2009 Year in Review


  2009 Year in Review


Highlights: 
  • I got back from my trip to Kinshasa and Brazzaville just as construction of our new home was nearing completion. Ernie Diloretti and his crew: Curtis, Bob and Miguel were great. Doris used to bring them donuts in the morning as she kept on top of activities especially when it came to picking colors for painting the rooms. The master bedroom had to be changed and I didn't much care for the color of the sun room. We moved in March 17 and couldn't celebrate St. Patrick's Day because of the delivery of our household effects including furniture and 100 plus boxes as well. Worked with Carolina Sound and Security not only for the security system but a new 42" TV and sound system for the sun room.

 Marsh view behind our house at high tide
Finished construction and ready to move in

  • March 24th attended a Jazz concert at the College of Charleston featuring Associate Professor Frank Duvall, who played at our wedding. We still see Frank often as he is the bassist with the Charleston Jazz Orchestra and plays piano with a trio at local restaurants around town.
  • I got back into tennis right away at the Family Circle Tennis center on Daniel Island and even started playing in a 65+ league with the "Hackers". April 2-3 we travelled to Atlanta to visit David and catch the Chinese Terra Cotta Warrior exhibit at the High Art Museum.
  • April 12-19 worked the Family Circle Cup tournament as an usher. Sabine Lisicki (German) defeated Venus William in straight sets. Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Nadia Petrova (Russia) won the doubles.
  • May 23rd caught Jazz vocalist Tierney Sutton at the Cistern on the College of Charleston. The next night we saw the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the Gaillard. First act "Good Morning Blues", second Otis Redding songs and final "Revelations".
  • I left for Cairo May 29th and returned to the States July 3rd.for photos of the Pyramids, a "meet and greet" with President Obama and the Great Sphinx. Plus a trip to the Sinai, Mt. Moses and Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheik. 
Moslem at Prayer 
Camels Trek up Mt. Moses
 















Royal Chateau Ambois
Claude Monet's House in Giverney
 














  • Two night stay in Hilton Head in November including Kayaking on Broad Creek and hiking Pickney Island. We had to visit our favorite steak restaurant Frankie Bones.

       
  • Pinckney Island has about 38 acres of freshwater habitat, comprised of between 30 and 50 small ponds/depressions, ranging from one-half acre up to 4 acres in size. Many of these hold water throughout the year and provide excellent roosting and nesting habitat for colonial wading birds like egrets, ibis, and herons. These birds nest on the small islands within the ponds, and the water surrounding the sites deters mammalian predators like raccoon from entering nests. Alligators patrolling these waters frequently provide an additional deterrent. Ibis Pond, which is just a mile walk from the refuge parking area, is a popular site for viewing wading birds and other pond life.
  • Dick and Raine visited in November. Kayaking Charleston harbor looking for wild sharks' teeth from sand bar.

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