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.
I love the beautiful truthfulness of this poster:
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.
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.
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.”
Now that it has brightened up a bit, I’m going to sit down with HR (Hubby Robert) for breakfast.
I am Happy to see that not all U.S. businesses and institutions have fallen in line with the Trump administration’s hateful, anti-LGBTQ fear tactics.
Walking into Kroger this morning:
And our local library …
My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.
1. LOVE-ly coffee.
2. Watching (spying on?) and documenting my Handsome Hubby, as he walks toward our little car heading to an appointment.
3. Spices! Robert and I love them.
Our spice drawer ..
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.
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.
Happy Pride from Savannah’s Forsyth Park.
Yes, I know. Pride is traditionally celebrated in the month of June. But it’s SO warm down here in south Georgia that we opt to have it in October. But today was a VERY warm October day.
So Robert and I were walking around in Pet Smart today, minding our own business, when we came upon this …
Seriously? Gay trappings for your pet?
My first reaction was “Oh, how cute!”
My second was “Big business, marketing whatever can sale.“
Then my gay husband put it all into perspective …
This weekend is Savannah Pride. (It’s too hot to have it in June, the traditional month for Pride.)
Happy YOU!
“ROGER”
Robert caught me using the WordPress ability to dictate my blog on a break from festivities at Atlanta Pride this past weekend.
As least that’s what he thinks I’m doing.
In reality, I’m checking with my personal assistant Crystalia to make sure she thinks my wooden Pride beads are hip enough for the relentless paparazzi.
She did.
NealEnJoy 