Life Lessons Learned

If I could change it
I am not quite sure I would
For from the deep pain
Has come more compassion than
I otherwise would have known.

I have seen the dark
Inside the very heart of
Intense happiness,
And I have lived the death of
The sweetest most precious gift.

Losing your children
Without watching them grow strong
Or even later
Is an agony beyond
All human capacity.

What more pain it must
Be for all-knowing, all-loving
God to contemplate
The loss of those who shun the
Mercy freely given them.

We are not able
To comprehend suffering
Deeper than our loss,
But Christ died, in agony,
That we might gain eternity.

One day, I will hold
The hands of those now missing
And experience
The joy of glad reunion
Because Jesus loves even me.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, January 20, 2014

Something From My Facebook Page I Wanted To Share Here, Plus Something More

Are they memories, or the delusions of my mind? So hard to say, and no one to answer... so I will pray that I make it through another day. I know God holds the answers and knows me completely, so I give it into His hands and remember Christ has the power to calm every storm.

Faith must trust in midst of turmoil, even if the turmoil is internal. God is greater than any trial, God is greater than any disease, God is greater than any person, and His love reaches out to each of us in our need. He sent His Son to save. Jesus became the sacrifice for sin in every life choosing to accept grace. His death, His blood, redeems. Christ's resurrection shows the great power of Almighty God and how very great a love He bestowed upon us in giving us a future hope. His Spirit abides with us, bringing us to acknowledge Christ's call upon our lives and then sealing us forever. No power can snatch a child of God from His grasp. Love enfolds us...

These things are sometimes hard to hold onto, but we are made strong through Him despite our weakness...

I stumble over words, but I pray God reveal Himself...


The following did not go on Facebook; I wanted to share it here first:

I went to Sunday School this morning, and it was Sanctity Of Life Day, which is a difficult day for me. Had I known that, I probably would not have gone. Someone said she could not imagine how anyone could have an abortion, and my heart broke all over again. My mind began to shatter as it always does when I think of choices I have been forced to make.

If you have read this blog much, you know my life has been a struggle and an adventure, but for those of you who are newcomers I am going to digress a bit. This is going to be sketchy, so if you have questions ask them in the comments.

I was once totally against abortion. I had to fight against it during my pregnancy with my wonderful son, Alex. I thought I might never have an opportunity to have a child, because I had wanted one for years, but never had one. When I got pregnant with Alex, I refused to terminate. He was born in 1988.

I had a miscarriage later, then in 1999 I became pregnant. I was carrying twin girls with Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome, which is a rare disorder where both babies share the same blood supply. Google it for more details… It rarely goes well. I was very sick all during the pregnancy and on bed rest. We knew the babies were developing at different rates and the neonatologist was very concerned. One day I went in for a sonogram and the smallest twin had died. The neonatologist recommended we terminate the pregnancy because the outlook for the remaining twin and myself was rather grim. I went home to make the hardest decision of my life.

Because there was no hope of a healthy baby being born and every indication that there would be severe problems for both of us, and because there was an almost certainty of losing the second baby, I chose to terminate. I cried, prayed, and suffered through agony. When we went in and her little heart was stopped, it nearly destroyed me. Then my ob-gyn refused to deliver the babies and told me to go to an abortion clinic. This was heartless and cruel of a highly respected doctor who serves politically. I did not want this outcome, but made the choice because of the health consequences. While devastated and emotionally in agony I had to try to find someone to deliver my twins. After two days, one of the other doctors in the ob-gyn practice had mercy on me and mine and delivered the girls in the hospital where I had hoped to have healthy babies.

I got treated with some respect for the grief I was suffering, but I felt overwhelming guilt. I continue to experience it. I doubt I made the right decision and wonder if the doctor could have been wrong. I hate myself for making a choice I feel only God can make, but I also know I was very sick and weak.

So I have come to believe there are circumstances where a woman may find herself almost forced to terminate a pregnancy… I am no longer totally against abortion. As I have often come to realize, life sometimes intervenes and brings unhappy choices. Not everything is always simple, there are gray areas.

I wish I had been strong enough to carry Katherine Rose to term, but after Melissa Faith died, and the blood was still flowing through her body as it decomposed, there did not seem any hope. I wish my babies had been healthy and I had born them. My life would no doubt be very different, but that was not the situation I was given. I made a tragic choice in a tragic situation.

Maybe others would choose differently, maybe I was wrong. I hope God can forgive me, and that perhaps my story can touch someone and make some hearts a little tenderer toward those who make hard choices in life. We are, after all, only human and prone to error.


We talked about the Sanctity Of Life on the other end, when caring for the elderly among us. I have dedicated the past thirteen, almost fourteen, years to the task. It is a hard job. My mother has a variety of health issues and I am her full-time caregiver. I, myself, suffer from Schizo-Affective Disorder, so am not without personal challenges daily. I will continue caring for my Mom as long as I can.


Sometimes, a little care and compassion can go a long way.

Always,
Jo Ann

1952 Words, But Still Behind In NaNoWriMo

I had a very hard time getting this written. I am still uncertain I handled the love scene well. Fortunately, in the end the words began to flow and it got easier. Please be advised there are adult language, content, and situations in this post. If you were abused there may be triggers here. As always, read at your own risk.

 

Otherwise Entertained (11)

Morgan did not sleep well, troubled by uneasy dreams. She woke before the clock alarmed at 6:00. She cooked scrambled eggs and toast for Tony’s breakfast. He grumbled about having a headache, but left for work without mentioning the night before.

She turned on the small black and white television for a few minutes hoping to distract herself, but she found as usual that it did not entertain her. After turning the television off, she put Neil Young’s Decade on the stereo. The music provided a pleasant background for her to tidy the apartment. Side one of the album finished playing and cut off itself. She wondered what Kelvin was doing this morning, but guessed he would still be asleep.

She showered, but before she finished dressing, someone knocked on the door. She grabbed her plush white terry cloth bathrobe, put it on over her underwear, and belted it tightly at her waist. She wondered who would be visiting this early on Saturday morning. As she passed the window, she noted that only Katie was in the driveway.

The knocking continued and she opened the door. She was surprised to find Kelvin standing there.

She stepped to the side to let him in and asked him, “How did you get here?”

He said, “I walked, as I do most of the time.”

After he shut the door behind him, he took her in his arms. His embrace was tender and warm. She wrapped her arms around him in return.

He murmured into her damp hair, “You smell so sweet.”

She looked up at him and said, “I need to go dress. I just finished my shower.”

He lifted her chin and kissed her hungrily. She responded with equal ardor.

He took her hand and led her to the bunk against the wall. When they were seated, he asked, “How is your ankle?”

She answered, “It seems to be getting better. Thank you for bringing me out of the woods. I do not think I could have walked so far alone. You seem more concerned about my ankle than anyone else.”

He said, “I care about you. You should realize that.”

They were still holding hands and she thought how nice it was. Kelvin slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her tightly against him. They kissed again and Morgan felt her body reacting to his tenderness.

He said, “I don’t like the way Tony treats you. You deserve better.”

She looked into his kind brown eyes and said, “You are making it better by being here. I never dreamed you would walk this far to see me. It is not safe for either of us.”

He kissed her again, and said, “Safety is overrated. Besides no one knows I am here, there is no car to give us away. I suppose that is one advantage of being the only person without a car at eighteen. I never before thought there was anything positive about it.”

They kissed and he said, “Are you in love with him? It does not seem possible, but I need to know, before I…”

She put a finger to his lips, and said, “He has been pulling away from me for some time; he hurts me with words and actions. I do not feel like I used to, I made a horrible mistake marrying him, but he was different then. I think some of it is the drugs he takes. I think those have changed him. I was not aware of that habit. I have tried to get him to quit, but he ignores me. I was so stupid.”

He caressed her cheek, and said, “It is not your fault. Sometimes we rush into things without being certain what we are going to be getting.”

Their lips met and the kissing went on for several minutes. She broke away from his mouth and snuggled into his neck, kissing him there. He pulled her onto his lap and slid his hands beneath her robe. She moved her hands over his chest.

The phone rang, startling them both. She limped across the room to answer it. It was a telemarketer wanting to sell her magazines. She hung up.

He was at the refrigerator when she turned around. She guessed he needed a drink.

“You know you really should clean out the leftovers sometime. I noticed this stuff growing last night,” he said as he sat the dish containing the spaghetti on the bar.

She answered, “Yeah, I found that yesterday, but got busy, and forgot it.”

He dumped it in the garbage and ran water into the dish in the sink. He returned with a Coke to the bunk where she was sitting and handed her a Diet Coke.

“You do not seem well prepared for marriage. Maybe you need someone to teach you,” he said and kissed her again.

When their mouths separated, she said, “I think you will find me a fast learner, but perhaps I can teach you a few things too.”

He grinned, “I would just bet you can. I am willing, teach me.”

They lay down facing each other on the bunk and as they kissed, they explored one another’s bodies. The gentleness with which he touched her made her body quiver and tingle. There was no rush, no selfishness, and she reacted in kind.

The piercing ring of the phone made them both jump. She got up to answer it, and took a few deep breaths before she lifted the receiver to her ear. She turned to face Kelvin as she said, “Hello Tony.”

While he told her he wanted her ready to go out when he got home, she and Kelvin were making themselves presentable. Tony was getting off early. It appeared he had forgotten to tell her he wanted to go for dinner and a movie that evening.

When she got off the phone she said, “You had better go, he has decided to come home early. Maybe there will be another time for lessons.”

Kelvin kissed her deeply, and said, “I am sure there will be. He cannot always spoil things.”

He slipped out the door, closing it softly behind him. She hugged herself and wished things were different. Wishing they did not have to worry about being discovered. They were lucky this time; Tony could have come home without warning. She wondered what she was going to do. Nothing was as simple as it should be.

She limped to the bedroom and put on jeans and an embroidered blouse. In the bathroom, she brushed her hair until it shone. She put on a little make up hoping Tony would be pleased.

When he came home, he rushed past her, and slammed the bedroom door. He came out a few minutes later in jeans and a concert tee shirt. He grabbed a beer from the refrigerator.

He asked, “What are you looking at?”

She said, “I was just thinking you should not drink and drive.”

He frowned and said, “What makes you think I am driving? You can do it just as well as I can. At least you are good for that.”

She winced, thinking how different it was dealing with Kelvin. She wished she could walk away, but it was all so complicated. When she moved out of her parents’ house, she had promised herself she would never go back to that torment. Yet there was really nowhere else she could go. Better here with Tony, than there.

They ate at her favorite barbecue place, but Tony flirted with the waitress every time she came around. He left a twenty-dollar tip and laughed at Morgan’s raised eyebrows and open mouth.

The movie was another horror film. When she tried to hold his hand during the scary parts, he brushed her away. When she screamed, he laughed at her. Walking to the car, he strode off ahead of her. He turned the stereo so loud on the way home that it gave her a headache.

He jumped out of the car when they reached the apartment and hurried inside. She found the door locked again. The lights were out when she came through the door. She reached for the switch and he grabbed her wrist and slipped in behind her putting his other hand over her mouth when she started to scream. She stumbled and he let go of her. She fell hard onto the floor.

He laughed, “Not such a brave bitch now, are you? Get up you sorry piece of shit! Get to the bedroom; I have a little game in mind.”

She tried to get up, but found her ankle did not want to support her.

She said, “You’ll have to help me, Tony. My ankle twisted again as I fell.”

He yelled, “I’m not helping you. Crawl like the dog you are, but hurry the hell up.”

She whimpered, and crawled toward the bedroom. She was grateful the floor was clean since she had vacuumed that morning. Tony passed her and kicked one of her hands from under her so she almost hit the floor face first.

He turned the bedroom light on and she was grateful for the light. As she entered the room, he grabbed her, picked her up, and threw her on the bed. He took a rope and tied her hands above her head.

“You stay there, I’ll be right back,” he said.

She did not see where she had much choice, but to do as he told her. She wished Kelvin, Ramsey, and Wagner would appear at the door, knowing there was little chance of it.

He came back with a tumbler of whiskey over ice. He sat it on the nightstand and began undressing. He almost tore her clothes off. He rolled her over on her stomach and then she heard a hiss and felt a sting on her back. She cried out.

He said, “How’s that feel baby? You like that?”

She felt the sting again several times, and wondered what had given him this idea. She had known he bought a whip a while back, but thought it only a keepsake. He had never been this mean.

She said, “Please stop! I’ll do whatever you want, but please stop.”

He said, “Then get up and get me off. Since your hands are tied you will have to use your mouth, but you are good at that. Real good.”

She did as he said, trying to think of something else. Trying not to dwell on the degradation. She knew she could survive this, knew she would be okay. She had already proven herself strong.

After she had pleasured him once, he quickly revived. He threw her back down on her stomach and took her roughly from behind. When he was done, he finished his drink, lit his pot, and told her to leave him alone.

She stumbled out of the room, leaning heavily on the wall, with her hands still tied. She went to the bathroom and managed to get the rope off after several minutes. She put on her bathrobe and washed her face. She limped to the front room and found her crutches under one of the bunks. She got a Diet Coke out of the fridge; thanking God the episode was over. She hoped he would fall asleep, as he usually did after sex, and leave her in peace.

She thought back over the day as she sat at her desk. She took out pen and paper to begin writing. She shook her head musing what a difference a few hours could make.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, November 6, 2013

2145 More Words For Day 4 Of NaNoWriMo

Otherwise Entertained (10)

After doing chores and a quick shower on Friday morning, Morgan decided to go shopping at Winn-Dixie. She needed to pick up a few things in case the guys showed up that evening. She limped outside and got in Katie. It was the first time she had driven since injuring her ankle, but she had suffered such things in the past and thought she could handle it.

When she arrived at the store, she grabbed a buggy in the parking lot and hobbled inside. She put some chips, dip, orange juice, lettuce, tomatoes, Catalina, Ranch, and Thousand Island dressings, mushrooms, bell pepper, cucumbers, Froot Loops, milk, eggs, bread, hot dog buns, hamburger buns, butter, cheddar cheese, bologna, hot dogs, sliced ham, ground beef, grapes, oranges, strawberries, a bag of ice, Diet Coke, Sprite, and Coca Cola in the cart. While waiting in line she leafed through Cosmopolitan magazine, and glanced at the cover of Vogue.

The woman rang up her purchases and she checked the total. She realized she had enough money to afford the magazines and asked those be added to her bill. She paid with cash and pushed the buggy out to the car. There was plenty of room for everything in the cavernous trunk.

She drove home carefully, wincing when she had to stop at signs and traffic signals. Luckily, in the small town there were not many of those on her route. She unloaded the car and put all the groceries away. She noticed the spaghetti Tony had made several nights earlier was beginning to mold, but she was busy and forgot to throw it out.

She was a little nervous about what might happen that evening. She knew Kelvin said they would be there, but there had been no calls to confirm and she was not sure which of them would actually come over. She had not been able to concentrate very much on making up a new game scenario. Her mind kept wandering back to the magical moments in the woods. She marveled that one kiss could so disturb her equanimity.

Tony had been distant all week, as had been his demeanor for some time. She did not mind it so much, because her mind was elsewhere anyway. They did have sex a couple of times, but he was not tender or loving. It was just something to satisfy his physical needs. He had not been willing to take her to the hospital, so she was not sure how badly her ankle was hurt. He did nothing to make accommodation for her injury. When they went out, he had walked swiftly and left her behind him.

She took a second shower, enjoying the caress of the hot water and the sweet smells of soap, shampoo, and conditioner. As she toweled dry, she wondered what she should wear. She picked out a ruffled white shirt, black jeans, and a belt with a large Celtic buckle. She had never worn much make up, but she did her face carefully that afternoon. She highlighted her hazel eyes with an extra bit of mascara and curled her long straight auburn hair. As she applied the deep red lipstick, she wished her lips were thinner. She could not help remembering the taunts of her peers who called her nigger lips. Fortunately, the bullying had ended when she left school. She did not miss it much, although she always enjoyed learning new things. She thanked Jesus again that she no longer had to wear glasses, but had contacts that made the world much clearer than ever before. She decided to leave the bandage off, not wanting to draw any attention to her foot by going without her shoe. The Nikes were comfortable and she thought she would be fine. She should probably be using the crutches, as she had most of the week, but that was something she did not care to do in front of the guys, especially Kelvin.

Tony came home around 6:00, and said, “What have you been up to today? I see you cleaned yourself up nicely; too bad no one cares what you look like. You are basically useless.”

She replied, “I bought groceries and cleaned up around the house. You know your clothes do not pick themselves up off the floor and deposit themselves in the hamper. The bed would be a mess, as you left it, had I not made it. The dishes and the floor would still be dirty without my cleaning them up. I hope your day went well.”

He said, “Another day of endless packages, but I guess it could have been worse. I could have spent hours waiting on you to do something.”

He went to the bedroom and slammed the door. In a few minutes, she glanced up and saw him walk naked to the bathroom. He slammed that door and she heard the shower come on soon afterward.

When he came out, he yelled, “Why don’t you come bring me some clothes?”

She went to the bedroom and laid out an outfit she liked. He frowned at her, but did not complain. She was glad because she did not wish to argue over clothes.

About 7:00, there was a knock on the door. She opened it and found Kelvin, Ramsey, and Wagner waiting. They had their gear and some food. Wagner brought in a twelve pack of beer.

Tony said, “Thank you for bringing that buddy. I have had a rough day. An Olde E will go down good.”

Wagner said, “Yeah, I thought it would lighten up the evening.”

Kelvin took the twelve pack and put it in the refrigerator then passed Tony, Ramsey, and Wagner each a beer. He began arranging the food they had brought on the bar. There were nuts, a box of doughnuts, and a loaf of banana bread.

Morgan said, “Let me get that, you go sit with the others and relax. How was the day at school?”

“Ah, same old, same old. You know I am ready for it to be over. You were lucky to meet your requirements in the first quarter. You have always been extremely smart; it was not hard for you. I will be happy just to graduate on time,” he said with a rakish grin.

She laughed, “I am only a C student. I was just determined and I left my electives toward the end so the study was not too hard at the finish. The math in my sophomore and junior years almost defeated me. It was doubtful I would pass at times. Those D grades blew the rest of my average.”

“Yeah, you would say something like that, always humble,” he said.

“Not so much, just realistic. Now go sit, and enjoy yourself,” she said gently pushing him toward the others.

He grinned, grabbed a beer from the fridge, and took the few steps to where the others were seated.

There was a knock at the door, and Kelvin jumped up to open it. Cade, Jason, and Max poured into the room. They sat down on the bunks and Kelvin grabbed a few beer from the refrigerator. Morgan noticed he paused and shot her a puzzled look before closing the door. He handed out the brews without saying anything to her.

Tony finished his beer and told her, “Mix me something stronger. I want J.D. on the rocks.”

She took out a tumbler and fixed the drink. Tony snatched the glass from her hand and frowned at her.

“Can’t you move a little faster wench,” he growled.

She saw frowns on several faces around the room, but only Kelvin spoke, “Hey man, come on over here and chill out. Everything is cool.”

Morgan set up her game gear, but Tony said, “Just put on some music. I don’t feel like you managing my life tonight, even if it is only imaginary.”

Wagner said, “So we’re just going to drink until you are satisfied? The rest of us came to play the game.”

Tony spread his arms and said, “My house, my rules. You don’t like it you can get your asses out of here.”

Morgan put Black Sabbath on the stereo and moved back behind the bar. Things were not going as well as she hoped, but she thought a salad and sandwich might appease Tony. She fixed the food and took it to him because he had not had supper.

“You going to be rude and offer food to no one else. What a bitch!” He said and almost tumbled the plate and bowl from her hands.

Kelvin said, “The rest of us already ate, but there are plenty of snacks. Enjoy your meal.”

The album reached the end of side one and Ramsey turned it over. The tension in the room was palpable.

Some of the others got a second beer and took snacks from the bar. The chips needed refilling, so Morgan poured some in the bowl.

Cade said, “Tony, what if we play in Ambazzar tonight? I am sure Ramsey is prepared for some gaming.”

Ramsey said, “Sure, if that is okay with you, Tony.”

Tony nodded and said, “Sure, I just did not want to play in her world. I have too much of her in my life already.”

Ramsey pulled out some papers and asked the others, “Do you all have your characters?”

There was a unanimous chorus of yeses around the room.

As they played in the dungeon, Morgan handed out more beer and fixed drinks for those who wanted something stronger. She noticed Kelvin and Ramsey were nursing their first beer of the night. Some of the others began to show signs of inebriation because the liquor was flowing too.

She limped to the bathroom and locked the door behind her. After she washed her hands, as she was drying them, she heard the door rattle and Jason stumbled into the room. He stopped and locked the door, then turned to face her.

She backed up and he reached out for her. He said, “I’ve come for you, Morgan. I have been waiting for a long time. I’m going to take you to Hell.”

She screamed, knowing the others were only a few feet away. He grabbed her shirt and she slipped out of his grasp. She almost fell as she backed into the tub. She screamed some more, but there was no answer. Jason grinned at her and his eyes seemed to blaze.

As he came closer to her once more, she said, “Get thee behind me, Satan! The blood of Jesus Christ saves me. You have no dominion over me. Leave now!”

He shuddered, turned, and left the small bathroom. She crept out of the tub. When she looked in the mirror, she realized she was deathly pale. She straightened and buttoned her shirt where his hands had rearranged her clothes.

When Morgan limped back to the front room, Jason was laying sprawled on the floor fast asleep. No one else seemed to know anything untoward had happened.

The game broke up a while later and the guys drifted off. Max and Cade woke Jason and supported him as they walked to the car.

Before Kelvin left he asked her, “Is Tony working tomorrow?”

“Yes, he said he had a full day. Why?” She said.

“I just wondered, he may have quite a hangover the way he has been drinking. You have a good night and take care. We’ll see you soon,” he said and left.

As she began cleaning up, Tony said, “Leave that, it can wait. Come to bed with me. I want you.”

When she stepped in the bedroom, he grabbed her roughly and almost bruised her mouth as he kissed her. His mouth tasted strongly of whiskey and she tried to turn away.

“You whore, don’t try to act innocent with me. Please me. You know how I like it. Do it now.”

He tore her shirt and pushed her onto the bed. He pulled her clothes off and undressed himself. She focused on the owl across the room as he took her repeatedly.

After he fell into a satisfied sleep, she got up and showered herself off. It did not seem to wash her clean though. She went into the front room and cleaned up the mess of the night. There were beer cans and glasses to be collected. There was not much food left, but the dishes had to be washed and put away.

When she was done with that, she sleeved the albums and put them in the rack under the stereo. She sat down at her desk and took out her journal. Thank God, no one ever read it. There was no way anyone would believe this night.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, November 4, 2013

1576 Words Toward NaNoWriMo, Still Behind

I have a warning for you all who are reading going forward, there are adult language, situations, and content in the coming pages. If you think this might offend you, you probably should refrain from reading the story. I think I will be able to write without being too explicit, but at this point I am not positive where the story will take me. I would think it could get by with a PG rating were it a movie, but it might possibly be R. I don't think I have what it takes to write X rated content. I did want to warn you though. There are also possible triggers for those who might have experienced abuse... As with all stories, you read at your own risk...

Otherwise Entertained (9)

One afternoon after coming home from work, Tony changed out of his brown uniform and put on gym shorts and a tee shirt. He suggested they go to a local burger place for something to eat before heading to Ramsey’s for the evening of gaming.

In the line for their orders, Morgan noticed several high school girls staring at Tony. She followed their gaze and realized his penis was sticking out of the leg of the shorts.

She leaned over to him and whispered, “Your parts are showing.”

He laughed, “It’s okay, I meant to do that.”

Morgan just stared at him a few moments incredulously. She wondered whom this man was she had married.

When they got in the car after the embarrassing moments spent eating, she suggested they go home for him to change before going to Ramsey’s house. She did not want to sit through whatever comments might be lobbed at them if the guys saw him that way. He agreed and they hurried to make it to the apartment and then arrive for the game on time.

Kelvin, Wagner, Jason, Max, Cade, and Ramsey were waiting and Morgan apologized for her and Tony being late.

Kelvin said, “Actually the rest of us are early, you two are almost always on time.”

She smiled at him, grateful for his kind remark.

In moments, they were embroiled in a battle with giant spiders and somehow Celeste was killed. Kaos put her on his horse and carried her back to town. The party tried to find someone to resurrect her, but they found they did not possess enough gold to buy such a miracle. Therefore, she was burned on a pyre and her ashes were scattered on the water of a river.

Morgan rolled a new character, while the others discussed the next adventure. She named the human magic user, Morgana, and rejoined the game. The rest of the evening, Kaos stayed near her, and Cornelius did not seem to mind.

Morgan wondered at Kelvin’s interest in her character, but figured since his Kaos was a half-orc and Morgana had an eighteen charisma score that it might all be part of the game.

After two hours of unrelenting game play, everyone packed up their stuff and went to the kitchen for snacks. Ramsey suggested they do something different since it was a full moon. He wanted to play a game of war in the wooded acreage surrounding the house. Evidently, everyone except Morgan had known about it beforehand, because they all simply went to their vehicles for flashlights. Tony went to the car and came back with one light. Morgan thought this would mean she was left out of the fun, but Kelvin went back out and came in with an extra flashlight.

Sawyer decided to join the rest of them and Ramsey explained if someone hit you with their light, you were dead. They divided into teams based on dice rolls. Tony and Morgan ended up on opposing teams. Kelvin knew the woods because he and Ramsey had been friends almost as long as they could remember. He told her to stay close to him.

Under the trees, the moon only dappled a portion of the paths. They all spread out and Morgan had trouble keeping up because she kept stumbling over roots. Kelvin seemed like he belonged in this environment as sure footed as a mountain goat. They had to keep their flashlights out so as not to draw attention to themselves and be killed. There were bursts of running and then times when they tried to move as quietly as ghosts.

After about an hour in the woods, a couple had been killed. Kelvin began to move again and Morgan followed. She looked away a moment because she thought she heard someone else moving nearby. She somehow managed to fall down a small ravine. Her ankle twisted and she gasped at the sharp pain, but she could not call out because it would mean being captured or killed by the other team. She waited, hoping Kelvin would realize she was no longer with him. After several minutes, she heard someone approach on the path above.

Kelvin said, “Morgan are you somewhere here?”

She whispered, “I fell down and hurt myself. I cannot climb out of this ravine. Can you help?”

Kelvin said, “Yes, I think I see you. Just be still and I will be down in a minute, but keep quiet, others are not far away.”

She waited, watching him carefully scale the slope. After he reached her, he helped her to her feet.

“I cannot put much weight on my right foot. It really hurts,” she whispered.

He turned on his flashlight and said, “Sit back down, but let me look at it. If you are badly hurt the game is over anyway.”

She pulled up the leg of her jeans and they both saw the ankle, which was already beginning to swell.

Kelvin leaned over her and said, “Put your arms around my neck and try to stand. I will take you in my arms and carry you back to the house.”

She began to protest, “It’s too far for you to carry me. I’ll…”

“Quiet now, it’s no problem. I have you. Remember, no man, or woman, left behind,” he said.

He slowly climbed the steep wall of the ravine. She was surprised he could carry her because he was rather thin and did not look very strong. When they got back on the path, he stopped.

He looked around and seemed to determine they were still alone.

“I’ve wanted to do this for quite a while,” he said and gently kissed her.

It was so sweet, and Morgan responded to kiss by returning it. She thought this was probably very wrong. In fact, she knew it was wrong, but now it felt totally right.

He gripped her body a little tighter and said, “We should get back, someone might wonder what happened to us.”

She said, “Yes, that would be best.”

After about fifteen minutes, they made it to the area where the cars were parked.

Tony, who they had killed earlier, appeared out of the shadows and asked, “Why are you carrying her?”

“I fell and twisted my ankle. He brought me back because I could not walk this far,” Morgan answered.

He laughed, “Oh yeah. I knew this was no game for a girl like you. I would have made you walk. You want to act tough, you can be tough.”

Kelvin set her on her feet near Katie and said, “Some sport you are, Tony.”

He headed to Wagner’s car and sounded the horn in three long blasts. Soon everyone appeared out of the woods.

Ramsey asked, “Why did you call off the game Kelvin?”

“That is what we usually do when someone is hurt. Morgan twisted her ankle falling down the ravine,” he replied.

Tony said, “Yeah, she cannot run with the big boys.”

Ramsey said, “Well, it was a good night and we can always do it again. You’re going to go get your books and things, aren’t you Tony?”

He said, “Sure,” and went into the house.

Kelvin asked, “Is he like this often?”

Morgan shook her head and said, “Sometimes, not usually where anyone sees it.”

Ramsey said, “That really sucks.”

Wagner spoke up, “Yeah, he should not act that way with his wife.”

When Tony returned, Kelvin said, “You should drive home. It would not be good for Morgan to do it. Do you have an ace bandage to wrap that ankle in?”

Tony answered, “Yeah, she has one from the last time she sprained something. I’ll get her home alright.”

Morgan opened the door and got in the car, when Tony turned on the ignition she rolled the window down and told the guys, “Thank you all for the great night. We will see you soon. Maybe Friday night at our apartment.”

Kelvin said, “Yeah, we will see you then.”

Tony drove home with the stereo blaring and did not even speak to her the whole way. When he parked in the driveway, he got out and went in the apartment leaving her in the car. She limped to the door and found he had locked it. She took her keys out of her pocket and unlocked it.

When she got inside she saw he had already went to the bedroom and shut the door. She silently thanked God that she had her keys. She sat down at the desk she had used for homework growing up and thought over what had happened.

She had not expected Kelvin to help her by toting her through the woods. The kiss had come as a total surprise, but she wondered if it would happen again. It was very special. She knew it should never be repeated, but she hoped it would be.

It was unusual for Tony to act so mean where others could see and hear it, but she was well aware he could be abusive.

She went to the bathroom and found the bandage to wrap her ankle. It was extremely swollen by now, but she hoped it was not broken. She went back to her desk, took out some paper, and began writing a poem. At least writing would keep her mind off the pain.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, November 4, 2013

Otherwise Entertained (8)

Many evenings the group spent at Ramsey’s house, but other times they would meet at Morgan and Tony’s apartment. The space there was very crowded, but no one seemed to mind.

One evening, around 7:00, Kelvin, Ramsey, Wagner, Jason, and Cade came to visit. Morgan and Tony offered Olde English 800 Malt Liquor to the guys along with various other beverages. Kelvin and Wagner decided to have a sword fight out in the yard with their machetes, just to set the mood. Tony, Ramsey, Jason, and Cade chose to take their turns with the blades as well. Morgan watched their antics with a mixture of amusement and fear. She knew one wrong move and someone could be seriously injured. The athletic males finally decided to go inside.

Everyone was hungry after the exertions, so Morgan decided to fry some chicken. It was something she had never done before, but she guessed it could not be too difficult. Her mother had prepared it at least once a week for years. She did wish she had paid a bit more attention to how it was done.

The guys sat around drinking and talking on the bunk beds, turned couches, in the tiny front room. When the perfectly browned chicken was finished, she served it up with corn on the cob and green beans.

When Kelvin took a bite, he sputtered and cursed, “Damn Morgan, this chicken is raw! What the hell do you think you are doing to us? Are you trying to kill us, as you do in your world? I thought we were safe outside of EverMost! Damn!”

The others returned their plates to the counter. Morgan began to tear up, but she refused to let them see her cry. Although she was mortified by the horrible mistake she made, she did not want to have anyone go hungry.

She turned to Tony and whispered, “Pizza?”

He nodded and answered, “Sure, I’ll order.”

Morgan dumped everything in the trashcan without another word. She was grateful Tony was willing to make the call for pizza and pay the bill. Another disaster averted by his kindness. Everyone except Kelvin seemed willing to let the situation go. He kept glancing at her and shaking his head.

He finally commented, “If you can cook no better than that, you should stay out of the kitchen.”

She sighed and said, “That was the first time I tried frying chicken, but I will take your advice into consideration.”

The pizza arrived and everyone ate happily, seemingly willing to forgive the mess Morgan had made. When the boxes were empty, the group appeared satisfied.

Ramsey asked, “Ambazzar or EverMost, Morgan?”

Tony answered, “She has been working on an adventure for days, staying up late, doing drawings, and studying the books. I think we should try her world tonight.”

Kelvin said, “I hope it works out better than the chicken!”

Everyone, except Morgan, laughed and began arranging their gear for play. She smiled, thinking perhaps a little payback was in order. The dice rolled in the adventurer’s favor and they had a very fortuitous foray into the dungeon. Only Ramsey’s character, Garrison, was injured in the melee with kobolds. The group traveled back to the Sleepy Eyes Inn and retired for the night.

Ramsey had introduced Tony and Morgan to the music of Neil Young and she put the album, Live Rust, on the stereo. Everyone was in a party mood, choosing to stay late since it was a Friday night. Tony was off for the weekend, as were the students, and Wagner was not likely to apply for work until Monday. After another hour or more, Ramsey, Cade, and Jason told them good night and went home.

Sometime later, Tony suggested they go for a ride. Kelvin and Wagner agreed and loaded into Katie. Morgan drove to a stretch of highway where she could let the 472 engine run wide open. She managed to hit 100 before she got to the end of the road. As she slowed, blue lights popped up behind the car. She heard metal clanging together as the machetes were pushed under the seat. At that moment, she wondered why they brought those in the first place.

The police officer came to the window and she rolled it down, “Good evening officer,” she said as politely as possible.

“Good morning ma’am. Can I see your license and insurance please?” He asked.

She took the cards out of her purse and handed them to him. He walked back to his vehicle.

After several minutes, in which the atmosphere in the Cadillac became increasingly tense, he returned to the window.

He asked, “What are you all doing out here at this time of morning?”

“We were just out enjoying a drive, listening to music, and taking in some fresh air,” Morgan answered.

He said, “Well, this is a dangerous neighborhood to travel in. You all be careful and stay out of trouble.”

Everyone in the car answered, “Yes sir!”

They drove back to the apartment at much reduced speed. Morgan was thankful he had not searched the car because of the weapons and the open beer all the guys had been drinking.

When they got back, Kelvin and Wagner gathered their gaming things and drove away.

Tony went to bed and Morgan stayed up to clean up the remaining mess. The night had not been a total loss, but it was bad enough she was sure she would never forget it. She had learned a valuable lesson about cooking. Never try something for the first time when the results were important and open to criticism. She considered that several moments and decided the wisdom could also be applied to other aspects of life. She thought of how close they had come to getting in serious trouble on their drive. She was grateful things had gone no worse.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, November 3, 2013

PAD Challenge, Day 2, My Poem

Today’s prompt for the Poem-A-Day Challenge is to write a “news of the day” poem. I had not caught the news on television, so I went to Google News. I found little I wanted to read, but one article seemed timely…

They Did Not Tell US

Sometimes government
Gives citizens incomplete
Information or
Tells what appear outright lies;
Politician propaganda.

Everyone wanted
Improvement to the system,
But it was working
For many of the people;
Now it’s totally broken.

Some who were happy
With the coverage they had,
Now suddenly find
Their health plans being cancelled;
Replacements cost a fortune.

The outrageous fines,
The unneeded coverage,
Increased premiums,
Bank breaking deductibles;
Were never even mentioned.

Insurance reform
Was the promise as given,
But the cure seems worse
Than the symptoms of disease;
Affordable it is not.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, November 2, 2013

I hope I am overreacting. I hope it is not the disaster it seems, but I am concerned that we may all be in for worse than we have ever dreamed.

I Am Late, But PAD Challenge Poem 1

The prompt for the Poem A Day Challenge Day 1 was to write an appearing poem. I am late as I did not get it done on November 1st, but I hope to stay current from now on... A tip of the hat to someone who made me think with a rather caustic remark...

How Things Appear

I am a writer…
I usually call all words
My beloved friends,
But when my motives become
Objects of question, I doubt.

Are some words really
So bad that using them in
Description causes
Others to feel besmirched when
The intention was no harm?

Maybe I need to
More carefully filter
The words I employ,
For I do not wish to cause
Anyone pain or offend.

People do come in
Varieties, differences
Are quite obvious,
I count it a great blessing
We are not exactly alike.

Red, Yellow, Brown, Black, White,
Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Atheist, Agnostic,
Democrat, Republican, Constitutionalist, Independent, Confederate,
Heterosexual, Homosexual, Bisexual, Transsexual,
Male, Female, Young, Old, Overweight, Skinny,
Morning people, Night owls, Mentally ill, Able bodied, Differently enabled,
I could go on forever…

Is using a description evil?
I love people of all types, I write,
I celebrate what makes each of us individual,
We are each one an original,
God loves us all alike…
But maybe I should be more careful with my words,
Keeping up appearances and being politically correct…

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, November 2, 2013

I may never hear the end of this one, but my creativity took the reins and I spoke from the heart...

A Review I Think You Should Read

If you are buying electronics, such as computers, I highly recommend you buy from Sam's Club. I have used HP products bought in their stores for years now and have gotten good service from all of them. One advantage of buying there is their Electronic Help Desk or Tech Experts. For the life of your product you receive free technical support from them. I have found them very knowledgeable and able to assist with a variety of problems. Another advantage of buying at Sam's Club is their excellent and affordable warranty plans that cover your products after the manufacturer's warranty has expired. I have used these services and been very pleased. These two advantageous services have saved me a great deal of trouble and expense. Any electronics you buy at Sam's Club are eligible for these programs. Check them out next

When I speak of their Electronic Help Desk or Tech Experts being helpful, I am not just complimenting them unreasonably. Within the last week they have helped me solve computer problems with both my Windows 7 and Windows Vista machines. The finger print scanner on my Windows 7 machine had quit working a few weeks ago and I finally called Sam's Help Desk. The technician helped me uninstall the old software, download a newer version from HP, download drivers, and get the scanner working properly again. My Mom's Windows Vista machine would not start Windows and I called them. They advised me to power cycle the laptop by removing the battery, unplugging it, and holding down the power button. Then we ran a system utility that I had already run without power cycling the machine. It found disk errors this second time and repaired the computer. Now it works properly again. They are very helpful and courteous. A plus is that they are based here and speak English well. This is a free program offered to anyone who buys any electronics from Sam's Club. Maybe you would know these things without assistance, but I find it great to have an ally in keeping my equipment running properly.time you are going to make a purchase. Their prices are also very competitive.

Earlier this year I had a power supply fail on a machine that was beyond manufacturer's warranty. I called it in to Sam's Club technicians and because I had their extended warranty they free overnight shipped me a brand new one without charge. This is another example of how good their service programs are.

No company is perfect, but I have been buying equipment from Sam’s Club since the early nineties. Their products and services have always exceeded my expectations in quality and reliability. I give them my highest recommendation.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 142

Journal entry:

I wrote the following poem in the deep darkness of the early morning hours. There is an element of crisis to it…

In Doubt

Am I so wholly
Unpleasing to God that He
Would fully desert
Those for whom I so dearly
Care, leaving them to suffer?

So it seems to me,
For I have constantly prayed
Entreating the Lord
To reach down in His mercy
And alleviate their pain,

But with no result.
I am bereft; believing,
Praying, and hoping
Has worked no good on their part,
They are in great agony.

I am now beset
With undeniable doubt,
I am not given
The strength of faith that Job had;
I am so weakling a worm.

Yet still I pray God
Even should He find it just
To forsake my cause
That He would show unceasing
Love and tenderness to them.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, May 30, 2013

This was a Facebook status inspired by the above picture and divided into lines to make a poem…

In Life’s Garden

People are beautiful
And delicate like Summer roses.
They need careful tending
And abundant love to
Reach their glorious potential.
No matter their appearance
People are worthy of respect.
Nurture every person
Who touches your life
And show your gratitude
For the blessings they impart.
Like the roses, people only
Bloom for a little while
And then they fade away.
You are only left with
Memories of their splendor.
So cherish your moments with
Others and share your
Feelings of love.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, May 30, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I got a little sleep, but accomplished a lot overnight.
2.   I decided to call Qwest Diagnostics, and hopefully took care of that problem.
3.   We were not late to Mom’s appointment.
4.   The new program seems to be helping Mom a little.
5.   I got some beautiful pictures today.

This was an emotional Thursday. I hope your day was more stable and enjoyable. I encourage you to engage your imagination and do some creative work. I guarantee it will enrich your life and touch others with whom you share. You may believe you have nothing to say, but if you open your mind you will find words. I believe in your talent. Believe in yourself.

As a prompt, write a crisis poem, story, or journal entry. You might want to resolve the crisis or leave it as a cliffhanger. You know what writing will nourish you. Follow your heart. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you so much for reading my words. I have managed another day of writing and I have a little hope that I can go on. You might want to subscribe to Chronicles for future updates. I hope you will also come back to visit. Your comments are always appreciated and they help encourage me. Sometimes I feel the writing is too personal and I should stop sharing, but you all help me go on.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 141

Journal entry:

My Druthers

I have
Nothing to say
That is not negative
So I really rather not write.
I want to crawl inside some juicy book
And while away the hours reading
About interesting
People who live
With zest.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, May 29, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I did not get rained on today.
2.   There were no thunderstorms here.
3.   The truck did not break down.
4.   Mom did not fall.
5.   No one robbed us.

This Wednesday was a difficult day. I hope your day was much more pleasant. I encourage you to do some creative work if you can manage it. Perhaps it will improve your day. At least I know you have the talent to do it.

As a prompt, write about something you would rather do. Maybe this will be a comparison poem, story, or journal entry, just write whatever comes to mind. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I appreciate your taking the time to read my blog. I do not know how much longer I will be doing this, but I hope you will visit again. If you are interested in future updates you might wish to subscribe to Chronicles. If you have a comment you would like to share, please leave it below.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 126

Journal entry:

The Bud

It is a promise,
Given by nature,
That more beauty
Will unfold.

There is a gift
Contained in each day,
If we just remember
We are not finished yet...

God puts the roses
Here to remind us
He has never
Forgotten us.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, May 14, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I slept well last night.
2.   I decided to dress up so I looked more competent today.
3.   I managed to handle myself well at Mom’s appointment.
4.   We had a nice lunch, though it was late.
5.   I had my photograph taken this evening for a new profile picture.

Tuesday was a fairly successful day for me, though Mom’s pain still is not much better. I hope you had an excellent day. Now while you have time, make an effort to do some creative work. You never know what you can accomplish until you dedicate yourself to the process. Practice will bring you competence and help you fulfill your potential. I believe in your abilities, have faith in yourself.

As a prompt, pick one of today’s pictures and write about it. Post a link to your work in the comments below, if you should use this prompt.

Thank you so much for taking time to read my blog. I hope you enjoyed your visit, if you would like please subscribe to Chronicles. Any comments you may have to share are more than welcome.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 125

Journal entry:

Quiet Desperation

I'm treading the edge
Where the urge to die almost
Trumps the will to live.

I want to give up,
All the platitudes are vain,
They give no relief.

Pressure continues
To bear down on me without
Any real surcease.

I have to go on,
But have no heart to sustain
Me throughout the fight.

Tears flow down my face,
I cry out for someone's help,
But no one aids me.

Must overcome this,
Defeat the desperation,
Somehow, I'll make it.

I'm treading the edge
Where the urge to die almost
Trumps the will to live.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, May 13, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I had food to eat.
2.   I had clothes to wear.
3.   My dog loves me.
4.   My Mom loves me.
5.   I don’t have to sleep outside with no shelter tonight.

This has been a devastating Monday, please forgive me for being down, perhaps tomorrow will be better… perhaps I will feel like resuming the war. Right now I want to retreat and keep retreating until I cannot be found.

I hope your day was much more successful than my own. I usually encourage you to do something creative at this point, but I can understand if you feel creation would be better deferred. I felt that way tonight, but I laid my heart out anyway. Perhaps you should do the same. Who knows, it might brighten your day.

As a prompt, write about a time you felt defeated by circumstances beyond your control. The examples are above, pour your heart out on the page. If you would like to share your work and you use this prompt, please leave a link to your creation in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you will find your way back here again. You can follow Chronicles by entering your email address in the space provided above so you get regular updates. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share with me, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 123

Journal entry:

The following poem evolved into a revelation of personal truth. It tells a story and I hope you like it.

Where Memory Leads

He does not know, and
I suppose that is better,
I thought of him once
Again today, as happens
Often when I am alone.

I really should not
Let him linger taking space
Within my thoughts, but
Occasionally I miss
Him still, though I ought not.

He moved on, and so
Did I, but his memory
Haunts me at times when
Loneliness overtakes me
With its cruel clutching claws.

I am prisoner
Of the love we shared in days
That still glow brighter
Than they have permission to
Within my wayward conscious.

He was always much
Better in my brain than in
Reality, so
I will just compare the truth
With the image and forget.

It was my success
Which imposed a golden hue,
For I was doing
So much better then than now,
Money flowed without restraint.

I made those times my
Own perfect fairytale days
Because I was on
Top of the world with reason:
My grand outstanding efforts.

That experience
Can be mine once again if
I will only try
And go beyond the edges
Of my dissatisfaction.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, May 11, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I was once a publisher in my own right.
2.   I have the ability to do that work again if I so choose.
3.   I have the equipment to do most processes.
4.   I have the software to complete many vital tasks.
5.   I can usually accomplish what I set out to do.

My Saturday went very well. I hope your day was filled with smiles. Now I want to encourage you to lay aside your other concerns and make an effort to do some creative work. You have a vivid imagination and that is all required to make something wonderful.

As a prompt, write about a personal truth that you rarely reveal to yourself or others. You might do this in a poem, as I did, or you could write a story or journal entry. If you use this prompt, leave a link to your work in the comments below. I would love to read what you create.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you enjoyed your stay and will come back often. If you have comments to share don’t hesitate to leave them below.

Always,
Jo Ann

 

 

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 122

A meditation on pain and suffering:

This poem is in answer to the prompt at The Sunday Whirl. The words in italics are from Wordle 108, I got the words early on Facebook. You could visit that site for inspiration…

Vitriolic Outburst

I open my mouth and
Say the words that come to mind
Allowing them space
Under the blistering sun,
I will not yet be broken.

I will not cave, but
Shake my fist in defiance
Despite your constant
Drone raised against my judgment,
You will find actions binding.

I will continue
Circling subjects voicing
Chants and quiet vows
Unceasingly, using all
My force quite efficiently.

I would call you crook,
But the name is much too good
To describe you well,
You’re an absolute bully
Deserving name enemy.

My anger boils so
Riotously I cannot
Contain it within,
It overflows determined
To impact our history.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, May 10, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I went to town and did our weekly shopping.
2.   I picked up a Papa John’s pizza for me and Krystals for Mom.
3.   Laura called and rescheduled our dinner together.
4.   I talked to Richard Nichols this evening.
5.   Reba called and reported on her condition. She is recovering from her surgery.

I had a reasonably good Friday, although I stayed up all night. I hope you also had a good day. While you have a few moments, concentrate your energy on doing some creative work. I know you have the ability if you only set your mind to it. Your skill will grow with practice and inspiration will find you if you make a consistent effort.

As a prompt, write about a situation or person that maddens you. I find this is a great stress reliever. Leave a link to your poem, story, or journal entry in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you will find your way here again, but you might also want to subscribe to Chronicles by entering your email address in the space provided above. Any thoughts, suggestions, or criticism you have to offer would be greatly appreciated.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 121

Journal entry:

Unappreciated

You take it all away
With your ignorance
Of everything I do
To make your life
More pleasant.

Sometimes I almost
Give up trying
Because you never
Notice my efforts
To enrich your days.

I have to remain
Hidden in the shadows
While you bask in
All the glory,
Darkness must suit me.

One day perhaps
You will notice
Everything does not
Revolve around you
And all your drama.

I work in the background
Without any credit
Wondering why I must
Continue when you
Do not even say thanks.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, May 9, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I have plenty of paper.
2.   I have lots of clothes from which to choose.
3.   I still have my Mom with me.
4.   I have a variety of books to read.
5.   My computer allows me to do things I only imagined a few years ago.

Thursday was an interesting day. I hope your day was enjoyable. I went to the Sweetwater Camera Club meeting this evening. The speaker, David Fisher, gave a great presentation. As usual, I want to encourage you to engage your creativity and make something wonderful to share with the world. You can without doubt do work that touches other lives.

As a prompt, write about creativity in a way that encourages or provokes others to action. Your poem, story, or journal entry can be shared by leaving a link to your work in the comments below.

I am so thankful you chose to spend a few of your precious moments reading my blog. I hope you will find your way back here often, but you might also want to enter your email address in the space provided above and subscribe to Chronicles. Any comment you have to share would be much appreciated.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 118

Journal entry:

Beyond Bearing

Could it be magic?
This feeling uncontained by
My normal restraint,
Running wild across my nerves,
Shaking up my sheltered life.

I glance so quickly
At you and then away with
Eyes that cannot bear
More than just momentary
Contact with your fair visage.

Your voice causes me
To tremble with deep longing
Consuming every
Vestige of my strong resolve,
Making me completely melt.

I am overcome
By overwhelming feelings
Of desire and love,
I want you within my arms
Cradled to my beating heart.

Could it be magic?
This feeling uncontained by
My normal restraint,
Running wild across my nerves,
Shaking up my sheltered life.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, May 6, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I was able to stay up all night.
2.   Mom was able to have her procedure even though somehow the office had not scheduled it.
3.   She did well despite us not having proper preparation.
4.   I went to Sam’s Club and picked up a few things we needed and got a sample that made me want to prepare a recipe.
5.   I remembered to renew my library books.

I had a decent Monday and hope your day also went well. There were moments when I thought the whole thing was going to fall apart, but it held together. I encourage you to engage your creativity and make something wonderful to share with the world. You never know all you can accomplish until you put forth effort.

As a prompt, write about your hidden talent. I hope yours is more pleasant than mine! Write a poem, story, or journal entry and leave a link to your work in the comments below so we can enjoy your revelation.

Thank you very much for reading my blog. I hope you will visit often, but you might also wish to enter your email address in the space provided above and subscribe to Chronicles. I welcome any comments you may have to share, so please leave one.

Always,
Jo Ann