Author: Neal Saye

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 3/14/25

Posted on by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. A small twig of rosemary I snatched from a mature bush and placed on our car’s dash.

A tiny bit of natural beauty and heavenly aroma.

(It obviously doesn’t take much to make me happy.)

2. This photo from daughter Emily on our family text thread this week …

And her accompanying comment: “Just me and my tiny lap dog.”

My response: “Can you still breathe?”

Emily: “Breathing is overrated.”

3. Truth I saw displayed on a church in Macon, Georgia, where we were visiting last weekend.

4. The ability to (still) walk up and down stairs.

Robert and I live in a mid-19 century building with steep, tiny stairs.

5. Pine.

May you find much happiness this weekend. Or at least a little.

Posted in Beauty, Holiday Joy

Taizé One 3/12/25 “Light”

Posted on by Neal Saye

Tonight was the first of our church’s five Taizé services during the Lenten season leading up to Easter Sunday. (Asburymemorial.org)

I LOVE the quiet, almost somber, beauty of Taizé.

A little about the history of Taizé:

“The Taizé prayer service is from an interfaith community founded in Taizé, France in 1940. A Taizé service provides a meditative style of song and prayer known for its simplicity and focus on Christ. Today the Taizé community comprises those of Catholic and Protestant backgrounds from regions around the globe. At a Taizé service we pray as we sing, as we reflect on the Scripture reading, as we sit in silence, and as we offer our prayers to Christ.” jaxcathedral.org

TONIGHT’S INVITATION: “Come into this place of peace and let its silence heal your spirit; Come into this place of memory & let its history warm your soul; Come into this place of prophecy and power and let its vision change your heart.”

Tonight’s theme focused on light.

And the MUSIC/CHANT:

“Lord Jesus Christ, your light shines within us.

Let not my doubts, and my darkness speak to me.

Lord Jesus Christ, your light shines within us.

Let my heart always welcome your love.”

Whatever your belief, or lack of, may Peace be your Portion at this time of year.

Posted in Monday Moaning or Monday Marveling?

Monday Moaning or Monday Marveling? 3/10/25

Posted on by Neal Saye

I’m marveling this rainy Georgia morning at the mystery, the illusive and changing allure of clouds.

Above the Savannah River near us

HR and Columbus GA Riverwalk
High Falls State Park, Jackson GA

D.C.

Cummer Museum and Gardens, Jacksonville FL

NYC

Amerson. river Park, Macon GA

I can’t remember where.

And here’s a post HR did about clouds a while back …

A Portrait – I’ve Looked at Clouds From Both Sides Now
Posted in My Saturday Evening Post

My Saturday Evening Post: 3/8/25 “Gee, What an Airbnb!”

Posted on by Neal Saye

As I mentioned in Friday’s post, Robert and I drove up to Macon, GA, a couple of hours north of Savannah, and checked into a very cool and quirky Airbnb.

The purpose of our trip was to pick up our prizes for participating in the 2024 Georgia Farm Passport program.

Passport: https://search.app/9k7FNoMwS8SUNt2NA

But back to a few interesting features of our Airbnb.

First, look at its frig!

Guests leave notes about their stay.

And when you walk into the living room, you see this:

A simple set of stairs.

Or are they?

And I loved the old trees with Spanish moss in front of the Southern mansion (which had been divided into units for apartments and Airbnb rentals).

I found a description of the trees taped on one of the living room walls:

“The elegant specimen trees out front are Deodar Cedars. Deodar derives from Sanskrit that translates to “timber of the gods.” The tree is native to the Himalayas, where it has been known to reach 250′ tall. It was introduced to Europe in 1822 and to the United States nine years later. This tree is sacred in Hinduism. It produces rose-shaped cones and aromatic oil that naturally deters insects.”

I gathered some of the cones. They really do look like brown roses.

So much more fun than a Holiday Inn Express.

And that’s my Saturday Evening Post.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 3/7/25

Posted on by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Watching this beautifully tall and obviously-in-love couple leaning toward each other at Amerson River Park in Macon, GA yesterday. (Robert and I were taking a walk, waiting for time to check into our Airbnb.)

May they live happily ever after.

2. Finishing a fascinating novel about the timely subject of trans men and women. Both hilarious and heartwarming. I’m so glad we found the book.

This is the 198th book Robert and I have read together.

May we continue to be able to read what we want to read in this nation – and not only what “the government” wants us to read.

3. The ability to feel — physically feel. I have been struggling with more arthritis pain than usual lately. Frustratingly, in several areas of my body. And I’m a big baby when it comes to pain.

As I was moaning and groaning recently, HR reminded me that at least I can feel. Some people can’t even do that. After fighting off the urge to inflict pain upon him, I realized he is right.

4. Once we settled into our Airbnb (three rooms of a crumbling but still beautiful Southern mansion in Macon’s Old Town), we went out onto the huge shared front porch …

… and were promptly welcomed by the Friendly Neighborhood Greeter.

5. Our Travel Buddies (who go with us everywhere) hovering under the tulips HR picked up to brighten our Airbnb.

May you pick up something to brighten your weekend ahead!

Posted in How Has It Come to This?

MAWA — Make America …

Posted on by Neal Saye

… White Again.

The Associated Press

Wow. That’s certainly a pretty clear message.

A little more detail:

Channel 4 News

And of course, it would have to be another loony (think Marjorie Taylor Greene) Georgia representative spewing racist, hateful rancor:

The beautiful affirmation that the lives of black folks do matter is a stain? Seriously?

May these voices of hatred, racism and political evil lose their ability to be heard.

Lord, in Your Mercy, Hear Our Prayer.

Posted in Holidays and Seasonal Changes

Why My Face Is Dirtier Than Usual Today

Posted on by Neal Saye

Robert and I, along with my ex-wife Donna and good friend Margaret, went to our church’s Ash Wednesday service at noon today.

I LOVE the Season of Spring and all the Warm Days, Holidays/Holy days it debuts.

Here’s National Day Calendar’s brief explanation:

“Ash Wednesday signals the beginning of the Lenten season for Christians. It takes place 46 days before Easter and the day after Shrove Tuesday.

Those who celebrate Ash Wednesday may reflect, fast, repent and celebrate. The ashes represent death and repentance and Ash Wednesday services focus on both. In many churches, the ashes are made from the palm branches that are burned from the previous Palm Sunday service.”

I am a Christian (belonging to a very liberal, inclusive, and justice-oriented congregation), but I love this secular rendering of Ash Wednesday:

Google Overview

Here’s a beautifully somber yet encouraging meditation on the meaning of Ash Wednesday:

May you see a Reflection of Good this season.