Can Be Worse Than Death

I think that the worst emotion that you can feel is loneliness since it can spiral off into so many other negative emotions: despair, anger, and hatred, to name a few.  Consider, for example, one of modern history's  most hated men:  Adolph Hitler.  He was a lonely person who wanted to be accepted by others.  That loneliness grew to despair and he tried to overthrow his government.  When that failed, the despair grew to anger and he tried to put the anger towards someone else, someone to blame for everything, which grew to hatred of all those who were not the ideal form.  However, loneliness can be a catalyst towards better emotions, such as joy and love. It lights a fire under you to avoid loneliness by seeking out others and creating positive bonds with them.  It isn't always easy, but it is possible.

(Prompt 292 out of 300:  What is the worst emotion a human can feel?)

(Photo from: https://www.readersdigest.co.uk/media/images/shutterstock_504388312.jpg)

To Read or Not To Read

Do you prefer to read electronic books or paper books? Why? (Prompt 293 out of 300 from the writing prompt journal)

While I do appreciate the ease and convenience of reading on a tablet, nothing beats reading an actual paper book.  The excitement of turning the page, eager to find out what happens next, the feel of the paper between the fingers, and the smell of "ink on paper" smell of the book itself.  heck, even the random food stains on the pages from when you were reading while eating because the book was so good that you just couldn't stop reading.  So, I'll always be a bit old school and always have my paper book.

Living In a World of Fantasy

What book or book series did you wish would continue when you were done reading it?  (Prompt 294 out of 300 from the writing prompt journal)


I fell in love with a book I found in the library as a teen called The Silver Wolf by Alice Borchardt.  (She was the older sister of Anne Rice).  I fell in love with the stories she spun.  The last book I read of hers was The Raven Warrior, which was the second book in a series she started about Guinevere, Lancelot, Arthur, and Merlin.  It was amazing to read such an interesting twist on the Arthurian legend and have Guinevere portrayed not as a weak willed, church controlled wife of Arthur, but as a strong queen and leader to her people.  Sadly, Mrs. Borchardt passed away and no other books followed The Raven Warrior.  I would have loved to read how the story ended.

(Photo from: https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388546321l/258660.jpg)

So Bored I Could Die

So I am currently working with my students on figurative language and we are on hyperbole.  For those that don't know or can't remember what a hyperbole is, it is the use of a gross exaggeration to descibe something that could never happen in real life.  A great and very common example that has been heard being uttered by many teens is "I'm so bored that I could die".

This type of figuative language can be a lot of fun to write and my students are really enjoying themselves. They are currently writing their own entry of a believe it or not style hyperbole.  It has to answer the 5W+H questions but it can be about whatever they want.  My plan is to create a little booklet with all of their entries and they even said they wanted to have mine in it too.  Here is my example:


The Amazing Car Meal

Joboo Johosaphat*, long time resident of Slipped Disk, NE decided that he was tired of all the cars in his driveway.  So he came up with an unusual way to get rid of them.  Starting at 5am with six cans of pasta sauce and a steak knife, he began to cut up and eat the cars.

He started with the VW Bug and went on to the pickiup truck, dousing with pasta sauce for extra flavor.  He ended his car feast with a Vespa scooter.  When asked how he was feeling, Joboo said, "Full and satisfied".

(*Not based on an actual person)















(Picture from: https://memegenerator.net/img/instances/66618391.jpg)

I'm Late, I'm Late For a Very Important Date

What date do you have circled on your calendar?  That is, what upcoming date or event are you looking forward to?  (Prompt 295 out of 300 from the writing journal)


Unlike a lot of people, I actually look forward to my birthday.  But, it is not for the reasons you may think.  It is the one time of year that I can be completely selfish and have the day be all about me.  Work calls me and asks me to come in? Nope!  Not setting an alarm to wake me up?  You bet ya!  I always take my birthday off from my job(s) every year and dedicate the day to some me time.

This is something that I tell people a lot.  It is okay to be selfish on your birthday.  Treat it as your own personal holiday.  Do what makes you feel good (as long as it is legal) and take care of you on your birthday.

(Photo from: https://i.pinimg.com/236x/b4/60/87/b460877e377a5af8033877c044b6184b--alice-in-wonderland-white-rabbit-alice-in-wonderland-quote.jpg)

For the Love Of...

(Prompt 296 from my 300 prompt writing journal)

The prompt was "What is your favorite physical aspect of your partner?  If you are single, describe something you like about your crush or your fantasy celebrity date."

This is a difficult one.  I do have a lot of things that I love about my husband Lee but if I hand to pick just one physical aspect, it would have to be his hands.  I love to hold them.  I love the strength in them, especially when he gives me a foot rub.  Sometimes, when we hold hands, I'll absentmindedly rub my thumb over the back of his thumb or the back of his hand (which drives him nuts from time to time).   Not sure why I do it.  But his hands are wonderful.

Side note: Don't get me wrong, I do love other physical aspects i.e. eyes, lips, smile, butt (staying PG here)

(Photo from: http://photos8.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Hands-in-the-Shape-of-Love-Heart.jpg)

Wrap Me In Bubble Wrap

(Prompt #297 out of 300 from my writing prompt journal)

Complete this simile: "Awkward as...."

...a giraffe in roller skates.  It just felt right to complete the simile that way.  I am an awkward person most of the time, both socially and physically.  About 70% physical, 20% social, and 10% other stuff.  I trip over my own feet.  It's what happens when you walk with your feet very close together and are pigeon toes (toes point inward).  I am also constantly hitting things and bruising myself.  The phrase "what did I hit" can often be heard from my bathroom or bedroom when I change clothes.  I swear, some days, I need to be wrapped in bubble wrap.

(Photo from: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIshBCPC5R5wX2-8IHiowpXpSAsbHGDoAYI1g5CMa17kZTWwWx2Mb0whzx2jI3_olBduniSJFf_7kljT0p4JpcTID5KdVlw3-TAaGM0IamZEZacX0QZifxdkPOS-0wruMj3JygES9F3P6K/s1600/funny-giraffe-by-bgiormova-600px.jpg)

Facing One's Demons

We all have our internal demons.  Those parts of ourselves that can come out at the worst times and reek havoc on our lives, both personal and professional.  We face down these demons and sometimes emerge battered but victorious & sometimes we come out more dead than alive.  Whether these demons of the mind are of our own making our not, it is important to face them. 

A friend of mine had an issue where she was doing harm to herself.  I do not know what event created said demon but it was one that she had been battling for a while.  She decided that she had had enough with her defeats and took a big step in making sure that this particular demon no longer ruled her life.  That is one of the hardest things to do.

To this day, I still fight with my demons and that is something that many people don't understand.  Those who have never had any type of mental health issues think that once that internal demon has been defeated, that it stays defeated.  That is definitely not the case.  Sure, the demon can stay dormant for days and even years, but it can resurface due to outside triggers (i.e. school, work, friends, relatives, strangers).  However, I try not to hide my struggle, especially from those that care about me. 

So, if you are still fighting your internal demons, I tip my hat to you.  Keep fighting back, don't lay down in defeat.  Reach out for help, even if it is a stranger.  Don't give up.

(Photo from: https://theinnerdemons.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/inner-demon.jpg)

Resolutions, Smesolutions

It is a new year and people are going around, creating resolutions of how they will improve themselves, make themselves better people, et cetera, et cetera.  I have decided that I do not like this particular practice.  Don't get me wrong, I am not against someone wanting to improve themselves for the better but don't do it just because the year has changed.

If you are going to change, don't wait for the new year to do so.  Do it the day that you think about it.  And don't give up if you fail to make it.  Change takes work.  You try, you fail, you try, you fail.  Use each failure as a reminder of how you can do better the next time.  You are changing yourself just by trying.  As we tell children, keep trying until you succeed.

And while you are trying to change yourself for the better, remember to continue with the things that make you a good person.  Continue to be kind to others, give love to those that need it, offer friendship to new people.

So, with this in mind, I will make no resolutions today.  I will remind myself to keep up with and improve my writing.  I will remind myself to keep making a difference in my students' minds & continue to help them become better people.  I will remind myself to continue to be a great friend and loving wife.  I will remind myself to continue being the best version of myself every day.











(Photo from: http://saboronthebay.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2018.jpg)