365 Creativity Project-Day 60

Journal entry:

Photographs:

Cedar…

Camellia with bug…

Ramp with the lights Jeremy installed…

I am grateful:

1.   I am learning more about photography.
2.   Mom is doing fairly well right now.
3.   We had a good supper.
4.   We stayed home today.
5.   I have a good offer for PW magazine, that I am considering.

I hope your Friday has been pleasant and that you have plans to do something creative this weekend.

Always,
Jo Ann

 

365 Creativity Project-Day 50

My journal entry on a common problem:

Rain has been with us today, so my few photographs come from inside the house:

Praying frog figurine I painted several years ago for my Mom.

Another view of frog.

Glass rooster.

I am grateful:

1.   I did not have to go out today.
2.   Hope is a very loving dog who likes to stay close to me.
3.   Amazon.com has such a wide selection of items.
4.   Mom and I enjoy talking to each other.
5.   I am not as sore as I was and am almost back to normal.

I hope your Tuesday was inspiring and that you produced something you like.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 49

Journal entry:

Some photographs:

My great-niece, Sydney.

My niece, Carrie Leigh.

Bradford Pear tree in bloom.

Close up of blossoms.

Another close up of blossoms.

Blossoms.

Shot of trees illuminated by sun.

I am grateful:

1.   I cancelled my chiropractor appointment today and rescheduled for Wednesday.
2.   Leigh came for the trash last night.
3.   We had pizza for supper.
4.   There is much beauty in the world.
5.   I have a little money and it is almost the end of the month.

I hope your Monday has been productive and that you developed some of your creative ideas.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 47

Journal entry and haiku:

Some photographs:

Yellow Bells…

Other Yellow Bells…

Cedars…

The individual…

Close up of Daffodils…

Pampas Grass…

Tree at End of Driveway…

Close up of Daffodils (original color)…

I am grateful:

1.   I slept in and awoke well rested.
2.   I found a wonderful deal on a Tenba camera bag and ordered it.
3.   The writing on creativity came to me easily.
4.   Haiku are fun.
5.   I rediscovered how to convert photographs to grayscale.

I hope your Saturday was enjoyable and that you found something you could do creatively.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project–Day 21

My constant lament:

Pictures from my mile walk with Hope:

Buds in Winter…

Brightness in bare…

Could not resist the Radio Flyer…

More modern haulers…

Daffodils sprouting…

This is not exactly easy, coming up with something creative every day. I am sometimes totally at a loss. Today, I had no words, so I had no choice, but to write about my lack of inspiration. I could not think of anything outside of which to take pictures that I had not already used, so I had to pay particularly close attention on my walk. I guess that is the beauty of the project though. It forces me to use my brain when it would be easier to do nothing.

If you are thinking about starting a project, do not wait, because the time will never be perfect. Do it for yourself so you can grow. You will see that there is more available than you ever imagined. Your creativity will rise to the occasion. We, humans, tend to procrastinate and sometimes we leave our best undone forever. Do not leave your gift unused. Do and be, fulfill your most cherished dreams.

The poem I wrote today is another group of haiku on one subject strung together to form a complete poem. Know that you can do something similar. There is nothing special about me that I can write like that. I just chose to make an effort, and you are capable of doing it as well.

Some of what I do here is not very good, and I probably should not put it on display for all the world to see. The project requires that I use what I produce, no matter what my feelings about it may be. This is to force me to place my work for review, mainly so one day I might not be so afraid to send my productions out to publishers. I hope nothing is so horrible that it is hated, but that is not my problem.

I hope your Monday was a good one. Make something from your imagination and let someone see it.

Always,
Jo Ann

 

365 Creativity Project–Day Fourteen

My journal entry and a poem:

A few pictures:

Sticky bush…

Rainwater on fronds…

Bear Alex gave me for Christmas 2010. I call him Mountz…

Gumby…

Another shot of Mountz…

I hope you will remember although forgiving others is hard it brings great benefits to you. When you forgive you let go of bitterness that eats away at you. Love is what we are designed to share and that does not mean abandoning others, it means living in relationship. People are not perfect, but we can respond to those in our life with generosity and love.

May you find energy to create something of beauty.

Always,
Jo Ann

Beginning A Project For 2012

I am hoping to accomplish something creative every day forward for the year. Much of this will entail writing, but there will be some artwork, photography, crafts, and whatever else I come up with.

For today I took a picture of the books I am reading daily:

The two at the bottom I am reading aloud with my Mom as a Bible study. Our church is doing Read The Bible For Life this year, and although I do not attend, we are participating in the study. The other five I chose to read this year for personal edification.

The following is a scan of the hand written journal entry I made this evening:

I mentioned my new Invicta watch and I guess I should show you what it looks like:

I chatted with Alex a bit today and learned he is enjoying Hawaii. He has begun writing again, which I think is marvelous because Alex is very talented.

I am running out of time so this will be my creation for today. Stay tuned for more as the days go by.

Always,
Jo Ann

First Blog Entry of 2012

I am thankful:

1.   I made it through 2011, and accomplished much in the year.
2.   Mom is doing fairly well.
3.   I was able to get a new laptop, Wacom tablet, some artistic programs, and Office Professional 2010 for Christmas.
4.   I have designated my old laptop for Mom’s use and she is learning to use it for playing games she enjoys.
5.   I have lowered my reading goal for 2012 to encourage more creative pursuits.
6.   I chose to do the Read The Bible For Life study with my Mom this year and she is enjoying it so far. I read all the material aloud to her and elaborate on the answers to the questions asked in the study.
7.   I was able to pay my cell phone bill for this month and my car insurance.
8.   We do not have any appointments in the coming week and our shopping is done for a few days. Maybe it will not be necessary to go to town until late in the week.
9.   Winter has been mild and I have not even had to put on a heavy coat this year.
10.  We were able to help Laura, my daughter-in-law, by giving her the mattress set from Alex’s room.
11.  My dog, Hope, is a wonderful companion and very sweet.
12.  The gift cards I was given for Christmas helped me survive December.
13.  Jana gave me a Kindle gift card that I have not used yet.
14.  Our Christmas and New Year meals were delicious.
15.  I took all the library books back and am now reading books I own.
16.  I have found some excellent resources on the internet for writing, art, and free eBooks.
17.  I have adequate shelter, clothing, transportation, and nutrition.
18.  God blessed me with intelligence and talent.
19.  I have experienced love in my life.
20. I have survived the ravages of pain and hate.

I am enjoying my new computer a great deal and am so glad I can share the older one with my Mom. It gives her something that challenges her mind and keeps her entertained. I am hoping to use my new equipment to further my artistic endeavors this year as well as my writing. Cutting back on my reading goal should give me more time to use creatively. The only thing I lack now is inspiration and I am hoping that will be in ample supply. I have some books that should help with it.

I like doing the Bible study with my Mom. Her attention motivates me to do the daily readings. I probably would not do the study without her involvement. Making her happy makes me feel I am a success.

I have been watching the Republican debates and though I am not happy with everything President Obama has done, I do not see where any of these candidates would be a superior choice. I am afraid there is still a long process before our economy will recover and I do not think one man has the power to do all that is necessary to accomplish effective change. The people of our country can not make things better when they are so divided in their resolve. Working together is the only effective way to improve our nation’s problems.

If anyone is lonely and sad I highly recommend acquiring a puppy dog to provide companionship and lift the spirits. My sweet Shih Tzu, Hope, is a wonderful addition to my life. I do not think I would be nearly as happy without her presence.

I hope everyone has a wonderful year full of blessings and happiness. I encourage each one to take time to be thankful. Gratitude adds satisfaction to life.

Always,
Jo Ann