April 11, 2021a thought for today, Flowers look different in different eyes. Chinese Proverb

Church was interesting today. I felt that the sermon was great, some points may have been controversial to some but I thought it was point on. 

One of yesterday’s photo challenge was “donut”. I didn’t have any around the house and wasn’t planning on shopping for some so I made some from Pillsbury Refrigerator Biscuits. (They were gone in about four minutes, I only had time to take the photo. 

Yesterday was the kind of day I would like to come around more often. Lowell spent a good bit of time here with us. He was “working” on a short to do list of mine. But a big part of getting a few small things done for me was also that I got to see him for longer and spend time with him for more than a quick hello and good bye.  

There’s not much on my agenda today, being Sunday so I will “play” with some archived photos and sporadic Google searches on subjects that happen to come to mind as photos ignite memories and as phrases I may have caught from the background sound of the TV and  cause “studious-type” questions. That phrase “studious-type” may need explained: I think I have a mind that it seems won’t, absolutely refuses, to quiet itself. As I stroll through my photos, I think back to what they meant to me or what was going on and what I was thinking at the time. This may spark a word or an idea that brings on a light bulb moment and starts further thinking and learning so I look it up. I love learning....I love this part of technology (Google). Looking up things before computers would have meant encyclopedias; look at the length of time that search would take as opposed to a search engine like the one at Google and others on the computer. 

Getting back to the “quite mind” statement, that happens for me when I crochet or my hour of reading that “takes me away” (the Calgon kind) that I do every day.    

The second photo of the day for yesterday was “visual pun”.  I used some pills on a pillow to produce the photo pun “sleeping pills”. 

The word today is thankful.  If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough. Meister Eckhart.  Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others. Marcus Tullius Cicero.  Does not the gratitude of the dog put to shame any man who is ungrateful to his benefactors? Saint Basil.  Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world. John Milton. Gratitude is the sign of noble souls. Aesop.  It is just that we should be grateful, not only to those with whose views we may agree, but also to those who have expressed more superficial views; for these also contributed something, by developing before us the powers of thought. Aristotle.  Old age is not a matter for sorrow. It is matter for thanks if we have left our work done behind us. Thomas Carlyle. Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, Gautama Buddha. Whatever happens to you, don't fall in despair. Even if all the doors are closed, a secret path will be there for you that no one knows. You can't see it yet but so many paradises are at the end of this path...Be grateful! It is easy to thank after obtaining what you want, thank before having what you want, Rumi. Be thankful for the thorns and thistles, which keep you from being in love with this world, and becoming an idolater, Charles Spurgeon. You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late, Ralph Waldo Emerson. The heart of the giver makes the gift dear and precious, Martin Luther.  

Today’s photo theme is “picture”. I have these pictures waiting to be hung. One is a very old photo of mine the other is a sketch by my sister of one of our relatives from about a hundred years ago. 

This article today is more spring time news about our yards and gardens. Birds are a big part of spring and gardens. The article reminds us that birds are not “just a delightful byproduct” of being in the garden, they are important to the health of the plants and to the ecosystem balance. As the article related that the birds need food, shelter and nesting areas, more than just bird feeders. They like seeds, buds, berries, nectar, sap and fruit. The need the plant for housing and protection from the weather and their natural enemies. Plants of all sorts become their nurseries. They seem to “work for their keep” by controlling insects, insects that may be a danger to your plants as well as some to yourself. Another of their “jobs” is to pollinate certain plants. Until I read this article, I hadn’t thought about the fact that they can help with weed control by eating the weed seeds. Many kinds of plants in your yard and garden will mean more types of birds will be attracted. Conifers are for winter and inclement weather shelter and summer nesting. Grasses are good cover for some types of birds. Fruiting plants provide food both in summer and autumn. Nut and acorn trees are good for food and nesting. Thoughtful and interested gardeners may want to provide bird baths too. According to the article, bird baths are water sources for the wild life and are reported to be sometimes worth more to the birds than bird feeders. Sometimes brush piles will provide shelter and nesting areas and will supply them with added food. The article suggested that The Audubon Society is a good source for searching for data on caring for the wild birds in you yard and garden. 

Taco night or KFC or subway. 

Joy

          and to close out today.....Discarded ..... once up on a time attached to an automobile