365 Creativity Project-Day 261

Journal entry:

Today’s poem was prompted by Poetic Asides. If you need inspiration please visit the site.

Making Way

No trespassing here,
There should be signs posted round
Edges of my heart,
I need no uninvited
Guests claiming the real estate.

There are still lodgers
I cannot seem to evict
In comfy houses
That I dare not tear down for
Risk of permanent damage.

Their days are numbered,
I have issued fair notice
They must quickly leave
Or face the consequences
Of unlawful residence.

I am sweeping clean
The premises and making
Room for visitors
Who might eventually
Become treasured occupants.

No trespassing here,
You lovers of my long past.
Be gone elsewhere now
For I am hoping I will
Soon have a new interest.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I woke up fairly early today even though I was up until 4:00 chatting with Alex.
2.   Mom went out with Linda and enjoyed her lunch.
3.   When the iron fell it did not hit my foot or one of the dogs.
4.   Reba’s procedure went well.
5.   My shower was hot and refreshing.

My day was busy and I am sure yours was, but before you consign this Wednesday to history I hope you will express your creativity. You have so much to share with the world if you only make the effort. I know inspiration can be elusive, but even so you are capable of creating something wonderful.

As a prompt, write about something that has caused you difficulty this week. Build it into a poem, story, or journal entry. If you are a visual artist, make an image that symbolizes difficulty. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for spending a bit of your time with me today. I hope you found this entry worthwhile. If so, you might consider following Chronicles. I will continue trying to entertain you. Do you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism? Please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 260

Journal entry:

Today’s poem is in answer to the prompt at Carry On Tuesday. If you are looking for inspiration, please visit that site.

Your Reaction Is What Matters

Life isn’t about what happens to you,
It’s about how you handle what happens.
You have the choice to make the best of each
Situation you face, or you can be
Swayed by the daily pressures of your life.

You are the captain in charge of every
Reaction you have to things that happen,
No one else has power to control you.
Your decisions are the final verdict
Given on all your experiences.

You can respond with an attitude of
Gratitude and happiness to every
Challenge you face in life, for after all,
Life isn’t about what happens to you,
It’s about how you handle what happens.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I had wonderful dreams overnight.
2.   My best friend, Reba, called me and we talked for a while.
3.   I live in a free country.
4.   I have the opportunity to express my creativity.
5.   I have made some great new friends recently.

I hope you accomplished all you wished to on this Tuesday. Take time to create something before you bring your day to a close. Creation does not have to take place in any certain discipline, anything you do can be approached with imagination. You have great talents if you will only use them.

As a prompt, write an argument for why you believe “Creativity is not about freedom,” or “Creativity is all about freedom.” If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I am so thankful that you read my blog today. If you enjoyed what you read, perhaps you would also like to follow Chronicles. I know you may have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism you would like to share, so please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project- Day 259

Journal entry:

Faith

I am a Christian –
I am not perfect, I face
Problems like others,
But I know God is nearby
To answer my every prayer.

I am forgiven –
Because Christ died in my place
Bringing salvation
To me and the human race
Who call upon His mercy.

I am believing –
There is something more than this
Physical life lived
Here on Earth with all its trials,
I look forward to Heaven.

I am comforted –
By assurances given
In Holy Scripture
Telling me Jesus does care
About all things in my life.

I am a Christian –
I have an Advocate who
Stands before my God
Beseeching His blessings on
Endeavors I undertake.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, September 24, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I talked to Alex when he called to wish Mom a belated Happy Birthday.
2.   The ceramic owl did not break when it fell behind the bookshelf.
3.   I finished the evaluations of the four essays I was assigned in the MoPo course.
4.   I did not have to go out today.
5.   We are up to date on our Bible study reading, and this is the last week in the Old Testament.

I know Monday can be a difficult day, but I hope yours went well. Take time to explore your imagination. You definitely should create something before you consign this day to history. You have the ability to bring your vision to life if you make an effort to do so.

As a prompt, write about faith or create an image that represents faith to you. Even if you believe differently, surely you have some sort of spirituality. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for taking time to visit my blog. If you enjoyed your visit you might consider following Chronicles. I would appreciate any comments you care to share.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 258

Journal entry:

Emily Dickinson’s poem and my essay:

I taste a liquor never brewed —
From Tankards scooped in Pearl —
Not all the Vats upon the Rhine
Yield such an Alcohol!

Inebriate of Air — am I —
And Debauchee of Dew —
Reeling — thro endless summer days —
From inns of Molten Blue —

When “Landlords” turn the drunken Bee
Out of the Foxglove’s door–
When Butterflies — renounce their “drams” —
I shall but drink the more!

Till Seraphs swing their snowy Hats —
And Saints — to windows run —
To see the little Tippler
Leaning against the — Sun —

Emily Dickinson

The Poem As Liquor

In the first stanza I believe Emily is writing about language in the poem. How it tastes new, is precious, and is uncommon. The poem is contained in a form which is not of baser materials. It cannot come from other minds, but is a distillation of the self. No one else could make such a potent use of language.

In the second stanza she relates her intoxication with the elements and how she breathes in endless warmth from the environment. This gives her the ability to write authoritatively from her own experience. She shares her self with we readers who visit from the wider world.

In the third stanza she scoffs at those who would place restrictions on her freedom to express herself. She states she will all the more enjoy herself because of those who wish to govern her use of language and form. She is breaking the rules with abandon.

In the fourth stanza she seems to be saying the heavenly hosts will rejoice with her in exuberance. Everyone will see her as outstanding in her presentations, which are shining with originality. She believes her work is life affirming and nurturing. She leans on beneficial elements supporting her and those who read her work.

The poem is so rare and fine readers can enjoy it on its surface or in a deeper reading. The language is rich and inviting. The images stand out convincingly.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, September 23, 2012

My poem was prompted by the wordle at The Sunday Whirl. The words in italics come from that site. If you are in need of inspiration you may find it there.

Preventive Measures

I remain trapped by
Bundles of words in corners
I climbed to avoid
Damp storm winds and thunder bolts
Which shook me like a corn husk.

You bring sweet relief
Through your reading what might have
Only become ash
Scattered upon the flooring
Of this lonely shut off room.

I break away from
My own limitations to
Grasp your hand across
The gulf of space and moments
Separating each of us.

You return to me
Over and again making
Some sense of my words
Bequeathed to your fine estate
Without any condition.

I know without you
I would be resigned to such
Bleak obscurity
I could never escape this
Hugely restrictive sentence.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, September 23, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I have a home.
2.   I have comfortable clothing.
3.   I have food to eat.
4.   I am well educated.
5.   I have a good computer with internet access.

I hope you have had a wonderful Sunday. Now you should take some time and exercise your creativity. I do this every day and I know absolutely that you can write something with meaning. You are so creatively gifted.

As a prompt, write about a poem you enjoy. You could pick any poem you have ever read and do a close reading, or you could simply tell what the poem means to you. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit here. If so, please consider following Chronicles. I am very interested in your thoughts, suggestions, or criticism, so please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 257

Journal entry:

No Qualification

I am a writer,
Artist, and photographer,
Or at least I call
Myself by these lofty names,
Do I really qualify?

Sometimes I struggle
With my creativity,
It is not easy
To make new things from nothing,
Image, words resist capture.

I endlessly toil
To produce something worthwhile,
Never quite knowing
Whether I will reach other
Hearts and minds through my crafting.

I am not perfect,
My work is so incomplete,
But I continue
Trying to bring my vision
Life for other’s enjoyment.

I may not achieve
Fame and fortune in my life,
But I hope I touch
Someone’s heart and soul making
A difference in their life.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, September 22, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I was able to share this special day with my Mom.
2.   God has chosen to let me be here in Mom’s waning years.
3.   We had a delicious late lunch at Hudson’s.
4.   Mom was able to go in Wal-Mart with me today.
5.   I managed to write something even though I felt less than inspired.

Another Saturday fades away… I hope you spent your time with those you love. If you are not too busy, and even if you are, take a few moments to engage your creativity. I promise you will not be sorry you used your imagination. It will energize you and perhaps surprise you. You have great resources inside, if you will only tap into them.

As a prompt, write about how you face the difficulty of creating. You may feel inadequate to perform the task, or feel your work is not significant. Explore those feelings if you are so inclined. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I am so pleased you took time to visit my blog. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, by all means leave a comment. I hope you enjoyed what you found here. Perhaps you would like to follow Chronicles.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 256

Journal entry:

Acquiring Understanding

Learning
Many new things
Is very challenging,
But it is also quite worthwhile.
I am pleased to accumulate knowledge
Though it is somewhat difficult,
I am quite fortunate
To have mentors,
Learning

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, September 21, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I packed up my laptop without problems.
2.   I found the Sweetwater Camera Club president, Richard’s house easily.
3.   I learned a lot in our session.
4.   I think I will be able to do the job I have taken on.
5.   Discover is going to try to get my money back from Wolf Camera.

My Friday was very busy. I hope you had a wonderful day. Take time to exercise your creativity before you end your day. I am sure you can think of something interesting to write, draw, or photograph.

As a prompt, write about a learning experience. This could take you back to school days, a new job, or simply learning a new skill. Whatever you wish to focus on. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you found something enjoyable here. If so, you might want to follow Chronicles. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 255

Journal entry:

Your Deceit

Really
I thought you were
Here to stay forever,
But you had other plans, you kept
Completely hidden outside my vision.
I do not think you intended
To be so mendacious,
But I was blind
Really

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, September 20, 2012

Red

Colors
So primary
Brightening all our lives,
Lightning fast, such brilliant anger,
Heated like raging crimson forest fires
Never cool like deep blue water
Furious like true love
Taking over
Colors

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, September 20, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I woke up early and stayed up all day.
2.   I cleaned up one of my old monitors for use as a second screen.
3.   I caught up on some of the lessons in my Coursera classes.
4.   Even through disappointment, God is with me.
5.   Time keeps flowing and opportunities abound.

This has been a peaceful day. I hope this Thursday has been pleasant for you as well. I took time to create something, although I was not very inspired. You should do the same. There is something you can make today if you will only use your imagination. There is not time to wait, because these moments will never return to you.

As a prompt, write about a color. Describe what it means to you, or make a word picture that calls it to mind. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I am so glad you chose to spend some of your precious time with me. If you have enjoyed what you found here, consider following Chronicles. I know you may have a comment to share, so I encourage you to leave one.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 254

Journal entry:

The poem that follows answers the prompt at Poetic Asides. If you are in need of inspiration you should visit that site.

Most Difficult

I was not prepared
To have it go horribly
Wrong, but had no choice
In the course of the events,
God was in complete control.

Pregnancies are by
Nature somewhat uncertain,
Twins even more so,
But complications arose
And there were difficulties.

At times I believed
Everything would be okay,
But I knew the risks
In Twin to Twin Transfusion
Syndrome were very severe.

When one precious twin
Died I was devastated,
Then I had to make
The choice of whether I would
Continue carrying one.

I was told she would
Most probably die also
Or be terribly
Handicapped, so I chose to
Let her go with heavy heart.

Sometimes I still blame
Myself for being selfish,
But I think it was
For the best even though it
Was the hardest choice ever.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I was able to sleep late.
2.   Alex called me last night.
3.   Laura called and came to pick up the shirts we had bought for Alex.
4.   Life is rewarding.
5.   I have a decent memory.

I hope you have had a wonderful Wednesday. Take some time to engage in a creative endeavor now. You cannot expect to improve your skills if you do not exercise them regularly. Make time to explore your imagination.

As a prompt write about a difficult choice you have made, or a choice that changed the course of your life. This should lead to an interesting piece of work. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for reading this blog entry. If you enjoyed what you read, perhaps you would like to subscribe to Chronicles. I know you may have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism, so I encourage you to leave me a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 253

Journal entry:

The following poem was partially inspired by the prompt at Carry On Tuesday. You might enjoy visiting that site if you are in need of inspiration.

Passages

A little while, and
We will have grown much older;
A little while, and
We will have become bolder;
For time pushes us forward.

We go on toward
The finish, full of courage
And tenacity;
Our days we do not number
For their count seems limitless.

Only after time
Has passed into the future
Do we realize
There is just a little while
To accomplish all our goals.

We enter each hour
Hoping to find completion
Within its confines,
But the key is not hidden
In the outer dimensions.

A little while, and
We will discover ourselves;
A little while, and
We will make our peace with God;
Only He fulfills our days.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Photographs:

Cabbage Patch Kids…

More Cabbage Patch Kids…

I am grateful:

1.   Mom woke me when I lay back down a few minutes this morning.
2.   I had unloaded the truck last night.
3.   We arrived early for our appointment.
4.   There was nothing serious wrong with the Explorer.
5.   Sam’s Club had the two books I wanted.

This is proving to be a long day for me because I was up so early. I hope your Tuesday has been profitable. Take time out of your busyness to work creatively. It will add value to your day and give you a deeper sense of accomplishment. Every second you spend using your imagination enriches the world.

As a prompt write about the passage of time. Explore the moments of your day, or the passage of ages. Whatever suits your fancy. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you so much for spending time reading my blog. I hope you found it enjoyable. If so, you might consider following Chronicles. I know you may have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, so I urge you to leave a comment. Each one is precious to me.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 252

Journal entry:

Sharing Inspiration

I have no wisdom
To share with others today,
But sit here alone
Thinking, wondering about
Saying something to move you.

Do I have the words
To enlighten and challenge,
Making you explore
Your own creativity
And use your resourcefulness?

I am just like you,
A traveler on these paths
Leading to wonders
I have yet to encounter,
I want to mark my passing.

You may be better
Trained to memorialize
Steps of your journey
Passing on knowledge you gained
While making your own pathway.

Our world becomes rich
When experience is shared
With those we by chance
Come upon along the way
To our outstanding success.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, September 17, 2012

Photographs:

Hope right after she was groomed…

Sculpture at BabyLand…

I am grateful:

1.   I was able to take a nap this morning.
2.   I made an appointment to take the truck to be serviced and find out what caused it to lose coolant.
3.   Hope is okay even though she fell off the table this afternoon.
4.   Mom enjoyed the supper I cooked.
5.   It rained during the night and some during the day.

I hope your Monday has gone well. Mine has been quiet. I encourage you to put your imagination to work and create something. No matter how uninspired you may feel working at writing or art will enrich your day. As you work you may very well find inspiration comes to you.

As a prompt, write about some wisdom you have to share. This could be advice, encouragement, or anything you feel worth passing on to others. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I hope you enjoyed reading my blog. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave a comment. Perhaps you would like to follow Chronicles.

Always,
Jo Ann

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