%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2"  : "Rictameter: "Independence"" Today's poems have been created in response to the weekly challenge from
According to Tinker  on the website, Poetry Magnum Opus, "The elements of the Rictameter are: 1. a 9 line poem. 2. syllabic verse with graduated then diminishing number of syllables 2-4-6-8-10-8-6-4-2. 3. optional: begin and end the poem with the same 2 syllable word or words. 4. rhymed or unrhymed, if rhymed the scheme is at the discretion of the poet. 5. suitable for light verse or a more serious tone." I have chosen to write two of these, so that I might write one of each, according to #3 & #4 in her list. I hope you enjoy these offerings. Blessings, All!     |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "Name-Calling Shows Character" Today's poem has been written in response to the challenge by
According to Dave  , regarding The Tools of the Trade: Titles, "Here are a few suggestions to aid you in your search for the perfect name: 1. Start with the title and let it propel you into the poem. 2. Use the first line of the poem as your title. 3. Provide a brief description of the poem's theme. 4. Find a phrase or image within the poem that can represent the whole. 5. If you are writing a narrative poem, an action verb may be helpful in engaging the prospective reader with the experience being described. 6. Use your imagination to pluck lightning from the phantasmal cloud of cosmic pixie dust swirling around in your head." Thus, we have the title and first line of my poem today. Not all is as it seems at first glance. Shall we look inside at the poem to find the true meaning? Blessings, All! |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "Nove Otto: "Cooler Heat"" Today's poem has been created in response to the challenge from
The form is described as "The Nove Otto is a nine-line poem, designed by Scott J. Alcorn, with eight syllables per line and a rhyme scheme of aabccbddb" by Dave Who knew that the upper 80s and lower 90s could feel virtually cool? Compared to triple-digit heat indexes for the past few days, these temps actually do feel cooler. I hope and pray that the summer is gentle wherever you are. Blessings, All! |
I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "A Cup of Tea" Sometimes a cup of herbal tea and gentle lights are all I need to lift what I don't need to carry at the moment. Blessings, All! |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "Threading Life" There's a thread craft sitting on my writing table. It has been sitting there for months, still unfinished, a product more of inertia than anything else. The craft is being made with the same knot as those used in friendship bracelets. Sometimes life can stop us from doing even the things we love because of stress and responsibilities. Today, I picked up the craft and pulled together a few more knots. Even that felt rewarding because of both progress on the piece and a poem, that logged the progress of making things with one's hands while living Life. Blessings, All! |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "Memento: "Weather Extremes 2025"" Today seems to have been the hottest day of the year so far in my part of the world. I had a meeting to attend in the mid-afternoon, driving in a vehicle with no air conditioning. I was about spent when I returned home. My poem is written in the voice of someone with the growing effects of heat exhaustion. I pray we're all equipped to do something about that. The extreme heat brought a realization to mind of the Gulf Coast Blizzard of 2025, that we started with. Who can remember the largest snow of the South in at least a quarter of a century when the Northeast en masse is dancing around triple digits this summer in just about as many years? A large chunk of the Lower 48 dealt with massive snow this winter past, while nearly 100% of the Lower 48 is being stymied by a Heat Wave right now. The Bible's books of prophecy, like The Revelation, predict that a time of Great Tribulation will come on Earth. Could these extreme weather events be the birth pangs of something greater on its way? When the Lord pours out His Wrath, He means business. I pray all of our hearts will be ready on the Day(s) of His Choosing. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16, KJV) Blessings, All! |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "What's Jesus Really Like?" Jesus was born as a Babe. The rest of us were born as babies. Around the time of His bar mitzvah, Jesus was in the temple asking questions of the rabbis. I seriously doubt any of the rest of us have done that. Being the ward of a carpenter, Jesus, no doubt, learned the trade in His teens and twenties. Many of us had jobs and responsibilities during those years, too. My dad made sure that I could mow the lawn, which is something I still do. Jesus discipled twelve men for three years as an itinerant rabbi. He was condemned through a mock trial, beaten, crucified, buried in a borrowed tomb, and rose on the third day, never to die again. He did all this to provide Salvation to every soul He would ever save. 40 days later, Jesus ascended in the clouds, and soon He is coming back to receive His Bride in the same way He left. None of us could have done any of these things. When He comes back to set up His earthly kingdom, He will return as "King of kings and Lord of lords." (Revelation 19:16, KJV) None will be able to say Him, "Nay!" "15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy." (Romans 9:15-16, KJV) When He returns, will He show us Mercy? Have we asked Him for Mercy? Blessings, All! |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "How to Be Saved" : "The Motivation to Be Saved" Why do I so often talk about Jesus, Salvation, and Heaven and Hell? The Lord knows our hearts. This life is consistently 100 years (a century) or less. Eternity does not end. With such a cataclysmic difference in destinations, I want us all to be ready. There are many members of WDC that I consider to be cherished friends. I don't want to miss any opportunity to say something that may make a difference in our Eternity. May the Lord's truest Blessing be yours! (John 3:16; John 6:37,44; Philippians 2:13) By Jay O'Toole On June 21st, 2025 |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "Sometimes" Today, I'm starting to relate to dogpack saving 4premium+  . I don't have her difficulties. I have different ones of my own, not the least of which are my plans for retirement this fall. There is a financial roadblock, and I may have to work at least two more years, and this is not an April Fool's joke, Sum1  I still hope for some beneficial changes in the next few months that may help me to participate in the WDC-based NaNoWriMo, but today's poem constitutes mental processing. I hope the poem can help Viv and me, at least. Blessings, All! |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "The Guide" The search for Truth is an agonizing pursuit. Because of this, some exit the battle for Truth, considering it not worth their effort. That is certainly their prerogative. I have been in this pursuit since I was six years old. Sometimes I, too, find myself "weary in well doing," but it is something that will not let go of me, nor would I ever wish it away. My writing is a gift that has aided my sanity during many points on this rocky path. Poetry, especially, causes me to examine every word, every thought, and every Truth I wish to express. Jesus stated this important Truth during His Sermon on the Mount. "13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:13-14, KJV) The idea of agony appears to be included in the pursuit of Truth. Let us notice the word, "strait." Looking up its definition just now, I encountered the meanings, "narrowness, strictness, difficulty/distress." The importance here is to maintain balance or "rightly dividing the word of Truth." Ephesians 2:8-9, KJV reads, "8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, KJV) So, what is it? Are we saved by our works? Or are we saved without any works of our own? Do works have their place in the Christian's life? I have believed, and will always believe, that the only Work that merits the Salvation of anyone is the Work of Jesus Christ on the cross through His Death, Burial, and Resurrection. The Work that saves is the Work of the Holy Spirit, drawing the lost soul to Jesus at the Compelling Invitation of God, The Father. Once we are saved, we begin to comprehend the agony of the narrow way through which we pass in the second birth is comparable to the agony of the first birth. Both births require going through a narrow passageway in which we are acted upon, that ever after we agonize, too. Blessings, All! |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "How to Be Saved" : "What Is Transactional Salvation? (Part 3)" “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” (Ephesians 2:1, KJV) This third installment of this concept is presented to show that God, The Trinity, is completely in charge of the Transaction of Salvation. A coded individual on the side of the road, who is a victim of a terrible car accident, needs an EMT to have any chance of living again. The spiritually dead individual needs God's One and Only Savior to have any hope of living forever in the Presence of the Lord. (John 3:3) May the Lord's truest Blessing be yours! (John 3:16; John 6:37,44; Philippians 2:13) By Jay O'Toole On June 19th, 2025 |
I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "Truck Ride Home" Today's poem has been created in response to the challenge of
This is an exercise to help us use stronger words in writing our poetry. I pray I have succeeded. Enjoy! Blessings, All! |
I've added a new entry to my book, "How to Be Saved" : "What Is Transactional Salvation? (Part 2)" Truth is found in the broader context of the Word of God. This brings us to real Salvation. Blessings, All! Jay O'Toole June 17th, 2025 |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "How to Be Saved" : "What Is Transactional Salvation? (Part 1)" In the process of urging our friends and families to be saved, we are taught to "draw the net" with The Sinner's Prayer, but is The Sinner's Prayer a transaction whereby The Lord is forever obligated to save the sinner, who just prayed the prayer? What is involved in eternal Salvation? There is much to consider. There is more to come in this series of posts. Jay O'Toole June 17th, 2025 |
I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "The Graduation" A niece graduates from high school, tonight. This poem was created to honor the day. Blessings, All! Jay O’Toole |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
I always thought that was insanity --- and wondered why it's pink and tastes like lemonade flavoured drink mix.
I hope this new information doesn't do something awful to me, like drive me sane or summat!
"Phantasmal cloud..." Such is the "imagination" of our fearless leader, Dave