March 7, 2020 thought for the day: He who teaches a boy teaches three a youth, a young man, and an old man. Traditional Proverb

I “slept in” this morning. I made it up just before nine o’clock. There is not much on the agenda so there was no rush to get started.

After tending to the dogs and a cup of tea, I got started with the must have virtual visits. Then moved onto trying to find material for our upcoming “Resurrection Party” at church. We have elected to do a party-type celebration than do an Easter egg hunt this year.

The photo theme for March 6 was “old”. I could have done my grey head or hair or the 85-year-old basement wall but I decided on shooting the collection of old books I have kept over the years. They have been handed down from grandparents and aunts for years.

I woke up hungry so between the virtual visits and other items for consideration for the day, I made pancakes and homemade maple syrup for Bob and me and then cleared away the mess I had made.

In the process of finding information for the party I discovered that my Photoshop software has been shut down with the notice that I needed to renew it. My life pretty much relies on the tools that I use in Photoshop. I need it for my photography interests as well as adding colorful touches to all the printed material I do for church activities. So I had to back off the other projects that I was multitasking to spend time in the sign up for the new software and the set it up. It’s back and I am in a much better mood.

The word is empty. Preparation for old age should begin not later than one's teens. A life which is empty of purpose until 65 will not suddenly become filled on retirement, Dwight L. Moody.  None are so empty as those who are full of themselves, Benjamin Whichcote. It is said that our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength, Charles Spurgeon.  Empty vessels make the most sound, John Lydgate. What spirit is so empty and blind, that it cannot recognize the fact that the foot is more noble than the shoe, and skin more beautiful than the garment with which it is clothed? Michelangelo. If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest, Benjamin Franklin. It is hard for an empty bag to stand upright, Benjamin Franklin. Those who visit foreign nations, but who associate only with their own countrymen, change their climate, but not their customs 'caelum non animum mutant': they see new meridians, but the same men, and with heads as empty as their pockets, Charles Caleb Colton.  It takes so little to make a child happy, that it is a pity in a world full of sunshine and pleasant things, that there should be any wistful faces, empty hands, or lonely little hearts, Louisa May Alcott. Empty yourself of everything. Let the mind become still. The ten thousand things rise and fall while the Self watches their return. They grow and flourish and then return to the source. Returning to the source is stillness, which is the way of nature. Laozi. 

Today’s photo challenge is “my colour” (I know my spelling is a bit different, the origin of this photo group is in Australia). It has always been blue but as with so many things, changes in decisions, tastes and experiences through the years lead to color change favorites too. I like many colors for many reasons but green is a favorite for the plants and nature.

Since I am an animal lover, I thought this article today sounded interesting and had to read further than the title.  The title was “Music calms savage beast”. A group called Spotify provides a play list for your best furry friends. Your pet dog, cat or even lizard can benefit from sounds while you are away. According to the article Spotify has used an algorithm to create these play lists that can sooth. There is a set of questions such as the breed, relaxed or energetic, curious or calm, large and so on. They like to have the name of the pet and a photo. From these specifications a personalized play list is formed. During the formation of this phenomenon it was discovered that “dogs don’t like low-register tunes because they can be threatening”. It went on to say that an energetic dog may be an upbeat list and a shy cat might get a slower rhythm. Pets seem to prefer classical and soft rock. Five thousand animals were surveyed in the US, UK, Australia, Spain and Italy. In this survey it was discovered that people play music for their pets, sing to them, and even dance with them. It is hoped that this project will work in its proposed purpose to calm the beloved pets while you are away.

Maybe Spam and mac and cheese for dinner tonight, still a little more thinking to do.

Joy