Posted in The Artful Dodger, Unexpected Art

“The Artful Dodger“ #17

A blog category about finding “art” in unexpected places and situations.

A little while ago, Robert and I were leaving our favorite little Atlanta breakfast place, Homegrown.

Walking toward the car, I heard them before I saw them. Detective-like, I quickly turned around.

They were casually (and somewhat seductively) leaning against the back shed of the little hole-in-the- wall jewel of a restaurant, singing, belting their hearts and souls out.

The Seven Sisters singing their way through The Great American Songbook.

I could’ve stayed there all day, reveling in the joy, the pathos, the excitement, the disappointment, the yearning fullness of their song.

They were us all—EveryWoman, EveryMan—leaning back and leaning into life. Our days, months, and years filled with living the truth of their diverse songs.

But HR finally made me get in the car.

“Neal, other people need to park.”

“And hear,” I thought.

So we made our way back to our midtown Airbnb, but not without the Sisters’ melodies still ringing in my ears and heart.

As we pulled up to our Airbnb, the most amazing thing REALLY HAPPENED, raising goosebumps on my skin. A young lady in a pick-up parked near us. When she opened her door, Robert and I heard her before we saw her—-singing joyfully. She made her way into the other half of the duplex that makes up our Airbnb. She continued to sing as she turned on the vacuum cleaner. Vocal joy. It actually felt a little quietly empty when she got in her truck and drove away.

Posted in Life Experiences, Travel

2023 Escape from St. Patrick’s Day #2

My daily snapshot of Robert’s and my 2023 trip to get away from Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day parade and celebrations.

We started off the day in the cabin with beyond-delicious molten center brownies we had gotten in Savannah at our new favorite bakery, Sweet Patricias.

Bloated, we headed about an hour away to my small hometown of Ball Ground and the town cemetery where my parents are buried.

For as long as I can remember, having been taught by my folks, I have enjoyed “decorating the graves” of family members. Each changing season and holiday would find us heading to the various cemeteries and graveyards, spending time reminiscing and laughing at wonderful memories.

Busy this morning.

My older brother Lamar met HR and me to help. Here we are in front of our parents’ monument.

After a great lunch at a local meat and three, Robert and I spent a little while at Ball Ground’s small but beautiful botanical garden.

Here’s a bench in honor of my dad.

My dad’s lifelong nickname was Tub because he was a fat baby.

On the way back to our state park cabin, we stopped by the Georgia National Cemetery. I guess today we were thinking about those who have gone before us.

We left in great admiration and respect for our military service men and women.

Back at Red Top Mountain, HR grilled hotdogs, then we rested by the fire.

May you have a restful evening ahead.

Posted in Robert and …

“Robert and … #33”

A blog category of pics I’ve taken of HR (Hubby Robert) and … well, just about anything.

Robert and … a duck.

So yesterday we went for a little park bench sit-down (I was not feeling too well) at nearby Lake Mayer.

HR was so husbandly, lovingly concerned and supportive …

Until he saw a photo op.

He has this thing for murals. He has photographed them in a variety of cities. And the one on the side of this Little Library grabbed him.

Here he is explaining something to me about who knows what. I wasn’t paying much attention. Remember, I was not feeling too well.

But then an intruder arrived. See her (him?) Over to the right in the photo above.

“That is a Muscovy duck,” HR explained.

For some reason that duck made me feel better.

Posted in Beautiful Savannah, Where Happiness Finds You

Subtle Magic

As I have said, probably far too many times on this blog, I love living in downtown Historic District Savannah.

And one of the reasons? The beautifully unique twenty-two extant squares (two were lost to “progress”).

[Did I punctuate the above properly?]

This evening I am hanging out in Warren Square, the square closest to my own, Washington Square.

Hello!

This house is not mine.

Those houses are not mine.

But the sidewalk is.

Yes.

And that magic is free.

Posted in Savannah Joy

Sunday Evening Joy

One of the great rewards about living where we do in Historic District Savannah is that I can walk two blocks over toward the Savannah River, find a bench, read, and experience the Joy of Nature.

An hour ago

That’s the Savannah River behind me. Looking so peaceful now. But don’t be fooled. It is one of the busiest ports in the nation. And all of the ships travel right behind me.

But not at this moment.

Peace.