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 A new blog to contain answers to prompts |
Since my old blog "Everyday Canvas "  became overfilled, here's a new one. This new blog item will continue answering prompts, the same as the old one. Cool water cascading to low ground
To spread good will and hope all around.  |
| Prompt: What is a significant life change you've recently experienced and how has it impacted your daily life? Write about this in your Blog entry today. -------- Each morning itself, when I wake up, is a tiny but significant life change. It is always surprising to find myself still alive and I'm thankful for that. Not that I expect for myself anything nasty or even splendid to happen to cause a major life change. Frankly speaking, I am done with any major life changes at this time. My husband's passing after our 54 years of marriage five years ago and my cat's sudden death in August 2024 were very significant in my life, and to this day, they still have a serious impact. Yet, life is good and I have my two wonderful sons and the things I do that keep me happy enough and occupied, too, and sometimes over-occupied, to boot. Then, any change, positive or negative, can have profound effects on us. Yet, we have to deal with their inevitability. In addition, while they can be challenging, changes also present opportunities for personal growth and transformation. It is true that, some negative life changes can affect our health and social relationships. The ability to find support and see these changes as stepping stones, however, can lead to understanding who we are and how we can overcome such difficulties and even become stronger in the process. So for now, I'm not expecting any serious, positive or negative life changes. But then, who knows what lies ahead in the future, as life has a way of keeping us on our toes, all the time. As such, each year, where I live, the hurricane season makes me jumpy enough, anyway! And that's more than enough excitement. |
| Prompt: "Celebrate every step you accomplish, even the baby steps because what's truly important is to continue moving towards your dreams." Write about this in your Blog entry today. ------------- I'm all for celebrating accomplishments. Such celebrations encourage us to live through the day and even through the harder times. As to moving toward dreams, to begin with, at my age, I don't dream much. Except, I don't want too many changes or anyone or anything rocking the boat with my status quo. I can, however, understand why taking things step by step can be important toward accomplishing any goal. Those steps can be baby steps if one is easily overwhelmed and loses focus. Otherwise, what's wrong with wide strides, if I know what I am doing? In the beginning of any project, tiny consistent actions may be the baby steps that the quote is pointing at. Such baby steps are helpful if one is doing something for the first time or learning how to go about it. So instead of being distracted and scared by the bigger picture, one's focus can be on every single small step until a habit on the subject is created. Also, with small steps, quick adjustments can be made without having to deal with much larger mistakes. This way, with small steps, one can build momentum and omit feeling overwhelmed. In any case, I don't believe there is any one certain route to handle a project. This is because we are each different people with different needs, likes, and dislikes. Then, each project itself has its own requirements and needs, too. So, as much as I appreciate the quote and the idea of baby steps, I'm not going to say that baby steps are crucial for everything. If they were, we would be walking, in real life, like babies, and that wouldn't get us anywhere all that easily. |
| Prompt: "China tea, the scent of hyacinths, wood fires and bowls of violets-that is my mental picture of an agreeable February afternoon." Constance Spry Write about this quote in your Blog entry today. ------ Well, where I live, on this February afternoon, I have the AC on since it's over 80 degrees outside. Also, I don't know much about Constance Spry's that specific February afternoon, but her words reminded me of my mother, who was a tea enthusiast, loved watching the flames from the logs in the fireplace, and violets were her favorite flowers. She called them the "shy ones" since the purple flowers hung on a bent stem, which was "neck" the way she said it. Then, her hyacinth perfume was also legendary since she had it produced specifically for her. Come to think of it, all this makes me wonder about myself. How could such an ordinary, simple, and with no specific needs and dependencies person like me turned out to be a daughter to such a fancy and a very beautiful woman like her! I guess nature has its weird moments, too. Then, I also wonder how Constance Spry ended up describing some of my mother's favorite stuff. So, I googled Constance Spry (1886-1960). It turns out that Constance Spry was a British Floral Designer and she had a floral school. "Her highest honor came when she was chosen to be the florist for Queen Elizabeth II's wedding and coronation." In her photos, the way she holds herself, her headdress, and smile are so like my mother's that it almost shocked me out of my wits. The one difference is, my mother was about 40 years younger than her. Here is Constance Spry: https://ciaodomenica.blogspot.com/2013/03/constance-spry.html Just maybe, I might be missing my mother, and when we miss someone, we see her in other people. |
| Prompt: Big-hearted People What makes a person lovable and with a big heart? Do you have such people in your life and what would your descriptions of them be like? ------------ If "with a big heart" means someone who loves everyone as they are--that is, without judgment or expectation and with total forgiveness--I don't know anyone like that. I mean everyone has a boiling point. Even God doesn't like trespassers, for what little I know. On the other hand, I came to know many fantastic people, some of them in my extended family, and they, too, could take only so much nasty stuff. To me, based on one of my uncles who I thought was a saint in disguise and lovable and big-hearted, such a person has to be authentic, first. This means, again to me, a person who has humility and no need for validation or recognition. Then, such a person is loyal, at least to his loved ones, and encouraging, while being positive and joyful. He also doesn't hold grudges and understands that all humans can and are bound to make mistakes. Thus, he forgives easily and encourages healing. Above all, he has resilience and is strong in hard times and lifts others up in every way he can. This is because he is endowed with empathy and understanding and is very generous with his time, love, and support. Better yet, he cares about others without expecting anything in return. This type of kindness in such a person is deeply ingrained in who he is. I should really say, "in who he was." Unfortunately, that uncle of mine passed away in 1990. I talked about him here, because while I was growing up, he became someone I wanted to emulate, at least a tiny bit; although, I knew then and I still believe now that he was inimitable and the "only" one of a kind. |
| Prompt: Groundhog "The groundhogs are pretty good at eluding. If somebody is trying to come after a ground hog, they go and they burrow." Jack Hanna Why do you think the groundhog inherited the duty of deciding the arrival of spring? Do you know of any people who make far-out predictions and then disappear from the view? ----- Who can blame the groundhog! He must only be joking! Plus, there is something poetic in his act. Kind of annoyingly poetic! This is what I could dig up on the subject, "The first recorded Groundhog Day observance was in 1886, but the first official Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania was in 1887." So, in addition to The groundhog's so-called poetic nature, there is some history buried in his antics. Each year the groundhog, a.k.a Phil, makes a daring prediction, which means stepping into the unknown, pulling out a guess, and offering it to the world, but then burrowing himself under the ground. I would, too, if some people took my words like prophecies and others like jokes. I think the magic of the groundhog is in his disappearing act and that he doesn't stay to defend his forecast, argue with skeptics, or insist in being correct...well, mostly that I know of. He says what he sees, then escapes. He doesn't get caught up in what others think. This reminds me of some online posts when someone puts down, writes about, predicts something far-out, stirs everyone's imagination or dread, then disappears. Such people do get some attention, don't they! The same as we the people giving those unreal online predictions the time of the day, without realizing that the real power isn't in being right all the time. It's in the mystery of knowing when to speak about issues that will get attention. As long as such people, like the Groundhog Phil, can stir everything up, write far-out predictions on social media, let the world keep guessing... and also, waste our time! |
| Prompt: WDC's calendar's prompt was for January --What expert do you wish come teach you what they know? Why? ------ What expert to teach me what I don't know? "Let me count the ways!"  Naturally for me, I don't know everything. That's a given. To reiterate, I lack knowledge in many things, but do I want to work with an expert at my age? No way! Though my rejection is not for my sake, but for the benefit of that poor expert. I can just imagine him or her talking to me through his or her teeth and saying, "Didn't we go over this, yesterday? How quickly you forgot!" Although people like me do require expert advice across several areas of life to make sure they do stay well, be safe. and keep their quality of life up to par. So far, I've been safe enough. Safe that I didn't endanger anyone else...yet! I guess I am well enough, too, if you don't count my nervous cardiologist's advices with his forcedly calm voice. Come to think of it, he's the one discovering this or that noise coming from my insides, while no such noise bothers me at all. As to my extra safety and quality of life, my two sons are on it. Yesterday, one of them noticed I was shuffling my feet while I walked. I told him it was the slippers that shuffled and not me. And Heaven Forbid, I should cough or sneeze. Both sons get on my case, forgetting that I'm highly allergic to environmental anything. So you see, I'm already surrounded by experts. Then, with all those experts around and at me already, why would I wish other experts bugging me or me bugging them! |
| What are your thoughts on the recent airplane and the helicopter in the DC area? Do you believe there are going to more of these tragedies or less? ---------- I'm so sorry this happened at all! I mean when a U.S. Army helicopter and an American Airlines passenger jet collided in the air as the plane was trying to land in Washington. To the best of what I could find out, there were no survivors in the deadly collision above the icy waters of the Potomac River near Washington, DC. Imagine all those families who are in shock and grieving! Too many victims now, those dead from the crash and the alive ones who are the families and friends. I don't know if there'll be more or less of these tragedies again. Investigators have so far recovered the cockpit voice and flight data from the passenger jet, as well as the recording device from the helicopter. Also, as of today, they are keeping it hush hush. If they can learn something from this accident, maybe some of such tragedies can be evaded, but knowing a thing or two about human errors, a total relief from accidents like this may be impossible. Moreover, we have the addition of Ai, in the works, which is supposed to help us through stuff. Not that if anything goes wrong is Ai's fault. It is the fault of companies who do not understand the new technology and do not train their workers well enough. This makes me wonder how much of the mishandling of Ai or pilot error was involved in this airplane crash or any other accidents and mishaps. Just this morning, I had to handle such an Ai mishap with my internet and TV provider. Luckily, instead of having a nervous breakdown on their Ai phones, I went to their actual store to avoid the dread of wasting my time on the phone. It seems, things are okay now, but only so far, and I am not trusting Comcast or any other company, in whichever area of life they may be operating. This is because there's that too much of dependence and belief in technology, and I've had too many headaches in the recent year due to any one company mishandling Ai. Maybe, we should take a good look at ourselves and try to find out where we go wrong by using a fair insight, and not be blinded by any new technology or short-cuts to make things (!) easier. Maybe the helicopter operators, airplanes, and those who guide them from the towers and offices should step back and take a good look at themselves, before taking their easy shortcuts. |
| Prompt: "It isn't what we say or think that defines us but what we do." Jane Austen Write about this quote in your Blog entry today. --------- In my case, what I do, think, or say, usually are in the same stew, if I can help it. What I think is important for the way I view my own self. Then, what I do or say can become adapted to the situation and to the other people involved. I think the difference is in one's basic intentions and actions. In the long run, actions do speak louder than words. Some very eloquent speakers can tout kindness, fairness, and integrity, but if their actions contradict those values, their words can become useless. Also, people have to act on good intentions to make a difference and to be accountable for their behaviors. This also applies to us writers. Remember the power of showing rather than telling? The owner of the quote Jane Austen was a master of showing, both in her characters and in her writing style. She used action and behavior to define her characters rather than relying directly on her own statements. In Pride and Prejudice, for example, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy’s true natures are revealed not through what they say about themselves but through their choices and personal growth. Darcy, for instance, begins the novel as an arrogant and reserved person. Yet, he does pay off Wickham's debts to save Elizabeth's family from scandal. He also helps Jane and Bingley to reunite. These actions prove his integrity and love. Elizabeth's transformation, too, shows in her re-evaluation of her prejudices and she accepts Darcy for who he truly is. All these feats, Jane Austen accomplishes through irony, dialogue, and small but significant actions by her characters. Then, not just Pride and Prejudice but all her works prove that words alone are not enough both in real life or in putting together a good story. |
| Prompt: How has January been for you? What are your hopes for February? Write about this in your Blog entry today. --------- January has been a bit cold, too cold for where I live. I think February will be much better, weatherwise. Otherwise, it is a wait-and-see thing. Since we have a new president, the things are changing greatly, and I'm watching and hoping that everything will fall into place and nothing will be negatively affected. Just maybe, the wait-and-see attitude is what is needed. In other words, it is like writing a skit instead of a whole play or a full-length novel. From where I look at it, January and February have gotten together and have also become a single skit and a funny one, too, because most people make new year's resolutions in the beginning of January. As for me, finding out how hopeless this was, I stopped that practice for myself decades ago. Talking about resolutions, maybe it is the wild new-year-parties that go to people's heads and they end up with a hopeless hope, only to find out later, that it was the partying that talked them into making resolutions. So here enters February, sending its first inkling that maybe the resolution-making wasn't such a good idea, since it cuts into who we are and our inimitable ways of handling life. And this is very much okay! Then, there is SOUP! Since the weather in February can be too cold for doing anything, most of us stay indoors. Not in my area, though; however, I do like staying indoors anyway and my latest go-to comfort is soup in the evenings. Especially, a chicken-soup base, to which I add whatever strikes my fancy. So for supper, making my bowl of soup is like writing a short story. Who cares that my short story of soup will be no more after supper! Kind of like the new-year's resolutions. Poof! and they're gone! "Soup puts the heart at ease, calms down the violence of hunger, eliminates the tension of the day, and awakens and refines the appetite," said Auguste Escoffier. See, I knew I was into something important there! Although, unlike the fancy Escoffier soups that are created with know-how and labor of love, mine are a mishmash of whatever there is in the fridge. Still, my soups have the same or similar soul-soothing effects. So in February, it is soup to the rescue every supper. And I'm quite happy with that idea! |
| Prompt: Memories "Take care of all your memories. For you cannot relive them." Bob Dylan What are your thoughts and feelings on memories? Would we be better off with or without them? And which kinds of memories are dear to you? -------------- As they say, "Time flies." And Bob Dylan says, "Value and cherish your life's moments." My life's moments are very important to me, especially now in old age, because there's no way to relive them again, and the only way I can reach to them is through my mind and heart. Such moments are memories. Memories are anchors of who I am, how I understand myself and the world as much as or as little as I have experienced it. While I cannot go back to the past, recreate or change what already happened, I can intentionally keep and safeguard my memories in the present. But then, how can I depend on my faltering brain to do just that? I can't, really, depend fully on my mind's capability. I can, however, put to use photos, old journals, and simply think about my memories with gratitude that I was able to live through them all. All my memories are dear to me, especially those involving my sons, my late husband, and family, and also, some friends and very special family members who are no more. Because those memories are irreplicable, I believe my memories deserve my respect and attention, for they are treasures to keep, to learn from, and to celebrate. Also, the not-too-good memories should not make me or anyone else feel unhappy or live while longing for or regretting the past. It is essential that we all need to live in the here-and-now fully, in which we can continue creating new memories that we and others--loved ones, family, and friends--can cherish in the future. After all, life is an impermanent gift and we need to be mindful or our moments and days to create, embrace, and carry forward our deeds and memories. After all, the beauty of our lives are preserved in our memories and their stories we tell to ourselves. |
| Prompt: Sights and Sounds Which kinds of sounds, like the sound of rain or snow falling, and sights--sunsets, ocean, mountains, babies etc.--impress you the most and which kinds you wish to write about? ---------- Which kind? All kinds! Well, almost. It's because life itself is mesmerizing, and sights and sounds always leave an indelible mark on me. I wish I could write as beautifully and exactly as what I always experience nature's sights and sounds inside me. Mostly and especially, I am fond of human expressions caught in a fleeting glance, a sad smile, a tender embrace, or a confused frown. This is because these kinds of sights become windows into the complexity of our human experience here on earth. I don't know why I just wrote "here on earth." Would we be any different in space, in another galaxy? Something to think about, isn't it! This is how I usually confuse myself. Talking about this place earth, its beauty of natural landscapes. the ocean, the forest, a starlit sky watched when away from the city lights, the colors of autumn and sunsets and sunrises can all be so captivating. Then, any city itself with its unique makeup--modern or decaying or in ruins as the remnant of an ancient civilization--can become something to behold. When it comes to the sounds, nature itself has its own ongoing symphony. The calls of the birds, waves crashing against the rocks or softly sweeping the sands, the pitter-patter of a gentle rain or a loud thunder, all evoke a sense of wonder in me. In addition, there's the music, as human invention nevertheless, like a sonata, a folk tune, or a simple love song. All these suggest and produce specific happy or sad moods. Surely, I 'd like to write about all those, but what mostly interests me is people. That is, people at work, people in a marketplace, a cafe, or at the train station, people who each carry their own personal stories. To them, a sunset may mean the passage of time, the inevitability of endings and the beauty of fleeting moments. For them, a melody long forgotten but now overheard can trigger beautiful or tragic memories, hinting at untold love, a personal struggle, or a limitless ambition. So, from where I stand, people are the most important to write about in all creation, and only as an addition, sights and sounds become background supports or maybe threads to be woven into tales of our human condition. |
| Prompt: Have fun with these words: finances, detour, valley, determination, reclusive, status and credentials. -------- Gone Shopping Oh yes, *reclusive souls don't seek cheers however, my *status quo in silence fears *credentials that act like heavy weights still, in my *valley, my ambition dictates the few riches in tow, for my heart believes in *determination, although it conceives *finances sparse, but much courage persists, no *detour ahead, for my shopping list exists so onward I charge, my spirit aflame and with a credit card, I stake my claim |
| Prompt: Lemony Snickett says, “February is the shortest month, so if you’re having a miserable month, try to schedule it for February.” J.D. Robb says, “Even though February is the shortest month of the year, sometimes it seemed like the longest.” Neither men seem to like February, what about you? Does it feel like it's too short or too long? How does one schedule a miserable month? ------- Oh, that poor February! Why it carries all the blame is beyond me. The oddity is not in February but in the solar calendar; therefore, wouldn't it be a fairer practice if all the 12 months could carry the excess or the lacking of days by taking turns? On second thought, maybe not because--with our imperfect human brains--we'd even be more confused. JD Robb may feel robbed in some weird way and Lemony Snickett may have soured on one single month of the year, but to me, February is just another month, which has become the fall guy of year. From a personal point of view and in February's defense, February is a month I truly like because one of my sons was born on Feb. 12. Also, there's that Valentine's Day in February. In addition, don't we have the Presidents' days in February, too? Although we select our presidents to drag them through the mud later, they were/are still our presidents, aren't they! Who are we to judge! Then, we 'the people' are so prejudiced. Anything short, we pick on, and especially if it's ugly. February is short and miserably cold for the Northern Hemisphere. So, Bam! it gets the blame. I recently saw something on the net that said the poles were changing positions and North Pole would become the South Pole, etc. If this happens, then, shall we keep going on to blame the poor February? Granted, it'll still be short, but probably some of its cold and dreariness will ease off. Instead of picking on February, why don't we just stop and look at our own human affairs. Why do we always have wars in the world? Why are we always arguing about religion, food, fashion, looks, the best way to live on this planet, etc.? As they say, “When you point your finger at someone, three are pointing back at you!” ************ In Addition: If you're interested: Still, through February, here are three out-of-site contests open for poets and writers with 0 entry fee: *West Chester University Poetry Awards Cash Prize: $1,500 Entry Fee: $0 Application Deadline: 2/17/25 Genre: Poetry Five prizes of $1,000 to $1,500 each are given annually for a single poem “composed in the traditional modes of meter, rhyme, and received forms” (Iris N. Spencer Poetry Award) *National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Fellowships Cash Prize: $25,000 Entry Fee: $0 Application Deadline: 3/12/25 Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction Approximately 35 grants of $25,000 each *Wayne State University Judith Siegel Pearson Award Cash Prize: $500 Entry Fee: $0 Application Deadline: 3/1/25 Genre: Poetry A prize of $500 will be given annually for a chapbook-length work of poetry, fiction, or nonfiction. The 2025 prize will be given in poetry. T ******** Then, here's another one I found interesting, although it has an eight-dollar entry fee. *Prize for Poetry and Medicine Cash Prize: $1,271 Entry Fee: $8 Application Deadline: 2/14/25 Genre: Poetry A prize of £1,000 (approximately $1,271) and publication in the Hippocrates Prize anthology is given annually for a single poem on a medical theme. |
| Prompt: "Embroidery is just magical for me from start to finish." Write about something that is magical for you. --------- Talking about magical, life itself is magical to me because I can't predict, from one moment to the next, what it will suddenly produce from its vast treasury. When the setting sun turns the sky into a colorful, fiery canvas, the delicate nurturing web inside the new leaves and the spiderwebs, or the morning dew, the feathers of birds, a cat's soft fur, a baby's laughter, the eyes of people, and all human connections are a touch of magic. This is because most things in creation are held together by the invisible threads of love, compassion, and empathy. In addition, anything that starts with a blank canvas is magical, as is writing to me. Still, I'm going to wax poetic, sort of, about embroidery, and specifically, my grandmother's embroidery, here. Only because my grandmother was such an enthusiast of it and her work was fantastic, always. As for me, not only I am a lost cause with such fine art, but also, I don't have the patience to spend hours on a one-inch square of some thin cloth. Yet, I admit that embroidery, like most other fancy work, transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary. Each stitch of it weaves a story from the first delicate choice of thread colors to the final knot that secures the piece. As a small child, I watched my grandmother's needle pierce through the each tiny hole between the warp and the weft of a simple piece of cloth and come up in intricate patterns where colors bloomed in gardens, catching fleeting moments and expressions, at times in a flower petal, or maybe, as an abstract swirl of vivid emotion. So, I soon realized that even the way my grandmother reached to her embroidery hoop was a signal that something extraordinary was about to happen, something that would bridge the tangible with the intangible or even ethereal. Her embroidery was all about expressing her individuality or even bringing to surface her spiritual symbolism. The delicate interplay of shadows, textures, and the shimmer of a few metallic threads, here and there, were the enchanting elements that made her work otherworldly. Her each choice in thread colors, the each interaction of her needle with the cloth added to a much bigger picture, while creating something uniquely her own. In hindsight, just maybe, my grandmother's embroidery art was mimicking life itself: deliberate, creative, and above all, magical. |
| Prompt: "It is night when people place lighted candles in their home. If candles day be fair and bright, winter will have another flight but if it be dark with clouds and rain, winter is gone and will not come again." Lady Carnarvon, Highclere Castle, Downton Abbey Write about this quote in your Blog entry today. ------------ Methinks, Lady Carnarvon was divining or trying to forecast the weather or maybe the hearts of humans. I can't recall in what context she uttered these words, so I'll just do my kind of imagining. As to my imaginings, I wonder if the Lady knew about our Groundhog Day here in North America. Since groundhog can predict the arrival of spring, I wonder if Lady Carnarvon wanted to be a groundhog of sorts. Both the Lady or the Groundhog reflect humans' reliance on nature and its symbolic rituals to understand and detect seasonal changes. There is some poetic language in the quote, I think, as it points to the contrast between light and dark, symbolizing the tension between the cold of winter and hope for warmth and renewal of spring. She might also be saying with "dark with clouds and rain" that even when things look dull and dreary, the light and happiness will follow. Then, the act of lighting candles is a human effort to fight the darkness and uncertain forces of nature. Here, I wonder if Candlemas of February 2, was also on this lady's mind. In any case, I believe this quote has to do with humanity's deep connection to seasonal cycles and its hope for renewal and transformation. If only renewal and transformation would be that easy! May all our candles glow bright and lovely, all the time, with hope and wishes for goodness. ############## For those who enter out of site contests, here's a link to a contest database: https://winningwriters.com/templates/contest_results?quicklink |
| Prompt: The most beautiful things «The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.» Helen Keller In your opinion, which kinds of things are the most beautiful, seen, touched, or just felt? ---------------- As to seen, touch, or heard things, I love people, my sons, sunsets and sunrises, the ocean, birds, trees, flowers, even weeds, animals, the rain, and the feel of the fur of a beloved cat in my hand when she was alive and I used to stroke her, Where the unseen and untouched is concerned, still, all people--even those I haven't met and will never be able to meet--and perhaps music I like and the voices of the ones I love. Yet, there are other more beautiful things that do not fit into the touched, seen, or heard categories. Memories that mean a lot me take the first row. Here are my memories of my family members who have passed on or those who are still alive but are so scattered all over the world that constant communication is a problem. To those memories, compassion and empathy are attached, which are probably the most beautiful feelings for us humans. Also, the faith and wonder in believing somethings greater than me or in Someone the greatest, who shows me the boundless possibilities of life and the mysteries of the universe, and all those things I can't even begin to imagine. Then, compassion, hope, and love are also very beautiful, if in right doses and in proper amounts. Most anything dear to me is beautiful, anyway, for they are treasures of my heart, felt not by sight or touch, but by the light of our shared humanity. |
| Prompt: Snowflakes "Nature is full of genius, full of the divinity; so that not a snowflake escapes its fashioning hand." Henry David Thoreau Now that it's winter in most parts of the world, what do you think this quote means, and do you ever feel like a snowflake? ---------------- I don't know about feeling like a snowflake, but certainly, many times I have felt like a flake, especially recently, in old age. About the quote, to the contrary of what I am like, Thoreau was a serious person. I can't ever imagine me living in a forest alone just to enjoy nature, let alone in the middle of any real wilderness! His quote, instead of feeling respect and fear--like me--of wild things, celebrates the beauty and intelligence of nature. It suggests nature is filled with divine beauty, creativity, and purpose, and even a tiny snowflake is unique and intricate in design, be it so transient. The phrase "full of genius, full of the divinity" is also a reflection on the built-in potential and value present in all human beings. It is nice to know that even I can carry within me this profound essence.  This is because Thoreau thinks we humans are an extension of nature's genius and divinity and he suggests that we show a deeper sense of responsibility for preserving the natural world. Not only that, but I do sense that the quote is also speaking to the untapped potential within each person. Just as nature always evolves and adapts, we humans have the capacity for growth, self-discovery, and transformation. This is because we are not separate from nature, but we are an important part of it. Now that I've talked big about us humans, no wonder mother earth is spewing lava, encouraging fires, and shaking with anger, lately. It must be scolding us for our disgraceful attitudes. Shall we heed her warnings, or else? |
| Prompt: What are your thoughts about Tik Tok ban? Is this the beginning of a new trend where apps are being banned because of politics? We already have books being banned. What's next? -------------- I don't know what to think of this situation because, as usual, we are not privy to the entire facts. So much for our freedoms! On the other hand, I don't have TikTok and neither have I done any business with them, so far. I think, however, this doesn't really stop China from butting into our USA business, since there are many other Chinese companies I and others might be doing business with without knowing their true intentions. Another twist in the latest affairs is noted as: "TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, who is expected to attend Trump's inauguration with other high-profile guests, said he wanted to thank the incoming president for his commitment to work with the app and keep it available in the US." You'd think it'd be Trump to ban Tik Tok, but no, it is the US Supreme Court. "The US Supreme Court has upheld a law that bans TikTok in the US unless its China-based parent company ByteDance sells the platform by this Sunday. TikTok had challenged the law, arguing it would violate free speech protections for the more than 170 million users it says it has in the US." I don't know what's churning under covers and I resent that we are not made fully aware of what's going on, unless this has something to do with national security, in some way. According to BBC, this is what happened with the TikTok App: "How did we get here? 24 April 2024: Biden signs bipartisan TikTok bill, which gave Chinese parent company, ByteDance, six months to sell its controlling stake or be blocked in the US. 7 May 2024: TikTok files a lawsuit aiming to block the law, calling it an "extraordinary intrusion on free speech rights". 2 August 2024: The US government files a lawsuit against TikTok, accusing the social media company of unlawfully collecting children's data and failing to respond when parents tried to delete their children's accounts. 6 December 2024: TikTok's bid to overturn a law which would see it banned or sold in the US from early 2025 is rejected by a federal appeals court. 27 December 2024: President-elect Donald Trump asks the US Supreme Court to delay the upcoming ban while he works on a "political resolution". 10 January 2025: The Supreme Court's nine justices hear from lawyers representing TikTok and content creators that the ban would be a violation of free speech protections for the platform's more than 170 million users in the US. 17 January 2025: The US Supreme Court upholds the law that could lead to TikTok being banned within days over national security concerns. 19 January 2025: The deadline for TikTok to sell its US stake or face a ban. TikTok has indicated it will "go dark" on this day." This whole thing sounds like a badly written police-fiction, doesn't it! |
| Prompt: Have fun with these words: sudden, tepid, intervention, brown, despised, gateway, and creature. ------------- Who says I can't try writing horror !What If From a Gateway... a *sudden crack in our *brown earth's seam a *tepid whisper in the breeze of a dream an ancient *gateway, now again revealed with secrets *despised and power concealed and the guardian awoke, eyes hollow and deep as a *creature, rising from timeless sleep it moaned an *intervention, or a warning clear "Go and fix things!" I heard, despite my fear then, the creature grew still and world turned gray and his shadow danced in the fading day was this a promise of fortune—or my doom, for in that portal, the unknown did loom, so I slowly stepped back and turned away the choice was mine at the end of the day |
| Prompt: "The business of life is the acquisition of memories in the end that's all there is." Mr. Carson, Downton Abbey Write about this in your Blog Entry today. ------------ "Oh, Mom! Not that again!" This is what my sons say if I recall something cute from their very early childhoods. I guess this is because at their very early ages, such memories didn't make their way into their brain's memory bank. If I come up with something in their later years, say pre-teens, then they liven up. "Oh, yeah! I remember that!" they say, and even make additions to what I can recall. I think all this has to do with what the brain does, by forming connections between neurons, and those connections are stronger or weaker according to how often something is recalled or experienced. Our memories are important because they help us understand our lives, with the past, present, and future, all in tow. Happy memories are essential to our mental health because they strengthen our sense of who we are and our purpose in life. For example, revisiting memories as a family helps build a sense of family identity. I am not very sure about the quote's "the business of life" meaning because I don't see life as a business, but I'm guessing it means life is continuous work. I'd rather see life as being more fun than just work or business. After all, why should good relationships, personal growth, adventures, and even moments of quiet reflection or creating a piece of writing or artwork feel like work? Yes, we may work at those things somehow, but don't we also enjoy them while they are happening! Then, maybe, there's no reason one shouldn't enjoy what work is. Also, maybe, we need to live intentionally, prioritizing our experiences of joy, connection, and fulfillment, because material possessions, achievements, and external success can be fleeting and less meaningful toward or at the end of our lives. Plus, as we get older, we have to work harder to create memories; although, we can have events make an impact in order to enjoy their happiness-making qualities for the moment or for a very short time. Now, in my old age, this I find out to be so true. |
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