I am SO happy that HR (you know who that refers to by now) is getting healthier day by day! Mainly, of course, because I simply want him healthy. Yes, of course I do. But coming in an incredibly close, embarrassingly close second, is that he’s now cooking for me again. And isn’t that important too?
Last night … Fresh Peach Upside Down Cake (in my grandmother’s cast iron, just so you know).
And look at this riveting short film I produced and directed called, “Pour Robert.”
Here’s a genuine, real life post-oven shot.
And here’s a “Martha Stewart ain’t got nuthin on me” attitude shot.
(FYI: HR loves Martha Stewart.)
(Note to self: Talk to Therapist Rubi about this.)
I’m so glad Robert is starting to feel peachy again.
For this week’s Saturday Evening Post, I share with you excerpts from today’s weekly email from Billy Hester, the pastor of our church here in Savannah — Asbury Memorial.
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Dear Asbury & Wesley Oak Family,
I write you with a heavy heart due to the tragedy occurring in Europe. For the first time since World War II, Air Raid Sirens are going off in Kyiv. We are seeing the worst of humanity as Russia invades Ukraine, destroying the lives of countless men, women, and children. More than ever, we need to come together in prayer. I hope you will join me in church this Sunday as I lead us in prayer for the people of these two countries and for the world.
When I was a teenager I was a percussionist in the Savannah Youth Orchestra. But honestly, I wasn’t a very good drummer…as in the snare drum. But I played a pretty mean bass drum. My real speciality was playing the cymbals. I could clash with the best of them! And I got to play the cymbals on my favorite piece of music that we performed, a song called, “The Great Gate of Kiev.” It is one of the most majestic and inspiring songs ever written. Kiev is another way of spelling the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv. The song was written to celebrate the Golden Gate that was built to protect Kiev in 1873.
The Great Gate of Kiev
Here is the song. It’s about 9 minutes long. I invite you to pray for the people of Ukraine as you listen to it.
After you spend this 9 minutes in prayer, go back to the 8:00 minute mark of the song and watch the orchestra play the last part of the song. This was my favorite part. It’s when the cymbals really take over. Watch the cymbal player, and imagine little Billy Hester clashing away on the stage at the Civic Center!
Recently Robert and I were walking around at Target, looking for a “screen protector” for my new iPhone 13.
$49 to protect my phone’s screen?! Seriously? What do I get? A special agent? And protection from what exactly? (TIB—Truth in Blogging—I have dropped cell phones with great damage too many times to remember.)
Anyway, after I begrudgingly paid for the special agent, we headed out, passing by the home goods section. I was minding my own business, not looking for any trouble. Out of the blue, Robert called out, in his in-store, raspy, yell-whispering voice, “Neal, stop! Grab that macramé mirror right there!”
Not having any more sense than to obey, I did as I was told.
“Now, look into the mirror. No, not that way, sideways!”
I finally realized, all nervous jumpy and macraméd, that Robert was simply chasing a photo op.
Later: “I don’t like that photo! My hair is so gray. And thin! Look at that baldy spot. My skin is sagging. My glasses are Coke bottle glasses! My sweater’s crooked. And my ears look exactly like Dumbo’s. Delete it!”
The Universe had had enough. And interrupted my ranting. “Look in the mirror.”
Like with Robert’s request, I obeyed.
“Even though it’s not at all really important, you have hair.”
“But,” I began.
“And pause for a second, Neal. You have skin that can sag.”
“Yes, but .…”
“And you have glasses in front of eyes to help you see.”
“You have a sweater to keep you warm.”
“I know, but ….”
“You have ears to hear what the world tells you each moment.”
I ran out of “buts.”
“Look a little closer in that mirror, Neal.”
“You have consciousness and focus. You have understanding and appreciation. You have breath. And warmth. And life.”
Robert and I attempted our third charcuterie board. Well, maybe “boards” since there were two.
Charcuterie (shar-KOO-ta-REE) is a term with origins reaching as far back as 15th century France; literally translated, it means the products of a fancy pork butcher. Modern charcuterie does often include pork, but the definition has widened to reflect a dish served throughout many cultures.
Known in Britain as a “ploughman’s lunch,” served in Italy as “antipasto” and familiar to many North Americans as the humble “meat-and-cheese plate”– these days, charcuterie can be found in any number of variations and is served everywhere from pubs to high end restaurants.
NealEnJoy 