Tag: Hiking

Posted in One-Word Wednesday

One-Word Wednesday 10/8/25

Posted on by Neal Saye

“Mooning”

As you probably know, Monday night gave us the beautiful Harvest Moon of 2025. And while I didn’t have any crops that needed to be harvested in the bright moonlight (as was done yesteryear), Robert and I did go on a wonderfully invigorating and insightful “Harvest Moon Hike” with about ten other moon watchers at nearby Skidaway Island State Park here in Savannah.

“The moniker harvest moon indicates that it’s the full moon event closest to the autumnal equinox, or the first day of fall. Historically, the moon’s bright light helped farmers complete their harvests for the year, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.” cnn

I look a little crazed. I’m blaming it on the full moon. 

“This moon will be the first of three back-to-back supermoons this year. A supermoon happens when the moon reaches perigee, or its nearest point to our planet, making it appear larger and fuller.” cnn

One of Robert’s photos:

And some of my sad attempts …

… which I ended up sort of liking and am now calling “artistic.”

“Oh, shine on, shine on harvest moon up in the sky
Shine on, shine on harvest moon”

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 1/17/25

Posted on by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Squirrels in our living room!

HR’s nickname is Squirrel.

2. The beauty of aging wood.

3. Clean water to drink. I SO take this incredible blessing for granted.

4. Our wonderful morning hike yesterday at J. F. Gregory Park down in Richmond Hill, about 45 minutes south of Savannah.

The park is home to a huge series of canals built in the 1800s (by enslaved persons) for rice cultivation. The canals flow into the Oveechee River, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

Seriously?

5. Flowers. We usually buy an inexpensive bouquet or two each week, divide them up and spread them around the house.

Flowers, like food, are essential to life.

Wait, I just realized you can see me taking that picture in the mirror.
Our study window, looking out over Savannah’s busy East Broad Street

May this weekend flower you with joy. At least, a little bit.

Posted in Countdown to Christmas

Countdown to Christmas: 12/3/23 — “Take a Winter Nature Walk”

Posted on by Neal Saye

This year my Countdown to Christmas is a nontraditional Advent Calendar centering (pun intended) on mindfulness.

On the front of each card is neat little picture, and on the back are the instructions for the short meditation.

Today, Day Three of Advent … “TAKE A WINTER NATURE WALK.”

Vogel State Park, Blairsville GA

Here are today’s instructions:

Time to get outside and go on a winter nature walk.

As you start your walk, be mindful of the physical sensations of walking, like the lifting and falling of your feet, their contact on the ground, the movements of the muscles in your legs and body. Feel the cool, crisp air as you breathe it in.

Be attentive to nature as you walk. Take in the sights, sounds and smells. Take time to stop and examine things more closely. Consider the feelings and emotions that these things evoke. Be alert to the aspects of nature that contribute to the wintry feeling: the bare branches of trees, a layer of frost, your breath in the air, a brittle twig snapping underfoot.

If you are lucky enough to have snow, feel and hear it as you press it under your feet. Feast your eyes on how it dresses the world in sheets of white. Pick some up in your hand and feel the icy tingle. Examine it close up, study the beautiful pattern of a single snowflake. Note all the emotions and associations that come to mind while walking in the snow.

Spending time to mindfully experience nature is a healthy way to reduce stress and freshen the mind.

A sampling of our winter walks over the years …

Red Top Mountain State Park, Acworth, GA

Cumberland Island, GA

Great Smoky Mountains

Chattahoochee Bend State Park, Newnan GA

May you Walk into Joyful Peace today.

Gatlinburg TN