3/26/2017

Weekly Update 3/26/2017

After a wonderful 10 days, Dave and Lisa left on Monday morning. I miss them terribly but was able to get my mind occupied by doing stunning amounts of laundry and eating, and watching all the episodes of Jeopardy that I had recorded.

more attempts at selfies

back in Porthcrawl, Wales, they sent me this picture

Since I had promised them both that I would seriously make plans to visit them in the UK later this year, I started to investigate. I emailed to Ishy, and she is interested in going with Allen and me in September. And she took it from there. I originally had hoped to take a Queen Mary II transatlantic cruise, but for many reasons, that just didn't work out. Ishy got on line and found flights from JFK to London for $500, and booked them. She and Allen were all set. I had trouble finding the same flights that evening, but the next day, I made m own reservations, and I'll be flying with them (I was even able to reserve a seat next to them), but I'll be returning a few days later than they will, so I still have to figure out how to get from Savannah to JFK and back. That is a task for another day. Dave will be looking into some things that he thinks we all might like to do while in UK, and will prepare to be our guide. This is a long ways off, but exciting.

Because I had taken a class at TLC about architects in Savannah in the 19^th Century, one of the speakers arranged for a tour of The Cotton Exchange for the group. I had never been in that imposing building on Bay Street, overlooking the river, although I had walked past it and seen it hundreds of times. I didn't even know it was open to the public! So I jumped at the chance to visit. Originally built in 1872, when export revenue from cotton was $40 million and Georgia was the leading cotton producer in the country, and Savannah was one of the major cotton seaports on the Atlantic, the building became obsolete when the boll weevil destroyed the cotton industry. It is now owned by the Masons and is the site of the Lodge meetings.

the Cotton Exchange on Bay St

a stained glass window (not Tiffany) with the word COTTON in the design

a memeber of the Masonic Lodge was our guide

DH was very busy on Friday, probably because there are a lot of people in town for the Tour of Homes. After that, I met Kay at The 90. And then I went to a benefit for Brandon Kaufman at the SCT. He is the music director who was in a very serious automobile accident last fall. His arm was severely injured, and at first it wasn't known if he would be able to have use of it again – something that a piano accompanist really needs. But for the last song, he played for the singer! Is was great. I was pleased to see him doing so well, and look forward to the time when he can fully get back to his duties at the SCT. 

the first time Brandon Kufman has played the piano in Public since his accident

I feel as if I spent the entire weekend at BC. Saturday was the annual Tour of Homes in Savannah. People come from everywhere for this tour! BC hosts a tour which includes a trolley ride to the cemetery, a walking tour, and a few actors tell stories of some of the “residents”. I had to be downtown at 9 am to board a trolley, and talk about some background information as we drove to the cemetery. Then, I gave my usual Second Sunday tour for a group of about 25 visitors. Then I rode back on the trolley to get my car. I really like to do this, but I really wanna be Little Gracie. No matter how many time they tell me there's no way I could fool people into believing I was a 6-year-old, I still want to try it. Maybe next year. I was back at BC on Sunday to open and close. The weather is finally getting better, and there were a lot of people visiting the historic cemetery, and lots of money to count. 

George Baldwin at the Baldwin plot

Marie Louise Scudder Myrick at the Myrick mausoleum 

Saturday afternoon, after I napped for a while since I'd had to be up so early, I went to the Bull Street library to see a documentary about Flannery O'Connor. She is a very famous writer who was born in Savannah (but not buried in BC). I have read some of her stories, and tried valiantly to read others, but I can't find the meaning. Perhaps I'm not smart enough, or perhaps I'm too trusting and take everything written at the face value: if someone tells graphically me about a murder, I see blood and chaos, I don't see a hidden struggle between good and evil. But, it was interesting to see the film, and there were many people there who knew her, which added to the story.  

Flannery O'Connor

3/19/2017

Weekly Update 3/19/2017

A couple of weeks ago, I had enjoyed driving through the Savannah Wildlife Refuge. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, that I suggested that Dave, Lisa and I drive through it. Well, there's a world of difference between doing that on a nice, sunny day, and doing it in the rain when even the alligators don't want to show up. So, it wasn't nearly as amazing, and although we did spot a few birds, there was not much to see. We then went downtown to the Jepson to see some of the rotating exhibits. One was by artist Nick Cave. He is well-known for his soundsuits, which are made of collected, found and re-purposed materials , such as yarn, children's toys, human hair, baskets, sequins and buttons. The clothing creates sound when worn by actors, but except for some videos, the ones we saw were stationary. So while they were visually intriguing, we may have missed much of what Nick Cave intended. Following that, we met friends at an interesting bar called Cat Alley. It was great bar, but the only food was a platter of pates, breads, sausages, etc. So after a drink or two there, we went out for burgers at another place downtown. It was nice to be with friends. 

walking in the rain at the wildlife refuge

a Nick Cave soundsuit

out for burgers

Tuesday, Lisa got up early to walk with Donna; Dave and I don't get up early, so we missed that. In the afternoon, we went to City Market so they could search for and purchase a print in one of the many art galleries there. Donna came over in the evening and we did “craft night”. Dave occasionally used to challenge us all to create a craft for a holiday, so I thought it might be fun to make leprechauns. We didn't award prizes, but I think they all were deserving of a gold ribbon.  

the leprechaun craft project

On Wednesday, Lisa met a friend for lunch. I thought Dave and I could sit around an play games on our ipads, or we could go to the Mighty 8^th Museum. I like that museum, and I don't think Dave was sure about it, but liked it well enough once he saw some of the exhibits. We met Lisa, Donna and Kay at the Tap House for burgers in the early evening.

Dave at the exhibits in the Mighty 8th Museum

at the Tap House (is that redundant?)

Lisa and Kay went walking again at Forsyth Park on Thursday. But this time, instead of leaving me and Dave behind, Lisa dropped us at the Gallery Cafe coffee shop, which is one of our favorites. We had some coffee, and tried to wake up until they met us there for pastries and more coffee. We ran errands in the afternoon: looking for a craft beer to take back to their friend in UK (unsuccessful), and to Michaels for paint supplies (success). I was tired, so I took a nap in the afternoon. The ceremony to honor William Jasper, Revolutionary War hero who was Irish, was held in Madison Square, so we sent downtown to see that. Then to the Rail for Guinness and to listen to Irish music. This, however, was NOT Harry O'Donoghue; it was a punk Irish band. Some of the songs were the same ones that Harry sang, but they sure sounded different. As we walked back to the car, the line at Leopolds wasn't long, so we had a opportunity to get some Guinness ice cream.  

the ceremony at the William Jasper Monument in Madison Square

In For A Penny at The Rail

Friday I was up way too early – 6:30 – (and we had to defrost the windshield, what's up with that?) so that we could get downtown to find a place to park and go to the breakfast at the Rail. If you bought a drink, and the Irish Coffee was what I went for, breakfast was free. It was scrambled eggs, sausages, hash brown potatoes, green grits, biscuits and gravy, corned beef hash, fresh fruit, mini-donuts and mini bagels. Although it was really really early, I was able to get some of the food down. Then we had a couple of hours to wait for the parade. We found some good places not far from where we'd parked, and right next to the road. But then families came, and the kids complained that they couldn't see because we were in front of them, and they had kazoos (which drove me nuts), and two had dogs with them (which drove me more nuts than the kids), and some adults near us were idiots, and the drinking was out of control already, so I moved my chair and sat where I couldn't see anything, but I felt better. The parade was ok, as far as parades go, I guess, but the rednecks we were sitting by, combined with their undisciplined kids, made it not that much fun. And you can only see so many bagpipe marching bands, military soldiers marching, and Shriners in little cars, when they all start to look alike. At least the Budweiser Clydesdales were unique, and The 90 had an antique car that was cool. We didn't stay to the end. That evening, we drove out to Pooler to have dinner with Kay at an Indian Restaurant. I haven't had that cuisine in a while, and I'd forgotten how good it can be.  

waiting for the parade to start

one of many, many bagpipe marching bands

the Budweiser horses

the 17 Hundred 90"float"

I was scheduled for most of Saturday to be at BC. Dave and Lisa had a few hours to do what they wanted without having me tag along, which was nice for them. We had all been invited to Donna's for dinner, and she made a lovely low country boil. Unfortunately, I had some reaction or something, and I was sneezing, my eyes were itchy, and I had to leave early. But otherwise, it was great to be in such a relaxing place with such good friends.

eating at Donna's

Sunday, Lisa again met with friends for breakfast. Dave and I watched Tottenham beat Southampton in some soccer match. Dave was happy; I didn't know what was going on. Then we went to the Railroad Museum. Dave has an extensive N gauge model railroad, so I hoped it might be nice for us to visit the museum here to see the models. The models were pretty lame, and even the huge antique engines and cars were not too exciting, but it was a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. In the evening, we met Connie, Jim, and Donna at Rocks on the Roof, a favorite bar, for drinks and talk. It was really nice.

Dave at the N gauge model room at the Railroad Museum

Savannah, but sadly, no model trains are visible in this picture

at Rocks on the Roof

That was pretty much what we did all week – eat here, go for drinks there. My kind of entertaining. Luckily, Dave and Lisa are very good friends who understood before they even got to my condo that cooking wasn't something I was going to do. While I can toss some cheeses and crackers on a plate with the best of them, having a real meal was something we needed to go out for. And they were very understanding and kind. These “best-ies” leave tomorrow. It will be very lonely for me, and I will miss them. But who knows? Perhaps I'll get to Wales someday.  

3/12/2017

Weekly Update 3/12/2017

There was much going on this week. Beginning with Monday. I had book club, and the book of the month was The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve. Although it was written less than 20 years ago, it seemed quite dated. Terrorism has changed, and pilot error has changed. The discussion was good, and I enjoyed it. After that, because I had promised Kathie Arnold after book club many months ago that I would have a get-together to introduce her and her husband to some people here at MP, I had a small gathering at my condo in the evening. It was nothing special, and I forgot to take any photos, but I think it was a success.

Tuesday, I met Jane at Forsyth Park for a walk and to enjoy a mocha-chino with her at the Sentient Bean. The azaleas are at peak, and the park was a riot of color. It was gorgeous! And I enjoy being with Jane very much, so it was nice start to the day. In the evening, there was a talk at the Savannah Chapter of the Victorian Society about Savannahians in Newport, RI. That was good, and we often think of Newport as being the playground of the Astors and the Vanderbilts, but there were some people from the south (most noticeably Mary Telfair) who also went there.  

And on Thursday, my long-awaited guests, Dave and Lisa, arrived! I was so excited! They said they would try to be here a 2 pm, and at 1:59, my buzzer sounded and they were at the gate! It was so wonderful to see them both. We visited for the afternoon, then went to The Rail Pub for a pint of Guinness (an old Thursday evening tradition) followed by a quick bite (and margarita) at Tequilla Town with Kay and Donna.

Friday, I went to DH to do my usual tours while Dave and Lisa had an apportionment elsewhere. But then we all went to The 90, another tradition, and met friends there, particularly Martha and Brit, our favorite Savannah bartenders.

Saturday, Dave, Lisa and I went downtown to the Tara Feis festival, which is held during all the St Patrick's Day hoopla. It is a festival of dancers, singers, children's activities (Dave forbid me from making a craft), and food. We enjoyed the Irish dancers (we've been so often that we recognize some of the dancers from year to year, and they are all so good), Harry O'Donoghue, and other Irish folk singers. The day was perfect – not too hot, but sunny - and it was so nice to sit in Emmet Park and listen to music or watch dancers. Then we wandered down to River Street where we got nice drinks at Wet Willies and people watched for a time. After that, we met Kay at Churchill's for supper. What a great day!  

me, Lisa and Dave at the Tara Feis

Irish Dancers

if only all the dogs at the festival were made of wood like this sheep is!

Lisa, Kay and me at Churchill's (Dave is the photographer)

Sunday, I did my tour at BC and Dave and Lisa came along. They are very kind, because it was cold day, and they have been on my tour before, but they supported me again. And Lisa even said that each time she listens to my tour, she learns something new. How cool is that? Then we came back to the condo where, for probably the only time while they're visiting, I made supper. Kay was with us too, because we were all headed out to the Tybee Post Theater for a concert by Harry O'Donoghue. We had heard him play and sing on Saturday, too, but that was a family event, and the jokes on Sunday had a different theme – very funny and entertaining.  

a very poor photo, but Harry O'D at The Tybee Post

Happy Birthday, Allen!!!

3/5/2017

Weekly Update 3/5/2017

Getting back to normal with assorted lectures this week. In fact, on Monday, I attended two: one about the history of the Central of Georgia Railroad that was very interesting, and a learning Center talk by Dr Christopher Hendriks. As always, great! On Tuesday, I went to a bourbon tasting to benefit the Senior Center. Since I don't really do bourbon, I was the designated driver for a few of us from MP. Wednesday, I went to a talk by Jamie Credle about her trip to UK last summer. It wasn't what I expected! I thought it was a monthly offering from the CMA (Coastal Museum Assoc), but when I walked in, I found myself in a business meeting (and luncheon), with past meeting minutes approval, budget statements, and participating groups talking about upcoming events at their museums. Well, there I am! A Deer in the Headlights. When it was my turn to introduce myself, I stood and said I was representing BHS (which is true, because I'm a member of the Board there) and also I volunteer at DH (also true) but that I had no idea what I was doing there; I'd just wanted to hear Jamie's travelogue, which was following the meeting. Good work! The slide presentation was great, and it made me believe that I might still have a trip to UK in me.

W W Gordon and The Central of Georgia Railroad

gorgeous blooms outside Temple Mickve, where the CMA meeting was

Saturday night, I was supposed to go to a performance of Mark Twain Tonight at the Tybee Post Theater. I had just started to drive when I had a phone call (which I could answer in the car! Without taking my hands off the wheel to pick up my phone! How cool is that!) that it was going to have to cancel, as the actor had taken suddenly ill. So I just went back home. I hope he's ok. I didn't see anything on the news, so I imagine it was nothing major. I was disappointed.

Now I'm trying to get my mind ready to do some housework. Dave and Lisa are coming on Thursday, and I don't want them to think I never clean. That may be the truth, but I would like to keep it my own nasty little secret.