Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 11/20/25

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Robert’s little red hat under Burger King’s new lights … which look like a gargantuan burger. See the top bun on the right?

2. Remembering last Sunday and Savannah Photo Club’s Third Sunday Photo Walk. (Whew. That’s a mouthful.)

We met at the newly opened and very cool Laundry Diner …

… and walked about a mile around the Thomas Square neighborhood.

Most folks had these fancy cameras (including Robert), some with lens as long as my forearm, but I tagged along, head held high, with my trusty iPhone.

Perhaps the thing I love most about the monthly walk, other than the photo snapping and the socializing, is the opportunity to really SEE your city, up close and personal, which can only be done on foot.

Oh, we finished up the walk back at the diner, sharing a … little BLT.

3. The ability to walk. Oh my goodness, what an “I usually take it for granted” blessing!

4. Simple beauty.

Centerpiece on a lunch table recently

5. Attending an absolutely fascinating interview at our local Jepson Center for the Arts, featuring New York-based costume designer for stage and film Tracy Christensen.

After talking about the behind-the-scenes work involved in dressing characters, Tracy specifically delved into her collaborative role with Glenn Close and the Broadway reprisal of Sunset Boulevard in 2017.

Miraculously, Robert and I were in NYC and able to see the brilliant actress as Norma Desmond on the very final day of the production.

A few samples of Close’s archive of outfits she wore in various projects over the years on display at The Jepson.

Look! There’s HR, walking down his own pretend runway.

May Happiness and Good Health be your Costume this Weekend.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

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 …

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 Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 11/7/25

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Realizing last Saturday night that I can, as Cher so desperately wished, turn back time.

Goodbye, daylight savings time.

2. Embracing (well not literally) the Joy of Candles! Especially autumnal pumpkin spice-smelling candles.

(My heart was a bit broken recently when I discovered that pumpkin spice really has nothing to do with actual pumpkins. It’s called “pumpkin spice,” of course, because those spices are frequently found in pumpkin pie. Wouldn’t you think someone my age would know that?)

3. The ability to smell. (Well, most of the time.)

4. Our little potted Japanese Maple (aka JM), stubbornly refusing to admit that it is now FALL.

Here’s our little fellow about this time last year …

I haven’t shown the photo to JM. I don’t want to rush him and be one of those parents who cause their kids to develop “hurried child syndrome.”

5. And finally, this is a follow-up to my post the other day about finding those little Jesus figurines (!) on the gas pump at Kroger. Remember?

Well, yesterday HR and I went to Publix for our weekly It’s-Wednesday’s-buy-one-get-one-free shopping spree.

We were minding our own business, when lo and behold, I looked down at the BOGO queso and saw …

Wait. Look closer.

See Him?!

Yet another Little Jesus! Seriously!

I made Robert snap a photo for documentation (quickly, because people were beginning to stare.)

Somebody must SERIOUSLY be on a mission here in Savannah.

And may you complete a Serious Mission to find some Autumn Happiness this weekend.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 10/31/25

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Making our annual ofrenda (altar) for Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead), celebrating our loved ones who have passed on before us.

Remembering HR’s kitty cat Boopers.

2. Halloween coffee this morning at one of our favorite coffee bars here in Savannah, Origin.

And the baristas who made them …

Robert has (dis)ability to have complete strangers line up for photos sessions.

3. The fortitude to laugh and savor the moment, even in the midst of our current political climate.

4. The Halloween morning light teasing our steep 1840’s stairs.

5. Cool Halloween decorations here in Savannah.

May your Halloween Weekend be filled with Good Spirits.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 10/24/25

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Yummy Muscadine Barbecue Wings I made the other night.

2. Walking into PetSmart and seeing this Halloween costume display for doggies.

Seriously?

3. Our sense of Sound. What are you hearing right now? Pause for a second and be mindful of all the sounds in your experience at this moment. Even if some of those sounds are perhaps a bit annoying (hello neighborhood dog that will not stop barking), still, what a blessing to be able to hear!

4. Being mesmerized by more than 10,000 pumpkins (!) on display on a recent trip to the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

(P.S. I asked one of the garden workers what would happen to all of the pumpkins when they were removed. She told me they would be made into mulch for the garden. I felt better after that.)

5. This quirky drawing of a goat.

May something quirky give you a bit of happiness this weekend!

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 10/17/25

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Fall and chrysanthemums!

2. The ability to smile, even just a little bit, even when we may not feel like smiling.

3. This lone October blossom on a leafless Lily Magnolia tree (aka as Tulip Magnolia or Tulip Tree) that Robert and I saw and marveled at yesterday.

Sometimes you just gotta go it alone.

4. Daughter Amy expanding her Savannah-based medical company across the Savannah River and over into nearby (and beautiful) Bluffton, South Carolina.

HR and I drove over for the ribbon cutting yesterday morn.

Robert and I made it at the very end into the little local news coverage …

The paparazzi will simply not leave me alone.

https://share.google/oQybdqM9iBeJARSbc

5. Robert and some hay.

May you sit in front of a joyful weekend ahead.

Posted in One-Word Wednesday

One-Word Wednesday 10/15/25

“Pride”

Robert and I drove up to Atlanta last weekend for the city’s 2025 Pride Festival and Parade. This year‘s theme was …

decaturish.com

So Robert and I joined 999,998 friends on the sidewalks of Midtown Atlanta (two blocks from our neat little Airbnb) to watch seemingly endless bands, floats and various parade entries saunter down Atlanta’s famed Peachtree Street.

If you know, anything about Pride celebrations, you may be wondering why Atlanta Pride is held in October rather than the traditional month of June. It’s a Southern thing: the weather is simply far too hot in June.

There were quite a few political candidates running for various offices marching in the parade. But interestingly enough, all Democrats, not a single Republican bothered to show up and support gay rights.

The parade and the day exploded with joyous fun, camaraderie and much inclusive love.

May we march on … Pridefully.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 10/10/25

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. The beauty and importance of FIRE.

The other evening at Skidaway Island State Park, Savannah

2. Reaching 1400 days of meditation (not all in a row!) using the 10% Happier app.

Wouldn’t you think I’d have it a little more together by now?!

3. My toes! Wiggle yours real quick and give them a little “Thanks”.

4. A cute little fellow I saw the other morning just outside our front door.

Look harder!

5. Heading up to Atlanta this morning for Atlanta Pride 2025 over the weekend.

This year’s theme, “Rooted in Resistance,” honors what festival organizers say is the layered history of the LGBTQ+ movement, “acknowledging the foundational acts of defiance and courage that have paved the way for current advancements.” wabe.org

HR and me, 2023

“From Stonewall to the present day, we have continually stood firm in the face of adversity, demanding our rights and celebrating our identities,” said Chris McCain, executive director of Atlanta Pride, in a June press release. “This theme is a call to remember our past, acknowledge our ongoing struggles, and empower every individual to contribute to a future where all LGBTQ+ people can thrive, free from fear and prejudice.” wabe.org

New York Pride, 2016

What is something you’re very proud about?

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 10/3/25

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. A reminder of childhood as I walked through Savannah‘s Ardsley Park neighborhood.

2. The joy of grandchildren this week.

Madison (blonde, lower right) singing a duet at a school choral event.

Gabriel getting his driver’s license.

3. Putting my head on my pillow in my bed each night. And realizing what a tremendous blessing that simple act really is.

4. Seeing this silly little whatever-it-is in a bathroom. 

5. Getting a HUGE flower arrangement after having some minimally invasive back surgery recently. 

May you have a Huge Blossom of Happiness this weekend.