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Thought for Today and a Few of My Own

IowaTrain 025 Fall leaves from a train 3 resized — Copyright R.O. Robbins

“To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring.” — George Santayana

As I grow older I find myself becoming more and more in tune with the changing of the seasons. When I left for the grocery store in the early morning there was a nip in the air. At the store I found myself yawning and grabbing everything I could think of to make soup. Finally I realized cool mornings, all I want to do is sleep, cook and eat… MUST BE FALL!

Yes, it is. Time to put away the summer clothes and bring out the winter, clean house, rake leaves, and winterize the car. Please don’t get so busy you forget to look around you. It’s gorgeous out there!

Surprised by Joy

005 butterfly resized 2 — Surprised by Joy
Copyright 2012 by R.A. Robbins

Grabbing the jacket from the doorknob I felt a flutter. Startled, I saw a monarch butterfly flying out of the jacket.

When it landed Bob said “get the camera.” The butterfly remained in one place as if posing, letting me take photos.

When it had flown across the room I saw the cat stomping something. Fighting the cat, I gently picked up the butterfly I was sure was dead and headed for the patio door. Wings started rustling and it fell to the floor. While I restrained a determined cat, the butterfly found it’s way to the patio. Then as quickly as it made it’s appearance it took off, landing briefly in the tree, then flying away.

Life is hard. Sometimes it seems all we do is struggle and suffer. Then we are surprised by joy.

Be the Change

Tuesday October 2nd was the 143rd anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi and International Non-Violence Day. I am sorry I missed the actual day, but the time is always right to celebrate the life of one devoted to peace and justice.

Check out this moving video.

Thought for Today

Mother Teresa 1985 cropped (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” — Mother Teresa

Thought for Today

Circle of Life Dance at the United Nations in ... — Circle of Life Dance at the United Nations in Geneva (Photo credit: US Mission Geneva)

“He drew a circle that shut me out-

Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.

But Love and I had the wit to win:

We drew a circle and took him In!”

— From the poem “Outwitted” by Ewin Markham

Favorite Things — Autumn Edition

Thought for Today

Stained glass window in st. Nicolaus church, M... — Stained glass window in st. Nicolaus church, Murska Sobota, Slovenia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within.” ~Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Thought for Today

waterfall1 — Water garden Mahoney State Park
Copyright 2008 by R.O. & R.A. Robbins

“You learn something every day if you pay attention.” ~Ray LeBlond

It’s National Good Neighbor Day

Good Neighbor Day was the idea of Mrs. Becky Mattson, who started the effort in the 1970’s to make this a National day. In 2003, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution, sponsored by Montana Senator Max Baucus, making September 28, National Good Neighbor Day.

Do you have good neighbors? Let them know. Are you a good neighbor? Do you even know your neighbors? Next time you see your neighbors, smile and say hello. A small gesture, but it might just be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Thought for Today

“Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand-and melting like a snowflake…” ~ Francis Bacon, Sr.