3/28/2021

 

Update 3/28/2021

There was an interesting zoom lecture this week that was sponsored by the library. It was about genealogy. Most of the focus was on navigating ancestry.com, and since I’d already done that, it wasn’t that helpful to me. But the librarians’ emails were added at the end of the program, so I emailed to see if they thought they might have information in their records about John and Dessie that could add anything to what I’d already found. I was totally surprised when someone wrote back a few days later with more facts. She made a plausible guess that the soldiers were buried at that plot because it was owned by the Henderson family, which owned a large local funeral home up until the 1950s. If an indigent person died and had no money for a proper burial, the funeral home could provide a space. She also suggested that I might want to come into the library to do a little more research, and I think I’d like that. But one mystery seems to be solved: why they are there.

I went downtown Thursday to meet friends for lunch. It was a lovely day, and the azaleas are at their peak. I was a little early, so I had a chance to sit in Telfair Square and enjoy the flowers and do some people watching. I also went to Forsyth where the blooms were gorgeous – pink, fuchsia, white, each more lovely than the next.

I also wandered over to the History Museum. I had let my membership lapse because of COVID, and when I tried to renew online, I couldn’t get it to accept my credit card. So I went in person.

I was able to get to the pool three times this week. I took my book and sat at the edge of the pool with my feet in the water. I even got in to swim back and forth a few times. Since Summer Breeze had no pool, I haven’t been swimming in more than a year. MP wasn’t that much fun for the last couple of years, either. This was a delight. ♫ I think I’m gonna like it here! ♪

My hair was getting too long and was sticking out all over the place again. It’s been this way for a couple of weeks, but I always put off getting a haircut until I really just can’t stand it any longer. I found a picture of Jamie Lee Curtis, and took that with me. This is what I want, I told Ashlyn. Well, it’s short, almost too short, and no one is going to mistake me for Jamie Lee. But I like it.

I was going to mention that I’d had the oil changed on the car, and I’d worked hard to get the pollen cleaned up on the porch so I could enjoy sitting out there again. But how boring can this be? Each time I threaten to discontinue this blog because I’ve nothing to say, the few loyal followers I have protest. But do you really want to listen me babble on about such mundane happenings? 

3/21/2021

Update 3/21/2021

After last week’s unprecedented activity, this week I did nothing. I did finish reading two books, both of which I liked a lot.

St Patrick’s Day was more of doing nothing. I read a lot, and then put away the green décor and got out the Easter stuff. When I walked to the mailboxes in the late afternoon, I saw that some neighbors were at the grill area, chatting. I went home and got my wine and went back.  I need to try to be a little more friendly.  It's a struggle for me, but I need to at least try.  

My stimulus check arrived in my bank on Wednesday. I guess that’s ok. I’ll have to think about how to get rid of it – Salvation Army? GPB? Second Harvest? Cadbury Eggs?

Thursday was the storm that wasn’t. The forecast was for strong winds, lots of rain and possible hail, tornadoes (although not along the coast). We got a few showers, but none of the other stuff. I’m left to wonder: if the news people can’t get the weather right, what else do they report to frighten us with inaccurate reporting?

Just because we didn’t get the big storm that was predicted, doesn’t mean the weather is pleasant. The yellow pine dust on everything is very bad. I spend a lot of time each day blowing my nose and scratching my eyes. My porch is not a haven, but a place to avoid. And, I don’t know how I’m going to get the furniture there clean again. That will be for another day, however.  At least this is easy - go through the car wash. 

A friend of mine recently had surgery, and her daughter and grandchildren were flying to Savannah to visit. Since I live near the airport, I offered to pick them up and drive them to her house. So, I got up early Thursday to do that. The thing was, they weren’t to travel until Friday. I did not spend 24 hours the airport waiting, but I did have to go back the next day. Alzheimers, here I come. I’m scheduled to take them pack tomorrow morning. I hope I get it right this time.

I colored eggs Sunday. What a mess! Why do I think I want to do this?

3/14/2021

 

Update 3/14/2021

I’m back! I did my first tours at DH on Tuesday, and they went well. I admit I was nervous, but overall, I think I was ok. I lost my focus a couple of times, but any questions that were asked, I was able to answer with authority, so I’ve not forgotten the information – I’ve forgotten to include some it in my narrative. It felt good to be doing something again. The fountains in Savannah, including the one in Columbia Square, were turned green again.  Not every St Patrick's Day tradition has been lost to COVID. Also, Luciana, the City of Savannah archivist, contacted me about returning. Although City Hall isn’t open to the public yet, it will be fine if I can come in occasionally to document transcription, or anything else they need. Because it’s been such a long time since I was last there, undoubtedly, my access has expired, and I may just be clipping, copying or sorting for a while. But I’m going back in April, and that will be great, too.

After meeting Jane and Helen in Green Square on Thursday, I didn’t feel much like walking. I did have to get back to my car, parked where it’s free. And as I ambled down Oglethorpe Avenue and past Colonial Park Cemetery, I noticed that some of the azaleas were blooming to beat the band! I kept going to Forsyth Park, and was disappointed that those azaleas haven’t come out yet. Maybe next week. Nothing picks up spirits like lovely spring flowers.

Friday night, I went to Starland Yard, a food truck venue that was hosting jazz music provided by the Philharmonic. (Interestingly, AP also had a food truck come that afternoon – more chances for me to indulge!) I met a few of the ladies from the Wednesday evening gatherings there and we had a nice time, visiting, listening to incredible music (think Ella, the vocalist was very much like her), and having food and drink.

Friday was also Allen’s 50^th birthday. Holy Shit, I’m old! He told me he’d received many cards and was pleased to be remembered.

On Saturday, I zoomed with the Friends of Mt Hope Cemetery for a lecture on Emily Sibley Watson. (caution: editorials ahead). Many very innovative men earned great wealth through invention, intelligence and hard work. But the family members were left to be the philanthropists. I’m always struck about how revered those family members are, Rockefellers, Fords, Sibleys, for donating and supporting such worthy causes. But overall, I don’t believe it wasn’t anything they couldn’t do, or sacrificed much to do. I haven’t heard of any of the families giving up large amounts of stocks, or huge estates, or traveling anywhere they wanted at any time, in order to endow hospitals or open schools. Probably, it would be like me giving up half of my stimulus check to assist others – not anything I can’t really afford and nothing that will affect my overall standard of living. Also, Emily Watson lost a young sister to typhus, and she lost a daughter to diphtheria. Pandemics aren't new, and people have always lost loved ones to disease, just like today. But unlike today, I don’t think the generations of people who came before thought death was something they and their loved ones could avoid; it was very much a part of life.

I’ve been reading furiously. Whenever I see an interesting book on a book review website, I add it to my list of library reserve books. Four books have been available in the past ten days, and the loan period of new releases is only two weeks. Three of the books are novels involving WWII, and one is set in WWI. This is why I need to be in a book club. Left to my own choices, historical novels is what I want to read. The Pooler Library book club, however, sent out the invitation for next Tuesday’s meeting on Thursday! I wrote back that it would be impossible for me to find a copy and read it in time to participate in a discussion. I was assured that I’d bet more lead time next month, but we’ll see. I should just be happy to read books I’m interested in, I guess.

Because Sunday was National Pi Day, I made a pie. I always am unhappy to be in the kitchen, but this took minimal effort, and actually tasted quite good. It’s also something I’d thought of to make for St Patrick’s Day. Traditionally, the Irish would eat shepherds’ pie, but since I don't like lamb, I made cottage pie. I may still get a corned beef sandwich on Wednesday, too.

General Oglethorpe died this week. I have met him at many festivals and events during my time in Savannah. He was a delight. He was especially good with children during parade in February for Georgia Days. Almost always, he would be in the 1700s, never breaking that plane, but I have talked to him when he was willing to chat about what we can learn from history in the 21^st century. RIP Scott.

3/7/2021

 

Update 3/7/2021

The weather changed from day to day this week. It was rainy and cold for a day, just plain miserable and cloudy another day, and then turned warm and sunny. I walked when I could, and just sat the other times.

Two library books became available and I was notified to pick them up from the “reserved” shelf. I also received another alert that I’ve got another waiting, but I won’t pick that one up until next week. The loan period here is only two weeks for new books, so I’m going to have to read furiously to get them finished. That’s not a bad thing, as it may keep me off the news apps and the reruns tv programs (I’ve been binging on Quantum Leap).

I went to Tea with Mrs. Davenport on Wednesday. It was supposed to be in the garden, but because the weather did not cooperate, it was held inside. This was the dress rehearsal, so I was included and didn’t have to pay. It was the same program as I’ve been to in past years, but I enjoyed it. It seemed very strange to have Mrs. D wearing a face shield.

I missed Green Square this week because I’d planned to meet Kay for lunch. We had a nice breakfast (at noon) and it’s always great to see Kay. I got to the restaurant very early, parked the car, and walked around the neighborhood a bit. I walked down one street that had huge, new mansions. Not everyone in Pooler is as poor as I am! I noticed that every mailbox had a small American flag to to it. I’m guessing this is something the HOA financed and supported. I also guess that this neighborhood is full or Republicans – not eager to see their taxes increase. Kay and I also went out on Saturday to BC. We had some spring flowers to replace the poinsettias we’d placed there last December. After we did that, we went to the Crystal Beer Parlor for an early supper. Man, that was good! We hadn’t been there in more than a year, and it was every bit as good as it always has been.

During the rainy, yucky days, I did a little more research on My Soldiers. There is not a lot of info about them. I can find census data from when they were children, but that seems to lead to more dead ends, as I can't find much on siblings or parents. Interestingly, Dessie’s father is buried at Laurel Grove North here in Savannah, and John’s father is at Bonaventure. Both those are single gravesites, so I don’t know where wives or other children are buried. The more I find out, the more mysteries there are. My trial membership at ancestry.com ends this week, so I will have to be content with the little I found. At least I was able to find a little more about them.

Sunday, I was back at BC. A text had been sent out on Saturday requesting volunteers to help on the week end to pass out the maps and brochures. I answered the call. After all, what was I planning to do Sunday, anyway? sit home and eat more? We are no longer allowed to be inside the building, but the weather was nice enough that we could set up on the porch. The temperature was in the high 50s, the sun was shining, so it was fine. Another time, however, if there’s a lot of wind, the papers will be blowing all though the cemetery, or if it’s rains, we would probably get drenched. I am not on a schedule to do this, but I will fill in when needed.

NO, I did not watch Meghan and Harry. I couldn’t care less.