Tag: dailyprompt

I’m Not Carrie!

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant2 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What’s the funniest misunderstanding you’ve ever been part of?
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The funniest misunderstanding I have ever been part of happened while I was minding my own business in a grocery store.

As I walked down an aisle, I heard a woman behind me calling, “Carrie! Carrie!” Since my name was not Carrie, I naturally ignored her and kept walking.

The next thing I knew, someone rushed up behind me, pinched me hard on the bottom, and declared, “That’s what you get for ignoring your auntie!”

I yelped and spun around. The woman’s eyes widened in horror as she realized that I was definitely not Carrie. She covered her mouth, turned bright red, and immediately began apologizing.

The shocked look on her face was so funny that I burst out laughing, and soon, I was laughing so hard that I cried.

As it turned out, she was visiting from out of town, and I actually knew her family. That made the entire misunderstanding even funnier. Later, after she moved back home, we often laughed about the day she mistook me for her niece and accidentally taught the wrong woman a lesson for “ignoring her auntie.”

A Quiet Mountain Dream

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant3 Comments
Daily writing prompt
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
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“Some places stay in our hearts, even when the landscape changes.”

This question used to feel pretty easy. If I could live anywhere in the world, the answer would be Beulah, Colorado, without any hesitation.  But since the fire, writing those words feels so different. It is still the place my heart loves, but now my heart also carries grief, worry, and prayer.

It is hard to write about a dream place when that special location has been wounded, when families have lost homes, memories, and peace of mind. Still, through the sadness, I would choose Beulah every single time.

It is a charming little town, tucked away in a lovely mountain valley, filled with beautiful landscapes, peaceful days, and kind and generous people. This mountain community cares for one another; people visit, check in, and wave, and it is so inviting that even strangers feel welcome. Life moves at a slower pace and reminds each of us to breathe a little deeper, look around, and appreciate what is right in front of us.

Throughout the year, the people gather for community events, small-town traditions, friendly conversations, and neighbors helping neighbors. This place feels like home, where people belong.

And the landscapes are breathtaking, filled with green pastures that stretch across the valley. A forest of thick Ponderosa pines covers the hillsides. The mountain air feels clean and calm. Pueblo Mountain Park, with its hundreds of acres, trails, picnic areas, and gathering spaces, offers fun and remarkable days outdoors. The perfect place to create lasting memories.

Wildlife has always been a part of Beulah’s magic. Deer graze in pastures and front lawns. Turkeys meander across roads and roost in nearby pines. On occasion, elk, bear, and mountain lion would be spotted. Some of my favorite pictures include bear cubs crossing roads or peeking through tree branches after climbing trees for protection.

This valley is my happy place. Beauty is found in every corner and every bend in the road. I especially love the golden hour when the sunlight dances between the pines and touches the valley in a soft, warm glow. Deer and squirrels visit and make themselves at home in yards around the valley, reminding everyone that Beulah is a place where people and nature live side by side. For me, Beulah will always be my escape from a busy world, a place to slow down, enjoy the beauty of nature, breathe in fresh air, and enjoy the peace the valley so freely offers.

Beulah celebrates all four seasons. Spring brings fat honeybees and wildflowers. Summer offers gentle rains, warm days, and cool evenings. Autumn paints the valley in gold, amber, and yellow. Winter turns everything quiet and still, covering the valley in snow and turning it into a magical winter wonderland. Each season shares its own kind of beauty, and each season gives Beulah another reason to be loved.

But now, as the community rebuilds, the beauty is found in its people. Neighbors and friends gather together again, offering helping hands, open hearts, and shoulders to lean on. Their strength rises as they continue to care for one another. Since the fire, that special grace and kindness matter even more.  Beulah is not just a pretty place; it’s also a community with heart.

The fire may have changed the landscape, but it has not changed the love the people have for this town. Some places will never look the same. Some families have lost their homes, and it is hard to write about wanting to live in a place when so many are grieving for what the fire took from them.

But the fire does not erase what Beulah truly means. If anything, it shows how deeply this special place is loved. I will always call Beulah my happy place, even when sadness may tug at my heart. I would still choose the peaceful living, the wildlife, the trails, the mountains, and most of all, its kind people. Home is sometimes loving a place through its hardest chapters.

Now, when I think of Beulah and the home of my dreams, I pray for healing. I imagine meadows turn green once again, birds singing from trees, wildlife returning to familiar places, and a loving community rebuilding with courage, faith, and love.

Beulah may be wounded right now, but she is still beautiful, still loved, and still the place my heart would choose.

So if I could choose anywhere in the world to live, I would still pick Beulah, not because it is untouched by hardship, but because it remains a place of beauty, kindness, strength, and the feeling of home.

Aspen Fire Update:

The Aspen Acres Fire has grown to approximately 93,600 acres, with containment improving to 15%. Firefighters continue to make progress, helped by higher humidity, though afternoon storms, lightning, and gusty winds remain a concern. Some evacuation areas have been downgraded from mandatory evacuation to pre-evacuation, but many communities, including areas near Beulah and across Pueblo, Custer, Fremont, and Huerfano counties, remain under evacuation orders. More than 1,300 personnel continue working to protect homes, strengthen containment lines, and support affected communities.

Colorado strong ❤️

Monetary Donations: Can be sent to the United Way Southern Colorado.

​

Stay Young at Heart

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant2 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What’s the best advice you’d give to someone younger than you?
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The advice I would give to someone younger than me is to stay young at heart, have fun, and enjoy the journey. Life moves quickly, and it is easy to rush through the days without noticing the little moments that make everything meaningful. Laugh often, take chances, love deeply, and hold on to the memories that made your life feel magical. In the end, those special moments become the stories you carry with you.

And on that note…I was thinking about my horse Beau; I miss him more than words can fully explain. He was more than just a horse to me; he was a gentle presence, a beautiful memory, and a part of my heart. I still think about him often, remembering the bond we shared and the quiet comfort he brought into my life. Because I miss him so much, I asked AI to create a picture of us together in a magical fairytale setting. Seeing us side by side in an enchanted forest felt like a sweet way to honor him and imagine, just for a moment, that we were together again in a place filled with beauty, peace, and light. Sweet memories.

And PS. I am trying to have some fun while I am stuck in bed today. I was scrolling through Facebook when an ad popped up about mystical photos of you and a favorite animal. So of course I thought about my Beau from long ago, and I decided to ask AI to create a fairytale photo of the two of us…lol..I better be careful..I could get used to this being lazy and having fun kinda day!

Finding Peace

Published on by Ann Marie BryantLeave a comment
Daily writing prompt
Write your guide to setting healthy boundaries in relationships.
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Creating safe boundaries is a work in progress. It takes time to recognize our limits, trust our instincts, and understand that our time and peace are valuable. Some days, saying no feels easy; other days, we may still feel the need to explain ourselves. But each time we choose honesty, self-respect, and peace, we grow stronger. Healthy boundaries remind us that protecting ourselves is not selfish; it is part of recognizing our worth.

The Lesson I Didn’t Ask For

Published on by Ann Marie BryantLeave a comment
Daily writing prompt
What is one way you have grown this year?
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Growth does not always arrive together with laughter and sunlight. Sometimes it slips in slowly, through the ache of certain hopes that never found their way home, those disappointments that create ripples in your heart, and change the view right outside your window.

Heartache has a way of taking off those rose-colored glasses we once wore without thinking. Suddenly, the world looks different; it’s sharper but also more honest. It stings that new clarity, but sometimes it’s the only way we learn to see ourselves and others as we truly are.

There comes a still moment when you realize the ground beneath you has shifted, and there is no path going back to the way things were. The innocence may have slipped away, but in its place comes a kinder wisdom, a gentle strength, and a clearer sense of what your heart can hold and what it finally must let go.

And while I may not see the world quite the same way these days, over the past two years, I have grown into someone a little wiser, a little stronger, and someone more willing to trust the truth when it finally knocks on my door. Heartache did not close me off from the life I’ve built; it opened my eyes, steadied my spirit, and taught me to offer myself the same kindness I would give to someone I love.

Becoming Her

Published on by Ann Marie BryantLeave a comment
Daily writing prompt
What’s your favorite meme?
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I have always loved favorite memes because they can say so much with just a few words and a simple image. They often capture exactly how we feel in a way that makes us laugh, think, or feel understood. When I read this prompt, I decided to create one of my own, using words that reflect the woman I am becoming. I like this meme because it reminds me that I am growing stronger every day. I am learning to trust myself, protect my peace, and honor the woman I fought so hard to become.

September

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant3 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What’s a song that always puts you in a good mood?
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Some songs just have a way of changing the mood of a room, and for me, that song is “September” by Earth, Wind and Fire. From the moment I hear the tempo, it feels joyful, light, and full of energy. No matter the day I am having, it puts a smile on my face. And in no time at all, my feet are tapping to the music while I sway in my seat.

It takes me back to high school, a time filled with friends, memories, and school dances. It offers joyful expectations and reminds us of life’s best days. And when it played during lunch, everyone jumped up and moved.

“September” just has that entertaining beat, and when it plays, no one can just sit still. It’s light-hearted and fun, and the perfect song for any celebration.

This song will never fade into the background, and this is one of those songs that just pulls this grammie onto the dance floor, time and time again. No matter how many years pass, “September” still knows how to make my heart dance.

When Souls Recognize Each Other

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant6 Comments

Do you believe in soul mates? I used to think they only belonged in love stories, tucked between long walks on the beach and watching shooting stars in a favorite mountain getaway. But the older I get, the more I wonder if soul mates don’t just have to be about romance. Maybe they are the people who understand the quiet parts of us, the ones who arrive when we need them the most, the ones who feel familiar before we even know their story.

I once met someone I had an instant connection with from the first time we visited when I was eighteen. It felt as if we had known each other all our lives. We shared so much in common, finishing each other’s sentences and spending endless hours together. Never since that time have I ever felt that kind of love for a man. 

Still, we were so young, and he moved so quickly, I stepped back from our relationship; a decision I still regret to this day.

Was he my soul mate? I guess I will never truly know. Or did he enter my life at the wrong time?  I guess I will never really know that either. Will I ever have another male companion whom I will consider to be my soulmate? Probably not, but in my later years, I am honestly okay with that knowledge.

But that still brings me back to the question: do I have soul mates in my life?

Yes, I honestly believe I do. 

Some of my closest friends fill that role.  I have childhood friends who are like sisters to me, and we’ve been friends for over fifty years. They are definitely soulmates.  I have met others whose connections felt almost spine-tingling because we had so much in common. We even admitted that we were destined to become friends.  Yep, soul mates there too.

I also have several friends who feel like family, sisters, and daughters. They are people whom I can’t imagine not being in my life.

And then there was my grandmother, a definite kindred spirit and soul mate. What joy she brought into my life. She was a mentor, best friend, and the perfect grandma. 

And what about pets? I have had dogs and cats, even horses and cows, that made my life extra special. They bonded with me, loved me, and made life a joyous occasion.

So maybe, just maybe, soul mates are not always the people we marry. Maybe they are the people and even the critters who walk into our lives and leave a soft light on inside of us.

So do I believe in soul mates?

Yes, yes, I do. 

I believe in them because some connections feel too powerful to be accidental. I do not know whether we have only one romantic soulmate in our lifetime, but I do know there are people whose souls recognize ours.  They arrive like a familiar song, create a feeling of peace, and leave us changed forever. 

Maybe soulmates are not only found once in a lifetime; maybe they are a beautiful reminder that love has been finding us all along

So now I will ask you, do you believe in soul mates? Are they romantic partners, lifelong friends, family members, or even the four-legged companions who somehow know exactly when we need them? I would love to hear your thoughts. Maybe we all have a soul mate story tucked somewhere in our hearts.

My First Teacher

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant9 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What’s the first book you ever finished and still remember to this day?
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Mama read to me every day, and before long, books became as essential to my life as sunshine and fresh air. From the very beginning, Mama laid the groundwork for my lifelong love of reading. Some of my earliest memories are of sitting next to her, my head resting against her arm, listening as she turned the pages and brought stories to life with the gentle warmth of her voice.

She never simply read the words. She acted out each page. The characters came to life with different voices, and more often than not, she would have a fit of the giggles, laughing until she cried. In those moments, she would stop reading until she gained control. I am not sure what I enjoyed more, her laughter or the stories!

When I was about three years old, my mother began teaching me the alphabet. She would sit with me at the kitchen table and patiently point to each letter, repeating its name and sound until I could recognize each one.

Soon, I was copying the letters onto paper with a chunky pencil, gripping it tightly in my small hand, while she gently guided my fingers. I carefully practiced forming each letter as she showed me. By the time I was four, I could proudly read simple books by myself.

However, Mama did not simply teach me to read; she made learning come across like a game.

One of my favorite activities was the treasure hunt.

Mama hid small treasures around the house and left clues written on little slips of paper. These clues helped me learn some of my first sight words—go, to, and the. Sometimes, she would draw simple pictures of objects around the house with the word written underneath.

Lamp.

Couch.

Mailbox.

Each clue guided me to the next location until I finally found the hidden treasure, usually a small treat, a colorful barrette, or a new ribbon for my hair. I remember the thrill of sounding out the words and realizing that the message on the paper was meant for me to solve.

These small games turned reading into an adventure.

As my vocabulary grew, my mother began instructing me to read using the Dick and Jane Primer series. I can still remember the excitement I felt when I finally read Fun with Dick and Jane all by myself. I couldn’t wait to show my dad.

With all the pride a four year old could muster, I climbed into his lap and read the pages aloud. I still remember the look on his face as he listened, half surprised, half delighted, as the words on the page suddenly made sense to me.

From that moment on, my world expanded with each new book.

As I grew older, so did my small library. Mama always ensured that I had something new to read. Some of my favorite childhood books included James and the Giant Peach, Where the Red Fern Grows, Charlotte’s Web, Little Women, and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. I also devoured book series like Dr. Seuss, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, Little House on the Prairie, Nancy Drew, and The Hardy Boys.

Each book opened a door to a new world—one rich in adventure, mystery, courage, and imagination.

Looking back, I realize how busy my mother must have been raising us, running the household, and caring for our family. Yet, somehow, she always found time to sit beside me with a book in her hands.

She never rushed through these moments.

Instead, she supported my curiosity and made learning feel joyful and exciting. Long before I stepped into a classroom, my mother had already given me the greatest educational gift I would ever receive.

She taught me that books are more than just stories.

They were the keys that could unlock entire worlds.