May 1 - john and joyce are primarily working in the yard. john chopped down three huge Blue Spruce from the front yard (isn't that a federal offense?). Actually, these were overgrown, but still quite beautiful. john had been resisting chopping them down for the last several years, but the time had come. A new, much smaller Blue Spruce will be planted where two of the three came out. A new Japanese Maple replaced the other one. A photo of the front burme is below:

Additionally, john has been moving Hostas around. Many of them found themselves in a sun zone instead of the shade. john also rebuilt a small pond in the Frogs Garden and placed a fountain in the middle of it. Another photo showing the change will be forthcoming.

As a result of all this outside work, john has slowed down on oil painting. The painting of "Tucky" won't change until john goes to art class tomorrow.

Since john doesn't have a painting to share with you, he seems to think that it is about time to reiterate several sayings he has come up with over the years:

Nothing is ever as good or bad as it seems to be.

It takes years and years to develop trust, but only seconds to destroy it.

Always pull up to the front door to find a parking spot. Everyone else assumes that those spaces are already taken.

Everything matters and nothing matters.

Nature doesn't give a hoot about you or me, it simply wants to see the species go forward.

If you try to reduce your intake of food too much, your body will simply big time fake out your mind to eat more. To truly lose weight, one has to figure out how to break the body - mind connection in order to eat smaller portions.

The neighbors call john obsessed (after 22 years of building zenpond). They call joyce a saint (for just putting up with john building zenpond).

Things aren't as good as they used to be, and they never were.

john would make a good vegetarian, if he didn't like the taste of meat so much. Likewise, he would make a good minister, if he was only more religious.

Kansas City has two seasons: too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry. (better said than printed).

Denmark judges success not by money but by happiness.

Quoting Buddha, things just are. Also, Buddha decided that desire causes suffering. If you limit [not eliminate] your desires, you can limit your suffering.

When you leave a television running in your home, you are allowing an uncontrolled billboard in the middle of your house. Often, too, you are allowing uncontrolled screaming and other negatives to overtake your peace and calm. Take control and use the "off" switch ... if you can still find it on your remote.

Probably one of the important movie ever made is "Dead Poets' Society", where Robin Williams taught his class to "Seize the day"! When you compare your life to the life of the universe, you truly are just a flash (if that)!

It is not john's idea, but "Pay It Forward" seems to make a lot of sense. Also, it is good fun to "Pay It Backward", where you pay for the car behind you at the toll booth, just for the joy it will give to that driver. john does believe in "random acts of kindness".

One of the most important words is "Create"! Of course, "Lovingkindness" is another.

May 28 - john and joyce saw one of the best plays they have ever seen at the New Theatre Restaurant last night. It is called "Becky's New Car".

"Tucky" is getting close to being finished now. john still has to paint in his whiskers. john went to art class this morning, so here is what "Tucky" looks like now: