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.