“Courage is simply the willingness to be afraid and act anyway.”
— Robert Anthony Rodriguez (1987 – )
American motivational speaker, Paralympian, and disabilities advocate
Thanks to all who serve in our military, as first responders, and as other positive role models.
Photo by Iva Rajovic
The ability to endure challenging times without getting upset requires developing a worthy skill set. However, maintaining a positive attitude while awaiting long-term results is far from easy. Hang in there. The wait is worthwhile.
“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”
— Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712 – 1778)
Swiss philosopher & writer
75 years ago today, Mom and Dad married.
Bittersweet. We celebrate Mom turning 95 and still living independently. Gracious, awesome, active. But she misses Dad every single day. God bless.
Photo by Jon Tyson
“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”
— Dalai Lama (14th is Tenzin Gyatso, born 1935)
Spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism
“It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world, and moral courage so rare.”
— Mark Twain (1835-1910)
(Pen name for Samuel Langhorne Clemens)
19th Century American author and humorist
Sadly, understanding, acceptance, and respect for others are challenging qualities for us mere humans. Pray for our growth.
“Tolerance is giving to every other human being every right that you claim for yourself.”
— Robert Green Ingersoll (1833 – 1899)
American writer & orator
The longest day of the year is upon us!
Live every blessed minute of it.
“People rarely win wars; governments rarely lose them.”
— Arundhati Roy (1961 – )
Indian author & activist
Happy Father’s Day to all you Papas out there!
“Youth is not entirely a time of life; it is a state of mind. Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years. People grow old by deserting their ideals. You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubts; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair.”
— Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964)
United States General of the Army
“There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”
— Edith Wharton (1862 – 1937)
American writer & designer
“A quarrel between friends, when made up, adds a new tie to friendship.”
— Saint Francis de Sales (1567 – 1622)
Savoyard Catholic prelate
“Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.”
— Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)
American statesman
16th President 1861-65
Assassinated following the Civil War
“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”
— Edgar Degas (1834 – 1917)
French Impressionist artist
“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”
— Annie Dillard (1945 – )
American Pulitzer Prize-winning author
“It is a fine thing to have ability, but the ability to discover ability in others is the true test.”
— Elbert Hubbard (1856 – 1915)
American writer, publisher, & philosopher
Editor & founder of Roycroft Press
June 6th is an annual date on which we salute one of the world’s oldest and most enduring toys. Not to “string” you along, the yo-yo is iconic.
I am greatly enjoying the last weeks of Spring with so many lovely flowers in bloom.
We mow many acres of lush lawns and meadows.
I repeatedly marvel at our fruit trees, and I had to remove more than half the plums from their branches to avoid breaking the boughs as they ripen and plump up.
Blueberries are plentiful and just about to burst into blue.
Blackberries are both in bloom and bulging with fruit.
And I have been harvesting luscious raspberries for several days now.
Tomato plants have already stretched up to my shoulders!
Baby birds of all sorts flit about gleefully, having recently left their nests.
Spring. Hope. Life. Nature. Miracles.
Photo by Joshua Earle
“I am prepared for the worst, but hope for the best.”
— Benjamin Disraeli (1804 – 1881)
British statesman, conservative politician, and writer;
Twice served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
“In times of great stress or anxiety, it’s always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into something positive.”
Lee Iacocca (1924 – 2019)
American executive & automotive pioneer
“When uncontrolled, your mind can be very dangerous to you, but when controlled, it can develop unlimited power.”
— Norman Vincent Peale (1898 – 1993)
American clergyman and best-selling author
(from his book The Power of Positive Thinking)
“You can’t always control what goes on outside, but you can always control what goes on inside.”
— Wayne Dyer (1940-2015)
American author
“A smile can open a heart faster than a key can open a door.”
This common saying reflects on more than a mere ability to open a door. It indicates the chance for a positive attitude. No matter what the task… no matter what the anxiety, we fare better when we learn to respond to life positively. Mom taught me this when I was a mere brat child, as she calmly stated… repeatedly, “You can make your bed with a frown, or you can make your bed with a smile, but you will make your bed.” I’m still smiling!
“Patience is the best remedy for every trouble.”
— Plautus (c254 BC – 184 BC)
Roman playwright
“A person usually has two reasons for doing something: a good reason and the real reason.”
— Thomas Carlyle (1795 – 1881)
Scottish historian and essayist
A deeply heartfelt thank you on this Memorial Day to all our fallen heroes and their families. We honor the ultimate sacrifices made in securing and protecting our American freedoms.
“Whenever ‘A’ attempts by law to impose his moral standards upon ‘B’, ‘A’ is most likely a scoundrel.”
— H.L. Mencken (1880 – 1956)
American journalist, editor, and cultural critic
In 1803, the U.S. bought most of Wyoming from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase. The Cowboy State became the 44th state in 1870.
One year earlier, the Wyoming Territory led the nation and world in granting women the right to vote, later earning it the nickname of the Equality State.
Here we can follow the trails of both dinosaurs and cowboys.
One notorious outlaw, Harry Longabaugh earned the nickname “Sundance Kid” after being jailed for horse theft in Sundance, Wyoming.
The word Wyoming comes from the Delaware Indian language meaning “on the great plain.” The 10th largest state by land mass also has the lowest population of any US State, last tallied at under 580,000 people.
It’s tallest point is the 13,809-foot tall Gannett Peak.
Known for the spectacular views throughout the Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming is a nature lover’s paradise.
The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has the largest continuous vertical rise of any ski resort in the US with 4,139 feel of elevation to the top of the tram.
The Devil’s Tower, the first national monument in the US, soars as a giant rock tower, seemingly rising out of nowhere.
Wyoming also boasts the nation’s first national park. Yellowstone is located on top of a volcanic hot spot, creating its famed geysers… plus mammoth hot springs.
Numbering over 1,000, the largest herd of bison under federal management calls Wyoming home. The American buffalo is the official state animal.
Speaking of numbers, the National Elk Refuge is home to almost 9,000 elk.
Photo by Jeffrey S. Pippen
And the official state insect is the beautiful Sheridan’s green hairstreak butterfly.
Wyoming also has about 40% of the nation’s coal supply and one of the world’s largest coal mines.
Renowned for its wide-open spaces and wild west history, Wyoming is one of only 3 states with borders defined by straight lines.
One little-known fact is that long-time Yankees and Red Sox announcer Curt Gowdy hails from Wyoming.
Another? The state’s popular bison burger has fewer calories and more protein than other red meats.
It’s also believed that white water rafting originated here on the Snake River in 1811.
Painted turtle photo by Mark Olsen
Don’t be stuck in the past… Carry it with you just as the turtles do. For 25 years, May 23 has marked World Turtle Day.
Hawaiian sea turtle photo by Allec Gomes
Both celebration and reminder, it’s a “call to reflect on the lives of turtles and tortoises.” These calm and enduring creatures have roamed the land and sea for 200 million years.
Tortoise photo by Dusan Vedverkolvg
They move slowly, but positively impact entire food chains. This is simply a day to quietly care.
If you ever feel like you want to give up, think of all the little things that have made you smile… Hang on and live for those things.
Just my thoughts today about persistence and never giving up.
“Hope is the best part of our riches.”
— Christian Nevell Bovee (1820 – 1904)
American epigrammatic writer
“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.”
— Hal Borland (1900 – 1978)
American writer & journalist
I feel mightily blessed to be surrounded by gorgeous flowers and fruits that seem to be literally singing with spring happiness.
From the Japanese dogwood, hardy geraniums, and mountain laurel…
…to the baby grapes, blueberries, plums, and so much more.
They all make me feel very much alive with wonder!
“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”
— Marcel Proust (1871 – 1922)
French novelist & literary critic
Friendship is another word for love.
Thanks to everyone who shared our bonfire celebration last night!
“Be slow to fall into friendship; but when thou art in, continue firm & constant.”
—Socrates (c 470 – 399 BC)
Greek philosopher
Photo by Alonso Reyes
Celebrate the International Day of Living Together in Peace by practicing and promoting peace, tolerance, understanding, and solidarity. Divisiveness and negativity have no place. Let’s embrace differences and show genuine respect. Only together can we make this a reality.
“A person who tells you that you are not good enough knows that you are better than they are.”
— Cathy Burnham Martin (1954 – )
Author, voiceover artist, and dedicated foodie; from her 2017 book & audiobook “The Bimbo Has Brains… and Other Freaky Facts”
“No army can withstand the strength of an idea whose time has come.”
— Victor Hugo (1802 – 1885)
French author, playwright, and politician
For International Hummus Day, I bring you a colorful treat for anytime… from Spring to Christmas! Originally planned as a sort of brunch toast, I have served my Super Simple Beet Hummus Avocado Toasts as tapas with superb response!
Super Simple Beet Hummus Avocado Toast
This makes a great vegetarian breakfast or lunch entrée. Or cut your toast in quarters and enjoy a colorful tapas treat.
4 oz zesty lemon hummus (or plain or other preferred flavor)
4 oz canned, cooked beets, coarsely cut up
Salt & pepper
4-6 slices whole-grain, nutty bread
1-2 ripe avocados, pits removed; pulp sliced & spritzed with lime juice
½ c seeds, such as pepita, sunflower, and sesame (or all 3)
Combine hummus, beets, lemon zest & juice. Process with an immersion blender till smooth. Season with salt & pepper to suit your taste. Place bread on 6 small serving plates. Spread each with a thick layer of beetroot hummus. Arrange avocado slices atop the hummus. Sprinkle with seeds. Serve. Makes 4-6 slices.
KISS Tips: For non-vegetarians, layer in some succulent, cooked bacon bits between the hummus and the avocado. This is so colorful; it also makes a splendid Christmas recipe.
Bravo to all providers, whether professional or heartfelt. National Provider Appreciation Day reminds us to share gratitude with anyone who helps those who need it. This may be in keeping a roof over someone’s head and food on the table… or providing positive education to help others become their very best selves… or serving as a caretaker for someone else who desperately needs that patient, steadfast, calm support. These are all selfless acts of love that too often go unnoticed. If you are one of these providers, thank you, most sincerely.
Photo by Liv Bruce
Happy Mother’s Day to all loving mothers everywhere, and to all who have mothered those who have needed such love. Believe in the beauty and healing power of love.