Friday Fictioneers – Wishing you …

December 23, 2015 / Penny L Howe / 23 Comments

It’s been awhile since I’ve spent time with the Friday Fictioneers. Those talented writers, whose creative stories (of approximately 100 words) always make for a good read, are lead by the gracious and talented Rochelle. For more information on how you can become a Friday Fictioneer or just spend some time reading other authors creative musings, click here!

My offering for this week’s photo prompt by Scott L. Vannatter follows:

PHOTO PROMPT – © Scott L. Vannatter

When a Cat Smiles

Writing down the names of my social media friends on my “Socially Correct Greetings” list and then adding which holiday greeting to be used for each (based on their religious beliefs) was time consuming this year.

I didn’t want to use the generic Happy Holiday greeting either. Too impersonal.

My cat smiling, as usual, at both my and my species self imposed idiocy responded accordingly with a single “Meow”.

One sound conveying so much. I liked it and so followed his wise advice.

I wish you and yours … LOVE!

♡

With much affection,

~ Penny

Collecting Smiles!

November 7, 2015 / Penny L Howe / 24 Comments

From The Why About This Archives, one of my all time favorite posts. I decided to share it again with you. I hope you enjoy and start collecting smiles yourself. Such a feel good thing to do:

Emma’s Perfect “Mona Lisa” Smile!

♡

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

♡

I collected 47 smiles today. It wasn’t my intention. Smiles weren’t even on my mind. I wonder why that is? Of all the things we can do and give freely, a smile must take center stage – don’t you think? A smile always brightens the day.

It all started while I was sitting on a park bench this afternoon viewing the river; actually I had been looking up at clouds. They were particularly lovely today. A young girl maybe 6 years old was passing me on a nearby pathway, along with other people.

As it was such a beautiful day, there were many there enjoying the park. This little girl ran almost all the way by me when she turned her head and flashed me a radiant smile. “Hi” she said. Just the one word hi, with a smile. A big, sincere and radiant smile. “Well hi,” I replied, smiling back. My smile every bit as large as hers.

And then it started. The smile collecting. I noticed an elderly couple playing with their grandchildren, all with big smiles when they looked over at me. I smiled back.

A man came by walking his large black Labrador. I told him he had a lovely dog. He gave me a huge smile in return. I didn’t get a smile from the Lab but I did get a very friendly tail wag. And so it went.

Later on in the day while at the store waiting in line to check out I just couldn’t keep the smile off my face. My memory from the park had stayed with me. The line was long but I found myself smiling at the other people in a friendly “we’re all waiting here” kind of way and guess what? They all smiled back. One of them, an older gentleman, looked a little confused about why, but he smiled too!

And so it went throughout the remainder of the day. I kept collecting smiles. It was great. This evening as I sat reflecting, I decided today had not been much different than most days but somehow it just seemed friendlier, nicer, warmer. I found myself smiling from the day’s memories and collected another smile.

♡

Have a great weekend, ideally one filled with smiles, yours and those you interact with … an excellent thing to do, I think!

All my love,

~ Penny

Pure Joy and Happiness that will make you smile!

January 1, 2015 / Penny L Howe / 25 Comments

When I saw this 30 second video I smiled and then I laughed with delight for this little guy’s happiness over seeing his mommy coming to get him!

Now that’s the way to be greeted, hope I made you smile and laugh a little too. Have a great weekend. The first one in your New Year!

With affection,

~ Penny

Hey, I’m talking to you!

November 7, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 19 Comments

Animals do the cutest things, without even trying,

bringing smiles to our faces every time!

Take time to smile today, a heart healthy thing to do.

~ Penny

The Oracle and Autumn Cookies!

October 2, 2014October 2, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 14 Comments

Okay, now don’t laugh here but I’ve been frequently compared (by family and a few friends) to the Oracle from the Matrix (The lady in the video clip I assume you’re watching). And there are some similarities. I wear glasses (now) and I smile a lot just like she does. I have an easy going attitude about life.

I bake cookies just like the Oracle (makes me feel good and everybody loves ’em). I’m always spouting quotes, like her, and for whatever the rationale I seem to have a bit of a knack for knowing what’s going to happen in the future.

On the downside. I don’t smoke (she does). I’m not a computer program (although I like the thought of it – no uncomfortable emotions to be dealt with.). And I would never have beads hanging in a doorway, ever! Having said that, I’ll be happy to accept the other comparisons, kinda cool, actually I’m flattered!

Here, take a cookie, by the time you’ve finished it you’ll feel right as rain! Oh, and know thyself!

Have a great weekend, explore your mind, especially the parts you keep hidden!

~ Penny

Just saying “Hi Five”!

October 8, 2013October 8, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 36 Comments

on this beautiful Autumn day!

“Oh, and if you see any nuts, acorns, seeds, just any ol’ thing lying around that you think I can store away for the winter months ahead, I’d be most obliged!”

Thanks, well back to work, have a great rest of your week!

Hey everyone, Here’s a photo to brighten your day!

~ Penny

A Good Day to Smile!

October 4, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 35 Comments

I decided that we all needed smiles today so I brought this forward from a previous post!

I collected 47 smiles today. It wasn’t my intention. Smiles weren’t even on my mind. I wonder why that is? Of all the things we can do and give freely a smile must take center stage don’t you think? A smile always brightens the day.

I was sitting on a park bench this afternoon viewing the river; actually I had been looking up at clouds. They were particularly lovely today. A young girl maybe 6 years old was going by me on the pathway, as were others.

A beautiful day, many people were at the park today. This little girl ran almost all the way by me when she turned her head and flashed me a radiant smile. “Hi” she said. Just the one word hi, with a smile. A big, sincere and radiant smile. “Well hi,” I replied, smiling back. My smile every bit as large as hers.

And then it started. The smile collecting. I noticed an elderly couple playing with their grandchildren, all with big smiles when they looked over at me. I smiled back.

A man came by walking his large black Labrador. I told him he had a lovely dog. He gave me a huge smile in return. And so it went.

Later on in the day while at the store waiting in line to check out I just couldn’t keep the smile off my face. My memory from the park had stayed with me. The line was long but I found myself smiling at the other people in a friendly “we’re all waiting here” kind of way and guess what? They all smiled back. One of them, a man, looked a little confused about why, but he smiled too!

And so it went, throughout the remainder of the day. I kept collecting smiles. It was great. This evening as I sat reflecting, I decided today hadn’t been much different than most days but somehow it just seemed friendlier, nicer, warmer. I found myself smiling from the day’s memories and collected another smile.

Have a great weekend. Collect as many smiles as you can and share a few of your own to get the ball rolling!

~ Penny

The Thing About “To Do” Lists!

September 26, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 41 Comments

I’ve discovered the most amazing thing.

In order for the “to-do” list to really be helpful, you have to actually “do” the things on the list! Well bummer, that!

My “to do” list tends to be – “those things that I should have already done but I keep reminding myself everyday to do, by rewriting … and adding to … them” LIST. And then I pare it back down by reviewing the list, thinking to myself “do I really have to-do this one today?” I’ve come to the realistic conclusion that some things belong in a second “to-do” list. One called. “Okay, so I really don’t want to do these things (at all) but I’d better or something bad is going to happen” LIST!

Now, my “to-do because I want to” LIST … well that’s another story. (Actually I don’t have a “want-to” list). I seem to remember to do those things all by my little ol’ self.

And while I’m on the subject of Lists, have you noticed there are lists for everything under the sun – now. Quantum amounts of lists. You name it – there’s a list for that.

And demographically speaking, you’re probably in a whole bunch of them, you lucky you! It’s called gathering statistics and every single social media platform is a busy little bee or “spider” running around collecting data about you – sorting and organizing, distilling and going after you more aggressively because You ARE on their “to-do” list. It’s all about accumulative numbers, ratings, and percentages for business and organic “online growth” … trust me on this one. If you’re online there is no way you aren’t on one or more lists … somewhere!

So what does any of this have to do with making your daily “to-do” list and getting it done? Not a darn thing. Or maybe it does? Maybe there are too many lists accumulating everywhere (at both home and work, offline and on) and not enough “Just Do It”! (quantitative action). Maybe! Just sayin’.