tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11492170123996437332024-03-13T18:16:05.562-07:00Daily Writing PracticeDaily writing prompts from June 9th, 2008 to December 31st, 2022Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.comBlogger5320125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-28661770038007725002023-01-01T23:00:00.082-08:002023-01-01T23:00:00.226-08:00Sunday January 1st, 2023<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Few Final Thoughts</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">While it sometimes feels like this blog began a lifetime ago, it actually began two lifetimes ago - before both Max, now ten, and Miles, now six (and two-thirds), were born. This is noteworthy for two reasons. One: this blog is really, <i>really</i> old. I've been doing this for very nearly fourteen and a half years. That's a long time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">And second: my life now is very, very different than it was back when Daily Writing Practice began. Two kids take up a remarkable amount of time and energy. A full-time job is, well, pretty close to what it sounds like.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In short, I've had a lot less... just a <i>lot less</i> to give to this blog. I tried doing it differently, no longer writing to the prompts myself (other than the yearlongs) in an effort to keep up with responding to comments. It didn't really work, though I certainly tried to convince myself for long enough that it was <i>sorta</i> working.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was both a shock and a relief to fully realize that it was time to stop. To let this struggling, shambling reanimated thing finally rest. To allow the time and energy I have devoted to it to rest, and have space to breathe, and look around to see what else it might like to do instead.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had been writing stories for the boys that I would read to them on Sunday night (hence the inspired title of Sunday Night Stories) and I only missed a couple of weeks over the course of a touch over a year. I put a pause on them when we were on the island this summer... and never got back to it. I'm happy to report I'm working on one now and am very much looking forward to surprising them with it when it is done.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is one of the things I will be spending more time on. What else will there be? I'm not 100% sure yet. I have a couple writing projects that need finishing. I have ideas for others yet begun. I'm excited to see what comes next.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">But for now... thank you for reading and responding and putting up with my erratic posting and terminal backlog of comments. I'm not closing the door on the blog ever starting up again, but I am definitely shutting off the lights and boarding up the windows for the time being.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So long for now, and I hope you keep writing. I know I will.</span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-32267277760133860122022-12-31T23:00:00.020-08:002022-12-31T23:40:40.150-08:00Saturday December 31st, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Write a four line poem about: a finale.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mine:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So here we are: the final curtain;<br />How we got here, I'm not quite certain.<br />While it's been a trip, I must admit,<br />It is well past time for me to quit.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Happy new year! I'll see you for one final post tomorrow. </span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-6591451178057839972022-12-30T23:00:00.004-08:002022-12-31T01:09:36.482-08:00Friday December 30th, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Write four lines of prose about: the final days.</span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-10482598849346595222022-12-29T23:00:00.018-08:002022-12-30T00:03:09.810-08:00Thursday December 29th, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Write about: infighting.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I don't know that there could be any stronger confirmation that it's past time to end the blog than the fact that I've got two prompts left after this one and have had zero inclination to do anything special to wrap things up.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Also... I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've mentioned it in a post. It's really just been a discussion in the comments, and not much of one at that.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So, uh, heads up, in case you <i>somehow</i> missed it: the blog will see it's final prompt on December 31st, and then one final post that may or may not feature a prompt on January 1st.</span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-69454387796899194042022-12-28T23:00:00.007-08:002022-12-28T23:00:00.209-08:00Wednesday December 28th, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Write about: winding down.</span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-65287128062316456482022-12-27T23:00:00.013-08:002022-12-28T00:28:02.282-08:00Tuesday December 27th, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Write two haiku about: snowfall.</span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-51474479168341930822022-12-26T23:00:00.007-08:002022-12-26T23:00:00.228-08:00Monday December 26th, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Write about: the winter prince.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Inspired by something Miles said while on top of a very large pile (mountain) of snow in a nearby parking lot.</span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-19045859627317825172022-12-25T23:00:00.017-08:002022-12-26T00:36:30.366-08:00Sunday December 25th, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Write about something that is: white.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We certainly had a white Christmas here. Spent the morning at home, then drove down to the farm to have brunch and (more) presents and dinner there. Had to leave home a little ahead of schedule as it started snowing heavily and we didn't want to risk the roads getting any worse.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thankfully it cleared off by late afternoon and the return drive was reasonably smooth. Overall it was a pretty good day, despite the lack of sleep the night before.</span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-61662297823160806512022-12-24T23:00:00.016-08:002022-12-25T00:21:04.559-08:00Saturday December 24th, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Write a four line poem about: outcasts.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Busy day of last minute shopping, wrapping presents, sneaking around in order to maintain the magic of Santa, and... it all actually went pretty well. Despite the cold and wind and overabundance of energy and excitement in the house.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Merry Christmas!</span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-1790000365800120212022-12-23T23:00:00.007-08:002022-12-24T00:23:42.787-08:00Friday December 23rd, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Write four lines of prose about: decorations.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Worked this morning, then took the afternoon off to begin Christmas holidays a touch early. Not due back at work until January 3rd and while I wouldn't say that I was in need of the break, I am looking forward to the time away from the office.</span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-71436343608530171902022-12-22T23:00:00.006-08:002022-12-22T23:51:26.174-08:00Thursday December 22nd, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Write about: presents.</span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-31702926486750427672022-12-21T23:00:00.009-08:002022-12-21T23:00:00.234-08:00Wednesday December 21st, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm going to interrupt Christmas Week to bring Out of The Woods to its conclusion, rather than wait for next week.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So. Let us see how things conclude.</span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-41772093771474184132022-12-20T23:00:00.008-08:002022-12-21T01:04:54.977-08:00Tuesday December 20th, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Write two haiku about: a sleigh ride.</span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-89299054617157735962022-12-19T23:00:00.004-08:002022-12-19T23:00:00.233-08:00Monday December 19th, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Write about: bells.</span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-87894217167672680092022-12-18T23:00:00.009-08:002022-12-18T23:54:18.056-08:00Sunday December 18th, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">With just one week left until Christmas, write about: the carolers.</span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-91736347645738048452022-12-17T23:00:00.005-08:002022-12-17T23:23:17.585-08:00Saturday December 17th, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Write a four line poem about: losing.</span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-80856441183198322252022-12-16T23:00:00.004-08:002022-12-16T23:38:21.421-08:00Friday December 16th, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Write four lines of prose about: Mr. and Mrs. Claus.</span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-24365261187498866262022-12-15T23:00:00.023-08:002022-12-15T23:00:00.222-08:00Thursday December 15th, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I think the random book prompt should make one last appearance before I close up shop, so. Grab a random book off the shelf. Poke around <a href="https://amzn.to/3V17BxW">Amazon</a> and make use of the Look Inside feature.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">However you get your random piece of literature, make use of its first line as your own (credit where it is due, <i>bien sur</i>), and then take things from there.</span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-92195876904791898122022-12-14T23:00:00.008-08:002022-12-14T23:30:41.235-08:00Wednesday December 14th, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Write about: dancing the night away.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kat and I had fun at the staff Christmas party tonight (though there was no dancing, despite what the prompt might have you believe). The boys had fun with their babysitter. That's a win and a win in my books.</span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-12091243571594315492022-12-13T23:00:00.005-08:002022-12-14T00:57:42.134-08:00Tuesday December 13th, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Write two haiku about: elves.</span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-66552426811608461952022-12-12T23:00:00.006-08:002022-12-12T23:00:00.211-08:00Monday December 12th, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Write about: trouble.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Can't believe we're less than two weeks away from Christmas already.</span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-70017182380412337142022-12-11T23:00:00.024-08:002022-12-11T23:26:12.398-08:00Sunday December 11th, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Write about: a holiday party.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Took the kids to their first official work Christmas party today. The RDOS puts on a holiday gathering for the children of staff, aimed at the 12 and under group, though obviously the last couple of years have had to look a little different.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There were lots of craft stations, an overabundance of food, a visit from Santa, and a goodie bag to take home. It was hurt a bit by illness-caused absences but the boys had fun and I'm glad I offered to help organize it in order to make sure it happened.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The adults get our turn Wednesday night. </span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-70081032584784852862022-12-10T23:00:00.005-08:002022-12-11T00:16:01.871-08:00Saturday December 10th, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Write a four line poem about: finding your place.</span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-60109409681657171012022-12-09T23:00:00.004-08:002022-12-09T23:00:23.271-08:00Friday December 9th, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Write four lines of prose about: reindeer.</span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1149217012399643733.post-9137806933097195352022-12-08T23:00:00.007-08:002022-12-09T00:12:10.876-08:00Thursday December 8th, 2022<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The exercise:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Write about: havoc.</span><br /></p>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952331166517430843noreply@blogger.com2