DAILY PROMPT 1866 — WHAT ARE 3 THINGS YOU COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT

Three things I absolutely could not live without are my Bible, Something to Write With, and Something to Paint With.

Well, that’s one way of looking at it. But actually, there’s an alternate list. The prompt didn’t ask us to list THE ONLY 3 things we couldn’t live without. The first list is definitely true. But so is my second list: My Bible, Coffee, & Chocolate.

There’s no question that my Bible comes first on either list. I live by God’s Word in every aspect of my life, and it gives me guidance, healing, and sanity in a very disturbed world. But those other two choices — well — they sort of ebb and flow.

There are days when I really do need to write.  And my art helps release all the creative energy inside as well as relieve stress. So on some days, I couldn’t stand not being able to write or paint. 

But then there are those days when all I need is to feel comforted and cozy and convinced that everything is going to be all right. On those days, numbers 2 and3 are definitely coffee and chocolate — preferably at the same time.  🙂


Focus Is Important

I haven’t had much blogging time lately, so I took a run through my archives to see if there were a few things from years back that were worth sharing again. And as most of you know, my archives are full of chocolate and coffee. So I figured, why not share one more chocolate piece — or should that be one more ‘piece of chocolate’? — just kidding. I’m not sharing my pieces of chocolate today. But I will share this little conversational story just for fun.


Staying Focuse
d on What’s Important

Time: Present Day
Place: On a street in town
 A conversation likely to occur on any given day when I’m in need of a chocolate fix:

Friend:   “Wow!  Did you see that?”

Sandra:  “I’ll say. I’m salivating even as we speak.

Friend: Oooooh, me too. Makes me feel hungry all over.

Sandra: I know what you mean. That box of chocolates must have held at least 10 pounds.”

Friend:  “The girl who gets that will be over the moon.”

Sandra:  “Mmmmm. That much chocolate candy would definitely make me one very happy lady.”

Friend:  “Huh? – Wait – What?”

Sandra:  “What do you mean, what?”

Friend:  “What do you mean? I’m talking about that drop-dead gorgeous hunk who just passed us carrying a box of chocolates, you dope.”

Sandra:  “Oh, was there somebody carrying the chocolates?”

~~~

Recipe For Creative Writing — Revisited

What?  You don’t think I’m serious about this recipe? Well, I assure you that I am. In fact, I’ve been writing — very successfully, I might add — for many years now using these ingredients on a regular basis. I originally posted the recipe about five years ago, but when I revisited the article recently and thought it over, I realized that I’m even more convinced of its effectiveness now than I was then. So I’m re-posting it just for the fun of it.

BLACK TYPEWRITER w. quiet1. A Quiet Corner:

I must have quiet when I’m creating.  If I’m simply relaxing — or doing housework — or eating — I often enjoy listening to music, a TV program, or a lesson on a subject that interests me. But if I am intent on creating something with words, I do not want any conversation or music whirling around me. I want to be closed into my own private world — just me and my words — until I have received conception of and given birth to that brand new entity that has been waiting on me to bring it into the world. So this ingredient is a must.

2. A Cup of Coffee — or Two:This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is coffee-computer-engin-akyurt-px.jpg

My, there’s just nothing that quite equals the soothing, uplifting aroma of fresh-brewed coffee. And I’m tired of hearing all the uninformed critics out there who try to make coffee drinkers feel guilty because there is an element of caffeine in coffee. I have always maintained that, since the Lord told us in Genesis that He made the seed-bearing trees and plants for us to eat, then we should be able to partake of coffee with a clear conscience and a happy heart. And let’s not forget that God made the coffee bean with the caffeine in it.

Furthermore, there have been numerous medical and scientific experiments done over the past half dozen years that prove coffee has many beneficial qualities for the human body — everything from quickening our brain function to eliminating headaches as quickly as aspirin to protecting the body against several kinds of cancer and heart problems. Naturally, nothing is good for our bodies if we partake of too much of it, to the exclusion of other important elements. But in moderation, coffee is a great blessing. And considering the fact that, in my family, a good cup of coffee has always been associated with family togetherness, wonderful fellowship, and comforting relaxation, coffee is, for sure, a substantial ingredient in my recipe.

3. Chocolate:

BOX OF CHOCOLATESAs with coffee, the medical field has grown in its understanding over the past decade concerning chocolate. Researchers in the field have learned that chocolate has many helpful — and healthful — benefits for our bodies. Again, we remember that everything we ingest is most helpful when taken in moderation. But there’s one more quality associated with chocolate that we must add to our evaluation of it. We need to consider the connotations associated with that delicious treat — you know: mother’s love, romantic love, comfort, and a little extra surge of energy. Now, given all those positives, how could I possibly leave chocolate out of my recipe?

Combine all ingredients in whatever ratios make you happy.

So there you have it folks. There’s just no other recipe quite so perfect for the dedicated, committed creative writer. And if you haven’t yet used this particular recipe, give it a try the next time you sit down to write.  Your masterpiece may be just a quiet corner, a cup of coffee, and a chocolate bar away.

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First Coffee Post of the Year

It just wouldn’t be right if I didn’t celebrate the new year with a coffee post. And, then, since chocolate runs a very, very close second to coffee as my favorite treat, I figured I should include both. So I decided I’d stay in my limerick vein another day, and this is what I came up with.

courtesy of http://www.dream-wallpaper.com/

UNIVERSAL ANTIDOTE

Coffee makes everything better.
If I’m battling inclement weather,
Or I’m dealing with stress,
Or my love life’s a mess,
I grab coffee and chocolate together.

The aroma of both is so soothing —
All my distraught emotions quite smoothing.
As they alter my brain,
My good mood I regain,
And the whole world commences improving.



 

Coffee Is A Poem – Day 6


photo courtesy of deutchonline @ pixabay.com


CHOCOLATE’S BEST FRIEND

I have a stash of chocolate standing by.
I like to keep some extra when I can.
For when I’m feeling jittery or blue,
Chocolate is the most effective plan.

But chocolate works much better with a friend.
A cup of coffee sets it off just right.
Choc’late and coffee are a perfect blend,
Indulging both at once — a great delight!

So now I’m off to put the coffee on
And get out one of my favorite mugs.
Once it’s brewed I’ll curl up with my treats.
Coffee and choc’late are like a comfort hug.


Chocolate for Christmas – Day 5

HERSHEY BAR - Janeb13 -- PX

It’s probably safe to say that the ‘first family’ of chocolate in the U. S. A. is Hershey. And ever since they created the first “Hershey chocolate bar” for WWII soldiers on the battlefield, they’ve held a special place in the hearts of chocolate lovers everywhere. The bars created for the soldiers didn’t taste nearly as good as the ones we eat today. Their purpose during the war was to provide nutrition in emergency situations, and they were made to hold up under extreme conditions so that they lasted for entire campaigns. You can read more about the history of Hershey’s chocolate bars HERE.

 


photo courtesy of Janeb13 @ pixabay.com

 

 

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Chocolate for Christmas – Day 1

I enjoyed doing the coffee quotes so much in October that I decided to take Christmas week to focus on chocolate in a similar way.  So here’s my offering for Day 1: a chocolate cinquain.

CHOCOLATE BON BONSAlexas_Fotos

It’s bliss
To think about.
Even more bliss to taste.
I just can’t seem to get enough:
Choc’late!

 

 


photo: courtesy of Alexas_Fotos @ pixabay.com

Daily Post Prompt: Bliss

 

 

~

20 Things the Well-Prepared Woman Has with Her at All Times

WINKING RIGHT EYE -BLACK(It’s been a little over 2 years since I first created this list. I thought it might be a good time to post it again. I’m also interested to know if any readers out there have suggestions for additions.)

 

  1. Chocolate
  2. Peanut Butter & Crackers
  3. Small package of Kleenex
  4. Individually-wrapped anti-bacterial wipes
  5. Bottle of water
  6. Dental floss
  7. A delightful book
  8.Two Pens
  9. Notepaper
10. Extra chocolate
11. Two Band-aids
12. A nail file
13. Two Safety pins
14. Two paper clips
15. Compact with mirror
16. Comb
17. $10.00 in immediately spendable currency
18. Cell Phone – for emergencies only (a phone held to the ear constantly is very unattractive.)
19. A big smile
20. Extra chocolate

`

~~~

Recipe for Creative Writing: A Quiet Corner, a Cup of Coffee, & Chocolate

What?  You don’t think I’m serious about this recipe? Well, I assure you that I am. In fact, I’ve been writing — very successfully, I might add — for many years now using these ingredients on a regular basis.

BLACK TYPEWRITER w. quiet1. A Quiet Corner:

I must have quiet when I’m creating.  If I’m simply relaxing — or doing housework — or eating — I often enjoy listening to music, a TV program, or a lesson on a subject that interests me. But if I am intent on creating something with words, I do not want any conversation or music whirling around me. I want to be closed into my own private world — just me and my words — until I have received conception of and given birth to that brand new entity that has been waiting on me to bring it into the world. So this ingredient is a must.

2. A Cup of Coffee:

COFFEE STEAMING - REDMy, there’s just nothing that quite equals the soothing, uplifting aroma of fresh-brewed coffee. And I’m tired of hearing all the uninformed critics out there who try to make coffee drinkers feel guilty because there is an element of caffeine in coffee. I have always maintained that, since the Lord told us in Genesis that He made the seed-bearing trees and plants for us to eat, then we should be able to partake of coffee with a clear conscience and a happy heart. And let’s not forget that God made the coffee bean with the caffeine in it. We human beings did not add the caffeine the way we add so many artificial ingredients into our food. That caffeine must have some good qualities in it, or the Lord would not have put it into the bean in the first place.

Furthermore, there have been numerous medical and scientific experiments done over the past half dozen years that prove coffee has many beneficial qualities for the human body — everything from quickening our brain function to eliminating headaches as quickly as aspirin to protecting the body against several kinds of cancer and heart problems. Naturally, nothing is good for our bodies if we partake of way too much of it, to the exclusion of other important elements. But in moderation, coffee is a great blessing. And considering the fact that, in my family, a good cup of coffee has always been associated with family togetherness, wonderful fellowship, and comforting relaxation, coffee is, for sure, a substantial ingredient in the recipe.

3. Chocolate:

BOX OF CHOCOLATESAs with coffee, the medical field has grown in its understanding over the past decade concerning chocolate. Researchers in the field have learned that chocolate has many helpful — and healthful — benefits for our bodies. Again, we remember that everything we ingest is most helpful when taken in moderation. But there’s one more quality associated with chocolate that we must add to our evaluation of it. We need to consider the connotations associated with that delicious treat — you know: mother’s love, romantic love, comfort, and a little extra surge of energy. Now, given all those positives, why would anyone want to leave chocolate out of the recipe?

Combine all ingredients in whatever ratios make you happy.

So there you have it folks. There’s just no other recipe quite so perfect for the dedicated, committed creative writer. And if you haven’t yet tried this particular recipe, you should. You’ll be surprised at just how well you write when you partake of these ingredients.

 

~~~

Share Your World 2016, Week 7

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?TEACHER AT GREEN BOARD

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.)

 

WINDOWS AND STAIRS FOR ART CENTER  SEPIAQuestion # 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.

 

 

BOOKS - darkerQuestion # 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.

 

 

RAINDROPS AND A CLOUD - CLIPARTQuestion # 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?

Exif JPEG
My Mousepad

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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