May 29, 2021 a thought for today, The tongue is soft but constantly remains; the teeth are hard yet they fall out. Chinese Proverb

Wow, I think Autumn is back. I have the furnace back on after just a few days of the AC. And I have a sweat shirt back on too. I have all of the indoor garden out. There was a good bit of wind last night that gave the plants a work out. Some fell over and had to be picked up. I hope they will survive the shock of this much of a drop in temps. It didn’t go to freezing but not far off. 

I got the message and bible study dropped off at church a while ago. Then went on another short, now typical, photo excursion around the neighborhood. 

The photo theme title for yesterday was “flat lay”. This was my learning experience for today (I like these “learning experiences” (more please)). I didn’t know what “flat lay” meant. Dumb me, I thought it was just something that naturally laid flat, like a piece of paper, anything that was naturally flat. Well, I checked out some of the already submitted photos of my peers in this group and noticed something that appeared a little different to me. They were collections of things like an advertisement page. So I gooled it, before that though, I asked my sister what she thought it meant, she had no idea. Here’s one portion of what google said: “a flat lay is a photograph taken from directly above. Beneath, there's a flat surface that serves as the backdrop and staging ground for the subjects of the photo. In most cases, the subjects are items that have been arranged on the surface like a vignette, lay flat in place”. Have at it....try it, it’s fun.

Bob helped me get the last of my plants outside, a longer soaker hose attached and the irrigation timer reset. I had the timer set for thirty minutes but decided fifteen would be more suitable for the daily watering through the spring and summer.  

The week of the month that I have the newsletter to get out is my busiest time of the month. I have let the dishes in the sink sit for a day of two so I had better take a break and get to the kitchen to correct that situation. 

The word for today is youth, The foundation of every state is the education of its youth. Diogenes.  Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age. Victor Hugo. Youth smiles without any reason. It is one of its chiefest charms, Thomas Gray. Youth comes but once in a lifetime. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. A good youth ought to have a fear of God, to be subject to his parents, to give honor to his elders, to preserve his purity; he ought not to despise humility, but should love forbearance and modesty. All these are an ornament to youthful years. Saint Ambrose.  Good habits formed at youth make all the difference. Aristotle.  Who so neglects learning in his youth, loses the past and is dead for the future. Euripides. Invention is the talent of youth, as judgment is of age. Jonathan Swift. Youth is easily deceived because it is quick to hope. Aristotle.  Study is the bane of childhood, the oil of youth, the indulgence of adulthood, and a restorative in old age. Walter Savage Landor.  Almost everything that is great has been done by youth. Benjamin Disraeli. As I approve of a youth that has something of the old man in him, so I am no less pleased with an old man that has something of the youth. He that follows this rule may be old in body, but can never be so in mind. Marcus Tullius Cicero. Memory in youth is active and easily impressible; in old age it is comparatively callous to new impressions, but still retains vividly those of earlier years. Charlotte Bronte.  Time, still as he flies, adds increase to her truth, and gives to her mind what he steals from her youth. Edward Moore.  What's a man's age? He must hurry more, that's all; Cram in a day, what his youth took a year to hold. Robert Browning.

The photo challenge for today is “a treat”. Well, there’s all kinds of treats.....sweets, cakes, candies, ice cream, donuts and so on (and treats for the eye like my great grandchildren)....for me food of any kind at a time other than a full meal. So I chose one of my many stops at McDonalds (while it was still in the sack). 

This article is about the growth of an area of the downtown in the Columbus land scape. It’s titled “ Designing The Scioto Peninsula in Columbus, Ohio”. It has grown a lot for the past few years. The Scioto Peninsula has worked in partnership with the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) in generating a “‘cultural district’”. This project, beginning in 2017, has grown interesting facilities and green spaces resulting in the development of a “unique live-work-play neighborhood experience". It began at the time of the opening of the Dorrian Green and the American Museum of Natural History at COSI. Next came the opening of the new National Veterans Memorial and Museum. As the Peninsula grew, surface parking gave way to an underground structure built with proper vertical circulation and ventilation. One of the problems that arose during that part of the project was groundwater “issues” leading to a development of continued subsurface groundwater flowing with energy efficient “dewatering practices”. In the growth process there is a symmetry with a Central Plaza to COSI. Pathways form connections to and from buildings, destinations and pedestrian crossings which also include a “link” to the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, COSI, and the American Museum of Natural History and a future mixed-use development. In the Scioto Peninsula there are play areas (for children and adults), a number of garden spaces (Sensory Garden, Reading Garden, Butterfly and Pollinator Garden and a Prairie Garden). These gardens contribute to storm water management. There is a Fountain Plaza flanked by two open air pavilions and cherry trees. The Peninsula project led to redevelopment of six acres of land adjacent to the park and continued into creating “street character in both public and private streets, including a pedestrian oriented alley, the High Water alley, all including sidewalks and crosswalks and the Belle Street connection within the framework of the planned acreage. On to the completion of the project, the plans are for 240,000 square feet of modern office spaces, a premier hotel, and apartment for residential living.

We are going to Olive Garden for dinner tonight to celebrate a birthday. 

Joy

Was it dinner for two? And only one tiny treat for both?

 

May 27, 2021 a thought for today, The Soul would have no Rainbow if the eyes had no tears. Cherokee Proverb

The photo theme for yesterday was “stack”. There are area of stacks all over the place. The basement has some choice areas. Also the garage, that one is best left untouched without supervision. Then there are book shelves and cupboards. I chose a shelf in the basement. I have always been intrigued in movies that show what can becomes of an attic when it is a storage area. 

The usual Thursday printing is done for another week. It wasn’t quite as smooth this week as I like but stuff happens. The copier jammed up several times. That takes time and paper to unstick the jammed up and by then crinkled paper. Other than that I got it all done without further detours. I must have folded 300 pieces of paper today, counting the newsletters, the bulletins, and some of the messages for Saturday (3 folds each piece). 

I was on my way home and/or searching for the photo of the day. Sue called me on the way to ask that I pick up her meds so I headed back that way to do that. 

This was the first time I was out and about since Sugar has gone and then I came back to the house without the one little body that greeted me like I had been gone for a year. It never failed, as I would walk in the door she would whine and stretch her neck to give me sloppy kisses as she tried to keep from wiggling as her tail wagged. I missed that and will for some time to come. Sweet Pea was glad to see me too. She isn’t quite as exuberant with the greeting as Sugar was but its welcome and comforting. 

Once home it was back to the computer and then starting the laundry.

The word for today is wise.  A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends. Baltasar Gracian. Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought. Matsuo Basho. A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool. William Shakespeare. It is impossible to love and to be wise. Francis Bacon. The fool who persists in his folly will become wise. William Blake. Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. Charles Spurgeon.  A wise man is superior to any insults which can be put upon him, and the best reply to unseemly behavior is patience and moderation. Moliere. Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late. Benjamin Franklin. We can be knowledgable with other men's knowledge but we cannot be wise with other men's wisdom. Michel de Montaigne. He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has. Epictetus. I have always observed that to succeed in the world one should seem a fool, but be wise. Montesquieu.  The wisdom of the wise, and the experience of ages, may be preserved by quotation. Isaac D'Israeli. The wise are instructed by reason, average minds by experience, the stupid by necessity and the brute by instinct. Marcus Tullius Cicero. A hero is born among a hundred, a wise man is found among a thousand, but an accomplished one might not be found even among a hundred thousand men. Plato.  

The photo challenge for today is “ten”. I searched stair steps for ten, playground equipment where there might be ten swings. I even took shots of yard waste bags placed by the curbs for pick up (there were fifteen in the collection).  I finally a sad picket fence that had ten pickets left.

This article is about some summer activity in a nearby place we know something about. The Mt. Sterling I remember has had some fun street-fair activities in the summertime. This article is about what is planned for this summer. The Hammer Time Pub has been given permission to “extend” their outdoor seating to the sidewalk and into the street during the Summer Jam Fest happening June 17 - 19. It will be a beer garden with seating for the live music and added bleachers and tents. There will be bands each night and maybe a “children’s karaoke”. Safety will be observed for the alcohol consumed within the roped off area. Mt. Sterling started the Summer Jam idea in 2019 (I remember the street fair kind of fun years before that). Besides the beer garden activities there will be live music, food trucks, contests, vendors, crafters along with children’s activities and rides. The article went on to list other things planed in Mt Sterling for this summer. There will be Movie Nights in May, June, July and August at Mason Park where the Mount Sterling Eagles Youth League will sell concessions. Before the movie scheduled for May 29 (“Up” is the title)  there will be a session of learning about bike safety for the kids. Bikes will be given away with helmets included. On the June 26 (the movie is “The Jungle Book”) the Mount Sterling Public Library will have the bookmobile there. On the July 31 the scheduled movie is “Tom & Jerry”,  an animal-themed activity is being planned. On August 28 the “Lorax” will be the movie and a conservation theme is planned. They will give away seedlings at this event. On June 5 from 10 to 3 there will be a Spring Bazaar at the Community Center. There will be crafters, artisans and home-based entrepreneurs along with foodies and sales representatives. There will be door prizes and games. Another planned activity is the “Food & Flea” on June 6 at Mason Park. The “Food & Flea” takes place on the first Sunday of the month from May thru October. Space can be rented for these events for the sales of flea market items, crafts, etc. On June 13 there is a “Dolly & Me Tea” at the Community Center. There will be tea sandwiches, cupcakes, chocolates, sweet treats, tea and lemonade. A silent auction is scheduled. Tickets for this event must be purchased ahead of time and proceeds go to “benefit” the center

Sloppy Joes and baked French fries for dinner tonight. 

Joy

was lunch with water??

 

 May 25, 2021 a thought got today, Tomorrow is often the busiest time of the year. Spanish Proverb

I am still grieving for our loss of Sugar. I keep thinking maybe there was more I could have done. But I don’t know how. She seemed so sick and the signs seemed so obvious and scary and uncontrollable. I think I made the right choice. Whatever the answer....we miss her. I even miss her annoying habits. She was part of the family. I am worried now about how Sweet Pea is going to adapt to the loss of her house mate. So far she seems sad but is eating and keeping up with normal habits.  

I have kept myself busy and have gone a long way toward getting things accomplished. I have the  bulletin done. The bible study for Saturday done. I have the newsletter about three quarters done, hope to finish it before noon tomorrow. 

Yesterday’s photo theme was titled “music”. I don’t know where my dulcimer is so I don’t have it to use or the sheet music that is with it. The only thing I could think of, besides my car radio, was one of the several wind chimes I have around the house. The background was of an evergreen tree where these chimes are hanging. Some of the branches were rather sparse so I separated the chimes from the background and used a motion blur filter on the background alone to make a smoother image.   

I started a really cute pair of booties for my new yet to be born great grand son. But I have started it and torn it out three times. I seem to be missing something in the pattern so I spent a little time trying to find a different pattern. I found one that is nice but not as pretty as the ones I was trying to work out. There isn’t much time before the baby will be making his appearance. Hopefully I will be able to get it done.  

The word today is winter.  It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. Charles Dickens.  We need society, and we need solitude also, as we need summer and winter, day and night, exercise and rest. Philip Gilbert Hamerton.  Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius. Pietro Aretino.   In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy. William Blake. God is day and night, winter and summer, war and peace, surfeit and hunger. Heraclitus.  I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says "Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again, Lewis Carroll.  Even in winter it shall be green in my heart, Frederic Chopin. If we had not winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome, Anne Bradstreet. Sometimes our fate resembles a fruit tree in winter. Who would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom, but we hope it, we know it, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.  Every mile is two in winter, George Herbert. Pleasant is a rainy winter's day, within doors! The best study for such a day, or the best amusement,—call it which you will,—is a book of travels, describing scenes the most unlike that sombre on, Nathaniel Hawthorne. It is said that in some countries trees will grow, but will bear no fruit because there is no winter there, John Bunyan. Thou knowest, winter tames man, woman, and beast, William Shakespeare.  

Today’s photo challenge is “facial feature”. I have all kinds of facial features in my archives from my
babies, my own children, my grandchildren and great grand children. More from some work friend of my past, from my church family of the past and today and those of my beloved pets through the years. Sweet pea got the prize for today....she is the model, can  you see  the love? 

I think it’s always interesting to learn more of the history of the place we come from. This article talks about Columbus street names and how and why they got their names. From the article there is a statement that caught my attention: “ Sometimes I can find a missing street by looking at early maps of the city”. My thinking is what happened to the street? Did it disappear (for other construction) or was it renamed. And, related to that last attention grabber, when a street number can be located in more than one place on the street.  The article says to explain this oddity we need to realize that Columbus “was not only a city of interesting neighborhoods, many ....were little towns in their own right....that the most of the near west side of downtown was once a frontier village of Franklinton”. Parts of the German sections of Columbus and the Short North were also little villages. These villages numbered the houses and buildings in their own “villages” so the same number may occur more than once. In March of 1887 street renumbering on many of Columbus streets was begun, from that time on “proper numbering would occur”. That was something on the numbering part of street names. The street might be long enough to “pass through several neighborhoods”. Then the name may have changed a few times. In 1872 (note: Columbus was founded in 1812) there was an ordinance generated in an effort to “fix” the problem. The article went on to list several of just such streets whose names were changed, it listed the original name and then “changed to...” For instance “Phelan and Parsons Street to Fourth Street” and “Church to Seventh”, and so on. Even after this monumental change occasionally the street would be renamed again but since the ordinance of 1872 most have remained the same names. Street numbering has remained the same, even numbers to the north and west and odd numbers to the south and east. 

I found some goulash that I had frozen a couple of weeks ago, that will be dinner tonight. 

Joy

My discard for today ...... keeping it company in its solitude.....a lone thrown away and now useless can....the curves, the colors, the peeling paint, the weed, the rough textures on the surface.

 

 May 23, 2021 a thought for today, Years know more than books. Italian Proverb

I haven’t had too much sleep in the last couple of nights and I’m feeling the lack thereof. Sugar has me really concerned. Added to her aging problems, one being blind and some disorientation, she has developed diarrhea and some vomiting. While awake all last night, I just knew this is the time I would need to let go. But I gathered hope and reconsidered at church. I have decided I will take her to the vet in the morning and hear that diagnosis. Maybe we can buy her a little more time. 

Yesterday’s photo theme was “home decor”. This is part of my indoor garden corner once the plants have gone on their outside staycation to the back deck/patio.

Today’s sermon was from one of my favorite pastors so I completely learned from it and enjoyed the presentation (which to me is a major consideration to getting the message across). For one of several reasons, it calmed my worries about Sugar. Sunday mornings are always an uplifting part of my life by being with the community of like-minded friends. 

As is my normal habit for Sunday there is very little on my agenda for the rest of the day. 

The word for today is wings.  No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings. William Blake.  Be like the bird who, pausing in her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing she hath wings, Victor Hugo. There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.  Sadness flies away on the wings of time. Jean de La Fontaine. Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars above the earth and all temporary nature. Thomas a Kempis. Something opens our wings. Something makes boredom and hurt disappear. Someone fills the cup in front of us: We taste only sacredness. Rumi.  To give thanks in solitude is enough. Thanksgiving has wings and goes where it must go. Your prayer knows much more about it than you do. Victor Hugo. Faith without works is like a bird without wings; though she may hop with her companions on earth, yet she will never fly with them to heaven. Francis Beaumont. Joys are our wings, sorrows our spurs, Jean Paul. Your legs will get heavy and tired. Then comes a moment of feeling the wings you've grown, lifting, Rumi. God turns you from one feeling to another and teaches by means of opposites so that you will have two wings to fly, not one, Rumi. The Book of Psalms instructs us in the use of wings as well as words. It sets us both mounting and singing. Charles Spurgeon. 

Today’s photo challenge is titled “something hot”. I pulled from the archives for this one. I
photographed the candles on the altar at church this morning but I was far enough from them that the focus wasn’t as good as I would have liked. 

I enjoy visiting Dawes Arbortum. There is a lot to see there. With the items listed in this article it will be even more of a pleasure to visit. According to the article they have added more art pieces to an, in my opinion, already gorgeous nature setting. There are two “unique” exhibits one for indoors and one outdoors. Dawes is a 2,000-acre nonprofit “living tree museum”. Indoors in the small History Center there are paintings by a 19th-century Ohio painter who has a family connection with the founders of Dawes. Outdoors are sixty kinetic wind sculptures created by a Utah artist. They move with the force of the breezes. They are found along one of the paved trails. The paintings in the exhibit are part of the family collection. One of the painting is of a Judge Cutler’s house along the Ohio River.  That painting was in a book about settlers in the American west. That photo in the book was a prompt for the creation of the exhibit of the paintings. This exhibit will continue through October 31.  The other exhibit, the kinetic wind sculptures, will be open for visitors through October 17. The sculptures are made of copper or stainless steel they are tall and some are arranged in groups of two or three. One of the sculptures is in the form of a pine tree. The leaves rotate in the wind. Some of the sculptures move in a wave-like manner. Others rotate showing the reflections of their surroundings on oval blades. On June 5 further additions will appear along with the sculptures in the form of twenty-four “larger-than-life” copper frogs. 

I think it will be KFC for dinner. 

Joy

PS. As I finished this letter and listed my order for take home KFC, Sugar had another bout with diarrhea. This time was different, it was pure blood, like a spigot had been turned on.  I quickly decided I had to take her somewhere for whatever help there might be. I didn’t feel I had time to call her vet's office and wait for a call back (this being Sunday), so I considered two 24 hour vet centers and picked the nearest. Bob (thank goodness for Bob) held her as I drove and we waited in the car (pandemic and all) as they took her from Bob’s arms and into the building to be assessed. After some conversations with the veterinarian via phones as we waited outside and a list of choices were offered we decided to “put her down”.....my little white fur ball is gone, my little spirited Alpha dog gone.....time to let go, time to mourn, time to pack away the memories.     

May 21, 2021 a thought for today, Yesterday's flowers are today's dreams. Japanese Proverb

I had a restless night so the day is dragging by. There was a statement or two made last night that has caused me to process and consider. It’s just one of those things that happen when adults live together. There is another huge burden on my heart today.....I am seeing signs that Sugar, my fluffy white dachshund, is slipping away more and more each day. I think I am preparing myself for the grief that is to come, soon. Although, she has had what looked like the last moments of health a few other times and came through it ok. She just seems to be having a particularly bad bout with things right now.  So that’s my life today. 

Normally when I am traveling through these gloomy feelings, working on the computer brings some comfort. It isn’t working its magic very well today. 

One of the photo a days’ theme for yesterday was “dinner”. I didn’t think about taking the photo the night before so I chose a “dinner” photo from the last time that I was at York Steak House, my usual baked fish with almond butter, baked potato and huge dinner roll. 

I left the computer to clean up the area where my indoor garden resides before and after its spring/summer vacation on the patio. I also need to clear out the dishwasher, maybe that will readjust my mood. Added to my agenda for today is finishing the handout message/bible study papers.

The second photo theme for today was “grocery list”. I do my lists on sticky note paper and make it

as I run out of things. In the shot I also included a couple of coupons. 

The word today is weary. This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or exercise their revolutionary right to overthrow it. Abraham Lincoln.  It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit. Robert Louis Stevenson. In the same way the sun never grows weary of shining, nor a stream of flowing, it is God's nature to keep His promises. Therefore, go immediately to His throne and say, 'Do as You promised.' Charles Spurgeon. Let no one be slow to seek wisdom when he is young nor weary in the search of it when he has grown old. For no age is too early or too late for the health of the soul. Epicurus. My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when. sick and weary. Martin Luther. Christian, learn from Christ how you ought to love Christ. Learn a love that is tender, wise, strong; love with tenderness, not passion, wisdom, not foolishness, and strength, lest you become weary and turn away from the love of the Lord. Saint Bernard.  However dark and profitless, however painful and weary, existence may have become, life is not done, and our Christian character is not won, so long as God has anything left for us to suffer, or anything left for us to do. Frederick William Robertson. We shall not grow weary of waiting upon God if we remember how long and how graciously He once waited for us, Give me truths for I am weary of the surfaces, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Look to it that you do not try to do all of it, do not try to do too much, lest your spirit grow weary. Besides, a good prayer mustn't be too long. Do not draw it out. Prayer ought to be frequent and fervent, Martin Luther. 

Today’s photo challenge is “mirror selfie”. When the challenge calls for a selfie, I try to think of something that I can use that will show as little of myself as possible and yet meet the titled challenge. My wrinkles and white hair aren’t that note worthy in my estimation. 

My father would be amazed at where all of this technology is bringing us or taking us. The article is talking about the renewable energy of solar panels at a major bank in Columbus who are turning the parking lot in the McCoy Center at Polaris into a “solar farm”. According to the article they are planning to do something like it at three other Columbus offices. They are being constructed on carports. These new installations at the McCoy Center along with the previously installed panels on the roofs will meet 75% of the electricity needed. This interested me, it is ‘the largest single user office building in one of the  US after the massive lay outs in Washington DC”.  The building has the same square footing as the tallest building in NYC. The article stated that with all of the projects together it will have enough power to meet half the electricity needed. There will be 40,000 panels. They will be a canopy over most of the parking lot. One of the techy corporate offices in California is the only bigger site similar to this. The article stated that what the bank is  “doing is part of a broad effort by tech companies, retailers and other companies to make investments in clean energy....”. Businesses have realized that solar energy is a huge way to lower energy costs and add to aid to the “climate crisis”. Another bank mentioned in this article has one office based in Cincinnati with some offices here in Columbus. They said that the reached “carbon neutrality” in 2020, reducing its corporate carbon footprint”. There is a third bank mentioned in the article that has  a “solar array” at their office in Easton. 

Pizza!

Today’s “discard” rather speaks for itself......decor??

 

 May 19, 2021 a thought for today, No man can call again yesterday. Latin Proverb

It has been a full and mostly pleasant day. We, Sue and I, started out with an early trip to Kroger. She had an appointment at 10:30 so I wanted to make plenty of time to get the shopping done before I dropped her off. After I dropped her off, I went to Wendy’s but I was exactly four minutes too early for lunch. So I came on home to put the ice cream away. I got a few more of the bags out of the car before I headed back to Wendy’s. Sue called to say she was ready as I was leaving Wendy’s. After I picked her up, we went on one of my photo searching trips.

The photo theme for yesterday was “to my right”. As I work on work on my computer Sugar, one of my best friends, lies on an afghan on the table that is my desk. Her legs are too short for her to be able to sit and watch the outside as she loves to do. I have to watch her carefully so that she doesn’t fall off the table. She is over fourteen years and is in the last chapter of her life so I want her to be able to enjoy anything I am able to provide for her. She deserves that and more as I remember all the love and “understanding” she has given me over the years from the time we rescued her until she crosses over the rainbow. 

Shortly after we got home, I got a wonderful call from two of my great grand children. After a chat with them my legs were rested some from the shopping excursion. So I got a few little side chores done. 

I got a text asking for an addition to one of the documents to be printed tomorrow so I made that addition.  

While I got the cold things put away, I still have canned and boxed things to put in their respective places. 

The sunshine makes it much easier to smile and to sit back and get ready for the lazy, hazy days of summer (and the hum of the AC inside and wind chimes outside). 

The photo assignment for today is titled “shadow play”. Wow, did I have fun chasing this one down. I have maybe twenty-five shots to choose from. Here’s the one that won. 

The word for today is weak. Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak. Thomas Carlyl. Written laws are like spiders' webs, and will, like them, only entangle and hold the poor and weak, while the rich and powerful will easily break through them. Anacharsis. Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause. Victor Hugo. A weak mind is like a microscope, which magnifies trifling things, but cannot receive great ones. Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield.  The block of granite which was an obstacle in the pathway of the weak, became a stepping-stone in the pathway of the strong. Thomas Carlyle. The strong do what they have to do and the weak accept what they have to accept. Thucydides. Vanity working on a weak head, produces every sort of mischief. Jane Austen.  Sorrow is a fruit. God does not make it grow on limbs too weak to bear it. Victor Hugo.  We are born weak, we need strength; helpless, we need aid; foolish, we need reason. All that we lack at birth, all that we need when we come to man's estate, is the gift of education. Jean-Jacques Rousseau.  However weak we are, however poor, however little our faith, or however small our grace may be, our names are still written on His heart; nor shall we lose our share in Jesus' love. Charles Spurgeon. He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that his reason is weak. Michel de  Montaigne.

Here something interesting that may soon be added to the history books. The title is “The sky is the limit for drones to deliver the absurd”. At the beginning of the article it is mentioned that Kroger is planning to experiment with drone deliveries in their store in Centerville. At first it will be only to people in the neighborhood. The packages won’t weigh more than five pounds. The article goes on to describe some of the surprised that may happen with these deliveries. For instance, people on a picnic wanting a mayonnaise deliver. Another point of view, a dad on vacation after driving 1,200 miles wanting an 18-piece bucket of fried chicken delivered through the sunroof of a moving SUV. The article noted that recently a four-year old managed to order $2,600 worth of SpongeBob Popsicles from Amazon to be delivered the “old-fashioned” way. But, as the article went on to relate, that could happen where a preschooler uses a smartphone and accidently orders a larger than normal drone delivery.  How about home improvement supplies to be delivered by drone. Especially when “nuts, bolts, rivets and rolls of duct tape” can use this kind of delivery. Then comes the question of pizza deliveries. Here is another of the humorous notes from the author, “No more 90-minute waits” (for pizza) “..... But I predict all those airborne, extra-large pepperonis will be too much for hungry thieves armed with slingshots....Anti-aircraft fire will fill the skies...”.  More in that vein in this article is delivers of gluten-free vegan foods that people may not want known, folks with a security camera would “show that bacon cheeseburger arriving by air at 1 a.m.” The last item pointed out in the article is “Amusing collisions will dominate the news.....funny mishaps seem unavoidable: A pharmacy drone bearing antacids collides with a diner drone delivering chili dogs.....” and so on. It was an amusing article with maybe some truth....but then all things new have to go through test cycles. 

It looks like it is going to be creamed beef on toast for dinner and shoestring potatoes. 

Joy

My “discard” for today is titled (by me) “hole in one”. 

 May 17, 2021a thought for today, The eyes have one language everywhere. Romanian Proverb

The sun isn’t shining today, that’s a bit of a downer. But from what I am hearing on the weather reports I think I will be able to start taking the house plants outside soon. I had a particular arrangement on the back porch for them for the spring and summer but we have a new back door. Its opens in the opposite direction than in past years so I am going to have to plan a new lay out for them. 

The May 16 photo challenge was titled “something small”. This another of the wide open subjects for image choices. When I was scanning around for something small to use for my image I settled on this single dandelion.  

I did get what I call my Monday agenda done today. I got my part of the bulletin done with the added updates needed since we are going back to some of the normal things as the pandemic eases. I also got the bible study ready to print. Now I need to wait for the rest of the bulletin information and for the message information for next Saturday. 

That’s about all I have on the agenda for today. Whenever I have a break in other parts of the agenda, as I seem to today, I have been trying to add old files to my new external hard drive as a backup. I have been neglecting backing up files for far too long. 

The word for today is voice.  Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing, only a signal shown, and a distant voice in the darkness; So on the ocean of life, we pass and speak one another, only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Music is the harmonious voice of creation; an echo of the invisible world. Giuseppe Mazzini. The greatest musical instrument given to a human being is the voice. Dayananda Saraswati. The voice of conscience is so delicate that it is easy to stifle it; but it is also so clear that it is impossible to mistake it. Madame de Stael. Do not follow the ideas of others, but learn to listen to the voice within yourself. Your body and mind will become clear and you will realize the unity of all things. Dogen. How wonderful is the human voice! It is indeed the organ of the soul. The intellect of man is enthroned visibly on his forehead and in his eye, and the heart of man is written on his countenance, but the soul, the soul reveals itself in the voice only, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  Let there be a door to thy mouth, that it may be shut when need arises, and let it be carefully barred, that none may rouse thy voice to anger, and thou pay back abuse with abuse. Saint Ambrose. The message behind the words is the voice of the heart, Rumi. A man's style is his mind's voice. Wooden minds, wooden voices, Ralph Waldo Emerson.  Two voices are there; one is of the sea, One of the mountains: each a mighty Voice, William Wordsworth. Raise your words, not your voice, Rumi. The one who sings, prays twice, Saint Augustine.  It is impossible that the whisper of a faction should prevail against the voice of a nation, John Russell, 1st Earl Russell. 

The photo theme for today is “made me smile”. I had two particular photos in mind. One of them I shot the on mother’s day that is the one I uploaded to the group I belong to. The other one was sent to me since I couldn't be there for his birthday celebration. I am uploading the other to share here in the blog. They are of two of my very favorite people, two of my great grand sons. One is paying peek-a-boo and the other is admiring the fire truck and all of it’s awesome equipment. 

Here’s another article about people helping people. The Meals on Wheels program is in need of volunteers, it seems the need for this service is more and more in “demand”. One of the recipients of there meals said that the delivery of these meals “saves me time and energy”. The article went on to say “thousands of sick or elderly central Ohioans who depend on Meals on Wheels to help keep them fed.....And the need has mushroomed since the COVID-19 pandemic hit”. In March of 2019 to February of 2020, 4,751 people in Central Ohio were served by meals on wheels. By February 2021 the number had grown to 7,873 and to day the numbers have not gone down. It is surmised that many people lost their support system during the pandemic. This increase in the number of people served has let to “an urgent need for more volunteers”. LifeCare Alliance who run the Meals on Wheels program have had to hire more drivers with a cost estimate of $1,900 more a day. It stands to reason then that that would lead to $475,000 a year. That kind of money is not available and hard to raise. Last year the CARES Act helped with costs.  The Ohio Department of Aging also helps where it can. Many of the volunteers from LifeCare do the deliveries on their lunch breaks. During the pandemic some of the employees had to be let go for a while and haven’t returned to the office yet. Some of the outer counties “are dying on the vine because we can’t find volunteers”.  One of the volunteers took her three children, 6, 8 and 9) along as she made the delivers in the south campus area of OSU and Grandview heights. She believes it helped them learn about life. They saw different people and different neighborhoods.  During the pandemic the volunteers would place the meal in a “designated spot” then let the client it was there. Now they are beginning to knock on the doors and deliver the meal. This way they also serve as “eyes and ears” towards other needs the client may have. 

I think I am making Johnny Marzetti (goulash) for dinner tonight. 

Joy

My discard today makes me wonder were they simply forgotten? Were they left behind? Or was the owner kidnapped (just kidding)?

 May 15, 2021 a thought for today, Dance to the tune that is played. Spanish Proverb

So far it has been a beautiful day. It started yesterday when I was able to get my car fixed. The problem was the “caliper” went out (I’m an old lady who does not and never did understand mechanical things) which caused the brake to become damaged. It cost a pretty penny but at least it’s fixed and running smoothly. The other smaller problems mentioned in the last blog have managed to work themselves out with some back door planning. One thing that “spiced” up the day yesterday was there were two different city buses going down our residential street....unusual. We saw why when we got to the service station, there had been a serious accident a few blocks down the street causing cars and busses to detour for a few blocks. 

Yesterday’s photo theme was titled “a passion”. Passion is a pretty strong word, “strong feeling, love, emotion or desire”. So there are a lot of things that could be considered for this title. I chose parts of my indoor garden 

The day started with a quick call to my great grand son with a birthday today. He is three years old today. I called at a busy time, that’s why the “quick” call. He was helping his mom make cookies for his party later today. I got to say hi and happy birthday. Wish I could have been there to give him a hug. 

I got the bible study and message/hymn pages done (folded and enveloped) yesterday while I sat in the service station waiting for the diagnosis on the car. I took them to the church a while ago. I was surprised to see our parking lot nearly full. A farmers’ market was going on across the street. Patti and Susan were at the church so I got to chat with them for a few minutes.  

All the while that I was out and about, I was thinking of my photo themes for today. I got a couple of ideas at the church and later headed for the park. I was amazed at the number of people at the park too. There was a little league game going on, a few picnics in progress and a few of the daily walkers. The weather is perfect today for all of these Events.

The first photo theme title for today is “pattern”. Here again this is a wide open subject for an image.
There are all kinds of things in my life with patterns. I was out and about this morning to I shot some of the patterns I saw at the different stops I made. This one is of the church façade was my choice for presentation. 

The word for today is vision. Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others. Jonathan Swift. The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it. Thucydides.  If we had a keen vision of all that is ordinary in human life, it would be like hearing the grass grow or the squirrel's heart beat, and we should die of that roar which is the other side of silence. George Eliot. The responsibility of tolerance lies with those who have the wider vision. George Eliot. Enhance and intensify one's vision of that synthesis of truth and beauty which is the highest and deepest reality. Ovid. The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  Will not a tiny speck very close to our vision blot out the glory of the world, and leave only a margin by which we see the blot? I know no speck so troublesome as self. George Eliot.  To the person who does not know where he wants to go there is no favorable wind, Seneca the Younger.   In the long run men hit only what they aim at, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. 

The second photo theme for today is titled “find a face n nature (not actual human or animal)”. This one was much more of a challenge for me than the other two above.  I searched tree tops, bushes, flowers and clouds. I’m not as good at these as is my sister, Sue. It seems every time she looks at banks of clouds she sees some object in them. It took me a while and several shots. I finally came up with this one. I see the head of a poodle in this cloud. 

This article is about some more history about a part of our city and surroundings. It tells about a time in the history of Grandview Heights and Marble Cliff. The article begins with explaining a conflict between the Grandview Heights and Columbus fire departments in 1922 as to who was supposed to cover what areas. Grandview Heights and the Marble Cliff area were growing rapidly during that period. The Columbus Fire Department were experiencing a rise in the number of runs they made each day. They stated that they couldn’t continue this rise in number of runs at no charge. In 1923 a building was destroyed by fire. Grandview sent a bill to Columbus for the water that was used to fight the fire. Later in 1923 the two entities attempted to get together to work out a contract that would allow Grandview the use of Columbus’ apparatus. Grandview refused to pay the $1 on each $1,000 on the village tax duplicate. The differences of opinion continued. Columbus safety director said that Grandview would have to use its own equipment within Grandview or Marble Cliff and Columbus firemen would not be permitted in those districts. The argument continued with Grandview saying that Columbus would be charged for the water they used in the section of Columbus lying in the “finger” between Third and King Avenues. Eventually Columbus relented and stated that a response from the Columbus fire department would occur with a request for aid from the “Grandview mayor, a council member or the city clerk.” A little later there was a “nasty turn” of events. There was a fire in the “finger” area. Columbus responded. Grandview firefighters reacted. The Columbus team was ordered by their chief to leave the area and return to their station. Then the Grandview firefighters turned their hoses on the Columbus crew. The Grandview mayor apologized to the Columbus safety director. The end of the story is that Grandview established its own fire station. 

Hot dogs or creamed beef or something else for dinner????

Joy

....and my “discard” for the day. How could you miss the opening in this trash can? Maybe a foot away?

May 13, 2021 a thought for today, Today is yesterday's pupil. Spanish Proverb

This day has presented one problem after another. First, I couldn’t get my Publisher file to transfer to the flash drive. I finally managed that. There were several people at the church today while I was printing. So there was some distraction from the usual flow. Next problem, on my way home, I noticed a disturbing sound on the car when I am making a left hand turn; all I can imagine is an expensive service problem. 

To top off these problems I am having another with transferring my files to the new backup external hard drive I purchased yesterday. It seems my “cloud” isn’t connecting properly. So that is a problem where I will be devoting some time and attention.

At least I got the laundry started but even that was a bit of a problem because I got it started late in the day. 

Oh, well tomorrow will be a better day.....hopefully (smile).  

The photo challenge for yesterday was “on the shelf”. I have a floating shelf I have recently installed in the powder room. That became my model for today. Before I made the shot, I placed a little token card that Drew and Lexie sent me for Mothers Day there to be in the photo too. 

The word today is virtue.  The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature. Marcus Aurelius. Happiness is a virtue, not its reward. Baruch Spinoza.   Glory follows virtue as if it were its shadow. Marcus Tullius Cicero. Virtue has a veil, vice a mask. Victor Hugo. Kindness is the sunshine in which virtue grows. Robert Green Ingersoll.   Peace is the virtue of civilization. War is its crime. Victor Hugo. I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man. George Washington. Recommend virtue to your children; it alone, not money, can make them happy. I speak from experience. Ludwig van Beethoven. Virtue, perhaps, is nothing more than politeness of soul. Honore de Balzac. Music is the movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its virtue. Plato. Virtue is like health: the harmony of the whole man, Thomas Carlyle. The greatest virtues are those which are most useful to other persons, Aristotle. To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness, Confucius. What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have never been discovered, Ralph Waldo Emerson.  Virtue does not come from wealth, but wealth, and every other good thing which men have comes from virtue, Socrates. Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors, Confucius.

Today’s photo theme is “a wall”. As you will notice when you look around there are all kinds of walls in our lives. I wanted to find one that had a not-to-plain character about it. This one actually have at least three “walls” in it, the one wit the arch, the stones at waist level and a peek of a wooden privacy fence. 

I hope the structure in this article can be redesigned to be able to make it useful. I saw a photo of it in todays article. It was rather small but could be restored to its time in history. The Columbus Landmarks is hoping to save a one hundred-year-old service station on North High Street near King Avenue before it is demolished. Some of the ideas for it’s new purpose are a café, a bakery or even a redesigned garage maybe to incorporate its history as well as new technology. There has also been a suggestion to relocate the structure. In considering the relocation idea, the article mentioned some historic structures in Columbus that have been moved: the Union Station Arch, have been moved twice; a handful of homes in the Circles was moved to a courtyard off of West Fifth Avenue when Battelle was expanding. There is a group who wants to redevelop the corner where the building in question is located. So a decision is going to have to be made soon. 

I think we will have baked Tilapia for dinner tonight. 

Joy

I liked the added details with this discarded box under the tire of the parked car, the shapes, a touch of color, lines, and textures. 

 

 May 11, 2021 a thought for the day, One who knows books has four eyes. Traditional Proverb

This has turned out to be a busy day. I didn’t get a chance to work on the bulletin yesterday so after the usual morning “wake up” starts and the virtual visits, I went straight to the bulletin. For some reason I made better time on it than it usually takes. Probably because the five or six pieces of the information I always need to search for was more in one spot than it is most of the time.  I usually have to search four or five different sites to find what I need. 

I also spent a couple of hours putting together the bible study we need for Saturday evening. 

One of the photos of the day for yesterday was “messy”. As usual I looked around while I was out for the photo of the day. This is one of the images I have in my collection for yesterday. 

I was taken out to dinner last night for Mothers Day. We each had other plans on Sunday so yesterday worked better. We all went to Red Lobster for dinner. Lowell and Rebecca and Lou Ann met Bob, Sue and me there. And then Mick, Kim and William joined us. We had a great meal and a good time. 

One disappointment of the day was that I missed a visit from Natalie and Gideon. I have been wanting to get together with them for over a month. They brought me a beautiful potted arrangement for purple petunias and other tiny little purple blooms all in a lavender pot for the front porch.  I missed them because I had an eye doctor appointment and then stopped for some supplies at JoAnn Fabrics. 

Then to top off the day I had some texts that let me know that Drew and Lexie had been wanting to call me while we were at the restaurant. So I called them to say good night before I, and they, went to bed. 

The second photo of the day for yesterday was “birds”. I had a bit of a challenge finding one that was quiet enough for me to capture. I went by the park but I couldn’t get a good shot there. So this is in my back yard.

I woke up this morning realizing I haven’t backed up my computer files in a very long time. If the hard drive fails, I will be losing over five years of photographs and other data. So tomorrow I am going to go out to get another external hard drive to start and maintain some backups.  

The word today is venture. Begin, be bold and venture to be wise. Horace.  It's not because things are difficult that we dare not venture. It's because we dare not venture that they are difficult. Lucius Annaeus Seneca.  Finite to fail, but infinite to venture. Emily Dickinson. Unless a man feels he has a good enough memory, he should never venture to lie. Michel de Montaigne.   As for our great King, when we venture into His presence, let us have a purpose there. Let us beware of playing at praying; it is insolence toward God. Charles Spurgeon,  Affairs are easier of entrance than of exit; and it is but common prudence to see our way out before we venture in. Aesop.  Belief in oneself is one of the most important bricks in building any successful venture, Lydia M. Child. Keep not standing fixed and rooted. Briskly venture, briskly roam, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. He that would fish, must venture his bait, Benjamin Franklin. Do not plan for ventures before finishing what's at hand. Euripides. Even broken in spirit as he is, no one can feel more deeply than he does the beauties of nature. The starry sky, the sea, and every sight afforded by these wonderful regions, seems still to have the power of elevating his soul from earth. Such a man has a double existence: he may suffer misery, and be overwhelmed by disappointments; yet, when he has retired into himself, he will be like a celestial spirit that has a halo around him, within whose circle no grief or folly ventures. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. To venture an opinion is like moving a piece at chess: it may be taken, but it forms the beginning of a game that is won, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. 

Today’s challenge is “on top”. That’s a wide-open subject but I wasn’t planning on going out till later in the day so I shot this one on top of the frig. 

There are a lot of memories for most of us in the family at the Spaghetti Warehouse. This article is about some of the remodeling is going on there. According to the article Spaghetti Warehouse is a “paragon of pleasantly prepared pasta”. It undergoing a few “key changes” that will be subtle and drawn out and will then be “fit for another several decades”. Here in Columbus it is located in the Franklinton area that is seeing a lot of new activities. There is a Spaghetti Warehouse in Dayton, Toledo, Akron and Syracuse, NY.  The restaurant is located in a historic building on West Broad Street. It is believed to be one hundred and thirty years old. There are seven dining rooms and seating for eight hundred people. The inside is mostly dark wood floors and ceilings, brick, wooden stairs and railings with accessories of yellow and black vents, old furniture and checkered tablecloths. I gathered that they hope to keep the “American bric-a-brac, colored glass, antique overhead lampshades and remnants of the building’s days as an icehouse”. The work will be ongoing and will not disturb guests and the recipes will remain the same. There are a few new exciting additions to the menu including some gluten-free and vegan meals. They plan to expand their carry out/pick up service. I will be glad to pay them a visit. When I worked downtown, we visited there on our lunch breaks. My retirement dinner was held there. To add to all of that, I am happy that a historic structure is restored and kept in service instead of torn down.  

I am going to make potato soup and fried bologna for dinner. 

Joy

Here is the “discard” for the day. I like to note the other “artful activity” in the image. Items like the textures, the lines, the shapes, the color tones as well as the deformed shapes of the main item, the bends and dents. 

 May 9, 2021 thought for today, The right path is near, yet men seek it afar off. Traditional Proverb

For some reason I had a restless night, one with coming awake for a few minutes then back to sleep off and on all night. That may have been why the sermon this morning was not the pick-me-up for me that it usually is. The restlessness seemed to hang on even in my early waking hours. The seemingly relentless rain we are experiencing may also have something to do with it. The brightest part of the day so far was when Lexie and Drew and Jessie video called me again after I was home from church for a little while. 

Yesterday’s photo for yesterday was “window light”. When I dropped off the message handouts, I went into the sanctuary and then into the conference room for a few photos. This one seemed perfect for the theme. 

Bob and I got the new snowball bush that Peggy, my neighbor, bought for me, planted yesterday. I know newly planted plants need water but this might be just a bit too much. 

I can usually figure out a crochet pattern that can be a bit confusing after a try once or twice. I started trying to crochet a pair of new born baby booties in the form a sneaker started. I tried three times and each time got the sole finished but the next step in each pattern was beyond my reach. I am giving up on that style. I found another interesting one called Baby Kimono Slippers. I will start this evening during my crocheting time, we’ll see how this one goes. 

The word for today is value.  True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it is lost. Charles Caleb Colton. Sincerity makes the very least person to be of more value than the most talented hypocrite. Charles Spurgeon. No man knows the value of innocence and integrity but he who has lost them. William Godwin. The value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use we make of them... Whether you find satisfaction in life depends not on your tale of years, but on your will. Michel de Montaigne. Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination: never put off till tomorrow what you can do today. Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield. There are four questions of value in life,.... What is sacred? Of what is the spirit made? What is worth living for and what is worth dying for? The answer to each is the same. Only love. Lord Byron.  Bad times have a scientific value. These are occasions a good learner would not miss. Ralph Waldo Emerson. The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival. Aristotle. Real knowledge, like everything else of value, is not to be obtained easily. It must be worked for, studied for, thought for, and, more that all, must be prayed for. Thomas Arnold. The promises of this world are, for the most part, vain phantoms; and to confide in one's self, and become something of worth and value is the best and safest course. Michelangelo.  I conceive that the great part of the miseries of mankind are brought upon them by false estimates they have made of the value of things. Benjamin Franklin. The value of a dollar is social, as it is created by society. Ralph Waldo Emerson.  You know the value of every article of merchandise, but if you don't know the value of your own soul, it's all foolishness. Rumi. The value of a principle is the number of things it will explain. Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

Today’s photo theme is “outside”. With the rain we have been having there didn’t seem to be to many “pretty” outdoor shots to be had for today. So I tried to get a shot of the outside and at the same time show the weather’s offerings.

Beulah Race Track  holds some memories for us. I went to a few races there when it was a race track. Then for a couple years there were some hot air balloon shows there.  Tiffany, Sue’s granddaughter, use to ride one of the lead pony’s that brought the race horses in and out for a year or so. So the changes that are happening there are interesting.  Since then the race track has closed and the property is changing to a whole new purpose . The article is telling about the Beulah Park Living project that is in progress. I think I might have mentioned it before. There are a number of residential projects beginning. As a matter of fact there are already three new residents and more that fifty percent of the homes have been sold during this first phase. The second phase will offer eighty-six more lots.  Another of the projects coming to a close is the luxury apartments and townhouses. The apartments have private balconies and patios. There is a modern clubhouse with a workout gym and yoga studio. They also offer dog washing stations. A Senior living center called Danbury Senior Living will open in late summer. The Beulah Park Living project has approximately nine hundred and thirty residents. The total project also includes an OhioHealth facility. There will be offices, a fitness center and casual restaurants. There are plans to dedicate a memorial garden during the Grove City Arts in the Alley in September. 

We are having tacos tonight for dinner. 

Joy

Looks like the “discard” for the day was an “ooops we missed” kind of thing. The trash receptacle is right there. Maybe it was just too much of a reach. 

 May 7, 2021 a thought for today, When in prayer you clasp your hands, God opens His. Traditional Proverb

This day started out perfectly with a visual call from Lexie and Drew and Jessie. Then we had to say goodbye for now and we all started out on the rest of the adventures of our day. Mine wasn’t all that exciting but the kind that has to be done like.... get food in the house. 

When we got home there was the usual getting them from the car to the porch, to the kitchen, to the frig/freezer/cupboards. Once that was accomplished, I was back at the computer.

The photo challenge for yesterday was "object". That's a wide open subject. I was at chruch doing some work and found a couple of things that would make and interesting photo. Here is one of them. 

At the top of the rest of today’s to-do list is getting the “message” in the envelopes with the bible study that I finished yesterday. I learned at the meeting I went to last night that I will be changing the routine a bit. I have been adding the lyrics of familiar hymns to the message sheet. There has been a request to make the type easier to read for the message so I have been asked to enlarge it. Now it will fit on both sides of the page, in place of the hymn that I choose weekly on the second side. 

The air is still cool, a little unusual for almost mid May. But I don’t want to complain too much, we will be getting hot weather soon. 

The word today is understand.  The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark. Michelangelo.  Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are travelling the dark journey with us. Oh be swift to love, make haste to be kind. Henri Frederic Amiel.  I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: 'O Lord make my enemies ridiculous.' And God granted it. Voltaire.  Short as life is, we make it still shorter by the careless waste of time. Victor Hugo.  Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs. Charlotte Bronte.  Anger is a short madness. Horace. A proverb is a short sentence based on long experience. Miguel de Cervantes. In short I will part with anything for you but you. Mary Wortley Montagu. For one swallow does not make a summer, nor does one day; and so too one day, or a short time, does not make a man blessed and happy. Aristotle.  A short saying often contains much wisdom. Sophocles. The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding, Leonardo da Vinci. To understand the true quality of people, you must look into their minds, and examine their pursuits and aversions, Marcus Aurelius. I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand, Confucius. A person hears only what they understand, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. You do ill if you praise, but worse if you censure, what you do not understand, Leonardo da Vinci.  One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood, Seneca the Younger. Folks never understand the folks they hate, James Russell Lowell. How few things can a man measure with the tape of his understanding; How many greater things might he be seeing in the meanwhile, Henry David Thoreau. 

Today's photo theme is "half". This one caused some thought. I could have cut a fruit or something in half or left a door or gate half open. Sue was with me on this photo excursion, actually on our way home, and suggest this image. It is the racquet ball court at Westgate Park. The walls are different color about half way in the center. It also lent some other interesting features like the tree limbs and shadow. 

I as an animal lover love all animals, some more than others but still.....They are meant for this world as much as we humans. The article today contains information about a variety of animals within our scope of imagining. According to the article it is best to leave many baby animals to their parents’ care especially the ones in the wild, and only observe them from a distance safe enough as not to scare the baby or the mom. In spring time we will be seeing opossums, raccoons, squirrels and bats. Is a baby animal is found alone the best thing to is don’t touch unless it is injured. Look for bleeding and visible broken bones. Notice if it seems to have been “calling” out. Is it cold or wet or if they have been “attacked” by insects. According to the article those are the conditions that may require the help of a professional. It goes on to say that just because the baby may be alone it doesn’t mean it is injured or needs help. The “eastern cottontail rabbit and the white-tailed deer” sometimes leave their young for periods of time. It was interesting to learn the Cottontails only visit a nest twice a day, early morning and near dusk. They do this to keep from attracting predators to the nest. To the parent of a wild baby animal if a human picks it up it is kidnapping the baby. The only time to “interfere” is if the baby is in danger. In the deer family the parents will leave the baby where they think it is safe while they go to feed. There are two non-profit “rehabilitators” in the area who help with these situations. They are “Wild at Hart” and “Airmid Place”. They are twenty-four hour operations. At one of the centers they have fourteen infant raccoons that are being bottle fed and six squirrels that are being weaned. “It takes an hour and a half to feed them....every three and a half hours”. Their cages need cleaned, formula mixed and rehabilitation efforts maintained. Rabbie control measures are needed for these animals too. According the Ohio rules raccoons and foxes have to be released in the same county or township where they were found. The people running there establishments try to find people who will allow the animals to be released on their property. The lady who takes care of bat babies has built a new “flight cage” where she cares for the injured bats and rehabs them. One of the care givers care for bird species including raptors. 

Pizza night has rolled around again.....

Joy

  This "discard" is more like throw aways next to the alley.