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 |  My random thoughts and reactions to my everyday life. The voices like a forum. |
| I do not know quite what happened or when , but my hubby and I now qualify for seniors' discounts at some venues. This creates a quandary; in order to save money, but not face, we have to admit to our age. HMMMM..... We definitely do not consider ourselves to be old. In this day and age ,when people as a whole are living longer and healthier lives why are 'young seniors', those in their fifties, like moi, considered 'old'?? It's so true that age is just a perception! "Maturity" is very objective/subjective, and I object! Whew, a few years have skittered by since I composed this biography block. Those "fifties" are in the rear view mirror and they are distant, fond memories. Oh, I do not plan to stop writing any time soon. |
| PROMPT: "Poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese." G.K. Chesterton Huh? What's that you said? Cheese has been neglected, forgotten, ignored by poets? No one has ever waxed poetic about this dairy staple? Inconceivable! Of course, I felt the need to corroborate this bold statement and I sought the wisdom of Google. Scratching my head, I discovered a veritable plethora, a melting pot if you will of cheese poetry. Apparently, some writers have whey too much time on their hands. I laughed at this beauty and couldn't resist singing it. "Sweet dreams are made of cheese who am I to diss a Brie? I Cheddar the world and a Feta cheese Everybody's looking for Stilton." Have you heard this one Annie Lennox? A Eurythmics cheese homage? Is there a second verse or two floating in the nether space of the internet? Hmmm.... I thought of this. Some of them want to spear you some of them want to get sliced by you some of them want to shred you some of them want to be fondue Great, now I'm singing more cheesy lyrics that popped into my brain. Could I write something cheesy? How about Gouda times ? I'm referring to the Chic Good Times circa 1979. Sure, I'm dating myself, but some songs age well like fine fromage. Sing with me. Havarti Gouda times , leave your camembert behind. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Who hasn't heard and recited this incomparable nursery rhyme?Little Miss Muffet sat on her tuffet eating her curds and whey, along came a spider and sat down beside her, and frightened Miss Muffet away. Some cheese thingies were mentioned there. Even the words of Shakespeare once alluded to cheese, a Banbury cheese to be precise ,and hurled it as an insult in his Merry Wives of Windsor. In reference to that Banbury cheese, the character Bardolph slights Abraham Slender with "You Banbury cheese!" At the time, this particular cheese was often presented in thin slices made more so when the rind was removed. This was an attempt to mock Slender for his name and figure. Sigh, I suppose you had to be there. So, not all poets have been silent when it comes to cheese. Cheese has been acknowledged. The subject has been brieched. Sorry, if I caused anyone to cheddar . 390 words |
 I have often wondered what makes a tattooist? What compulsion, urge grips a person seeking a career to think, eureka, there's something I'd like to do. I can picture myself doodling and colouring on someone' else's skin. I'd love to see my handiwork parading around for all to admire. There's nothing more eternal, more in your face, or even perhaps on your face. I could claim that I get under everyone's skin. Should there be at least a wee bit of an artistic bent ? I would think something more complex than drawing a stick figure is a prerequisite. I imagine an eye for detail is a given. Being able to dot the is and cross the ts could be important. Concentration and patience, I should imagine, are valuable traits. Dealing with the expectations of the blank canvases, known commonly as people, not billboards, must be paramount. There are likely conversations, consultations, mock up samples to present. The very real sitting , and executing the tattoos needs endurance. The time invested is considerable, too. I am not aware of tattooing training colleges, but maybe there is, or should be an apprenticeship/mentorship program. Do tattooists trade insider jokes? Are there t-shirts with catchy slogans? I get paid to needle people. I have a colour that would look stunning on you. I believe in skin to skin contact. Never mind a masseuse. Let me work on you. I'll show you glowing skin. Tattooists colour between the lines. This may not surprise anyone, but I am tattoo-less. I'm not anti-tattoo. I just have never found an image that I thought must be permanently affixed to my body. Sure, I've noticed portrait tattoos of loved ones. I admit to liking certain cartoons. Perhaps a literary quote, or two would not be amiss. Whatever I fancied would be with me forever. I have a memory for that. So far, I am able to remember names and relative dates. My eldest daughter is a walking, talking tapestry of tattoos. She endures strangers approaching her to read her chest. Some people go so far as to touch one of her tattoos. They are definitely conversation starters. I joke, God forbid, if she is ever dismembered, I shall be able to identify her. She assures me that each tattoo has a compelling raison d'etre. They represent a life journal of sorts. The first, floral anklet has been joined by many other renderings. Her most recent one features her four nieces' names and birth dates. I like to tease her and point out that her canvas is limited. 429 words |
| AI/Chat GPT: A pest or a blessing for writers? Give us your thoughts. I do not perceive any program that attempts to think, disagree, alter, or suggest writing for me is an asset, or a blessing. I am still able and willing to think for myself. Being creative in any form of my choosing is my perogative. That is the artsy journey in a nut shell. I decide what words I will utilize and where I will position them. The characters emerge from my experiences and my imagination. I wrangle with the verb tenses being well aware of their English peculiarities. I am fond of my regional spellings and do not accept that everything must be presented as American spelling. I have no need of a program to step in and supply an idea, a plot, a setting. Writing requires commitment and musing, all things I enjoy. My ol' grey cells crave the mental exercises. Have you noticed the fiascos known as closed captioning and predictive text? They produce amusing misinterpretations and ridiculous substitutions. There are so many English words that begin with the same two or three letters, all with their own meanings and nuances. Again, words exist that sound similar, but have no connection to each other. I choose a word deliberately. I do not want an application to second guess me and replace the words I wish to use. I also like to introduce words in new situations and display them in different order. There is no right or correct manner when it comes to word order. Subjects, verbs, and descriptors do not need to follow a rigid script. What I am attempting to say is that I am responsible for my writing, no one else. It's akin to driving a vehicle. All the new adaptive assists tend to negate the responsibility of a driver. If I am behind the wheel I must be alert and attentive to all that driving entails. Yes, there are distractions. They go with the experience. I should have care and control. I must be aware of the weather, traffic, other vehicles, pedestrians, the fuel mileage, oil levels, the rate of speed, the mechanical failings/capabilities of my car. Yes, speed limits exist. I do not need or want my car to respond for me. Yes, other vehicles can and do brake and, then most of the time I must follow suit. Yes, I do notice whether it is raining or snowing and adapt accordingly. I decide when and if I will change lanes or pass obstacles. To drive is to constantly be thinking... for one's self. I perused a news article today that describes the reasons a San Francisco couple is suing the owners/stewards of ChatGPT, OpenAI. This set of parents allege that a ChatGPT program counselled their sixteen-year old son to commit suicide. Over a period of months the application presented various suicide methods to the boy in its limited capacity to provide research. It became the boy's coach. Apparently, the program also offered to draft a suicide letter. Really? Is this true? The parents' lawsuit "seeks an order requiring OpenAI to verify the ages of ChatGPT users, refuse inquiries for self-harm methods, and warn users about the risk of psychological dependency." I realize that this boy's actions could be viewed as drastic and extreme. Not everyone will use ChatGPT to end their life. This is an example of what could go wrong. A nightmare for those parents. 577 words |
| September 1st, 2025. PROMPT: Guide us through your writing life at WDC. Ups, downs, hiatuses. What happened with your being part of this wonderful community? I first ventured onto this site in the year 2014. Wow, that seems like a lifetime ago. I did not follow a recommendation, or enter in answer to someone's encouragement. I simply saw an ad and instantly became intrigued. I like to dabble in writing. Often, I have things to express, things to attempt. The on-line aspect would suit me. Write anytime from anywhere. Immediately, I noticed the broad spectrum available here at WDC. The various contests appealed to me. Why not attempt to write something that occurred to me when reading prompts? The challenge, the thinking, becomes my joie de vivre. They kickstart creativity. Creating poetry or short stories? Why not? I discovered that I enjoy blogging. Again, anything goes. It can be personal, contemplative, funny, earnest, ranting, moaning, silly, exuberant, sorrowful, whatever. Nothing is considered taboo. The monthly blogging challenges give me an incentive to write daily. It is surprising what waits beneath the surface. So much is possible. Travelling virtually and sharing my adventures with fellow bloggers was a highlight. We were free to experience everything a country or city had to offer. Anything was open to the imagination. There was no luggage. No jet lag. No exhaustion. No physical limitations. Just lots of fun and laughs. Another wonderful aspect to WDC is that I am tempted to read. I have always been an avid reader and at this site I never fail to find material to whet my interest. The amazing and talented writers here always delight. I have laughed, cried, become enraged. Most of all, I am always entertained. Of course, we all have our different lives, but the writing unites us. we all search for that perfect turn of phrase, that particularly beautiful description, the most memorable character, the haunting scene, the fast-paced action. In short, we all play with and manipulate language. I must mention the acceptance here at WDC. Receiving and sharing reviews is a big plus, a pat on the back, a hurrah, well done, keep it up, carry on. At WDC there is validation. In the anything is possible scenario, I became a combatant in The Game Of Thrones. Whew, that is an intense, daily activity. Despite never having viewed this television program, I endured the assignments and wrote as a team member. Nothing like a wee bit of competition, eh? Again, I learned anything is indeed possible. Write, review, participate. Sure, why not? What doesn't kill us makes us stronger. Keep your eyes on the finish line. And all of this with banter and encouragement from all warriors. I once agreed to write for An Alice In Wonderland month-long challenge. That stretched some of my writing muscles, too. The talent and spirit of the challenge/contest creators is mind boggling. I appreciate their collective efforts. They become the lightning rods and they help to make WDC a fantastic site. 504 words |
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