April 22, 2020 thought for the day: To learn about other people is science, to learn to know yourself is intelligence. Chinese Proverb

The news from yesterday, about the reopening of our food pantry, was a good one. They have adapted it to a drive thru procedure for the time being. I wasn’t there but the report was great. Apparently we (they) had a good number of visitors. I was able to slip over to take a look today as they were setting up. I wanted to add some photos to the newsletter as I am adding finishing touches. I also wanted it along with the bulletin finished by noon, except for the sermon and scriptures I need from the pastor. I have the envelopes for the bulletin ready and the labels for the newsletter ready.

April 21 my choice for the month of gratitude challenge was a paper quilled window ornament that I had made a while back.(The paper quilling came before my paper marbling period). I had stayed home yesterday and looked around the house for a suitable image. This one seemed perfect.

Bob took my car to have an oil change and then filled up on gas for me. I generally put in twenty dollars worth when I get to about a half a tank. Today I got six dollars back from my twenty. At least, so far, that is one necessity that hasn’t gone up in cost, yet.

I am watching Gov. DeWine’s week day coronavirus update. In my opinion, he and his team have been trying to keep us completely up to date while adding bits of humanity to it. Like ball game talks, short clips of things people around Ohio are doing to fill the time and he talks about things his wife is doing to help keep things as “normal” as possible. She has been on the program with him several time. He mentions her quite often, they must have a very nice relationship. That also is refreshing. They seem like a kind and caring couple and family. I also like watching the lady who is doing the hand signing. I have come to accept it even though they are interrupting my soap opera program. (smile)

It will be nice to get back to “normal” or what will be “normal”. On the other side of the coin though, it is a little scary not knowing what lies ahead as far as the virus’ path.

Today’s theme entry came as a light bulb moment after I ordered my lunch at McDonald’s. I am “grateful” for fast food, (actually almost any kind of food).

The word is firm.  I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, Abraham Lincoln.  Enjoy the blessings Heaven bestows, Assist his friends, forgive his foes; Trust God, and keep his statutes still, Upright and firm, through good and ill; Thankful for all that God has given, Fixing his firmest hopes on heaven; Knowing that earthly joys decay, But hoping through the darkest day, Charlotte Bronte. Stand firm and immovable as an anvil when it is beaten upon, Ignatius of Loyola.  I am satisfied with, and stand firm as a rock on the belief that all that happens in God's world is for the best, but what is merely germ, what blossom and what fruit I do not know. Johann Gottlieb Fichte. While the world changes, the cross stands firm, Bruno of Cologne.  The superior man is firm in the right way, and not merely firm, Confucius. Wisdom teaches us to do, as well as to talk; and to make our words and actions all of a colour, Seneca the Younger.  It is only persons of firmness that can have real gentleness..., Francois de La Rochefoucauld. The greatest firmness is the greatest mercy, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  Inuring (toughen or harden) children gently to suffer some degrees of pain without shrinking, is a way to gain firmness to their minds, and lay a foundation for courage and resolution in the future part of their lives, John Locke. Stubbornness is not firmness, Friedrich Schiller.    

Today is Earth Day. So I chose a break from cononavirus news that is a bit refreshing. There is a touch of education here too. The title is: Kids activity: How you can help the Earth (includes coloring, drawing and more!. It’s a day to celebrate for our planets cleanliness and it should be a daily activity. Earth day was created in 1970. The hope was that everyone would do their share to keep the earth cleaner. This date was chosen because it is between spring break and final exams. Other groups working on this idea were joined with the new followers in cleaning water, air and total environments. According to the article Earth Day is the biggest celebration in the world that isn’t a religious event. A slogan was developed, “reduce, reuse, recycle”. There are helpful ways of getting rid of glass, paper and plastic. It is also helpful to reuse things as possible around the house. Again according to the article, since the coronavirus stay-at-home event, pollution has gone down in several areas of the world. To keep up with this upward climb in pollution control people could walk or ride a bike in place of driving. Plant flowers and vegetables. Some activity mentioned in the article to help with this keeping the earth clean is make art out of trash, bird feeders with toilet paper rolls, make wind chimes with old cans, try getting more such ideas from Google.

On the menu for tonight: sloppy joe and baked “french fries”.

Joy