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Love is the goal, life is the journey. Osho

Good performance is about what you take in, not what you put out. Livingston Taylor

A performance is a conversation between you and an audience. Livingston Taylor

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Thanks to Rick Steves, Lynnwood Hygiene Center has a permanent home

“I’m going on my second year here,” Gillins said. “If this place wasn’t here I don’t know how I would’ve survived.”

The hygiene center has provided more than 50,000 showers to people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity since it opened in 2020. Guests can eat a hot meal and have access to clothing, essential needs and case management services. 

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Today's Poem by Carrie Shiper

Here’s a poem for today, December 20, 2025

Vocational Training

by Carrie Shipers

https://georgebilgere.com/so/3fPiUXw50?languageTag=en

https://www.ric.edu/people-directory/carrie-shipers 

Two Cans of Tomato Paste on a Bridge

I found two unopened cans of tomato paste on a bridge in the park. They weren't even dented! I found them on my walk with my dog Romeo the other morning. They won't expire for two years. They had snow and ice and dirt on the outside but I pocketed them and ran them under hot water when I got home. Now they are dry and in the cupboard. This morning my sidewalk was covered in dried chick peas. As I was sweeping up I found the remains of the one-pound bag on my garden steps. It saddens me that the food items given out to the homeless are often impossible to eat without pots and pans and can openers, not to mention a home.

Tuna, Pickle, and Potato Chips

 

Once in a BLUE MOON I want potato chips with tuna fish and a pickle and pickle juice to drink! Today was such a day. I had no idea there were so many kinds of potato chips including unsalted Price Rite brand. Perfect. Sometimes following a craving is the right thing to do.

Then I took advantage of the pouring rain and raked the leaf debris off of my sidewalk into the gushing gutter river on my street. I know it's not the right way and slightly naughty but I did it to take advantage of the moment.

Another Green Soup

I bought two bok choy bunches rinsed and chopped into one or two inch chunks, two bunches of kale rinsed and chopped including stems if they are young, three medium/large white and red onions sliced, four to six large carrots chopped into coins, about 3/4 cup of miso paste,  1 cup of jug Chianti,  generous bloops of olive oil, some chicken bullion powder, splashes of soy sauce,  4 cloves of garlic smashed and chopped. I put it all in the instant pot (pressure cooker) with ample amount of water to make it be a soup and cooked it for 2 minutes. We had cooked leftover Italian hot sausage and chopped it small and sprinkled it in and we had leftover brown rice that we added in too. We love soup. Oh, and I added pickle juice too. Enjoy.

To move the world we must move ourselves. Socrates

 The easiest and noblest way is not to be crushing others, but to be improving yourselves. Socrates

It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable. Socrates

In every person there is a sun. Just let them shine. Socrates

I know you won’t believe me, but the highest form of Human Excellence is to question oneself and others. Socrates

Are you not ashamed of your eagerness to possess as much wealth, reputation, and honors as possible, while you do not care for nor give thought to wisdom or truth, or the best possible state of your soul? Socrates

Remember, no human condition is ever permanent. Then you will not be overjoyed in good fortune nor too scornful in misfortune. Socrates

We cannot live better than in seeking to become better. Socrates

Sometimes you have to let go to see if there was anything worth holding onto. Socrates

Employ your time in improving yourself by other men’s writings so that you shall come easily by what others have labored hard for. Socrates

The years wrinkle our skin, but lack of enthusiasm wrinkles our soul. Socrates