Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 1/23/26

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Robert MORE than enjoying his all-you-can-eat crab legs dinner at Tin Fin, a little seafood restaurant we discovered near where we are staying for a few weeks while our Savannah place is being renovated.

2. This old mailbox at our temporary country farmhouse.

See? Old can still be noteworthy and pretty, even with its age spots and creaky hinges.

3. Our amazing bodies, which are always trying to persuade us to appreciate them and to take care of them.

4. A Cute Coincidence …

But first a little background: HR and I agree on many things BUT NOT ABOUT COFFEE. He’s a Starbucks fellow while I love Dunkin Donuts. And here in Rincon GA, fairly close to the farmhouse, there is a Dunkin Donuts a few doors down from a Starbucks.

So here’s what we do when we go out for morning coffee: Pop in to Dunkin Donuts to get mine and then head to Starbucks for Robert’s — and to sit a spell with our iPads.

My blasphemous DD proudly (arrogantly?) holding his own inside a Starbucks.

Oh, and here’s the Cute Coincidence: My barista at DD is named Winter, while Robert’s at Starbucks is Autumn.

5. Yesterday HR and I took a day trip across the Savannah River (yes, we’re still close to the river, an hour away from our home, which is two blocks from the river!) over to the Webb Wildlife Management Area in South Carolina.

The Webb’s entrance … and Robert.
Majestic Pines 

And here’s a little recording of bird sounds at the Webb’s rookery. (LOTS of LOUD birdies but hidden from view in the thick brush.)

TIB (Truth in Blogging): I had to look up the definition of a “rookery.” I was getting it confused with a “bird blind.”

“A rookery is a crowded, communal nesting or breeding colony, most commonly referring to birds like herons, egrets, or rooks.”

Cypress “knees” in Lake Bluff.

May you hike into some joy this weekend.

Posted in My Saturday Evening Post

My Saturday Evening Post: 1/10/25  “Thank you, Anne”

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.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 1/9/26

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. These gorgeous Paperwhite Narcissus jewels blooming in the yard of the old farmhouse (in January!) where Robert and I are staying while our kitchen and living room get a renovation.

2. Daughter Amy and her Hubby Scott being named one of Savannah’s “Power Couples” in the current issue of Savannah Magazine.

Old Proud Dad

3. Simplicity.

The older I get, the simpler I desire my life to be.

4. Good deals.

5. Anything Cardinal.

Sun catcher gift 

May you catch some joy this weekend.

Posted in Holidays and Seasonal Changes

In-Between Peace

In a short encouraging email article, “Honoring the Pause Between,” Savannah’s Ordinary Magic looks at the week we are in right now:

“This week between Christmas and the New Year often feels a little untethered. The calendar keeps moving, but something in us slows down.

It’s a liminal time — not quite behind us, not yet ahead. A space where nothing needs to be decided, named, or improved. Where rest doesn’t have to justify itself. Where listening matters more than planning.

January will come soon enough, and with it we’ll begin tending the inner hearth — warmth, protection, intention, and care. For now, this week belongs to rest and gentle noticing.” ordinarymagic.com

May we all experience—and gift—peace during this in-between time.

Posted in Countdown to Christmas

Countdown to Christmas 2025: “Thou Shalt Love” — Day Twenty-Five 12/25/25

It’s Here!

***********************

Christmas Day 2025

We end today’s Advent Journey with one of Paul’s beautifully eloquent writings on LOVE, found in the Bible in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

Love is patient

Love is kind

It does not envy

It does not boast

It is not proud

It does not dishonor others

It is not self-seeking

It is not easily angered

It keeps no record of wrongs

Love does not delight in evil

But rejoices with the truth

It always protects

Always trusts

Always hopes

Always perseveres

LOVE NEVER FAILS.

Robert and I send our Love to you on this Christmas Morn.