For quite a while, Robert and I have been planning a trip up to Baltimore to visit a handful of his aging aunts and other relatives in the city and surrounding area.
Our early morning flight from Savannah landed in the Baltimore/Washington International Airport about 9 am this past Tuesday. What a shock it was to us when we turned our phones back on to see the horrorific news about the disaster of the Francis Scott Key Bridge about 15 miles away. And as we found out later, six workers were missing and presumed dead.
1. Ironically enough, first on our agenda before we checked into our Airbnb later in the day was to visit the gravesites of Robert’s mother in Maryland National Memorial Park …
And his father and stepmom in Arbutus Cemetery …
2. We LOVED going back to our favorite Baltimore crab cake restaurant, G and M.
3. Reveling in the ravishing Baltimore daffodils.
Here’s a fascinating little independent film I produced, wrote and directed titled “Daffodil Hunching.” (Watch carefully for my guest star.)
(HR didn’t know he was in the film.)
4. Seeing the beauty and truth of this Ukrainian Catholic Church across from Patterson Park in Baltimore.
5. Finding the coolest Free Little Library.
And three books!
I hope you’ve had a Good Good Friday and will enjoy a Great Easter Weekendahead.
But not just any tree. a magnificent Longleaf Pine here in Savannah.
2. Last Friday on our way to Jacksonville, Florida for the weekend, stopping by Amelia Island for lunch at one of our favorite casual lunch haunts along the ocean, Coast at the Ritz Carlton. (We eat there, not stay there.)
My Catch of the Day Sandwich was simply incredible.
3. Grandson Gabriel’s sensational three seconds in a recent basketball game in Atlanta …
I’m afraid he doesn’t get that skill from me. ☹️
4. While we were in Jacksonville last weekend (to get away from Savannah‘s crazy St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans, if you want to know … we live on the parade route), we ventured over to Jacksonville Beach where my family vacationed for well over a decade back in the late 60s and 70s.
We visited the Beaches Museum there. And from their archives, I discovered the motel where my family stayed … the Silver Sea Motel! A mid- to lower-end motel with beds where you could insert a quarter and get a shaky fifteen-minute “massage.”
Such JOYFUL memories.
5. Our three little Travel Buddies who venture with us on all our trips.
We have given each other a variety of neat little stuffed animals over the years (i.e. gay), but these three have become our favorite. They go where we go. This photo was taken in the living room of our Jacksonville Airbnb. We loved the pink azaleas waving at us through the windows.
May this weekend you enJOY some JOYful memories as well.
1. Our seasonally inappropriate yet longevity-embracing pumpkin from last fall … who simply refuses to give up the ghost.
2. Like they have done in winters past, someone “decorates” our Washington Square with newly fallen camellia blooms.
3. Our incredible digestive systems, which take the food we eat and voila! gives us energy and health. Thank you, Tummy.
4. I try to keep roses around as long as possible. Why wouldn’t you?! Here’s a reiteration (is that a word?) of some white beauties that Robert gave me on Valentine’s Day.
5. R and R. (Robert and Red.)
May this weekend bring you an extravagance of Joy.
2. This terrific little book HR and I recently finished.
It beautifully illustrates “trans, nonbinary and gender expansive” individuals who have made/continue to make a positive and healthy difference in our world.
3. Fallen beauty.
Pink camellias near us.
4. Friday morning at 7:36, in my pj’s and robe, lazily blogging on the couch. (Hey, I’m retired.)
5. Strolling down an alley near us and seeing a downtown (Savannah) neighbor getting a head start on Spring and Easter.
I seem to have some sort of Pink Theme going on this Friday.
So may you be Tickled Pink at least one time this weekend.
NealEnJoy 