Good Morning Digital Neighbors and Friends! Inspired by Zoom's memories of Nukia I dug this out of one of my little books. Prayers for all of you have lost these wonderful companions we call pets but that are often much more empathic and responsive than many humans that share our space. Thanks @zoomerqc for the invitation
A Dog Lover’s Prayer
My prayer book’s unconventional,
An album scarred with age.
The dogs who shared their lives with mine
Stand out on every page.
The spaniels of my childhood days,
All floppy ears and fluff;
The Dobermans who shared my bed,
Magnificent and tough.
Though some folks picture Heaven’s gates
Atop a golden stair,
The precious photos in my book
Inspire this humble prayer:
Lord, lead me to a sun-washed field,
Then send them one by one;
Let yelps of joy lead wagging tails
As to my arms they run.
Sad eyes so pleading, paws that beg,
A symphony of barks
Invite a romp in fragrant grass
To songs of meadowlarks.
This Heaven that I pray for, Lord,
Where lilacs scent the air,
Is blessed with all the dogs I’ve loved
Who come to greet me there.
TONI FULCO
Today marks the three hundred and thirtieth birthday of the Frenchman François-Marie Arouet, better known by his nom de plume, Voltaire (1694-1778).
Born into a bourgeois family during the reign of Louis XIV, the “Sun King” (r. 1643-1715), Voltaire suffered tragedy at a young age when his mother died. Never close with his father or brother, Voltaire exhibited a rebellious attitude toward authority from his youth. His brilliant mind was fostered in the care of the Society of Jesus, who introduced him to the joys of literature and theater. Despite his later criticisms against the Church, Voltaire, throughout his life, fondly recalled his dedicated Jesuit teachers.
Although he spent time as a civil servant in the French embassy to the Hague, Voltaire’s main love was writing—an endeavor where he excelled in various genres, including poetry, which led to his appointment as the royal court poet for King Louis XV. Widely recognized as one of the greatest French writers, and even hyperbolically referred to by ...
Happy National Kissing Day y'all! Hopefully, you've all found someone willing to tolerate you today.
If you want to test the absolute limits of their love, it is fortuitously also National Onion Rings Day. I strongly suggest smashing a giant portion of deep-fried, greasy battered onions right before you lean in for that celebratory smooch, which, fittingly enough, ties perfectly into today also being National Stupid Guy Thing Day. What could possibly go wrong by combining celebrations of all three?!
Anyhoo, it's that time of the week to crown our latest comedy champion, your nominations, as ever, are below:
Padre - Tom Miller invites you to a Coffee Talk, Speakeasies, Schmoozes, Tea Times, Afterhours and other gatherings.
https://teams.live.com/meet/93792382189049?p=DiBHsYfuECPgDrG7vO
2026 Coffee Talk with the ADD Irregulars
Thursday, January 1, 2026
6:00 AM - 8:00 AM (CST)
Occurs every day starting 1/1 until 12/31/2027
Coffee Talk - Daily beginning at 6:00 AM Central Time Zone - USA
White Pilled Wednesday - A break from the heaviness of news and current events to focus upon things more personal & positive for the first hour of Coffee Talk.
Afternoon Chats - Most Tuesday, Friday & Sundays 2:00 PM Central
Other chats as posted in the community.
