Tag: Encouragement

Posted in Countdown to Christmas

Countdown to Christmas 2025: “Thou Shalt LOVE, Not Hate” — Introduction 12/1/25

Posted on by Neal Saye

My Countdown to Christmas series this year is inspired by a recent simple book recommendation from dear friends Jo and Kathi. “You HAVE to read Separation of Church and Hate! It’s FULL of truth, and it’s often laugh-out-loud funny!”

I Googled the book and saw the full, never-ending title: Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists and Flock-Fleecing Frauds.

“Whoa,” I thought, “That title sounds far too Holiday Heavy.”

But then Robert and I started to read, and we were absolutely flabbergasted by the clear, undeniable truth and push for lovingkindness presented by author John Fugelsang. (And yes, I have laughed out loud many a time during our read.)

So I plan to share with you a quote and its truth from the book each day starting today, December 1 and ending on Christmas Day.

An Advent Calendar, of sorts.

And of course, I realize that everyone is not Christian or religious. That many folks have had awful and problematic issues with organized religion. I get that. And we’ve experienced the same thing. But we are happy today to have found an inclusive, love-embracing and creatively fun congregation here in Savannah, Asbury Memorial.

If possible, may you receive the kernels of truth in these posts without being bogged down by the “Christian-ness” of them.

And may Christmas 2025 for us ALL be a season of pulling away from hatred — and embracing all-encompassing, inclusive Love.

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22: 36-37

Love, then, is the apex of the Christian faith, and I would surmise at the apex of every faith or even non-faith (if that makes a lick of sense).

Adding to the words of Jesus (can I do that?) …

Love Is ALL.

See you tomorrow.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 12/28/25

Posted on by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Pulling out my parents’ colorful and old metal Thanksgiving Platter. Still beautiful, even with its chips and dents from decades of use.

2. Time once again for Neal’s Citrus Cranberry Sauce!

Wash

Cook

Serve & Eat

3. The hope that tomorrow might be better.

4. After Thanksgiving lunch …

… Robert taking photos of Daughter Amy and her fam for their 2025 Christmas card.

5. HR and a spot of wine.

May you drink heavily from the spring of joy this weekend.

Posted in A Voice of Reason and Courage

Yes!

Posted on by Neal Saye

“Sunday’s premiere of Ken Burns’ new PBS series “The American Revolution” doubles as an attention-grabbing statement, months after President Donald Trump succeeded in stripping away all federal funding for public broadcasting in the US.

The message is clear: We are still here.” cnn

It’s like PBS is declaring their Independence.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 11/14/25

Posted on by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Buying my first bunch of mid-fall Southern fresh collards at our favorite little neighborhood grocer here in Savannah, The Red and White.

With hog jowls, adding the flavor of yesteryear and Granny. Dinner tonight with Beef Brisket and my jalapeño cornbread.

2. Napping with Benny.

3. The ability to REMEMBER.

What is something you remember with fondness this Friday?

Right now I’m remembering how excited Robert was last Christmas sitting between Santa and Mrs. Claus.

And I realize I’ve had almost a year now to tell HR that there is no real Santa, but with that smile, I just can’t quite bring myself to do it.

4. Pain medication when we need it.

5. The glorious Introduction to the Holidays Robert and I experienced today at the annual Holly Days Luncheon and Bazaar hosted by the incredible women of St. John’s Church here in Savannah.

We’ve been walking across the Historic District for years now to experience this delicious snd elegantly festive day.

The lunch was held at the church’s beautifully historic Green-Meldrim House, which …

greenmeldrimhouse.org

I opted for the BBQ plate, HR the salad trio.

We were GREATLY distracted while eating our lunch because of the Huge Dessert Table right next to us.

I chose the Red Velvet Cake with homemade whipped cream, while Robert got the Guinness Chocolate Cake with whipped cream and fruit compote. (He’s fancy.). He asked for a tall glass of glass of Guinness to go along with it, but he did not get what he asked for.

And post-lunch we loved walking through the Silent Auction area.

Look! A Nanny Bench! (Truthfully, I had never heard of such a thing before.)

See that little railing on the left side. That’s where Nanny plops down Baby so she can snooze a bit while rocking the bench.

Speaking of sitting, check out this beautiful little window alcove.

Let’s get closer and into the light.

Do you think it would be okay if I sat down for just a sec on that gigantic comfy- and angelic-looking pillow?

By the way, it was the golden mirror for sale, not the pretty pillow. My silent offer of $4.99 didn’t get very far, darn it.

But we did pick up a couple of books …

… and some homemade vegetable soup for another day …

We were certainly Well Fed in Every Way at this year’s fun-filled Holly Days.

May you have a healthy weekend and be Fed with a substantial Serving of Joy.

Posted in Holiday Joy

A Saintly Sunday

Posted on by Neal Saye

What a terrific Day of the Dead 2025 Robert and I have experienced!

It all began with breakfast as we feasted on delicious Pan de Muerto (Bread of the Dead) we had ordered the day before from local Mexican bakery/restaurant La Canasta Panaderia.

What IS Pan de Muerto? you may be asking. Here’s what Google told me:

Yum!

Then we went to our church, Asbury Memorial hrre in Savannah, for our annual All Saints Sunday service, where we remember the church members and other dear folks who have passed on during the past year.

At the front of the church, there was a large ofrenda (altar), and at one point, the pastor invited folks to come forward with photos or mementos of their loved ones.

I brought a little marble Last Supper sculpture I bought for my parents when daughter Amy and I were in Italy … 25 years ago. It sat on their mantle for eons until they passed away.

Here it is in the lower left, below photos of other folks 

This year Robert remembered his kitty cat Boopers.

Then tonight HR and I had our Dia de los Muertos supper, consisting of several of our deceased parents’ favorite foods: Maryland crab cakes, homemade vegetable soup and cornbread.

A wonderful and joyful heartfelt day of remembrance.

Oh, let’s not forget the special treats our folks loved.

Pork rinds (I know, not healthy, but my dad lived to almost 97), orange slices, black and white cookies