7/30/2023

 

Weekly Update 7/30/2023

So, remember that green dress I made last week because I wanted something easy and simple? Well, not exactly. I wore it once, and then had to wash it. I was hoping that the cotton polyester blend would be east to wash and dry. And it was. EXCEPT – it bled! I now have a lot of green undies. Nothing is ever easy and simple.

Barbara had a dentist appointment on Thursday. She moved away from Savannah years ago, but she still likes to come for some doctors and dentists. So, she stayed with me Wednesday night. It was good to catch up with her, and we went out to supper with Kay. I’m going to have to try to visit Barbara in Gainesville, GA, sometime, but I have so much traveling to do in the near future, it will be a while before I get there.

While preparing to go to The Wedding, I got a haircut and pedicure this week. The pedi is ok, but the haircut is horrible! I’ve wasted two years trying to get my hair at a length that I thought would would look best, and the last haircut before I really need it was a butcher job. I went to Great Clips, and got what I paid for. But, when I was going to the pricey salon for a while, I had a different stylist every time I went, and sometimes they didn’t do a good job. So I stopped paying four times as much as the cheap place. Sometimes Great Clips is good, but you kind of take your chances. This is awful!

I met the Green Square ladies on Friday morning. It’s been a while since Helen has been able to join us, so it was good to have the whole group together again. After that, I went out to lunch with my Wednesday Happy Hour group. We try to go to lunch once every month or so to celebrate any who have birthdays that month. That was nice.

I also went back to Bonaventure. Every month that has five weekends, I’m scheduled to be at the visitor center to answer questions and hand out maps. “Regular” volunteers can keep to the second Saturday or third Sunday routine, and I fill in on the fifth weekend. It was ok. Except that one tourist came in and complained that there were kittens in a tree. Yeah? And you want me to do what? I’m a map-hander-outer, not an animal control person. I took a photo and promised to report them. Which I did not do.

Annie and Adrian are adorable. I’m looking forward to seeing them again soon. I don’t know when I’ll have a chance to update this blog again, as I have trouble doing that on my iPad. It may have to wait until I get back from The Wedding, which is Friday, August 4. Until then...

7/23/2023

 Weekly Update 7/23/2023

Last Sunday, I had an 8 am flight to Rochester, thru Baltimore. I arrived just after noon, and Allen was at the airport to pick me up. We all met at Ishy’s house. Adrian had been up in the night and was running a fever, but Sarah came over with Annie. She is a darling little baby. She wasn’t very happy with Great Granny grabbing at her, but if mommy was there, she was ok. We all went to Ontario Beach Park for Abbott’s frozen custard, and to dip toes in the lake. Because of pollution, the beach was closed and lifeguards were patrolling, so the dipping didn’t work out well. After a quick stop at Wegman’s for a birthday cake, we returned to Ishy’s house to sing and eat cake. It was both Ishy and Kerry’s birthday on Monday.

Monday morning, all of Dave’s children and their families left early to go to Toronto to see a MLB game. They also wanted to stop at Niagara Falls. We were all staying at the same hotel, so I got up early again, to say goodby. I would not be seeing them again on this trip. Back at Ishy’s house, we visited and went out for breakfast, then we went to Sarah’s house. Adrian was feeling better and his fever was gone. Sarah and Jack’s house is lovely. But who noticed when there was those beautiful little babies to admire! Marcia and Andy picked me up late in the afternoon, and took me to their house for supper. They are the only people I saw on my trip who weren’t family. They took me back to the hotel because it wasn’t too far from where their house is. I was really glad to see them.

Tuesday, Dave and Kerry were ready to drive back to KC. They dropped me at Ishy’s house after we all checked out of the hotel, and they were on their way. Ishy and I just sat around and got all caught up. I had to be at the airport at 2 for my flight. Well, I didn’t actually HAVE to be there, because the flight was delayed, but I wanted to get home, so I went early. I got through the TSA and bought myself a white hot dog at the little restaurant. While I was waiting for it to be grilled, I noticed that they sold pound packages of Zweigles! I asked the waitress if it would be ok to buy those to take on my flight, since I’d already gone through the TSA. She assured me that it would be fine. What a nice treat that was! I finally got to Baltimore, and then the next leg of my journey was also delayed. I went to the bar and asked for a glass of wine. She asked if I wanted the 6 oz or the 9 oz. What do you think? And you know how much 9 oz of house pinto grigio costs? $20! and worth every penny. I again was stunned when we finally were allowed to board the airplane, and the attendants on the flight kept telling us to hurry up and find a seat because they’d been flying all day and were tired. And thanks to your scheduling and maintenance issues, I was going to be late getting home. I had no sympathy, and was a little put out by the attitude. IT’S YOUR JOB! Arriving back at Savannah, I found my car right away, even in the dark. I finally got home just after midnight.

And then I was back to my life. I did tours at DH and went out for Happy Hour with friends on Wednesday. I had a book club meeting, took Kay to a doctor appointment, and met Green Square friends for a birthday dinner for Denise in the evening on Thursday. I got back to the pool on Friday, and got caught up with reading and paperwork that had waited for a week. I met a DH friend for coffee on Saturday morning. I guess the only “normal” activity that I missed this week is going to a lecture. I have one coming up next week, though, so I’ll be back on track for that too.

I dragged my sewing maching out for one last time. I think just like going to NY for The Wedding is going to be the last time I get there, I think the dresses I made this week are the end of my sewing experiences. I just don’t enjoy it; it’s really a chore. And I can buy a shift in Walmart for less that the fabris costs me to make something for myself. I think I just needed to know I could still do it. I’m not very pleased with the outcome, but I have a couple for things to wear for a quick trip to Publix or when I’m just sitting around the apartment and need something that doesn’t have a waistband.

It was a week of babies! My favorites, of course, are Adrian and Annie. And I was totally captivated when I saw them. Kay’s grandson, Philip Holden, was born on Tuesday. Everyone is well, and we are all delighted he is here. In UK, Kay’s cousin because a grandparent for the second time. Dexter was born on July 18. Lisa and Dave welcomed new granddaughter, Edie, on July 22. It seems as if in the midst of many of my friends having health issues, the Circle of Life continues to amaze. All is as it should be.

7/15/2023

 

Weekly Update 7/15/2023

I’m a day early this week because I’ll be traveling tomorrow. More about that on next week’s update.

I had an appointment at the ungodly hour of 8 am on Monday at the Goodyear service station. I wanted to get a thorough check up before I drive to Rochester for The Wedding at the end of the month. Well, I hope I’m safe, because three and half hours and $1,500 later, they let me go. Sitting there, dreading what they’ll find, is not my idea of a pleasant way to spend a morning, but I got it done.

I’ll be wanting to have photos of Emily and Aaron to display after The Wedding, and my photo shelf is getting crowded with pictures of Adrian and Annie. I decided to get another ladder bookshelf, similar to what I had at MP. I ordered one and it was delivered on Thursday. I’m not very handy, but I was able to put it together myself.

Wimbledon was a little disappointing this week. My favorites were eliminated, and Djokovic is in the finals. Luckily, I probably won’t be able to watch that. The men’s semis were very lackluster straight set wins, and I watched without really watching, as I did other things. The ladies finals were likewise pretty unexciting.

On my drive out of the city on Friday, I went through the Savannah Wildlife Refuge. It has been closed since the pandemic, and improvements (mostly to drainage and access) were undertaken. It finally reopened last month, but I rarely go that route to get home any more because the bridge over the Savannah River is being replaced, and I have little patience with the delays. Because the almost 5-mile pathway in the preserve has always been a relaxing and interesting drive for me, and I was in no hurry Friday, I decided to see what was different. Not much, and I was disappointed that I didn’t see any alligators.

I thought this was funny. I have a sick sense of humor, but I laughed out loud.

Adrian and Annie are wonderful. Adrian’s family birthday party is Saturday this week. If I’d known, I probably would have tried to get to Rochester a day early so I could go to that. Annie is sitting up and seems very interested in the world around her, and exploring things within her reach. I’m going to be happy that I’ve got more room for photos! And I’m going to be thrilled to see those babies this week!

7/9/2023

Weekly Update 7/9/2023

The Fourth of July was OK. I’m feeling rather unpatriotic, and I’ve had these feelings for a while (from January 6, to be truthful) so celebrating our great nation isn’t something I felt I needed to do. That being said, it is a holiday, so I invited Jane, Helen and Denise to come over for a picnic. Denise had to work, so it was just us three. I grilled out hot dogs (hot dogs, hot smoogs – I want Zwiegles pop open hots, and the south has nothing like that at all; everything is a frankfurter) and hamburgs. We agreed that everything tasted really great because we never grill out just for ourselves. It was a nice treat. I didn’t watch any fireworks from my porch, and I wasn’t bothered by any explosions since I can’t hear. In spite of my determination to not celebrate, it was a nice day spent with great friends and good food.

It’s been terrifically hot here – almost to 100 degrees every day. I’ve tried to get to the pool when I can, but it’s not really refreshing. It’s like being in a bath tub because the water is so warm. There was new pool furniture delivered this week. It looks good.

Jews have been in Savannah for 290 years. On Saturday, Mickve Israel held a service to celebrate the establishment of their community here in Georgia. It was live streamed, so I watched. That was quite interesting. Two weeks ago, I was in the chapel at BC, last week I was able to get inside the old Jewish cemeteries, and today I watched a service. Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu.

Sunday afternoon, I went with Jane to the SCT performance of Phantom of the Opera. Because the stage where most SCT productions are held was too small and ill-equipped to handle something like Phantom, this was done at the historic Savannah Theater in downtown Savannah. It was fabulous. But, I’m never disappointed when I go to one of these performances.

Adrian and Annie have spent the week with Jack’s family. The photos of them enjoying the pool, the fireworks, the family members – it’s so great.  

7/2/2023

 

Weekly Update 7/2/2023

Every Tuesday, I go to City hall to volunteer at the archives. The staff there are terrific, and include me as part of their department. This past week, I met in the office as usual, and we had lunch together, and then all went to Second Harvest, the big food pantry in Savannah. We sorted through donations, and divided things by category. They would then either be placed in boxes for distribution to families, or sent to the “store” where people can come chose what it is they need. We were only there for about an hour, but it felt really good to be doing something for others.

I had two cemetery tours this week, but neither one was as a guide - I participated. Don Teuton, the best guide for Bonaventure, led a tour on Wednesday, and it was very hot. I became less and less interested as the time went on. Don is great, but I really know most of what he’s talking about, and I was so hot and sweaty. I’m glad I went.

Don told me that there was going to be a tour at the Old Jewish Cemetery the following day. He suggested that I just show up and join them. I had never been there, and I had no expectations of ever going there. The cemeteries (there are two family burials grounds near to each other) are always locked, and you have to know someone from the temple to let you in. This was my chance. I found it amazing. The burials are from about 1770 and continued for the next 80 or so years. There are maybe 15 in the Levy part, and another 30 in the larger cemetery.

On Saturday, Roseann and I went to the Green Meldrim House for tour. We found out that Jamie Credle was going to be their new director, so we wanted to support her. And, we wanted to scout it out in case there might be an opportunity to work with Jamie again in a new place. I enjoyed the tour. Roseann thought it was too long. As DH, we only tell about the Davenports, and maybe add in a little about HSF. At Green Meldrim, there’s the Green family, the Meldrim family, the architecture and innovative features of the house, the occupation by Sherman in 1864, the association with St John‘s Church, and other stories. It would be difficult to tell it all in just one hour. I don’t know if anything will happen that will make me want to move, but it was interesting to think about.

In the afternoon, I drove out to Fort McAllister. The fort is part of Georgia State Parks, and they were offering demonstrations for the long Fourth of July weekend. Located along the Ogeechee River, the fort was held by Confederate troops throughout most of the Civil War. In December 1864, it was the last barrier between Savannah and Sherman’s forces. Sherman had 60,000 men, the fort was defended by about 230 Rebel soldiers. It fell almost immediately. You can still see earthen walls and wooden barricades. This weekend, they had rifle and cannon firings, and some soldiers talking about the importance of the fort in the War. It was so hot, I only stayed for about an hour, but enjoyed the history.

Adrian celebrated his birthday on July 1. He’s two years old now, and is a big boy! Annie is beginning to show a little of her personality, too, as she plays with toys and enjoys eating food. They both are the light of my life.