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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 are your Thanksgiving plans? ............. Since I am already in the day of Thanksgiving, right now, there are no plans. Just waiting for my son to arrive shortly. On this Thanksgiving morning, my heart looks toward my son that baby who grew from hope and smiles into a blessing won my son, a life's work, I think,--through love, gentle scars, laughter-- well done and soon, today, my table will fill with deepest gratitude, thanks, and fun. |
| Prompt: What are your current goals and how are you trying to achieve them? Write about them in your Blog entry today. ------------------------- I'm not really a goal-setter, but I may make plans loosely. Still, more than plans, though, I believe in routines, roughly or lightly set. On top of that, my general purpose in life is to be as positive. efficient, and productive as I can be and to stick to my daily routine as closely as I can. What I do with smaller goals within that frame--for example, when I am going to finish this entry--is open to circumstance. Some time ago, I decided to write into my blog regularly, each day. It's been so far so good, but a day may come when I can't for any reason. Then, so be it, I say to myself. I'm not going to whip myself over it. The reason I'm somewhat against goal-setting is my own personality. For me, any goal may end up becoming an ultimatum, especially when that goal isn't met for any reason. The idea then, in the back of my mind, can become, "I didn't do this. I failed," leading to the subconscious feeling, "I'm a failure." Also, I don't like it when I turn a perfectly enjoyable goal to a chore. Therefore; for goal-setting, my first thought has to be, "Is this goal enriching my life, or am I enslaved by it? Will I be able to handle the down feeling if I don't reach that goal?" In any case, an unmet goal is a disappointment, and I don't like to disappoint myself. Still, I'm quite responsible, I think, with things I do, because I choose their planning loosely and adapt them to my schedule. Apart from this and my feelings, I also understand the value of goal-setting for those who can handle it psychologically. To begin with, goals provide focus, motivation, and commitment. They may also serve as milestones, and they can overcome procrastination in those people who are liable to procrastinate. Plus, the fear of failure or the reward of achievement pushes people to act rather than delay. After all, goals shouldn't be shackles. They are not destiny. They are tools and guideposts. And sometimes, it shows wisdom when we let go of a difficult goal. |
| Prompt: Thanksgiving What is thankfulness to you and why is an expression of gratitude important? Also, should we be grateful in only one day in a year? ---------- No, definitely not. Gratefulness should not be held captive inside only one day in the year. That one day, however, is a reset button for us to keep on being grateful. Although I can see that some may take it as a ritual and others as a boundary for gratefulness. Yet, I do love the Thanksgiving Day. What I mean is, once the Thanksgiving day is over and we have given ourselves the permission "to have done our thankfulness, once and for all," we are more excited to take part in the Black Friday savings, and our feeling thankful has changed into consumerism. Also, if we say, "I'm thankful for..." only because it's Thanksgiving, it means we haven't mastered the feeling of thankfulness throughout the year. As to the original question in the prompt, thankfulness to me is a way of living that needs to be honored everyday. That is why some of us keep daily thankfulness journals. This way, we don't constrict our gratitude and we learn to appreciate even the tiniest details in our lives. This is because feeling and expressing and writing about the things we're thankful for, every day or often, is an antidote to entitlement. depression, and cynicism. It turns the ordinary into extraordinary and strengthens our capacity for empathy, resilience, and connection. It is not about ignoring our difficulties, but about finding the light within the shadows. At the end, being truly thankful gives me a positive sight of the world. Bring truly thankful offers me the appreciation for my first sip of the tea in the morning, the warmth of my loved ones' smiles, finding the right words when I write, the resilience of my own spirit when something goes wrong, plus the sight of the birds, trees, and sunset, and the ocean because they exist, and I have been given the ability to see and enjoy them. |
| Prompt: Appreciation “Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” Voltaire What do you appreciate the most in others? --------- I think appreciation has to do with attention. It is when I pause enough to notice some gesture or kind word's worth to my life. When I do that it sticks to my mind and settles in my heart. This may be a thoughtful question or action or something else like the colors of the sunset or bird calls. Appreciation turns what's ordinary into something meaningful. Appreciation deepens our relationships, too. When we appreciate someone, we give them the gift of being seen by us, the gift of their efforts, their presence, and even their quirks. For example, today, I'm so appreciative of my younger son. This morning he showed up with a bag, which contained some boxes of parts of a home security, ring, system, the kind when someone comes to the door or to the back of the house you see them on a camera and several other stuff. Now, I didn't ask him for this at all. In fact, I've lived here, since 1992 with no problems. But he said, he's doing it because he wants to feel better, himself. That was really very sweet of him and I did appreciate the effort. Now, will I be able to use this stuff that he worked more than three hours to install? I don't know and it doesn't matter, but I do appreciate him greatly and I feel happy that I have such a sweet, thoughtful son. This little incident shows that appreciation reshapes us from the inside. It points us to the direction of what is still beautiful and precious. It also lets us live with an open heart and open eyes to greet life with gratitude. |
| Prompt: smiles "Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day." H. Jackson Brown, Jr. Why are smiles and smiling so appreciated? Is it safe to smile at everyone in our world? --------- That simple curve of the mouth...so impactful, isn't it! And it is universal, too, as a complex signal. Yet, we might consider applying it with care. Due to its power, no less. At its best, the smile means warmth. It means goodwill, friendliness, and approachability. It can dissolve tensions and bridge gaps between people, It might also have something to do with the brain as a mood booster. My mother always told me, when I was down a bit, to look into the mirror and smile at myself. I don't know how much it helped me, but I caught my late husband, many times, and smiling at himself, while looking at the mirror. He was a psychiatrist, so I gather there was some truth to my mother's advice. Socially, a smile offers comfort, empathy, understanding or acknowledging the other person. In the business world, it can offer confidence and being trustworthy; therefore, it is a step toward a connection or an invitation to work together. Best yet, it is contagious. It may encourage reciprocity and positive feedback. Then, it depends on the culture, too. In some places, in the far east if I am correct, excessive smiling may mean insincerity or even embarrassment. A direct smile at a stranger might be interpreted as flirting, too. Still, here we are, in our culture, in which offering a sincere smile to a stranger may be appreciated greatly. On the other hand, the situation, gender of the individuals, and their vulnerability have a role in how a smile is received. This is because the universal language of the smile does not always protect us against the exploitation of it. This is not about living in fear, but about using caution. For example, smiling at someone late at night on a deserted street could be interpreted as an invitation for unwanted attention or it might suggest something like, "No danger to you from me!" It is up to us to figure out the real meaning behind a stranger's smile in a difficult place or situation. In essence, though, the sincerity of the smile matters. When sincere, its value is immeasurable. I believe in offering smiles with a good heart and an observing eye. For to smile is to connect, to heal, and to hope. In that, it has a deep and lasting power. |
| Prompt: Let the lines of November by Tom Waite inspire your entry today: " No shadow, no stars, no moon, no care November, it only believes in a pile of dead leaves and a moon the color of bones, November seems odd." --Tom Waite. --------- November isn't odd, really, but in Tom Waite's words, it is stripped bare. By that, I think, he means, all comforts, illusions, and happy stuff are off, forcing us to face the reality of decay, with "No shadow, no stars, no moon." Shadows offer depth, as anyone who knows art will tell. And no stars and no moon, means we are totally in the dark, even daring the rejection of the divine. November as a month can be detached, but it shouldn't encourage our human indifference, psychologically or spiritually. Anyhow, deep down, the quote points to the way Tom Waite is feeling and thinking, and it has nothing to do with the month or the rest of humanity. Plus, I sensed a clash between the first sentence and the rest, as the first sentence said, "no moon." Then, the second sentence has in it, "a moon the color of bones." Chilling and descriptive maybe, but a clash is a clash. This is probably due to a deeply depressed Tom Waite's wish to say that November is so odd and so bad and so unwelcome because it defies expectation. Funny, isn't it that my own feelings about November is totally the opposite since my older son was born on the 20th, and his two cousins were born on the 10th and the 30th. This makes November a happy month for my sister-in-law and me. The thing is, maybe I'm just a happy-go-lucky person, but I wouldn't attach any negativity to any month in the year. After all, all months show up in different outfits in different parts of our world. |
| Prompt: Let this affirmation inspire you-- You can't find happiness in material things. Happiness comes from discovering--- it's your blog, have fun. -------- Just a while ago, I noticed a salamander on the porch's screen, one that must have arrived from Mexico since it was as big as a mouse and it had a redhead, and it was shaking that red head as it was calling out to, probably, a mate. Watching it was fun. I also noticed my own paying attention to that salamander. This was a little discovery, unforced, small, and surprising. So, things like that, when I notice them, do make me feel happy, outward and inward. What makes me happy, at times, starts with some discovery, especially when I am paying attention to life around me. Plus, such little discoveries ease off what I can't let go, say an approaching doctor's visit, for example. They also get my attention away from myself, reminding me that some weights I carry aren't important or necessary. They remind me of my own resilience since I made it through, up to this old age, and they offer me a few smiles rooted in what I hope is self-trust. Then, to watch that salamander, I had to stand still at the door, even though I had things to do. I mean, if only for a few moments, I gave myself permission to be, to stay without moving, with no rush. And I noticed that my stillness had its own kind of happiness. As such, happiness doesn't always come from big achievements. Tiny things, a few words, or seeing something beautiful can be enough to feel joy, at least for the moment. I think this has to do with wonder and discovering awe, in a childlike way. I don't search bliss in distant things my happiness is in wonder and laughs and of letting go of burdens I can no longer brave or stand but in a salamander, a spark of wonder, and when I let go of hushed pains, and in my strength, and in laughs I share without intent or the kindness of a friend, in a moment of life, slipping blessings to my hand. |
| Prompt: Free Day. Write about anything. ------------ The blank page stares back at me, mocking me, "It is your free day. Write about anything." But what is "anything"? Anything can be the entire universe and things in and out of it. On the other hand, this "anything" offers some boundless freedom, doesn't it? Yet, boundless freedoms can paralyze instead of liberating. For me, this is like I am standing in front of the open door of my fridge, trying to decide. It would have helped if I knew beforehand what I wanted from its insides. On the other hand, this "anything" can be a good thing. Still, what can I do when confronted with such a glorious and terrifying invitation? I guess I'll have to reframe the prompt with one thing in mind: Authenticity. Am I authentic? Who knows! But I think this means looking inward. This means current obsessions, hobbies, books I'm reading, memories, philosophical or societal stuff, my personal dilemmas... and the list goes on and on. Then maybe, I can mine the mundane, such as a some overheard conversation, peculiar habits of people, specific ways and rhythms of towns. cities, countries, etc. Then, what about timeless themes as personal reflections? Current events, a story, a poem, or answers to what-if questions... The picking is endless. When all is said and done, I guess, similar to what I did here today, right now, starting with a single sentence and hoping it would carry me on can be the way to go. After all, most writing doesn't come from the grandeur of the subject, but from the depth with which it is explored. So when I saw the word "anything" first, I took a deep breath and smiled at the boundless invitation. Then, I started typing...something...about ANYTHING! |
| Prompt: Meteorites. Did any of you see the Meteorites Showers last night? Your thoughts? ---------- You mean those shooting stars that mostly burn themselves out? Well, no, I didn't see that shower. The only showers I see are the ones I take in the mornings. As to a meteorite burning itself out, I can understand that. I usually do the same thing to myself. Like the meteorite that might have drifted for eons, I have lived through my long years and even my writing is drifting somehow, at or toward the end of it all. This, I think has to do with the earth's gravitational pull that is pulling the meteors into the earth's atmosphere the same way it is pulling us humans back into its soil. That must be why a meteor's atmospheric entry is so spectacular; that is, fiery, turbulent, and emitting lots of light. It is an inferno, all right. But then, so is old age. Both the meteorites and old age are time capsules, except meteorites may be older than earth. Then, both meteorites and us, we get ejected into this life, as if in communion with the cosmos or creation. So, possibly to find out about beginnings, some of us go in search of meteorite leftovers on the earth's deserts and icy poles. A treasure hunt for some, but then each discovery can be considered a relic that has traveled huge distances to get here. It is, also, said that meteorites helped shape our earth. They delivered water and other elements. I read somewhere that the iron deposits we have underground were delivered, once upon a time, by meteorites, so our earth wouldn't get too wobbly. Yet, our world is still wobbly, in an emotional way. This must be because there never was a meteorite that could bring world peace and freedom and sustenance for every single human being alive, here. So to the meteorites, "Thanks guys, for whatever you brought in for our use, but you know, there are other more important things, you might also consider furnishing us with. If you could just do that, too, we the people wouldn't probably feel so cross and wobbly...emotionally speaking, that is." |
| Prompt: Food Which food you eat that makes you remember something happy or sad? Or what food do you eat to feel happier? ---------- Olives. Cured and black. My grandmother's go-to additions on salads and anything else she wanted to. Recently, I've grown to like black olive paste mixed with chopped garlic on a slice of bread with a sprinkle of turmeric and black pepper and topped with oregano. I also add a small piece of Swiss cheese on top and toast it. Recently, it became my favorite morning fare and I love it. I grew to love it, maybe because there is the idea of my grandmother's love and affection, in that toast somehow. I think, this is because, first, food is something sensory and it tells me stories. Its texture, aroma, looks and warmth can send me to happy places as if a transport vehicle. And just maybe, as a human, I am wired to seek what is familiar especially meaningful moments, times with the family, celebrations, rituals, etc. These events tie food to me and to people, places, and what has been familiar once, as if a bookmark in my life's story. Accordingly, any food which comforts has also context. Take some food that is considered the most comforting for most people. Say, a bowl of macaroni and cheese or a warm slice of pie or a piece of chocolate cake. Possibly it isn't just the taste but the way and with whom they once experienced those foods, which was stored in their memories together with the taste. This may be because smell and taste are connecting to the brain's emotional center. This is where science meets humans, in our brains. And food has a direct line to memory and emotion. |
| Prompt: Light and Shadow "Both light and shadow are the dance of Love." Rumi What does this quote say to you? ----- If, offhand, I were to put this quote in one small sentence, I would say, "Life is resilient and we should be, too." Yet, this quote means so much more than that. It has to do with being human and, possibly because Rumi is usually thought of as being a mystic, it may also mean that God's love can show up in different ways, and not only in what seems pleasant to us, two-legged humans. Mysticism aside, this quote, when taken literally, may mean that love is not a force that only dwells in brightness, ease, or joy. Love is large enough to hold everything: our triumphs and our failings, our moments of clarity and our times of confusion. From this point of view, light and shadow seem to be opposites and in tension, but they are not enemies. In fact, they are partners in a single dance. They move together, shaping each other, teaching each other. Light represents the moments when life feels open and generous, when we feel connected, purposeful, and blessed. This is hope and clarity. On the other hand, shadow may point to our doubts, fears, losses, and imperfections. These do not disrupt the dance but they are also part it, to give it its rhythm. With that I mean, love never abandons us in the dark. Rather, through the use of the shadow, it reveals the parts and dimensions in us and in our hearts that light alone cannot show. Pain awakens compassion. Uncertainty encourages humility. Brokenness makes room for change and adjustment. And so, this is the dance of love. We are not asked to choose the light and reject the shadow. We are asked to witness and honor this dance. This dance, invites us to soften toward our own shadows and the shadows of others. When we see light and shadow both as the ways that love moves, then every joy or struggle is part of the same divine dance. |
| Prompt: flowers and roots "The fairest thing in nature, a flower, still has its roots in earth" D. H. LAWRENCE What do you think of roots and their effects on the loveliness of flowers? --------- Well, who doesn't like flowers! Unless you're allergic to them, of course. Otherwise, most of us admire them, their colors, different textures, their smell, and how they stand on a bush. So, a flower wins kudos due to its outward beauty and its ability to inspire awe and wonder. On the other hand, its very existence, its strength, is dependent on its connection to earth. A flower, therefore, is one of the fairest things in nature, but its beauty is totally linked to its humbler origins. And so it is with us, people. Similar to flowers, our own moments when we shine, our achievements, our outward or inward joys and successes, are not due to some sudden magic. They are the blossoms and brief signs of a deeper, less visible background. When we understand this truth about ourselves, we feel freed from the pressure of always appearing or being flawless. This is because vulnerability, struggle, and our quiet work of growth are our roots. When we know or acknowledge our roots, that is our values, resilience, relationships, and dedication to learning and growth, we create a fertile ground for our unique flowers to bloom. Even in our most intimate relationships and most radiant expressions of love, our roots are in action. The effortless understanding between long-married couples--which I can attest to for having been married for 54 years, until he passed away-- the unwavering support offered to me without me asking for it, the effortless tears and laughter I've shared with my friends, all these were not born of magic. They were cultivated in the soil of our shared experiences, weathered storms, and countless acts of forgiveness, kindness, and mutual understanding. All these. together with commitment, trust, and acceptance have allowed love and friendships to blossom through the seasons of my long life. Similarly, because of my roots, which mostly were built by family, life, or my own struggles, I marvel at my good chance to have been born and at my friends and family members for all the sparkle and colorful beauty as if all our delicate petals are unfurling. |
| Prompt: The elephant in the room: (a topic that everybody is thinking about but nobody is talking about.) Let this metaphor inspire your entry today. --------------- At the initial reading of this prompt, the first words that came to my mind were: discomfort of the truth. Truth, that giant creature, impossible to miss, standing quietly in a corner, large, heavy, and unavoidable, while we the people pretend it isn't there. It this weren't so tragic, it could be funny. Why are we so silly? This question comes to my mind. Come to think of it, it could just be because we like to arrange conversations the way we arrange furniture. We are, in fact, masters in emotional choreography. Anything goes as long as we keep the room harmonious. Well, some truths do not fit into such a decor. They are the elephants, too awkward, too painful, and mostly too charged with unknown consequences. To start with, they are the mistakes and subjects no one wants to acknowledge or claim responsibility for. Those could be a failing marriage or relationship, a family secret, a future loss, or even a wayward offspring. Elephants for sure! We have such elephants because we are human; because we are hopeful, fearful, sensitive, and also, protective. Often, getting rid of such elephants means naming the problem. This, naming it, feels awkward and can even be riskier than living with it. Talking about the truth may mean a negative atmosphere, ending a relationship, forcing a difficult decision, or making a hidden hurt visible. Dangerous, isn't it! Silence about such stuff, on the other hand, offers an illusion of control. But only an illusion! Then, let's face it. Not many of us are that daring to face difficult truths, most of the time. So we hope that this huge elephant will perhaps not move at all or maybe it will shrink or will wander away out, on its own. Surely, it never does. Yet, such elephants can disappear or go out the door on their own, once their truth is acknowledged. When someone, who is brave and gentle, finally speaks the truth, the room itself moves with unease, at first. Then, light gets in, and breathing becomes easier. Then, with courage and willingness, we can face the thing we least want to see. Just maybe, no matter the consequence, getting rid of such elephants will happen then. |
| Prompt: Quote Let this quote inspire your entry: “Home isn't where you're from, it's where you find light when all grows dark.”- Pierce Brown ------ I love this quote. Why I can't tell, immediately... not at first sight, now. Possibly only a shrink could figure this out...unless I think while writing. I have an inkling though, since I am starting to write. It must be all the friends I made from all over the world and all the places I've been to, but then, even in the worst conditions and in the darkest places, I always saw a glint of light. In the end, when all is said and done, feeling at home has to do more with people and their light than any place alone. Yes, home is a refuge more than a place or a house. It is when the world feels unsteady, someone lights it up for me, like a friend who listens to my woes without trying to fix me up or a gentle voice saying, "I'm here; don't worry!" It could even be my daily routine that steadies and calms me or the memory of a loved one that pops up just when I need it. Also, home may be a community, like my extended family or an online site like WdC, in the quiet corner of my life that catches me when I fall or feel down. It may not be where I began or what I expected, but it is where I might be able to see clearly again when and where the darkness stops being absolute. This is because something within that space insists to keep on shining. So, it has to be, in the end, home is less about anything else but more about friends, people, and illumination. Tangible or not, it is a place where I am reminded that I don't have to face my shadows alone. It is a place where I can discover my own strength in the beautiful glow of its comfort and light. And this has to be why I so liked this quote as soon as I read it. |
| Prompt: November 12 was Kindness Day. Did you show kindness to anyone? ======== I didn't know yesterday was Kindness Day. It is funny how we've gotten into the habit of naming calendar days for one thing or another. I try to be kind enough, mostly, because kindness matters when it is done subtly and with no fanfare. Then, I have been very lucky with all the kindness shown to me in my life, starting with my very young days. When my father passed away when I was seven, several of my uncles and my mother's uncle took it on themselves to fill the gap in my life. I'll never forget their kindnesses in all forms, which was also replicated by some of the women relatives in the family. Yet, it wasn't only the family, but other people everywhere who have shown kindness to me to this day that made me believe in the good of the humankind. As I mentioned in the first paragraph of this entry, kindness matters because it builds strong relationships and social connections. It also starts a chain reaction. This happens when people pay it forward, mostly, and create a ripple effect and encourage others. Not to mention that kindness also benefits the one who gives first. Did you ever hear of "feel good" chemicals (oxytocin) in the body? Such chemicals increase confidence and well-being. Best yet, kindness is a powerful way to teach the younger generations by being an example. The way I see it, kindness doesn't expect any reward or even an acknowledgement. This is because kindness has to do with the understanding of others' problems, and willingness to help in some way, be it a tiny gesture. Kindness is also intentional as a kind person tries to ease someone else's problems or make their day better, be it in small ways Those small ways can be saying, "Thank you!" and showing appreciation, helping someone with a task, checking in on a friend who may be alone or lonely, offering help to someone when we see that they need help. This kind of behavior that doesn't expect any gratitude or recognition shows a generous heart and a person who understands and shares others' feelings and burdens. I also have to add that animals, too, deserve our kindness, whether they are wild or domesticated ones. I am not saying that we should try to help a hurt wild animal alone without any know-how, as our so-called help could prove wrong and we can get hurt ourselves. Instead, trying to get in touch with an animal welfare group should be the way. After all, kindness takes practice to understand and feel it. Our kind acts such as a smile, a nice word, an unexpected deed, or a planned surprise can make people feel good. This way, we pass along hope. We promote peace. We show the power of kindness. In short, kindness is grace. |
| Prompt: Autumn is considered The Season Of The Witch. What are your thoughts on this? ------ Surely, there is Halloween, but I'm not going to touch that at this point because I yakked enough about Halloween in October. Actually, a witch is a very wise woman. Never mind the far-out stories of witches eating kids. True, the witch is connected to death in some way, but where would we be without the necessary ritual of death? How would we treat our loved ones' remains after they die? Which, I believe the witch, or the idea of her, has to do the with the concept of the thinning veil between life and death. But it isn't the macabre I'm trying to write in this entry. I'm trying to aim at a witch's know-how in handling change, especially when light turns into dark. This is where autumn comes in when daylight and darkness tip toward the night. Didn't we just have the daylight savings time reversed and the day gets darker an hour earlier? This increases the dusk and the shadows, as the borderline between the light airy seasons and cold darker ones. Therefore, the fading sun and the encroaching cold feel supernatural, suggesting that what holds reality together is somewhat loosened. Witches, as such, are the masters who walk the line between stuff , for example, between the wild and the civilized, the light and the dark, the known and the unknown, and life and death. Before modern medicine and the grocery chains we now cannot do without, the wise woman or witch played a central role in the survival of a village. Autumn, then, was a brutal time but also a necessary period of preparation for survival. It demanded the witch's know-how of nature's offerings and its decay. So the witch became a manager of the harvest with her knowledge of alchemy and preservation. Medicinal weeds, roots, and pulling them out of the earth just in time before the frost set in, and turning perishable food into edibles like jams, salted meats, preserved vegetables must have seemed like like a form of deep magic to those who enjoyed witches' efforts to keep villages and people alive. This must be why the scent of woodsmoke and fire became the witch's elements. That we humans have the knack of attaching the negative to anything positive must have also been applied to the well-meaning witches, as the result. So, haphazardly, we look inward, while blaming the witches for all the good they do, and attach a spiritual darkness to them. By the way, anytime, people look inward facing their own personal shadows, they end up blaming someone or something outside of them. So the poor, helpful witch becomes the scapegoat and is accused of performing dark magic. I, therefore, tend to believe that a witch's magic, no matter how dark or light, has served humankind for centuries. Especially in Autumn, a time defined by shadows, transitions, and most importantly, practical know-how. From my point of view, the witch does not only live through autumn but she is its most powerful priestess. I can vouch for that for some of the best people I like and admire are our very own  WdC witches, and you have to admit, they do deserve my high esteem of them. |
| Prompt: Veterans and Heroism Today, November 11 is Veterans Day in the United States, the anniversary of the 1918 armistice that ended World War I. For the US writers, what is the best way to honor our veterans? Then, what can we, civilians, do to better understand the experience and challenges of the veterans? For WdC's writers not from the USA, what is heroism to you and who would you call a real hero? -------- First, I'd like to thank all my veteran friends and writers in Writing.com. I also wish to thank all the veterans everywhere for their work and unbelievably difficult sacrifices they made for our country. I can't even begin to imagine what they have gone through for this nation, leaving their families behind to protect the rest of us. Thank you, Veterans, again and again. Having said my peace, I also want to include a few facts in this entry. For those of us who may mix it, there's a difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day. *Memorial Day specifically commemorates the men and women who died while serving their country, mostly on the battlefield. *Veterans Day is the day when we thank and honor all the people who have served, living or deceased, but especially the living veterans among us. Then, although most of us may know it, I would like to include a section from Almanac.com, as a short history for Veterans' Day: "A Short History of Veterans Day Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day in the United States, commemorating the signing of the agreement that ended World War I at 11:00 A.M., November 11, 1918. President Woodrow Wilson celebrated the first Armistice Day in 1919. In 1938, November 11 became a legal holiday by an act of Congress. In 1954, this federal holiday was changed from “Armistice” to “Veterans” Day. " In addition, I wanted to write a poem for our veterans but I choked because whatever I could come up with, it would never be enough, even minimally. So instead, here's a link to a page with the poems that reflect some of my sentiments. https://www.veteransforamerica.us/page/poems-and-inspiration Happy Veterans Day! |
| Prompt: Winter What do you enjoy or dislike the most about winter's approaching and what do you look forward to when you think especially about the winter of this year? ------------- Enjoying winter or not depends on where you or I live and what our likes and dislikes are. When we lived up north, I didn't enjoy my car skidding on ice. Once, on a very cold day, I was giving a lift to a friend who lived far from us. We made it to her home just fine, and after saying our goodbyes, I left. On my way back, my car skidded 360 degrees on LI Expressway. Luckily, almost no other vehicle was around at that instant, and I could keep on driving, but it was a big scare. That, I didn't like...and never forgot! Still, in those days, there were many things I enjoyed about winter. Let me count the ways: *The smell from the wood-burning fireplaces or bonfires. *Hot coffee, hot cocoa, hot cider, and peppermint-spiced teas when enjoyed especially with family and friends * Cooking for family and friends * Sweaters and hooded coats and parkas * Popcorn and candy canes, which I don't touch anymore * All kinds of pies, comfort food, and carbohydrates * Our black dog making his way through the white snow * My whole family gathering around the fireplace * Roasting a huge fish over the fire in the fireplace * Telling my sons stories I mostly made up so they don't stay out too long and catch cold * As a whole family, us watching the same show on TV * The picturesque view of snow on the huge trees and the ground outside, and at night, the light from a full moon on the same landscape. This was then. As for now, here in Florida, winter is the tourist season. That means more difficult driving on the crowded streets and highways. And as for ice and snow, that would be something to see once in several years, if ever. On the other hand, especially here in south Florida, the weather is usually excellent with highs in temperature, mostly in the 70s and 80s, ideal for boating, golfing, and other fun things to do. Also, many towns hold local activities like dolphin spotting in Clearwater and the Holiday Boat Parade in Daytona Beach. For baseball fans, most good teams hold their spring training in Florida, with some starting in late winter--Mets near where I am, for example--and people can watch their favorite players as they train, sometimes free of charge. When all is said and done, I think, enjoying winter (or not), depends on the person. As for me, I feel endless gratitude for having experienced winter for so many years in several different places on the globe. This may only be because winter always has something eccentric and quirky to offer in any climate or place. |
| Prompt: Fortune Cookies Your fortune cookie says, "Love mankind, trust the majority, and never owe anyone." Would you eat that cookie or believe everything it says? ======== I'll certainly eat the cookie, since I do like cookies. As to what it says, I trust nothing. Case in point, six years ago, an old friend from NY came to visit us. I don't know where he got them, (I'm guessing possibly China Town), but he brought us a box of fortune cookies. My husband's cookie congratulated him for having at least fifty more years of life. Unfortunately, hubby passed away five months later. Well, so much for fortune cookies! Then, about what this prompt's fortune cookie says, I guess its possibility of truth is close to 50%. Love mankind? Sure. And why not, it is my kind. Trust the majority? I dare you! And never owe anyone? Now, that's the trick question. Never owe anyone what? If it is talking about money, well, maybe. But I may owe so much to so many people in my lifetime without even knowing about it. Even those people I've never met who had an effect on my present life, like George Washington, like the teachers of my teachers, like all the inventors, creators, explorers, in addition to Writing.com and other such avenues I dared to wander in. What I mean is this. My debt to life and the people I've met is not a ledger of transactions to be balanced. Instead it has to do with gratitude and an awareness of recognizing every smile, every nice encouraging word, every interaction, no matter how big or small. What I owe such people, ideas, and things has to be the continuation of their positive impact on me. In other words, the people I've met have shaped me, beginning with my mother, friends, and my extended family. They've planted seeds of ideas in me, nurtured my dreams, and challenged my decisions and my ways of looking at things. When and if I can embody the best of what they've taught me, when and if I can carry forward their kindness, their wisdom, or their courage into my own life, will I be able to repay such debts that transcend simple reciprocity. Is this ever possible? I guess not. So "never owe anyone" in this fortune cookie is a false positive. However, just maybe, I may be able to repay a tiny bit of it by working toward finding my best self. This doesn't mean a flawless performance, but rather an honest attempt to be kind, to be supportive, and to contribute positively to others' lives. This is because, possibly, when I interact with others, I may be able to uplift them or, at least, I can try. This is the choice I might make to pay forward what I owe. Still, even if I could do that, I don't think I can ever repay my real debt for what's come my way in my entire lifetime. Well, so much for this fortune cookie!  |
| Prompt: On this day in 1731 Benjamin Franklin opened the first library in the North American colonies, the Library Company of Philadelphia. Are libraries important? What other services do the libraries in your area offer? --------- Libraries were always very important to me. I visited our local library three to four times a week. Lately though, since I don't want to drive unless extremely necessary, and also, because there's a very long walk between the library's front door and the parking lot, I have avoided going there too often. I used to be such a library buff in the much earlier days that two of the local libraries offered me a job. This was a few decades ago. I didn't take those jobs but I'm still grateful for the offers. Those offers came as the result of making friends with the librarians and maybe mentioning that I used to work part time in our high-school's library when I was in my teens. In those teen days of mine, I knew the Dewey-decimal system really well and where anything was in that extensive library. Also, the students related better to me, knowing I was one of them. Surely, now, those systems and huge catalogues are relics of the past, but the libraries still serve as pillars of the community and reader-friendly organizations. Nowadays, libraries offer free internet, printers, and help with accessing government services for those who need them, despite the fact that, for most of us, such services and access to e-books is just a click away. Libraries also provide safe spaces for people of all ages, incomes, or backgrounds to take a break and sit at a cozy chair or desk and browse through a magazine of a book. They host community meetings, offer a quiet refuge for studying, reflection, or a moment of peace, and come up with programs for adult literacy, coding, and creative writing. They have tech support, too. Sometimes, a librarian will help a klutzy cell-phone or a similar device user by trouble-shooting what isn't working and offering valuable advice. In our local library, summer reading, story times for tiny tots, and every now and then, a craft workshop is held. There is also a separate meeting room on the side of the building with a separate door, which can be rented at a low-cost for community or group meetings. Then, our local library is next to the junior high school and the students come into the library to do their homework while waiting for their parents to pick them up. This is because most parents are working until later in the day and the school is closed around two or three in the afternoon. In essence, today, despite the digital age, with an endurance for learning and evolving, is the remarkable local library and I truly wish it stays and prospers forever, as ours and other local libraries anywhere are profoundly irreplaceable. |
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