4/30/2017

Weekly Update 4/30/2017

On Tuesday this week, I took a day tour to Warm Springs Georgia and Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain. It was a very long day, as I had to be at the bus pick up center at 6 am. It was about a 4 hour bus ride to Warms Springs, where we visited the Little White House, where President Franklin Roosevelt died in 1945 of a stroke. His home is there, plus a large visitor center with many of his personal items. It was really interesting. Since I had been to Plains, Georgia, on another Kelly tour shortly after I'd moved to the state, I have now been to the homes of two of my favorite presidents - FDR and Jimmy Carter (OK, honestly, Carter is not a favorite president; he was ineffective. But he is one of my favorite people). After lunch at a hotel/restaurant in downtown Warm Springs, we motored to Callaway Gardens, about 15 miles away. That was a huge disappointment. I had hoped to see flowers that would rival some of the plantations in South Carolina. Instead, we had a short time in the butterfly conservatory, and then were given a demonstration of birds of prey. (Both were interesting, but I wanted FLOWERS, and watching birds eat raw meat jut doesn't substitute). Because I was on the bus for so long, I took my iPad and charger. There was wifi on the motor coach, so I watched a lot of Netflix. Which is what I would have been doing at home anyway.

FDR's Little White House

the living room

his bedroom

 

Bullock House, where we had lunch

the not very colorful Callaway Gardens

On Wednesday, Donna, Jane and I were invited to Connie's house for lunch. It was so nice to sit in her yard in the historic district in Savannah (the house where they live was built in the 1700s) and sip sangria.  

Connnie, Jane and Donna 

At DH, there was a young lady with a great tattoo. It looked just like the silhouette of Sarah Davenport that is hanging in the morning room that I talk about four times every Friday afternoon. I thought it was pretty cool, and asked if I could take a photo.

Sometimes I just need a few days to sit inside and feel sorry for myself. I indulged a couple of days this week, but by Sunday, I was ready to get out again. The SCAD sidewalk art festival was on Saturday, and I didn't get to it then, but Sunday was a nice enough day for me to drive downtown and look at the wonderful art. It's amazing what these talented students can do with a city block of concrete and chalk! I didn't know this, but apparently April 24 is Confederate Memorial Day (how would I know? – I'm a Yankee). It was being commemorated on Sunday, with canons, rifles, bugles, widows, soldiers, politicians (lots of politicians). This was also at Forsyth Park, where I'd gone to see the sidewalk art. So I had a bonus history lesson as well as some culture.

the art was all along the sidewalks in Forsyth Park

at the Monument to the confederates in Forsyth Park

cannons firing in the park

Another talented group that I am always in awe of is the Savannah Children's Theater. I went to a performance of Flat Stanley The Musical. Great!

4/23/2017

Weekly Update 4/23/2017

Monday is the only day of the week when I even try to get any housework done. And on top of that, I needed to remove the Easter decorations from around the condo and replace it all with spring flowers. So I didn't get to the Walmart until the afternoon. I was so-o-o ready for Cadbury eggs. I have been trying to eat more sensibly this year, and a big part of that is to not overeat. I wanted TWO eggs – enough to satisfy my need, but not so many that I would feel sick. The Walmart had no individual eggs, only packs of 5. I didn't want 5 eggs, I wanted 2; so I left with none. I was depressed. I met my upstairs neighbors as I was coming back home, and told them my sad story. They were sympathetic, but since it's apparent by looking at them that they never overeat, I don't think it meant a lot to them. I went out later to attend a lecture, and when I got home, there was a Walmart bag hanging on my door with TWO Cadbury eggs! Thanks Serge and Karen! The candy is gone now. I'll have to wait until Easter 2018 for more. 

I had a service call this week for my a/c unit. It was just a check up. I was reminded by Management here at MP that for my protection, as well as for the protection of those who live around me, I need to have an inspection twice a year to prevent disasters. (Like my neighbors are worrying about MY protection! And if it's an issue, shouldn't the association do inspections so that every unit is protected? Just asking.) Anyway, I paid to have someone come tell me everything looks good. I have not yet turned the a/c on, which is very unusual. It is normally on by this time of the year, so perhaps those sun-blocking curtains I've put up are helping a little. That would be nice. The curtains are not good for my plants, however, so I rearranged things a bit so that I could have a few plants on a table next to the only sunlight I allow in. I never move things around, and my sofa and dining set haven't been moved since Room 2 Go delivered them 8 years ago. So this was a big event for me. 

I switched the recliner and the rocking chair

I met Jane and we drove to the Savannah Wildlife Refuge. It was cloudy and I feared that there would be no alligators sunning themselves as we drove through the trail to see wildlife. We saw 17! Most, however, were not lying in the sun, but were swimming in the muddy waters.  

a lazy swimmer at the Wildlife Refuge

Lectures this week: I went to hear the wonderful Stan Deaton talk about Voltaire. I wasn't really interested, but if I'm able to attend anything that Stan Deaton is speaking on, I'll go. He is grand, and always interesting. Since he is the chair of the Georgia Historical Society, he most often speaks about local history, so this was a little different. But still wonderful. On Wednesday, I went to the Green-Meldrim House because they were having a reception for the return of some of the original furniture, china, silver, family photos, etc, to the house. When Charles Green sold the house to Peter Meldrim in 1892 and moved to Paris, France, he took many of his belongings with him. They stayed in the family for generations. When the last owner died a few years ago, the St Johns Church (who uses the Green-Meldrim House as the parish hall), made a great effort to contact the heirs and then purchase the items and have them returned to Savannah. What a wonderful collection. There was also a talk about the process of having the relics returned. It took years and a lot of finesse. But all of Savannah should be glad they persevered.  

the premiere piece from Paris, a 1700s bookcase

I have not been happy at MP for quite some time. Now, it's that time of year when I want to go to the pool, and, although I don't go on the weekends, I have been several times to do my laps. I am encouraged by what is there. There are flowers in the hanging baskets, and hibiscus have been planted in the large urns near the pool It makes it look ever so much nicer. The new Board has also added large ferns in hanging baskets at the front of the entrance to the building, which makes look much more inviting. In addition, they have purchased new gym equipment, which I won't use, but I know lots of residents here who are happy about that. So, the former board mostly justified and made excuses for the way things were going, and the new Board seems to be able to make a few things happen. I can't complain about that. There's still plenty to complain about, but I like the few things that I see.

ferns in hanging baskets and flowers in the  front garden

hibiscus flowers in planters and (hard to see) begonias int he hanging baskets at the pool

Friday, after DH and The 90, I went out to the Tybee Post Theater for a live performance of Johnny Mercer songs. The band was very good, and I like that theater, so it was win-win for me. Saturday night, June had invited me to the Legion Post for a 50s and 60s dance. I put on my jeans and a big white shirt, wrapped a scarf around my pony tail and off we went. The music was great, and I even got up to dance once.

the band playing Moon River

Sunday, BC had a special tour for The Savannah Victorian Society. I was the link between the two groups, and had some unsettling moments, wondering how it would all come together. But it was fine. The advertisement in the Do Section of the local newspaper (where local events can be posted) was a little ambiguous, and suggested that the public was invited. The fact was that this was a private tour for special group. We weren't sure how many readers of the paper might show up, but it was not a lot, and mostly the tour participants were member of the Society. Rain had also been forecast, but that didn't happen. It was very hot, but we expect that this time of year.

So this was a very busy week. I hope to be able to be at the pool and read more in the coming week.  

4/16/2017

Weekly Update 4/16/2017

HAPPY EASTER!!!!

On Monday, I had a library book that was due. I often try to incorporate going to the library with another task, because there's just something about driving across the street to the library that isn't right. If I can combine that with another outing, that's ok, but just to drive over there and back seems wrong. I didn't have any errands to run, so I put my sneakers on and waddled over. Since I was out anyway, I continued on to the Y. I haven't walked that trail in a long time. I was pleased to see the turtle sunbathing in the pond again. 

I attended some very interesting lectures. At the Jepson, there was a talk about Horace Pippin, an African America primitive artist whose works reflect not only his experiences in WWI, but also slavery and the struggle for integration. At TLC, James Osbourne repeated the same wonderful slide show about BC that he had presented at the Victorian Society last week. I had two events scheduled for Thursday, but luckily, I was able to attend both. I had to leave the first one early in order to get to the second, but it was ok. The Beach Institute had a gallery opening that the City Archivist put together about the musical collections (records, cassettes, magazines, sheet music) of W W Law. Although the exhibit focused on music, there was also some panels that related Mr Law's work with the NAACP and the struggles in Savannah in the 1960s. After that, I wandered to the Massie School for a talk by two urban planners, who were asking the questions about how do we as residents want to see Savannah in 20 years. I was quite disappointed, because attention was on streetscapes, and traffic patterns, while nothing was mentioned about poverty and violence. I feel strongly that unless those issues are addressed, we can have all the pretty streets we want, but they will be empty. That's not what I wish for 20 years from now. 

the paintings of Horace Pippin

the music collection of W W Law

urban planning in Savannah

For someone like myself who is anti-organized religion, and only rarely goes to church services of any kind, I had a very different week. Sylvia and Charles invited me to attend their Passover Seder. I have been invited before, but I haven't gone in a couple of years. It was very interesting. And the food was good – well, maybe except for the gefilte fish thing. And on Sunday, Donna and I were invited to John and Dave's condo for Easter Sunday dinner. It was wonderful. And Donna and I got an unusual perspective as we chatted in the living room with our drinks, while the men fussed in the kitchen with the food. 

John, Dave & Donna at Easter dinner

4/9/2017

Weekly Update 4/9/2017

I began on Monday with Book Club. The book-to-read this month was any of the Killing... series by Bill O'Reilly. I read Killing Patton. I only liked it because I learned some new things about WWII, and it's the kind of book I wouldn't read on my own. Last month, a friend at book club had recommended The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton. This IS the kind of book I would read, and it was great.

I had suggested that someone from BC might be an interesting speaker at the Victorian Society meeting, and on Tuesday, James Osborne brought a slide show to present to the group. I think it was well received, and I certainly enjoyed it, although it's not new information to me. The same presentation will be given at TLC next week.

I had a tour scheduled at BC on Wednesday, but since dire warning of tornadoes and hail were forecast, it was canceled. I had also planned to walk with Jane, but we decided we could fit that in before the storm came through. I'd lost my drivers license last week, and knew I'd have to get a replacement soon. I'd gathered my needed 24 forms of ID and was ready, and when BC was canceled, I decided to get this chore out of the way. I couldn't believe that I was in and out of DDS in less that 30 minutes. No one smiled or was polite, but at least it wasn't an all day wait.

a picture from fb of the storm approaching Wednesday evening

Thursday was my day to go to the Mall. It seems as if I need to mentally prepare myself for about a week before I can do that. I needed to replace the lamp shade in the living room because I'd broken the one I have when I cleaned (serves me right, lesson learned). I didn't find one at the mall, but I did find some new shorts and a new top. In my constant quest to try look less frumpy, I thought I needed a few new things. So I got new cropped jeans, cargo pants and a t-shirt. Less frumpy than WHAT? On the way home, I stopped at Walmart, and found a shade. It's not exactly what I wanted, but I guess it'll do.  

old

new

Thursday evening was the last lecture in a series presented by Armstrong University. Because of the merger of the school with Georgia Southern, the series will probably not continue next year. I really enjoyed the ones I'd attended, and will be sorry if they can't find a way to keep the program. This lecture was presented by the English department, and focused on the theater in the 1930s and 40s. Because of the realities of the Depression and WWII, theatergoers were offered an experience that encouraged new perspectives. Short scenes from a few productions were performed: The Man Who Came to Dinner, a song from Oklahoma!, and The Glass Menagerie. Equally interesting was the couple we sat with. The lady lives in Rochester (she was visiting her son who is professor at Armstrong), so we chatted about the recent storm, GEVA and the RPO, the Lilac Fest, and other shared enjoyments. Small World.  

Donna, John & Dave at the lecture

The Man Who Came to Dinner

Saturday was a lovely day – sunny, but not too hot. This is also the one of the heavy tourists times in Savannah. Because it was believed that there would be a lot of people at BC for the free tour (there's 3 tours on Sundays, but only 1 scheduled for Saturdays), I was asked if I could come and give a tour if it was needed. It was. There were lots of people there. So, in addition to my regular Sunday tour, I also did one on Saturday. In the evening on Saturday Donna, Suzy and I went to performance by one of our neighbors and friends, Kat. She is very talented: she paints, sings, and writes poetry. She put all these things to together, and with some fine artists, she gave a reading of some of her poetry while some of her paintings were presented in a slide show, and some of her friends danced and sang. It was impressive. I am constantly in awe of people with talent. Yeah, I can walk around a cemetery and regurgitate history that I've learned, but people who can create knock me out.  

Art 'n Poetry in Motion

On Sunday, after my tour at BC, I went to see Beauty and the Beast. It was very good and I enjoyed it. I did not recognize Matthew Crawley as the Beast.

4/2/2017

Weekly Update 4/2/2017

I got out to eat a couple of times this week: Monday, Donna and I went to Wild Wings at City Market. It seems as if I haven't really seen her or talked to her in a long time, so it was really nice. On Wednesday, the Lunch Bunch met at The Grey. This restaurant has had amazingly positive reviews (it's mentioned this month in Southern Living magazine).

lunch bunch at The Grey

The weather has turned warm, closing in on hot, now. In an attempt to keep my energy bills as low as I can when the air conditioner is pumping it's little heart out to keep me at a comfortable 76° (last year my summer bills were five times higher than the winder invoices), I decided to try sun-blocking drapes on the windows that face that unbearable setting sun to the west every day. They're not pretty and I fear Audrey and the Dragon Lady will suffer, but I want to try to do something. 

it's dark in here, but I hope it will be less hot

After DH on Friday, I drove to Pooler (near the airport outside Savannah), to meet Kay. I left my car there, and she drove us to Washington GA for the annual Tour of Homes, about a 3 hour ride. We stayed the night in a Quality Inn (don't ask, but we were safe, and heard no gunshots in the night). Kay and I were both up early on Saturday to check out of the hotel and begin the tour. We were too early, so we went back to the thrift store we'd seen on the road into town. I found a nice lamp shade for $5. There was a doll that looked just like Broken Baby, so I asked if I could take a photo. And I sent it to Sarah. Kay got some things, too.

Broken Baby look-alike

Then we went back for the tour. A little background that we found about because we asked: the wealth shown by these large antebellum homes was all gained by the cotton industry. These “city” folk owned extensive land in the area and became very wealthy from the cotton. Washington was not destroyed by Sherman in his March across Georgia in 1864, but it's not known why. Some suggest he had a girlfriend here (but that's also been suggested as a reason that he spared Savannah, and that's not true). Today, people who live here are employed in either Athens or Augusta, each about a 40 minute commute. We checked in at tour headquarters and a driver took us to our first home. This tour was tremendously well organized – from the wrist bands (so no need to check off on a slip of paper when you've visited a site), to the volunteer drivers (which helped keep traffic congestion and off street parking to a minimum).

Haygralin was our first home, and it turned out to be our favorite. There was a lot of "family" stuff there - a doll collection and doll house, silver serving dishes, old gowns, original maps, many family photos, etc. 

Haygralin

some collections in the kitchen

Next was the Peddar Home. This is their second home (they live in Beaufort and don't get to Washington often. Really? Are they nuts?). It was lovely. I think it was one of their granddaughters that was a wonderful little docent - maybe 10 years old or something. She was knowledgeable and well spoken. Kay and I both loved the dining room, where the china did not match - reminded me of Grandmas.

the Peddar House

the dining room table

Next was the Duggan home, another favorite. The family has lived here for about 30 years and the whole family has been involved in the restoration for all that time. It was very home-y and comfortable. Mr Duggan has an extensive bottle collection with specialty made lighted display shelves.  

the Duggan home

part of Mr Duggan's collection of bottles

We then went to the Roy Smith home. Built in the 1790s, it was the oldest on the tour. Because the owner was an art professor at The College of Charleston for many years, there were lots of contemporary art pieces in the house. Kay and I agreed we preferred the family memorabilia and antiques of the other homes. There was no photography allowed inside the house, so I have no pictures of the interior.

Roy Smith's house

We went to the Mary Willis Library. This was the first free library in the state of Georgia, and was erected and endowed by donations from Mary Willis' father in her memory in 1888. Mary Willis herself, as well as architect Edmund Lind, were there to tell us about the building.

the Mary Willis library

Mary Willis standing next to her stained glass window

Our last stop before lunch was the Horton Loft. It was recently renovated from doctors offices over the Bee Southern shop that is owned by the loft's owner, and is located on the street level of the building.

 the Loft is the second story or this row of buildings

the living room

After lunch, Kay and I walked to the Robert Toombs historic home. Roberts Toombs was a successful planter and lawyer who led an influential career as a state legislator, U.S Congressman, Confederate Secretary of State, and Brigadier General in the Army of Northern Virginia. The home features original furnishings throughout which are advertised as bringing to life the history of the area from the Colonial period to the Antebellum era. However, we were disappointed that very little of the house museum was open; we were only allowed into the first level and the rose gardens. But we did get to eat some rose jelly and cookies with buttercream rose icing. 

the Robert Toombs House Museum

rose jelly on biscuits and rose favored icing on cookies

Next we went to the Washington Historical museum. We could have spent a lot more time there because the exhibits were really fascinating. Originally built in 1835, this is the oldest house museum in Washington. It contains over 200 years of artifacts, and offers a rare and comprehensive look at the lives lived, battles fought, and advancements made in Washington and the surrounding region. There are many collections, and each was wonderful, but it was getting late, and we were getting tired.. We had them call a shuttle car for us, and went to the last house of the day.

The Museum

some display in the Confederate War remembrance room

The Chantilly at Brookhill House was the last we visited. As we were driven up the driveway, we saw a red 1957 Thunderbird parked on the lawn, a beauty!  The house was ok. Maybe we were just tired, but it seemed to lack a lot if the charm that the others seemed to have. The owners don't live here, and I think the plans are to turn it into a party house for weddings, family reunions, corporate retreats. Kay and I prefer the ones that are lived in and reflect the residents lives. But that car was NICE!

the front door of the house

the 1957 Thunderbird

We took another shuttle back to Kay's car, and stopped again in the square. Kay looked at some art in one of the galleries, and I bought a book by a local author. But it was time to get on the road and back to Savannah. We got to Pooler just before 8, we gave each other hugs, I got in my car, and headed off. It was a great weekend, with a great friend. Thanks, Kay!

Back into my routine on Sunday, I attended the SCT production of The Addams Family. As always, this did not disappoint, and I was delighted.