March 23, 2020 thought for the day: The old for want of ability, and the young for want of knowledge, let things be lost. Spanish Proverb


Things have moved to another phase in this quick moving coronavirus epidemic. We are now ordered to “stay-at-home”. Bob, and some of his peers, were sent home for two weeks an hour after he arrived at work. At least they are being paid. The “order” goes into effect at midnight tonight. It made me a little more concerned about what I had on today’s agenda. I planned to print the church newsletter to get to folks for information as well as possibly giving a touch of normalcy with its presence. I didn’t know whether to go ahead with the plan or stay at home. The order wasn’t in effect until midnight as well as the fact that there is absolutely no one at the church now. So I decided to go. Bob was home by then so he went with me.  I got the printing done in about an hour then brought all the supplies and folded newsletters (I did that as they came off the copier) to finish the preparation for mail. Believe it or not I did some research on whether people should be getting mail at this point in this major world wide dilemma. What I found was that it is not suspected that the virus is passed on through mail. One of the reasons is the length of time from the creation of the letter to the time of the delivery, that is among other reasons.

My photo a day theme yesterday was “horizon”. Well, I live in the city so it is difficult to find a good photo of the horizon that isn’t blocked by houses and other structures. So, as I found it necessary at time, I dipped into my archives. I am lucky I carry a camera at all times so that I can and have built up an archive. This one was shot on my way to a village a few miles away from my home. 

Added to the above item, I have been lost in time working on some ideas I have had for a church bulletin in this time of stay-at-home (shelter in place). I am hoping to make things look and/or feel a tiny bit more like a real church service for our congregation even though they are mostly going to be via digital means. I don’t know how this will be accepted but I am hoping for the best. At the same time (multitasking), I have been skipping from one thing to the next with the newsletter. I have been putting on the tabs, the labels and the stamps. I have one third of those done at this point and about half of the bulletin I am trying to design. At least it is all taking my mind off some of the stress that comes with our times right now.

One of my neighbors stopped over to ask if I needed anything at the store. I told her thanks, and that I am planning on placing a pick order later this week. I also had a call from my tax preparer saying they have cancelled face to face meetings and gave me a couple of alternatives. I have (had) an appointment for next week. 

Today’s photo theme is “clouds”. Because we were having a particularly gray day I didn’t think I could get a decent shot but I make a couple attempts. I almost decided to use one from the archives again but once I used the Photoshop darkroom. I chose this one where the camera directed at the heavens across the street from my house.

The word is excess. The desire of power in excess caused the angels to fall; the desire of knowledge in excess caused man to fall: but in charity there is no excess; neither can angel nor man come in danger by it, Francis Bacon. Life etches itself onto our faces as we grow older, showing our violence, excesses or kindnesses, Rembrandt. The excess of pleasure is pain, Almeida Garrett. He who holds on to the Way seeks no excess. Since he lacks excess, he can grow old in no need to be renewed, Laozi. As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand, Josh Billings. The road to excess leads to the palace of wisdom...for we never know what is enough until we know what is more than enough, William Blake. The excesses of our youth are drafts upon our old age, Charles Caleb Colton.

It continues to interest me to see all the ideas people are having to live and handle this time of trouble that is occurring in all our lives. This article is about a family who have tried and found that keeping a daily schedule helps with their routine and sanity. One of the notes on the posted schedule was “don’t talk to dad” between 1 and 2 pm. The family said that doesn’t mean things don’t get “messy” from time to time. One example was their printer broke down and the dad at one point wanted to throw the scanner out the window. Another, the teen wanted to have friends come to “hang out”.  Also the adults have to make sure the kids are keeping up with the homework assignment. This all goes on the printed schedule.  The dad works from home. Another member video-conferences with her students. It was also pointed out in the article that it’s not all that easy to be around each other all day long. When the schedule was set up there was room for breaks for some relaxation such as games, out door breaks, exercising and “alone” time. One of the things I enjoy is reading but that isn’t new to this stay at home period of time. I have and do read (fiction) at least an hour every day. Right now I am reading. “Hells Corner” by David Baldacci an ebook borrowed from the library and read on my ipad.

Since I have lost track of time today, I am going to be “ordering in” for dinner.

Joy