The lovely Delores at Under the Porch Light
had 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. Sadly Delores has (temporarily I hope) discontinued her blog.
Last month Jacqueline at Randomosity tested our mettle. She tricked us and retired Randomosity and can now be found here at Cranky Bar.
This month it is my turn.
This month it is my turn.
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... We can use some or all of the prompts.
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 week I am giving you two selections of words.
Set the first:
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 week I am giving you two selections of words.
Set the first:
- boulevard
- diplomacy
- dreamless
- dry
- southern
- horses
Set the second:
- avenging
- optimum
- glutton
- exhibit
- salty
- desperate
Have fun. And no, I have no idea where the words come from...
Hmmm. Those words are intriguing. Going to have to give that a go later this week.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: I am looking forward to seeing what you make of them.
DeleteThe southern dry horses walked up the boulevard in their skilled dreamless state in search for water from the people.
ReplyDeleteLon Anderson: I hope they find it. Mind you, if the horses can't find it the people probably won't either.
DeleteAnd let's hope when the horses do find it...that they drink it! :)
Deleteoh I hope they find some water, or at least a person willing to share his water with them.
DeleteEnjoyed this thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteMartin Kloess: You know that I want you to play don't you?
DeleteMe too, please.
DeleteLovely phrases EC.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: Thank you.
DeleteGood luck participants!
ReplyDeleteCloudia: It would be lovely if you joined us. Really lovely. Please.
DeletePretty please :)
DeleteHere is my story for this week...
ReplyDelete"A mob of wild HORSES couldn’t, and wouldn’t, stop her for AVENGING the harm he’d perpetrated upon the young, the weak and the innocent; upon those too scared to speak up.
Any thoughts of DIPLOMACY were out the window. He would pay, but how she’d not yet decided. Her mouth felt DRY and SALTY.
Since she’d learned of his traitorous actions; his DESPERATE behaviour; his unforgivable deeds, she’d slept very little When she did sleep, her restless slumber was DREAMLESS. Her waking hours were actively filled with concocting plans; dreaming of ideas for her revenge; there were no dreams left over for when she slept.
She’d discovered the early mornings shortly before dawn were the OPTIMUM times for planning. It was when the stillness offered her the perfect conditions to formulate a clear picture of what she had to do; of what she must do to EXHIBIT to everyone who had lived on the SOUTHERN BOULEVARD once and for all the evil that had lived amongst them. Early morning was when her mind went into the frenzy of a GLUTTON at a food-filled buffet table.
She finally knew what she needed to do."
Lee: Brilliant. And I would love the prequel AND the sequel to this snippet.
DeleteI'd love the prequel and sequel, too, EC! lol
DeleteThank you. :)
ooh yes! Prequel and sequel please.
DeleteI'm voting with EC and River!
DeleteI am tired after a long day, but I will give it a quick try...
ReplyDeleteRefreshed after a DREAMLESS night she skipped up the BOULEVARD thrilled that her Monday Night Game group was finally going to play DIPLOMACY. The DRY air was so different from the SOUTHERN climate she was so used to, but she was beginning to like it. As she rounded the bend she saw the HORSES at the gate and she dug deep into her pocket for the apples she had brought them.
I may have cheated with diplomacy- as it is also a board game.. :)
~Jess
Well done...your tiredness didn't stop you from spinning a good yarn. :)
DeleteDMS ~ Jess: Not cheating at all. How we use the words is entirely up to us. And I loved your very different take on the words.
DeleteWhat they ^ said. Good story.
DeleteThis made me smile, well done and thank you!
DeleteAn avenging angel appeared before the holy exhibit seeking out optimum lifeforms. Gods messenger was desperate hungry and feasted its gluttonous eyes upon a bowl of delicious salty chips. "Don't you dare!" yelled Optimus Prime.
ReplyDeleteBeware...be aware! Run! Take the chips with you! :)
DeleteSpacerguy: I suspect God's messenger has a fair turn of speed. Optimus Prime might have to order in more chips.
DeleteOptimus Prime eats chips?
DeleteDare I show my ignorance here? Who is Optimus Prime?
DeleteStill enjoyed the tale!
A graphic novel (comic book) character. A transformer I believe.
DeleteThank you River!
DeleteIt's Syria, it's the Middle East. It is the boulevard of dreamless diplomacy where horses carry the voices left dry and hoarse by the power of a merciless southern wind. :-)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
A very good use of the words. :)
DeleteA Cuban in London: Such a poignant piece. Thank you.
Delete"the boulevard of dreamless diplomacy", that sounds quite sad.
DeleteSo much conveyed in so few words, bravo!
DeleteWonderful words!
ReplyDeleteAnne in the kitchen: Are you going to play?
DeleteInteresting choice of words. I definitely have to take place and post using the words! Sounds fun, and I'd like something non-lifestyle to post.
ReplyDelete- Harlynn
mindyourmadness.blogspot.com
Harlynn: I would love it if you joined in. Let us know when you have (if you post it on your blog) so we can all come and applaud.
DeleteMy father spent no time on Diplomacy Boulevard. None, nada, zip. He was a man of strong opinions, and expressed them forcefully. HIs manner was dry (though his language could be salty) and you were never in any doubt about what he meant.
ReplyDeleteHe said to an overweight woman of our acquaintance: 'Your problem is that you are a glutton. Some people eat to live but you live to eat'. She was desperate for sympathy and unimpressed.
Horses for courses was another phrase he used often. Which is not to say that he approved of all courses. His way was always the right way.
He went to his final dreamless sleep more than twenty years ago now. Gone, but definitely not forgotten. His voice pops into my head often. 'Making an exhibit' of himself - said about the selfies 'fashion'. 'Her southern states are on display - and it is not the optimum view' - said about anyone in abbreviated clothing.
Sometimes I think that this voice is him coming back as an avenging angel. He complained that I didn't listen to him while he was alive, but I do now. He leaves me no choice.
I will try this later but I like your piece here. In a few words we learn so much about your father.
DeleteGlenda Council Beal: Thank you. I do hope you will join us.
DeleteNice piece, your father was an interesting, though harsh, man, I'm thinking.
DeleteRiver: He hadn't had an easy life, and it showed. He wasn't dull though. At all.
DeleteVery good, EC...very descriptive...a story, no doubt true, told extremely well.
DeleteLee: It is indeed true. And toned down.
DeleteColourfully harsh. There was so much said here, without making a point of saying it.
DeleteI have to fight my inner negative, which is my father. My bubbling optimist side is my moms gift, a lovely one. I hear you on the backside of this story.
DeleteWell done, EC - well done.
Deletehorses, boulevards, gluttony; none of these would lead to dreamless sleep I'm thinking.
ReplyDeleteRiver: Probably not.
DeleteWe'll all be dreaming about them tonight! :)
DeleteMy contribution is frighteningly true to life, I'm afraid. Here it is.
ReplyDelete-------
It was Day 37 of my latest diet. I was desperate for something creamy, something sweet, or something salty - I don't play favourites and I enjoy them all. But in my pursuit of optimum health, the cupboards were bare of all but broccoli, cottage cheese and skinless, boneless chicken. Not a dab of ice cream, not a cookie, not a single salted peanut was to be found in my house.
It was time. I pulled on my winter jacket, scarf, hat, boots, and gloves, and headed out into the snow. It was a cold and blustery walk through knee-high snow to the nearest store, but finally I made it. I staggered to the candy aisle and salivated over the options in the exhibit as the snow on my boots and clothing melted into a puddle underneath my feet.
As I deliberated on my choices, a tiny voice crept into my consciousness ...
"... don't worry, my brothers and sisters; the deaths of our loved ones was not in vain. I will wreak havoc on the enemy, never fear. For every sweet thing that has gone before; for every nut that met his maker in the jaws of death; for every creamy confection that has disappeared into thin air and never been seen again; I swear by all that is calorie-laden, I shall heap upon this glutton's frame the pounds and pounds of flab that is her due! Farewell, my friends! I go now - to fight the good fight!"
As the little voice finished its little speech, I felt my hand reach for a huge bar of chocolate on the shelf. I paid for the half kilo of fine dark chocolate and struggled home through the snow. The little voice faded from memory as I devoured my prize.
Yesterday I stood with eyes wide and jaw slack with horror as the numbers on the scale rose to a new high. And somewhere in the recesses of my mind, a small avenging voice came back to haunt me.
----
And now I am off to read the other entries!
jenny_o: This is a story that I certainly recognise too. Sigh.
DeleteOh I, too, know this reality... brava jenny_o, well written!
DeleteA tiny voice that delivers what it promises? I'll have to pay close attention if I ever start hearing one when I reach for chocolate.
DeleteExcellent story.
That tiny voice sure gets around. Sometimes it has far too much to say for itself!!
DeleteYou're not alone, Jenny_o....a great use of the words. :)
I know those voices and that feeling after indulgence. What have I done?.....Great story!
DeleteLove it
DeleteHer stomach gurgled its avenging gloop – that will teach her to be such a glutton – almost like those feasting nobles of yore.
ReplyDeleteShe will be so desperate to get rid of that salty taste … the cheeses were too much – she should have stopped after the full roast, and creamy dessert … can she redeem herself without becoming an exhibit of over indulgence and resorting to time in the bathroom?
She really does not need this right now … time to go outside to, she hopes, recover …
**
Thanks EC - interesting words ... 'Boulevard' floored me - not a word we really commonly use here .. but the others - were just fine - or not as the thought takes you!
Hilary Melton-Butcher: I have no idea where Boulevard came from - because we don't use it all that often either. And I loved this take on the words. Thank you.
DeleteVery well written!
DeleteI like this a lot, but now I'm wanting a full roast and a creamy dessert!
DeleteMe, too, River! All this food talk....stop it, the lot of you! :)
DeleteGood story, Hilary. :)
I have IBS Hilary so I can "feel" your story, in my guts.
DeleteThe SOUTHERN breeze galloped like wild HORSES down the deserted, litter-strewn, BOULEVARD.
ReplyDeleteA fitting place, a DRY voice in her mind pronounced, for her attempt at DIPLOMACY to die a bitter death... there would be no end to fighting amongst the survivors. She only hoped she would not shame herself before her family and their enemies, and prayed that death would come quickly: like falling into a deep and DREAMLESS sleep.
Interesting use of the words. I agree that death should always come quickly, no matter what the circumstances are.
DeleteYou used the words very well, Jacqueline...very descriptive and quite haunting.
DeleteVery descriptive use of the words, would like to know how it ended.
DeleteThe Cranky: Death before surrender. And I don't believe surrender is something you do well. In any battle. This is powerful, and can be (was by me) read on so many levels.
DeleteI have been informed, helpfully, over and over, on TV reality shows, by TV news hosts, by shysters pedaling miracle cures, like swamp land in Florida, by my doctor, who parades me onto a cattle scale, like an exhibit in dysfunction, that my optimum weight is not reflected by my real weight.
ReplyDeleteAngry, seething really, finally, sick of the bombardment, disgusted by my own self now "eat this, eat that, don't eat that or that for gosh sakes you loser, ever" I marched mad into a MacDonalds and glared at the salty sugary fatty glutton factory menu like an avenging angel.
Maybe it had all been just too much, I would later tell the magistrate, the hounding, the PCness of food now, how we're all supposed to be skinny as models but also sculpted as body builders, and have unlimited money to buy organic this, organic that and be gifted cooks as well. I was desperate I said, in my defense, and couldn't help myself when I jumped the counter (pretty darn athletic for someone of non optimum weight) ran to the milkshake machine and pulled the strawberry lever, with my head, mouth open, tilted up to receive the slurry, as it came, like a teenage frat boy beer bonging. When the chants started, behind me, from the customers, employees joining, phones held up on video, I admit I got into. Yes sir, I know I'm lactose intolerant, but I've got lots of intolerances besides that, so its easy to forget a few sometimes. The vomiting was not pretty and turned the shake bonging into projectile vomiting and that's when the police were called. Now I've on a mental ward, being told besides being of non optimal weight I'm also crazy. So be it. So are you, I said, with a crooked little smile. May I have a strawberry shake?
Oh my goodness Strayer; brilliant! Not in a million years would I have thought to use the words in such a way!
DeleteThanks Cranky. I've come close to behaving like the character in the story, I'm afraid.
DeleteStrayer: This is brilliant. I could see it so well. And the whole weight/shape, fitting in to impossible ideals is something which drives me crazy (crazier).
DeleteSo descriptive, I feel like I'm there watching!
DeleteThanks to all of you. We all are bombarded by impossible societal expectations all the time. Enough! LOL.
DeleteLove it, Strayer! You made me laugh so hard, even while nodding yes to the points you were making :)
DeleteThey're right, this IS brilliant!
DeleteAnd you are so right about societal expectations.
Minding Mama’s Gem Show exhibit was the optimum excuse for not doing homework, but now she was desperate to escape. In the five minutes she’d been at her post she’d been a complete glutton and devoured an entire bowl of sweet and salty popcorn from the counter of the neighboring display, and now the proprietor fixed her with an icy glare that was sure to inspire avenging words from Mama.
ReplyDeletedierdre Knight: Welcome. Love your take on these words, and hope to see you here next week too.
DeleteI like this, I'd love to see a gem exhibition.
DeleteI LOVE THESE WORDS!!!
ReplyDeleteNicky HW: So what are you going to do with them? Hmmm?
DeleteFinally! I started working on my story at 7am, then got interrupted by a cat, a phone call, a visit to the shops, but it's done now and will be up at my blog tomorrow, Friday 19th. I tried to keep it short, but that didn't work out.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I am really looking forward to seeing where you take these words. It has been a really productive week.
DeleteGrass about an avenue reminds me of childhood. It is a comfort.
ReplyDeleteAs an adult, a pause to admire the trees isn’t the same as when in the bloom of youth. However, diplomacy is necessary to function in the midst of a city.
Dreamless sleep has been my experience last night. It is refreshing but there is little inspiration to be had by it. Yesterday was Wine Day but I contented myself with a Canada Dry (I’m a Canadian but not much of a drinker). What I wouldn’t give for some southern hospitality! You know the Stones’ song, “Wild horses couldn’t drag me away.”
Avenging our honor against ISIS was in the paper again today. It may be imperative. The optimum time to strike is now, before there are more casualties.
I am merely a glutton, and I know avarice is a sin. However, I work, I discuss art for a little money. Once a week I make my breakfast a salty bagel. Truth be told, I’m as desperate as the rest.
Patrick Coholan: I am so pleased you joined us this week. Some delightful snippets here.
DeleteA haiku, perhaps not completely in spirit, but in syllabic form:
ReplyDeleteThe mind crackles dry
Thoughts like horses running wild
Numbing dreamless sleep
Paper Chimpmink (aka Ellen): Ouch. All too familiar.
Delete