Reading – NealEnJoy

Shhh … Silent Sunday

Shhh … Silent Sunday 3/15/26

Posted on March 15, 2026 by Neal Saye

Benny, Books and Me

Posted on March 5, 2026 by Neal Saye

A Category about What the Cat and I Are Reading

Benny and I just finished Only Murders in the Abbey, the REALLY funny and oh-so-creative spoof of English murder mysteries.

Benny resting, after we finished the last oh-my-goodness-that’s-who-did-it! chapter.

At Scotland’s Loch Down Abbey (which of course has been locked down), a guest is murdered in a locked library during a ball, and the resourceful housekeeper, Mrs. MacBain, must uncover the killer among the guests.

And she does! But not before giving the reader many an out-loud laugh and agonizingly fun brain twist.

I don’t know about you, but every now and then, I simply need an escape read, a book that makes no claim to literary excellence. Just pure reading fun.

When I finished the novel (which I had found in one of the many Free Little Libraries around Savannah), I realized it is actually the sequel to Loch Down Abbey, which I of course must now read.

Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 2/27/26

Posted on February 27, 2026 by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Night beauty. Even at The Home Depot.

2. Coming across very neat posters.

I especially like the “Talk to the Flowers” suggestion.

3. The amazing ability to TALK and express ourselves.

4. Pets. If you’re a regular reader, I’m sure you get tired of seeing photos of Kitty Cat Benny. But what a positive difference pets can make to the quality of our lives.

5. My reading chair in our study.

Oh, the hours I have spent there exploring other worlds!

So much so that I have had to reupholster it.

May you find somewhere to “sit in joy” this weekend.

Monday Moaning or Monday Marveling?

Monday Moaning or Monday Marveling? 7/7/25

Posted on July 7, 2025 by Neal Saye

I’m marveling this Monday morn at the absolutely amazing ability … TO READ! (As I often reiterate whenever I think about gratitude, everyone doesn’t have that for which I’m grateful.)

I love this little whatever-it-is. We saw it in the crafts section at Saturday’s fabulous Forsyth Farmers Market here in Savannah.

A delightful artisan creates beautifully quirky works of art from silver cutlery!

Sidebar: Robert fell in love with the tiny magnetic flower vases made from the hollow bottom sections of silver knives!

This one is now holding court (and dried flowers) on our fridge.

Okay, back to the “Reading” topic of this post. As I have shown before, here are our reading chairs in our study.

And here’s what I’m currently reading …

… a fascinating and “I-can’t-believe-I’ve-never-heard-of-this-before” look at the history of gay life in Brooklyn.

Because I’m sure you’re just dying to know, I usually read two books simultaneously: what I call my “short time read” (above) and my “long time read.” (The “long time read” is a book not intended to be read quickly or even from cover to cover.

Here’s my current “long time read”:

“Ohm. Ohm. Ohm. Ohm.”

My “long time reads” are often self-help about physical, mental, emotional or relationship health. Robert often says that one would think I would be in MUCH better physical, mental, emotional and relationship shape, having read “so much of this junk.” (I try to pay little to no attention to HR.)

I hope you find something that fascinates you this new day and week.

Happy Monday Marveling!

Christmas Countdown 2023

Countdown to Christmas: 12/18/23 — “Delve into a Book”

Posted on December 18, 2023December 18, 2023 by Neal Saye

This year my Countdown to Christmas is a nontraditional Advent Calendar centering (pun intended) on mindfulness.

On the front of each card is neat little picture, and on the back are the instructions for the short meditation.

Today, the 18th Day of Advent … DELVE INTO A BOOK.

Here are today’s instructions:

Your task today is to commit a while to the almost forgotten art of curling up in front of the fire with a good book. Okay, a fireplace is not a requirement, but try to find a warm, quiet and cosy place away from technological distractions in which to practice this mindful reading exercise.

Choose a book, any kind you want, and first hold it in your hands, feel its weight, run your fingers over its cover. Notice the sound and touch of the pages as you turn them. Breathe in the smell of the book.

Slowly and calmly start reading. Savour each sentence, allow each description to form an image in your mind. Notice the writer’s use of language, take time to re-read particular parts that stand out to you, stop to look up any new words.

Delve fully into the world of the book. Appreciate the places, people and things that it creates for you.

Notice any emotions that the story and the overall experience of reading it makes you feel.

If your mind wanders, be patient with yourself. Just calmly acknowledge what took your attention, then let the thought drift away and bring your attention back to the world within the book.

Our study chairs where I do a Big Bunch of my reading …