An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. So when life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means that it’s going to launch you into something great. So just focus, and keep aiming.
– Paulo Coelho
A quote I loved even more came from a cooking competition when one contestant’s effort received harsh criticism.
Well, that was a character-building experience, wasn’t it?
He’s a man after my own heart. Have you had any “character-building” experiences lately?
June 19, 2025
I hadn’t watch Steve Hartman in years (no TV access) so I was pleased to see him again in this video.
June 18, 2025
Click on the photo to see the video (it repeats).
July 17, 2025/span>
Click on the picture to see the video of the fawn and the dog.
June 16, 2025
Click on the photo to see the video.
June 15, 2025
A wealthy man walked into a bar in Miami.
As soon as he walked in, he noticed an African (Black) woman sitting in the corner, went to the bar, grabbed his wallet, and yelled, “Bartender! I buy drinks for everyone in this bar except for that Black woman over there!”
The bartender collected the money and began serving free drinks to everyone at the bar except the African woman.
Instead of getting upset, the black woman just looked at the guy and yelled, “Thank you.”
This angered the rich man. So again, he took out his wallet and shouted, “Boy!
This time I’m buying extra bottles of wine and food for everyone in this bar except for that African woman sitting in the corner!”
The waiter collected the man’s money and began serving free food and wine to everyone at the bar except the African woman.
When the waiter came to serve the food and drinks, the African woman simply smiled at the man and said, “Thank you!” Which infuriated him.
So he leaned over the counter and asked the bartender, “What’s wrong with this black woman… I’ve bought food and alcohol for everyone in this bar except for her, and instead of being mad, she sits there, smiles at me, and yells, “Thank you!”
Is she crazy?” The bartender smiled at the rich man and said, “No, she’s not crazy. She owns this place.”
We can’t believe everything we think. It’s best to check our assumptions.
June 14, 2025
There are a lot of people in this world more interested in creating than destroying, and it’s important not to forget that. And to be one of them if we can.
June 13, 2025
I tried to buy my favorite yogurt at Natural Grocers Tuesday but they were already out, and a lot of other shelves were bare. It may be a week before they get new shipments.
Fingers crossed for everyone involved.
June 12, 2025
I posted Inching Along, about how I had used Duolingo for 700 days and that I was still doing a little bit each day. That’s been enough to keep my streak going and to learn a little more without it being too onerous.
I am now celebrating my
The celebrating is important to me. It keeps me going and makes me happy.
Often for me persistence works better than goal setting. Goals for me can be too motivating. They encourage me to focus too much on the goal and let other parts of my life slide. And right now my life is full of these “other parts” so inching along on Spanish works just fine.
What about you? Are you working/playing with anything that brings you joy?
June 11, 2025
We had a bit more rain!
It won’t last. They’re predicting it will get to around 90°F by the weekend, but we’re savoring it while it’s here.
June 10, 2025
