365 Creativity Project-Day 207

Journal entry:

Journal 8-3-20120001

Season’s Ending

Summer will soon fade
Like the setting of the sun
On a shiny day,
And Autumn will bring with it
A cooler kinder climate.

August remains with
The scorching heat that roasts us
When we venture out
Beyond the reach of filtered
Cool air-conditioned places.

The last new blossoms
Give up their awesome glory,
Leaving memories
To hold us through the waning
And the brittle days ahead.

School begins again,
The children return to their
Classes and studies,
Leaving the frolicsome hours
Of their vacation behind.

We welcome the Fall,
Quitting the sweltering heat
For days of softer
Weather where trees cast off green
Clothing for golden splendor.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, August 3, 2012

Photographs:

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Ko-Ko…

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Penny…

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Hope…

I am grateful:

1.   I had money to pay my insurance.
2.   I was able to schedule an annual exam for Hope and Ko-Ko.
3.   Laura resolved a snafu and registered for college classes.
4.   My all-in-one works for scanning and printing each day.
5.   We had shrimp for supper and Mom enjoyed it.

I hope this has been a wonderful Friday for you. Take time to use your imagination to create something. You have the ability to bring a new vision to life.

My prompt for you today is to write about the turning of seasons. You might write a celebratory poem, a story set in changing time, or a journal entry musing on how time passes. If you are a visual artist capture something that signifies seasonal change. If you use this prompt please leave a link to your work in the comments below so we may share it.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you will leave a comment sharing your thoughts.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 201

Journal entry:

Journal 7-28-20120001

Sometimes It Works Out

Sometimes I need words
Of encouragement so much,
But there is no one
Around to fulfill my need,
So I must write to myself.

Sometimes my best notes,
Inspiring many others,
Are simply musings
Written to move me beyond
A block I must overcome.

Sometimes you might try
Something similar when you
Believe you cannot
Write another meaningful
Line without extreme effort.

Sometimes little tricks
Are the most wonderful things
We can use to keep
Us creating every day,
Just when we feel we cannot.

Sometimes our dreams are
A bit beyond our outstretched
Reach, but we must try
To grasp their truth any way
We can with some good results.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, July 28, 2012

Photographs:

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I am grateful:

1.   Mom was able to go to her Sunday school class meeting with June.
2.   I slept in a while this morning.
3.   Mom brought me lunch, and it was very good.
4.   Mom took a nap this afternoon.
5.   I have a Bose SoundDock to play music through.

I hope your Saturday has been relaxing and enjoyable. Take some time now to try your hand at creating something. I know you have the ability to accomplish much if you will make an effort. Do not make excuses, just do what you must.

My prompt for you today is: write something that encourages you to work creatively. Notes to yourself, a poem, a story, any of these could be helpful. I want you to see that even when you feel uninspired you can write something. If you use this prompt, please leave a link in the comments so others can be inspired by you.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I would appreciate your comments or suggestion, so please leave them below.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 200

Journal entry:

Journal 7-27-20120001

Continued Enthusiasm

It is not easy
To produce work every day,
But the practice is
Worth each moment of effort
That is made to carry on.

Imagination
Is harnessed and put to use
In solid service
Of personal loyalty
To creative artistry.

There is commitment
To making something happen
That might never be
Without a full devotion
To great creativity.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, July 27, 2012

Photographs:

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I am grateful:

1.   I was able to postpone going to town because I felt ill.
2.   Wendell visited Mom this afternoon.
3.   There was bread at the little country store.
4.   Carrie Leigh called and is coming for our trash.
5.   I managed to get an entry done though I feel very weak.

I hope this has been a good Friday for you. Take time to expend some effort doing something creative. Never think you have nothing to contribute, even when you feel uninspired you have something to give.

For a prompt today, write about something you want to accomplish, but are unsure you can do. Maybe as you write you will discover a plan to make your dream come true. I know you can do anything you set your mind and heart upon. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments here.

I apologize for being a bit off my game today, but I hope you enjoyed your visit here anyway. If you have a comment you would like to share, please leave it below.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 199

Journal entry:

Journal 7-26-20120001

Embrace Your Self

Life should open you
Up through experiences
In daily living;
You might attempt accepting
The person you are become.

When you grow beyond
The narrowness of belief;
Expand and embrace
The reality of who
You have developed to be.

Your destiny is
Before you and endlessly
Unfolding into
The marvelously gifted
Person you are meant to be.

Do not waste time or
Energy on mindless hate;
You are much bigger
A person, more enlightened,
Be at peace with your own heart.

God placed great beauty,
Unspeakable joy and love,
Within your own heart;
These graces He meant you to
Share easily with the world.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, July 26, 2012

Photographs:

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I am grateful:

1.   I made a new friend who is an author.
2.   I reconnected with a friend with whom I had lost contact.
3.   This was a peaceful day.
4.   Mom and I had some good conversations.
5.   The lasagna we had for supper was very good.

This is the 199th day of my creativity project. If I can maintain this practice that long, I know you can produce something creative today. Just make an effort. It will make your Thursday better if you do.

For a prompt, write about how you make a difference in the world. If you don’t feel you make a difference, write about someone you believe does. I believe each of us makes a meaningful contribution to the universe, and would encourage you to give credit to yourself. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments so I and others can read your creation.

I hope you enjoyed your visit here. I would love to know any thoughts or suggestions you care to make, so please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 198

Journal entry:

Journal 7-25-20120001

Today’s poem was in answer to the prompt at Poetic Asides. If you need encouragement you might find it there.

Urgent Plea

I need all your help,
Maybe not everyone’s, but
At least somebody’s,
Because I am at a loss
As to what I should now do…

I keep keeping on,
And wondering if I am
Really progressing
In a direction that will
Open opportunities.

Do you enjoy these
Things I continually
Do creatively?
Is there something I should add?
I really have need to know…

This project takes time,
I want to know it is well
Spent, not just wasted;
Am I adding some value
To the passing of these days?

I am asking you
Because I am sure you know
And your answer will
Help guide me along in this
Creativity project.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Photographs:

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I am grateful:

1.   Mom was able to go out with her best friend, June.
2.   I slept a little late, waking at 10:30 this morning.
3.   My book order arrived this afternoon.
4.   I did a little organizing.
5.   We have electricity which makes life much easier.

I have enjoyed my Wednesday and hope you have done the same. I encourage you to devote some time to your creativity. There is much to be done if you only set your will to doing it. We live in an age of virtually unlimited opportunity, so you should take advantage of yours.

Today’s prompt is: write about what your life would look like if you were a “smashing success” in your field of endeavor. After you have written it down, perhaps you can begin to make it real. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I hope your visit to my blog has been pleasant. If you have thoughts to share, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 197

Journal entry:

Journal 7-24-20120001

Today’s poem was inspired by the prompt at Carry On Tuesday. I suggest you go there and see what it brings to your mind. As usual, the poem was written before the journal entry, but they seem to relate… Funny how that works out, even when I don’t intend it.

Unfaltering Skill

Run when you can, it
Is the best that you can do,
Walk if you have to,
You can still make good progress
And achieve all of your goals.

Crawl if you must, it
Does not matter, long as you
Just never give up,
Because you have the talent
To ultimately succeed.

Creativity
Is planted within your soul,
It must be allowed
Ample nourishment to grow
Into great works of true art.

Devote resources
To make your aspirations
Solidly appear,
You were endowed with these gifts
For some wonderful purpose.

Run, walk, crawl, keep on
Without abandoning your
Full commitment to
The process you undertake
To accomplish all your dreams.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Photographs:

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I am grateful:

1.   I woke up early, and stayed up.
2.   There are people who, without really intending to, help me accomplish my creative goals.
3.   I am able to interact with the world through this wonderful thing called the internet.
4.   My Mom helped me have tools that have reinvigorated my creative life.
5.   God gives talent without requiring payment in return.

Tuesday has been a productive day for me and I hope it has been for you. I am always amazed by the things my imagination helps me create. I think you are just as gifted as I am, or more so, and that should you apply yourself, you can make something wonderful. I know inspiration does not always grace us, I was not inspired when I woke up. I made these things today through a concentrated effort. I would not be satisfied with doing nothing, and nor should you. The seeds of greatness reside within you, tend them, and they will assuredly grow.

I do not believe anyone is using my prompts, but they have become a part of this creative habit, so I submit one to you now. Write about how you overcome creative block, or if you are presently suffering, write about what that is like. Maybe you will help someone else work through a difficult time. Encouragement is beneficial to us all, and we are meant to support each other. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below so that others might be inspired.

I hope you have found something worthwhile in this blog. If you have thoughts or suggestions, please leave a comment. I am grateful for your patronage.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 195

Journal entry:

Journal 7-22-20120001

Today’s poem is in answer to the prompt at The Sunday Whirl. If you need a jolt of inspiration you might visit there. The words in italics came from the wordle there.

Bringing Cheer

Deep melancholy
Makes rosy cheeked faces pale
As one who powders
Her nose to cover over
A soft spray of stray freckles.

No erotic fling
Among the gold grasses can
Swing such a moody
One completely from sadness
Clinging like a woolen cloak.

Yet depression is
Overcome by true love’s birth,
If one can find it
Rare as it is in days like
These we are now living in.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, July 22, 2012

Photographs:

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I am grateful:

1.   I woke up early this morning.
2.   I was able to talk to one of my new friends on the phone.
3.   My cousin, Steve, survived his heart attack and is now recovering.
4.   Hope has been my loyal companion for almost six years.
5.   I had the opportunity to talk to my daughter-in-law, Laura.

I hope your Sunday has been wonderful. Please take a little time to do something creative if you have not already done so today. You are so gifted, so talented, you should share your imagination with the world.

If you need a prompt, write about a special friend, family member, or pet who has meant a great deal in your life. If you use the prompt please leave a link to your work in the comments on this blog, so that others can read your creation.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit here. If there is any advice or comment you want to share, please leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

Always,
Jo Ann

 

365 Creativity Project-Day 194

Journal entry:

Journal 7-21-20120001

Kindness Of Strangers

A stranger’s goodness,
An unexpected surprise,
Such kindness, blessing,
Given to us totally
Free of any hope of gain.

After all we spent
Yesterday to have comfort
That we really need;
The gift was even more than
Kind and appreciated.

Did they know how much
It would mean to us that they
Paid for our dinners?
We are so grateful to them
And we could not say, “Thank you!”

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, July 21, 2012

Photographs:

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I am grateful:

1.   I slept well last night.
2.   I was able to return Hope’s damaged tee-shirt.
3.   Lowe’s had the batteries we needed so we did not have to go to another store.
4.   Someone was so kind to pay for our meals.
5.   The country store had good home grown tomatoes.

I hope your Saturday has been pleasant. You should take some time to do something creative, if you have not already today. If you just think of the wonder of life you will discover you have things about which to write.

As a prompt write about how you are “crazy”. Our craziness makes us individuals and most of us are prone to some sort. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you enjoyed the time we shared. If you have something to share with me, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 192

Journal entry:

Journal 7-19-20120001

Ingenuity

To study, to write,
To experience your life
Within the pages,
Is to live so graciously
With great creativity.

Your moments unwind
Into passing hours and days
Filled with miracles, wonder,
And rich imagination,
Which never cease to amaze.

You contribute to
The fabric of daily life,
Your inspiration
Adds originality
To the awesome universe.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, July 19, 2012

Photographs:

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This speaks for itself… Forms are not covered by insurance and many people need them…

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I am grateful:

1.   I woke up early, then after eating, took a short nap.
2.   We read our Bible study this morning.
3.   The doggy tee-shirts were on sale.
4.   I bought Shadow Of Night by Deborah Harkness.
5.   The sandwiches at supper were delicious.

I hope you have had a pleasant Thursday. I am sure it was busy, but take some time now to do something creative. You have the ability and the moxie to get it done.

My prompt for you is to write about what you hope your obituary will say. I know this may sound morbid, but it also might move you to do some things you have been putting off. If you use the prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments.

I am very grateful for your visit. I hope you will leave a comment to let me know your thoughts.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 188

Journal entry:

Journal 7-15-20120001

Today’s poem was prompted by The Sunday Whirl. I altered a few words this time, but the ones from the prompt are in italics. If you are up for a challenge visit that site and try to make something of the wordle.

Going Forward

The gravity of
Your humility triggers
A chain reaction
Threatening to crack straight through
The grittle of daily life.

You fully refrain
From casting the flickering
Spray of your prideful
Swells planted in youthful days,
But claim peace with great relish.

Passing into age
You go with wonderful grace
Toward tomorrow
Knowing the days may be short,
Yet spending each very well.

I share the honor
Of being a companion
In your courageous
Journey to exceed all your
Previous expectations.

I celebrate you,
Because you have now become
A true example
Of living happily with
Contrary circumstances.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, July 15, 2012

Photographs:

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Golf course…

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Greenway…

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Pool…

I am grateful:

1.   My best friend, Reba, called me this morning.
2.   The birthday cake was good at breakfast even though it had to be refrigerated to save it from ants.
3.   I walked up to Linda’s and talked to Jeremy a few minutes.
4.   Penny is still here, and seems to be feeling better.
5.   The world is a beautiful place.

I hope you have enjoyed your Sunday. Get yourself busy and do something creative. Write a poem, a short story, work on the great American (insert other country) novel, paint, draw, or take a photograph.

If you need a prompt, write about your parents. This should give you ample material. My poem today was loosely based on my mother, and you could no doubt come up with a poem. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments so we may enjoy your creation.

I hope you enjoyed your visit here today. I would love to know your thoughts, so please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann