Everybody’s got a list, right?

Daily writing prompt
What could you try for the first time?

Undoubtedly, most everyone has a mental list that they’ve probably carried with them since childhood, filled with possible adventures, achievements, hopes, and dreams. But, as most of us discover over time, that mental list morphs into three… would you, could you, or should you!

Take for instance, surfing… surfing, or any water sport, for that matter, could have been something worth trying, but not only has it now turned into a question of whether or not I should, but also aligns with the reality of would I even want to try it?

The answer, in this case would be that while I could have tried a number of open water sports, I wouldn’t have… are you crazy? There’s sharks swimming out in those waters, so I’ll stay on the boat, if you please! Not only that, but at this point in my journey, there’s no way that I should try it… not without breaking something!

I shall now try to write a new list of things that I could, would, and should try for the first time. It’s not nearly as easy as you might think. For example, there’s Karaoke, which is something I always thought I wanted to try. It is something that I can say I would try, and even go as far as to say that there’s no reason why I shouldn’t try it, but the trouble now is that I’m not sure I could! Perhaps what I should try for is the confidence needed to get up in front of people. Will I ever find the courage? Probably not, lol!

Before you start thinking that I’m just a coward, and am too scared to try new stuff, let me remind you of what I have tried…

Modeling, College degree, dog breeder, bird breeder, the entire field of equine husbandry, and horsemanship (dressage, vaulting, breeding, and showing), Mother, Bible Seminary, global travel (England and Ireland), camping, hiking, driving in a semi with my husband for 3 years, painting, pottery, ceramics, crocheting, sewing, becoming a blogger, publishing a book, and soon to be a Grandmother of 8 + my Godson, Peapod!

So, as you can see, I have always had a list, along with every other human being. Who knows how many more years I have left on this beautiful planet, but I don’t ever want my list to stop growing, not ever! I’m fairly certain that I’ve caught God writing on it, though He is rather sneaky about it… He absolutely loves to give me gifts and surprise me with things. I’m not gonna give that up, are you crazy? Don’t ever give up on your list, because that’s where God gives you purpose, my friends.

Don’t forget to try these new cookies for the first time…

Doing or giving…

Daily writing prompt
If you had a million dollars to give away, who would you give it to?

Does it make me a bad person if I say that I wouldn’t give it away, at all?

Before you start thinking I’m some uncharitable ingrate, who’d take the money and run for the hills at the first chance, it’s not what you think.

I was born into poverty some 50 odd years ago, spent years growing up in the streets, and in the last 5 years, haven’t had the luxury of money, nor the familiar safety of a solid roof over my head… that is, until March of this year. In all my travels, thus far, whenever a person is just given free money… most simply squander it! Handing a starving person free money is like offering clean needles to heroin addicts. How about this? Try taking your life in your own hands by getting into the water with a drowning victim, go ahead… you first.

Media makes us all lose our ju ju’s over the most recent announcements of how high the current Power Ball Lottery is… like each one of us were simply destined to have those winning numbers! But, how many will admit that they went right out and bought a ticket anyway, just in case? Gambling casino’s are filled with the hurting, the hungry, and the lost, all willing to bet their rent or food money for a chance at better luck than they were given at birth.

It bothers me that we live in a day and time where it seems that the well of human kindness has simply run dry… or run for the revival tents.

We have Netflix specials to display all those Lottery Dream Home’s, YouTube millionaires and professional gamblers giving money, haircuts, and new shoes to people sleeping in the streets. I don’t think Oprah’s free car giveaways to her audiences did the world any favors… Oh, life is hard… here, have a free gift… you get a car, and you get a car, and you get a car! Oh, you can’t pay for the taxes and licensing on said car? Why not?

The reason I said that I don’t think I’d give the money away, is because it’s foolish, that’s why! It’s much wiser to use the money to do what needs doing for those in need. If you feed a starving man instead of giving him the money to go buy it himself, the chances are higher that he’ll actually get fed, instead of shooting it, smoking it, or snorting it in a state of literal free fall.

Put that money into Food Banks, clothing banks, medical clinics, and shelters. Use the money to build a food bank, clothing bank, medical clinic, and/or shelter!

We need to get off our proverbial booties and get out there… do something to change lives instead of just handing out change!

My husband and I have been living off of nothing other than food stamps, for nearly 2 years now, and somehow we’re still here. That’s God, in my personal opinion.

So, when I consider what I’d do if I had an extra hard mil, simply laying around, I can honestly say that I wouldn’t know what to do with it, I’m sorry.

This is where cookies come in really handy…

Barnyard Blues…

I awoke this morning, to questions that don’t seem to have satisfactory answers, as far as deciding on what to write for my normal Friday post. I’m going to be fully honest when I say that Barnyard Business episodes may not be the right fit for WordPress.

While my heart wants to continue with the stories, the response on WP has not been what I’d anticipated. Now, don’t go getting your feelings hurt or anything, because I’m certainly not blaming any of you.

The imaginative stories I come up with are really meant for children, and let’s face it, there aren’t any little ones knocking on my WP door. If folks are reading any of them to their children, I’ve never had any comments or such that might reflect someone’s interest.

I published a children’s book, but it was mainly for testing the waters. I think I’ve sold one copy, but I wasn’t surprised. My books are meant for children’s hands, not in the form of a futuristic Etch a Scetch!

This will be my third Christmas spread that I’ll be putting together, and as you already know, nobody ever seems to show up for the party. You can be butt hurt about this statement, or you can simply accept it as truth. You all have busy lives, I get it! Plus, the bottom line for this site is to reach hearts, not collect back pats and overly wordy accolades… it’s not about me!

Unfortunately, I have a tendency to make it more about me than about sharing the Gospel. Maybe it wasn’t my primary reason back when I started… but it is now, more than ever! I try not to overdo it, but let’s face it… that’s what the cookies are for, right?

As I am the president of my own Overthinkers Anonymous Club, it’s important that I make no rash decisions about a thing. Prayer comes first, then looking at said thing objectively, follows. After that, I write my thoughts down, usually here on WordPress. Any following steps come into play, once I receive your feedback. You may or may not even realize how important you are, in terms of what I write, how I write it, and when I publish said thing.

You are my family, and your thoughts matter to me, especially when it comes to what I put on this website. Why? Because you are important to me… very important!

I really would appreciate your feedback, as to whether or not I continue with any of my children themes, here on WordPress. It may be a situation where I simply journal on WP, but pull all of my main character episodes to a different venue. My desire is to write that which is useful for your edification, inspiration, encouragement and overall blessings. If it needs changing, so be it! I love you enough that I’ll write however I must, if God can use it to reach your hearts!

Hugs

Fall Back Friday!

As usual, I sat down at the computer this morning, ready to work on the day’s writing projects. Even though the daily prompts are usually enough to get my creative side moving… it just wasn’t happening for this normally active brain! But, I did wake up far earlier than normal today. Unfortunately, my peppermint tea just isn’t cutting it, today.

Anyways, I thought to visit the photo archives, hoping for some inspiration, motivation, or any other kind of __ation that might encourage me to get something done.

Have you ever gone through your image archives from earlier writing seasons, discovering that you can remember which photos went with what writings? For me, it’s like a imaginary baby album!

Can you believe that I started writing my first full Fantasy/Fiction book just two years ago?

No, it’s not published… yet. It’s fully finished but as I’m my only editor, agent, and publisher, it waits.

I went back and found all the beginning baby pictures that I used for Tilly, Brutus… and, our favorite flying squirrel. They were all so adorable…

It’s shocking, to say the least, how many thousands of images my albums hold! And, yes, I said thousands. Don’t judge! Now, I’ll admit that my collections have gotten a bit out of hand, but surely, I’m not the only photo hoarder that ever owned a bookshop on our WordPressame Street!

So, I think it’s only fair that I should put your literary feet to the fire here, as well! Come on… be honest! On a scale from 1 to 10, 10 being the worst picture propagator out there, and 1 being unable to hold a smartphone in your hand, which are you?

Take your time…

No rush, or anything…

Seriously, I can wait…

Here, have a snack while you gather the courage to be truthful about your hidden hoarding habits…

Is this a set up?

Daily writing prompt
What’s your favorite time of day?

My gut reaction is to answer “Daytime”, but it feels like I’m being played, here!

Like one of those pull my finger sort of jokes, or something. If I were to fall for such an obvious trick, it would be all over WordPress Daily news, which is right down the block from The Lobby.

I’d be too embarrassed to show my face out in the street, what with Oscar the Grouch’s garbage can perfectly placed right on the corner. You know, he can be very rude sometimes! On any given day, one might find him entertaining himself by reading the daily newspaper out loud, from his can. I know it doesn’t sound so rude, at first, but let me finish. Oscar doesn’t simply read the articles… no no. He shouts the words as loud as he can, and does so in the direction of whoever walks by his garbage can. See? Very rude, in my opinion.

While I do prefer the quiet of the morning, I’m not going to answer, on the grounds that it may incriminate me, somehow.

What I will do, however, is make a double batch of cookies for everyone, to make up for the ones I forgot the other day. Though you may not think it a big deal, I have a reputation to uphold. In the words of Captain Barbosa, “Don’t dare impugn me honor boy!”

May these cookies served to you, here, this morning, fulfill my duty to me ship, me WordPress family, and me crew!

Double fudge chocolate…

or,

Ok, so maybe these one’s are more like cupcakes. Fine! They’re actual cupcakes, so what? But I should still get credit, what with all the work I put into baking them for you. And, two is still two, right?!