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 |   Here you will find my daily journal of small stones and inspiration! |
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| Thursday, June 18, 2015: Every culture on Earth has its own poetry forms. Many of this forms have been introduced into modern western culture by various poets. Do you have a favorite form either from your cultural background or from another culture that you either enjoy reading and/or writing? If so, what is it? If not, what is your favorite form to read and/or write? I don;t have a particular form that I prefer, it is just what hits me at the time. Sometimes, if I am participating in a NaPoWriMo event I need to put in Acrostics and Quinzaines just to create enough poems for the month. I tend to write a great deal of Quatrains but I think that is because they are the ones I am most comfortable with. They are what I consider the "typical" poem with stanzas consisting of four lines and rhyming couplets. Another favorite of mine is the Cascade. I think some of my best-written pieces are Cascade poems. http://www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/cascade.html I enjoy writing the first stanza and then trying to connect the dots and make each line fit into the other stanzas. Sometimes I get a bit ahead of myself and write a long first stanza, falling in love with each line I have written, only to realize that I need to write that many stanzas in order to follow the form. Some of my Cascade poetry... "Invalid Item"  by A Guest Visitor "Invalid Item" by A Guest Visitor "Invalid Entry" Haikus and Senryus are my least favorite poems to write. I have trouble making my point with such few words. I have attempted them on occasion but with limited success. |
| Wednesday, June 17, 2015: When you read a poem do you prefer to read it aloud or silently? Why or Why no? I tend to read them silently at first and then I read it aloud if I have the opportunity. I try not disturb others in the room so I read them silently because of this. When I write my poems though I need to read them aloud to make sure they read the way I intend them to. This is the only way I know to check on the meter, if I just read them silently I don't catch when my meter is off. Of all the types of poems I tend to read humorous rhyming poems aloud the most. They are just so much fun to read. Like Dr Seuss, how can you not read his books aloud? I do not like green eggs and ham, I do not like them, Sam I Am! |
| Tuesday, June 16, 2015: Prose poetry, which is written in paragraphs, focuses on images. This type of poem contains all the literary devices, tools, and techniques that a verse poem contain. Examples of this type of prose poems can be found in journals and even in some blogs. Some of the hallmarks of a prose poem are descriptive language, instances of poetic meter and rhyme within the paragraph. Other literary devices that are found in prose poems are plays on language or words, repetition, and the use of metaphor or simile. In some prose poems a reader can feel the emotions in the same way one feels them in verse poems. Have you ever read or attempted to write a prose poem? Did you find it more difficult to understand then a verse poem? Can you give an example of a prose poem? I had no idea what prose poetry was until I googled it last night. I thought I would understand from your description but alas the form alluded me. Then I googled prose poetry and was still lost. I have never read nor written prose poetry and I certainly could not give an example. So again, back to FireFox, I entered "examples of prose poetry" into the search engine and clicked on a link. That is when I discovered I HAVE READ PROSE POETRY, and I love Gertrude Stein! |
| Monday, June 15, 2015: Every individual who reads, writes, or listens to poetry has his or her own concept of a poet's work. According to Salman Rushdie "A poet's work is to name the unnameable, to point at frauds, to take sides, start arguments, shape the world, and stop it going to sleep." How would you describe a poet's work? A poet's work can only be defined by the individual reader at that moment in time when the reader hears or reads the piece. My definition will not be your definition and my definition today will not be my definition tomorrow. I can read a happy poem today and because I am in a good mood I will interpret the piece as a happy poem but later, if my mood changes that poem may become an ironic sad piece, throwing me into a deeper depression. Certainly, the poet's interpretation, at the time the piece is written, is important, but only if he or she can convey that interpretation clearly enough that the reader sees that interpretation as their on. This prompt reminds me of a Lit class I took in college. We were to choose a poem and write a paper on our interpretation of that poem. I chose 'Portrait d'Une Femme' by Ezra Pound. I wrote what I thought was a wonderfully thought-out and researched paper, what the instructor read was rubbish. I wrote my paper based on the premise that Ezra Pound was writing a poem about a prostitute. I backed up my opinion with lines from the poem. Some of what I used was "and bright ships left you this or that in fee" , ships being men. Another line I used was "Great minds have sought you - lacking someone else" and "You have been second always. Tragical? No. You preferred it to the usual thing.", I interpreted these lines as describing men seeking her for sex, and she was not ashamed by this and preferred it to marriage. I went on and on with this. I remember I got a "B" for my effort in the research but I was told that my interpretation was wrong. Now, how can my opinion and interpretation be wrong? It CAN be different than what the poet intended but was I really wrong? |
| There is a mouse in the house that thinks it's a pet cutest thing I ever met. Stands by the edge of the bed begging me to keep it fed. Tonight she sat right next to me making sure that I could see, I swear that it was sitting up trying to see into my cup. I refuse to give her food, it must think I'm rather rude. But I will not feed my visitor whether it is a him or her. |
| PROMPT: Another effective form of comedy is satire. Take a shot at writing a satirical piece on a local or national news story, or respond to any other blogging groups' prompt from a satirical viewpoint. - Make it funny folks. Okay, I have never written anything satirical in my life! I had to look up examples to even figure out how I was going to attack this prompt, leave it to Brother Nature  to make me learn something...Alright here is my shot at it...  http://wivb.com/2015/06/09/naked-bike-ride-event-coming-to-buffalo/ This is such a great idea, for both the riders and the observers! I mean, what could be more fun than jumping on a little uncomfortable bicycle seat and having it wedge right between your naked butt cheeks, mmmm comfortable! We have all had the feeling of a tiny bike seat wedging your shorts in a wad, why not remove the wad and just have the seat right up your butt? Add to that the thought of landing on that slanted bar, wow! Then, oh and how could we forget this? what happens if you accidentally ditch your bike, or your bike ditches you. There is nothing like the feeling of digging little pieces of gravel from exposed skin. Just think of the exciting places you will be picking gravel out of, *shiver*. We tell kids to make sure they put on their helmets so why would we think to tell adults to put on clothes? Even better, just go be a witness to the event. Did you notice how lean and built the riders are? What could be better than watching these naked bodies pedaling away on their bicycles (my eyes! my eyes!) I think the best spot to watch would be the very end when they remove their junk from the bike and realize how wonderful they all look! Anyone want to join me?  AN UPDATE - I have taken off TEN POUNDS! |
| PROMPT: Is there someone in your life, or family, who is the source of comic relief? Is there a funny story to share? What or who would you write about if you wanted to get a 'for sure' laugh? As soon as I read this prompt I thought of my Dad. He and I used to be our own comedy team, whether he wanted to be a part of it or not. I learned the 'art of sarcasm' from him and the whole world suffered. He has been gone since 1996 but I can think of a story that if you don't chuckle just a bit I would have your pulse checked. It is more of a funny hmmm than a funny haha, but it has made me smile for years...  When my Dad would read the morning newspaper he was not to be disturbed. Don't try to have a conversation, don't make small talk, DO NOT disturb the "King" in the morning with his coffee and the paper. One morning, probably in the early nineties, he was seated at the end of the kitchen table with the paper spread out before him. I was at the counter across the room making toast and getting ready to butter it. As I sliced into the stick of butter, the knife I was using slipped and fell, at the same time the butter flew (I don't even know how) across the room and landed in the middle of the paper. I knew I was in deep trouble, I mean DEEP TROUBLE, without missing a beat or batting an eyelash I turned to my Dad, smiled and asked, "Did you see that little yellow butter fly?" I was saved, cause my Dad was laughing so hard he couldn't yell at me...Boy, did I get lucky. But now, every time I see a little yellow butterfly I think of him and that moment. |
| PROMPT: Of the many forms of comedy, and one of my favorites, is comedy teams. Share your thoughts on comedy teams. Would you be more likely to be part of a comedy team or are you the 'lone stand-up type'? I adore comedy teams, from Laurel and Hardy to The Three Stooges and the ever popular Abbott and Costello. Even Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. To me, every funny man is funnier with a 'straight man' . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_act What is even better is sometimes the straight man is the comic. With their snarky sarcasm they bring out the comedy of the funny man. Given this, I would definitely be the straight man in a comedy duo... Here are some of my favorite comedy routines... #1) Abbott and Costello - Who's on First https://youtu.be/kTcRRaXV-fg #2) Martin and Lewis - The Lola Skit https://youtu.be/J1PWH955FZU #3) Laurel and Hardy - Great Guns https://youtu.be/Z_0EaOO7OFc |
| Prompt:Even bloggers who prefer to write a serious toned blog, can't resist sharing something funny. Share your opinion on using comedy in blogging. Do you enjoy reading comedic blog entries? In the 30 Day Blogging Challenge - Do you look forward to 'Funny Fridays' or do you dread them? I love comedy, even when I am being serious I let a bit of humor see its way in. I live my life in laughter and I try to share that laughter with others. I believe my blog is like a journal and it not only holds my thoughts for the day but holds some of my writings as well. I like creative writing and much of my creative writing and imagination revolves around humor. As far as reading comedic blog entries, I tend to not read many entries. Which is weird because I love when people read my blog but I tend not to return the favor. I should probably work on this! My favorite entries during the 30DBC are the Funny Fridays, mainly because my 'real' blog entries end up reading like high school essays. Here are some of my 'better' Funny Fridays... "Invalid Entry" "Invalid Entry" and my personal favorite "Invalid Entry" |
| Prompt for June 5, 2015: And for day five, who did it? What was your villain or murderer's motive? The socialite's best friend's uncle's daughter's cousin killed her fiance did it. Only because she felt she should have been proposed to first. You see, thirty -six hours earlier... |
| Prompt for June 4, 2015: In conjunction with yesterday's prompt, what job would your mystery solver have? Would your protagonist be male or female, or something else altogether such as an animal? This is a picture of what my PI would look like.... http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/87/aa/d1/87aad18b7dc56068a6fb986d75873f5d... He would be in 1940's New York City and he would have an office on the Fifth floor of some high rise. The air-conditioning would be on the fritz and an oscillating fan would be circulating the humid air. Despite the heat and humidity he would always look cool. His debonair personality would make him a favorite among the socialites in town and his reputation as a ladies man would precede him. His case would range from finding the culprit who tried to poison Miss Socialite's little dog to solving the death of the socialites ex-fiance. By the way Fivesixer  , what kind of hat is that? |
| Prompt for June 3, 2015: There are so many different styles in which to write a mystery: cozy, hard boiled detective, private investigator, historical, police procedural - to name a few. If you were to write a mystery what approach would you chose? I know what I would not write! I hate it when the story opens with some kind of high drama sequence; someone is arrested, there is a car chase, anything... and then wait for it... the message appears "Thirty six hours earlier"! I HATE flashbacks they drive me INSANE (I know short trip). It is my biggest pet peeve! Okay, where was I ... Five minutes earlier... I would write a nineteen forties style murder mystery with a suave and debonair private eye. He would wear a brown trench coat and have one of those hats. You know the ones, the one I can't think of the name of. He would have a motherly assistant and the 'dame' hiring him would be blond, thin and attractive. She would show up in her stiletto heels and play the 'good girl'. You see, she has been framed in her ex-boyfriend's murder and now she don't know what ta do. Actually, it had been a mob hit and the thugs are now after her... wait she actually did kill the boyfriend and our hero gets her off...or wait...36 hours earlier.... |
| red herring - something, especially a clue, that is or is intended to be misleading or distracting. More info can be found in http://literarydevices.net/red-herring/ The prompt for June 2, 2015: In writing a mystery is it essential to have a red herring? I don't believe a mystery needs to contain a red herring, but the author had better do some damn good writing. I think the red herring keeps the reader interested. Without it, the author needs to have other 'hooks' to keep the pages turning. The misleading clue make the reader think they have figured the mystery out and when the author discredits this clue the reader in enthralled. The mystery becomes larger and more engrossing. The author has duped the reader and now the reader wants to know the truth. So, you go ahead and write your mystery without the red herring, if I wrote mysteries I would have the red herring or at least the smoked kipper.... |
| This week, June 1 through June 5, will be a round table discussion involving the mystery genre. Pretend we are meeting around a conference table and talking away. The prompt for June 1, 2015: . If you were writing a murder mystery what would you chose as a method of death? First, we would not be sitting around a conference table, we would be playing poker just like the great writers on Castle... Choosing a method of death seemed like an easy task, just pick a way for someone to die...electrocution, drowning, stabbing, choking, gunshot, stabbing, the list is endless. Then I began to think that for each method of death you need to have a means of accomplishing it. This became a daunting task. I first though about the fatal stabbing with an icicle. That way the murder weapon could never be found. This was fie but how do I get my murderer and victim in such close contact so as to stab him/her. Then, I began to think about who was being murdered, and then the why and by whom. Who is going to be the murderer? Why do they feel they need to kill the person? How are they going to make the killer icicle? A great deal of thought needs to go into the weapon and I have a feeling the weapon might evolve as the characters come alive on the pages. What started out as a killer icicle could turn into a red hot poker! |
| A half is better than none or gaining, right? Hmmm, maybe. At least I learned a lesson from it. This weekend I was off from my job and evidently I was also off of my diet. My husband and I decided to go to the mall after dinner on Saturday. We bought my niece's graduation present and then went to the Lego store. After that he said he was hungry so we hit the food court. I figured if he went to grab a sandwich I would stop at the coffee shop and get a 'foo-foo' coffee drink. Nope, he decides to go to Friendly's Express. I, like a fool, ordered a meal combo! And that wasn't the worst of it. A friend of mine had a Jamberry Nails party yesterday. I decided to eat a bunch of food while I was there! AND drink a Chocolate Martini! I think I should be thankful I took off a half a pound, cause when I reflect upon my terrible eating habits this weekend it could have been a great deal worse! Looks like I need to hop back on the wagon!    |
| I'm Tired.... No, I am exhausted.... I find everything exhausting. Breathing has become exhausting. Smiling is exhausting, maintaining airs is exhausting. Just being me is exhausting. ... |
Week Two of the Diet complete and I lost another pound. Slow and Steady wins the race, they say!  I don't feel like I am missing out too much and I am certainly not starving, which is great! I haven't been exercising, but imagine what will happen when I do! Of course, muscle weighs more than fat so if I put on muscle and lose fat the scale won't show it but my body will.I am debating whether I want to take a 'before' picture showing my size now, so I can see my progress. My problem is I absolutely hate the way I look now so I don't like photos. We'll have to see about this. Yesterday was the Welcome Home Ceremony for Honor Flight Rochester, what a blast! |
| I began a diet the last full week in April and I lost a pound the first week. It is Richard Simmons' Food Mover program, much like his old Deal-A-Meal where you keep track of portions and how much for each food group you eat. I haven't been starving but I have run into a wall of sorts. My husband keeps ordering out really bad foods, last week was chicken wings and this week, today, he went to a local fast food place and got food at 11pm! Help! How can I resist the temptation of eating so late or even at all. I had eaten all my food for the day and then he gets me more. Now he is eating all his food and chewing really loud! I think I may be getting angry about this...I asked him to help and so far he has sabotaged both weeks on me! |
| Prompt: The month is ending and we’re headed back home for good. Of all the places you’ve gone, activities you’ve been involved with, people you’ve met, and souvenirs you’ve bought (and which will stay behind), what will you miss the most? I am going to miss most of all the fun traveling companions I have had for this trip. I have done a few of these blogging challenges but I have never had this much fun! ElaineElaine  , you have done a wonderful job with the challenge this month. With the prompts you allowed us to explore our own lives while being creative. I learned that I am not to eat the gummy bears, I believe this nugget of truth came from Dragon is hiding  and pinkbarbie. Fivesixer , Charlie ~  and Brother Nature along with Andre were up to the usual shenanigans. I even learned that skeason enjoys a bit of fun as well! I am so glad I participated in this activity. I will not be involved in the May official month but maybe I will see you in June? |
| Without a doubt, the best mode of transportation for this month is the ship itself. The ship flies, floats, and even travels through space, both in our planetary system and across the galaxies. We've gone to uncounted destinations on Earth, and across the planets and stars. In all our travels, what has been your second favorite mode of transportation? I will tell you in a song... [Embed For Use By Upgraded+] |
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