November 30, 2025 a thought for today, No man limps because another is hurt. Danish Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

The first upload is “close up or bokeh.” This one is a close up of a bouquet of flowers in the church that were beginning to see the last days. I think there is beauty in that time too. 

The next one was “colorful shapes.” This is one of my kitten’s toys. It’s not one
of her favorites but every now and then she can’t resist. It is certainly a colorful shape. 

The last challenge was titled “giving.” This was an image in my archives. It was taken at one of our free meals at church. 

Life today. We didn’t get the snow that was predicted for this morning. We did get the below freezing temperatures. Note: Ohio State beat Michigan yesterday and remains undefeated this season. 

Church was a little low on attendees but comfortable and friendly. In my opinion the sermon was out of the park again. It always seems to be with this person. I wish he had the time and money for seminary. I believe he would easily and without a doubt graduate at the top of his class.  His message today touched on how people need a shepherd as much as sheep do.  The message said that we have One, all we need to do is accept Him. The presentation was perfect. The hymn selections fit like a glove and known by the few people in the congregation. I don’t know how anyone who heard it could not be certain that it was, it’s beyond easy to just believe and trust. The sheep do.

I have needed gas but have put off stopping to fill the tank. Decided I must do that today so I stopped on my way home and pumped while standing in the  cooold. Then I had to make a stop at Kroger for a prescription that was ready. I just had to wander down the pet isle and get a snack for my kitten. She will be waiting in my desk chair as seems to be her habit when I am out. 

I need to spend  some time on binding calendars and on my “dream” project this afternoon at an easy does it and relaxing pace, at this point they are both more of a chore I look forward to than a stress session. The rest of the day will be to refresh and renew, review the sermon and be happy.

Tomorrow will start a whole new week. This one will be the last for a few weeks that are not full of projects until Christmas is over. 

The word today is north.  I have heard something said about allegiance to the South. I know no South, no North, no East, no West, to which I owe any allegiance. Henry Clay.  He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it. Confucius.  For a traveler going from any place toward the north, that pole of the daily rotation gradually climbs higher, while the opposite pole drops down an equal amount. Nicolaus Copernicus.  From the day of the Declaration, the people of the North American union, and of its constituent states, were associated bodies of civilized men and Christians, in a state of nature, but not of anarchy. John Quincy Adams.  More stars in the north are seen not to set, while in the south certain stars are no longer seen to rise. Nicolaus Copernicus.  I found that part of it towards San Salvador extending from north to south five leagues, and the other side which we coasted along, ran from east to west more than ten leagues. Christopher Columbus.  Justice is like the north star, which is fixed, and all the rest revolve about it. Confucius.  If I could put my hand on the north star, would it be as beautiful? The sea is lovely, but when we bathe in it the beauty forsakesall the near water. For the imagination and senses cannot be gratified at the same time. Ralph Waldo Emerson.  Up from the sea, the wild north wind is blowing, under the sky's gray arch. Smiling, I watch the shaken elm boughs, knowing It is the wind of March. John Greenleaf Whittier.  Windmills, which are used in the great plains of Holland and North Germany to supply the want of falling water, afford another instance of the action of velocity. The sails are driven by air in motion - by wind. Hermann von Helmholtz.  Not considering this opening worthy of more attention, I continued our pursuit to the Northwest, being desirous to embrace the advantages of the prevailing breeze. George Vancouver. 

Article summary:  How animals can help autistic children. Jacqueline Boyd Lecturer in Animal Science, Nottingham Trent University. At theconversation.com. I think this article may be helpful not only in how we understand those we meet who have autism but how some of the traits in autism relate to all humans. This article maybe helpful to all of us in of seeing that animals can see and help those affected so can we all. The article opened by telling a story about a duck named Daniel. He was on an US flight in North Carolina. He had on red shoes and a “nappy” as he “waddled” around the plane. He belonged to a lady with “post traumatic stress disorder. ”It was an opening to relate how there are all sorts of  emotional support animals to help people with many kinds of disabling issues. There is also a concern for the welfare of the animals themselves. Many people trained in the use of animals want it to be known that all animals have to be chosen for their personal ability for the task at hand.  In any event emotion support of pets offer the “main benefit” of friendship and companionship for adults and children. They are often with us “day in and day out.” This article suggests that in many cases’ contact is “regarded as an essential” part of a child hood. The article goes on to relate that due to the idea that animals and children are relatable to one another studies have “focused” on the reaction of the two as usable interactions. It is believed that this “partnership” can be useful in “educational and emotional development of children.” It has been noted. It is also noted in the article that many kinds of animals can be used for helping children learn. It says that in a recent study a guinea pig was used to observe the “impact” on autistic children. It was shown that it improved “social skills and motivation for learning.” The article went on to note that time with animals can improve immune systems and “reduce” allergies and reduce pain. So many other things in the life of children seem to be “enhanced.” Some of those enhancements mentioned in the article are “social, emotional and cognitive development” along with help in developing empathy and responsibility and self esteem.  The animals used for support and therapy do require sessions of  “positive and ethical training.” The article ended by saying that helps to make happy animals and can turn to make happy humans.

I think it will be chicken pot pie for dinner. 

Photos in my life today

The first one is one of the “my choice”. It is one from my series of “mirror images”. It was taken from one of the decorations at a McDonalds around Halloween. The scarecrow on the right was the original the one on the left the mirror image. 

Next challenge is called “chilly morning”. This is the way the neighborhood looks now that the leaves are all off the trees on this wet and chilly morning. 

Last is this titled “work in progress”. It is the beginning of a new pickle ball
cord at the neighborhood park. 

Joy

bonus from my archives