A Beautiful January 31, 2008 in Las Vegas

Istijlal (Majesty), 13 Sultan 164 B.E. - Thursday, January 31, 2008 about 8:49 AM PST

The morning is beautiful, the sun is bright and it is a bit chilly. All expected this time of year in Las Vegas. All reasons to get up early and begin to write about the day, which is Thankful Thursday for my Yahoo journal-writing group. Once a week you post ten things you are thankful for to the group. I will post my thankfulness list later today.

Tomorrow, February 1, Write Week begins for the first seven day of February I will write at least 5,000 words on a new writing project. In addition, I am still looking for a subject for my leading journal entry on February 11. I have responded to three of the leading entries in the Follow the Leader Journal contest on writing.com. I have not checked to see if today's leader posted the leading entry yet.

Website Wednesday: The problem is lack of drive

'Idal (Justice), 12 Sultan 164 B.E. - Wednesday, January 30, 2008 about 2:11 PM PST

I have encountered lack of drive recently. I have a project that I need to finish, but I just cannot get it going. I find all sorts of excuses to procrastinate by finding something else to do. According to thewriteweek.com this is the worst thing I can do because "writing is 50% habit". The solution to lack of drive therefore is to sit down and write, write anything, but write.

Write Week is a monthly occurrence, which starts on the first day and ends on the seventh day. The idea is simply to write 5,000 words on any subject. The ideas is to start and complete a new project in 5,000 words. The reason behind starting a new project is to give your brain a chance to stretch in a different direction then the stalled project. In this instance the writer is stepping back from the problem and this helps solve any problem.

I am looking forward to February 1, when Write Week begins. I am looking forward to writing 5,000 words on something completely different then projects I am working on. Maybe I will even try a new genre.

thewriteweek.com is in conjunction with chaoticbunny.com, which appears to be an interesting website. I will look at the second website in more dealt in the mean time Write Week begins February 1, the day after tomorrow, therefore I am going to have to decide on my new project and a working title.

A Contest I Entered

'Idal (Justice), 12 Sultan (Sovereignty), 164 B.E. - Tuesday, January 29, 2008 about 6:24 PM PST

I entered the Follow the Leader Journal contest on writing.com. This is a contest I have entered before and the present session last about three week. Each contestant is assigned a day to make a leading journal entry. After the leader makes his or her entry then the rest of the contestants make entries using the same title. I will write the lead entry on February 11.

The contest started on January 28, I responded to that entry, but haven't responded to the lead entry for today, January 29. I logged in this morning to see if the leader for today had made her entry, but she had not written it. I have to log on writing.com in a few minutes to see if it is posted yet. The leader has until midnight Eastern Standard Time to post an entry. The other contestant can respond at their leisure, but have to have all the responses completed three days after the contest ends. I usually try to respond everyday because it is too difficult for me if I wait until the last minute.

Poetry Monday: Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

On a cloudy day
sunshine is brighter and more
beautiful to see.

On a cloudy day
the sun dances in and out
from dawn to sunset.

On a cloudy day
the sun is a joy to watch
as it smiles at you.

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Partly Cloudy

Kamal (Perfection), 10 Sultan (Sovereignty), 164 B.E. - Monday, January 28, 2008 about 7:49 AM PST

Morning sky a patchwork quilt
of blue, white and gray
wind blows through the Stone Pine Trees.

A Rainy Morning

Jamal (Beauty), 9 Sultan (Sovereignty), 164 B.E. - Sunday, January 27, 2008 about 3:20 PM PST

There is something spiritual about a rainy morning. You wake up, look out the window, and see water laying on the ground. Rain refreshes the world, in a similar way prayer refreshes the soul. Prayer waters the garden of the spirit just as rainwater nature's garden.

After a shower the city seems clean, the dust of the day before washed away. The sky looks bright even when there are clouds. After prayer, the human spirit is clean of previous worries and fears. The spirit is joyous, happy and can see beauty in the world around it. The city refreshed for the rest of the day after a morning rain just as the soul remains joyous after prayers.

5000 Questions Survery - Questions 126 to 150

Jalal (Glory), 8 Sultan (Sovereignty), 164 B.E. - Saturday, January 26, 2008 about 2:22 PM PST

126. Would you consider yourself to be wise? Wisdom is a product of age and maturity, I have both so in some cases I am wise.

127. Have you ever given or received a lap dance? No and I never wanted one.

128. Have you ever spoken to a homeless person? Yes and I want to talk to another.

129. Would you ever creep into the subway tunnels to go exploring? Only if I had a flashlight and two or three extra sets of batteries

130. If you could add 70 years to your life but only by making some random person die 70 years sooner would you? No

131. Can you finish any of the following lyrics? A: Nothing to kill or die for... except love B: Late comings with the late comin' stretcher... gives everyone a chance to pray. C: I could make a film and make you my star... but I don't want you to

132. Were you ever with someone while they died? Yes, my grandfather

133. Would you rather be a world political leader or a rock star? Neither I'd rather go into outer space

134. Have you ever given someone a love letter that you wrote? No, but there is still time

135. Have you ever sent someone a surprise though the mail? No, but that's a good idea

136. Are you looking forward to any concerts right now? No, I'm looking forward to a long vacation

137. Of all animated movies, which is the best one you've ever seen? The Hobbit

138. What are the best bands or songs to listen to while driving? Any band that I can get on my car radio

139. What do you think is the most amazing thing that anyone has ever accomplished? Making another person smile

140. What could a member of the opposite sex do to impress you? Change a flat tire

141. About how many emails do you get a day? Hundreds How many of those emails are junk mail? 85% How many of them are forwards? 1%

142. What's your favorite thing to do online besides write in your diary and hang out at this site? Hang out on writing.com

143. Do you believe Kurt Cobain (Kurt Cobain) killed himself or was it a conspiracy? I have no idea because I haven't seen any of the evidence.

144. Have you ever though about hitchhiking across the country? Yes and then I realized it is a big country. I'd come to some little town no one has ever heard of and want to settle down.

145. Who would you bring with you on this kind of a road trip? Not who, but what. I'd take a prayer book and a journal.

146. Of the following, which word best describes you: accurate, bold, charming, dependable All of them describe me under different circumstances.

147. If you are single, at about what age do you think you will be ready to settle down and get married? At any age I can find someone I can get along with If you are married, how old were you at the time?

48. Do you often wonder, when you say goodbye to people, if it is the last time you will ever see them? Yes, often.

149. What movie are you most looking forward to seeing when it comes out? Any movie that I can afford or have a free pass to see

150. What is your quest? To reflect the attributes of God as best I can.

Flash Fiction Friday: Shadows

Istiqlal (Independence), 7 Sultan (Sovereignty), 164 B.E. - Friday, January 25, 2008 about 9:59 AM PST

Daily Writing Practice Prompt for January 25, 2008 - Shadows

Evening's shadows cast their long fingers across the valley. The western mountains seemed particularly foreboding tonight. A shiver ran up Rena's spine as she began to ascend the pass that led into the Daughter Mountains. She remembered all the stories her mother had told her about those mountains and the ancestors who passed through them on their journey to the Valley of the Lavender Lilies.

As she climbed Sarn's Pass, the shadows seemed to gather around her like fog coming in from the inland sea that washed against the Valley's southern boarder. The shadows seemed oddly protective, as if there was something beyond them that stalked her, but needed an even deeper darkness to conceal themselves. Rena instinctively knew, that whatever stalked her would wait until full darkness to attack, but she would reach the crest of the pass before the sun had completely set.

At the crest Rena took the firewood stacked beside Sarn's Mound and build a fire. She had reached the point of now return, the grave of her ancestor who had defended the fleeing tribe as they entered the Valley of the Lavender Lilies. If she did not return to the Valley at dawn, there would be no going back because none of her kin would accept her back in their midst.

"Daughter," came her mother's voice from one of the surround caves, "it's safer within the cave. Join me in my exile."

Rena added another piece of wood to the fire. A shadow that resembled her mother stepped out of a cave and beckoned to her. Responding to the shadow would only draw it closer, so Rena took a honey cake from her pack and began to eat. She ate the cake slowly as she scanned the entrance to the other caves. Apparently only one of the caves was inhabited, but Rena was not sure what dwell in the cave. She knew only that it was not her mother.

"Please, Rena, I am Jura, your exiled half-sister, join me."

At least now, Rena thought, I know what I'm dealing with.

"No, Jura," she picked up a burning log and threw it toward the shadow, "I'll not join you. Return to your chosen exile." The shadow of her half-sister fled into the cave.

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Peaceful Thoughts

Istijlal (Majesty), 6 Sultan (Sovereignty), 164 B.E. - Thursday, January 24, 2008 about 4:11 PM PST

I found a wonderful book published by Special Interest Publications, which is part of the Publishing Group of Meredith Corp. The full title of the book is Peaceful Thoughts for busy women. The picture on the front cover is a wooden rocking chair setting in front of a blazing fire. It is a beautiful picture, unfortunately I cannot scan the cover because today my scanner is unable to find its imaging software.

The book has laid on my dinning room table for sometime now, so I do not know where I got it. This book is full of beautiful pictures, as well calming sayings and meditations. It is something you read while sipping a cup of herb tea after a hectic day. The following quote is on the back cover of the book.

"Nothing can bring you peace but yourself."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

This is a book that should be in any woman's library. After a hard day we need to sit down and relax with a good book and a cup of herb tea.

I Am a Member of Writing.com

'Idal (Justice), 5 Sultan (Sovereignty), 164 B.E. - Wednesday, January 23, 2008 about 4:47 PM PST

I joined writing.com on October 31, 2002. Since joining my writing has improved immensely due to the review I receive from and give to other members. However, this is not the only reason for the improvement. There are writing contests for poetry, flash fiction, short stories, and other types of writing. I enter these contest and have won some. I have also placed second, third or received honorable mention.

I joined writing.com on a whim in 2002 because I was surfing and came across the website. I could join as a free member and got a place to keep approximately ten items. Since then I have became an upgraded member, which means I can store 250 items in my portfolio. I am now considering moving from an upgraded membership to a premium membership because I need more room in my portfolio.

My handle on writing.com is Prosperous Snow. Please visit my port and see what I am working on or go to writing.com and log in as a guest. Read what other members are writing. Try out a free membership and see how you like the writing.com community.

My Rules for entering Writing Contests

Fidal (Grace), 4 Sultan (Sovereignty), 164 B.E. - Tuesday, January 22, 2008 about 4:45 PM PST

Today I thought I would post my personal rules for entering writing contest.

1. Read the rules carefully and take notes if necessary
2. When the piece is finish print a hardcopy of the poem, article or story and proof read the hardcopy
3. Keep a copy of the item you submit
4. Keep a record of where you have submitted and the results
5. Keep a copies of all e-mails and other correspondence about your submission

Those are the only rules I have right now. If there is anything I forgot or did not list that is important, I am sure someone will leave the information in a comment.

Poetry Monday: The end of a three-day Holiday

Kamal (Perfection), 3 Sultan (Sovereignty), 164 B.E. - Monday, January 21, 2008 about 3:12 PM PST

Three days off in a row,
a Monday with nothing to do
except lounge around the pool,
if it were a little warmer outside;
the children are home from school
and the banks are closed,
but the malls and the gas stations are open.

No mail today,
so no bills will come until tomorrow
then they must be dealt with
in the mean time
we huddle in the house
making sure the thermostat
is just high enough to keep us from freeze,
but too low for comfort
without two sweater and a heavy winter coat.

It's Sunday Evening

Kamal (Perfection), 3 Sultan (Sovereignty), 164 B.E. - Sunday, January 20, 2008 about 6:45 PM PST

It's Sunday evening in late winter and I'm remembering my childhood. Specifically my Grandfather Newland. Sunday was a special time for my grandparents, it meant a big Sunday dinner with two kinds of vegetables and pie baked by my Grandmother. All the grandchildren were there for lunch and Grandpa said grace.

My Grandfather never recited a specific memorized prayer, he just spoke from his heart. The prayer was short and to the point. That's what I always liked about his prayers. He would thank God for the food and having family there. He would ask a blessing from God for everyone and then he would say Amen.

It's Sunday evening
in late winter and I'm remembering
my childhood.

My Grandfather's prayers
were spiritual and comforting
blessing to the family
waiting to eat the meal
my Grandmother prepared.

5000 Questions Survey - Questions 101 to 125

Jalal (Glory), 1 Sultan (Sovereignty), 164 B.E. - Saturday, January 19, 2008 about 9:11 AM PST

101. What does happiness/joy feel like physically? Flying without wings

102. List five people you love starting with the one you love the absolute most. A Baha'u'llah B My mother C My brother the writer D My brother the accountant E My sister the waitress

103. How many movies have you gone to see this month? I haven't gone to any movies yet in 2008

104. If you could have 3 wishes...but none of them could be for yourself, what would you wish for? (1) My mother's bills to be paid completely, (2) My sister to be healed, and (3) My sister-in-law to be healed.

105. In what ways do you relax and de-stress when you are really tense? Prayer, scripture reading and meditation.

106. How much money would it take to get you to drive to school naked in the springtime and get out of the car? There isn't enough money in the universe for that.

107. Have you ever killed an animal? I breath and drink water, that means that I take in microscopic animals everyday.

108. Have you ever lost someone close to you? Yes, my grandparents.

109. What do you think of cloning? People can't get along with themselves as it is, why make the situation worse by cloning them.

110. Do you read or watch TV more often? Read

111. With all this talk of terrorism going around are you willing to sacrifice rights and freedoms for increased safety? There is no true safety without dependence on the Unknowable Essence of God.

112. What is the punishment you would come up with for Osama Bin Laden if you caught him alive? I'm not wise enough for that and too smart to attempt it.

113. Have you ever named an individual part of your body? I gave my soul a name, does that count. I call my soul Prosperous.

114. Have you ever been on the radio or on TV? Not that I know of.

115. Have you ever won a lottery, or sweepstakes? Not yet

116. Have you ever won a contest or competition? Yes, I won writing contest on writing.com

117. Do you like to watch The Joy of Painting show with Bob Ross (check out this link if you don't know who he is. Also please note me if you notice the link is broken) Bob Ross (painter)? I like to watch any show where someone is using their creativity.

118. Do you know what your grandparents and your great grand parents did for a living? My grandfather was a farmer and worked at a zinc smelter. My grandmother was a telephone operator and a housewife.

119. Is there anything really interesting in your family history? Yes, but I haven't found out what it is yet.

120. Is there anyone you trust completely? Baha'u'llah

121. Have you ever lost someone without having the chance to say goodbye? Yes, my father. I didn't find out he died until I found his obit on the Internet.

122. How do you feel about women in politics? They can do just as good or bad a job as men.

123. Would you rather have an indoor Jacuzzi or an outdoor pool? An indoor Jacuzzi, you can keep it a secret from the neighbors kids.

124. What things are you interested in that you study or read about on your own? Poetry and writing.

125. Would you consider yourself to be intelligent? I'm intelligent

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Flash Fiction Friday: The Horizon

Daily Writing Practice Prompt for January 14, 2008 is write about the horizon.

Leah stood in her flower garden and watched the horizon. If anyone had ask what she saw, she couldn't have told them. There was movement as if ocean waves washed against an invisible barrier, but nothing else. Still she couldn't take her eyes off the horizon and the movement. Well, she thought, since I'm not going to get any work done, I may as well sit down.

Going onto the front porch, she sit in her grandmother's oak rocking chair. She began to rock in time with the movement on the horizon. As she rocked back and forth, back and forth, the movement changed. Now it resembled clouds gathering on the horizon and coming towards here. Clouds pushed by a mighty wind coming over the horizon and moving towards here.

Leah watched in fascination as the clouds approached her house. Lightning flashed, thunder roared and then the rain began to fall. Getting up, Leah went into the house and made herself a cup of hot tea.

Word Count = 166

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I Baked a Cake in a Microwave Oven

Istiqlal (Independence), 19 Sharaf (Honor), 164 B.E. - Friday, January 18, 2008 about 12:18 PM PST

I know everyone was expecting a different entry. A flash fiction story, I'll make that entry later today. However, I just could not wait to brag about this. I baked a cake in a microwave oven today. Now I am looking for other nontraditional Microwave foods to fix.

So far I have fixed a turkey and a cake in my Microwave. The Microwave I have I picked up off from a Las Vegas Freecycler. I have had it a couple of years now; I do all my cooking in it. However, this is the first time I have used it to bake a cake.

The cake I made came from a boxed mix and the box did not have Microwave direction. I have a Microwave cookbook that gives recipes for baking so I just took the time from one of the cake recipes in the book. It worked out fine and the cake came out of the oven looking good.

I think I can cook anything in a Microwave. I like to bake, but writing takes up most of my time. I do not have the time to use fixing food in a regular oven. Now I can make a cake and bake it in the Microwave. I do not know what took me so long to try this. I think I will attempt making cookies in a few days. I have a mix for peanut butter cookies in the fridge.

Citrus-Marinated Chicken Salad

When I make Chicken Salad I want Mexican chicken in the recipe. I have found that El Pollo Loco’s citrus-marinated flame-grilled chicken adds the best flavor to my chicken salad.

1 El Pollo Loco’s citrus-marinated flame-grilled chicken
4 small or 2 large Jalapenos sliced thin with seeds removed
1 green pepper sliced thin
1 yellow pepper sliced thin
1 red pepper sliced thin
1 bunch of radishes with each radish cut in half
1 bunch green onions diced
1 head of lettuce cut into small or medium pieces
1/2 cup grated cheese
1/4 cup nuts
Either blue cheese or ranch dressing to taste

I prefer my chicken with the skin still on it, so I cut the chicken off the bone and put in a serving dish. This way everyone in the house can put as much or as little chicken as desired want on each salad. I also diced the onions, slice the Jalapenos peppers and put them in separate containers. The rest of the ingredients, with the exception of the dressing, I mix together in a large salad bowl.

One Book Every Writer Should Have

Istijlal (Majesty), 18 Sharaf (Honor), 164 B.E. - Thursday, January 17, 2008 about 2:58 PM PST

Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg is one book that every beginning writer should have in his or her personal library. This wonderful little book is written from the point of view of a writer and a poet. Every chapter gives exercises or writing advice.

When reading a book about writing use various colored highlighters to mark passages of interest. Use one color for writing advice and another color for writing ideas. A writer can get a great many ideas poetic themes when reading any book, but this book is especially good for finding subjects for poems and giving useful advice on things like sentences. I enjoy this book and reread sections of it all the time.

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Website Wednesday: Lots of Writing Websites

Istiqlal (Majesty), 18 Sharaf (Honor), 164 B.E. - Wednesday, January 16, 2008 about 7:49 PM PST


There are numerous writing websites out there. Some of them specialize in one genre of writing and some cover the range. Many of these websites have contests and give writing advice in the form of articles. A writer should look at all the writing related websites she or he encounters. Read the article and even try the writing prompts.

I enjoy the writing prompts they give me good ideas to write about. Writing prompts also give a writer a chance to work in other genres. They give a writer a chance to get out of the usual rut and find a new voice. Trying something new keeps the muse running. It never hurts to attempt something new once in a while. I enjoy looking at new writing websites.

An interesting two days

Fidal (Grace), 16 Sharaf (Honor), 164 B.E. - Tuesday, January 15, 2008 about 4:05 PM PST

Yesterday and today have been interesting, to say the least. Hectic is probably a better word for it. I did not get the theme posted for yesterday and I did not get the one for today researched. I am wore out and tired. I may take a nap latter or go to bed early. It depends on how much of the other writing goals I achieve. I have reviews to do on writing.com. I need to pay for another month's upgraded membership, which was due today. I still have to take two trashcans to the curb for pickup tomorrow.

Tomorrow is web site Wednesday, so I think I will do three themes in one. The web site I write about will be one with several different writing contests on it. I already have the web site picked out, but I have to look at the contests later on to see which ones I feature.

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Spiritual Sunday: After Midnight

Jamal (Beauty), 14 Sharaf (Honor), 164 B.E. - Sunday, January 13, 2008 about 3:23 PM PST

Daily Writing Practice Prompt for January 13, 2008 - After midnight.

After midnight
and my midnight prayers are said;
I lay in bed listening
to the noise of the city's night.

After midnight
I hear the neighbor's dog bark,
the police copter overhead,
the squeak of brakes,
an ambulance
and sometime even gunshots.

After midnight
I feel no fear
for I have intoned the verse God
and feel the protection of the Divine.

After midnight
the hours before the dawn
the verses of faith
echo through my mind,
reverberate across the landscape
of my dreams.

After midnight
I review the days actions and decisions,
I consider where improvement is necessary
to that I can make today better then yesterday
and tomorrow better than today.

After midnight
tranquility and peace
is in the verses revealed by God.

NOTE: This is how I feel when I say and read my prayers at midnight. Even in Las Vegas, with all the noises and danger, there seems to be something spiritual about the midnight hour, when a person is alone with the sacred scriptures and a prayer book. This is just a personal feeling, but lately it seems to pertain to the events in my life.

5000 Questions Survey - Questions 76 to 100

Jalal (Glory), 13 Sharaf (Honor), 164 B.E. - Saturday, January 12, 2008 about 11:33 AM PST

76. Do you prefer Disney or Warner Brothers?

I like them both, however I think my favorite is Disney.

77. What is the first animal you would run to see if you went to the zoo?

The first animals I run to see in a zoo is the big cats. I'm especially fond of the tigers.

78. Would you consider yourself to be romantic?

I am a bitter romantic, what this means is that I write bitter romantic poems.

79. If the earth stopped rotating would we all fly off?

No, we would not all fly off. We would probably fall over each other.

80. What is the one thing that you love to do so much that you would make sacrifices to be able to do it?

Writing poetry.

81. If you (and everyone) had to lose one right or freedom, but you could pick which one everyone had to lose, what would you pick?

This is one choice I could not make because it is a decision each person must make individually.

82. If you had to choose would you live on the equator or at the North Pole?

At the equator because I like warm weather much better now that I am getting older. When I was younger I would probably have picked the North Pole.

83. Would you rather give up listening to music or watching television?

I do not watch a lot of television. So that is what I would pick.

84. What do you think makes someone a hero?

Sacrificing for the betterment of humanity.

85. What cartoon would you like to be a character in?

A Mickey Mouse cartoon.

86. Name one thing that turns your stomach:

Prejudice turns my stomach.

87. What was the last thing you paid for?

A bag of potatoes.

88. Are you a coupon clipper?

I use coupons when they come in food packages or from the check out stand. I seldom clip them from newspapers or magazines.

89. Get anything good in the mail recently?

Yes, an invitation to get one free issues of The Writer.

90. Which would you rather take as a gym class...dancing, sailing, karate, or bowling?

This is a difficult choice. I have taken a gym class, bowled and danced. That leaves sailing and karate I have never attempted. I think sailing followed by karate.

91. In Star Trek people 'beam' back and forth between different places. What this means is they stand in a little tube and their molecules are deconstructed and sent to another tube somewhere else where they are reassembled. Only problem is when the molecules are deconstructed the person is dead. When they are put back together it is only a clone that has all the dead person's memories. So... Is the person who gets beamed the same person on both ends?

This is a deep philosophical question. I have not considered it, but it is worth meditating on and perhaps even a separate blog entry. This is a question I would have to think about. However, I suppose if the same memories exist and the persons look identical and are identical down to the level of the DNA, then it is the same person. I am much more interested in what happens to the person's soul when he or she is first deconstructed.

92. What insects are you afraid of?

I am afraid of spiders and spiders are not insects.

93. If you could print any phrase on a T-shirt, what would it say?

Humanity is a single species.

94. What's the most eccentric thing you have ever worn?

A red blouse with green slacks.

95. If you could pick one food that you could eat all you wanted but it would have no effect on how much you weigh, what food would it be?

Chocolate

96. What are your parents interested in?

My father passed into the next world several years ago, so I am not sure what he is interested in. My mother is interested in warmer weather.

97. Have you ever caught an insect and kept it as a pet? Have you ever caught and tamed a wild animal?

I put tadpoles in a jar once.

98. What is more helpful to you, wishes or plans?

Plans are more helpful, but wishes are more inspiring.

99. When do you feel your life energy the strongest?

In the morning, just after I get up and say my morning prayers.

100. You are spending the night alone in the woods and may bring only 3 items with you. What do you bring?

A journal, a pen and a flashlight.


5000 Questions Survey - Questions 51 to 75

5000 Questions Survey - Questions 26 to 50

5000 Questions Survey - Questions 1 to 25

The 5000 Questions Survey Questions

Flash Fiction Friday: In the Middle of the Night

Istiqlal (Independence), 12 Sharaf (Honor), 164 B.E. - Friday, January 11, 2008 about 11:05 AM PST

Daily Writing Practice Prompt for January 8, 2008:

It's what I do in the middle of the night.

Aven woke up and reached for the clock on the nightstand. Midnight, she thought taking a deep breath, another night of no sleep. She got out of bed, walked down the hall pausing at the thermostat she moved the switch up until the heat came on and then continued to the kitchen. There she opened the refrigerator door and stared at the contents.

I guess I could heat up the leftover oatmeal, maybe that and some hot chocolate will put me to sleep, before she could take the oatmeal out of the fridge, the phone ring.

Who in the right mind would be calling me in the middle of the night? Going to the phone she picked up the receiver.

A voice on the other end said, "This is Ebrad, please give me a call as soon as possible," and then hung up the phone.

Who is Ebrad, putting the receiver back in its cradle she went into the living room. That's the last time I answer the phone at midnight, the next time the answering machine can pick it up.

In the living room, she turned on the computer and waited for it to boot. Then she dialed her Internet provider. Since I can't sleep, I may as well do a few reviews. She logged into her writing.com account, clicked on a featured title and began reading the poem. Then she loaded the review tool and began to write the review.

NOTE: This is not be the most exciting piece of flash fiction I have written recently, but it is a fictional account of I do in the middle of the night.

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Book Review Thursday: Books I've read or I'm reading

Istiqlal (Independence), 12 Sharaf (Honor) 164 B.E. - Thursday, January 10, 2008 about 7:54 PM PST

This is the list of book I have read in the past and will discuss on upcoming Thursdays.

1. The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah
2. 10 Ways to Meditate by Paul Reps
3. 60 Things To Do When You Turn Sixty by various authors
4. Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
5. Great Songs of Faith
6. Poetic Medicine by John Fox
7. In the Palm of your Hand by Steve Kowitt

Right now I'm reading Mother Teresa, Come Be My Light, The Private Writings of the "Saint of Calcutta.

Website Wednesday: Tabbed Brousing

'Idal (Justice), 10 Sharaf (Honor) 164 B.E. - Wednesday, January 9, 2008 about 10:42 AM PST

This is Website Wednesday, but instead of reviewing a writing website, I am going to write about a related subject. Tabbed browsing is wonderful because it lets a writer have more then one website loaded at once. To switch from website to website all you do is put the mouse cursor on the tab you wand and click.

Tabbed browsing is great when doing research or composing a blog entry online. If I have to reference more then one site while I am writing, I put each site on a different tab. It saves time because I can keep the blog entry on one tab and look at the site I want to refer to while writing. This is especially nice when I need to access an online dictionary quickly.

I love tabbed browsing and use it all the time when I am online. Even when I am not composing a blog entry, I have two tabs up with different websites. One tab is usually my yahoo e-mail or my writing.com port. There are problems with tabbed browsing especially since I have a phone line connection. However, most of the problems are not that big an issues as long as I remember to save my blog entry periodically.

The main problem I have with tabbed browsing is losing my Internet connection occasionally. I can deal with this, while it is a bit irritating I is not unmanageable. First, I have to remember to save your blog entry before going to another tab. The great thing about blogger.com is that it saves my entry automatically when I am composing. It also tells me when I have lost the connection with the server.

Second, when I do lose my connection I reconnected immediately. Normally I am reconnect automatically, but not always. I use ZoneAlarm as my firewall so just by looking at the icon I can tell if I am still connection. When it comes to tabbed browsing I have one rule never have more then three tabs up at once, which cuts down on the lost connections

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Contest Tuesday: Write Stuff Poetry Contest

Fidal (Grace), 9 Sharaf (Honor) 164 B.E. - Tuesday, January 8, 2008 about 9:51 AM PST

The theme for today is writing contests, specifically the Write Stuff Poetry Contest. This is a poetry contest for bloggers and the deadline for entries is January 11 at 5:00 PM Central Time. This time translates into 3:00 PM Pacific Time, 4:00 PM Mountain Time, and 6:00 PM Eastern Time. The theme for this contest is cold, bitter.

My blog post on Poetry Monday was my entry to this contest. I enjoyed writing that poem because it brought back memories of playing in the snow as a child. It also caused me to compare the way I react to cold now with the way I reacted to it as a child. I like poetry contest that make me think and bring back memories of my childhood.

Any one who enters the contest be sure to post the vote link at the bottom of your entry. Voting for the entries starts January 11 and last until January 15; since there is voting for this contest be sure to e-mail the link of your entry post to all your friends across the world. In addition, post the link in any other blogs you have and on any groups you are a member of.

The post to my poem entry is The Experience of Winter.

Write Stuff poetry contest: The Experience of Winter

The Experience of Winter

I remember Oklahoma winters
when deep snow blocked doors to the house and closed
highways state wide. We were children then and
the cold snow just another toy for us.

At sixty, I live in the Nevada
desert where bitter winters freeze my blood,
penetrate my bones, cause pain in my knees,
and bring nostalgic dreams of my childhood.

I sit looking out the window' I see
winter white clouds sailing across the blue
sky and wonder what the difference is
between my winter experiences.

Are winters today colder then those of
my childhood? Is it simply age and wear
on my body that makes winters appear
worse or is the climate really changing?

An Experiment in Prayer

Kamal (Perfection), 8 Sharaf (Honor) 164 B.E. - Sunday, January 6, 2008 about 8:21 PM PST

This is the first in a series of Spiritual Sunday essays. I am writing these essays from personal experiences taken from the 61 years of my life. I turned 61 on December 24, 2007.

I read an article once about a man who tried an experiment with prayer. He would say prayers for a while and then he would stop praying. When he stopped praying his life situation got worse. At the time I read the article, I thought that it was an interesting experiment, but not one I intended to attempt.

I have always believed in prayer so trying an experiment like that did not appeal to me. My own experiment in prayer began inadvertently. My prayer life had gotten to the point where I just said the prayers. I did not focus on the prayers I said or the way they made me feel during and afterwards.

When my mother went into the hospital last year, I began focusing on the prayers. I focused on one prayer in particular. That was the Long Healing Prayer revealed by Baha'u'llah. When I read that prayer, for my mother, I focused on the words and on the spiritual feeling that accompanied them. The lesson I learned was to focus on the prayer, even if I know the prayer by heart I still need to focus on it.

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Themed entries for this blog

Jamal (Beauty), 7 Sharaf (Honor) 164 B.E.- Sunday, January 6, 2008 about 11:00 AM PST

I usually make two or three entries in this blog daily; therefore, I have decided to give one entry per day a theme. When I use a prompt, my response to the prompt will cover that day's theme. I decided to do this because it helps me write about writing.

Daily Themes for This Blog

1. Sunday = Spiritual Sunday, which will consist of a short essay on a spiritual subject or scripture verse I find comforting.
2. Monday = Poetry Monday, the entry for this day consist of a poem written by myself.
3. Tuesday = Contest Tuesday, I will review writing contests.
4. Wednesday = Website Wednesday I will review a website or blog that covers some aspect of writing.
5. Thursday = Book review Thursday I will write about a book I have read.
6. Friday = Flash Fiction Friday I will post a story of 1,000 words or less written by myself.
7. Saturday = Survey Saturday I will answer survey questions.

5000 Question Survey - Questions 51 to 75

6 Sharaf 164 B.E. - Saturday, January 5, 2008 about 4:09 PM PST

51. Make up a definition for the following silly words... Fruitgoogle: This is the mixed fruit that you buy in the store and put in Jell-o; Ambytime: The period between calling an ambulance and its arrival; Asscactus: The cactus you land on when you jump or fall off a stone wall and into a cactus patch.

52. What was the last thing you made with your own hands? A sandwich.

53. What was your favorite toy as a child? A doll my grandmother got me.

54. How many TV’s are in your house? One

55. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Go out at night and watch the stars.

56. How do you feel when you see a rainbow? Awestruck.

57. Have you ever dreamt a dream that came true? Yes, when I dream about money I get money.

58. Have you ever been to a psychic/tarot reader? No.

59. What is your idea of paradise? Nearness to God.

60. Do you believe in god and if so what is he/she/it like? Yes, God is an unknowable spiritual essence.

61. Do you believe in Hell? Hell is distance from God.

62. What one thing have you done that most people haven't? I flew over the Grand Canyon.

63. What is the kindest thing you have ever done? Didn't tell someone that being drunk and unable to go to work isn't considered being sick.

64. Are you a patient person? It depends on the circumstances.

65. What holiday should exist but doesn't? Aunt/Uncles Day.

66. What holiday shouldn't exist but does? I don't know of any holiday that shouldn't exist.

67. What's the best joke you ever heard? I've heard a number of good jokes, I'm still waiting for the best joke I ever heard though. My problem with jokes is that I can't tell them and make people laugh.

68. Where is the most fun place you have EVER been? Disney Land

69. Is your hair natural or dyed? It's natural, I'm waiting for it to turn completely gray and then I'm going to die it blond.

70. Do you have any deep dark secrets or are you pretty much up front? Everyone has dark secrets, that why they're called dark secrets because we keep them in the dark.

71. What is under your bed right now? Probably dust bunnies and a few stray socks.

72. If you were in the Land of Oz would you want to live there or go home? The Emerald City.

73. If you drive do you frequently speed? I haven't had a speeding ticket in years. I slowed down when I turned 55 and realized I was the same age as the speed limit.

74. What is the world's best song to dance to? I have no idea, I don't dance to songs any more.

75. What song was on the last time you danced with someone? That was so long ago that I don't remember.

5000 Question Survey - Questions 26 to 50

5000 Question Survey - Questions 1 to 25

5000 Question Survey - All Questions

I'm working with the Dorsimbra this week

5 Sharaf 164 B.E. - Friday, January 4, 2008 about 9:03 AM PST

The poetry form I'm working with this week is the Dorsimbra. This form consist of twelve lines divided into three stanza. Stanza one is made up of four lines of iambic pentameter rhyming abab. Stanza two is a quatrain of free verse. Stanza three is unrhymed iambic pentameter blank verse. The first line in stanza one is repeated in stanza three line twelve.

In the poem I'm writing, about composing a poem, I'm using an oxymoron. I found a list of oxymorons at OxymoronList.com, which are arranged in alphabetical order. So far I have the first and last line of the poem written. This is because I'm using the oxymoron I chose in those lines. I think after this poem is completed and posted, I'm going to write another with an oxymoron or use one of them as the title for a piece of flash fiction.

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5000 Question Survey - Questions 26 to 50

4 Sharaf 164 B.E. - Thursday, January 3, 2008 about 8:56 AM PST

For the answers to the first 25 questions see 5000 Question Survey - The Beginning. To see all the questions in the survey go to The 5,000 Question Survey.

26. Who has done something today to show they care about you? My mother she kissed me good morning.

27. Do you have a lot to learn? I have a great deal to learn about myself and the reason I do or don't do something.

28. If you could learn how to do three things just by wishing and not by working what would they be? A: Fly an airplane, B: Speak Spanish, and C: Bake a cake in a Microwave oven

29. Which do you remember the longest: what other people say, what other people do or how other people make you feel? It depends on the "other people" which it is. Sometimes I remember a combination of the three and sometimes just one.

30. What are the key ingredients to having a good relationship? Respect of the other person and of yourself.

31. What 3 things do you want to do before you die? A: Go to Haifa, Israel, B: Fly in a hot air balloon, and C: Go on an Alaskan cruise.

32. What three things would you want to die to avoid doing? A: Bungee jumping, B: Being in a plane crash, and C: Walking barefoot in the snow.

33. Is there a cause you believe in more than any other cause? Yes, I believe in the three onenesses: (1) the oneness of humanity, (2) the oneness of God, and (3) the oneness of religion.

34. What does each decade make you think of: The 19.. 20's: My mother, she was born in 1921; 30's: The music was interesting; 40's: The war; 50's: Going to school in Blackwell, Oklahoma; 60's: The music was interesting; 70's: The music was interesting; 80's: The music was interesting; 90's: The music was interesting; 2000 (so far): I turned 60 in 2006, in 2007 my mother turn 86 in the operating room having a bowl resection - So far this decade has been a mixed bag of nuts. 2010's: A time to look forward to because humanity is moving into a period of spirituality.

35. Which decade do you feel the most special connection to and why? The 2000's because of the things I learned about myself and the wisdom I gained.

36. What is your favorite oldie/classic rock song? Bridge over Troubled Waters

37. What country do you live in and who is the leader of that country? If you could say any sentence to the current leader of your country what would it be? I live in America and this year 2008 is an election year so we're going to change leaders. I would say to the present leader "You did as good a job as you could under the circumstances." To the future leader "Rock on."

38. What's your favorite TV channel to watch in the middle of the night? I don't watch T.V. in the middle of the night except on special occasions.

39. What Disney villain are you the most like and why? None of the Disney villains, I identify more with Daisy Duck.

40. Have you ever been a girl scout/boy scout? No

41. If you were traveling to another continent would you rather fly or take a boat? Fly

42. Why is the sky blue during the day and black at night? It's blue during the day because of the scattering of blue light. It's black at night so that we can see the stars.

43. What does your name mean? My name means (first) Snow, (Middle) Prosperous, and (Last) Where the Wild Things Live.

44. Would you rather explore the deeps of the ocean or outer space? Outer space

45. Word association What is the first word that comes to mind when you see the word: Air: Breathing, Meat: Prime Rib, Different: Humor, Pink: Dawn, Deserve: Grace, White: Snow, Elvis: Music, Magic: Love, Heart: Soul, Clash: Opinion, Pulp: Paper.

46. If you could meet any person in the world who is dead who would you want it to be? Baha'u'llah

47. What if you could meet anyone who is alive? My half-sister

48. Is there a movie that you love so much you could watch it everyday? Any of the Lord of the Rings movies

49. You are going to be stuck alone in an elevator for a week. What do you bring to do? A journal and a pen to write with.

50. Have you ever saved someone's life or had your life saved? My grandfather saved my life when I was a child. He took me out of an old fridge I was hiding in for a game of hide-and-seek.

Writing in 2008

3 Sharaf 164 B.E. - Wednesday, January 2, 2008 about 12:10 PM PST

This is the first week of the first month of 2008. It's time to consider what I'm going to write, what I'm going to submit and what I'm going to rewrite. I have a novel to finish, which I must complete before the end of January. I'm stuck on the last chapter. I have almost all the colonists on the planet, I have one group to put planet side and then I can start the rewrite.

What's the problem? I don't know except I can't get them off the colony ship and onto the planet. Maybe I didn't do enough planning from the beginning. I know that I'm going to have to reread the proceeding chapters. I'll print them off and do it that way. Maybe with hard copies in my hand I can see the problem.

In addition to that one I've started another novel and I have one to finish rewriting. I don't have time to worry, perhaps that's my problem, I'm worrying too much. I'm not as worried now as in 2007. I still have things to worry about, but I'm more willing to put things in God's hands and get on with my life as well as my writing.

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5000 Questions Survey - The Beginning

2 Sharaf 164 B.E. - Tuesday, January 1, 2008 about 2:20 AM PST

There are fifty-one parts to this survey with one hundred questions each. All the survey questions are found on live journal at The 5,000 Question Survey. I am breaking the survey up into smaller portions of twenty-five questions each because they are easier to answer. I am also going to spread the answers to the questions at random intervals throughout this blog.

Part 1 - The First 25 Questions

1. Who are you? I am a dual natured creature with both a body and a soul. My body is part of the material creation and my soul is a gift from God.

2. What are the 3 most important things everyone should know about you? (1) I am a woman and I write from a woman's point of view. (2) I believe there is only one God, who is an unknowable essence, and that periodically throughout history that essence has sent prophets to assist humanity. (3) I believe the human race is a single species and that the various colors gives the species beauty.

3. When you aren't filling out 5,000 question surveys like this one what are you doing? I am either writing or doing housework.

4. List your classes in school from the ones you like the most to the ones you like the least (or if you are out of school, think of the classes you did like and didn't like at the time). The classes I liked most in school were writing and drama. The classes I liked least were math classes.

5. What is your biggest goal for this year? To write and increase my income.

6. Where do you want to be in 5 years? Debt free

7. What stage of life are you in right now? I am in the continuous learning stage.

8. Are you more child-like or childish? Sometimes I am child-like and sometimes I am childish depending on my mood.

9. What is the last thing you said out loud? I love you to my mother before she went to bed.

10. What song comes closest to how you feel about your life right now? May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You

11. Have you ever taken martial arts classes? No

12. Does your life tend to get better or worse or does it just stay the same? It swings from one to the other at random intervals. Life is always changing and is full of tests and difficulties.

13. Does time really heal all wounds? It depends on the wound and on the individual. Wounds don't heal well by themselves sometimes we have to apply medication to them.

14. How do you handle a rainy day? I like rainy days as long as I am not driving in the rain. The streets in Las Vegas tend to flood on rainy days.

15. Which is worse...losing your luggage or having to sort out tangled holiday lights? Losing your luggage, but I don't have holiday lights to untangle.

16. How is your relationship with your parents? Will you miss them when they are gone? My relationship with my mother is improving all the time. I will miss her when she passes into the next world. My father passed on several years ago.

17. Do you tend to be aware of what is going on around you? Most of the time I am aware of what is going on around me.

18. What is the truest thing that you know? That there is only one God who is known by many names.

19. What did you want to be when you grew up? A writer

20. Have you ever been given a second chance? Yes

21. Are you more of a giver or a taker? Sometimes I am a giver and sometimes I am a taker depending on my mood and the circumstances surrounding the situation.

22. Do you make your decisions with an open heart/mind? I attempt to make decisions with an open heart and mind. Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I fail.

23. What is the most physically painful thing that has ever happened to you? Waking up on a cold morning with a stiff knee and trying to stretch the knee out.

24. What is the most emotionally painful thing that has ever happened to you? Falling in love and realizing the guy did not feel the same way.

25. Who have you hugged today? My mother before she went to bed.