How feet glide and sway gracefully in time.
Beneath the starry night sky,
Joy moves forward in steps.
Steps of Joy Under the Stars
Author: M.A.D. Works
Jester the Adventurous Jeep
There once was a jeep named Jester,
Who loved to explore and to test her.
One day with a beep,
It caused quite a leap,
As he zoomed past a bright yellow jester.
Whispers of Trust
Whisper to me, dear
All your secrets will be kept
Without doubt, no fear.
Tears
Profound tears stream softly down my face
Pain arrives, overwhelming my soul
When will this end
–
Night settles heavy on my trembling breath
Echoes of sorrow linger in me
Hope feels far away
–
Memories rise like shadows on the wall
Each one reminding me what I’ve lost
Still I carry on
–
Morning light tries gently to break through
Warmth brushing lightly against my grief
I am not yet whole
Missy’s MAD Challenge # 090
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
- Between hollow and humble, I found my truth.
Passion’s Light
Ecstasy revealed
Heart’s delight unleashed in joy
Soul’s blissful embrace
Passions burn, so brilliantly
That their light never goes out…
-MAD/AAA 09/13/2024
Getting to Know Missy
What do you think is worth waiting for?
I think the things worth waiting for are the ones that can’t be rushed—because they only become what they’re meant to be in their own time.
Some things unfold slowly on purpose. They need space, patience, and a little faith. And honestly, the older I get, the more I appreciate the kind of goodness that doesn’t show up instantly but arrives steady, earned, and real.
For me, what’s worth waiting for looks like:
- Clarity. The moment when the noise settles and you finally understand what you want, what you need, or what the situation actually is. Clarity doesn’t come on command, but when it arrives, it changes everything.
- People who show up consistently. Not the grand gestures, but the ones who keep choosing you in small, quiet ways. The kind of connection that grows roots instead of sparks.
- Growth that sticks. The slow, unglamorous kind—unlearning old patterns, building new ones, becoming someone you’re proud of. It’s never instant, but it’s always worth the wait.
- Peace. Not the “everything is perfect” kind, but the “I can breathe here” kind. The kind you create through boundaries, honesty, and choosing yourself.
- Moments that feel earned. The ones that come after effort, reflection, or healing. The ones that mean more because you didn’t shortcut your way to them.
In short, I think anything that asks you to slow down—anything that grows you, steadies you, or brings you closer to the life you actually want—is worth waiting for.
The Daily 4/26/26
“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.”― William James
In Germany, causing a nuclear explosion that negligently endangers someone’s life, limbs, or property will land you a one- to ten-year prison sentence, depending on the severity of the damage.
Shadows of Fear
Fear of judgment lingers,
Tightly grasping what we know.
Letting go is hard,
Leaves no space for us to grow,
In shadows, dreams remain low.
Finding Peace and Calm
When the weight of life becomes too much,
And my mind feels burdened, longing for a touch
Of peace and solace, I know what to do
To unplug and find a sense of renewal.
Drawing and music, a perfect blend,
Help my thoughts unwind, allowing me to mend
The frayed edges of my restless mind,
Bringing a sense of calm, that’s hard to find.
Nature, too, holds the key
To unplug and set my spirit free.
In Joshua Tree’s vast expanse,
I find a refreshing, revitalizing dance.
When I can’t journey to such a place,
A local park becomes my space
To sit on a bench and admire the view,
And let nature’s tranquility flow through.
Learning the importance of unplugging,
I now make it a practice, never budging
From prioritizing my peace of mind,
To prevent feeling overwhelmed, I’m inclined.
The Daily 4/24/26
“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” -William James
Birthmarks are usually due to pigmentation. Cells growing in clusters or weirdly formed blood vessels. In centuries past, they were believed to form from a mothers ignored cravings or phobias and could be used as evidence someone was a witch.
Ethereal Harmony
Universal source
Where everything can exist
All at the same time.
Stars twinkle in the night sky,
Dreams dance on the soft, warm breeze.
-AAA/MAD
True Freedom
The moment you let yourself be carefree,
you taste real freedom—
a quiet release
from worry, doubt, and all their shadows.
The Daily 4/22/26
“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” ― Henry David Thoreau
A dentist helped introduce cotton candy to the masses. Dr. William Morrison, in a confectioner’s chair named John C Wharton, invented the first cotton candy machine in 1897. In 1921, a different dentist both patented his own machine and likely coined the term “cotton candy”.
Wrestling Thoughts
I wrestle with my thoughts—
they claw their way toward me,
pulling me under.
But I fight back, tooth and nail,
until their negative voices fade.
M.A.D. Works 