Tag: dailyprompt

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Nostalgia for the 1983 Chrysler New Yorker

L.M. Hosler

It was 1987 when I bought a 1983 Chrysler New Yorker 5th Avenue used car. It was in excellent condition and I had just gotten a new job so I was making enough to afford the payments.

It was a beautiful dark blue with soft blue interior. In 1987 it had all the newest electronic features like electric windows and doors. The first time I drove it to work, my supervisor was asking who the nice car belonged to.

A 1983 Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue en.wikipedia; PD

I made sure that car was well taken care of. I refused to let my husband at the time work on it. He thought he was a great mechanic but he often times made problems worse. Instead for the first time, I started paying a real mechanic. I wasn’t going to let him mess up this car. And when my husband and I separated that car went with me. It survived my kids growing up and being hauled everywhere.

I drove that car for over six years, then made the mistake of buying something newer. Many times I wished I still had that 1983 Fifth Avenue car back. I have even been doing some searching for one like it. The memories are great but it’s time to move on and go with the SUV style of today’s popular vehicles with more modern features.

Daily writing prompt
What is your all time favorite automobile?
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Exploring the Best Sandra Brown Novels

L.M. Hosler

I am a Sandra Brown fan. I have read several of her books and I enjoyed most of them. I think her early books were more romance than her newer books. I didn’t care a lot for those and ended up putting those aside. I may read those at a later date.

Sandra Brown Author Larry D. Moore

Some of Sandra Brown books that I have read include: Unspeakable, The Alibi, French Silk and Mean Streak. The first year I joined my book club, I choose her book “Overkill”. I have been a fan since then. I loved all of those books and I had a hard time putting those books down.

I just finished the Sandra Brown book “The Witness” and I recommend reading it. It’s full of intrigue, danger and love and romance.

At the moment, I have just started her new book “Blood Moon”. This is my book club choice for this year. It sounds very interesting but I have only read the first chapter yet. It will probably be another page turner. I am sure I won’t be disappointed and will be unable to put it down.

Daily writing prompt
What book are you reading right now?
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Lessons from an Adopted Grandmother

L.M. Hosler

I never knew my actual grandparents. I saw my grandmother on my mother’s side a few times but never really knew her. It’s sad that I never really had grandparents in my life.

I made Madeline my adopted grandmother when I went to work for her as her caregiver. We sat and talked for hours when I had everything that was needed done. She told me some wonderful stories of her life. Madeline had grown up during the depression era and World War II. She had been a teacher and she told me about her college adventures and romances. She shared with me stories of the other man she almost married. Madeline lived away at college and came home on weekends by train. Madeline had a talent for music and she became a music teacher. Although her family couldn’t afford for her to go to college her church stepped in with a scholarship.

When Madeline came home as a teacher, one of the first things she did was form a school band. I remember her story of how she had friends, neighbors and other community members searching through attics for instruments for her students. And she managed to construct the first band for that high school.

Madeline married and had two children but continued teaching. But her family always came first and she raised two great children. She was loved by her students who still dropped in to visit with her when her health declined. Madeline was very active in church and community activities. At one of the town’s parades, Madeline was the Grand Marshall of the parade.

Madeline also did a lot of traveling after her retirement. When her sight failed, I would sit and read her the notes she had written about her travels. One evening we got out boxes of valentines from her grade school days. It was amazing to see old valentines with movable arms and legs. They don’t make valentines like that anymore.

I spent many hours with Madeline and I enjoyed every minute. She was a beautiful, unique woman who gave her time and love to so many others. I will never forget some of the lessons I learned from her. I always remember her kindness to everyone. I learned to be more tolerant of people. I offer find myself repeating something she would say. When asked if she liked a new food, she would either say she did like it. Or she would say “I wouldn’t walk around the block for it”.

Madeline died when she was 102. Her last unselfish act was to donate her body to science. She hoped that doctors would find cures for some of the problems that she had suffered.

Daily writing prompt
Describe a family member.
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Success: Different Versions

L.M. Hosler

When I think of a successful person, the first person I think of is the late Charlie Kirk. I was stunned when I heard about his assassination. It happened during one of his events at Utah Valley University on September 10 of this year.

Charlie Kirk was a month away from his thirty second birthday when he was gunned down. Although he was very young he accomplished more in his short life than many of us, including me, will ever achieve.

Some of Charlie’s greatest accomplishments:

  • Started a non-profit organization named Turning Point USA in 2012 when he was only 18 years old
  • Was the author of a book “The College Scam”
  • Was the host of his own radio show
  • Was the speaker at the Republican National Convention 2020 and 2024
  • Was a proud follower of Jesus and talked with many young people regarding faith and family
  • Met with many world leaders

Those are just a few of the reasons I think that Charlie Kirk was an extremely successful person. It was Charlie’s faith that I most admired. His commitment to his faith, family and our country were a joy to hear. He traveled around the USA promoting freedom of speech, Christian values, and conservative values. He chose to debate and listen to other points of view. I have watched many of his videos of him challenging college students. He was always kind and showed so much common sense, which is so rare today.

I think Charlie was so successful in his life due mainly to his unfaltering faith in Christ. He was also very successful in his relationships. He had a beautiful, loving wife and two children.

I saw people mourning this young man all over the USA and countries overseas. You had to know this was a very special man who had touched millions of lives including mine even though I never met him. Charlie has been called to heaven, but now it’s up to us to carry on his faith and values.

Daily writing prompt
When you think of the word “successful,” who’s the first person that comes to mind and why?
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Exploring Pottery: Essential Tools for Beginners

L.M. Hosler

I would really like to try doing pottery. Pottery is a form of art to me. I have seen some beautiful works of pottery and would like to give it a try.

I do have a family member who does pottery but I don’t know if she would have the time to teach me. If anyone in my area were to give lessons I would sign up.

I am not sure just what all equipment I would need besides a pottery wheel. I believe I would need something called a kiln, not exactly sure what it does. I assume it’s needed for heating and drying pottery. The equipment sounds like it could be an expensive investment.

Making Pottery

Even though I would enjoy learning a new skill, pottery equipment will probably keep me from trying.

Daily writing prompt
What could you try for the first time?
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The Journey of Adulthood: When Do You Really Feel Grown Up?

L.M. Hosler

What is a grown up adult supposed to feel like? I am old and still don’t know that feeling.

Was it when I took my first job or when I graduated from high school? Is that when you are supposed to feel like an adult?

Does graduation make us an adult?? Harrison Keely

Are you an adult when you become a parent? I have grown children and I still am waiting to feel like an adult. I act like an adult. I pay the bills and take care of the house. I have a job and do everything that is supposed to make a person an adult.

Perhaps I felt like an adult when I went through rough times and had to make difficult decisions. That is probably the closest I ever came to feeling like an adult. I never really gave it much thought.

But I still don’t know the feeling of being an adult. What is that supposed to feel like? Is it supposed to be when we do what we have to do to make hard decisions?

It’s been a tough journey reaching adulthood. I guess I made it but I still can’t describe when it happened.

Daily writing prompt
When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?
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From Education to Homeownership: My Goal Achievement Story

L.M. Hosler

I think that I have achieved a lot of personal goals in my lifetime. Some were easy goals and some were hard goals. But with determination and a little support from family I achieved the goals I set.

I first completed my goals of going back to school while raising my children. The boys were older but still in school. They often times did not get along or got in trouble when left on their own. With my sister’s help I managed to complete a computer programming course. I still couldn’t program but I graduated. Never got a job in computer programming and programming has completely changed now.

After I moved to Florida, I also went back to school for something different. I got an associate degree in accounting. Education is never lost even if you don’t go into the field you studied. Today everyone is expected to know how to use a computer. Accounting is used everyday as we manage our finances.

Beautiful Colonial Home Similar To Mine WhisperToMe

My biggest goal, perhaps not the hardest goal, has been buying my own house as a single woman. The hardest part of buying the house was getting through the mortgage process. Banks and government regulation can make things harder. I bought my house ten years ago and I love being a homeowner on my own. I don’t like renting although I have done that. When you rent the owner gets to keep all the equity in the house. Meanwhile, all you get is a stack of receipts. Owning my own house, the equity if I ever have to sale the house, the equity will allow me a good retirement. Owning a house is a smart investment.

So I have met several of the goals I set for myself over the years. Now my goal is to continue making improvements to my house. My final goal is to have something to pass on to my children. I guess I will never achieve my goal of becoming filthy rich.

Daily writing prompt
What was the hardest personal goal you’ve set for yourself?
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Exploring the Beauty of Realism in Art

L.M. Hosler

First, I an not much of an art expert. Some art just really goes over my head and I wonder what some paintings are supposed to be. To be honest, I know of two artists for only one reason. Their work has been made into puzzles and I do enjoy their puzzles. Those artists are Charles Wysocki and Thomas Kinaide.

My favorite artists are ones who do realistic paintings. I like pictures of old times. Old buildings, bridges, farms etc. I like beach pictures and cabins in the woods in the fall.

George Losch is one of those that have captured scenes like I described. Not only that but George Losch was a local artist. Before his death, George Losch owned Heartland Galleries in Juniata County. He displayed his own art there and encouraged other artists. He has done many paintings of local bridges, railroad stations, covered bridges and farms. Two of his works I would like to have are “The Rockville Bridge,” or “Evening at the Station.” I don’t own any of his works yet but perhaps someday.

Just a country scene Ron Shawley

Charles Wysocki is another favorite for the reason that he also does realistic paintings of another era. His paintings depict life as we will never know it again. That’s why I enjoy doing his puzzles so much.

I also like Thomas Kinaide. His works are also usually a country time setting. His art shows cottages or other buildings and outdoor themes. They often times also show running water of some type. I believe, he has been referred to as the painter of light. I enjoy his puzzles also.

My last artist was a lady I took care of before her passing. When she was younger she did a lot of painting and had her artwork on her walls. She never pursued a career in art because she was a farmers wife and mother of several children. Her work was showcased in a few local fairs and she usually won the best of the show. No one will ever know her name but I admired her talent.

These are the artists I like. They paint outdoor buildings and scenery. I love cabins in the woods, old houses, barns, covered bridges and flowing water. These artists give me that sense of peace and a remembrance of times gone by.

Daily writing prompt
Who are your favorite artists?
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Why Reading is My Favorite Hobby

L.M. Hosler

I have so many hobbies I enjoy that it’s hard to choose.

I enjoy reading, writing, playing cards, quilting and puzzles. So which one do I choose as my favorite.

I spend more time reading than any of the others. So, I will say reading is my favorite pastime. When the weather is nice, not too hot or cold, I will be sitting on my porch with a good book and a cool glass of lemonade. When winter comes I will be sitting on my sofa all bundled up with a good book. Television programming is rather lousy these days. So thank goodness for authors and great books.

Some of my favorite authors include:

  • John Grishman
  • Mary Higgins Clark Never pass one of those up
  • Tami Hoag Just finished her latest one
  • Johanna Lindsey
  • Jude Deveraux
  • Nora Roberts
  • Sandra Brown
  • Linda Castillo

That’s just a short list. I keep adding other authors I like to the list.

Thank goodness for the library and it’s book sales. I can get as many books as I can fit into a bag for a small fee. They keep my shelves full so I always have a book handy.

Book Collection Vyacheslav Argenberg

I belong to a local book club in my area. We each buy one book and in two weeks we pass the book on to the next member. This is a very old book club. It was started before cars and libraries existed. The members of the first book club actually took out loans to buy a book. We have come a long ways from that first book club.

I picked reading as my favorite pastime but I enjoy all my hobbies. I am so glad to have hobbies so that I am never complaining about being bored.

Daily writing prompt
What is your favorite hobby or pastime?
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