Tag: dailyprompt

Coffee, Chaos, and Canine Conspiracies

Published on by Ann Marie BryantLeave a comment
Daily writing prompt
What are your morning rituals? What does the first hour of your day look like?
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Every morning, I hope for a calm start to my day. My caramel macchiatto perches on my nightstand, my laptop sloftly glows, and my fingers are all primed to conjure my crowning achievement. And for a fleeting thirty seconds, my world is peaceful and calm, and I almost believe I have mastered adulthood.

But as I crawl back into bed, tucking in covers, shifting to make myself comfortable, I find myself resting atop Mitzi’s Lamb Chop. Wriggling around, my escape attempt sends me crashing into Max’s chipmunk, which squeaks in outrage after my big toe pokes it hard in the belly. Each shift triggers a series of squeaks, as if tiny referees beneath the covers are loudly keeping score. Amid all the commotion, I seriously wonder when I surrendered all control of who gets to claim my bed.

At last, the toys are cleared away, and it’s time to get down to work.

Cocooned in blankets, laptop balancing on my knees, caramel macchiato in one hand, I try to wrangle clever thoughts with the other. And I finally ease back into writing.

But my reality is never far behind, and it comes with paws and bright-eyed innocence. It sneaks up the ramp, prepared to pounce on my peaceful morning.

My Muttley Crew eyes my coffee with the cunning of caffeine-obsessed spies, scheming to steal every single drop. They inch closer. Happy wriggling bodies ready to devour my whipped cream. As they advance, a pair of daring tongues dart toward my mug. Suddenly, my literary hopes evaporate. I become a pajama-clad sentry, protecting my mug like it’s a matter of survival, and honestly, it just might be.

“Oh, I don’t think so,” I say, pulling my cup slightly out of reach.

They pause, blink, and advance again.

So, for now, writing must wait while I dodge furry ambushes and thwart a caffeine caper. The room erupts into chaos and giggles, a joyful uproar. And honestly, I would not trade this wild morning ritual for the world.

Dr. Mommy

Published on by Ann Marie BryantLeave a comment
Daily writing prompt
When you were five, what did you want to be when you grew up?
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When I was five, I decided I wanted to be both a doctor and a mommy. In my mind, I could do it all, head off to work with a baby on my hip, ready to take on whatever the day might bring. My dolls became my first patients, carefully wrapped in blankets and lined up in a neat row, waiting patiently for their checkups. I listened to their tiny hearts, soothed their imaginary fevers, and made sure each one was well cared for before moving on to the next.

Even then, I knew two things for certain: babies would bring me joy, and helping others was simply the right thing to do.

Where Stories Begin

Published on by Ann Marie BryantLeave a comment

Technology has changed my job in so many ways over the years. I started out writing on blackboards with chalk dust everywhere, then moved to whiteboards with markers, and now I use TVs and digital screens instead of boards altogether. Each step has made teaching a little easier and a lot more engaging. I can show videos, share notes instantly, and bring lessons to life in ways I couldn’t before. While the tools have changed, the goal is still the same, helping students learn; but honestly, technology has definitely made the process more efficient and, honestly, a lot more fun.

Paws-itively Aligned With My Goals

Published on by Ann Marie BryantLeave a comment
Daily writing prompt
How often do you say “no” to things that would interfere with your goals?
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I don’t really say “no” all that often…unless it’s to things that interfere with my very serious life goals, like spending time with my pups. And honestly, if my dogs are involved, I’m probably going to say yes every single time.

Technically, I should be saying no to distractions, but when the distraction has floppy ears, tiny paws, and a look that says, “We deserve a vacation too,” all discipline goes out the window. At that point, it’s not poor decision-making; it’s goal alignment.

Because let’s be honest, my goals include happy dogs, scenic drives, and a little adventure. So when I pack them up and head out, I’m not avoiding my goals… I’m just prioritizing the furry ones.

Now, Wouldn’t This be Fun?

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant2 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What’s a secret skill or ability you have or wish you had?
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If I had the gift of flying, I’d never stay in one place for long. I’d lift off at sunrise, chasing golden light across mountaintops, then swoop low over oceans just to feel the mist kiss my face. One moment I’d be gliding above snowy peaks, and the next I’d be dipping between city skyscrapers, laughing as the wind tangled in my hair. No traffic, no tickets, no waiting—just the wide-open sky and the freedom to go wherever my heart pointed. Honestly, I don’t think I’d ever come down unless it was for snacks.

Controlled Chaos

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant4 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What makes you laugh?
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It doesn’t take much to make me laugh, just a classroom full of middle schoolers and a couple of mischievous puppies, and I’m done for. There’s something about the perfectly timed eye roll, the dramatic retelling of something that happened five minutes ago, or the confidence of a student who is completely, spectacularly wrong that gets me every time. And then you add puppies, tiny, wiggly troublemakers with zero respect for personal space or morning coffee, and it’s pure chaos in the best way. Between students trying to be sneaky (but not really succeeding) and dogs proudly trotting off with a lunchbox snack or stolen socks, I spend half my day pretending to be in charge and the other half trying not to laugh out loud. Honestly, it’s a wonder anything gets taught at all.

When the World Turns Gold

Published on by Ann Marie BryantLeave a comment
Daily writing prompt
What is your favorite type of weather?
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Fall is the perfect weather because the air turns crisp and refreshing without the extremes of summer heat or winter cold. The golden sunlight, cool breezes, and changing leaves create a peaceful balance that makes every moment feel calm, cozy, and alive.

A Family Name

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant6 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What is your middle name? Does it carry any special meaning/significance?
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The tradition of the middle name Marie started with my grandmother, Elva Marie. Her name was passed down to the women who came after her. My mother, Dorothy Marie, carried the name with an inner strength that stayed with her throughout her days. When I was born, she gave me the same middle name, and I became Ann Marie. As a child, my mother shared the meaning and importance of my name, two words that held part of my family’s story.

Years later, when I carried my baby daughter, I understood the meaning of tradition. I knew if I had a daughter, her middle name would be Marie. My daughter, Leslie Marie, continued the tradition. It didn’t feel like a decision, but more like honoring something that belonged to us. The name moved from grandmother to mother to daughter, and now it was my daughter’s turn.

Today, the tradition lives on with my granddaughter, Sierra Marie. Her name echoes the names of the women before her. Five generations have shared the same middle name; each quietly linked to the others.

My own name bears even more family history. I was named after my two maternal great-grandmothers, Tamar Anna Peyton and Anna Strassburg. I never met them, but their names are part of mine. It’s a small way to honor the women who shaped our family.

Names can hold history and meaning. They carry memories, identity, and a sense of belonging. In our family, Marie is more than merely a tradition. It reminds us that we are members of something greater. We belong to a line of women whose lives span generations, each granting something for the next to remember.