Quote of the Week

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When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.  – Alexander Graham Bell

Bell, a creative man with a sensitive nature and talent for the arts, produced his first invention at the age of 12.  He invented a machine for dehusking wheat, normally a laborious process.  He was later, and most well known, for inventing the telephone.  

I wonder what he would think about how his invention has evolved over the years.  When you couple this with the quote from the Chairman of IBM a few weeks ago, I think both men would be amazed at the Smart Phone which combines the computer with the telephone.

It seems to me that Bell's quote is quite clear.  We miss opportunities by focusing on the past rather than looking ahead.  The closed door is the past.  We can't change that.  The open door represents future opportunities.  When the door opens, step inside.

Beneath the Poplar Tree

I planted this tree a little more than 20 years ago as a seedling that I dug up from the woods next to our house.  It started out in a large soft drink cup and when it outgrew the cup and looked like it was going to make it, I planted it.  My guess is that it's nearly 2 feet in diameter and at least 50 feet tall.  Although the tree did all the work, I am very proud of having grown it from a mere sprout. 

So many people around here now are cutting down perfectly good trees and leaving their yards looking sad and naked.  It just breaks my heart when I see those lovely, healthy trees destroyed, leaving only ground out stumps and piles of sawdust.  I guess it is the fear of what might happen one day.

We are having a tree taken down, too, but for safety reasons only.  If it were healthy, that old maple, with all it's interesting character, would remain there shading the house for many years to come.  Fortunately, it is on the north side of the house and the neighbors have a large elm nearby so there will still be some shade. 

This is why it has to go.  It is so hollowed out it's a wonder it's still standing, but to look at the top of the tree, you'd never know it.  We (mostly me) have been putting this off for a long time but each year the hollow gets bigger and bigger and sooner or later, something will set up housekeeping in there, or it will go over in a big puff of wind...not a pleasant thought.  So Friday down it comes [sniff].

For now, cheers from beneath the poplar!

Quote of the Week

The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement. - Unknown

No matter what our education, or social or economic standing, there is one thing that we have in common and that is the continuing need for self-improvement.  Whether we have room for anything else or not, we all have room for that.

Quote of the Week

A bad attitude is like a flat tire, you can’t get very far until you change it.  - unknown

Our attitude influences our day and if it's having a bad day, so are we.  Like a car on a drawbridge, your life comes to a standstill.  So don't let yourself smack into the wall of a bad attitude. 

Freaky Fungi

I found these interesting looking critters under the dogwood tree this morning.  They are called Mutinus Elegans, more commonly known as Elegant Stinkhorn, and while they are found up and down the East Coast, I've never seen one before.  However, with the aid of Google I was able to identify these unusual fungi.

They are reported to have a foul odor but considering how close I got to take the pictures, I didn't smell anything.  The brown coloring is actually a slime which flies and other insects feed on which disperses the spores.  Yuck!  Because of their odor, they are not considered edible for humans.

Interestingly, in a study of a variety of mushrooms, the stinkhorn showed antibiotic activity against all six of the human bacteria tested including E.coli and Salmonella.

Has anyone else seen these or have them in your yard?

Quote of the Week

Image Source: Wikipedia

I think there is a world market for maybe five computers. - Thomas Watson (1874-1956), Chairman of IBM, 1943

He was one of the richest men of his time, and was called the world's greatest salesman when he died in 1956.  He had no idea when he made that statement just how far computers would go or to what extent they would change the world. 

Quote of the Week

Facts are the enemy of truth.
- Don Quixote - "Man of La Mancha"

The facts and the truth should be one and the same.  However, many times what we believe to be the truth will later be dispelled by the introduction of the facts.  Often this is unintentional brought on by misinformation.  Other times this occurs when people dig in their heels and insist their version of the story is the truth.

Rosie's 16th Birthday Party

At about 4 months old, Rosie joined our family in October 1997.  He was such a sweet little thing. He was about 6 pounds with big feet and big ears.  They didn't seem to match the rest of him, but I knew he would grow into them.  He was going to be a big cat.  If you think Rosie is a strange name for a male cat, you can read how he got his name here.

After many years of chronic allergies, sinus problems and several rounds of diabetes, we arrived at the celebration of his 16th birthday on June 1, 2013, although the actual date is unknown.

 

I went to my local Walmart for supplies.

 I opened a can of chicken to make chicken salad - especially so that Rosie could lick the can.  It is a treat he enjoys very much, and after all, it is his day!

 That was good, mama.

 

 This was a 10 oz. can of chicken.  As you can see, it is just "head sized".

 

  Clean up time!

  How do I look?

 Birthday cake, courtesy of Food Lion.  No, Rosie did not eat the cake.  He's more of a french fry, pizza crust kinda cat.  We call him our carb kitty.

And now, here's Rosie lapping up his birthday treat.

Happy Birthday, Rosie!

Quote of the Week

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Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. 
"Pooh?" he whispered.
"Yes, Piglet?"
"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's hand. "I just wanted to be sure of you."   - A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

As I was searching for today's quote, this simple, short conversation between these two characters struck me and made me think.  It's true.  Sometimes just holding someone's hand can make all the difference.  Friendship, love, or just knowing someone is there for you, that simple gesture is a comforting reassurance.

Quote of the Week

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Dig the well before you are thirsty. 
- Chinese Proverb

This has many applications and means that you should be prepared to meet whatever life throws at you.  Be proactive...don't wait for an emergency, they never happen at a good time.

The Unofficial Start of Summer

Image Source: Wikipedia

While Memorial Day is often viewed as the unofficial start of summer and celebrated with picnics, parties and barbecues, it is a holiday that all Americans should take to heart.

It is the day when we honor the many men and women in the military who died while serving their country.  We owe these men and women a huge debt of gratitude because they were willing to give their lives that we might remain the free country our forefathers envisioned and dedicated their lives to making a reality.

So as we take to the roads, the beaches and the back yards, let us take a moment to remember them and say a special thank you for their sacrifice.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend.

Quote of the Week

Image Source:  Wikipedia

Experience is the child of thought, and thought is the child of action.  
 - Benjamin Disraeli

Benjamin Disraeli, the 1st Earl of Beaconsfield, was a British Prime Minister in the mid 1800's, as well as the author of numerous fiction and non-fiction writings.

I must admit this was one of the more difficult quotes to get a handle on.  Here are my thoughts on this.

If thought is the child of action, does that not presume that we have acted without thinking, and that upon reflection (thought) we discover that the result of that action is experience.  

In other words, when we think about what we have done and draw conclusions, what remains, good or bad, is experience.

It's Magic!

Captain Jim's Magic Show

I've written about Magic Carpets and Magic Apples, both the product of rubbing my two brain cells together.  But this, ladies and gentlemen, was magic up close and personal.  Not on TV, not from an elaborate stage.  Nope, this was my first live and in person magic show.  

Our dear friend, Sallie, generously opened her home and arranged some magical entertainment for our enjoyment for our latest Cheers get together, and it was a blast.  

Captain Jim has an interesting story, and magic is his second career, but that's all I'll say as he prefers to weave his story into the show.

After he had introduced himself and told a little about the show and how he got started, he chose a volunteer from the audience.  "What is your name?" he asked.  

"Jim," replied the volunteer.

"Hmmm...you know JIM stands for Jim Is Magic!"

Moving on to the next act, he chose another volunteer.  "What is your name?" he asked. 

"Jim," responded the next person.

"Really???"

Three of the four Jims in our group were present that night, and you know it can get interesting when someone calls out "Hey Jim".  All heads turn and three guys respond.

Getting back to the show, Captain Jim did mind tricks, rope tricks, card tricks, appearing dove tricks, and made objects move through solid surfaces, each with carefully chosen musical accompaniment. 

It was a magical night of illusion and fun.  Many thanks to Sallie for setting this up.

Quote of the Week

There's a lot of love in his heart.

A full heart has room for everything and an empty heart has room for nothing.  -Antonio Porchia, Voces, 1943, translated from Spanish by W.S. Merwin

Antonio Porchia, 1885-1968, was born in Italy, but spent most of his life in Argentina.  He was most famous for his book "Voces" (Voices) originally written in Spanish and then translated into English and Italian.

If your heart is empty then you have no love, and without love you cannot accept anyone or anything into your heart.  Love is a like an endless circle.  The more you have, the more you can give, and the more you give, the more you have.


 

Quote of the Week

Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted. - Albert Einstein

Image Source: Wikipedia

This German-born physicist was best known for the mass-energy equivalence (E = mc2). He was also the recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921. Interestingly, he was visiting the U.S. when Hitler came into power.  He did not return home to Germany, but instead remained in the U.S., becoming a citizen in 1940.

If you counted the kernels on an ear of corn or the bristles on your hair brush, would that matter? If you counted the stars in the night sky or the the coins in a child's piggy bank, what difference would it make? These things can be counted, but of what importance is their numbers in the big scheme of things. Things like love, respect, integrity and dignity cannot be counted. These important aspects of human life are not measured in quantity but in quality. Let's strive to measure up in ways that cannot be counted.

In Plain Sight

Betcha can't see me now.

Do you see the spider...hidden in plain sight?  Some of the best camouflages are found in nature.  I think this one is a Wolf Spider, and he recently participated in a capture and release program.  He was captured in the basement and released into a natural area outside.

Here is his release photo.  The capture equipment consisted of a flat piece of metal and something to contain him during transport.  As you can see he has been accessorizing with items found in the basement.

Freedom!

He quickly departed the table for the safety of the ground below.  They are fast!

Oh what a tangled web...wait, that's not mine!

He did allow us to remove some of his new-found accessories so he could hasten his escape.  Hopefully he found suitable quarters elsewhere.

I'm planning a change in my blogging schedule, but at this time I'm not sure what days I will be posting - other than Monday's Quote of the Week.  Thanks for reading Roses to Rainbows, and I hope you'll stick around while I sort this out.

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.