TV From Box to Screen to Phone, #SoCS & #JusJoJan

The track of television from beginning to now has been rather amazing. What is next for the technological future of this apparatus? Since I am older than some of you who read my Jots, lets do a little of my history with TV. When I was young the TV was a large box that housed the TV screen and the large vacuum tubes inside them that made it work.

These tubes gave off a slight heat and I remember my old dog would sleep next to it to feel that warmth. The TVs at that time showed only black and white images and some of the shows we watched were Wagon Train, The Rifleman, The Lone Ranger, Roy Roger & Gunsmoke. Westerns were very popular in that era. And as time went on some of the TVs got put in bigger cabinets.

And when color TV came along you had movies like the Wizard of Oz that started off black & white in Kansas then turned to color when she got to Oz. All the kids went to one house or the other to watch through their TVs. That was a simple time when you did not have to worry where your kids were because all moms took care of what kids were in their house at the moment – and some moms were cooler so that was usually where everyone went. Oh, and at this time TV was FREE.

Then later, about my college years, came the BIG box TV with a 40 something inch screen but still in a box. By this time the technology had totally changed and you were actually looking at a projection onto the screen from inside the TV.

Now TVs are on a screen as thin as the computer screen which also had a similar history of development. If you miss a TV program now, you just look through your DVD player where you recorded it and watch it at home or on you hand held device because now you buy your programs through cable or satellite.

The one really good things about today’s TV, if you record everything and watch it when it is actually thought recording, you can zip right though the commercials or any part of the show you wish not to see.

So Linda G Hill challenged us today with Stream of Consciousness Saturday and Just Jot January with the prompt of Television. Hope you enjoy my version of its history and hope it spawned many fond memories of your own history.

And as a posting reminder from me to anyone who reads, please remember to be kind. This world has a tendency to be harsh and cold so a spark of tenderness and kindness goes a long way.

kindness10 — Be someones bright spark for the day

Friendship vs. Companionship, JusJoJan

In looking up the meanings of these terms, they seem to be pretty much the same per Webster. But to me there is a different emotional attachment for companionship. To me companionship requires a heartfelt emotional connection between to bodies. The bodies can be the same specie or different specie. The animal world is forever showing us this emotional connection of companionship in various ways.

People can have many friends but only a few they call true friends or companions that they can share heart felt concerns, fears, joys or tears. We have drinking buddies or ice cream buddies who will hear all of our concerns and just nod at appropriate times to assure us it will be OK. Then they lock away that information and never dare share it. Loyal companions. We all need them. Man has to have someone or something to talk to. Remember the movie with Tom Hanks, Cast Away. He cut his hand and with his blood made a face on a soccer ball and called him Wilson, because that was who made the ball. God made us to have companions.

Mine sits beside me on the sofa as I type, sometime snoring loudly.

But she listens to every word, gets very concerned when my voice get upset then comes and stands protectively across my lap. It makes football very difficult to watch.

dog love3

What or whoever is your companion is cherish that companionship. They really are few and far between in our lives and most needed. And companionship requires kindness, sometimes extra kindness, so remember to be kind. While your companion may out of hurt be unkind, do not return in favor. Show your inner strength and be strong and kind.

Today’s prompt from Linda on Just Jot January is being supplied by Di. And the word is companionship. Come join in on the fun.

It’s This Big… #JusJoJan #17

In trying to visualize to someone how big or small something is, we will often use our fingers…

While that may look really small, if you are describing the size of a mouse dropping found in your cabinet that is a BIG mouse. And using that method again, I don’t care if the snake is only that big…he is too big for me. Just sayin’.

Alrighty then, let’s think on things that we are told are really big, like the moon at 2,159 miles in diameter. That seems big but not compared to some other moons. Jupiter has the largest moon, Ganymede at 5,262 km. Those of you who live in the US, that is more than 3,629 miles so our moon does not seem not that big. Of Jupiter’s 79 moons, it is also credited with the smallest moon at 2 km equaling 1.25 miles. Now how in the world can you see something that small from a roaming satellite. Amazing.

I saw this picture I am enclosing today that I thought was fabulous. I don’t know the photographer but the tree seems to think our moon fits right in between it’s fingers. So I thought I would share.

Sizes are always relevant to your measuring device. Like guys that go fishing and tell stories of the one that got away.

In the 70’s there was a quirky little figure with his arms spread wide showing you he loved you this much. The 70’s were the love generation but they just kinda forgot some of the other things that needed to go with that love…but I digress. It is the symbol of measurement I want to focus on. That symbol is still used today and will always remain true.

jesus open arms — He loves you this much

What an amazing measurement. Many songs have been written about this amazing amount of love. And even though we can not fully understand this amount of love, we can still measure out a reflection of this love by being kind to those who so desperately need it. Sometimes you may not even realize someone is hurting but your kindness may be the one thing that day that releases enough pain to be able to go to the next day. So remember to ALWAYS be kind.

kindness5

Linda’s Just Jot January prompt is being lead by John Holden of One Hand Typing. And that prompt is “inch”. And while I did not use the actual word I did measure it out. Come join in on the fun.

Cup of Hot Chocolate

img_20190116_205042 — Home made hot chocolate – yum

Old fashioned hot chocolate to finish out the night

With just enough of chocolate to ensure ones delight

We sip real slow to the bottom of the cup

For when its all gone we will have to get up

If we drink it too fast it will go to our head

Making it that much quicker in going to bed

Good Night all. I am joining in with Linda G Hill’s #1Liner Wednesday and Just Jot January. Come join in on the fun.

And as always, remember to be kind. Kindness shows God’s love in action.

Intriguing Paris

Paris is the largest city in France and holds a great desire of visitation from Tourist each year. Last year there were over 83 million foreign visitors and France is the most visited country on earth. I have not been but my daughter has. I know of three main sight seeing attractions but I am sure their are a vast number I do not know about that are as intriguing as the 3 I know of.

I find it interesting that across the world our fascination with Paris brings us to name cites and town in honor of the real one and thought I would share them. I did not check other parts of the world, just my neck of the woods.

In Canada there are 2 such places. In Ontario, there is a community called Paris and in the Yukon, there is a former community called Paris. Not sure of the community is no longer there of if its name got changed.

In the USA, I have to put it in a list as it is extensive since we are very infatuated with Paris. I am listing them by state and I guess it size is noted by city, town or community.

Arkansas – city
Idaho – city
Illinois – city
Indiana – unincorporated community
Iowa – unincorporated community
Kentucky – city
Maine – town
Michigan – unincorporated community in Green Charter Township
Mississippi – city
New Hampshire – community
New York – town
Ohio – two separate counties have an unincorporated community
Oregon – unincorporated community
Pennsylvania – census-designated place
Tennessee – city
Virginia – unincorporated community
Virginia – unincorporated community
Wisconsin – several Wisconsin localities
Several US locations have Paris townships
Beresford South Dakota – a city formerly called Paris
Loraine California – an unincorporated community formerly called Paris
Paris Mountain – South Carolina (Paris Mountain State park)
Paris Mountain – Virginia

So you can see the name Paris is a much beloved name with fond memories for its people. Many famous cities have been copied for various reason but at the heart it was probably the beauty of that city wanting to be duplicated. For instance, there are 23 location in the US that have the name of Athens. Some prominent and some much smaller. But regardless of where you are, take pride in where you live and help it be the best it can be.

And in all things remember to be kind. The steps of kindness you share with others can leave footprints of love where ever you step.

Linda G Hill and Kellie have brought us another fun prompt of Paris. Come along and enjoy.

Ways of Reflection, #JusJoJan 14

There is something so calming about watching the sun go down near water as it reflects its last light towards you. Some of my favorite places to watch a sunset. But I have seen many beautiful pictures through this realm of communication with reflections on water, in mirrors and glass of high rise buildings.

Life itself is a reflection and how we live it reflects who we are, who we want to be or maybe who we wish we were not.

Linda G Hill and Janet have brought us today’s prompt of reflection. Come join in and enjoy the fun or just stop by and say hi. We always promise to make it interesting.

My thoughts for today center around a reflection of my returning to the working world after being retired for 10 months. My energy levels were not ready to retire but the abuse my feet were getting from 40 years on concrete demanded a change. So we got some much needed rest; some corrective surgery to the feet which are about 80%L and 50%R in the healing process and I am getting bored. I don’t sit well and now I don’t walk well. So when the church called needing someone to answer phones and do light filing – I am there.

The problem I am having is REFLECTING on what I used to do, being a quality manager and controlling all documentation. Now you got NO control so just hush. LOL. In all serious it is interesting in reflecting on the differences in working for so many years in a mildly hostile environment and changing to a non hostile environment. Oh, I am sure there will be days but its not every day and that makes it nice. It is so much easier trying to get along and make the road a little smoother than to be the constant firefighter watching for smoke to get it eliminated before the real fire erupted.

So as I try to reflect on new ways to do things, I also reflect on other ways to be kind. And I ask you to come along in remembering to always kind. You may be the only light reflecting in someone’s dark day. So be their spark.

kindness10

Living Art…#JusJoJan & #SoCS

Art is very objective and life is ever a challenge so when you put the two together you get living art and living art can be terrifying or the most beautiful thing you could see. Artist over time have tried to capture the beauty of life as they see it but for me I have reconnected with the medium of photography now that I have retired. Many photographers here in this blogging world have exquisitely captured the beauty of this world and life as they see it and they share it with us.

I love the beauty of nature and thank God for His handiwork to awe us sometimes or make us giggle sometimes as nature like other mediums of art is tied to our emotions.

Today it is snowing. The first winter snow. Now in November we did have a freak snow come through with 14″ of wet heavy snow but that was in the fall. And after that storm, weather has been really mild. Just last week it was in the 40’s and for January that’s unusual…and weird. I fear we will pay for that mildness for the remaining of winter. This week temps have been in the teens but even with cold temps nature’s art was available to see if you looked for it. Below are a few pictures to share of what I saw first thing this morning. With a better camera than my phone, I am sure the art of snow would be more breathtaking. But it beautiful and peaceful to watch.

Everything looking pristine and fresh…and cold. Although the bird feeder is completely covered so the birds are having to did out their treats.

So very glad it is Saturday and I am not expected to go anywhere in this. Even though it is only a few inches, still, I am glad I don’t have to get out in it. I also want to thank Linda G Hill for a fun way to share the snow today with “art” being the theme word for Just Jot January and Streams of Conscious Saturday.

When going through the art of life, remember to paint to paint gently. Paint with encouragement, love and with an abundance of kindness. Kindness is felt in all of nature and can make your painting shine the beauty that God has intended.