Good morning, dear digital neighbors! Happy Saturday, Friends & Refugees, Early Birds & Later Dayers, Conversants and Lurkers gathering at the Report; hello again to all the Misfits, Political Homeless, Dawn Patrol, and PHAM hanging out at Phetasy; and finally to all the dear Curmudgeons, WSN Curators, and ADD Irregulars who make Padre’s thrive—to one and all, good morning, and I’m glad you made it here, of all the places you could be visiting while wandering the internet.

A few final thoughts on wisdom as this eleventh week of autumn concludes. It doesn’t feel like autumn anymore; colder mornings and a few snowfalls are in, and it feels as though a real winter may actually be headed our way this time. On to a prayer and a quote or two to stir the pot and let some wisdom find its way into our judgments. May your day be blessed with peace and wisdom.

God of all strength and harmony, teach us to find the deep springs of laughter in generosity and understanding. Give to us, we pray, the grace and courage of laughter that seeks to heal and not to hurt; that sees the unimportance of trifles instead of magnifying them; that gives us a sense of proportion by helping us to see not ourselves but Yourself at the center of all things. We ask this in the name of him who is the Lord of joy, Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. – unattributed

“The measure of a man is not determined by his show of outward strength, or the volume of his voice, or the thunder of his actions. It is to be seen, rather, in terms of the strength of his commitments, the genuineness of his friendships, the sincerity of his purpose, the quiet courage of his convictions, his capacity to suffer, and his willingness to continue ‘growing up.’” – Grady E. Pollard

“Because a human being is so malleable, whatever one cultivates is what one becomes.” — Lao Tzu

Winter barn - Bonnie Moreland - StockSnap