365 Creativity Project-Day 330

Journal entry:

Journal 12-4-20120001

This poem comes from several recent experiences, two happening only today…

Communication
Breakdown

Tell me why
All the people
I must talk to
On the phone
When doing
Business are
Difficult to
Understand.
It is like the
Phone support
All came from
Other countries
Where English
Is barely spoken
And completely
Misunderstood.
I feel as if I am
A stranger in a
Foreign land
When I pick up
The phone to get
Some assistance
And these are
Real American
Companies with
Whom I deal.
Maybe that is
Why the whole
Economy is in
A dreadful mess,
No one with a
Good command
Of language is
Working in the
Support of our
Industries.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Photographs:

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I am grateful:

1.   I got a little sleep between 6:00 and 10:00 this morning.
2.   Alex woke me and I was happy to be up.
3.   I got a wonderful hug from my son.
4.   Alex did yard work and made things look much better.
5.   My mentor, Richard, called and we had a great conversation.

Today was a very good Tuesday for me. It is not often I get to spend time with my son. I hope your day was also pleasant. To make it even better dedicate some time to exercising your creativity. I always find there is more in my mind than I thought when I face the blank page and you may find it so as well. Do not sell yourself short, you can make something wonderful.

As a prompt, write about your experience with the telephone. I could tell horror tales about cell phones, but I will spare you. What is your pet peeve about phones, or can you not live without their presence? Tell us about it. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog. If you would like future updates there is a link to subscribe to Chronicles above. I am so anxious to read your thoughts, suggestions, or criticism, so please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 314

Excuse me while I vent:

Journal 11-18-20120001

The following poem answers the prompt at Poetic Asides. The words in italics were given in the wordle there. You will notice my mood continues. If you need inspiration visit Brenda’s site and perhaps you can make your own masterpiece.

Not Backing Down

I am so sorry
That they think I have done wrong,
I am not a pawn
They can bust because of pride
There is too much fire inside.

I am not afraid
To tell them to their faces,
Not being
silent
They will find unless life knocks
Me out, I will do my best.

The beauty of it
Is I only belong to
Design the pages
To publicize the club, not
To feed enormous egos.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, November 18, 2012

Photographs:

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The page I worked so hard to make…

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I am grateful:

1.   I am still able to stay up all night when I need to do so.
2.   Mom watched me work and gave valuable input.
3.   Richard and Norma are supportive, even if there is dissent from others.
4.   I had salad as a snack and enjoyed it.
5.   I am able to do as I please here on my blog.
6.   I finished the page and got it sent to the Chapel Hill News & Views, so I will not have to work on it during Thanksgiving.

I accomplished a lot in the last twenty-four hours. I hope you have enjoyed your Sunday. Take time to use your creativity now. There is so much you have to offer the world. Do not let anyone tell you your efforts are lacking. Anything your imagination designs enriches civilization.

As a prompt, vent about something that gets on your last nerve. You can do as I did and write a journal entry and/or poem, or you might write an entrancing story. Just let your words flow unfettered. A link to your work in the comments would be appreciated if you use this prompt.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Please forgive me for letting loose with my venting. Usually my posts are not filled with such vitriolic outbursts. Let me know what you think in the comments. If you are not too disappointed, you might want to follow Chronicles.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 312

Journal entry:

Journal 11-16-20120001

The following poem answers the prompt at Poetic Asides. I recommend you visit that site should you need inspiration.

Unmerited Kindness

Overwhelmed by His mercy,
I stand strong against the winds
Of change trying to
Take me down with cruelty,
God’s grace uplifts me.

I am cherished, beloved,
Understanding is lavished
On me every day,
Jesus manifests blessing
And benevolence.

Overwhelmed by His mercy,
I raise my heart to praise Him,
I am fortunate,
I am loved unstintingly
By the Creator.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, November 16, 2012

Photographs:

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I am grateful:

1.   Mom was well enough to stay home alone.
2.   I remembered the check before I got all the way to town.
3.   My milkshake was delicious.
4.   I had the charger for my BlackBerry.
5.   I got the truck unloaded without any assistance.

I hope you had a wonderful Friday, mine was a bit mixed up, but I got through it. I am so glad I am able to spend some time exercising my creativity. Will you do the same? I am sure it will enrich your day.

My prompt for you is to write about a challenge you faced during your day and how you overcame it. You might want to write a poem, story, or journal entry. Whatever you write, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you found your time here enjoyable. Perhaps you would like to follow Chronicles and/or leave me a comment. I really appreciate your input.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 308

Journal entry:

Journal 11-12-20120001

The following poem is in answer to today’s prompt at Poetic Asides. Please visit that site if you need a shot of inspiration.

Perfect Helper

Being a writer,
I need a device that will
Write down what I say
While I am driving, walking,
Or thinking in the shower.

A device that can
Correct my grammar from speech,
That makes great copy
Which is perfect even though
I may make many mistakes.

A device that is
A competent editor
Keeping my meaning,
But fixing my syntax while
Writing my composition.

I need a device
That can go anywhere with
Me and listen to
Ideas with rapt attention,
That is my writerly dream.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, November 12, 2012

Photographs:

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I am grateful:

1.   I was able to get an appointment for Mom today.
2.   I did not break anything when I fell.
3.   Linda went to the appointment with us.
4.   We had Peppermint Chocolate shakes from Chick-Fil-A.
5.   Mom is feeling slightly better this evening.

This was a difficult Monday, but it worked out well. I hope your day was good. Take time to do something creative before you retire this evening.

As a prompt, write about something that hurt you. This might be a physical experience or something verbal… Just write freely and see where it leads you. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for reading my blog. I am so glad you shared your time with me. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism, please leave me a comment. Maybe you would like to follow Chronicles, and get it in your inbox each day.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 306

Journal entry:

Journal 11-10-20120001

Today’s poem is in answer to the prompt at Poetic Asides. I encourage you to visit that site and join the PAD Challenge.

Bons Mots Avec Mon Amis

When there is trouble,
When I am feeling undone,
Good words with my friends
Can set me back on the path
Of true joy and happiness.

My friends are treasure
Given me by gracious God
To inspire and lift
Me from the desolate depths
Of deepest darkest despair.

We may be distant,
Not knowing each other well,
But we bridge the space
With loving kindness, friendship,
That suits our needs very well.

I can often share
Bons mots avec mon amis
About anything
I choose and they will answer
Giving their good opinions,

Jesus has been good
Enough to grace my life with
People who mean so
Much to me in every way,
Bons mots avec mon amis.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, November 10, 2012

Photographs:

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I am grateful:

1.   Hope woke me by barking and growling.
2.   Leigh was able to come help us.
3.   Mom did not break any bones.
4.   Mom has eaten fairly well at lunch and supper.
5.   Hope and I walked a bit this evening.

I have had a busy day, and were God not with us it could have been tragic. I hope your Saturday was much better than mine. I have taken time to work creatively despite the problems of the day. Please engage your creativity now and make something that will brighten our world. I know you have the ability, just apply yourself.

As a prompt, write about something you could not handle alone. You can write a poem, story, or journal entry that will enlighten others and celebrate your triumph over struggle… If you use this prompt, please leave the link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I am so glad you took time to read my entry today. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism, please leave me a comment. I hope you enjoyed your visit here, if so, you might want to follow Chronicles.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 290

Journal entry:

Journal 10-25-20120001

The following poem is a farcical comment on our times…

Utter Disbelief

Are you serious?
Did you mean to say those words?
I think you might be
Mistaken, thinking wrongly,
Surely this cannot be true.

I have been counting
On our lasting forever
I made many plans
For our future, not knowing
You would ever change your mind.

Love is our bedrock
We have built our lives around
Each other with no
Intention of letting go
Of one another today.

It is not certain,
I can scarcely believe it,
You cannot mean it,
There is too much going for
Us for it to be over.

Tell me why you have
Suddenly changed your status,
All our friends will know.
Facebook is so important,
Why say you are single now?

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, October 25, 2012

Photographs:

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I am grateful:

1.   I slept well last night.
2.   The doctor said Mom looked well today.
3.   I found the calendar I wanted for next year.
4.   The dog toys were marked down at Sam’s Club.
5.   I was able to get an appointment for Hope since she is sick.

It has been a good Thursday for me. I hope your day was pleasant. Take time to exercise your creativity now. You have time to do it, if you will only devote yourself to it. You have the talent to excel, so use it.

I challenge you to write a sarcastic poem. Maybe it could be a comment on society, a situation you have faced, a celebrity, a public figure, or whatever lights your imagination. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I am so glad you chose to visit my blog. If you have a comment, please leave it for me to read. Following Chronicles is easy, so do it if you like.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 283

Journal entry:

Journal 10-18-20120001

Overwhelming Love

Trouble may rattle
Me for a moment or two
But calm reasserts
Its power over me when
I lean on my Lord Jesus.

I know the storms will
Fade away in God’s presence
Which brightens my days,
My life blossoms in the light
Of His tremendous glory.

I will not be swept
Away by grave disaster,
But will find Christ’s grace
Sufficient to meet my needs
In every situation.

My many worries
Pale in significance when
Bathed in God’s great grace,
His mercy compensates for
My numerous shortcomings.

The Lord Jesus Christ
Fights my various battles
With His tremendous
Strength that overcomes problems
Bringing me His complete peace.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, October 18, 2012

Photographs:

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I am grateful:

1.   I woke up early this morning and felt great.
2.   Richard called and we discussed the turning of the leaves in the mountains.
3.   Wal-Mart had my cases of Diet Sam’s Cola so I did not have to buy the more expensive Diet Coke.
4.   I bought The Twelve by Justin Cronin at Sam’s Club.
5.   Discover agreed to give me a credit for most of the warranty that Wolf defaulted on because I was persistent.
6.   I was able to talk to my best friend, Reba, this evening.
7.   The mass on Reba’s daughter, Vicki’s liver was not cancerous.
8.   My toe is doing somewhat better.
9.   There is a fresh gallon of milk in the refrigerator.
10.  I have Oreo cookies and Nilla wafers a plenty.

I hope you had a pleasant Thursday. Most of my day turned out well. I had to be a firm and persistent negotiator, but I did not settle for defeat. You should not settle for less than creative productivity. You can make something that positively influences the world. So dedicate yourself to creation. Write, draw, paint, or take a photograph… You have the ability. I believe in your talent.

As a prompt, I would like for you to list at least five things for which you are grateful, then see if you can develop a story, poem, or journal entry from something in the list. If you are a visual artist, create a picture of something that symbolizes gratitude, or a thing for which you are grateful. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I am so glad you visited my blog. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave me a comment. If you have not already, you might consider following Chronicles.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 279

Journal entry:

Journal 10-14-20120001

The following poem uses the words given at The Sunday Whirl. They were quite a puzzle. The words in italics were in the wordle. If you are in need of a challenge, please visit that site.

Beyond Reason

I cannot stand those
Excuses accepted by
The majority
Of people who have become
Satisfied with status quo.

I have vowed I will
Not forget the deeper things
Learned during childhood,
I inherit the thunder
Of those who joined endless light.

My focus shifts from
The cozy umbrella of
Warm simplicity
To the eternal burning
Of my creativity.

I live the pleasure
Of making my life happen
With expectation
Of accomplishing the tasks
Fulfilling my fondest dreams.

No shadow falling
Over me will be allowed
To ever remain
Long beyond a moment, but
Will be cast away with care.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, October 14, 2012

Photographs:

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Hope in a Halloween costume…

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Close up of Hope…

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Hope from another angle…

I am grateful:

1.   The phone did not begin ringing until after I got up.
2.   I did not have to go to town today.
3.   Alex called and talked to me almost two hours.
4.   Alex congratulated me on winning the photo contest.
5.   I can think of things about which to write.

This Sunday has been an outstanding day for me. I hope you had a pleasurable day as well. If you have not already created something today, now is the perfect time to do it. You can produce wonderful work if you will only make an effort. I have faith in your creativity and talent.

As a prompt, write about some aspect of society you think should change. This might be a social issue, an attitude, or an acceptable practice. Whatever entices you to put words on paper, or type them on screen. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I hope you have enjoyed visiting my blog. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism you would like to share with me, please leave a comment. Above you will find a place to follow Chronicles, you might want to do it.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 277

Journal entry:

Journal 10-12-20120001

After All

Aggravation comes
Like a rainy day pouring
Agony droplets
Into a life unrehearsed
Flowing evermore onward.

My smile returns like
A rainbow emerging out
Of gray falling mists,
I cannot remain angry
Because I am so blessed.

Jesus fills my life
With unending streams of joy
That refresh my soul
Making my days flower like
A beautiful fertile field.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, October 12, 2012

Photographs:

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The Lord’s Prayer…

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Come Unto Me…

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Mourning Doves…

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Monumental Cross…

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Angel Prayers…

I am grateful:

1.   Alex says Laura will take care of his jury summons.
2.   I woke to my alarm this morning.
3.   Our drive into town was pleasurable.
4.   Two of my photos placed in the contest last night.
5.   My books, Where Do You Get Your Ideas? by Fred White and How To Blog A Book by Nina Amir arrived today.

This was a very good Friday for me, I hope you fared as well. Before you go to bed, I urge you to exercise your creativity. You can write a poem, a story, a journal entry, or draw, paint, or photograph a picture. You might even do something else, just make something original.

As a prompt, use the word unrehearsed in a poem, story, or journal entry. I know you can create something wonderful if you apply yourself to the task. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Which of the pictures did you think won in the contest last night? I would love your comments about what you liked. Thank you for visiting my blog. If you would like to receive updates, please subscribe to Chronicles.

Monumental Cross won first place in the color category and Angel Prayers won third place in the monochrome category.

Always,
Jo Ann

 

365 Creativity Project-Day 264

Journal entry:

Journal 9-29-20120001

Unfortunate

Undone
Something is wrong
The computer malfunctions
I am perplexed and cannot fix
Whatever is wrong with my good machine
I have no money to spend on
Some technical support
I am surely
Undone

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, September 29, 2012

Photographs:

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I am grateful:

1.   I have my puppy dog, Hope.
2.   Mom finally felt like eating a little supper.
3.   We have a dishwasher.
4.   This week went fairly well.
5.   I downloaded the pictures off of my group on Multiply because they are going to close down all sites in the near future.

I hope you had a very good Saturday. I urge you to exercise your creativity before you retire this evening. Even if you are discouraged for some reason, there is always something you can express.

As a prompt write about something that worries you. Maybe it is something in society, a problem you have encountered, or something else entirely. If you are a visual artist create an image that embodies worry. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Perhaps you would like to follow Chronicles, there is a place for that in the sidebar. If you would like please leave a comment, I take them very seriously.

Always,
Jo Ann