When Irish Eyes are Smiling...

Well, Saint Patrick's Day weekend in Savannah is almost over, and what fabulous party wouldn't be complete without tornadoes and a four county blackout?

I was actually very pleasantly surprised at how well behaved everyone's been this weekend. The arrest rate, overall, was down. Although some of the more memorable included the standard drunk-woman-swimming-in-a-fountain story, and the guy caught with his hands down another guy's pants, who then insisted that a graphic description of what he was accused of doing be read aloud to the night court. The woman in the fountain was sobbing when she went before the judge, and still just a little dripping wet. The judge asked her if she'd had her clothes on while she was in the fountain, and the woman said yes. "Well, at least that's something," replied the judge.

Last night, we did have some very severe weather. Severe enough that me and TFYO spent some time hanging out in my walk-in closet with a battery powered lantern and some books. A tornado passed very close to the house. It missed us, and took out the main distribution power substation instead, plunging four counties into complete darkness, including the city of Savannah, where around a hundred thousand people were whooping it up between City Market and River Street.

Again, I am glad that I live in an area where emergency services know exactly what to do when disaster strikes, and I'm glad that, generally, I live in a city where people are well behaved. The police used their car lights, and generators, to get enough power and light going to move people to shuttles and get them out of the downtown area in an orderly fashion. There were no reports of arson, or looting, and everyone pretty much did as they were told, and got the hell out before the storms hit the city itself. There was no wide-scale pandemonium from what I could tell, and that was very reassuring. If a hurricane ever does hit here, I feel confident that we'll either all make it out in time, or we'll be well assisted one way or another.

Ray ended up driving in to work to help cover the evacuation, although by the time he got there, the power was back on at our house.

Big kudos to Georgia Power, too. It took a little while to get power back to all areas, but it happened more quickly than I would have thought possible. Our power was only off for a couple of hours, and by the time Ray headed home, they were slowly getting power back in to parts of Chatham County. Of all the places I've lived, Georgia Power by far has the quickest response time. Makes me happy knowing all that stuff in the freezer stayed frozen.

It was another forty-five hour week for me, and I did work about an hour yesterday afternoon, plus I managed an air shift, too! I console myself with the fact that I do get paid overtime, and it will come in handy when I go on maternity leave, just five more weeks.

Thank you!

Just a quick post to thank all of you for your well wishes. I worked forty-five hours, thirty-seven minutes this week, and crammed it into five days. It's not too bad, but it's not the easy transition into my maternity leave that I had initially hoped for!

This is also a post to say thank you to reader Saphyre Rose, who sent me a lovely present for Baby J. The generosity of people I've met on the internet never ceases to amaze me. Just when I start losing hope for humanity (at least those that seem to inhabit my everyday world), someone goes and does something like this, for someone the only know online.

This is Rose's gift to Baby J:

She crocheted it herself, and the pictures just don't do it justice. She's a marvelously talented, and feisty woman. I do like reading her point of view. Thank you Saphyre Rose!

For those wondering, I am managing at my new temporary promotion better than I had hoped. There've been no major crises, and no one has seen fit to show me the door, yet. And I do get an office to myself until they hire someone else to do the job. The office has a door which is nice to close while I work through lunch. I've popped in to see a few of you, and I imagine once I finally go on leave I'll have a bit more time to read you all and maybe actually write a bit myself!

St. Patrick's Day is coming up, and it's a big time in Savannah. It's so big, there's even a news crew from TG4 in Ireland doing a documentary on how a group of immigrant Irish Catholics seemed to flourish so well in an area dominated by Baptists. I've always wondered that myself. The greened the fountains yesterday, after having to delay it from Friday (we had storms). We are not going to the parade this year. In truth, the whole festival has slowly turned from a celebration of Irish families into an excuse to get drunk in the streets on green beer. The crowds are usually huge and rowdy, and I'm just not up to dealing with it. Maybe next year, when I'm not in need of a bathroom quite so often.

I'll try to post again next Sunday!

Oh, and I forgot...to Rotten Correspondent, my due date is 56 days away, May 3rd. Although, TFYO was a week early. Judging by my size and how much Baby J has dropped down in the last couple of weeks, she may be early, too.

City sidewalks, Busy sidewalks...

From the lovely song Silver Bells. I currently have the Mahalia Jackson version on my iPod.

Oh, and this post is NSFDU (not safe for dial-up). It's mostly pictures, and it would take you dial up people most of the day to load I fear.

So, pictures from the 3rd Annual Lighted Christmas Parade in Savannah. I got as many as I could before the camera battery died on me, and many of them are a bit blurry because, well, duh, it was dark out and everyone was moving. My only consolation is that the photographer from the Savannah Morning News didn't have much more luck than I did! His pics in the paper were a little fuzzy, too.

This is TFYO, waiting for the parade to start, bagel with cream cheese in hand. We stopped at this great little cafe, Cafe Express and Bakery on Barnard St, for a little supper. I had clam chowder. What did she want? A bagel with cream cheese. And she took it with her.

This is the view up Broughton Street, from our viewing post at the corner of Broughton and Barnard. Broughton is really starting to come alive again as a commercial area of town. There's tons of cool boutiques, plus a few chain stores like the Gap that have moved into these buildings. It gives me warm fuzzy feelings to see this in city centers.

The first float in the parade. It was for a cellular phone dealer, and the had lighted mini cell towers in the back of the truck. Pity you can't actually see it.

I believe this is the lead car for the Marilyn Youman Dance School, but who the hell can tell?


This is the only picture of the Marilyn Youman Dance School Baton Twirlers that turned out. As you can see, they were twirling glow-stick batons. They were great, but also holding up the parade. Cute kids, though.

Ray was very early in the parade, which is fortunate since my camera crapped out half way through. Here he is, with holly in his hat, after giving his child a candy cane. As you can see, now that she has the candy, she has little use for him. And that kid cleaned up on the candy, too. It's a good thing my new coat had so many pockets. I was toting two bottles of water, a bag of pretzels, plus her newly acquired stash of Christmas candy.

This is the lead car for the Abeni Cultural Arts group. Their dancers follow.

These guys perform at festivals in town throughout the year. The great thing about Savannah, and the surrounding area, is that there is always some kind of event or festival every weekend.

This is one of our radio station vans, all decked out. My coworker, Stretch, is driving.

And it's impossible to see, but this is the Deen Bros. Well, a shot of them from behind, anyhow. They also kept stopping the parade, because people kept running up to their car to hug them, kiss them and give them things. I could be wrong, but I think one old lady gave them some knitted mittens. They were really good sports about the whole thing.

And just to prove that my husband did, in fact, interview Jamie and Bobby Deen...

...photographic proof. Aren't they cute?

Friday Five

Another Friday...

Which of course means tomorrow is Saturday, the first day of December. Why is that special? Well, it means Christmas on the River, and the Annual Lighted Christmas Parade in downtown Savannah.

So...

Five Things to Look Forward to Tomorrow

1. Watching my daughter watch the parade

We took TFYO to Raleigh's Christmas Parade last year, it was pretty good. We stood outside the radio station where I worked, we had access to bathrooms and hot cocoa, and we were right at the beginning of the parade route. TFYO liked watching the bands. But this year, she gets to see all of the floats covered in Christmas lights. Plus, the parade runs down Broughton Street, which is already decorated for Christmas. It looks lovely, and she's already excited about it. I like seeing her excited by things, and she will surely be excited by this. The best part, watching her wave madly to Santa as he goes by in his lighted sleigh.

2. Watching my husband walk in the parade.

Ray gets to walk in the parade this year. He has a very recognizable hat (not the one to the left, that's a summer hat. The winter hat is black), it's kind of a running gag on the show actually. So, now I'm trying to figure out how to light up his fedora so he'll be more noticeable and in keeping with the "lighted" parade theme. I'm so proud of him, I could burst.

3. Bobby and Jamie Deen are the Grand Marshals

Ray actually got to interview them this morning on his show. It's the first time I've been a bit giddy over a show guest. Silly, isn't it? But it was a great interview (if I do say so), and they were a lot of fun. It's nice to see local celebrities who are also pleasant people be honoured this way. And it really is a big deal, apparently. The only bigger deal would to be Grand Marshal of our St. Patrick's Day parade, which is huge.

4. Getting to eat lots of bad-for-me food and not feeling guilty.

Being pregnant, I don't have to watch my calorie counts quite so much. So I can eat some decadent foods (fudge from Kilwins, anyone?) and not worry. And since it will be chilly, I'll need LOTS of calories to keep me sustained through that parade. Lots.

And the best for last...

5. Not having to work.

I somehow managed to get two Saturdays off in a row. Which is awesome, because we get to enjoy the festival down on River Street, and I can actually enjoy things without worrying about when I need to be at work, or who is watching TFYO. I get to spend the whole day with my family. Woo-hoo!

I don't know what y'all are doing tomorrow, but I bet it's fun. So, what do you have to look forward to tomorrow?

He's a well respected man about town

I love The Kinks.

Today is election day here in the Coastal Empire (that's what they call this region, by the way).

Have you ever tried to explain politics and government to a four-year-old?

Yesterday, on the way to school, I heard her laughing in the back seat.

"What's so funny?"

"Them. They're funny. They're standing on the street holding signs!" She cackled with glee, and pointed to some supporters for one of Guyton's mayoral candidates standing at the crossroads with political signs.

"Why are they doing that, Mommy?"

"Well, tomorrow is election day, and they want people to vote for the guy on the signs to be mayor."

"What's an election?"

"An election is where people get together and pick who they want to be in charge of government."

"What's government?"

"The government is made up of a group of people who we pick to make the laws and make sure everyone follows those laws."

"What's a law?"

"A law is a rule. You know how you have rules in school so that everyone gets along? That's what laws are like. They help everyone get along. And if you don't follow the rules, just like school, you get punished."

"Oh."

I breathed a sigh of relief, hoping we could make it to school without anymore questions about anything. It was almost 8 a.m., I still hadn't showered yet, and I'd overslept the alarm. I really didn't want to talk anymore. No such luck.

"Hey, mommy."

"Yes."

"Is a government like a mommy and daddy?"

"Well, no not exactly. You see, I'll always be your mommy, but a mayor only gets to be mayor for four years, unless everyone votes to have him stay longer."

"Can I vote for a new mommy?"

"Sorry, kiddo, it doesn't work that way. You're stuck with me."

"That's not fair."

Trying to be funny, I say "Yes, well, that's why a family is a benevolent dictatorship, not a democracy or a republic."

"Mom, what's a democracy?"

Thankfully at that moment, we pulled into the school parking lot, and I didn't have to try and discuss civic theory anymore. I would hate to try and explain some of the mayoral candidates for the City of Savannah.

Admittedly, it's been a pretty quiet campaign. All except for Jerry Sammons, who is running on a platform of legalizing marijuana, and who also promises to lead marches in the streets protesting gas prices if elected. He also is apparently a convicted felon who claims that he fought with the Contras in Nicaragua. When asked by a reporter about that claim, and why he would be fighting in the jungle with the Contras, Mr. Sammons' response was:

"Because I'm a patriot."

If I could vote, and lived in Savannah, I might vote for him. Just because it would make the next four years of city politics a hoot. Of course, TFYO might end up asking:

"Mom, what's Nicaragua?"

Another one bites the dust...

My God, I love Savannah.

I was driving home from work this afternoon, when I got tailgated by a hearse. It was a lovely one, with swanky red brocade curtains. Older model (probably 1980's), but it obviously was still in use. It had a bumper sticker for the funeral home on it.

He rode my bumper (even though I was already going over the speed limit in the right hand lane), zoomed around me, and then the driver flipped me off. He must have been dong at least 90 miles an hour.

It made me think of this commercial from Aiwa Sound




I wonder if he was afraid his passenger might suddenly wake up?

Green Acres is the place to be....

If anyone is looking for Sarah, the telephone operator from Green Acres, I think she's working for the local telephone co-op in Effingham County.

My husband called last week to try and get a land line set up at the new homestead. We have our cell phones, but I tend to get antsy around things that need recharging, or require power to an electrical outlet in order to work. It's just me, I'm sure. Anyway, we here in Effingham County do not have service through Bell South, like much of the region. Some might say this is a good thing, and I really don't mind using the co-op, except that the conversation went something like this: (names have been changed to protect the nice old lady working at the co-op)


First conversation, Tuesday afternoon....

"Sarah": Hi, this is ----Co-Op, this is "Sarah", how can I help yeeeeew?

Husband: Hi, I need to get a land line for -----Drive.

"Sarah": Why sure, honey, we'll have someone out either today or tomorrow.

End.

Except it didn't end there.

I waited, and waited and waited. Nobodyshowed, and no dial tone on the phone. So, my husband calls back Thursday, and the same sweet old woman answered the phone, with the same sweet southern accent. And it went like this:

Second conversation, Thursday morning:

"Sarah" : Hi, this is ----Co-op, this is "Sarah", may I help yeeeeeew?

Husband: Hey, yeah, this is Ray----- from -----Drive. You told me someone would have my phone on by yesterday, what happened?

"Sarah" : Well, honey, we're just so gosh darned busy right now! I tell you, you never saw sucha thing. And I am SOOOOO sorry, and I know I should have called you, but how about Mundee afternoon at 2 o'clock? I think that'd work out just great for everyone, don't yeeeew?



At this point, my husband just nodded and said yes, because "Sarah" apparently sounded a lot like his grandmother.

Did I mention how much I love it here?

Oh, and if you're friends of mine, (which you must be if you're reading this thing), just make sure you call me on my cell phone. I'm not exactly sure when I'll have a land line.

Indeed it is.

Oooo, first post.

It's not exactly a snowball's chance in hell. After all, Savannah isn't even close to hell, it's one of the most lovely places on Earth, but it is extremely hot, especially if you're born a northerner like me. I've lived in various parts of the south for ten years now, and this is the farthest south I've ever hung my hat. It's also the most rural experience I've ever had.

I just finished a move to South Effingham County, Georgia. For those who have no idea where this is, it's just north and west of Savannah, GA, home to Paula Deen, and where the book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" takes place.

Right now we have wildfires burning to our south-west, in Ware County. We're not in danger from the fires up here, but the wind shifted, and our little slice of heaven is now covered with smoke. Every time I went outside, I kept coming in smelling like barbecue.

The house is nice, the people are nice, and I'm working on my southern accent. It's surprisingly easy to fall into it, especially since my new subdivision is in such a rural area. So rural in fact, that on Monday, I had a buzzard land in my front yard, and on Tuesday evening, a couple of folks were riding horses through the less developed parts of our subdivision.

But I do love this area. I love watching shrimp boats come back in the evenings, I love the breeze stir palmetto trees, and I love the food. She Crab Soup rocks, and if you've never had it, you don't know what you're missing. the other great thing about Savannah is SCAD, the Savannah College of Art and Design. There are so many talented young people here in this town, it just makes my heart sing. There is always something going on here.

We're going to the Arts Festival down on River Street this weekend. The temptation to buy things will be great. I may have to just settle for some post cards. And some She Crab soup.