Enigmatic Equals Mystery, #JusJoJan

Linda’s guest prompter today, Virgobeauty, gave us a word prompt of enigmatic. Such an interesting word reminiscent of times gone by with its amount of use for today but still an interesting word. Come join in on the fun of Just Jot January and say hey to everyone. It promises to be an enigmatically good time.

ENIGMATIC DAWN

The early light sneaks in, etching out shadows of night before

With mystifying stealth, where no man had trod before

With unfathomable skill she stares on open untouched land

Making sure she touched places where no one alone can stand

With brightness she increases, making the impenetrable darkness flee

The valley below eyes twinkle in hopes of the newness it may see

The enigmatic dawn flits quickly by as the brightness of the day begins

Leaving the question behind for all of “Who today will win?”

– Anita Neal –

May the brightness of your life shine as the start of a brand new day. We get the opportunity to start fresh each day, leaving the woes and dramas of previous days behind. Remember God shines His light on you so that you can shine it on others. Always remember to be kind. Kindness is a love gift from above. Let your drop of kindness flow outward creating ripples of joy across the waters of life.

For The Love of…#JusJoJan

What an interesting thing Linda has challenged us with today with her prompt of Why do you do what you do…in blogging. I made sure I add the part “in blogging” because then we would be trying to find the answers to “why do you try to get out of the car with you seat belt still attached” or “why are you looking all over the house for your glasses when you have them pushed up on your head”.

Some questions of why we do what we do really have no answers. But why do I blog, I can answer. I retired in February, not by choice as I enjoyed working but I was 66 and the new plant manager was a beast to say it lightly. So I said enough. Now what. I know, I will finish the book I started last year which was really a backwards way to write my memories so my children would have an idea as to “why I did what I did”. So as I sat down in February I got back to the book but it took on a life of its own and became more fiction that truth then it changed again to become a backwards way to tell others about Christ. Then I wondered if I could ever get this published so I joined the local writers guild and one of the guest speakers asked me what my platform was. Well she could tell from my “deer in headlights look” that I had no clue what she was talking about – still don’t but she did tell me if I ever wanted to be serious about writing I needed to have a blog. So in August, not having a clue as to what I am doing, I started a blog. The theme was sort of tied around the book but as the book has evolved, so did the blog. I use “For the Love of” to show anyone who reads my blog to know there is still a lot of love left in this crazy, chaotic and sometimes cruel world. I explore the beauty in nature, the beauty in people and I have become very fond of all the bloggers who are photographers. The beauty in this world that they show is enough to keep anyone blogging. It’s inspiring. I also enjoy all the friends I have met around this blue marble. At my age, it is still amazing I can talk to someone with a computer from countries I have never been to or never will get to. To see their world from their eyes and their heart is amazing.

With the tag line of “anitashope” I hope that to at least one person on any given day I have brought a smile, some encouragement, some love and have been able to reflect the light of Christ as he has asked us to.

Do I still want to get published, sure. Beside the book I have written several short stories, some flash fiction and now playing with poetry. But my style is not for everyone so finding that market is going to be tough.

And of course my end to all of my blogs remind all of us to be kind. Being kind is so easy some days and very hard some days but those are days when you will be blessed the most when you in turn are kind. Kindness is truly a gift to be shared with man and animal alike. So as always I encourage you to be kind.

kind8

Artful Etching, Escapist Coloring Prompt

I got new toys for Christmas. A new book of adult coloring pages and a book of etching that I was not familiar with. Just like with the coloring pages, the outline is there but then everything else is colored over in black. You have a wooden etching tool that you scrape away the black in any form or amount you want to creating a different design. You can go by the patterns shown or just free lance your design which I find much more fun.

Come join in on Linda G Hill’s Escapist Coloring Club Prompt with your doodles of maybe your kids and share your creative side.

Below are the before and after etchings I did for January 2019. The black really makes the colors pop.

This page had a light blue background where you could add rain drops.

On my previous post this morning for #1LinerWed/#JusJoJan, I forgot to add my reminder of being kind. So I want to make sure I try to bring a smile to at least one person each day as a reminder of kindness and a picture showing the value of this precious gift. We ALL need kindness and love. Have a great start to the new year.

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Ponderings of Max, #1LinerWed, #Jusjojan

It’s me, I am Max, with thoughts that I ponder

Over here, over there and way out yonder.

As I rush out that door and swing by the chair

There is my friend Rabbit and we play statue and stare.

Our game is forgotten with a loud sounding crash

As the monsters next door send the squirrels in a dash

Last round through the yard, ever checking, ever more,

But there is nothing to see so I head for the door

Then I head for the kitchen for a small tiny treat.

Now, it’s on to the couch where I sleep ‘til we eat.

sad dog

As we follow LindaGHill for our creative Jot, mine does not follow the Wednesday 1 liner plot.

Quick Goal Jot for JusJoJan 2019

This is my first time for playing in Just Jot January as I didn’t start blogging until last August, so I look forward to seeing what I can learn from those who have done this before. Those who regularly read my blog know that I am a big proponent for kindness, love in Christ, beauty of nature…and dogs; not necessarily in that order. With the internet now bringing us all closer together, it is more important that these values are encouraged in the things we do. That being said, I ran across this drawing that I thought was perfect to help focus the direction for the new year and a perfect fit, in my mind, for the first posting of JusJoJan 2019. Let’s all have a great year.

love1

And as you feel your way though the new year remember to be kind. Kindness is a reflection of love and a profound gift where giver as well as receiver benefit from that gift.

kindness7

As Linda G Hill encourages us with prompts this month, come join in on the fun.