BLUEFIELD — There are days — often on Thursday morning at 10:30 a.m. — that I struggle with a topic for this column. A deadline looms overhead. The white space is yearning for letters, words and sentences. But the cursor just blinks in hesitation — over and over again. My fingers rest on the keys, but nothing happens. I call it writer’s block, for lack of another definition. It is one everybody can understand, not just journalists. Students struggle with books reports. Musicians can’t find the right lyrics. A grieving friend doesn’t know the right words for a sympathy card. At one time or another, writer’s block is a universal enemy. On this particular morning, I am at war.

And so, I sit here, waiting for divine intervention or just a phone call to break the tension in my mind. Last week, someone asked “How to find something to write about?” I didn’t have a great answer. Inspiration hits at different times. Fresh from the weekend, I might have a column by Monday afternoon. Other times — like today — I wait till Thursday morning. Friends, family, events and daily life provide great conversations, which can always turn into columns. But for one great idea, there are dozens of bad ideas, or just plain uninteresting, boring column ideas. For two years, I have written a column for Sunday and people around the area have read about everything from roller skates to candy corn. But here are the ideas and topics that didn’t make the page. Disclaimer, warning and notice: The following is a list of bad, silly, old and boring ideas. I apologize in advance.



n The flu: I finally admit I was sick in November with the swine flu. But all I did was clean house, watch movies and eat candy for four days. Obviously, I didn’t have a very bad case because I cleaned out closets, washed windows and talked on the phone for days. Back at work, I didn’t want to relive the flu, especially in writing. Plus. I didn’t want everyone to imagine the Lifestyle editor up to her elbows in Kleenex.



n The weather: I did write a few snowy columns. After all, this is one of the worse winters in the two Virginias. But what I didn’t write about is the giant snow drift beside my driveway, the endless amount of shoveling or that I went sleigh riding at midnight in a snowstorm. By the way, the drift now looks like the pyramids in Egypt. I am sick and tired of snow. So is everyone else.



n The gym: I like to run. In the past, I have written about new running shoes, but I don’t want to write about miles, swollen knees and the treadmill. I think a six-mile run is fun. Others think I am crazy. Night after night, my feet hit the treadmill. It is boring to watch. And probably even more boring to read. It might be exciting if I was an Olympic runner.



n The accidents: I am always tripping on something or bumping my hip into a corner. I have bruises on my shins and knees from not paying attention and millions of paper cuts on my fingers. I like Band-Aids, a lot. A couple of weeks ago, I received one of the biggest jolts of my life : A electric shock from a curling iron. I didn’t notice the cooper wires were coming out of the base. My hand tingled all the way to my elbow. I felt really stupid. Who wants to admit they are accident-prone?



n The imaginary pet: I have a secret: I want a puppy. I debate the pros and cons of such an adoption on a regular basis. The cons always win. One reason is I would have to stay at home more to take care of the puppy. But my schedule is full with work, running, church and friends. I would feel guilty leaving a puppy at home alone all the time. My next best option is a fish, not exactly warm and cuddly. I am afraid readers will encourage my dream puppy. For right now, he lives in my future. One day, ToTo.



n The bridesmaid: One of my earlier columns described the joys and woes of being a bridesmaid in multiple weddings. Honestly, I have lost count of the number of dresses, friends and nuptials. This summer, I will add another dress to the list, plus a run as a guest book attendant. I am afraid of the cliché, “Always a bridesmaid ...”



After reading about misadventures, daily life and accidents, finding something to write about isn’t always the problem. Thousands of poets and authors have linked writing to such metaphors as the window to a person’s heart, soul and mind. The symbolism is very true; it is a brief insight into the thoughts of others. For more than two years, I have gave insights and opinions, which hopefully have created a spark, a smile, a laugh or a memory. Today, I have shared  bad, silly or embarrassing ideas — but at least, I claim each and every one. For now, the writer’s block is satisfied.

Jamie Parsell is the Lifestyle editor of the Daily Telegraph. Contact her at jparsell@bdtonline.com.