February 23, 2025 a thought for today, Silence is the fence around wisdom. Yiddish Proverb

My first upload for yesterday was “v” for vase. This was from one of my Aunt’s collection of bric-a-brac.  This is a tiny vintage bud vase. 

The next upload was “a beautiful sight”. I like the serenity of this site in all kinds of weather. This particular image was giving me a bit of trouble with the colors and hue. I decided to leave them as they appeared after some Photoshop. 

The last upload was another of “my choice” and another of my windows series. Since I don’t get out of the neighborhood very often especially in the winter this is from around the block. 

Live today. At last, 37 degrees!. I was hoping for rain so I don’t have to go to a car wash....don’t know that I ever have gone to a car wash .... I use to wash it with a hose in the drive way.. too old for that now. 

Last night as I was going to bed I closed a long curtain in the bed room. It is the width of one wall and is on a traverse rod. Suddenly one of the corners of the rod came loose and dropped. I was tired and it was late so I let it go “as is” and went to sleep. Since I am petite in height I was sure in my mind that I would not be able to correct the problem and would, maybe, in the morning,  call my daughter to help. When the sun came up I climbed on the bed and to my surprise was able to reach the top of the rod connection and fixed the problem. So that was the start to this Sunday morning. 

He, Mike, did it again, connected 2000 years ago to today. It was my kind of sermon message, very refreshing and connectable to my life and understanding. 

The first upload is “movement”. I shot this image as I was waiting for my grocery pick up. The cart collector in action. 

There was a problem with our streaming service this morning so we saved it on a memory card, I am in the process, as we “speak” with uploading it to our facebook page. 

Once I got the first of five sections of the “streaming” uploads started I worked on my photos for today as well as getting a start on this letter. The rest of the day will be my typical Sunday relax, reflect and refresh, except for finishing the uploads

Recently there was a discussion in my life about stubbornness. I guess some think I am a stubborn person. Is that bad? I am old, I am alive, and I am not a couch potato isn’t that a good life, a good thing? I think I am alive and kickin’ (not a couch potato) because I am stubborn or is there another word, nicer word, for it, like maybe steadfast, headstrong, self-willed, maybe even wise (smile, closer to the truth, I hope)? 

The next upload for today is “w”. I chose the word wall or wooden. This is a place in one of the alley’s in my neighborhood. The wall has deteriorated over the years. I have photos of this very spot from several years ago. It use to put me in mind of a gate to a secret garden all those years ago the gate then was black iron rather than wood. Much prettier then.

The word today is spring.   A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring. Alexander Pope.  The garden of love is green without limit and yields many fruits other than sorrow or joy. Love is beyond either condition: without spring, without autumn, it is always fresh. Rumi.  Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love! Sitting Bull.  Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius. Pietro Aretino.  The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also. Harriet Ann Jacobs.  Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed... Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders. Henry David Thoreau.  If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant. Anne Bradstreet.  April ... hath put a spirit of youth in everything. William Shakespeare.  Spring is the time of year when it is summer in the sun and winter in the shade. Charles Dickens.  This outward spring and garden are a reflection of the inward garden. Rumi.  Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart. Victor Hugo.  The sun just touched the morning; The morning, happy thing, Supposed that he had come to dwell, And life would be all spring. Emily Dickinson.  Spring-an experience in immortality. Henry David Thoreau.  From the end spring new beginnings. Pliny the Elder.  Life stands before me like an eternal spring with new and brilliant clothes. Carl Friedrich Gauss.  One swallow does not make a spring, nor does one fine day. Aristotle.  The very spring and root of honesty and virtue lie in good education. Plutarch.  Spring is the Period Express from God. Emily Dickinson.  

The last upload for today is another of “my choice” also another of my series of windows. This one has some wear and age on it. 

Article: I was wondering how this story talked about leadership and trust so I checked into it to share. It started out by saying what “defines leadership – not just strategy or decision-making, but the ability to build trust”. It goes on to mention that when leaders are making an effort to “stability and direction” trust is the “invisible” product that fuels success. The author of the article conducted studies that the question of developing trustworthiness. He found that “trustworthiness can keep employees from fleeing to rivals, creating a more stable and committed workforce”. Offering some sort of power to workers makes them feel trusted, in return they become more loyal and productive. Not only do they trust their “bosses” they also trust each other more. The article went on to suggest ways to put this offer of some sort of power into practice. One way is to allow “employees take ownership of their responsibilities and make decisions within their roles”. Next, be fair and consistent in handling any concerns promptly. A third suggestion is to encourage sharing ideas and then support the ideas. Another ideas is have regular feedback. In conclusion, people in any leadership position, political or any type of work related objectives, “should commit to leading with trust, acting with integrity and fostering workplaces where people feel valued and empowered”. 

Dinner will be left overs. 

Joy

                                  oh goodness, oh my