My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.
1. Thankful that here in Savannah we made it through Hurricane Helene safely. Even though our power is off and tree branches are seemingly everywhere.
2. Classic grilling out.
3. Pretty purple.
4. Waking up each morning, as someone said, “on the right side of the dirt.”
5. Dog sitting with granddog Coastal last weekend.
May your eyes see a safe and splendid weekend ahead!
Approaching Autumn often finds me in what I call (probably foolishly) my Melancholy Joy Frame of Mind or Temperament: 50% Despondency at Summer’s Goodbye and 50% Delight at Fall’s Coming Orange Cool.
And as I find myself getting close to Autumn this year, I realize that I too—and not just 2024—am in my September Stage of Life.
Approaching Autumn pulled no punches this morning when I unexpectedly ran into her in, of all places, the shared second floor hallway of our old Savannah apartment building.
About a week ago, Robert had placed a beautiful, summery-looking orange day lily with several blossoms in one of the hall windows.
This morn, when I opened our front door and walked out into the hallway, I saw her there in the window. Approaching Autumn herself.
I walked over cautiously to her. 
A bit dismayed at what I saw, I clumsily asked, “What’s going on? You don’t look like summer anymore.”
“Neal. It’s time. I’m Falling.”
“ I still don’t get it,” I complained. “You can’t just out of the blue … BE Fall. You are Summer.”
“Do I look like Summer now?”
I stood for a bit … stuck. In between seasons. HR growing anxious behind me to get on with our breakfast date.
Approaching Autumn, sensing my frustration, asked, “Weren’t you an English major in college? Didn’t you read Frost? He understood. Let him remind you:
I can’t say I completely and lovingly embraced her/his explanation. But I did find a melancholy beauty in its Truth.
I started to walk away when Approaching Autumn spoke her last: “And just so you know Neal, you don’t exactly look like summer anymore either.”
But she smiled as she made the comment. I released some pent-up tension and paid her back with a new season Melancholy Joy smile of my own.
“Let’s go,” I said to Robert.
And with creaky knees, I tackled the narrow 1850s stairwell and headed outside into yet another new day.
“Hi…biscus!”
May September’s Prophecy be one of Health and Joy for us all.
My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.
1. Incredible raw oyster spread at my favorite local oyster bar, Sorry Charlie’s, here in Historic District Savannah.
2. The Beautiful ability and privilege to Breathe.
3. My new AirTags on my Father’s Day wallet and keys.
P.S. It makes me Happy that my life has Simplified such that I now have only TWO KEYS.
4. Playing with daughter Emily’s Bantam chicks.
5. Summer blackberries!
May your weekend be a berry, berry good one.
“Calm”
Morning meditation by the pond at Savannah Botanical Gardens
NealEnJoy 