October 30, 2019 thought for the day: If you want something, go yourself, if not, send somebody else. Hungarian Proverb

It has been a relatively busy day, busier than the earlier two this week. I got the virtual visits done early so that I could go to the store before I had to get ready to leave for church. I need to make meat balls for the dogs today. I also needed to pick up candy for beggars night.

After I got home from the store and before I left for food pantry I paid the bills....that is one of my least favorite jobs. So it’s done and out of the way for a month.

For October twenty-ninth’s photo and because I had a full schedule, I searched some nearby lawns to find something of interest. My neighbors on both sides decorate nicely for the holidays. For today’s I chose the neighbor to the north.

On the way home from church I was on the look out for photos, as is my usual habit now days. I shot a few but I will have to wait until post processing to see which one I am going to use.

It’s raining...and is supposed to for the rest of today and all of tomorrow.

I was also able to finish the bulletin before I left for the store so I got it to the, now three proofreaders instead of two. By the time I got home they had all three responded so I made the adjustments when I got home from pantry. Now I am ready to print.

The word is bright.  He that has light within his own clear breast May sit in the centre, and enjoy bright day: But he that hides a dark soul and foul thoughts Benighted walks under the mid-day sun; Himself his own dungeon, John Milton.  I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives, Ralph Waldo Emerson.  In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present, Francis Bacon.   A sage steers by the bright light of confusion and doubt, Zhuangzi.  Keep your face always toward the sunshine everything could be worse but isn't and so we are justified in being grateful - and shadows everything could be better but isn't and so it is easy to be bitter 'unless you decide to look on the bright side will fall behind you, Walt Whitman.     



On my way home from church I stopped at McDonalds. As I was sitting in line, I noticed the property next door and shot some photos as I waited my turn. I thought there was a full growth of weeds that were almost as interesting summer blooms. As a matter of fact they may have been decorative grass as apposed to weeds in the first place. Anyway, they along with the structures in the background were an interesting presentation.

It seems there is always something new in the way of housing choices in Columbus. The article today is about a specific area of Columbus. One that affects a popular part of our community, the Ohio State University. There is an area near campus called “Buckeye Village”. According to this article the village is an apartment complex that houses OSU students that are individual families. Apparently this set of buildings is going to be closed after fifty years in existence. Those graduate students and their families in these apartments will be offered housing in another area called University Village for the next two years at the price they are now paying. No answer has been given as to what will happen to the property. However, there was earlier talk about that area possibly being used as an Athletic District.

It’s going to be hot dogs and trying anew recipe for peanut butter pasta (actually with Almond Butter). I like Almond butter and I like pasta, also, the other ingredients are some of my favorites...so what the heck....lets try it. The adjusted to the recipe I found on line as follows, 2/3 cup of Almond Butter along with the oil that it comes with, 1 T. Of soy sauce, one t of rice vinegar, 1/4 t Mrs. Dash garlic powder seasoning, 1 T honey and gemelli pasta cooked in Swanson Chicken Stock.

Joy

October 28, 2019 a thought for the day:  If you don't cherish the little, you don't deserve the more.  Hungarian Proverb

It has been a “soft” day. I don’t know if that word can describe a day but it does for me. It is a day when there is no pressure to get things done. It is a day when there are people around who love and do for you. It is a day when the weather isn’t threatening by either rain or too much cold.

I got the bulletin ready for the last information which come from the minister whenever he is prepared to send it. The next few days will have a little more activity. I have two food pantry days coming up and at least one trip to the store. I haven’t got any Halloween candy in yet. And I still have bills to pay before the end of the week. I also have a training session coming up this week so it looks like today will be the quietest day for a while.

I haven’t been out in search of photos for the past three days so these there have been taken near home. On October 26, it was raining and dreary. I noticed a low hanging branch on the tree near the street. There was good color and the street in the background showed the wet pavement giving the feeling of wet and dreary with the fallen leaves.

Lowell and Rebecca were both here today helping out with a few things. They left for church and Sue left for some shopping. The house got quiet all of a sudden and a little lonely.

I got the plants that needed watered taken care of. The pine cones I planted a few days ago were showing some signs of mold so I think I am going to have to give those cones up for use in my experiment.  Since the house was still quiet, I took a look around for my photo of the day. Lowell’s truck was behind my car so I couldn’t drive through the neighborhood looking for shots. I found a couple that looked pretty good out the back door. After some post processing I’ll choose the one I like best.

Last week when things were a little slow for me, I started on my annual family calendar. It is going to be more of a challenge this year than in the past since I don’t see part of my family anymore. I hope I can make it look nice anyway.


The word is breezes.  No one knows what makes the soul wake up so happy! Maybe a dawn breeze has blown the veil from the face of God, Rumi. The breeze of grace is always blowing on you. You have to open the sails and your boat will move forward, Ramakrishna. Can man be so age-stricken that no faintest sunshine of his youth may re visit him once a year? It is impossible. The moss on our time-worn mansion brightens into beauty; and the good old pastor, who once dwelt here, renewed his prime and regained his boyhood in the genial breeze of his ninetieth spring. Alas for the worn and heavy soul, if, whether in youth or age, it has outlived its privilege of springtime sprightliness! Nathaniel Hawthorne.  Acorns are planted silently by some unnoticed breeze, Thomas Carlyle.  I've watched you now a full half-hour; Self-poised upon that yellow flower And, little Butterfly! Indeed I know not if you sleep or feed. How motionless! - not frozen seas More motionless! and then What joy awaits you, when the breeze Hath found you out among the trees, And calls you forth again! William Wordsworth.    

 I have a wonderful view of the neighborhood to the north of my house, to th South too but not with such beautiful framing. The sun was out on the twenty seventh allowing the color to come through with a more vibrant display. I like the way it frames the lines, shapes and forms of the homes in the background.

It always a good thing for animal lovers like myself to read that there has been a new addition to the zoo. This time it wasn’t at the zoo proper it was at the Wilds. The Wilds is a safari like park in South Eastern Ohio. It offers a  conservation center along and education programs. Last Wednesday a white rhinoceros was born there. She is the 21st white rhino born there in the past fifteen years. The park staff named her Scout. Her mother is five years old.  Her father is twenty one years old. She is his first off spring. Scout will be released for folks to see by Friday.

I think I will pull something from the freezer for dinner tonight, most likely the lima bean soup I made a few weeks ago.

Since I couldn’t get the car out of the driveway today, I searched around for something with color and lines. Most of the houses in this neighborhood are charming with architecture that catches the eye,

Joy


 

October 25, 2019 thought for today: If you conduct yourself properly, then fear no one. Iraqi Proverb

I started this letter a couple of days ago but got busy with church bulletins and newsletter. Here I am again. I also had to make a note to defend myself in a decision I had made and ended up in a facebook comment.

My photo for October 22 was shot as I drove through the neighborhood on my way to volunteer at the church food pantry. I am drawn to the line and shapes of architecture as is seen in this shot.

I got the Sunday morning bulletin done yesterday and had the newsletter printed yesterday. I tried printing a draft copy of the special commissioning bulletin for Sunday afternoon done but couldn’t get it printed without paper jams over and over. I emailed a copy of it to Patti, and peer and friend at church, to see if she had any idea of how to set it up so the copier/printer would take 8 ½ x14 paper without jamming. She called me later and told me the trick she had figured out to get it to copy correctly. Simply change drawers that the paper was in. That shouldn’t be necessary....it’s a good thing we have a training session with Xerox next week. We have several complaints to solve. Anyway, I went in today to finish the printing. I got 116 copies of the 150 done when the electric went off. Tony discovered that a squirrel had been killed on the electric wires outside the church and that blew the transformer. He had me call the electric company. After I called them, I left and decided to go back before church Sunday to finish the printing. Tony called later to let me know the electric was back on. I was finishing the newsletter prep on my own without help from the other ladies so I didn’t go back today.

I got the newsletters done and promised the twins that after my soap operas were over today we would make banana cookies.

On October 23 I was on my way to food pantry again while paying attention to colors and things that attract the eye. I found this holiday decoration.

The word is break.  If it were not for hopes, the heart would break, Thomas Fuller.  Sit in reverie and watch the changing color of the waves that break upon the idle seashore of the mind, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The world is full of fools; and he who would not wish to see one, must not only shut himself up alone, but must also break his looking-glass, Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux. 'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all, Alfred Lord Tennyson.  If this world could only grasp the power of forgiveness. Being able to forgive someone breaks the cycle of bitterness and vengeance, James Augustus St. John. One more,  I must be myself. I cannot break myself any longer for you, or you. If you can love me for what I am, we shall be the happier. If you cannot, I will still seek to deserve that you should, Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

After I left the church for printing the bulletin and newsletter on the 24th, I stopped at McDonalds for a bite of lunch. I noticed one of their holiday decorations and took a shot before my turn to move up in line.

What a wonderful idea. Maybe more hospitals should consider this approach to fresh and healthy food for their patients, and guests if they are used in the hospital cafeterias. Today’s article about a hospital in Michigan started their own garden for the purpose of supplying for the nutrition needs of the patients, visitors and staff. The hospital bought twenty-five acres of land at the edge of the hospital property. The lawn was converted to spaces for greenhouses and barns along with garden beds and rows of fresh vegetables. They made entry to one the greenhouse wheelchair accessible. The staff in the hospital kitchen was getting ready to handle the larger supply of fresh food. Food is supplied as a farmer market in the lobby. A group was formed named “Produce to Patients” who provide fresh vegetables and cooking tips to patients as they are discharged. One of the purposes of this “farm” is to help people stay healthy and not have to return to the hospital. They also try to see that school aged kids visit the farm. After they pick and eat the food they find they like it when before they didn’t like vegetables. One of the staff also works as a nutritionist for the Detroit Red Wings and the USA Olympic hockey teams and continues to teach the value of a fresh food diet to them. It states in the article that some of her recipes may be sold at concert venues and sports stadiums.

Finally, my photo today. When I left the church after trying to get the special Sunday afternoon bulletin done, I wandered through the neighborhood looking for interesting possibilities. I was going down an alley to get turned around and miss a one way street, I passed by an old weathered wooden privacy fence with some weeds at the bottom and a tiny vine of flowers that seemed to be growing through the fence. I named it The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

The twins didn’t like the banana cookies and I have two dozen left to be ???

It has rolled around again.....Pizza night, thank goodness.

Joy

October 21, 2019 the thought today is: To be a smart man you need to be humble. Indonesian Proverb

It has been a little boring for a Monday. I am going to have to hang on for dear life this week and being able to get a big batch of it done today would have been a big help. I have a meeting tonight,  two bulletins to do this week, the newsletter, two days of food pantry, a day of printing three documents and a day of folding and labeling and mailing. I have no information for either bulletin, I notified both ministers but don’t have an answer yet today. Most of the information on the back side of the bulletins is information from the past newsletter and/or information picked up from committee meetings so I can do those without incoming data. I get those done on my own, that much is done.

For yesterday’s photo I found my shot as I was going into church.  We have a small garden next to the walkway entering the church. I dropped my choir folder and a bag that I was carrying as I saw the possibility of a good shot and as I was fussing around getting to my camera.

I watered the house plants. I have a plexiglass shelf that attaches to the glass in a window. I have had three small house plants on them for about two months now. Today after the watering it gave up the ghost and fell with the newly watered plants. I had to make some moves for the plants. Thank goodness none of them were damaged too much in the fall. I had a little mud and water to clean up.

I saw some pine cones on the internet that someone had planted in potting soil and they sprouted tiny trees between the “blades” on the cone. My neighbor sent over some from her tree so I spent some time today planting them. Now we will wait and see.

Yesterday I made two dishes to freeze and store for the next couple of weeks. I made beef and noodles. I really miss my noodle maker. The store-bought noodles just don’t taste the same no matter how expensive they are. But this will do for now. I also made some chili and used a little of the tomato sauce I made from the neighbor’s plants. We had some of the noodles. I made smashed potatoes to go with them. They were smashed potatoes because I don’t have my Kitchen Aid, in storage, to make my delicious mashed potatoes. Again, that will do for now.

Hopefully this week will not be the horror I am expecting, I’m getting too old to “go with the flow” easily. It can be too much work at times, not as gentle as “flow” sounds. The muscle, bones and connecting parts just no longer move with the flow as they use to.

Today I had another photo of the day assignment from a second photo club I belong to. The theme was “shooting straight down”. Here is the result. It is from one of my flower beds as it prepares itself for winter. It looks like I may need to give it a little human help too.

The word today is branches.  There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root, Henry David Thoreau.  Maybe you are searching among the branches, for what only appears in the roots, Rumi.  Cultivate the root; the leaves and branches will take care of themselves, Confucius.  Truth is certainly a branch of morality and a very important one to society, Thomas Jefferson.  Exaggeration is a branch of lying, Baltasar Gracian.  You see how when rivers are swollen in winter those trees that yield to the flood retain their branches, but those that offer resistance perish, trunk and all, Sophocles. 

I like happy stories about animals. Today’s article is about a pair of rescued cougars who were saved from Montana wildfires and spent some time at the Columbus zoo. They are being transferred to A West Virginia State Wildlife Center. Their names are Lewis and Clark. When they first arrived at the zoo, they worked as ambassadors for our zoo. Naturally and thankfully they grew but that put them out of a job. That got too big for that job description so were, for a time, on exhibit at the zoo. After some discussion it was decided that they would be better off in a wildlife setting. As a bit of a back story, they were found in the 2014 by a firefighter as they suffered from smoke inhalation. Their mother was never found. They were sent to the Columbus Zoo where they were bottle fed by zoo staff. They were so treasured that they were used as ambassadors for the zoo. I’m sure the staff was sad to see them go but glad they would have a new exciting life.

I searched in my own yard for today’s photo shot. This on is of a plant I am counting on for a little color to add to the white snow that will be coming soon. Hopefully, it will give a lift to the inside of the house for those snowy months too. It is called a fire  thorn plant.

I am making hamburgers and potato soup with the smashed potatoes from last night. The potato soup is easy. Start with a white sauce, 1 - 2 T butter, 1-2 T flour, milk, enough to make a paste then thined as needed. Add the mashed potatoes and some Mrs. Dash’s onion powder spice.

Joy

October 19, 2019 thought for the day: Everyone is wise till he speaks. Irish Proverb

It’s been almost a typical Saturday. Even though the girls are here, I got to sleep in for a while. That was good especially today...Sugar had me up at 3:00 wanting out and I couldn’t get back to sleep easily. I decided she needs to have some more of a medication, actually it is a propionic,  one of her doctor’s gave her in early September. As soon as I got up, I called the vet and ordered some for pick-up later this morning.

I called Sonja down stairs to help me make pancakes. She like to help break the eggs and stir the batter. She did the sweetest thing yesterday. She was worried that I would get cold when I was sleeping where my bedroom is located in the house and brought me a heavy sheet off of her own bed.

After the girls had their pancakes, they left for a roller skating excursion. Since they didn’t want to take too much time eating their pancakes they took them like giant soft cookies, without syrup of course, wrapped in napkins.

After my virtual visits, the pancakes and changing my last family letter to a blog, I left to go pick up the meds for Sugar. Then stopped at Dollar Tree looking for a small sauce pan. As I was coming home, I was also in search of my photo of the day.

When I got home, I put in another item I just got for the newsletter and worked some more on my idea for a blog.

I just noticed on this photo, the photo of the day for yesterday, I didn’t get it completely straightened in the “digital dark room” (Photoshop). But the premise I was going for is very apparent. The lines of the slats and the shadows that they cast as well as the touch of green color.

The word is bows. The act of divine worship is the inestimable privilege of man, the only created being who bows in humility and adoration, Hosea Ballou.  Education of youth is not a bow for every man to shoot in that counts himself a teacher; but will require sinews almost equal to those which Homer gave to Ulysses, John Milton. I never will, by any word or act, bow to the shrine of intolerance or admit a right of inquiry into the religious opinions of others, Thomas Jefferson. Truths, no matter how momentous or enduring, are nothing to the individual until he appreciates them, and feels their force, and acknowledges their sovereignty. He cannot bow to their majesty until he sees their power. All the blind then, and all the ignorant--that is, all the children--must be educated up to the point of perceiving and admitting the truth, and acting according to its mandates, Horace Mann. The bow always strung ... will not do, George Eliot. I love words; they are the quoits, the bows, the staves that furnish the gymnasium of the mind, George Eliot. One more,  Stretch the bow to the very full, and you will wish you had stopped in time, Laozi. 

One of the reason’s today’s article interested me is that Bill took me on one of our rare dates after we had the kids on my first visit to a roof top resturant. I can’t remember the name of it at the moment but it was in the center of downtown Columbus. It was like going to a posh, eye widening place. I have been to a few since then. They still intrigue me, looking out over the city from a view in the sky. A new such place is opening in all of the new happenings in the Goodale neighborhood of our city. It’s called Goodale Station is on the top of the newly completed Canopy by Hilton. It is featuring New American Cuisine fro snacks to steaks, oysters and upscales chip and dips. A topping of chamomile vodka with a sprig of babies’ breath is offered for those who wish to imbibe. The Executive Chef says they hope to change the menu throughout the seasons. The resturant has a dedicated elevator entrance separate from the hotel. The eatery is located on the twelfth floor and has 200 indoor and outdoor seating along with a private dining area.

Today’s photo pick was the very strong lock on a commercial trash container. I love the color in this particular subject, I seem to be having a lot of red in this month’s choices. I like the touch of rust and paint blisters showing the aging process. Somehow the metal in this shot denotes a heavy presence of strength to me.

Tonight’s dining will be to each his own...probably TV dinners or left overs (long way from a fancy dancey eatery).

Joy

October 18, 2019 thought for today, Let your ears hear what your mouth says. Jewish Proverb

It has been a day at home. The twins are here. They will have an extra day with us this week. For some reason they are out of school. They didn’t get up as early as they usually do so I was able to sleep in for a while.

Sonja wanted her usual clip art pictures of certain my-little-pony characters. She likes for me to print the ones she picks out. Then she has Sue cut them out and she uses them as characters in some play time stories, something like paper dolls in my day. I told her we would get to them after I finished my “virtual visits.” Oh, something else to note, they determined a few weeks ago that she needs to wear glasses so the subject comes up every once in a while. For instance, today she said “everyone in this house wears glasses” . . . she’s right. I told her I have worn them since I was just about her age. That’s a long, long time ago.

As you probably know, I look for my photo-a-the-day everywhere I go. I find some things I normally wouldn’t pay any attention otherwise. Yesterday’s photo was made while I was at church doing the bulletins. The sanctuary it not lit when I pass though placing the bulletin so many corners are in shadow. I couldn’t pass up the shapes and grays in this shot.

Bob got off early today. He has a pick up yesterday in Youngstown so he didn’t get home until almost 8:30. He is not allowed to work overtime so he gets to take extra hours that he has worked off on Friday.

Sue took the girls for a visit to the library and other interesting places to visit.

I got the frig cleared out and the dishes done. I have hamburger and chicken waiting to be made in to dog food. They get homemade meatball treats and Sugar is on a chicken (mostly) diet.

The word is boundless. There is no wisdom save in truth. Truth is everlasting, but our ideas about truth are changeable. Only a little of the first fruits of wisdom, only a few fragments of the boundless heights, breadths and depths of truth, have I been able to gather, Martin Luther.  Knowledge is boundless,--human capacity, limited, Nicolas Chamfort.  The delightful study of the Psalms has yielded me boundless profit and ever-growing pleasure; common gratitude constrains me to communicate to others a portion of the benefit, with the prayer that it may induce them to search further for themselves, Charles Spurgeon. One more, Like a caring mother holding and guarding the life of her only child, so with a boundless heart of loving kindness, hold yourself and all beings as your beloved children, Gautama Buddha. 

They’re a couple of personal stories about the historic facility in this article. First there was a fire there. Bill was a fireman. They had the run, the gates were closed behind them after the equipment was inside. I had a fire department radio so I was listening to the communications. Years before that I dated a young man whose father was a guard there. I went with Jack a few times. When he got a free hair cut there by one of the inmates. Over and above all of that it had a lot of history in our community and was located in a prominent portion of the downtown area. According to the article they will be moving what is left of the prison to a “safe location” three miles from the original site. Some of the stones had dates of 1876 and 1878 etched in them, even the n

ame of an architect was seen. The majority of the prison was demolished more than twenty years ago where the Arena District is located now. There are some who would like for some of the stones, owned now by Columbus Landmarks, to somehow be incorporated into the new stadium grounds. Apparently some of the stones from the structure are in other Arena District buildings including North Bank Park.

I didn’t leave the house today so I had to find the photo of the day somewhere in or around the house. This is my porch swing. I like the lines of the slats and the shadows they create. The touch of green from the lawn behind the swing add a touch of color I like.

It’s that time of week again–Pizza!

Joy

October 16, 2019 thought: First improve yourself, and then judge others. Jewish Proverb

I was in a pretty deep slump yesterday afternoon. It took an evening of crocheting and reading and a good night’s sleep to find a little peace. The problem is still there and will be brought up in my mind from time to time to determine if adjustments need to be taken. The problem is any “adjustments” would be life changing so they need to be considered slowly and thoughtfully.

To add to last evening’s slump the micro wave went out. It has been giving some indications that it would be happening soon. I enlisted Sue to go with me to pick out a new one this morning. I did some research on the computer before we left to chose the best place to shop for one. We went to Home Depot. I found one I think will fit us. We also picked up some of other things we need.

A lot of my photos are shot around the neighborhood and at the park a couple of blocks from my house. Yesterdays was captured at the park. In the post processing with my “digital darkroom”, Photoshop, I used a filter to soften the edges and boost the hues of green and blue. I titled it “in the park” nothing seemed to fit better. .

Before we left, I worked some more on the church newsletter. I have at least three articles I need to put in. I hope to get them in over the week end before the deadline so I will be on top of things when I get some other entries.

While we were out I looked for my daily photos. But I  may still need to search for some. I shot a couple but realized when I got home that I had the camera set for shutter settings instead of automatic so they may not be as good as I had hoped.

The word is book.  The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries, Rene Descartes.  A man is known by the books he reads, Ralph Waldo Emerson.  If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads, Ralph Waldo Emerson. To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark, Victor Hugo.  I cannot remember the books I've read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me, Ralph Waldo Emerson.  Books are the carriers of civilization. Without books, history is silent, Henry David Thoreau.  You cannot open a book without learning something,Confucius. One more, Books are the bees which carry the quickening pollen from one to another mind, James Russell Lowell. 

The article today is about the annual Stand Down program of vets. This year there were a lot of events offered for the females, as well as the males, who gave a part of their lives to the military service. There were cloth bags handed out to collect things like ink pens, notebooks, socks boots and winter clothes. There were also groceries and personal care things given out. One lady even had a back pack to collect items that were available and would be of value to her. One particular lady mentioned that the event also allowed her to make new friends who had experienced that kind of life too. There was a women’s only space that made “shopping” a little easier and more comfortable for the ladies. They could get makeup lessons, nails polished and even wigs to try. Flu shots were free. There were fun things provided at the event also. A miniature horse was provided to pet and give a gently and kind way to relax. Part of the even offered a fly fishing excursion through “Project Healing Fly Fishing”. All in all it was a beneficial and comforting event for our military vets.

I captured and made several images while Sue and I were out looking for our microwave. I took a look at them in-camera when be got home and wasn’t all that please with what was there. As I was shutting the camera off I noticed that Sweet Pea was begging for a small tidbit of a sandwich Sue was had just fixed for a snack. I moved as quickly and quietly as I could to get the camera out of view mode and into shoot mode. Sweet Pea changes position when she knows I am getting ready to shoot. What you see here is want I was able to capture.

I think I will make Salmon patties for dinner to go with the rice pilaf left from last night. I use canned Chicken of the Sea Pink Salmon. After I open the can I pull the fish apart and take off the darkest skin and remove the fatty residue as well as the bones although you can crush the bones with your fingers. I add about a half cup of bread crumbs, one jumbo egg, a squirt of mustard, and about a fourth cup of Bisquick, a couple of shakes of Mrs. Dash’s Onion seasoning. Mash all the ingredients together, form into patties and fry on a Pam coated grill or skillet. For the rice pilaf I follow the instructions on the Minute Rice package. I use Swanson’s Chicken Stock instead of water to cook the rice. I use several of the Mrs. Dash’s spices such as the onion, garlic, table blend, original blend. I add a touch of Worcestershire sauce and a dash of Zinfandel white wine.

Joy

October 14, 2019 thought: Beware of the person who gives you advice according to his own interests. Jewish Proverb

It’s been an adventurous day. Of course, it began with the virtual visits. Then we, Sue as my trusty advocate and automobile pilot, as I don’t like to drive, and I left for my appointment at Zangmeister. I’m not sure exactly what for. It is a follow-up type of appointment. All stemming from my digestive constrictor and bleeding ulcer diagnosis. They continue to test me for low iron (anemia) from bleeding problems associated with the diagnosis.

We stopped at McDonalds.  We can’t seem to go anywhere without stopping at one of the fast food places.

Yesterday I was out roaming around my neighbor’s driveway again and was drawn to one of his several bird houses/feeders. After some shots of those and some of the still blooming flowers this is the one I chose. I liked the lines and shapes but mostly the heavy and detailed shadow.

After we were home for a while, Lowell came in to continue with the remodeling projects that are still left to be done and will be taking a slow steady pace to be fulfilled. One of the first things he dealt with was my dishwasher. When he was leaving yesterday we, Bob, me and Lowell, saw that the dishwasher was leaking. We didn’t find the problem this afternoon. We ran it through a full cycle and it didn’t leak. It could have been a kinked hose or, whatever. I guess we will just keep an eye on it.

What hasn’t been typical of Monday for me was I haven’t even begun the church bulletin. I have the minister’s information so it shouldn’t take too long to put together. I will start on it the first thing tomorrow morning.

While we were out on the errands this morning I looked for and found a few shots for my must have photo of the day. I found at least one I think I will end up using.

I had a phone call. My new doctor’s office called to make sure I make an appointment for a bone density test. She thought I had made it sooner but I didn’t remember them telling me to do it. So now there will be another doctor’s appointment and tests. I have found that that goes on more frequently with the aging process.

It sure would be nice if the weather would stay the way it is today for more than a bit longer. It is gorgeous out right now. Not so much the first thing this morning though. That was sweatshirt weather. Now the sun is bright and shadows are beautiful and deep.

The word is block.  There is no worse screen to block out the Spirit than confidence in our own intelligence, John Calvin. The block of granite which was an obstacle in the pathway of the weak, became a stepping-stone in the pathway of the strong, Thomas Carlyle.  A book that is shut is but a block, Thomas Fuller. What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to the human soul, Joseph Addison. A Mercury is not made out of any block of wood, Apuleius.  In life, as in Chess, ones own Pawns block ones way. A mans very wealth, ease, leisure, children, books, which should help him to win, more often checkmate him, Charles Buxton. One more,  Today is the blocks with which we build, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. 

It looks like there are even more updates coming in Columbus, I love it. I have often wondered what they were going to do with the space that is mentioned in this article. The Capitol Square is close to where a large mall called City Center use to be. It was an attraction downtown for a while. It didn’t seem to be there for too long but since the structures were torn down the site has been used for food truck events as well as musical events. Anyway the Capitol Square is now going to be a mixed use center. It will include retail, restaurants, offices and multifamily spaces as well as parking spaces. Plans for the new developments has to be approved by the Downtown Commission before anything can get started. The improvements to this space as well as the revitalization of the Franklinton area are interesting and exciting for Columbus.

On our excursion to the Zangmeister’s today I was on the alert for photo possibilities. This one was shot while we waited for a light to change. It looked like it might be inviting if I were waiting for a bus. The fresh blue color and the fallen leaves made the season and the purpose of the bench so apparent.

I pulled Beef Stew out of the freezer for dinner. The recipe is in an earlier post. I added some Campbell’s Beef Gravy and the few roasted potatoes I had from last night to extend the stew for an extra helping since I had Lowell have some dinner too.

Love you
Grandma

October 12, 2019 thought for the day: As you do, so will be done to you. Jewish Proverb

It’s been a typical Saturday, not much going on. The twins were here and the biggest thing on the agenda for today was helping the girls make birthday cards for both Tiffany and Missie, their mom and grandma. I also made homemade tomato sauce. My neighbor brought me the last of the tomatoes from his garden. So along with the peppers he brought the other day I made my first delicious tomato sauce. Now I am anxious to use it for spaghetti or other tomato based dinner.

In another drive through my neighborhood I found my photo for the 11th. One of the neighbors have three of these rain collectors. I like the idea and it’s adds character in color and shape to the surroundings.

Lowell, my youngest son, stopped to take measurements for the doors that he will be putting up soon. He also took a look at the resume and cover letter I am putting together for Bob. Bob’s job is moving into new management. I am having trouble remembering the dates that he was employed in all of his Security positions. Hopefully whatever I can get will be more than satisfactory.

The word is blessing.  I have a strong opinion that a genuine love of books is one of the greatest blessings of life for man and woman, Sara Coleridge. Experience enables me to depose to the comfort and blessing that literature can prove in seasons of sickness and sorrow, Thomas Hood .  Let us impart all the blessings we possess, or ask for ourselves, to the whole family of mankind, George Washington. To touch God a little with our mind is a great blessing, to grasp him is impossible, Saint Augustine.  And blessings on the falling out That all the more endears, When we fall out with those we love And kiss again with tears! Alfred Lord Tennyson. Get a friend to tell you your faults, or better still, welcome an enemy who will watch you keenly and sting you savagely. What a blessing such an irritating critic will be to a wise man, what an intolerable nuisance to a fool! Charles Spurgeon. 


It’s always good to see old building brought to new life. This one is having trouble with the market idea. Apparently fresh food markets don’t go over as well as some want in Columbus This article is about the old Trolley Barn on the eastside of Columbus. The Columbus Board of Education is part of this project. This project original planned to include a market, restaurant and Columbus Brewing brew pub in hopes of future revitalizing the area. This article is talking about how the project could be heading for problems. If a downtown redevelopment portion of the original plans for the project doesn’t happen the project wouldn’t work Investors have questions about the market portion of the project. It is my understanding from this article that without the market the plan may have to be tabled. Apparently the North Market with similar operations couldn’t make it without public subsidies. Though some say that the North Market and the Trolley District are “like apples and bananas.” The developer feels that that neighborhood needs a food type of development along with the housing part of the proposed project. Besides approval from the school board it needs approval from the Columbus City Council. It was interesting to me that the project must have a historic component along with the fact that it is in a low income area and would have a technological component.

I know my neighbor will forgive me for walking along the back of his driveway while he is on vacation to find my gorgeous photo for today. I titled it “the last rose of summer”

Hamburger sandwiches sound good for dinner tonight and roasted potatoes.

Joy

October 7, 2019 thought of the day: Alone a youth runs fast, with an elder slow, but together they go far. Luo Proverb

I have surprised myself with what I have been able to get done today. I got the labels printed for the Presbyterian Scioto Valley newsletter and the labels for the thinking of you cards I need for Martha Circle. I got the bulletin done except for some minor formatting that I will put off until tomorrow morning.  I have to do the opening for the circle meeting Tuesday evening so I spent some time in research for that too.

The October 3 photos was taken in my kitchen. This month is a free choice month, photos of whatever catches our fancy. These are just a few of my house plants that were brought back inside after their three month vacation out in th open air of the back yard.

I put all of that aside around noon before I got some lunch to get my plants watered. I am using my new watering system set up on every plant I own now. I am still not sure how well it is working. The whole purpose is to keep from spilling to much water on the floors. That part is working I think. Now I have to be sure that the plants are staying healthy.

The October 4 photo of the day was taken when I stopped for lunch at McDonalds. Everyone is enjoying the harvest month of October.

The word is bent.  I have been bent and broken, but - I hope - into a better shape, Charles Dickens.  Education forms the common mind. Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined, Alexander Pope. A straight oar looks bent in the water. It matters not merely that we see a thing, but how we see it, Michel de  Montaigne.  He's only harming himself who's bent upon harming another, Hesiod.  At fifteen, my mind was bent on learning. At thirty, I stood firm. At forty, I had no doubts. At fifty, I knew the decrees of Heaven. At sixty, my ear was receptive to truth. At seventy, I could follow my heart's desires without sin. Confucius. 

October 5 on my journey of photo searching I went to the park down from my house. There is a set of cement statues of A, B, C in different colors. The kids enjoy them and they are kind of eye catching.


I am not particularly fond of spiders but they were put her for some reason and I respect that fact. This article is called “Should I kill spiders in my home? An entomologist explains why not to”. Spiders can live inside as well as outside. Some are trapped some just visitors. The author of the article said he visited over fifty homes and found that every single house has spiders the most common were “cobweb spiders or cellar spiders”. He further described how some of the cellar spiders may leave their webs to hunt for other spiders. Spiders generally capture and eat nuisance pests and some disease carrying insects. I didn’t realize until I read this article that almost all spiders are “venomous”. However, the venom of most is too weak to cause problems if they can pierce the skin at all. They prefer to avoid humans. Even the widow spiders and recluses most often don’t cause serious damage. At the end of the article the author suggested a “live and let live” way of thinking.

My photo shot for today was taken on my way home from church. This building sits across from the church. The textures and shapes
of this structure always catches my eye so I chose to capture this moment in time today.

I found my photo in my own home. Sweet Pea was staring longingly out the back window hoping for a glimpse of a busy critter in the yard or the trees.

I am pulling spaghetti from the freezer for dinner. The recipe for the sauce is in an earlier blog.

Joy

October 2, 2019 thought for the day: Wisdom comes only when you stop looking for it and start living the life the Creator intended for you. Hopi American Indian Proverb

This has been a lazy day and I have enjoyed the heck out of it. I think I would like more of them. However while it seems a blessing it could lead to a disaster too. Being lazy, especially for older people, is bad. If we don’t move our parts, mainly legs and arms, regularly they can become stiff and eventually may be unable to respond at all. So we deal with the aches and move our bodies forward in the best form possible.

I worked on post processing photos that I took on the trips back and forth from Mt Sterling to Columbus. Maybe some day they could be a coffee table book, or maybe not, just for personal memories and enjoyment.

After I got some work done on those I went out in this heat and took a trip around the block a couple of times in search of a photo that might speak to me. My photo challenge group, fatmumslim.com.au, has chosen to make the month of October a free choice month rather than the usual monthly theme and daily assignment. I found a few interesting places that I am going to look at more closely while I post process them. This is the October 1 photo. It was taken in my back yard. My twin great-nieces, Sonja an Savannah, were give a small package of seeds in July. They carefully planted then in the small (really tiny tiny) pot that came with the seeds. They diligently watered them for several days and put them in the sun. Once we got back home from our Mt. Sterling stay the plants were put in the back yard. This was the lonely survivor. The girls examined it with pride just before I made the shot.

The word is beloved.  The world is full of suffering. Birth is suffering, decrepitude is suffering, sickness and death are sufferings. To face a man of hatred is suffering, to be separated from a beloved one is suffering, to be vainly struggling to satisfy one's needs is suffering. In fact, life that is not free from desire and passion is always involved with suffering, Gautama Buddha. To be beloved is above all bargaines, George Herbert. The absence of the beloved, short though it may last, always lasts too long, Moliere. Beloved brother, let us not forget that man can never get away from himself, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. One more,  Among the blessings of love there is hardly one more exquisite than the sense that in uniting the beloved life to ours we can watchover its happiness, bring comfort where hardship was, and over memories of privation and suffering open the sweetest fountains of joy, George Eliot.    

 I think it has been a hot summer for the whole country not just Ohio. I can’t remember school being let out because of the heat when I was in school or when my children were for that matter. The article today is about the schools closing for another day due to the heat. So many of the schools don’t have AC. I wonder if it is really hotter now than it was in the summers sixty plus years ago when I was one of the students. All I can remember were open windows and possibly fans. But we didn’t miss school. The article states that they are closing the school for comfort. It is believed that this heat with no means of cooling the class rooms detracts from the learning environment. Some members of the school personnel will be working. “Administrators and custodials....bus drivers .....(taking) students to charter schools...”. Students and parents that may be home are looking for places that are cooler than it is in their homes. As is mentioned in the article, sweaters may be a choice for clothing on Friday, fall weather temperatures are on the horizon. Because of these unusual temperature rise and the dry summer the autumn leaves may not be as colorful as is normal for Ohio.

My free choice  photo a day challenge for today was found in a neighbors side yard. I am enjoying these days of driving around the neighborhood to find the photo of the day. I am seeing so much that I would have otherwise ignored or have taken for granted.

I am making creamed beef on toast for dinner and maybe mac and cheese. I start with my normal white sauce, 2 T of butter, 2 T flour then enough Swanson’s Beef Stock to thicken. Continue to add stock or milk to become a consistency of thick cream. For the beef I use two small packages of Buddig Beef cut into small pieces. I add a bit of Knorr’s beef bouillon to heighten the beef flavor.  The mac and cheese starts the same, white sauce with Swanson’s Vegetable Stock in place of the chicken stock. Once the stock is thick, maybe not at thick as the beef flavored stock because the cheese will add to the thickening. I then add about 6 oz of Cracker Barrel Extra Sharp cheese. If the sauce becomes a little to think add a more of stock or milk. I serve the creamed beef on toast.

Joy