October 20, 2021 a thought for the day, A pearl is worthless as long as it is still in its shell. Indian Proverb

This was one of the early days. I was up before Bob left for work which is an “almost never happens” event. 

The photo theme for October 19 was “I went to....”....guess! Of course....McDonalds. 

Sue had an eight o’clock appointment in Grove City. I was really lucky to find a parking spot close to the door we needed to go in. That lot seems packed every time we have an appointment there. It was a good check up and the appointment didn’t last all that long. We were on the road again by 8:45. 

I got a few odds and ends finished before it was time to leave for food pantry. One of the things I took care of was checking on an appointment at the dentist for me for tomorrow. My “bridge” hasn’t come in yet so the appointment is canceled for tomorrow. 

It looks like we are slowly getting back to the number of visitors as it was before the pandemic. We had fourteen families yesterday and nineteen today. I like when we keep a steady pace with the intake. 

I had to be on my toes for my photos of the day for today. So I kept it in mind while at the doctor’s office and while at food pantry. 

There are two photos a day for today. The first is titled “ I sat here...”. This shot was taken as I waited for Sue during her doctor’s appointment. There are all kinds of seating experiences in a doctor’s office. I also liked the subdued colors that seemed to appear when I got it to the “darkroom” (Photoshop). 

The word for today is growing.   You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was, Abraham Lincoln.  No man loves life like him that's growing old, Sophocles.  Harmony makes small things grow, lack of it makes great things decay. Sallust.  Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict. William Ellery Channing. Language is the blood of the soul into which thoughts run and out of which they grow. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.  I grow old learning something new every day. Solon.  The wise man does not grow old, but ripens. Victor Hugo.  Sorrow is a fruit. God does not make it grow on limbs too weak to bear it. Victor Hugo.  Destroy the seed of evil, or it will grow up to your ruin. Aesop.  The more you mow us down, the more numerous we grow; the blood of Christians is seed. Tertullian.  I want it said of me by those who knew me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow. Abraham Lincoln.  I speak the truth not so much as I would, but as much as I dare, and I dare a little more as I grow older. Michel de Montaigne.  Prejudices, it is well known, are most difficult to eradicate from the heart whose soil has never been loosened or fertilized by education; they grow firm there, firm as weeds among stones. Charlotte Bronte.  As we grow old, the beauty steals inward. Ralph Waldo Emerson.  

The second challenge today is “stripes”. What better stripes for the US than the stars and stripes.  

An interesting place to visit and near our city. This article is about the Olentangy Indian Caverns. I have visited there once many years ago. According to the article there can be 700-800 people visit the caverns on a weekend, some coming from a distance. The article mentioned that there are “attractions designed for families. Some of these attractions “center” on a system of caves, both natural and historic. These particular caves were used by Hopewell and Adena Indians more than 2,000 years ago. Along with the caves themselves there are a petting zoo, a walking trail, a treasure-hunt maze, and a mini gold course. At the cave entrance there is a museum that describes the history of the caves. In 1821 a farmer’s ox fell into an open vertical shaft about fifty feet deep. And that was after all of the hundreds of years that the Indians used the caverns and left “artifacts” behind. It wasn’t until 1935 that the caverns were opened to the public, at that time a school teacher owned the property. A steel stairway was built to replace the fact that the Indians had to climb in and out of them. The temperature stays at between 45 and 54 degrees. I learned from the article something that is probably common sense that just needed stimulated, that such caves never stop growing and forming. For instance water still flows and puddles and runs down the walls forming more stone from the minerals in the water. Along with that there is the erosion caused by the motion of the water. In that line, visitors are asked not to take food and drink into the caves and to avoid touching the walls “so the rock’s chemistry stays pristine”. Parts of the cave have been given names such as Council Chamber, Cathedral Hall, Bell Tower and Echo Chamber.  Another interesting part of the article is that yoga classes were held there in the summer 75 feet underground. One of the animals in the petting zoo is named Zoey. She is a zebu cow and is a “self-appointed ambassador” of the area. She would watch over new baby piglets when they were born there. She also can let people know when there is something not quite right. As an example, some fencing gates fell over in the barn and she kept mooing until someone came to investigate and followed her to the fallen gates. It is said that if you spend 10 to 15 minutes with her she will catch your scent and seems to be able to  remember you even after a couple of months. They say she tilts her head and smiles. Besides Zoey and some pigs there are 10 female deer, goats and a cat (to keep the mice “at bay). The caverns have earned a 4.4 star Google review. 

I think we will have tuna helper for dinner. 

Joy 

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