Posted in In Our Own Backyard

Slightly Swaying but NOT Shivering Magnolia

It is COLD here at the OLD farmhouse where Robert and I are staying for a few weeks.

When I woke up this morn, the temp was 21 with a Real Feel of 14.

Oh my goodness!

This is Savannah, NOT Alaska.

Back off, Winter!

When I looked out the screen door (Doesn’t that sound country-ish?), I saw her, standing resolutely, albeit shivering in the cold. A young, perhaps teen, Southern Magnolia tree.

I just felt so sorry for her. Until she said, a bit loudly I thought for early morning, “Don’t pity me, sir. I’m fine, more than fine. I’m a Steel Magnolia.”

And then I realized that she wasn’t shivering at all — she was dancing.

I asked if I could film her. She sighed, but I could tell she was game. She gave me her permission.

Even with her youth, she looked so at ease, at one with her world. Confident of her place, her space, her bearing.

And even though I’m old enough to be her grandfather (if I were a tree), I felt like I should ask her something.

But, finally, I didn’t. I just stood there watching, warmed and encouraged by her presence.

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 Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 1/17/26

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Outdoor winter lunch at the farmhouse.

Voila! Hambone Soup

And it’s just warm enough to eat outside. It = weather as well as soup.

2. Reading/skimming through this beautifully delightful book about flowers.

And then going outside the farmhouse to practice …

Okay, maybe I won’t win any floral awards. But it was fun.

3. Being able to stay warm in the cold of winter. What a blessing!

Brrr. Savannah!

4. This ceiling light at a local indoor—outdoor restaurant.

5. The neat coincidence of Grandson Gabriel re-entering his recent high school basketball game just as an advertisement for his parents’ medical company flashed on the screen behind him.

http://www.coastalcarepartners.com

May you have some neat coincidences this weekend!

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 Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 1/2/26

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Kitty Benny in black and white on my lap the other morning.

2. Blessings of the New Year waiting to be revealed.

3. The wonderful ability to Breathe Deeply.

4. Robert and my New Year’s Eve/New York Strip cookout.

It was warm enough to eat outside.

5. Remembering this festively pedaling Santa that HR and I saw in Manhattan a few weeks ago.

May you make some Memories of Good this first weekend of the New Year.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 12/26/25

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. This little golden tree I saw on a walk the other day.

2. Robert’s Christmas Morning Breakfast …

Apple and Bacon Sundae Cups

Okay, maybe now it seems more like Christmas Breakfast/Dessert.

3. Holiday Joy.

4. Benny’s favorite gift …

Kitty Stocking Scratcher.

5. Granddaughter Madison … a beautiful gift.

Maybe a few more than Five Happy Bringers this Holiday Friday.

Holiday Bathroom

Incredible Christmas Lights Display in Downtown Macon, Georgia

HR continuing to show up in Christmas mirrors

May you show up in Holiday Joy this weekend.