Poetic Creations by abitosunshine: Truth of Time - 2011 Calendar Print

Poetic Creations by abitosunshine: Truth of Time - 2011 Calendar Print: "Autumn has me in a reflective mood and I've noticed the topic of time seems to be in my thoughts more often than not during this season. Tim..."

Autumn Reflection

As summer nears its end and fall of the leaves begins, I find myself in a reflective mood once again. Seasons change, as do you and I. Let us hope that we do so with the same golden glory of Mother Nature...

Flash Fiction Writer?

First, my appreciation to my new blog friend over at Soap Box in My Mind for sharing the link I'm about to share with you.

For those of you who are flash fiction fans, here's a chance to try your hand at penning a short tale ... Head on over to npr.org to enter the Three-Minute Fiction contest.

Embarrassing Moments

Hand Me Down Dress
©Ruth Cox

"Hooray, it's Saturday," my belly bellows as I slip out of bed. I give it a rub to shut it up so as not to awaken my three sister siblings who still lay scattered on the double bed like a pile of worn out clothes. I listen for sounds from the outer room. I hear only the television, thankfully. This means only Mom is up and maybe, just maybe, my hungry belly and I can have a moment alone with her to convince her to take us to church for the free lunch and clothing bank.


For this true story in its entirety ... click to READ MORE

Weep Not For Me

Created in response to my friend Renda's new Gather group -- Models Among Us -- a group with bimonthly challenges.

The very first challenge of the group will begin September 1st and run through September 15th:
In hopes of making the virgin challenge easy, our first model will be the Butterfly. Each submission for the challenge should depict the butterfly or butterflies. If you aren't a photographer, do not worry, you may submit a story about butterflies.

Back-to-School Thoughts on Education

Illiteracy
Ill Litter I See
©Ruth Cox

I ran across this photo of a school bus today. I read the photographer's comment, "This item has been decaying into the landscape forever." I couldn't help but think, Yes, as is our educational system. I thought of illiteracy ... Ill litter I see.

And what a timely reminder as many of us prepare to send our children back to school to be instructed by our educators to the tune of The Three R's - Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic. Let us all remember there are three more R's of importance - Right, Responsibility, and Respect. Education should be considered a Right for one and for all; education should be considered a Responsibility by one and by all; education should be treated with Respect by one and by all.

Education empowers. As we gain knowledge, we also gain self-confidence, self-respect, and self-satisfaction. Let us put education back on the bus and in the driver seat by encouraging the three R's and then some.

Let not our funds for education shrink; let not the numbers of our educated sink; let not our minds be left untrained to think.

NOTE: I have now put this in a postcard version as the first in a series of Postcards for a Purpose. I encourage everyone to send a postcard to their state and local representatives!

Education Empowers -- BUY NOW

cafepress abitosunshine: Guest Giveaways -- The Vintage Nest

cafepress abitosunshine: Guest Giveaways -- The Vintage Nest: "I just ran across one of the most fabulous and creative giveaways ever and just had to share it with you! Now, do hurry over to The Vintage ..."

A Great Way to Meet and Greet at Associated Content

Tracie Walker and her Word Game

First impressions often hold true when meeting someone new; our first thoughts regarding words may do same.

I couldn't resist getting in on the Word Game and I was delighted to receive my five words from Tracie Walker. My first impression of Tracie -- delightfully fun and friendly!

I decided to immediately freewrite and share my first thoughts for each of my words. I'd planned to elaborate afterwards, but have now decided against doing such, for the moment at least, though I may do so in later posts.

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Romance: Happenstance; perchance a dance of two tangling into a woven web of one; for a moment in time romance feels like taking a stance, a you and me together.

Boat: Float your boat, doing whatever floats your boat; but I must wonder do we want to float alone or at someone else's expense? Shall we sink or swim, alone or together on our boat sailing out to sea?

Expect: Expectations often lead to dissapointment; expect nothing and be surprised at the wonders received.

Cheer: Spread good cheer, (my favorite way is to spread a bit o' sunshine); you'll be delighted with it bouncing back at you at just the right time, and generally tenfold -- Cheers!

Specific: Nothing in life is purely specific, but everything in life can be terrific when we welcome with sensitivity and deversity rather than specificity.

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Here's my referral link to Associated Content so you can sign up and join the fun:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/join.html?refer=296462

And if you're already an AC Contributor, let's hook up and support each other in the community!