Jots and Tittles and other Random Things

Welcome to My Reality - June 2023 Edition (34 Prompts)

1. Numbers: Write a poem or journal entry about numbers that have special meaning to you.

The number six and the number eight
Have special meaning for me.
My son and I have birthdays in June
That's the sixth month you see.

The number eight is for August,
When both of my daughters were born;
So it is very simple why
These numbers to me are drawn.

2. A Day in the Life: Write about your daily habits and routine.

Writing, reading, watching TV
Or cooking, cleaning, planning-
Meals or shopping or dreaming.
Sometimes for fun, I'll throw in a game.

Laundry is always fun,
Remembering to change from the washer to dryer.
Trying hard not to nap the afternoon away
Mixing up my days and nights.

3. Your Muse: Write about your muse – what do they look like? What does your muse do to inspire you?

I've named my muse Marbles. I think of her as maybe like one of the "muses" on a Grecian vase. She comes and goes with abandon, and for most of May and part of June, she was on vacation. I'm hoping that she is well rested, as I want to get back into writing things.

4. Convenience Store: Write about an experience you’ve had at a gas station or convenience store.

I usually get gas, maybe something to snack on (bad!) -if I am doing the "gas getting". Otherwise, I just wait in the car while one of my kiddos goes and does it. It's really just a "to do" kind of thing. Nothing fancy, nothing spectacular.

5. Natural Wonders of the World: Choose one of the natural wonders of the world. Write about it.

Galápagos Islands

Born of a volcano in the Pacific
Home to theory of Darwin;
Discovered by accident in 1535
Said to be unremarkable.

The lack of pollution is said
To make the evening sky gorgeous;
It is also home to some gentle giants of the sea -
Tortoises

6. Status Update: Write a poem using the words from your latest status update or a friend’s status update. If you don’t use sites like Facebook or Twitter, you can often search online for some funny ones to use as inspiration.

Status Update:

Lost my Facebook account,
Bummed and a little mad;
Was hacked by a lowlife
Who had nothing better to do, I guess.

It's a habit on which
I spent a LOT of time.
I kind of miss it,
But then again, meh -

Now I have to find
something else to take it's place.
I wonder what's the point -
As I won't use Facebook again.

7. Green Thumb: Write about growing something.

Dirt Therapy I enjoy
Coaxing seeds to grow;
Watching them like a hawk,
Watering and fertilizing so.

Be it veggies or flowers,
It is a wonder to me.
Harvest is a splendid time
What a bounty can be.

8. Family Heirloom: Write about an object that’s been passed through the generations in your family.

To be honest, I don't really have anything like that. I have memories and stories that I try to pass onto my kids; hopefully they will pass on down to the grands, but as far as an object, I really don't have anything. I try to tell stories of when I was a kid, and of memories that I have going fishing or going for rides with mom and dad. The memories are the things that I am starting to cherish.


9. Bug Catcher: Write about insects.

Insects - yuck!
Ants, roaches, things best left outdoors
Spiders and butterflies
Wasps and Bees.

I know they have a place in this world,
But I much prefer them
Outside as opposed
To in my house.

10. Potion: Write about a magic potion. What is it made of? What does it do? What is the antidote?

Definition: A potion is a drink that contains medicine, poison, or something that is supposed to have magic powers.

My favorite potion
gives me a little bit of joy,
And maybe just a little "umph".
I enjoy it plain or with even a little something extra.

This potion I can take
On a daily basis -
I don't think there is an antidote
This magical bean, which is ground into

Coffee.

11. Swinging & Sliding: Write something inspired by a playground or treehouse.

The miracles of childhood
Running, playing, swinging -
All thoughts and cares just melt away,
As sand in an hourglass.

12. Adjectives: Make a list of the first 5 adjectives that pop into your head. Use these 5 words in your story, poem, or journal entry.

Happy, Sad, Reflective, Thoughtful, Worried

Round and round goes my mind,
Caught up in a whirlwind;
Thinking sometimes bothers me
As fleeting thoughts go forward.

Moods come and go, thoughts I cannot escape.
I write to try to extinguish them,
Or even just to rein them in,
At least for a little while.

13. Fairy Tales: Rewrite a fairy tale. Give it a new ending or make it modern or write as a poem.

Once upon a time
There was a princess;
Instead of needing a prince, she
Wanted to go to have a career.

A working princess
Not needing anyone;
Wanting to be her own person -
Not wanting to fall into "being that girl".

A prince came by,
She shrugged him off;
She told herself that she didn't need him.
Feeling disregarded, he finally left.

Time went on, at a steady pace.
The princess worked relentlessly;
She thought she had everything she needed.
As time marched on.

Her work was done,
She got her "gold watch"
And retired from her work,
She had done all she wanted.

The princess was alone,
No prince did she need;
But now she felt alone.
No one to share her life, her dreams.

14. Whispers: Write about someone who has to whisper a secret to someone else.

Psst! Did you hear?
No -what is it?
Let me whisper in your ear -
It's scandalous to be sure.

Tell me, then, quickly.
I want to know the details
Whisper in my ear,
And delight me in the telling.

15. Smile: Write a poem about the things that make you smile.

Walking through a field filled with sunflowers
Towering over me;
Getting lost in the beauty of
These giant blossoming heads.

Bees buzzing about them,
Going here and there
Heads all turned toward the sun
Not having any care.

Even better than being alone,
Is someone to share the time
Being among these magnificent giants,
So stately and sublime.

16. Seasonal: Write about your favorite season.

A crisp feeling in the air,
Colors are coming alive -
Crunching leaves beneath my feet,
Raking them up in piles.

Chili in the crockpot,
Or maybe chicken and dumplings.
Something warm and filling
To ward off the chill.

Harvest season is upon us,
Pumpkins, squash, and more.
Putting it all away,
To have for future use.

Halloween and Thanksgiving
Have their time this season;
Tricks and treats and goodies and eats -
My favorite time of year.

17. Normal: What does normal mean to you? Is it good or bad to be normal?

Normal is what one does regularly. I used to go to work, come home, do chores and get ready for the next day. Now I do chores, read, write, learn and sometimes nap. It has become my "normal". It isn't necessarily good or bad, it just is. Boring? sometimes. Do I want to go back to my other normal? Yes, very much. I just have to wait and see.




19. Wardrobe: Write about a fashion model or what’s currently in your closet or drawers.

It's not very entertaining, what is in my closet. I don't wear a lot of clothes nowadays. I have a couple of dresses that my sister got for me. I have shorts and t-shirts - all that are worn and faded. I have some jeans that I sometimes wear, but not during the summer, if I can help it. I have a lot of fuzzy socks, even though I mostly go barefoot at home.


20. Secret Message: Write something with a secret message hidden in between the words. For example, you could make an acrostic poem using the last letters of the word or use secret code words in the poem.


Surprising someone who is
Enveloped in detecting;
Crying out silently while
Revealing nothing.
Enter in another clue, waiting
To be discovered.

Many have tried to determine the
Essence of the caper.
Seeing things that are not there and
Searching the unsearchable.
A clue could hold the key,
Giving away the answer - if only
Everyone could fathom it.

21. Vacation: Write about a vacation you took.

I haven't really taken a vacation. I've had time off that I just stayed home and Putzied around. But one vacation I would like to take in the future is an Alaskan cruise. I'd actually go on a cruise ship and just enjoy myself. It would be awesome if I could see a whale while on the cruise. I don't really want to go on a Caribbean cruise - it just doesn't appeal to me. But seeing Alaska would be very interesting and entertaining, I think.

22. Heat: Write about being overheated and sweltering.


I remember working as a carney one summer in southern Louisiana and Mississippi. Summertime can be murder if you don't have air conditioning. Being on the fairgrounds from sun-up to pretty much midnight or one in the morning can play havoc on you if you don't stay hydrated. I learned this first hand when I got heat exhaustion, and darn near heat stroke. While this was definitely a different life for me, I wouldn't want to repeat it.


23. Spellbinding: Write a magic spell.

Spirit of Frustration
I bid you leave;
Take your roots and go
Spirit of Peace
I call on you
Fill this void left behind.

24. Collection: Write about collecting something, such as salt shakers, seashells, or stamps.

I've had several different collections over the years. Ty beanie babies, state quarters, prince/princess barbie-style dolls, yarns and quilt fabrics. I've also collected different kind of stones as well as bird feathers that I've found laying on the ground. I don't have any of these collections anymore, due to moves and what not.

25. Taking Chances: Everyone takes a risk at some point in their life. Write about a time when you took a chance and what the result was.

I took a huge risk after having been married 16 years and three children. I left my husband and struck out on my own. I was scared, but I was more scared of being trapped in a loveless shell of a marriage. So the kids and I went to Michigan where I would have the support of my family. The results of this choice was - meh. I believe the children were hurt, and have had to deal with it over time. I'm not sure if they have ever gotten over it, to be honest. It has been 24 years now. I still have a relationship with all three children, and theirs with their dad is spotty, to say the least.

26. Carnival: Write a poem or story or journal entry inspired by a carnival or street fair.

People walking around
Listening to the barker's call
"Everyone's a winner" and "Step right up"
Greasy fried foods and cotton candy,
Money changing hands,
Workers working from daybreak until night's final call.
Then breaking down to go somewhere else,
Starting over again.

27. Country Mouse: Write about someone who grew up in the country visiting the city for the first time.

Sitting on a bus, watching the scenery go by;
I look forward to going to the big city.
Like a shiny coin that sparkles brightly,
So is my excitement at this trek.

I don't know what I shall find,
It will be different, that is for sure -
I wonder what's in store for me,
As I gaze out the window.

28. Questions: Write about the questions you have for the universe. Optional: include an answer key.

I used to have questions - many to be sure.
I wanted to know why evil prevails, and justice not served.
I wanted to know about the seeming unfairness of life.
Why did the things happen the way they did?

I no longer have these questions;
They no longer consume me.
I have found that in faith, all will be well.
I need only pray and trust in my God.

29. Rushing: Write about moving quickly and doing things fast.

Being young seems like a dream. I used to rush around to and fro, from one thing to another. Now, just climbing stairs or walking around the grocery store seems to be a chore. I wish that I could go forward with the same energy as before, but I settle now for just being able to get around.

30. Staircase: Use a photo of a staircase or the stairs in your home or a building you love to inspire you.

16 steps
Going up or going down;
One foot in front of the other,
Holding the rails for dear life.

I am a little better at making the trip
Than I was a year ago;
But sometimes it still gets to me - those
16 steps.

31. Neighbors: Make up a story or poem about your next-door neighbor.

My neighbor is a gruff man to many;
But is kind and thoughtful to me.
He asks after my health, and likes to talk.
He reminds me of a grizzly bear, with a teddy bear inside.

I know when he is home, I hear him through the walls.
I don't mind, really; It is comforting.
I only see him now and again -
But I know that he cares.

32. Black and Blue: Write about a time you’ve been physically hurt.

I have this giant bruise on my arm from two weeks ago. I had an outpatient surgery, and the nurse needed to put in an IV and get some blood. I haven't hurt like that in a while, and it made me a little panicky. It doesn't hurt, but it is taking a long time to heal.

33. All Saints: Choose a saint and create a poem about his or her life.

In 1456, Joan was declared a martyr. In 1909, she received beatification—a recognition of a deceased person's entrance into Heaven and their capacity to intercede on the behalf of individuals who pray in her name. In 1920, she was canonized by Pope Benedict XV

The story of Joan of Arc is one of legend. Telling the ruler of France to take up arms and become king. Leading armies and winning battles. Afterward, she was given over to her enemies by the one whom she took up arms for. Being unfeminine, and daring to lead men, while supposedly "hearing God's voice" she was burned as a heretic.


34. Beach Inspired: What’s not to write about the beach?

Sugar sand
Ebbing tides of greenish blue
Give a lulling sound.
Walking at the edges of the water,
Feeling the breeze from the sea.

Splashing, laughter and playing,
Some sunning themselves;
Others at the water's edge
Building sand castles
To defend against the unending tide.

35. Shoes: What kind of shoes do you wear? Where do they lead your feet?

When I do manage to wear shoes,
I have a few different pairs -
Crocs for most every day errands;
And flats for going somewhere nice.
Tennis shoes for when I feel froggy,
Taking the time to put them on.
Slippers when I remember to wear them.
But, mostly, I go barefoot at home.