Thankful.
I love my pillow. I love getting all comfy in my bed. I’m thankful tonight that I have a pillow and a warm place to sleep. Not everyone does.
It’s been a busy weekend for me. Back to blogging tomorrow.
Goodnight

I love my pillow. I love getting all comfy in my bed. I’m thankful tonight that I have a pillow and a warm place to sleep. Not everyone does.
It’s been a busy weekend for me. Back to blogging tomorrow.
Goodnight
“A life lived for others, is the only life worth living.” Albert Einstein
Let’s call it Pay Day (please note there will be no monetary pay, only a hip-hip hooray)<– there’s your poetry for the day.
I would like to extend a hand to collaborate with people.
Do you write poetry?
Let’s have a poetry battle. Or let’s write a duet. Or let’s go line to line. Or you give the idea, I write. Or I give the idea, you write. Any other ideas?
Do you write?
Let’s write a short story together? Have a dialogue exercise together? Parenting ideas? Do a product review together? Do a top ten list together? I can guest blog? You can guest blog? I can do a review of your book. (Keep it short please!) Have an idea? Let’s try it.
Do you sing, write songs?
Let’s write a song together? (I’m not singing sorry people but you can!)
Are you a photographer?
Provide a photo. I can write a poem, short story, Inspiration in reference to it. I can give you a topic to express through photography. Ideas?
Documentary? Videos?
Shared ideas? Poetry said to words? I give a topic you present it? You submit a video I review it?
Humanitarian?
Let’s share your ideas, views, Mission. Find a way to reach more people?
Do you have a new and cool product, recipe, tip that you want to put out there let’s find a way! Ideas?
Your work and your rights to previously created material and works will always remain yours, just as mine will remain mine.
Shared collaboration on new poetry, writings, musings, short stories, videos etc. will be shared and can be discussed before hand.
So what’s in it for you?
That’s for you to decide. The challenge, fun, exposure, sharing in my ‘traffic’ and followers and the different people that will have the opportunity to meet you and see what you have to ‘offer’ or what you want to share.
I will do a short interview that I will post about the person that I have collaborated with that week, along with the results of our collaboration and a link to your blog. (This is only for bloggers)
So what’s in it for me?
“I have a dream.” Martin Luther King Jr
I said in my About Me:
“I want to write. Not only about the things that come easily and naturally for me but I want to expand and broaden my areas of confidence when it comes to writing. I have never given it time or attention. I’m not sure how or about what or why but I feel pulled, drawn (that the universe is calling if you will), that it’s time to begin the journey. It is my hope and dream that I get fulfillment from this mecca of mine.
I want to learn and grow as a writer. I want to learn and grow as a listener. I want to learn to engage the reader, stir the reader and most of all connect with the reader.
I care about community, volunteerism, education, knowledge and enlightenment.”
In my first Blog I said:
“Hopefully together we can walk away from this journey enlightened and successful or in the very least, better acquainted.”
I don’t have much but what I do have I want to share.
“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.” Mother Teresa
I mean what I say and I say what I mean.
“The only time you should look down at someone, is when you are helping them up.” Jesse Jackson
So Pay Day will happen on Thursdays.
I will let the person that I will be collaborating with know by the previous Thursday. So we will have one week. (note: if you do not have time the week that I select please let me know so we do not let people down)
I am currently in my first collaboration with Ray the musical poet. http://themusicalpoet.wordpress.com/
He is writing the music and will be singing to my poem Gravy Baby! https://writingsofamrs.wordpress.com/2013/04/21/gravy-baby/
I gave him all the freedom to create it however it spoke to him.
I can’t wait to see what he comes up with.
If this idea interests you and you would like to participate please email me at writingsofamrs@outlook.com with Collaboration in the subject line. Please share with me your vision, what you are about and what you would like to work on together. (and of course your blog address)
This is all possible because of you amazing people. My blog has taken off WAY faster then I could ever have anticipated, I feel like I am tripping on myself trying to keep up.
Thank you for all of your comments, likes, follows, kind words and support. The blogging community has been my favorite part of this journey so far!
“Sail beyond the horizon; fly higher than you ever thought possible; magnify your existence by helping others; be kind to people and animals of all shapes and sizes; be true to what you value most; shine your light on the world; and be the person you were born to be.” Blake Beattie
And look Andy (http://cityjackdaw.wordpress.com/)
Its ‘writings/of/a/mrs’ who is ‘writing/sofa/mrs!’
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Quote I Live By
“Be ashamed to die until you win a victory for humanity”
Horace Mann
Mann has been credited by educational historians as the “Father of the Common School Movement”
*Phew longest post ever*
Note Please Check out https://writingsofamrs.wordpress.com/2013/04/29/29-days-11000-hits-1800-followers-1100-from-word-press-read-this-if-you-are-interested-in-pay-it-forward-thursdays-pay-day/ for more updated information. Thank you.
I don’t know the first thing about poetry. I don’t think I have ever read a poetry book front to back. I didn’t study writing in college or university.
I wrote one poem a few years back. I decided to share that poem last week. Some people seemed to enjoy it.
I think the acceptance of readers and the encouragement of others birthed something that hadn’t been there before. Like childbirth it was unnerving, scary, becoming responsible for something new.
Like many new parents I had no idea what to do but I knew what not to do. Continue reading

I feel that there are so many representations of culture in this image. From the messages on the signs, the people, the art, the music, photographers, the location, advertisements, to the scantily clad woman in the billboard. Take some time to really look into it and you will find more and more representations of culture.
Photo taken in Time Square New York City
Deep Rooted Yearning
Tossing, turning,
stomach churning,
Heartburn, burning
Deep rooted yearning
For me to arrive
You wake
Rub your belly
Swollen
Swollen with new life
With me
We are connected,
Through life giving ties
That led to my demise
The gift of life
Lies
You will never look into my eyes
Tossing, turning,
stomach churning,
Heartburn, burning
Deep rooted yearning
Longing for me to arrive
Please show support and understanding to the many women who lose a child during pregnancy or childbirth. They will never have the opportunity to look into their child’s eyes.
Please watch this educating video.
http://video.wgby.org/video/2364997083
In the first segment, my cousin through marriage, Carol McMurrich speaks about Empty Arms Bereavement Support that she founded, and the need for support of miscarriage, stillbirth and infant loss. If only such support was available everywhere.
Ok so the first collaboration dates for pay it forward PAY DAY Thursdays are in.
May 2nd I will have my poem (Gravy Baby) put to music with Ray
May 9th I will have a poetry ‘battle’ with Jim
May 16th I will write a poem or short story based on a photo of Mike’s choice
May 23rd I will do a piece with Jessica on Mothering, family etc. around the world.
Please continue to submit to participate. For more information click me
Feel free to re blog the original post idea if you think you know other bloggers that might be interested in participating, found here: PAY DAY
Stay tuned I have many more ideas up my sleeve!
Have a Happy Day!!
Cheers,
Jennifer
Photo citations Google Images
Such kind words from my fellow blogger Jim.
He opened up to his blogging community this morning about his struggles with Bi Polar disorder. We have been discussing life. I want to commend and support him throughout his journey.
Jims art, his words, poetry and his mind are so inspirational and beautiful.
And Jim, it’s all you buddy.
JenniferSome Canadian Stats on Mental health.
It is estimated that 10-20% of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder – the single most disabling group of disorders worldwide.
Mental illness indirectly affects all Canadians at some time through a family member, friend or colleague.
20% of Canadians will personally experience a mental illness in their lifetime.
Mental illness affects people of all ages, educational and income levels, and cultures.
Approximately 8% of adults will experience major depression at some time in their lives.
About 1% of Canadians will experience bipolar disorder (or “manic depression”).To read more please look at http://www.cmha.ca/ The Canadian Mental Health Associations Web site.

Time to lay it on the table.
Around 2004 I was diagnosed Bi-Polar Disorder and PTSD.I have been off medication since August of last year.
I don’t know if I agree with my professional diagnosis, but a rose, by any other name… know what I mean? Like, call it what you want, but when it’s 3 am and I’m lonely, and I have a black wind blowing in my ears and everything feels meaningless, I don’t give a shit what it’s called.
Late December I got Twitter. By early January I was more aware than I ever wanted to be how many desperate souls there are out there tweeting into the silence.
“Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.” ― Henry David Thoreau
That depressed me so bad I can’t explain. I mean, all these goddamn people and so much…
View original post 188 more words
Our neighbor, may she rest in peace, was just taken away in a frenzy of teams of caring, gift and life giving community workers. Lights flashing, fire trucks, ambulance, police cars. These people have some of the hardest jobs, being a funeral director I met my share of these amazing people. I want to thank all of the support workers in the world right now.
No life could be given back tonight.
My heart is heavy.
In the moment unedited.
Flashing lights
Rushing, wrapping, strapping
Signal the end of life
Saviors rushing
In and out
Breath escaping,
In and out
She yells
She falls
Her breath escaping her too
They try,
Try so hard
To return the breath of life
But once the last breath is breathed
So begins the time to grieve
Thank you to http://1writeway.com/2013/04/22/sunshine-award/#comment-850 for the wonderful award nomination. I appreciate it.
Here are the rules:
Since I am new to this award, I’ll answer of the same questions
Here are my nominations:
http://jadereyner.com/ Jade’s first book is about to be published. Let’s show her some love and support, if we all could be so fortunate!
http://micheledacosta.wordpress.com/ Her work promotes peace and non-violent conflict resolution. Her heart is a beautiful.
http://runningfather.wordpress.com/ He is an Anchor of his own admission. He’s complicated
http://themusicalpoet.wordpress.com/ He’s a musical poet
http://lizz016.wordpress.com/ She young and sweet and starting to grow her writing
http://anonymousmisanthrope.wordpress.com/ His poetry is deep and complex for me. It gets me thinking
http://tylerpedersen02.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/enduring-fortress/comment-page-1/#comment-1015 Tyler is an avid photographer, poet, ecologist and nature enthusiast. I can’t get enough of his work.
http://sassypanties.wordpress.com/ She’s a big deal (her own words) She’s sassy and different
http://aspiringwriter22.wordpress.com/ She is a fellow Canadian and aspiring writer. She always has something kind to say and her top 5 lists are helpful.
http://liveuntil.com/ He’s searching for truth. It’s a good hunt
Do you ever feel that you are stuck on replay?
Do you ever do the very things that you tell yourself you want to change or never do again but then turn around and do the same darned thing? Does someone in your life keep telling you things will change only to repeat the same pattern over and over?
I think we all have loops in our lives. I also think that it’s important to break free from them.
When I listen to music I play my new favorite song over and over, to the dismay of all those around me! But this is not the kind of loop I want to break free from. Everyone can block their ears if they don’t like it! Pretty easy solution don’t you think?
Not all loops and repeats in our lives are as easily solved as this.
I don’t begin to pretend I know how to accomplish this but what I do know is that it’s important to be aware of the areas that we are stuck on repeat and attempt break free from them. Identifying that they exist is key.
Who would want to be stuck on replay everyday, or week, or month or year? I don’t think any of us would.
Forward thinking. Not hula hoop thinking.
Photo props: http://www.flickr.com/photos/christianmontone/
Challenge yourself.
Change yourself.
Get out of your comfort zone and stop living life on repeat.
Put down the hula hoop.
Mean what you say and say what you mean.
Excuse me while I go and hit replay again on my iPod.
Now for a poem.
Cloaked
Repeat,
Replay,
Same words everyday,
Stated in a different way.
Upon the sunrise
I want to sing,
Then I see your eyes
They are clouded,
shrouded
Cloaked in empty promises
Memories of a forgotten time
Even the buds are withered
Not yet full grown,
Plucked and thrown
Potential unknown
Repeat,
Replay,
Same words every day
What are you listening to on repeat lately? (Literally or figuratively)
Let me know. Email or comment box.
My top 2 as of late:
Icona Pop – I love it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxxajLWwzqY
Phillip Phillips – Home
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoRkntoHkIE