Writing on the Second Thursday of August 2016

I write therefore I am! I blog therefore I am! I give thanks for being able to write and to blog. This is the second Thankful Thursday in August 2016, which means I have a lot to be thankful for. I am thankful that I am still alive and writing. Considering the condition of the world today that is something to include in my Thankful Thursday Gratitude list. 

On Monday, I went to the bank and the grocery store. I had to deposit a check and pick up a prescription. This meant that I had to get into the car drive to the bank then to Smith's Food and  Drug Store. I am thankful that I arrived safely at both the bank and the grocery store. I am also thankful that I arrived safely back home. I am thankful that I had the cash in my purse to pay for the prescriptions because I didn't want to use my debit card that day. In fact I am attempting not to use my debit card for at least the rest of the week. 

Thankful Thursday: A Poem

I am thankful that 

Last night at midnight it rained 

Cooled Las Vegas heat 

Thankful Thursday: Counting my Blessings: A Poem

I count my blessings 

Numbering them one by one 

One line at a time 

I know I am blessed 

Listing my gratitude helps 

Overcome the blues 

I intone a prayer of thanks 

For blessings I have received 

My blues disappears 

 

Thankful Thursday: March 24, 2016

It's Thursday again and time to list some of the things I'm thankful for this week. I know I should list ten, but I don't think I'm going to do that today. I'll just list the main thing I'm grateful for on this beautiful morning.

Today I give thanks
that the wind has blowing
through the streets of Las Vegas.

Yesterday the wind gust were so fast that it was pushing people across the street. In order to deal with wind gust this fast you have to either carry bricks in each hand or wear heavy shoes. There are times when even those things don't help and you just have to stay indoors.

Thankful Thursday: A Writer's January Gratitude List

Today I am thankful...

01. ...for my past lovers because they have shown me that I am a survivor while giving me ideas and themes for short stories or poems.

02. ...for the new Gregorian year because it gives me a chance to review my goals and prepare myself for celebrating my New Year on March 20, 2016.

03. ...for Depends© because they do not show under my clothes which means I can wear them with any outfit I have when I leave the house.

04. ...for Auto Zone because the employees ore polite and helpful when I stop there to purchase fluids for my car.

05. ...that my checking account is not overdrawn today.

06. ...for they crisp January weather because it encourages me to write winter haiku.

07. ...that I was able to write a short story and poem this week.

08. ...for my compression stockings because my legs feel better when I wear them.

09. ...that I lost two pounds.

10. ...that I have an internet connection in my apartment because it allows me to easily research information for stories and poems.

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.

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.

One Writer's Poetic Gratitude List

I am thankful for
the coffeemaker that brews
my first cup of joe.

I am grateful for
Folgers special coffee blend
rich, hot, dark, and bold.

I am thankful for
the senryu poetry form
nineteen syllables.

I am grateful for
My ninety-five green prayer beads
And focused meditation.

I am thankful for
writing.com inspiring
and encouraging reviews.

I am grateful for
October's arrival and
double digit temperatures.

I am thankful for
the candy corn memories
inspire poetry.

I am grateful for
my prayer book and the prayers of
Baha'u'llah and the Bab.

I am thankful for
waking up on another
beautiful fall day.

I am grateful that
ten items to put on my
Thankful Thursday list.

Thursday Thoughts: A Writer's Gratitude List for Thursday, July 30, 2015

What are the ten things I am grateful for today?

Today I am thankful...

01. ...for hot coffee because it wakes me up and energizes my muse.

02. ...that the writing.com spiritual newsletter for Wednesday, July 29, discussed Life's Experiences because I was able to use the theme in yesterday's Poet999 - A Butterfly Emerges From Her Cocoon blog post.

03. ...for the Journal Jar I have sitting on the lower shelf of my television stand because I can use the prompts it contains for blog entries when I encounter blog block.

04. ...that I found my Grandfather's gold pocket watch because I can use it in a poem or short story.

05. ,,,for the card some young people left at my front door last night about a House of Peace located somewhere near me. I am grateful for this card because it give me the idea for a poem about prayer and peace.

06. ...that I have two containers of concentrated cranberry juice in my refrigerator. I like to mix the concentrated juice with apple juice to make my own cran-apple juice because it tastes better then the kind I purchase in the store.

07. ...for the excitement we had in my neighborhood yesterday morning. I heard some unusual noises so opened the door to see what was up. When I looked out I saw yellow police tape stretched from one side of the street to the other. I also saw television cameras and a herd of police cars parked in the street. I can use this in a short story.

08. ...that I now have a chest of drawers and a dresser in my bedroom because now I can put my t-shirts and slacks in those instead of hanging them up in the closet or putting them in laundry baskets.

09. ...for Thankful Thursday because I can find ten things to be grateful for eavery week.

10. ...that my checking account is not overdrawn today.

Thursday Thoughts: Thankful Thursday Writing Interruptions

I should call this interruption Thursday instead of Thankful Thursday because I keep encountering interruptions to my writing. I am the one interrupting myself. This morning I was reviewing on writing.com, I interrupted the review to take out two bags of trash. My reasoning was logical, I needed to take the trash to the alley before it became too hot. Considering the wind and the nice spring temperature this morning that may not be true. If it remains cool the rest of the day I will consider taking another bag out this evening.

Taking the trash to the alley is not enjoyable, so maybe that is why I find ways to put it off. Writing is normally one of the ways I put off taking the trash out. That did not work this morning. In fact, putting off taking the trash out because I am writing may be come a thing of the past. I need to lose weight, so walking from my apartment to the alley is good exercise. I will use this as exercise for the rest of the week and then increase my walking.

Right now, I am encountering another potential writing interruption. I am sleepy. I am about to fall asleep at the keyboard, which is not a good idea. Because of the type of chair I use when I type there a good chance I will fall off if I go to sleep while typing. Therefore, I think I will post this, finish my breakfast dishes, and take a nap.

Thursday Thoughts: On Thankful Thursday - A Poem

On Thankful Thursday
Birds intone their gratitude
To the winds of March.

On Thankful Thursday
I am grateful for sunshine,
Shadows, and blue sky.

On Thankful Thursday
The wind whispers gratitude
To the olive tree.

On Thankful Thursday
I am grateful for fresh brewed
The wind chill factor.

On Thankful Thursday
The sun beams its gratitude
To humanity.

On Thankful Thursday
I am grateful for white cars
That reflect the morning sun.

On Thankful Thursday
The pigeons show gratitude
As they pick up crumbs

On Thankful Thursday
I am grateful for postal
Workers who deliver mail.


On Thankful Thursday
The pine trees show gratitude
By sharing their shade.

On Thankful Thursday
I am grateful for laughter
Reverberating
Through the neighborhood.

Thankful Thursday: January 15, 2015

Today I am thankful...

1. ...that my checking account is not overdrawn.
2. ...for the two chicken leg quarters I have cooking with my vegetable soup for lunch.
3. ...that today's late fall morning is turning into beautiful sunshiny afternoon.
4. ...for the waffles and mixed fruit I had for breakfast.
5. ...that I was able to brew a fresh carafe of coffee this morning.
6. ...for writing.com.
7. ...that I have the talent and creativity to write poetry.
8. ...for the weird noises I hear in this neighborhood because they generate ideas for stories.
9. ...that I took the last antibiotic tablet this morning and I can throw the bottle away.
10. ...for the sound of a Harley-Davidson roaring past my apartment complex.

Thankful Thursday: Writer's Gratitude List

birds sing in pine trees
feather clouds decorating
the afternoon sky

sun cast dark shadows
of palm frowns, pine trees, and pigeons
afternoon beauty

senryu and haiku
transform civilization
natural beauty

Thursday afternoon
the wind caresses pine limbs
gentle autumn breeze

Thankful Thursday: A busy poetry week

It is thankful Thursday of a busy poetry week. I have written six or seven short poems this week with more in the planning stage. I cannot figure out why I am so inspired this close to the end of the month. Normally, my inspiration occurs at the beginning of the month instead of the end.

September
a good month to write
autumn poetry.

I could be warming up for October and the NaNoWriMo Prep challenge. I will spend the thirty-one days from October 1 to October 31 planning my 2014 NaNoWriMo novel. I already have a plot idea and a few characters in the planning stage. October should be another good month for writing.

Thankful Thursday: A Writer's Gratitude List Thursday July 10, 2014

It has taken me all day to figure out the things I am thankful for having or experiencing this week.

Today I am thankful...

01. ...for an uncluttered floor under my desk. I had to move everything under the desk so the exterminator could spray under there for roaches and spiders.

02. ...that I was able to purchase the July 2014 edition of Scientific American when I went to the Smith's Food & Drug Store on Wednesday, July 9.  There are two articles that caught my attention in this edition (1) "Gods of Blood & Stone" by Erik Vance and (2) "Giant Bubbles of t he Milky Way" by Douglas Finkbeiner, Meng Su, and Dmitry Maqlyshev. I have begun reading the first article and it is fascinating.

03. ...that I received my free modem upgrade and battery from Cox Communications today. I called the local tech line yesterday to find out about those items. I did not expect to receive them until Saturday; however, they came today which means I can assemble the items on Friday morning when I am fully awake.

04. ...that I found a bright shiny penny on the floor this morning when I was sweeping under my desk. The date on the penny is 2012, the year my mother passed away; it is a Penny From Heaven, a gift from my mother whose soul is in paradise.

05. ...that I had to take all the dishes out of the cupboards so that the exterminator could spray for bugs. Now when I wash them, I can give the ones away I have no use for which will leave me more room for paper towels, toilet paper, and other bulk items.

06. ...for the rain we have received in Las Vegas and Southern Nevada over the last few days. Because it has made the afternoons pleasant and not as hot as normal.

07. ...for the sugar cookie I received on Wednesday when I picked up my Senior Food Commodities for July. I ate the cookie for breakfast with a hot cup of coffee.

08. ...that I still have some grapes left to eat because they make a good snack in the evening when I do not want to eat anything heavy.

09. ...that I can a can of chicken in water, carrots, and turkey gravy that I could open for lunch and dinner because I did not have to cook the chicken or white fish I have in the freezer.

10. ...that I have ten items on this list because not I have subjects and themes for poems and short stories,.

Thoughtful Thursday: The First Thankful Thursday in May 2014

What am I thinking today? It is the first day of May 2014 and I am remembering a game I played as a child in Vacation Bible School. This game consisted in everyone dancing around a Maypole, which was a tall post or poll put in the ground with long crepe paper ribbons. Each child took a ribbon and we went around the Maypole winding the ribbon around it. I am not sure what the reason for it was except to give us something to do during recess or to teach us about the different customs across Europe.

What am I thinking today? It is the first Thankful Thursday in May and I am thinking about writing a poem of gratitude for all the blessings I have received this year. I have so many things to put in this poem. One of the things I want to put in the poem is my gratitude for the Revelation of Baha'u'llah.

Gratitude is an attitude

Prayer in action

What am I thinking about today? It is the Eleventh Day of Ridvan and I am thinking about renewal. The theme of the Twelve Days of Ridvan is renewal. It is spring and nature is in the process of renewal. It is Ridvan and my faith is being renewed. This is the time of celebration and renewal. I am grateful for the chance to renew my faith.

Thoughtful Thursday: Writing and Gratitude

Today is Thankful Thursday, the day that I attempt to list ten things I am grateful for or to have. I am having a bit of difficulty finding those things and it is not because I have nothing to list. The problem is sitting down and making the list. I start to make the list, my mind goes blank, and the question arises "Am I experiencing Writers' Block or Gratitude Block?"

I am facing a similar issue with stories. I sit down to write a story and, even if I have a prompt, I end up writing a poem. My muse wants to focus on stanza and line rather then plot and character. In addition, it appears that I am facing rewriting block. I am not sure what is causing this problem, maybe it is not getting to the gym or anywhere else since Tuesday evening. On Monday, I sent to the gym, and then on Tuesday, I attended a spiritual gathering.

On Wednesday, I awake to find I was extremely short on an item I need in order to get out of the house. I only have two of those items left, one in my purse and the other in the glove compartment of the car. I do not have enough money to purchase a small package of the items. The only cash I have in the house is laundry money and the money in the bank is already promised. I am at my wits end and I am not sure what to do about it.

I suppose the best thing, under these circumstances, is to start a gratitude list. Therefore, today I am thankful,,,

1. ...that I have enough coffee to last me the rest of the week;

2. ...for the large package of chicken legs I received when I went to Lutheran Social Service because I can fix chicken soup with those and the vegetables I have in the house;

3.  ...that I still have an internet connection and am able to get online;

4.  ...for the beautiful sunshiny day I see when I look out my window.

5.  ...that the electricity is still turned on so that I can fix me something to eat;

6. ...for the six bottles of water I received from Lutheran Social Service when I went on the last Friday of March;

7. ...that I brought two Tupperware© meat keepers with me when I moved from the house because now I have something to store the chicken legs I am not cooking today;

8. ...for the Farmers' Market coupon I received at the beginning of April because now I have something besides canned vegetables to put in my chicken soup;

9. ...that my mood has changed since I woke up this morning because now I have a more positive attitude then I did earlier today;

10. ...for the air conditioner that cools my small apartment down to a comfortable level.

I found ten things to be thankful for, which proves that if I simply sit down and focus on the subject I can overcome whatever type of writers' block I think is afflicting me at the moment.

Thankful Thursday: March 12, 2014

Today I am thankful...

01. ...for my friends and family on Facebook.

02. ...that I was able to go 30 minutes on the treadmill today.

03. ...for writing.com.

04. ...that I am able to write poetry.

05. ...for grocery carts at the grocery store.

06.  ...that I was able to pick up my prescription today.

07. ...for coffee in the morning.

08.  ...that I had a coupon for coffee when I went to the grocery store today.

09. ...for cordial cherry ice cream.

10.  ...that I received peanut butter with my senior food allotment.

A Writer's Thankful Thursday: February 27: 2014

Today I am Thankful...

1.  ...that my alarm is sit for 4:00 am because I wake up before the sun and receive the blessing of seeing another sunrise.

2. ...for coffee because it is my muse in the morning.

3. ...that when Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 9, all my important clocks will reset themselves to the proper time.

4. ...that when Daylight Savings Time begins I have to manually reset only two clocks in the house, which are the clock on the stove and the microwave.

5. ...that I still have 313 minutes to use on my cellphone.

6. ...that I exceeded my daily word count goal for the past four days.

7. ...that I have enough quarters in my purse to wash and dry two loads of laundry this morning.

8. ...that I have 166, 651 Gift Points in my writing.com Gift Points account.

9. ...that I was able to find one ballpoint pen that still has ink in it.

10. ...that I was able to give away two boxes of pillowcases and other housewares to Big Brothers and Big Sisters on Wednesday.

A Writer's Thankful Thursday: Feburary 20, 2014

This morning I am thankful...

1.  ...that I found my dream journal, which I knew I brought with me, in one of the tote bags I brought. I was able to record the dream that woke me at 11:41 pm last night.

2.  ...for the alarm in my cell phone that woke me at 4:20 am this morning. The alarm is set for 4:00 am, but I chose the voiced wake up call which did not penetrate my brain for twenty minutes. I changed to "melodic bells", so that it plays longer. I will see how long it takes that melody to wake me up on Friday morning.

3.  ...that I was able to take my thyroid medication before 7:00 am this morning. This is one reason I set the alarm at 4:00 am.

4.  ...for the strong black coffee that helps me get started in the morning. Everyone on the planet should be able to have his or her favorite beverage the first thing every morning.

5.  ...that I found my copy of The Summons of The Lord of Hosts. I now have something spiritual and positive to read before I go to bed each day.

6.  ...for the beautiful and bright sunlight I see when I look out my window. Whenever I look out and see sunshine it makes me smile.

7.  ...that I found my Harley-Davidson cap so that I can wear it when I leave the house. I was wearing the cap last week when I went to the grocery store and a man smiled at me.

8.  ...for peanut butter because there is nothing that taste better (at least this week) then a peanut butter sandwich for breakfast.

9.  ...that I have the talent to write poetry and short stories. It is much easier (for me anyway) to put my thoughts in poetic or story form then into a daily journal.

10.  ...for the weird noises this apartment makes because they inspire my writing.