Recently Robert and I were driving back from a day adventure at the fascinating Webb Wildlife Management Area in Garnett, SC when we looked off to the right and saw this …
Yes, I know, the scene is difficult to see clearly. So HR pulled to the side of the road, and we walked nearer.
But the brush was SO thick, and we couldn’t get very close.
Two old cars hidden in the woods.
There has to be a story here somewhere.
And that’s my hidden-story Saturday Evening Post.
As I was having my coffee this morn. I checked my email and read the weekly Saturday message from our pastor at Asbury Memorial Church here in Savannah.
In it, Pastor Billy wrote about fellow church member, friend and Savannahian Anne Allen Westbrook.
“I know that many of us continue to be stunned by things happening in a world that seems to be turned upside down. The killing of 37 year old mother of three, Renee Cole Good, is the latest act of violence and devaluing of human life that has overtaken our country. I appreciate the words Anne Allen Westbrook, put on Instagram. Anne Allen is an Asbury member and a Georgia State Representative. I am grateful for her leadership.”
Here’s what Anne had to say on You Tube:
And that’s my Saturday Evening Post.
Recently Robert and I visited Southern Belle Farms in McDonough GA. Walking to the side of their fabulous country market, HR yelled, “Neal, look! Baby Jesus on a truck!”
And sure enough, as I got closer, I saw them—all the stars of the traditional crèche: Mary, Joseph and the Baby. The Three Wise Men. An Angel. A Shepherd and his Sheep.
All mounted on an old school farm truck!
Robert started pointing and giving a little impromptu lecture about the various Nativity personnel, as if I were a toddler new to Sunday School.
Mentally asleep for a while in his mansplaining words, I finally woke up and asked, “What do you think happened to Mary’s left arm?”
“Neal, you’re missing the whole point of the display!” he sputtered as he huffed off toward the Kettle Corn stand.
I stood there for a while, pondering about what was missing. Until I finally followed the buttery scent to the Kettle Corn and to Robert.
And that’s My Saturday Evening Post.
So after a wonderful holiday celebration on Thanksgiving Day itself over at my daughter Amy’s on Skidaway Island, Robert and I had our own little family Thanksgiving celebration here at home last night.
It was really Robert’s night as culinary chef. I just helped with prep and cleanup mainly.
Here he is tying up the Cornish hens …
Toasting the cornbread for the sage sausage dressing …
Pan frying the bacon and brussels sprouts …
HR set it all up on this neat little high rise table …
Oh wait, I did do something! I set up the festive holiday dining table.
I probably should not have done this, but as Robert started to say a beautiful Thanksgiving Blessing, I opened my eyes real quick and photographed him. (Who does such a thing?!)
The prayer went on quite a while. I had ample opportunity for a cute close-up.
He caught me after he muttered a too-quick “Amen,” not allowing me time to hide my iPhone.
Then on to the food!
Scrumptiously delicious.
Oh, and don’t forget his pumpkin pie!
What a Delicious Feast with Just the Two of Us.
And that’s my Saturday Evening Post.
Walking through Hobby Lobby the other day, Robert and I came upon these neat seasonal kitchen towels …
I stopped to chat with them for a bit, while HR wandered off … who knows where in the gargantuan store.
“Uh, did you know that Fall is not actually a color?” I probably somewhat ‘I’m-a-retired-professor’ asked the towels.
They answered immediately, and I might add, a bit mockingly: “Uh, you call yourself a retired professor, and yet you don’t understand simple literary devices.”
Taken back a bit by the question, I could not think of a single literary device.
The towels, sensing my embarrassment and feeling a little sorry for me, gently explained: “The statement ‘fall is my favorite color’ primarily uses a literary device called synesthesia.”
“Right,” I said, trying to remember if I had ever heard of “synesthesia.”
I turned away and quickly Googled.
Synesthesia involves blending senses—in this case, treating a season (“fall,” a concept related to time and nature) as if it were a color (a visual property), thus associating the qualities of the season (the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows of the leaves) with the single concept of a “color.” Google AI
“Y’all ARE right!“ I sorta yelled. (It doesn’t take much to get me excited.)
“Fall has always been my favorite season. And now it’s my favorite color too! Thank you!”
But they were already starting to chat with the next customer, explaining Sensational Synesthesia.
I love these fall colors somewhat hiding in the morning shadows here in Historic District Savannah.
Mama and her cute little triplets we saw on a walk.
Yes …
And that’s my Saturday Evening Post.
Robert and I had a quiet, meaningful couple of hours the other evening setting up our annual Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) ofrenda (altar), remembering our parents and other loved ones who have passed on before us.
The time was especially dear for me this year because I thought to pull out some old files that, along with other paraphernalia, stayed for decades in my parents’ safety deposit box before they died (my mother in 2016 and my father in 2020).
In one file was the funeral information about a brother, Jimmie, who was born in 1946 and only lived for five weeks.
My mother dried and kept some flowers from his little grave.
These old flowers are now 78 years ago—three quarters of a century!
I love the Day of the Dead season. “Nov. 1 is known as Día de los Angelitos, which honors the souls of deceased children, and Nov. 2 is Día de los Muertos.” usatoday.com
So today HR and I remembered little Jimmie and his brief life.
And that’s my Saturday Evening Post.
Today’s No Kings Day here in Savannah loudly and colorfully protested Trump’s increasingly dangerous authoritarian moves.
Robert and I joined five thousand other patriotic Americans to say in unison that we have had enough of Trump’s Hitler-esque “leadership.”
My favorite chant at the protest:
“Tell Me What Democracy Looks Like.”
“This Is What Democracy Looks Like!”
It Really Isn’t.
What a peaceful, beautiful, loving, patriotic gathering of folks wanting the best for our nation.
GOD BLESS AMERICA.
And that’s my Saturday Evening Post,.
Along a recent hike at our nearby Skidaway Island State Park, Savannah GA.
And that’s my Saturday Evening Post.
Grandson Matthew’s new puppies. Uh, can you tell which one is the runt of the litter?
NealEnJoy 