FDR

A few quotes from one of my favorite historical figures, Franklin D. Roosevelt. What a great man (even if he had his idiosyncrasies and vices). We’re going to NYC this fall and hope to travel to Hyde Park while we’re there, home of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Looking forward to seeing all things Roosevelt.

As an aside, the relationship between FDR and his progressive, humanitarian wife Eleanor was strange. They had one of the most puzzling marriage I’ve ever read about. What started out as a very traditional partnership became quite unconventional as the years went on. We’ll get into that another time. In the meantime, a wonderful book on the subject is Franklin and Eleanor: An Extraordinary Marriage by Hazel Rowley.

And now, here’s some words of wisdom from one of this country’s greatest presidents.

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“Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.”

“Confidence… thrives on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection and on unselfish performance. Without them it cannot live.”

“If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships – the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together, in the same world at peace.”

“Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.”

Bonus Quotes by Eleanor Roosevelt.

“Probably the happiest period in life most frequently is in middle age, when the eager passions of youth are cooled, and the infirmities of age not yet begun; as we see that the shadows, which are at morning and evening so large, almost entirely disappear at midday.”

“In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.”

“In all our contacts it is probably the sense of being really needed and wanted which gives us the greatest satisfaction and creates the most lasting bond.”

Read All About It

I go through phases where I either read a lot, or write a lot. I’m currently in reading mode. We’ve been taking a lot of road trips and I find reading a great way to pass the time (in between random talks and dashboard drumming to Swiftie) I’ve always love the knowledge and magic that books bring. Yes, even in Kindle form.

I thought I would share with you a few books that I’m currently engrossed in. As you can see I am in a Kennedy state of mind. I’m a big history buff and I love biographies. However, not just any biographies. I prefer ones written by historians. I’m not interested in gossip or rumors. I want to read something that is historical accurate.

I think one has to respect all the Kennedys gave to this country, even if they had their less than moments. In honor of what was the closest thing America has ever had to royalty, I give you a few quotes from those kooky kids. 😜

“I have no political ambitions for myself or my children.

Joseph P. Kennedy

“It has been said that time heals all wounds. I don’t agree. The wounds remain. Time – the mind, protecting its sanity – covers them with some scar tissue and the pain lessens, but it is never gone.”

Rose Kennedy

“Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.”

John F. Kennedy

Some men see things as they are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were, and ask why not.

Robert Kennedy

…my mother and father … raised nine of us and taught each to do our best … We tried.

Life is Beautiful

“Life is beautiful, but it’s complicated
We barely make it
We don’t need to understand
There are miracles, miracles
Stand where you are
We let all these moments pass us by
It’s amazing where I’m standing
There’s a lot that we can give
This is ours just for the moment
There’s a lot that we can give

Within You. Without You.

When you've seen beyond yourself
Then you may find, peace of mind is waiting there
And the time will come when you see we're all one
And life flows on within you and without you


-The Beatles

Within You Without You

https://youtu.be/HsffxGyY4ck

Felines, Paul Hollywood, and Turning on the Red Light.

Hello y’all. Please scroll down and check out a cat in need of a home. As for the rest, just my latest YouTube nonsense. In the first video, Tucker takes on a starring role as I ponder Paul Hollywood’s midlife crisis. Mad props to our dear friends Jake and his lovely wife Ariana for getting us into The Great British Bake-off and all things Hollywood. I’d heard of the show but just never got around to watching it until now. We’re currently on the 3rd season and I feel inspired to baaaaakkke.

In the second video, I talk about the advantages of red light therapy for the skin and pain. Nothing earth shattering or life transforming in either video, unless you count the appearance of the greatest feline in the world.

Speaking of felines, we have another stray cat coming around that I’ve been feeding. I’d love to take him in, but we already have 3 cats that aren’t fond of their own kind. One who’s immune system is compromised from Feline HIV, one who is older and set in his ways and another who is a wild child to the core.

Anyway, a neighbor and yours truly are trying to find the little guy a home. If you know of anyone in North or South Carolina in need of some serious cuteness, this cat has it in spades. It’s the sweetest thing and looks no more than a year old if that.