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 A new blog to contain answers to prompts |
Since my old blog "Everyday Canvas "  became overfilled, here's a new one. This new blog item will continue answering prompts, the same as the old one. Cool water cascading to low ground
To spread good will and hope all around.  |
| Prompt: Use these phrases in your entry today: cry over spilt milk, short end of the stick, a home bird, and quality of time. --------- I have always feared negativity because it is a powerful force. Then, I don't know anyone who wouldn't be uncomfortable in the presence of a negative person. Also, I believe negativity may be a learned behavior, but it sure can be tamed. While it is normal for most of us to face difficult situations, allowing negativity dominate our thinking can hinder our personal growth and make others feel uneasy. Now, how is being negative a good choice? A most common negative behavior has to do with dwelling on past mistakes or "crying over spilt milk." Yes, you might have gotten "the short end of the stick" all right, but why insist on creating a lasting resentment? Isn't it a better idea to focus on what we can control, while taking note of the injustices and trying to make things better? I can certainly understand those who are "home birds" by nature. To them, dealing with the unknown can be unsettling. Although their perceived stability or their desire for it can sound normal, that very stability can prevent people from new and useful experiences. When a "home bird" breaks out of his comfort zone, he (or she) often finds that he has not only gotten over his fears but also he has enriched his very own life. Then, negativity also prevents people from appreciating others and spending meaningful experiences with them. Where family and friends are concerned, "quality of time" also pops up into view. Such time spent is essential for building strong bonds, instead of being wasted on resentment, fights, pessimism or complaints by any kind. Overcoming any negative behavior requires a conscious shift in perspective that contains acceptance, resilience, and openness to change. It is a job. all right, and it isn't very easy, at least not always. Still, isn't it worth our wellness and goodness of character to tackle it? And why not turn any negativity, if and when we detect it, into a more positive behavior, for it to allow into our lives growth, serenity, and with one another, a lasting sincerity? |
| Prompt: "Patience is learned through waiting." Eyen A. Gardner Write about this in your Blog entry today -------- Yes, but the waiting is so difficult! I wasn't born to be a patient person, even and especially with myself. Yet, I got better at it over the years...I think. So let's look at this learned patience. Learned patience is not simply a passive endurance but a kind of emotional quickness. It happens when we learn to focus out attention and energies on what we can control while letting go off what we cannot. The problem with waiting is that constant slap of uncertainty and sometimes frustration. Yet, waiting encourages mindfulness. In mindful moments, we might find ourselves more aware of our surroundings, options, feelings, and thoughts. In short, waiting invites us to live in the present moment. This means we learn to endure and feel gratitude for those things positive in life. This means learning humility. While I am at it, I am going to mention something that got on my nerves a bit during the last two days. It is the reactions of some to US elections. I believe it doesn't matter for whom I cast my vote and for whom you cast yours. This country's ways are based upon the majority rule. We all have to learn to accept that rule. Otherwise, there are other places on earth where a person from the USA will be accepted with open arms. If that option is out for you also, you have to learn patience and stop carping about this outcome. For your own good, to start with. Your complaints, fears, and cries all over the internet is not doing any good to you or to the USA. What I'm saying is that, just wait and see. Maybe there will be instances where you can help avoid something negative or help with something positive. Rather than rushing to a possible or impossible terrible end with your thoughts and feelings, wait and do your best. As you'll find out, your patience will provide its own reward. A reward to you, to us, and to everyone else around us, but mostly to the USA and the world. |
| Prompt: Precious and few. Write about these words in your Blog entry today. ------------- I believe this phrase is pointing to the appreciation of probably a few people or some rare moments in life, as it shows an appreciation for something or someone bringing exceptional warmth, happiness, and meaning to life. Such moments and people can be rare, maybe, but if we are lucky, such moments and people can abound. The word "few" adds a layer of scarcity to the idea suggesting that valuable moments and people are not easily found and experienced. I tend to differ, however, with the scarcity idea in that phrase. Good people are not scarce, for everyone has some good in them, probably hidden deep down inside for some. What brings out the good in a human being may be luck, but more likely, it is appreciation. Most of the time, appreciated people will try to live up to that expectation. As to moments, I think it is how we look at them. Some things in my life I thought were negative--later on--proved to be the best possible events, situations, and such, to my benefit. "Precious and few?" Maybe. On the other hand, "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder." |
| Prompt: Gifts Let's think about the word, "gift." What do you think about gifts in any shape or form? What has been a real gift to you? --------- The word "gift" may have differing meanings; however, all of them center around the idea of value and giving. A gift may mean a smile, a hug, or any other expression of love, like friendship, appreciation, or goodwill. The word "gift" may also refer to a talent, a natural aptitude for something, or an ability, as if it hints at a blessing given by a higher power. I believe gifts that are thoughtful and personalized are valued the most by the receivers. Personalized gifts that speak to a person's tastes, interests, and needs carry a lot more meaning than something bought off a rack in a hurry. Also, gifts that contain shared memories are held in high esteem. In my case, one of my most favorite gifts is a photo album given to me by a cousin. It wasn't just an album. It contained all our photos together since childhood. I consider it as one of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever received. Handmade gifts by the gift-giving person are also much appreciated as the giver of the gift has spent effort, thought, time, and creativity. As an example, I smiled at my image in the mirror yesterday, while I was washing my hands by using one of the  fancy soaps The StoryMistress  had created.Then, some people in my family send or give me gifts of books especially in the areas that interest me, knowing that I have always been a book-worm. Gifts may not be in the form of an object, either. I mean giving time, help, and an understanding ear are gifts, too. Two people, who weren't even very close to me earlier, called me every single day for many months to comfort me right after my husband's passing. My appreciation for those two people -- one a friend, the other my sister-in-law -- will never fade. When all is said and done, the most appreciated gifts can be those that reflect the recipient's personality, values, and likes. This is because with gifts, consideration, creativity, and thoughtfulness play a huge role in making one's life more meaningful. |
| Prompt: Candy Do you like candy? Is there any difference between the candies that you like in hot weather and cold weather? Write about your favorite candies and any memories attached to them. ----------- Who doesn't like candy! That is unless, one is diabetic, and very luckily, I am not, and I love the taste. That instant burst of sweetness in my mouth lifts my mood to the nostalgic memories of me as a four-year old and my mother giving me a chocolate bar when I had a temper tantrum. I don't think a pedagogue would advise that to mothers, but it was a great success for my mother. Luckily, I never became obese. If anything, I was on the thin side as a kid. I am guessing the sweetness of candy taps into the innate preference of our ancestors, which must have helped them to identify calorie-rich foods when edibles were hard to come by, as sugary stuff offers quick energy boosts and happier outlooks. As to the seasons, I don't think I have a preference. For winter, possibly candy canes might be in favor for some of us because of Christmas and the cheerful appearance and nostalgia. Then come the truffles, gingerbread and cinnamon tastes, and anything chocolate, which is for all seasons anyway. I will have to add caramel apples to the mix, which was a favorite of mine when I was in my teens. For spring and summer, probably, light and fruity tasting gummies, jellybeans, and lemon drops could be some of the choices. As in everything else, each season may bring its own flavors with candy types. This may be because candy reflects more than flavor. The very idea of it has to do with the imagination of being young again, cultural traditions, and the moods we experience at any age. Now that I have written all about candy, I'm rushing to reach for some refreshment. I mean that big bag in the kitchen which still contains a few of the left-over Halloween candies, mostly dark chocolate, of course.  |
| Prompt: Let's try another Sweeney exercise together. Think about any movie that has stuck with you. In your mind, create an image from the movie. Resist all temptation to explain or tell us the movie's name instead let the image speak for itself in your writing. Mathew Sweeney says," using the image to suggest more than itself is metaphorical approach because a metaphor works by using one thing to refer to in terms of another." Have fun! ----------- He stares at her, almost unable to breathe, at the blonde woman he had once loved. Maybe he still does. He cannot believe her son has his name. He feels a strange cocktail of emotions welling up, swirling together so fiercely. Then, she tells him, apologizing, the truth. The boy has bright-eyes, wild hair and a familiar quirk in his grin. It is like looking at a mirror from years ago, his own face glancing back at him, unguarded and unaware. He panics. He is shaking inside. "Is he... smart?" he asks, meaning 'Is he stupid like me?' The boy rushes to the living room to watch 'Bert and Ernie' on the TV. Such a shock! Certainly. But also regret, thick and heavy, sinking into him for the years he'd lost with the boy: his first step, first words, the small joys and pains and all else that had slipped past by him, without him. Did the child call someone else, "Dad"? He imagines the boy calling him, "Dad!" Dad! A name he hadn't known himself. He wants to hear the boy say that to him. He wants it badly. He didn't know he'd want it this badly, this much...until now. Such an excitement...a nervous thrill at the idea of discovering a part of himself that had always been there, just hidden, waiting. Then, as if he has stumbled into a life he didn't know he was meant for...he feels unprepared, exposed. The woman says, "Go talk to him." And he does. There is hope now, fragile and sudden because he can change things. He could try. And he can. He knows he can. ----------- Note: here is the scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITGEGE9v0d0 |
| Prompt: Take any cliche and subvert it to bring it alive again in a poem or a blog entry. ----------- Bag of Bones They said, "This baby, a bag of bones!" and rattled, "She may not even throw stones" a bag of bones, where my shadow lies World War II, macabre with gray skies. But dreams I've built and spells I've cast, I charted my course, battled the past. Alas, today, other lines are drawn, fears of war wail from dusk to dawn. Although people speak in whispers low, in death's embrace, demons can grow. So, this bag of bones sways and waits... as, just one click, next war dictates. Such a shame it is, to undo the seams! Or let's mend the world, guard our dreams? I hold my breath and hear the moans and warnings from all bags of bones. |
| Prompt: Today is Halloween. Write something about Halloween today. ------------ Halloween morning, now. I check the weather. Here in South Florida, where I am, it will be partly cloudy with 81 degrees Fahrenheit. But don't believe the partly cloudy bit. Possibly a few clouds will pass by in the afternoon with maybe a sprinkle or two as the weather report says humidity is 63%. Right now, it is sunny and bright. Yet, the weather is different in Twin cities. They are expecting 2 to 4 inches of snow. And on the Plains, severe storm threat shifts eastward on with 90-mph winds. This makes me think, among other things, US weather is Halloween itself. Talking about such weirdo stuff, I came across this short (fake!) news: "Biden bites babies visiting for White House Halloween trick-or-treat celebration." I think it was by FOX, but I could be wrong. Somewhat of a joke? Hmmmm! Fake news or not, about Halloween, Wikipedia writes: "Theory holds that many Halloween traditions were influenced by Celtic harvest festivals, particularly the Gaelic festival Samhain, which are believed to have pagan roots." By the way, Samhain means "summer's end"; this much I knew. As the origin of the festival is really unknown, both pagan and Christian practices have evolved into what Halloween is like today. The best description that sounded like fun holds a bit more of the truth as to what the Halloween practices are. "During the Samhain festival the souls of those who had died were believed to return to visit their homes, and those who had died during the year were believed to journey to the otherworld. People set bonfires on hilltops for relighting their hearth fires for the winter and to frighten away evil spirits, and they sometimes wore masks and other disguises to avoid being recognized by the ghosts thought to be present. It was in those ways that beings such as witches, hobgoblins, fairies, and demons came to be associated with the day. The period was also thought to be favourable for divination on matters such as marriage, health, and death." https://www.britannica.com/topic/Halloween As for me, I have my candy in a large plastic bag, ready and waiting for all those cute trick-or-treaters. I guess, I'll perch on the armchair by the front door with a book and my cell, and wait. And if not enough trick-or treaters show up, the rest of the candy is mine. Now, that would be a real treat. Luckily, I don't have diabetes. |
| Prompt: "Seeing is believing but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see." The Movie The Polar Express Write about this quote in your Blog entry today. ---------- Seeing, as to objects and solid forms, is convincing, true, but how in the world can I see love or dislike? If someone says they like me, how do I know that inside their "like" a dislike or resentment doesn't lie hidden? The same goes for all the intangibles in our experiences. Love, hope, faith, and trust—all important for our existence—are unseen forces; yet, they influence our every relationship, interaction, decision, and perspective. They uplift us in moments of happiness and keep us alive and sane through difficult times. Also, other concepts like time and gravity are important for our survival. Just imagine one of these going haywire! What if gravity didn't pull objects to the ground, suddenly? Can you imagine the consequences? What we experience inside us that others cannot see are real just as well and even more strongly. Our thoughts, dreams, and emotions are all parts of our self and identity, for they provide us with creativity, ideas, and memories. They also have a say in how we connect to one another. Such as, our love of writing connects us to the other members of WdC, here, even if we never meet them in person. All these things are like the wind. They are unseen but felt. And believe me, wind is sometimes more real than anything. I should know, living in Florida, with the hurricanes and their winds. |
| October 28, 2024 Prompt: WdC Witches  It seems we have a whole bunch of witches here in WdC, this year. If you were to be chosen the leader of the WdC witches, what would you plan with them for Halloween? -------------- Easy peasy! Here in WdC, I would get every witch under my command to write five to ten reviews and post at least a couple of new original writings of their own. Then, as the witching tradition goes, I would make sure my witches had their herbs, foods, and colors on hand to scatter around the site. To be exact, those things would be: Herbs: Mugwort, allspice, catnip, oak leaves, sage, broom and deadly nightshade. Foods: Turnips, apples, nuts, mulled wine, beef, and poultry. Colours: Black, orange, white, silver and gold. And I would definitely have them gather a large group of black cats carrying jack-o’-lanterns and giving everyone apples and pumpkins. And if you think I thought all that on my own, you'd be wrong. I got some of my info from: https://hero-magazine.com/article/159423/a-witchs-guide-to-celebrating-halloween... Happy Halloween, Everyone!  October 29, 2024 Prompt: Followed by a ghost Imagine you are being followed and sometimes talked to by a ghost. Whose ghost is this, someone you once knew or someone in the history and what is this experience like? -------------- I don't know if a ghost is following me or if they are talking to me, but it seems I talk to them constantly. Sometimes, I look in the mirror and talk to that ghost of me in it. Then, inside my head I'm always talking to family members and my husband who have passed on. But if I were to talk to a real ghost, it would have to be the ghost of first group of people on earth. I would ask them, "Look at the result of what you guys have started! Fantastic in some ways but destructive and contentious in others. I'm not blaming you; still, you could have done something a bit more to give us better genes." They would probably say something like, "What you the imbeciles are doing after us is your problem. What we gave you were survival skills and you took those and used them against each other. Whose fault is this?" Just maybe they would be telling the truth. |
| “The swiftest way to triple your success is to double your investment in personal development.” - Robin Sharma Write about what you think this quote means. -------------- Personal development is as if we are all bringing up ourselves, same as we bring up our children. And we do want our children to be successful, don't we! What it means to me is that we are all responsible for ourselves, as to who we are and how we operate in this life. Working on personal development is building our self-awareness, adaptability, and resilience. It also involves, improving personal skills and understanding our "selves" and our mindset. This empowers us to handle challenges, seize opportunities, and set meaningful yet do-able goals. To do all that, adaptability is essential as the world is constantly changing and always new skills are needed. As a bonus, when we work on those new skills, we also increase our self-confidence and resilience so we can overcome obstacles and recover from setbacks. Personal development also helps us with goal-setting, motivation, better communications and relationships. However, all this is easy to say but hard to do. Speaking for myself, I have some serious trouble with some of the new technologies, especially this artificial intelligence thing. As much as I appreciate the ease that comes with something new like this, seeing my incompetence with AI is a bit disconcerting. Maybe I'll build better resilience because of it, I tell myself, and try to adapt to it. Granted, it offers some excellent help in some areas but like anything else, it can also be misused. Still, becoming the best version of myself is what will make my life worthwhile. That is why I have committed, a long time ago, to grow continuously, not that I have been too successful with it, but I guess I can at least try...still. |
| Prompt: On this day in 1870 Postcards were first used in the United States. Do you send postcards? If so does it bother you that anyone can read your message? What about collecting postcards, have you ever collected them? ------------- Do I send any postcards? No, not really. At least, not anymore. Way back when, a friend I sent a postcard asked me to write her a letter the next time. Maybe she wanted a longer message or maybe she was annoyed with the idea that other people could read what was written on it, during transit. Not that what I wrote was so secret or so personal, either, and it wouldn't bother me if anyone read my message on a postcard. One can write only so much in such a limited space, in the first place, and I bet almost all the people who sent those cards probably kept the private matters out of their messages. During the earlier decades, however, the postcards' significance went beyond any simple communication. From what I have gathered from my grandmother's generation of people is that they were also symbols of social status and personal expression. It is unfortunate that, at this time, postcards have become obsolete, but I have to say, I used to love receiving them, especially from one of my uncles, during the mid-twentieth century, who used to send me a postcard with a photo of the place he was traveling, and he traveled a lot due to business. Then, my grandfather, my mother's father, was a collector and he had a huge collection of postcards from the nineteenth century on. I never met him in person, though, because he had passed away about seven years before I was born. He used to have an antique store, but it went bankrupt during the Depression Era. This made my grandmother hate all kinds of collecting practices. We did have some of my grandfather's card collection at home, and while I was growing up, I loved looking at those cards. I don't have any of those cards, though, since my mother gave them to someone else. I bet they would be quite valuable now, as they captured moments in time such as historical events, landmarks, and local cultural practices. The charm of those postcards in the collection and those that I myself received still stay with me, evoking a certain nostalgia for those small personal connections. |
| Prompt: "Don't be a Lady. Be a legend." Stevie Nicks Let this quote inspire your writing today. ======== Really? Oh well, in my case, Stevie Nicks should be happy. I'm not a lady but then, neither am I a legend, nor would I want to be. Still, I can think of one person who was both a lady and a legend: Maggie Smith. Who says being a lady is contraindicative of becoming a legend, after all! But enough about Maggie Smith. Let's focus on why Stevie Nicks said that. My underlying thought is that she herself is pining to become a legend. Who knows, with her songwriting, she may just become one. Yet, that's iffy, too. Being famous for a while doesn't make someone a legend. It is an all-around thing, the way I see it. I mean, many a songwriter, although their songs are hits, are forgotten about in a short time. Did Stevie Nicks mean to break away from traditional expectations? Possibly, but that's nothing new. Most of us go along with what the present-day norms show and ask us how to be, anyway. On the other hand, being a legend signifies something that transcends time and leaves a strong legacy. Now, if she is hinting at authenticity and courage, yes, those assets would be needed for one to become a legend. Yet, how many women (or men), in reality, know who they are 100%? Wouldn't some self-knowledge be a part of one's authenticity? Then, maybe the quote "Don't be a lady, be a legend" is an invitation to redefining what success is; a definition that may be arrived at by pushing boundaries and doing what pleases a person himself or herself the most, while not causing the demise, unhappiness, or failure of others. Similar to that, another point or question is: Doesn't the definition of success change from person to person, as well? Yup, there you go! Those who think they know, they don't! At least not well or fully. That's why no one has the right to tell anyone how to be.  |
| Prompt: "There is a part of me that depends on fantasy because if you can't be somewhat of a fantasy person then you can't write." Stevie Nicks Let this quote inspire your entry today. ------- I think, in general, songwriters are more down to earth, with songs like "little lies," "edge of seventeen," by Stevie Nicks, etc. Then, of course, there are songs that sing of the inane, such as the "Purple People Eater" by Sheb Wooley, and by Snow Patrol, "Get Balsamic Vinegar... Quick You Fool!" etc. As to the role of fantasy in writing, well, who can deny it! This world alone can be a fantasy itself, as some philosophers claim. If I see fantasy as the ability to dream beyond reality, surely it would be the fuel for any writer's creativity. This is because imagination plays an important role in the creative process. The creative process can include looking far beyond the boundaries of our ordinary world, exploring new ideas, possibilities, and emotional depths that may be foreign to us or even non-existent in our environment. In which case, fantasy isn't limited to magical or supernatural anything, but it has a lot to do with letting our imagination run into different perspectives, scenarios, and outcomes. As much as I agree with this quote, I also tend to disagree in its implication that if a writer is too anchored in reality, his work may lack depth. That is not true, the way I see it. There are purely factual writings in existence that far surpass the allure of fantasy, especially when handled with talent and good research. In essence, I believe a good writing is good writing whether it employs fantasy or reality. As long as the writer has a good insight into his subject. |
| Prompt: Adding to Halloween Do you like Halloween, and if you were to choose a new holiday tradition to add to the Halloween events and festivities, what would that be? ----------- I'm okay with Halloween, although not too crazy about it. I guess, I can come up with a few Halloween ideas that could make Halloween a bit more fun. I think a costume show-and-tell party would be nice and it would encourage imaginative powers. Everyone who attends the party has to talk about their costume, either by how it was made or by making up stories about the costume. Another idea could be a pumpkin scavenger hunt, something similar to Easter egg-hunt. People can hide mini pumpkins or pumpkin-shaped items around the house or yard, and if at night, those items can be painted or sprayed a bit with glow-in-the-dark paint. This could be for adults and children alike. Yet, another idea would be leaving secret Halloween gifts at people's yards and doorsteps. I don't know how this would take though, because people would want to reciprocate and it would take some preplanning; in which case, it would be a good idea to inform the whole street, neighborhood, or the ones you want to play with. This way the ones who are playing your gift-giving-game can pick and choose who they will surprise with their gifts and won't know from whom they have received their own gifts. Why not, therefore, make Halloween a bit more fun by taking it lightly instead of fearing the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead as the origins of this holiday suggested! |
| Prompt: Contacting the Dead How would you like if we lived in a world where contacting the dead were as easy as making a phone call? Who would you contact: family, friends, or any famous persons from the past? ------- How would I have liked it? I would have loved it! Yet, God knows what he's doing and there is a good reason we can't contact those who have passed on. That reason is pests like me. Also, I would not only pester everyone before me but also, lazy me, I'd end up learning nothing on my own for I'd be asking for help, right and left. Who would I contact? First, everyone I knew in this life, starting with hubby and uncles, aunts, grandmother, teachers etc. I'd always be asking for their help or opinion or comforting words. It wouldn't be fair to them, would it! Family and those I knew in this life aside, at this very moment, I would especially try to get the help of George Washington and Marcus Aurelius. I would ask them to please stop the political mud throwing in the name of presidential or any other political campaign. I mean promises and offering possible agendas would be okay. But it bothers me when an ad by one candidate insults and puts down the opposing candidate with expressions like, "She lives in a bubble," or "He doesn't know whether he's coming or going!" etc. or even worse. If I were any younger, I'd start a group that would probably be called something like, "Polite Campaigning" or some such thing. At this moment, I want to say I shall not vote for anyone who insults and does such attacks on the others, but they all do it or their campaign managers and groups are to blame. And now, although I can't get in touch with Marcus Aurelius and George Washington, I hope someone from the other side hears my plea and intervenes. Maybe I can't contact anyone as if making a phone call, but I'm hoping that those on the other side instill in our political candidates some human decency, integrity, and politeness. |
| Prompt: On this day in 1962 Monster Mash by Bobby Boris Pickett. I've included the song to inspire your monster entry today. Write either a story or a poem about monsters, any kind you want after seeing Pickett's facial expressions you should have lots of inspiration. ----------------- My Monsters Suddenly, when hours creep I'm too scared and cannot weep for his face twists in ways unknown and his voice takes on a husky tone I look in the mirror to see, no, it isn't him with smiles cracked, carved with grim but also me who grins from ear to ear with lips curled, to hide my fear Also, is a face with chin pulled tight the nose a swirl of crooked fright he puffs his cheeks, eyebrows too thin some face he has, stretched like sin My monsters growl, sigh, and snare I try to look away, in despair yet, they are not evil, but odd and free my monsters are a part of me When I look away, they disappear but within my shadow, they're so near like grief, lost hopes, bent and skewed they keep after me, to me they are glued. |
| Prompt: Imagine being into a 1950's diner. What kind of person would find this setting comfortable? What does this person love to do? What kind of things does this person fear? What would be a dream come true scenario? Now take this information and write a short story based on what you determined in this setting. Nothing to elaborate, just have fun! --------------- The Poet and the Bartender on stools worn, like his shoes, he sits still under the dimmed light listening to the hum, sipping the blues, from the jukebox, the music of the night for here is where all dreamers come to this 1950's smoky bar, a haven for some closed in a world unseen, with ghosts of cigarette smoke, rising up like love taking a toll in his life, but now, long-lost and her words still hurt, yet a treasure trove for they are the reasons all dreamers come to this 1950's smoky bar, a haven for some the bartender wipes the counter clean, fully knowing where this poet’s been and how the music echoes his soul for in his heart, her words take their toll for they are the reasons all dreamers come to this 1950's smoky bar, a haven for some the bartender hands a napkin to him for the poet's scrawls, with ink smudging thin so his thoughts from within he pours out to part while Dean Martin sings "Always in my heart" for it is the reason why all dreamers come to this 1950's smoky bar, a haven for some and he'll write, with every sip, wrapped in smoke of cold city streets, the war, and being broke or this poet will let something go, a bit too slow, or he'll choke on words only bartenders know for they are the reasons all dreamers come to this 1950's smoky bar, a haven for some |
| Prompt: "I am not crazy. I have just been in a bad mood for 40 years. " Shirley McClaine Write about this in your Blog entry today. ------- She, in a bad mood? After all that success and men and everything else? Well, it might have been the too many men that caused the bad mood.  I vaguely remember her saying on a talk show that she bought a mountain, which really was some estate on a mountainous region in New Mexico, which was sold in June 2024. So much for the gossip.Truth is, I think Shirley McLane is a great actress, nevertheless what she said in the quote. Among the many of her movies that I watched, I remember her in downtown Abbey juxtaposing Maggie Smith. I think Shirley McLane was miscast as a vulgar American with new money. That was the one role that didn't work well, through no fault of hers, though. She is 90 now and still working. Yay! As to the bad mood, in general, many things can cause a bad mood, starting with sleep deprivation. Did Shirley McLane not sleep well for 40 years? That had to be awful. Another reason may be the substance use and/or drinking a lot of highly caffeinated drinks. Stress and negative life events will do it, too. Then, maybe, some people can suffer from hormonal changes or something like borderline personality disorder. Still other things can cause a bad mood, also. Such as people. That is, the lack of interactions with them. Or the too much of such interactions especially if those people are always around you and you can't escape them. I guess, for some, the news can be the culprit, as it sometimes is in my case. Not to mention the bad weather or the lack of exercise. Once in a while, another person's bad mood can bring down the moods of others, as well. My personal remedy for bad mood is keeping busy, physically of course, but especially I keep my mind busy. That is why I still keep physical books and reading material around, supposing something happened to my Kindle readers, cellphone, or the computer went kaput. Come to think of it, if I see someone in a bad mood, I don't try to get them out of it because this is their own job, which no one else can do. Listening to their woes, however, might help, without any judgment or even advice. In fact, downplaying their negative feelings, rushing them to feel better by giving advice and attempting to solve their problems, however meaning well, may not work at all. Aside from giving them a good ear, I might even be overstepping their space and who they are. I truly wish I had a magic wand to transform someone’s negative mood into a positive one. Sadly, no such tool exists. |
| Prompt: "Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion. " Dolly Parton Steel Magnolias Write about this in your Blog entry today. ---------- Who doesn't like Dolly Parton? Forget about her huge talent but haven't we all been infected by her humor and wisdom? Just like everything else she does, this quote of hers captures a deep truth about the human experience, blending joy and sorrow and humor and grief. In fact, humor can be a source of healing, especially in our most difficult moments. It is possible that Dolly Parton's upbringing of poverty and hardship on the rural Tennessee mountains taught her to balance any hardship with humor. But then, many other people have had the same or similar experiences and they did come out morose and lacking humor. It must be Dolly Parton's family who taught her to find ways to laugh in the face of seriously hurtful life events. No wonder this "laughter through tears" is usually a theme in many of her songs. Added to this, is the contrast of her entire persona with sparkly outfits and big hair and an honest and complex personal life. Lucky for us that, through her witty remarks and songs, Dolly Parton has shown us that even in the moments of sadness and difficulty, there's always room for joy, humor, and connection. This is because life is often bittersweet, and those moments of laughter amidst the tears are what keep us going. Funny that, when I started to answer this prompt, I had thought I'd write about the quote. Instead what I wrote turned out to be more about Dolly Parton, probably because Dolly Parton herself is a representative of this quote as she embodies its idea beautifully both in her art and her life. |
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