February 20, 2026 a thought for today, Gifts are according to the giver. German Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

This first challenge was “low level.” This was a collection of fallen leaves left from the end of autumn 2025 in a corner on my back deck. 

The next challenge was titled “diamonds.” I don’t have any diamond stones
laying around my house so I used this diamond shape in one of the church windows. A diamond is a “quadrilateral with four equal sides.”

The last upload for yesterday was “a light source.” I took several shots of lights in different settings. I decided to use this one of some of the different kinds of light in a traffic situation. 

Yesterday’s printing didn’t go quite as smoothly as I had hoped. The bulletin went perfectly in about twenty minutes. The newsletter was a different story. I tuned the computer on as soon as I walked in the office, hoping it would boot up when the bulletins were done. It didn’t. I left it on as I traveled through the church to put the bulletins out. When I got back to the office, it still hadn’t come on. So I decided to go to Fed Ex to have a copy printed so that I could run the rest off manually on the office copier. When I got in the car at FedEx I realized the copy was the wrong size. I headed back to the church any way. I had left the computer on, finally it had booted up. So I did the printing with a few times to clear out jams. Through it all I feel needed, useful and appreciated. That makes life happy and not so lonesome.

Life today. Dorothy and Denise met me at church this morning to finish the newsletters. It was good for Dorothy and me to be together again. Patti had another request. She asked that we put an extra envelope in the already folded newsletters. That took a bit longer to unfold and re fold. When I got to the church there was a light on in the hall way in the lower level and the alarm had not been set. I called out but no one answered and there were no cars in the parking lot. So I was a little antsy but all seemed ok. Someone must have forgot to turn off lights and set the alarm when they left last night.

On the way home I stopped for a Wendy’s sausage on a biscuit and to scan for possible photos for the day on the way rest of the way. 

Finally I can relax a little on trying to make deadlines. I am back on the letter and have gotten the photos ready for uploading. 

I stopped after some more work on the letter and photos for lunch to run the sweeper in the bed room and another kitty care task time.  So the rest of the afternoon should be less tense. 

The weather is nice to day. The temp is decent at about 47 degrees but is dropping. We had quite a rain storm last night. There was a bit of lightening and thunder with it. One clap of thunder was so loud that Bobbi disappeared from the bed in a flash. I didn’t even see a streak as she was so fast. I don’t think she touched the floor until she got through the doorway and to the next room.

Lowell called and invited Sue and I to dinner at York Steak House, always a perfect treat 

The word today is rush. Male and female represent the two sides of the great radical dualism. But in fact they are perpetually passing into one another. Fluid hardens to solid, solid rushes to fluid. There is no wholly masculine man, no purely feminine woman. Margaret Fuller. Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures. Henry Ward Beecher. The golden moments in the stream of life rush past us and we see nothing but sand; the angels come to visit us, and we only know them when they are gone. George Eliot. Certainly virtue is like precious odors, most fragrant when they are incensed, or crushed: for prosperity doth best discover vice, but adversity doth best discover virtue. Sir Francis Bacon. A hair on the head is worth two on the brush. Irish Proverb. Whatever crushes individuality is despotism, by whatever name it may be called. John Stuart Mill. Obstacles cannot crush me. Every obstacle yields to stern resolve. He who is fixed to a star does not change his mind. Leonardo DaVinci. The marriage state was designed to complete the sum of human happiness in this life. It sometimes proves otherwise, but this is owing to the parties themselves, who either rush into it without due consideration or fail in point of discretion in their conduct towards each other afterwards. Samuel Adams. That great mystery of TIME, were there no other; the illimitable, silent, never-resting thing called Time, rolling, rushing on, swift, silent, like an all-embracing ocean tide, on which we and all the Universe swim like exhalations, like apparitions which are, and then are not: this is forever very literally a miracle; a thing to strike us dumb,-for we have no word to speak about it. Thomas Carlyle. The wind is rushing after us, and the clouds are flying after us, and the moon is plunging after us, and the whole wild night is in pursuit of us; but, so far we are pursued by nothing else. Charles Dickens. Great and unexpected successes are often the cause of foolish rushing into acts of extravagance. Demosthenes. There is no fire like passion. There are no chains like hate. Illusion is a net, Desire is a rushing river. Gautama Buddha. A talent can be cultivated in tranquility; a character only in the rushing stream of life. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Time is the silent, never-resting thing ... rolling, rushing on, swift, silent, like an all-embracing oceantide, on which we and all the universe swim. Thomas Carlyle. 

Article summary. I summarized an article a while ago about “reaching out and touching.” Today I found this article with a bit of a different way of looking at the sense of touch. I thought we could take a look at the kind of thinking about touch from another source. The article title is What’s lost when we’re too afraid to touch the world around us? Chunjie Zhang, Associate Professor of German, University of California, Davis. At theconversation.com. The article started with telling about the author’s son and the experience of his wanting to touch things they pass on their daily walks. It seems to be a natural action for him to touch things on the play ground like bike racks and tree trunks and picnic tables. She went on to say she wondered what “might being lost” in her stopping him from the touching instinct. Would it stop him from leaning “about the world without his sense of touch? She thought back to what she had observed with thoughts of some other “thinkers” on the subject as the described that we see shapes but that doesn’t “reveal” the actual feel of it. A German philosopher observed children in a “nursery” and watched how the children kept “grasping and lifting” things seemingly to find  “the most primary and necessary concepts.” It was seen that “our knowledge of the world” is “transmitted through the skin.”  Later in the article is was mentioned that a neuroscientist noted that touch was the first sense because it was developed in utero. It was also noted that touch helps in the action of cooperation as well as aids in health and fosters growth further mentioning the fact that in holding premature babies it can lead to their survival. The article brought a notion that during the “social distancing” of the COVID period even “subtle and brief” touching helped with “emotional well-being.” I was interested in seeing toward the end of the article that in some cultures touch “plays a bigger role” in life than may be perceived. It went on saying that we also have to be mindful that social distancing is also crucial. I assume that means be conscious of our surrounding and activities. On a personal note at my church we have a “passing of the peace” period where we go around greeting each other with a hand shake or “fist bump.” 

Photos in my life today

Have a look at my first challenge offering for today, “poetry.” I used the nursery thyme “pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been?”

Next is the assignment title “stripes.” I considered stripes in the pavement of
the street and street signs. I decided on this one on a US Postal truck. 

The third image upload for today is “what calms me.” I use several “brain games” to aid in my aging mind’s health. This is one of them. In helping with my health they also aid in what “calms” me. 

The last image upload is “o is for...”. I used a can opener for my image of
choice today. BTW, I had one heck of a time with this, the opener didn’t seem to want to go the full distance. 

Joy 

         

                                                                        pretty please...

 February 18, 2026 a thought for today, Where the fence is lowest, the devil leaps over. German Proverb

Photo in my life yesterday

The first upload for yesterday was “a favorite photo.” Lately, all of my "favorite" photos seem to be of this precious kitten. 

Next it “shot at dusk.” It was from my more than ample archives. It was taken some time ago when I was out and about at dusk. 

The last challenge for yesterday was “refresh.” We offer refreshments to our guests at the church food pantry today and every day we are open. 

Food Pantry yesterday was busy. Last month we had to cancel most days. I think we made up a big part of it yesterday. Today was much “milder.” It was a pretty fair day in visits but slow. 

Life today. I started the morning in the usual way with visits on the internet for news headlines, email, and facebook. Then I was able to get a good start on this letter, and surprisingly on my photos for the day. That was all before I got ready to go to the church for pantry. 

One other thing I got done was the envelopes and labels for the bulletins and the newsletters as well as the activity sheets for my great children. 

There is an Ash Wednesday service with about five or six churches involved for tonight. I personally feel more comfortable with a smaller service for this particular event so I won’t be attending. 

I will be going in to print the bulletins and newsletters in the morning. I hope the aging computer won’t give me problems. I am also looking forward to working with Dorothy to finish the newsletter on Friday. It’s been a couple of months of bad weather that we have missed each other working together. 

The word today is rule. Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it. Henry David Thoreau. Each problem that I solved became a rule which served afterwards to solve other problems. Rene Descartes. One must know oneself, if this does not serve to discover truth, it at least serves as a rule of life and there is nothing better. Blaise Pascal. One of the best rules in conversation is, never to say a thing which any of the company can reasonably wish had been left unsaid. Jonathan Swift. He who reigns within himself and rules his passions, desires, and fears is more than a king. John Milton. Beneath the rule of men entirely great, The pen is mightier than the sword. Edward Bulwer-Lytton. As a general rule the most successful man in life is the man who has the best information. Benjamin Disraeli. The soul is the captain and ruler of the life of morals. Sallust. What power has law where only money rules. Gaius Petronius.  Let your desires be ruled by reason. Cicero. Divide and rule, a sound motto. Unite and lead, a better one. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Do you know, my son, with what little understanding the world is ruled? Pope Julius III. If men will not be governed by God, they will be ruled by tyrants. William Penn. As a rule, men worry more about what they can't see than about what they can. Julius Caesar.  Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. Proverbs 25:15. To despise no opportunity of usefulness is a leading rule with those who are wise to win souls. Charles Spurgeon. It is not good to have a rule of many. Homer. Silence is the element in which great things fashion themselves together; that at length they may emerge, full-formed and majestic, into the delight of life, which they are thenceforth to rule. Thomas Carlyle. The book salesman should be honored because he brings to our attention, as a rule, the very books we need most and neglect most. Confucius. The rule of friendship means there should be mutual sympathy between them, each supplying what the other lacks and trying to benefit the other, always using friendly and sincere words. Marcus Tullius Cicero. 

Article summary. Since daylight savings will be happening again soon I thought I would check out this view of the event. I am a person who does not like change. But in this case it seems there is a time I do. I like when we can be awake to see more of the light nature sources give us. The title is 100 years later, the madness of daylight saving time endures. Michael Downing, Lecturer in Creative Writing, Tufts University. At the conversation.com. It opened by saying how long we have been experiencing “daylight savings” as a “legislation.” Many people do not like this time system and would like it changed. I guess I haven’t paid a lot of attention to the history of this phenomenon. I have taken for granted as a fact in all of my long years. I thought I had learned some time in my past that is was to save on the use of energy. That apparently was to be a benefit during war time. I did some research online and found that in the area where I searched for whom benefits the  most from the change of time seasonably listed them as consumers, sports, tourism, physical activity and public safety. From what I gather from the area I checked was that one problem in the change when it occurred and now in a change back would be financial. As I mentioned early I thought it was to help peoples’ and business’ budgets in the use of electricity.  I learned from the article that the railroad company has to be aware of the time they need “predictable station times for arrivals and departures” apparently year round. On the other hand farmers plan their activities by timing on the movement of the sun. In 1918 when time was being changed twice a year problems seemed to develop for many reasons. People going to church arrived late. Certain religious practiced objected to “subverting sun time.” There were complaints about astronomical data being upset.  In the US there are four time zones to be considered. As the article went on it talked about how some states decided to take matters into their own hands as a state and not abide by the national daylight savings notion.  This caused confusion when traveling from one place to another on day light savings when one observed daylight savings and the other didn’t. In 1966 “Congress passed the Uniform Time Act”, which mandated six months of standard time and six of daylight saving.” As the article went on it mentioned that the time change affects our behavior. I don’t fully understand that part so much. It seems to me that with that in mind it’s up to what ever the activity that needs attention would adapt to the difference. I must need more research on the uses of household appliances during the time when hands on the clock are different and how that affects utility prices and charges. We are given a day and a night in those time difference we are given a certain number of hours of light and a certain number of hours of dark. It’s up to us to use those gifts to their best use for the light availably to get the fullness of each.

I think it will be creamed chicken on toast for dinner. 

Photos in my life today 

Today’s challenge and upload is “f is for....” fireplace. This photo was also taken at church. 

Next is “photography something I learned.” I may have misunderstood. This might have been something I learned in photography. I have learned a lot in the past seventy years of my photography. One big thing I learned was the fine tuning of observation. I am also presently taking a course in still life photography, I take a course in the subject every now and then. This photo is simply “something I have learned as life’s adventure moved along. This is pysanky Ukranian egg coloring. I taught myself how to do this fine technique.  

The last upload for today is “love is....,” arms wrapped around in a safe and comforting hug.

Joy 

                              these little lights of mine

 February 16, 2026, a thought for today, When an old dog barks, look out. German Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

My first challenge for yesterday was “a weekend vibe.” My usual weekend vibe is mostly church on Sunday morning. It is way to end one week and start a new one. A way to refresh and renew.

Next is “my choice,” from my series of “ouch of color.” This one is from my  archives. There were no flowers to show for today and I was in the mood for flowers. 

The third upload was “from the office supple store.” This one is already in use. I am not too neat when I open new packages. 

The last upload here is “bike.” This is also from my archives. I wasn’t out in an
area where there were bikes readily available for a photo. 

Life today. Monday’s back. I started with the usual Monday round up. I have the back portion of the bulletin done, waiting for the information I need for the rest. Also, got some more done on the newsletter. As far as I know I am done with it unless I get a late entry. After that I wanted to attend to a problem I was having. I had signed up and paid for my next class in still photography late last week but hadn’t gotten the go-ahead to start. I was able to take care of that this morning also. I will start it later this afternoon. 

I just got an email with the rest of the information I need to finish the bulletin. I will take care of that right now. 

Next I need to get started on the photos for today. I have them set up, I just need to shoot them and get them in Photoshop for  finishing and then to the web for uploads.

After that, is kitty care and house plant time. Then I may be done for the day except for making some dinner. 

The word today is root. Far from idleness being the root of all evil, it is rather the only true good. Soren Kierkegaard.  Whenever evil befalls us, we ought to ask ourselves, after the first suffering, how we can turn it into good. So shall we take occasion, from one bitter root, to raise perhaps many flowers. Leigh Hunt. Storms make oaks take deeper root. George Herbert. All truly wise thoughts have been thoughts already thousands of times; but to make them truly ours, we must think them over again honestly, till they take root in our personal experience. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. All our progress is an unfolding, like a vegetable bud. You have first an instinct, then an opinion, then a knowledge as the plant has root, bud, and fruit. Trust the instinct to the end, though you can render no reason. Ralph Waldo Emerson. The very spring and root of honesty and virtue lie in good education. Plutarch. Ignorance, the root and the stem of every evil. Plato. Love is like a tree, it grows of its own accord, it puts down deep roots into our whole being. Victor Hugo. There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root. Henry David Thoreau. Conscience is the root of all true courage; if a man would be brave let him obey his conscience. James Freeman Clarke. Wisdom has its root in goodness, not goodness its root in wisdom. Ralph Waldo Emerson. True glory takes root, and even spreads; all false pretences, like flowers, fall to the ground; nor can any counterfeit last long. Marcus Tullius Cicero. He that has energy enough to root out a vice should go further, and try to plant a virtue in its place. Charles Caleb Colton. Every duty is a charge, but the charge of oneself is the root of all others. Mencius. 

Article summary. I am a homebody, maybe too much so sometimes. I take after my mom, she also was a homebody. I have a bit of an inferiority complex or maybe better put a penchant in not wanting to interrupt the lives and habits of other people. When I was raising my kids I wanted them to grow up finding their own way in life, I didn’t want to interfere in their decisions and activities unless they were dangerous or wrong spiritually. I find ways now in my home with my sister to keep my mind and body busy so I don’t “barge” into the lives my families and friends have made. All of this doesn’t mean I dislike being around others, I miss those kinds of relationships in my heart. I like the digital age for giving me the ability to “visit” those I love and like. I deperately need daily contact with those closest to me in blood and by nature. Anyway, in the title “there’s no place like home” caught my attention. I wanted to see some of what is said about that part of life that may affect others and why. Though it is mainly about holidays, emotions are felt and expressed all year long. The article is Why there’s no place like home for the holidays. Frank T. McAndrew, Cornelia H. Dudley Professor of Psychology, Knox College. At theconversation.com.  I picked up on one of the early statements in the article that there is a “primal need to have a meaningful relationship with a setting.” It goes on to say, and I agree, the “place” contributes strongly to whom you are. I related to the notion mentioned in the article that your “fondness for a place” affects how you feel for other people. The article mentioned that psychologists say that the word home refers more than to a house, there are people, places and objects as well as memories that makes up “home.” People think of home in different ways, according to the article, where they were born and raised, where they live now, and some think where they had lived the longest. Further on in the article is mentioned that most think of a place that is a feel of comfort, something where there is less “chaos” than in the rest of places in their lives and experiences. I liked the notion they wrote that when children draw a picture where they live a house is at the center. In considering that statement, “home for the holidays”, home is a place to “renew a person’s place in the family.” In ending the author said “it is a bridge between your past and your present....a tether to your family and friends.” Right on!

I think I have some chili in the freezer, that will be dinner. 

Photos in my life today

The first upload for today is “hobby.” This is one of the several hobbies I have had over the years. This one is called paper quilling. Some of the other hobbies over the years were, paper marbling, calligraphy, pysanky (Ukrainian egg decorating), knitting, tatting, crocheting, and more.

The next challenge was “not often seen.” I don’t think we often see the sun
peaking through the clouds in this manner. I also like the bit or orange tinge on the edge of some of the clouds. 

The last upload for today is “something I borrowed.” This is a big “my bad.” These two items were given with cookies on them at Christmas time. I forgot to give them back after the holiday.

Joy

                                     alone

 February 14, 2026 a thought for the day, Everybody is the architect of his own fortune. German Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

The first upload was “something tasty.” I thought a “bowl” full of cherries was very tasty. 

The next is “portrait.” She is always handy and she really does make a pleasing portrait. She doesn’t seem to mind and loves the attention....when it is her own idea not mine necessarily. 

The last challenge for yesterday was “fill the frame.” This is another from my archives. Hopefully the weather changes soon so I can get outside more often for “new” shots. 

Life today. It has been a pleasant Saturday. Bobbi got me up between 6:30 and 7:00. After feeding her then “opening the house,” window shades and plant lights on, I started on my “first thing” news headlines checks, then checked emails and Facebook. After a break for a couple of pancakes I got back to the computer, a start on this letter. 

I have email from someone I haven’t heard from since I retired twenty years ago. He was the IT person in pretrial as I was an IT assistant on the probation side. I don’t know how he found me but I hope we will keep in contact from now on. 

I tried signing up for my second online class in still life photography but haven’t heard back from them yet. I finished the first class. I haven’t put any of it in images yet but I got some new ideas for using Photoshop on them. They are ideas that I will require some tutorial practices. I also got ideas from the class for props and layouts. 

When I got home from the store Tami and Andy stopped by for a visit. It was so good to see them. Tami wanted to visit with Bobbi but she ran and hid. Tami was a big help in helping me be able to get her in the first place. Tami was able to get her out of her hiding place for a short visit. Andy is looking good after his surgery. Sue and I hadn’t been able to get over to see him since he got out of the hospital. The weather was one of the big reasons we couldn’t get there. 

After our visit I got back to the photos. I had to set two of them up and used the archives for the other. 

The groceries are put away. Kitty attention is done. Then I got the potato in the oven and the meatloaf made and in the oven. 

The word today is rich. A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone. Henry David Thoreau. Every man is a consumer, and ought to be a producer. He is by constitution expensive, and needs to be rich. Ralph Waldo Emerson. Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor. Benjamin Franklin. Poor and content is rich, and rich enough. William Shakespeare. Youth is the best time to be rich, and the best time to be poor. Euripides. I care not so much what I am to others as what I am to myself. I will be rich by myself, and not by borrowing. Michel de Montaigne. This is all the inheritance I give to my dear family. The religion of Christ will give them one which will make them rich indeed. Patrick Henry. It is only when the rich are sick that they fully feel the impotence of wealth. Benjamin Franklin. Without frugality none can be rich, and with it very few would be poor. Samuel Johnson. It is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich. Henry Ward Beecher. Riches may enable us to confer favours, but to confer them with propriety and grace requires a something that riches cannot give. Charles Caleb Colton. I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice. Abraham Lincoln. There is some magic in wealth, which can thus make persons pay their court to it, when it does not even benefit themselves. How strange it is, that a fool or knave, with riches, should be treated with more respect by the world, than a good man, or a wise man in poverty! Ann Radcliffe. Riches and power are but gifts of blind fate, whereas goodness is the result of one's own merits. Heloise. Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth. I sat at a table where were rich food and wine in abundance, and obsequious attendance, but sincerity and truth were not; and I went away hungry from the inhospitable board. Henry David Thoreau. Neither great poverty nor great riches will hear reason. Henry Fielding. It is the mind that maketh good or ill, that maketh wretch or happy, rich or poor. Edmund Spenser. A rich man without charity is a rogue; and perhaps it would be no difficult matter to prove that he is also a fool. Henry Fielding.

Article summary. I have a renewed adventure in my life with a kitten in the last few months. When I saw the title to this article about cats and thinking I thought I would take a look. There are some actions in my kitten that make me wonder what she must be thinking. Some of her actions are so spontaneous, quick and ignite the raising of an eyebrow. I think she thinks she can fly in short spirts from this place to that. She also likes to “hide” for her naps. The article title is Why can’t cats resist thinking inside the box? Nicholas Dodman, Professor Emeritus of Behavioral Pharmacology and Animal Behavior, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University. At theconversation.com. It started with talking about how that in a kind of test cats seemed to “park” themselves in squares of tape on the floor. Then it touched on the subject that they like to climb in boxes, suitcases and other seemingly “tight quarters”. This part I have noted on occasion. They seem to find those kinds of “cover” safe and secure. The article mentioned that they cuddled up to their mothers when young and that this safe feeling may carry over to the boxes and partially enclosed spaces. The author called this “a release of endorphins”. He also interestingly called that release as a way in “nature’s own morphine-like substances” that apparently cause pleasure and reduce stress. Cats make nests for birthing babies and for a safety indentation, it’s just in their nature. Then it mentioned the box shape of tape on the floor apparently attracted some cats like “misplaced sense of security”. There was research preformed with the use of boxes on “shelter cats”. There were control groups in the test, one with boxes and one without. I was interested to read that the “cats with boxes adapted to their new environment more quickly” than those without the boxes. So the conclusion is cats need hidey-holes. They say that hidey-holes in elevated space are even better with a “bird’s eye view” of life around them. 

Meat loaf and baked potatoes for dinner. 

Photos in my life today

The first challenge and upload for today is “a heart”. I cut one out of construction paper and laid it on one of my crochet doilies. 

Next is one of the “my choice” images. This one is one of the “touch of color” series. It is one of those very prominent orange warning cones. I added a painterly filter. 

Last for today is “couples”. This is another from my archives. They are my
great grand children. They are cousins who like spending time together. 

Joy

springtime is right around the corner

 February 12, 2026 a thought for today, Of big words and feathers, many go to the pound. German Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

This first one is “fresh.” The “freshest’ thing I had on hand was the green onions and radishes. I am trying to eat more salads so I have more green and fresh in the house. 

Next is “part of my routine”. A small part of my daily routine is feeding the
kitten. There are a lot more parts to my daily “routine”. 

My last challenge for yesterday was “backlit.” I hope I am not overdoing photos of Bobbi but she is so photogenic and handy when I can catch her. 

Life today. It is one of those days that things didn’t go exactly the way that had been planed. The cleaning lady was supposed to come today. I had forgotten until about 2:00 this morning when I realized the things that I normally have out of the way for her hadn’t been put away. So I got up early to take care of that and put ice melt on an icy spot on the front porch before she came. She normally gets her about 7:30. It came and passed. Near eight o’clock I called Lowell who usually schedules her to see if he had heard from her. He called me back to let me know he had just gotten a text from her. She and her mother had been in a car accident on the way here. They were not injured. Since this is my day to print at the church. I got ready to hear out. 

After I finished there, I mailed some of the bulletins. I also scouted around for the daily photo challenges. 

I noticed on my car that the “information window” on the dash board wasn’t the same as it was before I had the oil changed. So I brought the book that from the car inside to study and find the way to get it back the way it is supposed to be. After some research I think I have the answer. I will wail until I need to go back out to the car to try it. 

Yesterday I worked on the terrarium I got for Christmas. I’m not entirely happy with the way it came together. It is a bit over crowded. So I may give the plants time to recover then clean it out and start over. 

My ipad is about five years old. Yesterday it began showing that the battery isn’t holding a full charge. I inherited Bob’s ipad when he passed on. So that will be my back up until I can get a new one. 

I started the laundry soon after I got home it looks like it is time to do the folding, then it’s kitty care time. 

The word today is reveal.  The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but to reveal to him his own. Benjamin Disraeli. A person reveals his character by nothing so clearly as the joke he resents. Georg Christoph Lichtenberg. There is no den in the wide world to hide a rogue. Commit a crime and the earth is made of glass. Commit a crime, and it seems as if a coat of snow fell on the ground, such as reveals in the woods the track of every partridge, and fox, and squirrel. Ralph Waldo Emerson. Be sure that it is not you that is mortal, but only your body. For that man whom your outward form reveals is not yourself; the spirit is the true self, not that physical figure which and be pointed out by your finger. Cicero. Reveal not every secret you have to a friend, for how can you tell but that friend may hereafter become an enemy. And bring not all mischief you are able to upon an enemy, for he may one day become your friend. Saadi. It is curious to note the old sea-margins of human thought. Each subsiding century reveals some new mystery; we build where monsters used to hide themselves. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The reading of all good books is indeed like a conversation with the noblest men of past centuries who were the authors of them, nay a carefully studied conversation, in which they reveal to us none but the best of their thoughts. Rene Descartes. America is therefore the land of the future, where, in the ages that lie before us, the burden of the World's History shall reveal itself. Georg W. Hegel. Until the day when God shall deign to reveal the future to man, all human wisdom is summed up in these two words,--'Wait and hope'. Alexandre Dumas. God conceals himself from the mind of man, but reveals himself to his heart. African Proverb. Power is not revealed by striking hard or often, but by striking true. Honore de Balzac. Character is that which reveals moral purpose, exposing the class of things a man chooses or avoids. Aristotle. The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own. Benjamin Disraeli. Balk the enemy's power; force him to reveal himself. Sun Tzu. In our leisure we reveal what kind of people we are. Ovid. The dreams which reveal the supernatural are promises and messages that God sends us directly: they are nothing but His angels, His ministering spirits, who usually appear to us when we are in a great predicament. Paracelsus. Talent is a gift which God has given us secretly, and which we reveal without perceiving it. Montesquieu. Truth is always in harmony with herself, and is not concerned chiefly to reveal the justice that may consist with wrong-doing. Henry David Thoreau. 

Article summary. I worked on one article a few days ago about reading and it’s value. Now I have picked an article about writing and what it can do for your well being. I had a dear friend from my church who told me once that she felt everyone should keep a daily diary in journal form not only for herself but more for the family now alive and those to come. It is also a record of history on a personal level. Oprah Winfrey encouraged keeping a more specific type journal. She called hers a gratitude journal. I myself incorporate the gratitude part with the rest of my life happenings.  The article title is  Writing builds resilience by changing your brain, helping you face everyday challenges. Emily Ronay Johnston, Assistant Teaching Professor of Global Arts, Media and Writing Studies, University of California, Merced. At theconveration.com. It opens by mentioning that writing lets you “dash off” a message that allows you to mention unhappiness with “clarity” with a kind of airyness or “resilience” as a relief. You may not send it but release is all you needed at the time.  Resilience can be adapted and grows through “life’s challenges.” It mentioned that a group called the “wellness industry” encourages strengthening the “path to resilience.” The author is a professor of “writing studies.” She teaches how writing can “navigate” upsets in daily life. Writing in the form a journal helps to create a “mental distance” to problems and reduces worrying about it. It goes on to say that writing can help us to become calmer. Apparently even making a to-do list can aid in “reasoning and decision making.” In writing by hand as opposed to typing makes us think more intently and with more meaning. The article encourages writing daily so that it helps release stress and increase thoughtfulness. It goes on to encourage writing before speaking in many cases. It further suggests writing whether you intend to send it or not. So the kind of writing I do, which is to share my life and experiences with others also has another and more helpful effect to humans as a whole. It is healthy and necessary for well being. 

I am going to have the tuna casserole I made and froze for later tonight

Photos in my life today 

The first upload for today is “adventure.” When I am putting the bulletin out in the appropriate places there is a short walk in a hallway that is not lit. That can be and “adventure” of sorts. Believe it or not it is a calming adventure, it's like walking into the light.

The second upload is “leading lines.” My street is a leading line with the added lanes of piled up snow adding to the leading line image. 

The last upload for this group for today is “what I see right now.” This “right
now” when the shot was made was on my way to drop off the mail I had on hand. 

Joy 

                            the bonus is a partial of a vintage vase

 February 10, 2026 a thought for the day, More is done with words than with hands.. German Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday  

This first challenge upload was “a favourite song”. I choice one I like called “Before You Go”.

The next one was “frosty”. There is plenty of snow to choose from right nowbut it doesn’t have the “frosty” look, that’s more for ice or mist on the car windows. So I used a copy of my Wendy’s Frosty drink. 

The last one in this group is “ an object with a story”. It presented itself to me as I was waiting for my car to be finished in the oil change. 

Yesterday turned out to be one of those “perfect” days, no problems, not worries. I was able to get the car in for the oil change that it “told” me it needed. I got the bulletin done in good time. There was also time for Natalie to come to take care of Bobbi’s nails, she seems to need pedicures on a regular basis. Natalie and I also had time for a chat. Oh, and I was able to ask her for her help in putting together a window “hammock” for Bobbi (which as it turns out Bobbi doesn’t find so relaxing right now). Through out the day I had brief contact with several people very dear to me, a friend from church, a dear neighbor, Natalie, both Lowell and Tami and a virtual visit from Jessie, Lexie and Drew.  I had fun with my photos and my online photography course. 

Life today. Today so far has been quiet. I have managed to update the bulletin and to put together the photos I need for today. I also got the envelopes and activities sheets formatted and printed after I installed four new printer cartridges. I just haven’t processed them yet. I also made pancakes from scratch and am about to make some homemade biscuits. I want some peach cobbler later today so I need the biscuits. 

So far this winter I have been wearing my Christmas wearable blanket every day in January and up to now in February. I just found that I probably don’t need it today, though the furnace seems to be running regularly. Right now the thermometer says it is 40 degrees. 

The word today is remain. He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever. Chinese Proverb. At times one remains faithful to a cause only because its opponents do not cease to be insipid. Friedrich Nietzsche. Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances. Thomas Jefferson. Seize the moment of excited curiosity on any subject to solve your doubts; for if you let it pass, the desire may never return, and you may remain in ignorance. William Wirt. While grief is fresh, every attempt to divert only irritates. You must wait till it be digested, and then amusement will dissipate the remains of it. Samuel Johnson. Have regard for your name, since it will remain for you longer than a great store of gold. Ecclesiasticus. My words fly up, my thoughts remain below. Words without thoughts never to heaven go. William Shakespeare. 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. Even when laws have been written down, they ought not always to remain unaltered. Aristotle. Not to know what has been transacted in former times is to be always a child. If no use is made of the labors of past ages, the world must remain always in the infancy of knowledge. Cicero. All we know is still infinitely less than all that remains unknown. William Harvey. He who doesn't look ahead remains behind. Mexican Proverb. Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent. Victor Hugo. If you want to make people weep, you must weep yourself. If you want to make people laugh, your face must remain serious. Giovanni Jacopo Casanova. So of cheerfulness, or a good temper, the more it is spent, the more it remains. Ralph Waldo Emerson. If you would attain to what you are not yet, you must always be displeased by what you are. For where you are pleased with yourself there you have remained. Keep adding, keep walking, keep advancing. Saint Augustine. There are people whose watch stops at a certain hour and who remain permanently at that age. Sainte-Beave. Doubt is the vestibule which all must pass before they can enter the temple of wisdom. When we are in doubt and puzzle out the truth by our own exertions, we have gained something that will stay by us and will serve us again. But if to avoid the trouble of the search we avail ourselves of the superior information of a friend, such knowledge will not remain with us; we have not bought, but borrowed it. C. C. Colton. 

Article summary. I like books, I read every day both the recreational and serious types, both are “scholarly” in nature for me. For me reading is like a Calgon moment...."Calgon, take me away!" I also like historical fiction, maybe not always fiction. So this title caught my attention about reading old stories. There is something new to us there. There may be light bulb moments. A view into another life time and place in history and in place. The title of the article is Why do teachers make us read old stories?  Elisabeth Gruner, Associate Professor of English, University of Richmond. At theconversation.com. As the article started it was mentioned that in reading “old” stories we will meet up with different and “strange” to us “values and ways of life”. It went on to relate that connecting with the past can help to “learn about the present”, that is an interesting observance and statement for me. It was pointed out how the story of Romeo and Juliet has visions of their day as it relates to youth of today. The “sentence structure” and vocabulary in old books make us think. I like the statement in the article that old stores can offer “a rich depth of feeling, by exposing readers to a broad range of experiences”. In coming to an end the article further related that “stories also make us feel” sometimes using the human social and emotional sense called empathy a serious kind of understanding. So books do more than just the memories of a few moments. They can shape us.

I’m debating on spaghetti and meat balls or meat loaf and baked potatoes for dinner. 

Photos in my life today

The first challenge and upload in this group is “spiral”. I searched all over the house inside and outside for something of a spiral. I finally opened my eyes fully and found this. It is a top on one of my decorative wind chimes that hangs in my indoor house plant garden. 

The next upload is “surprise”. I don’t know what kind of critter made these
tracks. He/she made it easy to follow?. We see them in every snow fall. They are always a surprise that makes me smile. 

The next upload is “together”. Pancakes and syrup are great together. Some like powdered sugar, honey, or jelly and jam but I like good old fashioned maple syrup. 

That last upload in this group is “dark color”. This is a piece of digital art I
generated from a photo. It hangs in the powder room. 

Joy

                this was taken on one of my walks through Greenlawn Cemetery

 February 8, 2026 a thought for today. When the word is out, it belongs to another. German Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

My first challenge was “grey”. Well, Bobbi is mostly grey in color with a bit of black and a bit of white, even just a touch of orange. I had the camera set for black and white for one of the other photos I need today so I used this shot for the “grey” also.

Next was “what I am reading”. This is the ebook on my tablet that I am current
deeply involved in. I can’t go wrong with a Baldacci book.

Last for yesterday was “my choice” a series of my “black and white”. This is in a corner of my living room.

Life today. Marion was our minister today. In my opinion her sermons (messages) are always “down to earth” and very easy to relate to. A message about the “light” that each of us are destined to be is inspiring. It is a light we all should learn to share. All three of the hymns helped us to ask to be led to that purpose.

The second snow that needed cleared has been cleared in my area enough to get out. Lowell took me to pick up the groceries yesterday. As it turned out I could have made it to the store. With the snow drifts around the entries to the house it was hard to unload the groceries and get them inside. He was able to do it far easier than I could have. 

Again since the snow covered areas were cleared enough to get through I got to church easily. After church I had a couple of stops to make. I stopped at Kroger for meds and a couple of things I had forgotten on yesterday’s list. Then I went on to Strader’s Garden Center for the potting soil I need to get started on the terrarium. The paring lot at the garden center was barely cleared but accessible. 

My “get oil changed” light is on in the car so I tried making an online appointment for tomorrow a Midas. 

The rest of the day will be quiet to help refresh and renew. 

A word for today is regular. Our days are a kaleidoscope. Every instant a change takes place in the contents. New harmonies, new contrasts, new combinations of every sort. Nothing ever happens twice alike. The most familiar people stand each moment in some new relation to each other, to their work, to surrounding objects. The most tranquil house, with the most serene inhabitants, living upon the utmost regularity of system, is yet exemplifying infinite diversities. Henry Ward Beecher. Sure there is music even in the beauty, and the silent note which Cupid strikes, far sweeter than the sound of an instrument. For there is music wherever there is harmony, order and proportion; and thus far we may maintain the music of the spheres; for those well ordered motions, and regular paces, though they give no sound unto the ear, yet to the understanding they strike a note most full of harmony. Sir Thomas Browne. Memory depends very much on the perspicuity, regularity, and order of our thoughts. Many complain of the want of memory, when the defect is in the judgment; and others, by grasping at all, retain nothing. Thomas Fuller. Blessedness consists in the accomplishment of our desires, and in our having only regular desires. Saint Augustine. The motions of the comets are exceedingly regular, and they observe the same laws as the motions of the planets, but they differ from the motions of vortices in every particular and are often contrary to them. Isaac Newton. Proportion is that agreeable harmony between the several parts of a building, which is the result of a just and regular agreement of them with each other; the height to the width, this to the length, and each of these to the whole. Vitruvius. Punctuality is the stern virtue of men of business, and the graceful courtesy of princes. Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton. To be faithful in prayer it is indispensable that we arrange all the activities of the day with a regularity that nothing can disturb. Francois Fenelon. The human understanding of its own nature is prone to suppose the existence of more order and regularity in the world than it finds. Francis Bacon. Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work. Gustave Flaubert. Habit is a cable; we weave a thread of it each day, and at last we cannot break it. Horace Mann. 

Article summary. I don’t see my children, grand children, great grandchildren every day. I think of them always. I make it a habit to “reach out and touch” my two living children everyday. I don’t feel comfortable and at ease if I don’t. In this day and age I have the capability to “reach out and touch” some of my family virtually. I realize it is not a physical touch. It’s the closest I can get and though it doesn’t touch physically it does touch emotionally and spiritually. It is a bond and a connection. So...the reason I picked this article. The title to the article is Touch creates a healing bond in health care. Richard Gunderman, Chancellor's Professor of Medicine, Liberal Arts, and Philanthropy, Indiana University. Brian LeLand, Fellow, Section of Pediatric Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine. At theconversation.com. It opened with an interesting comment. Doctors seem to be sending less time with patients. It seems that machinery is helping them to move through the “system” more quicky allowing less time for small helpful personal contact with each.  Then it goes on to say that with all the modern technology aids in the moments of few contacts are shorter. And yet, the article goes to say the “physician’s hand remains one of medicine’s most valuable diagnostic tools” with that touch also adds a bond. The article goes on to say there are situation where touch would and could do more than words to turn things around. I was interested in the section of the article that related about Native American healers “relying” on touch as an “essential” part of treatment. That thought along with mentioning that kings and queens believed in the “royal touch”, a “laying on of hands to heal”. Some other things that were mentioned was that safety is not altered by a touch, that well being for family members is enhanced by touching, thirdly a touch for an ill child helps the parent feel useful in the care of the child. Touching is a sense of connection. Touching is free and is a powerful healing tool.

I think we will have meatloaf for dinner. 

Photos in my life today

The first for today is another of “my choice” and another of my series of black and white. It is a musical instrument, my dulcimer, that I use to play many years ago.

Next is a challenge called “food”, a stalk of celery and a bunch of carrots fit that title. 

Lastly is “on the ground”. I used a painterly filter on this one. It is from my archives, shot in the fall. 

Joy

                                 only slightly broken