February 16, 2026, a thought for today, When an old dog barks, look out. German Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

My first challenge for yesterday was “a weekend vibe.” My usual weekend vibe is mostly church on Sunday morning. It is way to end one week and start a new one. A way to refresh and renew.

Next is “my choice,” from my series of “ouch of color.” This one is from my  archives. There were no flowers to show for today and I was in the mood for flowers. 

The third upload was “from the office supple store.” This one is already in use. I am not too neat when I open new packages. 

The last upload here is “bike.” This is also from my archives. I wasn’t out in an
area where there were bikes readily available for a photo. 

Life today. Monday’s back. I started with the usual Monday round up. I have the back portion of the bulletin done, waiting for the information I need for the rest. Also, got some more done on the newsletter. As far as I know I am done with it unless I get a late entry. After that I wanted to attend to a problem I was having. I had signed up and paid for my next class in still photography late last week but hadn’t gotten the go-ahead to start. I was able to take care of that this morning also. I will start it later this afternoon. 

I just got an email with the rest of the information I need to finish the bulletin. I will take care of that right now. 

Next I need to get started on the photos for today. I have them set up, I just need to shoot them and get them in Photoshop for  finishing and then to the web for uploads.

After that, is kitty care and house plant time. Then I may be done for the day except for making some dinner. 

The word today is root. Far from idleness being the root of all evil, it is rather the only true good. Soren Kierkegaard.  Whenever evil befalls us, we ought to ask ourselves, after the first suffering, how we can turn it into good. So shall we take occasion, from one bitter root, to raise perhaps many flowers. Leigh Hunt. Storms make oaks take deeper root. George Herbert. All truly wise thoughts have been thoughts already thousands of times; but to make them truly ours, we must think them over again honestly, till they take root in our personal experience. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. All our progress is an unfolding, like a vegetable bud. You have first an instinct, then an opinion, then a knowledge as the plant has root, bud, and fruit. Trust the instinct to the end, though you can render no reason. Ralph Waldo Emerson. The very spring and root of honesty and virtue lie in good education. Plutarch. Ignorance, the root and the stem of every evil. Plato. Love is like a tree, it grows of its own accord, it puts down deep roots into our whole being. Victor Hugo. There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root. Henry David Thoreau. Conscience is the root of all true courage; if a man would be brave let him obey his conscience. James Freeman Clarke. Wisdom has its root in goodness, not goodness its root in wisdom. Ralph Waldo Emerson. True glory takes root, and even spreads; all false pretences, like flowers, fall to the ground; nor can any counterfeit last long. Marcus Tullius Cicero. He that has energy enough to root out a vice should go further, and try to plant a virtue in its place. Charles Caleb Colton. Every duty is a charge, but the charge of oneself is the root of all others. Mencius. 

Article summary. I am a homebody, maybe too much so sometimes. I take after my mom, she also was a homebody. I have a bit of an inferiority complex or maybe better put a penchant in not wanting to interrupt the lives and habits of other people. When I was raising my kids I wanted them to grow up finding their own way in life, I didn’t want to interfere in their decisions and activities unless they were dangerous or wrong spiritually. I find ways now in my home with my sister to keep my mind and body busy so I don’t “barge” into the lives my families and friends have made. All of this doesn’t mean I dislike being around others, I miss those kinds of relationships in my heart. I like the digital age for giving me the ability to “visit” those I love and like. I deperately need daily contact with those closest to me in blood and by nature. Anyway, in the title “there’s no place like home” caught my attention. I wanted to see some of what is said about that part of life that may affect others and why. Though it is mainly about holidays, emotions are felt and expressed all year long. The article is Why there’s no place like home for the holidays. Frank T. McAndrew, Cornelia H. Dudley Professor of Psychology, Knox College. At theconversation.com.  I picked up on one of the early statements in the article that there is a “primal need to have a meaningful relationship with a setting.” It goes on to say, and I agree, the “place” contributes strongly to whom you are. I related to the notion mentioned in the article that your “fondness for a place” affects how you feel for other people. The article mentioned that psychologists say that the word home refers more than to a house, there are people, places and objects as well as memories that makes up “home.” People think of home in different ways, according to the article, where they were born and raised, where they live now, and some think where they had lived the longest. Further on in the article is mentioned that most think of a place that is a feel of comfort, something where there is less “chaos” than in the rest of places in their lives and experiences. I liked the notion they wrote that when children draw a picture where they live a house is at the center. In considering that statement, “home for the holidays”, home is a place to “renew a person’s place in the family.” In ending the author said “it is a bridge between your past and your present....a tether to your family and friends.” Right on!

I think I have some chili in the freezer, that will be dinner. 

Photos in my life today

The first upload for today is “hobby.” This is one of the several hobbies I have had over the years. This one is called paper quilling. Some of the other hobbies over the years were, paper marbling, calligraphy, pysanky (Ukrainian egg decorating), knitting, tatting, crocheting, and more.

The next challenge was “not often seen.” I don’t think we often see the sun
peaking through the clouds in this manner. I also like the bit or orange tinge on the edge of some of the clouds. 

The last upload for today is “something I borrowed.” This is a big “my bad.” These two items were given with cookies on them at Christmas time. I forgot to give them back after the holiday.

Joy

                                     alone