“YUM”
One-Word Wednesday 12/17/25
Tag: Fun
Santa, Please.
Five Friday Happy Bringers 12/12/25
My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.
Robert and I have been up in Philadelphia this week for an anniversary getaway, so most of my Happy Bringers are found within our travel.
1. First, a few photographic mistakes I made during the week. Which are actually sort of cool.
2. Delicious and messy Philly Cheesesteak at Pat’s King of Steaks (who supposedly created the iconic sandwich).
3. The Joy of being able to travel a bit. Everybody certainly doesn’t have the luxury.
4. Well, …
5. Unbeknown to HR and me while planning our Philadelphia trek … landing smack dab in the center of Philly’s Gayborhood.
Iconic gay bookstore, Giovanni’s Room, a short walk away.
May you have a Grand and Gay Weekend ahead!
P.S. As I write this post, Robert and I are on the Midnight Train to Georgia. (We arrive in Atlanta early morn.)
“[We’re] leaving (leaving)
On that midnight train to Georgia (leaving on a midnight train)
Hmm, yeah
Said [we’re] going back (going back to find)
To a simpler place and time (and when [we take] that ride)
Oh yes, [we are]”
One-Word Wednesday 12/10/25
Spectacular!
I don’t quite know how to tell you this, but when the guards weren’t looking, HR somehow managed to “confiscate” Van Gogh’s spectacular masterpiece (on the day of our ninth anniversary, no less). Then with his uncanny abilities, dastardly reduce the treasure to pin/brooch size!
He obviously didn’t think I would notice his new “pin” (he has a zillion).
But I did.
Here we are this morn at our hotel’s breakfast, Robert so casually enjoying his coffee, watching the news, not realizing I was documenting evidence.
Now I must decide what to do about all his travel shenanigans.
We’re Happy-ing Our Anniversary!
Today, December 9, marks the 9th Anniversary of … Us.
Nine years ago today …
*********************
We’re now on a week Anniversary Getaway that started with a busy weekend in Atlanta and continued on to the neatest little boutique hotel in downtown Philadelphia.
Today, HR and I are taking the Amtrak …
… an hour away to a cold New York City for an Anniversary Day Trip.
First stop …
Then the subway to a NYC museum we have never visited …
Fascinating!
On to our Anniversary Meal at Del Frisco’s Grille, Rockerfeller Plaza.
Indeed, a Happy Anniversary.
Monday Moaning or Monday Marveling? 12/8/25
Definitely Marveling this Monday!
This Monday morn finds Robert and me in Philadelphia (via an overnight Amtrak sleeper car!) after a delightful and holiday-ish weekend in our beloved Atlanta.
We’re from Savannah, and love its stunning beauty and unique and storied history, but the ATL is like our quirky, always-welcoming but busy younger sister who managed to marry up and simply has SO MUCH to show us and (if truth be told) to BRAG loudly about.
Here’s one of our sister’s sweatshirts:
Enough family drama.
On Friday night HR and I had evening reservations for the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s annual “Garden Lights, Holiday Nights” display.
Oh My Goodness!
This is what I was watching through the special glasses:
Then on Saturday afternoon we attended the absolutely incredible 45th Anniversary Holiday Concert of the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus.
And look, here’s the choristers. (I just learned that word.)
Wait, no, that’s just Robert and me.
The event was held in the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Philip on Peachtree Street in Atlanta..
Here they are!
Such Holiday Fun and Joy!
We have a full day planned in downtown Philadelphia today. I’ll tell you all about it soon. Now you have something to look forward to.
Five Friday Happy Bringers 12/5/25
My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.
1. This photo I snapped yesterday of an elderly couple, holding hands and walking into Walmart. For some reason, it sort of melted my heart for a moment.
2. Robert and I attending last night‘s annual Christmas tree lighting at the Jepsen Center for the Arts here in downtown Savannah.
The event featured a Fabulous Harpist (who we have seen at another downtown event or two).
And here’s Robert bothering her while she’s trying to perform.
Look, The Clauses! (Is that how you spell their plural last name?)
3. The good-feeling ability to be excited about seasonal changes and holidays. I know that it’s a blessing because many people are not happy at this time of year.
4. Beautiful Camelias, the “Winter Rose,” blooming all over downtown Savannah.
5. Beautifully delicious coffee (peppermint mocha) at Origin Coffee Bar.
**********************
And here I am trying to be all bohemian coffee shop-artsy …
May your happiness this weekend be better than a melted cookie.
My Saturday Evening Post: 11/22/25 “My Favorite Color”
Walking through Hobby Lobby the other day, Robert and I came upon these neat seasonal kitchen towels …
I stopped to chat with them for a bit, while HR wandered off … who knows where in the gargantuan store.
“Uh, did you know that Fall is not actually a color?” I probably somewhat ‘I’m-a-retired-professor’ asked the towels.
They answered immediately, and I might add, a bit mockingly: “Uh, you call yourself a retired professor, and yet you don’t understand simple literary devices.”
Taken back a bit by the question, I could not think of a single literary device.
The towels, sensing my embarrassment and feeling a little sorry for me, gently explained: “The statement ‘fall is my favorite color’ primarily uses a literary device called synesthesia.”
“Right,” I said, trying to remember if I had ever heard of “synesthesia.”
I turned away and quickly Googled.
Synesthesia involves blending senses—in this case, treating a season (“fall,” a concept related to time and nature) as if it were a color (a visual property), thus associating the qualities of the season (the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows of the leaves) with the single concept of a “color.” Google AI
“Y’all ARE right!“ I sorta yelled. (It doesn’t take much to get me excited.)
“Fall has always been my favorite season. And now it’s my favorite color too! Thank you!”
But they were already starting to chat with the next customer, explaining Sensational Synesthesia.
I love these fall colors somewhat hiding in the morning shadows here in Historic District Savannah.
Mama and her cute little triplets we saw on a walk.
Yes …
And that’s my Saturday Evening Post.
Five Friday Happy Bringers 11/14/25
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 …
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.
NealEnJoy 