2/28/2016

Weekly Update 2/28/2016

I went to see the Race on Tuesday. It was ok, but I didn't like as well as the critics did. I haven't been to see a movie in a long time, so it was nice to do that. 

 

Saturday night, I hosted Game Night. Kay wasn't feeling well, so it was me, Donna, Lisa and Dave. I made some soup (which I would like to say was homemade, but the reicpe was from the Publix weekly flyer, and the ingredients included such “homemade” items as pre-chopped vegies, spaghetti sauce, canned broth, Buitoni pasta and pre-packaged kale salad mix). I thought it was wonderfully tasty, and it certainly was easy. We played a couple of games of Wit's End (a much more difficult Trivial Pursuit) and some Pictionary Man (which made us laugh). It was a fun evening with good friends. 

soup for supper

Donna, struggling with Pictionary Man, but who would guess this is Sponge Bob?

The rest of the week, I spent sneezing and blowing my nose. It wasn't a very busy week for me. Next week there will be much to tell, so it's good I had a chance to rest up.

 

2/21/2016

Weekly Update 2/21/2016

How boring is this? All day Monday - for 6 hours - I watched CSPAN2, which was airing all the lectures of the Savannah Book Fest that were given in Trinity Church. All the talks I had gone to were at other places, so these were new to me. But SIX HOURS? I need to get a life!

On Tuesday, I went with Donna to a symposium on Savannah Tourism sponsored by GPB (Georgia Public Broadcasting). It was held at the Southbound Brewing Company. We listen to panel discussion History and Tourism in Savannah, and as a bonus, we were able to sample different beers brewed on site. I'm not a beer enthusiast, and I don't even care too much for it, but the topic interested me. And I was able to chug back some suds. The panel included people involved in positions at Historic Savannah Foundation, Fort Pulaski, the Civil Rights Museum, The Tourism Leadership Council, and the coastal Heritage Society. Among the topics discussed were: how to encourage tourism (a billion dollar industry in Savannah) while respecting the wishes of the people who live in the historic area, why people visit Savannah and how that is changing, and how the city must prepare for balancing and promoting the new trends in tourism in the future. The beer may have been so-so, but the talk was great! 

 

Wednesday was another beautiful day here in Savannah. It has warmed up considerably since Sunday when I had to wear mittens to give my tour a BC. The good weather is made even more enjoyable when I heard reports of up to two feet of snow in Rochester! Wednesday is also Georgia Day, and with that comes the Georgia Day parade. Second graders in the schools in Savannah march in a wonderful parade down Bull Street to City Hall, all dressed in costumes, many which were made in their classrooms. It so much fun to watch the kids with huge smiles, waving to the parents, grandparents, tourists and interested local (that would be me) as they march along with their classmates. Each year, there is a theme for the parade, and it's usually a historic person. In past years they have honored Fernando DeSoto and Flannery O'Connor. But this year the theme was not a person, but rather “Waffle Fries to Global Skies”, and the importance of Georgia businesses in the economy. Some major businesses that were founded in Georgia include Coca-Cola, Delta Air, Chick-Fil-A, and Home Depot. I didn't stay for the ceremony at City Hall, but I certainly loved watching the kids. 

 

Thursday, I had an opportunity to tour Laurel Grove cemetery with my good friend Don Teuton. He was leading a group of BHS members to point out highlights that may be added to the app that will be developed. I invited Dave and Lisa to join us, because it was more than just “what to include”, but a wonderful history of the cemetery and some of the residents there. Although the two cemeteries were founded at the same time, Laurel Grove was always a public resting place, while Bonaventure was for the wealthy. However, not all famous Savannahians are in BC. Andrew Low, Juliet Gordon Low, the Davenports, the McKays, James Pierpont, and many other families that go way back in Savannah history. There is also a section dedicated to Civil War soldiers (there is nothing like that at BC) which is quite solemn and moving. 

one of the most famous sculptures at Laurel Grove North

a rebel soldier killed at Gettysburg, but not forgotten

the remains of Isaiah Davenport, moved from colonial park cemetery in 1869

 

Friday, Saturday and Sunday were boring - the usual. DH, BC, but I didn't go to the The 90. My allergies are getting bad - the downside to the wonderful azaleas that are just beginning to come alive and color the landscape with amazing reds and pinks - and I'm not feeling all that well.

2/14/2016

Weekly Update 2/14/2016

My new floor was scheduled to be installed on Wednesday, but I had a phone call early Monday to see if I'd be willing to re-schedule for TODAY! Let's get this over with, so yes, I can do that. I think it looks pretty good, and all the cuts, nicks and discolorations of the old floor are gone! It took about five hours. Everything was moving along well until I had to go to the bathroom, and then discovered that the water had been turned off. I asked the workmen if they had done that, and they promised me that they had not. There was a Roto Router man working outside, so when I asked him if the work he was doing could affect my unit, he didn't get into any explanations or discussions, but just shrugged and said “maybe”. I asked how long he would be working, and he guessed 3 or 4 more hours. Since I hadn't washed my hands after peeing, or brushed my teeth, or showered, this was a problem. But everything was back to normal by 5 pm, so I could get cleaned up. My downstairs neighbors, Dave and John, had invited some of us over for cocktails, so it's good for all of us that I was able wash!

before

after (not that much different)

Thursday, I had been asked to go to DH in the afternoon to answer the phones while Dottie, the person who usually does that, had a dentist appointment. I said yes, but I probably should have declined as it's difficult for me to hear on the phone, particularly Southern accents and people who talk fast. But there were actually only a few calls, and I did ok.

Friday, I was at DH for my normal tours, and then to The 90 for my normal “bar time”.

Saturday was special - The Savannah Book Fest! I wait all year for this day. I didn't go to the evening lectures by the famous authors - Erik Larson, Paula McLain and William Paul Young, but I did spend all day Saturday hearing lesser-known authors speak about their writing. It was all interesting, in fact, some of the spaces were too small to hold all the people who wanted to hear the talks: Geraldine Brooks, Rita Mae Brown, and Stacy Schiff. I heard authors of: a woman’s fiction writer who writes hopeful stories set in and around Charleston (Karen White), a cookbook author who wrote of old family recipes and the stories that go along with them (Johnathon Scott Barrett), a SCAD professor of writing who wrote a very funny memoir of growing up in Mississippi with a redneck father (Harrison Scott Key), very famous and popular light fiction writer who has had tv movies and a series produced based on some of her books (Debbie Macomber), a prolific write of fiction regarding current topics (Christopher Bohjalian), a fiction writer who also incorporates modern themes but sets them in Appalachia, and finally a biographer of Harriet Tubman whose latest book is about Rosemary Kennedy (Kate Clifford Larson). Because the book fest has become so popular and the attendance is so great, they expanded and changed some of the places where the lectures were held. Two churches on other squares near Telfair Square hosted the speakers in both the sanctuaries and church halls. That was good because it meant there were no lectures in tents around Telfair Square (it can be cold to just sit and be still in February in Savannah), but that also meant it took a few minutes to get from one hall to the next - I didn't have time to browse the sale tent. And when I did get there at the end of the day, the two books I'd decided to purchase were only in hardcover format, so I bought two other paperbacks and will borrow the ones I want to read from the library. They also included lectures all day without a lunch break, which meant I didn't get to Goose Feathers, my favorite breakfast place in Savannah. I have to limit myself to only going there on Book Fest Day because the raspberry cheese croissants are too good (great soups and quiches and whoopee pies, too).

Telfair Square

Kate Clifford Larson speaking at the Jepson Center

I didn't even have time to go back home after the festival ended because I'd planned to meet Dave, Lisa, Adam and Kay (and Donna unexpectedly showed up - that was great) for drinks and eats at Churchill's. What a nice way to end a wonderful day - with my besties.

2/7/2016

Weekly Update 2/7/2016

I began this week by having my kitchen measured for a new floor. I think I should do this, but I'm waiting for HOA action about what might happen if they rip up the old floor and find something horrible under there - rotted floorboard, unsafe subfloor, etc. It will take a couple of weeks to hear from them, but I've begun the process. Also on Monday, I had book club. The book this month was Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. amazingly, I liked the book. A very strange read, but I liked it very much.

Tuesday, I met neighbors John and Dave, and Dave Winkler at City Hall for the free tour. It was Dave Winkler's second day of retirement, and he agreed to join us to fill some of his spare time. I have been on this tour before, and I always enjoy it. I was surprised and embarrassed when the guide recognized me, and introduced me as “one of her colleagues”, since I'm a tour guide at DH. As I was walking back to my car from City Hall - I parked far away for two reasons: 1) it was free, and 2) it forced me to walk and get a little exercise - I stopped at a used book store. They had a copy of The Damned Don't Cry by Harry Hervey, a local author who's buried at BC. Kay has been wanting to read this book ever since she toured the Harper-Fawkes House, so I purchased it for her. I read the book long ago.

 

inside, looking up to the dome

Savannah City Hall

Thursday, it rained all day, which was fine because I didn't have to go out until late afternoon when I went to a wonderful talk about Malcolm Maclean, Savannah mayor from 1962 to 1966, the turbulent Civil Rights era in the South. I spent most of the day working at my personal finances. I did my taxes. I'd begun a few days ago when I entered all my data into the Turbo Tax worksheets on line. In order to file, however, I would need to pay $71! My entire tax obligation is $59 (and I was suspicious of that), so I didn't want to pay that just to file. Today, since I had the time, I figured my taxes myself, and sure enough - I do only owe $59. I mailed the return in instead of filing electronically, thereby saving a hefty fee. On a roll, I emptied the coin jar that sits on the kitchen counter. That's where I toss all the change I find in my pockets or wallet. After the fee for the using the machine, I walked away with $20.22 - that's 162 dimes, 84 nickels, and 229 pennies - no quarters, because I saved all those for the parking meters. I'm feeling quite wealthy today.

I enjoyed two meals out this week, thanks to Savannah's Restaurant Week. I met Donna, Helen and Susan at a new restaurant, 39 Rue de Jean on Monday evening. 39 is a new restaurant that has recently opened in Savannah, but has a grand reputation at the one in Charleston. It was OK, but I don't know if I'd want to go there again. Friday, after DH and my usual time spent at the bar, I ate dinner at The 90. That was much better, but I have an “in” with the chef there.

On Saturday, although it was quite cold by Savannah standards, I drove out to Wormsloe Historic Site. As part of Georgia Days, when the founding of the colony in 1733 is celebrated, there's an annual Colonial Muster at Wormsloe, and the admission to the historic site is waived. I try to go every year. The event did not disappoint (except that I'm used to seeing James Oglethorpe himself at the festivities, and he did not show). I saw demonstrations of black smithing, musket and cannon firings, open air cooking, native American crafts, and other interesting colonial activities. I even saw a fife and drum concert that was given by young people from MA, and I'd taken this group on a guided tour at BC earlier in the week! - it was like meeting old friends. 

ready for a rifle demonstration

the volunteer fife and drum corps

cooking over an open fire

 

Sunday was Super Museum Sunday, also in conjunction with Georgia Days. Most of the museums in Savannah have free admission (although most places give abbreviated tours). I was at BC to give 2 tours. Since The Game didn't start until 6:30, this wasn't a problem. It also gave me a chance to go to Coach's to get some take-out wings to enjoy while I watched The Game. Since I really didn't care very much, I didn't invite anyone over, and I didn't go any place to watch. I had said over and over that I didn't really care who won, but I was secretly hoping the Panthers would emerge victorious. Didn't happen. But wasn't this the most awful SUPER game ever? These were the best teams in the NFL? Really? Cam Newton couldn't hit the broad side of a barn! and where was his running game? The Broncos couldn't buy a 3rd down through most of the 60 minutes. Turnovers were everywhere! Penalties were stupid and legion. If I want to see a Friday night high school match up, I could watch reruns of the Bills games. I even felt sorry for the commentators (which is a new feeling for me - I don't like to listen to the talk), because towards the end of the game, there was really nothing to say. I only watched a few minutes of the post game, hoping Peyton Manning would announce his retirement. He didn't. Not yet. 

at least I had good eats

 

I thought this was cute: at Wormsloe, a toddler had a binkie that looked like a mustache. When Emily was a baby, I bought her a binkie that was buck teeth. It was crude, but I thought it was funny. I still think it's funny.