Playful – NealEnJoy

Five Friday Happy Bringers 11/13/26

Posted on November 13, 2026November 13, 2026 by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts

1. My Longleaf Pine Cones!

Of course you’re asking, “Wait, do you have dirty pine cones on a baking dish?!”

Well, yes, I do. I’m planning to make this pine coney Christmas garland and read that I should “bake” the pine cones for about an hour at 200° just to kill any bugs.

Which seemed fine, until I took them out of the oven and realized I had just committed insecticide.

2. Running into lovely and great buddy (as well as Savannah social star extraordinaire) Jamie at last weekend’s Porch Fest at Baldwin Park.

3. The incredible blessing of just being able to WALK.

4. Speaking of walking, this beach walk that I just finished at Ponte Vedra, Florida (where we are staying again, for a week or so.)

I especially love the beach at cooler times of the year.

5. The Thanksgiving—themed decor in the foyer at the condo where we are staying.

I am just so, well, thankful, for all the seasonal changes and beautiful holidays we are invited to recognize and celebrate.

I hope you have something quite beautiful to celebrate this weekend!

Shhh … Silent Sunday

Shhh … Silent Sunday 10/18/26

Posted on October 18, 2026 by Neal Saye

(Robert and Coastal … very quietly driving)

The Artful Dodger, Unexpected Art

“The Artful Dodger” #30

Posted on October 15, 2026 by Neal Saye

A mostly silly blog category about finding “art” in unexpected places and situations

So Coastal and I were out for our daily 7:30 a.m. it’s-time-to-do-our-business morning walk …

… when seemingly out of nowhere, I heard a deep, gravelly voice angrily yell, “DO NOT TRAMPLE ON ME!”

I looked around, saw nothing, looked down—and saw him.

Coastal and I jumped aside and trod TarMack’s way no more.

Joy in Nature

Pretending

Posted on September 24, 2026 by Neal Saye

An old tree trunk, pretending to be a gigantic chicken foot.

Jacksonville Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, Jacksonville FL

JoyInciters

Sometime

Posted on July 22, 2026July 22, 2026 by Neal Saye

Sometime all you need is a change of scenery …

Robert and I are back down in Ponte Vedra, Florida at the oceanfront condo my daughter is renting for six months, as she contemplates expanding her medical business down here. So of course we find ways to finagle our way here as often as possible.

I swim 20 lamps each morn at 7:30 before the sun becomes a broiler.

This summer, I am attempting to write a memoir about the challenge of “marrying” my previous straight life (to Donna) and my current gay life (with Robert). And what a challenge!

Here’s my sunny study in the condo where I’m attempting to write …

As I sit in that wicker chair, some days I realize that we’re all writing our memoirs, day by day and year by year.

I hope your story is filled with an Abundance of Good.

T-shirt Tuesday

T-Shirt Tuesday: “Ally’s”

Posted on April 14, 2026April 14, 2026 by Neal Saye

On a couple of recent trips to our buddy Gordon‘s old farmhouse over in Effingham County GA, Robert and I discovered one of the greatest treasure treats on earth.

Ally’s Bakery in the town of Rincon.

Ally’s pastries are simply beyond delicious.

Probably the best cinnamon rolls we’ve ever had.

And Robert is embarrassingly obsessed with Ally’s artistic cookies.

He and his obsession really get on my nerves. Robert won’t eat (or more important, let me eat) the cookies until these ridiculous “photo sessions” are complete …

Meandering through the cozy shop on one visit, trying to burn off a few calories, I came across these oh-so-very-truthful T-shirts.

And this last one gave me such encouragement:

So if you’re ever around Savannah, drive over to Rincon and Ally’s Bakery.

Tell the delightful Ally (the one with the flour on her fingers or frosting on her nose), Hannah, Marci or any other friendly crew member that Neal and Robert sent you.

You’ll leave so much sweeter than when you arrived.

Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 4/10/26

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. These incredible crab legs at the Tin Fin seafood restaurant near where we are staying for the week in Effingham County GA.

I just opted for a pound, but HR got the “All You Can Eat” Tuesday night deal.

2. Making new friends at Hunter Cattle Company near Statesboro GA.

Especially a friendly cow I named Betsy.

Here’s Betsy and HR co-starring in a little independent film I produced and directed, Good Moo Hunting.

3. Enjoying our last fire (probably) of the season at the farmhouse in southeast Georgia where we are staying this week.

4. The amazing ability to remember.

5. Sensational cinnamon rolls from Ally’s Bakery in Rincon GA.

May you roll joyfully this weekend.

One-Word Wednesday

One Word Wednesday 4/8/26

Posted on April 8, 2026 by Neal Saye

“Farmers”

This week Robert and I are getting away from downtown Savannah for a bit and staying at our buddy Gordon’s old country farmhouse in Effingham County GA.

When I texted my family to let them know we would be gone for a few days, daughter Amy almost immediately sent back this photo: