October 24, 2026, a thought for the day, Every desire has wings. Welsh Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

The first challenge was “w is for...”. I used one of my well used whisks with an egg as accompaniment fo this image.

The next assignment was “my choice” and one of my series of “mirror
image”. This one is of an old and worn wooden gate with “wild flowers” at the bottom adorning it. 

The last upload for yesterday was “orange”. For this one I used the partial bottle of orange juice from my frig.

Life today. So far it has been a good Saturday. I worked some more on a new template for the church bulletin. It’s new and different. I started out trying to replicate the old one. After some thought I decided to go with a full sheet with mainly the Order of Worship. When I got that to the point it could be used I decided on some additions like the weekly calendar, the prayer list, and colorful cover. I am going to use that one to see if that will fit for the congregation. I am considering if I can manage the newsletter anymore. I don’t get input for items for it, most of it is from my own research and decisions. Much of what is “standard” in it is repetitive from month to month. I find that getting older means slowing down, physically and in the thinking process. I have reached a point where I feel stressed with how the newsletter comes out completely on my shoulders. To add to that beyond what I discover which is outside our church directly, it is not Hoge Memorial wide “newsworthy”.  I am grateful and thank God daily that He guides me with the chance to be mobile and as active as my body and mind will allow. Someone new to doing the newsletter may be able to add some spark and “newness” to the news. I have to give it more thought. At any rate, there is no way I can get one complete for this month while building a new template for it. 

Before I left for grocery curbside pick up, I got this letter started. While I was out I got a couple of the photos I need for today. So when I got home I worked between putting the groceries up and back to computer “work”. As I worked, I took small breaks to watch Bobbi’s antics. She was stalking and chasing a fly around the window by my desk. She really doesn’t seem to want to kill it, it is more like she wants it to play. When she does that I picture in my mind how one of her very large wild cousins may “play”. Silly me, it seems almost majestic. 

I am enjoying this part of the autumn season, leaves falling, people raking, ball games going on, colors changing and the weather not too cold yet and none of the intense heat of summer. It is a beautiful season.  

The word to ponder today is establish. To establish oneself in the world, one has to do all one can to appear established. Francois de La Rochefoucauld. There are two modes of establishing our reputation: to be praised by honest men, and to be abused by rogues. It is best, however, to secure the former, because it will invariably be accompanied by the latter. Charles Caleb Colton. 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. He who establishes his argument by noise and command, shows that his reason is weak. Michel de Montaigne. Thoughts give birth to a creative force that is neither elemental nor sidereal. Thoughts create a new heaven, a new firmament, a new source of energy, from which new arts flow. When a man undertakes to create something, he establishes a new heaven,as it were and from it the work that he desires to create flows into him. For such is the immensity of man that he is greater than heaven and earth. Philipus Aureolus Paracelsus. Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established. Confucius. A state is not a mere society, having a common place, established for the prevention of mutual crime and for the sake of exchange...Political society exists for the sake of noble actions, and not of mere companionship. Aristotle. In stirring up tumult and strife, the worst men can do the most, but peace and quiet cannot be established without virtue. Cornelius Tacitus.  

Article summary. I think all of us would like to hear the importance of “leisure” and its affects. The title is Why leisure matters for a good life, according to Aristotle. Ross Channing Reed Lecturer in Philosophy, Missouri University of Science and Technology. At theconversation.com. In opening the author relates to how in our “modern society” people have an attitude that it is “imperative to achieve”. He goes on to say that “even leisure risks becoming another kind of work”. Here is one point I have a difference with, he says that taking and posting photo to be viewed by others can be adding to exhaustion, for me that habit is the opposite of “exhaustion”. It is relaxing and a “get away” as well as a stronger observation of life around me. As it moves on the article sites some of Aristotle’s sayings. Like mentioning that in the search for happiness. That search may be for “pleasure, wealth, honor and power” and in that search we may be “confused” on how to get there. Meaning that we must make “reasoned choice”. These choices may lead to developing “ habits that, over time, become character traits such as courage, temperance, generosity and truthfulness” (which photography had for me). The author goes on mentioning takes time off the clock and it is the  to quote Aristotle  “power of our choices”. These choices or actions “also motives and (forms) character”. The author says that as we form good habits we are leading to self-development. The author says that “true leisure” is a time to “reflect” on our priorities, our friends, ourselves and to “step back”. Both Aristotle and Plato shared that leisure is a step toward achievements and, in Plato’s view, “ inner harmony of the soul. The article seems to iterate that leisure is crucial as it gives time to develop habits that are intricate to our well being, health and ultimately happiness.  So in ending the good “choices we make in our free time” lead to “eudaimonia”, a “good (and happy) spirit”.

Photos in my life today

My first assignment is “x is for...”. This is the only “x” I could find in my house today. It is an xray of my hip replacement. 

The second challenge is “a tree at dawn”. This one had to come from my archives since I wasn’t awake at dawn today

The last upload today is “abandoned”. It is part of a shopping mall
near my home. 

It will be poached fish for dinner tonight. 

Joy

an upload to “flower power” contest at Fine Art America

 want to shop? Visit: fineartamerica.com search for joy rector click on “view shop”  and redbubble.com search for jarector (and take a look at flickr.com search for rectorjoyce)

 October 22, 2026 a thought for today, The quick hand belongs to the skilled. Welsh Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

The first challenge was “u is for...”. Bob had his huge umbrella that was used very little. I used it for my image here. 

The next assignment was “my choice”, one of my series of “mirror image”. This one is an old wooden fence with what seems like some wild flower decorating around the bottom. 

The last upload was “macro”. This is one of the flowers from my most current store bought bouquets. 

Life today. Sue had a standing appointment with a heart doctor today at  Mt. Carmel so I took her. I put the printing off until tomorrow morning. The appointment took up most of the morning. We stopped for some lunch on the way home. 

While I was waiting at the hospital,  I played Sudoku  on my phone. After about half and hour my phone kept flashing a message that I had malware on the phone. I couldn’t use any part of the phone for more than two minutes without a malware popping up on the screen. I checked with AI on how to fix it. The instructions were on the complicated side. I was worried that in the process of me trying it I would damage the phone further so I called Lowell for any help he could suggest. He is going to find a way to help me. 

The phone is like a right arm for me. I am in daily contact with friends and family with it, it is my major source of photos, I count on it as a safety feature in case of emergencies. Hopefully it can be fixed in a day rather than a week or weeks. 

After I was able to work on the photos that I already had on the computer I was able to start my laundry. 

I will be glad when the voting process is over this time. Things are really getting nasty, though I am not surprised to see where it is coming from. But it seems to me to be particularly stinking.  A couple of months ago negative ads against one of the participants was on tv three or four times a day every day and was the only ad at the time for any candidate. I was thinking at the time it was a little early for any kind of campaign ads that should be on so early. I said to my sister “whoever is paying for these ads this early and the much really wants too win big anyway they can, and must have a lot of money to be paying for them”. Am I right or am I right. Now I know who was paying for them and who had a hand in the most resent one that is so deplorable, the worst I have ever heard in a political campaign. I fear for the United States that I have been so proud of, and for the many of my family who have offered their lives for it and us, it may be disappearing and we as the people, under God, seem to be letting it happen easily and with sick excuses. 

The word to ponder today is essential.  The freedom of all is essential to my freedom. Mikhail Bakunin. Self discipline is that which, next to virtue, truly and essentially raises one man above another. Joseph Addison. These times of ours are series and full of calamity, but all times are essentially alike. As soon as there is life there is danger. Ralph Waldo Emerson. The good man is the teacher of the bad,  And the bad is the material from which the good may learn. He who does not value the teacher, Or greatly care for the material, Is greatly deluded although he may be learned. Such is the essential mystery. Lao-Tzu. While one should always study the method of a great artist, one should never imitate his manner. The manner of an artist is essentially individual, the method of an artist is absolutely universal. The first is personality, which no one should copy; the second is perfection, which all should aim at. Oscar Wilde. Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. Joseph Addison. We are like the mechanism of a watch: each part is essential. Nathan Meyer Rothschild. For all right judgment of any man or things it is useful, nay, essential, to see his good qualities before pronouncing on his bad. Thomas Carlyle. One of the most essential branches of English liberty is the freedom of one's house. A man's house is his castle. James Otis. The improvements of ages have had but little influence on the essential laws of man's existence: as our skeletons, probably, are not to be distinguished from those of our ancestors. Henry David Thoreau.

Article summary. I thought maybe I should take a look at this article because I think I am open minded most of the time. After reading it I hope I am not disappointed. The title is Everyone wants to think they’re open minded – here’s why most people aren’t. Daryl Van Tongeren, Professor of Psychology, Hope College. At theconversation.com. In the first paragraph the author mentions that pm a “fundamental level, we humans are somewhat closed-minded”. To me, that’s sad, how can we honestly read and understand the Bible and all other if that’s true. The author said that he researches facts about the humility of people and what makes “life meaningful”. He has an interest why people are “resistant” to changing a belief that is powerful for them. In some of those studies he has found that those convictions make for “serve important psychological functions that make them hard to change”. He came to one thought that says our core beliefs may be wrong and calls it “existential humility”: a willingness to change our minds”with new “evidence. Holding on to beliefs can “bridge” stronger relationships and can also be difficult. Some “mundane” beliefs can help people feel a “sense of meaning” in this “confusing” world. Sometimes world view questions can “help manage anxiety”. Test studies were done on the question of open mindedness. On one hand people want a conviction that provides security and a down side is developing an intolerance that leads to “no room for other people’ perspectives”. On the other hand curiosity can make us want new discoveries which can lead to opening our minds. In the process of developing an open mind there is a defensiveness feeling. In coming to an end the author says there is “no quick fix to become more open-minded”. Overtime people can adjust and become comfortable with the possibility they might be wrong.

Photos in my life today

My first upload today is “v is for...”. It is one of my more decorative vases with those bright red leaves I have used before. 

The next challenge is another of “my choice” and another of my “mirror image”. I found one of my images of some flowers beginning to let go, I used one, doubled for this image. 

The last assignment is “ball”. This is one of Bobbi’s new toys. She
doesn’t know what to make of it. The light goes on and off and the ball bounces on it’s own and sporadically.  

It is going to be quick beef and noodles with Buddig chipped beef for dinner. 

Joy 

  upload to Fine Art America....Hollyhocks from my old garden a few years ago

want to shop? Visit: fineartamerica.com search for joy rector click on “view shop”  and redbubble.com search for jarector (and take a look at flickr.com search for rectorjoyce)

 October 20, 2026 a thought for today, It is not with an axe that the violin is played. Welsh Proverb

Photos used in my life yesterday

The first challenge was “s is for...”. I used part of my lunch sandwich for this image. 

The second upload was “my choice”, and one of my series of “mirror image”. This was a scarecrow as part of a McDonald harvest display on an October day. 

The last assignment was “bones”. I happen to have kept the xray from my hip replacement.  This is it. 

Life today. This has been an “action” packed day. I made some real progress on the template I am rebuilding. The cleaning lady was here, usually her mother comes with her but she wasn’t feeling well today. Besides making some real headway on the template I got a good start on the letter before I left for food pantry. Once I got home, I was lucky enough to find and generate the four photos for todays upload. 

Tomorrow I hope to be able to complete the new template....it’s a long shot but possible. The next project would be getting a new template for the newsletter. The best scenario would be if I can get it done early next week. Otherwise, we will have to skip at newsletter for November and move right onto one for December. 

Autumn is totally here. The leaves are falling. There is not a lot of color, at least not here in my neighborhood. But the fallen leaves, the cooler temps and foot ball are positive signs. 

When the temps were predicted to drop to freezing the other day I brought the two porch rail (window) boxes with the miniature roses in the house to spend the winter under grow lights and out of the cold. 

The word to ponder today is escape. Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. Edgar Allan Poe. To predict the behavior of ordinary people in advance, you only have to assume that they will always try to escape a disagreeable situation with the smallest possible expenditure of intelligence. Friedrich Nietzsche. You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today. Abraham Lincoln. A well-informed mind is the best security against the contagion of folly and of vice. The vacant mind is ever on the watch for relief, and ready to plunge into error, to escape from the languor of idleness. Ann Radcliffe. If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow. Chinese Proverb. Once a word has been allowed to escape, it cannot be recalled. Horace. A man whose life has been dishonourable is not entitled to escape disgrace in death. Lucius Accius. A bird that you set free may be caught again, but a word that escapes your lips will not return. Jewish Proverb. Rather do what is nothing in the purpose than to be idle, that the devil may find thee doing. The bird that sits is easily shot when the fliers escape the fowler. Idleness is the Dead Sea that swallows all the virtues, and is the self-made sepulcher of a living man. Francis Quarles. Many have been ruined by their fortunes, and many have escaped ruin by the want of fortune. To obtain it the great have become little, and the little great. Johann Georg Zimmermann. Who escapes duty, avoids a gain. Theodore Parker. Nature is full of genius, full of the divinity; so that not a snowflake escapes its fashioning hand. Henry David Thoreau. God tolerates even our stammering, and pardons our ignorance whenever something inadvertently escapes us - as, indeed, without this mercy there would be no freedom to pray. John Calvin.

Article summary. I think virtue and compassion are things people show in a outward kind of reach out and touch sort of thing. From this title I see that it can help our well being also. That should be a given, if we are helping others we generally feel good that we can help in some way, shape or form. So that should mean feeling content that we are able to help others. That should make us overall healthier if our emotional system is at ease the rest of our person would be also. I wanted to see what this author has discovered and shares. After all that is what we are here for in the first place...to love one another. The title is Is being virtuous good for you – or just people around you? A study suggests traits like compassion may support your own well being. Michael Prinzing, Research and Assessment Scholar, Wake Forest University. At theconversation.com. The opening paragraph explained that there are to theories on this subject. On the one hand there is the thought that “virtues such as compassion, patience and self-control may be beneficial not only for others but also for oneself”. This one was found in a research report in 2025. On the other hand, two great  philosophers from back in history, Thomas Hobbes and Friedrich Nietzsche, “argued” the opposite. The difference has inspired research into the subject. One of the opposing feeling is some feel that kindness adds to our well being while the other sees that while helping another can lead to “suffering or misfortune”. The author and peers “investigated this question”. They wanted to see the degree to which people were “compassionate, patient and self-controlled” as well as their level “how pleasant or unpleasant they felt” and how meaningful. They used them to act with using those three degrees and found that those actions seemed “to help people cope”. So this contradicted the theory that virtue is good for others and bad for the self”. In the study of morality it showed “how outside forces shape a person’s moral behavior”. The article says that in future studies something that needs to be considered is a persons’ “stage of life” and social difference in other parts of the world, and how all of this affects virtue”.

Photos in my life today

My first assignment is “t is for....”. I had to think about this one. I decided to do a tube of something. When I picked up the toothpaste tube I realized it was another T too, Total. 

The next challenge is another “my choice” and another of my series of “mirror image” . This fire hydrant with weeds growing around it seemed to be a good subject. 

The last upload is “picture”. This is a photo of a sketch my sister did
of our grandfather. 

It will be a quick dinner. I have a meeting at 5:00. 

Joy

want to shop? Visit: fineartamerica.com search for joy rector click on “view shop”  and redbubble.com search for jarector (and take a look at flickr.com search for rectorjoyce)

 October 18, 2026, a thought for today, Old proverbs are the children of truth. Welsh Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

The first challenge was “q is for...” I used a box of qtips for this one. 

The next assignment was “centered composition”. I uses one of my wind
chimes against the bright blue sky for this one. 

The last upload was “metal”. I’m not sure they are still metal of some sort of plastic but I am  pretty sure at least the pull tab is metal.

Life today. It has been an eventful weekend. The software program I use for everything I do at church stopped. It was Microsoft Publisher. They did give notification that it was coming. I thought I had the software installed on my computer not completely with the newer version of a subscription, I was wrong. So...I have to try to build myself a template. There are a couple of other program that operate similarly but I have heard they can be a headache. So I would rather build the template from the “ground up” with means days of work. I am going to have to put off the newsletter which is due this week until I can get the templates set up. The bulletin has to be done before next Sunday.   Our past time pastor gave notice today. He is having some surgery soon and also wants to spend more time with his family. He has been an interest in my life, I do wish him well. 

Lowell’s church was having a spaghetti dinner last night so he brought Sue and I some of the spaghetti and other goodies. It was after out normal dinner time so we saved it for tonight. 

The word to ponder today is error.  Irrationally held truths may be more harmful than reasoned errors. Thomas H. Huxley. Great men's errors are to be venerated as more fruitful than little men's truths. Friedrich Nietzsche. Great services are not canceled by one act or by one single error. Benjamin Disraeli. Love truth, and pardon error. Voltaire. Don't be discouraged by a failure. It can be a positive experience. Failure is, in a sense, the highway to success, inasmuch as every discovery of what is false leads us to seek earnestly after what is true, and every fresh experience points out some form of error which we shall afterwards carefully avoid. John Keats. A well-informed mind is the best security against the contagion of folly and of vice. The vacant mind is ever on the watch for relief, and ready to plunge into error, to escape from the languor of idleness. Ann Radcliffe. To be feared is to fear: no one has been able to strike terror into others and at the same time enjoy peace of mind. Seneca. There are, in every age, new errors to be rectified and new prejudices to be opposed. Samuel Johnson. The first step towards amendment is the recognition of error. Seneca. Reason and free inquiry are the only effectual agents against error. Thomas Jefferson. It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry. Thomas Paine. We ought not to look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dear-brought experience. George Washington. To make no mistakes is not in the power of man; but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future. Plutarch.  It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself. Thomas Jefferson.

Article summary. I’ve heard that some of these trees could be 2,000 years old. They were here at another noted time in history. I thought we should take a look at what ever this can tell us about their lives. The title is Coast redwood trees are enduring, adaptable marvels in a warming world. Daniel Lewis Lecturer in History, California Institute of Technology. A theconversation.com. The first paragraph gives a short description of some of these. Some of these trees have grown to almost 400 feet tall, the tallest “on the planet”. They grow from Oregon to northern California along the “rugged” Pacific coast. There were about 70,000 individual trees before humans arrived now down to half and million. The article explains that they “built themselves” with natural selection and evolution they have and do respond to “environmental pressures, genetic drift and mutation”. I learned they have two kinds of leaves that help them with wet and dry conditions. The warming and changing climates had sped up their growing life as it does all of humanity. Some researchers have tried to figure how they can be integrated into more and larger landscapes. The author pointed out that the coast redwoods are “an ecosystem with enormously broad consequences for other life forms”. They are “integrators” as they “bring together many life forms”. The life forms in around them interact with one another keeping each other alive. One of the many life forms associated with these trees are the Giant Condor birds with wing spans up to 10 feet. They have returned after nearly a century to nest and soar in the region. Then there are the tiny creatures among the trees too. There are ferns that grow there that collect “enormous quantities of moisture”. When rain is scarce, the trees suffer and there is a danger in fires too. There are new forms of life developing in the area that are “ecosystem partners” with the trees. These trees are living history with who knows how many and different creature over those 2000 years have lived there. The power of them resolves around the other strong powers of “wind, rain, sun, oxygen, carbon dioxide”. Think of the history and memories that can be found in those trees.

Photos in my life today

My first challenge is “red”. I chose the red traffic lights as I was waiting to continue on my way. 

The next upload is "sole subject in negative space". I put this single carnation on the kitchen floor for this one. 

The last assignment was “food”. I just opened my cupboard doors for this
one.  

Authentic Italian made spaghetti for dinner tonight. 

J\oy

a mint and chocolate abstract the Fine Art America

Want to shop? Visit: fineartamerica.com search for joy rector click on “view hop”  and redbubble.com search for jarector (and take a look at flickr.com search for rectorjoyce)

 October 16, 2026 a thought for today, Conscience is the nest where all good is hatched. Welsh Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

The first challenge for yesterday was “o is for...” . I  used he oven know for this image.

The next assignment was “my choice”, one of my series of “black and white”.
This one is of some of the trees in the neighborhood park. 

The last upload was “dishes”. This is my cupboard shelf of my mismatched dishes “formal” dishes.

Life today. It isn’t quite the Friday I was planning but it has been a successful one nonetheless. Sue had a doctors  appointment and I got the feeling she would rather not have gone alone. From our past she has always been the “strong” one in the kind of thing “doing it for yourself” kind of way. On the other side of the coin I prefer to have someone with me, an advocate and companion. We are complete opposites in many areas.  Anyway, I said would you like for me to go with you, she said she didn’t want to have me have to just sit there for an hour or so. I decided I would go with her. So we spend most of the morning on that event. 

As soon as we got home it was back to the computer. I got the letter started in really good time. Most of today’s photos are from the archives to save time. I did have to take a break to get the laundry started. It slipped my mind yesterday. I usually do it on a Thursday so I can get Friday to be completely free and easy.  

The weather is not so bad today though the temperatures are taking a pretty noticeable drop with even more in that trend tomorrow.  

The word to ponder today is endure.  Everything in the world may be endured except continued prosperity. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. If we were not all so interested in ourselves, life would be so uninteresting that none of us would be able to endure it. Arthur Schopenhauer. We all have strength enough to endure the misfortunes of others. Francois de La Rochefoucauld. Nothing endures but personal qualities. Walt Whitman. Enjoy when you can, and endure when you must. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life. James, Chapter 1, Verse 12. He that can heroically endure adversity will bear prosperity with equal greatness of the soul; for the mind that cannot be dejected by the former is not likely to be transported without the latter. Henry Fielding. Nothing endures but change. Heraclitus. He conquers who endures. Persius. A father may turn his back on his child, … . but a mother's love endures through all. Washington Irving. He that can't endure the bad will not live to see the good. Yiddish Proverb. I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air. Nathaniel Hawthorne. In time the unmanageable young oxen come to the plough; in time the horses are taught to endure the restraining bit.  Ovid. The foremost art of Kings is the power to endure hatred. Seneca the Younger. A good disposition is a virtue in itself, and it is lasting; the burden of the years cannot depress it, and love that is founded on it endures to the end. Ovid. Happy he who learns to bear what he cannot change.  Friedrich Schiller. He who has a why to live can bear almost any how. Friedrich Nietzsche.

Article summary. I don’t like to get into deeply religious subject and politics, they a are both very personal thoughts and opinions. This title sounded a little on the softer and more social and emotional side. The title is Gut wrenching love: What a fresh look at the ‘Good Samaritan’ story says for ethics today. Meghan Sullivan, Professor of Philosophy, University of Notre Dame. At the conversation.com. In opening this article the author states that the Good Samaritan from the Bible was someone who stopped to help one who needed it along the way. She says is goes deeper as in loving others and being connected. The article goes on to explain the full parable. She related to the fact the the Samaritan’s feelings at the moment of seeing the injured man left alone to suffer, in my way of saying it, “tore at his heart” or in hers “guts churned”. When he saw the man his feeling as in other  occurrences of this kind in other places in the Bible “evoked” a  physical kind of emotional and spontaneous response. In history Plato and Socrates names come up in the subject of love. Aristotle’s response to friendships came up into “his teachings about ethics”. His idea was that we may think of others as our “second self”. Saint Augustine’s concepts were also brought up on the subject of love. He evoked a kind of “order of loved”, first to God, then to organize in a way that shows “their loves to serve this highest love”. This kind of love is an emotion that “can be triggered by anyone, at any time”. In modern thinking how can love be of “morally significant elements” while at the same time be “partial, biased and seemingly arbitrary”. Thoughts on the subject touched on ethics as a “rational efficiency” and people should be the “most efficient do-gooders”. It continues as saying emotions can be seen as a  source of suspicion not of “moral wisdom”. In the story of the Good Samaritan the ethics were “deeply personal” and as in “almost absurdly inefficient matter”. The Samaritan cared for the injured man directly “almost as a family member”. As the article moved on it mentions the idea of loving ones neighbors, fellow “countrymen” and strangers coming into the community. The author says that“the gut-wrenching kind” of love may indicate that is to progress through emotions “rather that around them”. In coming to an end of the article the author says that helping to “recognize and cultivate emotions, especially loving compassion” is an important lesson in her teaching for her students. She gently touched on the subject of Samaritan and political issues today to bring attention on the capacity to love “beyond the limits of familiar relationships” and “how much is lost when we do not.” 

Photos in my life today

My first assignment today is “p is for....”, pencils. This is a collection of my colored pencils. I used them during my calligraphy period.

The next challenge is another of “my choice” and another of my series of “black and white”. It is of a neighbors house. She had a pumpkin set out for Halloween.  

The last upload is “orange”. What better than the ever present orange barrels for this one.

I didn’t have spaghetti the other day when it sounded good I’ll try again tonight.

Joy

Want to shop? Visit: fineartamerica.com search for joy rector click on “view shop”  and redbubble.com search for jarector (and take a look at flickr.com search for rectorjoyce)

 October 14, 2026 a thought for today, Truth is stronger than the mighty. Welsh Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

My first challenge yesterday was “m is for...”. I used a map from one of my bibles for this upload. 

The next assignment was “my choice” and one of my series “black and white”. This is one from my neighborhood. I like how we see things we may have missed in color images of the same things. 

The last upload was “nuts”. I happened to have this can of peanuts on the counter. It was waiting for the perfect moment.

Life today. It has been one of the productive days. As I was putting together the things that I need to take with me for “printing day” I noticed that I had laminated and cut two of the placards at the wrong size. I was planning and looking forward to getting them up tomorrow when I am at the church. They will complete the placards on all of the gallery wall photos. So I re-lamented and cut them to the correct size. Now I am ready to print. Other than the back slide on the placards the rest of my agenda went along at a good pace. 

There were some xrays taken at my appointment yesterday so I have been waiting today to here the results.....none yet. Everything else on the “examination list” looked good. 

It has been quiet around the house all day so I have had a chance to “play” with some of my projects. I am trying to make some new cards that we use for our food pantry clients. I have the business cards and the laminating material. I am wanting to put a border on them. The business card printer template that I use doesn’t like the size of the border I have chosen so I have spent some time figuring another way to get the border I want. I think I have found one with a way that I can control the size. The “computer” day is about done so I will try it out on another day. 

The word to ponder to day is employ.  There are some that only employ words for the purpose of disguising their thoughts. Voltaire. Never fear the want of business. A man who qualifies himself well for his calling, never fails of employment. Thomas Jefferson. Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to get leisure. Benjamin Franklin. Employment is the surest antidote to sorrow. Ann Radcliffe. If a man is proud of his wealth, he should not be praised until it is known how he employs it. Socrates. Most are engaged in business the greater part of their lives, because the soul abhors a vacuum and they have not discovered any continuous employment for man's nobler faculties. Henry David Thoreau. He only employs his passion who can make no use of his reason. Cicero. Most men would feel insulted if it were proposed to employ them in throwing stones over a wall, and then in throwing them back, merely that they might earn their wages. But many are no more worthily employed now. Henry David Thoreau. One loses all the time which he might employ to better purpose. Jean-Jacques Rousseau. The celebrated Galen said that employment was nature's physician. It is indeed so important to happiness that indolence is justly considered the parent of misery. C. C. Colton. My soul is more at rest from the tempter when I am busily employed. Francis Asbury. Insults are the arguments employed by those who are in the wrong. Jean-Jacques Rousseau. They are not only idle who do nothing, but they are idle also who might be better employed. Socrates. The value of moments, when cast up, is immense, if well employed; if thrown away, their loss is irrecoverable. Lord Chesterfield.

Article summary. I may have misjudged what this article will cover but decided to be brave and check it out. The title is Why you shouldn’t want to always be happy. Frank T. McAndrew Cornelia H. Dudley Professor of Psychology, Knox College. At theconversation.com. It begins by telling how there have been studies on human happiness since the 1990s. The studies contained information on creating meaning in “one’s life” leading to a more satisfying life. It went on to say that up to that time it was felt “to improve happiness could be a futile attempt” and that “we may actually be programmed to be dissatisfied most of the time”.  It goes on to say the since happiness is not just one thing so having “to much happiness” over one thing may make it difficult to be “happy” about another. An example is in a happy and satisfying marriage there is happiness that takes a lot of time a consideration, meaning possibly less time for other types of friendships. The friendships are also important to a full life so there needs to be a balance. Happiness is also measured by the way we “process the experience of happiness”. Things in our life change as we grow and experience so happiness can be measured differently. It says there are religions that show the thinking of past and future looks at happiness as demonstrated with the Garden of Eden and then the happiness in Heaven, as in weighing a beginning happiness and an ending one. As a teacher the author gave the students a “test”. Think about grades from the past three years then what they expect to get this year. She determined the “expected grades are (were) far higher than one would reasonably expect”. We remember pleasant things from the past sometimes that since they are past not so much good things. Then it is reasoned that “we focus on the pleasant stuff and tend to forget the day-to-day unpleasantness”. After some of this testing and findings the author/teacher tells her student to their chagrin that probably as happy “are right now – it’s probably about how happy they will be 20 years from now”. Tests have shown that for most lottery winners it does”not significantly affect an individual’s long-term level of happiness”. The article says that dreams of the future keep us “motivated” and memories of past “reassure” us that we can have more dreams of happiness. In ending the article it says happiness is a “delightful visitor” that doesn’t “overstay” its welcome, just appreciate it while its here. 

Photos in my life today

The first assignment for today is “n is for...”. One of my friends was in one of the fall sales rooms at church and saw this one and thought I may want to use it for a photo. She was right. 

The next challenge is another of the “my choice” and one of my series of “black and white”. It is a small part of one of the rooms I am in most of the day. 

The last upload is “harvest”. I had one left in a series I took of one of
McDonalds set ups at the drive through areas. 

Spaghetti sounds good for dinner tonight.

Joy 

I unloaded this one to Fine Art of America

Want to shop? Visit: fineartamerica.com search for joy rector click on “view shop”  and redbubble.com search for jarector (and take a look at flickr.com search for rectorjoyce)

 October 12, 2026 a thought for today, Anger is the mother of treachery. Welsh Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

My first challenge was “k is for...”. Keys will work for this one. 

My next assignment was “thankful for...”. This was a no brainier for me.....it is
Bobbi.

The last upload was “gate”. This gate has been in that spot for twenty years. I guess it is soet of an icon in the neighborhood.

Live today. The day started out a little rocky. I have been having a health issue that needs some attention for a while now. I have my regular six month check up in a month so I was trying to hold out. But after some considerate thought and suggestions by family I decided to see if I could get in to the doctor a bit sooner. Luckily I could. My doctor is booked up solid for a month so I elected to see one of the others in her group. I have an appointment tomorrow. I will update as time goes by. 

I got the bulletin done the first thing this morning. The information I needed to complete it was here in good time. 

After that I was able to get on to the rest of my lists. I got the photos selected and sent through Photoshop for darkroom-style work. They are ready for their next upload. 

I took a break and got the dishwasher uploaded and started.  I have also managed a few minutes on each of my back burner projects. 

All in all the day has moved on without any problems. Now I will close out the letter and do all the uploads before making some supper.

The word to ponder today is effect.  Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect. Ralph Waldo Emerson. Do not, for one repulse, forego the purpose that you resolved to effect. William Shakespeare. I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago. Edgar Allan Poe. Money, which represents the prose of life, and which is hardly spoken of in parlors without an apology, is, in its effects and laws, as beautiful as roses. Ralph Waldo Emerson. A companion's words of persuasion are effective. Homer. Indeed, what is there that does not appear marvelous when it comes to our knowledge for the first time? How many things, too, are looked upon as quite impossible until they have been actually effected? Pliny the Elder. No passion so effectually robs the mind of all its powers of acting and reasoning as fear. Edmund Burke. He that loveth a book will never want a faithful friend, a wholesome counsellor, a cheerful companion, an effectual comforter. Dr. Isaac Barrow. I approach these questions unwillingly, as they are sore subjects, but no cure can be effected without touching upon and handling them. Titus Livius. The cause is hidden. The effect is visible to all. Ovid. Thoughts are but dreams till their effects be tried. William Shakespeare. We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men; and among those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they come back to us as effects. Herman Melville. Life is a perpetual instruction in cause and effect. Ralph Waldo Emerson. Reason and free inquiry are the only effectual agents against error. Thomas Jefferson. 

Article summary. This article came up under another section on happiness so I decided to have a look to see how the “hope, anger and courage” was on the same wave link. The title is Hope, anger and courage – or why are conservatives so miserable? Richard Paul Hamilton. Senior Lecturer Philosophy and Bio-Ethics, University of Notre Dame Australia. At theconvesation.com. The opening sentences talks about some of the odd things happening in our society that maynmake people “happy”. They are “promises” that if you do this or buy that you will be healthy and happy. It goes on to say that if poverty were to be “overcome” with “positive thinking” what would we think of people who live under those conditions. Would our thinking be possibly that they were “weaklings”? There needs to be compassion in those and other kinds of unpredictable and sad uncontrollable happenings in life. The article touches on the subject that the “political” portions of our societies “seldom reflect” on this aspect of life. Some people believe that the negative outlook on the unfortunate people who suffer such conditions are called victims. In the 1970s there was a condition coined called “victim blaming”. In this victim blaming situation we come up against a fact that people tend to assume that the “victims somehow brought their fate upon themselves”. Interestingly it was shown during this period that women were more apt to be “blamed” than men. It seems that since we are “powerless” to deal with their problems we allow ourselves tonot feel guilty when faced with seeing their conditions. The article mentioned that St. Augustine was quoted as saying “Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are”. The article says these are “virtues” more than feelings. The article ends by relating that “every time we deny the suffering of others, some part of ourselves dies” and that we should “replace an ethic of blame with an ethic of compassion and mutual responsibility”.  This is where the happiness become “genuine”.

Photos in my my today

The first challenge for today is “l is for...”. The lamp and it shadow worked perfectly for this one.

The second upload is “my chocie” and one of my series of “black and white”. This is my current store bought bouquet. 

The last assignment for today is “faceless portrait”. As I was waiting for my
groceries I was able to capture this one.

Fried rice for dinner sounds good.

Joy

this is one of my latest uploads to Fine Art America

 want to shop? Visit: fineartamerica.com search for joy rector click on “view shop”  and redbubble.com search for jarector (and take a look at flickr.com search for rectorjoyce)