For Monday, April 6th, 2026

 

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE 

MONDAY,APRIL 6TH, 2026

The moments of our lives may be bright with possibility, dark with fear or sadness, or even plain everyday gray, but God's glory never fades.  May God's glory shine into the exciting lights, upsetting darks, and boring grays of your every day.

Slightly adapted from one of my morning devotionals

In Texas

Sunrise:   7:15 am

   Sunset: 7:53  

pm

Life is a special occasion !

Hallmark

Today is National Fresh Tomato Day which honors the versatile flavor and health benefits o fresh, uncooked tomatoes. This food day highlights one of the most popular additions to salads, sandwiches and other fresh dishes as well as we begin the spring season,

Born a berry, but living life as a vegetable, the tomato has survived centuries of poisonous rumors and refrigerator induced texture trauma to become the MVP of your salad bowl.

There are many misconceptions about the tomato.  Some people believe the tomato is mostly water when actually, tomatoes are high high in Vitamins A, C, and K. Then there is the idea that tomatoes belong in the fridge.  Any tomato lover know that cold air destroys the enzymes that create flavor. The most controversial misconception is whether the tomato is a fruit or vegetable. 

In 1883, the U.S. government decided to impose a 10 percent tax on imported vegetables, but allowed fruit to be imported tax free. A prominent New York fruit seller named John Nix was importing a shipment of tomatoes from the West Indies. When the tax collector slapped with a 10 percent vegetable tax.  Nix sued.  His argument was his tomatoes were a fruit.  To prove his point, his lawyers read the dictionary deffinition of fruit and vegetable in court.  Witnesses were called in the produce business to testify that a tomato is indeed a fruit.

In the end, Justice Horace Gray delivered the courts opinion that because we don’t put tomatoes in fruit salad or eat them for dessert, they are legally vegetables. He acknowledged that botanically a tomato is a fruit of the vine, just like cucumbers or peas, but he ruled: In the language of the people that these vegetables are grown in kitchen gardens, and which eaten raw or cooked are usually served in, with or after the soup, fish or meats…and not, like fruits generally , as dessert.

Celebrate today and eat a fresh tomato sandwich!  Mmmm good!

If you cannot see the bright side, polish the dull side

THOUGHT  FOR TODAY

Knowlege is knowing a tomatoes a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. 

Brian O’Driscoll

I love fresh picked tomatoes, especially ones grown in our own gardens and not in a greenhouse.  They are full of flavor and taste delicious.  I do admit to keeping mine in the fridge, but will now stop doing that based on the info above.  

We do often have them in our salads, usually the cherry tomato variety.

That way we don’t have to cut up a big tomato.  

I used to have a garden when I was younger and raised tomato plants. Those were delicious tomatoes.  Now the only way I’d have to own a tomato plant would be in a pot on the porch.  People have great success with a patio tomato garden.  It’s warm enough now to have one here in Texas.  Usually in Ohio we waited til Memorial Day before keeping plants outdoors.  There was always a chance of frost before that date.

Sometimes the grocery store will have locally produced tomatoes that are fresh from the vine and they usually cost more too!

In my pictures today is one of a tomato sandwich I made,  it kind of looks like I squirted whip cream on them but it I was using a squeezable mayo bottle.  

Have a delicious tomato in a sandwich or a salad today!

I hope you all have a GREAT start to this new week!  Happy Monday! 

COUNTING MY GIFTS

A raw tomato devoured in the garden when freshly picked, is a horn of abundance of simple sensations, a radiating rush in one’s mouth that brings with it every pleasure….a tomato, an adventure.

Muriel Barbery

I list at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for.  There is truly is always something to be thankful for.

14,194. for fresh tomato sandwiches! 

14,195. for gardening in pots 

14,196. for the produce department in the grocery store

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

 

Almighty and eternal God,

Protect our military

as they discharge their duties

with the shield of your strength,

may the power of your love

enable them to return home in safety

that with all who love them

they may ever praise you for your loving care.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters and EMT’s.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

ADVICE FOR TODAY

It’s difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato.

Lewis Grizzard 

a smile,a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma