7/29/2018

Weekly Update 7/29/2018

Excitement last Friday when a tornado touched down across the highway from me. I was oblivious. Just before 4 pm, it got really dark, which is not unusual with the late afternoon thunderstorms we often get. So I didn’t pay any attention. Generally, Friday afternoon is when I’m giving tours at DH, but I wasn’t needed this week. I had a text message from my neighbor Mike, who was in Hilton Head. He had heard that there was no power on Whitemarsh Island and wanted to know what was going on. Well, I was watching tv and my lights were on because of the darkness, so I said I didn’t know what had happened, but my power was ok. Then I went out because, even though I wasn’t at DH, I still wanted to go to The 90. I couldn’t believe the damage! There was debris in the road, trees were knocked down, the signal lights were out on Route 80, and the roof of the elementary school across the highway was peeled back!  I took a few photos, and then watched the news. It was verified as a tornado, but the weakest kind. School is supposed to start this week, but I don’t know if they’ll be ready. The other school buildings, and athletic fields on the campus were also damaged. The Wildlife Center on the other side of 80 is closed because of tree damage (but no alligators or armadillos escaped). The neighborhood between me and the Center also had a lot of damage. And I never even lost electricity!  

an uprooted tree and damaged flag pole

the roof ripped off at Marsh Point Elementary School

My other activities of the week were not nearly as exciting!

Monday, a group from the Lunch Bunch went to a Savannah Bananas game. I left after 7 innings, missing a grand slam by the other team, and a come-from-behind, extra innings win by the Bananas. I guess that as far a baseball games go, that was exciting, but I’m not sorry I left early.  

Let's go Bananas

my friends at the game

I had an eye doctor appointment on Tuesday. I really do not like going to the doctor, and avoid it unless I’m at death’s door. But I’m truly afraid of going blind. What if I couldn’t watch tv, or read my books? My vision hasn’t changed, and I don’t have glaucoma or cataracts. It’s nice to get that report.

The Bonaventure Historical Society had it’s annual Volunteer appreciation luncheon on Wednesday. It was at an Italian Restaurant, but I tried to be good and order salad (and tiramisu – not so good). Then I went to Walmart. Since I no longer have to put quarters in the meters to park downtown, I decided to clean out the big stash I had in my car. I didn’t realize it was that big! I had 158 quarters, 148 dimes, 96 nickels, and 159 pennies. Even after deducting for the sorting fee, I had $54! That’s a lot of parking!

Thursday, since I was on a roll with eating out, I accepted an invitation to join Mike and his daughter Moira at Jalapeno's for dinner. Moira is visiting from her home in Massachusetts before she goes back to college. I’ve met her several times through the years, and it was nice they included me. And not only that, Jane was to come over Saturday night, and I ordered Wylie’s barbeque (I wasn’t going to cook!). We had another huge rainstorm, and she decided not to drive over. I had two dinners to eat. I was up to the challenge.

I saw this mug when I was in KC. I didn’t get it, but I’m considering ordering it online.  It is so-o-o me!

7/22/2018

Weekly Update 7/22/2018

I’m back from the mini-reunion in KC. I left Savannah last Saturday and returned Thursday evening. The weather was a little rainy at times, but not bad. I successfully drove in a strange car, on strange roads, in a strange city without incident, and that’s quite amazing. But the best part was seeing everyone again.

Ishy flew out from Rochester to join us, so all the LWS (Lovely Wahl Siblings) were together. Dave’s family is becoming more far-flung. Their oldest, Chris, is a bachelor who lives in Tampa, FL, but he flew to KC just so he could see us. Middle daughter, Kathy, is in the process of moving to Minnesota with her husband and three sons but we got to see them all. The baby, Diane, and her husband and young son still live not far from Grammy and Grampy near KC, so it was easy to meet up with them. We had a chance get to know each other all over again, and to see how all the boys have grown.

Chris

Logan, Luke, Ethan, Kathy & Matt

Brian, Rowan & Diane

We did a little sight-seeing while we were there. I had wanted to visit the WWI museum, and the last time I visited, it was closed. So, that was what I really wanted to see. It was really interesting. We also went to a preserve that has elk, deer and buffalo. Visitors are allowed to feed the animals carrots and apples, and Rowan really enjoyed that. I was not happy to get too close, but I did get a nice photo near a huge mascot.

The WWI museum, Chris & Luke went to the top of the tower

lots to see inside

Go Buffalo!

We ate A LOT! Kerry stocked up on all kinds of goodies, and the girls never came over empty handed. There was always fresh coffee and something tasty to eat. We also ate out a couple of times a local restaurants. One was Jack Stacks, famous for KC barbeque and another evening we went to Stroud’s for pan-fried chicken.

barbeque

chicken

Because Ishy and Kerry’s birthdays are both on July 17, and Dave’s is on July 9, we had a small cake and ice cream event. I had packed three small gifts in honor to the occasions.

oh, man, this was great!

the birthday kids

looking through the gift box

One of the highlights of the trip for me was that I went shopping at Christopher Banks. The store that used to be in Savannah closed last year. Since I had good luck there finding clothes that fit, I was sorry that it was no longer handy. When I found that there was one near where Dave and Kerry live, I asked if we could go there. We did – not once, but twice! I won’t have to shop again for years! And I think Kerry has found a new favorite store.

5 blouses, 1 pair of shorts, 3 pants - I should be set for a while

The flights to KC were ok; coming home was something different. In fact, going out had a some problems. When I checked in online the night before the flight, I couldn’t get a boarding pass for the ATL to MCI leg of the trip. Not to worry, I was told on the phone that night – I could get them at the airport when I checked my bags. OK. But actually, not when I checked the bags, but I was told there that I would have to get it at the gate. And when there, I was told they weren’t ready yet and I would have to wait. Now remember, I need to be at the airport 2 hours before flight time so they won’t be held up by me, but I can’t get a boarding pass or seat assignment until they darn well feel like it, within an hour of take off. For Ishy, it was the same thing when she flew home. Forget about requesting an aisle of window seat – take what they give you and like it. The flights going west we ok, with monitors to ease boredom with games, tv shows, movies and flight info. Going east, I think I was on a plane that was one of the first made by Orvillle and Wilbur – no monitors, peeling paint and rusted bolts of the wings, just old and awful. Isn’t this the 21^st century? Who doesn’t have a USB outlet? Delta, that’s who. I won’t be flying with them again. Flying is stressful for me anyway. I object to being treated as a criminal, and rather than being presumed innocent, I have to prove that I’m not guilty, by having everything I own and wear x-rayed and pawed through. I hate flying!

On the plus side, the pool issues may have been resolved while I was gone. I received an email that stated that while they cannot tell me I can swim alone, they can tell me that it is at my own risk and they would not be responsible if any medical emergency occurs and I’m not able to get attention immediately. I knew that. And then, since I wasn’t seen at the pool for a week (I guess I didn’t understand that I need to report on where I was and with whom and for how long), I received a phone call to check if I had understood what the email message about the risks had said. Well, yeah. On the one hand, OK, its over – I get it. But it was rather nice to have them follow up. That’s never happened before. I was back doing my laps on Saturday morning. And I’ll keep at it.

I’m now back to my normal: DH, The 90, and BC. In addition, Kay and I went to see Mama Mia Here We Go Again on Saturday. I enjoyed it. And I also enjoy being home again. 

7/13/2018

Weekly Update 7/13/2018

I know I wasn’t going to update until I returned from KC, but I did more this week than I’ve done all together total since mid-June. So I’ll update with a few photos now.

Jane and I went to Congregation Mickve on Wednesday. Jane had never toured it, and was interested; I’ve been there before, and I’m still interested. Not only that, but Wednesday was the 285^th anniversary of Jews in Savannah, as it was on this date in 1733 when a boatload were welcomed at the port of Savannah. There’s a lot of history here, and the temple has a museum of artifacts that were brought over on that ship, including two scrolls that date to the 1400s.

Wednesday was also the date of the semi final game in the World Cup. England was still in it, and I was excited to watch them play Croatia. I thought about going to a pub to get some bangers and mash or fish and chips to go, and take them home to enjoy while watching the game. But I settled for Guinness beer and a homemade jacket potato from the Publix. And I didn’t enjoy it much, as England lost in double overtime.  

Thursday, I met a few ladies from lunch bunch for a birthday celebration for Connie. We went to the Vault, which was a wonderful choice. I’m not going to be able to attend the next “regular meeting” because I’ll be away, so I was included in this nice gathering. It was great.  

Friday, I was enjoying a drink with Kay at The 90, and suddenly, the lights went out! They lit candles on the bar, which was rather unnecessary as everyone had flashlights on the phones. But it added to the romantic atmosphere.

7/8/2018

Weekly Update 7/8/2018

Another boring week. I seem to do less all the time.

I did get out to dinner one evening with Barbara. We went downtown to the Tap House on Tuesday for the half price salads that we like so much. I hadn’t been there in a while, so that was nice.

On Wednesday, the Fourth of July, I went downtown for the DAR program at Colonial Park Cemetery that I’ve always enjoyed. This year, however, there was nothing to see. It was overcast, and rain was forecast, so it was canceled. I didn’t know that, so it was a wasted trip for me. I thought about going to one of the forts that were having special holiday events, but just didn’t. There was a small gathering at the pool in the evening, and I did that. My dish-to-share was a bag of Ruffles.

On Friday, just as I got to DH, my phone died. I could only see that I had a message when I plugged it into the port in the car, but it wouldn't work by itself. This phone is 4 years old, and I’ve been experiencing problems with the notification alerts lately. I thought I knew what the sales reps would say when I went to Verizon (they’re not called SALES reps for nothing!). So, I’m now the proud owner of a new iPhone. It has a little more memory, and a better camera, so I hope that will serve me well for my trip to KC next week. It’s another iPhone 8, so it’s not really a new toy, as it’s exactly what I had before. That’s what I like – nothing new to learn, no frustrations in the but-I-always-did-it-this-way-before category. All my contacts, apps, notes, emails, calendar entries, etc, were all transferred. The Verizon person got my car to link to the phone but wasn’t able to link my hearing aids through Bluetooth. Now – this is the amazing part to this story: I did that myself! I sat down and figured it out, and now I can adjust my aids on my phone again. It’s all good. My iPad is also ailing, but that will be a problem to face another day.

Imagine how delighted I was when I saw a red VW ‘vert parked at MP! It’s not by my building, but I guess someone else who lives here likes the car too. It’s so much like my old car - the windows don’t close completely and the mirror is broken. And then, when I was at Verizon for the new phone, a 1971 VW was in the parking lot at the Walmart with a for sale sign on it! Tempting. I drive an old lady Hyundai, but I’m always gonna love these cars!

I’ll be in Kansas City next week, so this blog will not have the usual Sunday evening update. Wait for two weeks, and I promise I will at least have a few new stories to tell instead of my usual boring summer tales.

7/1/2018

Weekly Update 7/1/2018

Another pretty boring week.

A couple of lectures and talks at TLC. I missed the Book Club because I thought it was at 2, but it started at 1, and I was an hour late. Remember that Alzheimer’s thing from last week’s update? Well, the time is coming!

The most wonderful thing I did this week was to attend Adam and Erin’s wedding. The ceremony was at Ascension Lutheran Church on Wright Square. It was a lovely place to have a wedding. The reception was at the Morris Center, which was a very nice place for the party, too. Day, Adams mom, looked wonderful! Me? not so much, but I tried, and wore a dress and shoes, not flip flops.

Mr & Mrs Adam Caracci

Adam dancing with his mom

me & Kay