Robert and I have been up in Philadelphia this week for an anniversary getaway, so most of my Happy Bringers are found within our travel.
1. First, a few photographic mistakes I made during the week. Which are actually sort of cool.
2. Delicious and messy Philly Cheesesteak at Pat’s King of Steaks (who supposedly created the iconic sandwich).
3. The Joy of being able to travel a bit. Everybody certainly doesn’t have the luxury.
4. Well, …
It was our anniversary after all.
5. Unbeknown to HR and me while planning our Philadelphia trek … landing smack dab in the center of Philly’s Gayborhood.
The blue dot is our hotel, Alexander Inn.
Iconic gay bookstore, Giovanni’s Room, a short walk away.
May you have a Grand and Gay Weekend ahead!
P.S. As I write this post, Robert and I are on the Midnight Train to Georgia. (We arrive in Atlanta early morn.)
“[We’re] leaving (leaving) On that midnight train to Georgia (leaving on a midnight train) Hmm, yeah Said [we’re] going back (going back to find) To a simpler place and time (and when [we take] that ride) Oh yes, [we are]”
This Monday morn finds Robert and me in Philadelphia (via an overnight Amtrak sleeper car!) after a delightful and holiday-ish weekend in our beloved Atlanta.
We’re from Savannah, and love its stunning beauty and unique and storied history, but the ATL is like our quirky, always-welcoming but busy younger sister who managed to marry up and simply has SO MUCH to show us and (if truth be told) to BRAG loudly about.
Here’s one of our sister’s sweatshirts:
Enough family drama.
On Friday night HR and I had evening reservations for the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s annual “Garden Lights, Holiday Nights” display.
Oh My Goodness!
The Earth GoddessRobert’s photo of the goddess.
This is what I was watching through the special glasses:
Then on Saturday afternoon we attended the absolutely incredible 45th Anniversary Holiday Concert of the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus.
And look, here’s the choristers. (I just learned that word.)
Wait, no, that’s just Robert and me.
The event was held in the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Philip on Peachtree Street in Atlanta..
Here they are!
We tried to audition, but they promptly told us to sit down and be quiet until the sing-a-long part.
Such Holiday Fun and Joy!
We have a full day planned in downtown Philadelphia today. I’ll tell you all about it soon. Now you have something to look forward to.
From December 1-25, I’ll be sharing a quote and its truth from John Fugelsang’s Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists and Flock-Fleecing Frauds, the book Robert and I are currently and fascinatingly reading.
An odd Advent Calendar, of sorts.
If you are interested, you can see the introduction to this new blog category here:
Today, Fugelsang reminds us that “Jesus tells his followers to feed the hungry and care for the sick—not to pray that someone else will do it. Offering ‘thoughts and prayers’ for the poor is … a convenient substitute for tangible help or systemic solutions. Prayer is supposed to be a way to seek guidance, not an excuse for inaction.” p. 199
Ouch!
Fugelsang goes on: “Jesus’s brother nails why faith without works doesn’t work in James 2:15-17: ‘Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead.” p. 199
From December 1-25, I’ll be sharing a quote and its truth from John Fugelsang’s Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists and Flock-Fleecing Frauds, the book Robert and I are currently and fascinatingly reading.
An odd Advent Calendar, of sorts.
If you are interested, you can see the introduction to this new blog category here:
Today Fugelsang expounds: “If God loves men and women equally, then God’s a feminist.” p. 83
Yes, of course, that has to be true.
The author continues: “Feminism is, quite simply, the controversial (he’s joking!) belief that women deserve the same rights and access as men. Conservative men in power have historically tried to control women’s sexuality, education, participation in society, and bodily autonomy.” p. 83
“In addition to the twelve male apostles—whom Jesus repeatedly calls out for getting things wrong, by the way — women accompanied his journeys as part of his ministry. When Jesus was arrested and the apostles all scattered, it was the women who never abandoned him, who never hid, who never denied knowing him. In the Resurrection story, Jesus reveals himself to the women before any of his male disciples.”
“We know that Mary Magdalene, along with Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus, were fellow travelers. To a sane person in the twenty-first century it might seem obvious that there were actually fifteen apostles, at least.”
Mary Magdalene!
Martha & Mary!
“Wrong, says the church. Those women might have always been with JC and the twelve, but they didn’t have full apostle passes. They just followed Jesus from gig to gig, working the merch tables like it was a boy band tour The church continues to treat these women as secondary figures rather than leaders.” p. 106
OK, then, I agree with God! I too aim to be a feminist!
My daughters Amy and EmilyGranddaughters Madison and Isabelle 
1. This photo I snapped yesterday of an elderly couple, holding hands and walking into Walmart. For some reason, it sort of melted my heart for a moment.
Even in Christmas colors! 
2. Robert and I attending last night‘s annual Christmas tree lighting at the Jepsen Center for the Arts here in downtown Savannah.
The event featured a Fabulous Harpist (who we have seen at another downtown event or two).
And here’s Robert bothering her while she’s trying to perform.
TIB (Truth in Blogging): They were chatting, and she was excitedly telling Robert about how she unexpectedly started getting email checks for her work that somehow made its way … to Russia! TMI?
Look, The Clauses! (Is that how you spell their plural last name?)
I think she was the real Mrs. Claus. Robert apparently did too. I got HR a quick part-time job, taking festive photos of other revelers.
3. The good-feeling ability to be excited about seasonal changes and holidays. I know that it’s a blessing because many people are not happy at this time of year.
4. Beautiful Camelias, the “Winter Rose,” blooming all over downtown Savannah.
Hiding behind a courtyard wall
5. Beautifully delicious coffee (peppermint mocha) at Origin Coffee Bar.
Robert got a cookie with his coffee too, but it dropped in and melted. I laughed, a bit too loudly. He tried to even the score by saying that his coffee was much better with the melted cookie. 
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And here I am trying to be all bohemian coffee shop-artsy …
May your happiness this weekend be better than a melted cookie.
From December 1-25, I’ll be sharing a quote and its truth from John Fugelsang’s Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists and Flock-Fleecing Frauds, the book Robert and I are currently and fascinatingly reading.
An odd Advent Calendar, of sorts.
If you are interested, you can see the introduction to this new blog category here:
Fugelsang explains that “The Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12) teaches Jesus’ followers to treat others as they would like to be treated. Which covers all cruelty, exploitation, domination, and discrimination. He makes it very clear that anyone who claims to follow him doesn’t get to hate anybody, ever, for any reason, no matter what.” Separation of Church and Hate p. 25
Wow, that is wild! Hate, then, is not an option if we earnestly desire to follow good in the world. To be good in the world.
I’ve always found it fascinating and encouraging that most religions and ethical ideologies have some form of The Golden Rule.
Judaism: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor.”
Buddhism: “Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.”
Islam: “Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself”
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Our current political parties (both!) more often than not turn a blind eye to Jesus’ clear instruction.
For example, Monday’s remembrance of World AIDS Day took on more seriousness and urgency as the Trump administration (often claiming adherence to the Bible and the example of JC) cancelled the annual Dec. 1 observance. Presidents have acknowledged World AIDS Day for more than 30 years.
Is cancellation how they want to be treated? How we want to be treated?
May we all this holiday season and always lean toward this Rule of Love and Light.
NealEnJoy 