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 movable feast. Delores discontinued her blog for a while, but she has returned. Her new blog can be found 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... 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 month the prompts will be published here, but are provided by Margaret Adamson and her friend Sue Fulcher.
This weeks prompts are pictorial.
and/or
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 month the prompts will be published here, but are provided by Margaret Adamson and her friend Sue Fulcher.
This weeks prompts are pictorial.
and/or
The first photo is cute so I'll take a stab with the second one.
ReplyDeleteThe deck overlooking the ocean was the perfect setting. It would be relaxing away from any crowds and prying eyes. The slope just under the deck went straight to the water. One slip and you'd be swimming with the sharks before you were ever missed. The glasses had been edged with the poison. They would never know what was happening. A toast to their great fortune, a sip of the bubbly and they'd all be gone. The chest filled with gold coins and rare gems would have only one owner then - the rightful one. Only trouble was, she just had to remember which glass she hadn't put poison on.
eeny-meeny-miney-moe...which glass won't make me go. I hope she chooses the right one.
DeleteOh, dear...such ugliness in such beautiful surroundings! Serves her right if she picks the poisoned chalice! :)
DeleteWell done!
Mason Canyon: Love it. Perhaps she can just pretend to drink...
DeleteGreat story!!
DeleteThere is a mind after my own heart:-)
DeleteI love this take on this image
DeleteI'd like to vacation in the setting for the second photo. That's all I can think about today, EC.
ReplyDeletevacation? I'd like to live there :)
DeleteMarie Smith: It does look blissful doesn't it?
DeleteNot keen on teddies but they are not as bad as clowns.
DeleteMerle...............
Merlesworld: Some teddies are fine. Some teddies are lovely. Clowns? No. Just no.
Deletelet me tell you, you need a lot of money to stay there!!
DeletePretty sure I'd do much better with the second one. Unless you want a story where Teddy bears come alive and eat kids?
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: I am fine with the idea of vicious children eating teddy bears...
DeleteI went to all three of your blogs and could not find such a story. It sounded like it would be right up my alley. Like W.C. Fields who said he ..."liked children...barbecued."
DeleteAlex Yuo diappoint, no story found!
DeleteBoth say 'home' to me!
ReplyDeleteCloudia: Lucky you.
DeleteTwo such different images! This requires breakfast to wake up the brain.
ReplyDeleteRiver: They are very different aren't they? But both positive. In most of our heads...
Deletehaiku
ReplyDeleteHold me one more time
In the comfort of you arms
Promise of my youth
Martin Kloess: Another haiku? You are showing off. And somedays I would like to rest in my teddy's arms again.
DeleteLove a snugly Teddy Bear.
DeleteWe can always dream of Teddy hugs
DeleteInteresting.....here's my attempt....
ReplyDelete"The secluded, elaborate holiday home with its 180 degree view across an aquamarine-coloured ocean to the mainland beyond was a far cry from the humble, weather-beaten beach shack she and her brother spent their holidays when they were children.
The house consisted of six bedrooms, a media room, along with a separate two bedroom cottage for the caretakers/housekeepers.
Each bedroom in the main house had its own ensuite boasting gold-leaf tap/faucet fittings, quality tiles and marble flooring.
Their childhood shack hadn’t been much bigger than the walk-in pantry in the large, celebrity-style, open-plan kitchen.
As she sat out on the wide deck looking out to sea, her thoughts went back to the happy, simple days of her childhood; to the times spent with her beloved brother; of the joyful moments they’d shared.
Since his passing those wonderful times could only be revisited in her memories.
She opened her wallet. A tender smile gently teased as tears threatened to overflow down her cheeks. She carried the cherished photo of Tom and her wherever she went."
Lee: Memories of that beach shack are MUCH more precious than golden bathrooms aren't they? A lovely take.
DeleteVery nice memories Lee :)
DeleteYour mind spilled forth a loving tale. Again you show your talent.
Deletea story bringing out a precious memory
DeleteWhat a neat idea with the prompts! I want to live in the second picture or at least visit for a while. It's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteCherie Reich: It does look like a blissful spot doesn't it?
Deletebelieve me it is really beautiful, I have been there!
Delete'Why don't we take a Babymoon?' you said.
ReplyDelete'Your mother would love to have the twins for a weekend, and they love staying with her too.'
'A taste of luxury for us both before our next babies arrive next week..Sleeping under the stars, gourmet food, cocktails (mocktails for you), beautiful scenery. Our own slice of heaven.'
Yes please. And that is why I love you. I do hope that the luxury hotel includes a mechanical hoist to lift me off that bed in the mornings though. A beached whale is slimmer and more agile than I am at the moment. Triplets will do that to a girl...
Now I've got the song "Slice of Heaven" running through my mind! :)
DeleteWell done, EC....on both counts! :)
Good heavens! Twin and then triplets? I'd hope she doesn't become pregnant a third time and have quads (*~*)
DeleteThe Babymoon is a lovely idea though.
Wow, you embraced both photos. Good job my friend.
DeleteAwww, loved it! Kudos.
DeleteGood heavens. She must have been enornous. Love the story Sue
DeleteI am so much more inspired by words than a visual prompt. I am going to sit this out and just enjoy everyone else!
ReplyDeleteAnne in the kitchen: Not a problem. Different prompts take us different ways.
DeleteI received the most awesome little package in the mail today! It absolutely made my day! Thank you so very much. I have ordered something for you and I am hoping that you actually get it in 2016. Canada Post is so slow. xo
ReplyDeleteBirdie: I am so glad. I have found some more too. I am having a lot of fun with this.
DeleteYou are so awesome! xo :-)
DeleteI love the prompts and would try to write something, but I am so tired tonight. maybe later.
ReplyDeleteGlenda Council Beall: I hope you do get the chance later - and a good night's sleep.
DeleteNice, evocative prompts to choose from. I really enjoyed reading Mason and Lee's stories.
ReplyDeleteThank you, EC.
Rawknrobyn: I really liked Mason and Lee's use of the prompts too. Some day you will join us too. The second image in particular would lend itself to your erotic verse.
DeleteBoth prompts give me a little something: worry about how my writing brain operates. In short:
ReplyDelete1) Deadly teddy bears
2) Cuban Drug lords
Robert Bennett: And your problem is?
DeleteHa, ha, ha, ha,...my kind of stories. LOL
Deleteshort but not so sweet!
DeleteI haven't given this a single thought since I was here this morning. A friend has just moved into the flats here and I've been helping with the unpacking. Four hours and the stack of boxes is barely dented :( I'm going back tomorrow. I'm a bit jealous, his kitchen is three times the size of mine.
ReplyDeleteRiver: You must be very, very tired. I am looking forward to seeing your creation on Friday.
DeleteDidn't knew this kind of blog ;) Thanks for sharing ;)
ReplyDeleteMarco Silva: It is fun, and some day I hope you will join us.
DeleteBoth of these photos are great.
ReplyDeleteRick Watson: They are aren't they? Margaret and her friend Sue found some stunners.
DeleteCan you write a story about wither of them Rick?
DeleteHi EC - wonderful photos ... but neither appeal for a story line - those kids look full of character, while the setting would be out of this world ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: Isn't it interesting the different things which do set our minds to work?
Deletemy short story is scheduled to appear on my blog on Friday 23rd, I hope you'll all pop over to read it.
ReplyDeletehttp://river-driftingthroughlife.blogspot.com.au
River: As always I look forward to it.
DeleteThis is a big challenge. Will give it my best very soon but I am going to have to ponder for a while.
ReplyDeleteGranny Annie: Happy pondering.
Deleteall I know is a wish I was in the second one for about a month, maybe forever
ReplyDeleteLinda Starr: That image stirred up a lot of longing didn't it?
DeleteGreat photos.
ReplyDeleteWOuldn't it be lovely to visit the second one!!!!!! That's one of my dreams.
Sonya Ann: You are so not alone. It looks lovely, but I prefer to be closer to the water.
DeleteAnd indeed I did visit it becasue that is how I got this shot to share on this prompt!
Delete-nothing profound to say on my end. My first thought when seeing the 1st picture was: those teddy bears are human-sized!
ReplyDeleteBea: They are very, very big aren't they?
Deleteyes and when I bought them many years ago for my own children (these are my grand children) and brought them home in my car, they sat up like humans and many people had to take a second look to makae sure what they were seeing!!!
DeleteWhat an interesting idea - Those are huge teddy bears, our grandsons have some like that - they almost require their own room haha - the other picture makes me wish I was there!
ReplyDeleteSaimi: Welcome. You have some very lucky grandsons.
DeleteThe summerhouse is indeed their own room and they are very happy and contented living there.
DeleteOh I love the coziness of the first picture and the California in the 70s feel of the !2nd picture!
ReplyDeleteDawn@Lighten Up!: Margaret tells me the second photo is of a resort here in Oz. More luxurious than I suspect I will ever experience.
DeleteSomewhere in my trunk of poems I have a poem about a teddy bear.
ReplyDeleteRasma Raisters: Perhaps you can find it - or write another.
DeleteBusy - busy , preoccupied with domestic scenario.
ReplyDeleteVest: I am sorry. I hope all goes well.
DeleteGreat photos, but at the moment neither has jumped up and smacked my muse upside the head with an idea.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: Next week is soon enough.
DeleteLove those prompt photos.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: They are stunning photos aren't they?
DeleteThis is the story from Sue, who helped with the prompts this week.
ReplyDeleteAs I looked through my mothers photographs, I stopped at one of me with my best friend Tim cuddling up to a pair of huge teddy bears. Whenever life was difficult or scary we went to the summerhouse and cuddled up to the bears and somehow life didn't seem so bad or problems insurmountable.
Even as we grew up the bears and the summerhouse called to us.
Eventually life took us in separate directions but we never quite lost contact altogether. Tim became a doctor and I went into teaching
I was looking through my mothers belongings after she had passed away. I felt very overwhelmed and alone and somehow was drawn once again, to the summerhouse.
Surely they couldn't still be there? But there they were. I sat down, cuddled in and sobbed.
Suddenly the light faded and I felt someone looked down at me. Oh surely it couldn't be? But it was. Tim was there.
I cuddled the teddy and Tim cuddled me.
As I dug my arms deeper into the teddy bears I found an envelope tucked between them with mine and Tim's names in mums handwriting, inside was money and a letter.
'don't be sad' she wrote 'I am with dad and the angels. I just know Tim will find you, you two are fated to be together. I want you to buy two tickets to somewhere hot, sit on the beach, have a beach massage, hold hands, and laugh, always remember to laugh '
It was as though we had never been apart, the years just melted away.
So here we are, sitting on a beach just as mum wanted, holding hands and laughing, but probably not quite as much as the cabin staff did when they found out that two of their passengers turned out to be big teddy bears.
Sue: I love this. Margaret tells me that you are about to holiday somewhere warm. I hope you have someone to laugh with while you are away.
DeleteWonderful story that I shall share with my niece who is a collector of Teddy Bears. She will love the story too.
DeleteAas always sue I love the way you write and I was not expecting the ending. great stuff
DeleteThis is one of my stories. I have to say, although Sue adn I sent this shot of mone in for the prompt, I struggled to make a story about it so here is my shot at it.
ReplyDeleteLet me introduce myself. I am Honey and my sister is called Maple and we were abandoned when we were only 6 weeks old. We are called Kermode bears and are very special as there are not many of us left in the wild. We were found by a lovely couple called George and Mildred who decided to adopt us, with the hope they could return us to our wild environment. However we have other ideas on that score and Maple and I decided we would prefer to remain in the safely and comfort of their large range.
We are also known as ‘spirit bears’ and although in this shot we look like a pair of stuffed bears, we had the ability to change into real bears at a moment’s notice. These other 2 guys in this shot were our best friends, the couples 2 children and it was only with them we went off and had adventures on the ranch. They would pack a picnic with our favourite honey sandwiches and then we would let them ride on our backs as we made our way into the woods often to play hide and seek. We had so much fun as these children were growing up and missed them both were they got married. However now, their children come to visit us and we have a new generation to have adventures with. We are getting a bit old now and slower but the can still let the children ride on our backs.
Margaret Adamson: I would love to know a spirit bear. So much.
DeleteWonderful tale. I believe I knew those bears when I was a child.
DeleteAwe.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: They gave us some lovely photos didn't they?
DeleteThis was certainly interesting and challenging to have pictures instead of words. I used the second picture with this story post on my blog.
ReplyDeleteJUNGLE FEVER by Granny Annie
The island could be seen across the ocean in the fog. The jungle that surrounded us was less appealing, though the elegant hotel made up for the massive foliage that surrounded us.
We sipped our drinks in the shade and despite all the beauty we look forward to going home. The travel agent had not said the mosquitoes and other jungle infestations and animals would feel so threatening. It would still be days before the boat returned to pick us up.
The third day dawned and we could hear a soft distant drum beat. It was echoing through the forest. The rhythm of the sounds grew louder and closer. The employees and other guests of the hotel begin to scurry around. They grabbed their belongings and moved in a panic toward the exit. We were totally confused about what was about to happen. We had not yet seen the swarm of pygmy warriors descending on our hotel. These natives were armed with spears, knives and poison blow darts. They had shrunken heads as decorations on what little clothing they wore.
Our tour guides had assured us this was a safe place for a vacation. Those tour guides had already disappeared with the fleeing guests. My husband noticed two large baskets and quickly turned one over me and told me to crouch down as he turned the other over himself and we quietly stayed hidden against the wall.
It took several hours for the carnage to end. We could barely breath and did not even whisper to each other. My husband finally determined it would be safe for us to vacate our basket havens.
We were at the water's edge the last few days waiting for the boat. There was never a more glorious sight than the appearance of our rescue transport arriving to pick us up. We shared the story of what happened to the others. We were so very happy to be able to escape this island and return home.
The boat moved away from the shore but nor before we heard the drums once more and rejoiced that we were just out of the range of spears and darts being hurled toward us.
Granny Annie: Love the results of your pondering. Lots.
DeleteWow. Great story. You got a lot from that picture!
ReplyDeleteA great story but scary!
ReplyDeleteThat first picture makes me smile.
ReplyDeleteThe Happy Whisk: They are huge bears aren't they? And obviously much loved.
Delete"Where can we place these?", asked Karen, looking around at their one bedroom apartment.
ReplyDelete"I have no idea, but they have been here for years.." Mark sighed. "We'll give them two more months, and then we will pass them on to your brother, Bill. He has a studio."
"He has always loved Sarah and Dave. The twins will love living there."
"What about our bears?"
"Our bears can sleep under the dining room table. With the twins gone, we'll have more than enough room."
Susan Kane: Love it. I suspect I would have been a better bear mama than I would to human children.
DeleteLove yuo Teddy story
DeleteLovely situation in the first photo.
ReplyDeleteorvokki: It is isn't it? And Margaret tells us that these are her grandbabies.
DeleteI wouldn't mind a vacation to the second picture right about now. Hearing the ocean and relaxing would be ideal. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
DMS ~ Jess: You are not alone. That photo filled a lot of people with longing.
Delete