1. Watching this beautifully tall and obviously-in-love couple leaning toward each other at Amerson River Park in Macon, GA yesterday. (Robert and I were taking a walk, waiting for time to check into our Airbnb.)
May they live happily ever after.
2. Finishing a fascinating novel about the timely subject of trans men and women. Both hilarious and heartwarming. I’m so glad we found the book.
This is the 198th book Robert and I have read together.
May we continue to be able to read what we want to read in this nation – and not only what “the government” wants us to read.
3. The ability to feel — physically feel. I have been struggling with more arthritis pain than usual lately. Frustratingly, in several areas of my body. And I’m a big baby when it comes to pain.
As I was moaning and groaning recently, HR reminded me that at least I can feel. Some people can’t even do that. After fighting off the urge to inflict pain upon him, I realized he is right.
4. Once we settled into our Airbnb (three rooms of a crumbling but still beautiful Southern mansion in Macon’s Old Town), we went out onto the huge shared front porch …
… and were promptly welcomed by the Friendly Neighborhood Greeter.
5. Our Travel Buddies (who go with us everywhere) hovering under the tulips HR picked up to brighten our Airbnb.
May you pick up something to brighten your weekend ahead!
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.
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.
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.
1. Sleep. And we get to do it every night! (And sometimes after lunch.)
2. Incredibly huge (and colorful!) container ships traversing past me as I read on Savannah River’s bluff near us.
3. The wonderful ability to read! Can you imagine NOT having this gift?!
What I just finished:
A creatively riveting novel about what we are doing to our world, our wildlife, our plants and ultimately ourselves, as told by a very special gorilla.
1. My insanely delicious baked Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks for lunch yesterday. And so easy to make.
(I pretend they’re healthy, with the addition of the celery and carrots.)
2. Still marveling at our rare Snow-vannah we experienced this week.
Looking right and left outside the door of our old mid-1800’s apartment building …
What’s a snow shovel? And where on earth would you buy one? Or even want one? Isn’t snow supposed to melt the next day?
We also don’t have sleds or sleighs or whatever you use to careen playfully down snow-covered hills.
So you have to improvise. Here’s a little video of grandson Gabriel doing just that in his front yard.
That’s called Minimalist Sledding.
And other grandchildren in their backyard across the state from us in Columbus, Georgia …
But this morning, everything doesn’t look quite so angelically white and inviting. Why didn’t someone tell me the beautiful powder turns into gray and slushy mush?!
Who wants to slide in that?
3. The priceless blessing of a warm dwelling. I so often take it for granted, but I know that everyone is not so fortunate.
4. Lavender!
I love its restful, calming scent.
Dried lavender still smells good.Beautiful Red Oak Lavendar Farm we visited recently up in Dahlonega GAMore dried lavender in our living room
H.R. and I have enjoyed chocolate-lavender candy bars, lavender cookies, lavender salt and lavender tea. Have you had lavender in other foods or drinks?
NealEnJoy 