Money can’t buy happiness but I have never been unhappy in a bookstore.
Happy Thursday, friends!
Money Can’t Buy Happiness
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Monthly Archives: May 2024
Gifts From Nature
Nature has given me some incredible gifts this spring. As my flowers have come to life over the last few months, many are blooming better than ever before and have brightened my every day.
Then there was the shooting star that soared through the dark May sky, leaving me in wonder that I happened to be looking at just the right moment to see something so rare. Speaking of the sky, this spring brought a solar eclipse and an evening of stargazing as the Northern Lights illuminated the night sky over my Ohio home. This was a rare treat indeed.
Friday night brought me in contact with a turtle that was just passing through the area and showed no fear as I happily chatted and offered him water.
On Saturday, we spotted a Bald Eagle in its nest while on an excursion in Dayton. It’s shocking how large the nests are and how quickly a crowd can gather when there’s an eagle nearby.
On Sunday afternoon, a thunderstorm pushed through the area, cooling down the atmosphere and breaking up the humidity that had made earlier parts of the day pretty miserable. It was positively refreshing to sit outside with my fella and enjoy the evening air. Imagine our surprise when we were greeted by a Ruby Throated Hummingbird that had come to visit.
It flew right up to Adam, its tiny wings beating so quickly they literally hummed. Then it came to me, pausing for a few seconds just inches from my face. It was so close I could feel a slight breeze as it zipped past my ear and out of sight.
It felt like a small miracle and an incredible gift to have this tiny creature so close.
What beauty and amazement there is in this world! Some of it as rare as the Northern Lights and some as common as a backyard flower but all are great gifts.
William Howard Taft National Historic Site
The only person to serve as both President of the United States and Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court was from here in Ohio. William Howard Taft was a lawyer who was friends with Teddy Roosevelt, served as Secretary of War and the 27th President. But the job he longed for and worked for throughout his career was that of Chief Justice, a position he held from 1921 – 1930.
If you enjoy historic homes and Presidential history, you’ll learn about these things and more at the William Howard Taft National Historic Site in Cincinnati. He was born in this Greek Revival house high atop Mt. Auburn overlooking the town.
Taft gets a bad wrap because a vicious rumor was spread that he once got stuck in a White House bath tub. While a bit portly, the story isn’t true. What is true is that he was a career public servant who the museum refers to as a “Gentle Giant.”
They tell the story of his life through the restored home that includes some museum space with signage, photos, artifacts and audio clips. I really want a desk like this!
Touring this home is free, it’s well done and absolutely worth a stop if you’re in the neighborhood. Go at Christmas to see it decorated for the holidays.!
Want to visit? Learn more here!!!
I Don’t Have It In Me
Today is Memorial Day here in the U.S. This holiday dates to the aftermath of the Civil War which left an estimated 750,000 men dead on both sides – the United States and the Confederate States of America.
In the beginning, it was called Decoration Day and was an opportunity to honor the war dead by gathering to decorate their graves. In 1971, it was made a federal holiday to honor all American soldiers who died while serving their country.
This is why I will never wish you a happy Memorial Day. Sorry, but I don’t have it in me.
Many American towns observe this holiday with parades, prayer services and events meant to evoke a sense of pride in nation. Retailers use the long holiday weekend to drive sales of bedding, summer clothes and kitchen appliances. It’s the unofficial start to summer for a lot of people and no longer reflects the same sense of patriotic pride that it once held.
That’s incredibly sad to me. History is one of the most important subjects we teach kids and one that we teach poorly because we too often allow politics to determine what and how a topic is taught.
Rule number one of war is that young men and women die. Rule number two is that the other rules don’t matter. I don’t like those rules either. Yet, imagine dying for your country at the tender age of 20 only to have your war misrepresented before a generation of youngsters. Why? Because the politicians who dictate school curriculum don’t like the truth of the war.
Today, I wish to recognize the sacrifices made by so many men and women who have died in service to our county and to thank those who did make it home safely. Thanks is a small word but all I have right now.
Perhaps someday I’ll come up with a better way to wish you peace on this day.
At Ease In Your Own Shell
Try to be like a turtle – at ease in your own shell.
Bill Copeland
This little guy was passing through my parents’ yard last night. He was not at all intimidated by humans so I was able to grab a few pictures. Being the strange person that I am, I talked to him and asked questions he couldn’t answer.
Where did you come from? Where are you headed, buddy? It was a hot day and you’re dusty and dry. Are you ok?
He kept me in his sights, blinking occasionally as though trying to tell me a big story.
I don’t like to move turtles unless they’re in harm’s way but he was in the middle of the yard with no shade or vegetation nearby. So dad carefully relocated him about twenty feet forward in the direction he was headed.
When I left, he was in the shade of a hosta and my mother was headed to the fridge for some lettuce to take to him. There was nothing between where he was located and where we put him so I think we did ok.
This little guy seemed extremely comfortable in his shell and was brave too. Note how even stuck his neck out.
That’s how you make progress in life: stay calm, accept help when necessary, stick your neck out for what’s important, and above all else, be comfortable in your own shell.
Art Can Be Found Anywhere
A stroll through the Cincinnati Natural History Museum last month helped me remember something important.
The field of geology involves a lot of enormous, awkward looking words that I will never remember. The age of the pieces on display at this museum will bowl you over if you really stop and think about how many millions of years they have been in existence.
Yet, I’m fascinated by many of these things. Crinoids were marine animals that predated the dinosaurs by about 300 million years. Today, they are commonly found as fossils. How is that even possible? More importantly, how have their fossils survived all this time?
While there’s a lot I don’t understand, I do know that many of these fossils resemble works of art. Isn’t this piece beautiful against the bright blue background? I have seen expensive sculptures in fine art museums that don’t compare to this.
It really drives home the fact that art can be found anywhere. Beauty is everywhere. You just have to look for it. Go forth and find something fabulous!