Thankful Thursday: A Writer's Gratitude List

It is the last Thursday in 2015, instead of writing about Thursday's Writing Research Topic I decided to end the year with a Gratitude list. To often, when we look back over the year, we focus on our accomplishments rather then the things we were grateful for in the proceeding year.

Today I am grateful for...

01. ...hot black coffee because it wakes me up and helps me focus on writing.

02. ...the experiences I have had while standing in line at a food bank because they resulted in a poem.

03. ...the second hand and discount stores where I purchase my clothes because they give me ideas for stories.

04. ...the beauty of a scarlet winter morning dawn because it inspires me to write poetry.

05. ...the members of writing.com who review my stories or poems and give me suggestions on ways to improve my writing.

06. ...my friends dog because she (the dog) dances all over the floor when she sees either of us.

07. ...my internet connection because it gives me access to the world.

08. ...the prayers revealed by Baha'u'llah, The Bab, and 'Abdu'l-Baha because they inspire me to write poetry.

09. ...Medicare and Medicaid because without them I would be unable to pay my doctor bills. The ability to pay my doctor bills helps me keep writing.

10. ...Christmas, the stuffed bear that a friend sent me, because every time I look at him I smile. Smiling helps keep me from becoming depressed and lets me keep writing.

Tuesday's Writing List: Ten Reasons A Rant Is Not a List

01. A rant is not a list because it is not numbered.
02. A rant is not a list because it is written in paragraphs.
03. A rant is not a list because it does not focus on one subject, but rather wanders hither and yon.
04. A rant is not a list because it is not line phased, but it can be a poem.
05. A rant is not a list because it does not make any logical sense (a personal point of view).
06. A rant is not a list because, under normal conditions, it does not help me overcome depression.
07. A rant is not a list because it covers emotional issues that I cannot put in list form.
08. A rant is not a list because when I rant I do not think about what I am writing.
09. A rant is not a list because when I rant I usually exceed the word limit of a list.
10. A rant is not a list because when I rant I normally do not have to edit the list.

Sunday Writing Speculations: What Will I Write?

What will I write? What projects do I have to finish? I contemplate these questions as I think about the coming year. I have three novels to finish and three to edit, but I haven't decided which I should work on first. I suppose the best place to start is the oldest of the six unedited or unfinished novels.

A New Year is a chance for a fresh beginning. A chance to begin new projects or finish old ones. Perhaps I'm over-thinking and making a mountain out of a mole hill (that is my Grandfather's cliché). I know I'm making the decision more difficult then it should be. This is something I've managed to do with everything all my life. I'm attempting to overcome this bad habit or change it. Perhaps it would be better to replace it with a new habit.

Instead of over-thinking, I need to be writing. I need to free write. Write out my thoughts as they come to me without worrying about grammar, spelling, or anything else. The advantage to using a computer is that I don't have to worry about figuring out my hand writing or bad spelling after my hand writing gets cold. As long as I spell words the way they sound the spell check will correct my bad spelling and, most of the time, catch my grammar mistakes.

What shall I write?
I will write what comes to mind
in 2016.

 

Form Friday: What Poetry Forms do I want to Explore in 2016?

Next Friday is January 1, 2016, I need to decide what poetry forms I want to explore during the year. Today, I will list some of the forms I have decided to attempt in the up coming year. I do not know which one I will attempt first.

An ekphrastic poem about a work of art.
A Blitz poem.
A diminished hexaverse.
A monchielle.
A lipogram poem.
A double diminished hexaverse.
A lilibonelle.

Chocolate Croissants by Gemma

Click on the video below to see how Gemma makes Chocolate Croissants. I love croissants and chocolate; however, until today I never considered making chocolate croissants. After watching this video I think I could attempt this recipe.

Christmas Eve 2015

Chilly Christmas Eve
in the Las Vegas valley
to have a white Christmas
we have to drive up the mountains
to Mount Charleston.

Three Giant Single-Serving Christmas Cookies

Click on the video below to see the recipe for Three Giant Single-Serving Christmas Cookies by Gemma. I love Christmas cookies, but I have never attempted to make them. After watching this video, I think I can attempt these recipes.

Seven Days Left in 2015

There are seven days left in 2015, so I have a few days to make my 2016 writing and reading goals. I have five fantasy novels to read in 2016. I have two of my own novels to finish and three to edit. This means I have to set my own deadlines, which should be fun and a new experience.

Rose Apple Custard Tart Recipe

Click on the video below to find out how to make Rose Apple Custard Tarts by Ann Reardon. This recipe sounds and looks good.

Writing Website Wednesday: Searching for Writing Websites

This afternoon, I searched for writing websites. The search did not give me any specific websites, which was all right since I did not know specifically what I was looking for. I found a couple of links to some educational websites that will help me improve my writing skills. These were in the first four items on the list. As I looked down the list I found several in the middle and at the bottom that I am more interested in investigating. Right now I do not know which one I want to investigate first, so I will post this and then after I eat lunch see what some of these websites have to offer.

KLM: Bluey en de Kerst luchtshow

Click on the video below to watch Bluey along with many of his friends fly in a Christmas airshow.

Writing Motivation Monday: Birthday Inspires Writing

On Thursday, December 24, I will be 69 years old. My upcoming birthday has inspired me to review my writing and my life. I looked back over the entries in this blog and realized that I have gotten away from the theme. Writing was the original theme, but in the past couple of years I have gotten away from that focus. Therefore, I have decided to refocus on the theme and compose blog entries on the aspect of writing. I will continue to attempt to make an entry every other day. I will continue to post ads because I think composing ads is an aspect of writing.

Daily Blog Themes
for this blog

Sunday: Sunday Writing Speculations
Monday: Writing Motivation Monday
Tuesday: Tuesday's Writing List
Wednesday: Writing Website Wednesday
Thursday: Thursday's Writing Research Topic
Friday: Poetry Form Friday
Saturday: Writing Success Saturday

KLM: Bluey and the Christmas Airshow

Click on the video below to watch Bluey and his friends perform in the Christmas Airshow.

Success Saturday: The Week of December 13-19

It has been a good week. I wrote five or six poem, two or three stories, and an essay. I purchased a black ink cartridge for my printer and I saw a specialist. All right, I am 68 years old so seeing a doctor or a specialist is not a big deal. I have an appointment with another specialist on Monday and then, I think I stop seeing doctors this year.

I am not sure what else I have to do this coming week. I know I have a flash fiction story to write. However, since I have not received the picture prompt for that I cannot start it. I will receive the prompt on Sunday, December 20. After that I will begin to write the story. Since December 24 is my birthday, I might write birthday story.

LG OLED TV vs Others Company’s High end LCD TV

LG OLED TV bring you into the world of true color. Click on the video below to see what LG OLED TV can bring to you.

Six More Days Until My Birthday

In six days I will turn 69 years old. I would like to do something special or, at least different, for my birthday. That said, whatever I do special or different, I have to do at home. I am not driving anywhere on December 24. I do not like to drive on Christmas Eve because of the last minute Christmas shoppers. I do not like to go to the malls on Christmas Eve either. That day they are packed wall to wall with procrastinators. I do not like to deal with other procrastinators. Therefore, I will remain home and take a walk or write a horror story about a mall on Christmas Eve.

I went to the Mall one Christmas Eve and that was enough to satisfy my curiosity about Christmas Eve shoppers. I will remain home and watch television, take a walk in front of my apartment, and work on the computer. I might also call my brothers and sister, since I do not expect to see them before sometime in 2016 (I hope).

Christmas Black Forrest Cake Recipe

I love Black Forest Cake. Click on the video below to see how to make Christmas Black Forrest Cake. Watch the video carefully before going to the How to Cook That website to find the recipe. This cake is cooked in an LG oven. This is a delicious recipe that anyone will like. Chocolate lovers are especially fond of this cake.

Christmas is Next Week

Christmas is coming
with all the Christmas carols:
Childhood memories return.

It is that time of year again when memories of childhood return. One of my fondest childhood memories is my grandmother's Christmas deserts. Grandma always made Christmas cookies, chocolate cake, and pumpkin pie. She also made other types of pies, but my favorite was pumpkin. Another thing my grandmother made during the holidays was cornbread. I loved the sweat taste of Grandma Mary's cornbread. I have tried, but I cannot make cornbread as good as my grandmother.

Red Velvet Roulade Cake

Click on the video below to see how to make Red Velvet Roulade Cake. Watch the video through a couple of times before you make the cake. This cake is baked in an LG convection oven. Watching the making of this cake is making me hunger.

A Cold Week in Las Vegas

A chilled Las Vegas
with snow on Mount Charleston:
winter's arrival.

It is still a few day until the first day of winter. It feels like winter in Las Vegas already. When I get up to take my medication the house is cold. The floor is cold, but I do not notice it because I have a pair of purple ankle socks I wear to bed. During the day my compression stockings keep my legs and feet warm; however, I cannot wear them at night. Fortunately, I have a heavy quilt on my bed, otherwise I would lose sleep because of the cold.

Macaron Dessert A Thanksgiving Recipe

I love deserts. I enjoy making deserts. I enjoy eating deserts. Click on the video below to learn how to cook is a Macaron Desert. If you are going to make this delicious desert I suggest you watch the video a couple of time. The first time just watch without taking notes about the ingredients. The second time you watch it take notes on on the ingredients. I am hunger for the desert after watching this video. Click on the How to Cook That website to get more information about the desert.

Thankful Thursday: A New Pair of Gloves

I have a new pair
of warm brown and white knitted gloves
for my aching hands.

I am thankful that when I went to one of the food banks this morning I received a new pair of gloves. Along with the gloves I received a hat and a scarf. All three will come in handy this winter, I know that it is warmer here in Las Vegas then in other parts of the country, but I am still cold.

I remember as a child, my Grandmother insisted that we wear gloves in winter. I did not understand why then, but now I do. The older I get the colder the winter seems to become. I do not know whether it is a part of growing old, global warming, or a little bit of both.

Hyundai Eco Friendly

Click on the video below and find out why we are much stronger when we are together. Remember the perfect time to start overcoming your limits is now.

Monday a Sad Day: Thoughts on blue Monday

Monday a sad day
when everything looks dark:
blue Monday morning.

Sometimes Mondays are joyful. Sometimes Mondays are sorrowful. Sometimes I don't want to get out of bed. Sometimes I can't wait to get up and enjoy the day. This time of year it's a struggle to look on the bright side because deep dark shadows get in the way. It's these times I have to focus on, prayer, meditation, and the scriptures. Without faith I would be a basket case (sorry about the cliché).

Writing, meditation, faith, and reading the scriptures keeps me focused on the positive aspects of the world. These four things also helps pull me out of the shadow of depression. This time of year depression is more of a threat then any other season. It could be because of the short days. It could be that some of my holiday memories are unhappy ones. It could be almost anything, including loneliness.

There are some weeks when the blues (I think I would rather use brown study) shows up on Sunday evening and last all the way to Tuesday morning. This week it showed up in the evening before I was ready to go to bed. I have to fight this darkness or it will get deeper and deeper. Prayers and scripture readings are lights that shine in the darkness. They scatter the darkness before it can get deeper. Writing my thought also helps me overcome depression.

Nineteen Days and Counting

There are nineteen writing days left in 2015. Nineteen days to complete whatever 2015 resolutions or goals remain uncompleted. I probably have a couple of items that remain uncompleted, but I am not going to worry about those today. Today, and possibly tomorrow, my goals are to rearrange, organize, or clean off three things.

1. The wooden television stand on the left side of my computer chair.
2. My computer desk.
3. The red storage container on the right side of my desk.

Since I plan to write between those tasks it may take me two days to accomplish them. I have to begin with the wooden T.V. stand because it contains mail I have to deal with today. After that I can clean off my computer desk, which is not overly messy, before going to the storage container. I suspect the storage contain to deal with therefore I am saving it until last. I know that most people like to do the most difficult items first; however, that is not and never has been my approach to housework or organizing. Once I complete these three jobs then I have to clean out and organize my desk drawers and my bedroom. I will start one of those this month and complete both of them sometime in January or February of 2016.

Unboxing the new KLM Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Click on the video below and watch the unboxing of the KLM Beoeing 787 Dreamliner. This video show new attributes of the 787 Dreamliner, so watch the video and see the items included in this beautiful plane. I know that if I ever get the chance to fly on this plane I will.

Friday Morning in Las Vegas

It's a chilly
Friday morning in Las Vegas
rain and mountains snow predicted.

This is a good day to do laundry and write. I like taking my pen and paper journal with me to the laundromat because the people inspire me. I meet all sorts of interesting people when I do laundry, which is one of the reasons I like to go to the laundromat. The other reason is that it is easier for me to put my clothes in my car and drive to the laundromat then it is to push the laundry/grocery cart across the street to the laundry room. Also, the washers and dryers in the laundromat are newer and, therefore, work better then the machines in the laundry room.

Okinawa: The Secret is Out - Julie's Secret

Julie and Lonnie fly to Okinawa. There Julie reveals a secret to Lonnie, who is 65 years old and never been out of the U.S. Watch the video below to see what happens on Lonnie's first trip outside of the U.S.

Tuesday Morning: A Poem

A Tuesday morning appointment
with a doctor
made me realize how wonderful
and helpful
the rest of humanity it.

Okinawa: The Secret is Out - Pop's Secret

Pop and Fern are a young and hip couple from Bangkok, Thailand. They go  to Okinawa before to relax before getting married. While in Okinawa Pop reveals a secret that causes Fern to think seriously about their future plans. Click on the video below to see what happens.

Dramatic Occurrences: A Poem

Dramatic occurrences
make good short story plots
and intriguing poems.

Looking into my youth
almost everything
was a dramatic occurrence,
but at 68
these events
take on a different
shade of light.

Shell Motorsport: Garage

Click on the video below to see what a well stocked garage looks like.

Cloudy Monday

Beautiful morning
clouds cover the December's sky
Reveals patch of blue.

Shell Motorsport: Cockpit

Click on the video below to check out the excitement.

Writing Goals for the second week in December 2015

The year is moving fast and soon it well be New Year's Day 2016. There are about four weeks left in 2015, so I am not sure how much of this year's goals I will accomplish. I have decided that making goals for twelve months at a time is too stressful. Therefore, I will make my writing goals for seven days at a time. This way I can focus on the present without worrying about how many things I have to do during the following year.

Since I don't celebrate New Year's Day on January 1, I can focus on the short term and what I have accomplished in that week. I could change my mind about the yearly goal before March 20 when I celebrate the New Year. I will see how I do accomplishing my weekly goals before I change to yearly goals.

This week's goals

1. Finish story about walking on water.
2. Complete seven What I celebrate entries on writing.com.
3. Enter one story in a Christmas contest on writing.com
4. Enter one poem in a Christmas contest on writing.com.
6. Write between 1,500 to 2,000 words per day.
7. Make pen and paper journal entries while waiting to see my doctors (I have three appointments this week).

Thursday Thoughts on Gratitude

Gratitude
is necessary
to live a full
and contented life.

One should give thanks every day, but if you cannot give thanks everyday then once a week is good. I did not realize how much I had to give thanks for until I started looking for things to put on my gratitude list. I started by giving thanks once a week. I now make a gratitude list everyday. Some of the items are always on my gratitude list, but I always find something new to be thankful for each day.

Today I am thankful for
the beauty of a late autumn afternoon.

 

Already December

It's December
the year has pass
like water flowing over
Niagara falls.

It's already December
as the year comes to a close
we contemplate
January's resolutions
wondering why
we didn't accomplish all of them.

December cold
penetrates our bones
sending shivers up our spines
or is it another
birthday that sends the shivers;
knowing another year
brings us closer
to the final curtain.

BI Norweigan Business School: A Flying Start

Oslo is a city where international students feel at home. A chosen student will get his/her name and interests exposed throughout Oslo. Billboards, posters, magazine ads, TV commercials will be spread across Oslo. Click on the video below to see if you would like to study abroad.