Just A Few Musings

This is a picture of me taken yesterday after physical therapy. After surgery on my right knee I need a little help getting back up to speed.

2016-10-31-me

I have a few musings to share that have been written recently.

Own This

Dreams come true,
Yes they do, believe,
Say fervent prayers,
Follow your heart,
Invest your life,
Create the reality
That fits your desire.
Claim the miracle,
Make good on your promise,
Carry out your purpose,
Then watch your wishes
Become manifest in the now,
It happens, you can fulfill
All your fondest hopes.
Know it can transpire,
You have what it takes,
You deserve the gift,
Dreams come true!

Love is the answer to the questions of the soul. It has the power to relax the weary mind and supply comfort to the body. Love holds the world in place in space and time. Love is the miracle giving life in the present, and eternal existence. Be at peace for Love is, and knows your name. You are never forsaken, forgotten because Love always surrounds you. There is one Truth, and He is Love.

I equate Love with my Lord, Jesus, but see Love as you will, Love is here for you.

No Wasted Words

Writing can do magic,
Of this I am convinced,
Because it has supplied…
Me with things, once,
I thought impossible.

This life improves,
Becomes more blest,
By words written
Courageously, despite
Overwhelming fear.

To live this moment
More richly alive
Is fulfillment of
Long held dreams
Unbelievably realized.

Lessons learned
Through pages turned;
Questions asked,
Answers given,
Unconditional deliverance.

An article made request,
An inadequate email in reply,
A prayer answered;
The story continues
Much better than before.

Writing, editing, publishing,
Art, photography, design,
These things I love,
Finally, pay dividends,
Life becomes sublime.

You must define yourself; no one else knows who you are. You develop your abilities, your specializations. Let no one impose limitations on you; you are capable of changing the world.

I know I don’t understand, I don’t have the experience, I cannot live your life with your challenges, but please know I am here. I want to hear your story; I want to listen carefully and learn what I can. I want to understand. I want to wrap you in love and show I care about all you are going through.

I tell you all that miracles happen all the time.

This evening I gave Mom a bath in the little bitty shower that is too small for a human being. She was standing up after I rinsed her and went to sit down. Somehow she had turned so that her bottom came outside the shower stall and she headed for the floor. I caught her mostly on the leg that hurts so much because I am still recovering from surgery and with my arms. I pushed and pulled her upward and pushed her back into the s…tall and onto her shower stool.

We managed to get her settled without a fall, but in reality, I should not have been able to do it. Both of us should have wound up with broken bones.

God was with us, and it was a miracle.

I hope November brings you many blessings. May you find many opportunities, much prosperity, and lots of love.

As a prompt today, write about something unexpected that happened over the last week and how it made you feel.

Thank you for visiting my blog. If you enjoyed your time here please subscribe and be sure to come back soon.

Always,
Jo Ann

Progress Report and New Beginning

I have made a great deal of progress since December 6, 2013, just walking and watching calories. I am down from 200 pounds to 179.6 pounds as of this morning.

Today, I am starting 10 Week Body Change. I had to take measurements and a photo to begin.

Weight: 179.6 pounds
Hips: 43 inches
Waist: 38 inches
Left thigh: 25 inches
Right thigh: 25 inches

I know that is pretty awful, and maybe too much information, but I want to come back with progress…

It is a good thing I already made some significant changes, because sodas are taboo, as are artificial water sweeteners… Gonna be some difficulty with that, but at least I have somewhat weaned myself.

The food choices look pretty good, but some things are gonna be challenging.

My new goal is 120 pounds… That should be quite a change.

We shall see…

Here is what I look like today:

I am so grateful to have come this far… Now I have more to look forward to accomplishing.

Always,
Jo Ann

PAD Challenge, Day 2, My Poem

Today’s prompt for the Poem-A-Day Challenge is to write a “news of the day” poem. I had not caught the news on television, so I went to Google News. I found little I wanted to read, but one article seemed timely…

They Did Not Tell US

Sometimes government
Gives citizens incomplete
Information or
Tells what appear outright lies;
Politician propaganda.

Everyone wanted
Improvement to the system,
But it was working
For many of the people;
Now it’s totally broken.

Some who were happy
With the coverage they had,
Now suddenly find
Their health plans being cancelled;
Replacements cost a fortune.

The outrageous fines,
The unneeded coverage,
Increased premiums,
Bank breaking deductibles;
Were never even mentioned.

Insurance reform
Was the promise as given,
But the cure seems worse
Than the symptoms of disease;
Affordable it is not.

I hope I am overreacting. I hope it is not the disaster it seems, but I am concerned that we may all be in for worse than we have ever dreamed.

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 122

A meditation on pain and suffering:

This poem is in answer to the prompt at The Sunday Whirl. The words in italics are from Wordle 108, I got the words early on Facebook. You could visit that site for inspiration…

Vitriolic Outburst

I open my mouth and
Say the words that come to mind
Allowing them space
Under the blistering sun,
I will not yet be broken.

I will not cave, but
Shake my fist in defiance
Despite your constant
Drone raised against my judgment,
You will find actions binding.

I will continue
Circling subjects voicing
Chants and quiet vows
Unceasingly, using all
My force quite efficiently.

I would call you crook,
But the name is much too good
To describe you well,
You’re an absolute bully
Deserving name enemy.

My anger boils so
Riotously I cannot
Contain it within,
It overflows determined
To impact our history.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, May 10, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I went to town and did our weekly shopping.
2.   I picked up a Papa John’s pizza for me and Krystals for Mom.
3.   Laura called and rescheduled our dinner together.
4.   I talked to Richard Nichols this evening.
5.   Reba called and reported on her condition. She is recovering from her surgery.

I had a reasonably good Friday, although I stayed up all night. I hope you also had a good day. While you have a few moments, concentrate your energy on doing some creative work. I know you have the ability if you only set your mind to it. Your skill will grow with practice and inspiration will find you if you make a consistent effort.

As a prompt, write about a situation or person that maddens you. I find this is a great stress reliever. Leave a link to your poem, story, or journal entry in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you will find your way here again, but you might also want to subscribe to Chronicles by entering your email address in the space provided above. Any thoughts, suggestions, or criticism you have to offer would be greatly appreciated.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 90

Journal entry:

This poem was prompted by Poetic Asides. I hope you will visit that site for inspiration.

How To Write 365

First you commit to
Accomplishing something each
Day you have not done
Before artistically
With great creativity.

You make the effort,
Do your very best writing,
Keep effectively
Working outside your limits
Until you make your success.

You continue to
Do the work despite feeling
Like skipping a day,
You dedicate yourself to
More than you think possible.

You find a few to
Support your endeavors with
Their encouragement
You build up your confidence,
You do it over again.

You do not ever
Stop until your labor is
Vindicated in
Tremendous victory that
Covers the whole of a year.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, April 8, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I enjoyed WrestleMania last night.
2.   I was able to get an appointment with my chiropractor today.
3.   I was able to re-check all the books I had from the Dog River Library.
4.   Mom was willing to have sandwiches for supper.
5.   Leigh is doing well in school despite having some difficult group assignments.

My Monday went well, despite some unrelenting pain. I hope your day was all you hoped it would be. Now I recommend you make an effort to accomplish something creatively. No day is really complete until you have produced something uniquely your own. I believe you have all the talent required, just do your best.

As a prompt, write about the last picture I posted today. That is quite a creature, and I am sure you can write a poem, story, or journal entry in which it stars. If you use this prompt please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. It is a great honor to have your presence here. You might enjoy subscribing to Chronicles so you get email updates. Any thoughts, suggestions, or criticism you have to offer is greatly appreciated, so please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 147

Journal entry:

Today’s poem is prompted by The Monday Melting on Rosemary Mint. The words from the prompt are in italics.

A Piece Of Work

I am feminine,
But also a warrior
With a great hunger
To accomplish much through work
Not only by simple chance.

I may dress in tulle
And paint my bright eyes with kohl,
But tenacity
Is an iconic feature
Of my personality.

I write by edict
Of my own eponymous
Lines these many poems
That fall like dew from my mind
And flow forth in thick gel ink.

A flick of my wrist
Affixes my signature
With a grand flourish
To each of my endeavors
Which may finally be read.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, June 4, 2012

Photographs:

One among many…

Orange Lily…

Bright…

I am grateful:

1.   The power came back on after only about an hour.
2.   Mom rode to town with me.
3.   I have a little money left for the month.
4.   The pizza was very good at supper.
5.   I did not have to go to the hospital though it appears I had anaphylactic shock due to Hope’s new flea and tick collar.

I hope your Monday was a good day. If you feel up to it, do something creative before the day is over.

I would much appreciate your comments.

Smiles,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 134

Journal entry:

Today my poetry prompt came from Carry On Tuesday. You should try their site if you are looking for inspiration.

After All, Tomorrow Is Another Day

These things you say I should do,
You have no real conception
What you are asking of me,
Nor how ill prepared I am
To take on additional
Tasks beyond my regular
Responsibilities now.

My disorders render me
Unable to accomplish
The many things required on
Ordinary every days.
It is God’s grace providing
All the care I am able
To give my full attention.

I do my personal best,
But eventually there
May come a crisis in time
Where someone else has to take
On accountability
As incapability
Might overcome my usefulness.

For now I am still enough,
After all, tomorrow
Is another day and it
Is all in the hands of God
Come whatever will He sees
Fit to bestow upon us,
But do not expect the most of me.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Unfortunately, that poem made my Mom cry because she knows how easily I could have problems that incapacitated me. I have both Schizo-Affective Disorder and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Either one could render me unable to care for her and the dogs for a time, but I hope God will continue to see fit to bless me with strength to do the things I must. My sister-in-law, Linda, indicated I should do something that I cannot manage and inspired the content of the poem. My family should back me up so that all the responsibility is not mine, but they don’t.

Photographs:

Mom close up…

Mom…

I am grateful:

1.   I woke up early.
2.   There were Oreo cookies for breakfast.
3.   I finally found a parking space at the hospital.
4.   The printer cartridge was the right one.
5.   We were able to skip Wal-Mart today.

I hope your Tuesday was less problematic than mine. Try to do something creative before you retire tonight.

If you feel moved, please leave me a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 85

Journal entry:

April PAD Challenge, poem 3:

Dear Doctor Tulman

I apologize for not coming
To see you more often,
But there is good reason.

Every time I visit
Your office I must spend
Outrageous amounts of money.

I realize it is my fault
For having these weak
And blurring eyes.

Still I must limit myself
Living fuzzily at times
Because I have few funds.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Photographs:

Froggy…

Cross…

Lady Bear…

Cross…

Lambs…

I am grateful:

1.   Mom went with me to my appointment.
2.   I was able to borrow money to get optical enhancements.
3.   Mom encouraged me to get my eyes examined.
4.   I have the freedom to vote as I feel led.
5.   I have Medicare that pays my medical bills.

I hope your Tuesday was a good one. If you have the inclination attempt something creative.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 52

Journal entry:

Some photographs:

Squirrel…

Flowers…

I am grateful:

1.   My best friend, Reba, called me this morning and we talked a while.
2.   Reba bought a camper and will be able to enjoy it with her husband, Rob.
3.   The storms last night did not cause any damage.
4.   Hope and I walked a mile.
5.   Mom enjoyed the supper I cooked.

I hope each of you had a fine Thursday and accomplished something creative during your day.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project–Day 34

Haiku and journal entry:

A few photographs:

Stephanie Danita, bear, and Joyce Hope.

Ko-Ko in her jacket.

Hope in her jacket.

Blown glass of my name that Mom bought me a while back.

Squirrel and leaves.

Another shot of squirrel near tree.

I am grateful:

1.   I got up early this morning and watched Joel Osteen preach.
2.   Leigh suggested I try standing in the shower with water running over my neck, shoulder, and back to ease my pain.
3.   It was cold today as it should be in Winter.
4.   I talked to my best friend, Reba, today.
5.   Alex called briefly this morning.

It has been a good day, despite my pain. I enjoyed writing the haiku and expounding on my thoughts about a creativity workshop. I hope your Sunday has been wonderful and that you are rested to start the week. May you find something creative to engage your talents.

Always,
Jo Ann

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