January 7, 2021 thought for the day: When you shoot an arrow of truth, dip its point in honey. Arabic Proverb

It has been a good Thursday. The printing went without incident. Then I had time to archive the last few sermons/services and then clear the memory card. I didn’t realize there was a food delivery today. There was a truck parked beside the church when I got there, no one else was there so I was a little concerned. I didn’t know for sure why it was there, it wasn’t marked with MidOhio Food Bank. Anyway, a half hour or so after I got there others showed up to help unload the food. So I got a chance to chat with them. I always enjoy “bonding” with friends. 

I am finding that especially in the winter I have more difficulty in finding some of the “assigned” photo themes. I seem to have to go back to my fast-growing photo archives.  That is the case with both yesterdays and todays challenges. The theme for January 6 was “flowers”. It’s winter here. Unless I have a bouquet in the house or one of my house plants is blooming, I have no flowers to select. Maybe I could have used a garment with a floral pattern. I chose the archives. 

The house is very quiet. Sue is spending time at her former daughter in law’s, the twins are there too. So there are just me and the dogs for now. I don’t have anything pressing on the agenda except getting the laundry done. I am working on that in between doing some research and key wording (for future searches) on photos I have taken.  

I have also been watching reports of the awful happening at the nation’s capital yesterday. I, like most of the rest of the nation, am horrified at the chaos that took place. I wonder what history will say about it in years to come. However, I am proud that our nation’s leaders came back together and took care of business. That in itself showed that we are still and forever a strong nation and will (always) bounce back. I know the world saw our “dirty laundry” as it took place. I hope they saw also, and took note, that it was handled and brought us back to our proud country’s ideals. Our dignity, as ever, shone.  

The word today is relief.  Can I see another's woe, and not be in sorrow too? Can I see another's grief, and not seek for kind relief? William Blake.  Sorrow comes to all...Perfect relief is not possible, except with time. You cannot now realize that you will ever feel better and yet you are sure to be happy again, Abraham Lincoln. There is certain relief in change, even though it be from bad to worse! As I have often found in traveling in a stagecoach, that it is often a comfort to shift one's position, and be bruised in a new place, Washington Irving.  As we read the school reports on our children, we realize a sense of relief that can rise to delight that thank Heaven nobody is reporting in this fashion on us, Joseph Priestley. There is no feeling, perhaps, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music,--that does not make a man sing or play the better, George Eliot. Books afford the surest relief in the most melancholy moments, Johann Georg Ritter von Zimmermann. Our common country is in great peril, demanding the loftiest views, and boldest action to bring it speedy relief. Once relieved, its form of government is saved to the world; its beloved history, and cherished memories, are vindicated; and its happy future fully assured, and rendered inconceivably grand, Abraham Lincoln.  And light is mingled with the gloom, And joy with grief; Divinest compensations come, Through thorns of judgment mercies bloom In sweet relief,  John Greenleaf Whittier.  Woe to falsehood! it affords no relief to the breast, like truth; it gives us no comfort, pains him who forges it, and like an arrow directed by a god flies back and wounds the archer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.  Knowledge is a rich storehouse for the glory of the Creator and the relief of man's estate, Francis Bacon.

Today’s photo challenge is “the sky”. I waited most of the day for the sun to give me an image I could
use. Near dinner time I gave up and chose from the archives again.  

As I have mentioned before I love to see old architecture not only not torn down but restored to it’s natural beauty. There was a boy in fourth grade  who visited a place called Riverview Farm. It belonged to family friends.  He rode dirt bikes and swam in the river running on the property. Now many years later he watches that same river from his front porch on the house his once admired. The farmhouse was built in 1879 and is on 180 acres of woods and farmland. There is an “old red barn” along with a windmill and spring house.  The house had once been renovated and raised on stilts to make the cellar a basement. There is a carriage house and driveway lined with “foundation stones from a county bridge. When he bought the house, he made “cosmetic changes”. There was wallpaper in every room. Some was removed but some remained with a layer of oil-based sealer.  Antiques were added along with other designer elements. The carriage house had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchenette and large garage filled with utility and recreational vehicles. Living on the farm has been ideal during the pandemic. Some weekends he cuts trails with a “bush hog”and moving around the pond. Other weekends he entertains friends with ATV rides in the woods, boating on the river, barbeques and bonfires. There is an island in the creek for relaxation. On Thanksgiving there was a dinner at the farm including many friends and neighbors. One of the ladies made egg gravy, mock turkey loaf and homemade pumpkin pie. The “new” owner says “This place shaped my memories ,.....and I love that another generation of kids are now here creating more memories.”  Side note: have you ever read a book, magazine article, or other printed material that included in it’s dialog a food item that sounded interesting and worth tasting? I found such an event in this article. I am going to try the egg gravy and the mock turkey loaf. 

I pulled beef stew from the freezer for dinner. 

Joy