Random Thursday Thoughts

Photo by Ameen Fahmy on Unsplash

Time changes everything except something within us which is always surprised by change.

English novelist and poet, Thomas Hardy, was born on this day in 1840 (d. 1928)

I’m pretty sure I’ve never read a Thomas Hardy novel. I’m less confident that I’ve never seen one of the movies based on his works.

Some forty-four years later, I can’t recall if that was one of the novels I “read” in my British novel class…you know, that one of two semesters when I was an English major before switching to Communications.

That was also the class that I passed with an A because I’m fairly certain the professor knew that I was struggling. My father had passed only a month prior to our return to school.

At that point in time, Queen Elizabeth had been on the throne for a mere twenty-six years. This week she celebrates her Platinum Jubilee.

Say what you will, but say it elsewhere, about the British Royals, seventy years in one job is pretty darned

Mug Shots

impressive.

She has seen some stuff.

Personally, I’m struggling to hit the thirty year mark in my day job. That’s another story.

Still, I’ve also seen some stuff. And if I live long enough after I eventually get to retire you just might or might not see it in a book or two.

Our long national nightmare of the Amber Heard/Johnny Depp trial is over…except that it’s not…Amber says she’s going to appeal.

I didn’t really follow the trial, or the associated stories, so I cannot comment with authority.

All I will say was that I did watch Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore last night and I sort of missed Johnny.

I’m looking around my office as I write this and seeing the bits and pieces of multiple projects. I’m still trying to focus on one major project at a time which isn’t always easy.

And yes, even though it’s still early June, I’m making plans for the Santa season.

Like you, I’d rather be spending the day by the poolside with a fruity umbrella drink. But this morning my friend Arthur reminded me that I’ve consumed way too much processed sugar recently. Just something else I have to keep track of.

I’ve said enough. Or too much.

Or, I haven’t really said anything.

Your mileage may vary. And we won’t even talk about how much that will cost you.

Okay, I’m done.

At least tomorrow is Friday.

American composer and conductor, Marvin Hamlisch, was born on this day in 1944. (d. 2012)


BORN ON THIS DAY

1904 – Johnny Weissmuller, Hungarian-American swimmer and actor (d. 1984)
1937 – Sally Kellerman, American actress (d. 2022)
1941 – Stacy Keach, American actor
1948 – Jerry Mathers, American actor
1950 – Joanna Gleason, Canadian actress and singer
1955 – Dana Carvey, American comedian and actor
1960 – Kyle Petty, American race car driver and sportscaster

BENEDICTION

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:15-17

Bustin’ Out All Over

Photo by Tunafish on Unsplash

“I firmly believe that in every situation, no matter how difficult, God extends grace greater than the hardship, and strength and peace of mind that can lead us to a place higher than where we were before.”

American actor, singer, producer, and screenwriter, Andy Griffith, was born on this day in 1926 (d. 2012)

Work with me here. I’m not a fan of the musical Carousel, but the song is a fitting way to start the month of June.

It’s also the first day of Hurricane Season. If you live in the South, you know what might, or might not, be coming.

While I normally check in with my Three Words at the end of a month, I make the rules here so today I’m looking at them on the first day of the sixth month.

My three words for 2022: Recover…Read…Rise…

Recover continues to be a challenge. Every day is a little better. And, while the good news is that the cancer is undetectable (which I consider means that it’s gone), the reality of our forty-seven years of house arrest, followed by a year of cancer treatments set this soon to be sixty-four-year-old back further than he would have liked. I’m still good, I’m just slower at a lot of things.

Available at By the Sea

That’s frustrating. But all I can do is keep going.

I’m on track to reach my goal of reading twenty-five books this year. I still wish I had more time to read. I’m working on stepping away from the keyboard to do that.

Rise…there are many challenges ahead. We all have them. I’m endeavoring to meet them head on. I’ve got multiple projects going and a list of things I want to get to…in time.

That’s a short recap, but it’s where I am this morning.

Like I said, I’m not a fan of the musical Carousel, but I can appreciate this version.


BORN ON THIS DAY

1801 – Brigham Young, American religious leader, 2nd President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (d. 1877)
1915 – John Randolph, American actor (d. 2004)
1921 – Nelson Riddle, American composer and bandleader (d. 1985)
1926 – Marilyn Monroe, American model and actress (d. 1962)
1934 – Pat Boone, American singer-songwriter and actor
1939 – Cleavon Little, American actor and comedian (d. 1992)
1948 – Powers Boothe, American actor (d. 2017)
1974 – Alanis Morissette, Canadian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, and actress

BENEDICTION

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:15-17