Tag: Positive Aspects

Posted in The Artful Dodger, Unexpected Art

“The Artful Dodger“ #25

Posted on by Neal Saye

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

So Robert and I were at Whole Foods today shopping for a few (emphasis “few”) things: his deionized water (don’t get me started), dried porcini mushrooms (don’t get me started, again — one of his recipes) and my white balsamic vinegar, which I REALLY needed for an incredible salad dressing that I have fallen in love with. (I’m a retired English professor, so I know better than to end a sentence with a proposition, but who cares? I’m retired.)

We were successful with finding the water and the white balsamic vinegar. And all went well until we got to the checkout counter.

For some reason when we tried to scan the white balsamic vinegar, it said “Price cannot be resolved” as if we were in some United Nations mediation.

The delightfully beautiful clerk went to try to figure out what the “Resolve” issue was. She came back, beaming and said “It’s free!“

Our (my) white balsamic vinegar when we got home, proudly standing on our counter.

So then (we’re back at Whole Foods now) we went onto our next item, fresh Turmeric!

Okay, explanation. I have been having a bit of an issue with high blood pressure lately. I have been trying to incorporate both fresh ginger and fresh turmeric into our diet.

I put the turmeric down on the scale thingy.

Walked a little closer.

Walked a little closer still and saw her.

Do you see her? She’s walking to the left with a healthy gait. Encouraging me!

HEALTHY ART! AT WHOLE FOODS!

Posted in Encouragement

Nothing Gold

Posted on by Neal Saye

Robert and I live in an old 1800’s apartment building in Historic District Savannah, so we don’t have much garden space. But we do what we can. (Correction: HR manages most of the “doing.”)

Here’s our little Japanese maple as she decided to “seasonally change” her outerwear recently.

Isn’t she gorgeous?!

I told her, EXCITEDLY, that she was simply LOVELY in her shimmering gold, thinking she would receive the compliment graciously.

And she did. Sort of. The she smiled, as wise sentient beings often do and said with patience (which wise sentient beings often have): “Neal” (I was thrilled she knew my name), “seasonal change, as you call it, is a part of life. We all go through it.”

“And sometimes it strips you bare.”

“Oh Gosh”

My smile drooped a bit. I wasn’t really keen on that part of our convo.

“It’s a part of life,” she said with no trepidation in her voice.

Maple got me to thinking, and I know I have probably used this poem far too often in my blog, but it SO resonates with me, especially as I’m getting … older and “seasonally changing.”

Nothing Gold Can Stay

Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

— Robert Frost

Here are a few of Robert’s photos of Maple and her “seasonal change.”

May we all “seasonally change” so gracefully.

Posted in Art Joy

“It’s Still Life?”

Posted on by Neal Saye

So today, HR and I had lunch with our dear friends Don and Jim at the salad-ly delicious Urban Deli within walking distance of us here in historic district Savannah.

Beyond yummy food.

Especially their salads.

I opted for the brussels sprouts salad, along with a healthy helping of their red beet salad.

I consumed it far too quickly, never thinking about taking a photo remembrance.

Afterwards, as we were sitting, stuffed, Savannah fall conversing, I looked down on my plate …

And saw a still life masterpiece.

Posted in Encouragement

So For …

Posted on by Neal Saye

So for this Sunday evening before Thanksgiving, I was thinking about what the holiday is actually all about and ran across this little meditation on giving thanks and embracing gratitude …