Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 3/6/26

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Making it through this morning’s part two (of a three-part procedure) to—hopefully/fingers crossed—help my chronic lower back pain.

The fun description: “CPT 64493 – Left – Facet Injection, Lumbar/Sacral, a shot of pain numbing substance in one level of the lower back using imaging guidance or detailed pictures to diagnose or treat lower back pain.”

I’m such a baby that even with local anesthesia, I’m sort of out of it for much of the day. But I’m back to the land of the living now, working on this post.

2. Several cool outdoorsy photos Robert took a little while ago, probably to get away from me and my “recovery.”

Is it Spring yet?

3. Our bodies, which I continue to believe/hope know how to be well and are always trying to move toward wellness.

4. Pausing to appreciate the view from above.

5. Proud of Daughter Amy being named by the Savannah area’s United Way as one of the Women Who Rule panelists.

And this sweet text I got from great buddy Jamie Marie during the event …

May you have a weekend of things that bring you healthy pride.

Posted in Monday Moaning or Monday Marveling?

Monday Moaning or Monday Marveling? 10/27/25

Marveling this Monday, remembering the terrific Savannah Pride Weekend we just experienced.

As I have mentioned before, both Savannah and Atlanta hold their Pride Festivals in October because the traditional month of June is simply TOO HOT here.

We started the weekend at our church’s Friday night Pride Service. 

Then Saturday was the Savannah Pride Festival in beautiful Forsyth Park.

HR Trying to decide if he’s too old for the inflatable gym.

I love the beautiful truthfulness of this poster:

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

“Through the Night” 🇺🇸

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.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 6/13/25

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. LOVE-ly coffee.

Origin Coffee Bar, Savannah

2. Watching (spying on?) and documenting my Handsome Hubby, as he walks toward our little car heading to an appointment.

“Parting is such sweet sorrow.”

3. Spices! Robert and I love them.

Our spice drawer ..

Simply Organic is my favorite spice brand.

Our spice shelf …

Our Spice Club! …

Once a month or so, our local library offers patrons a new spice, along with an explanation and several recipes. This month is a spice I have never heard about before: Summer Savory.

“Summer savory, Satureja hortensis, is a sweet- and spicy-smelling herb, lighter in flavor than winter savory. It is a member of the Lamiaceae, or mint family, and is indigenous to the Mediterranean region. It is also closely related to rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, and mar-joram. Summer savory had both culinary and medicinal uses in ancient Greece and Rome.” Bull Street Library Spice Club

4. The amazing ability to simply Pay Attention. (That trait is sometimes a bit of a challenge for me and my “all over the map” brain.)

5. I SO appreciate the theme of this year’s Pride Festival in Atlanta.

RoughDraft Atlanta

May we all have a weekend where, even on the most minute of levels, we Realize that we can Resist that which attempts to damage our lives.