New Year, New Layout, New Approach

Having resurrected this daily-diary blog on January 1, I've decided to take a new approach to it. I had a little time today to explore all the template and layout options available from the good people at blogger.com, and I chose a new look for the blog. That's snow in the background; I'll choose a different background photo with the seasons, or maybe someday I'll upload one of my own.
And I've also decided to try a different way of writing my daily entries. Maybe once in awhile I'll write the extended, several-paragraphs essay or story as I did last year. But most days I'm going to try a format like the one shown below.
The headings will vary with the day, and some days there may be only one! I'm thinking this will be easier to write, easier to read, and maybe more interesting for both me and readers.
We'll see. But I'm energized by trying a new approach.

Encouragement of the day: Talking with our friend Linda Weaver who has been virtually bedfast for several weeks in anticipation of surgery January 15, which will be followed by several weeks of recovery. I called her to see if we could bring her some food this weekend, and her spirit and attitude were a blessing to me. If she has to be shut-in, she's glad it's during our snowy winter instead of in the spring when she wants to be in her flowerbeds. She can lie in bed or stand, and she's been standing to read good books she's gathered. Friends have been kind and thoughtful, and her family is taking care of her—they had a wonderful time together at Christmas. Her daughter, a nurse in Honduras, is coming to stay with her after the surgery. "It's all good," she said. 

Smile of the day: Remembering my efforts last night to discover new ways Evelyn could wear the infinity scarf she got for Christmas. I must say I found some attractive options, as I modeled the scarf in front of the full-length mirror. But, looking at myself, I laughed out loud. "If the doorbell rings, please don't answer it," Evelyn said.

Quote of the day: "One requirement of being a virtuous friend is a proper respect for oneself. Aristotle famously stated that a friend is 'another self.' But in order for someone to love his other self properly—'wish what is good' for someone else—he must first wish what is good for himself. Only then can he love others rightly."

—Micah Mattix, Wall Street Journal, January 4-5, 2014, page C9,

in his review of   Friendship by A.C. Grayling

Accomplishment of the day: Taking our nonworking, discarded printer to the Staples store to recycle (it's been sitting in the basement for months) and getting a cord to connect our computers to the new printer since the  Wi-Fi has stopped working and we haven't been able to print on it. Running to the basement to plug in will be no inconvenience compared to waiting and wondering and growling in frustration because the document that the computer says is printing never prints.

Picture of the day: Look what $4.00 worth of Kroger roses did to spruce up the Christmas bouquet Ed and Peggy Sweeney sent us for Christmas. We'll enjoy it at least another week!