365 Creativity Project-Day 153

Journal entry:

I used the words from The Sunday Whirl to write today’s poem. The featured words are in italics. If you would like some inspiration, visit that site.

My Contribution

If I can cheer you,
Place a corona of joy,
Which wipes away stain
Of the shadows that dog you,
Upon your twice worthy head…

Perhaps it atones
For the stones and mud that brush
Your limbs as you crawl
Over bluffs where you trembled
With nail biting anxiousness…

Perhaps it will fill
The vessels that nourish you
With strength to fulfill
Your destiny and stand strong
Like the flexible willow…

Perhaps you will go
On to inspire someone else,
Influence the world,
And make a huge difference
In the course of history.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, June 10, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I can use my brain creatively despite my problems.
2.   I woke up fairly early even though I went to bed extremely late.
3.   I chose to do this Creativity Project and challenge myself.
4.   Mom cooked spaghetti.
5.   There is electricity to run our electronics, lights, and to keep us comfortable.

I hope your Sunday has been relaxing and full of joy. Do something creative before you retire for the night. You have the ability, just use it. I know you can do it, because I do.

Please leave a comment and let me know what you thought of this post.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 152

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 9x12 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

 

365 Creativity Project-Day 151

Journal entry:

Explanation

My mind fields do not
Lie fallow under bright light
Of close inspection,
They are planted fully well
With such acute construction.

Concepts grow strong free
Undaunted by strangling weeds
Of dark repression,
Words crop up that with great force
Contend for their expression.

My explosive thoughts
Lie buried near the surface
Where interjection
Will have the most positive
Effect without a question.

Words are my weapons
To conquer the negatives
The opposition
Presents to overcome all
My thoughts on exposition.

I fight the good fight
If only within my mind
To decommission
Everything that leads toward
Creative prohibition.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, June 8, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I got up early this morning.
2.   I wrote a poem without a prompt.
3.   Mom got up with me.
4.   There is much beauty here on our property.
5.   I enjoy exploring my creativity.

It is a beautiful Friday here. I hope your day is enjoyable. Get your camera out and take some pictures, write a poem or story, journal, draw or paint something… You get the idea, I want you to do something creative. I know you can because you are at least as gifted as I am. It does not have to be perfect, just make the effort, practice will lead to improvement. Every day gives you an opportunity to exercise your creative license.

I would love to read your comments…

Always,
Jo Ann

 

365 Creativity Project-Day 150

Journal entry:

Overwhelming Weight

It is the subject
That goes mostly unmentioned,
But is forever
With me surrounding body
And weighing upon my mind.

I labor under
The pressing heaviness of
These unattractive
Pounds every single moment
And am embarrassed by them.

Their presence on me
Is like the elephant in
The room unhidden
By my thin uncertain smile,
Tainting all accomplishment.

Unsightly layers
Envelope reality
Of who I would like
To show my beautiful self
In unvarnished truth to be.

I would so gladly
Give up this heavy burden,
But it is harder
Than I can aptly manage,
I am entrapped inside fat.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, June 7, 2012

Photographs:

Cherub…

Mug…

Plaque…

Candle holder…

I am grateful:

1.   I finally got up after letting the alarm go off for twenty-five minutes this morning.
2.   I caught up on our Bible reading.
3.   Mom was able to go to the veterinarian with Hope and I. She made managing Hope much easier.
4.   Even though I did not use a prompt, I wrote a poem.
5.   I can admit I am a writer.

I hope your Thursday has been pleasant. Reward yourself for making it through the day by doing something creative. You have the ability within you. Everyone is gifted with creativity from the moment of birth. There is just a process of discovering our talents or in some cases rediscovering them.

Please leave your comments so that I know your thoughts.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 149

Journal entry:

Today’s poem is in answer to the prompt on Poetic Asides. I think you will find it inspirational, so go there and see what it suggests you create.

No Idle Time

Thin sharpened branches
Or sometimes long welding rods
Held hot dog wieners
Over the dancing bright flames
On cricket song breezy nights.

The reflected sun
Rippled across the water
While thundering boats
Cascaded over rough waves
Rattling our teeth on board.

Rain pattered softly
On green and yellow canvas
Lulling us to sleep
And waking we felt brand new
To begin vacation days.

Camping was childhood
Delight that never faded
In my memory
Especially my skiing
Behind our maroon Scat Craft.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Photographs:

The notebook I finished yesterday…

The new journal I started today…

My darling Hope…

Maybe my literary dog will become my muse…

I am grateful:

1.   I slept in a while.
2.   Mom is here with me.
3.   We have air conditioning.
4.   I have wonderful memories of camping as a child.
5.   Hope is such an adorable and lovable dog.

Can you believe it is Wednesday again? Time seems to speed by like a starship in warp drive. I hope your day has been enjoyable. Take time to create something that will commemorate the passage of your day. Make sure you date your creation so you can reference it in coming days.

I hope you will leave a comment letting me know your thoughts.

Always,
Jo Ann

 

365 Creativity Project-Day 148

Journal entry:

Today’s poetry prompt comes from Carry On Tuesday. I hope you will visit there if you need a bit of inspiration.

Not Only In Our Dreams

Our abilities,
Are hidden from outside sight
Most buried beneath
Competent layers, allowed
Free reign only in our dreams.

We strive to present
Such a pleasant appearance,
But we know ourselves
Less organized than surface
Characteristics portray.

Creativity
Runs deep within our life blood,
Nourishing our hearts,
Enlivening our busy
Moments with great excitement.

We are the writers,
The unknown starving artists,
Who work behind scenes
Little recognized beyond
Our own small circle of friends.

We can accomplish
Outstanding feats of daring
If we earnest try
To utilize our talents
More than only in our dreams.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Photographs:

Purple beauties…

Bud…

Bloom…

Dandelion…

Wisteria…

Weed…

Day Lily…

I am grateful:

1.   I stayed up after a junk phone call woke me up.
2.   I was able to ease my mind about my annual review.
3.   Pizza was good for lunch.
4.   I finished my notebook.
5.   My printer has lasted longer than I expected.

I hope your Tuesday has gone well. There is plenty of time for you to create something beautiful. Write, draw, photograph, paint, carve, craft, or cook, just make a wonderful contribution to the world today.

Please leave a comment so I will know your thoughts.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 147

Journal entry:

Today’s poem is prompted by The Monday Melting on Rosemary Mint. The words from the prompt are in italics.

A Piece Of Work

I am feminine,
But also a warrior
With a great hunger
To accomplish much through work
Not only by simple chance.

I may dress in tulle
And paint my bright eyes with kohl,
But tenacity
Is an iconic feature
Of my personality.

I write by edict
Of my own eponymous
Lines these many poems
That fall like dew from my mind
And flow forth in thick gel ink.

A flick of my wrist
Affixes my signature
With a grand flourish
To each of my endeavors
Which may finally be read.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, June 4, 2012

Photographs:

One among many…

Orange Lily…

Bright…

I am grateful:

1.   The power came back on after only about an hour.
2.   Mom rode to town with me.
3.   I have a little money left for the month.
4.   The pizza was very good at supper.
5.   I did not have to go to the hospital though it appears I had anaphylactic shock due to Hope’s new flea and tick collar.

I hope your Monday was a good day. If you feel up to it, do something creative before the day is over.

I would much appreciate your comments.

Smiles,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 146

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

365 Creativity Project-Day 145

Journal entry:

I was reading about repetition in poetry and poems by some poets who had committed suicide. The ideas coalesced into the following poem. I like that it developed in rhyme, even though there is no formal scheme to the rhymes. It was not exactly prompted, more like inspired…

May They Rest, Blessed

Tell me please
That all these
Who were among
The best of us
But died so young
By own hands slain
Did not die in vain.

For I wonder
At their voices
And I ponder
That their choices
Left the world
So much bleaker
And us so much weaker.

Their facility
Such talented ability
To weave such art
Should not have
So quickly depart
Leaving us no salve
To mend our souls.

God bless them
And gather them
To His breast
In sweet congress
To create for Him
Some sweet hymn
Or glorious work of art.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, June 2, 2012

Photographs:

My new books…

The book I chose to read first…

I am grateful:

1.   My books arrived.
2.   My sister-in-law, Linda, has retired.
3.   I think these books are going to be very helpful.
4.   I have discovered some very good blogs.
5.   Although Mom was sick earlier, she is feeling better, and has eaten.

I hope your Saturday has been satisfying. Think of something that touches your heart and write a poem about it, or do something else that engages your mind creatively.

Please leave a comment expressing your thoughts.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 144

Journal entry:

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:

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

Leather binding of wooden covered journal…

Gilded page edges of wooden covered journal…

Frontpiece of wooden covered journal…

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