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The Friday Reminder for #SoCS & #JusJoJan 2023 Daily Prompt – Jan. 14th

Welcome to the Daily 2023 Just Jot it January Prompt and the Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt for SATURDAY, JANUARY 14th! Well, so far, so good. I’m doing pretty well keeping up with the prompts this year by staying ahead of the game. There’s something to be said for taking the pressure off by being prepared. 🙂 Okay, here we go:

For those of you joining SoCS for the first time, it’s a little different than the other prompts in that it’s not always a whole or single word. If you’re joining in from JusJoJan, don’t want to write stream of consciousness style, no worries. It’s up to you! If you do want to try it, please check out the rules below. It’s fun! Here’s your Saturday prompt:

Your prompt for #JusJoJan the 14th and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “once upon a time.” Start your post with “Once upon a time,” then write whatever comes to you, whether it be fact or fiction. Have fun!

After you’ve written your Saturday post tomorrow, please link it here at this week’s prompt page and check to make sure it’s here in the comments so others can find it and see your awesome post. Anyone can join in!

To make your post more visible, use our SoCS badge! Just paste it in your Saturday post so people browsing the reader will immediately know your post is stream of consciousness and/or pin it as a widget to your site to show you’re a participant. Wear it with pride!!

2019-2020 SoCS Badge by Shelley! https://www.quaintrevival.com/

You can also use the Just Jot it January badge! To find the rules for Just Jot it January, click here.

Here are the rules for SoCS:

1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing, (typos can be fixed) and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.

2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop.

3. There will be a prompt every week. I will post the prompt here on my blog on Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The’,” or simply a single word to get your started.

4. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours.  Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.

5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read everyone’s! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later, or go to the previous week, by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find right below the “Like” button on my post.

6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!

7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views.

8. Have fun!


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#JusJoJan the 12th/23 – Important question of the day

Our prompt word of the day today is “donut.” Thank you so much, Liz Husebye Hartmann for your fun suggestion!

Okay, today for me is going to be a true jot.

Ready?

I have an important question:

Is a Bundt cake really just a huge donut?

Discuss.

 ***

This jotty post is brought to you by Just Jot it January and Liz Husebye Hartmann! Thanks again, Liz Husebye Hartmann, for your yummy prompt. Please be sure to check out Liz Husebye Hartmann’s blog here!

For Just Jot it January, click the following link to see how you, too, can join in! https://lindaghill.com/2023/01/12/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-12th-2023/ It’s fun!


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#JusJoJan the 10th/23 – My dear Periwinkle

First, I want to say thank you to Maggie for her wonderful prompt of the day, the word “periwinkle.”

I’ve never had a periwinkle plant.

Nor do I believe I’ve ever owned a piece of clothing in the colour periwinkle.

But I’ve always wanted to write a story about a character named Periwinkle.

Periwinkle would be a man of medium stature and medium age.

He would wear wire-rimmed glasses … or a monocle.

And he would have a posh British accent.

Periwinkle would often wear brown woolen suits and speak with his forefingers linked behind his back.

He would be polite, to the point, and smile infrequently.

At home in his quaint English cottage, he would have a collection of frogs in all shapes, sizes, and made from all different materials. But his pride and joy would be the ones he stuffed himself.

Yes, dear Periwinkle would wish he’d been a taxidermist. But not of large animals, but rather, small things. Like frogs, and mice, and even crickets. Thus, the need for a monocle. But I digress.

Periwinkle would have had only one love, a girl named Daisy, in his third year of school, when he was eight. But during a science experiment, he would have managed somehow to turn her into a frog.

Which would be where his obsession with frogs comes from.

Periwinkle would be a fascinating character.

So says I.

 ***

This post that somehow got away from me is brought to you by Just Jot it January and Maggie! Thanks so much again, Maggie, for the amazing prompt. Please be sure to check out her blog here.

For Just Jot it January, click the following link to see how you, too, can join in! https://lindaghill.com/2023/01/10/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-10th-2023/ It’s fun!


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#JusJoJan the 6th/23 – Endurance

Today’s prompt, “endurance,” was chosen by Destiny. Thanks so much for the awesome word, Destiny!

Okay, so I’ve got a slew of planners now to keep me on track this year. A SLEW, I tell you!

The most recent one is an hourly one that goes from 6am to 11pm. I would have liked it to go later, but hey, maybe it will entice me to go to bed before 2am, eh?

Like, the day is finished at 11. My planner says so!

All this means is I’m not just organizing my time, I’m micro-organizing my time. Like the CEO of the company I am.

Can’t wait to go golfing! That’s what CEOs do, right?

Anyway …

We’ll see how much endurance I have for this.

Because it’s only 9 days into the year. 356 to go.

I feel like I’ve just begun a marathon.

 ***

This tiring post is brought to you by Just Jot it January and Destiny! Please be sure to check out her blog.

For Just Jot it January, click the following link to see how you, too, can join in! https://lindaghill.com/2023/01/09/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-9th-2023/ It’s fun!


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#JusJoJan the 8th/23 – Friendship

I’d like to say thanks so much to Jezzie G. for his awesome prompt of the day, “friendship.”

I read somewhere once that I’m a typical Aquarius in that I’m able to remain friends with people even if I don’t talk to them for years. And for the most part, it’s been true. I can easily pick up where I left off.

Take my best friend, for instance. Okay, so he’s an Aquarius too—his birthday is the day after mine—but we didn’t talk to each other for, like, ten years at a time. We drifted apart after high school and met up for dinner about ten years later, then there were another two ten-year or so gaps when we both kinda fell off the face of the earth, then he moved to a house around the corner from me about ten years ago and we’ve seen each other regularly ever since.

Except with COVID. He came over for breakfast yesterday for the first time in almost three years. Breakfasts together were a daily habit when he first moved here.

But aside from that, he’s one of my only friends … Until I get together with someone else I haven’t seen for ten years, I guess.

Is that weird?

 ***

This friendly type post is brought to you by Just Jot it January and Jezzie G.! Thanks again, Jez, for the great prompt. Please be sure to check out his blog.

For Just Jot it January, click the following link to see how you, too, can join in! https://lindaghill.com/2023/01/08/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-8th-2023/ It’s fun!


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SoCS & #JusJoJan the 7th – The Box

Thinking outside the box isn’t easy when you can’t get out of the box. I know this, because at times, I think of my house as my box that I rarely leave anymore.

Is that why cats get into boxes? So they feel protected and don’t have to think about what’s outside?

I’ll have to ask a cat someday.

But I mean sure, we have movies, TV, books, the internet—they all help us to escape the box and think outside of it. They’re not the same as actually living it, though.

I fear sometimes that I’m getting far too comfortable in my box. C’mon, though. I live in my PJs! Who wouldn’t be comfortable?

***

This cozy post is brought to you by SoCS and Just Jot it January. Click the link to see how you, too, can join in! It’s fun! https://lindaghill.com/2023/01/06/the-friday-reminder-for-socs-jusjojan-2023-daily-prompt-jan-7th/

 

2019-2020 SoCS Badge by Shelley! https://www.quaintrevival.com/


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#JusJoJan the 6th/23 – Sweet spot

Thanks so much to Ritu for her delectable prompt of the day, the word “sweet.”

I’m going to write about how busy I am—yes, again—because A) it’s what’s on my mind, and B) if I start talking about sweets … Let’s just say there’s an unopened tin of Quality Street chocolates upstairs and I’m trying to not tempt myself into opening it until I’ve completely digested my holiday dinners.

On point “A,” I’m discovering (today—this is an observation I’m just making today) that if I’m only a little bit busy, meaning I’ve got nothing currently on my plate to get done on a deadline, I get less done of what I need to do and more procrastinating done than if I was busier.

It’s the mindset of Oh, I can get that done in five minutes! I can play a game or scroll through my Facebook feed first … what do you mean it’s four o’clock already?!?

It’s as destructive a mindset as, say, opening a tin of chocolates and eating all the orange ones … *slaps self*

My point is, there’s got to be some kind of sweet spot where I’m busy enough to convince my brain that yes, I have to get some work done today, and no, it’s not okay to waste an entire day doing nothing, or on the other face of the coin, being so busy I just want to crawl under the bed with the cat and go to sleep instead of digging in and getting it done.

And if there’s no sweet spot, how do I create one?

The answer is, of course, discipline. Not chasing after that shiny bit of string (apparently I’m easily influenced by the cat) like Facebook when I could be getting the few things that need to be accomplished done first.

Writing everything down in a planner is helping. Being able to see my to-dos without having to remember them (or conveniently forget them) works well as long as there aren’t too many gaps in my schedule.

Maybe I need to find a way to concentrate all my tasks into a set time. Like, say, 9 to noon and 1-5, and then take my scrolling time after those hours.

Now there’s a concept.

I’ll have to contemplate that over some chocolate.

 ***

This proactive post is brought to you by Just Jot it January and Ritu! Thanks so much again, Ritu, for the sweet prompt. Please be sure to check out her blog.

For Just Jot it January, click the following link to see how you, too, can join in! https://lindaghill.com/2023/01/06/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-6th-2023/ It’s fun!


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The Friday Reminder for #SoCS & #JusJoJan 2023 Daily Prompt – Jan. 7th

Welcome to the Daily 2023 Just Jot it January Prompt and the Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt for SATURDAY, JANUARY 7th! I’m scheduling this early so as not to get caught in the trap of being overwhelmed this year. Let’s see if I can keep up my resolution to be organized until the end of the month. Ha!

For those of you joining SoCS for the first time, it’s a little different than the other prompts in that it’s not always a whole or single word. If you’re joining in from JusJoJan, don’t want to write stream of consciousness style, no worries. It’s up to you! If you do want to try it, please check out the rules below. It’s fun! Here’s your Saturday prompt:

Your prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “out of the box.” Write about the first thing that comes to mind when you think “out of the box.” Enjoy!

After you’ve written your Saturday post tomorrow, please link it here at this week’s prompt page and check to make sure it’s here in the comments so others can find it and see your awesome post. Anyone can join in!

To make your post more visible, use our SoCS badge! Just paste it in your Saturday post so people browsing the reader will immediately know your post is stream of consciousness and/or pin it as a widget to your site to show you’re a participant. Wear it with pride!!

2019-2020 SoCS Badge by Shelley! https://www.quaintrevival.com/

You can also use the Just Jot it January badge! To find the rules for Just Jot it January, click here.

Here are the rules for SoCS:

1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing, (typos can be fixed) and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.

2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop.

3. There will be a prompt every week. I will post the prompt here on my blog on Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The’,” or simply a single word to get your started.

4. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours.  Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.

5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read everyone’s! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later, or go to the previous week, by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find right below the “Like” button on my post.

6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!

7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views.

8. Have fun!


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#JusJoJan the 5th/23 – Cancer research

Our prompt word of the day today is “cancer.” My thank you goes to Lauren for her profound suggestion.

I’m one of the lucky ones who hasn’t been touched directly by the unfathomable and unfair nature of cancer, though I do know those who both have been and currently are. To them, I wish nothing but peace, love, and happiness.

In the meantime, I’m doing what I can to provide help, if in only the most distant of ways. And though it feels somewhat tacky, I want to tell you about a book.

It’s not just any book. And I don’t stand to gain any money from its sale, though I have a story in it. All proceeds, in fact, will be directed to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

I bring to you, Love and Other Kerfuffles.

Is Cupid a lover or a fighter?

This Valentine’s Day affairs of the heart wind their way around workplace flings, turning enemies into romance, friends into lovers and shooting his darts at a certain best friend’s brother.

Kerfluffy is on the rampage, making cute ‘n’ fluffy appearances throughout this collection of romance stories bringing love and laughter to every Happily Ever After.

Over thirty titillating stories from USA Today best-selling and award-winning romance authors in a rom-com collection curated by The New Romance Cafe, with ALL proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

If you enjoy reading romantic comedy, I do hope you’ll consider donating to breast cancer research by buying this wonderful anthology. It’s available for pre-order, for release on February 7th. And please tell your friends!

 ***

This hopeful post is brought to you by Just Jot it January and Lauren! Thanks again, Lauren, for your heartfelt prompt. Please be sure to check out Lauren’s blog here.

For Just Jot it January, click the following link to see how you, too, can join in! https://lindaghill.com/2023/01/05/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-5th-2023/ It’s fun!


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#JusJoJan the 3rd/23 – Solos

First, I want to say thank you to Dar for her awesome prompt of the day, the word “solo.”

Back in the day (you know, back when I walked uphill both ways to get to school), I was in the school band. I tried out the trumpet at first, but I sucked at it. Eventually I settled on the clarinet.

I was interested enough in playing that I got into my high school concert band. But I was never good enough to be invited to play a solo. That honour usually went to my best friend, Tracey.

I’m not bitter. Really, I’m not.

Still, though I was never good enough at the clarinet, I’m glad I finally found something I am good at.

And now, in both my writing and editing careers, I’m nothing but solo.

The good news? I’m always the number one employee!

Go me!

 ***

This one-woman cheering section post is brought to you by Just Jot it January and Dar! Thanks so much again, Dar, for the great prompt. Please be sure to check out her blog.

For Just Jot it January, click the following link to see how you, too, can join in! https://lindaghill.com/2023/01/03/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-3rd-2023/ It’s fun!