5/30/2021

 

Weekly Update 5/30/2021

I started out the week with a visit to BC and the grave sites of John and Dessie. I had written a short letter to the BHS newsletter, explaining about “my soldiers” and what I had found on my search for information about them. I guess because I’d found it interesting, I assumed others who are Bonaventure-phobics might be interested as well. I don’t know if it will be included in an upcoming newsletter, but the editor responded by asking if I had any photos of myself visiting those headstones. Well, no; why would I? But I went Monday to remove the spring tulips and replace them with red, white and blue carnations. Another member of BHS was there, so I asked Stacy if she would take a couple of photos for me. It will be interesting to see if this story is ever published.

The world’s largest container ship arrived in Savannah on Wednesday. There was much about this event in the news, and I had actually toyed with the idea of getting up incredibly early to be downtown along the river at 8:30 am, but of course I didn’t do that. I can see container ships any time I want, and this will not be the last mega ship coming to port in the years ahead. I did watch a video on the news as the ship passed under the Talmadge Bridge. And I found a terrific photo online, taken at Old Fort Jackson.

On Thursday, there was an interesting lecture at The Learning Center on The Rise and Fall of Kodak. I really wanted to attend, but Thursday is the day when I meet friends in Green Square, and I’m reluctant to pass that up. Because of the pandemic, and the vulnerability of seniors, most lectures are now recorded and available online if a member opts not to attend in person. So I did that. It was interesting, with a history of Eastman Kodak, and analysis of what went wrong.  

On Sunday, I went to the Mighty 8^th Museum because they added 26,000 flags to the memorial gardens – each flag representing an 8^th Air Force Airman killed in World War II. There were so many, my little iphone camera couldn’t possibly include all of them in one shot. It was an impressive sea of small flags, and truly humbling to see how may there were.

In a somewhat related story, the book I read this week was Facing the Mountain, by Daniel James Brown. It told in brutal detail about the 442^nd Infantry Regiment, which was composed almost entirely of second-generation American soldiers of Japanese ancestry, who served as many of their family members were incarcerated in camps in the Western US.

I put away my spring flowers and set out my red, white and blue stuff this weekend. I have a wooden flag that I have hung on my door in the past, but I just couldn’t do it this year because of all the patriotism that is associated with flag waving, and I just can’t be part of that. I put a wreath of summer flowers on the door, instead. And a door mat of flip flops.

5/23/2021

 

Weekly Update 5/23/2021

I haven’t grilled out in decades! And even then, it’s been a gas grill. Charcoal is not something I do. But I was hungry for a grilled burger, so I bought some briquettes. I put notes in the other apartments in Building 18, and went to the common area by the pond on Monday evening to start a fire. A few other people showed up, and we had an impromptu picnic. And you know what? My grilled burger didn’t taste all that much different than when I fry it up in a pan. But now I know.

State road 21 is the normal route I use to get into the city. I don’t like 16 and 95 because it’s under construction, and delays are horrendous. The worst thing about 21 is that it goes past both Port Wentworth and the Port of Savannah, so there’s always a lot of big semis. It’s a four lane highway, and I usually can make pretty good time, and it takes me right to Bay Street. This week it was closed for repairs at the railroad crossing. I used another way, and got lost almost every time.

I read two books this week, and I really liked them both. Kristin Hannah’s new book, The Four Winds was about the dust bowl and moving to California in the 30s, and The Bookshop of the Broken Hearted by Robert Hilman, about an Australian farmer who has been abandoned by his wife and a Holocaust survivor who re-located to Australia after WWII. I would recommend them both.

Sunday was the baby shower for Sarah. I was the only one who attended from afar, but I was happy that I was allowed to do that. I had a rough start, but Jack persevered and I was able to see her open all the lovely things. I loved being able to chat with Robin, Rachel and Hannah. Sarah and Emily were pretty busy, and I didn’t have any time with them. Jack visited and was telling me how excited they both were about Baby Venuti. I also was able to talk to Vicki Remein for a short time.

it's hard to see the sweater I made for the baby from the photo i  took as I was zooming

Earlier in the week, Emily took some pictures of a very pregnant Sarah, and some with Jack, in Highland Park. I thought they were professional photographs, because they really are great. These kids are going to be amazing parents!

5/16/2021

 Weekly Update 5/16/2021

Name one thing EVERYBODY hates – buying swimsuits is at the top of the list. And I did it twice this week! I needed something that was a two piece, but not a bra-style top. All I have are tank suits, and it’s getting more and more difficult all the time to get them on and off, especially when they’re wet. I looked a few places, but never found the “perfect” suit – you know, one that would make me look like a twenty year old 110 pound person. I finally found something that would be OK at Burlington. I wore it to the pool the next day, but didn’t like the bottom. It was too big; it was more like a pair of shorts than a swimsuit bottom. So I went to the Walmart the next day and bought a plain black bottom. I still look like a 70+year old woman who is very overweight, but at least I found something. I went to the pool twice this week. It is a pleasure to be there, in the water.

Saturday, I went downtown for a free philharmonic concert. I always think that when this organization puts on a concert, it should be some classical symphonic music, but this was a chorus singing songs of the 20^th century – from George Gershwin to Johnny Mercer (of course) to James Taylor to ABBA to Queen. The chorus was set up on the balcony of Parker’s Company Headquarters, which is located in the historic Philbrick-Eastman House overlooking Chippewa Square, and the listeners all brought chairs and set them up under the shade trees of the square. It was a lovely day, and the music was entertaining. I saw many friends there, too. It was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

Sunday morning, I met the Green Square ladies for breakfast. Vicki, her husband, Larry, and daughter, Patsy, have recently moved to Eastman, Georgia, but were in town for the weekend. It was so great to see them. They love their new home, and had pictures of it to share.

In the afternoon, I went to a Savannah Children’s Theater performance of Into The Woods Junior. It was an abbreviated version of the Broadway musical (which I saw many many years ago with Bernadette Peters) and the entire second half was cut. As always, they did an amazing job.

5/9/2021

 

Weekly Update 5/9/2021

Happy Mother’s Day. Here’s a photo of my flowers and a four-generation picture of me, my mom, her mom, and her mom.

Tuesday, I was back at City hall again. I took a selfie in case anyone would be interested in seeing me standing in front a lot of boxes, sorting old records. It doesn’t use a lot of my brain, but I don’t mind helping out. I had planned to go shopping in the afternoon, but just didn’t feel motivated when I finished. I been to the Beltone center to have my hearing aids checked, so I was a little later this week that I plan to be when I go to City Hall. By the time I was done, it was nearly 3 pm, so I just went home.

Wednesday was DH. No excitement this week, and everyone on all my tours seemed to be healthy. I’m not complaining about that! The Juliet Gordon Low Birthplace has just completed extensive renovations, and they invited members of the museum community to an open house that evening. I was already downtown, so I went. They have moved the front door and admissions to a courtyard and opened up more of the house for tours. This is similar to what is planned for DH. I liked what they have done.

Thursday, I met Helen for breakfast. Of the Green Square group, Vicki has moved, Denise was at work, and Jane was visiting her grandson for his second birthday in NYS (She missed his first birthday last year because of the COVID). It was just the two of us, so we went out. That was very nice. There was a book club meeting at The Learning Center that afternoon. I was embarrassed because, although I didn’t read the wrong book, I read a very, very short version; it was almost like Cliff Notes. I knew enough of the story to be able to participate in the conversation, though. The book was The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. Then I went shopping. There are few things I like less than clothes shopping, but it needed to be done. I didn’t have a lot of good luck, but I did get two sundresses and a new pair of flipflops. The dresses cost $10 at Walmart; the shoes were $45 at Clark’s - I may have some priorities backwards. I didn’t have much luck with a bathing suit (and most fitting rooms are still not open, thankfully) or finding a new purse / backpack. But I was exhausted and unhappy with the shopping I did do, and the rest will have to wait for another day

You know I’m a good friend when I visit someone who is not well and have to walk the dog. Linda Meyer is having a very bad time with this round of chemo, and I went over on Saturday to visit (like I could lift anyone’s spirits! depression is my forte!) and I took her a pint of Leopold's (that would help me!). Rusty needed to be walked, so I did that. I do not like dogs! And I had to pick up Rusty’s dog shit! Couldn’t I just bring ice cream and call it a day?

Sunday, I went to Tybee with Jane and Denise. We drove around for over an hour looking for a place to park, and there was nothing. We finally decided that pizza and beer were better than sitting on the hot sand anyway, so we did that.

5/2/2021

 

Weekly Update 5/2/2021

I finally had a couple of chances to have friends visit me at my apartment. I’ve been putting it off because of the COVID, but most people I know have now been vaccinated, so we are all a little less fearful of getting – or giving – it. On Tuesday, the ladies who have been very supportive of me all through the Summer Breeze nightmare came to have a glass of wine and some cheese and crackers. Most commented on how far away from Savannah I live now, but all were impressed by my new home. On Thursday, former neighbors at Mercer Point, John and Dave, came to visit. I was glad that all these friends had a chance to visit.

Just before I went to DH on Wednesday, I was surprised by a lizard that ran across the living room floor. I had the door to the porch open, so that’s how he got in. I chased him back to the porch and slammed the door. But I was upset. I know that skinks are harmless, but I don’t want one on my porch. I had the management send someone to remove him. When I walked back inside after I returned from DH, I immediately scrutinized the porch, and didn’t see anything that would frighten me.

But, DH was another problem. I was on the bedroom level doing my last tour, when a lady felt ill. She sat down, which is usually all someone who is dizzy needs. She became unresponsive, and when her family tried to rouse her, she did not wake up. I panicked and ran down two flights of stairs to get help. Someone called 911, and the firetrucks came. The others on my tour were led to the back porch area of the house, where I finished my spiel. Because I felt that between the EMTs and the Davenport staff, everything would be handled well, I left and went home. I do not do well in emergencies!

All my entertaining out of the way, I was able to get back to the pool on Friday and Saturday. I’d forgotten how much I like being in the water! I really do enjoy it. There were some young ladies there, in tiny tiny suits (I can’t imagine that a thong is very comfortable), and then there was me – a big fat old lady in a one piece tank suit. But, I’m too old to be vain now, and I’m not going to give up what I clearly like so much.

The two Canadian geese that have been hanging around the pond are parents. I saw them with four ducklings as I walked to the pool one day. They are so cute!