June 2, 2026 a thought for today, You can't climb a mountain by a level road. Norwegian Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

My first challenge was from one of my photo groups that is going to use a theme every day this month called “glimmer”. It is supposed to relate something we experience in the day that is joyful, happy, peaceful or show gratitude.  This one is my daughter’s purse as she dropped it in the chair on her way upstairs to see my ailing sister. It is telling me “my daughter is home.” 

The next assignment is “my choice” and is one of my series of “still life”.  It ismy spider plant on a stack of my books with an apple by the side all ready for me to enjoy a moment of peace. 

The last upload is “from a distance”. It the street in front of my home.  I stood in the middle to get the capture when went to pick up the trash can to bring it to the back yard. 

Life today. So far it has been quietly productive day. Natalie came to give Bobbi her monthly pedicure. Before she got here I put a harness on Bobbi so that I can keep track of her until Natalie is able to come. She isn’t happy about being “confined” and rushes off when Nat is done and takes her harness off and lets her go. 

I got the bulletin done and sent out for proofing. Then I got started on this letter. I set up the photos I need for today. While I was finishing the bulletins I got the activity sheets that I sent to the kids each week done and the envelopes for the bulletins that need mailing. I want to get another photo mounted and framed before I get to cleaning out the frig.

Sue asked for a McDonalds cheese burger so I took a break to go get that. I needed a break anyway. I got her an extra one in case she wants it later.

Looking out the window is a delight but having a screen door open is a bit cool.

The word today is accomplish. I myself do nothing. The Holy Spirit accomplishes all through me. William Blake. It is said that if Noah's ark had had to be built by a company; they would not have laid the keel yet; and it may be so. What is many men's business is nobody's business. The greatest things are accomplished by individual men. Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Not snow, no, nor rain, nor heat, nor night keeps them from accomplishing their appointed courses with all speed. Herodotus. The character inherent in the American people has done all that has been accomplished; and it would have done somewhat more, if the government had not sometimes got in its way. Henry David Thoreau. I hope that I may always desire more than I can accomplish. Michelangelo Buonarroti. The man who gives up accomplishes nothing and is only a hindrance. The man who does not give up can move mountains. Ernest Hello. If one only wished to be happy, this could be easily accomplished; but we wish to be happier that other people, and this is always difficult, for we believe others to be happier than they are. Montesquieu. Death comes to all, but great achievements build a monument which shall endure until the sun grows cold. Ralph Waldo Emerson. Nothing whatever pertaining to godliness and real holiness can be accomplished without grace. Saint Augustine. Nothing stops the man who desires to achieve. Every obstacle is simply a course to develop his achievement muscle. It's a strengthening of his powers of accomplishment. Thomas Carlyle. Well done is better than well said. Benjamin Franklin. Give a boy address and accomplishments and you give him the mastery of palaces and fortunes where he goes. Ralph Waldo Emerson. Man is always more than he can know of himself; consequently, his accomplishments, time and again, will come as a surprise to him. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. Laozi. In prayer, more is accomplished by listening than by talking. Jane Frances de Chantal.

Article summary. It’s the time of year for gardens. I thought I would be nice to read something of gardens of then and now. The title is Heaven on earth: the ancient roots of your backyard garden. Eva Anagnostou-Laoutides, Associate Professor in Ancient History, Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Macquarie University. At theconversation.com. It began by mentioning that beside the their color with life and beauty “gardens are also bound to their political and religious history”. There are “connections” between famous gardens like one of Versailles and the Garden of Eden. According to the article people today “try to re-create it – in our homes, in our cities, in our heads”. Kings in the biblical times felt they communicated with the gods in a royal garden. There were hanging gardens and King Solomon’s enclosed garden. The gardens of the Roman Empire “withered” by in the time c Charlemagne they were never forgot the “aura of the exotic garden that they were able to afford. Even the Vatican Garden of the middle ages was mentioned and related that it “evoked” political and religious dimensions in the garden. As the article was ending it mentioned that there the connection of gardens with politics is strong. Also mentioned is gardens surrounded ancient temples so worshipers were closer to god. Gardens  surround war memorials. The last sentence was the “next time you’re wandering around your own garden, reflect on the fact that you’re walking in the footsteps of the kings and queens of yesteryear, in your own slice of paradise.”

Maybe chicken salad for dinner. 

Photos in my life today

My first upload today is “glimmer II”. It is my cat and best furry friend Bobbi getting her monthly pedicure from my grand daughter, a seasoned vet tech. And Bobbi doesn’t care a whit that she is a vet tech. 

The next assignment is another of “my choice” and another of my series of “still life”. It is a set of bottles in my collection with a tiny carnation on lying in front of them for a bit of color and fun. 

The last upload is “empty”. This is a decorative box that one of my Christmas
gifts came in.  

Joy 

the bonus photo is an entry in a contest titled “I’ve Gone to Pieces” found in my Fine Art America site, a flower bouquet that has begun dropping it leaves, there are tee shirts coffee cups, blanket, puzzles, and more with this design

Want to shop? Visit: fineartamerica.com search for joy rector click on “view shop”  and redbubble.com search for jarector

 May 31, 2026, a thought for the day, Rest in reason is not time lost. Norwegian Proverb

Photos in my life yesterday

My first challenge for yesterday was “I did a good thing.” It’s always a good thing and safe one to get out of the way of an emergency vehicle. 

This next upload was “a bloom, partial or full.” This is what I use to call a
morning glory growing on my chain link fence.

The last assignment was “socks.” I caught this shopper as he walked by my car while I was waiting for my grocery pickup. 

Life today. Church was interesting today. Along with the message we had some displays of homemade life size stuffed “dolls” to make a point in the message. It was different and light hearted, though the message itself was serious and informative. The dolls were dressed in regular size clothing. The minister also gave out a book full of inspirational messages. 

There isn’t much on my agenda today as it is Sunday. It is the end of a month so it means some wrap ups on the photos of the day images, closing out the calendar I keep of them and setting up a new one for next month. 

The weather is dryer today than it has been for the past several days. I think one of my window boxes (senior gardens as I call them) got drown out. I had some seeds from last year so I put them in that garden hoping they will come up and blossom. Along with the dryer whether it is slightly cooler today and for the next few. 

It looks like this will be a busy week. I don’t have a lot on the list but there are some changes here at the house with people coming in for special visits. 

The word today above. Above all things, reverence yourself. Pythagoras. Truth indeed rather alleviates than hurts, and will always bear up against falsehood, as oil does above water. Miguel de Cervantes. I have not seen a person who loved virtue, or one who hated what was not virtuous. He who loved virtue would esteem nothing above it. Confucius. I have nothing but contempt for the kind of governor who is afraid, for whatever reason, to follow the course that he knows is best for the State; and as for the man who sets private friendship above the public welfare - I have no use for him either. Sophocles. Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties. John Milton. All legislation, all government, all society is founded upon the principle of mutual concession, politeness, comity, courtesy; upon these everything is based...Let him who elevates himself above humanity, above its weaknesses, its infirmities, its wants, its necessities, say, if he pleases, I will never compromise; but let no one who is not above the frailties of our common nature disdain compromises. Henry Clay. I feel within me a peace above all earthly dignities, a still and quiet conscience. William Shakespeare. The price of wisdom is above-rubies. Bible, Job 28. 18. We aim above the mark to hit the mark. Ralph Waldo Emerson. There is a certain majesty in simplicity which is far above all the quaintness of wit. Alexander Pope. Great minds have purposes, others have wishes. Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune; but great minds rise above them. Washington Irving. Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self. Francis of Assisi. Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me. Saint Patrick.  

Article summary. I look for words that may better my own life in thinking and acting. I like to share what I find. I do find one thing or word that sometimes gets in my way though....truth. I am a strict believer in the truth but I have been told that one persons truth may not be anothers, that’s odd to me, the truth is the truth. The title to the article is An upward spiral – how small acts of kindness and connection really can change the world, according to psychology research. Liza M. Hinchey, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Psychology, Wayne State University. A theconversation.com. It started by noting how the country is in a bit of turmoil with “political chasms, wars, oppression.” With the problems some of us may feel there is little hope that small acts of kindness can amount to much more than “putting Band-Aids on bullet wounds.” The author mentioned he was “inspired” by a musician gave a performance this year where he mentioned “little acts of love and solidarity that we offer each other can have powerful impact.” There are research reports about how kindness connections can have an “impact” on global change when the “acts are collective.” This can happen between individuals, peoples and institutions, even between cultures. In the political area of two opposing ideas research that has been used shows that people do seem to naturally have “negative assumptions” about the other sides morals. On the flip side they each value “fairness, respect, loyalty and a desire to prevent harm to others.” It may show that the more they each want to prevent harm to others the more they can “soften large-scale social and political disagreements.” It is mentioned that being kind in the quality of a relationship can have actions for “reducing large-scale tensions.” Put a little differently, “small acts of connection can shift personal attitudes.” The article states that every human being has their own “network” of people in all areas of living, called “social ecology.” Any change can affect others in a positive or upward spiral. The article ends by saying “science supports the idea that moving toward each other in small ways can be transformational.”

Meat loaf and baked potatoes sounds good for dinner. 

Photos in my life today

The first challenge was “I do this on Sunday.” It is one of the many architectural features that bring comfort.

The next assignment was titled “vertical.” I felt that the evergreen tree in my yard looks like it is reaching for a close look at heaven.

The last upload was “towel.” I tried dressing it up a bit with a plate and
silverware.

Joy

this being the end of the month I am showing my composites for the whole month on four sites

Want to shop? Visit: fineartamerica.com search for joy rector click on “view shop”  and redbubble.com search for jarector