Creativity Project Year Two-Day 99

Journal entry:

This poem is a tribute to my very good friend Dana…

Respite

The hours of darkness
Unfurl cleanly, quietly,
Almost endlessly;
Taking me from day to day
Without any stop for sleep.

I share my thoughts with
A friend who is far away,
In another life;
Our ages, situations,
Are distant in space and time.

We discuss writing,
Wrestling, children, even love
And I find myself
Wondering, ‘Who is teacher,
Experience or sweet youth?’

My gift is knowledge
Gained over a difficult
Lifetime full of tears;
Hers is the perspective of
Endless opportunity.

I learn not to count
Myself out, despite aging;
Because her hope is
Constant and contagious for
Even one such as I am.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, April 17, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   Mom made it through the day though she hardly slept at all.
2.   I made it through the day though I slept none at all.
3.   The truck did not require more extensive repairs.
4.   Mom did not go out and look at the new Explorer.
5.   My Droid kept me in touch this morning.

I had an awesome Wednesday, though it was too expensive to be born. I tend to have great days when I stay up all night. Especially when some of my best friends keep me company, as Dana did during the night. I hope your day was also great. Now I suggest you engage your imagination and create something to share with the world. Surely you, with your superior talent, can create wonders.

As a prompt, write about something unusual rodents have done in your life, or borrow my life… Write a story, poem, or journal entry and leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Beware the squirrels. They may look like nice little critters, but they have nasty teeth. Come back to visit, and if you like subscribe to Chronicles. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 98

Journal entry:

Not Near Enough

It’s impossible
To be perfect, and yet my
Possibilities
At being imperfect are
Seemingly so limitless.

I can do my best
And still fall incredibly
Short of what I should
With greatest ease accomplish,
My efforts are all lacking.

I make grave errors
In judgment when I should know
So much the better,
Maybe I am so deeply
Flawed there is no remedy.

Repeatedly I
Fall short of expectations
Never fulfilling
The hopes and dreams of those who
Choose to put their faith in me.

It’s impossible
To be perfect, yet I have
Made an art form of
Missing opportunities
To fulfill my potential.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, April 16, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I have learned to hang up on salespeople who call and wake me.
2.   Mom and I had leftover sandwich for supper.
3.   I was able to go to my class this evening.
4.   I learned a lot.
5.   I was able to talk to Richard, Norma, and Carri after the class.

I finished Tuesday in disappointment with myself, but I sincerely hope your day was rewarding. I recommend you busy yourself doing something creative. Whatever media you choose to work in, use your fertile imagination. You have great talent, which you may share with the world.

As a prompt, write about a situation in which you either exceed or fail in meeting expectations. Your poem, story, or journal entry can be shared by leaving a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. This was not the most fortuitous day, but I hope you will return. You might also want to enter your email address in the space above and subscribe to Chronicles. If you have anything to share, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 97

Journal entry:

Fly Free

Let your dreams fly away
On the wings of ravens,
Let your hopes fly away
On the wings of doves.

Fly away, fly away,
Above the world,
Away up high
Over all your problems.

Let your heart sing
The songs of love,
Let your soul ring
In praise of God above.

Let your dreams fly away
On the wings of ravens,
Let your hopes fly away
On the wings of doves.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, April 15, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   The problem with my files for the Chapel Hill News & Views was easily solved by using Adobe Acrobat to make a PDF.
2.   I got up pretty early today.
3.   My back is somewhat better.
4.   Writing poems on my Droid is fun.
5.   I got chocolate covered Oreos which is a definite win.

I had a great Monday, after a questionable start. I hope your day was all you thought it would be. Take time to exercise your creativity, before time gets away from you. Let your imagination soar taking you in new directions to explore. I know you have it within you to do something wonderful, if you allow yourself a chance.

As a prompt, write something that seems like it belongs with music. Maybe a phrase will come to you with a tune, follow that, see where it takes you. Write your lines and leave a link to them in the comments below should you use this prompt.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Please come back often, but you might also want to enter your email address in the space above and subscribe to Chronicles. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave me a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 96

I wrote a beginning, not a great one, but the idea holds some promise. Maybe I will come back to it sometime, but most probably not:

This poem was brought to you by the prompts at NaPoWriMo and Poetic Asides. Granted the super-hero is implied and it is not a regular sonnet, but I think it may work in a sideways sort of way. If you care to try your luck with the prompts, visit those sites…

Super-Woman

Your common hello
Does not thrill others like his
Deep throaty bellow,
They could most certainly miss
Your much more subtle approach
Making statements clear
Marking you as very dear
With no real encroach.

Political overtones
Drip from his lips like kisses
Lavished on babies
Which he imagines atones
For boos and hisses
From the violent maybes.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, April 14, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I have an imagination.
2.   We have freedom to think as we like.
3.   I have a wonderful Mom.
4.   My back was marginally better today.
5.   I stayed home and got some extra rest.

I have enjoyed a restful Sunday. I hope your day was also peaceful. If you can muster your inner resources now, I encourage you to work creatively. Use your wonderful imagination and make something delightful to share with the world. I have no doubt that you have the ability to do it, because if I can, so can anyone else.

As a prompt, write about a situation real or imagined of which you would not want your closest friend or family member to know of your involvement. Write a poem, story, or journal entry giving the details. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for taking time to read my blog. I hope your experience was enjoyable. Please come back often, but you might also want to enter your email address in the space above and subscribe to Chronicles. Your comments are welcome and help me ascertain if I am doing this right, so please leave one.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 95

Journal entry:

The following poem was prompted by NaPoWriMo and Poetic Asides. You might want to visit those blogs for inspiration.

Walking Aware

The property is
Beautiful with the newness
Of Spring’s arrival;
Greenness is taking over
Where brittle, bare, and brown were.

I walk around most
Of the acreage seeing
Things with these old eyes
Turned fully alive with fresh
Enthusiasm of Spring.

Pollen leaves ugly
Yellow coatings on man-made
Things, and makes breathing
A bit of struggle because
The air is saturated.

Birds hop from limb to
Limb, taking flight when I get
Too close for comfort;
They fail to realize that
I only want their pictures.

The camera makes
Me look more closely, seeing
Everything with rapt
Attention to the details
And great appreciation.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, April 13, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I did not have to go out today.
2.   I stayed in pajamas.
3.   I got part of the laundry done.
4.   Supper was delicious.
5.   Mom is feeling pretty good.

I hope your Saturday was enjoyable. While you have a few minutes, I encourage you to make a creative effort. You can write a few lines, or a few pages, take some photos, or draw something, do a craft, whatever appeals to you. Just let your imagination loose for a while. It will improve the quality of your life.

As a prompt, write about how the season changing has effected you. Maybe you are happier, maybe you are sneezing, write about it. Have fun with it if you like. Should you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you will return often, but you might also want to enter your email address above and subscribe to Chronicles. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 94

Journal entry:

Dogwood here on property at dawn…

This poem was prompted by my trip down to visit an old friend, but it also answers the prompt at Poetic Asides. Go visit that site for inspiration.

The Machine

It sits discarded,
Broken, a sad dinosaur,
It outlasted those
Who knew its name, we are left
With its moldering body.

Still I remember
When it was a useable
Piece of equipment,
Even then it was old, needing
Coaxing to make it work well.

Where do old tractors
Go to die, when only ghosts
Of operators
Linger in the memories
Of those who are left behind?

Their broken bodies
Haunt the landscape of acres
Where they were once used
To mold land for their owners
Whose descendants now remain.

Caterpillar made
No junk, but I recall Dad’s
Curses over this
One he often deemed a piece
Of God forsaken rubbish.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, April 12, 2013

The Machine…

I am grateful:

1.   I stayed up all night.
2.   I finished getting the SCC Contest Winners for April posted.
3.   I walked all over the property this morning with camera in hand.
4.   I made my appointment with the chiropractor.
5.   I caught the mess at Sam’s Club before I went out the door.

The other side of The Machine…

This Friday had its ups and downs. I am not sure which won. I hope your day was rewarding and filled with blessings. Now that you have time get busy creating. You have plenty of talent with which to enlighten the world.

This reminds me of Japanese prints… Wisteria after storms…

As a prompt, write about a childhood memory that still has a presence in your life. Maybe this is physical, like The Machine, or it can be an influence. Write a poem, story, or journal entry that portrays this remembrance. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Birdcage from my childhood… then it was golden…

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you enjoyed your stay and will come again often. You might want to enter your email address in the space above to receive future updates from Chronicles. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism, please leave me a comment.

Mom, Hope, and Ko-Ko during the night…

Always,
Jo Ann

 

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 93

Journal entry:

I combined prompts from NaPoWriMo and Poetic Asides to inspire the following poem. If you need a spark to get your muse working, check out those sites.

In Case Of Rudeness

Usually I
Will express myself fully
And do what is best,
But when people are very
Rude, I only walk away.

I do not believe
Being confrontational
Adds anything to
The resulting outcome, so
I remove myself quickly.

My leaving does not
Signify the rudeness won,
It just means I will
Not let my anger carry
Me away in their presence.

Without any doubt,
I am little prepared for
Impolite people,
Who are disrespectful of
Anyone and everyone.

Thankfully, I know
The limits of my temper
And rapidly move
Myself out of target range,
So I am not explosive.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, April 11, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   Alex and I had a really good conversation this morning.
2.   I did not have anything to do outside the house until evening.
3.   Mom was sweet about my having to go to the SCC meeting.
4.   The storms were not as severe as I expected.
5.   I had the perfect inspiration for my poem this evening.

I had a pretty good Thursday, all things considered. I hope your day was very pleasant. Before you get busy with something else, engage your creativity produce a work of artistic excellence. You have the talent within you to make a wonder to share with the world.

As a prompt, write about the last time technology malfunctioned and caused turmoil in your life. If you write a poem, story, journal entry, or anything else in answer to this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog. I hope you will come back often, but you might also want to enter your email address in the space above and subscribe to Chronicles for future updates. Your input is very valuable to me, so if you will, leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 92

Journal entry:

Today’s poem is in answer to the prompts at NaPoWriMo and Poetic Asides. You should visit those sites for inspiration.

Long Suffering

I have suffered much
Because I continued in
Loving you beyond
The time you were in love with
Me, but I persist no more.

I have hidden all
The pictures and there were no
Things to remind me,
Because you let scavengers
Take all my valuables.

I had to build my
Life again from nothing, and
Recovery has
Taken me a number of
Years and so many dollars.

Sometimes I wish you
Great heaping disaster, but
I know forgiveness
Frees me of the bitterness,
So I try to wish you well.

I believe there is
Eventual justice for
People such as you,
But as for me, happiness
Has come again finally.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, April 10, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I do not have to work outside because the pollen is awful.
2.   My chiropractor worked with me today.
3.   I stopped to find out what the Sheriff’s department was doing.
4.   I am brave enough to ask questions of authority figures nowadays.
5.   I was able to reach Jeremy this afternoon.

I have had a reasonably good Wednesday. I hope your day exceeded your expectations. If you have not already done some creative work, I encourage you to do it now. I find it makes the day complete in a way nothing else can do. You try it and see if it does not give you great satisfaction.

As a prompt, write about a product that did not preform as you thought it ought. Give an explanation of your remedy to the situation. You could do this in a poem, story, or journal entry. If you do use the prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I appreciate you taking time to read my blog. I hope you will visit often, but you might want to enter your email in the space above to receive future updates to Chronicles. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 91

Journal entry:

Hope… my darling puppy dog…

This poem is in answer to the prompts at NaPoWriMo and Poetic Asides. I am not sure it is noir, but there is a bit of that spirit to it. I hope you will visit those two blogs for inspiration.

Joyous Pursuit

I stalk bargains in
Department stores as hunters
Do their lissome prey
Seeking out the very best
At prices some find unreal.

It is not in shops
Of ill repute, but classy
Places where the rich
Are most apt to frequent that
I search for cutthroat prices.

My purse will simply
Never allow me to pay
Full cost for my things
So I scramble down the aisles
Spying out the best values.

I get many things
Of great expense for little
More than was given
In days long past, or at least
Well before my own era.

I’m a skilled hunter
Pursuing loveliest game
With only my wits
To support me in forests
Of the strongest temptation.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Hope…

I am grateful:

1.   I was able to get up when the alarm went off.
2.   The groomer came earlier than expected.
3.   Even though Hope is difficult, Audrey grooms her.
4.   I asked Linda to look at my directions to Iron Horse Station and she made suggestions that helped me.
5.   Richard is an excellent lecturer.

My Tuesday was full of activity, and I am late finishing this once again, but I enjoyed the results of the day. I hope your day was pleasurable. Now take a few moments to engage your imagination and create something to share with others. You never know what effect your work may have until you send it out into the world. Be courageous and do your best.

As a prompt, write about a class you have participated in. Maybe you taught, maybe you were a child, whatever direction this leads, follow it and write. If you use this prompt, leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you will find your way back often, but you might also want to enter your email in the space above and subscribe to Chronicles. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 90

Journal entry:

This poem was prompted by Poetic Asides. I hope you will visit that site for inspiration.

How To Write 365

First you commit to
Accomplishing something each
Day you have not done
Before artistically
With great creativity.

You make the effort,
Do your very best writing,
Keep effectively
Working outside your limits
Until you make your success.

You continue to
Do the work despite feeling
Like skipping a day,
You dedicate yourself to
More than you think possible.

You find a few to
Support your endeavors with
Their encouragement
You build up your confidence,
You do it over again.

You do not ever
Stop until your labor is
Vindicated in
Tremendous victory that
Covers the whole of a year.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, April 8, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I enjoyed WrestleMania last night.
2.   I was able to get an appointment with my chiropractor today.
3.   I was able to re-check all the books I had from the Dog River Library.
4.   Mom was willing to have sandwiches for supper.
5.   Leigh is doing well in school despite having some difficult group assignments.

 

My Monday went well, despite some unrelenting pain. I hope your day was all you hoped it would be. Now I recommend you make an effort to accomplish something creatively. No day is really complete until you have produced something uniquely your own. I believe you have all the talent required, just do your best.

As a prompt, write about the last picture I posted today. That is quite a creature, and I am sure you can write a poem, story, or journal entry in which it stars. If you use this prompt please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. It is a great honor to have your presence here. You might enjoy subscribing to Chronicles so you get email updates. Any thoughts, suggestions, or criticism you have to offer is greatly appreciated, so please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 89

Journal entry:

This poem combines the prompts from NaPoWriMo and Poetic Asides. You might visit those sites for inspiration, though I do not recommend you combine them as I have…

The Show Of Shows

The grandest stage of them all, where champs are made and losers fall.
A night of nights for fans who cheer and stars who shine.
We witness greatness and sore defeat, where some play fair, others cheat.

80,676 there live to cheer their favorites on to victory.
Countless fans tuning in around the world, like Mom and I here at home.
The show was great, some matches almost too close to call.

Did you by chance tune in to see WrestleMania Twenty-Nine’s pageantry?

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, April 7, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   Mom was okay with staying home this morning.
2.   I tried to sleep away the pain, and caught up a little sleep.
3.   I ordered WrestleMania 29 on Friday, so I did not run into the problems some fans did tonight.
4.   I talked to Alex overnight.
5.   WrestleMania was impressive and Mom and I were able to watch it together.

I did not quite accomplish all I wished this Sunday, because I was too uncomfortable to go to church. I hope your day was a complete success. I encourage you to take time to unleash your imagination and engage your creativity. You bring so much to the world if you only make an effort.

As a prompt, write about an event you enjoy watching or participating in. This could be anything about which you are passionate. Write a poem, story, or journal entry and leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Please excuse the lateness of this post. The telecast kept me occupied this evening. I am so glad I wrote the journal entry early. Time got away from me though. I hope that you enjoyed your visit here and that you will subscribe to Chronicles for future updates. I usually don’t dwell on wrestling like this, but I suppose I have become a fan. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

 

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 88

Journal entry:

The following poem was prompted by NaPoWriMo and Poetic Asides. I combined the prompts, but if you visit those sites you do not have to do as I did.

Post Dated

We trusted you so
Long to get our messages
Across many miles
For a reasonable price,
Reliable transporter.

You carried word of
Happy occurrences and
Tidings of sadness,
We waited so anxiously
For your daily arrival.

Times have greatly changed,
Now we can communicate
Across great distances
Instantaneously through
Our cellphones and computers.

Technology has
Almost made your good service
Wholly obsolete,
Along with the competing
Carrier corporations.

There is talk of your
Downsizing and rumors of
Eventually
Retiring you completely,
United States Postal Service.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, April 6, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I slept overnight.
2.   I did not hurt my neck any worse.
3.   I talked to Laura, although I am unsure what she may have wanted.
4.   Mom and I ate supper at Hudson’s.
5.   I took a nap this evening.

Some I hurt my neck today, so it has been an uncomfortable Saturday. I hope you enjoyed your day. If you can spare a few minutes to work creatively, it will bless your life. So much tension can be released in the act of creation.

As a prompt, write about how you would like to change your life. This could be something past, present, or future. If you write a poem, story, or journal entry, leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I certainly appreciate your being here. You might want to enter your email address in the space above and subscribe to Chronicles. Your thoughts, suggestions, and criticism help give me incentive to keep up this project, so please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann