365 Creativity Project-Day 142

A somewhat biographical story start:

Today’s poem was inspired by the prompt on Poetic Asides which is a Writer’s Digest Editor blog.

Common Pleasures

It is the small things
That enliven every day
Bringing happiness:
The curve of a smile gracing
The face of someone you love,

The gentlest touch
Comforting in its kindness,
The encouraging
Words that move you to action
That you thought impossible,

The furry embrace
Of a beloved pet who
Crawls into your lap,
And the sight of something you
Consider so beautiful.

These and the many
Other things that touch your life
With their plain sweetness
Make daily living worthwhile,
Enriching like a treasure.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Photographs:

A very good book I am dipping into along the way…

This is a very interesting volume…

I love this mug… it is Mom’s.

Common barnyard fowl make great decoration…

I am grateful:

1.   Our mammogram results were good.
2.   The air conditioner helps keep us cool.
3.   The thunderstorms last night caused no damage.
4.   Electricity makes life more enjoyable.
5.   Photographs capture moments in time.

Wednesday is the middle of the week, hopefully your day was rewarding. There is no reason you cannot do something creative. You have the talent within you. The tools can be as simple as a pen and paper. Make no excuses, just do it, and expand your happiness.

I would love to have your comments, please leave one.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 138

A retrospective story start:

The prompt that inspired the above and the poem below was found at Poetry Jam. I have much material on the subject of bullies. Unfortunately, those memories of being victimized have never faded.

Inhumanity

They want to be friends
Now so many years after
The damage was done,
I suppose they believe it
Easy to forgive meanness.

The scars I carry
Are deeper than the surface
Of my tender skin,
The cruel words still remain
Echoing loud inside my mind.

I am a victim
Of their youthful savagery
Even in this time,
The atrocity keeps me
Bound by their brutality.

Maybe they forgot,
But my memory is fresh,
I face it each time
I look into a mirror
And am bedeviled anew.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, May 26, 2012

Photographs:

Ko-Ko…

Hope…

Penny…

I am grateful:

1.   I got up early.
2.   Sherry, our groomer, came and sheared our dogs.
3.   I finished reading The Distant Hours by Kate Morton, which was a very entertaining novel.
4.   The green beans we bought recently were surprisingly good.
5.   Hope allowed Sherry to clear out her ears better than usual.

I hope your Saturday has been filled with happiness. Make some time to get creative. You can produce something wonderful if you only make the effort.

Your comments are as always welcome and appreciated.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 137

The second exercise in What If? is to use one of your first sentences and take your story in different directions by adding a second sentence. I found this interesting. I had never thought about how each sentence could change a story so drastically.

My thoughts are concentrated on other places:

Reluctant Explorer

I rarely travel away
From home preferring my own
Environment to any
I have opportunity
To visit on a journey.

Sometimes other places call
With sweet majestic voices
That make me want to venture
Far from my comfortable
And familiar residence.

Mountains, forests, beaches, all
Entice me with their beauty
Cajoling me with their songs
Of rare untamed adventure,
Life is unpredictable.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, May 25, 2012

Photographs:

Lucy and Max…

Angel Bear…

Hippopotamus…

Angel Dog…

I am grateful:

1.   I slept in today.
2.   Laura, my daughter-in-law, called to say she had gotten home safely from her trip to Okinawa to see Alex, my son.
3.   Alex works in a support position in the Air Wing of the Marine Corps.
4.   The hot dogs and French fries I cooked for supper were very good.
5.   I enjoy reading, writing, art, and photography.

I hope each of you had a fabulous Friday. If you have one, I hope your long weekend is enjoyable. If you feel so inclined do something creative with your time. It will help you feel joy.

Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 136

A few more story starts that I may explore in depth in the future:

The prompt for today’s poem came from The Sunday Whirl. I am going back to earlier prompts on this site because they are so engaging. You might enjoy giving some of them a try.

Uncertain Deity

Even a goddess is hounded
By demons who visit sacred
Rituals without intention
Of adding real significance.

They string along her followers
Distracting from indigenous
Culture elaborated in
Text that defines divinity.

She communicates her desires
From the summit of her mountain
Where graceful flags fly quite untamed
Tousled by vicious winds of change.

A goddess doubts significance
When sacred rituals are viewed
As useless despite intention
To celebrate true devotion.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, May 24, 2012

Photographs:

Day Lilies…

Yucca blooms…

Can crusher…

What If? is an inspiring book chock full of writing exercises that will have you creating material of which you have never dreamed. I purchased it from Amazon.com What If?.

Writing Magic is a book for younger writers, but you might find the exercises spark ideas as well. I purchased it from Amazon.com Writing Magic. It is a very quick read and can be passed on to inspire a youngster in your life.

I am grateful:

1.   I woke up early.
2.   The UPS driver delivered my package in a timely manner.
3.   I was able to order Iverhart for Penny since Interceptor was not available.
4.   Jeremy says he will try to come out and clean the gutters this weekend.
5.   I may be able to have a vacation next year.

I hope your Thursday has been a good day. Take time to do something creative before your day is over.

If you have thoughts to share please leave me a comment. I greatly appreciate your input.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 135

I often say I am very good at beginnings, but middles are a problem. Today I submit these story starters that I may attempt to develop into something more in the future, or maybe not.

I used the prompt at Poetic Asides to write the following poem:

Unstructured Mane

Hair is glorious,
Yet it can also be more
A trial for caring
When it chooses to go its
Own way without good guidance.

I wear my hair straight
Because that is how God chose
To make it for me.
Curling does not suit my style,
But sometimes I would like it.

Nowadays white threads
Wind their way throughout tresses
That no longer grow
As quickly nor as thickly
As they did a few years past.

I hesitate to
Go to the beauty salon
Because I cannot
Seem to make it understood
What exactly I want done.

So therefore I am
Convinced hair is both blessing
And unruly curse
To be worn in pure lovely
Freedom without much control.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Photographs:

Day Lily…

Cactus…

Cane Mill…

New figs…

Weathered chair…

I am grateful:

1.   I woke up fairly early this morning.
2.   I remembered to mail the power bill today after forgetting yesterday.
3.   Mom was able to shop with me at Wal-Mart.
4.   Because my order was damaged in shipping Amazon is sending me replacement books.
5.   I had money to purchase all the things I needed.

I hope your Wednesday has been especially rewarding. Take a few minutes to do something creative.

If you have anything to say I would love your comments.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 115

Journal entry:

My Computer

Every day I am
Called upon to do the work
My owner desires,
I process words and images
And navigate cyberspace.

I sometimes react
In ways that cause her to curse,
But usually
I am a devoted slave
Parsing her many demands.

My keyboard grows tired
Of finger’s steady impact
And my screen seeks rest,
But I am just a servant
Performing tasks on command.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, May 3, 2012

Photographs:

My computer…

Petunias…

Beautiful ball of blooms…

Petunias…

Roses…

I am grateful:

1.   I picked up my glasses.
2.   I found a great notebook at Wal-Mart.
3.   We ate lunch at Chick-Fil-A.
4.   I was able to do the shopping while Mom rested in the truck.
5.   I paid my car insurance.

My day was busy. I hope you achieved all you wished during the day. Now, it would be wonderful if you took time to do something creative.

Please leave a comment to let me know your thoughts.

Always,
Jo Ann

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