Tag: Friday

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 4/3/26

Posted on by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Palms on Palm Sunday.

2. Savannah‘s azaleas. As usual, they are glorious this spring.

3. I’m grateful for a back … that can hurt.

Two weeks ago today, I had my fourth lower back procedure in the last seven months. This time an RFA—radiofrequecy ablation (whew), “a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat from radio waves to temporarily deactivate nerves sending chronic pain signals to the brain, commonly treating spine and joint pain.” (Thanks, AI.)

Frustratingly enough, I am feeling no relief. The typical time period before feeling if the procedure was effective is 5-7 days. This is day 14. 🙁

But you know what? What I do feel is Gratitude that I have a back that has the ability to hurt.

So there, Universe!

4. Finding yet another Free Little Library! This time across the street from Savannah’s beautiful Daffin Park.

Do you have these little treasures near where you are?

What a Joy of Surprise.

5. My little Easter/Spring displays in our apartment.

May you have a few Displays of Joy in your life this Easter Weekend!

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 3/27/26

Posted on by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. The beautiful Cherokee Rose that HR and I found along one of the hiking trails at Skidaway Island State Park near Savannah.

2. This Lovely Yellow at the Savannah Botanical Gardens.

I love my iNaturalist app, which helps me to quickly verify plants I see along life’s way.

3. My only complaint about all this springtime beauty would have to be the heavy overlay of pollen upon Savannah. So I am thankful for my Allegra, Flonase, and redi-melt Claritin.

4. My nose—even when it glows with springtime allergies.

5. Non-humans.

We all need a bit of Escape from People now and again.

Make you escape to a fun and healthy spring weekend ahead.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 3/13/26

Posted on by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. HR all excited about his new Canon EOS R100 camera.

Can cameras really cost that much?!

2. Our great buddy Margaret being recognized at church for her 84th birthday.

3. The ability to AGE. (It is world’s better than the alternative.)

4. Chuckling at the important question in the bathroom at our Airbnb in Macon GA today:

5. The beauty of purple in Macon.

Early wisteria!

GOODness! The aroma.

I hope your weekend smells good!

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 3/6/26

Posted on by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Making it through this morning’s part two (of a three-part procedure) to—hopefully/fingers crossed—help my chronic lower back pain.

The fun description: “CPT 64493 – Left – Facet Injection, Lumbar/Sacral, a shot of pain numbing substance in one level of the lower back using imaging guidance or detailed pictures to diagnose or treat lower back pain.”

I’m such a baby that even with local anesthesia, I’m sort of out of it for much of the day. But I’m back to the land of the living now, working on this post.

2. Several cool outdoorsy photos Robert took a little while ago, probably to get away from me and my “recovery.”

Is it Spring yet?

3. Our bodies, which I continue to believe/hope know how to be well and are always trying to move toward wellness.

4. Pausing to appreciate the view from above.

5. Proud of Daughter Amy being named by the Savannah area’s United Way as one of the Women Who Rule panelists.

And this sweet text I got from great buddy Jamie Marie during the event …

May you have a weekend of things that bring you healthy pride.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 2/27/26

Posted on by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Night beauty. Even at The Home Depot.

2. Coming across very neat posters.

I especially like the “Talk to the Flowers” suggestion.

3. The amazing ability to TALK and express ourselves.

4. Pets. If you’re a regular reader, I’m sure you get tired of seeing photos of Kitty Cat Benny. But what a positive difference pets can make to the quality of our lives.

5. My reading chair in our study.

Oh, the hours I have spent there exploring other worlds!

So much so that I have had to reupholster it. 

May you find somewhere to “sit in joy” this weekend.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 2/20/26

Posted on by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Trying to get used to our new almost-finished violet/pink kitchen.

2. Having a blast at our church’s Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper (with its legendary toppings bar) the night before the beginning of Lent.

3. Our fantastic ability to TASTE. Have you expressed gratitude for that amazing joy lately?

4. HR contemplatively enjoying a muddy, but still beautiful, little pond.

5. At my old age, absolutely reveling in and enjoying the discovery of children books with powerful messages.

A book about the joy of food traditions in families

May you eat something this weekend that reminds you of … home.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 2/13/26

Posted on by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Somehow finding moments of peace each day.

2. The Pride Flag returning to the iconic Stonewall Inn after the Homophobic and History-Erasing Trump Administration removed it.

cnn

(But who knows what the regime’s next move will be.)

3. The ability to feel sensations. Cold, warmth, etc. What a blessing.

4. Lap swimming at the beautiful Hinesville GA YMCA the other day.

I plan to make the U.S. swim team at the next Summer Olympics.

5. Our three “travel buddies” who go with us everywhere.

May you somehow “Travel to Joy” this weekend.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 2/6/26

Posted on by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Feeding the birds. In the midst of a bit of snow.

2. Benny on the old cast iron farmhouse bed.

3. Believing that tomorrow, though not promised, will more than likely occur.

4. Ms. Mop and Mr. Broom (a couple, I think) on the side porch at the farmhouse.

(More about their story later.)

5. HR entering a Valentine-y Kroger.

May you have a Weekend of Wonder.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 1/30/26

Posted on by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. The Joy of Sharing a Meal with Friends.

Peggy, Moi, Mike and HR at the very cool Public restaurant in Savannah.

2. Oh my GOODness, Tuesday’s breakfast at Ally’s Bakery in Rincon GA, near the farmhouse where we’re staying while our place in Savannah is being renovated.

Perfect quiche with oh-my-GOODness pastry

Made from scratch cinnamon rolls

Ally’s cakes and cookies are works of art. Check out some of her work/art on her website:

https://www.allysbakeryllc.com/

3. The amazing ability to SMELL! Walking into Abby’s the first time!

4. Laughing at discovering the outdoor shower at the old farmhouse where we are staying. The farm belongs to our friend Gordon who lives in Arizona but keeps his grandparents’ farm for visits to Georgia.

Of course it has been FAR TOO COLD try it out!

5. But wasn’t too cold for a tuna salad picnic outside the farmhouse the other day.

May it be warm enough for you to bask in some Weekend Joy ahead.