Posted in T-shirt Tuesday

T-Shirt Tuesday: “Savannah Wildlife T-Shirt Series” #4

Recently, when Robert and I drove over to the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, I fell in love with a series of very cool T-shirts featuring area animals and what we can learn from them. So I decided to feature one on each T-shirt Tuesday for a while.

Today, the Awesome Alligator.

Okay, TIB (Truth in Blogging): I respect this animal, but am ridiculously scared of him/her as well. The alligator is common in my area of the country. They are found primarily in freshwater swamps and marshes, as well as in rivers, lakes and smaller bodies of water. My older daughter and her family live over on Skidaway Island here in Savannah. Alligators often sun themselves on the banks of lagoons bordering houses.

My first grandson Daniel was just a little one when I would carry him or push him in the stroller on walkways near some of those lagoons. I would always get so very nervous when I would see an alligator stretching out in the sun. I would pick up my pace.

This is the only type I can tolerate …

And even with a baby alligator, I look a tad disheveled and out of mental control.

Here are a few of Robert’s pictures of alligators from our travels near us. I am posting them with my eyes closed. So I hope you are able to see them.

Actually, some of the alligator’s advice is pretty sage. Although I can’t remember any of it, and can’t force myself to scroll back up to read it. You do that for me, please.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 7/14/23

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Air conditioning in Savannah in July.

2. Air conditioning in Savannah in July.

3. Air conditioning in Savannah in July.

4. Air conditioning in Savannah in July.

5. Air conditioning in Savannah in July.

OKAY, maybe a few more Happy Bringers …

6. Grandson, Daniel, as Raoul, in “Phantom of the Opera” here in Savannah for a two-week run.

7. My “knee-d” for coffee each morning.

8. My obsession (but a fun obsession) with colorful paper napkins.

9. The simple Joy of Friday.

10. Georgia peaches.

I hope you have a peachy weekend ahead.

Posted in T-shirt Tuesday

T-Shirt Tuesday: “Savannah Wildlife T-Shirt Series” #2

Recently, when Robert and I drove over to the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, I fell in love with a series of very cool T-shirts featuring area animals and what we can learn from them. So I decided to feature one on each T-shirt Tuesday for a while.

Today, the Colorful Cardinal …

A couple of pics HR took of cardinals.

Let’s try to follow at least some of the wise Cardinal’s advice.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 6/30/23

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Radishes.

They are just ravishing.

2. Billboards sprouting up around Savannah featuring grandson Daniel as Raoul in the Savannah Theatre’s upcoming production of Phantom of the Opera.

The production opens July 7.

3. This week walking one of the trails (by myself, quite unusual, R and I are usually together 24/7 ) at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge near us.

4. My Feet

Benny and my (old man) feet

5. Air conditioning.

AIR CONDITIONING!

May you have a cool weekend ahead.

Posted in Encouragement

Look Up!

So today, HR and I traversed twenty minutes to the Savannah Wildlife Refuge across the Savannah River from us over in South Carolina.

The purpose: For Robert to complete his homework for a course we are taking on Georgia’s Ossabaw Island and the concept of Wildness. We had to go to a Place, sit for a While, and observe the Wild, in whatever way we describe the word.

(I had already completed my assignment earlier this morning, meditating by the Savannah River itself, a couple of blocks from where we live in Savannah’s historic district …

… but more about that in a later post.)

(Now you have something to look forward to.)

Anyhoo, HR suggested we have a little picnic there, before his meditation, even though the temperature was supposed to be in the LOW 90s. Ever the accommodating spouse, after fussing a little bit, I agreed. Why? Curry chicken gyros – spicy! From Savannah’s iconic little Mediterranean Al Salaam Deli.

Oh my goodness! If I could, I would teleport a bite over to you.

It never takes a lot to grab my attention. But if you put a pine tree in the mix, I am FASCINATED. Years ago, after reading nature writer Janisse Ray’s Ecology of a Cracker Childhood (read it if you haven’t!), Robert and I fell in love with the Longleaf Pine.

So, before I even started to eat my curry gyro, I spotted some tall, majestic pine trees all around us.

And what did I do?

I looked up, of course, wondering if they were Longleaf. Wouldn’t you?

Curry Gyro in foil, wondering why I am not opening him.

(I will never forgive Robert for taking that ridiculous picture of me, without me knowing he was doing so, but since it works for this blog post, I’m going to use it. Don’t tell him.)

Alas, the pine trees were not Longleaf. I suspected as much. The pine cones were too small and the trees, majestic as they were, did not have Longleaf’s candelabra-like upward branches. (TMI?)

Later on a solo hike (HR was “meditating.” remember), I saw this:

Loblolly somehow intuited that I preferred the Longleaf. He asked me why. Having no real answer, I did the only thing I thought to do. I looked up. Up into his Heights.

And he said …

Loblolly is now a close second in my favorite pine tree cataloging.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 5/26/23

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Yummy little pre-Memorial Day hot dogs at nearby and hip Sly’s Sliders and Fries.

2. After years of living and walking in Savannah’s historic district, still discovering neat little gardens and courtyards hidden behind old brick walls and wrought iron gates.

3. Eyesight. And my new glasses which allow my seeing.

4. Attending grandchildren’s end-of-school-year honors ceremonies.

5. The power of a pickle!

Paired with my veggie-loaded tuna salad topped with spicy chow chow.

Have you tried this brand?

Oh my GOODness!

May you dive into a pickle-worthy weekend ahead!

Posted in Food Joy

Cutesy Tuesday: “The Power of Every Individual”

Today I am starting a new, occasional blog post category: “Cutesy Tuesday,” highlighting what I consider to be cute.

So yesterday, Robert and I went to our favorite produce stand near us here in Savannah, Davis Produce, out near the Atlantic Ocean, and bought a big bunch of stuff.

But mainly pink-eyed crowder peas and okra. Okra is my favorite vegetable in the history of vegetables; okra is HR’s least favorite vegetable in the history of vegetables. Our marriage is vegetatively tenuous.

But looky there in the lower right-hand corner above (well, and below). When I emptied our bag of goodies, I saw him.

A lone peanut.

Somewhat robust, and holding his own against the okra.

I asked him why he came as the lone peanut, crowded out by the crowder peas and okra.

He responded,

Let us move forward as powerful individuals.

Posted in My Saturday Evening Post

My Saturday Evening Post 5/13/23 “Thank You”

I’m Thankful to live in Savannah’s National Historic Landmark District, where daily walks never fail to reveal yet another source of marvel-worthy beauty.

As I’ve said before, HR and I live off Washington Square, the northeastern most of our 22 extant squares. It’s the tiny green one in the upper righthand corner on the map below. Across from the Savannah River.

The historic district is a walker’s dream, with surprises hidden down tiny lanes and in secret gardens.

Here a few sightings from our midday walk.

Lucious Lilies

And Hearty Hydrangea

Sunlight through Japanese Maple

And a bit of gratitude and love to Jimmy Carter …

Thankful & Peaceful Saturday to you all.

P.S. I even thought some “weeds” were pretty, perched proudly at the curb, their dynamic green exuding roadside royalty.