Posted in Delicious Joy

One-Word Wednesday 8/6/25

“Smoothie”

I love making smoothies without following any specific recipe.

This morn I noticed that our last Banana was on the Brink of Bereavement, so I asked if he would like to go for a final swim with his buddies Pineapple, Strawberry, Spinach, Turmeric, and Cayenne.

“ Yes, let me peel off what I’m wearing and I’ll jump right in!”

HR … trying to “encourage” Smoothie.

Posted in Monday Moaning or Monday Marveling?

Monday Moaning or Monday Marveling? 8/4/25

Well, I suppose that I am Marveling this morning, but with a side of Moan.

My favorite rose relief at Bonaventure

Yesterday morn, instead of attending our beautiful and inclusive Asbury Church here in Savannah, Robert and I played hooky. Since it was an unusually cool reprieve from our stiflingly serious summer heat, I suggested we drive over to Savannah‘s iconic Bonaventure Cemetery and do what we have not been doing much this summer … walk outside.

What a beautiful, old cemetery/park, along a bluff of the tranquil Wilmington River.

We took our time, walking quietly, almost meditatively, under the ancient live oaks and magnolias. A morning breeze (amazingly refreshing for early August!) invited the Spanish Moss to a ceremonial Dance of the Dead above our heads.

About an hour into this Sauntering Sunday Service, I somewhat wearily gazed through the overgrown and dark green “we-bloomed-months-ago” azalea bushes.

And saw it.

“Let’s walk over there, Robert.”

A small mausoleum, circa 1927, darkened and a bit crumbling with age and wear, the small double doors having patinated over the decades into a glorious, deep metallic green.

The Schroder family whispered us closer, even offering me a little sitting of rest (which I desperately needed).

‘Neal, look behind you,” HR quietly instructed.

Someone (who?) had placed a single, long-stemmed, radiantly red rose at the foot of the doors, below the two “S’s.”

(My last name is Saye, Robert’s is Smith, I for some reason thought.)

“Pick it up.”

I obeyed, trying to avoid the thorns.

I have been dealing with some frustrating physical issues (thorns!) lately—causing me to be a bit out of sorts with the world and with life.

73 years come with challenges.

Then again …

Anne Bronte

And I still crave the rose.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 8/1/25

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Our hibiscus FINALLY blooming.

2. This fancy butter at a new breakfast place the other day. (It doesn’t take too much to make me happy.)

3. Robert, sitting outside the new breakfast place, Bread and Butter—inside Auspicious Bakery. With leftovers.

4. Always having enough food to eat. What a blessing.

5. Finding fantastic pimento cheese at a local produce stand.

May you find a Fantastic Something this first weekend in August.