Tag Archives: Daily Post

Daily Prompt;Goals

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When you started your blog, did you set any goals? Have you achieved them? Have they changed at all?

When I first started blogging I was blogging with blinders on. I didn’t know what I was doing or what I was to be writing about.

What does a person write about when the one punching at the keyboard is so boring? I don’t write as an editor for some well-known magazine. No one even knows my name. I don’t even live in New York City.

I did know that I was sitting in front of my screen because I was called to do it. I went back to my very first post I published and found this. It is called Stillness and it went as this;

STILLNESS

He was young when he met her. Their eyes met, and it was love at
first sight. They spent every moment available to them being together,
holding, touching, kissing, going as far as they dare go. No one said a
word to let them know they were treading dangerous grounds. No one
warned them to keep a distance. All summer long they went swimming,
picnicking, exploring what life had to offer and each other. At year’s end
the thing  feared happened. She became pregnant. The fear rose in
her voice as she stuttered the news to him. What were they going to do?
What would they say? Now the parents stepped up. Shaming them, telling
them how bad they were. Both were kicked out of the comfort of their
homes. Forced to try to figure out how to survive. He got a dime store
job that paid little. She went on the system to help her eat. They lived
in an ally apartment. He was scared. Sorry he had ever done this to
himself, not thinking of her. One day while she was at the doctor, he
packed his few belongings and snuck off leaving her with nothing, the
same as he gave her when he entered her life. She came home to tell him
the baby would arrive within the next 24 hours. She heard silence, saw
nothing. She knew he was gone. During the night, the pain was horrific.
She got her coat on and went out into the darkness. She tried to walk to
the neighbor’s house to ask for help. Please help me with this
pain……….She never made it. She gave birth right there on the grass under
the huge oak tree. The cord was wrapped, the color was blue, there was
no sound. Silence and chill stayed with her forever more…………terry
shepherd

I could see it was me that had written it without even my name showing I knew. It has the same quality about life and people who my stories do today.

I started making some goals after I wrote a few posts. One was to help others learn that there is a caring God. Another was to show that even in our darkest moments God does not sway from us.

I am the first to show my weakness. I still gather my friends near me and ask for comfort. I have done some things with God’s help. I saved a person from committing suicide. I brought one person back to God who was seriously considering leaving him at the cross.

I still work on this same goal even though I have reached it. Because there is going to be a need for this until our very last breath on earth. We as a nation are hurting and confused. Many of us have struggles from our childhood or broken hearts.

I always refer back to we all want the same basic things. We want to know we are loved and cared about. So this goal will never stop as long as my fingers can type.

The other goal I made several months down the road has not happened as of yet. But I still keep my hopes high that I will see it one day.

This goal is to reach 1000 likes or clicks or comments in one day. I came close one time. I had 663 on one 24 hour period. I will keep working towards that.

So in the end, I have met some fantastic people. Some have come and gone. Others have stayed. Friendships have formed. I have talked to some over the phone. Others have made plans to meet. Some I have met.

It has been therapeutic for me, fun and a great learning experience. Thank-you God, friends, and WordPress.

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Daily Prompt ; Earworm

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What song is stuck in your head (or on permanent rotation in your CD  or MP3 player) these days? Why does it speak to you?

I have watched this telethon for so  many years, The Jerry Lewis Telethon. I am listening to it right now and the tears are already flowing and the hairs are standing on my arms.

My heart bleeds for the less fortunate just as much for those that I do not know, and for Al, my brother.

I tell people  I am such a big mushy person when it comes to people who are hurting or suffering.

If the good Lord takes my brother from me before I go, this will be playing at his funeral.

Al, my dear brother, the words I Love You can only talk about how I feel through the surface, but it is all I know how to say. When I saw this in September of 2012 Al, I said an extra long prayer for you.

You’ll Never Walk Alone,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,as long as I am breathing dear brother

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Daily Prompt; Trading Places

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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a member of the opposite sex for a day? What do you think life would be like?

I needed this prompt this morning. The past two nights I have had terrible, ugly nightmares. So this is very funny to me.

The first thing I would do is see what it is like to have that patch of hair growing under my nose. Does it tickle me as much as it does your tender lips when I kiss you.

I would throw those darn razors right out the bathroom window. No more razor burns. No more sleek-looking legs. Let the hair growth under my smelly man pits began to fester.

In the summer when I am hotter than crap, let me rip my shirt off and toss it over the arm of the couch like men do. Let me feel the breezes blowing gently in the hairs of my chest. Let my nipples rise to the feeling of freedom.

Let me walk in the front door from a hard day’s work and let me go to the fridge for that first thirst-quenching cold beer. Let me tell you how good it satisfies the pallet by letting out a large unruly burp.

Let me lay my head down on the couch and take a quick nap. The shower calling my name can wait a few minutes more, right? After my nap I could stand up and scratch my you know whats and then move slowly up to scratching my chest and then my head. If I sweated I may add an extra scratch to my butt.

The list that you hold out to me on my weekend off I would glance at it and tell you I will get to it when I have a chance. The first thing I would do is watch cartoons with the kids. Then I will show you how much I love you dear by going to the kitchen and frying up some taters, bacon and eggs.

Oh I will get to that splattered mess on the stove in just a few minutes. I have to run out to the garage for a minute. I promise I will be back just as soon as I check on something. But of course I forget about it and she ends up cleaning it up for me. Isn’t she a dear? I did pick the best when I popped that question.

All in all for one day I would live it up. I would drop the suit and tie for shirtless. I would get around to things when I want and when I go to bed at nights I would have the freedom to snore, burp and fart when ever I freakin feel like it.

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Daily Prompt; All Grown Up / The Daily Post

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Hatbox with baby doll inside of it, for sale outside the courthouse during Minnie Dean’s 1895 trial. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?

In my own wee eyes I was always grown up since about the age of nine. I have said this before in other posts of mine. But the love of my life was baby dolls. My best memories were at the age of nine. It is strange how I don’t remember very much before that time. I usually accept the fact that life was rough before that age.

Here is the repeated words. I would take my hand-made doll bed out under the big shaded oak tree. I would place an old blanket on the green grass. Place my bed on top of that. It would be filled with different baby dolls, bottles, clothes and little blankets.

For hours under the shade I would play all summer long. I would use my mother’s old comb and brush. I borrowed bobby pins, and when I got by with it I would also borrow my mother’s lipstick.

I would carefully change all my babies outfits. Take clean wash cloths and change their diapers. I wrapped them in blankets and walked with them around the yard. I talked to them like they were my real babies, all mine. I was the Mommy.

I would push them one at a time in my toy baby carriage. My Daddy had placed a wire basket on my bike and before I realized how far those pedals could really take me; I would ride up and down the dead-end lane we lived in.

I realize that although I don’t have a complete puzzle I have enough memories. There are a couple of jagged edged pieces still missing but it’s alright. I know that a lot of who I am today is because of the slowly put together puzzle pieces.

I always wanted to be a Mommy. I wanted to share my love with those around me. I knew that even at that tiny age, I had not had that bond before. I don’t remember what I said to my dolls, but in my mind yet today, I can see me taking them for rides and feeding them on that big old blanket.

I was a grown-up woman in a young girls frame. I recognized some basic needs that people wanted and craved in life. I made up my mind through that summer of nine years old that I was going to be the best darn Mommy when I was old enough to have babies of my own.

I did get that opportunity three times. I failed many times but the love I felt for my own little ones never faltered. We all know that instructions aren’t provided when they bring that tiny wrapped bundle to your room. We all do the best with what we know.

Who I became at a young age still is seen in me today as I have cared for so many ill people in my adult life. The job title of caregiver and Mommy and  Grandma remains with me until the day comes when I no longer breathe from my lungs.

I had a three-month break. God knew I was tired and sad. He knew I was exhausted of ideas. He helped me reboot my life. Today sadness still remains from my brother not being here.

The guilt has left finally of placing him. I can smile again. I see the wonders of God in my life. I look out my windows with a different set of eyes. God has seen this and now he is letting me know that I am ready for the next sequence of my book. Al is most likely coming home.

I feel peace about this. I am not stressing out. God is providing all the help that I will need to continue my journey with my brother. I am not saying there will not be sad days. Days of how do I get through this paragraph on the page. I will be able to do it. After all I have been a grown-up being a Mommy and caregiver since I was nine years old.

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Daily Prompt; First Light/ The Daily Post

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Remember when you wrote down the first thought you had this morning? Great. Now write a post about it.

The very first thought I had when I sat on the edge of the bed was God. I have had some  problem solving to do the past few days. As usual it involved my brother Al and me and my own life.

The first thing I did when I awoke was pray. I asked God,” I still need help God. I need your guidance. You know how lousy I am at making some decisions. I want to be fair to Al and me. I know that I need to move forward, and I also understand where Al is at this moment. I pray dear Lord that you help me”.

I went about my morning. Making that first pot of hot fresh coffee. Using the lady’s room. Brushing my teeth, combing my mop of hair. I waddled out to the kitchen and poured the first cup of coffee. I lifted it close to my nose and inhaled the aroma that would kick-start my day.

I didn’t turn on the television. I always did, but for some reason this week I have left it alone until the mid-day news comes on. I sat down here at the computer and played my game first of all.

You know what? I think I am addicted to it. It is a free Facebook game called Candy Crush Saga. I just love games. I always have. Card games, board games, games where you challenge your mind. Hey, I have to keep my brain exercised at my age, right? I may just end up having the biggest brain in my nineties. Maybe I will go down in the guineas book of records.

I was answering comments here at WP and the phone rang. I looked to see who was calling and it was the call I had been waiting on for two days. A nice friendly chat started the conversation and then BINGO, God answered my prayer.

I was lucky and blessed. Sometimes I go days, weeks, months and years before I get an answer. We hung up both knowing we have an upcoming meeting next Tuesday. As I rested the phone back in its cradle, I immediately thanked God for answering my prayer.

I had no doubt if it was me or God’s answer. It was Gods. I felt lighter as I walked. I smiled as I went back to my comments. I thanked God one more time for making this chilly snowy day brighter.

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Daily Prompt; Comedy of Errors/ The Daily Post

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Murphy’s Law says, “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” Write about a time everything did — fiction encouraged here, too!

I was brought up what some of you may consider old school. Don’t place your elbows on the table.

Cross your heels, pull your dress down, don’t show your business.

Always say thank-you, you are welcome, and May I be excused.

I was taught that children should be seen and not heard

Manners were  strictly enforced in our home. Don’t whine, don’t brag, work out your own problems before coming to us.

We do as we are told and for the most part carry most of these ground in rules with us throughout our lives.

This brings to mind a lady I once came across. Our husbands worked together and this is how I met Miss Queen.

We frequented their home often. The men would go to their corners, and us women remained in ours.

Each time I was blessed with her opening her mouth it was to brag. Bill and I couldn’t really afford this big new television but we just had to have it. You know,,,,,,the Ramsey’s down the road got one just like it. They have had it about three months now. We just couldn’t let them be the only one on the block to have something new.

Oh brother, I would think. This is exactly what my parents told me not to do. Wow, what a big mouth. But deep inside in my hidden thoughts the green-eyed monster would poke his beady eyes out, letting me know I sort of wished I had one too.

Dave and I had a nice television. It wasn’t brand new. We picked it up at a local estate auction. It was in our budget and it entertained us on boring evenings.

Another time we stopped at Miss Queen’s house I heard, ” Come look at our new kitchen. We sold our stove and refrigerator and got these. Aren’t they just marvelous? All silver and they look so modern. Just like a chef’s professional kitchen”.

I smiled and told her they were lovely. Although in my mind I was thinking what is this woman trying to prove? Our own appliances are white. Nothing special but they do the job. I can whip up some fantastic meals in my kitchen, and they were on sale to boot.

It never ended. To tell you the truth, I got sick of going over there and listening to the queens mouth. I tried to tune her out, reading her lips only and smiling mechanically. As soon as the guys were done playing with their grown-up toys I was always ready to leave. Besides I hated that green-eyed monster. I had no reason at all to feel this way.

Dave and I picked out our home together. We had made a budget and the two of us tried very hard to stick to it and to stock pile a savings account. Mom always said you two best put money back for a rainy day.

We had decorated the house for our taste. We got along fine and hardly ever argued. Dave had a secure job but we knew we could not throw money a way. After all we did not have a tree that grew money on it.

The last time we went to Miss Queens house I noticed her sitting on her beautiful couch. The men were in the other room talking quietly instead of in the garage playing.

I went to the queen and sat down beside her. I rested my hand on her shoulder and asked, “What’s wrong Joan? What happened? Why the tears?”

“Oh I don’t know if I can even force myself to say the words aloud. We received terrible news yesterday from my Bill’s  work. He has been laid off?” she wailed. Sobbing so  hard it was shaking her couch.

“That is awful Joan. What are you two going to do?”

” I don’t know, I just don’t know. What made it worse is when I went into the bathroom to start my bath this morning, some pipe behind the wall must have broken after Bill finished his shower last night. There was water standing on the floor. I had to actually get on my hands and knees and using my good towels clean it up.

I am just so worried. Everything we have in this house is on credit. Do you and Dave buy on credit?” I nodded no and continued to listen to her.

“How are we going to pay those credit cards without him working? I just don’t know what to do. I can’t figure out how this happened. We had it all figured out.”

” I am sure things will work out Joan. It is just going to take you and your husband to sit down and figure what is most important” I said.

“It’s all important. How can you ask me that? Everything I have is important.”

I stood up and found my husband and told him I had a headache starting. I really would like to go home if it was possible. He said goodbye to Queen’s husband and we left.

As we were driving home my thoughts went to, wow, when it rains it pours.

 

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Daily Prompt; Buffalo Nickel / The Daily Post

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Dig through your couch cushions, your purse, or the floor of your car and look at the year printed on the first coin you find. What were you doing that year?

1980 penny; this is what I first found. What a great year, yeah right. Swimming in sweat. Overloaded belly. Vomiting every night for the first four months. Yes, I was the oddball of the pack. Instead of reaching for the saltine crackers  before rising out of bed. I was on delay switch until evening. That is when my night sickness arrived. It was timely and on schedule every night. I swear you could set your watch to it.

This was a child that was conceived by error. Not my error, the little flexible thing called an IUD. The doctors raved about it back in the day. Oh this is a wonderful gadget. You will never have to worry about taking a pill daily. You will never know it is there.

Really? I don’t think so. Each month before the big moment happened I knew I had the foreign object inside of me. Terrible cramps appeared out of nowhere. My clothes suddenly became an issue with cleanliness. I began to hide safely  in my four walls waiting for the coast to clear.

One night I had the worst cramps ever. I thought I was going to die. My husband looked at me like I was nuts when he walked in the room and saw me doubled over like a beach ball. After his sudden shock wore off he rushed me to the ER.

This is where the big moment had happened. I wasn’t even aware that visitors had come un-announced. They just decided to have a party all on their own and the after effects of their play time produced a life within me.

The doctor quickly removed that little critter claiming it could result in a loss of life. This was the culprit of the bad cramps and the terrible pain on this eve. It was removed and then I saw my husband looking at me.

He had the biggest shit eating grin plastered from ear to ear. He had heard. Yep, the doc wasted no time in letting him in on the news of we were expecting. While he was thrilled I was not quite as happy.

Not that I didn’t want the stork to stop by our house, but because back then to have a baby after a certain age was not nearly as safe. I fretted and I worried. The bright glow that most women carry was hiding for me.

Except for the fact of being a worry wart, the nine months went well after we got past the night sickness. You know everyone says that we go through mountains and valleys. I had been on the up and suddenly I was headed down to the bottom.

Sugars were rising. They were spilling into my system and reaching the un born child. All of a sudden time was of the essence. The doctor set a date that I would have this child. He even added that if I didn’t deliver the cute bundle he and possibly I would die.

I went into the hospital at the scheduled date big as a barrel. The doctor tried to break my water but it was a stubborn process. With much effort he produced a positive effect and then told me I had five hours to show what I could do.

Time ticked by slowly as pain increased. I was told this was called false labor as the dilating segment was not happening. I went through hard labor, that was said to be non-productive  labor for four and one half hours.

The doctor came in and shook his head. I felt so guilty. Like I was disobeying a parent. I heard his words through my screams that they needed to schedule a C-section. Oh no I thought. I have heard about those. They cut you from top to bottom. Push harder Terry, don’t let them get the knife.

I concentrated on that spot on the ceiling and worked like hell to make this all come out in the end. Time still ticked and nothing. I heard the doctor yell at the nurse,” Let’s get her into the operating room stat. The sugars are spilling heavily. We are going to lose them.”

The senior nurse went to the end of my bed and started to un lock the wheels when out of no where she yelled,”Doctor come quick!” He went to her side immediately and looked in the direction she was and wouldn’t you know it? The baby was as scared of the knife as I was.

There was the darkest head of hair ever.  The doctor worked in triple time and within a few moments our son was born. I had two minutes to spare. I , we, all of us had made this come together like a good ball game, Home Run!

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Daily Prompt ; Undo / The Daily Post

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Efe ve dedesi

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If you could un-invent something, what would it be? Discuss why, potential repercussions, or a possible alternative.

I can think of a few things I wish didn’t exist. Should I name them all? Should I name my top thoughts? I better stick to simple.

Eyes that could see no difference. Wouldn’t it be great if we saw each of us through only our heart and souls? If our eyes could not see that we each weight differently. That we could ignore the label on the clothes, or the longer eye lashes? How about the neighborhoods we live in. What if we could be blinded to everything and only see lips move and hear  what is being said.

Take this one category and sub-divide it. Bullying. I just hate the word bullying. I hate what it represents. Adults have a way of being sneaky. We have grown and learned how to hit certain buttons to upset others. We have learned to pick out the red button that we know will devastate another soul if we just click on it.

Children on the other hand are born innocent. Even in elementary years, innocence is still high on the top ten list. I am not going to dive on the jumping board and go behind the scenes and say what make children do what they do. I am going to stick to the surface, skim the pool.

I can remember back when I was young I developed earlier than the other girls in my class. I was wearing a bra months before other little girls. Lord only knows why, I am not blessed today. LOL

Boys and girls picked on me all the time. I was also heavier than some of the other little kids. Not obese but it was obvious to the naked eye. I got called fatty and heard the old saying fatty fatty two by four can’t get through the kitchen door. I heard that so often that If I had collected a dollar for every time, I would not have to be looking for a part-time job today.

Today manners are at the lower level and this allows wicked tongues to speak hurtful words. In the past five or so years it has walked on one more stepping stone. Now not only is there pain in words, there is physical pain.

If my parents ever witnessed or heard of me hurting someone physically I could guarantee I would not be able to sit down comfortably the next day. I am in awe each time I hear of children and teens beating  up on others. Prepared with weapons of knuckle busters and bats floors me. The weakest ones will draw strength through sharing their thoughts with other weak students, thus forming a rotten cheering block.

The main instigator feels power. Power in the mouth and hands. For the prize of acknowledgement and acceptance great strides are taken to end up the winners. Are they winners? Of course not, but they don’t see it that way.

This in turn leads me back full circle to my beginning statement. What started this? What happened before the first word was spoken? What pain is that child carrying to make him lash out.

I refuse to believe that there are many children who get off or love to hurt others just for the fun of it. There may be a small amount, and if there is, we need to work harder to see if there is a medical reason hiding behind them.

Well I will get off of this topic. Other wise you will still be reading about this at bedtime. Our children are our futures. It takes one minute to conceive a baby. It takes a life time to raise and nurture them. Many pebbles are tossed in our path as we lead them from infant to adult. As parents we can only do what we know best how to do.

Lord be with the adults who don’t want the child, but refuse to let any other caring human raise them. Lord be with the children that are homeless. I pray for young minds to never be starved for knowledge. Lord I  pray that you wrap your arms around those who are hurting. Bring comfort to them. Lord help us adults to not look the other way. I pray that you help guide our thoughts throughout each day. Let us be a blessing instead of a thorn. Help us Lord, for our world is like it has never been before. Amen

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Daily Prompt; Far From Normal

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Many of us think of our lives as boringly normal, while others live the high life. Take a step back, and take a look at your life as an outsider might. Now, tell us at least six unique, exciting, or just plain odd things about yourself.

Oh my gosh! This is so funny to me> the boring one. The chosen one for the boring category. They want me to tell all of you at LEAST six unique, exciting or just plain odd things about myself. Wow! Can I do it? Can I make myself sound like someone you would just love to have as a friend?

Let me think as I go along here.

Six things, unique or odd about me.

1. Well I can tell one thing about me right off the bat that is odd. I huddle under my blankets and heavy comforter and sleep with my fan on high-speed. Yep, even in the winter!

2. Maybe one thing about me is that I am a soul searcher. Not a gold finder. Not a loan shark, but a soul searcher in other people. I try real hard to find at least one good quality about each person I meet. After all God made you in his image. The least I can do is find something good too. Even my half-sister as well as we get along like dogs and cats, I still believe buried deep inside of her is a lonely woman who has never gotten over her husband’s death. I try to keep this in mind as I see her daggers coming towards me.

3. I love quietness. I think this is sort of an old-age thing but no matter what I will take it. Quietness for me does not necessarily mean no noise. It may mean only hearing my keyboard tap a way as I talk to you. It may mean that the noise I hear in the background is the Escape channel on Sirrus.

4. I love order, oh yes, order in my house and life. I hate surprises unless it is my birthday! LOL. It takes me a while to adopt to change. I know when my bills are coming due. I know pretty much what I am eating the entire day when I get up in the mornings. I like my house to be clean and unmessy.

loan shark

loan shark

5. I absolutely love to walk but not alone. I still have not returned to my classes because of a lingering cough but am looking forward to the walking track and the pool. Come on cough, disappear!

6. The last thing about me is a love-hate relationship with men. I don’t see myself ever getting married now that I will be a year older in April, but I would love a companion to date. I hate being alone and yet I love it. Does this make any sense at all to you? Is it odd or what? It is what it is as my friends say so I just learn to accept that I am an odd creature.

 

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Daily Prompt ; Cupid’s Arrow / The Daily Post

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Valentine's Day

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It’s Valentine’s Day, so write an ode to someone or something you love. Bonus points for poetry

O love of my life

Who is my wife

I love you so

And this you know

The day we met

I had to beget

I fell in love

And gave thanks above

You looked at me

And then became we

Then we married

Single life buried

Children came

And then we named

Three together

For ever and ever

I have ner regrets

Of our lives as yet

I love you so

And will never let you go

Thank-you my wife

For coming in my life.

Happy Valentine’s Day My Love

Terry Shepherd

02/14/2013

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