February 6, 2026 a thought for today, It is bad baking without flour and water. German Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

My first challenge and upload was titled “starts with the letter O...” I chose the word “outside”. This is what the “outside” looks everywhere around me right now. 

The next challenge was titles “year of the boar”. I had no idea where to begin
with this one. I did some research for the year of the Boar for 2026 and found that the “lucky” colors are red, pink, green and yellow. The lucky numbers are 2, 5, 8, and 7. So I combined with for this one. I used sheers of colored construction paper and added the number when I brought the image into Photoshop. 

The next challenge was titled “ my outfit today”. My “outfits” are pretty much the same every day. 

The last upload for this group is “tin roof”. This is a neighbor’s house. They had this roof put on a few years ago.

I got to the church and was well into the printing before the folks working with the delivery of food for our monthly food pantry efforts came. I stopped to drop off mail and picked up sausage sandwiches for Sue and myself. I got home and started on the photos for the day. I got a call from a friend from church who said we had gotten more frozen chicken in the delivery than we had room to store. So she wanted to know how to contact a church I know about who might want it for their pantry. I tried a couple of people I knew for necessary phone numbers but the calls went to message services. So I got on line to get the numbers to the church. We, my friend (who was on her pone with me) and I, still couldn’t reach them. So I tried the church email. I got an answer, they said sure they could use it. It had to be delivered by noon, fifteen minutes from the time of my contact with them. There was a bit of a problem finding the church so my friend picked me up and we went together to get to the church. Lowell was able to contact a person at the church soup kitchen to meet us at the gate and take the chicken. Success. It was delivered.

Life today. I have been spending the last couple of hours forcing myself to accept the fact that I will most likely not be leaving the house this weekend. My grocery list will have to be put off for a few days. I will most likely be missing church again this week. I think I mentioned in earlier letters that 2026 hasn’t started out to well for me. It doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon either. It started snowing about seven thirty. It is now almost eleven thirty. It is not slowing down in the least. I feel there is a Message here but what it is is beyond me. 

So being house bound for a few more days I should be able to get some back burner work done. I would like to work on my terrarium but still don’t have the soil I need. I can spend more time on my online class.

Sue and I haven’t been able to visit Andy since his surgery due to the weather conditions. Hopefully we can do that soon. At least I am in contact with family with texts and a virtual visit now and then. In this 2026 beginning I have had four people I care about have surgeries, a neighbor on either side of my house, Andy and my great grandson. Then there were my debacles, the drivers license vision test for renewal and the infected tooth. Bah humbug. (Smile). One thing to look forward to, things get better. 

A word for today is recognize. The keenest sorrow is to recognize ourselves as the sole cause of all our adversities. Sophocles. In every work of genius we recognize our own rejected thoughts; they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty. Ralph Waldo Emerson. The highest possible stage in moral culture is when we recognize that we ought to control our thoughts. Charles Darwin. The first step towards amendment is the recognition of error. Seneca. The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has. Confucius. We can recognize the dawn and the decline of love by the uneasiness we feel when alone together. Jean de la Bruyere. The last proceeding of reason is to recognize that there is an infinity of things which are beyond it. There is nothing so conformable to reason as this disavowal of reason. Blaise Pascal. It takes a wise man to recognize a wise man. Xenophanes. Render to God what you owe him; recognize the obligations you are under to him. Louis XIV. Clever people will recognize and tolerate nothing but cleverness. Henri Frederic Amiel. There will never be a really free and enlightened State until the State comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power, from which all its own power and authority are derived, and treats him accordingly. Henry David Thoreau. The highest possible stage in moral culture is when we recognize that we ought to control our thoughts. Charles Darwin. Truly it is an evil to be full of faults; but it is a still greater evil to be full of them and to be unwilling to recognize them, since that is to add the further fault of a voluntary illusion. Blaise Pascal. Little by little he came to recognize the difference between the spirits that agitated him, one from the enemy and one from God. Saint Ignatius. Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition. Abraham Lincoln. In truth, to know oneself seems to be the hardest of all things. Not only our eye, which observes external objects, does not use the sense of sight upon itself, but even our mind, which contemplates intently another's sin, is slow in the recognition of its own defects. Saint Basil. Even if a fool lived with a wise man all his life, he would still not recognise the truth, like a wooden spoon cannot recognise the flavour of the soup. Gautama Buddha. Toleration ought in reality to be merely a transitory mood. It must lead to recognition. To tolerate is to affront. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Religion is the recognition that all things are manifestations of a Power which transcends our knowledge. Herbert Spencer. 

Article summary. When I saw the title to this article I wondered “what the heck?” It kind of whet my appetite. The words leisure and well-being in particular, connected to Dungeons & Dragons was even more enticing for a look see. The article title is Whether it’s yoga, rock climbing or Dungeons & Dragons, taking leisure to a high level can be good for your well-being. Emily Messina, Associate Professor of Rehabilitation and Recreational Therapy, Florida International University. At theconversation.com. It opens by mentioning something called “serious leisure”. It is talking about a practice a person might be following as leisure or hobby-like activity over an extended period of time. This brings about a skill and “more connected” feel for that practice. The “casual leisure” would be having fun and as it progresses it “becomes more serious”. In a rehabilitation therapy program mentioned in the article they show how these two forms of leisure can help in the playing of an involved form of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) as it does in other recreational therapy to help people with a health problem recover. Sometimes a new hobby can apply to this theory. The “serious leisure” involves time and “gradually developing the skills and knowledge required to excel at it.” The game of D&D can feel safer and more comfortable than some other sports activities. Other things that work in the serious leisure kind of plan can be found in yoga, some sports clubs, rock climbing and Harry Potter games. People become “increasingly involved over time” and better use of skills. These practices can involve other people which include  overall benefits the practice of Yoga and games played with other people. Serious leisure takes commitment. The article goes on to say that casual leisure has benefits too and with time and practice lead to serious leisure.

I haven’t made tuna casserole for a while. It sounds good, I think it will be dinner tonight.

Photos in my life today 

My first upload for today is “this made me smile”. She always, well almost always, makes me smile. She climbs on things, stares at me ‘til she get attention then either comes to me or goes on her way probably saying “got your attention”. 

Next was “macro or close up”. This one is from my archives taken when the weather was much more friendly and pleasurable. 

The last one for today is “new”. The newest thing in my life and everyone in Columbus is new, and more snow.

Joy

PS As I was finishing this letter a homeless man showed up at the door and wanted to earn some money shoveling the driveway. Now barring more snow I can probably get out of the driveway. I am still a little concerned about the snow ruts on the streets yet. We’ll see what the morning brings. I gave him a little food and something to eat. 

 February 4, 2026 a thought for today, One cannot ski so softly that the traces cannot be see. Finnish Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

This first upload was “super bowl Sunday”. I am a football fan and don’t remember attending Super Bowl Sunday bashes before so it was more or less a guess as to what use for this image. 

Next is “winter sun”. This is from the archives since there was no discernable sun in the sky this winter day. 

The last one for yesterday was “handwritten words”. This is a letter father wrote to my mother when he was in the military oh so many years ago

Life today. I am enjoying this day even though it is still below freezing outside. I am glad the dentist visit is over and things are on the mend. At the moment I don’t have any “deadlines”. I have started and am enjoying my online photo course. I haven’t had the occasion or the props to start putting into practice what I am learning yet. The first few lessons have been of the lecture style. I have been developing some ideas from it. I have also made a list of some props to use and where to get them. It’s energizing. I have had this kind of feeling with all of the class I have taken over the years since high school. I hope I will always have the urge to learn new things, find the refreshing feelings and motivation it brings.

The bulletin was one of the kind I like. I had all the information I needed on Monday morning so I was able to get it completed and sent out on Monday. There were no changes to be made so it is ready to print tomorrow morning. I should still be able to get out of the driveway. We are supposed to get more snow on Friday. Hopefully it passes us or I can get the driveway open again before Sunday. 

I want to work on the terrarium I got for Christmas but I need a bit more soil. I have a 25 pound bag in the garage but haven’t been able to get to it. If the weather is at least at freezing I may be able to get into the garage. I am hoping the package isn’t frozen solid. 

A word for today is receive.  Many receive advice, few profit by it. Publilius Syrus. You can tell the character of every man when you see how he receives praise. Seneca. Be silent as to services you have rendered, but speak of favours you have received. Seneca. The man who has received a benefit ought always to remember it, but he who has granted it ought to forget the fact at once. Demosthenes. Everyone who receives the protection of society owes a return for the benefit. John Stuart Mill. Be thankful for the least gift, so shalt thou be meant to receive greater. Thomas a Kempis. A great perturbation in nature, to receive at once the benefit of sleep and do the effects of watching! William Shakespeare. The perfect man uses his mind as a mirror. It grasps nothing. It regrets nothing. It receives but does not keep. Chuang Tzu. Alexander received more bravery of mind by the pattern of Achilles, than by hearing the definition of fortitude. Sir Philip Sidney. Upon the subject of education, not presuming to dictate any plan or system respecting it, I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we as a people may be engaged in. That everyone may receive at least a moderate education appears to be an objective of vital importance. Abraham Lincoln. Books, like proverbs, receive their chief value from the stamp and esteem of the ages through which they have passed. Sir W. Temple. These will vary in every human being; but knowledge is the same for every mind, and every mind may and ought to be trained to receive it.  Frances Wright. The world is always ready to receive talent with open arms. Very often it does not know what to do with genius. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving. Robert Louis Stevenson. Genius at first is little more than a great capacity for receiving discipline. George Eliot. Christianity can be summed up in the two terms faith and love...receiving from above [faith] and giving out below [love]. Martin Luther. Everything that you receive is not measured according to its actual size, but, rather that of the receiving vessel. Juana Inés de la Cruz. One would give generous alms if one had the eyes to see the beauty of a cupped receiving hand. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. 

Article summary. In my gathering information about AI I like to read all I can about it to weigh the pros and cons and benefits and/or dangers. I just wanted to see what made it different in sending an AI message when sending or giving an already printed greeting card as it has been done for ages. The article title is Whether it’s Valentine’s Day notes or emails to loved ones, using AI to write leaves people feeling crummy about themselves. Julian Givi, Assistant Professor of Marketing, West Virginia University. Colleen P. Kirk, Assistant Professor of Marketing, New York Institute of Technology. Danielle Hass, Ph.D. Candidate in Marketing, West Virginia University. At the conversation.com. It opens by suggesting that you may want to ask “ChatGPT” to give you a nice romantic message that you can copy into a message to a special someone. Then suggests that you may not feel right about having sent it after all. The article goes on to say how much it seems that with the new technology called AI there are times when used for personal matters some regret that their written message was not directly from the heart. The article did explain my thoughts about the greeting cards that we are use to. They explained that everyone knows they are preprinted. I still feel there is a bit of the feeling that it wasn’t directly written by you the sender. The article mentioned it as one sent by the AI mode was a feeling of “dishonesty”. The author and some of her peers had done a study on this subject. One of their findings was that writing the message in person can “help both the writer and the recipient feel better.” It further suggests that along with the possible negative connotation to this subject of sending Valentine and other type of greeting cards there is the possibility that you can use AI for brainstorming to make the “final  touch” to  writing the message yourself. It ended the article by saying that as technologies “become more integrated into everyday life” people will have to decide what is helpful and how emotions enter the picture also. 

Dinner will be a salmon patties and noodles in beef gravy. 

Photos in my life today

The first upload for today is “macro”. This is also from the archives. These flowers will be blooming  gain in a few months. 

Next is “high resolution”. This one is a bit harder than the others to do and upload with some of the “rules” for uploads on social media programs. This one is from the park near my home. 

The last challenge for this section is “someone I love”. I have wonderful family and would like to use  them all. But since that wouldn’t fit this particular challenge I used this photo of a drawing my sister made of herself. 

Joy

                        a bonus photo taken a while back at the Columbus Zoo

 February 2, 2026 a thought for today Even a crust is bread. Finnish Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

This first image is my choice and is one of my series of still life. This was taken before I have completed the on line master class I am taking in still life photography.

The next photo is “something I shared”. These seem to be a kind of cookie that attracts people. I use them because the are zero sugar. Th man who use to do my lawn would ask for some before he left. My sone in law and my sister seem to be drawn to them also. 

The last challenge for yesterday was “food”. There are all kinds of food in the frig and cupboards. It just needs to be put together. I decided on a cheese sandwich for my lunch and used it for the upload.  

Life today. I started the letter a this morning. I had to leave the photo work for the day until later this afternoon. I have the dental appointment today to take care of the infected tooth. I just shot the photos and got them ready in the Photoshop “darkroom”. 

Lowell and Rebecca took me to a dentist who goes to their church. It’s done now and I am back home. He had to dig out a broken off tooth. The infection was in the root of that tooth. So as I am writing this letter I have a thick gauze in my mouth. The numbing is beginning to dissipate. I am glad it is over. I am also glad that he did not have to do any further work. I was so nervous thinking I would have to wear dentures. The dentist called in a script for a heavy pain medication if I needed it. We, he and I, hope Tylenol will do the trick. 

On the way home I got a Wendy’s single burger and a tiny slushy. I was able to eat keeping the food on the opposite side of my mouth. 

The rest of the day I will rest. I will do the uploads tomorrow. 

The word today is ready. As I know more of mankind I expect less of them, and am ready now to call a man a good man upon easier terms than I was formerly. Samuel Johnson. We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Always be ready to speak your mind and a base man will avoid you. William Blake. Before we set our hearts too much upon anything, let us examine how happy those are who already possess it. Francois de La Rochefoucauld. Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man. Sir Francis Bacon. The summit of happiness is reached when a person is ready to be what he is. Desiderius Erasmus. There is no such thing as luck. It's a fancy name for being always at our duty, and so sure to be ready when good time comes. Edward Bulwer-Lytton. What is the first business of one who practices philosophy? To get rid of self-conceit. For it is impossible for anyone to begin to learn that which he thinks he already knows. Epictetus. God grants liberty only to those who love it and are always ready to guard and defend it. Daniel Webster. The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready. Henry David Thoreau. I will study and get ready, and perhaps my chance will come. Abraham Lincoln.  Fraud is the ready minister of injustice. Edmund Burke. Do the duty which lieth nearest to thee! Thy second duty will already have become clearer. Thomas Carlyle. Truth emerges more readily from error than from confusion. Francis Bacon. A true friend freely, advises justly, assists readily, adventures boldly, takes all patiently, defends courageously, and continues a friend unchangeably. William Penn. Noble character is best appreciated in those ages in which it can most readily develop. Tacitus. 

Article summary. I have always considered friendships important if not vital. I did some research to back up my thinking. I found as I thought that friendships contribute to our mental well being as well as to relieve loneliness. I wanted to see what Aristotle had say about it all those years ago. The title to this article is Three lessons from Aristotle on friendship. Emily Katz, Associate Professor of Ancient Greek Philosophy, Michigan State University. At theconversation.com. Aristotle was an ancient Greek philosopher. He was important in sharing in the defining of thought in logic, and science. I learned in a research other than this article that he had been a student of Plato for 20 years and tutor to Alexander the Great. This article opened with an Aristotle saying that “no one would choose to live without friends”. Though he was known for his activities in science and politics he had three “lessons” about friendship that are mentioned in this article. First his “definition” was friendships are shared experiences, both parties feel the experience. They have a feeling of goodwill for each other. The study in Aristotle’s thoughts on friendship went on to explain that he had a distinction between three kind of friendship, according to the article they are “utility-based, pleasure-based and character-based friendships”. These types are formed by the value that the friend has for the individual, or usefulness, or pleasure of their company or their character. The article says that the character based is the “highest form”. It goes on to say “you can only have a few such intimate friends” to form the character based. This kind takes time to grow. So the article relates that most friendships are “based on pleasure or utility”. Using the term “utility” in a friendship means that they are “mutually benefitting one another”, both parties understand this friendships purpose. The third point in the article went on to mention how Aristotle said to make friendships last. It begins saying it is like “fitness”. I had to read a little further to grasp the meaning of the relationship needs to be “maintained by activity”. It looks like he meant maintained by doing things together relatively often. If inactivity goes on for to long the friendship fades. The article mentions that due to postal service and modern social connections like Facebook that friendships can go on “across great distances”. In closing the article relates that Aristotle’s definitions still holds some truth. It mentioned that during the COVID pandemic there was a decrease in friendship activities even with the modern accesses in communication which showed a “decrease in the quality of their friendships”. It ended by saying “Aristotle’s writing on friendship continues to resonate.” Although I learned in another search on the subject that a saying I have always known and thought to be true was something also by  Aristotle who said "a friend to all is a friend to none”. I think after this article it’s meaning is the character-based is the “truest” friend. 

I think is will be creamed cheese on toast for dinner. 

Photos in my life today

This upload challenge is titled “something pink”. These are a couple of Sue’s hair scrunchies. My hair is too short for them. Another very useful purpose it that my kitten, Bobbi, loves to play with them.

The next upload for today is “book”. I do keep a few “hard copy” book in my “library” (a three shelf book case). Most of my reading except for the bible is done on my tablet as ebooks and search sites. 

The last upload for today is “square”. Sue has a few of her collection of frames lying around.  Is paints and sketches. We both keep a few frames around in case we choose to mount and frame our work for hanging or sharing. 

Joy 

                               safe and secure

 

 

 January 31, 2026 a thought for today, Even a small star shines in the darkness. Finnish Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

The first unload for today is “a goal I’m working on”. This is a view of my computer screen showing the online master class I am taking. It is in still life photography. 

The next upload was “boot, ski, or snow shoes”. This is my only pair of
“boots”. 

The last challenge in this group is “letters”. I don’t get too many letters any more since most of my communication now days are emails and texts. 

Life today. I messed around this morning looking up information for thoughts I was entertaining as I woke up this morning. To be more accurate I should say during the time Bobbi was waking me up to throw a plastic ball for her. The thoughts weren’t necessarily about her just things I was thinking of and plans I was making. Some were thoughts of friends and family and how much each mean to me. I was having questions in my head some that needed bits of biblical answers. 

Yesterday I was finally able to get out of the driveway. I made it to church for the printing and to drop off mail. Then to the pharmacy to pick up meds and Pepsi for Sue. It felt good to get the car out of the drive way for a bit. 

Sue and I had been trying to find someone to dig her car out of snow drifts by the curb. BTW, it isn’t that I haven’t been telling her to park at the back of the driveway with me, she just seems to feel it’s more convenient and easier for her to park in the front. Anyway, when I got home yesterday someone was digging her car out. We didn’t know who it was because we hadn’t been able to get hold of anyone. We found out it was Lowell out there doing all the digging and lifting. We didn’t recognize him in all the winter garb until he came to the door. 

When I got up this morning planning to pick up my curbside grocery pick up at eleven o’clock it was -7 degrees . I wasn’t at all sure that the car would start. About 10:30 I went out to see if the car would start and then let it run to warm up, I had stopped for gas while I was out yesterday. It started instantly. 

I have the groceries put away. I set up photo shoots for the day and worked in the Photoshop “darkroom” to process them for uploads.

I am going to take my online class for today and the get some dinner and shut the computer down. 

The word for today is reach.  The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. You never know till you try to reach them how accessible men are; but you must approach each man by the right door. Henry Ward Beecher. Seek not, my soul, the life of the immortals; but enjoy to the full the resources that are within thy reach. Pindar. The summit of happiness is reached when a person is ready to be what he is. Desiderius Erasmus. He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself. Thomas Paine. Nevertheless the passions, whether violent or not, should never be so expressed as to reach the point of causing disgust; and music, even in situations of the greatest horror, should never be painful to the ear but should flatter and charm it, and thereby always remain music. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. To reach something good it is very useful to have gone astray, and thus acquire experience. Saint Teresa Of Avila. Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp - or what's a heaven for? Robert Browning. By perseverance the snail reached the ark. Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Help thy brother's boat across, and lo! thine own has reached the shore. Hindu Proverb. On the mountains of truth you can never climb in vain: either you will reach a point higher up today, or you will be training your powers so that you will be able to climb higher tomorrow. Friedrich Nietzsche. The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence. Confucius.  Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out. Benjamin Franklin. Music is the movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its virtue. Plato. The power of choosing good and evil is within the reach of all. Origen. And out of darkness came the hands that reach thro' nature, moulding men. Alfred Lord Tennyson.  He that loves reading has everything within his reach. William Godwin. If you wish to reach the highest, begin at the lowest. Publilius Syrus.

Article summary. Seashells seem to be an attraction for most of my family so this title seemed to hit home. The place where I choose the majority of my articles are  researched and written by academic researchers, PhD candidates, and scholars affiliated with accredited universities or research institutions. A few of the articles they research and answer are questions sent to them by young public school students. This is one of the questions. The title to this article is Where do seashells come from? Michal Kowalewski, Thompson Chair of Invertebrate Paleontology, University of Florida. Thomas K. Frazer, Professor of Biological Oceanography, College of Marine Science, University of South Florida. It opens by mentioning an estimate of 2 trillion shells along the Gulf of California. Sea shells are “skeletons on the beach”. They are actually “exoskeletons” the outside of the bodies of “mollusks”, animals with an outer shell. Some are “echinoids”, sand dollars. These animals are able to “build there on shells to protect their soft bodies”. This forming of the outer shell is called biomineralization, made with “biologically controlled” minerals. There are 50,000 species of mollusk on earth. Each species makes a different shell. These shells turn into fossils which are preserved remains of the animal. When the shells are found “seashell experts” can tell what sea creature made it. Seashells last for a long time. As they age scientists can determine their age.  The article said that some have been determined to be “hundreds or thousands of years old”. Shells carry with them information from the past like the place where they had lived. Scientists can even tell  what the climate and environment might have been. Marks on the shells may tell what happened to the creature during its life. The article ended by saying “each shell is a little diary”. 

I am going to have baked salmon and rice for dinner. 

Photos in my life today

This first upload is “feather”. This is one that was in my collection of hobby supplies. I also found a wee tiny one in the snow as I was coming in the back door, it got lost. It was so tiny a bit of my breath blew it away, I couldn’t find it after that. 

Next is one of “my choice” assignments. It is one from my series of “still life” (this is before the class I am taking). 

The last on is “a fruit”. This is some of the grapes in my grocery pick up
today. 

Joy 

composite of photo a day from my four photo clubs

 January 29, 2026 a thought for today, Where the minute hand suffices, the hour hand is not needed. Dutch Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

This first upload challenge was “the sky today”. Though we are having a “trying” period of extra heavy snow drifts and their accompanying problems, we are also have gorgeous blue skies. 

This second upload was “lunch”. This has become a pretty common lunch since
I am not getting out to fast food places as often as I was doing.

The last one for yesterday was “evergreen”. I have several images of this tree. This one is different from most of them with the snow decorating the branches. 

Life today. I got to my doctor yesterday for my “infected” tooth. As we suspected I did/do need antibiotics. My doctor called the prescription over to the pharmacy for me, it was ready when I got there. She also said I must see a dentist within a week. I have that appointment for Monday. 

I didn’t get to the church to print the bulletin this morning. There was still twelve inches of snow on the top of my car. Around noon when the temperature was about 16 instead of 3, I ventured out to see what I could do to push if off. I was able to do that. I also moved the car more to the center of the driveway hopefully more away from the snow drifts along the sides. I plan to try to make it to the church tomorrow after sunrise. 

Sue was parked at the curb during this snow storm so her car is blocked in quite securely. We are trying to find someone to come and dig her out and get the snow around the car out of the street. So far we haven’t been able to get someone. We have a list of three people to call, none are answering their phone. 

When I came back in the house I got things together to start the laundry. I have to take care of kitty chores now. Then I think that is it for today except for making dinner.

The word today is rational. Do not think of knocking out another person's brains because he differs in opinion from you. It would be as rational to knock yourself on the head because you differ from yourself ten years ago. Horace Mann. Good and evil, reward and punishment, are the only motives to a rational creature: these are the spur and reins whereby all mankind are set on work, and guided. John Locke. To wisdom belongs the intellectual apprehension of things eternal; to knowledge, the rational apprehension of things temporal. Saint Augustine. I am an Epicurean. I consider the genuine (not the imputed) doctrines of Epicurus as containing everything rational in moral philosophy which Greek and Roman leave to us. Thomas Jefferson. A man has free choice to the extent that he is rational. Thomas Aquinas. I add this, that rational ability without education has oftener raised man to glory and virtue, than education without natural ability. Marcus Tullius Cicero. The happy medium - truth in all things - is no longer either known or valued; to gain applause, one must write things so inane that they might be played on barrel-organs, or so unintelligible that no rational being can comprehend them, though on that very account, they are likely to please. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Original sin is the only rational solution of the undeniable fact of the deep, universal and early manifested sinfulness of men in all ages, of every class, and in every part of the world. Charles Hodge. It is not to be forgotten that what we call rational grounds for our beliefs are often extremely irrational attempts to justify our instincts. Thomas Huxley.  The being cannot be termed rational or virtuous, who obeys any authority, but that of reason. Mary Wollstonecraft. If we did not have rational souls, we would not be able to believe. Saint Augustine. In everything one thing is impossible: rationality. Friedrich Nietzsche. We owe to memory not only the increase of our knowledge, and our progress in rational inquiries, but many other intellectual pleasures. Samuel Johnson. The rational and peaceable instrument of reform, the suffrage of the people. Thomas Jefferson. A person is an individual substance of a rational nature. Boethius. 

Article summary. In my adventures with photography I have found that abandoned buildings can be a place for excellent and interesting images. I have been on the outside of many forgotten properties. I have been inside only one many years ago. It was an abandoned elementary school. I only wish I had had the kind of observation then that I have developed at this point. I can see in my memory many of the things I missed taking photos of, left over pieces of paper, overturned chairs, and so much more. It looked like other people had been in there after it was abandoned. There were broken windows along with other evidence of destruction. There was a feel of history and past life in all those left behind things. All of this is why this article drew my attention. My memories were of thoughts of what I could have gained from what was left, the ideas in the story are what could have been made of them today. The title to the article is Artists’ installations raise questions about abandoned buildings. Aimee VonBokel, Assistant Professor/Faculty Fellow of Museum Studies, New York University. At theconversation.com. I was drawn to the opening sentence that told about a street artist and a cinematographer who separately “ installed a series of portraits in crumbling New York buildings”. That sounded exciting to me, beautiful art work in a “dilapidated” space. One of projects was “large scale” photos of immigrants pasted “here and there” on the walls of Ellis Island’s abandoned hospital. The images are fading as did the buildings through the years. At another place in Brooklyn the cinematographer set up a giant video featuring “elders from the Bethel Tabernacle AME Church in Bedford-Stuyvesant”. The video set up was in a boarded up and dark building that was once a public school. There is “white glow” presumably from a proctor that shows “silhouetted visitors float into the space” across pews and then to a “dusty altar”. Along with the video is a emotional “soundscape”. I like the way the author described the art work as a combination with the decay of the ageing buildings of over a hundred years ago described as “reclaimed wood dining tables and industrial-era typography”. The author describes a visit to these buildings as a time to “embark on tours of the past”. As this story goes it is an experience in “intellect and taste” tied to a bit of history. As it happens these two buildings and places like them are bought by “private developers” who ultimately “repurpose” the structures.  The article ended by saying “these artists bring the melancholy of abandonment to the surface.” I would like to see more of this kind of attention instead of tearing down old, rejected, past and once repeated structures to turn them into parking lots.

I thought I had chili in the freezer for dinner last night but it was gone. So I think I will make it for dinner tonight. 

Photos in my life today

The first challenge today is “frozen pond or lake”. This is the pond in the park a few blocks from my house. 

The next upload is “a moment of joy”.  I should have used one of my kitten or one of my great grand children. This one was more readily handy today. 

The last upload for today is “pickle”. I don’t always have pickles on
hand. Usually is more like pickle relish. This one just happens to be in the frig. 

Joy

          As a bonus a weed like one that will follow the snow

 January 27, 2026 a thought for today, The nail suffers as much as the hole. Dutch Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

This first upload is “a snow trail”. There are plenty of snow trails around here right now. This is one taken before more tracks were made to disturb the beauty of the white land cover. 

Next is called “leading lines”. These are the tiles in may kitchen leading into the next room.

The last challenge was called “in the kitchen”. Again this is a part of my kitchen. With the typical refrigerator magnet, this has family photo on it. 

Life today. The twelve inches of snow is still here and isn’t going anywhere soon. We are having below zero temperatures for the rest of the week. I feel stranded like a lot of my neighbors probably are. The neighbors around me have managed to clear their driveway. Mine is still untouched and still perfectly white. Our street is still nothing but six or eight inch high ruts. I would most likely get stuck in one of those if I were able to first get to my car and next get out of the driveway.  I’m not sure how I will get the church bulletin printed this week. Someone who is able to get to the church may have to print it. I can send the file by email for that purpose.... I just this minute got a call about someone who will be coming to shovel the drive way! Now if the snow plow goes down the street this afternoon or tomorrow my spirits will lift a bit. 

I think I may be able to get a ride to a dentist or doctor in a day or two. The home remedies are mildly working but it doesn’t look like that is going to be a cure.

I have been considering taking an online master course in still life photography. Being “shut in” would be a perfect time for that. 

Right now for the time being anyway I don’t have a “full” agenda. We cancelled our food pantry for this week. 

The word today is pure. The truth is rarely pure and never simple. Oscar Wilde. When men are pure, laws are useless; when men are corrupt, laws are broken. Benjamin Disraeli. In a state therefore of great equality and virtue, where pure and simple manners prevailed, the increase of the human species would evidently be much greater than any increase that has been hitherto known. Thomas Malthus. It seldom happens that any As to the pure mind all things are pure, so to the poetic mind all things are poetical. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It is pure illusion to think that an opinion that passes down from century to century, from generation to generation, may not be entirely false. Pierre Bayle. Although a man may wear fine clothing, if he lives peacefully; and is good, self-possessed, has faith and is pure; and if he does not hurt any living being, he is a holy man. Denis Diderot.  Works of imagination should be written in very plain language; the more purely imaginative they are the more necessary it is to be plain. Samuel Taylor Coleridge. What are riches - grandeur - health itself, to the luxury of a pure conscience, the health of the soul; - and what the sufferings of poverty, disappointment, despair - to the anguish of an afflicted one! Ann Radcliffe. Times of general calamity and confusion create great minds. The purest ore is produced from the hottest furnace, and the brightest thunderbolt is elicited from the darkest storms. Charles Caleb Colton. The purest treasure mortal times afford is spotless reputation; that away, men are but gilded loam or painted clay. William Shakespeare. We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves. Buddha. There is no such thing as pure pleasure; some anxiety always goes with it. Ovid. The purest and most thoughtful minds are those which love color the most. John Ruskin. Iron rusts from disuse; stagnant water loses its purity and in cold weather becomes frozen; even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind. Leonardo da Vinci. A life of peace, purity, and refinement leads to a calm and untroubled old age. Cicero. It is astonishing what force, purity, and wisdom it requires for a human being to keep clear of falsehoods. Margaret Fuller.

Article summary. Here is a another view at dieting. Since I am on a diet of sorts, I have three health issues that require diet considerations. This article looked like something among all the other information on this subject to consider. The title to the article is All foods can fit in a balanced diet – a dietitian explains how flexibility can be healthier than dieting. Charlotte Carlson. Director of the Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center, Colorado State University. At theconversation.com. It started with all the many reasons people may be talking about how to eat as what to eat or not to eat, when to eat, try this, or a particular diet. The author is mentioning how most of this isn’t necessary to an extreme extent. She mentions that health and nutrition are necessary and it may be just as simple to accept an antidote of “all-foods-fit approach to nutrition”. In this story it is mentioned that most food can “fit to a healthy diet” by working to balance food and nutrition in a healthy way. All foods have at least a portion of health and nutrition allowances. It is a question of flexibility and paying attention to your body’s “internal cues”. In the “diet” setting food is “black and white”. In a nutritional setting it is more “complex”.  It depends on how our living is involved with “exercise, sleep, stress, mental health, socioeconomic status” and  access to food. It appears that the article is saying that when you learn the value or benefits of different types of food as vegetable and fruits to those considered “untouchable on a diet” you can achieve a balance of what is in a full meal or period of eating and snacking. For instance instead of eating several pieces of pizza eat one or two pieces balanced with vegetables or more nutritional food.  This gives your body more of a “healthy” full feeling. This article suggests on how to get started in this way of eating. Instead of thinking of a food as good or bad for a diet think about the nutritional elements. Think of how your body feels as far as hunger or fullness. Eat on a regular basis. If there is a long gap between regular meals have a small heathy snack. It may become possible with a balance and more attention to food nutrients you can add what use to be considered “bad” food in small portions back to parts of your meal plans. 

I think it will be chili for dinner tonight. 

Photos in my life today

This first challenge upload is “something tiny”. This is a tiny little gnome I have to join some of my garden house plants. 

The second upload is “crisp”. I used a small plate of “crisp” potato chips. 

The last upload is “winter birds”. I took this one in a different winter. I it is too cold right now to go out and shoot.

Joy

                                     wish for spring