8/29/2021

 

Weekly Update 8/29/2021

I did a couple of adjustments in the apartment recently. When I get depressed, I spend money. Works like a charm to pull me out of it.

The cushions that I had on the chairs on my porch were not “outdoor” cushions, and they were looking pretty stained with the rain that comes in when the wind is blowing. So, I thought I needed ones. I’m pretty fussy, of course, and wanted something very neutral, a basic color, nothing to showy. The rug that is supposed to be out on the porch is now in the guest bedroom, where it will remain until after the hurricane season. It’s quite possible that I’ll have to buy a new “outdoor” carpet, too but I won’t think about that today. The new cushions are very comfortable, and I can’t wait for Kay to come over and sit out there with me, enjoying some wine.

I also wanted to add some shelving. With Adrian, I want to display more family photos, and there’s no place to put them. I moved a print from the wall over my computer work area to the bedroom, and hung two shelves there in my office. I don’t think they’re as sturdy as they should be, so I’ll have to be careful not to place anything too heavy on them. But a few framed photos should be fine. I asked Robin to send me a new picture of the Rachel and Hannah, and she sent a very nice one. In addition to the ones of Sarah, Jack and Adrian, I’ve got one of Emily and Aaron, and an oldie of me and Allen. It makes the apartment a little more personal.

I was at DH three times again this week: my regular tours on Wednesday, additional tours on Friday (many docents are AWOL because of exposure to COVID or they have not returned from summering in the North yet), and the final lecture on Alexander Hamilton. I am committed to the wonderful people at DH, and I want take a very small part in making it thrive and attract visitors to learn the great stories of the Historic Savannah Foundation, the Davenport Family, and this wonderful house. So I keep showing up. They will not get rid of me easily. One thing that was weird this week: I wore a black dress on Friday (no waistband, easy to launder, I love this dress) and I paired it with a necklace that has a blue pendant. I didn’t realize it until I looked down at my feet, but the pendant matched my blue toenails perfectly! Am I a put-together fashionista or what? And another rather strange happening: a younger couple did not put masks on, and I had to remind them. They did not have them, so they needed to go to the desk and get some. They rejoined the group, but I was very uncomfortable being the police. I apologized after the tour, and they said it was ok, that they had just forgotten. But no one hates wearing a face covering more than I do, and If I have to, so do they.

I finally finished sorting all the property assessment records at the City Hall archives this week. I thought I might be able to complete the project, so I got up real early on Tuesday to get downtown and get started. When I got there, no one was in the archives, and the guards were new, not recognizing that I show up every week. I offered to remain in the public areas until an employee could verify that it was all right that I be there. After waiting for only about 20 minutes, I was allowed to go back and continue the sorting. But after I’d only been doing that for an hour, Luciana came back from the city-wide meeting with the mayor and told me that effective immediately, no one who is not a city employee would be allowed in the building because of the increase in COVID hospitalizations. I expected the guards to throw me out, but I soldiered on, and they never appeared. I did finish everything: the records are all sorted by wards, placed in boxes, and the boxes are all labeled. Not knowing what the requirements for safety will be in the coming weeks, I asked it I could have a little time off. I’ll be on leave until October, and that’s fine with me. It’s really a nice feeling to have this project, that I’ve been working on since April, all finished.

On Friday, Jane, Denise and I met for dinner and then drove out to the Tybee Post Theatre for a Carole King tribute concert. It was four very talented ladies who are with the Savannah Stage Company, singing the hit songs of Carole King. Who wouldn’t like this music? But I was also reminded that not long ago I had been to a Rolling Stones concert at the same place. I was sad to learn that Charlie Watts had died. You would expect that Keith Richards or Mick Jagger would be the first to go (or maybe Brian Jones), but not Charlie Watts.

The weekend was dull. I didn’t do anything, even going to the pool was not great as I had to leave after only about 30minutes on Saturday, and it was too crowded for me even to get in the water on Sunday. I watched some NFL, and a few things on Netflix, and read my book. Not having anything on the calendar is not a bad thing for me. Except when I’m bored, I eat.

Adrian is still perfect!