A place to show my work
A twinkling star bright at night.
Where everyone makes their wishes.
So they do not end up in plight
Deeply wanting all the riches
Whispered hopes in silent ambition
A guiding light for all who dream.
In the dark, I silently wish.
As the moon casts its silver gleam.
“We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.” Chuck Palahniuk
Around 1781, during his time as minister to France, Benjamin Franklin put pen to paper to tackle a rather unusual topic. Not liberty, diplomacy, or trade relations — but flatulence. “It is widely recognized,” the esteemed statesman and polymath noted, “that the digestion of our everyday food produces a significant amount of gas in the intestines of humans.” And it only gets more interesting from there.
Every week, a creative prompt will be offered to help you unleash your imagination and artistic skills.
You can share your response as art or any other creative expression inspired by the prompt.
There are no restrictions and no deadlines, so feel free to take your time and enjoy the creative process.
Remember to label your response with #missysmadchallenge.
Your challenge for this week
Ancient trees stand tall
Whispered tales of time and life
Green sanctuary
Older than all time itself
These green libraries stand tall…
-MAD/AAA 06/02/2025
Voices of the past
Rippling through the canyon walls
Memories return
Nothing can damn their current
Flooding out in a torrent…
-MAD/AAA 06/02/2025
“Imagine your life is perfect in every respect; what would it look like?” – Brian Tracy
There have been only two father-son pairs to serve as U.S. president: John Adams and John Quincy Adams and George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.
My dog runs fast, he loves to play
With wagging tail, he leaps so high
Chasing butterflies that flicker by
My dog runs fast, he loves to play
–
With wagging tail, he leaps so high
Wanting to see how high he can go
Catching those butterflies are his top priority
With wagging tail, he leaps so high
–
My dog runs fast, he loves to play
With wagging tail, he leaps so high
Chasing butterflies that flicker by
My dog runs fast, he loves to play
Daylight bows to night,
Brushstrokes of purple and gold
Silence sings the stars
Brightness rises with the moon
Bathing the darkness in light…
-MAD/AAA 06/02/2025
“While one person hesitates because he feels inferior, the other is busy making mistakes and becoming superior.” Henry Link
The Great Smoky Mountains are home to one of the few synchronous firefly species in North America, which can be observed for a few weeks in May or June. The males emit flashing patterns in sync as part of their mating display, creating a pulsing, synchronized spectacle that illuminates the forest.
Winding through the stones
Gentle secrets softly flow
Life’s pulse in each drop
Crisp icy waters flow by
Carrying some fallen leaves…
-MAD/AAA 06/02/2025
In the quiet cradle of night,
Where shadows weave their whispers,
Dream, a fragile thread of silver,
Dances between realms unseen.
Fleeting visions, stars collide,
Ephemeral echoes of longing sigh,
A tapestry spun in cosmic gold,
Carried on the wings of a lullaby.
In the heart of slumbering woods,
Where the moonlight casts its glow,
Unraveled fantasies take flight,
As time slips softly, sweet and slow.
Veils of hope and distant light,
Collide in a symphony of sight,
Oh, to wander in the glades of mind,
To chase the shadows, leave behind.
Awake, yet lost in reverie,
In the realm where dreams unfold,
Embrace the magic, let it be,
For in each dream, the world is told.
“Optimism is the one quality more associated with success and happiness than any other.”- Brian Tracy
Marilyn Monroe, born on June 1, 1926, had a profound fascination with the work of Sigmund Freud. During the filming of The Prince and the Showgirl in London in 1956, she met Anna Freud, Sigmund Freud’s daughter and a noted psychoanalyst. It is reported that Monroe and Anna engaged in intensive daily therapy sessions throughout the week, delving deeply into psychological exploration.
The love of a friend is rare and true,
They see you for who you are, no need to change.
They stand beside you through highs and lows,
And speak the truth, even when it stings.
Through laughter shared and memeories made.
A bond that time cannot erase.
In simple moments, joy shines bright,
A steady light in life’s embrace
Put your worries in the past,
Pat your heart—it beats so fast.
In the pit of doubt, let go at last.
Place your dreams where stars align,
Pat the soil where roots entwine.
In the pit of fear, you’ll brightly shine.
Plant your footsteps, firm and strong,
Pat the rhythm and sing along.
In the pit of darkness, you’ll find where you belong.
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”― Albert Einstein
It said Nostradamus actually predicted his own death. “Tomorrow at sunrise. I shall no longer be here, he uttered in 1566.” Nailed it.