The lovely Delores at Under the Porch Light
has been running this meme for a considerable period of time, week
after week. Computer issues led her to bow out for a while and I took
over. When Delores' absence looked like being more permanent I begged
and cajoled for other volunteers to share providing the prompts, and Words for
Wednesday became a moveable feast.
In July River from Drifting through Life hosted, Jacqueline at Randomosity in August. During September the challenge has been posted by Susan at the Most - - of Every Moment, and this months prompts were created by Margaret Adamson and her friend Sue, but published here.
Essentially the aim is to encourage us to write. Each week we are given a choice of prompts: which can be words, phrases, music or an image. What we do with those prompts is up to us: a short story, prose, a song, a poem, or treating them with ignore...
Some of us put our creation in comments on the post, and others post on their own blog. I would really like it if as many people as possible joined into this fun meme. If you are posting on your own blog - let me know so that I, and other participants, can come along and applaud.
This weeks prompts are familiar phrases - where will they take you this week?
A Little of What You Fancy Does You Good
And/Or
Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Hmmm. This is really different for me. Using phrases, not words. Will give them thought, and post on my own site. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: It is different isn't it? And challenging.
DeleteWhen we're both There, or we're both Here,
ReplyDeleteHow can I miss you, my sweet, my dear?
But when I am Here and you are Yonder,
Absence makes the heart grow fonder :)
I really need to put more thought into something worthwhile ... this popped into my head and then it wouldn't leave ...
Deletejenny_o: I liked it. And isn't it intriguing the way things appear in our heads and resist any attempt to move them on (or change them).
DeleteThat was great, Jenny o
DeleteI liked it too, it's something I would never ever have thought of.
DeleteWell put.
DeleteSweetly honest! Very nice.
DeleteHere we go...my Mills & Boon effort for today.....
ReplyDelete"Since they’d parted through no choice of their own; family commitments he couldn’t shy away from had forced him to fly across to the other side of the world. How long he would be away was unknown.
She’d taken their relationship, and him for granted, but she soon discovered the old saying “Absence makes the great grow fonder” suddenly, unexpectedly applied to her; to what they shared. She pined for him.
She’d always treated him somewhat at arms length believing a little of what you fancy does you good, but his being away made her realise the true depth of her feelings for him; feelings she’d previously denied, or had treated so casually. Impatient for his return, she booked a seat on the next flight to the US."
Lee: Hopefully when she lands she doesn't discover that his family has set him up with someone else...
DeleteOh, I hope she doesn't get her heart broken.
DeleteHope he hasn't got another already!!
DeleteOh I hope there's a happy ending!
DeleteIf I put the two together, I could say that when the cat's away the mice will pplay...
ReplyDeleteSorry, I'm otherwise embroiled.
dinahmow: And if the cat is lazy the mice get to play anyway.
DeleteOnly thing that might possibly go wrong (or double the fun) is if the dog decides to play too!
DeleteI would like to go and enjoy the australian safari, can you take me there?
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: I wish I could.
DeleteI like the first one. And now I want a truffle. (Chocolate, not mushroom.)
ReplyDeleteRiot Kitty: Just one? I find chocolate truffles very moreish.
DeleteDon't be mentioning chocolate, or I'll be getting dressed and heading to the store.
DeleteMmm, hazelnut truffles, champagne truffles; I might have to stop at Haigh's on my way home tomorrow.
DeleteDid someone mention choclate? I'm on my way!
DeleteSince I'm already deep in a WIP, I'll simply take the advice of your first quote and go play a little SOMA. I'm definitely fancying it right now!
ReplyDeleteJohn Wiswell: I hope your WIP is going really, really well.
DeleteA little of what I fancy might do me good, assuming he also fancies me but it might also get my face slapped and scratched by the person who believes they have prior claim.
ReplyDeleteIf I decide that discretion is the better part of valour and back off, my heart might grow fonder in his absence, but I am pretty certain that in his case (and hers) it would be out of sight, out of mind.
Jewel would never do that to you, would she??? :)
DeleteNice, ec.
DeleteFirst establish if the other actually does have prior claim.....
DeleteLee: Jewel wouldn't. Jazz might.
DeleteRiver: For that sort of bad behaviour 'thinking' they have prior claim is enough.
DeleteAh I like the sound of this romantic twist! Prior claim or not- finders keepers.... hehehe!
DeleteHello, after a week of absence from being on-line, and arriving back to this exciting adventure, of one or both phrases. Count me in on joining in tomorrow with both! Thank you for this refreshing change, it should prove quite interesting.
ReplyDeleteKaren S.: I am looking forward to seeing what you make of these phrases.
DeleteIt's always so interesting to see what people come up with from the same phrase.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: It is isn't it? They are often very, very different.
DeleteYou know in the UK to "fancy" someone is to have a crush on them?
ReplyDeleteLL Cool Joe: I did. A crush, or sometimes a sexual yearning...
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe skinny one's absence makes EC's fond heart grown even fonder:)
ReplyDeleteor
The long absence of a world series win makes Cubs' fans' hearts grow even fonder for a win:)
Hmmm, did that make sense?
DeleteSandra Cox: It did make sense. So far, my heart isn't growing fonder. I will be glad to see him home again, but am enjoying my down time. Or would be if I was getting any. I hope the Cubs' fans get their wish.
DeleteI'm glad you're enjoying your down time. I can relate:)
DeleteAnd the Cubbies have moved forward to the next division......
Deleteboth true!
ReplyDeleteCloudia: They are - but so is out of sight out of mind. Confusing.
DeleteWhen we hit the road last week, I was glad to get away. That ribbon of highway became the focus, drew the mind to miles instead of misfortunes. The new scenery blotted out the worries at home. The blue sky with clouds like tufts of cotton, majestic mountains and red rock formations, along with green valleys tucked into far reaching vistas could be seen for what they were, natural creations reminding us of our place in the universe.
ReplyDeleteSo while I hated to come home on the one hand, on the other absence had made the heart grow fonder of what I failed to fully notice before I left. Returning, I had new eyes for the autumn leaves beginning to speak in their language of orange and red. The summer bird song was gone, but a few birds still chirped loudly, a last bit of defiance to the coming winter season. Beautiful orange pumpkins were showing up on porches. Even the slightly faded mums on my deck still spoke of some bright color. An early mug of hot tea warmed my hands and my heart as I again loved my life.
Nice:) I always like coming home after time away.
DeleteBookie: This is beautiful. I too love coming home.
DeleteAlways nice to come home.
DeleteHe was an ass straight up. Every day of every week of every year, same thing, the drinking. Would start with beer in the morning, work up to Vodka by noon. He'd add in pot by 4:00 p.m. And me, I just endured. I was classic. No self esteem, avoided confrontations, tried not to even look his way, so as not to get his foul mouth started.
ReplyDeleteThen he died. Heart attack. Looked to be sleeping in his favorite chair, in his boxer shorts, and stained sleeveless T shirt, his fat beer belly protruding, hairy legs sprawled apart, feet adorned in ugly old flip flops. Well he'd flopped all right. Done deal.
It's been four years now since they hauled him out. I sure like my new life. But I think back about now, about him. Most of his faults have evened out in my mind. Flattened. I think about how he loved it when our two cats sprawled above him on that easy chair he died in. I think about the one time he brought me flowers. Sure they were fake and he probably stole them at the cemetery, but that sure was nice. He must have loved me. A little.
But do I want him resurrected? Hell no. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Don't it ever.
Strayer: This is a hoot. I am very glad that while absence HAS made the heart grow fonder, not so much that she wants him back.
DeleteI love this but it is sad that so many woman put up with this behaviour.
DeleteIt was fun again, EC and yes, so many women live just like the woman in the story.
DeleteA little is good, more must be better, right? Hmmm, c'mon brain, get ticking!
ReplyDeleteRiver: The a little is good, more is better is the smaller portion's attitude. Including to medication which gives me the horrors.
DeleteRiver It would be lovely if your copied and pasted your story onto Sue's blog for us to see.
DeleteMargaret, you can see it at my blog, Drifting through Life, on Friday.
DeleteYup :) I agree with both of those.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: Sometimes...
DeleteThis is my first story, well it is a poem. I fancy so much, it hard to know what to write about so need more time!! Anyway goes with -
ReplyDeleteAbsence makes the heart grow fonder
The Silent Tongue
With reams of paper flying
Twixt you and me
With penned word just trying
To convey how it should be
Although each other we can’t see
Just as two lovers blinded
On either side of the sea
Our hearts are touched with kindness
And from my little world
My images are forming
As on the couch I’m curled
Red crackling fire has warming
And as the story starts unravelling
From the muddle in my head
The ink flows letters travelling
More quickly than its read.
Despondency and despair
No letter landed today
With courage and hope I must bear,
Oh maddening long delay
But at last – your letter
A word and a thought from you
To make me feel much better
Expressing your love so true.
Margaret Adamson: This is lovely. I suspect any of us who ever had a long-distance relationship can remember just how it felt.
DeleteHi EC - you've certainly had some lovely takes on your phrases ... absence certainly makes the heart grow stronger ... and we can cope if it doesn't come off. It's keeping the little to little of what you fancy does you good ...
ReplyDeleteWe use phrases so easily when we're talking or writing, but come to think about them - a different kettle of fish! Cheers Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: There are some amazing takes on Margaret and Sue's phrases aren't there? Phrases we have all heard, and probably used but rarely thought about.
DeleteSecond story coming up.
ReplyDeleteA little of what you fancy does you good, they say. It is ok to give into a little temptation occasionally. Isn’t that right?
Well, I have a secret admirer. We meet about a year ago in the park. We both have dogs. His dog is a lovely Golden Retriever and mine is a lively miniature Poodle. Well when I said we met, it was really the dogs that brought us together. They have fallen head over heals in love. When we meet, they are inseparable.
He is married and I am single, in fact I have been single all my life and am very happy with my own company and being able to do my own things when I want. I do not wish to change that situation. He is happily married so neither of us feel threatened by the other.
We often just sit on a park bench watching the dogs playing with each other and after knowing each other for over a year now feel very relaxed in each other's company.
However, I do fancy him a little and he does flirt with me in very tiny ways. It is all in the look of an eye, a soft touch on my hand, and seeing his warm smile makes my heart flutter a little and I often wonder does he realise how he makes meI feel or perhaps he feels the same.
Of course we never talk about these things, however we do share about our lives and if one of us feels a little down the other always is there to lighten the load for them.
Mostly we only sit there for half an hour while the dogs exercise and then off we go into our own separate worlds again, both very content with our lot in life.
Margaret Adamson: Another lovely story. Thank you.
DeleteThis is sweet, a very lovely friendship.
DeleteI really like this idea. Going to check it out.
ReplyDeleteMary
mxtodis123 ~ Mary: The more the merrier. I hope you do play - this week, or some other week.
DeleteWell it's different having a phrases instead of single words...
ReplyDeleteMargaret -whiteangel: I think it is even more challenging.
DeleteI may have to give it a try sometime but I usually don't write from given words....I need time to create and see what drives my imagination....but maybe my imagination needs a little push!
ReplyDeleteDonna@LivingFromHappiness: Sometimes my imagination (lazy beast that it is) needs more than a push. I would love to see where your mind takes you with this (or another) set of prompts.
DeleteOkay it's Wednesday and I'm here with mine! I used both phrases, and added some spicy trip photos too! Plus, sharing a song that I'm sure you are familiar with too!
ReplyDeletehttp://twincitiesblather.blogspot.com/2015/10/words-for-wednesday.html
Karen S.: Heading over...
DeleteSounds like a great idea. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOlivia Rose: It is a heap of fun. Welcome - and I hope you will play.
DeleteThis story is from my friend Sue who helps me give you this month's 'words'.
ReplyDeleteAll my life I have lived in the fantasy of my imagination. My mother, a very practical lady used to berate me regularly. "No good will come of your fancies my girl, you need to get a proper job" A proper job in my mothers opinion being a sales assistant or office clerk, certainly she didn't approve of my chosen job. I was an usherette in the local cinema.
Oh my word I was in heaven, a world of fantasy and fancy every night.
After watching the stories on the screen I decided I could do equally as well, and so I did.
I wrote about dragons and knights and magic. I gave it to my mother to read and it was immediately obvious by the sour lemon look on her face what she thought of it.
Undeterred I sent it to several publishers who immediately sent it back, but I persevered and eventually it was accepted. Not only accepted but bought and enjoyed by many people who also liked to live with their fancies in imaginary worlds.
I am now on my 5th book and one is being made into a film.
So with a lot of belief and perseverance it happened for me and as I sit here on the sunsoaked terrace of my villa, I thank my lucky stars that the old adage A little of what you fancy does you good, proved true.
I love it. And I am very happy to see someone else make use of the expression 'lemon-lipped'.
DeleteThis is Sue's Second story.
ReplyDeleteMy dad and I never saw eye to eye as I was growing up. He always wanted a son to carry on the family name, it seemed to be much more important back then. He was of the generation that didn't hug or say I love you, he merely hurrumphed and patted me on the shoulder.
You will have gathered by now that I am female, a daughter, not the one to pass on the name. It would die when I got married.
I felt all through my growing up years that I was a disappointment and my dad and I grew distant and eventually stopped talking all together..
Eventually I married and left home. My dad didn't have a long life, he survived the horrors of the second world war only to succumb to cancer at the all too early age of 60, only 2 months after my daughter was born.
Although very weak, he held her with tears in his eyes, looked at my mum and we made out the words "oh Beattie, she's beautiful. It's just like having our lovely baby girl back, I love her so much".
And that was it, the last words I ever heard my dad say. After the initial sadness and frustration of all the lost years I find as I grow through my life his absence leaves many unanswered questions. All the slights and hurts are dimming until now I find I just have fond memories of my dad. I just wish I could tell him that I loved him too.
Awww.
DeleteTears welled up, love this 😆 good work!
DeleteI have been absent from my bed as of late. My heart longs for his snuggling, warm embrace.
ReplyDeleteSonya Ann: Bed is a wonderful place.
DeleteIt's the simple things in life
ReplyDeletethat fill the heart with pleasure
love flows beyond all measure
and when your love goes away
you know that soon
soon he'll be back to stay
meanwhile as you wait
you'll realize that
absence makes the heart grow fonder
Rasma Raisters: Margaret and Sue's words have brought out the sentimental side in lots of us. Which is lovely.
DeleteI am with the absence theme. It certainly happened to me during summer gone.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
A Cuban in London: I think that phrase is something that many of us (probably most of us) have experienced.
DeleteA change up! The phrases definitely take the mind in another direction from the usual words. They are stirring up memories and giving me lots to think about. I can see how the phrases prompt one to write about personal experiences. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete~Jess
DMS ~ Jess: Margaret and Sue have really got us thinking this week haven't they? And there have been some wonderful stories. And snippets.
DeleteUsing phrases is going to be a little tough for me.
ReplyDeleteHaddock: Are you going to give it a whirl though?
DeleteAbsence makes the heart grow fonder, because...when you are gone, I have a tendency to forget about all the annoying things you do when we are together! Sorry, I just couldn't resist.
ReplyDeleteI got the fridge magnet Sue, thanks!
Karen: Chuckling here. It is a truth I recognise. I am glad the magnet arrived safely.
DeleteI might give a swing when I get home. I will, of course, have to make it spooky given the appropriate month. XP
ReplyDeleteRobert Bennett: I am looking forward to your spooky take on it. Rather a lot.
DeleteI had fun again with the weekly prompt, thank you for posting these!
ReplyDeleteHBF: It is a wonderful meme isn't it?
DeleteMy word, I’m going to be your hundredth commenter for a second time! If that doesn’t prove that God exists, I don’t what does!
ReplyDeleteSnowbrush: My cynical disbelieving self says that the third time would be the charm...
Delete"A Little of what you fancy does you good,' so say the cats about Fancy Feast:)
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: Our cats say similar things - until we stock up on any particular brand when it immediately becomes poison.
DeleteThese are nice prompts.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Varadan, Author: They are - and some great stories have come from them.
DeleteInteresting phrase choices, especially since there are other familiar phrases that express the exact opposite. Like for the second one, there's "Out of sight, out of mind." (I'm sure there's something for the first one, too, but my brain is on vacation this morning.)
ReplyDeleteSusan: I have been searching the caverns in my head for the opposite of 'a little of what you fancy...' too. It hasn't come to me yet.
DeleteI like them both- I'm not sure I could do this..but it is interesting to read what everyone else did with it. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteTerri @ Coloring Outside the Lines: It always amazes me the different directions the same prompts can take people. I hope you have a wonderful weekend too.
Delete