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Ending on a Serious Note – #JusJoJan 2023

Welcome to day thirty-one and our final day of Just Jot It January for 2023. Today’s word is write.


Ask a writer why they write and you will likely get a somewhat different answer from every person. Within those answers, however, is often a common thread. Writers are driven to write.

Someone asked me if blogging was really writing. Questions like that have an undertone. I have noticed a similar undertone with questions concerning various genres of writing. As if somehow, what a person chooses to write is in some way not ‘real writing’. Then there are the other questions and accusing observations. “Would I know something you’ve written?” “Oh, you self-published (with the eye roll).” “Can’t anyone have a blog?” “Have you written a real book?”

Today as we wrap up this month of prompt writing, I want to thank Linda Hill. Year after year she tirelessly sponsors this challenge and I am always amazed as she is one busy woman, mother, writer, and editor. This year this challenge has inspired me in a way I hope will be revealed as the year progresses. Thank you, Linda!

I want to thank all the bloggers I follow. I wish you knew how many times I refer to something you have written. You are carried into my daily conversations. I frequently speak of the things I have learned from you. I have held positive thoughts for you. I have shared your successes and your stumbles. I have laughed and cried with you. I have prayed for you. You may write in isolation but your are read surrounded by the world!

The same holds true for those who follow and comment on my blog. We have developed relationships. You have expressed your caring for me, my family, and my words. You have encouraged me to continue to write – even if it is just a blog 🙄.

So, thank you all for writing. For allowing me a glimpse of who you are. Thank you for sharing your world, your culture, and your writing. I carry your words with me more than you may have realized.

I want to close with this delicious Ray Bradbury quote. This is what I wish for you.

“If you want to write, if you want to create, you must be the most sublime fool that God ever turned out and sent rambling. You must write every single day of your life. You must read dreadful dumb books and glorious books, and let them wrestle in beautiful fights inside your head, vulgar one moment, brilliant the next. You must lurk in libraries and climb the stacks like ladders to sniff books like perfumes and wear books like hats upon your crazy heads. I wish you a wrestling match with your Creative Muse that will last a lifetime. I wish craziness and foolishness and madness upon you. May you live with hysteria, and out of it make fine stories — science fiction or otherwise. Which finally means, may you be in love every day for the next 20,000 days. And out of that love, remake a world.” 


Written as part of Linda Hill’s JusJoJan.

Prompt word today (write) submitted by Linda herself from Life in Progress.

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Hong Kong Phooey – #JusJoJan 2023

Welcome to day thirty of Just Jot It January for 2023. Today’s word is canine.


What to write, what to write? If I spin the wheel of memories, where will it stop? What canine shall I write about?

BOOM! Cartoon Dogs! But which one? Precious Pup? Muttley? Astro? Mister Peabody? Deputy Dawg? No! It’s Hong Kong Phooey. Fearless crime fighter!

The first thought I had about this character was “Why do I know this cartoon?” I was already out of high school and out of the Air Force when it aired. We will save that question for another day. 🙄

Hong Kong Phooey was the alter ego crime fighting personality of mild mannered police station janitor Penrod Pooch. At the first sign of trouble, Penrod Pooch disappears into the bottom drawer of a filing cabinet where he inevitably gets stuck. Thanks to his loyal and snickering sidekick cat ‘Spot’ he escapes to fight crime.

Sadly, Hong Kong Phooey is a rather inept crime fighter. If it were not for Spot or his own bumbling incompetence, he would seldom catch the bad guys, but never fear. He will always take the credit!

Our hero relies on a mail order Kung Fu instruction book for his skillset. He drives the Phooeymobile which is capable of transforming into just about anything.

Police Sergeant Flint was not a fan of the crime fighter, but the station receptionist/telephone operator Rosemary had a huge crush on him.

The voice of Hong Kong Phooey was provided by none other than Scatman Crothers. He also sang the theme song.


Written as part of Linda Hill’s JusJoJan.

Prompt word today (canine) submitted by Dawn from Rhymes, Dreams, Fantasies, and Thoughts.

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Go You Chicken Fat – #JusJoJan 2023

Welcome to day twenty-nine of Just Jot It January for 2023. Today’s word is exercise.


When I saw the prompt, I wondered when I first heard the word exercise. In grade school we always had recess, but not really formal exercise classes.

I thought it might have been on either Romper Room or Captain Kangaroo I first heard the ‘Chicken Fat” song. That could easily be a skewed memory. Regardless, I still hear Robert Preston’s voice singing the “Chicken Fat” song with small children exercising to the song much like the following video. Leave me a comment if you remember this song.

Somewhere in the early sixties, we all became aware of The President’s Council on Physical Fitness. I seem to remember forms that explained all the exercises like pull-ups, push-ups, 50-yard dash, and others.

In later grade school years we always had a field day or two. It was a full day spent outside competing in races, broad jump, relays, etc. They awarded ribbons for first, second, and third place, but back in our day we did not all get ribbons just for participating.

Then somewhere along the way, isometric exercise became a thing. I have vague memories of it somehow being related to the Canadian military, but I don’t trust my memory on this one.

I remember going to the gym with my aunt when I was 13 or so. They had those vibrating exercise belts and the wooden roller bar machines, both of which you can see in the video below.

In high school we had organized Phys-ed classes. In our school we did so many different activities: Gymnastics, tumbling, archery, dance, swimming, basketball, track and field, and straight-up exercise.

I was also in the band and all summer we either practiced (which included duck-walking the football field when we messed up a routine) or competing in parades and competitions all over the east coast.

Meanwhile at home we had a machine similar to the flex-a-lounge you can see here near the bottom of the page. It wasn’t called that but I remember using it frequently. But honestly, most of the time we played flag football or badminton in the front or side yard.

With television and VCR came exercise videos and television programming. Everything from Jane Fonda to Susan Powter to Richard Simmons and Billy Blanks. I did them all!

Now most of my exercise is physical therapy or going to my local gym whenever my doctor allows it. My how things have changed!


Written as part of Linda Hill’s JusJoJan.

Prompt word today (exercise) submitted by Wendy from Wendy’s Waffle.

Blog, SoCS

What’s in a Name? – SoCS and #JusJoJan 2023


Welcome to day twenty-eight of Just Jot It January for 2023 combined with SoCS. Today’s prompt from Linda is ’throw in the towel’.

Did you know there is a fingernail polish color named “Throw in the Towel”? I wonder what mood might inspire me to wear it? Do women buy products based on the name? Well, perhaps not totally but it sure does help.

Take my daughter for instance. She wears the same lipstick color everyday. It is called “Sorry Not Sorry”.

My sister loved to go to the casinos in Cherokee to play the slots. She always had a manicure before going and loved to wear “Royal Flush Blush” polish on her nails. I don’t know if it was her or the polish but she always had good luck!

It made me think I should come up with a line of colors just for women of a certain age (my certain age). I could see a nice blush pink I would call ‘Hush I’m Napping’ or perhaps a black and blue evening polish I would label ‘My Aching Knees’.

I think I might be on to something.


Written as part of Linda Hill’s SoCS and JusJoJan 2023

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Amenities – #JusJoJan 2023

Welcome to day twenty-seven of Just Jot It January for 2023. Today’s word is amenities.


Welcome to our place of abode.

It is a comfy mid-century modern home with a wall of windows that look out into nature.

Our guests enjoy a bedroom with a queen-sized bed, comfy bedding, and an easy chair for quiet reading. A private bath is just outside your bedroom door.

We have an extensive library with titles sure to appeal to every reader. Don’t get tempted to take one home with you, though!

Winter visitors will have a view of the mountains through the winter-barren trees. Amenities include warm afghans in every room and a warm cup of tea or hot cocoa as desired. On really cold nights, you can enjoy a seat by the fire.

Spring and summer visitors will enjoy fresh herbs and vegetables from the garden, clean mountain air, and an opportunity for crisp early-morning walks. You might even experience a bear sighting or two!

Our concierge can provide you with maps of local hiking trails, perfect mountain vistas, and superb restaurants to satisfy any culinary palate.

We do have one caveat, however. If you are extended an invitation to our home we expect you to treat you like family. We want you to feel at home. We do not wait on family – If you want a snack or a beverage, you must feel free to help yourself.

Most of all, enjoy your stay with us!


Written as part of Linda Hill’s JusJoJan.

Prompt word today (amenities) submitted by Kim Smyth from Twisted Trunk Travels.