Daily writing prompt

What change, big or small, would you like your blog to make in the world?

View all responses

In a perfect world, it would be to facilitate a change of heart and perspective that leads to the world being a kinder, more respectful place. But I’ll settle for simply writing posts that have anyone who takes the time to read them not feeling like they just wasted a few minutes of their day.

Ultimately, I want to write things that offer a rational, thoughtful, occasionally insightful take on what’s going on in the world and in our human experience, and maybe elicit an occasional “Amen!” It probably won’t happen very often, but If any change of heart or mind results, it would be because I’ve offered a perspective that sparks reflection and a reason to stay tuned.

Daily writing prompt

Describe your life in an alternate universe.

View all responses

I’d be more disciplined, more curious, more energetic, and a better listener, if I was even of a hominid form.

Honestly, alternate universe talk really serves no purpose other than as a fun writing exercise. The one we have is the one we’ve got, which might strike some as fatalistic and unimaginitive, but this one’s pretty amazing, too. Besides, with the right mindset, and maybe certain pharmaceuticals, we can be somewere else while we’re right here.

What does it say about our lives, though, that we spend time wishing, or at least imagining, we were somewhere else? I’m probably taking this more seriously than I need to, revealing something about my lack of creative thinking.

Daily writing prompt

What’s the most money you’ve ever spent on a meal? Was it worth it?

View all responses

I honestly don’t remember. I’ve been treated to a couple meals that were over $200.00 for 3 people– once for steaks and once for Japanese food. For some, that would probably be chicken feed, but for me, it seemed like a lot of money.

Now that I think about it, we did pay for guests’ buffet breakfast the morning after our daughter got married. I recall a bill of around $1K, which, again, may not sound like much.

Daily writing prompt

List 30 things that make you happy.

View all responses

Coffee, exercise, the early-morning routine, a good night’s sleep, playing the piano, my Ipad and other gadgets, walking with my wife, pouring a glass of wine and preparing a meal, sharing a meal, our Tuesday Zoom sessions, spending time with the grandchildren and their parents, working with my son, Maine, a roadtrip to Colorado, visiting family in New England, dramatic scenery, thunderstorms, a gentle all-day rain, most of my in-laws, a bowl of cereal, popcorn, bird songs, a car that runs, mowing the lawn, streaming a good show, the Undo icon, cut and paste, a watch that keeps accurate time, cold pizza, and trees.

Daily writing prompt

Describe one habit that brings you joy.

View all responses

Not many to choose from, but I’d have to say the early start every morning. The alarm goes off at 5, I sometimes hit the snooze button but eventually land downstairs in my spot on the couch, cold brew poured, laptop on. I proceed to write in my journal, then here in WordPress. This has been the flow for eight years now, with the occasional exception of when we’re away visiting and I may or may not feel like taking a break from this routine. I’m never away for very long, though. The prospect of putting thoughts to paper– or a Word document– always calls me back.

Daily writing prompt

What are you curious about?

View all responses

Whether or not God and heaven exist; if any of the current theories about the universe will be proven to hold water, and who will be around to know?; how light and color actually work. Did our ancestors have an innate sense for what was and wasn’t edible, or was it trial and error? What existed before the Big Bang– was that infinitely dense particle sitting on a table? What is the half-life of a Twinkie? Are ticks and gnats even part of a food chain? Will there ever come a time when all cancers will be curable? Will anyone ever live in a moment when we’ve evolved far enough to have been freed of the propensity for war? In a hundred years, will the human race still exist, or will we finally succumb to nuclear annihilation or, environmentally, reach the point of no return and the earth rids itself of its most destructive pest? Will we ever find another planet with similar conditions that’s within a reasonable travel distance to even think about colonizing? Will America make it through the next 3 1/2 years intact? Why do we have to show restraint when it comes to food– why can’t we just eat what tastes good and makes us happy? What is the difference between music and everyday speech? Why do we age? Why death? Will humanity ever be capable of learning from its mistakes? Will we get answers to all our questions?!

Daily writing prompt

Write about a random act of kindness you’ve done for someone.

View all responses

I paid for a stranger’s meal at Louis Armstrong International Airport. I’ve held the door for many people over the years, returned money or some item someone has dropped or forgotten at checkout, and I assist folks with retrieving items off the top shelf at Walmart.

Nothing of great significance, but random, I guess.

Daily writing prompt

What traditions have you not kept that your parents had?

View all responses

The one that sits front and center is church involvement, at least recently. After 65-plus years of attending somewhere, our involvement of late is watching a streamed service, on occasion, from the congregation where our daughter serves as music director. Mom and Dad were always deeply involved in the local Lutheran congregation in town, and so were we when we lived under their roof, and for years after. But not anymore.

My parents were not strict constructionists when it came to observing traditions, besides attending church. Most every other “tradition” involved food and fellowship. Time with extended family was intrinsically important, and it never hurt to have coffee and a goodie or two on hand.

Daily writing prompt

Was today typical?

View all responses

Hard to know. It’s only 6am EDT. So far, it’s been fairly typical– the alarm went off at 5, I hit the snooze prompt once, got up, hit the bathroom, poured myself some cold brew, took a sip of water, headed downstairs, turned on the dehumidifier, sat down on the couch, and fired up the sluggish laptop (must be updating).

Weather-wise, it looks like another day in the steamroom, with some relief coming later in the week.

Daily writing prompt

If you could bring back one dinosaur, which one would it be?

View all responses

One of the sauropods, the big herbivores– Diplodicus, Brachiosaurus, Dreadnoughtus, Argentinosaurus. T-rex and Velociraptor are so cliche, and for some reason it bothers me that they get all the attention. I like the more docile giants.

Like a Newfie, on steroids.