Small Victory

This picture is a small victory. I cut, colored, and styled my hair myself. This is a new accomplishment.

I used to cut Alex and Mom’s hair years ago but never ventured to do mine.

I want to make this last year of my fifties one where I put several practices in place and follow through with devotion and discipline.

So far, so good; incremental changes lead to confidence, and confidence is something I need to grow.

I was a day late getting the hair done, but I had to decide and gather the nerve to do my cut. I was not sure I could do it. I also had to ascertain whether the color was what I wanted.

Many other practices have to do with health, creativity, and completing things I have begun and intend to start.

If you are interested in my progress, check back.

Blessings to each of you. May you achieve your hopes and dreams.

Never Give Up!

Always,
Jo Ann

This post was written on July 15, 2022 and all content is © Jo Ann J. A. Jordan.

Turn Me In (Sedition)

I am an old-time
Rock-N-Roll, Church Gospel,
Contemporary Christian;
Blue jeans, Poet shirt, Writing geek,
Photographer, Artist, Designer,
Intellectual Property Rights promoter,
Who will give anyone my time of day,
Caring about each word you say.

I tend toward the Moderate,
Shoot straight down the middle –
I love deep, as oceans, wide,
Though it has been some years since
Someone stood by my side,
(All my own;)
I can write, edit, publish, design,
And you can find me reading
Most anytime – my interests
Cast wide: run beyond so many lines.

I like going fast – but enjoy
Doing things right, taking my time,
It is never unusual my words rhyme;
I have lived the bad and the swell,
More often, I choose good as better…
I love so much, so many,
And intensely dislike division –
I am a U.S. Marine Mom,
An American,
I will stand; my colors shall not run.

Sunday’s Thoughts

I wrote these with a fountain pen, which is not my best instrument. These are my journal pages. If you read them, you will get insight into where and what my state of mind is.

I would have scanned them into the computer, but my equipment and the program did not cooperate with me. Therefore, I did the phone as I have for the past months.

Showing journal pages is a level of openness I can do, but it is a bit uncomfortable. I have no idea how this audience will react, so it is a gamble.

How revealing can you be? Consider that a prompt.

Blessings, I hope, always find you. Jesus, lend you peace. Live, alive, and Love cause that is why we are here on Earth.

Poem and Tanka

Empty Spaces

When a life departs
A body, only remains,
An assortment of
Discarded things, relationships,
Without breath or animation.
Memory struggles, fades,
As ensuing days
Go on with whoever
Contains the treasure, hard
To guard, uneasily measured.
A longing persists
To catch a glimpse, hear a phrase,
Sweet visage, clear voice
Held dear, but lost from here.
Never, never, until some
Future, Divine Presence gives
Overdue reconciliation
Uniting those who, wander,
Later in, with kith and kin.
No need can find all,
Disembarking space and time,
Leaves suddenly adrift, behind;
What had meaning, without beholder
Begins to decay and molder.
Oh Death, how unjust your taking
Leaving Life to spoils shoulder.

Tanka Explore

1.
Heroes are only
These dreams we greatly esteem,
But may never meet,
No love we share between, yet,
We hope their joy is replete.
2.
Blowing up his phone –
A need I cannot postpone,
But no rainbows come;
Talking to me is a chore
He rather not, anymore.
3.
I love you more now
Than when first I invited
You to share my heart
Knowing over time how grace
Has greatly forgiven me.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, June 25, 2022

Early Sunday Thoughts

Allowing ourselves to trust the future is secure is sometimes hard. Knowing we are Beloved of God helps us go forward.

Small steps make progress toward better days. We are meant to grow, not fade. Life is not always what we plan, but the stops along the pathway are often where Jesus finds us open to suggestion.

Why we are here can be unclear, but our destiny is no secret to the One who made us. Take time to reflect on where you are coming from and what opportunities your experience may bring you. Hold your dreams dear, and share them with God. He is on your side.

Remember, a detour may lead to a better possibility than we imagine. Love is the guide and is always with us.

Blessings to each of you, be kind and love.