6/28/2015

Weekly Update 6/28/2015

A very boring week. I did almost nothing. I went to the pool most days, because the heat is continuing. I did my DH of Friday, but I had no duties at BC on the weekend. I attended one lecture at the the senior center, and one talk at the Jepson about the collection of African American Art.

But that was pretty much it.

The project for this summer at Mercer Point is to paint the stair railings and re-stain the landings leading to the front doors in each building. They are also going to paint the front doors, but that didin't happen this week. I am very glad that I didn't have to be outside in the heat sanding the railings and painting. They look much better. 

before

after

 

And, a happy day for Sarah:

congrats! Sarah & Erica

6/21/2015

Weekly Update 6/21/2015

All this week the heat continued with temps close to 100° nearly every day. On Monday, we had planned a boat ride to Daufuskie Island, so it was a good time to be out on the water in a boat. The Lunch Bunch group rented a boat to take us to the island, and then we rented a golf cart to drive around while we were there. Daufuskie Island is half way between Savannah and Hilton Head in South Carolina. Indigo and sea island cotton were grown there in colonial times when several plantations were on Daufuskie. Because of the isolation, the slaves were able to develop a Gullah culture, retaining much of their African heritage. After the Civil War, freed people purchased small plots or worked for the landowners, and continued to create a caring, close community with a Gullah heritage. Author Pat Conroy taught a two-room school there in the 70s, and wrote a book, The River is Wide, based on his experiences. We saw the school house where he taught, and some other historic buildings. John Mellencamp (who also gave a concert in Savannah on Friday evening, but I didn't go) has a home there now, but we didn't see that. The island is accessible only by boat, and today is a resort, including vacation rentals, a golf course, and several marinas. We had a wonderful lunch at the island, and before we left, we were able to go for a swim in the ocean. It was a great day to visit there. 

nesting egrets - there were a lot in this area

the church steeple on the African Church

 Donna and I met Connie for lunch at a cute little restaurant on Bay Street on Thursday. It's called Treylor Park (the owner's name is Trey) and the décor is trailor trash. The menu kept with the theme with such delicacies as grilled cheese sandwiches, fried bologna sandwiches and pb&j wings. We tried the wings, and they were unique. When we left, we exited through the patio/bar, and they had a list of the top 10 beers they serve there. Coming in at #3 is Genny Cream! I see more visits to this place in my future!

Friday after DH, Donna and I went to Pacci's bar. We missed going last week because of the rain, but this week it was too hot to sit outside at the patio bar; we were happy to stay inside. Kim also went with us as she was going to the Mellencamp concert, so she joined us for a while before wandering over to the Civic Center. I had this really nice drink - a Fundos Fino, which is gin, lemon juice, strawberry jam (huh?) and champagne. It was good. Then, since this is Donna's last Friday in Savannah for a while, we went to 17 Hundred 90. When we walked in, Martha our friend the bartender, called to us that we were late. ♫ Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name. ♪

Donna's manhattan and my cocktail

 

Saturday, I had to open BC, and then I continued toward downtown. Old Fort Jackson was having a special weekend for Father's Day, telling about how this fort played a role in the Wars or our Fathers (well, maybe their father's father's fathers): the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Civil War. Each talk was scheduled on the half hour, and only took about 30 minutes, including the cannon firings. So I was stuck sitting in the hot sun for a time between the events. And the sand gnats there are nasty. But I stayed to listen to all three lectures, and they were all interesting. Then I drove back to my cool condo and took a shower and just stayed in for the rest of the afternoon. 

the kids got involved with the cannon firing

Sunday, I had to open BC, and then continued toward downtown. But today instead of attending a historic reenactment, I met Kay to walk in Forsyth Park. It was hot, but I enjoy meeting with her. I also was on the schedule to close up BC at the end of the day, so it was back there again. After that, I had the unpleasant job of driving Donna to the airport for her trip back to Maine. Amazing how much I'm going to miss her.

With the high heat this week, and lack of rain, we've also had some amazing sunsets. I went outside to try to get a photo of the sunset on the longest day of the year. It wasn't as pink as some of the other views this week, but it was lovely. This is what it looked like this evening from the marsh view at the condos where I live.

6/14/2015

Weekly Update 6/14/2015

Monday started as not much fun. One of the front headlight bulbs on my car had blown, and I needed to replace it. Because they have to remove the entire front end of the car to get at the bulb, it cost me $184 to change a light bulb! I knew it was going to be expensive, so I asked that they change all the bulbs while they were there so I won't have to do this again in another 3 months when the other one blows. Man! But I also spent some time at the pool. I was there in the morning to enjoy the sunshine and swim a little. And a friend who lives in the condo that I just haven't been able to meet up with in while, The Other Donna, called and wanted to get together. Four of us met at the pool in the evening, and yakked until after dark. That was very nice, sitting on a warm evening, with the solar tea lights around the perogla, with a couple of drinks, and laughing with with friends.

I was back at the pool Tuesday to meet with the Donna and Connie for a swim and a light lunch. Connie is the organizer of the Lunch Bunch, and our next get together is a boat ride to Daufuskie Island next week. We talked a lot about that and had a good time.

The first of the summer series of lectures at The Learning Center began on Wednesday. It was an interesting talk about the Tudors and early England, and how that set in motion the separation of church and state we have in America today. I also went to a talk about the current art exhibit at the Jepson on Thursday. The art is a multi-media show of Art in the 90s. I don't get it! I'm glad I went to the explanation, because, although I have a little better understanding, it's still above my head. Give me a Rembrandt or Van Gogh.

Wednesday evening, Donna invited me to go to a new restaurant in Savannah, Pacci. On Wednesdays, they have a “supper club” that serves a fixed menu family style at large tables. We enjoyed watermelon salad, boar stew (better than it sounds), and chocolate crespelle. And wine pairings. It was so nice, we wanted to go back to Pacci's bar on Friday after DH for a drink, but a storm came up just as I was leaving the museum, and sitting in the courtyard at Pacci didn't seem to be desirable. Instead, we went to 17 Hundred 90. So, what else is new?

nice smile, Wilma.  somebody's had enough wine

Saturday, I had a blank calendar, which is unusual for a weekend. So I decided to make one more trip to try to find the perfect outfit for the graduation party that's coming up next month. What I found was - there is no such thing as the perfect outfit. I was looking for something that would make me look like a size 8, would be a color that I think I look good in (black, navy blue, something plain and dark), and wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg. Not gonna happen. After I got terrifically discouraged from searching every store in the mall, I decided on a pair of white crop pants and a dark blue top. Not perfect, but at least the search is over. I still think I may just show up in my boxer shorts and a tank top, like I wear everywhere in Savannah.

Sunday, I met Kay for a short walk in Forsyth Park. It was really hot, even as early as 10 am. I sweat so much, poor Kay must have thought I was having a heart attack! I probably smelled pretty bad, too. And then, I had to give a tour at BC in the afternoon. The temps were close to 100º, the sandgnats were out in full force, and it was quite unpleasant. But the tour was large, so I did the best I could. And, although Donna wanted me to come to the pool after that to relax in the cool water, I just wanted to stay inside my cool condo. I'm very glad my a/c didn't pick today to die.

Since it was such a slow week, and not many photos, I'll add this one of my front door. If you didn't know better, you'd almost think a real American patriot lives here. 

 

6/7/2015

Weekly Update 6/7/2015

Book club met on Monday. I started to sew some sundresses, since I need something new to wear. I saw a picture of Sarah on prom night on fb. I had a go-round with the management at MP. A long, long day. 

 

Sarah and Erica

Tuesday, I had an appointment to get my hair cut. I haven't had someone else do my hair since Debra moved out of the condos years ago. But I had this opportunity to have it done by a hairstylist-to-the-stars who was in town to visit a friend I've met through the lunch bunch. At first I really liked it, but the glow soon faded. The picture I took last year is not very good, but is the pricy hair cut really worth it? 

free haircut thanks to Mme. Wilma

$60 haircut by Dennis

 

That evening, Donna and I went to a lecture about the raising of the CSS Georgia. The CSS Georgia was built in Savannah in 1862, and originally designed to be an ironclad warship. It is unique because it was built with iron railroad tracks, one of only two during the war. The Georgia never fired a shot in combat. On Dec 21, 1864, the confederates chose to scuttle her rather than abandon the ship to General Sherman's Union troops as they seized the city she was built to protect. It is now located roughly five miles from Savannah, off Old fort Jackson on the north edge of the Savannah Harbor navigation channel. The 1200 ton ironclad is being removed as part of a more that $700 million project to deepen the Savannah River channel. Over 8000 artifacts have been collected so far. Each is sent to Texas A&M for analysis. Once everything has been cleaned and studied, they will all be sent back to Savannah to be placed in a museum here. The lecture was a little too technical for me, with lots of info about how to recover small artifacts and the mechanics of an underwater archeological dig. But it was interesting.

I watched a lot of tennis this week, since it was the final week of the French Open. I saw some amazing tennis, and heard much inane chatter from the commentators (which I hate, so I usually have the volume muted). Congrats to Serena and Stan! I worked at sewing the sundresses, and finished them all by Wednesday. They look better on the hangers than they do on me! Thanks, Suzy, for letting me use your machine.

three new frocks

 

Thursday, Donna and I drove all around Savannah, mostly southside, in the vain search for something to wear to Sarah's graduation picnic next month. I don't like the way I look, and it's pretty depressing to try to find something that I think will be “just right”. I came home empty handed, but still have a while to find something. We also did some errands - the the Apple Store to have her phone tweaked, to the bagel shop for my fix, to the post office, and to Armstrong University. We had been told that seniors are able to audit courses at the university for free. We've heard a professor, Christopher Hendricks, speak at various places and different times, about architecture in Savannah. We had hoped to sit in on one of his courses, and perhaps find something else there that might be interesting. I think it may be too much, however, and you need to be a Georgia resident (Donna is not), and you need to have college transcripts (where would I get those?). We may decide to look into it further at another time.

Friday was typical - DH, followed by meeting with friends for a drink at 17 Hundred 90. I decided I really, really like key lime martinis!

Saturday, the ceiling in my condo was finally repaired. The family upstairs moved out the first of the month, so workers were up there re-painting (and I think replacing the carpet). I went up and knocked on the door and asked if they could maybe fix my damage while they were in the area doing work. And they did come on Saturday. I'm glad to have it done. It's not perfect, but better than having a huge water spot on the ceiling. I have other issues with our management company, so I didn't want to have to let this go a lot longer, and involve Lanier. I'm really glad it is done, and hope it doesn't happen again. I thought I would watch the Belmont Stakes, since there was a chance that history would be made. Telecasting began at 4:30; and the race began more two hours later. And there really was nothing to watch during all the hype leading off to the 2-minute run. The Women's Final at the French Open lasted about that long, but at least there was some action! Since I didn't do anything else all day Saturday, so I treated myself to an evening out and went to the performance of Big Fish at the SCT. As always, It was wonderful.

Sunday, I needed to be at BC to answer questions and hand out maps. I was surprised it wasn't more busy than it actually was - until 4 pm, however. As soon as it was time to close, lots of tourists came in. But that's ok. There's nothing on PBS this time of year anyway. 

nicely done, again!