Holidays and Seasonal Changes

HNY ‘26

Posted on January 1, 2026 by Neal Saye

My hope and prayer for us all in this brand new 2026 is for Peace.

Peace in our Individual Lives.

Peace in our Homes.

Peace in our Country and in our World.

Holidays and Seasonal Changes

In-Between Peace

Posted on December 27, 2025 by Neal Saye

In a short encouraging email article, “Honoring the Pause Between,” Savannah’s Ordinary Magic looks at the week we are in right now:

“This week between Christmas and the New Year often feels a little untethered. The calendar keeps moving, but something in us slows down.

It’s a liminal time — not quite behind us, not yet ahead. A space where nothing needs to be decided, named, or improved. Where rest doesn’t have to justify itself. Where listening matters more than planning.

January will come soon enough, and with it we’ll begin tending the inner hearth — warmth, protection, intention, and care. For now, this week belongs to rest and gentle noticing.” ordinarymagic.com

May we all experience—and gift—peace during this in-between time.

Holidays and Seasonal Changes

Peace and Light to You This Winter Solstice 2025

Posted on December 21, 2025 by Neal Saye

Holidays and Seasonal Changes, How Has It Come to This?

“Through the Night” 🇺🇸

Posted on July 4, 2025July 5, 2025 by Neal Saye

It is with divided sentiments that I awake early this 2025 Fourth of July and set the table for our little Independence Day breakfast.

Last evening Robert and I went over to daughter Amy’s for a family cookout and to watch incredible day-early fireworks from her lovely Moon River-facing balcony.

Glorious Beauty.

But as I stood behind my husband Robert and my ex-wife Donna, as they leaned on the railing toward the patriotic display …

… and as I listened to Lee Greenwood iconically singing from my son-in-law‘s speakers:

… I wondered, in the midst of the firework’s bangs, crackles, whistles and sizzles, if Lee’s words still ring true. Does the flag still stand for freedom under the current fascist regime? And if so, freedom for whom? For me as a married gay man? For my daughters and granddaughters to have autonomy over their own bodies? For my trans friends to live without threats of discrimination or even murder? Etc. Etc.

But Lee would have nothing of that viewpoint, as he continued to sing …

That absolute “knowing” of freedom in the USA has faded somewhat for me.

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I love yesteryear Kate Smith’s rendition of “God bless America,”

This morning, her phrase “through the NIGHT” emanates new meaning for me. For we are living/trying to live through a Darkened Night Phase of our beloved country, with democracy under attack from within by our own leaders. A democracy which my husband Robert spent nearly 30 years in the Army trying to defend. A democracy which many of his comrades gave their lives to defend.

So why do I display the flag this Independence Day morn?

And why do I still feel a measure of pride as I take my morning walk and see all of this in my Savannah neighborhood?

Because I hope and believe that God (or whatever force you believe is greater than evil) Will Bless the True America and grant us a new Dawn of Democracy after this Darkness.

I especially like this darkened black and white version of Kate Smith’s “God bless America.”

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Now that it has brightened up a bit, I’m going to sit down with HR (Hubby Robert) for breakfast.

Holiday Joy, Holidays and Seasonal Changes

And Now, A Truly Warm and Heartfelt Irish Blessing

Posted on March 17, 2025 by Neal Saye

Holiday Joy, Holidays and Seasonal Changes

A Warm and Heartfelt Irish Blessing

Posted on March 17, 2025March 17, 2025 by Neal Saye

On St. Patrick’s Day, there’s nothing quite like a heartfelt and loving Irish Blessing …

Holiday Joy, Holidays and Seasonal Changes

Sunday Evening Shenanigans

Posted on March 16, 2025March 16, 2025 by Neal Saye

It’s St. Patrick’s Day eve, and as Robert and I have done the last five or six years, we hightail it out of Dodge (well, Savannah).

“Why,” you may be asking. “Doesn’t Savannah have one of the nation’s largest and most celebrated St. Patrick’s Day bashes/parades?”

Yes, it does. And we have enjoyed them in the past.

But here comes the rub. I moved to Savannah back in 2009, as I was semi-retiring from Georgia Southern University (about an hour north of SAV). I have lived in two Savannah locations , and (incredibly) BOTH were directly on the parade route, which initially sounded great. And I suppose initially it was.

But as the years went by, I began to see aspects of the parade’s insanity. Don’t get me wrong, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations can be so much fun and meaningful: the Greening of the Fountains, the Celtic Cross Ceremony in Emmet Park, the Jasper Green Ceremony in Madison Square, etc.

Savannah’s population is around 150.000, and the parade usually draws at least that many more visitors. And living on the parade route, we have witnessed disappointing human behavior outside our door. Our potted plants being trampled, thrown and broken on the pavement, even urinated upon. (TMI?). Partiers loudly camping outside our door all night the night before the parade.

So anyway, we drove an hour or so south of us to St. Simons Island to a quaint little retro motel (not hotel). Queen’s Court Inn:

We are currently high-energetically super-celebrating St. Patty Eve.

My helpers:

And Robert’s:

It’s deliciously quiet here. And raining softly outside.

celebrate (with a small “c”).

Holidays and Seasonal Changes

Why My Face Is Dirtier Than Usual Today

Posted on March 5, 2025March 5, 2025 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.”