Pic of the Day

Slow Going

Slowly but surely, I seemed to be improving. I still have a cough, headache, some congestion, a sore throat, and fatigue, but I don’t feel as awful as I have the last few days. Luckily, I have not had a fever throughout this whole illness. The congestion and the headache don’t seem as bad, and I was able to sleep through the night last night without waking up too much. When I did wake up, I was able to fall back to sleep more easily than the night before. i told my boss yesterday that I would not be back for the rest of the week. If I continue to improve, I should be able to return to work on Monday. Until then, I’m going to continue to get rest.

Thankfully, I’ve had my faithful companion with me throughout. Isabella has not been bothering me except first thing in the morning to get fed and at night when she thinks I should go to bed. Several times a day, she comes and checks on me, but then returns to her blankets to sleep her day away.

Pic of the Day

It Wasn’t Just a Cold

Monday morning, I thought I just had a simple cold. When I’d taken a Covid test on Sunday, it had been negative. However, the longer I sat in my office on Monday, the worse I felt. The last time I’d felt this way, I’d had Covid, so when I got home, I took another test. It came back positive, though the control line was barely visible, so I took it again. It was very clear that it was positive. Therefore, I’m quarantined at home with Covid. I barely slept last night, but I’m not feeling quite as bad as I was. However, I’m still congested and I no longer have a sense of smell, which is an odd sensation considering I normally have an acute sense of smell. I can still taste things, but it’s like the flavors are muted. I saw the online doctor that is provided by my insurance hoping to get a prescription for Paxlovid, only I found out that Paxlovid interacts with Qulipta, my migraine medicine. So, I’m treating the cough and congestion with other medications, but I can’t take Paxlovid because the two medicines together cause liver damage, and I already have issues with my liver (not from alcohol consumption, by the way, because I rarely drink alcohol). Hopefully, I’ll continue to improve, and right now I’m going back to bed in hopes of getting more sleep.

Pic of the Day

October

October

By Robert Frost

 

O hushed October morning mild,

Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;

To-morrow's wind, if it be wild,

Should waste them all.

The crows above the forest call;

To-morrow they may form and go.

O hushed October morning mild,

Begin the hours of this day slow,

Make the day seem to us less brief.

Hearts not averse to being beguiled,

Beguile us in the way you know;

Release one leaf at break of day;

At noon release another leaf;

One from our trees, one far away;

Retard the sun with gentle mist;

Enchant the land with amethyst.

Slow, slow!

For the grapes' sake, if they were all,

Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,

Whose clustered fruit must else be lost—

For the grapes' sake along the wall.

 

 

About the Poem

 

Robert Frost’s poem “October” expresses a plea to nature to slow down the passage of time, particularly during the autumn season. The speaker reflects on the beauty of October, a month often associated with transition and the impending arrival of winter. In the poem, the speaker urges nature to hold off winter’s arrival for as long as possible, savoring the fleeting beauty of the fall.

 

“October” highlights the inevitability of change, with autumn being a metaphor for the cycle of life, decline, and death. The speaker wants to hold on to the present moment, delaying the cold and lifeless winter. Frost’s love for nature shines through, with the poem vividly describing the beauty of the season and expressing a desire to savor every moment of it. The speaker’s wish to prolong the season also reflects a deeper human desire to slow down the passage of time and, by extension, the progression of life toward its inevitable end.

 

Ultimately, “October” is a meditation on time, beauty, and the natural cycles of life, using autumn as a symbol of both transience and the longing to pause and appreciate the fleeting moments of beauty in the world.

 

 

About the Poet

 

Robert Frost (1874–1963) was an American poet known for his depictions of rural life and his use of everyday language to explore complex social and philosophical themes. He is widely regarded as one of the most significant American poets of the 20th century. Frost’s poetry often focuses on the landscapes of New England, where he lived for much of his life, and his works frequently touch on themes like nature, isolation, and human emotion.

 

Frost’s poetry is noted for its simplicity of language, which masks the depth of his themes. His work often revolves around rural life, but these settings serve as backdrops for exploring universal human experiences, such as decision-making, loneliness, and the passage of time. Some of his best-known poems include “The Road Not Taken,” “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” “Mending Wall,” and “Birches.” These poems often reflect on choices, boundaries, and humanity’s relationship with nature. 

 

Frost was highly celebrated in his lifetime. He won four Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry, more than any other poet, and received numerous other honors. He was also invited to recite his poetry at the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy in 1961. Though sometimes associated with traditional forms and settings, Frost’s poetry delves into darker, existential themes, including the struggles of the human condition, the uncertainty of life, and the nature of free will. His work often reveals a tension between the idyllic pastoral life and the complexities of human existence.

 

Frost’s ability to balance simple, relatable imagery with profound philosophical insights makes his poetry resonate with readers of all backgrounds, and his influence continues to be felt in American literature.

Pic of the Day

The Cold

I know I often say that I hate Mondays and just want to stay in bed, but it is even more true today. Sadly, I’m the only person at the museum today, and I have an important meeting this morning. However, I started getting a cold Saturday night. My throat was feeling raw, and while I know it’s likely post-nasal drip, it doesn’t mean I don’t feel awful.

I was supposed to go to the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival with a friend of mine yesterday, and I almost canceled going, but I’d started feeling better and decided to go. I should have gone with my first instinct, but decided to go because my friend and I were supposed to go out to eat at a new restaurant I wanted to try. Probably none of y’all have ever tried to drive through Stowe during peak foliage season, but traffic was bumper to bumper. Then, we arrived at the site of the festival only to find out that it had been canceled due to high winds Friday night that caused the main tent containing the festival to collapse. We were able to walk around a bit to see the foliage, but it was a big disappointment.

Stowe, Vermont taken yesterday by me

We went out to eat and by the time I got home, I was completely worn out. I went to bed early hoping to feel better today, but I don’t. So, I really wish I could just stay in bed today. It won’t happen. To add to this, it’s currently 41 degrees here, but the temperature will drop to nearly freezing when I’ll be heading home from work. Most of this week will have highs in the low 50s, but we will have lows below freezing most mornings this week. We might even get our first snow of the season.

Pic of the Day

Embrace God’s Love

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

—Romans 8:38-39

 

As LGBTQ+ Christians, it can be challenging to reconcile our faith with our identity. We live in a world where we may feel misunderstood, judged, or even rejected by others. Yet, in the heart of Scripture, God’s message is clear: His love for us is steadfast and unshakable. Nothing—no person, no ideology, no power—can separate us from that love. Romans 8:38-39 is a powerful reminder that God’s love is all-encompassing. In times of struggle, confusion, or loneliness, remember that you are deeply known and cherished by God just as you are. God’s love is not conditional on fitting into a particular mold or meeting the expectations of others. He created you uniquely and beautifully, with purpose and intent.

 

When you feel distanced from the church or face discrimination, know that God’s arms are always open to you. You are part of His family, and His grace is not limited by human boundaries. Just as Jesus reached out to those who were marginalized, He reaches out to you, inviting you to experience His boundless love. First John 4:8, which states “God is love,” is especially important to us as LGBTQ+ Christians because it affirms that God’s very nature is rooted in love, and this love is not conditional or limited by human standards. We are reminded in 1 John 4:8 that Christianity centers around God’s love as the ultimate truth, offering comfort, hope, and a foundation for LGBTQ+ Christians to embrace their faith and identity without fear.

 

In Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus said “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” The heart of our faith is love—the love God has for us, and the love we are called to share with one another. Jesus taught us that the greatest commandments are to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). So love God, love others, and love yourself. Know that you are loved beyond measure, exactly as you are. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, and God has a plan for your life. Let us all remember that nothing—nothing in this world—can ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

 

Take a moment today to reflect on God’s love for you. Write down (or post in the comments) three ways you have seen His love in your life recently, even in small moments. If you’re able, connect with another LGBTQ+ Christian for support and encouragement, sharing how God’s love is sustaining you. Above all, remember this: You are loved. You are worthy. You are enough. Hold tightly to the truth that God’s love for you is unbreakable, and let that love empower you to live fully in His grace.

Pic of the Day

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Moment of Zen: Country Boys

Pic of the Day

TGI Friday

I’m glad it’s Friday. It hasn’t been a bad week, though somewhat busy. However, I’ve had a migraine for the past few days. I ended up going home from work early Wednesday and Thursday. I’m working from home today and plan to take it easy. Luckily, there isn’t a lot of must do things today because I still have a migraine.

Yesterday, I went to the ENT to have him evaluate my hearing. The whole visit took less than five minutes. He introduced himself, looked in both ears, declared that there was no damage that could be fixed with surgery, and then said that the hearing loss was due to nerve damage and only hearing aids would help. So, now I’ll be returning to the audiologist to be fitted for hearing aids.

Hopefully, my migraine will improve and I can enjoy this weekend. I’m planning to go with a friend of mine to the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival. We’ve gone to a few arts festivals together and always have a good time. With this one being in Stowe, one of the most expensive places in Vermont, I doubt there will be anything I can afford, but it will be fun to browse through the booths.

I realized last night that I did not post an Isabella pic of the week, so here you go. This is about the closest she ever comes to cuddling, though she most often lays on my hip if I’m on my side. Sometimes, if I’m on my back, she’ll lay down stretched out from my belly to my chest. Mostly, she just prefers to be near me, not on me.

Have a great weekend, everyone!