9/4/2016

Weekly Update 9/4/2016

I began the week by volunteering to stuff envelopes at the HSF for an upcoming fund raiser event. If anyone wants to buy a ticket, they are available for $1,000 for a patron or $275 just to attend the affair. I won't be going. It was raining hard when we finished, and I'd parked several blocks away to avoid paying the meter. HSF is one block from The 90, so I went in there, was immediately recognized, enjoyed a glass of wine, and waited for the rain to stop. I then went to Staples. My Toshiba laptop, that I've had since before I moved to Savannah, was giving me some problems – like just shutting down unexpectedly - and I was afraid I'd lose some important data. I'd investigated a little online and found that I wanted the Dell laptop that was on sale at Staples. I bought one. But since they weren't in stock, I had to wait until Wednesday to pick it up.

Working at the HSF

I attended a nice luncheon on Tuesday. Girl Scout Troop 2012 (for OLD girl scouts) hosted a tasty meal, and then a program. Five former mariner scouts from Savannah reminisced about the fun they had sailing on the Wilmington River many decades ago. It was great to listen to their stories, and the chicken salad was good, too.

The Mariner Scouts telling their stories

I went to a CMA lecture at City Hall on Wednesday. Jamie Credle, the Director at DH, spoke on urban slavery. She's given this lecture many times, but I've never been available to hear it. I have an interest in anything DH, so this was my chance to finally hear this talk. Not content to hear Jamie speak just once, I went to another lecture by her on Thursday evening. In spite of dire storm warnings, I went to the Kennedy Pharmacy next to DH to see a slide show presentation about her recent trip to UK. She attended a symposium and tour of of castles and mansions. It must have been wonderful, and the few of us who showed up were treated to many fabulous slides of the places she visited.  

 

Jamie giving her slide presentation

THE STORM – All day Thursday, there were reports of a hurricane that was supposed to hit Alabama and the west side of Florida. Then it was suppose to travel across land and bring rain, high winds, and perhaps a few tornadoes to the Savannah area. As always, schools began to close, companies canceled work on Friday, museums alerted tourists that they would not be open, and general precautions were taken throughout the area in an attempt to keep people off the roads. Even BC would be closed on Friday, and someone said that had never happened before. I watched Thursday night, and even went out to the stairs a few times to watch, and although there were some brief heavy rains squalls and gusty winds, those didn't last, and it was mostly just a steady rain. I charged up all my devices, rummaged through my Christmas box to find the only candles I had in the condo, dragged out my one flashlight to the table by my bed, and went to sleep. When I woke on Friday, I still had electricity, so I turned on the the tv. Although I could see only small branches strewn about the parking lot at MP, apparently, other places did not fare as well. DH did not close (and therefore was very busy as it was only one of a few museums open – the only game in town) so I drove into the city to do my normal Friday tours. I tried to avoid driving in areas where I knew streets may be flooded, and took a different route to the city. The only trouble I had was driving across the bridge, where my poor little car had a fight with the wind. Coming back home again, a tree fell across the road right in front of me, but it was more than a block away, and I had time to stop, turn around and find another road.

this tree fell right as I was driving

Saturday, Sylvia called to ask if I could help remove some debris and downed branches from their yard. And she also needed to go to Publix, since they had no electricity and she needed a few things to eat that wouldn't need a microwave or a stove.  Because the power was out, her car was stuck in the garage.  I can do that. On the way back from her house I stopped at the Walmart to get a few items that I needed, like candles, so that next time I won't have to get out my Christmas decorations. I didn't do anything else all day except watch some tennis, but when evening came, I drove out to Tybee Island. There was an Elvis-impersonator concert scheduled at the Post Theater. It never occurred to me that this would be popular, so I didn't buy a ticket ahead of time. The concert was sold out! so I just went back home again.

Donna came back to Savannah on Sunday. I was a little late in getting to the airport, and her flight landed a little early, but we finally connected, and she back! It was so great to see her! I just dropped her at her condo so that she could get some rest, but we went out again in the evening. Connie had invited us to a rock concert at City Market, so we went there. It was good, but I have to say I like Elvis music better. We stopped at Jalapeno's for a quick bite before we went back home again. It is SO GOOD to have her back!!!

Irritating Julie playing at city Market

I've been struggling with the new laptop since Wednesday. I didn't realize how different it would be. After all, it's still windows – a newer version, but I thought it would be basically the same as the old Toshiba. But I can't install the printer. I can't find files. I can't save photos or edit them, or label them. They've hidden utilities.  It's not easy being old and technology challenged.

I CAN'T DO THIS!