The Best Laid Schemes

November 12, 2025

Leadership Notes

     In his poem, “To A Mouse” {1785}, Robert Burns aptly captured my plight on Monday:

But Mouse, you are not alone,

In proving foresight may be vain:

The best-laid schemes of mice and men

Go oft awry,

And leave us nothing but grief and pain,

For promised joy!

     I had our outdoor Christmas lights/decorations in their staging position in the garage. Having lived for five years in Minnesota, I learned to put them up early. So Monday, November 10 seemed like as good a time as any. That plan popped into my wee little brain last week, before an accurate weather forecast was issued. Even with the sun out, at 30° and a brisk wind, decorating was going to have to wait till next weekend!

     “Of mice and men...”

     One of the things I can follow through on, though, because some of you asked, is share the old-timey way of saying someone isn’t too bright. Will these come in handy at the family Thanksgiving gathering? Who knows? Perhaps save them for the next protest or rally or rabble rouse event nearest you:

VICTORIAN ENGLISH

“I should not wish to fatigue your mind with particulars.”

ARISTOCRATIC ENGLISH

“I should not trouble you with matters of complexity.”

GENTLEMANLY ENGLISH

“It is plain you speak from the heart rather than the head.”

WITTY ENGLISH

“You have the enviable gift of simplicity.”

SARCASTIC ENGLISH

“I admire your confidence in the absence of knowledge.”

     While I am especially fond of the last one {sarcasm is one of my gifts}, I remain a patient and understanding fellow. I would probably never use any of them…and I’m confident you feel the same way…but it’s always good to keep your powder dry, if necessary.

     As we inch ever closer to Thanksgiving, here’s your Moment of Spurgeon:

“HERE IS A STANDING REASON FOR THANKSGIVING. ALTHOUGH

WE MAY NOT ALWAYS BE HEALTHY, NOR ALWAYS PROSPEROUS,

YET GOD IS ALWAYS GOOD, AND, THEREFORE, THERE IS ALWAYS

SUFFICIENT ARGUMENT FOR GIVING THANKS UNTO JEHOVAH.

THAT HE IS A GOOD GOD ESSENTIALLY, THAT HE CANNOT BE

OTHERWISE THAN GOOD, SHOULD BE A FOUNTAIN OUT OF

WHICH THE RICHEST PRAISES SHOULD PERPETUALLY POUR.”

     With Much Love and Affection,

                   Richard