Quote of the Week

After I'm dead I'd rather have people ask why I have no monument than why I have one.  Cato the Elder (234-149 BC)

Marcus Porcius Cato, a Roman Statesman, went by many names such as Sapiens (the wise), Priscus (the ancient) or Major. The "Elder" was added to his name to distinguish him from his grandson of the same name. 

He was not only a soldier and a statesman, but also an author and historian. His only surviving work, however, is a manual on agriculture which dealt with all aspects of farming, even including recipes. 

This quote seems to speak for itself.  It is better to live admirably and not be recognized publicly than for people to question why you received any recognition in the first place.

Running Behind?

It would seem Mother Nature is running a bit behind everywhere this year.  In many areas it is still snowing.

It appears to be a late Spring here too.  While it was a relatively mild winter with only a dusting of snow and a couple 5-minute snow showers, we had a cool March - or so I thought.  The first picture was taken today, and the dogwoods have been out for a few days.

As you can see by the second picture, they were in full bloom by the end of March last year, so that makes them about 3 weeks later this year.  

However, March 2012 was warmer than usual, with temperatures overall about 20 degrees above average.  In retrospect, that makes this year about average.

How is your Spring compared to last year?  

Average, warmer, colder, snowy?

Quote of the Week

The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me. ― Ayn Rand

Life is full of ups and downs and the occasional detour.  Whatever you aspire to, if you are determined enough, you will eventually get there.  Just remember, you are the only one in charge of you, and the only one that is going stop you is you.

Upside Down Sophie

If we could all just relax like a cat.

It's Friday!  Have a great weekend.

My How Time Flies!

Is it that time again?

Time sure does fly.  Twenty-six years ago today we tied the knot at the courthouse before the Justice of the Peace and immediate family.  It was a full day beginning with signing the loan documents on the house we still live in today.  After the ceremony, we loaded the car and headed to the beach.  While it is a day of many memories, oddly this one stands out.  It was the only time my Mom ever asked to borrow my car.  She made a last minute trip out to get a flower for me.  Since it was a simple ceremony, no one had thought about flowers.  

Happy Anniversary, Sweetie.  I'm looking forward to another 26 years.

Quote of the Week

Our job is to give people not what they want, but what we decide they ought to have. 
- Richard Salant, former President of CBS News

Salant was twice president of CBS, first from 1961-1964 and again from 1966-1979.  He was credited with raising the professional standards and expanding the news programming at CBS.

As we sit glued to the TV for the evening news or reach for the morning paper to find out what is going on in the world, maybe we should pause to wonder...is this the truth or just what someone wants us to believe?

The core of journalism is the search for and reporting of the truth.  Yet what is the truth? 

I will leave you with this bit of truth.  A wise woman once told me "never believe everything you hear". 

A Season of Growth

When you put aside your fears you grow stronger.

When you put aside your doubts you grow more confident.

When you put aside your prejudices you become more open minded.

When you put aside your negative thoughts you become a more positive person.

Embrace your new identity.

I wrote that about a year ago as my analysis of this quote "When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be."  When I reread those words, I felt compelled to share them again.

Sometimes there are issues or situations in our lives that cause us to feel afraid or lose confidence in ourselves.  We may have formed opinions based on something we have read or simply accepted what we've been told we should believe.  

We often fear what we don't understand, and our doubts and prejudices can grow from that fear.

As we enter into Spring, a season of growth and renewal, let's enter into a new season in our lives as well.  We, alone, are responsible for ourselves, so let's put aside the negatives, embrace the positive and reap the rewards. 

The Hyacinth and Greek Mythology

These beautiful and fragrant flowers are native to the Eastern Mediterranean from Turkey to Israel and Northeastern Iran.  As pretty as they are, their bulbs are poisonous, containing oxalic acid which can irritate the skin.

The Hyacinth also has history in Greek Mythology.  It was said that Hyacinth was a young boy loved by both Apollo and Zephyrus, the wind god.  Hyacinth was throwing the discus with Apollo when he missed Apollo's throw and was struck by the discus and died.  This was not accidental, though, for Zephyrus, being jealous of Apollo, caused a shift in the wind which forced Apollo's discus off course, thus causing Hyacinth's death.  Apollo did not allow Hades to take Hyacinth, instead making him a flower.*

The hyacinth is sometimes associated with rebirth; maybe this is why.

*information source:  Wikipedia

Quote of the Week

Image Source:  Wikipedia

You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality. - Ayn Rand

Ayn Rand, a Russian-born philosopher, novelist, playwright and screenwriter, moved to the United States in 1926. She was most well known for her fictional novel "Atlas Shrugged". 

Reality: The state of things as they exist. You can choose to ignore a situation or pretend it doesn't exist. However, by doing this you leave yourself vulnerable to whatever is coming down the pike. You've heard about ostriches sticking their heads in the sand? Well, it's not true that they do that, but it does demonstrate the concept of avoiding reality. While you are not acknowledging what is going on, the reality is that the situation does exist and sooner or later you will have to deal with the outcome.

Too Busy?

 

I've been busy at multiple tasks this morning, and thought there's no way I can get a post up today.  I don't have any ideas, and I'm just too busy to take the time, so I figured I'd just share a picture.  In looking for just the right one, I found this one of Dood when he lived outside.  

It reminded me that no matter how busy we are or how long our "to do list" is,  we should remember to take time to relax and enjoy the good things in life.  

So as you face the busy day ahead or look forward to the weekend activities, take a little time to stop and smell the flowers.

What Is It?

Semi-Wordless Wednesday. 

I took this picture on April 1.  What is it? 

Quote of the Week

Image Source:  Wikipedia

A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.
  - Sir Winston Churchill


That being an apt statement in the days of Churchill, just imagine with today's technology how quickly lies and half truths can make their way into the minds and lives of millions of people.  

Thanks to the vast media of today, misinformation can circle the globe and be acted upon before the truth of the situation has begun to be sorted out.  As with Newton's law of physics which states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction, actions without all the facts can have unintended consequences.

Happy Easter!

On this Easter Sunday… Forgive someone.
Tell someone you love them.
Let your light shine.
- Author Unknown

What Did You Say?

What did you say?

Did you ever play the game in school where a phrase is passed down from one kid to another?  When it reaches the last person and he repeats what he heard, "the monkey ate a yellow banana" may sound like "the donkey's name is bandana". Well quite often we have that same experience. 

At dinner last night, it went something like this as I put my plate into the microwave to reheat it (I like my food to be hot).

I said "I want to put a little heat on that".  What hubby heard was something completely different, so while the microwave was running, he repeated what he thought I said.  When the microwave was stopped, I said "What was that about feeding a rat?"  He laughed and repeated himself, "What was that about beating the rap?"

After I cleared up the confusion, he said "I was wondering what you had gotten into while I was at work."  In case you are wondering, we can't blame the microwave for our auditory issues.  This happens with or without interference.

It's amazing how twisted our words can get.  If this happens to you, please share.

Quote of the Week

Image Source: Wikipedia

Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it.  - Pericles

Pericles (495 - 429 BC) wore many hats.  He was a Greek statesman, a politician, and a military leader.  He also promoted arts and literature, and had such a profound impact on the Athenian society, that he was deemed "the first citizen of Athens."  

Pericles was the ruler of Athens from 461 BC until he died of the plague in 429 BC.

His political legacy is that of Athenian Imperialism which denies democracy and freedom to all but the ruling state, and this is said to have ruined Athens.

When the government or the ruling class are the only ones with rights and privileges and freedom, the remaining populace are but subjects.

Nursery Rhyme Redo Redone - Potatoes

Image Source: Wikipedia

One potato, two potato

Red potato, blue potato

Three potato, four potato

Got to have more potatoes

Five potato, six potato

Any way you fix potatoes

Seven potato, eight potato

Aren't they great - potatoes

Nine potato, ten potato

Let's have them again - potatoes!

Spring has Sprung: The Vernal Equinox

Spring, otherwise known as the Vernal Equinox, arrived today at 7:02 a.m. EDT.  Every year, I post in honor of the arrival of Spring, and every year I learn something new.  

The word Equinox comes from the Latin words "aequus" meaning equal and "nox" meaning night. This means that the day and night are of equal length everywhere, and that the sun rises due East and sets due West.

There is a bit of folklore that says that on the Equinox you can set a raw egg on its end and it will stay upright.  Some folks performed experiment, and they were successful, but when they repeated it 3 days later, the results were the same.  Perhaps the days immediately surrounding the Equinox work equally as well.  So, having a dozen eggs in the fridge, I decided to give it a try.  Well guess what?  All my eggs fell over onto their little white faces.  Not one would stand up and salute Spring.

What are some of the signs that Spring has sprung, well besides the daffodils and tiny red buds on the maple trees, that is?  This is when the worms come forth from the ground, and ladybugs are seen on the fresh new sprouts.  The birds are gathering bits of straw, string and whatever looks like good nest building materials to create homes for their new families.

Yes, Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal of life.  Although depending on your location, Nature and the calendar may not always be in agreement.

Quote of the Week

Some people come in your life as blessings.  Some come in your life as lessons.  – Mother Teresa

Image Source:  Wikipedia

Many people pass through our lives, some briefly, some longer, and a precious few stay forever.  It is not the length of time that determines their impact on us.  Sometimes a brief interaction can have a dramatic and long-lasting effect such as a kind word or helping hand of a stranger.

Others may bring life lessons in responsibility, accountability, faith, and trust.  Some of these lessons may be painful to learn. 

Here Kitty Kitty

For all the cat lovers out there, here are just a few of the funny cat pictures in my seemingly endless collection.

 I can haz french fry?  Purty pleeze?

You can't really see me can you?

 Arrgh! 

Look, I got the girl.

I said "NO". 

Sometimes bad shots are funny.

You should see that feather now.

Dear Spammers

"Well done webmaster.  Keep up good work.  I will come back here soon."

I'm sure you will!  I see the evidence every day in my spam folder.  Since I so rudely delete all your efforts to get my attention, here is my response to you.

Dear Spammers,

Image Source: Kachina Daze

Thank you for caring about my health and beauty.  I appreciate you turning me on to sunscreens, lip gloss, and some questionable anti-aging substances that promise to transform me back to my youth.  Which has what to do with "The Value of Comments"?

And what woman wouldn't want some cheap Prada?  Interestingly left on "Don't Let Your Bundle of Joy Cost a Bundle"  Appropriate don't you think?

Thanks also for bombarding me with male-specific drugs and products, just in case I am planning on a secret gender-changing procedure.  This was left on one of my rewritten nursery rhymes "This Little Piggy".  Makes me wonder who the little piggy has been talking to.

To help me pay for all these wonderful products and services, you offer me a special "payday loan".  True poetry to my ears left on "Shades of Summer".  

So thank you for sharing, and for staying on topic. Until next time...

Sincerely,

Roses to Rainbows