6/26/2016

Weekly Update 6/26/2016

On Monday, I met Kay at the Crystal Beer Parlor for supper. We often see each other at The 90 on Fridays, but there's usually a group, and I don't get to talk to just Kay. We decided that we would go out just us two for a quick bite and to have some time together. It was great.

at the CBP with Kay

I had read that the Spongebob Movie was going to be shown Tuesday at the Tybee Post Theater. The old movie theater was first constructed when soldiers were stationed at Fort Screven on Tybee Island during WWII, and was used to entertain the troops. It fell into disrepair and was vacant for decades. There has been a movement to rehab the theater, and it's now finished. One thing that happens there now is weekly family-fun movies throughout the summer. Since I had seen some of the Spongebob movie when it was filmed here in 2013, I thought it might be fun to see it and this was a good chance to do that. The movie wasn't much fun for anyone older than 6, but I did enjoy seeing views of Broughton Street (and the old cars! check out the VW in the picture!). I could recognize the Lucas Theater, the Trustees Theater, and Leopold's in some of the scenes, as well as the pier and some tacky shops at Tybee beach. It made it look as if Broughton Street went right out the ocean, so that was strange. 

they did a great job restoring this movie house

on Broughton Street - you can see the Trustees Theatre and the patio in front of Leopold's

 

DH can be boring, and it seems that I do the same things over and over, but there have been a couple of interesting things there in the past few weeks. A few weeks ago, there was a medical emergency - not on my tour, thankfully. But a tourist on the tour in front of me felt faint, and the paramedics were called. I was told to expect a gurney to come through while I was telling my stories, and that I should just make way, but not to make a big deal out of it and not to let it interfere too much with my group. That was a first. My normal reaction would be to panic, but I thought I handled it with a minimum of hysterics. This week, the last tour of the day was a group of five: one couple spoke only English, one only Spanish, and the odd man out was interpreter. So I gave my talk, then waited while it was translated so the other couple could hear all the very important information I was giving them. I've never had that happen before, either. Sometimes something happens to make it a little different.

The Lucas showed two of Elvis' early films this weekend to coincide with the art exhibit of Elvis photos at the Jepson. I went to see Jailhouse Rock after The 90 on Friday evening. This is my favorite Elvis movie, because he is so young, and I LOVE the dance scene. Also, many years ago, Ishy and I saw the stage performance in London, and I loved it. I couldn't have been too good, though, as I don't believe it ever made it to Broadway. 

love this place!

so much more handsome than Spongebob!

 

Sunday, I had expected a slow, boring day of just sitting in front of my tv. But the phone rang before I got out of bed and I was asked to open BC because the morning volunteer was sick. I can do that, so I was there. The temps were in the 90s, so I wasn't expecting a lot of visitors, but I was wrong.

6/19/2016

Weekly Update 6/19/2016

A warning light on my dashboard alerted me to a problem with my car engine, so I made an appointment to have it checked out on Monday morning. I took the little darling to the Goodyear not far from my condo, and left her there to be worked on and I walked home in the 87° heat. That pool was going to be awfully good! No, wait! - the pool is closed for mechanical issues. So I sat in my air conditioned condo and waited for the call that the car was ready. Not so fast! - they called, but with a “good news / bad news” message. Good news was the gas cap seal had deteriorated and fumes were escaping. A new gas cap would be added, which only would cost $12 (plus the $120 diagnostic fee). The bad news was that the catalytic converter was also worn and would need to be replaced. And Goodyear can't do that. I called the VW shop where I've had work done before (way the hell out by the mall) and left a message. They called me back after about an hour and told me they could do the work, but I could get it done a lot cheaper at another muffler shop (way the hell out in Sandfly), which they recommended. So, I called that shop, and they asked what kind of catalytic convert it was. What? I'm supposed to know that? So I asked how long they would be open and that I would try to drive out so they could look at the car and determine what parts would be needed. So, I hike back to the Goodyear in 93° heat to claim my little dumpling, and drive out to the muffler shop so they could get a peek. In a stunning turn of events compared to how the rest of this day was going, they had what I needed, and, although it was already 3:30, they could do the replacement today! So 2 hours and $700 later, the light on the dash no longer flashes at me and I'm driving a safe vehicle.

Tuesday, I had signed up for a Kelly Tour to Augusta GA. I don't know what I was thinking, or perhaps I didn't read as much about the trip as I should have. I assumed it would be a history tour of some highlights in the first capital of the state of Georgia. It was not that, but I did enjoy the tour. We began by stopping at the oldest organic blueberry farm in the US. Impressive, no? We had planned to pick blueberries, but it was in the 90s by then, and I was actually among the youngest on this tour, so they gave us each 3 pints, we took a tour of the packing plant (a pole barn), and ate some very very good blueberry treats - mini-fritters, mini-muffins, and some wonderful dessert made with shortbread, cream cheese / sugar / whipped cream and blueberries on top. Then we got back on the bus and went a short distance up the road to an Amish bakery. Oh, my! We also had a behind-the-scene tour of the bakery and watched as donuts were rolled out and cut, cookies were baked, and cakes were decorated. I wanted to buy everything in the display case, but settled for some amazing gingerbread men. We continued on to Augusta where we ate at a restaurant. The food was good, but the service was horrible. Apparently, management had not told the workers that this tour was scheduled, and they were not at all prepared for fifty hungry senior citizens to come in for a lunch that had been pre-ordered long before we showed up. It was not pretty. By the time it was over, we were late for the boat ride, but since we were the last (and most probably, only) tour they had that day, they were happy to wait until we could get there. The ride on the Savannah River in Augusta was delightful and calming. The guide told us history and natural stories as were slowly motored along. It was very nice. Then, back on the bus for the ride back to Savannah. A long day - I'd been up since 6:30 and you know how much I would want to do that! - but a different way for me waste time.

this is what it would have looked like if I'd actually picked the berries

gingerbread boys and bear claws fresh from the oven

some of the multimillion dollar mansions on the SC side of the river

riding north on the Savannah River at Augusta

The pool was repaired sometime Tuesday, so on Wednesday, I was ready to get back in the water. In the late afternoon, Sylvia, Charles and I visited a friend in the hospital. And I finally returned to the weekly Rummikub game, which hasn't been as regular lately.

DH on Friday, BC on Saturday on Sunday. A lot of tv, reading and computer games.

6/12/2016

Weekly Update 6/12/2016

Monday it rained all day. I went to book club.

Tuesday I went to the pool. I attended a history lecture at Massie School.

Wednesday I went to the pool - twice. It was Donna's last day before she went to Maine, so I was there in the daytime and went back in the evening to savor the last few minutes with her.

Thursday I went to the pool.

Friday I did DH and The 90.

Saturday I did a tour at BC. Ditto Sunday. I don't go to the pool on the weekends because it's a headache with all the renters and their friends - lots of little kids, medium size kids and big kids. Too crowded and not fun.

So, that was this week. The slow days of summer have arrived.

6/5/2016

Weekly Update 6/5/2016

I did go to the Memorial Service at BC on Monday. It had rained most of the weekend, but Monday was sunny, so I got up early and went. Again, I'm sad about the loss that war costs us all, but feel I need to recognize the sacrifices that have been made.

the service at the BC American Legion plot

Both the lecture at City Hall that I planned to attend and Rummikub at Jimmy and June's condo were canceled on Wednesday. So I had another day of just being at the pool and doing not much of anything. Thursday, The Lunch Bunch met at Cohen's Retreat, and that was wonderful! I don't think anyone was disappointed with the meals they ordered. I had the soup (French Onion) and sandwich (shaved prime rib on french bread) and that was WONDERFUL! It's always fun to meet with these ladies! 

sandwich & soup

  Saturday there were a few things going on in the city. I met Connie and Jim at City Market to see Elvis sing a few songs (very few - like, three). And there was also a blues & jazz fest going on along River Street. It was a really hot day, so I also took the water ferry across to Hutchinson Island, just to sit down and cool off for a while. The Elvis was great- but I knew it would be. The barbeque, not so much. there were more craft vendors than places to eat, and I didn't see some of the restaurants that I've wanted to try. So I crawled back to my car just before it began to rain without a pulled pork sandwich. 

 

Elvis with one of his fans

River Street festival

There were also a few things to do on Sunday (in addition to watching the tennis). The Victorian Society had planned a guided walk through the Victorian part of Savannah led by Hugh Golson. He is a wonderful teacher and comes from a long-time Savannah family (part of his family's plantation is now Laurel Grove Cemetery) and I always love to listen to his stories. It has been very hot here this week, and by Sunday afternoon, the humidity had reached the limit. Luckily, we all had umbrellas, and it didn't rain too hard until the very end of the walking tour. After that, I had been invited to the condo of some friends who live not far from DH, so I stopped there for some great food, drinks and friendship. 

Hugh Golson

our walking tour