December 24, 2020 thought for the day; The happiness in your pocket, don't spend it all. Chinese Proverb

It has been a full and productive day. I made it to the church for the usual Thursday printing. I also got to chat with Jim for a while. I put the Christmas Eve bulletin out for the folks to pick up as they enter the sanctuary and kept the Sunday bulletins in the office to put out before church on Sunday. 

I made a stop at White Castle and then the park for a possible fit to the photo theme for today. 

When I got home, I got busy. I wrapped a couple of gifts I have for two of my neighbors. I noticed I had received the packages from Amazon (early I might add) that the twins had ordered as their Christmas gifts from me so I wrapped those also. 

Yesterday’s photo title was “a pop of color”. I was out and about and as usual was on the look out for my “assignment” for the day (that has become a well established habit in my daily activities). As I was stopped behind another car, I caught sight of this collection of colors and shapes. 

I made out a late birthday card for my grandson and a Christmas card for Bob. After that I logged onto Amazon and ordered gift certificates for the rest of my great grandchildren. I sent them through Amazon to be delivered to the kids through their parent’s email addresses. Then one more email to each of my kids and grand kids explaining that my usual Christmas calendar will be late this year. I will have them ready to give them before the end of January. (I am having trouble getting enough of the ink I need for my printer....everyone seems to be out of stock for what I need.)

After all of that or at some point between those projects I started the laundry. 

I am not going to make it to the Candle Light Service a church tonight. I will be thinking of everyone and remembering past Candle Light Services. 

The word for today is real. Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing, Abraham Lincoln. Real excellence and humility are not incompatible one with the other, on the contrary they are twin sisters, Jean-Baptiste Henri Lacordaire. There is some danger lest there be no real religion in the heart which craves too much daily sympathy, Margaret Fuller. Faith, in order to be genuine and of any real value, must be the offspring of that divine love which Jesus manifested when He prayed for His enemies on the cross, Hosea Ballou.  How few our real wants, and how vast our imaginary ones! Johann Kaspar Lavater.  If people would but provide for eternity with the same solicitude and real care as they do for this life, they could not fail of heaven, John Tillotson.  What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined - to strengthen each other - to be at one with each other in silent unspeakable memories, George Eliot. True happiness is...to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, Seneca the Younger. Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence, Aristotle.  Happiness comes when your work and words are of benefit to others, Gautama Buddha. It is neither wealth nor splendor; but tranquility and occupation which give you happiness, Thomas Jefferson. Happiness, that grand mistress of the ceremonies in the dance of life, impels us through all its mazes and meanderings, but leads none of us by the same route, Charles Caleb Colton. It came to me that I should teach this truth for it is real happiness and joy. The cessation of suffering is possible, Gautama Buddha. Avoid greatness in a cottage there may be more real happiness than kings or their favourites enjoy, Horace.   

Today’s photo theme is titled “pastel”. I was in the park and remembered the color on the water towers. I think the blue tone as well as the gray base color are in the family of pastel. 

In the beginning of this pandemic I didn’t give much thought to the use of air purifiers but the more I hear about them the more impressed I am. Along with the distancing and face masks I think these could go a long way to keeping things safer. This article is relating how many restaurants are “investing” in these air filtration and ventilation systems. I agreed with the article as I mentioned that we still need the masks and the distancing. One thing that is on the plus side of the air purification idea is that the air quality is better when there is no pandemic. I have heard and learned in searches and in this article that the units continuously recycle the air every few minutes, according to the particular unit. The filter out impurities as dust and viruses. The article went on to say that infectious disease specialists are supportive of the purchases but still emphasize the other safety measures to go along with the systems in diluting the virus.  This added precaution also reassures the customers and shows the owners care about their health. The systems large enough for restaurants are expensive so some of the smaller ones are having a hard time being able to buy them.

I am trying to think of something simple to fix for dinner....maybe left over, baked spaghetti, and fried bologna.

Joy