September 5, 2020 Thought for today: Quietly, if you can; if not, by any means. Latin Proverb

It’s been a bit different from my “normal” Saturday line up. After all my virtual visits and checks Bob and I left for Meijers. I have been looking for a lactose free cheese and Meijers seems to be only one of two who carry it in the area, at least that’s what I deciphered from Google searches. They did have it but not in the “cheese” section. I was disappointed when I couldn’t find it there so I asked a clerk and was told to check the deli section where they had other varieties of cheese...sure ‘nuf it was there.

The photo challenge for September 4 was “sugar”. I could have empted my sugar, white or brown, container on the counter and photographed it for the theme but I chose to use an old standby model instead, Sugar, one of my best friends. She gets a lot of promotion on this site doesn’t she?

I have been taking the baby steps toward bringing my houseplant garden back in the house after its summer vacation in the open air. I try to clean them up, transplant and separate where needed as well spray them with a DIY plant spray with garlic and hot sauce to get rid of any pests that might be hanging on and taking a free ride. Right now I have five plants back in the house with at least as many, actually ten more, to go. Anyway, I had to go to the garden section in Meijers to get some potting soil.

Another item on the shopping list at Meijers was a blue tooth device to fire my android camera. I found one but it doesn’t hold a candle to my older worn out one so it will be going back.

On the way home we stopped for lunch then a quick stop at Westgate Park for today’s photo of the day. This photo theme is “colour play”. There is a lot of color in Westgate Park with the play ground equipment and statues being one of the constants in terms of color.

The word today is manners.  That alone can be called true refinement which elevates the soul of man, purifying the manners by improving the intellect, Hosea Ballou. It is good manners, not rank, wealth, or beauty, that constitute the real lay, Roger Ascham. Infants manners are moulded more by the example of Parents, then by stars at their nativities, George Herbert.  Every act of the man inscribes itself in the memories of his fellows, and in his own manners and face. The air is full of sounds;the sky, of tokens; the ground is all memoranda and signatures; and every object covered over with hints, which speak to the intelligent, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Defect in manners is usually the defect of fine perceptions. Elegance comes of no breeding, but of birth, Ralph Waldo Emerson. In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The mobs of the great cities add just so much to the support of pure government as sores do to the strength of the human body. It is the manners and spirit of a people which preserve a republic in vigor. A degeneracy in these is a canker which soon eats to the heart of its laws and constitution, Thomas Jefferson   Liberty cannot be preserved, if the manners of the people are corrupted, Algernon Sidney. 

I had a second photo of the day for the day, the 5th. That title is “fruit”. So.... is tomato a fruit or a vegetable:

Here’s another story about animals.  I like these kinds ususally, that is if there beneficial to the animals. There has bee n concern among animal rescues, breeders and trainers about what will happen to dogs that have been adopted after the quarantine is over. The quarantine that accepted economy, businesses and residents spilled over to the plight of our four legged population also. To start there was a “puppy boom”. So many people were wanting to adopt puppies that breeders had available puppies and future litters sold.  Two breeders mentioned in the article “showed concern that once someone realizes that a reputable breeder won’t or can’t give them a puppy, they will resort to buying from puppy mills”. They are concerned with the possibility of health problems coming to light, bad behavior problems in the new furry friend too. They are concerned that this could lead to more “surrenders to local rescues and shelters”. One of the persons interviewed said “We’re a very disposable society that if it doesn’t work, we just get rid of it, rather than say, ‘I’m going to stick with the good, bad and the ugly,’” Many shelters are using an appointment-only adoptions service, they can better screen people and match them with suitable pets. Separation anxiety may become a problem for animals that have spent days, weeks, months with owners and family members home all day. All of a sudden they are left alone when people return to work and school. It is suggested that when searching for a pet match look at the breed and the life style of the person wanting to be the parent of a furry friend. It is also suggested that a routine be practiced that assure that any change is not a shock. Socialization and crate training may be something to consider also. Hopefully these kinds of problems will be minimal once the quarantines are lifted and/or the ‘new normal’ ways of life are learned and established.

I think spam sandwiches with bottled spaghetti for dinner. Doesn’t that sound gourmet?

Joy