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