Robert and I have been up in Philadelphia this week for an anniversary getaway, so most of my Happy Bringers are found within our travel.
1. First, a few photographic mistakes I made during the week. Which are actually sort of cool.
2. Delicious and messy Philly Cheesesteak at Pat’s King of Steaks (who supposedly created the iconic sandwich).
3. The Joy of being able to travel a bit. Everybody certainly doesn’t have the luxury.
4. Well, …
It was our anniversary after all.
5. Unbeknown to HR and me while planning our Philadelphia trek … landing smack dab in the center of Philly’s Gayborhood.
The blue dot is our hotel, Alexander Inn.
Iconic gay bookstore, Giovanni’s Room, a short walk away.
May you have a Grand and Gay Weekend ahead!
P.S. As I write this post, Robert and I are on the Midnight Train to Georgia. (We arrive in Atlanta early morn.)
“[We’re] leaving (leaving) On that midnight train to Georgia (leaving on a midnight train) Hmm, yeah Said [we’re] going back (going back to find) To a simpler place and time (and when [we take] that ride) Oh yes, [we are]”
1. This photo I snapped yesterday of an elderly couple, holding hands and walking into Walmart. For some reason, it sort of melted my heart for a moment.
Even in Christmas colors! 
2. Robert and I attending last night‘s annual Christmas tree lighting at the Jepsen Center for the Arts here in downtown Savannah.
The event featured a Fabulous Harpist (who we have seen at another downtown event or two).
And here’s Robert bothering her while she’s trying to perform.
TIB (Truth in Blogging): They were chatting, and she was excitedly telling Robert about how she unexpectedly started getting email checks for her work that somehow made its way … to Russia! TMI?
Look, The Clauses! (Is that how you spell their plural last name?)
I think she was the real Mrs. Claus. Robert apparently did too. I got HR a quick part-time job, taking festive photos of other revelers.
3. The good-feeling ability to be excited about seasonal changes and holidays. I know that it’s a blessing because many people are not happy at this time of year.
4. Beautiful Camelias, the “Winter Rose,” blooming all over downtown Savannah.
Hiding behind a courtyard wall
5. Beautifully delicious coffee (peppermint mocha) at Origin Coffee Bar.
Robert got a cookie with his coffee too, but it dropped in and melted. I laughed, a bit too loudly. He tried to even the score by saying that his coffee was much better with the melted cookie. 
**********************
And here I am trying to be all bohemian coffee shop-artsy …
May your happiness this weekend be better than a melted cookie.
1. Robert’s little red hat under Burger King’s new lights … which look like a gargantuan burger. See the top bun on the right?
2. Remembering last Sunday and Savannah Photo Club’s Third Sunday Photo Walk. (Whew. That’s a mouthful.)
We met at the newly opened and very cool Laundry Diner …
… and walked about a mile around the Thomas Square neighborhood.
Most folks had these fancy cameras (including Robert), some with lens as long as my forearm, but I tagged along, head held high, with my trusty iPhone.
Perhaps the thing I love most about the monthly walk, other than the photo snapping and the socializing, is the opportunity to really SEE your city, up close and personal, which can only be done on foot.
Oh, we finished up the walk back at the diner, sharing a … little BLT.
3. The ability to walk. Oh my goodness, what an “I usually take it for granted” blessing!
4. Simple beauty.
Centerpiece on a lunch table recently
5. Attending an absolutely fascinating interview at our local Jepson Center for the Arts, featuring New York-based costume designer for stage and film Tracy Christensen.
After talking about the behind-the-scenes work involved in dressing characters, Tracy specifically delved into her collaborative role with Glenn Close and the Broadway reprisal of Sunset Boulevard in 2017.
Miraculously, Robert and I were in NYC and able to see the brilliant actress as Norma Desmond on the very final day of the production.
A few samples of Close’s archive of outfits she wore in various projects over the years on display at The Jepson.
Look! There’s HR, walking down his own pretend runway.
May Happiness and Good Health be your Costume this Weekend.
1. Buying my first bunch of mid-fall Southern fresh collards at our favorite little neighborhood grocer here in Savannah, The Red and White.
With hog jowls, adding the flavor of yesteryear and Granny. Dinner tonight with Beef Brisket and my jalapeño cornbread.
2. Napping with Benny.
3. The ability to REMEMBER.
What is something you remember with fondness this Friday?
Right now I’m remembering how excited Robert was last Christmas sitting between Santa and Mrs. Claus.
And I realize I’ve had almost a year now to tell HR that there is no real Santa, but with that smile, I just can’t quite bring myself to do it.
4. Pain medication when we need it.
5. The glorious Introduction to the Holidays Robert and I experienced today at the annual Holly Days Luncheon and Bazaar hosted by the incredible women of St. John’s Church here in Savannah.
We’ve been walking across the Historic District for years now to experience this delicious snd elegantly festive day.
The lunch was held at the church’s beautifully historic Green-Meldrim House, which …
greenmeldrimhouse.org
I opted for the BBQ plate, HR the salad trio.
We were GREATLY distracted while eating our lunch because of the Huge Dessert Table right next to us.
I chose the Red Velvet Cake with homemade whipped cream, while Robert got the Guinness Chocolate Cake with whipped cream and fruit compote. (He’s fancy.). He asked for a tall glass of glass of Guinness to go along with it, but he did not get what he asked for.
And post-lunch we loved walking through the Silent Auction area.
Look! A Nanny Bench! (Truthfully, I had never heard of such a thing before.)
See that little railing on the left side. That’s where Nanny plops down Baby so she can snooze a bit while rocking the bench.
Speaking of sitting, check out this beautiful little window alcove.
Let’s get closer and into the light.
Do you think it would be okay if I sat down for just a sec on that gigantic comfy- and angelic-looking pillow?
By the way, it was the golden mirror for sale, not the pretty pillow. My silent offer of $4.99 didn’t get very far, darn it.
But we did pick up a couple of books …
… and some homemade vegetable soup for another day …
We were certainly Well Fed in Every Way at this year’s fun-filled Holly Days.
May you have a healthy weekend and be Fed with a substantial Serving of Joy.
1. Realizing last Saturday night that I can, as Cher so desperately wished, turn back time.
Goodbye, daylight savings time.
2. Embracing (well not literally) the Joy of Candles! Especially autumnal pumpkin spice-smelling candles.
(My heart was a bit broken recently when I discovered that pumpkin spice really has nothing to do with actual pumpkins. It’s called “pumpkin spice,” of course, because those spices are frequently found in pumpkin pie. Wouldn’t you think someone my age would know that?)
3. The ability to smell. (Well, most of the time.)
4. Our little potted Japanese Maple (aka JM), stubbornly refusing to admit that it is now FALL.
Here’s our little fellow about this time last year …
I haven’t shown the photo to JM. I don’t want to rush him and be one of those parents who cause their kids to develop “hurried child syndrome.”
5. And finally, this is a follow-up to my post the other day about finding those little Jesus figurines (!) on the gas pump at Kroger. Remember?
Well, yesterday HR and I went to Publix for our weekly It’s-Wednesday’s-buy-one-get-one-free shopping spree.
We were minding our own business, when lo and behold, I looked down at the BOGO queso and saw …
Wait. Look closer.
See Him?!
Yet another Little Jesus! Seriously!
I made Robert snap a photo for documentation (quickly, because people were beginning to stare.)
Somebody must SERIOUSLY be on a mission here in Savannah.
And may you complete a Serious Mission to find some Autumn Happiness this weekend.
1. Yummy Muscadine Barbecue Wings I made the other night.
2. Walking into PetSmart and seeing this Halloween costume display for doggies.
Seriously?
3. Our sense of Sound. What are you hearing right now? Pause for a second and be mindful of all the sounds in your experience at this moment. Even if some of those sounds are perhaps a bit annoying (hello neighborhood dog that will not stop barking), still, what a blessing to be able to hear!
4. Being mesmerized by more than 10,000 pumpkins (!) on display on a recent trip to the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
(P.S. I asked one of the garden workers what would happen to all of the pumpkins when they were removed. She told me they would be made into mulch for the garden. I felt better after that.)
5. This quirky drawing of a goat.
May something quirky give you a bit of happiness this weekend!
NealEnJoy 