December 2, 2025 a thought for today, Luck has but a slender anchorage. Danish Proverb

Photo of in my life yesterday

The first challenge upload is “the sky.” I was looking out the window this morning when I first turned on the computer this is the sky I saw. There are no computer enhancements added. 

Next is called “fences, rails or walls.” This is one of the views in my
neighborhood. 

Last is “silent night.” I don’t get a chance to take to many night time photos so this is a rare shot for me. 

Life today. I lost all control over timing my to-do list today. First off we had a rather big snow fall this morning. So I spent some time wondering how I was going to get at least some walk ways to and from the car. The biggest then was how to get the driveway cleared so I can get the car out. It looks like the temps are going to be staying below freezing so this snow isn’t going to be going anywhere without a little help. 

As I was talking with a friend on the phone about some church business there was a knock on the door. It was a young man looking for work shoveling driveways. Perfect. I told him to do the driveway and the front porch and walk. I forgot to tell him to do the back porch and an area from the porch across the patio to the driveway. I had to go out and do that myself a little while later. 

I did get a start on todays letter. But had several other interruptions. I worked on getting the envelopes done and the kids activity sheets printed. After the earlier phone call, I had a couple of updates on the bulletin.

One of the reasons I wanted some snow cleared was that I was expecting a couple of deliveries and didn’t know if they would be able to get them to my house. One of the delivers was an order of kitty litter. It weighs over 40 pounds. It was delivered after the snow was cleared. So besides doing that short distance of snow shoveling on the back porch and patio I moved the 40 pounds of kitty litter. The two together wore me out. As all of that was going on Bobbi didn’t know what to think. In the box with the kitty litter were two packages of new small balls that she likes to play with. 

I was able to get one of the photo shots I need here at the house. The other two had to be from the archives since my time was rather limited. 

The word today is occupation. It is neither wealth nor splendor; but tranquility and occupation which give you happiness. Thomas Jefferson.  Beg of God the removal of envy, that God may deliver you from externals, and bestow upon you an inward occupation, which will absorb you so that your attention is not drawn away. Rumi.  In my afternoon walk I would fain forget all my morning occupations and my obligations to society. Henry David Thoreau.  Search for the truth is the noblest occupation of man; its publication is a duty. Madame de Stael. Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits. Thomas Jefferson. All things will be produced in superior quantity and quality, and with greater ease, when each man works at a single occupation, in accordance with his natural gifts, and at the right moment, without meddling with anything else. Plato.  Absence of occupation is not rest; A mind quite vacant is a mind distressed. William Cowper.  No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden. Thomas Jefferson. The simplicity and uniformity of rural occupations, and their incessant practice, preclude any anxieties and agitations of hope and fear, to which employments of a more precarious and casual nature are subject. William Falconer.  The search after the great men is the dream of youth, and the most serious occupation of manhood. Ralph Waldo Emerson.  The humblest occupation has in it materials of discipline for the highest heaven. Frederick William Robertson.  Accustom yourself gradually to carry Prayer into all your daily occupation - speak, act, work in peace, as if you were in prayer, as indeed you ought to be. Francois Fenelon.  Occupation is the scythe of time. Napoleon Bonaparte.

Article summary: Here is a bit of an unusual look at AI. This one involves animals and machines. The title is: Are animals and AI conscious? We’ve devised new theories for how to test this. Colin Klein, Professor, School of Philosophy, Australian National University, Andrew Barron, Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University. At theconversation.com. There have been studies with the purpose of discovering if animals have a conscious. One thing that astounded me is that the article touched on the subject that of a “serious possibility that machines may be conscious.” The next sentence said there had been a “seemingly ironclad test” on the subject as to whether there could be a conversation with machines. There are ways being used and explored on how to determine if this precept is possible and/or true. There was a point in the article mentioning determining how a brain and a computer would “combine information.” Another statement that bothered me was “there is no bar to AI systems” in the present day indicating that they are “becoming conscious.” I am wonder that is there or can there be changes to some things on how to help make AI  become more conscious. Apparently and to my understanding there is work and tests on insects and animals to determine how those brains may work to be used “to recognize consciousness in non-human animals.” So are there methods going on that can “identify” if there is “a level playing field to compare humans, invertebrates, and computers?” I further read that in animals there are  behaviors that indicate consciousness. In computers as I understand it whether their  “apparently unambiguous behavior” as in something chatbot “ a true indicator of consciousness or mere roleplay.” 

I have some stuffing left from last night so that some gravy and a sandwich will be dinner. 

Photo in my life today

This first upload is “shoe.” They are not quite shoes, more like slippers but it is common attire around
the house every day. 

Next is “three of some kinds.” I shot this one several years ago when I was out and about more often. 

This last upload today is “something joyful.” Bobbi is joyful when she has a ball of one sort or another to bat and chase around the house. 

Joy

the bonus is one of my snake plants when it was a baby