July 13, 2025 a thought for today, Light travels like an arrow, and time like a shuttle. Chinese Proverb

The first upload for yesterday was “skyscraper”. Ours is an icon for our city. It was once called the AIU building . The American Insurance Union Citadel. Built in 1924-25. Now the Lincoln-LeVeque Tower and named to the National Register of Historic Places.

The next upload was “a quiet moment”. I think laying on a lawn or sandy beach watching the clouds go by is an ideal quiet moment.

The next and last upload for yesterday was “favorite summer beverage or meal”. Well truly iced tea is my favorite and standby in all seasons. But I decided to try a McCafé Mocha Frappé (had chocolate in it). It was good but I will stick to the iced tea.

 Life today. Yesterday we had a meal out at Cracker Barrel to say so long to two of my great grandsons and their mom. They are heading back home today. I will see them again around Christmas time. 

Church today, he did it again. The message was based on an iceberg. Icebergs are not specifically mentioned in the bible but we all know who created them.  Mike used them as a “metaphor for hidden depths in human experience”, he’s good at that. It seems to me to be that gift of his that is why his messages are so connected with both the bible and me and to all my peers. He mentioned several chosen verses (not whole books) from the bible strategically placed in and throughout the message to relate to his story, perfect passages and perfectly placed. They seemed so easy and well fit, almost like a sentence we might hear all the time and a substantial part of the story not an interruption. The hymn he chose, Spirit, touched a related nerve too. I read a daily blog by another preacher who comes close to this way of bringing and sharing the Word and the way. It seems so easy, directly from the heart, not something that has been read from somewhere then copied and reread. After the service we shared in a fellowship hour. After that message it seemed even more warm and related.

The first upload today is “contrast”. Is one of our blue hymnals agonist one of the red covered pews.  

On my way home I needed to a card in the mail and them the every popular stop at McDonalds. As well as a few stops for photos. 

Sue went to visit the twins again today. I’m glad she is able to see them as often as she can and does. 

This is Sunday so relax, refresh, revitalize. There is nothing more on the agenda for today. I may  have to take a look at the “senior” window basket gardens. It is 86 degrees so they may need a taste of water. 

The next photo upload today is “at the beach barefoot or not”. This is one of my grandsons many years ago. Probably the last time I visited a beach. 

The word today is earth.  Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. George Eliot.  Be at peace with your own soul, then heaven and earth will be at peace with you. Isaac of Nineveh.  All the gold which is under or upon the earth is not enough to give in exchange for virtue. Plato.  The earth laughs in flowers. Ralph Waldo Emerson.  Let us not forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most important labor of man. When tillage begins, other arts will follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of civilization. Daniel Webster.  Roll on, deep and dark blue ocean, roll. Ten thousand fleets sweep over thee in vain. Man marks the earth with ruin, but his control stops with the shore. Lord Byron.  Some say that the age of chivalry is past, that the spirit of romance is dead. The age of chivalry is never past, so long as there is a wrong left unredressed on earth. Charles Kingsley.  Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and you know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and you know Earth, you may make your victory complete. Sun Tzu.  The earth is supported by the power of truth; it is the power of truth that makes the sun shine and the winds blow; indeed all things rest upon truth. Cannaceae.  Take away love and our earth is a tomb. Robert Browning.  Our contest is not only whether we ourselves shall be free, but whether here shall be left to mankind an asylum on earth for civil and religious liberty. Samuel Adams.  It is not from your own goods that you give to the beggar; it is a portion of his own that you are restoring to him. The Earth belongs to all. So you are paying back a debt and think you are making a gift to which you are not bound. Saint Ambrose.  Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God: But only he who sees takes off his shoes. Elizabeth Barrett Browning.  Kings may be judges of the earth, but wise men are the judges of kings. Solomon Ibn Gabirol.  God grant that not only the love of liberty but a thorough knowledge of the rights of man may pervade all the nations of the earth, so that a philosopher may set his foot anywhere on its surface and say: 'This is my country.' Benjamin Franklin.  

The last upload today is “stripes”. This is a red and white striped awning over a neighbor’s door way. 

Article: Here is some more on AI. It seems to be in the news a lot lately. I guess we have a chance to learn more about it, it will be safer to know how it works. The title of this article is “The AI therapist will see you now: Can chatbots really improve mental health?” A neuroscientist wrote this article. In her first sentence she notes that she was “pouring my heart out, not to a human, but to a chatbot named Wysa on my phone”. She was instructed to do some breathing exercises”. She went on to say she wondered “was she feeling better” or just “being expertly redirected by a well-trained algorithm?” Then she asked herself “what are we giving up in exchange for convenience?” She also shared the digital type treatments have “been booming for the past few years”. Now there is AI that mimics real therapeutic conversations. The article described that there has been some reports of negative mental states causing suicides, in another a man mentioned that his son had a distressing conversation with police due to such AI type conversations. The article went on to say that there are “ethical questions about the role of AI in sensitive situations.” Further in the article it mentions that there are scientific suggestions that “digital forms of talk therapy can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression”. More on the possible benefits are that some surveys and trials show that cognitive behavioral therapy can lead to “short-term improvements in mood, focus and even sleep”. It appears that “scientists haven’t yet confirmed exactly what’s happening in the brain during those interactions”. Further in the article it mentions that a “review of top apps found that most made bold claims, but fewer than 22% cited actual scientific studies to back them up”. It is mentioned even other possible problems with this kind of therapy. Information about you gained by these applications could lead ending up in the hands of third-party entities. Also mentioned that “unlike clinicians, bots aren’t bound by counseling ethics or privacy laws regarding medical information”. In the last part of the article it is suggested that in mild to moderate cases this therapy may suffice in “short term” relief, however “it’s important to be aware of their limitations”. Maybe for now “pairing bots with human care – rather than replacing it – is the safest move.”

Chicken pot pie for dinner. 

Joy 

     not sure what this object is for but the shape and lines are interesting