Our 250 Year Birthday

On July 4th, we celebrate Independence Day, or should we celebrate Horsefly Day?

 

July 4th is the day we celebrate our independence. However, it was on June 7th that Richard Henry Lee of Virginia petitioned the Second Continental Congress to break from England. On July 2nd, Thomas Jefferson and four other delegates wrote the Declaration of Independence.

John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, The Second Day of July, 1776, will be memorable in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the Great Anniversary Celebration."

On July 4th, the windows were opened to let a slight breeze in. However, as houseflies from a stable invaded the room in droves, the delegates were in battle, swatting the houseflies. After a few minutes, the delegates gave up and voted to accept the document as written. After it was seconded, they all fled the building. The document wasn't signed until August 2, 1776. 

So, instead of celebrating Independence Day, maybe we should celebrate National Horsefly Day.

(From the book Shocking Secrets of American History by Bill Coate.)

Depression and Hope

This beautiful work of art is by Stephen Fox ( called Foxy). He lives in Australia. His mother's side had mental health issues and autism. He started painting in 2020. He started working with the award-winning poet and children's author, Eileen Moynihan of Ireland.

They put together a book entitled All Things Bright and Beautiful. 

In Eileen's words, "Although the pictures and poems reflected depression, loneliness, and isolation, they were also hopeful, colorful, and beautiful."

The following poem was written by Eileen to accompany the picture above. 

                                 The Many Colours of Love

                                                        (colours is the English spelling of colors)

Many colours make a beautiful image,

The same outlines give unity,

A pattern of sameness, but colour

Shows difference and diversity.

When teardrops fall we are all the same.

Give me your hand, and I'll take yours,

Many hands of different shades

Reach out to another human,

Sharing what is in each heart.

When teardrops fall, we are all the same.

Like falling leaves of many colours,

Our teardrops and joys, mix and mingle,

Showering the world with humanity,

Kindness, love, hope and empathy.

When teardrops fall we are all the same. 

This is a positive book of poetry and art. It is available on Amazon.com. 

The title is All Things Bright and Beautiful (subtitle is An Artistic Journey Through Mental Health) by Eileen Moynihan & Stephen Fox

(My apologies. I could not get a better copy of the painting on the blog. My skills are limited, as you can see. It is much better in the book.)

                                      February 14th, A busy day!

On February 14th, we do not have just Valentine's Day to celebrate.

It is also: 

Frederick Douglass Day

Gold Heart Day

Have a Heart Day

International Book Giving Day

International Winter Bike to Work Day (Not for me!)

League of Women Voters Day

Library Lovers' Day

Madly in Love With Me Day.

National Black Literacy Day

National Call-in Single Day (Not a mistake. It is not call in sick day. Who do you call?)

National Cream-Filled Chocolate Day (My kind of day.)

National Ferris Wheel Day (They are fun.)

National Organ Donor Day (It is on my driver's license, but who would want my old organs?)

Pet Theft Awareness Day 

Quirky Alone Day (My kind of day.)

Read to Your Child Day  (Good Idea.)

World Sound Healing Day  (How does sound heal? )

I wanted to add some Valentine images, but I cannot work my scanner. Sorry.

Also, someone hacked into my email and sent messages supposedly from me asking for account numbers and/or money. I've changed my password, so the email should be safe now. I never email people asking for account numbers or money. It is a scam. 

 

                           Bits and Pieces

This blog is a hodgepodge of items.

Did you have ancestors from Europe? I did.

If they came from England, they came because of the large population made competition for housing and Jobs. Then, a horrific winter in 1709, the coldest in 500 years, destroyed crops and led to food shortages

That same winter in Germany caused seas to freeze, crops were devastated, and yes, it was so cold the trees exploded. The water in the sap could not handle the cold. Starvation and disease spread. And Germany still felt the effects of the Thirty Years' War.

I had ancestors from England and Germany

I should also be candid. My grandfather came from Canada. He was a logger in Ontario and came across the border. He met my grandmother and they started a family. Did he become an American citizen. I don't know. He may have been illegal. Does that make me a docka {sp} ?

Second Tidbit

Did you ever read Don Quixote? It was written in 1605 by Miquel de Cervantes, a Spanish writer. He wrote about 10 books. He is considered the first modern novelist. Some authors think Don Quixote is the best book of all time and the most central work in world literature. 

He also wrote, "It ill becomes you to assail one who cannot defend himself."

I'm sorry I could not find any pictures to go with this blog. I hope you found it interesting anyway. 

 Coming soon to your computer will be my next blog about the day of February 14th.

                     Thoughts for 2026

I came across these little items while cleaning out my files. I did not intend to do any cleanup as a New Year's Resolution but a circumstance happened that caused my three days of work.  You may think the same as I do or disagree, however I think they are interesting.  I don't know the authors' names, but I don't think they will mind if I share.

God is like a Bayer Aspirin

   He works wonders

God is like Ford

   He's got a better idea

God is like Dial Soap

    He gives round the clock protection

God is like Coke

    He is the Real Thing

God is like Pan-American

    He makes the going great

God is like Scope

    He makes you feel fresh

God is like Hallmark cards

     He cared enough to send the Very Best!

                                                          Worth

A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill.

In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?

Hands went up.

He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this."

He proceeded to crumple the bill.

He then asked, "Who still wants it?  The hands stayed up.

"Well," he said, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the round and ground it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. "Now who still wants it?" The hands went into the air. "My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It is still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value in God's eyes. To him, dirty or clean, crumpled or creased, you are still priceless to Him.

Thought: The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we are but by WHOSE WE ARE1

You are special. Have a great day!

                                   Messiah

I'm sure everyone has heard Messiah by George Frederic Handel Below, I copied a short article by Glenn D. Kittler. I hope you enjoy it. Another sign of God's miracle.

The composer was in despair. Struggling to earn a living in London, he knew days when he could not afford to buy meals. One night in 1741, depressed and defeated, he wandered the lonely streets; it was almost dawn when he returned to his shabby room. On a table was a thick envelope. It was from Charles Jennens, the man who wrote his librettos. Examining the pages, he founds them covered with Scripture texts.

Wearily, he tossed the pages aside and crawled into bed. But he could not sleep. The words he had read returned to him: Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God... The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light... For unto us a Child is born... Glory to God in the highest...Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Too stirred to sleep, he got up and went to his piano. The music flowed from his heart-rich, majestic, triumphant. He began to write. Night and day for three weeks, he wrote feverishly. He forgot sleep, food, rest. He refused to see anyone. At last, on the day the work was finished, one friend managed to gain entrance.

The composer was at his piano, sheets of music strewn around him, tears streaming down his face. "I do believe I have seen all of Heaven before me, and the great God Himself," he exclaimed.

Millions of  people have been able to believe that. The first audience to hear the composition-in Dublin in 1742- gave it the greatest ovation in the city's history. Weeks later, London heard it for the first time, and again it was a triumph. The King was so impressed during the Hallelujah Chorus that he rose to his feet-a custom that still prevails.

This Christmas, in churches and concert halls around the world, millions of people will once again find hope and faith in the message of what has become the most beloved composition of all time-George Frederic Handel's Messiah.

God turned Handel's dispair into triumph.

As always your can email me your comments. pstinson23@comcast.net  

Advent

                                                                     

                                      Advent

Most Advent Calendars present us with a gift each day leading up to Christmas. The purpose of this Advent of Gratitude is to remind us of the gifts we already have, what we often take for granted, what we can and should be grateful for. Each daily reminder includes a suggestion for payment, a small monetary gift that in 24 days will grow into a donation payable to a charity of your choice.

Day 1 Pay $ .50 for each woman in your family
who graduated from high school.

Day 2 If you rode in a car today, pay $1. Pay $2. if you drove the vehicle.

Day 3 Count the light switches in you home. Pay $ .25 for each one.

Day 4 How many pairs of shoes/boots do you own? Pay $ .10 per pair.

Day 5 If you have never experienced having your electricity or heat shut off due to the inability to pay the bill, pay $5.

Day 6 If you have traveled outside of the U.S. pay $ 2. Pay an extra $ 2. if you have travelled within the past six months.

Day 7. Pay $2. if you bought a gourmet cup of coffee in the past month.

Day 8 If you went to work today and earned an income, pay $2.

Day 9 Pay $1. for every refrigerator/freezer in you home.

Day 10 Count every cell phone in you home. Pay $1 per phone.

Day 11 If you graduated from college, pay $1. per degree.

Day 12 How many televisions do you have? Pay $1. per TV. Pay $1. extra if you subscribe to Netflix, Hulu, or a similar subscription.

Day 13 Open you pantry. If there is more food than you can consume in 2 days, pay $2.

Day 14 Pay $2 if you have more than one bank account. Pay an extra $2 if you have investments that earn income.

Day 15 If you slept in a warm bed last night, pay $2.

Day 16 If you have visited your doctor this year, for something relatively minor, pay $2.

Day 17 Count the faucets in you home. Pay $.50 per faucet.

Day 18 If you've bought gifts for others this season, pay $1.. If you added "a little something" for yourself, pay an extra $1.

Day 19 If your home has over 25 books, pay $1. If more than 50 pay $2.

Day 20 If your parents had a high school education, Pay $1. If one attended college, pay $2. Pay $3. if both attended college.

Day 21. If you are traveling over 100 miles for Christmas festivities, pay $1. Pay $2. if you are confident your vehicle will get you there or you are taking a plane.

Day 22 Count the coats in your closet. Pay $ .25 per coat or jacket.

Day 23 Pay $2. if you can name over five people who love you.

Day 24 If you have a pet, pay $2. Pay an additional $2 if you have more than one.

Day 25 Enjoy the day.

If you think the money suggested is too much, lower it to what you think you can pay, or if you think it is too little add more money per day

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