The up and the down, life a blend of light and shadow.
Today, can you write down five things for which you are grateful?
Prompt: Make a bargain with yourself to create something each day, any medium, any way.
There is enough time
To shine a light deep within,
Find yourself again.
Thank you for visiting here. May your day be blessed. Please come back again.
Journal entry:
The prompt for today’s poem comes from Carry On Tuesday. I am getting to this a bit late this week, but I have been otherwise inspired. I hope you will visit that site should you need a prompt.
I Listen To The Silence…
After midnight hours
The house is quiet, resting,
Retired from action,
I listen to the silence…
As you do also, alone.
The daylight demons
Of many harried moments
Find peace in darkness,
I can drift on soft currents
Of my sweet envisioned dreams.
I accomplish much
While the world is slumbering,
There is no racing
From one anxious notion to
Others, for struggle eases.
I communicate
With my innermost spirit
Finding harmony,
Tranquility, often in
The soothing ebony night.
All conflict ceases,
I listen to the silence…
As you do also,
I gather all my forces
To complete my deep desires.
Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, July 6, 2012
Photographs:
Mom painted this lemon plaque…
Mom painted this pepper plaque…
Mom painted this peach plaque…
I am thankful:
1. I finally got up after the alarm had gone off for thirty minutes.
2. We got the estimate on the air conditioner and it was not as bad as I expected.
3. I reached Sam’s Club just in time to pick up Mom’s medicine before the pharmacy closed for lunch.
4. We ate Whoppers for lunch.
5. I finished reading The Age Of Miracles by Marianne Williamson.
If you are approaching or have reached midlife, I highly recommend you read The Age Of Miracles by Marianne Williamson. This is an inspiring book with much wisdom about later years.
I hope your Friday has been rewarding. Mine was very busy and I am now sitting with a fan blowing on me because I overheated again. I hope you will take my advice to heart and engage yourself in working creatively. You can do something wonderful if you work at it.
The prompt I have for you today is to write about your creative challenges. Tell us what keeps you from working and what you can do to overcome the blockage. Assert your ability to accomplish your aspirations. If you use this prompt please leave a link to your work in the comments below.
I hope something here has touched you, if so, please tell me about it by leaving a comment. I appreciate your reading my blog.
Always,
Jo Ann
Journal entry:
Good Intentions
You may ask, “What’s wrong?”
Of anyone, anytime
And the answer may
Fill your heart and soul with woe
For trouble dogs everyone.
If you will venture
To inquire about someone’s
Dreams you will inspire
A ramble into pleasant
Conversation filled with hope.
Dreams are currency
Spent with happiness among
Smiling friends who love
To share the many triumphs
Dear bought by honest effort.
Our days are surely
Meant for celebration of
The accomplishments
We have made fulfilling dreams
Once believed impossible.
Therefore let questions
Conspire to reveal the best
Of circumstances
Asking about people’s dreams
And sharing in their fond hopes.
Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, July 2, 2012
Poster:
Photographs:
Hope in an odd position…
Hope…
I am grateful:
1. I woke up early from my bad dream.
2. It is not quite as hot today.
3. I found some of my calligraphy markers and they still work.
4. We went to the country store and bought tomatoes.
5. My bologna, cheese, and tomato sandwich was delicious.
I hope this Monday as started your week well. To add to your happiness, do something creative. Write a poem, story, or journal entry, draw a picture or make a poster, take a photograph, whatever suits your fancy. Just make sure you do something to mark this days passage in a creative way.
It is Summer, so for today’s prompt I want you to write about your favorite summertime pleasure. This could be something you do, somewhere you visit, a food you eat, anything really that makes you happy when the temperatures are soaring. I would love to read your work if you use this prompt, so please leave a link in the comments.
If you enjoyed this blog entry, or if you have a suggestion for something I can do differently, please leave a comment. I read every one and I reply. Thank you for visiting Chronicles and sharing your day with me.
Always,
Jo Ann
Journal entry:
I created the following poem using the words from Rosemary Mint. The prompt words are in italics. You might visit that site and see what the words suggest to you.
Give Me Shelter
It is natural
To feel some serenity
Listening to rain
Drum on the roof overhead
In the midst of thunderstorms.
A sweet mixed serum,
Patchouli and sandalwood,
Delights the noses
Of café patrons drinking
Espresso, cozy and dry.
A rose in a vase
Alone adorns a table
Where a young hippie
Sips raspberry herbal tea
In a bright tie-dye sundress.
Where once opium
Was brought to market now stand
Karaoke bars
And gyms where yoga is used
To sculpt bodies lean and hard.
Times have really changed
In many parts of our town,
Now safer by far
For citizens seeking some
Shelter from a pop up storm.
Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, June 25, 2012
Artwork:
A simple painted piece I did for my Mom…
Photographs:
I am grateful:
1. Other creative people make their ideas available on the internet.
2. We had gasoline to give Jeremy when he came down yesterday.
3. There was hot water for my shower.
4. Air conditioning makes these sweltering days bearable.
5. June is bringing pizza for supper.
I hope your Monday has been good. You can make it a better day by doing something creative. When you use your gifts it can make you much happier.
If you need a prompt today, write about your favorite color. Color adds so much to our lives, it should not be hard for you to create something about your favorite. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments.
If you have suggestions, or enjoyed today’s blog, please leave a comment below.
Always,
Jo Ann
Journal entry:
Imperfect, But Worthwhile
Our institutions
Are not perfect by virtue
Of humanity,
But they can bring much beauty
To the lives we daily live.
There is peace in our
Belonging to likeminded
Groups that have lasted
Throughout many passing years,
Despite their serious faults.
Our religions are
A comfort to our troubled
Hearts when our brief lives
Seem so far beyond our own
Ability to control.
Some shout tyranny,
But believers surely know
That their sacred paths
Are only gentle guidelines
Leading to eternity.
We thank God freedom
To serve as we deem fitting
Is well established
Within the basic fabric
Of our American lives.
Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, June 11, 2012
Photographs:
Hope…
Ko-Ko…
Penny…
A pin I made from wooden craft supplies…
Another pin I made from wooden craft supplies…
I am grateful:
1. The commotion that woke me was only a picture frame falling, not Mom falling as I feared.
2. I was raised to respect the rights of others.
3. I am open-minded.
4. My dog teaches me much about being a good human.
5. I do not have to cook today.
I hope your day was good, despite it being Monday. You are a creative person. Embrace this part of your humanity. Use it to make something to enrich our world. I have faith in your ability create, because I am not exceptional and I do it.
If you were moved by anything here, please leave me a comment with your thoughts. I much appreciate feedback be it positive or negative. I hope to learn from you.
Always,
Jo Ann
Journal entry:
Personal Pep Talk
Believe in yourself,
You accomplish miracles
When following dreams
That lead you to excellence
In your creative pursuits.
God gave you talents
That He meant for no other,
You must utilize
Your gifts or the world loses
Much enriching its beauty.
You are an asset
Who should not be squandered in
A meaningless way,
You have opportunity
To make a lasting impact.
Let no one tell you
That you lack any merit,
For they cannot judge
What great contributions you
Present to humanity.
Again I urge you
Believe fully in yourself,
Let your heart engage
Totally in all of life
With much creativity.
Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, June 9, 2012
I have some artwork to share today:
This is a doily that I bought at an after Valentine’s clearance sale thinking I would use it later…
I had time to do something extra yesterday. This is on a 9×12 sheet of art paper and the scan does not show the color as richly as it is in reality. The picture is done in colored pencil and pastels. I know it is not my best work, but I am a bit out of practice. It looks quite nice framed…
I am grateful:
1. I did the #MNINB April Platform Challenge and have made valuable contacts through it.
2. I had the foresight to buy some craft materials at Wal-Mart’s after Valentine’s clearance sale.
3. I got up fairly early.
4. I am very greatly blessed.
5. I am slowly gaining followers on my blog.
I hope your Saturday is going well. Take some time to create today. You probably have all the material you need to make something wonderful. Writing only takes your time.
Leave me a comment if you feel you can.
Always,
Jo Ann
Journal entry:
Today’s poetry prompt comes from The Sunday Whirl. I went in a very unexpected direction after looking at the words given, but I hope you will like the poem.
Depths and Heights
They beat Him until
His back split open under
The lash’s harsh edge
They made His skin darkly bruise,
He did not crumple or crouch.
They all burst into
Laughter at His suffering
And tried to draw Him
Into answering with guilt,
But there was none within Him.
On Golgotha’s hill
The nails pierce His tender skin,
They chisel a hole
And drop His cross with a crash
Hanging Him under Heaven.
The sun’s glow sudden
Hides from such an awful scene
Where the Son of God
Deserted to horrible
Torture surrenders to death.
The story does not
In such tragedy then end
For Christ rose from death,
He now reigns with the Father
And He is coming again.
Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Photographs:
My sweet baby girl, Hope…
14 year old, Penny…
What a face… Ko-Ko…
Another shot of my Hope…
I am grateful:
1. I was able to sleep in.
2. Our dogs are so sweet and companionable.
3. I paid my insurance this morning.
4. I have a powerful computer.
5. Mom feels well today.
I hope you have enjoyed a relaxing Sunday. If you would like, follow the link to The Sunday Whirl and use those words to write your own poem or short story. If that does not appeal, write a five item thankful list and build a poem around it. Of course, anything else you want to do that is creative would be good.
Leave a comment if something touched your heart or mind or if you have advice for me.
Always,
Jo Ann
Journal entry:
Beginner’s Earning
Working summers made
Money for things I could not
Afford otherwise.
My first job was not easy
Helping my Dad mechanic.
I learned to drive trucks,
Backhoes, earth movers, loaders,
And to weld a line.
Not a girl’s occupation,
But I loved the huge challenge.
I was so happy,
The responsibility
Helped fulfill my needs.
Muscles and mind together
Were schooled to accomplish much.
The sun cooked me
To a well-seasoned deep tan
Bleaching my hair gold.
The dirt and grease clung to me
Making bathwater run brown.
In my later years
I greatly appreciate
The many hours I spent
Learning to work with my hands;
Helping my Dad mechanic.
Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Photographs:
The 2012 Poet’s Market… it is not just for seeking places to publish work. There are many informative features and a large section of prompts. It is an asset for anyone who writes poetry.
Watercolor Teddy Bear…
Colored pencil Rose…
I am grateful:
1. I found prompts to help me write poems during May.
2. I am finishing my blog entry incredibly early.
3. I have fond memories of the summers of my youth.
4. I have learned that forgiving someone helps me live more productively.
5. I have overcome much adversity to become the person I am today.
I hope your Tuesday has brought you many smiles. I wrote a poem, and you can surely do something creative if you will just begin it. I have absolute faith in your ability, because I know God endowed you as well as me.
Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you found something you enjoyed. If so, please leave me a comment and follow Chronicles. Your comments let me know what is succeeding and what I can improve.
Always,
Jo Ann
Journal entry:
April Poem A Day Challenge, poem twenty-eight:
Perishing Vision
The American Dream
Is constantly assaulted
And under duress
Because of great economic
Schisms between rich and poor.
The realization
Of the common person’s hopes,
Near impossible,
Because wages keep decreasing
And costs continually rise.
Many without work
Do not have adequate funds
To maintain their homes
Because the jobs disappear
And few new are created.
The politicians
Bicker in their high places,
Electorate drowns,
Because no solutions come
In time to launch a rescue.
Representation
Must be restored to people,
With equality,
Because the American Dream
Is nigh unachievable.
Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Photographs:
Ceramic decorative container…
Unicorn paperweight…
Mug…
I am grateful:
1. I slept in today.
2. Wendell visited Mom.
3. My niece, Carrie Leigh, visited.
4. My daughter-in-law, Laura, came to get Alex’s iPod Touch and visited a while.
5. My best friend, Reba, called.
I hope your Saturday has brought you many smiles. The PAD Challenge was to write a problem poem. I know you can think of a problem to write about, because no matter how good your life, there are problems. If that does not appeal by all means do something that showcases your talents creatively.
Let me know what you thought of this blog post by leaving a comment, and please visit again.
Always,
Jo Ann
Journal entry:
April Poem A Day Challenge, poem twenty-four:
More Wasted Words
I know I should not
Write about you once again
Because you are gone,
But when I think of loving
You always come to my mind.
I do not love you
In the way of fresh lovers,
But my heart remains
Entangled in the idea
Of you, though you are absent.
I sincerely wish
There were someone else brand new
Filling emptiness
You left in my heart and life,
But no one appears to start.
Perhaps the fault is
All mine for so vividly
Remembering us.
Maybe I need to excise
The thought of you from my mind.
So once again you
Captured my full attention
Even though I know
You will never read my lines;
Get behind me, you bastard.
Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Photographs:
Amaryllis…
Amaryllis…
Yucca with new shoot which will bloom…
Clover…
I am grateful:
1. I took a shower and it helped me wake up.
2. I went to town and back safely.
3. I use the BlackBerry to keep my shopping list.
4. I like the poem I wrote today.
5. I have a few ideas for new creations.
Tuesday has been a very full day for me. I hope you accomplished what you wanted to get done. Take some time to create something. The PAD Challenge for today was a love poem or anti-love poem. I am sure you can write one of those.
Always,
Jo Ann
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