On my Monday morning walk today, I came upon a bit of a surprise: PINK AZALEAS (Savannah’s Springtime Sensation) contrarily blooming in the Heated Heart of August.
Good for them – and their rebellious nature.
I started to walk away, but then turned and asked them why on earth they were blooming NOW.
Their answer:
Well, I suppose that I am Marveling this morning, but with a side of Moan.
Yesterday morn, instead of attending our beautiful and inclusive Asbury Church here in Savannah, Robert and I played hooky. Since it was an unusually cool reprieve from our stiflingly serious summer heat, I suggested we drive over to Savannah‘s iconic Bonaventure Cemetery and do what we have not been doing much this summer … walk outside.
What a beautiful, old cemetery/park, along a bluff of the tranquil Wilmington River.
We took our time, walking quietly, almost meditatively, under the ancient live oaks and magnolias. A morning breeze (amazingly refreshing for early August!) invited the Spanish Moss to a ceremonial Dance of the Dead above our heads.
About an hour into this Sauntering Sunday Service, I somewhat wearily gazed through the overgrown and dark green “we-bloomed-months-ago” azalea bushes.
And saw it.
“Let’s walk over there, Robert.”
A small mausoleum, circa 1927, darkened and a bit crumbling with age and wear, the small double doors having patinated over the decades into a glorious, deep metallic green.
The Schroder family whispered us closer, even offering me a little sitting of rest (which I desperately needed).
‘Neal, look behind you,” HR quietly instructed.
Someone (who?) had placed a single, long-stemmed, radiantly red rose at the foot of the doors, below the two “S’s.”
(My last name is Saye, Robert’s is Smith, I for some reason thought.)
“Pick it up.”
I obeyed, trying to avoid the thorns.
I have been dealing with some frustrating physical issues (thorns!) lately—causing me to be a bit out of sorts with the world and with life.
73 years come with challenges.
Then again …
And I still crave the rose.
I’m moaning this Monday over an incredible injustice that happened recently near me here in South Georgia.
The librarian in the middle of the photo below, Lavonnia Moore, was fired from her position at the Pierce County Library.
“Why?” you ask.
Lavonnia oversaw a patron-led display of children’s books with the theme “Color Our World.” One book on display, When Aiden Became a Brother, features a beautifully loving trans young person.
I went to our local library, found the book, sat down with Robert and read it.
A heartfelt rendering of love, care and acceptance.
Here’s a link to an article about the firing injustice:
Add a link to another article about common sense folks who are trying to reverse the decision.
https://share.google/ZQYpEC31wmqtKuA7G
May our artists, poets, librarians, and readers continue to have freedom in these troubled United States.
Oh my goodness! I’m still MARVELING over Robert’s absolutely amazing Scalloped Potatoes in Cast Iron Sunday Night Supper …
It was actually a full meal because Robert added layers of turkey and ham — and then some bacon on top.
(I unsuccessfully tried to convince myself that it was sort of vegetarian since it had so many potatoes.)
I’m marveling this Monday morn at the absolutely amazing ability … TO READ! (As I often reiterate whenever I think about gratitude, everyone doesn’t have that for which I’m grateful.)
I love this little whatever-it-is. We saw it in the crafts section at Saturday’s fabulous Forsyth Farmers Market here in Savannah.
A delightful artisan creates beautifully quirky works of art from silver cutlery!
Sidebar: Robert fell in love with the tiny magnetic flower vases made from the hollow bottom sections of silver knives!
Okay, back to the “Reading” topic of this post. As I have shown before, here are our reading chairs in our study.
And here’s what I’m currently reading …
… a fascinating and “I-can’t-believe-I’ve-never-heard-of-this-before” look at the history of gay life in Brooklyn.
Because I’m sure you’re just dying to know, I usually read two books simultaneously: what I call my “short time read” (above) and my “long time read.” (The “long time read” is a book not intended to be read quickly or even from cover to cover.
Here’s my current “long time read”:
“Ohm. Ohm. Ohm. Ohm.”
My “long time reads” are often self-help about physical, mental, emotional or relationship health. Robert often says that one would think I would be in MUCH better physical, mental, emotional and relationship shape, having read “so much of this junk.” (I try to pay little to no attention to HR.)
I hope you find something that fascinates you this new day and week.
Happy Monday Marveling!
I’m marveling this Monday morn at the Colors of Summer here in Savannah.
Walking out our front door, I ran into this brilliant little fellow, lounging on one of our potted plants.
Look closer.
I asked him his name. “Verdante,” he replied, with no hesitation. “Yours?”
From Flower Farms at The Forsyth Farmers Market on Saturday …
And inside our little abode …
May you have a Cool and Colorful Week ahead.
I’m marveling this morn, remembering our supper last night.
I prepared Neal’s Sunday Night Chicken, using a variation of Ina Garten’s Perfect Roast Chicken.
Prep the six-pound chicken …
Impatiently wait an hour and a half, as incredible aroma fills our humble abode.
In the meantime, make vegetable broth with parts of the veggies I did not use.
And take a little rest with Benny on the couch …
Voila!
Delicious Food Joy!
I’m Marveling this Monday Morn remembering our hike the other day at Skidaway Island State Park near us.
We saw our first alligator of the season. He (she?) was a young one. So we didn’t hang out around too long because Mama was probably somewhere close.
“Alligators are common in Savannah, as the area provides a suitable habitat for the species with its mix of freshwater and saltwater environments, as well as abundant prey. Alligators are found in many of the waterways and marshes surrounding Savannah, including the Savannah River and Skidaway Island.” savannahproper.com
Robert and I have learned to respect the large alligator population here in Coastal Georgia. They are not aggressive and will generally leave people alone, as long as we keep our distance (especially while walking a dog) and refrain from feeding them.
I’m Marveling this Monday Morn at last night’s Marvelous Easter Supper.
Chef Robert made a scrumptious dinner of beautiful lamb steaks, chopped asparagus, gnocchi (potato dumplings) and a savory herb gremolata sauce.
I had not heard of gremolata before, but Google came to the rescue. “Gremolata is an herb condiment classically made from parsley, lemon zest and finely chopped garlic.”
Beyond Delicious!
TIB (Truth in Blogging): Shockingly, HR did not make this MARVEL-ous meal from scratch.
Do you know about these meal kits from The Fresh Market? We have tried half a dozen of them so far and loved them all.
We have also gotten to know the delightful butcher Elise at our Savannah Fresh Market. She puts the meal kits together. When Robert showed her the kit he chose for our Easter Supper, Elise took the kit from his hands and replaced it with larger lamb steaks. (Get to know your butcher!)
NealEnJoy 