Small Blessings

I decided, if I was going to spend time imagining ways for the world to end (albeit not serious ways, I think I've used up all my serious ideas), I should balance it out, by recording some of the small blessings in my life.  

Here's the first - sunrise.  We all get one.  One of the advantages of living in a northern clime is that it arrives at a sensible hour, at least in winter. 

For this shot, I hastily donned my coat over pyjamas, pulled on my boots, and shoved my digital camera into my pocket, so it would stay warm enough to work.  It was worth it.

What Next?

It's a question I'm asking myself.  Completing the 12 days challenge was fun, and I learned a few things.

Now, it's a new year, and time for a new challenge.  Given the whole 2012 Mayan destruction thing, I'm tempted to try to come up with series of unique and interesting fictional ways for the world to self-destruct, perhaps culminating on the big day, Dec, 21, 2012. 

Yeah, I know it's not really predicting the end of the world.  It's the end of the 13th something-or-other on the Mayan calendar.  But even if it was, it's not all bad news.  We'd no longer have to worry about the state of our retirement portfolios, for one thing. 

But I digress ... 

One idea a day is a bit much, I think.  Maybe one a week. 

Twelve Drummers Drumming ...

Today's writing prompt:

The hooves of their mounts pound on the hard-packed surface of the ground.  This troupe of twelve has worked together for so long that even at a full gallop, their horses run in staccato rhythm, booming like the beat of a drum.  Now, they race against time, and they’ll face the ultimate test of their abilities.  They must …

For more writing prompts, check out:

www.thestarsarenotmadeoffire.blogspot.com

Eleven Pipers Piping ...

Today's writing prompt:

Your hero is part of a military company with a long, illustrious history.  Their tradition has always been that eleven of them, playing the bagpipes, will pipe in all events of note for each of their members, both professional and personal, happy and sad.  When a new piper fills a vacancy …

For more writing prompts, check out:

www.thestarsarenotmadeoffire.blogspot.com

Ten Lords A'Leaping ...

Today's writing prompt:

Overpopulation has outstripped the world’s ability to feed itself.  Most of the next generation will starve to death unless its numbers are greatly reduced.  To do that, world leaders have implemented a plan.  It's designed to ensure that only the best specimens of today's humanity are allowed to breed.  

The final test, for our hero, is coming up.  He and his four teammates will be playing a game designed to test their strength, speed, agility, endurance, and their ability to work as a team, against five similar opponents.  Our hero has just learned something.  It makes him believe the test will be rigged against him and his teammates …

For more writing prompts, check out:

www.thestarsarenotmadeoffire.blogspot.com

Nine Ladies Dancing ...

Today's writing prompt:

A group of nine women, a synchronized dance team of ice skaters, are experimenting with a new form of entertainment.  A pressure-sensitive underlay has been placed under the ice.  When the skater’s blade presses down on it, it creates a line of light.  The light persists for a few minutes.  In their routines, the group are creating fractals to music.  They discover that some of the fractals …

For more writing prompts, check out:

www.thestarsarenotmadeoffire.blogspot.com

Eight Maids A'Milking ...

Today's writing prompt:

Eight friends, all matronly women, accidentally discover an herbal tea blend with an interesting side effect.  For a short time, it makes a person very susceptible to suggestion.  They decide to use their new-found ability to dispense Robin Hood-style justice in their community …

For more writing prompts, check out:

www.thestarsarenotmadeoffire.blogspot.com