Everyday Threads

It's Poetry Month Day 4

Title: Dreamscape Poetry form: Tanka

In dreamscape's embrace,
Monochrome corridors stretch,
Cash boxes and files,
One opens, light spills forth,
Illuminating memories.

Walking Program for Seniors

Day 1:

Distance: 10 minutes
Intensity: Easy pace, focus on good posture
Notes: Pay attention to how your body feels during and after the walk.

Day 2:

Distance: 15 minutes
Intensity: Maintain a steady pace, slightly faster than Day 1
Notes: Notice any improvements in stamina or comfort compared to Day 1.

Day 3:

Distance: 10 minutes
Intensity: Easy pace, focus on breathing deeply
Notes: Use this day as a recovery day if needed, listen to your body.

Day 4:

Distance: 15 minutes
Intensity: Steady pace, aim for consistent strides
Notes: Pay attention to your surroundings, enjoy the walk.

Day 5:

Distance: 20 minutes
Intensity: Moderate pace, challenge yourself slightly
Notes: Note any changes in energy levels or mood after the walk.

Day 6:

Distance: 15 minutes
Intensity: Steady pace, focus on walking with purpose
Notes: Reflect on your progress so far, celebrate achievements.

Day 7:

Distance: 20 minutes
Intensity: Moderate pace, maintain a steady rhythm
Notes: Congratulations on completing the first week! Reflect on how you feel after a week of walking.

This is an easy repeatable schedule and is the one I plan to use for the rest of the month.

This is a diamante poem, it is a 7 line poem about opposites and since today's prompt was "Changing Emotions" it seemed like a good fit. This is what happens when you give the chatbot specific words to use.

Sad
tearful, downcast
weeping, sleeping, longing
shift, alter, change, transform
smiling, dancing, rejoicing
joyful, blissful
Happy

Just for fun I asked it to rewrite it in other words and this is what it gave me:

Gloomy
tearful, somber
weeping, sighing, reflecting
transition, turmoil, awakening, hope
glowing, smiling, celebrating
joyful, radiant
Blissful

I must admit I prefer it's choice of words as it flows much more smoothly than my effort and they are essentially my words only placed in a different order and using words that are the same but not.

Yeah I can't remember the word though I know there is one for when you substitute a word with another word with a similar meaning. Moving on.

Its Poetry Month! Day 2

A Memory

In the hazy corridors of memory, there lingers a moment from my childhood, a fragile age of four. It was a time of innocence, of tender steps into the world, where the simplest of interactions could shape the contours of a young heart.

I remember the sun-dappled yard, where laughter danced like butterflies, and the promise of adventure beckoned from every corner. My cousin, a beacon of playfulness and generosity, offered me her trike, a shining chariot of freedom. Excitement bubbled within me as I eagerly accepted her offer, my eyes wide with anticipation.

But fate, it seemed, had a different script in mind. As I skipped towards the promised trike, my joy was abruptly halted by a voice, sharp and cutting. It belonged to my cousin's step-father, a man whose disapproving gaze could pierce the thickest veil of childhood bliss. "No," he said firmly, "you can't borrow it. You break everything you touch."

In that moment, the world seemed to still. The words hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over my eager spirit. I stood there, frozen, as his words wrapped themselves around my fragile sense of self. Suddenly, the sun seemed dimmer, the air heavier, and the laughter of moments before felt like a distant echo.

Those words became a mantra, echoing in the chambers of my mind long after the moment had passed. They whispered in moments of doubt, amplified in times of failure, and colored every interaction with a shade of insecurity. I began to see myself through the lens of his words - clumsy, unworthy, and untrustworthy.

But time, the gentle healer, has taught me a different truth. I am not defined by the words of others, no matter how deeply they may cut. I am resilient, capable, and worthy of trust. And though the pain of that moment still lingers, it no longer holds me captive.

I am free to rewrite the narrative, to reclaim my sense of self from the shadows of the past. And so, I choose to remember that moment not as a wound, but as a testament to my strength and resilience. For I am more than the words spoken in a fleeting moment of ignorance. I am me, unbroken and whole.

This is not a cheerful poem it is as the prompt said a memory from my childhood. This is the first time I ever wrote down what happened that day but it lingered in my psyche for 60 years. Today I cried and released it thanks to ChatGPT taking my story and making it into poetry for me.

World Autism Awareness Day April 2

The theme of World Autism Awareness Day this year is 'Empowering Autistic Voices' which aims at providing more support and power to the individuals with this condition, in order to ensure they lead a meaningful life and even pursue successful careers.

I have a grandson who is 15 and diagnosed as Autistic, I am trying to figure out a way to help him succeed in his life because right now he doesn't have a chance in hell

1. Priming: This prepares the student with autism for a situation or task. They may feel anxious if exposed to a sudden change or a new addition to their routine. A surprise class quiz or test, for example, can result in emotional meltdowns. However, if informed well in advance, they tend to take any test with utmost sincerity. Similarly, deciding on a signal for time to pause when in group conversations allows them to maintain unsaid social protocols.

2. Managing sensory stimulation: This is critical to keep the learning environment less stressful. It helps to understand the student's discomfort with flickering lights, unpleasant sounds, specific textures, etc., and address them as needed. Driven by senses, they might want to sit closer to the teacher who smells like their mother, in a quiet corner in a library, or might want to hum while working, etc.

3. A list of potential behaviours: List of a short and unambiguous list of expected behaviours can keep students with autism in control of their actions in a group setting. It’s more effective if this list is available visually in front of them.

4. Flexibility: Flexible approach to reading and comprehension of text ensures that students continue to be engaged in intellectually stimulating content, which might be the subject of their intense interest too.

5. Direct instructions: Explicit and direct instruction in the usage of figurative language will help students in their conversations with their peers. They tend to interpret expressions like metaphors, idioms, etc., literally, and thus familiarising them with the most commonly used figurative terms and phrases is important.

6. Teach as per their style: Working with the students on their frequency helps them reduce their outbursts. For example – not forcing them to write legibly, letting them take as much time in completing their work, allowing them to walk out of the class when it becomes overwhelming, etc.

7. Maintain a positive vibe: Facilitate a positive social environment for them by praising them for their unique strengths in front of their peers; awarding them with a certificate for something they are good at, along with their peers for their achievements; giving them responsibilities in events, etc.

8. Encourage them to speak out: Allowing them to verbalise their understanding of the concepts rather than in a conventional written format also encourages them to focus on the value of learning rather than a rigid form of expression.

Hindustan Times

It is Poetry month

Please join me. Write a poem about Natures song and add it to the comments if you want to play. Can't promise a prize but I would love to see them.

Todays prompt was:

Nature's song

Nature's song sings in my soul,
A melody that makes me whole.
Each note a whisper, pure and clear,
Nature's song sings in my soul.

In every breeze, I feel it near,
A harmony that's always here.
Nature's song sings in my soul,
A melody that makes me whole.

It has been so long, I've missed its cheer,
Nature's song sings in my soul.

Yesterday turned into a wonderful day! Not only did I get to meet this little guy while I was putting Easter Eggs out but I also met a bunch of littles and spent time with them.

The group to the right consists of from left to right: my niece Tori, Mordecai, Jackson, Damien, Athena & Tori's friend Aria

GS #1 and #2 (14 & 15) were also there but didn't want to get a picture taken still they enjoyed the egg hunt as much as the littles did

To complete the afternoon we took this crew to McDonalds for lunch. A good time was had by all including me. My day wasn't complete though as later in the afternoon I heard children out back playing so I said hi, turns out they live in the second last house behind me. I miss the sound of the song of children's voices.

The next part of this entry is a bit of a heads up as I will be talking about Autism ( & other brain diseases) as well as poetry this month. But the thing I'm not sure about is if I should share my stable diffusion creations here or someplace else. Last month I did it on Pinterest and I am seriously considering that again. I just keep thinking there has to be a way to make them do something besides look pretty and be an example of AI art this prompt system I am using is single words or phrases which is great for a one-off but it isn't really a creative expression of me so this month I might just ignore the single word prompts and actually create something from all those bits and pieces I've collected

April Intentions

My intentions:

Awareness days through the month : Autism, Day of Pink, Wear a star day, Earth Day, & Pay it forward

Adventures are in the plans including a few things for my Photo-A-Day and movement goals

Also adventure wise I'll be working from a list of prompts to design Woulf's adventure in a bit more broad strokes

As Appreciation of my life right now I will start the day with a smile on my face and a positive mind. The world has so many beautiful things waiting for me to discover.

Abundance wise I am looking into a walk with some garbage bags. During the walk I plan on cleaning up some messes along the railroad walking path between the tiny house village and Lansdown Road as my good deed for the month. Also during the walk I will be looking for some wild greens and great photo ops

Ambition wise I will be improving my AI IQ and finally getting a handle on Lightroom Classic, Stable diffusion and Photoshop. I have 12 books on my fiction reading list and another 12 Non-fiction books, I want to read them all but I'd be happy finishing even a quarter of them.

I have a list of daily prompts for Stable Diffusion. This is also Poetry month so I have decided that it's time I got back to that so there is a poetry challenge in my lists. I am challenging myself to journal everyday though rather that will happen remains to be seen.

I have a 30 day set of chair exercises so I can start slowly moving into the 175 lbs range

If you are interested in seeing all the lists you will find them at this Pinterest. I don't use Instagram for my images they will be found at Pinterest or at Deviant Art, mainly cause I make about about a dozen images a day and that seems excessive for Instagram. Deviant Art holds my collages which are what I make from all of the prompts from a single day sometimes.

Just realized as I was going through my pins that I am looking into making a spa day or two for myself and I really need a hair cut. Both of which I will have to add to my journal or else they won't get done