Tag: Photography

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 7/12/25

Posted on by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Beautiful reflections (during a recent walk in daughter Amy’s neighborhood).

2. Rest. Sometimes you simply have to lie down.

Amy’s dog Coastal (named for their medical company, Coastal Care Partners) after Robert and I took her for a long walk in the South Georgia heat.

3. Speaking of South Georgia heat, how HAPPY I am for the blessing of air conditioning in Savannah!

Tuesday of this week.

4. Sitting near these Lively Ladies the other morning at a new coffee shop we were trying out near us, Foxtail Coffee Company.

They asked HR to take their pic.

“Wave, be silly!” Robert instructed.

We discovered that they are a group of ladies called “Savannah Newcomers,” which has been around for nearly 70 years! Most of the members are no longer newcomers, but they liked the group so much they just keep coming.

I asked if Robert and I could become members. They dodged the question in demure Southern Belle fashion and told us how happy they were to have met us. (I think that meant, “No.)

5. Walking to our car in the Publix parking lot yesterday …

… And seeing this:

For some reason, the view gave me pause and reminded me that life continues even in the starkest of environments.

May your life be filled with a bit of LIFE this weekend (in whatever way you define LIFE).

Posted in One-Word Wednesday

One-Word Wednesday 7/9/25

Posted on by Neal Saye

“Okra”

I know, I know. I’ve posted about okra before, but it really is my very favorite vegetable in all the world! And I also know that it is some folks’ very least favorite vegetable. (Although botanically, I understand okra is classified as a fruit.)

We picked up some local okra at the farmers market here in Savannah. And even though we don’t eat a lot of fried food, I simply HAD to fry the okra in the classically Southern manner.

I chopped the pods into beautiful little circles, added a hand sprinkle of water, a heaping tablespoon of flour, another heaping tablespoon of cornmeal, with several shakes of salt and pepper.

I then heated the oil until one of the little okra circles did a lively dance when I dropped him in my grandmother‘s ancient cast iron skillet.

The key to good Southern fried okra is to fry it in uncrowded batches. They like a little room as they swim in the hot oil.

Here’s a riveting video of my frying technique. Listen as the okra dances in the pan, similar to synchronized swimming.

I added Cayenne pepper for my second batch.

But what to serve with the fried okra?

Other fresh local vegetables, of course.

Vine-ripened tomatoes.

Red-eyed peas.

In case you didn’t know: “Red Eyed Peas” or “Red Peas” refers to a type of legume often described as an heirloom variety of cowpea, similar to black-eyed peas. They are a popular staple in Southern cuisine and have roots in West Africa. Google AI

Now it’s time to sit down and eat!

Delicious, Fresh and Local Summer Supper

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 7/5/25

Posted on by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Local summertime green beans.

2. The evolutionary A B C’s of our Fourth of July afternoon nap yesterday.

A.

B.

C.

3. The amazing ability to step out of bed, stretch and start a brand new day! (Everyone is not able to do that incredible feat.)

4. Pink

Crepe Myrtle

5. Being able to watch Savannah’s fireworks through our living room window.

Make your weekend have a few colorful and firework-y crackles, whistles, bangs and sizzles.

Posted in Holidays and Seasonal Changes, How Has It Come to This?

“Through the Night” 🇺🇸

Posted on by Neal Saye

It is with divided sentiments that I awake early this 2025 Fourth of July and set the table for our little Independence Day breakfast.

Last evening Robert and I went over to daughter Amy’s for a family cookout and to watch incredible day-early fireworks from her lovely Moon River-facing balcony.

Glorious Beauty.

But as I stood behind my husband Robert and my ex-wife Donna, as they leaned on the railing toward the patriotic display …

… and as I listened to Lee Greenwood iconically singing from my son-in-law‘s speakers:

… I wondered, in the midst of the firework’s bangs, crackles, whistles and sizzles, if Lee’s words still ring true. Does the flag still stand for freedom under the current fascist regime? And if so, freedom for whom? For me as a married gay man? For my daughters and granddaughters to have autonomy over their own bodies? For my trans friends to live without threats of discrimination or even murder? Etc. Etc.

But Lee would have nothing of that viewpoint, as he continued to sing …

That absolute “knowing” of freedom in the USA has faded somewhat for me.

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I love yesteryear Kate Smith’s rendition of “God bless America,”

This morning, her phrase “through the NIGHT” emanates new meaning for me. For we are living/trying to live through a Darkened Night Phase of our beloved country, with democracy under attack from within by our own leaders. A democracy which my husband Robert spent nearly 30 years in the Army trying to defend. A democracy which many of his comrades gave their lives to defend.

So why do I display the flag this Independence Day morn?

And why do I still feel a measure of pride as I take my morning walk and see all of this in my Savannah neighborhood?

Because I hope and believe that God (or whatever force you believe is greater than evil) Will Bless the True America and grant us a new Dawn of Democracy after this Darkness.

I especially like this darkened black and white version of Kate Smith’s “God bless America.”

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Now that it has brightened up a bit, I’m going to sit down with HR (Hubby Robert) for breakfast.