Life experiences – NealEnJoy

Countdown to Christmas: “Images of Peace” 12/3/22

Posted on December 3, 2022December 3, 2022 by Neal Saye

For this blog category, “Countdown to Christmas: Images of Peace,” each day between December 1 and 25, I share some of our photography that invites rest, peace, tranquility and love.

1922 — Anita — 2022

Today our church, Asbury Memorial here in Savannah, celebrated the life of our oldest member Anita Clay, who passed away this week at the age of 100.

Anita led an amazing life. One tiny snippet: She was a founding member of the local quirky, funky Crabettes band.

We will miss you, our Anita.

May you beautifully Rest in Peace.

Oh, and the Crabettes played at the luncheon following Anita’s joyous memorial service.

Here’s a link to Anita’s full obituary …

https://foxandweeks.com/obituaries/o/9368/Anita-Lippitt-Clay

Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 12/2/22

Posted on December 2, 2022December 2, 2022 by Neal Saye

1. Seeing this display at Fresh Market snd thinking it was giving me life advice …

(I still think it’s pretty good life advice.)

2. Having a delightfully laidback and peaceful post-Thanksgiving meal with two of Robert’s children.

Left: Son Tavares and his girlfriend Leslie, Right: Daughter Stenneshia and HR.

3. The color green (my favorite).

4. Last night’s Design District Holiday Walk here in Savannah.

With the fanciest and most beautiful hors d’oeuvres I have ever seen.

5. HR’s fall-hearty and yummy chicken casserole the other night.

I hope your weekend casseroles around beautifully for you.

Food Joy

Sunday Night Broth

Posted on November 27, 2022November 27, 2022 by Neal Saye

If you’ve read much of my little blog, you may remember that it doesn’t take much to make me giddily happy.

Think Red Hots.

When I am in the depths of despair, if you hand me a box of Red Hots, all of a sudden, I am a 10 on the Happiness Scale. Like a toddler.

So tonight as I was preparing a Thanksgiving Post-Gluttonous Salad for HR and me, I saw all the beginning-to-wilt produce from our holiday meals. And felt sad. (I obviously needed Red Hots.)

So I decided to make broth!!!

I make homemade broth regularly with leftover vegetable scraps. Don’t you? And use it for soups, stews, smoothies, or just a healthy sip.

Tonight I plopped in scraps from green onions, bok choy, celery, spinach and yellow onions.

In a few minutes, I will smell the incredible aroma and then pour the life-enhancing elixir into these …

Peaceful Sunday Night Slumber to You.

The finished product …

Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 11/25/22

Posted on November 25, 2022November 25, 2022 by Neal Saye

My weekly list of a few “joy inciters” in my life. A Friday Gratitude Journal, of sorts.

1. My Thanksgiving cranberry sauce!

2. Having hands and fingers (even with my arthritis) which enable me to chop onions for Thanksgiving dressing, shake hands with strangers, pick up granddaughter Isabelle and hold hands with HR.

3. The novel I am currently reading in my study chair about a Black American woman caught between her privilege and her identity.

4. This little tree near us who is losing his beautiful leaves. But see how he is standing proud in spite of his de-clothing

I took his picture to help him feel special.

5. Peanut butter.

May you have a weekend for which to give thanks.

One-Word Wednesday

One-Word Wednesday: 11/23/22

Posted on November 23, 2022November 23, 2022 by Neal Saye

“Billie”

Walking through the Fell’s Point neighborhood of Baltimore (HR’s hometown) back in 2019, Robert and I came upon a very cool mural project highlighting local legend Billie Holiday.

I felt honored to stand so close to her.

Life and Death

“Just Set It Down“

Posted on November 21, 2022November 21, 2022 by Neal Saye

I’m having a bit of trouble being happy today, after the Colorado Springs gay club massacre.

But today we were walking through Hobby Lobby, looking for Thanksgiving placemats for our family gathering, and I came across this.

And it made me smile. I needed to smile.

And HR seems to think the sentiment rings true.

P.S. But aren’t gay clubs supposed to be safe havens? Robert and I have visited them in New York City, Washington DC, Atlanta, Baltimore (HR’s hometown), New Orleans, etc. etc. etc.

But lately, whenever we go into a gay establishment, I look for the exits, just in case.

And even more sadly, when I go to our gay friendly church here in Savannah, I remind myself where the exits are, just in case.

It really shouldn’t be this way.