10/31/2021

 

Weekly Update 10/31/2021

Happy Trick and Treat night! I didn’t get any beggars, so that means more for me. I had the small packs of cookies that I have on hand all the time anyway, so it’s not really any added candy to my already horrible food intake. I think I wish I lived in Ohio, where the preferred candy to hand out is Peanut Butter Cups. Skittles in Georgia just aren’t good enough – I need something with chocolate!  Adrian dressed up as a strawberry, and he was the cutest Trick and Treater I've seen since Sarah and Emily were little.  I wish I could put a photo here.  You will have to use your imagination. 

I started volunteering at City Hall again this week. I was glad to be back. The new project that the archivist wants me to work on is to go through old copies of magazines, look for articles about Savannah, and make copies of them. It will take me a long, long time, because I tend to read anything I think is interesting, whether it’s about Savannah or not. In one article in Georgia Trends Magazine from November 2006 there was an interesting story about preparing for a global epidemic. The authors were adamant that it was not a question of IF this would occur, but a questions of WHEN. They posed examples of how to be ready in offices and factories, in school and day care centers, and in hospital and medical buildings. I guess no one heeded this, or the few who did were powerless to convince the public that this was important. Maybe like the people who are trying to get developed countries to believe that global warming is a legitimate threat.

When I went out Wednesday, I didn’t get locked out my apartment, but I couldn’t lock the door. Apparently, after a resident has been living here a year, the fob that is the locking mechanism (I don’t have a key) is deactivated. I had to get that fixed before I went to DH on Wednesday, and that made me a little late.

Another reason I have been arriving late to some things is the truck traffic. I’m sure everyone has heard about the backlog issues faced by all the ports in the US, and Savannah is not immune. I travel along Route 21 or 25 almost every time I drive into the city. Those routes go past the port. The truck traffic has increased as the port workers are desperately trying to get the goods onto trucks and out of the port so that more containers can unload. The Port of Savannah is huge. I’ve added a photo that I got from the internet, trying to show how vast it is, and also a photo I took from my car as I was stopped a traffic light. The containers are piled higher than I’ve ever seen.

I did more tours at DH on Saturday because they were short staffed. They contacted me on Friday to see if I was available. I only had the college games (good wins for both SU and UGA) so I really couldn’t say I had big plans. I don’t mind, because it’s interesting to meet the tourists, and I truly enjoy sharing my enthusiasm for the Davenport family, and general history of Savannah, with people. The only downside was, since I didn’t expect to be called in, I’d already worn every Halloween shirt I own already during the week. I tried to be a little festive with pumpkin leggings and a big black shirt, but I think that was a little casual for a tour guide.

Sunday afternoon found me back at World of Beers to watch the early games. It took a while for the Bills to find their feet, but they were able to handle the Dolphins. And I made new friends. An older couple – isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black? - came in wearing Bills shirts. Before I left, I asked if they were from Buffalo. They have been in the Savannah area for about three years, but came from Lockport. Linda and Bob are new best friends.

10/24/2021

 

Weekly Update 10/24/2021

Not a lot going on this week. I had weird tours at DH, maybe because it’s a full moon? Who knows. All three tours had something strange: a lady asking the stupidest questions I’ve ever had to struggle to answer, a guy who “joined” my tour by walking in the front door and attaching himself to the group, and a young lady with boobs that would have made Dolly Parton proud (I don’t think anyone listened to me, but gawked at her instead). Looking at the bright side – there were no kids.

Saturday night, I went back to DH for the Yellow Fever presentation. Before the tour, I met friends at The 90. I have not been there in a long time, and my favorite bartender, Martha, doesn’t work on Saturdays. Not to worry, Scott made a delightful key lime martini for me. The Yellow Fever play was very interesting. I went with Helen and Jane. When I introduced Helen to Jamie, I added that Helen lives in the Catherine Deveaux house. Jamie often talks about the house and the school for black children that was held there in antebellum Savannah when she does her walking tour of the area around Columbia Square. It was nice for them to meet.

On Sunday, Kay and I drove to the cemetery to place flowers on Liam’s grave. It’s been three years! It made me feel very grateful to have a wonderful, curious, healthy great grandson! I also was able to put some fall flowers at Dessie and John’s headstones. Going to the cemetery is not my favorite thing to do, but spending time with Kay is something that is always nice for me. And we had breakfast, so including the eating, the day was a success.

10/17/2021

 Weekly Update 10/17/2021

I decorated for Halloween this week. I put away the Buffalo Bills items that I’d spread around the apartment, and took the hangings off the door. I added some orange lights to the colorful fake oak tree on my porch, and it looks a little spooky with the moon overhead. If you didn’t know better, you’d think I was a festive person. I’ve got my neighbors boondoogled.

I have been spending more time on the porch since the weather is getting more comfortable now. I play on my ipad or read a bit while sitting out there. It’s usually very pleasant out there.

On Wednesday, I not only went to DH, but I also joined friends at the bar on Wilmington Island for a drink at Happy Hour. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve done that, so it was nice to see them all again.

I went to a performance at the wonderful Savannah Children’s Theater on Friday evening. It was The Witches, based on the book by Roald Dahl. It was rather frightening, I thought, for little kids, but it was well done, using creative puppets for the mice. What was most frightening was that when I was leaving, I noticed that my wallet was missing. Not again! It was in the car, so I didn’t have to panic for very long.

I completely cleaned out the storage unit on the weekend, and moved everything to the garage. There’s plenty of room in there, but I didn’t think I’d like looking at all that junk every time I drove my car into the garage. I remembered, however, that I’d had to do that for many years when I used to have a garage in Rochester. I think I can keep it organized enough so I won’t have to be horrified by the mess in there. The storage unit was damp, and there was no way to have a dehumidifier in there (no electricity) and the RidXX I’d tried wasn’t really helping. I’m hoping that my things, especially my nutcrackers, may be safer in the garage, where the air can circulate a little better.

Sunday was nice: an NFL game in the morning, followed by Premier League, then the other NFL games for the rest of the day. Alas, Syracuse disappointed me again on Friday, after such a great start to the season. I did finish reading one book this week, but my reading has declined, thanks to all the sports I need to watch.

10/10/2021

 

Weekly Update 10/10/2021

I did several remote lectures this week. One was on FB Live with the Coastal Heritage Society, which was a lecture about an Irish family, not famous or special in any way but living in Savannah in the mid-1850s. Three were from TLC – one about the Cross of Gold speech and the national presidential election of 1896, one about the events leading up to Georgia’s secession which was given by the president of the Georgia Historical Society, and another about the Captain John Derst Bakery, a local Savannah business. All were interesting.

I also had a couple appointments. I had my hearing aids checked. It’s almost time for me to get new ones, as these are almost four years old. I think my hearing has changed, too, so I probably should invest in updated technology. I made an appointment to get my Pfizer booster shot, an went to the Walgreens to get that. There, now that’s done.

Jane and I went to the Greek Fest at St Paul’s. I’ve never been before, because, frankly, I don’t really like Greek food. But Jane loves it, and she wanted some stuffed grape leaves and baklava. Because of the pandemic, the festival was canceled last year, and this year, it was only food – no dancing, no music, no tours of the church. And the food was only available for take out. We got our food and took it to picnic tables to eat. It was ok, but give a big plate of spaghetti, or a arroz texano, and I’m much happier.

The yearly memorial for the Battle of Savannah was canceled again this year, allowing me to sleep past 6am on October 9. they did, however, offer guided tours about the battle in the afternoon. So I ran a few errands, then went to the History Museum and joined a tour. Although I didn’t learn anything new, I do like to remember this event that was important in the Revolutionary War.

And, of course, SNF! A sloppy game, and not just the weather. But I’m happy for the win.

10/3/2021

 Weekly Update 10/3/2021

Something interesting I did this – I recorded myself giving a tour at DH. I have never done that, and sometimes wondered if I sound as bad as I think I do. I was surprised that I think I did quite well. I was really happy about the places on the tour where I needed to answer questions. I felt that, because my “normal” talk is so rote, that I would sound less certain, or I would stumble more when answering questions. But, that doesn’t seem to be the case. I listened to myself in the car on the drive back home, and I found that was interesting.

Something else that was interesting. I balance my check books on the first of every month. When I was balancing the one that has my pension direct deposit, I noticed that I had a (very small, but welcomed nonetheless) increase. I had not been notified, so this was a surprise. I’m gong to have to check to see if my address is correct, but I’m pretty sure it is. The system is down, but I’ll keep trying this week. The last newsletter I received was sent to the apartment, so I think I’m all right.

I had to get the apartment cleaned for a visit from Barbara. It’s not usually dirty, but I did a little better than the normal weekly chores. She came on Thursday morning, and left again on Friday morning. She was in town to visit a doctor and her dentist, two professionals that she was reluctant to give up when she moved to North Georgia. We mostly sat around and talked, but we did get out to supper on Thursday. It was good to see her again.

When she left Friday morning, I walked out with her, and then kept on going to the clubhouse. I got the key and opener for the garage that I’ve started renting. I was surprised that the area is so deep – I will have enough storage room there so that I may be able to give up the closet I have rented in the hallway. I’ll have to get new shelves first. The plastic ones I have in my storage are not sturdy, and they are a waste of money. I want to by metal shelves to replace them. The garage is also more narrow than I thought it would be. I’m going to have to back up carefully. Backing up is not easy for me, and it’s not my favorite thing to do. And, wouldn’t you know it – since I’ve had the garage, there has not been a time when I’ve not had an empty parking space in front of building 18.

Saturday, I went to Davenport House in the morning to fill in as they were short handed. In the evening, I went out to the Crystal Beer Parlor with Kay and her family. It was really nice to be with them. CBP has October Fest every year, so we all shared a huge pretzel, and I had schnitzel, red cabbage and german potato salad. And I enjoyed being part of that family, if only for an evening.

Sunday, I felt the Bills would not have any trouble with the Texans. I didn’t want to drive to Bluffton for a lame game, and I went to a bar near the apartment, Beers of the World. It was a quietest sports bar I’ve ever been in. Only about half full, I was able to get a seat at a table by myself. All the games were unexciting, and no one seemed all that interested. I don’t know if I’ll go back there.

My friendly resident skink is back on my porch. I don’t really like that, but I’m also not going to try to poison it or have it exterminated. I know it can’t hurt me, and I think it does a lot of good as far as keeping bugs away. So, I’m going to have to come to a truce with it.