1/29/2017

Weekly Update 1/29/2017

I attended some great talks this week. Donna and I went to the Massie School lecture by Dr Robin Williams to hear him speak about streets and sidewalks in Savannah, from Colonial times to today. We will never walk in Savannah and look down at our feet in the same way! Wednesday, as part of TLC series on notable Savannah Architects in the 19^th century, there was a tour of the Green-Meldrim House, designed by John Norris and built in the 1850s. I'd been there before, but to oh and ah about the furnishings and photos, not so much the architecture. This was wonderful. It also had the added benefit that my friend, Kathryn, was with me, and she's a docent at G-M, and was able to tell stories about some of the things that I didn't know. (We also met at The Tap House for burgers before the site visit – even more benefits!) Thursday, I went to the Armstrong House for a lecture by two professors at Armstrong State University about how history has helped define the roles of women. 

Dr Williams at Massie School

Tania Sammons at the Green-Meldrim House

the staircase inside with the come window

wine and cheese on the steps of Armstrong House

I participated in a book club discussion about The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. Not only is this a best seller that seems to have many people talking, but the author is a scheduled speaker at the book fest month. One thing that interested me during the discussion, was the wide variety of interpretations. Some read one thing into the story; others saw something entire different. Some found parallels to future events; others saw it as an antebellum tale. I thought it was an interesting read, but a brutal one in the violence, and at times difficult to read. I'm not sure if I would recommend this to other readers. 

 Friday was a Lunch Bunch day. Since it was the Chinese New Year, Connie made our reservations for the Asian River. It was really good. I haven't had Chinese food for a while, and the sesame chicken was very tasty.

lunch bunch at the Asian River

Jan and Fred arrived Saturday at noon. It was great to have them come visit. Fred had made plans with some friends to go to a brewery (it was Georgia Beer Day – very fortuitous!) so Jan and I went to Lulu's Chocolate bar and had chocolate martinis. Better than beer any day! We played games in the evening, and visited. Sunday, they had tickets for a concert at the Johnny Mercer Theater, but that wasn't until the evening. We went to the Ships of the Sea Museum, and then for a late lunch at Crystal Beer Parlor. That's where I always take visitors to Savannah, because it's my favorite. Donna had invited us over for drink in the late afternoon, and it was nice for us to have a chance to visit with her. Then we went to the concert. The group that played was the Tedeschi Trucks Band, a blues rock group that is a favorite of Fred's. My ears will never be the same!

chocolate martinis

outside the Ships of the Sea Museum

the concert - you can't see how loud it was!