September 18, 2026 a thought for today, The old man shows what the young man was. Swedish Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

My first challenge was “I use this daily”. This is where the biggest part of the day, every day, is spent, at my computer. Just think when computers came along, in my life time by the way, I didn’t want to have anything to do with them. Look at me now. Times really do change. 

The second upload was “my choice” and is one of my series of “sepia”. This one is of the sky line of my
home town. 

The last assignment yesterday was “memory”. I went through my archives of photos from my earlier life. This is my father with my first two children. 

Life today. Another of those topsy-turvy days. I normally look forward to Fridays as it is generally the end of a full week. There was an added problem for me to examine and solve for today. I had set up the church web page several years ago. There hasn’t been much to add to it in the past few years so I have not put in much time on it. There seemed to be more current things to manage. Anyway there was a request to take some old and out dated information out it. When I made an attempt to do that I found that there had been a number of changes to it, it was unfamiliar. I am not a professional web designer. We had also been late on payment so we had to re-instate ourselves. This morning I spent about two hours trying to get to the root of the problem. Finally there was light at the end of the tunnel. After several “chat” sessions with the techs on the other end the problem was solved. It looks like we are good to go for a while now at least. 

Before I attempted that I got the first steps on the church newsletter done. That makes two rather lengthy projects assigned to me under control. So a successful day and with a great deal of stress relief. 

I managed to get a start on the letter and photos, as well a touch of time on my book, my placards and the Christmas calendar. I think its time to put the brakes on and slow down a little before I get on line to make my grocery pick up order. 

The word to ponder today is discover. I have discovered that all human evil comes from this, man's being unable to sit still in a room. Blaise Pascal. All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. Galileo Galilei. Perhaps, after all, America never has been discovered. I myself would say that it had merely been detected. Oscar Wilde. We are generally the better persuaded by the reasons we discover ourselves than by those given to us by others. Blaise Pascal. 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. You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. Plato. By learning to discover and value our ordinariness, we nurture a friendliness toward ourselves and the world that is the essence of a healthy soul. Thomas Moore. I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. Henry David Thoreau. 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. I see men ordinarily more eager to discover a reason for things than to find out whether the things are so. Michel de Montaigne. The more intelligent a man is, the more originality he discovers in men. Ordinary people see no difference between men. Pascal. I was like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me. Isaac Newton. The greatest and noblest pleasure which men can have in this world is to discover new truths; and the next is to shake off old prejudices. Frederick The Great. Life has its own hidden forces which you can only discover by living. Soren Kierkegaard. What is grace? It is the inspiration from on high: it is love; it is liberty. Grace is the spirit of law. This discovery of the spirit of law belongs to Saint Paul; and what he calls "grace" from a heavenly point of view, we, from an earthly point, call "rigtheousness." Victor Hugo.

Article summary. Here is an article about two of my fondest subjects in life, art and animals. So I thought it would be nice to add to my intellectual base and to share with others. It may give insight into the working of many artists methods of looking at life and forming their art. The title is Leonardo da Vinci saw in animals the ‘image of the world’. Arielle Saiber, Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures, Bowdoin College. At theconversation.com. The author opened by mentioning how while she was teaching a class at UCLA they “investigated” how in history “Italian Renaissance writers conveyed their concepts about the human through writing about the nonhumans”. When saying nonhuman she was referring to “plants, animals, objects, angels, demons, gods and God”. She said that after a short time of the “investigation” in the class she became more “attuned to nonhuman entities” and how she is more aware and careful of their “vibrant lives”. One of the writers (artists) they studied was Leonardo da Vinci. The class observed much of the thousands of pages of his writings that in unbound manuscripts are called his “Notebooks” they found descriptions of the “natural world and its inhabitants”. In one of his passages called the “Treatise on Water” they found distinct descriptions of how he saw a human is composed and called him a “world in miniature”. He is made of “earth, water, air and fire” and then more is written about the human “framework” and the works of the body’s blood stream so “the body of the earth has its ocean tide which likewise rises and falls … ”. As the missive moved on it is said the unlike others of his time da Vinci he thought and wrote  “animals, he wrote, are “the image of the world ” apparently meaning they “reflect the Earth, just as we do”. The article said that da Vinci never questioned that humans were not superior to the other animals kingdoms only that they were not necessarily “less beautiful, soulless, or lacked intelligence”. The article brought forward that further in some of his writings he compared animals as sometimes “looking better” than humans. In his writings he said man can be “fain and false, animals have but little, but it is useful and true, and a small truth is better than a great lie.” In his writings he said animals are “faster and stronger and able to fly, and they are not “bestial” to one another”, by “bestial” I believe he meant not as destructive to one another on purpose as humans can be. In the article it pointed out that in da Vinci’s writings as well as others of that time in nature it is shown that animals “ate each other” but only because “life is compelled to reproduce and endure” and a way to “keep numbers down” although he never specifically wrote about eating meat. Leonardo studied and wrote about the animal kingdom and “depicted” them in his art in all sorts of areas of life and its happenings. Some of his art work “contrasted” them as humans to reveal their strength and wisdom. Much of his writings and paintings used animals to depict how humans can be unkind, violent and inflict “terrible fates”. The article proclaims that in da Vinci’s paintings animals are “alive with motion and, seemingly, emotion”. In the article the author point out many of his famous paintings as she writes of these descriptions. Some of those paintings are St. Jerome in the Wilderness, Lady with an Ermine, The Virgin and the Child with Saint Anne. I like this author’s descriptions taken from what she gathered in her research about Leonardo da Vinci’s work that his body of work offers “forces that teach us about ourselves and challenge our sense of human primacy”. She points out that his work attempts to break down the “wall” between “us” and “them”. She ends by saying “we’re all in this together.”

I think it is DoorDash pizza for dinner tonight. 

Photos in my life today

The first challenge today is “errands”. This was taken on one of my visits to pick up my groceries at curb side.

The next assignment is another of the “my choice” and another of my “sepia”
series. This was also taken on my trip for pick up groceries. 

The last upload is “unexpected”. This is my feeble attempt to get a shot of an eclipse. It’s not the best artistically or scientifically but interesting nonetheless. 

Joy

this is another of my images on my photo gallery wall at church. Here is the word on the placard Lone Row Boat -lone rowboat resting on calm water leaving a feel of peaceful presence and a sanctuary, offering sense of human humility and labor, the smooth surface on the water mirrors a still soul, there is a quiet hidden message that you never row through life completely by yourself, the drifting or resting boat speaks of quiet prayer and holy solitude. 

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)

 September 16, 2026 a thought for today Better to suffer for the truth than be rewarded for a lie. Swedish Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

The first challenge was “in the laundry”. This the beginning of my weeks worth of laundry. I have gotten away from a laundry “basket”. I use this net bag instead. I can hide it in my closet. 

The next assignment was “my choice” and it is one of my series of “sepia”. This is another of my series that was taken of one of my neighbor’s homes. 

The last upload was “shadow”. As I was making the bed, I happened to see this shadow from the early morning sun on my bedside table. Every now and then I see something unexpected and grab my camera. 

Life today. Yesterday Rebecca took me to see Jefferson’s art exhibit  in the Short North art district. He has a great display. I got several photos of his work so that I can print some and share with the friends at church. 

This is one of those days where I have lost control of my timing. The bulletin has been done so that was no problem but I had some of the side things I do when I am getting ready for the printing. I have the envelopes to print and stamp. I also put together activity sheets for all of my great grandchildren. I get those together to mail at the same time at the bulletins, it saves me a separate trip to the post office. In getting ready for the visit to the church for the printing I also get some of the placards for the gallery wall photos ready to attach while I am at the church. I do them a few at a time until I get all thirty-five photos done.  

I did a little work on the Christmas calendars. I also took time to get the dishes done. I have been doing some bits of down sizing each day. At my age a little a day is about all I can handle. 

Lowell stopped to fix the side mirror on my car. It looks as good as new. He also took a look at the humidifier. It needed some further adjustments. 

The weather is great today, another early autumn day, maybe a bit more on the warm side than usual for September but comfortable.  

I just took a break to get the meatloaf made and a potato in to bake. 

The word to ponder today is direct. The great thing in this world is not so much where you stand, as in what direction you are moving. Oliver Wendell Holmes. Reason should direct and appetite obey. Cicero. The wisest men follow their own direction. Euripides. The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future life. Plato. Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate. Sun-tzu. Desultory reading is delightful, but to be beneficial, our reading must be carefully directed. Seneca. The number of books will grow continually, and one can predict that a time will come when it will be almost as difficult to learn anything from books as from the direct study of the whole universe. It will be almost as convenient to search for some bit of truth concealed in nature as it will be to find it hidden away in an immense multitude of bound volumes. Denis Diderot. Go Confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined. Henry David Thoreau. If we don't change our direction we're likely to end up where we're headed. Chinese Proverb. As the flectcher whittles and makes straight his arrows, so the master directs his straying thoughts. Buddha. The highest manifestation of life consists in this: that a being governs its own actions. A thing which is always subject to the direction of another is somewhat of a dead thing. Thomas Aquinas. 

Article summary. I have often wondered about why a persons’ mood is what is when waking from a night’s sleep. I think it may relate to this “day dreaming, mind wandering and rumination” in some form or manner. The chemistry and other physical happening as including night dreams must have an affect on a mood also. The title is Daydreams, mind wandering and rumination: What you think about can affect your feelings and mood. Julia Kam, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary. Caitlin Mills,  Associate Professor, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota. Jessica Andrews-Hanna. Associate Professor, Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science Program, University of Arizona. At theconversation.com. It opened by pointing out that we all have thoughts “pass through our mind” on and off all day long. We may have a mindful glimpse of a vacation, a memorable conversation, some news item any and all of these “have wide-ranging impacts on how we function”. These authors and others have done research and found that many of these thoughts are tied to “emotional well-being”. They feel that in searching the subject they want to gather an understanding of how these memory patterns “arise” feeling that that will help find a way to handle or prevent any negative situations that develop from the remembering. They feel this will, in the long run, manage stress and mental health. This group of scientists and authors studied students during a week with some surveys about everyday types of thoughts they had and how they felt. One thing they found was that some said they had a worse mood when they had “off-task” thoughts, they called this “mind-wandering”. They also found that if the students said they felt a better mood when they had been about to control their thoughts, and when the thoughts “flowed freely” from one to another. To further their studies they wanted to discover is the “content of people’s thoughts matter for their mood”. They found that “off-task” thoughts made the mood worse seemingly because the person was unable to control them and they were on negative things. Better moods were found to come when thoughts were more positive and moved easily from one thing to another. In trying to find ways to control this pattern they suggest to try finding a “mindful state of awareness” where you are not “judging yourself” along with “acknowledging that negative thoughts come and go”. Next, try to build thoughts that are positive. It should also be noted that “how you feel may also impact what you think about”. 

I didn’t do the meat loaf and baked potato the other day when I had planned to.  I got to busy just before dinner. I think I will retry today.

Photos in my life today

My first upload today is another “my choice”. This is another in my series of series of “sepia”. I tried something a little different here. I change an image I had with a black background and a colored subject matte to sepia. I like the affect.   

My second challenge today was “outside today”. I heard the neighbor outside mowing his lawn and grabbed the camera for this shot. 

My last assignment is “bathtub”. There’s not much you can do to make the
image standout when it is a bathtub....so here it is, plain and simple.

Joy 

this bonus image is one that is hung on the photo gallery wall at church. This is on the attached placard: Abstract Shapes and Colors-visual meditation on the convergence of humanity, divinity, and the unfolding promises, using an image to translate spiritual realities into meaningful textures, blues, living water; green, new beginning and hope; tan/beige, humanity; splashes of red, sacrifice and redemption, hues of tan and beige establish a foundation of divine peace, providing a quiet, anchoring balance.

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)

 September 14, 2026, a thought for today, The eyes believe their own evidence, the ears that of others. Swedish Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

The first challenge for yesterday was “a plant I haven’t killed”. This is in one of my four window gardens. It is one of my miniature roses. 

The next challenge is “parallel lines”. I shot several of these kinds of images
in church. The architecture in this church is beautiful and outstanding. 

The last upload for yesterday was “food”. I picked part of a shelf in my frig for this image. 

Life today. This is another one of those days that I “over booked myself” time wise that is, trying to get too many things done in a specified amount of time. It seems when I have done this to myself I have picked one of the things that were only supposed to take about ten minutes to finish, then I get so interested that it ends up closer to an hour before I make myself stop and move onto the list.

One big thing on my list for Mondays is the church bulletin. That was done in about an hour and sent out for review. 

I have started another daily project where I take a beak from one thing before I start another. Between the two, I brush  Bobbi. She has been developing fur balls. She is quite picky about her “coat”. She seems to groom herself quite often. I bought a special rubber brush.  She loves it. I also put a bit of pumpkin in her food to help with her digestion. 

So at this point I have most of the check boxes checked. I will finish those and get to the photo uploads and emails. 

The weather today started out on the cool side. Now it is a very nice ‘almost’ autumn day. 

The word to ponder today is despair.  Every composer knows the anguish and despair occasioned by forgetting ideas which one had no time to write down. Hector Berlioz. Never despair; but if you do, work on in despair. Edmund Burke. Appetite, with an opinion of attaining, is called hope; the same, without such opinion, despair. Thomas Hobbes. Discouragement is simply the despair of wounded self-love. Francois de Fenelon. He who labors diligently need never despair; for all things are accomplished by diligence and labor. Menander. Love seeketh not itself to please, Nor for itself hath any care, But for another gives its ease, And builds a Heaven in Hell's despair. William Blake. It is necessary to work, if not from inclination, at least from despair. Everything considered, work is less boring than amusing oneself. Charles Baudelaire. What we call our despair is often only the painful eagerness of unfed hope. George Eliot. Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace! Where there is hatred let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy. Saint Francis of Assisi. To be thoroughly conversant with a man's heart, is to take our final lesson in the iron-clasped volume of despair. Edgar Allan Poe. He who learns must suffer, and, even in our sleep, pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God. Aeschylus. In idleness there is a perpetual despair. Thomas Carlyle. Despair ruins some, presumption many. Benjamin Franklin. The depth of our despair measures what capability and height of claim we have to hope. Thomas Carlyle.

Article summary. When I came across the title, I was thinking that though it is pertaining to school there may be ideas and information helpful to all of us in the age of technology. The title is Do mobile devices in the classroom really improve learning outcomes? Matthew Lynch Dean, Syphax School of Education, Psychology & Interdisciplinary Studies, Virginia Union University. At the conversation.com. As it opened it mentioned something that most of us have observed by now that “mobile devices as teaching tools” have become a common part of education. It mentioned that 58 percent of teachers own smart phones. I learned from that that is 10 percent points higher that the “national average of for adults”. It further noted that those teachers are including in some of their lesson plans  encouraging students to”bring-your-own-device policies” as in iPads. As it moves on into the descriptions of these plans it asks “is it a trend for attention” or a technology boost or “a flashy way to accomplish the same things as analog instruction”. Then it goes on to point out some research results. There were teachers asked about mobile technology, 73 percent reported using technology in the classroom. English teachers used it more than math teachers. Many of the teachers said they believed “digital literacy courses to be successful academically and beyond”. In one incident they found in some ages three to seven when they played a popular child’s game on a mobile app their vocabulary was improved  by 32 percent. Another test with students on a math project those who used “iOSapp Statisticcs1" improvement was found in their final grade. Teachers feel the kids get “more engaged” in the class room when using digital devices. The article mentions, as we know, that there can be a back side to this question of teaching as there are in many benefits in life. In this case teachers’ authority may be “undermined”. In the case of “bring your own device” there may be the idea that some students are “more privileged” than others. There are “privacy” issues with devices offered by the school, in respect to the devices being allowed to be used at home, those issues come in to play. There are types of mobile tech equipment that works better in classrooms. E-readers allow for immediate updates in information that traditional textbooks can’t. It mentions that there are “individual mobile modules” that allow students to work at their own pace. Then there are the “text-response programs”, on line schooling allowing “real-time” feedback including texting from the teacher to and from students. Another feature of mobile learning is he “cloud”. Information can be sent to the cloud and picked up at a phone, tablet or computer somewhere else and shared with others as necessary or as chosen. In coming to an end the article read “when used the right way, mobile technology has the potential to help students learn more and comprehend that knowledge” better. In my own opinion I agree that to keep up with sociality the use of digital means needs to be learned and used but so does the “old-fashioned way” in the event digital hits a black out or something else unforseen. 

Photos in my life today

My first challenge is “almost bedtime”. I forgot to get the capture last night before bed so I had to unmake the bed for this shot. 

My next assignment is “my choice” and is one of my series of “sepia”. This is one of my neighborhood. I like sepia. It is much like black and white that seems to make a difference in how the image feels. 

The last upload is “s is for....”. I chose Bobbi as she was sleeping on top of a
pile of my old news papers. 

I think I will make meat loaf and baked potatoes for dinner. 

Joy

this is the words for this photo hanging in the gallery-Wine Glass full of Cherries- wine glass of red cherries remind as a symbol of the communion cup, clear stem and bowl show purity to hold precious remembrance,  clustered fruit represents the gathered community of believers, brimming glass illustrates the Psalm that says, "My cup overflows”, the cherries speaks of the joy and peace found in walking with the Spirit

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)

September 12, 2026 a thought for today, Soft words hurt not the mouth. Swedish Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

The first upload yesterday was “behind the scene”. It is a view I see from my desk almost every day all day. The weather changes looking out the window and the photo display change on my Frameo on a regular basis. 

The next challenge was “my choice” and “black and white” from series. This
on is one of my four window boxes.

The last upload for yesterday was “grandparents”. This is a photo of a sketch my sister did from a very old photo. 

Life today. It has been a busy Saturday. Lowell has made some calls to take care of three items that needed looked in to here at the house. So he called to let me know about the times of those. 

There was a special upload for church that has run into a bump that Patti and I have to figure out. In the mean time I used a sort of  “stop gap” to fill in until we get the web page problem settled. I uploaded some important information to our facebook and instagram pages to help out. 

I had already made a start on this letter so I it was about time to leave for the Saturday curbside grocery pick up. It was pouring down rain. When I talked to the girl who would bring the groceries out I told her to put on some rain gear. When she came out there was no rain gear. She said she didn’t have any. I was under the assumption that Kroger would supply that kind of thing for their employees when they had to be in and out of the weather. 

I got the photos done a little while ago, well up to the point of upload at least. 

Here is some family info, Tami and Andy have a new puppy to house break, Rebecca is arranging for us to go see Jefferson’s art at the Short North exhibit, Matt and family are in California seeing some aweson sites. Natalie helped with Bobbi’s nails, and I am still trying to get my gear setup and woking for irutal visits to Kim , Mick, William and Ben. William and Ben have become Boy Scouts.....good to see that. 

The rain has let up temporatirly maybe long enough for the OSU foot ball game. 

The word for today is desire.  It is foolish to wish for beauty. Sensible people never either desire it for themselves or care about it in others. If the mind be but well cultivated, and the heart well disposed, no one ever cares for the exterior. Anne Bronte. Dwell not upon thy weariness, thy strength shall be according to the measure of thy desire. Arab Proverb. I hope that I may always desire more than I can accomplish. Michelangelo Buonarroti. The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise. Marcus Claudius Tacitus. Desires are only the lack of something: and those who have the greatest desires are in a worse condition than those who have none, or very slight ones. Plato. Everyone believes very easily whatever they fear or desire. Jean de La Fontaine. The stoical scheme of supplying our wants by lopping off our desires, is like cutting off our feet when we want shoes. Jonathan Swift. Stranger, if you passing meet me and desire to speak to me, why should you not speak to me? And why should I not speak to you? Walt Whitman. He who does not desire power is fit to hold it. Plato. Experience, as a desire for experience, does not come off. We must not study ourselves while having an experience. Friedrich Nietzsche. There is nothing capricious in nature and the implanting of a desire indicates that its gratification is in the constitution of the creature that feel it. Ralph Waldo Emerson. There is no fear for one whose mind is not filled with desires. Gautama Buddha. The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. Proverbs 13:4. Boredom: the desire for desires. Leo Tolstoy. The thing we long for, that we are For one transcendent moment. James Russell Lowell.

Article summary. I have always felt that dogs one breed or another aren’t born to attack or to be vicious. Somehow that trait is learned or encouraged just as it is in a human. So when I saw his article title I decided to have a look to learn from another view and to share”. The title is Dog aggression has little to do with breed, so test the owners. Rachel Casey, Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare, University of Bristol. At theconversation.com. It begins by mentioning the stories we have all heard about how a child has been injured by a dog. It goes on to say again what we have heard, that it must be the breed and that was why the dog was apt to be vicious. The author mentions that in some research she was involved in a survey conducted by asking owners of dogs questions about any “aggressive behavior in their dogs, such as growling, lunging, barking and biting”. The survey went on to ask questions about three situations about any aggressive behavior toward family members, unfamiliar people coming in the house and unfamiliar people outside the house. They asked if there was any aggression if it happened in more than one situation and if there was some sign that a particular age of the dog as well as breed and of  person may have been an influence. They found that “those that are aggressive towards family members rarely do so towards unfamiliar people, and vice versa”.The found that if there was a tendency toward aggression there was a “back story”. The article wanted to let people know that any dog can “potentially” be aggressive if in certain circumstances. People approaching a dog without asking the owner first may be adding to a “dangerous” outcome. And owners should realize that their “best friend”, being the dog, may feel anxious or threatened. Owners should keep in mind those facts as well as recognizing any early signs. They should also realize a puppy will learn in his/her early life will lean from how humans behave toward them and  affect their personality. The breed of the dog may be of some thoughtfulness due to how that breed may be used as in a hunting life style or a herding life style. Another place where breed may enter the picture is to consider the size that the dog will be when fully grown. Then here is how dogs are treated can make them aggressive, in my opinion that is common sense. There are training classes all around that people can attend with the pet to assure control and methods of care that can be helpful to both the animal and the trainer/owner. When I was much younger the “dangerous” dog was the German Shepard. In more current years it has been the Pit Bull. In both cases I have known wonderful, loving pets in both breeds. I did a little other research on the subject and came up with these suggestions: socialization is important in many cases. Exposing  a puppy to new people and animals can be fearful for them if not handled carefully. Also “Failing to train large dogs” can increase aggressive habits.

It’s going to be goulash or chicken strips for dinner. 

Photos in my life today

My first challenge is “favorite spot”. This my lounge chair. I head to this chair after dinner and clean up. I do my readings, spiritual and readings for relaxation, as well as memories games. 

My second assignment for today is “abandoned house or barn”. I used an abandoned business. I am not close to old barns and there don’t seem to be any abandoned house nearby. 

My last upload today is “bottles”. These are bottle that make it a pleasure to
relax and drink some water, they are decorative. 

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)

 September 10, 2026 a thought for today, A wise man has his tongue in his heart. Swedish Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

The first challenge was “ my commute”. It is my reliable Ford Focus. It is nearly fourteen years old but is still good lookin’ and gets me where I want to go. 

The next assignment is “my choice” and one of my series of “black and
white”. This is a full ivy of Morning Glories on my chain link fence. 

The last upload for yesterday was “swing”. This is my porch swing. I have lived in this house for over fifty years and have had a porch swing in very sport for all of those years. 

Life today. This has been another productive day. Thursday, printing day, is done. I had taken a bag of yarn with me this morning to drop off in our “fall sale” room for our upcoming annual sale. So that I wouldn’t have to travel one of the sets of stairs twice, I took a different route through the halls and Sanctuary to place the bulletins. I had left the bag inside the entry door at the top of the stairs. Since I was changing my direction I ended up at the top of that stairway, where the bag was, without having posted the bulletin in the lower level as I usually do. I picked up the bag, went down the stairs. I put the bag in place and posted the bulletin.

When I got back upstairs, I was able to get three more of my “placards” placed on photos on the gallery wall. Andy and Tami had helped with hanging some of the photos so some are a little higher than I can comfortably reach. I had a bit of a problem replacing two of the images but it got done. 

When I had stopped at the mail box, I realized I should probably get some gas. So I made that stop. 

Once at home it was back to my “check list”, started some sun tea and put the laundry in the washer. Before I could put the laundry in, I noticed that the “message” light on the new humidifier was indicating that the container needed emptied. So I tended to that, getting my slippers and socks wet in the process. 

 put on dry socks and other slippers I worked on the photos. Now every thing is about ready for uploads. Then I will be heading into the end of the day. 

I heard on the news today that this is actually the hottest season ever recorded. It has been an odd summer. First monumental rains then heat passed any experienced in my eighty plus years and then another more than usual rain visits. 

The word to ponder today is desire. Study without desire spoils the memory, and it retains nothing that it takes in. Leonardo da Vinci. Man is the only animal whose desires increase as they are fed; the only animal that is never satisfied. Henry George. 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. The habit of giving only enhances the desire to give. Walt Whitman. He who reigns within himself and rules his passions, desires, and fears is more than a king. John Milton. He who desires, but acts not, breeds pestilence. William Blake. If thou desire the love of God and man, be humble, for the proud heart, as it loves none but itself, is beloved of none but itself. Humility enforces where neither virtue, nor strength, nor reason can prevail. Francis Quarles. Those who cannot tell what they desire or expect, still sigh and struggle with indefinite thoughts and vast wishes. Ralph Waldo Emerson. Manifest plainness, Embrace simplicity, Reduce selfishness, Have few desires. Lao-tzu. All men by nature desire knowledge. Aristotle. Three things are necessary for the salvation of man: to know what he ought to believe; to know what he ought to desire; and to know what he ought to do. Saint Thomas Aquinas. Where there is much desire to learn, there of necessity will be much arguing, much writing, many opinions; for opinions in good men is but knowledge in the making. John Milton. Few men desire liberty: The majority are satisfied with a just master. Sallust. Let your desires be ruled by reason.(Appetitus Rationi Pareat) Cicero. 

Article summay. This article title caught my eye when I was thinking of something about “a stitch in time”. It looked interesting so I pulled it open. The title is Your body has an internal clock that dictates when you eat, sleep and might have a heart attack – all based on time of day.  Shogo Sato, Assistant Professor of Biology, Texas A&M University. At theconversation.com. It begins by mentioning how jet lag and daylight savings has brought attention to what some researchers call “biological clock” also called in the article, “master pacemaker”.  These terms mean how the brain “coordinates” our breathing, blood pressure, sleep, digestion, and more, all unconsciously. Humans aren’t the only beings affected by the biological clock. Others sharing this order of things to name a few are birds, fish, mammals, even plants and flowers. This “clock” is “essential to health and well-being” of all. The article brought a point I had not remembered in a long time, more heart attacks and strokes happen early in the day, biology at work on a sort of time schedule. It further pointed out something else, mental disorders, obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases are affect by the fabric of night and day. Apparently our behaviors can be “modified” to “take advantage” of these happening by “syncing your endocrine system to environmental light-dark cycles”. Some of the things that can be “controlled” would be the time of day we eat to control obesity and other “diseases”. Depression is affected by light and dark. The time of day medication is taken has affects. Personalities are considered in the time of day of our lives. There are morning people and night people where “personality might be shaped”. There have been tests on how the time of day exercise can affect the body. On this point, time of day for exercise, I did some other research and found: exercise in the morning is more useful for weight control, afternoon, strength, evening (not close to bed time) to relieve stress. In the article it states that morning exercise reduces blood glucose best and that we should learn to time our daily exercise to “meet your personal health goals”. In coming to an end the article mentions that there are more studies going on in the effects of night and day, light and dark, mood and health in the area of the “biological clock” and its purposes. In the mean time we should “synchronize our internal clocks for better health”. Suggestions like how light “triggers” the endocrine system to product vitamin D. Be active during the day so sleep comes a little easier, avoid caffeine and “reducing your exposure to artificial light before bedtime.”

I am making a quick chicken cacciatore for my dinner (trying to make up my mind, have it over pasta or rice).  

Photos in my life today

My first upload for today is “something new”. I don’t shop often so I don’t have anything “new”. Idecided to take this photo and share it as a new tank of gasoline. 

The next challenge is another of “my choice” and another of my “black and white” series. My dining room table with a of my spiritual reading on the table along a view beyond the table. 

That last assignment is “purple”. This is the hooded blanket that I received for
Christmas and wore almost all winter when I was home. 

Joy 

the bonus image is one I have on the church gallery wall with this note on the attached placard: Red Caboose - metaphor for God's protecting grace, Symbol of Protection-The Rear Guard, Isaiah 52:12 -  the “Lord goes before them the God of Israel is their rear guard” God often chooses the lowly to accomplish mighty rescues, red- symbolizing the redemption and protection

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)

 September 8, 2026 a thought for today, Experience is a long road. Swedish Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

The first challenge was “in motion”. I have a quiet neighborhood. There seems to be little in motion except for maybe someone walking their dog or someone watering the lawn especially early on Labor Day so I chose my flag as it was moving in the breeze. 

The second assignment was “1st person I saw”. Naturally it was me, myself, so I took a mirror shot of part of myself. Sue wasn’t up until after I had this one done and there was no one walking a dog when I needed it. 

The last upload was “my choice” and on of my series of “black and white”. His is a peaceful corner of my front porch. 

Life today. It has been one of those beautiful days, all list items are being checked off successfully (sounds like a business office.....not). It was time for Bobbi’s monthly pedicure by a professional Veterinary Nurse (my patient and loving granddaughter). I had to keep an eye on Bobbi until Natalie could get here because once Bobbi knows or even senses someone is in dangerous proximity to the house she hides in places (somewhere in my house) unbeknownst to any human and beyond the pain of pulling a tooth to find her. 

After Natalie got the beautification procedure over, we were able to chat for a while. There was one point in the conversation that I felt vindicated. It was a point that in other conversations with other parties I have been the “outsider” on a topic, this time I found that I have an advocate. That’s always a relief and rewarding. 

When Natalie left Sue left for an errand and I left for another errand. I needed to stop at the bank then I needed to buy Bobbi a hair brush. She has been “grooming” herself too much. I think I need to give her a hand. 

I think I have finally figured out how to get to the list of my favorite TV show on this all consuming list of shows on the “smart” tv. It has taken about a week to ten days of trial and error to get to this point. 

I am about to finish up my list for the day and fix some supper. 

The word to ponder today is depend.  What we become depends on what we read after all of the professors have finished with us. The greatest university of all is a collection of books. Thomas Carlyle.  To be poor and dependent is very nearly an impossibility. William Cobbett. Cheerfulness, it would appear, is a matter which depends fully as much on the state of things within, as on the state of things without and around us. Charlotte Bronte. Remember that what you believe will depend very much on what you are. Noah Porter. Depend not on fortune, but on conduct. Publilius Syrus. The secret of a good memory is attention, and attention to a subject depends upon our interest in it. We rarely forget that which has made a deep impression on our minds. Tryon Edwards. If your morals make you dreary, depend on it , they are wrong. Robert Louis Stevenson. The man least dependent upon the morrow goes to meet the morrow most cheerfully. Epicurus. It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude. Ralph Waldo Emerson. I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crises. The great point is to bring them the real facts. Abraham Lincoln. America does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own. John Quincy Adams . . . the goodness of the will depends on the intention of the end. Saint Thomas Aquinas. Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others. Buddha. A simple and independent mind does not toil at the bidding of any prince. Henry David Thoreau. 

Article summary. I have a “dry sense of humor” so I don’t laugh easily. It has to be something like a person walking into a closed door and falling on their behind. I am reading an author who has accomplished something most don’t for me. In his writings there is a character who is very tall and very heavy. Some of his explanations of her outfits and/or actions bring an instant and spontanious belly laugh on my part. That feels good. I have grown to like that person and love the author. The title is  Laughter can communicate a lot more than good humor – people use it to smooth social interactions. Adrienne Wood, Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Virginia. At theconversation.com. In the first paragraph it noted some of the physical responses to laughter, throws the head back, double over, and it helps us connect with others. As a side point and next was something I had not considered, animals other than humans also laugh. I researched a little further and found that there are over 60 species of animals that laugh. Now back to laugher itself, it can be called a “play signal” that can lead to social interactions. It did however say we can laugh due to “embarrassment, politeness, nervousness and derision”. One suggestion is that it can make an “awkward exchange” or a misunderstanding be smoothed over. Another point I found interesting in this article is that some people who “laugh more enjoyed the conversations less”. On the other hand if you enjoy talking and feel good in the conversation there is no need to laugh. Some tones of laughter can be controlled depending on what you want to “communicate”. The article points out three kinds of laughter. One kind is reward laughter, a kind that is playful and enjoyable. There is one called “affiliation laughter”, to “reassure, appease and soothe”. The affiliation laughter is apparently the most common in everyday communication. The last type listed is “dominance laughter”, this one follows a “nonserious message” and the joke or event is not taken seriously. In ending the article it is said that there is no such thing as a fake laugh. Laughter has a “genuine social function” to travel through “complex social interactions” a way to “ensure no one takes themselves too seriously.”

I didn’t have the bean soup I planned for a couple of nights ago, guess I will have it tonight. 

Photos in my life today

My first upload for today is “something old”. This is a menu from a neighborhood restaurant that closed
many, many years ago. 

The second challenge was “my choice” and another of my series of “black and white”. This image is an abandoned restaurant that was demolished to make room for a new building and business. 

The last challenge is “night”. I was on a front porch when I captured this
image of the house across the street as darkness was subsiding. 

Joy

My bonus image today was one I took just as I was starting the morning. Bobbi is enjoying a short nap under the pink carnations

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