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| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "How Do We Know?" Today's poem is the result of a question I received today about being "born again." If someone asked you how to be "born again," how would you respond? We can read Jesus' response to this question in John 3:1-21, KJV. This is a sobering question to consider because it matters for Time and Eternity. Are you born again? Would you be able to wisely respond to anyone, who asked you for "a reason of the hope that is in you." “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” (I Peter 3:15, KJV) Be truly blessed always, Everyone! Jay O'Toole |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "She, Who Is My Better Half" My wife is a rare and unequaled talent. You could walk around our house, seeing paintings painted by this painter, clothing created by this seamstress, and back in June a hamburger and hot dog painted on pieces of cardboard the size of an average door as props for Vacation Bible School. For the same VBS she made "icecream cones" of styrofoam, caulk, and seedbeads for the sprinkles, that were so believable I remarked, "You better tell the children not to try to eat these!" But she reassured me those would be on the platform so high they couldn't be reached. The point is that if she wants to do something, she researches, then goes ahead, and does it. Today's poem speaks about today's project, a leaky faucet. Not wanting to pay a plumber, she decided to do it herself, not even delegating it to me. She is quite determined when she gets an idea. After a couple of trips to the hardware store and 4-5 hours invested, she was stumped. However, wisdom prevailed, and she put it on the back burner, until she could get back to it. Her attitude? "Sometimes I just need to stop for a while. The solution eventually presents itself." I know I have talents. I, also, know my wife has talents in spades. I hope you enjoy the poem as you learn more about this talented lady. Blessings, All! Jay O'Toole |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "Peace of Coffee" Today's poem is rather interesting in that it looks like a sonnet with 14 lines, comprised of three quatrains and one couplet, but each of the lines is written in iambic tetrameter (with maybe an anapestic foot or two thrown in), instead of iambic pentameter as is the traditional English Sonnet. In my defense, tetrameter is my go-to line of poetry as a rule. I hope you will enjoy this moment of peace with a cup of coffee. Blessings, All! Jay O'Toole |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "Spenserian Sonnet: "The Sunset Comes for This day"" Today's poem has been created for the Form of the Week Discussion in
Sir Edmund Spenser developed the interlocking sonnet that is an enjoyable form. I hope you will enjoy reading it. "Form of the Week: "Spenserian Sonnet"" Blessings, All! Jay O'Toole |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "Partying with Th'Ability Writers Group!" Today's poem has been created for Writing.Com's 26th Anniversary Celebration by
The prompt created by dogpack saving 4premium+  is "Write a poem about WDC party you want to host or attend." So, I've done that. I've described a party made by and for "differently-abled individuals." My AD/HD variety may look different from Viv's uniqueness, but our party is for those, who are like us in the fact, that we all want to be there with our friends, focusing on what we CAN do as writers and artists, not on what we can't do. I have heard, that "Normal is a setting on the washing machine." I'm not sure, if that is still true. If we are honest every human has strengths and weaknesses, whether we're labeled, "typical" or "divergent." I feel confident, that the Lord has created us this way to guide friends and communities to work together as teams, since our strengths and weaknesses compliment each other. Creativity is a set of differences expressed from the heart as unique giftedness. Blessings, All! Jay O'Toole |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "Fun Run Journal" : "September 1st Activities" This is my Journal's Blog Post so far. I am wondering about how to post accurate word counts for my season events page. So far all I know to do is to do one of my dailies, then copy it to the Fun Run Journal. I think I've gone enough for one sitting. Any suggestions would be appreciated from one of the leaders. I should have the process pretty much refined by the end of the day or Day 2 or 3 for sure. Brandiwyn is Dean Winchester  I tagged you, since you've already given me good feedback. Thanks for that. Blessings Always! Jay O'Toole |
| lindamaya - Since earlier this year when the original leader retired. |
Reply| lindamaya - I love being an educator, teaching the various forms and aspects of poetry. |
Reply| lindamaya - Iambic meter has become normal language for me. I enjoy writing and teaching it the most. |
Reply| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "No Way Out!" Today's poem has been created for the Discussion of the Week in
The material created for the discussion by Dave is back, again  is rather sobering when it comes time to create the assigned poem. "If you were sent to Hell, what torment would you dread the most." Well, my Daddy was a preacher. Therefore, Hell has been on my mind for my entire life. If someone takes away my hope of spending forever with the lovely Lord Jesus in the Presence of God's Good Grace, even for a creative assignment, then my mind goes to a very dark place very quickly. Today's poem reflects that dark place in my mind. Hell is the place I most want to avoid. I don't want anybody I know to go there. If you believe this at all, then cry out to the Lord Jesus for Mercy as you read these verses. John 14:6; John 6:37,44. I'm not that good at debate. I don't know how to win arguments, but still I try to use the best information available to me to give rationale for the Truth. I do know I care about people. I believe in Heaven and Hell. The first is the place I want us to go. The second is not. Let me post to this discussion link. "Discussion of the Week: "The Rigors of Revision"" This is a very heavy subject. I pray Eternity will bring us all HOPE! Jay O'Toole |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "Haiku: "El Nino"" The weatherman on YouTube said we haven't had any named storms, and it will be September in a few minutes. The El Nino seems to be keeping things hot this summer with the potential for a stronger late season hurricane, and an overmuch colder winter. Let's pray for the Lord's Mercy. We need it. Be truly blessed, Everyone! Jay O'Toole |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "PPC7: The Rhyme & Reason of Poetry" : "Wrapped Refrain: "Christmas Has Its Own Challenges"" Funny isn't it? Some things bring back memories from long ago. This week's Promptly Poetry Challenge 7 prompt did that for me. The form, "wrapped refrain" reminded me of an experience, during my first year of high school some 52 years ago. I love music. Therefore, I had joined the high school band. My instrument was (and could be again) the tuba (or Sousaphone for every half-time show.) However, my band director was a freshman just like I was, not in age but in experience. It was the first year for both of us in that high school bandroom. He was the director, and I was much of the low-brass section. As a frosh director the band basically "gave him the business," until he "learned the ropes." It was a little rugged and rough for all of us that first semester of my freshman year in high school. During a Christmas shopping trip during the early weeks of December that year as I recall, I saw a sign, that I was sure would be perfect for the band director, whom I really respected because he had taught me the instrument, during that summer before school started. It was a sign, that would stand as a silent sentinel, hopefully gaining greater control of the band members when we returned to school after the holidays. "Kindly Restrain Your Enthusiasm!" I wrapped it up and presented it to him in his home on the last day of the term as we started the Christmas Holidays. "You want me to keep it under the tree, until Christmas Day, or open it now?" "Go ahead and open it now!" I said with a big smile. He did, and he smiled, too, ultimately leaving the sign under the Christmas tree with the rest of the presents. That's when things went a little South because his Mom arrived for Christmas to surprise him, since she knew how to get into the house. Apparently, she liked to shake the Christmas presents, like other childlike hearts are wont to do, but she was stopped in her tracks by my sign, he later told me. Flopping down on the couch, miffed, she crossed her arms, waiting for him to come home. When the band director got home, he was surprised, and a little apprehensive. "Hi-hi-hi, Mom!" "Well, here I am 'kindly restraining my enthusiasm!'" she bit with a cold tongue.  Jay O'Toole |
| Less than five are needed to give us an even 200 writers to take the journey together on this first annual Writing Season! Surely we can find those 4 or 5 in less than 24 hours. Or maybe y'all can come out of the background to take front and center! I pray so! This will be a great three months! I wonder how many words 200 people can write. I'm signed up for 35,000 words myself. I hope I can go well over that goal. Last year I wrote 60,478 words for the month of November alone. I hope everybody, who usually participates in NaNoWriMo has already signed up for Writing Season 2026! There's still time. At this writing, there's 23 hours and 43 minutes. Jay O'Toole |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "He Is the Truth!" As I often do, I wrote this morning's sermon notes in poetic verse, although our pastor's fill-in-the-blanks were still in prose. The sermon was based on verses in Luke 24. However, Jesus' exclusive Truth claim is found in John 14:6, KJV, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." If a man shows, that He is God as well by creating the universe, then I've learned to trust Him as well as what He says. Glad I didn't have to muster up that kind of faith. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, KJV) Blessings, All! Jay O'Toole |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "Awaiting the Words" It's so amazing! At times, I anticipate the prospect of writing, the need to write, and the daily list of things, that must be written to the point, that my mind draws a blank on what to write. I had a friend ask me about Writing Season, today, regarding what kind of writing we are allowed to write to meet the requirements of the Fun Run, for example. Much of my writing, today, has been occupied with this thought to try to help my friend and myself. Right now, I don't have all those answers, but as I understand it, the sky's the limit! We should be able to write what we would normally write with the addition of word goals, and daily tasks, that will be presented day by day. "How do I start?" "What do I write about?" "Will I see myself as successful every day?" Bottom Line: I can write the same way I meet most of the goals in life, which reaches back to my running of competitive races on the road from week to week in my 20s. The race is not won, nor even completed with the first step. The first step is the first step. Many steps follow in each competition, especially in the fun writing competitions, which help to get the creative juices flowing. "Remember, Self! One step goes in front of the one just taken. One word is written and then the next. The Water Station comes at regular intervals to increase your strength. Be aware of your strength and thoughts mile by mile, and moment by moment. Consistent writing and running are completed well with consistent stopping, resting and refueling. You can do this by respecting your God-given talents as well as your physical frame."
The self pep-talk is over. If anyone needs anything in it, then you're welcome to it. Blessings, All! Jay O'Toole |
| "It is the Deep Breath, before the Plunge." I seem to have heard that in one of the Lord of the Rings movies. Was it in the 2nd as said by Theodin, before the Battle of Helm's Deep? It was a great victory thanks to Gandalf. September 1st is Tuesday, the beginning of Writing Season and the 26th Birthday Party of Writing.Com. It seems a little quiet this weekend, while finding the last participants to put the number over 200. Maybe we are getting mentally and emotionally prepared, while experiencing the Deep Breath. Much Success to all of us these next three months! |
| I was wrong. It was actually Gandalf, who made this statement, "It's the Deep Breath, before the Plunge" in The Return of the King, the 3rd movie. The Battle of Pelennor Fields for the city of Minas Tirith was a gigantic undertaking, but we all know the result. Sauron lay defeated, and the King stood crowned. The way of the next three months seems large at the moment, but defeating our fears, and holding our stations day after day will no doubt see victory for all of us as well. Many words written with a new book crowned both stand as causes for Hope in the new quest of this Writing Season. Run the race. Hold our positions in the battle with words. Stand our ground. Excitement in anticipation promises to become JOY in completion! |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "Tanka: "Years Move Quickly"" Today's poem has been created for the weekly Form of the Week Discussion in
The tanka looks similar to the haiku, since both are Japanese in origin, but the tanka expresses different motivations and themes, such as "natural beauty, love, the impermanence of life, the activities of common people, and separation." https://www.poetrymagnumopus.com/topic/1141-tanka/ For today's poem, I've chosen the third option in the list. It's important at times to reflect on the past, the present, and the future, that we may make every day count for good. Blessings, All! Jay O'Toole |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "Whose Science is Supreme?" Today's treatise has been composed in response to the monthly prompt from
The prompt addresses the relationship between science and faith. "August Contest is Open" This type of writing really gets my creative juices flowing. The marriage between thought and faith is so exhilarating, that I tend to be skeptical of any thinker, who denies the existence of faith in his or her heart, and any person of faith, who resists thinking. Thought and faith are tools of the Honest. Blessings, All! Jay O'Toole |
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