cafen8d

2026/05/01

A message

To all the people and friends and lovers who took care of me when I couldnt take care of myself. Thank you.

Todays Thought

How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.

-Annie Dillard, author (b. 30 Apr 1945)

Todays Thought

The enemy is anybody who's going to get you killed, no matter which side he's on.

-Joseph Heller, novelist (1 May 1923-1999)

2026/04/24

Todays Thought

Once you've accepted your flaws, no one can use them against you.

-George R.R. Martin

2026/04/22

Todays Thought

We understand death for the first time when he puts his hand upon one whom we love.

-Madame De Stael, writer (22 Apr 1766-1817)

2026/04/20

How Did You Die?

Edmund Vance Cooke

Did you tackle that trouble that came your way

With a resolute heart and cheerful?

Or hide your face from the light of day

With a craven soul and fearful?

Oh, a trouble's a ton, or a trouble's an ounce,

Or a trouble is what you make it,

And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,

But only how did you take it?

You are beaten to earth? Well, well, what's that?

Come up with a smiling face.

It's nothing against you to fall down flat,

But to lie there -- that's disgrace.

The harder you're thrown, why the higher you bounce;

Be proud of your blackened eye!

It isn't the fact that you're licked that counts,

It's how did you fight -- and why?

And though you be done to the death, what then?

If you battled the best you could,

If you played your part in the world of men,

Why, the Critic will call it good.

Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce,

And whether he's slow or spry,

It isn't the fact that you're dead that counts,

But only how did you die?

There is a beauty in discovery. There is mathematics in music, a kinship of science and poetry in the description of nature, and exquisite form in a molecule. Attempts to place different disciplines in different camps are revealed as artificial in the face of the unity of knowledge. All literate men are sustained by the philosopher, the historian, the political analyst, the economist, the scientist, the poet, the artisan, and the musician.

-Glenn T. Seaborg, scientist, Nobel laureate (19 Apr 1912-1999)