Cathy Burnham Martin's Blog, page 16

“The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.”

— Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841-1936)
Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court

“You have to have confidence in your ability and then be tough enough to follow through.”

— Rosalynn Carter (1927 – 2023)
Former First Lady of the US

The first Friday of March is World Prayer Day. Express the spirit of worship, solidarity, and shared faith with this year’s theme, Psalm 139:14: “I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.”

The Lord made each one of us with great care and skill. May we remember and celebrate that, especially in times of challenge. Have a blessed day.

“There is a tendency for things to right themselves.”

— Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 – 1882)
American essayist & philosopher

National Grammar Day is observed annually to encourage correct grammar in both verbal and written language.

“Texting has reduced the number of waste words, but it has also exposed a black hole of ignorance about traditional – what a cranky guy would call correct – grammar.”

— Richard Corliss (1944 – 2015)
American film critic

With more than 175 fires burning across the Carolinas and elsewhere, we are reminded to count our blessings.

200+ homes were evacuated as some 500 acres are burning in our county, sparked by a tree blown down by the wind onto power lines on Saturday.

But with winds softening yesterday, firefighters from multiple counties attained a bit of containment yesterday and up to 30% today.

With this being another day of calm winds and rain expected late tomorrow, I pray their success continues, and everyone can go home safely very soon. Huge thanks to all the first responders helping protect homes and lives.

“Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby.”

— Langston Hughes (1901 – 1967)
American poet and social activist

“An expert is a man who has made all the mistakes which can be made in a very narrow field.”

— Niels Bohr (1885-1962)
Danish physicist & Nobel Prize winner

“Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn.”

— Lewis Grizzard (1946 – 1994)
American writer & humorist

I deeply appreciate temperatures dancing in the 60s & 70s. Trees and shrubs are all fully dotted with sweet buds, and flowering bulbs have sprung up, announcing hope and happiness for the new season. Thank you, sweet Lord!

“Substitute damn every time you’re inclined to write very; your editor will delete it, and the writing will be just as it should be.”

— Mark Twain (1835 – 1910)
American author and humorist

There are times where the written word may be just the life that we need to conquer some hurdle we are facing. Thanks to a friend who reminded me how much one of my books helped in challenging times. (Okay… shameless promotion now… “Encouragement: How to Be and Find the Best” is available in paperback, digital, and audiobook formats.)

“Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.”

— Albert Einstein (1879 – 1955)
German-born theoretical physicist;
developed the theory of relativity