Evening view from condo on Amelia Island, taken with Iphone camera:
Would you believe me if I told you I made this huge Christmasy gingerbread ship, the S.S. Ginger Amelia, all by myself?
No? Why not?
And what a treasure it was!
Now look at the size of this Christmas tree compared to me! (It’s right next to the ocean, by the way.) Daytime pic:
Night pics:
Islands make me so very happy!
Grandtwins Madison and Matthew:
Grandsons Gabriel and Daniel:
Most awkwardly funny moment of the holiday so far–wait, let me set the scene. We were in the incredibly beautiful and highbrow lobby of the Ritz-Carlton–Buckhead in Atlanta over the weekend. Just past these Dickensian carolers:
Resplendent Santa standing by the fireplace, creating a perfect Christmas tableau, with adoring children all around. Without warning and with great, earnest conviction, five-year-old grandson Daniel yelling, “He’s a Fake!” His parents threatening loss of Christmas coming.
Joyful Christmas to you!
Almost out of the Bag. May your final preps (or lack of prep) be joyful.
Jones Street, in Historic District Savannah, exudes grace, grandeur and the beauty of yesteryear at any season–but especially so at Christmas time. Last night I took a holiday stroll down her brick and cobblestone sidewalks.
A sampling of the visual feast I enjoyed:
It’s amazing what beauty you see when you look for it.
I drove up to the small town of Ball Ground (just north of Atlanta) this morning to help celebrate the 89th Birthday of my father, Harold Hulon Saye Sr.
What a JOY both my parents are! They still make me laugh like nobody else can.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!
I picked up Grandson Daniel (5) from school yesterday, and, hopping into his back seat, he excitedly showed me his just-completed Turkey Basket (well, that’s what he called it anyway). As I soon learned, the turkey project was two-fold: first the cute little construction paper turkey itself. But as you can see in the pictures below, the front housed a nifty envelope (basket?) which held little gratitude or thanksgiving cards. For each note, Daniel and his classmates completed the statement “I am thankful for ____ because …” for their family members.
What a joy! Little ones expressing their thankfulness so sincerely. Below Daniel explains to me that his plan for Thanksgiving Day consists of waiting till “all the guests” have eaten “some of their turkey” and then “hand out the slips.” And he did just that–for all fourteen of the folks at the table. His mom helped him with some of the spelling, but the sentiments were exclusively his.
Here’s mine:
“I am thankful for Abu (that’s me) because he helps with decorations.”
(Okay, maybe that sounds a bit strange, but the day before, we had decorated for Thanksgiving with some outdoor lights. And a month earlier we had carved two jack o’ lanterns.)
What Thanksgiving Joy! We really all do have so very much to put in our Turkey Baskets.
[For more on “Abu” see “My Favorite Word Is Abu!” post.]
Buddy Riboclavin (see #3 in yesterday’s Five Friday Happy Bringers) just sent more pics from his Irish holiday.
And. He. Is. Staying. In. A. Castle.
I just assumed he would be lodging at Ireland’s equivalent to Motel 6 or Sleep Inn. But no–a real, live castle! It’s called Ashford Castle. When Ribo told me where he was staying, I hooted and asked him to find a throne or something to sit on and snap a pic, but so far these are what I’ve gotten:
I wanna be in a castle! With a moat around it. Maybe sitting outside in tweed, drinking mulled cider or grog.
Or perhaps wearing this:
Maybe listen to some music:
Rustle around a bit:
Eat a huge turkey leg:
Rest:
If you have a moated castle, let me know ASAP. Thank you.
Each Monday morning up at my old hunting ground, Georgia Southern University, my buddy and former Writing and Linguistics Department colleague Eric Nelson shares a poem on the W & L listserv. Yesterday’s poem was so joyful and encouraging, I thought I would share it with you, Kind Blog Readers. It’s called “Blessings”:
Some days I find myself
putting my foot in
the same stream twice;
leading a horse to water
and making him drink.
I have a clue.
I can see the forest
for the trees.
All around me people
are making silk purses
out of sows’ ears,
getting blood from turnips,
building Rome in a day.
There’s a business
like show business.
There’s something new
under the sun.
Some days misery
no longer loves company;
it puts itself out of its.
There’s rest for the weary.
There’s turning back.
There are guarantees.
I can be serious.
I can mean that.
You can quite
put your finger on it.
Some days I know
I am long for this world.
I can go home again.
And when I go
I can
take it with me.
Okay, I know it’s Saturday. but yesterday was an uberbusy day. And isn’t today gorgeous? It’s cool. It’s Fall. And it’s time to acknowledge some Happy Bringers.
1. Enjoying the Savannah Film Festival this week (hosted by SCAD).
2. Making little Halloween goody bags for my international students, most of whom had never “done” Halloween before. Then discussing the Day of the Dead (which some of them celebrate) and being grateful for all our relatives and friends who have passed on.
3. A great-smelling rose.
4. Attending and enjoying the Taste of the World food festival at SCAD yesterday. Here’s a little bit about the event from the ISSO (International Student Services Office) newsletter: “Dine thali style and sample more than 80 international dishes. Visit the mixed grill area specializing in tandoori chicken, Thai chicken satay on skewers and Persian beef kebabs. Enjoy live performances inspired by international cultures and Savannah’s own Latin and Merengue sensation, Son del Coqui.”
I ran into some of my colleagues from SCAD’s Language Studio. Here’s Coordinator of Language Studio/ESL Ana Turner (right after leading a traditional dance).
And here’s the Director of Language Studio/ESL Christina Cavage.
New full-time prof Curt Klinghoffer. (I wish my last name cool like Curt’s. I mean, Saye? Really?)
Officemate Emily Gung.
Oldtimer–I mean “experienced”–ESL prof (and my mentor) Todd Nemanic.
I appreciate the appropriateness and truthfulness of this affirmation:
And I loved seeing some of my students at the festival. Here’s Sonali.
And Juliana.
Andrea (with a friend).
Raquel and Juli.
And some other people I met. Juwan, for example–I took his picture because of that cool blue hair. I’m thinking about green for mine. Yes?
And Devyn wins my prize for hippest necklace and pants.
I really had a ball there. So much fun.
Now let’s play a game. It’s called Oh Saye, Can You See?
I ran into my buddy Mangue Banzima with his gorgeous daughter.
Mangue writes/photographs a beautiful blog about fashion in Savannah, Qui Style in Savannah. Check it out sometime. Okay, check it out RIGHT NOW because I’m in it for the second time! Keep scolling down, past all the really cool and hip-looking people, until you get to the Taste of the World pictures–then, again, scroll past those young, stylish folks till you find … me! [First post from a while back about fashion: I’m a Famous Fashion Model]
What a fun couple of hours in the fall beauty of Savannah.
5. Seeing smiles as the most significant means of communication between people.
Joyful, Smiling Weekend!
NealEnJoy 