Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 2/21/25

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. The amazingly resilient beauty of Savannah’s Resurrection Fern.

The green plant growing on the live oak tree behind me, Pleopeltis polypodioides, commonly known as Resurrection Fern, is “a native plant known for its ability to survive extreme dehydration and revive when exposed to water. Appearance and behavior: During dry periods, the fern shrivels and turns brown, resembling a dead clump of leaves. It can lose up to 97% of its water content, while most plants can only tolerate a 10% loss.”

“When it rains, the fern uncurls and turns green within hours.” National Wildlife Federation

(I need a little of what it has!)

2. Recognizing that two out of three isn’t bad.

High School Basketballer Grandson Gabriel practicing three-pointers

3. Going on a fascinating Savannah Port Tour this week.

Savannah has one of the busiest ports in the nation. We live a few blocks from the Savannah River, walk along it often but have never toured the port.

Fascinating!

Here we are with our nee bestie tour buddies.

Captain Birdie’s flowing hair.

There’s also a massive yacht repair facility …

The white structure to the right is actually a large yacht which had been “shrink wrapped” for some kind of moisture-control work.

What a fun couple of hours.

4. The joy of simple, delicious food.

I love being able to pull my grandmother’s large cast iron skillet off our cool, little rack …

… and toss in a couple of seasoned chicken thighs, along with whatever vegetables are on hand (cherry tomatoes, carrots and onions this time).

Yum!

5. The truth of this little placard outside a business on a recent morning walk here in Savannah.

Whatever your definition of “good” may be, may you have it this day … and this weekend.

Posted in Art Joy

Drag On

In a recent post, I mentioned that one of the major donors for the current Savannah Performing Arts Festival withdrew his funding because the festival was to include a section on the Art of Drag.

Art. Key word …. “Art.”

This injustice, of course, follows a dangerously growing trend led by the Trump regime to damage/destroy trans and LGBTQ rights in the United States, a country that proclaims liberty and justice FOR ALL.

Apparently, “ALL” now means white and straight.

But thankfully, ALL are not narrow-minded and evil …

May Evil’s Democracy-Destroying Voice Be Silenced.

Lord, in Your Mercy, Hear Our Prayer.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 2/14/25

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. This beyond-delicious morning coffee at one of our favorite coffee shops here in Savannah, Origin Coffee Bar.

“Southern Frost: A cozy orange and cardamom flat white with your milk of choice.”

Of course, I didn’t really know the definition of a “flat white.”

Hello, Google.

“A flat white is an espresso drink made with steamed milk and microfoam, resulting in a velvety texture and creamy taste. It’s smaller than a latte or cappuccino, but stronger due to less froth and milk. The milk in a flat white is velvety and not diluted with foam, highlighting the coffee’s nuances. Flat whites are made with a 2:3 coffee-to-milk ratio, compared to 1:2 for cappuccinos.” coffeebeancorral.com

TMI?

2. The Joyful Ability to Walk!

On a hike, somewhere or other, with my faithful hiking stick.

3. Getting caught in a DOWNPOUR yesterday morning on busy Bay Street near us here in Savannah.

Finding a bit of shelter under a store’s awning.

My thoughts earlier as we headed out the door, umbrella-less, into threateningly dark clouds: “Oh we have time to dash down the street for a twenty-minute constitutional.”

Robert droning on about who-knows-what. I wasn’t paying attention to him. The rain was talking louder.

4. Laughter!

5. A Happy Valentine’s Day 2025!

My cards from HR …

May you have a sweet weekend ahead!

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 2/7/25

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Savannah winter camellias … in my bathroom.

2. My Crock Pot Sunday Sirloin Tip Roast, which we had, well, last Sunday.

Here’s a photo timeline of how it went down.

Put it in the Crock Pot, then walk away for eight hours.

But unlike Lot’s unfortunate wife, you know in the Sodom and Gomorrah saga, I did not look back and be turned into a pillar of Morton Salt.

Gracious, do I ever look like a grumpy old man, even if I am wearing my Christmas jammy pants, which may be out of season, but oh so comfortable and fashionable.

Eight hours later …

And because I’m sure you want to know, I’m out of my Christmas jammy pants by now. But seriously, do they expect you to wear your holiday attire ONLY on the holiDAY itself?!

Oh my GOODness!

Okay, I’ve probably brought you to near catastrophic boredom ranting about this roast, but do you know the difference between top and tip sirloin? I admit that I did not. Well, let AI inform us …

Here is what AI did not tell you: “tip” is substantially cheaper than “top,” (which is why I bought it to begin with).

You can now splash some cold water on your face and continue reading about my remaining Happy Bringers.

3. The amazing ability to SEE! In any direction. Take a moment to be grateful for this miracle. Everybody doesn’t have it.

4. Somehow, on a walk yesterday afternoon near us here in Savannah, being able to see a little beauty even in the wake of destruction.

A tree which had to be cut back because of disease.

Or maybe that’s not beauty. What do you think?

5. Completing 14,000 minutes of meditation this week.

But seriously, wouldn’t you think I’d be a bit more … enlightened by now?! Instead of still sometimes wondering what meditation actually is.

May you have a WONDERful Weekend ahead.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 1/10/25

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. My Roasted Tomato, Garlic and Basil Soup.

With HR’s gooey Habanero Cheese Toast.

YUM!

2. Heated homes for cold winter days.

3. This Peanuts blessing I received the other night. I pass it on to you.

4. Reading Ina Garten’s fascinating memoir.

(Do you think it’s too late for me to become a world-famous, multimillion dollar celebrity chef?)

5. The memory of this little silk arrangement of spring daffodils in the downstairs winter bathroom of our Airbnb at a recent stay in Baltimore.

(It doesn’t take much to make me happy.)

I hope it doesn’t take much to make you happy this weekend.