Friday, September 20, 2024

We Plan, God Smiles Lovingly

A L O H A From Honolulu!
North Shore (Oahu) Moonlight,
Courtesy of Mike Price

Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.
  Frederick Buechner





Things are always different than you anticipated when you finally get to them. Older years are certainly like that. Perhaps this is what John Lennon meant when he said that life is what happens while you're busy making other plans.




Let your spirit rise above,
And meet adversity
with love.
So in the end
you'll surely find,
Rewards of peace
In heart and mind.
   Cloudia Charters





Selfishness & complaint

pervert the mind. Love with its joy clears and sharpens the vision. Helen Keller


චචචචචචචචචචචච
Love You,
Pixie & Cloudia





Notable Female Heads Of State

1. **Elizabeth I of England** (1558–1603): 
 Significant figure in English history:
The Elizabethan Age.

2. **Catherine the Great of Russia** (1762–1796): Empress of Russia who expanded the empire and is considered one of its greatest rulers.

3. **Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom** (1837–1901): The Victorian Age

4. **Golda Meir** (Prime Minister of Israel, 1969–1974

5. **Indira Gandhi** (Prime Minister of India,
1966–1977 and 1980–1984).

6. **Margaret Thatcher** (Prime Minister
of the United Kingdom, 1979–1990)

7. **Angela Merkel** (Chancellor of Germany, 2005–2021): Known for her pragmatic leadership style and as a key player in European politics.

8. **Ellen Johnson Sirleaf**
(President of Liberia, 2006–2018)

9. **Jacinda Ardern** (Prime Minister of New Zealand, 2017–2023)

10. **Sheikh Hasina**
(Prime Minister of Bangladesh,
1996–2001 and 2009-present)

11. **Julia Gillard** Australia's first (and I hope not last) female Prime Minister 

12. ?





17 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

You left out Australia's first (and I hope not last) female Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Andrew said...

Yes to Gillard a 11 and maybe number 12 with be Harris.

eileeninmd said...

Beautiful photos and great quotes!
Take care, have a wonderful day and a happy weekend!

Sandi said...

"Listen to your life."

Something so profound in this. 💕

Tom said...

...thanks for my Rascal fix.

Barbara Rogers said...

All your photos today are so wonderfully cropped to create a beautiful symmetry of the subjects.

RedPat said...

Great words and images today, Cloudia. ;-)

John A Hill said...

"God smiles"
With me, God laughs
...a lot!

Martha Jane Orlando said...

Life itself is full of grace; such a gift from our loving Father. Blessings, Cloudia!

Anne Hagman-Niilola said...

Lovely post. Have a nice weekend.

Anvilcloud said...

I did not expect my more elderly years to be what they are -- at least not so soon.

Bill said...

Another wonderful post! Thanks, Cloudia.

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Woof woof. Love that silhouette!

Ananka said...

Great photos :-D

snobe casamang said...

Life itself is grace.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I love the dog!!

James said...

Beautiful shots! #12 Giorgia Meloni 2022-?