Posted in Monday Moaning or Monday Marveling?

Monday Moaning or Monday Marveling? 7/7/25

I’m marveling this Monday morn at the absolutely amazing ability … TO READ! (As I often reiterate whenever I think about gratitude, everyone doesn’t have that for which I’m grateful.)

I love this little whatever-it-is. We saw it in the crafts section at Saturday’s fabulous Forsyth Farmers Market here in Savannah.

A delightful artisan creates beautifully quirky works of art from silver cutlery!

Sidebar: Robert fell in love with the tiny magnetic flower vases made from the hollow bottom sections of silver knives!

This one is now holding court (and dried flowers) on our fridge.

Okay, back to the “Reading” topic of this post. As I have shown before, here are our reading chairs in our study.

And here’s what I’m currently reading …

… a fascinating and “I-can’t-believe-I’ve-never-heard-of-this-before” look at the history of gay life in Brooklyn.

Here’s half of me reading.

Because I’m sure you’re just dying to know, I usually read two books simultaneously: what I call my “short time read” (above) and my “long time read.” (The “long time read” is a book not intended to be read quickly or even from cover to cover.

Here’s my current “long time read”:

“Ohm. Ohm. Ohm. Ohm.”

My “long time reads” are often self-help about physical, mental, emotional or relationship health. Robert often says that one would think I would be in MUCH better physical, mental, emotional and relationship shape, having read “so much of this junk.” (I try to pay little to no attention to HR.)

I hope you find something that fascinates you this new day and week.

Happy Monday Marveling!

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 7/5/25

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Local summertime green beans.

2. The evolutionary A B C’s of our Fourth of July afternoon nap yesterday.

A.

B.

C.

3. The amazing ability to step out of bed, stretch and start a brand new day! (Everyone is not able to do that incredible feat.)

4. Pink

Crepe Myrtle

5. Being able to watch Savannah’s fireworks through our living room window.

Make your weekend have a few colorful and firework-y crackles, whistles, bangs and sizzles.

Posted in Holidays and Seasonal Changes, How Has It Come to This?

“Through the Night” 🇺🇸

It is with divided sentiments that I awake early this 2025 Fourth of July and set the table for our little Independence Day breakfast.

Last evening Robert and I went over to daughter Amy’s for a family cookout and to watch incredible day-early fireworks from her lovely Moon River-facing balcony.

Glorious Beauty.

But as I stood behind my husband Robert and my ex-wife Donna, as they leaned on the railing toward the patriotic display …

… and as I listened to Lee Greenwood iconically singing from my son-in-law‘s speakers:

… I wondered, in the midst of the firework’s bangs, crackles, whistles and sizzles, if Lee’s words still ring true. Does the flag still stand for freedom under the current fascist regime? And if so, freedom for whom? For me as a married gay man? For my daughters and granddaughters to have autonomy over their own bodies? For my trans friends to live without threats of discrimination or even murder? Etc. Etc.

But Lee would have nothing of that viewpoint, as he continued to sing …

That absolute “knowing” of freedom in the USA has faded somewhat for me.

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I love yesteryear Kate Smith’s rendition of “God bless America,”

This morning, her phrase “through the NIGHT” emanates new meaning for me. For we are living/trying to live through a Darkened Night Phase of our beloved country, with democracy under attack from within by our own leaders. A democracy which my husband Robert spent nearly 30 years in the Army trying to defend. A democracy which many of his comrades gave their lives to defend.

So why do I display the flag this Independence Day morn?

And why do I still feel a measure of pride as I take my morning walk and see all of this in my Savannah neighborhood?

Because I hope and believe that God (or whatever force you believe is greater than evil) Will Bless the True America and grant us a new Dawn of Democracy after this Darkness.

I especially like this darkened black and white version of Kate Smith’s “God bless America.”

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Now that it has brightened up a bit, I’m going to sit down with HR (Hubby Robert) for breakfast.

Posted in Robert and …

“Robert and … #45”

A blog category of photos I’ve taken of HR (Hubby Robert) and … well, just about anything.

I haven’t done a “Robert and …” post in a while. Truth be told, I had forgotten about the category. (Don’t tell Robert.) So …

Robert and … Consummate Coffee Service.

Breakfast yesterday at one of our favorite coffee bars here in Savannah, Flora and Fauna.

HR Serving Coffee and … Love.

Posted in Monday Moaning or Monday Marveling?

Monday Moaning or Monday Marveling? 6/30/25

I’m marveling this Monday morn at the Colors of Summer here in Savannah.

Walking out our front door, I ran into this brilliant little fellow, lounging on one of our potted plants.

Look closer.

I asked him his name. “Verdante,” he replied, with no hesitation. “Yours?”

From Flower Farms at The Forsyth Farmers Market on Saturday …

And inside our little abode …

May you have a Cool and Colorful Week ahead.