Good morning, Digital Neighbors! Blessed and beautiful Sunday to all! That means all you Friends & Refugees, Early Birds and Later Dayers, Conversants, Lurkers and Wanderers on the Rubin Report, that gaggle of Misfits, Political Homeless & PHAM milling around on Phetasy and finally the home crew of ADD Irregulars, WSN Contributors, Curmudgeons and Coffee Talkers at Padre’s. Sundays are for gratitude. Few things matter more for your life compass than the decision to live by gratitude and to practice it frequently and intentionally. It is easy if you believe in a Giver, perhaps more difficult if you don’t. I have known agnostics that are grateful, that realize the importance of practiced and expressed gratitude in life. I think the expressing it to someone, God, spouse, child, friend or neighbor makes a difference. The saying and hearing of gratitude is much more enduring than the thinking about it only. Gratitude’s blossom is in its expression and acting upon it is its fruit. Have a great day digital neighbors, I am thankful for those I know and have yet to meet. May your day be filled with reasons to embrace and express gratitude.
Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others. - Cicero
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 Best Friends Day Y'all!
I strongly suggest combining celebrations for this with National Name Your Poison Day and National Jelly-Filled Doughnut Day. Think I'll have to wash a custard doughnut down with a cold beer later.
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.
