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.