6/4/2017

Weekly Update 6/4/2017

It seems as if in long ago days, Memorial Day was a time for getting the garden started or opening a pool .  Now, I am always reminded of the cost of the freedoms I enjoy.  In past years, I've gone to the Memorial Day service at BC. But when I discovered that there would be a similar commemoration at Laurel Grove South cemetery, I decided to try that one instead. Laurel Grove Cemetery was formed about the same time as BC – mid-1850s – but whereas BC was a private place for wealthy families, LG was the public space for some residents who didn't have that much money. Not that there aren't wealthy people buried at LG – Juliet Gordon Low and family, the Davenports (while not wealthy, they were surely prominent), Berriens, the Waving Girl (also, not very rich, but a historic figure in Savannah), Bartows, etc. But there are also burials there in a “strangers” plot, an area for babies, a huge Confederate soldier area (mostly removed from Gettysburg to Savannah – very poignant), and a separate black section. It was in this part of the cemetery where the ceremony was held. It was not as well attended as the ones I've been to at BC, but was wonderful.

Since I installed the sun-blocking curtains in an effort to help with my summertime cooling costs, my plants have suffered, especially Audrey. Add to that the problem of her taking over control of the entire sunroom, and not leaving my room for a chair or other plants, and I decided it was time for her to go. And Tuesday was the day that happened. It was a big chore, and not fun. I had to dismember her, and take her to the dumpster in shifts. I never was able to get the large ceramic pot out, as it's too heavy (how did I get in here?), but that is hidden away in the back bedroom, to be considered another day. It looks different in here, but I'm not sad. It's going to be fake plants for me from now on, and I can depend on them to stay in the same same size and shape as when they joined me. I still have a few real plants, like the impressive Dragon Lady, but now I don't feel as if I'm in a jungle.

I finally got to see the movie Moana. I'd heard great things about it, and wanted to see it for a long time. When it became one of the movie to be shown this summer as a part of the Tybee Post Theaters summer family series, I decided this was my chance. Besides, it was 90° that afternoon, and it was nice to be inside a cool place. After the hard work with Audrey the day before, I did turn my a/c on. I'm hoping that I'll be able to be comfortable, and also that the curtains will help keep the energy costs lower than last summer.

Since I had been invited to a nice lunch at Connie's a couple of weeks ago, I knew I would have to entertain those ladies here. Connie had been asking to come over to sit by the MP pool for a while, so this was the week. I made a pasta salad, and bought some chips and wine. Nothing special, but honestly, I don't think people expect a lot from me. We ate in my condo, and then went to the pool. I enjoyed being with them.

I was scheduled to be a BC on Saturday morning to assist visitors. It wasn't very busy, so I asked my volunteer partner if I could skip out a little early, and she kindly agreed. I went to the Historic Savannah Foundation annual block party. The DH dancers were going to be entertaining with a few dances from the Davenport era, and I wanted to see that. They were great!

I was busy Sunday. I got a phone call early that the person who was supposed to open BC couldn't make it, so I went to do that.  I also had to go back in the afternoon to hand out maps and close up.  As soon as I was done there, I went downtown.  The Savannah Victorian Society offered a walking tour of four squares (Calhoun, Lafayette, Troup and Whitfield).  The walk was led by Hugh Golson, who is one of my favorite guides in Savannah.  He has lived here all his life, was a teacher of history for many years, and knows everything.  It was a fabulous walk.  As soon as that was finished, I went to DH, where they were hosting the annual volunteer appreciation garden party.  I only stayed a few minutes, enough time to say I'd been there, and then went home.  It had been a long day.