(Shhh … It’s too early to talk.)
Shhh … Silent Sunday. 12/14/25
Tag: Beauty
Five Friday Happy Bringers 12/12/25
My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.
Robert and I have been up in Philadelphia this week for an anniversary getaway, so most of my Happy Bringers are found within our travel.
1. First, a few photographic mistakes I made during the week. Which are actually sort of cool.
2. Delicious and messy Philly Cheesesteak at Pat’s King of Steaks (who supposedly created the iconic sandwich).
3. The Joy of being able to travel a bit. Everybody certainly doesn’t have the luxury.
4. Well, …
5. Unbeknown to HR and me while planning our Philadelphia trek … landing smack dab in the center of Philly’s Gayborhood.
Iconic gay bookstore, Giovanni’s Room, a short walk away.
May you have a Grand and Gay Weekend ahead!
P.S. As I write this post, Robert and I are on the Midnight Train to Georgia. (We arrive in Atlanta early morn.)
“[We’re] leaving (leaving)
On that midnight train to Georgia (leaving on a midnight train)
Hmm, yeah
Said [we’re] going back (going back to find)
To a simpler place and time (and when [we take] that ride)
Oh yes, [we are]”
Monday Moaning or Monday Marveling? 12/8/25
Definitely Marveling this Monday!
This Monday morn finds Robert and me in Philadelphia (via an overnight Amtrak sleeper car!) after a delightful and holiday-ish weekend in our beloved Atlanta.
We’re from Savannah, and love its stunning beauty and unique and storied history, but the ATL is like our quirky, always-welcoming but busy younger sister who managed to marry up and simply has SO MUCH to show us and (if truth be told) to BRAG loudly about.
Here’s one of our sister’s sweatshirts:
Enough family drama.
On Friday night HR and I had evening reservations for the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s annual “Garden Lights, Holiday Nights” display.
Oh My Goodness!
This is what I was watching through the special glasses:
Then on Saturday afternoon we attended the absolutely incredible 45th Anniversary Holiday Concert of the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus.
And look, here’s the choristers. (I just learned that word.)
Wait, no, that’s just Robert and me.
The event was held in the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Philip on Peachtree Street in Atlanta..
Here they are!
Such Holiday Fun and Joy!
We have a full day planned in downtown Philadelphia today. I’ll tell you all about it soon. Now you have something to look forward to.
Monday Moaning or Monday Marveling? 11/24/25
Moaning a bit this morning.
Is it just me, or is “Goodbye” just SO much harder than “Hello”?
Shhh … Silent Sunday. 11/23/25
My Saturday Evening Post: 11/22/25 “My Favorite Color”
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.
One-Word Wednesday 11/12/25
“Horns!”
Monday Moaning or Monday Marveling? 11/10/25
I’m marveling this Monday morn, remembering two recent preposterously delicious meals Robert and I shared.
First, Robert absolutely outdid himself the other night at supper with his Fisherman’s Pie.
Starring cod, shrimp, smoked salmon snd crab leg meat.
With a supporting cast of leeks, spinach and heavy cream. Topped off with succulent mashed potatoes.
Somewhat similar to a seafood chowder, with a thicker consistency.
Oh my GOODNESS.
The recipe HR used, in case you’re interested:
Trying not to be outdone, I put together (in my mother‘s old cast iron skillet, which actually belonged to her mother) another supper of Bone-In Pork Chops with Honey-crisp Apples and Spiced Cider.
It tasted like autumn!
And a link to my recipe:
P.S. I love using the word “supper” instead of “dinner.” It’s nostalgic. It’s home.
Tuesday Trees
Recently, Robert, and I were in Atlanta for their annual Pride Festival. One morning we ventured over to the always-magnificent Atlanta Botanical Garden.
In addition to over 10,000 pumpkins (!) on display (I’ll block about that a little later), there was a new exhibit, “Enchanted Trees” woven through the garden’s incredible natural landscape.
Here’s one:
Amazing Beauty!
NealEnJoy 