

One of my favorite spots at the old farmhouse where we are staying … the OLD mailbox. Unused of course. Except by the birds.




One of my favorite spots at the old farmhouse where we are staying … the OLD mailbox. Unused of course. Except by the birds.









It is COLD here at the OLD farmhouse where Robert and I are staying for a few weeks.
When I woke up this morn, the temp was 21 with a Real Feel of 14.
Oh my goodness!
This is Savannah, NOT Alaska.
Back off, Winter!

When I looked out the screen door (Doesn’t that sound country-ish?), I saw her, standing resolutely, albeit shivering in the cold. A young, perhaps teen, Southern Magnolia tree.
I just felt so sorry for her. Until she said, a bit loudly I thought for early morning, “Don’t pity me, sir. I’m fine, more than fine. I’m a Steel Magnolia.”
And then I realized that she wasn’t shivering at all — she was dancing.
I asked if I could film her. She sighed, but I could tell she was game. She gave me her permission.
Even with her youth, she looked so at ease, at one with her world. Confident of her place, her space, her bearing.
And even though I’m old enough to be her grandfather (if I were a tree), I felt like I should ask her something.
But, finally, I didn’t. I just stood there watching, warmed and encouraged by her presence.

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.
1. Outdoor winter lunch at the farmhouse.



And it’s just warm enough to eat outside. It = weather as well as soup.


2. Reading/skimming through this beautifully delightful book about flowers.

And then going outside the farmhouse to practice …


Okay, maybe I won’t win any floral awards. But it was fun.
3. Being able to stay warm in the cold of winter. What a blessing!

4. This ceiling light at a local indoor—outdoor restaurant.

5. The neat coincidence of Grandson Gabriel re-entering his recent high school basketball game just as an advertisement for his parents’ medical company flashed on the screen behind him.

May you have some neat coincidences this weekend!

Living in Savannah, with water all around, we love us Some Seafood!

Tonight Robert had leftover Low Country Boil (from our Christmas Day “New Traditional” Supper) …

While I was a bit more classy — Mussels with tomato, garlic and white wine sauce (ridiculously easy and quick to prepare) …

Beyond delicious!
It takes muscles to eat mussels!
***********************
What a Joyful Meal.



And a few of Robert’s more artsy shell photos …



Interesting that HR will not eat them, but he has no problem taking photos of them.


Marveling at some of my Holiday Photos from Christmas 2025.












“2000 years ago, a young family became refugees” (Fugelsang p. 173) …
… and the world has never been the same since.


