… when your daughter asks you to pose AS A SENIOR CITIZEN for some “professional photos” for new advertising for the Savannah medical company she founded and runs, Coastal Care Partners.
It took all my acting chops to pull off such a difficult and challenging role.
Here’a a link to Amy’s very cool business website:
Both moaning and marveling a bit this Monday.
Robert and I are grandson-, doggie- and house-sitting for Daughter Amy and Scott while they take Grandson Daniel off to his freshman year of college.
One of the duties is taking Coastal for walks.
And even though it’s less than a month from the beginning of fall, it’s still HOT here in Savannah — 88 with a real feel of 96 this afternoon.
So here I am walking Coastal this afternoon – Senior Citizen Edition.
Afterwards …
Well, I suppose that I am Marveling this morning, but with a side of Moan.
Yesterday morn, instead of attending our beautiful and inclusive Asbury Church here in Savannah, Robert and I played hooky. Since it was an unusually cool reprieve from our stiflingly serious summer heat, I suggested we drive over to Savannah‘s iconic Bonaventure Cemetery and do what we have not been doing much this summer … walk outside.
What a beautiful, old cemetery/park, along a bluff of the tranquil Wilmington River.
We took our time, walking quietly, almost meditatively, under the ancient live oaks and magnolias. A morning breeze (amazingly refreshing for early August!) invited the Spanish Moss to a ceremonial Dance of the Dead above our heads.
About an hour into this Sauntering Sunday Service, I somewhat wearily gazed through the overgrown and dark green “we-bloomed-months-ago” azalea bushes.
And saw it.
“Let’s walk over there, Robert.”
A small mausoleum, circa 1927, darkened and a bit crumbling with age and wear, the small double doors having patinated over the decades into a glorious, deep metallic green.
The Schroder family whispered us closer, even offering me a little sitting of rest (which I desperately needed).
‘Neal, look behind you,” HR quietly instructed.
Someone (who?) had placed a single, long-stemmed, radiantly red rose at the foot of the doors, below the two “S’s.”
(My last name is Saye, Robert’s is Smith, I for some reason thought.)
“Pick it up.”
I obeyed, trying to avoid the thorns.
I have been dealing with some frustrating physical issues (thorns!) lately—causing me to be a bit out of sorts with the world and with life.
73 years come with challenges.
Then again …
And I still crave the rose.
“Robert, please get me a lemon and some fresh thyme,” I said-pled, as we finished up some shopping, and I headed to the car, while he was trekking across the street to one of our favorite little independent grocers.
Back home I delved into magical alchemy …
Homemade simple syrup, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, orange slices and … some THYME.
Slash it all together with some Tito’s and voilà …
Wait, that is not the best shot!
That’s a little better.
But here, look at the lavender blooms of the thyme through the glass …
And here are photographer Robert’s photos …
It’s thyme …
A blog category of photos I’ve taken of HR (Hubby Robert) and … well, just about anything.
I haven’t done a “Robert and …” post in a while. Truth be told, I had forgotten about the category. (Don’t tell Robert.) So …
Robert and … Consummate Coffee Service.
Breakfast yesterday at one of our favorite coffee bars here in Savannah, Flora and Fauna.
HR Serving Coffee and … Love.
Yesterday Robert and I joined 2000 other Savannah area protesters to voice a resounding “No!” to the Trump administration’s lean toward authoritarianism and strong man politics which are attempting to destroy our nation’s soul.
Inspiring and encouraging speeches, lively posters and joyful camaraderie/solidarity.
From our mayor …
And this poster expressed part of the reason I attended this incredible event …
Robert was feeling a little blue today, so I bought him a new cat
It dd the trick.
And that’s my Saturday Evening Post.
Quietly walking around the corner into our alley to throw out our trash the other day, I came across this.
????
A yard in our alley?
1. Air conditioning! Savannah …
Ridiculously hot for spring. And yet, there is no climate crisis?!
2. Our bathroom window curtain.
It is a physical manifestation of simple joy.
3. Our incredible cell phones. (And occasionally the common sense to put them down.)
4. Reaching 15,000 minutes on my 10% Happier meditation app.
5. Reading this terrific new little book about the wonder of our natural world.
And here is a neat little Serviceberry tree outside our cottage at a recent state park stay.
May you discover some Happy Bringers in the weekend ahead.
NealEnJoy 