Marveling this Monday, remembering the terrific Savannah Pride Weekend we just experienced.
As I have mentioned before, both Savannah and Atlanta hold their Pride Festivals in October because the traditional month of June is simply TOO HOT here.
We started the weekend at our church’s Friday night Pride Service. 
Then Saturday was the Savannah Pride Festival in beautiful Forsyth Park.
I love the beautiful truthfulness of this poster:
Marveling this morn.
Participating in the Savannah Photo Club’s Third Sunday Photo Walk yesterday, I came across this very mature, dead-looking rambling rose bush.
But as I got closer, i saw a defiant splash of red beckoning me through the branches.
A brilliant late-October duo.
“Old does not mean dead,” they said in unison.
Wait, let me get this straight. Folks are getting fired from their jobs for exercising their first amendment right to speak freely.
But this guy can call for execution of American citizens with no punishment?
I’m marveling, as usual, at our amazing ability to read.
I invite you to stop whatever you’re doing for a moment and think/shout, “I can read!”
Here’s what I’m reading right now …
Happy Monday!
I’m marveling this Monday morn, reliving Robert’s and my delightful hiking adventure at nearby J. F. Gregory Park down in nearby Richmond Hill GA.
And a little picnic in the park …
I hope you have something to marvel about this Monday.
September is here! And I am marveling this morning because it was 66° (!) when Robert and I headed out to one of our favorite coffee shops, Flora and Fauna. I actually wore a jacket! (I had to look around a bit for it.)
My coffee:
HR’s:
Happy September First!
Both moaning and marveling a bit this Monday.
Robert and I are grandson-, doggie- and house-sitting for Daughter Amy and Scott while they take Grandson Daniel off to his freshman year of college.
One of the duties is taking Coastal for walks.
And even though it’s less than a month from the beginning of fall, it’s still HOT here in Savannah — 88 with a real feel of 96 this afternoon.
So here I am walking Coastal this afternoon – Senior Citizen Edition.
Afterwards …
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.
NealEnJoy 