July 25, 2020 thought for the day: All life is choice. You can be stopped only if you choose to allow it to happen. Traditional Proverb

It has been another active day. I have not stopped since I got up this morning. I have done more work in the kitchen than I usually do on a Saturday and a little less computer work. 

The photo challenge for July 24 was “letter”. When searching a round for a letter to take a photo of, I thought of how digital technology has taken a big chunk of that type of correspondence. It’s kind of nostalgic as well as pride in growth in wide spread communication. 

The only computer-related project I worked on today was finishing one of the coffee table books I want to put out. I am trying to get up the nerve to send it to Amazon. 

I made the dogs meat balls and then made a Cherry/pineapple dump cake. Between those two projects I watered first the front, took a break for lunch then watered the back. 

I took the newsletter to the mail box and when I was about to put them in I noticed the seals were coming loose. I was concerned that the post office would be unhappy about that so I brought them back home. I had Bob go to Staples to get me some more seals. When he got back, I resealed seventy-five newsletters. They will be a few days late getting to folks. 

I am trying to get dinner prepared to the heating part so that I can run the message sheets to the church at four o’clock. 

The word today is journey.  Grieve not; though the journey of life be bitter, and the end unseen, there is no road which does not lead to an end, Hafez.  Each traveler should know what he has to see, and what properly belongs to him, on a journey, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.  Of course it is of no use to direct our steps to the woods, if they do not carry us thither. I am alarmed when it happens that I have walked a mile into the woods bodily, without getting there in spirit.... What business have I in the woods, if I am thinking of something out of the woods? Henry David Thoreau. Meandering leads to perfection, Laozi.  Prayers and Provender hinder no Journey, Benjamin Franklin. The journey is its own reward, Homer. Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home, Matsuo Basho. A tree that can fill the span of a man's arms grows from a downy tip; A terrace nine stories high rises from level earth; A journey of a thousand miles starts from beneath one's feet, Laozi.  I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it, Rosalia de Castro.  Even the longest journey must begin where you stand, Laozi.   You lack a foot to travel? Then journey into yourself - that leads to transformation of dust into pure gold, Rumi. A pleasant companion reduces the length of the journey, Publilius Syrus. 

The theme for today is “smooth”. That one is a thinker. But as I glaceed around the room for a possible

subject I caught my great-niece daydreaming out the window and was aware of the smoothness of the skin of youth, so that is my capture. 

An article about some more renovation going on around our city.  The title is, New district will pay for security, streetscape improvements in Italian Village, Weinland Park”. Some of the folks in Weinland Park think they haven’t had enough of a say about what services the Fifth Avenue and Fourth Street Special Improvement District will have available. Some of the services provided will be similar to the ones in the Downtown-area such as security, streetscapes like planters and flower beds, graffiti removal and market studies. One member of the Italian Village Society said they want to have programs that offer a sense of community. Property owners pay assessments for the effects of the programs. The Short North Alliance will help with the plans. As far as I can tell from the article there are still some decisions to be made by the residents. 

   

We are having baked Parmesan chicken and potato pancakes. 

Joy