10/11/2015

Weekly Update 10/11/2015

Whenever I'm in the Walmart, I always check the $5 bin for DVDs. A few months ago, for $5, I found a combo pack - Rain Man, Moonstruck, When Harry Met Sally and Princess Bride. I'm cheap and I watch a lot of DVDs, so this seemed like a good fit. I'd seen all the movies except for Princess Bride, but when I watched this one, I was smitten. I laughed out loud, I thought it was great, I watched it again. In the library, I noticed this book, so I had to check it out. The book wasn't that good, but I always seem to want to know MORE about anything that I'm interested in. I think this movie will be up there with Napoleon Dynamite, Finding Nemo, and Breaking Away as one of my all time favorites. 

the movie

the book

 

You know how it is when you see someone who looks familiar, but they're not in the place you think they should be, or not dressed the way you're used to seeing them dressed? That happened to me a couple of times this week. At the Picnic In The Park last Sunday, I saw the bartender from The 90, Brittany. I'm so used to seeing her with a shaker in her hand, that she looked totally different with a cute little boy about 18 months old with incredible blond, curly hair! He was just darling! Another friend from the bar that I ran into this week was Joe. He's one of regulars and The 90, and I've spoken to him a couple of times. When I picked Pat up at her patio home in an assisted living facility on Wilmington Island (note to self - check it out) to give her a ride to book club, Joe was outside another one of the homes, working in his garden. I waved to him, but we didn't have a chance to visit. Also, when I took my VW in for more repairs - it's a long story - on Monday, I was surprised when I walked in to see the man who used to be the desk manager in the service center at the auto dealership where I had a lot of repairs done when I first moved to Savannah, not knowing where else to go. He remembered me, too, and we chatted for a few minutes. The dealership had been sold to another group of owners, and he had tired of the big box kind of maintenance they were supposed to do. So when this position as a smaller, independent repair shop opened up, he took it. I guess I've been in Savannah long enough now so that I run into people I know everywhere. 

 

A much-needed update was done this week at the entrance to MP on Johnny Mercer Blvd. Even before the library opened across the street last October, there were problems at the entrance to the condos where the street crosses Johnny Mercer Blvd to go over to Rte 80. Because it's “just” the entrance to the development, drivers “assume” the traffic there is inconsequential and often do not bother with turn direction signals (not all drivers - most really do indicate their intentions; it's the ones who have a hard time exerting the effort it takes to push down or up on the lever that's right beside their hand that cause the problems) so other drivers “assume” they are not turning, and pull into their path. When the library was thrown into the mix, it became even worse because the traffic flow for readers exiting the library causes them to make a u turn at the light if they were going back to Wilmington Island. There's never been a major accident there, but numerous fender benders. So, FINALLY, the DOT replaced the light with one that has turn arrows on the lights along Johnny Mercer. I hope this helps.

installing the signal light

 

Wednesday was another site visit to a House of Worship in Savannah. This time it was Temple Mickve. But before that, I did a “special” tour at DH. A group of about 20 SCAD students came through with their professor to look at quality craftsmanship of the early 19th century. I filled them in on history and the Davenports. In addition to my regular tour, I needed to take them to the attic area, which is off limits most of the time. Imagine my horror when I closed and locked the door to the attic room not realizing that a student was still there. We could hear someone knocking, but assumed it was a tourist trying to get through the locked front door rather than the gift shop entrance. We figured it out, and I was able to free him, but I felt really awful to have done that. He handled it quite well and thought it was rather funny, but I was horrified. I'm going to learn from that mistake! Because I had a little over an hour to waste before I would need to be at the temple, I had packed the new “running” shoes (a misnomer for sure, as I don't even walk fast, let alone run anyplace) that I'd bought when I was out near the mall on Monday with the VW repairs - it's a long story - and walked around Forsyth Park. Then to the temple for the tour. The oldest practicing reformed congregation in the United States, Temple Mickve Israel was founded by a group of Jews, mainly of Portuguese descent, which landed in Savannah only four months after the founding of the Colony in 1733. This building was built in 1878, and is in the Gothic style. One story for the unusual style is that the architect was a Christian and did not know how to create a temple. Another is that the Jews in Savannah did not want to remain apart from the rest of society, and wanted a building that “fit in” with the other structures in the city. The Rabbi and the guide spoke so softly (which is appropriate in a sacred place) that I couldn't hear them, so much of what was said was lost on me. And I'd been to the museum before, so I didn't need to do that again in a crowd; I left a little early. That gave me time for a nap before going to play my regularly scheduled Rummikub game.

Congregation Mickve Iarael

 

I must have some sort of a brain fart regarding DH this week. The attic-locking fiasco was one. Friday, for my normal tours, I thought I was wearing black slacks, so I believed I matched my gray shirt and my black flip flops. But when I was driving downtown and looked at myself in the bright sunlight, I realized I had on navy blue pants, and didn't match at all. It was too late then to turn around and change, so I decided that if anyone complained, I would simply tell them that I'm a volunteer, I'm not compensated, and they get what they pay for. No one said anything. Plus, I did an extra tour in the evening with the Tauck group that brings many bus loads to Savannah in the fall. I had only time for one glass of wine at The 90 before I had to go back and stand in a mis-matched clothing in front of more out-of-town visitors. 

 

There's a bakery in Savannah that is very popular, and there's even been a book of the recipes published, but I've never been there. Since I had to make a trip to that part of the city to pick up a book at the main library, I decided I'd try Back in the Day Bakery to see what the fuss is about. Now I know! I had the most wonderful sandwich - pimento cheese spread with tomato and bacon on warm ciabatta bread. That sandwich was so good, the chocolate chip cookie I bought for dessert didn't seem like anything.

Dave and Lisa are back in Savannah, so guess where I was Thursday evening? The Rail. I haven't been there at all since they went to UK last spring, so it was nice to be back. As a bonus, Kay also joined us there. I'm going to be spending too much money in bars now as my habits are going to include The Rail, The 90 and Coach's. I should create a Go Fund Me account to support my drinking. 

 

October 9 is a very important day in Savannah history. During the Revolutionary War, the British held Savannah, and in 1779 American Patriots made a failed attempt to recapture the city. The battle lasted only one hour, but over 800 Americans and allies were killed or wounded. Every year, early in the morning, at the same time that the battle took place, The Coastal Heritage Society marches along the path of the patriots while telling the story of the battle. I've gone before, and I always enjoy it. This year, Lisa went too. And, I was asked by the Bonaventure Historical Society to present the wreath in memorial. Many groups and individuals pay tribute to those who fought here by presenting a wreath, and BC is one of those groups. Bonaventure Plantation played a part in the Siege as the French forces that supported the American cause were stationed there before the battle. Each year, the Society places a wreath, and this year I was asked to have the honor of representing the group.

www.wtoc.com/story/30230398/revolutionary-war-reenactment-held-in-savannah 

the ceremony

the lovely BC rep (if I elongte the photo, I don't look so fat!  I like it!)

 

On Saturday, I wanted to go to the folk Music Fest that was held in Ellis Square in the evening, but I was exhausted from cleaning the condo. I also used up a lot of energy when I walked across the street to the library to pick up a video that was being held for me. So far, the new shoes seem to be working out well. But I was just too worn out to get out of my chair and go downtown in the evening. I did need to get out on Sunday, because it was tour day at BC. The weather was a little overcast, and cool, but perfect for walking outside. The cemetery was crowded, and they even added an additional tour. I had a large group. It kept my mind off the fact that the Bills were trailing the Titans throughout the game. Just as I was ending up, the Bills took the lead. As I drove home, I did something I know better than to do - I kept looking at the score on the phone. Other games did not turn out so well.