365 Creativity Project–Day 26

A poem I wrote in the wee hours of this morning:

Some pictures from our trip to town:

Mason’s Lodge which used to be a country church.

Interesting oak tree.

The new Dog River Library with Mom’s Explorer in the foreground.

We went to town today, because I had avoided going this week. It was the first time I had gone on Saturday in quite a while, and reminded me why I avoid town on the weekend. The place was working alive with people like a disturbed bee hive with angry bees. The ATM at my bank was offline, so I could not get my money to give Mom, as I do every month. I will have to try again another day. We ate lunch at Chick-Fil-A which was packed with people. Fortunately my wait in line was very short. We went to Wal-Mart and I looked around the parking lot and took the best available place instead of trying to get a handicapped space for Mom. We shopped without incident. I picked up two idea notebooks, four Sharpie pens, two toys for Hope, and some groceries. Mom stayed in the truck while I went into Sam’s Club to pick up her medicine and a few necessities.

I prayed about this trip to town last night. I asked that I come in contact with no idiots on the road, and shockingly no one pulled out right in front of me as usually happens. The trip went very smoothly, which is how I prayed it would go. The ATM being out of service was inconvenient, but not bad enough to ruin the pleasantness.

Unloading the truck, I got very hot and had to turn the air on in the house. It was 76 degrees in town today. I dread warmer weather, and really wish we would have a bit of cold. It is Winter and feels like late Spring.

I read the Bible aloud to Mom. We began our study of Exodus today. Moses’ attitude at the beginning of the book shows how cowardly people can be used to become great instruments in the work of God. Gives me some hope that I might be useful.

I hope you had a restful day and found something creative to work on.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project–Day 25

My journal entry:

Some pictures:

The National Historic Site near my psychiatrist’s office.

Fig trees at dusk.

Camellia.

Camellia and bud.

I am so glad this day went well. There were a few idiots out driving, but I am always prepared for their exploits. We had an awesome lunch at Hudson’s Hickory House. I woke up craving barbecue, so we went there. Mom recommended that I get a coleslaw to go with my pork plate, and it made the meal even better.

I hope your Friday was pleasant, and wish you a peaceful weekend full of creative energy.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project–Day 24

Some haiku and a bit of exposition:

A couple of photographs:

Stump surrounded by foliage.

There are books on these shelves…

It is Thursday, time for a gratitude list.

I am thankful:

1.   I have enough time to explore my creativity.
2.   I am blessed with an active imagination.
3.   I learned to read and write.
4.   I have plenty of tools to use in making art.
5.   I managed to raise a responsible citizen.
6.   I am able to help my Mom.
7.   I have a very sweet puppy dog.
8.   My two books came from Amazon this week.
9.   My bed is soft and comfortable.
10. We have heat and air conditioning to keep the house temperate.

I hope you find something in your life for which to be thankful. Making these lists helps keep one mindful of blessings. May you be given inspiration to create something beautiful today.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project–Day 23

My drawing to welcome everyone to February:

My journal entry and some haiku:

Pictures of my PENA unicorn:

I found this unicorn in Helen, Georgia, years ago. The unicorn has always been my favorite mythic creature, so I was overjoyed to find such a wonderful portrayal. I count this as one of my most treasured possessions.

I hope each day this month brings you an awareness of the love that surrounds you in life. May you find inspiration to do something creative today.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project–Day 22

Today I was gifted with many sweet morsels. The words simply kept coming to me with little effort on my part. I hope you will enjoy:

A few pictures:

Expectant face intently staring.

Close up of Hope.

Clouds that brought to mind sheep.

I love this cup.

Our mile walk today was graced with beautiful skies and warm temperatures. Hope was so happy to be outdoors. Her joy is so intense one cannot help but join her in bliss.

Writing when the words come easily is great fun. It seems to be effortless. Even if the words come in the form of haiku it warms the heart to be given something to write. Maybe if one opens themselves to inspiration it finally comes. I urge everyone who wants to write to spend time at it daily. You cannot produce if you do not apply yourself to actually doing the work. The writing can be anything, but simply writing brings some worthwhile lines to you. You have more talent than that of which you are aware. Talent grows with practice.

I hope your Tuesday has been a great day. May you be blessed with something creative to bring to life.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project–Day 21

My constant lament:

Pictures from my mile walk with Hope:

Buds in Winter…

Brightness in bare…

Could not resist the Radio Flyer…

More modern haulers…

Daffodils sprouting…

This is not exactly easy, coming up with something creative every day. I am sometimes totally at a loss. Today, I had no words, so I had no choice, but to write about my lack of inspiration. I could not think of anything outside of which to take pictures that I had not already used, so I had to pay particularly close attention on my walk. I guess that is the beauty of the project though. It forces me to use my brain when it would be easier to do nothing.

If you are thinking about starting a project, do not wait, because the time will never be perfect. Do it for yourself so you can grow. You will see that there is more available than you ever imagined. Your creativity will rise to the occasion. We, humans, tend to procrastinate and sometimes we leave our best undone forever. Do not leave your gift unused. Do and be, fulfill your most cherished dreams.

The poem I wrote today is another group of haiku on one subject strung together to form a complete poem. Know that you can do something similar. There is nothing special about me that I can write like that. I just chose to make an effort, and you are capable of doing it as well.

Some of what I do here is not very good, and I probably should not put it on display for all the world to see. The project requires that I use what I produce, no matter what my feelings about it may be. This is to force me to place my work for review, mainly so one day I might not be so afraid to send my productions out to publishers. I hope nothing is so horrible that it is hated, but that is not my problem.

I hope your Monday was a good one. Make something from your imagination and let someone see it.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project–Day Twenty

I could not resist doing this photo editing job. Be afraid, be very afraid.

The following poem uses seven syllables per line to make its point:

We did not walk today, because I felt like staying in my pajamas and taking it easy. It has been a relaxing day.

I hope your Sunday was wonderful with inspiration enough to spur you to produce something creative.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project–Day Nineteen

A few haiku:

A few pictures from our walk:

A shot of the magnet on my car.

Interesting base of an oak tree.

I painted this for my Mom in 2000.

I had an experience yesterday at Wal-Mart that I am trying to incorporate into a prose piece, but it is not fully formed in my mind yet. What happened just planted the seed of a story in my head. I am not very good at writing stories, but that is probably because I have not practiced the skill very much. I am more accustomed to writing from my own experience.

Hope and I walked a mile today in the beautiful afternoon sunshine. We are having wonderful weather, but I wish it were colder like it should be in Winter. I am afraid this Spring-like weather does not bode well for us later in the year.

I woke up at a reasonable time today, but I went back to bed and slept until early afternoon. I probably should go to bed earlier, but I enjoy the quiet of the nighttime hours.

I finished reading Rumi Hidden Music this morning. I enjoyed the poetry. It fit in with all the devotional reading I am doing.

I hope all of you have enjoyed your Saturday and found some inspiration for creative work.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project–Day Eighteen

My drawing, Love Message 1:

A poem:

A journal entry:

Pictures:

Hope before we went for our mile walk.

Trees…

Trees reaching for sky in light and shadow…

Sun dappled trees…

Pond through pines…

Driveway fading away…

Valentine plush for Mom.

My Valentine bear.

I hope you have a wonderful Friday night and a weekend full of creative pleasure.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project–Day Seventeen

A poem, a picture, and a journal entry:

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

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