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.