365 Creativity Project-Day 227

Journal entry:

Journal 8-23-20120001

Awesome Life

I look around this world in wonder,
Thinking how great life is to me.
I thank Jesus for every moment
Praying He allows me to remain
Here just a little while longer,
There is so much left for me to do.

I can barely get through the morning
Without evening coming on hard and fast.
There is hardly time for me to savor
The day before it becomes the past.
Life is so good to me I am humbled
By the many blessings I receive.

I look around this world in wonder,
Thinking how great life is to me.
I thank Jesus for every moment
Asking He continues beside me
In everything I try to accomplish,
Because I know He will see me through.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, August 23, 2012

Photographs:

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I am grateful:

1.   Alex is happy with his new clothes.
2.   I get to listen to Alex’s voice with Voxer.
3.   My shower was inspiring today.
4.   I like my new shirts.
5.   Supper was very filling.

I hope you have had a wonderful Thursday. Try your hand at something creative before you retire this evening. You have all you need to make a great contribution to the universe.

As a prompt, write a list of things for which you are grateful, then pick one of them to elaborate upon. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I hope I have entertained you for a few minutes. If you have thoughts or suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 211

Journal entry:

Journal 8-7-20120001

The prompt for today’s poem comes from Carry On Tuesday. It is actually a line I had been musing on for a while so it was very apt for me. If your muse needs some prodding go to that site.

With Regards To Shakespeare

All the world’s a stage,
Every creature plays a part
Making wonderful
The world we exist within
During evanescent days.

We unknowingly
Influence every other
Life on the planet,
Without premeditation
Through our casual actions.

Creativity,
At work in all our living
Shapes even nature
In benevolent fashion
To complement every need.

The entire world stands
Prepared to fulfill desires
Expressed honestly
With consideration for
The will of sovereign God.

All the world’s a stage,
True generosity plays
A very crucial
Role in making it pleasant
To live in our universe.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Photographs:

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I am grateful:

1.   We did not have to go out.
2.   I stayed up despite such an early rising.
3.   Alex and I had a great conversation.
4.   Placing an order by phone was painless and saved some money over the website.
5.   My friend, Claudia, was pleased with my small gifts and called me to thank me.
6.   Although my Mom fell last night, she was not seriously hurt, and is only sore.

This has been a day of overwhelming happiness for me, and I hope you have enjoyed many pleasurable moments. Take a little time to engage your creativity. If you are not inspired, write just a few lines, and maybe it will lead to more. Doodle if you do not feel you can paint. Snap a few shots, even if the composition seems lacking. Use your talent and you will find the energy to do a bit more next time, or perhaps a couple days from now.

Your prompt today is taken from one of my own poems: We write beautiful lines across the fabric of the whole universe. See what that brings to mind or use only parts of it. If you use the prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below, so we may share your creation.

I hope your visit here has been pleasant. If you have comments or suggestions, please share them with me. I love your input.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 205

Journal entry:

Journal 8-1-20120001

The Problem With Politics

There is a problem
For me with politicians,
I do not like them,
They are most definitely
Selfish and money loving.

The Republicans
And Democrats are equal
In their disregard
For people of similar
Circumstances to myself.

It is the money
Propelling them to action,
Not the common good,
They have fully forgotten
Our country’s true principles.

One side screams loudly,
“No new taxes,” while others
Lobby for reform,
Neither side accomplishing
Anything of lasting worth.

Oh, to finally
See some regular person
In high position
Who understands dilemmas
Faced by common citizens.

We can surely hope,
But it is unlikely we
Will ever find it
Turning out in such a way,
For money runs politics.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Photographs:

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The book Claudia sent me… It is gorgeous…

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An elephant…

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Another view of the elephant…

I am grateful:

1.   I have wonderful friends the world over who I have met through the internet.
2.   Claudia sent me such a glorious gift.
3.   God blesses me so abundantly.
4.   I have a computer with internet access.
5.   People are kinder than we sometimes imagine.

It has been a very good Wednesday for me, I hope it was the same for you. Please take a few moments of your time to do something creative. You may be thinking it is too hard, but I submit to you that I have written 123 poems since April 1st and I have done this Creativity Project for 205 days, surely you can do produce something of great worth today.

For a prompt today, write about something unexpected that has happened to you through your use of the internet. I am sure you can write a poem or story detailing your resulting adventures. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below so that others can enjoy your creation.

I am so glad you visited my blog today. If you feel inclined, leave me a comment or suggestion. Some days I have a problem thinking of subjects about which to write. Maybe you have ideas you would like to share. I would much appreciate those.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 154

Journal entry:

Journal 6-11-20120001

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:

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Hope…

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Ko-Ko…

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Penny…

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A pin I made from wooden craft supplies…

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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

365 Creativity Project-Day 144

Journal entry:

Journal 6-1-20120001

Misapprehension

You did not hear me
Say it, I never even
Thought about it in
Wildest imaginative
Semi-conscious daytime dreams.

I would not put you
In such a compromising
Position without
Your full cooperation
And completed approval.

I am not insane,
Well, only mildly at least,
I know fully well
That love must be a willing
Decision of one’s own heart.

So I would never
Presume to thrust commitment
Upon someone like
You who I hardly even
Know in tiniest degree.

I only wanted
To express my friendliness
By letting you know
You had touched my deepest heart
With your sweet and tender words.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, June 1, 2012

Photographs:

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Beautiful wooden covered journal that I found in storage while looking for a new journal to begin in a few days.

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Leather binding of wooden covered journal…

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Gilded page edges of wooden covered journal…

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Frontpiece of wooden covered journal…

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Pages of wooden covered journal…

I shared these pictures because I know some people love looking at the materials used in journal writing as much as I do. I doubt I will be using this gorgeous blank book any time soon, but I love it. Maybe one day I will find the courage to use these beautiful pages.

I am grateful:

1.   I did not go to town.
2.   I have plenty of blank books from which to choose a new journal.
3.   Sometimes I find pleasant surprises I have purchased in the past.
4.   Life is truly wonderful.
5.   I have a place to live.

I hope your Friday has been filled with happiness. Take some time to do something creative before you retire this evening. You only have to turn your mind to it and you will create beauty.

Please leave a comment if you will.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 143

Journal entry:

Journal 5-31-20120001

The poem today was inspired by the prompt at Trifecta. You should visit the site if you are in need of inspiration.

My Decline

I decay daily
My lined face falls into ruin,
I am diminished
My appeal fades slow away,
But I am not discouraged.

I still have great worth
Beyond the physical form,
My love increases
As the time quickly passes,
My wisdom grows more astute.

I reach out for new
Experience enriching
My ongoing life,
I build up a treasure trove
Of victory over waste.

Faith continues on
Becoming ever stronger,
Belief becomes more
Easily applied to days
Wherein I grow still older.

Even as decay
Works against my advancing,
I fight on each hour
Moving toward perfection
Furnished by my vibrant soul.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, May 31, 2012

Photographs:

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Mom’s Homebound Buddies, Frances and Wendell, who visit every month or so to bring literature and recordings from our church.

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Me, as I usually am… not as I imagine myself to be…

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Penny cooperating with the camera…

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Ko-Ko and Hope lounging with Mom…

I am grateful:

1.   I woke up from a laughing dream early this morning and chose to stay up.
2.   I took a shower and dressed instead of staying in pajamas.
3.   Wendell and Frances visited.
4.   My daughter-in-law, Laura, called and we had a wonderful conversation that lasted nearly an hour and a half.
5.   I completed my creative work very early.

I hope you are enjoying this last day of May. If you have been following my promptings you should have a store of creative work from this month. Reflect on it today and do something more.

There was an interesting article I read, and I want to pass along the link to you: Ode Magazine. This dealt with the health benefits of writing, and I want you to know that your creative endeavors can have a lasting positive influence on your life. I encourage you to do creative work for your well being and happiness.

I hope you will leave me a comment expressing your thoughts. Your feedback is much appreciated.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 128

Journal entry:

Journal 5-16-20120001

Best Friends

There are many miles
Between us, stretching so far,
And yet we are close;
Loving each other dearly
Remembering childhood bonds.

If I have problems
She always calmly listens
Then gives good advice.
She never turns me away
But is kind and supportive.

I know if I need
Her, she will soon be with me
I only need call,
And she will drop whatever
She is doing to aid me.

No one else outside
My family cares so much
About my being.
She brightens my existence
The sweet sister of my heart.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Photographs:

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My son, Alex, in Okinawa, Japan.

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Bear Alex gave me…

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Mountz, another bear Alex gave me…

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Frog, symbolic of Alex’s nickname…

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I hope you will always do this…

I am grateful:

1.   I have a wonderful son who I love very much.
2.   My best friend is an awesome person.
3.   Life is good.
4.   God has multiplied His blessings in my life.
5.   Mom enjoyed the supper I prepared.

I hope your Wednesday has been rewarding. Do something creative with your time…

Always,
Jo Ann

 

 

First Thankful List of 2011

I am thankful:

1.   I had a wonderful Christmas here at home with Mom.
2.  I took my BlackBerry Curve 8330 back to Sam’s Club because I was having many problems with it. Mom instead bought me the BlackBerry Curve 8530 from Best Buy. It is working much better for me. I do not worry about it all the time like I was doing with the other one.
3.  I got my Kindle for Christmas. I did not think I would like an e-reader a lot, but I absolutely love my Kindle. I am discovering and re-discovering many classics since I have the Kindle.
4.  Mom gave me $50.00 in a Kindle Store gift card and my niece, Leigh, gave me $25.00 in an Amazon gift card, so I have been able to buy content for my Kindle that is modern.
5.  Mom gave me $150.00 in Borders gift cards and my sister-in-law, Linda, gave $30.00 so I have been able to buy some excellent books. Especially love my Oxford American English Dictionary which I have been wanting for years. I bought some writing books as well, and a Borders Rewards Plus membership which will save me money all year. I still have around $32.00 to spend, so I may buy some eBooks to read on the computer, or more books from the store.
6. Alex sent me a teddy bear outfitted in Marine Corps fatigues with Mountz embroidered on the pocket just like his real uniforms.
7.  I am keeping a detailed calendar of what I do each day on my BlackBerry which transfers to Google calendar.
This helps me budget my time more wisely.
8.  I read 130 books in 2010. Most of them were very enjoyable and I learned a lot through my reading. My goal for 2011 is the same as last year: 120 or more books. However, I hope to write more during 2011 so that may effect how many books I can read. Writing is very time consuming.
9.  I went out to lunch with one of my friends from my old Sunday School class yesterday. It was very good re-connecting with her. I enjoyed our conversation a great deal.
10. I experienced a very blessed year in 2010 and am looking forward to a wonderful year in 2011. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by so much love. For all the drawbacks I face in life I am still a very happy person. Much good fills my days.