January 2014

Blog challenge, Blogging, Photo Challenges, postaday, Uncategorized

Weekly Photo Challenge: Object

Posted on January 31, 2014January 31, 2014 by JackieP

In this week’s photo challenge, we are to use one tangible object as both our inspiration and subject. This one was a challenge for me, that’s for sure! I’m not the best photo taker and I wasn’t sure what I should do with this. But I promised myself I would do things on my blog this year that I usually don’t do and these photo challenges are a part of that.

These photos are of a beautiful crystal cross that a very good friend of mine gave me years ago. I’m not a religious person, but I’m very spiritual. She gave me this cross as a gift because she said the crystals would protect me. I believe they have through the years. The pictures aren’t the best as I just have a cheap digital camera. The cross really is beautiful and I’m afraid I didn’t do it justice.

I put the cross on different backgrounds with different colors to try to capture some of its beauty. As I said, I’m not a picture taker.

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Blog challenge, Blogging, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Friday Fictioneers, Photo Challenges, postaday, writing

Friday Fictioneers ~~ Jan 31, 2014

Posted on January 30, 2014 by JackieP

Hello people!

Welcome to my blog, my home away from home. No, wait a minute, that should be my ‘other’ home. Because I am home, but on the computer (where I usually am) so this is my other home. Confused yet? No? I’ll have to try harder next time. Ha-ha!

Well, it’s time for some fun Friday Fictioneer time again. I want to thank our hostess who is ever so clever, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields, she puts up with all of us every week. If you want to read other great stories just give Rochelle’s name a click and enjoy!

Now on with the show!

Genre: Fiction (100 words)

No one was around, too early for the first shift of workers. Walking to the back side of the building Margot crouched down and lifted something from the bushes.

As she strode to the left corner of the shop she hit her arm against the building and fell to her knees in pain.

Her bandaged arm was bleeding again where the hand used to be. Biting her lip, she staggered up and continued. They refused her compensation for her loss, said she had been careless. Then they fired her.

A quiet whoosh sounded as she dropped the match on the gas and walked away.

Blog challenge, Blogging, Humor, nonfiction, writing

Weekly Writing Challenge: Leave Your Shoes at the Door

Posted on January 29, 2014 by JackieP

This week’s Weekly Writing Challenge on WordPress is from none other than our own esteemed Rara!

“This week, we’re asking you to consider things from a different point of view — to walk a mile in someone’s shoes. Leave your moccasins and bunny slippers at the door, and tell us a tale from a fully-immersed perspective that is not your own.”

Now, according to Rara, this perspective can be fiction or non-fiction. So for my story I am going fiction. Well, sort of fiction. I’m going to do a story with three different viewpoints as seen by my dog Sam and my two cats Pouncer and Notwen. All three have very distinct personalities which I am going to try to capture in words.

I have often thought these 3 have conversations when I’m not around. They probably talk about me all the time, the brats. I’m going to attempt to do this in flash fiction form.

Sam: Oh boy! Oh boy! Look, look, look! They have my favorite show on TV. There are other pups on TV! Hey guys, come look! I wonder why they won’t talk to me? Maybe I should bark louder and then they’ll see I’m here and they’ll talk to me! Ruff!!! Ruff!!! Ruff!!! I wonder how those pups get in this funny box thingy?! I want to get in there too! Maybe from the back side? I’ll go look. Nope, can’t get in that way! Hey over here pups!! I’m here and I want to play with you! These stinkin’, lazy cats I live with don’t want to play with me!

Notwen (c) JLPhillips 2013 — Notwen
(c) JLPhillips 2013

Notwen: There he goes again with the TV. Stupid dog is always interrupting my nap. Why does he have to be so noisy? Can’t he see that I need my sleep? How is a fine-looking cat like me suppose to prowl the house at night if I don’t get my cat naps? Sam! Shut up!! Those animals in that darn TV can’t hear you, stupid dog! Why did my human have to get that dog in the first place? She should know cats are better! Maybe since I’m awake anyway, thanks Sam you mangy dog, I’ll go head butt my human and see if she’ll feed me early. She might as well do something much more important than playing with that stupid dog.

Pouncer (c) JLPhillips 2013 — Pouncer
(c) JLPhillips 2013

Pouncer: I just don’t know why I have to live with two such animals as these two. I should have been an only cat. Really! Sam! The TV animals don’t hear you, so be quiet or I will have to take a swipe at you! I am NOT amused by your rambuctionness. Brother Notwen! Please stop complaining for a change! Oh, and if you will, please pull some food down out of the self feeder for me. I hate getting food crumbs on my paws. I simply am not made to dig my paws in my food! I simply don’t know what my human was thinking! She just wasn’t I’m sure. Sometimes I wonder if I am the only one in this household with brains. This is just unacceptable! I shall talk to her sternly. Later though, as I must have my nap.

Blog challenge, Blogging, Daily Prompt, Mi Vida Loca, nonfiction, postaday, writing

Daily Prompt: Obstacle Course

Posted on January 27, 2014 by JackieP

Think about what you wanted to accomplish last week. Did you? What are the things that hold you back from doing everything you’d like to do?

Photographers, artists, poets: show us BARRIERS.

Today’s daily prompt has hit home for me today. I was thinking to myself late last night that I didn’t get half of what I wanted to get done this past week or so.

As for the why, well, there are several contributing factors. The biggest being myself. I have felt restless, edgy and distracted for a few weeks now. I have no idea why. Maybe it’s being housebound for weeks on end. Maybe it’s the weather and it’s most definitely been the awful wind.

I have had a lot on my mind and haven’t been able to find resolutions to some of my problems. I hate that. I’m a thinking person. My mind is always running full speed ahead! The only time it slows down is when I’m sleeping. Lately, though even sleeping has been difficult. Filled with vivid dreams and confusing dialogs.

I try to pay attention to my dreams, as they usually help me find solutions to problems or answers to questions. I’ve trained myself through the years to remember most of my dreams. If you can interpret your dreams, a lot of life’s problems can be solved if you keep your heart and mind open to them.

My dreams have mostly been a reflection of my restlessness it seems. They don’t make any sense no matter how I look at them. I’ve dreamed several times of my late father, which usually comforts me, but these dreams haven’t. They are tiring and confusing and make no sense.

For now I’ll try not to worry about the dreams.

My health was not the best the last few months. I don’t usually talk about my health problems as I want my blog to be uplifting, happy and full of wonderful stories, whether fiction or not. Life has a way of stepping on my toes on this one.

As many of you know, I’m a diabetic. Lately I’ve been having problems keeping my blood sugar stable. Stress is a major factor in that one. Less stress equals lower blood sugars. I don’t see the end of my stress in the near future. It is what it is. Having higher sugars than normal means, for me, more joint pain, more fuzzy eyesight, more fitful sleep and just feeling like my mind is full of cotton. So once again, I try to adjust my eating habits to help lower the sugars. Constant battle. I hate it.

Every joint in my body hurts, all the time. That sucks. I’m not a complainer. I go through my pain and suffer silently. I just withdraw more into myself and just don’t feel like talking. That’s just me. I’m a loner anyway, but these past weeks, even I don’t like my company.

So what are the things that hold me back from accomplishing everything I want to? Diabetes, lack of good sleep, pain, stress and wanting to just get away for a while. It’s been hell lately, but it’s something that I will work through. I’m stubborn that way.

On the good news front, I have started another novel. Some know that I have been working on “The Key” for a year now. I’m more than half way done with it. I need to give it a rest for a bit as I seem to be stuck. My other novel is a memoir. I’ve made the decision to put that on the back burner for now. At least while my mother is alive. It’s a scorcher and some of it I don’t want my mother to know about as it would just give her pain. No sense in doing that.

My new WIP (work in progress) is one I’ve had in my head for over a year. It’s part mystery, part revenge, with a bit of romance thrown in for good measure. I haven’t come up with a title yet. I’ll have to write a bit more than it will come to me. I’m excited to finally start getting it down in writing. So I suppose my time hasn’t been a complete waste.

I just wish I could get more done than I have. I’m not whining. Well, not much. I just have to figure out what my dad is trying to tell me in my dreams.

Do you believe in dreams and that they can help you? What new projects if any have you got planned for the coming year? Let me know!

Blog challenge, Blogging, Mi Vida Loca, Photo Challenges, postaday, Uncategorized

Weekly Photo Challenge: Juxtaposition

Posted on January 25, 2014 by JackieP

Hello people! Hope everyone is having an amazing weekend.

I’m not a photographer by any means, but I love to take pictures. This weeks Weekly Photo Challenge is: Juxtaposition.

“A juxtaposition is “the act of placing things side by side, especially for the purpose of comparison or contrast”

Here’s my input on this weeks photo challenge. Hope you enjoy!

This one is a bright rainbow I captured behind our house in the midst of a dark stormy sky.

My little dog Sam and the bigger cat Pouncer sharing the same space and sunshine. These two sharing the same spot at the same time is a rare occurrence! I just had to capture it.

This last one is a tree that was in our backyard. It was covered with frost and I loved how it looked against the bright blue winter sky.

Blog challenge, Blogging, Fiction, Friday Fictioneers, Photo Challenges, postaday, writing

Friday Fictioneers ~~ Jan 24, 2014

Posted on January 24, 2014January 25, 2014 by JackieP

Hello people! It’s time for that all time favorite activity, Friday Fictioneers! Come join the fun, either reading or writing. Rochelle is our hostess every week and she does a great job. Click on her name and find out what all the fuss is about.

Go here to read other great stories.

This week’s picture prompt is:

Genre: General Fiction (100 words)

Twenty years he spent on this mountain top. In a ramshackle house with a run down barn.

Today was the day he was leaving. He couldn’t take it anymore. Living like this, barely eating, hardly surviving.

Twenty years must be enough for people to forget. He had been young, foolish, quick-tempered. Now he was tired and worn down.

For days he walked till he came upon the town. Two men approached him. He felt no fear as they blocked his way.

“We heard you were back old man.”

He just stared at a younger version of himself.

“Come along. Ma’s been waiting long enough.”

Blog challenge, Blogging, Mi Vida Loca, nonfiction, postaday, Stories of my life, writing

Weekly Writing Challenge: Lunch Posts

Posted on January 22, 2014 by JackieP

This week in WordPress’s weekly writing challenge. We are to write what we observe on our lunch break. As I ‘work’ (work is relative here) from home, I don’t see a lot of different things or people. So I’m going to have to come up with something more creative.

Being a diabetic, I try to stay on a schedule for my meals, as it is easier to control my blood sugars this way. So I usually take a break from my writing about noon or 1:00 to have lunch. Also, I always have it at my desk, sometimes I combine lunch with reading blog posts or doing other paperwork. But on rare occasions I just sit back, gaze out my window and have a leisurely lunch and daydream.

Sam (my dog) is always with me, sometimes begging for a handout. Most times sleeping on his oversized pillow.

The view from my window is the back of the property, past the fence is nothing but open fields and coolies. I’ve always spotted something moving out there. I’ve seen hawks, geese, magpies and various other birds. Once in a while I spot a cat from one of the other homes slinking through the tall grass in search of something to stalk. One day I hope I’ll see deer, or a moose. I’ve heard coyotes out there at night and once I could have sworn I heard wolves as they have a different howl than coyotes. I know it spooked Sam.

I love nature and looking out that window is so peaceful and relaxing. I have to force myself to get back on the computer and do something constructive. It’s nice to know I have that to look at if I need some recharging during the day. It’s certainly one of the perks of living more out in the country.

Here’s a little poem that I wrote about my view from the window.

My window is my view of the world of nature

Hawks swoop down and around seeking food

Tall grass bends with the cold winter winds

Solace and peace fill my heart as my mind relaxes its hold on stress

Recharged, energized, revitalized

Ready to face what comes next

My window world of Zen.

Blog challenge, Blogging, Humor, nonfiction, postaday, writing

My Contribute to a Week of Silliness

Posted on January 21, 2014 by JackieP

Today I am stepping way out of my writing comfort zone, so please bear with me. The wonderful Matticus Kingdom has a tug-of-war game going on. I have ~~foolishly~~ agreed to play along as I missed the last game.

Plus, I think the blogging world has been a bit down lately, too much drama, too much sadness. So this tug-of-war game was announced to put a bit of silliness in our world. Sometimes, silliness is a good thing. Hey, I can be silly too! Really, I can. I hope. Ha-ha.

So what’s the game you ask? Great question! Matticus in all his wisdom, plus a bit from rara and Kim has issued this tug-of-war question. Being it’s ‘tug-of-war’ that does mean a person needs to pick a side. Here’s the question: Which universe of superheroes (and villains) is superior: Marvel or DC?

Well, if anyone knows me they see my dilemma. I don’t know comics! I don’t read them, I don’t watch the TV shows, I don’t watch the movies! What am I to do? I’ll tell you what I do, RESEARCH! It’s one of my best qualities. I love research, so off I went into the wide, wide world of the internet to do some research on superheroes and villains of the comics Marvel and DC. I’ll tell you this much people, comic people take their comics seriously! There are endless debates and stories on what the differences are between the two and what makes one better over the other.

I’ll try my best to break it down for you, then I’ll let you know which side I’m taking on this debate.

Let’s look at their universe’s first. Marvel seems to be more based in reality, where DC is larger than life. Their heroes are in different worlds, so to speak. Take Superman, he tries to save the world or universe, whereas Spiderman just tries to survive in a working man’s world.

Marvel characters have more flaws personally than DC’s. Wonder Woman (DC) is an Amazon who flies in an invisible plane and has the lasso of truth. Tony Stark, aka Iron Man (Marvel) is a billionaire and an alcoholic.

DC usually uses bigger super powers. For example, Superman has multiple superpowers, strength, vision, etc. Where Marvel superheroes usually have just one. Like the Hulk with his super strength. It also looks like DC uses more magic and that it affects their characters more often. Marvel usually focuses on light science fiction, where DC’s plots are more heavy science fiction to the way out there stuff.

Many people believe Marvel makes the better movies. I couldn’t say, as I don’t usually watch movies, but this is what my research is saying.

Many of the main Marvel characters were made for teams (the X-Men, Fantastic Four, Avengers). Then you have DC’s main characters who were stand alone superheroes, or just had one partner.

Then, as I can see, most Marvel superheroes have super powers that can be easily explained. “Storm controls the weather and can fly” vs. “Superman is super tough, fast, has eye-rays, ice breath, incredible senses, the ability to fly, and can (at times) go back in time and erase memories.” “The Thing is super tough” vs. “Wonderwoman is super tough, can fly, and can force honesty.” Spiderman is an agile webslinger that can sense danger. Batman is a master detective, ninja, martial artist, gadgeteer and scientist that makes NASCAR look like go-karts.

Marvel usually uses real locations (like NY city) whereas DC uses make-believe cities.

As for the villains, my research has come up with this conclusion, Marvel villains outscored DC’s. As for me, I don’t know. A villain is a villain in my book.

So now for the big question! Whose side am I on?

Hell if I know. So I’m going to toss a coin. That’s fair, right? Right!?? Ok, here goes. Heads it’s Marvel, tails it’s DC. One, two, three, TOSS!

And the winner is!!!

TAILS = DC!!!

(I did explain I didn’t know crap about comics)

Blog challenge, Blogging, Daily Prompt, Mi Vida Loca, nonfiction, postaday, Uncategorized, writing

Daily Prompt: Sweet Sixteen

Posted on January 20, 2014 by JackieP

So today the Daily Prompt is: Sweet Sixteen

Write a post inspired by your sixteenth birthday.

Photographers, artists, poets: show us SIXTEEN.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ah, sweet sixteen. So many years ago that was. No, I’m not telling you how many. That will be my secret for now.

I remember that year so well. There was good in it and there was bad in it.

That had been a hard year for me. My mother and I wasn’t getting along at all. Which was pretty much the norm for us, sad to say. She was a difficult woman to live with. Me, I was quiet and reserved and more often than not had my head stuck in a book.

My sixteenth year has stuck in my memory for a couple of reasons. First, I got a couple of extra special gifts. My first bike was one of them! My other siblings all had bikes, I was the only one that didn’t. For some reason my mother didn’t think I needed one. Long story there, but for now I’ll keep that part short.

My dad surprised me the Saturday of my sixteenth birthday. First, he asked me if I would go for a drive with him. I, of course said yes! Going somewhere with dad was a special treat. I had no idea where we were going as he didn’t say. After a short drive, we turned into the parking lot of a Schwinn store. Back then that was the Cadillac of bikes. I started to get excited but tried not to let it show. We walked in the store hand in hand and once inside my dad said to take a look around.

Oh, so many pretty bikes! So many different colors and styles. My dad was talking to the salesman for a few minutes and then walked over to me. I was admiring a really nice woman’s bike, a three speed. It was red and white with lots of chrome. I fell in love! My dad asked me if I liked that one and I said sure! I was still not sure if he meant to buy me one. Never knew with dad.

Dad just turned to the salesman and said we’ll take that one! I was so excited! So that day I went home with my very first bike. The other special present would come later that weekend. And this one would be the most special present I ever got.

Sunday morning my mom and dad left for somewhere and didn’t tell us kids where they were going. We were all old enough by then to take care of ourselves for a day. Late afternoon I heard them come home, not thinking much about it, I stayed in my room, reading.

I heard my mom calling my name so I went to see what she wanted. She told me, dad needed some help outside. So out I went thinking maybe to help him bring in groceries or something. Dad was standing outside in the backyard with his back to me. I went up to him and asked him what he needed. He turned around and in his arms was the smallest, cutest puppy I had ever seen!

I was well known by then of my love of animals of all kinds. Always bringing home baby squirrels, birds and other animals to nurse back to health. Dad handed me this tiny black and white puppy and it was love at first sight! This little bundle of fur wiggled in my arms and licked my face and smelled like a puppy, clean and pure. He had a flat little face and the brightest eyes. I just looked at my dad with what I’m sure was a silly smile. He said the puppy was mine, part of my sixteenth birthday present.

I put the puppy down at our feet and watched him explore his new world on little, clumsy puppy feet. My dad said he was a Shih Tzu purebred. At that time the breed was little known in the States and very expensive. He had papers and a long list of royalty relatives. I named him Chang NeTe Wong, but he was always Puppy to me. Him and I were best buds from day one. That dog was the best birthday present ever! Even better than the much dreamed about bike.

Source. This is what Puppy looked like even down to the ponytail. High maintenance but worth it. :-) — Source.
This is what Puppy looked like even down to the ponytail. High maintenance but worth it. 🙂

Blogging, Comic ~ Sam and Me, Humor, Mi Vida Loca, nonfiction, postaday, writing

Comics Sam and Me Jan 19, 2014

Posted on January 19, 2014 by JackieP

Hello people!

I haven’t posted for a few days as I am still having computer problems. I love computers, when they work. Not so much when they are giving me problems. Ugh.

Anyway, I thought I would relax a bit today and do a comic of Sam and Me. I hadn’t done one in a long time and it’s a nice way to relax. The usual program I use is not working right now (of course) so I’m using my backup one. Hope you enjoy it.

This winter the wind here has been terrible! It blows and moans and regularly cleans off my deck. Poor Sam doesn’t like the wind either. He is just a little guy and is constantly fighting the wind to stay on his feet. So I thought I would make a comic about that. As you can see I’m fighting the wind and Sam is flyin’! It’s not far from the truth, most days either.

**Just click on the comic to enlarge it**

Blog challenge, Blogging, Fiction, Friday Fictioneers, postaday, writing

Friday Fictioneers ~~ Jan 17, 2014

Posted on January 17, 2014January 17, 2014 by JackieP

Whew! I didn’t think I was going to make it this week. Yesterday my computer died on me. Well, didn’t die, die, it was more like had dying fits. Scared the crap out of me as I cannot afford a new one!

So I finally had to ‘refresh’ my computer all the way back to when I first bought it. Yup, had to clean it out right down to the bare bones. Then I had to re-add all my apps, programs, browser and anything else I feel was necessary to my little world. What a pain in the ass! Took me all dang day!

Still haven’t gotten everything back yet either. I finally ran out of steam last night, my eyes were crossing and my head was hurting. So today I thought I would add back as I need it. So far my computer is running like brand new. Well, it’s been having problems for a couple of months now. I foolishly it seems, installed windows 8.1 (I had windows 8) and ever since I did that my computer would not work right. My printer died and my virus program would not do its job. Nothing but issues, issues, issues.

So I would suggest to anyone who has windows 8, leave it alone. Do NOT install windows 8.1, as it messes things up. Of course I failed to read all the forums and articles about windows 8.1 before I installed it. It seems it’s a common complaint that things fail to work after installing it.

Anyway, enough of my whining. On to the Friday Fictioneers! You all know the drill, go visit our hostess’s website Addicted to Purple and read the few rules we writers try to follow. Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is our hostess and puts up the picture we are to write our 100 word story about. Great fun with great writers!

This week’s photo is:

Genre: Horror? (100 words)

The moon was full, bright, even behind the clouds.

Standing behind a huge barren tree, Michael watches the glints on the water. The myth was every 13 years when the full moon rises, the witch of Kagir shows herself and waits for the man who promised to wed her.

Michael was fascinated with this story and wanted to see the witch himself. It was an obsession. Glancing at his watch he saw it was 12:13.

Hearing a low keening behind him, he turns and sees the witch. He stumbles as she beckons him forward.

A poster in town, several months later.

“Missing: Michael Morrey”

Blog challenge, Blogging, Daily Prompt, nonfiction, postaday, writing

Daily Prompt: All It’s Cracked Up to Be

Posted on January 15, 2014 by JackieP

Today’s Daily Prompt:

Tell us about a time when everything actually turned out exactly as you’d hoped.

Photographers, artists, poets: show us PERFECT.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This one was an easy one for me today.

You know what turned out exactly as I hoped? Blogging.

When I first started blogging about a year and half ago, I didn’t know what I was doing, but I knew I wanted to do it. I never read many blogs, just a few from a couple of friends. I liked how they made their blogs an extension of themselves. I wanted to do that.

I knew I wanted to write, but the funny thing was my first blog was a food blog. Food I knew. I love to cook, I love to learn about new food, I love to try new recipes. So, instead of doing what I really wanted to do (write stories) I started the food blog and was quite pleased with the response.

You see, I was terrified to put my stories out there for public consumption. I didn’t think I was good enough. I liked my stories, well of course I did! But would others? Strangers reading my words and enjoying them? I didn’t think that was possible.

Six months later I decided to do what I should have done in the first place. Start a blog with my writing in mind. That’s how this blog was born. And I’m loving it.

I’ve ‘met’ so many other great bloggers. People who love to write as much as I do. I’ve learned how to tread this blogging world and now I hike all over it! I’ve grown as a writer with some great advice and challenges.

I found out about NaNoWriMo and Haiku’s and flash fiction and fell in love with writing all over again. So yes! Everything turned out even better than I had hoped.

Thank you all for reading my blog, liking my posts, enjoying my stories, helping me to grow as a writer and fall in love with words more than ever. Words, mine and yours are beautiful things.