I Saw That Coming

We are looking forward to seeing this flower blooming in our backyard.

If you realize that a person's behavior takes on a predictable pattern, you can anticipate that behavior and not let it bother you.
(Sandra A. Crowe, Since Strangling Isn't An Option, p. 204-5)
31 October 2014

I Don't Get It

As the speaker, you must do whatever you can to make sure the other person gets the message.
Just because you say it, doesn't mean it was heard.
(Sandra A. Crowe, Since Strangling Isn't An Option, p. 202)
25 October 2014

Follow By Email

The "Follow By Email" option is now available on all four of my Google blogs. You have to scroll to the bottom of the first page on each blog to find it and subscribe.

If you subscribe, when I post to that blog you will receive an Email message with the link to the post. This eliminates the need to constantly check the blog to see if I am posting.  This will be particularly useful in the case of the Obituary blog which I infrequently update.

Dick Henthorn
24 October 2014

The Formula

Melva's Quilt in the backyard

I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure -- try to please everybody.
(Herbert Bayard Swope in Night Light by Amy E. Dean, 18 March)

******

Today I'm working on a project to update my CD music catalog. I put away all of the CDs that I added to the catalog. I can't remember how many months went by without posting anything. It's been so long I have forgotten how to create a report that I can save to "the cloud." I'll have to think about it. 

I posted a link to my genealogy blog that displays two articles written by friend, Charles H. Gander of Arlington, VA. This was a project that took me far too long to complete.

Dick Henthorn

23 October 2014

Harmony

When circumstances have compelled you to be a little disturbed, return to yourself quickly, and do not continue out of tune longer than the compulsion lasts; for you will be more the master of the harmony by continually returning to it.
(Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Chapter VI, 11)

*******

Yesterday, for the first time in months, I uploaded a 62-page genealogy PDF to my Box account. When I Previewed the file on Box I got a surprise.  The text was a mess.  The Preview used a font I didn't like and inserted blanks (spaces) between words.  I downloaded the file and opened it with Adobe Reader on my computer.  No problem.  I Previewed some PDFs that I uploaded months ago and they looked all right.  I sent a message to the Box Help Desk along with a link to the file in question.  I'm going to be disappointed if they can't explain and fix this issue.  Things are always changing and there's always more to learn.

Dick Henthorn

22 October 2014

Clear Thinking And Common Sense

Dear friends, guard clear thinking and common sense with your life; don't for a minute lose sight of them.
They'll keep your soul alive and well, they'll keep you fit and attractive.
(Proverbs 3:21-22 (MSG))

******

Yesterday, Melva and I continued the Fall yard work in the backyard.  I dug up more of the iris plants, removed the weeds and separated the tubers. Melva put them back in the ground.  We think the iris project is finished.  We look forward to seeing the results next Spring. 

Two big projects remain: resetting some scalloped edging blocks and spreading many bags of mulch that are already sitting on our parking apron.

21 October 2014

Pay Off

One of Melva's Iris Plants

 ... [Our programs are] beginning to pay off when we increase our capacity to develop new and healthier ways of taking care of ourselves and relating to others.
(The Twelve Steps For Christians, p. 159)

******

Circular Flower Bed In Foreground

I went out under an overcast sky to work on maintenance of the round flower bed in the middle of the backyard.  Grass was chocking the iris plants.  The only way to correct the problem was to dig up both the iris roots and the grass. This allowed separation of the grass from the iris plants. I filled a bucket with iris roots that will need to be replanted. By the time I stopped most of the cloud cover was gone.  I took many breaks, sitting in a folding lawn chair, looking at the mums and the blue sky, while I enjoyed the Fall breeze.

19 Oct 2014

Suffering

As long as suffering is hard for you and you seek to avoid it, all will go wrong with you, and the very trouble that you run from will hound you wherever you go. If you resign yourself to what must be - that is, that we all must suffer and die -- you will feel much better, and you will find peace.
(Thomas 'a Kempis, The Imitation Of Christ, Book 2, Chapter 12)
18 October 2014

Holding Pattern

... many people who believe that time heals all things find themselves stuck in a holding pattern in life.
(Cloud and Townsend, God Will Make A Way, p. 86)
17 October 2014

It Must Be True

Photo by Corel

Everything that is in agreement with our personal desires seems true.
Everything that is not puts us into a rage.
(Andre Maurois in Night Light by Amy E. Dean, 28 May)
16 October 2014

Change

Never underestimate your power to change yourself. Never overestimate your power to change others.

(H. Jackson Brown, Jr. in Excuses Begone! by Dr. Wayne Dyer, p. 147) 

14 October 2014

Codependency

Codependency [defined]. You rescue [the other person], or enabled him or her to stay irresponsible.
(Cloud & Townsend, God Will Make A Way, p. 213)

My comment: This is a simple and easy way to understand the rather complex term codependency.
Dick Henthorn
13 October 2014

Toxic People

... it's also possible to get heart, mind, soul, and strength poisoning from toxic people.

(Dr. Henry Townsend, The Secret Things Of God, p. 109)

12 October 2014

Possess

Do not posses what will possess you.

(Thomas 'a Kempis, The Imitation Of Christ, Book 3, Chapter 27)

10 October 2014

Connectors

[Connectors] ... believe in synchronicity and aren't surprised when the perfect person for a situation appears, or when someone they're thinking about calls out of the blue, or when a book arrives unexpectedly in the mail giving them information they needed, or when the money to finance a project they've been intending mysteriously shows up.
(Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, The Power Of Intention, p. 247)
9 September 2014

Changing Your Opinion

Mr. Dickie

Reading the words

of 

The Chief of Naval Operations

Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert

Before the Navy Band Concert

Remember that to change your opinion and to follow him who corrects your error is not a surrender of freedom. Your action follows your own judgement and understanding and keeps the course your mind has set.

(Marcus Aurelius, Meditation, Chapter VII, 16)

******

Last night, 7 October 2014, Cyndi and I took the subway to the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, MD where we attended a "free" 80-minute concert by The United States Navy Band.  The concert entitled, America's Navy - On The Sea And Beyond, celebrated the Navy's 239th Birthday and the 200th Birthday of the Star-Spangled Banner. The program featured three of the six ensembles that make up the Navy Band: Concert Band, Sea Chanters and Cruisers.  We selected our own seats near the back and on the aisle on the 800-seat orchestra level.  There was a full house.  

I thought the program was wonderful.  I particularly enjoyed the first solo vocal of the Josh Groban song, Brave and the duet, near the end, of the Bill Withers song, Lean On Me.

This was our first visit to the Music Center which is a beautiful building with wonderful acoustics.  It's across the street from a Red line Metro stop and a Metro parking garage. The second level of the parking garage is connected to the Music Center by a fly-over.  The Center is the second home of The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

We took photos prior to the performance using Cyndi's camera.

Dick Henthorn

8 October 2014

Change

Like it or not, change is a big part of you. If you want to have that elusive sense of purpose in your life, you are going to have to get very comfortable with the entire concept of change and learn to welcome rather than to fear it.
(Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, The Sky's The Limit, p. 323)
7 October 2014

Reading and Study

Library of Congress Main Reading Room

Through reading and study a reader's experience may stretch back through several centuries, but his or her primary experiences rest firmly in day-to-day life.
(William C. Creasy in The Imitation of Christ, p. 18-19)
6 October 2014

Listening and Feedback

Listening attentively and offering feedback enables us to explore options and possible courses of action. This can strengthen one's ability to make healthy choices that provide good results. Feedback, however must not be confused with unsolicited advice.
(The Twelve Steps For Christians, p. 10)
5 October 2014

Family

In a family you live close to people that otherwise you might not even want to talk to.
(Thomas More, Care Of The Soul, p. 25)
4 October 2014

Growth

George Washington Headquarters

Cumberland, MD

Photo by Mr. Dickie

The essence of all growth is a willingness to change for the better and then an unremitting willingness to shoulder whatever responsibility this entails.
(From "As Bill Sees It," p. 115, found in Reflections, 10 April)
3 October 2014

Yesterdays

C&O Canal turn-around at Cumberland, MD

Photo by Mr. Dickie

Yesterdays have no value except as experience to be used in making today and the future more fruitful.
(One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 13 April)
2 October 2014

Actions and Words

C&O Canal near Cumberland, MD

Photo by Mr. Dickie

All of us are hampered to some degree by our need to justify our actions and words.
(One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 10 April)
1 October 2014