September is here! And I am marveling this morning because it was 66° (!) when Robert and I headed out to one of our favorite coffee shops, Flora and Fauna. I actually wore a jacket! (I had to look around a bit for it.)
My coffee:
HR’s:
Happy September First!
My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.
1. Fresh South Georgia Bi-color Corn.
Or as I call it, Bisexual Corn.
2. My new, neat little sitting and reading area in our bedroom. Robert put up the shelves next to my chair.
Now he can watch his superhero movies and shows in the living room, and I can read, quietly, in the bedroom.
It probably doesn’t look like much to you, but these couple of square feet are my own little nest to settle, relax, breathe and read.
3. The incredible ability to make plans. To prepare. To dream. To think ahead.
4. Incredible truth, which I often don’t pause to remember.
We were walking through Hobby lobby the other day, when Robert said, “Neal pick up these, hold them. Let me take a few pictures of your truth.”
5. A very inappropriate, but humorous and truthful candle I saw on my older daughter Amy’s bedside table recently.
May you enjoy some inappropriate humor this weekend!
We’re doggie-sitting for Daughter Amy. Here’s Coastal leaning on Robert’s faded pinkish Smirnoff t-shirt this morn at coffee time.
I’m celebrating World Photography Day (August 19) today with a few of my Savannah-area photos.
On my Monday morning walk today, I came upon a bit of a surprise: PINK AZALEAS (Savannah’s Springtime Sensation) contrarily blooming in the Heated Heart of August.
Good for them – and their rebellious nature.
I started to walk away, but then turned and asked them why on earth they were blooming NOW.
Their answer:
SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) Museum of Art
Well, I suppose that I am Marveling this morning, but with a side of Moan.
Yesterday morn, instead of attending our beautiful and inclusive Asbury Church here in Savannah, Robert and I played hooky. Since it was an unusually cool reprieve from our stiflingly serious summer heat, I suggested we drive over to Savannah‘s iconic Bonaventure Cemetery and do what we have not been doing much this summer … walk outside.
What a beautiful, old cemetery/park, along a bluff of the tranquil Wilmington River.
We took our time, walking quietly, almost meditatively, under the ancient live oaks and magnolias. A morning breeze (amazingly refreshing for early August!) invited the Spanish Moss to a ceremonial Dance of the Dead above our heads.
About an hour into this Sauntering Sunday Service, I somewhat wearily gazed through the overgrown and dark green “we-bloomed-months-ago” azalea bushes.
And saw it.
“Let’s walk over there, Robert.”
A small mausoleum, circa 1927, darkened and a bit crumbling with age and wear, the small double doors having patinated over the decades into a glorious, deep metallic green.
The Schroder family whispered us closer, even offering me a little sitting of rest (which I desperately needed).
‘Neal, look behind you,” HR quietly instructed.
Someone (who?) had placed a single, long-stemmed, radiantly red rose at the foot of the doors, below the two “S’s.”
(My last name is Saye, Robert’s is Smith, I for some reason thought.)
“Pick it up.”
I obeyed, trying to avoid the thorns.
I have been dealing with some frustrating physical issues (thorns!) lately—causing me to be a bit out of sorts with the world and with life.
73 years come with challenges.
Then again …
And I still crave the rose.
The mid-summer heat is incredible down here in my Savannah, Georgia—as it seems to be in much of our weathered nation.
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Real Feel of 114? Seriously?
On early morning walks (it’s far too hot for me to walk midday), I have noticed one resilient plant that seems to not only survive in this oppressive heat and brutal sunshine, but actually to THRIVE.
“Some plants perform best when the heat is on; Crape Myrtles revel in the sun and heat. They are summer show-offs. In full bloom this beautiful shrub/tree radiates color, sporting a full head of crinkled, “crepe” like blooms in various shades.” aldenlane.com
May we follow crepe myrtle’s exemplary leadership in this very hot time in our nation.
It’s dangerously hot, but we will stay alive!
NealEnJoy 