12/10/2023

 

Weekly Update 12/10//2023

There was a lot going on this week.

I attended a lecture by Andrew Nedd at TLC on Tuesday evening. I’ve know Andrew for several years. He is a professor of Art History at SCAD. I’d never heard him speak until this week. It was sponsored by the Victorian Society, and he spoke on Russian Art, mostly during the Napoleonic Wars.

Wednesday, I went to The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum for an author talk. The book is Air Born Two Generations in Flight by Jan Davis. Her father was a bomber pilot in WWII, and she was an astronaut in the 1980s. She compared their training, leadership, and missions. It was surprising how two very different experiences had more in common that you would think.

That evening, I went to the CMA social gathering for the holidays. It was held in the Colonial Dames House, which is directly across the street from the Cathedral and Abercorn Street. There is no mark to indicate what the purpose of the building is, and I assumed it was a private residence. I was surprised to find that the Colonial Dames (an organization comprising women who descend from one or more ancestors who lived in British North America between 1607 and 1775, and who aided the colonies in public office, in military service, or in another acceptable capacity) use the building. I liked being in the house, and probably will never have another chance.

Thursday, I gave my first tours at GM House. Unlike DH, docents do not give tours of the entire house, but I was stationed in the upstairs and just had to talk about what is up there. Not my favorite because most of the history is explained downstairs, and the upstairs is where Julien Green’s furniture and memorabilia is located. Julien Green, grandson of the builder of Green Meldrim House, was a famous author, but he was born and lived all his life in Paris France. Following an extended period of negotiations, much of his furniture was returned to Savannah a few years ago, and many of the items had originally been in the house when the Green family lived here. But, that’s kinda boring since most Americans neither know nor care who Julien Green was. I think I did ok with my talk, but it pointed out to me how much I still have to learn. Following that, I went out to TLC for the British Mysteries Book Club. Our read this month was The Santa Klaus Murders by Mavis Doriel Hay. It was not Agatha Christie, but it was a fun December read. I next went to Daffin Park so I could walk, and then I went to Barnes and Nobles at the Mall. I was looking for a specific book, and they did not have it in stock, in spite of saying they did on the website. That was a rather wasted trip. But, I really didn’t have time to drive all the way home, and then just turn around and drive back for this evening’s meeting. I attended a lecture at Bethesda Academy. Bethesda is an orphanage that was founded in 1740 by evangelist George Whitefield. I’ve been wanting to visit this museum, but it is open by appointment only, and I wasn’t going to have them open it for just me. When I learned there was going to be a talk, I wanted to go. There were things to eat and drink in the museum, and I wandered around reading all the info for an hour before the talk. Then, a lecture was held in the chapel of the Academy. I think this was the first of a series of lectures, and I hope to attend them all.

Thursday was a very long day.

Friday was much easier. I met Jane and Denise for lattes at Whole Food, and I went out for dinner with Kay in the evening.

Saturday morning, I was back at GM. The museum was open as part to the Tour of Homes. I didn’t need to give a tour, but I stayed in the dining room and talked about some interesting things to notice in that room. It was easier to do just one room. While that was going on, St Johns was hosting Breakfast with Santa in the garden area between GM house and the church. There were some very delightful little children, all dressed up to have photos taken with Santa. That was so much fun to watch.

In the evening, I had a tour of Savannah in the electric car guided ride to see the lights.  Because it was at the same time as the downtown parade (poor planning, as the traffic was awful), I didn't get to see much except other cars.  I did get a glimpse of Santa driving one of the horse drawn carriages, however. 

Sunday, I had a ticket to go to a Johnny Mercer event at the History Museum. I regretted that I wasted an NFL Sunday for information that I already knew. But I was back home in time for the Bills game. I thought the event was the opening of new exhibit, but the things in the show I had seen many times before. I also understood there would be a guided tour, but that didn’t happen. I sat in the lobby and “watched” the games on my phone until the movie began. Clint Eastwood made a documentary of Johnny Mercer’s life. That I had never seen, so I was interested I that. Again, I knew everything, but it was rather fun to listen to so many familiar songs.

The Bills beat KC, but it was a tough win. They started strong, then faded. At least the penalties and turnovers were minimal. Except for the HORRIBLE mistake that would have given the Chiefs the win.

I saw this sticker on the gas pump when I filled the car up this week. I’m not sure if it means that Joe Biden I responsible for the high prices, or if he’s being thanked because the prices are coming down. I suspect it’s the first option.

Adrian and Annie are adorable. When I was watching the Breakfast with Santa, and the excitement of the little kids, I really made me think about what I was missing by being so far from my greats. It also made me very grateful that Sarah is so kind to continue to send photos all the time. That helps me feel not quite so distant.