Share Your World, 2016 – Week 9

February 29, 2016February 29, 2016 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

Visit Cee’s Blog to get the details about participating and sharing your own world.

GLOBE WITH SMILEY

Question # 1: Have you done something you truly wanted to do today?

Yes, I have — twice. And this evening I’m going to do something else that I truly want to do even more than what I did this morning.

Question # 2: What can you help the world with?

Knowing Jesus Christ better.

Question # 3: If life were “just a bowl of cherries,” which fruit, other than a cherry, would you be?

I’d be a Fuji Apple. I lo-o-o-o-o-ve Fuji apples: not too sweet; not too tart; always crisp and refreshing. I’d like people to think of me that way.

Question # 4: List at least three of your favorite quotes.

My very favorite quote of all time is only one word. “Come.” It’s the word Jesus spoke to Peter when he wanted to get out of the boat and walk on the water. The word gave Peter directions and it also gave him the power to do the job, because any word from God has His power in it. I’ve listened for that word from the Lord and counted on it’s power many times in my own life of service to Him.

Another quote I like because I think it’s hilarious is by Elmore Leonard and is part of his list of ’10 Rules of Writing’: “Try to leave out the parts people skip.”

Another of my favorites is from Henry Ford: “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.”

And I’ll add one more for writers because it’s hilariously as well. Although it comes from author Peter De Vries, it’s very true of me: “I love being a writer. What I can’t stand is the paperwork.”

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WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: State of Mind

February 28, 2016February 28, 2016 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

SAD_FACE - SWEAT GREEN

Visit This week’s photo challenge.

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The Contented Frog

February 27, 2016 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

This photo by my good friend Terry Valley gives a whole new meaning to the idea of “becoming one with your environment.”

But I’m convinced this little guy is thinking happy thoughts: look at that smile.

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A Time to Seek

February 26, 2016 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

ENGLISH COURTSHIP In love.
I’d like to be.
I miss the fluttering
And thrilling expectation of
A touch.

I miss
The twinkling eyes
That say much more than words;
Th’embrace that quiets, yet excites
The soul.

Romance
Serves mankind well.
It is the vehicle
By which both heart and soul can show
They care.

So wake,
My slumb’ring heart!
You’ve been in dormancy.
Throw off your sleep of grief! Go seek
New love.

Oh, the Simplicity & Sophistication of Black & White

February 24, 2016 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

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Share Your World 2016, Week 7

February 20, 2016February 20, 2016 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

To take part by sharing your own world, hop over to Cee’s Photography and get the lowdown on how easy it is to share.

Question # 1: What are you a natural at doing?

Teaching. I used to say that I would never be a teacher, but as I grew into adulthood, I just naturally found myself teaching in all kinds of situations, and the next thing I knew I had a teaching degree. I’ve been a public school teacher, private school teacher, Sunday School teacher, Bible Class teacher, Seminar teacher, etc., etc. I’ve taught English, History, Government, the Bible, Science, Math,Writing, Blogging, and Computer Basics. It’s been a wild ride and mostly very positive. I knew I must be a “natural” at it when a good friend told me once that I was always answering people’s questions before they asked them. He suggested that I would find relationships easier if I stopped doing that.

I might also add that I am a natural at eating as well. (Just want to stay honest.)

Question # 2: Would you prefer a one-floor house or multiple levels?

A. To look at and dream about — or to give to characters in my novels: Multiple Levels.
B. To own and have to clean and maintain personally: One floor only.

Question # 3: What was your favorite subject in school?

English — both grammar and literature. I think I’m the only person I know who actually loved studying grammar. Diagramming sentences is therapeutic art as far as I’m concerned.

Question # 4: Complete this sentence: “If only the rain …”

This sounds like one of the writing prompts I give my creative writing students as an exercise in class. I think I feel a story coming on. So you all will just have to wait and read the whole story when it’s written and posted.

Bonus Question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I’m grateful for a full pound of See’s chocolates given to me by a friend who lives in Florida, but who made a trip to San Diego, and while there, went to See’s Candies and chose a selection of fine chocolates specifically for me, and then delivered them to me here in Illinois.

Next week, I’m looking forward to another session at the healing school that I’m currently teaching. So many people in the school are growing in their knowledge of God’s Word and in their own personal faith, and it’s a great blessing for me to be able to help them.

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Gardeners of the Soul

February 16, 2016 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

American poet S. Thomas Summers wrote a thought-provoking piece on his blog today. Please hop over there and read it before you read mine. The poem below was inspired by his piece as soon as I read it. So here is my humble response to Mr. Summers’ “We, The Poets.”

GARDEN & QUILL 2

Gardeners of the Soul

We plant seeds from our souls
In earth packed with emotion and
Watered by the passion we feel for words;
We wait for germination with impatient breath;
Then, suddenly, the buds are releasing
And speeding our hearts to double-time
As we await the birth of the full flower.
We are the gardeners of the soul:
We are the poets.

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A Valentine Meditation

February 14, 2016February 14, 2016 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

God’s heart is the mold
from which all true Valentines are made.

♥

Valentines Don’t Have To Be Red

February 13, 2016February 13, 2016 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

FIREWORKS HEARTblue brighter

♥ ♥ ♥

Six-Word Saturday – 2/13/16

February 13, 2016 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

Valentine Candy’s Half Price Next Week!

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Original Six-Word Saturday Hostess

(This three-week, 7-days-a-week word challenge has been fun. Lee over at Birdwatching Adventures Plus tempted me to go another week or two on it, but I think my schedule is pressed enough without committing myself to a longer period. However, I think she’s going to continue at least one more week, so if any of you haven’t tried it, why not join her.)