365 Creativity Project-Day 117

Journal entry:

Journal 5-5-20120001

Circumlocution

To begin, I have
Nothing to communicate,
No words come to mind
That need my apt expression;
I am without any thought.

Do not, however,
Assume my intelligence
Is sorely lacking
Because imagination
Has left no inspiration.

I can still ramble
With no firm destination
Creating designs
In ebony ink drafted
Across these vacant pages.

My wondering brain
Is never quite exhausted,
But enlightens me
With fancy speculation
That boggles comprehension.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, May 5, 2012

Photographs:

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Cup…

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Cup…

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Cup…

I am grateful:

1.   I am using MasterWriter.
2.   The Buick looked good after I washed it.
3.   We had Subway for supper.
4.   I watched the Kentucky Derby.
5.   I was able to encourage a couple to buy a Nikon D5100.

I hope you have enjoyed your Saturday. If you have time devote yourself to doing something creative.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 115

Journal entry:

Journal 5-3-20120001

My Computer

Every day I am
Called upon to do the work
My owner desires,
I process words and images
And navigate cyberspace.

I sometimes react
In ways that cause her to curse,
But usually
I am a devoted slave
Parsing her many demands.

My keyboard grows tired
Of finger’s steady impact
And my screen seeks rest,
But I am just a servant
Performing tasks on command.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, May 3, 2012

Photographs:

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My computer…

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Petunias…

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Beautiful ball of blooms…

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Petunias…

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Roses…

I am grateful:

1.   I picked up my glasses.
2.   I found a great notebook at Wal-Mart.
3.   We ate lunch at Chick-Fil-A.
4.   I was able to do the shopping while Mom rested in the truck.
5.   I paid my car insurance.

My day was busy. I hope you achieved all you wished during the day. Now, it would be wonderful if you took time to do something creative.

Please leave a comment to let me know your thoughts.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 86

Journal entry:

Journal 4-4-20120001

April PAD Challenge, poem 4:

100% Caring

The days amble by
With fertile moments
Filled by multiple tasks
That must be finished.

Giving medicine, preparing
Food, encouraging eating,
Following schedules, driving
Wherever we must go.

Never forgetting that
Others rely upon my
Constant dedication to
Keeping everything done.

Living and loving deeply
Keeping my household
Uppermost in my mind
And utmost in my heart.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Photographs:

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Pitcher…

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Cup…

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Cup…

I am grateful:

1.   I have a great eye doctor.
2.   I am able to write poems.
3.   The lasagna we had for supper was delicious.
4.   Hope ate better today.
5.   The lightning strike nearby only made the power go off for a few moments and did not damage anything.

Can you believe it is already Wednesday again? I hope you enjoyed your hump day. It is not hard to do something creative, so try your hand at it now.

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think of my project.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 71

Journal entry:

Journal 3-20-20120001

My photographs are again from inside because the pollen levels are extremely high here and I have some respiratory problems.

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Spring mug…

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Easter M&M mug…

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Spring mug…

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Easter M&M mug…

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Easter bunny…

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My work area, because one of friends mentioned it…

I am grateful:

1.   I have supportive friends who recognize my problems, but love me in spite of them.
2.   Our appointment with our primary care doctor went well today.
3.   We ate at Outback for lunch and had a free Bloomin’ Onion.
4.   I did not delete my blogs and accounts as my first reaction to attack.
5.   My headache eased off and my breathing improved after we came inside for the evening.

I hope your day was rewarding and that you did something creative.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 59

Journal entry:

Journal 3-8-20120001

Photographs:

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The moon in the early morning hours and an interesting effect my camera made. Sure most will see it as a defect, but after reading 1Q84 I found it particularly fascinating.

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Another shot of the moon. Cue Twilight Zone music.

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My Mom…

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My Mom…

I am grateful:

1.   I slept well.
2.   It did not rain so that I was able to get my pictures of Mom.
3.   God gives us geniuses who change the world.
4.   I am drinking less sodas, and am beginning to like water more.
5.   I am so blessed to have great tools for working creatively.

I hope you have had a productive day where you put your creativity to work. When we use our imaginations to create we can make our dreams come true and have a lasting influence on our reality.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project–Day Seventeen

A poem, a picture, and a journal entry:

Journal 1-26-20120001

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Journal 1-26-20120002

Today is Thursday so it is gratitude list day.

I am thankful:

1.   Mom is feeling better today after being quite sick last night.
2.   The dogs were groomed yesterday.
3.   Some people are following my creativity project.
4.   Alex and I were able to communicate a while today.
5.   I have read five books so far this year.
6.   When my old laptop suddenly stopped working last night it was only because the power cord was disconnected and the battery dead.
7.   Penny is doing well despite congestive heart failure.
8.   I still have some money left and it is near the end of the month.
9.   I have internet access and a working laptop.
10.  I have a comfortable bed in which to sleep.

I am hoping to draw something for tomorrow. Drawing seems to be harder for me than creatively writing or taking photographs. I think I am less sure of my skill, especially with the Wacom tablet. This project is not to do things perfectly, but to make some creative effort daily. I made it intentionally broad in category so that any effort counts. I am pleased that I am still doing this project.

I hope your day brings you some inspiration that you can turn into a work of creativity.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project–Day Nine

Today’s entry is a poem on a subject very dear to me:

Journal 1-18-20120001

A few pictures from my mile walk with Hope:

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 A plant green despite Winter.

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These were experimental shots of our shadows.

Mom and I are doing Read The Bible For Life every day, and we are working our way through Genesis. Mom commented today that she did not realize how much violence and immorality went on in biblical times. She has read the Bible through before, but she read the King James Version and the stories did not communicate to her as clearly. We discussed how everything we experience in our society today was present in olden times. Technology has changed, but people are much the same as ever. The same challenges to faith and belief we face today were there for people of the past. We can learn from their examples.

Today, many sites on the internet went black to protest SOPA and PIPA, which are bills under consideration by government here in the United States. These two pieces of legislation have the potential to bring widespread censorship to the internet. I encourage you to let your representatives know that you want the internet to remain a free place for the exchange of information. Tell them you do not agree with SOPA and PIPA.

I talked to Alex, my son, for almost an hour this morning. It was wonderful hearing his voice. He is currently training in Hawaii and will be going to California before returning to his station in Okinawa, Japan. He seemed very upbeat and our conversation was enjoyable.

I hope there is peace and love wherever you are. May you be inspired to create some beauty in the world today.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project–Day Six

This has been a productive day. I have drawn and painted a picture, created a song, taken some photographs, and written a journal entry. I have also finished up the week’s Bible study with my Mom.

First, the picture I finished early this morning before going to bed:

Flowers and Butterfly

The song I created while walking with Hope and my handwritten journal entry for today:

Journal 1-15-20120001

The photographs I took today:

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A different angle on the Radio Flyer. This image haunts me.

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Hope sniffing…

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Hope hurrying toward me with her tongue licking her nose.

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Wood and rocks with Radio Flyer in the background.

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Hope in profile.

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Hope relaxing after our walk.

As I work toward doing something creative every day it seems to get easier and feel more rewarding. I encourage anyone who is contemplating doing one of these projects to go for it. It stretches your abilities and gives you practice to help you move forward with your artistic pursuits. My only regret is that I did not begin earlier.

I hope you are following along and will continue with me on this adventure. Your input is priceless to me. If something touches you, or amuses you, please let me know. Even if you have a negative comment I am interested in hearing what you have to say. This is a journey on which I hope to improve my skills, so all opinions are welcome.

I hope you are having a wonderful day and that you are inspired to do something creative.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creative Project–Day Three

Firstly, it is Thursday, thankful list day.

I am thankful:

1.   I have some awesome books to inspire me.
2.   Mom brought me lunch from Applebee’s today and it was very good.
3.   I am excited about working creatively this year.
4.   I have not had to go to town this week.
5.   Jeremy, my nephew, has a treadmill that Mom and I can try out here to see if we really want one.
6.   I still have an Amazon gift card from Christmas to use for books.
7.   I was able to set my old laptop up for Mom’s use and she is spending time playing games.
8.   My new coat is very warm and comfortable.
9.   Reba may be able to buy a house.
10. I was able to get our watch warranties extended to five years as advertised.

My journal entry:

Journal 1-12-20120001

The picture of a unicorn that I created on the Wacom tablet:

Unicorn 1

The photographs I took while walking a mile with Hope this evening:

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I thought some of these shots turned out extremely well. I am so fortunate to live in such a beautiful place.

Be creative and enjoy your wonderful life.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Project–Day 2

I am very excited about this project and so far that is providing motivation to continue. I only hope that I can sustain the willingness to do the work over time. I want to share a picture of my work area with you all. That way you will know where at least a portion of the work I do is accomplished.

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Not the most organized space, but it works for me. The computer you see to left has now primarily become for my Mom to use to play games and enjoy. We share the space very well and she likes having me near her.

I wrote the following poem in the wee hours of this morning. It is an unedited first draft:

Journal 1-11-20120001

I have to share a picture of my puppy dog, Hope. She is my sweet companion and loving friend.

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Here is a little whimsy I came up with today in response to one of my friend’s works:
Life is just the story we tell ourselves. Truth is the perception we retain of what goes on around and within us. The observer, so they have proven in science, has an effect on the outcome of any situation by virtue of simple presence. So we are creative actors in all we witness.

I thought that quite clever, like some of my 140 character postings to Twitter. What astonishes me is how one person’s creative work can provoke creativity in another person. My contact with others through the internet helps inspire me. It is so wonderful that those of us who would otherwise live quietly isolated lives can communicate with people worldwide by simply using connected devices. I am so glad that I have this ability.

I usually do my creative work during the late hours of the night into the early morning, but am hoping to accomplish some of this project during daytime.

That is all I have currently. I wish all of you a fantastic day filled with productivity.

Always,
Jo Ann