5/31/2015

Weekly Update 5/31/2015

Monday found me at the Memorial Day remembrance service at BC. There were a lot of people at the event, and it was a wonderful spring day. There were five WWII Veterans who were able to attend; I don't know if that's less than last year or not. Although I have a lot of trouble with saying prayers and pledging to the flag (each side in any conflict thinks God Is On Our Side, and Liberty And Justice For All is untrue), I feels its important to honor those who sacrificed so that I can stand with my eyes open and head raised during the priest's droning and with my hands at my sides during the pledge to the flag. It's because of those sacrifices that I can participate or not. 

 

Since I was already at BC, I opened the Visitors Center and stayed for a while to answer questions and hand out maps. I was only there for a couple of hours, and it was quite busy. As soon as there was a lull, however, I locked up and left. Without my iPod! I spent an uneasy night without it, searching frantically through the car, the condo, my bag, but didn't find it. I was sure it WASN'T at the cemetery, but when I went back the next morning, there it was.

Tuesday, I met Donna and June at the clubhouse to play Rummikub and to have a light supper. Since creating in the kitchen is not one of my favorite pastimes, I did the best I could - bacon and tomato slices on white bread strips with chive cream cheese. Tasted good, and wasn't much trouble.

Also on Tuesday, I got a text message from my brother. His grandchild had arrived! It was a tense few hours (a lot of hours, I believe) as the baby was early, in the breech position, and then delivered by c-section. But Baby Rowan Pahls is here! Congrats to all!

Wednesday started out so well. I had a leisurely morning at the pool, and finished the book I was reading (All the Light We Cannot See - I thought it was wonderful, but some at book club members didn't like it at all). Then Donna and I went downtown to the Jepson to see the Winston Churchill collection of paintings that are on loan to the gallery. It was a smaller exhibit that I had thought it would be, so it didn't take us long to go through it. We had an hour to kill before we were to meet the lunch bunch at Rocks on the Roof for drinks, so we went to the Savannah Coffee Roasters to sit in the cool air and have a cuppa. Lori, the owner of the coffee shop, is also a member of the lunch bunch group, so we chatted with her for a while. Then, back to the river to sit at the top of the Bohemian Hotel at Rocks and enjoy the company of friends and a Chatham Artillery Punch. It was so relaxing and nice - a wonderful evening, not too hot, in the shade, with a gentle breeze. 

lunch bunch women at Rocks on the Roof (and my Chatham Artillery Punch on the fire pit)

 

Then I went home. As soon as I walked in, I knew something was amiss. It was hot inside. Although I keep the a/c set at a relatively warm 75º, that temp usually feels pretty good when you walk in from the outside where it is closer to 90º. But this didn't seem that much different. I have a maintenance agreement for the heat pump, but when I called the 24-hour emergency service, or the office, I didn't get a connection. It wasn't until the next day that someone came out. By that time, I hadn't slept, it was hot inside, and I'd been waiting by the phone for hours - I was nasty. A new part was needed, and it was costly. But what I found most upsetting is that I'd had the company out twice this spring - once for the semi-annual check up and once because there seemed to be water pooling around the unit. The second time, I complained about a screeching noise that drove me crazy several times a day. But the technician assured me that it was only the tubes expanding as the a/c came on automatically. Well, I haven't heard that noise since the new part has been installed, so I'm thinking (I’m not a rocket scientist, but I can put 2 and 2 together) that it wasn't just tubes expanding, but that they should have realized that something was going on, and it could have saved me a miserable 24 hours if it had been caught.

So, I was pissed off and skipped a very nice lecture at the GHS that I should have attended. I just didn't feel like it. All Thursday I sat waiting for the a/c man, or enjoying that it was cool in there again.

Friday, Donna drove downtown with me when I went to DH. She was going to walk around while I did my tours, and then we would go to 17 Hundred 90. She was a little early, and joined my last tour. When we were upstairs, she asked a question about Isaiah Davenport, and I said to her “Weren't you listening? I explained this at the start of the tour!” One of the tourists in the group stared at me with a look of horror, and I explained that Donna was my friend. They all laughed, but said they weren't going to ask me any questions so I wouldn't bite their heads off. Maybe I'll be fired. Then we had a nice drink, and chatted with friends at 17 Hundred.

I was supposed to meet Kay to walk at Forsyth Park on Sunday, but it was raining very hard when it was time for me to go. I thought about canceling, but decided to go anyway - it might not be raining there, and if it was, we could still go for coffee. But when I got downtown, it had stopped, so we did get a chance to walk and visit. We also stopped for iced tea at a nice little coffee shop that I hadn't known about before. In the evening, DH had a Volunteer Recognition event in the garden, so I dragged Donna along with me to attend. It's surprising how many people I don't know who volunteer there. I guess that if I'm only there for a few hours a week, and I just give tours, there isn't much opportunity to see other docents. This was a nice chance to see some of the ones I do know, and to meet some of the others. 

reception in the garden at DH

 

5/24/2015

Weekly Update 5/24/2015

My friend, Sylvia, lost her battle with the progressive aging of her beloved dog, Basquie, this week. I tried really hard to be a good friend, but I'm sure I failed. What do you offer to someone in such pain? Basquie was 14 years old, and was more child than pet. I went over on Monday to say a final farewell to her, and then I joined with other of Sylvia and Charles friends on Wednesday to try to offer comfort.

Sylvia & Basquie in happier times

 

On Tuesday, I was getting ready to go to the pool when I got a call from DH. There was a group of 50 tourists coming through in the morning, and two docents called in sick. Dottie asked me if there was any chance I could fill in RIGHT NOW. So I got dressed and went. It was chaotic, because in addition to the regular tours, we had this large group. I didn’t get to follow my “normal” route, and have to view the rooms out-of-order (you know how upsetting that can be for me) and I'm afraid that I forget to tell some things because I'm trying to adjust to the different route. But I did ok, and I'm sure it was better than telling a bus load of people who had paid for the visit that none would be available.

Leaks are coming through my ceiling again. This is getting frustrating. Apparently, the air conditioning unit upstairs hasn't been replaced, or repaired. I don't know ho much longer this is going to go on, but I'm really tired of it. I've now involved Lanier, the Management company for Mercer Point, in trying to get this resolved, as I don't seem to be able to get the problem resolved myself.

Thursday morning, Donna arrived back in Savannah. She's going to be here for a bout a month while she leaves the sale of her house in Maine in the hands of her realtor. It's really great to have her back. I was supposed to pick her up at the Amtrak Station at 6:30, but there was a delay. That worked out well because it was easier for me to find the station when it wasn't dark outside - I'm not very familiar with west side Savannah. I still had to get up pretty early (for me) to meet her, so I took a nice nap in the afternoon. In the evening, the Telfair Museums had their annual meeting. While the budget and election of trustees was of no interest to me, I was very interested in hearing the speaker - Teya Ryan, President and CEO of GPB (Georgia Public Broadcasting, my favorite tv channel). She spoke about “telling our stories”, and how important it has always been through all history for individuals to be able to publicize who we are and why we're important. It began with cave drawings, and continues today through facebook. It was an amazing, and very thought-provoking, talk.

Friday, after my normal DH afternoon, I met a few good friends at 17 Hundred and 90. It seems as if the Ladies Dining Out group has been inactive, and I miss seeing some of those friends. So, I emailed to everyone and invited them to meet me at the bar. When I was there a few weeks ago for the Derby Day luncheon, the wonderful chef had included a baked brie with peach and blueberry chutney. I asked if they could do the same for me on Friday. It was terrific and everyone loved it. So, not only did we have a chance to get caught up on what everyone is doing, but we also enjoyed a wonderful treat! Thanks, Jim! 

toast & brie (for you Marcia)

 

In many gift shops around Savannah, they sell wax bowls that have wonderful scents. Last December I bought one that had a pine scent, and it was so wonderful to walk into my condo after being out and be greeted by an amazing smell of a Christmas Tree. I found one at DH this week that is scented with lilac. This time of year, I miss the Lilac Festival and the grand purple flowers that bloom in Rochester in May. So, I bought this bowl and now have the aroma of Highland Park right here in my condo in Savannah! 

Spring decor chez Wilma

 

5/17/2015

Weekly Update 5/17/2015

Tuesday was a very nice day. I had nothing at all on the calendar, so I could spend the day exactly as I wanted. I slept late (of course). Then I went to the pool for more than three hours. It was hot and sunny, and it felt wonderful to move about the water, or just sit at the side and read. I read more back in the cool a/c of the condo, listened to my new Doo Wop cd, and watched tv. And I had a nice treat for myself. I wanted cake and ice cream, but settled for a chocolate / raspberry parfait yogurt. It was very good, and I enjoyed it. 

no candles, but I did find some star decorations for my yogurt

I spent much of this week at the pool, even venturing there both Saturday and Sunday mornings. And when I wasn't in the water, I was in front of the tv. Mad Men ended Sunday night, and AMC had a marathon of every show since the very beginning. I recorded many programs from the early years, before I really go into it. But that was pretty much all I did all week long.

I did get out on Wednesday afternoon to walk with my friend, Kay, in Forsyth Park. Kay usually walks with Lisa, but since Lisa's now in Wales, I saw my chance. We didn't walk very far, but I enjoyed the company. Thursday evening to see the SCAD performance of Ragtime. I had read the book a very long time ago, but had never seen the musical. As always, SCAD did a wonderful job with the production, and I enjoyed going downtown for that.

5/10/2015

Weekly Update 5/10/2015

It seemed like a busy week, but a lot of what I did was inconsequential. Like, getting my toenails done, washing the car (when I had the roof replaced, the mechanic suggested that I not go to the cheap drive thru washes that I always used, but that it would be better to hand wash the car. Since there's a wash center at the condo, I don't have to go far, and it's free, but it's just a hassle to do it myself. After all, I use paper plates so that I don't have to wash little dishes, so washing a whole car is something I'd rather not have to do by myself), book club, HOA meeting (a waste of time), calling again about the ceiling leak and the bathroom walk in shower, getting my drivers license renewed (I dreaded this for months, but it had to be done. I packed every document I could think of to prove I am who I say I am, and took a novel and some hand held games, preparing to wait for a decade or more. But I was in and out in less than 30 minutes - even had time to go to the pool that afternoon!). Then the usual DH and BC stuff. Like I said, pretty lame stuff, but I was busy.

On Tuesday, I decided to go to the May Day celebration that is held each year outside the Massie School in Calhoun Square. The elementary school children learn dances, crown a king and queen, and dance around a traditional May Pole. I had gone once before, a few years ago, and thought it might be interesting to see it again. 

 

Long ago, I signed up for an all-day lecture series through The Senior Learning Center that was held on Thursday. The topic was Heroes: Why Do They Rise and Fall. There were five lectures on various topics, beginning with ancient civilizations and the heroes/gods that were created, up to heroes among us today. Stan Deaton gave a wonderful talk on how history shapes and continually reassesses heroes. Although the others speakers were great, Dr Deaton is a favorite of mine, and I would be thrilled to listen to him recite nursery rhymes.

I was surprised that afternoon when I left the church hall where the lectures were held, that it was raining. More than raining really - pouring. I wanted to go to another panel discussion hosted by the Historic Savannah Foundation that evening, but thought I would skip it and stay dry. But even though the rain didn't let up, I sucked it up and went to the discussion anyway, thinking I'd not get another chance to listen to anything like this again. It was interesting. Four power women in the preservation movement in Savannah were on the panel to discuss what led them to become involved with historic preservation, and what they saw was the future of those efforts.

Friday, I did my DH tours, and then I'd planned to go to 17 Hundred 90 for a drink. Suzy's weaver group was having a gallery showcase opening downtown, and I wanted to attend to support her. As I was in the bar, sipping a beer, I had a phone call. The Historic Savannah Foundation needed an emergency replacement to volunteer that evening at the wine tasting fund raiser. Another volunteer had needed to cancel at the last minute, and it was suggested that I could fill in. So I went to a house in Ardsley Park, to stand in the garden and pour glasses of wine for a couple of hours. I have a vivid imagination, and I pictured myself, and that this was my early 1900s home and garden, and I was hosting a party for my rich OSM friends. The reality was I only knew one person who did this tasting. By the time I got home, my feet were really hurting. there was a photographer from the Society Page (just where I belong!) of the Savannah Morning News taking pictures. The one taken of me was on the site, but I couldn't load it to my own gallery - silly copyright laws! I did put it on FB though.

Suzy at the gallery opening with one of her creations

 Saturday, the Historic Savannah Foundation was having a block party on east 32nd Street and Lincoln. If you know Savannah, this is not the best neighborhood. But HSF is trying to turn it around. The homes are lovely, most built in the 1880s or 1890s. I had been in one of the house before when it had just begun to undergo the renovations. It was amazing to see it now. There were tents set up with craftsmen doing demonstrations (I was particularly interested in the plaster molding that were being created because there are some lovely moldings dating to the 1820s at DH), beer and wine, food, a poster contest that had contributions from schools in the area, and a GREAT oldies band. I guess they thought a lot of old people would be interested in historic preservation, because this band sang all the old tunes, may of which I have on my playlist. It was a fun day. 

Jim Abrahm's house in the middle of the HSF block party

The Bonaventure Historical Society has paid to have a monument placed at the resting place of John Walz. John Walz was a sculptor who did a lot of work in BC (and throughout Savannah), including Little Gracie. But he was in an unmarked grave in BC. Legend has it that his wife destroyed the monument he had created for himself because she was angry that he would die and leave her. He is in the same plot as his wife and her first husband - she's between them. I think the new headstone is appropriate and meaningful. It is a half finished stone in the process of being sculpted, with the master artist’s tools resting on the smooth service. 

John Walz's new headstone at BC

I have wanted to go to Kevin Barry's and listen to Harry O'Donough sing his Irish folk songs. He's also very funny. It didn't work out to do that when Allen was here, but Harry O'D was singing this weekend. So Saturday night, I treated myself to a night out. I messed up somehow, because I had read that he was to begin performing at 8. When I got there, the bouncer who was stationed at the door said not til 9:30. So I had quite a bit of time to hang out downtown. I did one of my favorite time-killing activities: I rode the water taxi across the river. In fact, I did it twice. I had my camera so I got some nice photos of River Street in the dark. But when I returned to Kevin Barry's at 9:30, the show was already going on. I asked the couple who I shared a table with about the time that he started. They told me about 8:15. I was pissed off about that, but I did enjoy the show. I asked Mr. O'D during his break if he knew Patriot Game, my favorite Irish song, and he had heard it but didn't know all the words. Maybe next time. And next time, I'll be with Dave and Lisa.

River Street and City Hall at night

Harry O'Donough, troubador

5/3/2015

Weekly Update 5/3/2015

This week I continued to have a great visit with Allen.

On Monday, we drove south to St Simon's Island. Although it was a cloudy day, it was a good day to be in the car instead of by the pool. I made poor Allen stop at a Waffle House for breakfast, but dinner was at a seafood restaurant on St Simon's. Between the meals, we visited the lighthouse (Allen climbed to he top; I could not) and the Maritime Center, and walked a bit along the rocky ocean coast. We leisurely drove home on some of the back roads enjoying a nice drive and talking in the car. 

 

Allen's at the top of the lighthouse

also on the cupola of the Maritime Center

Tuesday, it was rather cool, and not a particularly good day to sit by the pool. So we went to the Civil Rights Museum in Savannah. It's small, but interesting, and tells about the time in Savannah when so much was happening all over the South. We had hoped to also tour the First African Baptist Church, and were told that the last tour was at 3 pm. When we showed up for that, the sign on the door said that tours were over at 2 pm, so we didn't get to do that. We sat in City Market for a while and people-watched, then went to the new Sandfly Barbeque that had recently opened. It was good, except they didn't have any brisket the day we were there, so I settled for pulled pork. We went back downtown later that evening for a show at the Savannah Theater. I'd never been to a show here (I thought it would be rather like the lame entertainment you get on a cruise ship, but had wanted to go). Allen was the youngest person in the audience, if that tells you anything about the kind of people attracted to this theater. But as it progressed, it got better and better. I especially liked the Sonny and Cher and Elvis parody, and the Broadway show tunes. 

At City Market

The Savannah Theater

 

Wednesday it was damp and cloudy again. With another day of not being able to go to the pool, Allen and I took a ride along Bluff Drive on the Isle of Hope. I have a book that gives a brief story of each of the houses on the exclusive street - who they were built for, when they were built, any interesting facts about them. Then we went to Coach’s in the afternoon to watch a Yankees game. The Baltimore Orioles were also playing, so it was interesting to see that game on the big screen - not one fan in the stands! The game went on, but the stadium was closed because of the riots in the city. That evening, we had reservations for a Slow Ride, which is a bicycle built for 12. Allen had seen one earlier in the visit while we were wandering around downtown and thought it looked like fun. We almost didn't get to take this ride because all the daytime rides were canceled due to the weather, but when it cleared up, we were able to join another group of two young couples on a pub crawl. It really was fun, thanks to Allen and the other young kids. I'm pretty sure I put a damper on things because they must have all been waiting for me to have a heart attack while pedaling (they promised that if that happened, they would lay me down on the floor of the contraption and pedal like hell to the hospital - thanks guys!) But it was really fun. 

our "bike" - missing all the pedalers who were in the bar getting a beer in a to go cup

we got our beers!

 

And then it was Thursday, and time for Allen to get on the Delta airplane and fly home. The week really went fast for me, and I was so delighted that he came to visit. It seemed as if we didn't do much, since he'd been here before and seen a lot of the tourist attractions on other trips. And I'd hoped that we would have more time at the pool than we got. But it was wonderful to have him here. I missed him immediately.

Allen made a new friend in Savannah

 

I went to The Rail on Thursday because Dave and Lisa are heading back to UK and I wanted to have one last pint of Guinness with them before they went away. Friday, I was back into my routine. I did four large tours at DH (it's that time of year for large tours), but then skipped 17 Hundred 90 since there's no one left here in Savannah to enjoy a Friday night drink with.

I did get to 17 Hundred 90 on Saturday; the Lunch Bunch had a nice Derby Day luncheon planned. We were supposed to wear a nice dress and a hat. My idea of a nice dress is a clean t-shirt, and the only hat I own is a Buffalo Bills baseball cap. But I rummaged around and found a dress and my straw “convertible-top-down” hat and added a couple of fake flowers to it. I guess it was OK. The menu was great: mint juleps, boursin cheese and pecanwood bacon deviled eggs, pork tenderloin sliders with blackberry honey mustard, shrimp and spinach hush puppies, sweet and sour napa cottage slaw, brie cheese with peach and blueberry chutney, followed by peach and blueberry cobbler for dessert. Connie's husband, Jim, is the chef at 17 Hundred 90 and made all this for us and it was wonderful. I got out of the dress the minute I walked into my condo again, and put on my jeans and a tank top to go to watch the horse race with Sylvia and Charles at their house. Another mint julep. Knowing nothing about the horses, when asked to pick a winner, I chose Frosted - an old gray nag. She didn't win, but I felt a connection to her. 

it's hard to see, but the hats were a lot of fun