Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 2/20/26

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Trying to get used to our new almost-finished violet/pink kitchen.

2. Having a blast at our church’s Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper (with its legendary toppings bar) the night before the beginning of Lent.

3. Our fantastic ability to TASTE. Have you expressed gratitude for that amazing joy lately?

4. HR contemplatively enjoying a muddy, but still beautiful, little pond.

5. At my old age, absolutely reveling in and enjoying the discovery of children books with powerful messages.

A book about the joy of food traditions in families

May you eat something this weekend that reminds you of … home.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 2/13/26

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Somehow finding moments of peace each day.

2. The Pride Flag returning to the iconic Stonewall Inn after the Homophobic and History-Erasing Trump Administration removed it.

cnn

(But who knows what the regime’s next move will be.)

3. The ability to feel sensations. Cold, warmth, etc. What a blessing.

4. Lap swimming at the beautiful Hinesville GA YMCA the other day.

I plan to make the U.S. swim team at the next Summer Olympics.

5. Our three “travel buddies” who go with us everywhere.

May you somehow “Travel to Joy” this weekend.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 2/6/26

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Feeding the birds. In the midst of a bit of snow.

2. Benny on the old cast iron farmhouse bed.

3. Believing that tomorrow, though not promised, will more than likely occur.

4. Ms. Mop and Mr. Broom (a couple, I think) on the side porch at the farmhouse.

(More about their story later.)

5. HR entering a Valentine-y Kroger.

May you have a Weekend of Wonder.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 1/30/26

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. The Joy of Sharing a Meal with Friends.

Peggy, Moi, Mike and HR at the very cool Public restaurant in Savannah.

2. Oh my GOODness, Tuesday’s breakfast at Ally’s Bakery in Rincon GA, near the farmhouse where we’re staying while our place in Savannah is being renovated.

Perfect quiche with oh-my-GOODness pastry

Made from scratch cinnamon rolls

Ally’s cakes and cookies are works of art. Check out some of her work/art on her website:

https://www.allysbakeryllc.com/

3. The amazing ability to SMELL! Walking into Abby’s the first time!

4. Laughing at discovering the outdoor shower at the old farmhouse where we are staying. The farm belongs to our friend Gordon who lives in Arizona but keeps his grandparents’ farm for visits to Georgia.

Of course it has been FAR TOO COLD try it out!

5. But wasn’t too cold for a tuna salad picnic outside the farmhouse the other day.

May it be warm enough for you to bask in some Weekend Joy ahead.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 1/23/26

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Robert MORE than enjoying his all-you-can-eat crab legs dinner at Tin Fin, a little seafood restaurant we discovered near where we are staying for a few weeks while our Savannah place is being renovated.

2. This old mailbox at our temporary country farmhouse.

See? Old can still be noteworthy and pretty, even with its age spots and creaky hinges.

3. Our amazing bodies, which are always trying to persuade us to appreciate them and to take care of them.

4. A Cute Coincidence …

But first a little background: HR and I agree on many things BUT NOT ABOUT COFFEE. He’s a Starbucks fellow while I love Dunkin Donuts. And here in Rincon GA, fairly close to the farmhouse, there is a Dunkin Donuts a few doors down from a Starbucks.

So here’s what we do when we go out for morning coffee: Pop in to Dunkin Donuts to get mine and then head to Starbucks for Robert’s — and to sit a spell with our iPads.

My blasphemous DD proudly (arrogantly?) holding his own inside a Starbucks.

Oh, and here’s the Cute Coincidence: My barista at DD is named Winter, while Robert’s at Starbucks is Autumn.

5. Yesterday HR and I took a day trip across the Savannah River (yes, we’re still close to the river, an hour away from our home, which is two blocks from the river!) over to the Webb Wildlife Management Area in South Carolina.

The Webb’s entrance … and Robert.
Majestic Pines 

And here’s a little recording of bird sounds at the Webb’s rookery. (LOTS of LOUD birdies but hidden from view in the thick brush.)

TIB (Truth in Blogging): I had to look up the definition of a “rookery.” I was getting it confused with a “bird blind.”

“A rookery is a crowded, communal nesting or breeding colony, most commonly referring to birds like herons, egrets, or rooks.”

Cypress “knees” in Lake Bluff.

May you hike into some joy this weekend.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 1/17/26

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Outdoor winter lunch at the farmhouse.

Voila! Hambone Soup

And it’s just warm enough to eat outside. It = weather as well as soup.

2. Reading/skimming through this beautifully delightful book about flowers.

And then going outside the farmhouse to practice …

Okay, maybe I won’t win any floral awards. But it was fun.

3. Being able to stay warm in the cold of winter. What a blessing!

Brrr. Savannah!

4. This ceiling light at a local indoor—outdoor restaurant.

5. The neat coincidence of Grandson Gabriel re-entering his recent high school basketball game just as an advertisement for his parents’ medical company flashed on the screen behind him.

http://www.coastalcarepartners.com

May you have some neat coincidences this weekend!

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 1/9/26

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. These gorgeous Paperwhite Narcissus jewels blooming in the yard of the old farmhouse (in January!) where Robert and I are staying while our kitchen and living room get a renovation.

2. Daughter Amy and her Hubby Scott being named one of Savannah’s “Power Couples” in the current issue of Savannah Magazine.

Old Proud Dad

3. Simplicity.

The older I get, the simpler I desire my life to be.

4. Good deals.

5. Anything Cardinal.

Sun catcher gift 

May you catch some joy this weekend.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 1/2/26

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Kitty Benny in black and white on my lap the other morning.

2. Blessings of the New Year waiting to be revealed.

3. The wonderful ability to Breathe Deeply.

4. Robert and my New Year’s Eve/New York Strip cookout.

It was warm enough to eat outside.

5. Remembering this festively pedaling Santa that HR and I saw in Manhattan a few weeks ago.

May you make some Memories of Good this first weekend of the New Year.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 12/26/25

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. This little golden tree I saw on a walk the other day.

2. Robert’s Christmas Morning Breakfast …

Apple and Bacon Sundae Cups

Okay, maybe now it seems more like Christmas Breakfast/Dessert.

3. Holiday Joy.

4. Benny’s favorite gift …

Kitty Stocking Scratcher.

5. Granddaughter Madison … a beautiful gift.

Maybe a few more than Five Happy Bringers this Holiday Friday.

Holiday Bathroom

Incredible Christmas Lights Display in Downtown Macon, Georgia

HR continuing to show up in Christmas mirrors

May you show up in Holiday Joy this weekend.