mollyhousemouse

as has been already said, this is a good start! i love April 1 April 3 made me chuckle a little, given our conversations about how different our weather has been lately April 5, been there... April 7, "slothful, fat flakes" what a wonderful image! a favorite? that would be like choosing a favorite friend or child....

i love learning about you before i met you, and hearing stories of Ripley are among my favorite things to hear. dogs are great teachers. they don't judge, they don't care what you wear, or where you live. they only care that you care. they seem to know just who needs them. to sit next to them quietly, or to fetch pine cones. maybe they are angels in disguise? i know how hard it is to lose furbabies, and i thank you for sharing these memories.

when i first read this question to @Mikiesboy i didn't know what you meant when you pointed it out it was so obvious, thank you for doing so Sir this Exquisite Corpse form is fascinating

another victory for the form and a glimpse into the writers world and mind it's those last two lines, though, that hit me hardest Words can shatter lives and worlds; they can open your mind and hearts But a silent pen is a shame, another voice unheard in a world where all voices should sing. you've both been given a gift, the gift of words and it is to our great delight that you share this gift with us my hope is that you always find something that starts the words flowing

daemok that was an intriguing start i'll be looking for the next installment. i have a feeling that there may be some tension with the new neighbor....

oh A! what a delightful story! it is a different direction, you handled it well. and now i hear that there will be more? wonderful news! keep up the good work

nicknames like that mean something, don't they? they're the ones that mean "you are a member of this family group!" they are the special ones thanks @dughlas for taking the time to read and comment

oh my @Defiance19! i am so terribly sorry i didn't respond! i too have people in my life to whom i am indifferent. is it wrong you asked. i don't think so, taking care of YOU should be the priority thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment!

what a beautiful way to wake up thank you for sharing it Sir

i knew that tim's pen wouldn't be silent forever because it's his way, and i knew that whatever came when that pen spoke again would be full of emotion. i also knew that he was seeing this exhibit. what i did not know was he would take us all there too. thank you tim for making sure that we few lucky souls who know you will forever remember, and because of your words we will make sure that others do not forget. i've said it before, and i'll keep saying it thank you for sharing your gift with us

Words are amazing aren't they? Are we even aware of how much they can affect other people? The casual use of a nickname. A kind “Hello” when you’re having a bad day. A softly muttered “Bite me,” when someone crosses you, or you cross someone else! Words we use to make light of a situation; or that attempt to pretty something up, make a concept or idea less gritty, better for polite company. Yes, words are powerful. Think of a parent with a child. A sharply spoken “STOP” can avert danger, cause the child to not touch that hot stove, or dash into the street. “I love you,” can be the sweetest thing you ever heard! “I don’t want to see you anymore,” can be the harshest; or could cause a sense of relief to wash over you. If someone tells you that something was difficult the words that you choose to bring comfort, or support, may sound like you are dismissing their pain or the effort that it took to get thru or past this thing. It can have the effect of invalidating that person’s experience. Think about that nickname for the guy you work with, for that friend of yours, whether you’ve known them for 8 years, 8 months, or 8 weeks. What does it mean to them? That you have christened them with your own appellation, something that only you call them, be it just between the two of you, or out where the world can hear. Or maybe a nickname that confers some kind of acceptance into a group. Maybe you have taken it upon yourself to shorten their name, Richard to Rich, or Dick, Jonathan to Jon, Victoria to Vicky. Does that person even like that you have done this? Does he or she grudgingly accept that you have done this, would they rather you didn’t? Was it the name that an old nemesis used as a form of torture or derision? Does this nickname bring this person joy? Does it makes him or her feel special? Make them a little giddy that you did this for them? Words can be truthful or they can be lies. They can help you make wants and needs understood, they can be used to baffle or enlighten. Think about the proverbial used car salesman, that fast talking shyster, trying to make that old clunker sound like a classic driven by a sweet little old lady to the market, the church, and home. A legal eagle’s contract written with lots of loopholes, the language archaic and full of jargon. Or those little quotes from someone you admire. A former president, or first lady. A spiritual leader you admire perhaps. A book or an essay that explains that thing you've always wondered about. They can tell you why the caged bird sings, or take you far away chasing a mysterious white whale. They can transport you to fantastical mythical places, or the corner store. I believe that words are one of the most powerful tools in all of humanity. Just look at what they do. They can bring comfort, joy, peace. Or they can wound, deeply, fatally even. Bring about war and division, foster hate and distrust. Because of the inherent power of words, we need to be mindful of them. Words are forever. Yes, even those spoken, not written, as they will be passed down by word of mouth to become tomorrow’s folk tales, and legends. So before you call that new guy in the office Jon ask, before you call the short cashier at the market “The Garden Gnome,” stop and think about the power behind what is about to come out of your mouth. When you finish a poem, chapter, or story, reflect on the power in what you just read. MacGreg Sir wrote about just that in His poem “Taste Your Words Before You Spit Them Out” What is the point of communicating with someone If your intentions are meant to maim? Taste your words before you spit them out. Consider the impact of their flavor As they roll across your tongue. For once expelled, they cannot be retracted. Consider this: Will what you are about to say produce acidity? Or lay a foundation for common ground? So consider the power of words, your words. With many thanks to @MacGreg Sir for allowing me to use part of His poem. Please look here for the complete poem, and here for more. And as always to tim @Mikiesboy for his never-ending love and support.

you are so right too, Kitt! a group of friends calling each other names, it's like a tribal thing, isn't it? thanks for being an example with your young students, and taking time to join the conversation!

thank you Sir being a catalyst for thought and conversation was my goal with this topic thank you for being part of the conversation, and again, for letting me use some of Your words

thanks Reader but it is like that, isn't it? each day, each interaction, we have that power and have to make a choice

thanks Parker i have deep feelings about the way we talk to each other i appreciate you taking the time to join the conversation!

glad you were feeling better today moggy thanks for taking the time to join the conversation

oh A this is true too! i wrote about my sons and the way they love each other. the words, spoken that way are almost a tribal thing. may i ask these friends, are they all male? i agree about "Sticks and Stones" A, i was on the receiving end far too many times in high school if those boys and girls had known someone like Mac Sir then, i may not have had to hide in the nurses office while i cried thank you for being part of the conversation, and a good example to all the littles in your life

thank you jp words indeed are taken for granted far too often appreciate you joining the conversation

thank you Sir yes, the lack of words, silence, is very telling indifference is also hurtful thank you for your support and joining the conversation

thanks tim we were talking about words, and names, and nicknames and the words just literally fell from my fingers thanks for your help thank you Reader! it's like we all posses a superpower and we need to decide daily if we use it for good or evil i appreciate your support

this will be good listening on the way back from Houston tonight thanks @AC Benus @Parker Owens

this popped up in my Pandora play list today! i love Gershwin!

your words transport me to different times and places each time i read through it in the final stanza i can feel muscles still slightly strained and the quiet smile of peace again, and every time, thank you for sharing your gift with us

i appreciate that you took the time to read and respond thanks for your comments

i understand the need to need to be different, Kitt! thanks for adding to the discussion!