Author: Neal Saye

Posted in Beautiful Savannah

There’s a Story Here Somewhere

Posted on by Neal Saye

Walking through Savannah’s Colonial Park Cemetery this morning with HR, we came across this bench.

There has to be a story somewhere. Is the story’s central character Mary Helen Ray, whose name is on the bench?

Or maybe one of the nearly 700 folks who died during a yellow fever epidemic in Savannah: “The most macabre bit of history involves a subtly tweaked fact on a historical marker about the yellow fever. According to the marker, ‘nearly 700’ victims of the 1820 yellow fever epidemic were buried in a mass grave, but historical records allegedly show that exactly 666 people are buried in the grave. Nearly 700, indeed.” savannahnow.com.

Here’s a link to an interesting story about Colonial Park Cemetery: 

https://www.savannahnow.com/story/lifestyle/2021/08/04/savannah-history-cemeteries-colonial-park-yellow-fever-deaths-graves/5476392001/#

Oh, and for extra credit, here is Robert sitting in a bunch of ginkgo biloba leaves at one of the entrances to Colonial Park Cemetery …

That’s probably a story in itself.

Saturday Evening Post
Posted in My Saturday Evening Post

My Saturday Evening Post: 2/22/25 “Berry Good”

Posted on by Neal Saye

Yesterday in my Five Friday Happy Bringers, I mentioned the delicious joy that can be found in simple food.

And these days, with the turmoil going on in our nation, I need bits of joy wherever they can be found.

Easy breakfast. Costco Apple Danish.

Okay, maybe HR sliced some fresh strawberries on top of the apples.

Thick-cut bacon with freshly ground black pepper and a dash of cayenne.

LOVE-ly morning.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 2/21/25

Posted on by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. The amazingly resilient beauty of Savannah’s Resurrection Fern.

The green plant growing on the live oak tree behind me, Pleopeltis polypodioides, commonly known as Resurrection Fern, is “a native plant known for its ability to survive extreme dehydration and revive when exposed to water. Appearance and behavior: During dry periods, the fern shrivels and turns brown, resembling a dead clump of leaves. It can lose up to 97% of its water content, while most plants can only tolerate a 10% loss.”

“When it rains, the fern uncurls and turns green within hours.” National Wildlife Federation

(I need a little of what it has!)

2. Recognizing that two out of three isn’t bad.

High School Basketballer Grandson Gabriel practicing three-pointers

3. Going on a fascinating Savannah Port Tour this week.

Savannah has one of the busiest ports in the nation. We live a few blocks from the Savannah River, walk along it often but have never toured the port.

Fascinating!

Here we are with our nee bestie tour buddies.

Captain Birdie’s flowing hair.

There’s also a massive yacht repair facility …

The white structure to the right is actually a large yacht which had been “shrink wrapped” for some kind of moisture-control work.

What a fun couple of hours.

4. The joy of simple, delicious food.

I love being able to pull my grandmother’s large cast iron skillet off our cool, little rack …

… and toss in a couple of seasoned chicken thighs, along with whatever vegetables are on hand (cherry tomatoes, carrots and onions this time).

Yum!

5. The truth of this little placard outside a business on a recent morning walk here in Savannah.

Whatever your definition of “good” may be, may you have it this day … and this weekend.

Posted in The Artful Dodger, Unexpected Art

“The Artful Dodger“ #25

Posted on by Neal Saye

A blog category about finding “art” in unexpected places and situations.

So Robert and I were at Whole Foods today shopping for a few (emphasis “few”) things: his deionized water (don’t get me started), dried porcini mushrooms (don’t get me started, again — one of his recipes) and my white balsamic vinegar, which I REALLY needed for an incredible salad dressing that I have fallen in love with. (I’m a retired English professor, so I know better than to end a sentence with a proposition, but who cares? I’m retired.)

We were successful with finding the water and the white balsamic vinegar. And all went well until we got to the checkout counter.

For some reason when we tried to scan the white balsamic vinegar, it said “Price cannot be resolved” as if we were in some United Nations mediation.

The delightfully beautiful clerk went to try to figure out what the “Resolve” issue was. She came back, beaming and said “It’s free!“

Our (my) white balsamic vinegar when we got home, proudly standing on our counter.

So then (we’re back at Whole Foods now) we went onto our next item, fresh Turmeric!

Okay, explanation. I have been having a bit of an issue with high blood pressure lately. I have been trying to incorporate both fresh ginger and fresh turmeric into our diet.

I put the turmeric down on the scale thingy.

Walked a little closer.

Walked a little closer still and saw her.

Do you see her? She’s walking to the left with a healthy gait. Encouraging me!

HEALTHY ART! AT WHOLE FOODS!