Memorial Day

Yesterday we celebrated the men and women who spend their lives protecting their country.

In honor of those who work tirelessly for the freedoms we have here is a list of songs that celebrate our great country:

(Yes, I know all of these are Mormon Tabernacle Choir - but find me another choir who can do these songs the justice they deserve. Leave me a comment in the section below.)


Armed Forced Medley

My Country, 'Tis of Thee

This Land Is Your Land

Hymn To The Fallen

America The Beautiful

This Is My Country

Battle Hymn of the Republic

Flag of the Free

The Stars and Stripes Forever

God Bless America

However you celebrated (if you did) - I hope you remembered those that came before us. Those that gave their lives so that we can live in freedom. Speak in freedom (or blog - hello Freedom of Speech). And have many opportunities to live out our lives in pursuit of freedom.

Thank a Soldier - they are why we can complain.

Working Through Life

So - it appears as though I've stumbled across another Tuesday.

I swear, I work so much - or so often - that I completely forget what the day of the week is!

.......

Maybe that's why I never seem to have a decent topic. Hmmmmm


Okay okay okay - something positive for this week.

Did I already do a list of writing prompts ..... yes
How about food recipes?


Ooooo! Food!

Thank you Pinterest!

Have fun with some of these delicious ideas taken from our favorite website.


Fruit Smoothie(s) - Alright - the staple of healthy food. These are all great choices for a healthy drink.

Mexican Chicken Soup - partly because I love slightly spicy foods. These is a fantastic recipe, equal parts delicious. Quick, easy, delicious!

Easter Carrot - Here's one that's great for the Easter season. Perfect center piece, or something else.

Lemon Cheesecake - Dessert is the best meal of the day. Plus: lemon + cheesecake = bliss.

Egg Rolls - Gotta love the egg rolls, no good Chinese meal is complete without it.

Three Bean Salad - I know, another Mexican dish. Sue me, it's heritage.

Lemonade - A rather refreshing drink for the upcoming summer months.

Summer Salads - Also in time for the upcoming summer months - SALAD! Who doesn't love a good salad during a rather hot and depressing day?

$5 Dinners - A rather easy sort of way to get things done. Cheap, effective, and awesome.

More Smoothies - You thought the smoothies were over - but there back! More of the best recipes for a cool, delightful, and soothing drink.



Have a great week, and leave a comment, if you feel so inclined. :)

Prompt Me

Have you ever sat down to write something - a research paper, a short story, a poem, that one chapter for the novel you're working on - and simply coulnd't the creative juices flowing?

I find that this is the frequent case whenever I get myself down with either pen and papier or on my laptop. All of those ideas that I previously had simply vanished.

There are plenty of things surrounding the internet that can help you with things like this. Chat rooms where writers offer their advice, their methods of beating that brick called 'writer's block'. They have lists and lists of ideas (called prompts) to help you overcome those blocks.

I have complied, collected, contributed, and contained a list of ideas found around the web. Typing it up right now, I find that there is no plausible way for me to not write something each time I sit down.

Here are a few suggestions if you need something to write about:

    1. Synonymous
    2. It Takes Two
    3. Anthro
    4. Lock and Key
    5. Teamwork
    6. Aggravation
    7. Fountain
    8. Fading
    9. Whispers
   10. "Don't Touch Me"


Another beautiful aspect of the internet - there are plenty of Picture Prompts you can use as well. As in - "Write a story about this picture".

Examples:

There are plenty of ways to keep creativity flowing. Sometimes all you have to do is go out into the world, find a place, sit, and write.


Tell me what kind of places, or things, inspire you to write. Where is your favorite writing nook?

Leave a comment!

PenPals

I had a thought last night while writing a different entry for one of the many websites I frequent.

"Why not ask followers/viewers if they want to be a Penpal? It would be a great way to meet someone from online in a more personal way."

The more I pondered over it, I realized it would also be a great way to keep the art of Cursive Writing alive. Think about it: how did the majority of people write back when hand-written letters were popular?


It's sad that the school systems are removing this wonderful, beautiful form out of the ciurriculm. How on earth are the kids supposed to read old documents now? I have a hard time of it myself and I was taught this in elementary school!

Also - how will we read the Official Declaration of Independence?

Food for thought.


Though back on the topic of Penpals (I do digress quite frequently, hence why this is a blog) - I think it would be fantastic to have a base where you can write to people all over the world. I had one ping back from that blog and have to say - I'm super excited to begin this PenPal experience.


How about you? Would you be willing to be a Penpal with someone out in the world?
Leave a comment below, or feel free to e-mail me.

May the Third Be With You

OR
How to annoy an entire fandom.

I know, I know. It's 'May the Fourth Be With You".

Also, "Revenge of the Fifth".

I am a huge Star Wars fan. I grew up watching Episodes 4, 5, and 6 (which is my favorite.) We had all three original cut, special edition, and the making of on VHS. Instead of girly movies and Barbie dolls, I grew up with the Force, Indiana Jones, and the Enterprise.

In honor of the month of May, here are some awesome Star Wars facts compiled from around the web - obviously the photos are not mine and I do not own the copyright.

But first, a picture of our favorite Nerf-Herder:

1. During the Jabba the Hut scene there were about 42 extras, 18 principal cast members, 10 puppeteers (most on Jabba), nine mime artists and 90 crew members.
    Whew!
1.A This scene took an entire month to film

2. The word Ewok is never mentioned in Return of the Jedi.

3. Yoda is the Sanskrit word for Warrior.

4. The word Wookie came about when Terry McGovern did voiceover work in which he stated, "I think I ran over a wookie back there."    Lucas loved it so much he noted it down for later use.

5. A New Hope  has only 350 visual effects shots.

6. The lightsaber sound effect was achieved by combining the sound of a movie projector with the feedback made by holding a stripped cable by a TV set.

7. Peter Cushing, who portrayed Grand Moff Tarkin, thought his boots were uncomfortable, so he wore slippers on set instead. Hence why you never see his feet.

8. Denis Lawson, who played Wedge Antilles, is Ewan McGregor's uncle. Talk about full circle.

Bonus: If you go to Music and Arts stores you can get any Star Wars sheet music/books for 20% off.





There you go. Eight facts about Star Wars you only knew if you're a true fan.

Have a great week and, as always, May the Force Be With You.