderful). When I went to open BC on both Saturday and Sunday mornings, the marshes near my condo were so full of the high tidal waters that they looked like rice patties! 

 

On Sunday, I had to open and close the cemetery. It’s been a long time since I've had to close on a Sunday, because I asked not to be scheduled during NFL season, and they haven't put me back on since the season ended. But this week I had to count the money. This is also the busiest time of the year, so there was a lot in the donation box. It makes me uncomfortable to be responsible for the cash. I had to finish up quickly, too, because Donna, June and Helen were coming over to play Rummikub and have a light supper. I made a quiche and some scones, and bought a fruit salad. I guess it was ok, but they all are better cooks than I am.

Something doesn't know what season it is! Look at what's going on with my Christmas cactus:

3/14/2015

Weekly Update 3/15/2015

I started out this week by contacting the Bath Fitter people who installed my walk-in shower in 2011. It has been leaking around the bottom of the doors, and although it's not a big problem, I can't let it become a bigger problem or I'll be causing damage to the unit below me, and I have to be careful not to do that. I started to write letters at the Beginning of February - first to the place I bought it from, then to another Bath Fitter in Savannah. Both those letters were returned because they've left town (go figure). I wrote to the company headquarters in Arizona, but never expected to hear from them. Well, I did talk to representative on Monday. And guess what? The lifetime warranty only covers the unit, not the installation. So I can have them send a handyman out (whom I would have to pay) or I can get my own handyman (who I would also have to pay). How cool is that?

pretty to look at, but not well constructed

Tuesday, Sylvia had asked if I could drive her to a doctor appointment in the morning. Sure. I had to get up early, but that's ok. She lives on Wilmington Island, so after I dropped her off again, I went to the salon to have my first pedicure of the season. It's time. I wish I could do this myself, but I can't see my toes, much less bend over to paint them, so I have to pay someone else to do that.

I met Donna and Lisa downtown to go to Mrs Wilkes for lunch. I haven't been there in a while, and although Lisa's lived here for years, she's never been at all. So we thought this would be a good chance to do that. The line was long, of course - we waited over an hour in line - but typical. There was so much food, and all of it good southern cooking. I pretty much stuck to the fired chicken and mac and cheese, and passed on the collards and okra. 

luckily I live in the south now where Mac & Cheese is a vegetable. 

 

I went to The Rail on Thursday to meet Dave and Lisa. I haven't been in several weeks, so this was a good chance to do that. Every bar in Savannah is getting ready for St Patrick's Day. I think they make as much money on this weekend as they do all the rest of the year. 17 Hundred and 90 was the same on Friday. It wasn't crowded when I got there after DH, but it filled up rapidly, and Martha (my good buddy, the bartender) told me that she was going to have a lot of work to do for the next few days. Better tips, too.

I was supposed to give a tour at BC on Friday morning, but when I got there, no one was there. It was rainy and not very warm, so I went into the office to wait. I checked the posted schedule for the day, and discovered that the tour I was supposed to meet was at 10, and I was told 10:30, so I was late. I drove around in the cemetery, but still didn't see any tour buses or large groups hanging around, looking lost. There were no messages on my phone to say it had been canceled. I called the Historical Society tour monitor, and he said that if no one was there, to just forget it. He hadn't heard either, but perhaps the weather had kept them away. So I had extra time that I hadn't counted on; in fact, I thought I was going to be rushed to get to DH on time. Tours at DH were crowded, probably because people are in town for St Patrick's Day. But that always makes the afternoon go more quickly.

Saturday, I joined Dave and Lisa again (they've GOT to be tired of me by now!) to go to Emmet Park on Bay Street for the Tara Feis. This was a family-friendly event, and there were lots of big balloon play spaces for kids, food vendors and a stage for performances. We watched some Irish dancers (the little kids were a hoot!) and a very funny and entertaining folk singer, Harry O'Donoghue. That evening I met Donna, Helen & June at June's condo to play rummikub. The company was great, but my playing was awful, and I just couldn't think at all; I lost every game. But it was a lot of fun. 

The dancers were very good, but the littler ones were really adorable

 

I was surprised when I walked outside on Saturday morning and saw that the little azalea bush I'd planted last spring had made it through the year and was blooming again! How cool is this. I guess Audrey isn't the only thing I can grow! 

the azalea at the front of Building 5

Sunday, Donna had invited a group of friends to come over and enjoy a wonderful dinner. It was so nice! We sat on her porch and chatted, then moved inside for the traditional Irish dinner of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and Irish soda bread (I made that, and I didn't think it turned out very well so I also bought a loaf at the Publix. Amazingly, everyone seemed to think my bread was OK). What a great group of friends I have in Savannah!

 

3/8/2015

Weekly Update 3/8/2015

Book Club was Monday - and this month we read I am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban. It was an interesting narrative, but having just seen Selma the day before, I am hesitant to point my finger at another country or culture or judge them.

There were a couple of lectures this week. On Tuesday, I attended a unveiling of a new app, Metabook, and the speaker was John Berendt. The first book to issued by the app is Midnight in the Garden in Good and Evil. Since this book has had a huge influence in Savannah, many people came out to listen to Mr. Berendt speak. On Wednesday, the Victorian society had a meeting and our leader, Ron Melander, gave an interesting talk about plants and gardens in Savannah. I wished Audrey could have attended, as she would have enjoyed it. 

Author John Berendt speaking from the stairs inside the Jepson Center

 

Also on Wednesday, I went to H & R Block to have my taxes done. I have anger issues (about almost everything - currently the focus is on the airline industry, but there are others - but tax time brings out more) because I can't believe that I need to pay another party to figure my taxes. I have little income, I don't itemize, how can this be difficult? Why do I have to pay almost $200 to have someone figure what I owe. I do not complain about paying or what I owe, because it's my duty as a citizen to support the government, and taxes are actually a very easy way to give that support, and I pay more for cable tv each year than I do in income taxes. It's just the hassle of something that really should not be this difficult for the average citizen that irritates me so much.

This Friday, after DH tours, I was back at 17 Hundred 90. It's been since before I went to Rochester that I was last there, so it's been a while. Just as I was leaving, a tourist started to talk to us. She was from Canandaguia! Small world. So I chatted with her for a while. It was her first visit to Savannah and she loves it. We also had shared stories of places she'd been in Savannah, and memories of the Finger Lakes. It's amazing how I can always find someone interesting there!

Saturday, I had been talked into volunteering at the Historic Savannah Foundation's fund raising event, the oyster roast. I was stationed on the front porch of a wonderful historic home on the Isle of Hope. I was to greet the patrons as they got off the bus and offer them a bloody mary before they entered the house. They needed to be bused in on Old Town Trolleys because the street is very narrow. Isle of Hope is a neighborhood of large, older homes along the Wilmington River where many OSMs live. I fit right in! The house was built in the 1868, but there have been many renovations through the years (the current owner installed a sauna!). The weather was perfect - not particularly warm, but very sunny. I am always surprised at how many faces I recognize from the organizations I belong to, or events I've attended. 

 

I had the top down on the car twice this week, so Spring seems to be coming. Plus the spring ahead clock settings reinforced that.

Sunday I gave a tour at BC. The azaleas are just starting, and by the Second Sunday in April, the next time I give a tour, they will be magnificent. It was really a lovely day, and there were large crowds for all the tours.

As soon as I was done there, I went to Lisa and Dave's house for an evening of eating and games. it was just the three of us, but it was wonderful. They know how to entertain! They both had made many delicious appetizers to enjoy instead of a large meal. That suited me just fine as I sat next to all the plates of great food while we played some games, believing that they wouldn't notice how many of the goodies I was slipping into my mouth as we played. It was so nice.

3/1/2015

Weekly Update 3/1/2015

I met Lisa on Monday for a walk around downtown. We took a few photos in case we ever want to create a scavenger hunt of our own. We ate at a little place on Broughton that I had been to before, but Lisa had never gone to. That evening, I drove out to Skidaway for a Learning Center lecture on Ethel and Julius Rosenberg. Like all things, history sheds a different light on events that happened long ago.

I didn't even stick my head out the door on Tuesday as it rained all day, and was cold, but by Wednesday, I'd had enough. I went out. I started with a stop at the bagel shop where I can find the only really good bagels in Savannah. I was spoiled in Rochester when I stopped at Ishy's Balsam Bagels shop, that has a choice of dozens of different delicious bagels and many flavored cream cheeses. These luxuries are not found in Savannah, so I take what I can get, and pay $5 more than Ishy does. After that, I went out to the Savannah Mall the the cineplex there to see The Imitation Game. I liked that movie very much. I also enjoyed The Theory of Everything last week. Apparently I'm drawn to misfit geniuses.

Thursday there was an outing planned with docents at DH. We met at the Mighty 8th Museum near the airport. I had been there before, but I went on my own, and it's totally different when you have a guide. Listening to the stories of the 8th Air Corps and its service in Britain during WWII make the sacrifices much appreciated many years later. From there we went to New Ebenezer, about 22 miles north on the Savannah River. It is the city founded by about 300 Lutherans escaping persecution in Salzburg Austria in 1734. There is still an active church here, and the friendly and knowledgeable church ladies made us a delightful lunch (with 5 different kinds of German cookies - including pfeffernuesse YES!)

They then gave us a guided tour of the original church building, the parsonage, and a museum. It was wonderful. There was also a historic cemetery near the church campus. It wasn't on the tour, but I couldn't help but stop and get more photos. I rarely travel so far to find historic sites since there are so many great ones right in the historic district of Savannah, but this was well worth my braving the highways and driving.

Our guide explaining about the air strikes in Europe

amazing cookies and the ladies who made them

New Jerusalem Church

historic Ebenezer cemetery

 

By Sunday, I was REALLY tired of rain and cold. Suzy and I went to see Selma. It was another good movie. I think I had expected not to like it, since I'd read that it wasn't kind to LBJ, but I did enjoy it.

This was a week of movies. Not only did I go to the cinema twice, but, thanks to TCM's 31 Days of Oscars, I watched Chariots of Fire, Wait Until Dark, The Fiddler on the Roof, and The Great Santini on tv. I also borrowed a DVD from the library, Gallopoli. I had thought it might be more about the battle, but that wasn't the case. I enjoyed it anyway, as it was about friendships formed, the enthusiasm young men have for king and country, the horrific fate of “cannon fodder”, and the toll that watching your mates die takes.

I spend a lot of time this past week on my fat butt in front of a screen. I hope spring gets here soon, but with it will come the allergies, the high utility bills, and friends moving away for the season. Taken altogether, each season has its good and bad attributes.