This morning’s rain is steady, shrouding the Miami Valley in a dull grey bubble. Severe thunderstorms are predicted for the afternoon, just when I will be heading downtown to Schuster Center.

Tina Turner was in the Schuster’s house last night and she owned it. I can only name a handful of Tina Turner’s songs and mostly recall her later material. The actress portraying Miss Turner, to me, sounded remarkably like her. The audience was exuberant, especially following intermission and until the curtain call. Counting tonight, I have three more evenings of TINA: The Tina Turner Musical.

Chief appears to be a bit stronger this morning. He seems genuinely happy.

I have loved Eleanor Roosevelt since I first saw the made-for-television movies, BACKSTAIRS AT THE WHITE HOUSE and FRANKLIN & ELEANOR (and the sequel). Through the years, I have read many biographies on the First Lady, as well as her own published books. The lady still holds me captive, and a large, framed poster hangs on the wall of my bedroom, featuring the quote, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

In college, I began collecting famous or inspiring quotes of all kinds, writing them by hand in a spiral notebook. I still have the notebook and found the following Eleanor Roosevelt quotes

“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”

“Life must be lived and curiosity kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.”

“Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one.”

“In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.”

“Do what you feel in your heart to be right- for you’ll be criticized anyway. You’ll be damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.”

This morning, a meme crossed my social media path that highlighted the last quote. I learned this practice early on in my young adulthood and it was emphasized by my mother, and her parents. In fact, Mother placed two plaques in my bedroom that read, “In order to do the highest good of true man or womanhood, simply do your honest best and God with joy will do the rest.” The second one read, “It doesn’t matter how many storms you weathered; did you bring in the ship?”

As I venture onto the other side of life, with the bulk of existence having already been experienced, I find Mrs. Roosevelt’s quote more secure in my routine. Too often, folks who do the most criticizing have no idea why we make the choices or final decisions that we do. For me, unless they are directly related to the situation, it shouldn’t be a matter of concern. If folks do make it their concern, investing in the drama or items that do not directly concern them, I think it speaks highly of their own character and intent. Move on and mind your own business.

Eleanor Roosevelt is one of my heroes and as I advance in years, the more significant her words become. 

The rain continues. Make it a great day!