Cathy Burnham Martin's Blog, page 8

“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”

— Annie Dillard (1945 – )
American Pulitzer Prize-winning author

“It is a fine thing to have ability, but the ability to discover ability in others is the true test.”

— Elbert Hubbard (1856 – 1915)
American writer, publisher, & philosopher
Editor & founder of Roycroft Press

June 6th is an annual date on which we salute one of the world’s oldest and most enduring toys. Not to “string” you along, the yo-yo is iconic.

I am greatly enjoying the last weeks of Spring with so many lovely flowers in bloom.

We mow many acres of lush lawns and meadows.

I repeatedly marvel at our fruit trees, and I had to remove more than half the plums from their branches to avoid breaking the boughs as they ripen and plump up.

Blueberries are plentiful and just about to burst into blue.

Blackberries are both in bloom and bulging with fruit.

And I have been harvesting luscious raspberries for several days now.

Tomato plants have already stretched up to my shoulders!

Baby birds of all sorts flit about gleefully, having recently left their nests.

Spring. Hope. Life. Nature. Miracles.

Photo by Joshua Earle

“I am prepared for the worst, but hope for the best.”

— Benjamin Disraeli (1804 – 1881)
British statesman, conservative politician, and writer;
Twice served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

“In times of great stress or anxiety, it’s always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into something positive.”

Lee Iacocca (1924 – 2019)
American executive & automotive pioneer

“When uncontrolled, your mind can be very dangerous to you, but when controlled, it can develop unlimited power.”

— Norman Vincent Peale (1898 – 1993)
American clergyman and best-selling author
(from his book The Power of Positive Thinking)

“You can’t always control what goes on outside, but you can always control what goes on inside.”

— Wayne Dyer (1940-2015)
American author

“A smile can open a heart faster than a key can open a door.”

This common saying reflects on more than a mere ability to open a door. It indicates the chance for a positive attitude. No matter what the task… no matter what the anxiety, we fare better when we learn to respond to life positively. Mom taught me this when I was a mere brat child, as she calmly stated… repeatedly, “You can make your bed with a frown, or you can make your bed with a smile, but you will make your bed.” I’m still smiling!

“Patience is the best remedy for every trouble.”

— Plautus (c254 BC – 184 BC)
Roman playwright