June 29, 2020 thought for the day: It's not what you tell people, it's what you show them. Traditional Proverb

It started out that I didn’t believe I had much on my agenda for today. But as things got started the check list grew.

Yesterday’s photo theme was “two”. As I was planning on starting on the hunt for the photo I remembered that my day lily had two full open blooms on it earlier today so that was the shot.

I got started on the virtual visits then remembered that I needed to stop by the church to pick up some music that needed mailed out. I made a stop there and had a chance to chat with a couple of ladies who were there on other tasks. While I was there, I found out that I was needed at a meeting on Tuesday,  I just had to make a familiar stop at White Castle on the way home.

Next on the agenda was beginning work on the bulletin for next Sunday. I got caught up on that to the stopping point for further information. So completing it won’t take too much time.

Next to check off the to-do list was watering the “garden”. It is HOT outside today and supposed to get even hotter by the end of the week.

The dogs are out of their favorite treat so I will be making doggie meat balls as soon as the rice I put on fifteen minutes ago is ready.

Next will be making the sloppy joe for dinner. One of the dogs is going to be under my feet as I get that and the meat balls done. I have to look down every down I am going to take a step so that I don’t step on a paw or stumble over dog that seems to be glued to the floor refusing to budge.

The word today is importance, When will the world learn that a million men are of no importance compared with one man? Henry David Thoreau. Every part of the journey is of importance to the whole, Teresa of Avila. I think with you, that nothing is of more importance for the public weal, than to form and train up youth in wisdom and virtue. Wise and good men are in my opinion, the strength of the state; more so than riches or arms, Benjamin Franklin. Teaching is of more importance than urging, Martin Luther.  If you want to learn something that will really help you, learn to see yourself as God sees you and not as you see yourself in the distorted mirror of your own self-importance, Thomas a Kempis. In a utilitarian age, of all other times, it is a matter of grave importance that fairy tales should be respected, Charles Dickens. A jest often decides matters of importance more effectively and happily than seriousness, Horace.  If you never assume importance, you never lose it, Laozi. We all wish to be of importance in one way or another. The child coughs with might and main, since it has no other claim on the company, Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

My photo challenge today is “three”. I made several shots. Eggs, a glove, drinking mugs and measuring cups. The eggs were the choice.

If you have kept up with these blogs by now you know I have an affection for animals. This article is about how another breed of dog has been put to work for our benefit. Franklin County has hired border collies to help them with a problem that many people have tried to “fix” unsuccessfully. They are being used in a effort to control Canadian Geese. As most of us have heard other methods have been tried among which are laser pointers and pyrotechnics and a few others. The geese are protected and many live in Ohio. They unconcernedly make sidewalks a mess. During this season of heat they shed their flying feathers which leaves them earth bound. This article is about how the border collies may show that they are the answer to our this problem. This collie is 6 years old and named Ian. He walked around the fence of a local facility where geese like to hang out. His handler was quoted as saying “it’s amazing how quickly they cleared off.”  The article mentioned two facilities where the dogs have been used so far. They “patrol” an area where the geese are located, urge to geese to move on. Later in the day they are brought back to the same area and urge the geese who have returned again to leave again. I was interested to read that the geese will learn what time the dogs are coming. One of the other  handlers said that the geese see the car bringing the dogs in and they start moving. There are twenty dogs trained for this job so far. They visit six to eight properties every day as needed. The geese seem to think they are coyotes. The dogs stalk and get down low but the geese are not hurt, only chased away.

I have potato salad from Saturday and I will add a pot of sloppy joe for the dinner menu.

Joy

June 27, 2020 thought for the day: Tell me what you brag about and I'll tell you what you lack Traditional Proverb

The twins went to their other grandma’s last night after a two-night sleep over here. We had a couple of times at the park. A trip to the grocery store and General Dollar. We had stops at two garage sales. Then there was the clip art and coloring pages they wanted to pick from the computer and have printed. Now it’s time of a recuperation period for me.

The photo challenge for June 26 was “Z”. There just aren’t too many objects beginning with Z readily available. Well, the best I could do was a zipper and a zipper pull on my purse.

I have an order to pick up at Sam Club as well as an enlarged photo that is supposed to be ready for a pick up there too. I thought our scheduled pick up time was later today but I just got a text that it is ready now. I had thought we would pick up dinner on our way home from Sam’s but now, since we will be going earlier, I guess I will cook. I put on potatoes on to cook so I can make some potato salad when we get back.

Bob is mowing the lawn so it will be done in case it rains by the time we get home from the store.

While I was at it, I looked around for the photo of the day. The challenge for today is “one”. I had one lonely daisy coming up in the mulch so I took the shot before it was gone.

The word today is imagine.  In art, the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can imagine, Ralph Waldo Emerson.  If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined...Henry David Thoreau. Hatred grows into insolence when we desire to excel the rest of mankind and imagine we do not belong to the common lot; we even severely and haughtily despise others as our inferiors, John Calvin. Happiness is much more equally divided than some of us imagine. One man shall possess most of the materials, but little of the thing; another may possess much of the thing, but very few of the material. In this particular view of it, happiness had been beautifully compared to the man in the desert--he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack, Charles Caleb Colton. The tie which links mother and child is of such pure and immaculate strength as to be never violated, except by those whose feelings are withered by vitiated society. Holy, simple, and beautiful in its construction, it is the emblem of all we can imagine of fidelity and truth, Washington Irving.  Anything that one imagines of God apart from Christ is only useless thinking and vain idolatry, Martin Luther. Cunning is neither the consequence of sense, nor does it give sense. A proof that it is not sense, is that cunning people never imagine that others can see through them. It is the consequence of weakness, Horace Walpole. Everything is simpler than one can imagine, and yet complicated and inter-twined beyond comprehension, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. We are never either so fortunate or so misfortunate as we imagine, Francois de La Rochefoucauld. 

Today’s challenge is “one”. I remembered that I had a lonely little mum flower in my “garden’ among the mulch. So she/he became my subject and model for this shot.

Here’s a bit from the Columbus Monthly about “new neighbors” (the wild kind). Slowly people began to notice that a “different” canine was entering into their yards. One person, interviewed in the article, said this past January she heard her dog barking in the back yard. When she went to investigate, she saw the coyote “nose-to-nose”. Thankfully, there was a chain link fence between them. She put up signs so that neighbors would be alerted to the possible problems. Also mentioned in the article, a couple of miles from the sighting a coyote bit a Columbus police officer. She formed a group called the Berwick Area Coyote Coalition. Members go on line to let others know of sightings. People studying this subject have come to a possible conclusion that because they aren’t hunted and trapped their number is growing. They are about four feet long and about 25 to 35 pounds and grow well in urban areas. They eat rodents, deer, fruit and people’s garbage and sometime small pets. Their enemies are larger animals and traffic. They have large litters so moving them doesn’t always solve the problem, others move in. In an effort to help reduce the number in the neighborhood one lady, moved the brush in the yard that the coyotes used for dens. She added strobe lights and motion-sensor sprinklers. If she sees one, she has used a coffee can filled with coins to scare them. She further related that there are the benefits, they keep rodents down. She said they aren’t bad they just can’t help their nature.

Potato salad and hot dogs for dinner.

Joy

June 25, 2020 thought for the day: There are three truths my truth, your truth, and the truth. Traditional Proverb

After an early morning check up at the doctor I took the kids out to breakfast at Bob Evans. Then we made a short shopping trip to Home Depot and then General Dollar and finally home. The kids each bought a blooming plant for one of their grandmas.

I was able to get to some watering and the laundry before other "adventures" came into the picture. That happens with eight year old kids are in close vicinity. .

The photo challenge for yesterday was “X”. In our choir room at church we have many kinds of musical paraphernalia. We had tambourines, drums, sand blocks, a triangle, maracas and more.  Since I was at church working on at the copier, I made a trip to the choir room and found this child’s xylophone.

The sun is out nice and bright so I couldn’t let the plant go another day without water.

The bumper on my car was damaged a couple of months ago. I haven’t had it attended to yet so it was becoming looser and needed a band-aid type fix. For the temporary fix I had to pick up some things at Home Depot, it’s a sort of bubble gum and glue kind of fix. Now I have to spend some time on that.

The word today is ignorance. Fear always springs from ignorance, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nothing is more terrible than to see ignorance in action, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. It is a blind goose that cometh to the fox's sermon, John Lyly.  If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy? Thomas Jefferson.  Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon or star, Confucius. Through ignorance of what is good and what is bad, the life of men is greatly perplexed, Marcus Tullius Cicero.  Nothing is more terrible than to see ignorance in action, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. To act without clear understanding, to form habits without investigation, to follow a path all one's life without knowing where it really leads; such is the behavior of the multitude, Mencius. Ignorance is the womb of monsters, Henry Ward Beecher. Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance, Confucius. Knowledge slowly builds up what Ignorance in an hour pulls down, George Eliot. Ignorant men differ from beasts only in their figure, Cleanthes. By ignorance the truth is known, Henry Suso. Ignorance seldom vaults into knowledge, Samuel Taylor Coleridge. It is the nature of every person to error, but only the fool perseveres in error, Marcus Tullius Cicero.  How can we remember our ignorance, which our growth requires, when we are using our knowledge all the time, Henry David Thoreau. 

When I was in a parking lot waiting for my sister, I saw this concrete block holding up a traffic sign. The bright yellow color fit the photo theme for the day, “Y”. I also noticed the texture in the concrete. I thought that was an added artistic point.

Here is an article about some more renovating taking part in the city. This is the first that I have noticed a phrase “pedestrian-focused street”. So the article title seemed to suggest something of interest. There is a relatively new area of Columbus along the Scioto River downtown called the Scioto Peninsula. A new “private street” will be funded by a community authority, it has been designed to be closed regularly to vehicular traffic”. This street is three blocks long and not connected to either West Broad Street or West Town Street. Ludlow Alley in the Arena District is an existing street similar to this one. Emergency equipment does have access to this street. A person interviewed for the article said “...we want this to have a distinct personality to it.” The street will be called “High Water Alley” in recollection of the 1913 flood. There are two six-level garages for parking available to all the facilities in the area. They are situated in a design to help facilitate less traffic in that specific area. It is hoped that all of these plans will bring more of an “artistic element” to the State Street facades.

Since the twins are still here, we will have mac and cheese and chicken fries for dinner.

Joy

June 23, 2020 thought for the day: There would be miracles if youth could know and age could do. Traditional Proverb

I have completed the bulletin and the newsletter. They have also been updated with corrections. So I think I am ready to print tomorrow.

My photo challenge yesterday was “V”. I have vines in the yard that would have been on good subject for that theme. I have a Christmas vest that would have worked. I ended up choosing one of my favorite but seldom used vases.

I haven’t gotten much else done. I did get a change to go out in back to see how the plants trying to bloom took the rain we got last night and this morning.

The rain let up for a while. The overcast contributed to a down in the dump’s mood to start the day.

The word today is preparation. Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure, Confucius.  Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe, Abraham Lincoln. By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail, Benjamin Franklin. I will prepare and some day my chance will come, Abraham Lincoln. Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity, Seneca the Younger. For every minute spent in organizing, an hour is earned, Benjamin Franklin. One is not born into the world to do everything but to do something, Henry David Thoreau. You had better live your best and act your best and think your best today; for today is the sure preparation for tomorrow and all the other tomorrows that follow. Harriet Martineau. No man ever reached to excellence in any one art or profession without having passed through the slow and painful process of study and preparation, Horace. 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. So much of our time is spent in preparation, so much in routine, and so much in retrospect, that the amount of each person's genius is confined to a very few hours, Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

Today’s theme is “W”, like windows, watermelon (a slice in my frig), (spider) web, wagon (in the garage), wine (bottle in the cupboard), and so on. I chose a batch of weeds, against a wooden backdrop (another item for the theme, wood). I was lucky to get some asymmetry/symmetry, color and texture in the shot.

Today’s  article is about the visitor/tourist opportunities in and around Holms County. There have been many calls to the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau about when the county would be open to visitors after the pandemic. Some of these calls have come from as far away as Arizona and Massachusetts. The places that the callers are interested in visiting are a “huge part of the county’s economy” “Restaurants, lodging and attractions all took hits as Ohioans were encouraged to stay home”. These resources are working to take measures to keep visitors and residents healthy and safe. An example of one instance is an Amish attraction like the Farm at Walnut Creek allows folks to feed the animals during a wagon ride, that now only allows visitors to drive through in their own cars. Apparently and according to the article the community is just starting to see the virus spread into Holmes County. The article went on further to state that it is ulceration if the spread is due to tourism. There are crowded sidewalks along Route 62 with few people wearing masks. Recent cases of the virus are up from 28 cases last month to 136. It has been reported that the virus’ spread is more difficult in areas where people are more isolated. Having visitors coming bac is a “double-edged sword”. They rely on visitors to support the economy. “One of every 9 jobs in Athens County is tourism-related.” In the guidelines they are now operating with there is a request that “asks folks to “visit with love” to keep Athens healthy”. Some suggestions are wear masks, and be patient where there is limited capacity. It is hoped that much of the area will be opening by July 4th. There will be one-way trails, many signs and maps and limited parking. Some of the areas may be a little later opening to later this summer. My personal suggestion would be to call ahead to see if the area you want to visit is open.

I think I am making creamed chipped beef on toast for dinner.

Joy

June 21, 2020 thought for the day: Only when you have eaten a lemon do you appreciate what sugar is. Ukranian Proverb

One of the dogs wasn’t feeling well last night so she had me up twice throughout the night. When she wanted out about six o’clock, I decided to go ahead and get up for the day.  At least that let me get a good start on the virtual visits.

I left for church and as usual I was half hour or so early. That gave me a chance to talk to some of the other folks.

The challenge for yesterday was “T”. After several attempts I chose a table cloth I have been crocheting now and then for several months.

Through the process of changing times like through the pandemic and the current protests and riots we learn. Sometimes it’s a hard and an extreme way and maybe not so necessary for damage and injury to come with it but if nothing else it causes an education and a building block to wisdom. That, the wisdom,  part I honor and cherish. I am one of the persons who do not like change, I am a creature of habit. However, at the same time, I am relatively intelligent and experienced enough in years to know change is inevitable. Most of the times, which are many in an eighty-year period, that change has taken place in my life I have been surprised that the change was good and brought new and exciting ways and things to experience.

We are going to lunch/dinner with Lowell, Rebecca, Louann, Mick and Kim and my sweet great grand baby, William. We will be celebrating William’s dad’s first father’s day and his grandpas, grand dad’s day. In the mean time I am going to get the watering done. The sun is bright and hot.

The word today is humility.  History warns us that it is the customary fate of new truths to begin as heresies and to end as superstitions, Thomas Huxley. Nothing can be further apart than true humility and servility, Henry Ward Beecher. Humility enforces where neither virtue nor strength can prevail, nor reason, Francis Quarles. Sit down before fact as a little child, be prepared to give up every conceived notion, follow humbly wherever and whatever abysses nature leads, or you will learn nothing, Thomas Huxley. And the Devil did grin, for his darling sin is pride that apes humility, 
Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Humility is often a false front we employ to gain power over others, Francois de La Rochefoucauld. ALL things in Nature work silently. They come into being and possess nothing. They fulfil their functions and make no claim, Laozi. Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them -- every day begin the task anew, Saint Francis de Sales. How could I bear a crown of gold when the Lord bears a crown of thorns? And bears it for me! Elizabeth of Hungary. Humility is the only thing that no devil can imitate, John Climacus.  Humility is the light of understanding, John Bunyan. 

Today’s theme was “U”. There weren’t to many readily available choices for that letter. I settled for our backyard umbrella for the subject.

I don’t normally like to get in discussions about politics but this man’s life gives pause for thought. This is a very long article so I will only touch certain points here. If you want to read more it is in the Dispatch at https://www.dispatch.com/news/20200621/dewine-on-leading- ohio-during- pandemic-protests-lsquothis-is-what-i-signed-up-forrsquo. This article is about Mr. DeWines time in politics along with the ups and downs of the pressures of the pandemic and the demonstrations and riots. It has been a tumultuous period of time. In watching him on TV it seemed to me that he was interested in Ohio to the point of wearing pieces of clothing to represent sports and such that are popular in our state. He also often mentioned his wife and family. He had his wife on with him at time to tell things she did during the pandemic.  It just gave me a feeling that he was genuinely concerned about all of it we as citizens along with devotion to his family. As is true of the lives of most politicians there were a lot of conflicting opinions on many of his decisions and actions that he took. He endorsed President Trumps on many issues. I think the parts that grabbed my attention was the way he spoke of his relationships with his grandchildren and the talking with his wife and the long walks on his farm with his dog. During the interview for this article he mentioned many of the messages he got for and against his decisions on shutting down businesses and instituting the stay at home theory. He seems sad about the many people who have lost their jobs and the many other negative things this has all had on our state. He talked about how the reopening has to be handled safely and slowly with how much the economy is being affected. He stated how some of the letters of complaint have disturbed him. On top of all of that there is the social protests that have risen in the midst of the pandemic. How the mayors of some of the Ohio cities have requested the Ohio National Guard to calm the riots that have risen out of the marches. He spoke of the difficulty of balancing the rights of the protesters and the safety of the police and bystanders. He spoke of how he put a lot of thought into choosing his advisors on all of these related problems hoping to take the right actions for all concerned. He mentioned that he has more women as  advisers than men and a “significant number of African Americans. When asked he stated that there are mostly racists in every profession.  He was asked about his thoughts on many of  President Trump’s actions. He said my job is to lead Ohio, a diverse state. And that he tries to bring them all together. He was asked if he has gotten emotional during all of this, his response was “You can’t go through this without seeing the impact of all these decisions we are making or having on people”

We are going out for dinner for fathers day.

Joy

June 19, 2020 thought for the day: A man shows in his youth what he will be in his age. Yugoslavian Proverb

We have a day full of the energy of seven-year-old twin girls., wow....am I ever pooped. At least I got some virtual visits done before we began the adventure.

I got a call yesterday that the newsletters I do for a woman’s group was ready for pick up. So Sue and the girls went with me to pick them up. Then we made some stops on the way home. We stopped at the Dollar Store for a twenty minute shopping “spree” for toys and balloons. Next was a stop a Westgate Park play area. By that time we were hungry. So it was a stop at Wendy’s. Finally, home. Then it was an exploring trip to sort through old toys trying to decide which would be thrown out and which to keep. I think more where kept then thrown out.

Yesterday’s photo theme was “R”. I was out and about for a while so I went by Westgate Park to search for some photos to fit the theme. I had shot other “r” subjects earlier in the day but the one of the shelter house roof with the trees and the gorgeous blue sky in the background grabbed my attention.

I don’t think there is too much more on the agenda today which is probably a good thing ‘cause I don’t know where the energy would come from.

The word today is house.  A good laugh is sunshine in the house, William Makepeace Thackeray.  The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it, Ralph Waldo Emerson.  A man's house is his castle, James Otis.  Sorrow prepares you for joy. It violently sweeps everything out of your house, so that new joy can find space to enter. It shakes the yellow leaves from the bough of your heart, so that fresh, green leaves can grow in their place. It pulls up the rotten roots, so that new roots hidden beneath have room to grow. Whatever sorrow shakes from your heart, far better things will take their place, Rumi.  Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house, Henry Ward Beecher. The world may be known Without leaving the house, Laozi. A town, a landscape are when seen from afar a town and a landscape; but as one gets nearer, there are houses, trees, tiles, leaves, grasses, ants, legs of ants and so on to infinity. All this is subsumed under the name of landscape, Blaise Pascal. The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home, Confucius. You parents can provide no better gift for your children than an education in the liberal arts. House and home burn down, but an education is easy to carry along, Martin Luther.  The household is a school of power. There, within the door, learn the tragi-comedy of human life, Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

I did some searching for the “S” photo theme for today. When I was in the back yard snapping photos of the car speaker, I caught sight of one of the twins swinging....perfect shot for the challenge and a happenstance moment. Good colors to.

Today’s article is a  bid of refreshing news about one of our family venues for a beautiful wedding.  The nearby Dawes Arboretum is installing a new piece of art. This new structure is planned to promote calmness and serenity.  It took a year to finish the sixty-piece art. It is composed to respond to nature’s offer of wind. It moves as the weather changes. It is reported to be a “windmill-like sculpture” that moves in a circle and is titled “Guardian Angel”.  Other pieces by this artist have been installed in Boston, Dallas, San Francisco and Florida and have been sold in other countries. There are other “kinetic” sculptures at Dawes placed to encourage folks to explore. Some of the art work presently at the arboretum will be featured until December 15.

Pizza night again.....

Joy

June 17, 2020 thought for the day:   If you wish to know what a man is, place him in authority. Yugoslavian Proverb

I went though the regular virtual checks this morning before Sue and I got ready to make a trip to Kroger. We are going to get the twins for an over night tomorrow night and needed to get some of their favorite foods.

When we got home, I got some watering done. It looks like it is going to be hot this afternoon. I also needed to do a little transplanting.

Of course with all the other multitasking I had on the agenda yesterday I searched for a photo to fit the challenge of “P”. I shot some of pens, one set of photos of a piggy bank and a few of the one I finally chose. This plant stood out against the fence and fit the theme.

Then I was able to take care of a couple of church related issues. I also want to start a couple of areas of “gallery” walls in the house. So I took some beginning steps in that direction.

Yesterday was a beautiful day. Mainly because I got to spend a couple of hours of it with my son and daughter-in-law at a place familiar to me from my time working in the down town arena. That place is Tommy’s Diner. Just being with family was enough to make my heart warm, visiting something familiar once again just topped it off.

The word is hope.  Hope springs eternal, Alexander Pope. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly and, if you speak, speak accordingly, Benjamin Franklin. Out of difficulties grow miracles, Jean de la Bruyere. The darkest day, if you live till tomorrow, will have passed away, William Cowper.  Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be, Ralph Waldo Emerson. You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment, Henry David Thoreau. We never know how high we are till we are called to rise. Then if we are true to form our statures touch the skies, Emily Dickinson. Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them become what they are capable of being, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.  Even in the mud and scum of things, something always, always sings, Ralph Waldo Emerson. One's thoughts turn towards Hope, Leonardo da Vinci. A helping word to one in trouble is often like a switch on a railroad track-an inch between wreck and smooth-rolling prosperity, Henry Ward Beecher. Correction does much, but encouragement does more. Encouragement after censure is as the sun after a shower, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.  If you do not hope, you will not win that which is not hoped for, since it is unattainable and inaccessible, Heraclitus.  Hope enough to remove all anxious fears concerning the future, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. 


The theme today is “Q”. Now that one doesn’t leave much wiggle room. I couldn’t find too many objects beginning with Q were readily available to create a photo.

The statue is coming down....so I don’t understand why vandalism at this point? It will no longer be “hurting” anyone. This has been my confusion in so many of the leavings of these recent, and past for that matter, demonstrations. Why? There ‘s been an apparent answer to the demanded?  This article explains that the 20-ton statue is going to be moved to storage. Someone spent part of their life building that statue. It would be yet another form of disrespect to just junk it. I don’t know the nationality or color of the person who created it but it meant something to them. I didn’t relate in my studies of Christopher Columbus that there was a brutal side to the man. I just gathered that he was an adventurer and loved to travel and discover while living his life in the manner of that time in history. The statue and it’s presentation cost the college well over $50,000. The marble that it was carved from came from Italy, it’s destruction yet another disrespect being one to that country. The article stated that it will take some time to dismantle and remove it. One of the professors at Columbus State related the statue was described “as a celebration of exploration and the never-ending desire to become what we had yet to become” at the faculty orientation nearly 25 years ago. So this has given me the feeling that I need to revisit the study of the history of that time again and it’s significance through the years.

It’s going to be taco salad for dinner tonight.

Joy

June 15, 2020 thought for the day: Be a friend to yourself, and others will. Welsh Proverb

Wow, what a day. I have crammed about as much in it as I can. First, shortly after I got up and the virtual visits were over I went to Kroger. Today is Sue’s birthday and I wanted to make her a sugar free cake. I needed a couple of things for the recipe that I was going to use.

Yesterday’s theme was “N”. After several items and attempts I came up with a pile of walnuts.

Yesterday I sent an email to the pastor for the coming week telling her what I need from her for the bulletin. I haven’t gotten a return message yet. But since I like to get as much done on it as possible on Monday. I got it finished choosing some of the information from past bulletins. I can replace whatever the pastor wants when she gets it to me. I feel comfortable that I have it done just in case I get small last minute changes.

After I got things put away, I checked the email for any thing I may have missed. Then I started what was going to be a pretty busy day in the kitchen. I made the cake then the cream cheese sugar free frosting. After that I made some home made noodles. Then the tuna casserole sauce. Cleaning up between messes and clearing and reloading the dish washer made me realize how hot it is.

While I was doing all of that I was looking for some things that would fit the photo theme for today, “O”. I took shots of the oven, some can openers and a bottle of oil. I will have to spend some time in Photoshop to find the one I want to use.

I had a chance to scoot outside to water some tiny tiny seedlings I am trying to start. I had planned on working with my aloe plant. It is looking very sad. I am going to try to make some cuttings to see if I can save it. But I am going to have to wait a day or two until I have a little more time.

The word is history.  The study of History is the beginning of wisdom, Jean Bodin.   Who so neglects learning in his youth, loses the past and is dead for the future, Euripides.   History never repeats itself. Man always does, Voltaire. For, strictly considered, what is all Knowledge too but recorded Experience, and a product of History; of which, therefore, Reasoning and Belief, no less than Action and Passion, are essential materials? Thomas Carlyle.  If you would understand anything, observe its beginning and its development, Aristotle. The search for causes must come after the collection of facts, Hippolyte Taine. History is a cyclic poem written by time upon the memories of man, Percy Bysshe Shelley. History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life and brings us tidings of antiquities, Marcus Tullius Cicero.  When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness, Alexis de Tocqueville. Histories are as perfect as the Historian is wise, and is gifted with an eye and a soul, Thomas Carlyle.What is past is prologue, William Shakespeare. History is the action and reaction of these two, nature and thought, Ralph Waldo Emerson. The causes of events are ever more interesting than the events themselves, Marcus Tullius Cicero. 

Today’s photo challenge was “O”. I shot the oven while I was baking the cake but nixed that shot and moved onto one of the other three I created, finally choosing one of my can openers.

The article today is about the continuing search for ways to develop and use distant learning. During the pandemic some teacher went to students homes and did some teaching sessions. In another direction some of these visits showed that the children didn’t have access to technology to use for the available online teaching methods having been set up.  At this point teachers and administrators are preparing for what may be coming in the fall when the kids would be returning to school. One of the concerns is that those who haven’t had access are so far behind. One person mentioned in the document took books with her to give to the children. Conversations with the parents is to stress the understanding of the teaching process and the necessary learning that is needed. Some who were able to use the online learning enjoyed it, some had help from the parents and some didn’t. Some of the parents weren’t familiar with how computers work.  It was determined that the effects of the disruption won’t be clear until everyone is back to work in the fall. The article stated that the “shutdowns could cost students the equivalent of a full school year’s worth of academic gains.”

I had a second photo of the day today, the theme was “window”.  I uploaded this morning due to a problem with the internet. I also played with some filters on this one. The filter was one called “cartoon”.

We are having tuna casserole for dinner.

Joy

June 13, 2020 thought for the day: Would you shear a donkey for wool! Latin Proverb

In this time of conflict I want to voice my opinion in a kind of metaphor. Australian Shepherds are different than Dachshunds. They behave differently, they look different yet they love the same, they suffer the same. They learn differently and are trained differently but they both have the special wisdom they were gifted with. They have their space, they have their value.  Each needing/requiring different specs and “rules”. Some are black and some are white and some are.... and all created by the same Master. All of them matter. The glory of life.

The photo challenge for the 12th was “L”. Again, using the alphabet to find on a photo scouting outing leaves a wide choice of subjects. That is most letters of the alphabet allow for it but not all of the letters do equally. L is one letter that offers many choices, leaves, letters, lettuce, and so on. I took several shots. My final choice was my ladder. I took a few shots. The lines, shapes, patterns and textures are great on such a subject but, for one shot, I wanted to add a bit of color and something a little softer than the metal ladder.

So far it has been a gray and damp Saturday but the sun is trying to come out to join the weekend fun. There’s nothing popping out at me that needs attention just this minute either, a nice relaxing day at home. I can catch up on things that are hanging around waiting for attention, a few emails, a new recipe to try, a few more seeds to plant and some places to proofread in the art coffee table book I am putting together.

The word is heaven. There is only one path to Heaven. On Earth, we call it Love, Henry David Thoreau. Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal, Thomas Moore. Be at peace with your own soul, then heaven and earth will be at peace with you, St. Jerome. The way to Heaven is ascending; we must be content to travel uphill, though it be hard and tiresome, and contrary to the natural bias of our flesh, Jonathan Edwards. To see a world in a grain of sand And a heaven in a wild flower, Hold infinity in the palm of your hand, And eternity in an hour, William Blake. Heaven will be inherited by every man who has heaven in his soul, Henry Ward Beecher. Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God: But only he who sees takes off his shoes, Elizabeth Barrett Browning. We are our own devils; we drive ourselves out of our Edens, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.  Every charitable act is a stepping stone toward heaven, Henry Ward Beecher. Bliss it was in that dawn to be alive But to be young was very heaven, William Wordsworth. Ignorance is the curse of God; knowledge is the wing wherewith we fly to heaven, William Shakespeare. Let us learn upon earth those things which can call us to heaven, St. Jerome.

Today’s photo subject began its title with the letter “M”. I stayed at home today so the search was in the small circle available for the time being. I settled on the mantel in the living room. I felt the need to add a portion of a chair to the scene for a bit of added interest.

Here is one more thing getting back to “normal”. I am glad to see the zoo reopening. This is the season for the zoo for visitors getting back to the nature side of things. Today’s visit was a bit different than others at the Columbus zoo. They are opening after being closed to the public for several months due to the quarantine. There are chain dividers to keep folks away from some of the glass enclosures so that they won’t be touched. Today the zoo was opened to members only, tomorrow will open to the public. There are a few changes right now for the safety of the visitors. For one thing visitors have to make an appointment to visit for the time being. This will keep the number of people on the grounds under control.  Paths are now one way and some of the exhibits will remain closed for a while. Others areas that are open will be disinfected often. The zoo employees will be wearing masks, visitors are “encouraged” to do also. The people who visited today were happy to be back. One of the many nice parts of this visit was fewer people making the visit quieter and more comfortable. The zoo officials plan to make it safe for everyone by determining how many folks to let in at a time. Personally, I like this idea.

I think I am going to have creamed chicken on biscuits for dinner.

Joy

June 11, 2020 thought of the day: Take counsel of your pillow. Latin Proverb

I feel like things are getting a little more like “back to normal”. I know it’s going to be a “new”normal but it feels good to get a little niggling of something that seems familiar. I was back in church this morning printing the bulletin as I have been all along but this time it was back to an “old normal”. I had to take the bulletins to their proper places in the church which meant going through the sanctuary. That felt soooo good. For the past nearly three months I was generating a smaller version of the bulletin to be mailed out every week while the church was waiting to reopen, I was only in the office not the rest of the church.

As multi-tasking suggests there were several things going on as I searched for the theme photo yesterday, “j”. With the alphabet being the major theme of the month and a letter a day being our choices there are a lot of things to watch for. Mine came down to items in the kitchen for this theme, jelly, jam and jiff won out.

Once I got home, I got back to setting up two of my ‘new’ emails. I think I have them set far enough so that they are usable now. My problem is thinking of the people/places I need to notify of the new address. I’m sure as time goes by I am going to find out I have many messages, hopefully none that needed to be tended to promptly. I would think if people or places couldn’t reach me by email they would try the “old-fashioned way”.... phone or snail mail.

I got the laundry started. Today I won’t have to do the daily summer watering since we had a pretty good rain last night.

Sue is visiting with the girls for a couple of days. I got to see one of them for a few minutes yesterday. That felt good and was a tiny step in feeling “back to normal”.

My second photo of the day for yesterday is title “DOF (depth of field)”. I felt the hidden house behind the thousands of leaves (distance between the nearest and the furthest objects that give an image judged to be in focus) fit the description

The word is heat. Noble souls, through dust and heat, rise from disaster and defeat the stronger, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  Iteration, like friction, is likely to generate heat instead of progress, George Eliot.  The heat of youth is not more opposed to safety than the coldness of age, Francois de La Rochefoucauld.  How can you buy or sell the sky, the warmth of the land? The idea is strange to us. If we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the water, how can you buy them? Every part of the Earth is sacred to my people, every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clear and humming insect is holy in the memory and experience of my people, Chief Seattle.  A man makes inferiors his superiors by heat; self-control is the rule, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Fire and water may as well agree in the same vessel, as grace and sin in the same heart, Thomas Brooks.  Stillness overcomes heat, Laozi.  The natural term of an apple-pie is but twelve hours. It reaches its highest state about one hour after it comes from the oven, and just before its natural heat has quite departed. But every hour afterward is a declension. And after it is one day old, it is thence-forward but the ghastly corpse of apple-pie, Henry Ward Beecher.  O gentle son, Upon the heat and flame of thy distemper, sprinkle cool patience, William Shakespeare.  What would a man do, if he were compelled to live always in the sultry heat of society, and could never bathe himself in cool solitude? Nathaniel Hawthorne.  The child, in danger of the fire, just clings to the fireman, and trusts to him alone. She raises no question about the strength of his limbs to carry her, or the zeal of his heart to rescue her; but she clings. The heat is terrible, the smoke is blinding, but she clings; and her deliverer quickly bears her to safety. In the same childlike confidence cling to Jesus, who can and will bear you out of danger from the flames of sin, Charles Spurgeon. 

Did you notice two of the photos on this page are different directions, one more ventricle, one more horizontal, ahhh the choices art give us. The challenge today was “k”. This is a shot of a particle bit, with a little ‘darkroom’ doctoring,  of one of my keyboards.

Jack Hanna is a long time icon in the Columbus area and in the world of zoos all over the world. The article today is about him sharing his decision to retire. His love and companion, on the most personal level of animals is known and respected maybe worldwide. He transformed our, the Columbus, zoo to one that is known and respected world wide. He wants to spend time with his family. I didn’t realize until I read the article that he and his wife have a home on the zoo grounds as well as a home in Montana and Florida. They plan to spend some of the retirement in each of their home. When interviewed he stated that he spends about 220 days a year on the road. He hopes to still do some public appearances. The article mentioned that he has been nominated for 15 emmys awards and won five. He will remain emeritus at the zoo. In the article: “He spent the early years doing whatever it took to fix the zoo, which was close to shutting down before he arrived.....appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America” ... introduced millions to faraway animal kingdoms.”

We are having Spam fried rice for dinner.

Joy

June 9, 2020 thought for the day: You count the sand. Latin Proverb

It’s getting HOT. This feels like summer, I hope it won’t be this hot for the next two months. At the same time the sun is beautiful and everything is bright and new.

I needed to pick up some meds at Kroger so it was another stop there. Going to Kroger helps make the step counter to go up on the Fitbit clip on and really isn’t too painful.

I couldn’t think of a way to create an image of “hot” to fit the theme for yesterday of “h”. So I settled for this image of a hose after I shot several other items beginning with “h”.

With the above out of the way, I got back to working on creating a new contact list on each of my email accounts. Yesterday I discovered that I lost my years long email service. I found that it was connected to a telephone system that we switched from several months ago. I didn’t realize the two were connected and that that email was not free. I will be using a new email and have to set it up. I am setting up two so that if I have a problem with one I will have a backup. That is taking some time.

I am also trying to keep the plants all watered. It seems we are having a bout of feast or famine with the rain for our personal bits of nature.

So those above-mentioned projects are adding to my list of check offs for the day. Added to the list are a few church related projects that have popped up today too.

The word today is heart. The only lasting beauty is the beauty of the heart, Rumi.   Today, see if you can stretch your heart and expand your love so that it touches not only those to whom you can give it easily, but also to those who need it so much, Aristotle.  The heart of man is very much like the sea, it has its storms, it has its tides and in its depths it has its pearls to, Vincent Van Gogh.  Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts, Charles Dickens. Wherever you go, go with all your heart, Confucius.  The light which shines in the eye is really the light of the heart.. The light which fills the heart is the light of God, which is pure and separate from the light of intellect and sense, Rumi. To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order; we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right, Confucius.  Your heart is the size of an ocean. Go find yourself in its hidden depths, Rumi. Only from the heart can you touch the sky, Rumi.  All the knowledge I possess everyone else can acquire, but my heart is all my own, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart, Francis of Assisi. The head learns new things, but the heart forever practices old experiences, Henry Ward Beecher. The heart has reasons that reason does not understand, Jacques-Benigne Bossuet. 

The photo challenge for today is “I’.  I found this theme to be a bit more of a challenge than most of the past eight letters. I settled on a photo of my ink cartridges after not finding the one of ice cubes, book indexes and a few more less appealing to my eye at the time.

Here’s an interesting article about the leavings of the pandemic. How many places across the world will be doing this. History is happening before our eye (I think it always is but this is monumental). There are the masks, car parades, and press briefings. Now it is not only the COVID-19 but the racial inequities that are making this such a huge time in history. This brings up use of  pepper spray burns, boarded up windows, and police unrest. The Ohio History Connection and the Columbus Historical Society are asking for items recording these times for their collections, photos, videos, essays, drawings, etc. While these things are fresh in peoples minds would be the ideal time to donate them. The article stated “.....from the mundane, essays on working from home to medical professionals’ accounts.”  In past historical collections it has been noted that it is difficult to find items that describe the human and emotional side of things. The Columbus Museum of Art is also looking for such things for planned art presentations.

It is going to be hot dogs and mac and cheese for dinner tonight.

Joy

June 7, 2020 thought for the day: You cannot have all you wish for. Latin Proverb

It’s been a pleasant Sunday morning. I got some watering done on the plants and that is about the extent of the accomplishments for the day, but then it’s Sunday. It’s supposed to be a day of rest.

Yesterday’s photo theme was “f". I took shots of several things that began with “f’ and came up with these funnels.

As I mentioned earlier in my messages, I am getting some steps in on the Fitbit. So there was some of that today too. I set my alarm so that I get up from the computer every thirty minutes to get something physically accomplished or just do some walking.

Sue needed to pick up some meds to we left the house for a short time.

The weather has turned out better than it seemed to promise when I first got up. It was chilly, so much so that I put on a sweat shirt for a while. Now it is well in to the afternoon and it is much warmer and the sun is bright.

I got a chance to talk to Lowell for a while earlier.

The word for the day is healthy. Happiness lies, first of all, in health, George William Curtis,  Cheerfulness is the best promoter of health and is as friendly to the mind as to the body, Joseph Addison.  He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything, Thomas Carlyle. To wish to be well is a part of becoming well, Seneca the Younger. He who cures a disease may be the skillfullest, but he that prevents it is the safest physician, Thomas Fuller. The secret of health for both mind and body is...live the present moment wisely and earnestly, Gautama Buddha. Virtue is the health of the soul, Joseph Joubert. Novels may teach us as wholesome a moral as the pulpit. There are "sermons in stones," in healthy books, and "good in everything, Charles Caleb Colton. Our prayers should be for a sound mind in a healthy body. Juvenal. The healthy eye ought to see all visible things and not to say, I wish for green things; for this is the condition of a diseased eye, Marcus Aurelius.  The science of happiness lies in controlling our thought and getting thought from sources of healthy life, Prentice Mulford. The secret of health for both mind and body is...live the present moment wisely and earnestly, Gautama Buddha. Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, Plato. Health is the first muse, and sleep is the condition to produce it, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food, Hippocrates.

I took photos of the garage, glasses, gloves and grasses. At last I shot several of gates and gateposts and came up with this one for the photo challenge for today, "g".

In a way these virtual graduations seem like fun and what a unique memory for the graduates. The article today is a story about one valedictorian who was in the spotlight alone.  She sited how her class was the first to graduate from a new high school making it a new “chapter” in district. One of her jokes during the speech was that they had had the most successful streak of “senior skip days ever. She delivered her speech at alone except for the crew who filmed her and at “center stage” in the Schottenstien Center. She felt it was amazing to share the speech with classmates during the coronavirus. She said her virtual experience was memorable and understood why it might not be what her classmates feel as a great closure like a traditional ceremony would be. Another valedictorian from another school who was getting ready to “film” his speech said that recording the speech in advance wasn’t too upsetting. He is now focusing on being healthy and not focusing on the negatives. He went on to say things may be different but he doesn’t think different is bad.

I think we will have Taco Bell for dinner.

Love you
Grandma

June 5, 2020 thought for the day: Grow where you are planted. Latin Proverb

It’s been a relatively pleasant day. I got my curb side grocery order yesterday after I finished the bulletin at church. I am usually fairly satisfied with my orders but there are a few hiccups with every order. Since I don’t select “no substitutes”, because generally I don’t care, there are times I do care. Also there are some items that they are “out of stock” with almost every order. Anyway, without getting too long winded, I was out of a couple of the things that were missing on this order. So I went over today. The curbside order cut down on what I had to pick up and cut down on the time I had to be in the store. Sue needed a few things too so we when to Kroger.

The photo challenge for yesterday was “d”. Daffodils, dandelions, decks, dice, dimes, dishes, dogs, dots....I used dandelions.

Each time I go out I feel a little bit less threatened of the virus (good or bad, we’ll see). Sue wanted to make a stop at the Dollar Tree. After that I stopped at McDonalds for a fish sandwich and a diet coke, Sue, a McDonald coffee.

After putting everything away, I got back to a few virtual checks on the computer. I have three emails out that I have been expecting a response but they haven’t come in, it looks like they most likely won’t be answered soon. So I will send a second.

After resting the legs after all the walking I went out to water some of the dry outdoor plants that are trying to make their presence known for the coming seasons.

I called my granddaughter-in-law to ask for a favor and felt good with the short contact with her. She is a pleasant young lady. I could also her my great grandson in the back ground, another heart lifting minute in the day.

My sugar count has been a little irregular lately so besides the putting in more exercise (Fitbit and all, food count), I am looking for more sugar free foods. I found what sounds like a good recipe for sugar free brownie. I think I will try to make it tomorrow.

I have also played around with getting my photo of the day. The theme for today is “e”. I thought about eggs but some others in the group have already used that. The one I have been “playing” with is a shot of my elbow. After some Photoshop, this one won.

The word is harvest. Things of today? Deeds which are harvest for Eternity! Ebenezer Elliott.  Each day of my life I am sowing seeds that one day I will harvest, Gautama Buddha.  The seeds of repentance are sown in youth by pleasure, but the harvest is reaped in age by pain, Charles Caleb Colton.  Each part of life has its own pleasures. Each has its own abundant harvest, to be garnered in season. We may grow old in body, but we need never grow old in mind and spirit. No one is as old as to think he or she cannot live one more year, Marcus Tullius Cicero.  Truths are first clouds; then rain, then harvest and food, Henry Ward Beecher. Seeking is a necessary preliminary to finding, and one who cannot endure the hardship of inquiry cannot expect to harvest the fruit of knowledge, John of Salisbury. The slacker does not plow during planting season; at harvest time he looks, and there is nothing, Solomon. The harvest of old age is the recollection and abundance of blessing previously secured, Marcus Tullius Cicero. Let us, therefore, not be weary of well-doing; for we shall reap an eternal harvest of comfort, if we faint not, George Whitefield. 



This was one of the days I had a second photo of the day. The theme for that one was “silhouette”. I took several photos when I visited my great grandson the other day so I am using that shot.

I always like a story about animals, I mean a happy story about animals. And I have a dog who has sever separation anxiety so this story may fit my situation of leaving for a few minutes too. This article is about preparing pets as owners leave them and go back to work after a period of time home with them. As more people return to work after the stay at home orders, local veterinarians  expect bo get busier. Many of the pet owners walked their pets more often as they were home for the pandemic, and “snuggles” on the sofa were a more frequent pleasure that is coming to an end in its times spent there. The article also mentions that during the pandemic pet adoption increased so there are “new” pets at home not having experienced the previous work schedule of their owner.  Not all dogs express the separation anxiety, there are some breeds more so than others. However, half of all dogs experience “separation-related behaviors.” The article went on to say the first step is to leave the house around the time you would leave but for sort periods. If you leave delicious food out for them and the don’t eat it until you come home that signifies the anxiety. In some cases some with the anxiety will behave with more intensity when you come home like knocking over furniture and this behavior may last for several minutes. According to the article this can be concerning. It is also suggested to contact a vet early on. If possible start the “training periods” as long before you have to start back to work as you can. Some people have tried playing classical music. Some install “pet cameras” which can also be used to diagnose and treat. At the last past of the article it mentioned that some people can work from home. It also mentioned that some businesses may lean toward a pet-friendly workplace. I personally experienced that. I picked up some printing several time and the owner/manager had his pet Lab with him at work. The dog was allowed anywhere he wanted to be in the area and was so friendly with visitors.

It’s here again....hurrah....pizza

Joy

June 3, 2020 thought for the day: Your enemy makes you wiser. Italian Proverb

I have been using my Fitbit clip-on for the past few days. I have always been a “home body” and, more to the point, a computer fan for years. I am on the computer for hours every day. During this pandemic it has become even more intense. I realized I need to move around more. One  problem with that is the slowing down of energy and strength that come with aging. So, to get to the point of the Fitbit, it helps me keep up with how much I walk thereby encouraging me to walk more. I did some research on how far a person of my age should be expected to travel in a day. The old adage is 10,000 steps a day but that is way, way beyond my dream in this date in time. Some of the information I found is that 5000 is the minimum for someone of my age. I found that the steps can be counted even if a Rollator is used. I’m not at the 5000 yet but increasing each day.

The photo challenge for yesterday, the 2nd, was “b”. I have a set of crochet balls that I am making for a game for one of my great grandchildren (I have one more to make to complete that part of the project). So that was my subject for today. Notice that the reflection of the white ball picked up the colors of the blues and yellows in the image. I worked with Photoshop to try to correct but that was making a mess so I left it as shot. Also, the reflection of the red ball is very subdued.

I finished the bulletin this morning and sent it to the readers. I also got a tiny bit of yard work done. Not the kind you imagine a sturdy younger specimen would be doing but acceptable in my purview.

Sue has an appointment in a while so we will be leaving for that. I will most likely come back here to start dinner and work on a couple of other projects to tie up for the day until she calls for me to pick her up.

The word is harmony.  Harmony sinks deep into the recesses of the soul and takes its strongest hold there, bringing grace also to the body & mind as well. Music is a moral law. It gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, and life to everything. It is the essence of order, Plato. Mutual respect and mutual listening are the foundations of harmony within the family, Gautama Buddha. To put everything in balance is good, to put everything in harmony is better, Victor Hugo. Between whom there is hearty truth, there is love; and in proportion to our truthfulness and confidence in one another, our lives are divine and miraculous, and answer to our ideal. . . . Friends do not live in harmony merely, as some say, but in melody, Henry David Thoreau. Heaven's harmony is universal love, William Cowper. Christian faith is a grand cathedral, with divinely pictured windows. Standing without, you see no glory, nor can possibly imagine any; standing within, every ray of light reveals a harmony of unspeakable splendors, Nathaniel Hawthorne. I see the necessity of sacrificing our opinions sometimes to the opinions of others for the sake of harmony, Thomas Jefferson. Virtue is like health: the harmony of the whole man, Thomas Carlyle. Peace is never more than one thought away, Ben Jonson.

Today’s theme was “c”. I made shots of parts of a car, a set of cans, an old camera a bag of carrots. Finally settled on this one of the chocolate candy bar.

Some things good can come out of some things awful.  There is an overpass in Columbus this is not used (I imagine there are more then one but this one has a special story).  A couple of local artist decided that the overpass was a perfect place for a bit of art. This particular space is at Whittier Street. More artists assisted in creating a mural stating “We are stronger together” More than a dozen artists, engineers and architects took 50 gallons of paint and several weeks to create this giant sized message. It is near the Scioto Audubon Metro Park. One of the workers was the Catalyst Columbus who creates large murals in the area. One of the artists was quoted as saying that “The message stemmed from the pandemic, of course, a way to unite people and work with my lovely art friends”. She feels that it has a larger scope and is a message of unity. She likes the idea that it can be seen from the city’s tall buildings and, most of all from airplanes. The art piece was paid for from a grant by the Create Columbus Commission with assistance of the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Columbus Art Commission.

I think I am making creamed beef on toast and boiled potatoes.

Joy

PS. sorry about the whinging I did in the last post, but not everyday is perfect.

June 1, 2020 thought for the day: Praise youth and it will prosper. Irish Proverb

I expected Sue home last night but she got some extended time with the twins. She decided to spend three days at Missie’s. It has been different around here. She is my rudder so it has been a task to keep focused and headed in a productive direction.

I had asked Natalie to bring Gideon and Serenity for a visit. So they came about ten o’clock. I got to hug them and spend a most welcome boost of encouraging time with them.

My photography obsession seems to “sooth a savage beast” in me especially in these time. Yesterday’s challenge was “selfie”. I don’t like photos of myself. So I try to get as little of that, myself, in the image. Here is my pick for that assignment.

The rioting going on downtown along with so many cities across the country are getting to me. I am to old to deal with all of the depressing happenings. I am having to learn new ways of thinking and facing disappointments. I think it is all contributing to my “pre” diabetes, which is now full blown diabetes.

The word is harm. Let us read, and let us dance — these two amusements will never do any harm to the world, Voltaire.  Nothing can work damage to me except myself; the harm that I sustain I carry about with me and never am a real sufferer except by my own fault, Ralph Waldo Emerson.  ...seeing the small is called clarity. keeping flexible is called strength. Using the shining radiance, you enter the light, where no harm can come to you. This is called enlightenment, Laozi. A man's enemies have no power to harm him, if he is true to himself and loyal to God, John Bartholomew Gough. Make no enemies; he is insignificant indeed that can do thee no harm, Charles Caleb Colton. Carelessness does more harm than a want of knowledge, Benjamin Franklin. A bad man can do a million times more harm than a beast, Aristotle. It is a fearful mistake to believe that because our wishes are not accomplished they can do no harm, Gertrude the Great. To harm another is to harm oneself, Socrates.

Today’s photo theme is “a”. This month the overall “theme” is the alphabet. It leaves the subject matter for each day pretty much up to the photographer. It allows for searching for an item that fits. My choice today is double and triple A batteries.

It’s to bad there has to be so much destruction. For me personally it shows an enormous lack of respect and useful education. Either the masses lacked being educated for whatever reason (not having it available is no longer an excuse for anyone in Columbus) or for not using that education or even common sense that we are all born with. That is only one part of it. There is a world wide pandemic going on. Most of those I saw on the television seemed not to care about it. All of that made me angry, we may all have to endure stay at home even longer due to an increased number of people coming down with the virus. Thanks....to all of those who were so careless and thoughtless. The article today is about some of the many buildings that have been devastated in this “protest?” Isn’t that the proof of why people are arrested even in daily happenings? The people that are doing the damage seem to be the kind that do the damage  whenever they get the chance? The article describes the plywood coverings that are the view of our city today. The cost of the damages haven’t even been tallied yet. There are photos of the signs of the looting...looting, is that legitimate part of a protest? Broken windows, graffiti, landscaping, even chairs and interior furnishings thrown out in the streets not to mention fires and garbage. It's not the protester's who are doing the damage, it is the rioters, many imported into this city. They seem to follow the peaceful protesters every time there is a protest and ruin the reason and the efforts of the legal protectors.

Since yesterday was the end of the month I have a composite of photos that I took during the month of May.

I am making something simple for dinner tonight, just hamburgers and mac and cheese.

Joy