This
meme was started by Delores a long time ago. Week after week she
provided us with challenging prompts. 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 were to be provided by Jacqueline aka The Cranky on her blog. Sadly Jacqueline has had a stroke and is unable to participate. Even sadder, it now seems unlikely she will be able to rejoin us. My heart aches for her and for those who love her. It seems so unfair that she was hit with this just when she was turning her life around.
So I am providing this month's prompts here.
This weeks prompts are:
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 were to be provided by Jacqueline aka The Cranky on her blog. Sadly Jacqueline has had a stroke and is unable to participate. Even sadder, it now seems unlikely she will be able to rejoin us. My heart aches for her and for those who love her. It seems so unfair that she was hit with this just when she was turning her life around.
So I am providing this month's prompts here.
This weeks prompts are:
- cheerful
- caravan
- some
- gossip
- crossfire
- group
And/or
- freaky
- error
- afterlife
- decade
- end
- cruise
And a random image to go with the random words.
Have fun.
Our group traveled along in a caravan, cheerfully gossiping about some past childhood transgressions. All of a sudden we were caught in a crossfire as we were cruising along. We'd turned down the wrong road and found ourselves in a freaky situation and realized too late the error of our ways. All we could think of was that after a decade of friendship, we might all come to an end and never see each other again except in the afterlife.
ReplyDeleteLinda Starr: I do hope that this is merely a story to be added to those told at get togethers.
DeleteHi EC - I'm so sorry to read about Jacqueline - my thoughts go out to her and particularly to her family.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the dusty winds of the caravan stretching across the desert … the different ethnic groups travelling together to the rendezvous … the cheerful murmur of Arabic traders and pilgrims as their camels transport them to the oasis. Some of the groups will bicker, but it is to be hoped that there will be no crossfire.
Images of a stained glass window … lovely – cheers Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: Love your image of the different ethnic groups travelling in relative harmony.
DeletePure beauty of picture.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: Thank you. I took it looking through the frosted glass in the ensuite one night.
DeleteLove the photo but can't seem to put it with any of the words.
ReplyDeleteA freaky error some years back had sent him to the afterlife. He knew it would be decades before he would reach the end of this judgement. If only he had listened to his nagging wife and not went on that reality daredevil ghostly cruise.
Mason Canyon: Love it. Some times nagging wives ARE right. Which must be so frustrating.
DeleteThat is such a great photo!
ReplyDeleteMarie Smith: Thank you.
Deleteooh! I have an idea already
ReplyDeleteRiver: I am looking forward to reading it. Rather a lot.
DeleteThe random image is lovely!
ReplyDeletePerhaps, one day, I might join this word-prompt thing. But I'm battling with some words of my own and am too easily side-tracked...
But I enjoy some of your results
dinahmow: When you are ready. I enjoy the results too.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI deleted my previous posting because I'd failed to make reference to the image...I think you might see where I've now included it...
ReplyDelete"I know this probably sounds FREAKY to you, but unlike many others I’ve never wanted to go on a CRUISE. It’s the way I am...who I am. So, no, it’s not on my bucket list.
To me there is absolutely nothing alluring about any aspect of being stuck on board a ship. SOME might say I’m a boring, dull person because I have no interest in travelling or even taking holidays. I’m a homebody. Home is where I feel most at ease; where I am most CHEERFUL.
Others can say what they think as they gather together in a GROUP to GOSSIP over something about which they have absolutely no understanding or knowledge...namely me.
I might not fit into their social circle, but then, I’ve never had any desire to do so.
Purposely and willingly I stand outside of the circle. Somehow I still manage to get caught in the CROSSFIRE of their petty nonsense. One would think they’d have more interesting matters to discuss than how I choose to live my life. Oh, well...who am I to interfere with their pleasure.
I gave up trying to fathom people DECADEs ago. In the END it is my happiness and peace of mind that matters. I have to live my life as I see fit...for me.
I learned long ago that John Donne wasn’t entirely on the money when he said – “No man is an island”. Perhaps that sentiment applies to man, but not to me, a woman. In the still of the night I’m content to sit alone at my window watching moonbeams dance on the gently swaying tree branches. I don’t need the presence of another or others to make me feel fulfilled.
Many years ago I made a huge ERROR when I agreed to go on a CARAVAN trip. I learned a lot from that month-long trip. The most important lesson was not to take everything, including the kitchen sink with you when going on such a jaunt!
The next journey I’ll be taking is to the AFTERLIFE, I suppose. I’ll be travelling light. Then again, I don’t believe in that, either."
Lee: All of us will travel light on that final journey. The Egyptian pharoahs might have taken it with them, but they didn't get to keep it.
DeleteA cruise has always struck me as a foretaste of hell (speaking of the afterlife).
Lee; I like this, it describes me quite a lot too, although I wouldn't mind going on a cruise, it's possible to keep to yourself there too.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteLee, I liked it too There isn't a cruise listed on my bucket list either.
DeleteWell done! I'm another one of those weirdos who is perfectly happy at home, and has no desire to go on a cruise. I enjoy adventures, (and with the right attitude, just about anything can be an adventure) but home means contentment.
DeleteHow sad to learn about Jacqueline. Everything was going along so well for her, too. Life...none of us know what is around the corner.
ReplyDeleteSo sad...my positive thoughts and very best wishes go out to her and her loved ones.
Lee: It is desperately sad.
DeleteCheerful was the mood they set
ReplyDeleteA caravan of men engaged in some gossip
They soon met the crossfire of a group of women
Trying to outdo them
Martin Kloess: Gossip at ten paces... I wonder who will win.
Deleteoh to be a fly on the wall :)
DeleteI wonder.
ReplyDeleteAs this, perhaps my final decade, slips by and I cruise towards the end of my life, will there be an afterlife?
As this door shuts, will a window open and I be ushered out of this one, into golden sparkle laden glory?
Or will I merely sleep that long sleep, with no disturbances?
Some consider it freaky, but my preference is for the end to be final. And only time will tell whether I am in error.
That is indeed something to ponder, E.C. Well done!
DeleteIf I go first, EC....I'll send you an email and let you know what is going on out there...if anything! :)
Deleteyes, please, Lee, let us know if you can.
Deleteam I the only one who sees the silhouettes under the tree waiting for the newly released soul?
It could be a couple of prowlers lurking about, River! ;)
DeleteYou seem to be very sure I'll be first to go! lol
Not at all sure, but I am sure that whoever goes first will let us know what to expect when it is our turn.
DeleteWow, EC. This one is perfect for the season, at least here, going into winter when everything dies back. Really makes you think.
DeleteA powerful, thought-inspiring entry for today's words. Don't we all want to find out?
DeleteOlga Godim: Thank you. I am content to wait.
DeleteLovely. I think we all wonder as we get older, but I, too, am perfectly content to wait until the answer is revealed to me. Or not.
DeleteThanks for the prompts, they took me somewhere unexpected but surprisingly therapeutic today! :o)
ReplyDeleteHappy Writing to all
HBF: I am so glad. I will be along to read in a little.
Deleteme too :)
DeleteThis was her new reality. Living in a caravan. One tiny step up from being 'trailer trash'. Leah shuddered. She had no choice. Her job, her marriage, her home were all gone.
ReplyDeleteSome two weeks later, she laughed. The group of women in the caravan park kept her cheerful. Yes, there was gossip. Lots of gossip. And a crossfire of banter which started at first light. There was also no pretence, and no 'keeping up with the Jones', and no stress. Leah had landed on her feet.
Sounds like Leah has found a good place. She's strong and a survivor. I like her!!
DeleteI like the group Leah has found herself in. So nice to be able to just 'be'.
DeleteNow this one is definitely an upper. I'm glad Leah has landed on her feet and is happy. Kudos on both.
DeleteLove this tiny story. Very perky and full of hope.
DeleteLove it! There's always light at the end of the tunnel for people who don't give up and are willing to find joy again. (And if we're very lucky, that light isn't the headlight of an approaching train. HA)
DeleteWhy am I humming the tune "I WILL SURVIVE"? Hooray Leah:-)
DeleteReLly interesting post love.and have a.greAt day
ReplyDeleteGosia k: Thank you. And to you.
DeleteThese words have inspired chapter nine of the Old Billy the Tracker story, which is scheduled to appear on Friday 14th at Drifting Through Life.
ReplyDeleteRiver: Good. I really like that story.
DeleteLots of possibilities with this selection. If I come up with something I'll put it on my blog.
ReplyDeleteonly slightly confused: I hope you can, I always love your take on the prompts.
Deletelove your random image :O)
ReplyDeleteAuthor R. Mac Wheeler: Thank you.
DeleteI'm really feeling the random image. NICE!
ReplyDeleteSonya Ann: Where is that image taking you?
DeleteOoh! That image is kind of freaky. Pairing that with the words, you could get a pretty crazy outcome.
ReplyDeleteCrystal Collier: Freaky? I would love to see your crazy outcome.
DeleteThose words just conjure up a story! This cheerful word prompt starts some kind of literary caravan of imagination and poetry. Lets hope idle prattle and random group gossip doesnt sweep us up in the crossfire or words! - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
ReplyDeleteGingi Freeman: Love it. Thank you for joining us.
DeleteThis time, I used the picture for my little snippet, together with one series of words: CHEERFUL, CARAVAN, SOME, GOSSIP, CROSSFIRE, GROUP.
ReplyDelete~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The night forest outside our CARAVAN window looked freaky; darkness streaked with mysterious dancing lights.
“Like a firework down here,” said Emily in a dreamy voice.
Firework? I restrained my derision with difficulty. Of course, for her, everything was rosy and CHEERFUL. Her entire life had been one big holiday, while for me, with my army past, the GROUP of fairies whizzing among the branches looked like a scene of a CROSSFIRE fight.
“Did you hear the latest GOSSIP, darling?” Emily asked, oblivious to my gloomy musings. “The government has finished their negotiations with the fairies. They’ll get full access to our world.” She seemed bubbly with excitement.
I sighed. SOME people are just too naive for their own good. “And what do we get out of this negotiation?”
“Treatment for many mental conditions. Depression. PTSD. Like yours. I volunteered for the test trial.” She smiled and opened the caravan door.
Before I processed her words, the lights buzzed in and swarmed me.
Olga Godim: I love this. And would love to read more. Both the back story, and the future.
DeleteI also love this and wonder where the future will take them as the fairies enter their world.
DeleteTerrific!
Deletecheerful
ReplyDeletecaravan
some
gossip
crossfire
group
Coming so soon after getting caught in the crossfire, Martin and Felix thought that they could not find something cheerful to smile about. How wrong they were! Gossip is always at hand to lend two men in a trench some banter and light-hearted humour. The group had left a caravan behind and both men tried to imagine what had gone on there while they were out on the front.
Greetings from London.
A Cuban in London: Thank you for joining us. And how nice to read about men enjoying a gossip.
DeleteI love the random image! It is fascinating. I like the word choices too. I am tired right now, so I don't know that I will write my own- but I do enjoy reading them too. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
DMS ~ Jess: I enjoy reading them too. Often much more than creating something from them. I am very glad you liked my random image. It was shot through a frosted glass window one evening.
DeleteDue to a freaky error of the afterlife, I must spend a decade at the very end of a cruise...forever docking but never reaching the shore.
ReplyDeleteRobert Bennett: Big smiles. Given the way I feel about cruises that sounds like hell.
DeleteDefinitely hell, but limited to a decade is far better than eternity.
DeleteOoh, love the imagery!
DeleteSounds like fun to make a story with those words. Life is sometimes hard, sorry to hear your friend had a stroke. Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteValerie-Jael: Welcome and thank you. And yes, life is sometimes hard. Too hard.
DeleteI had a freaky end to my life. After decade long booze fest, I passed out into my linguine bowl and kicked the bucket while on a cruise. Now I found out Death, that dumb shmuck, took me too early resulting in an error. They are now trying to find a new body for me to inhabit.....I hope that body has a good liver.... my humble attempt:) how wonderful to be showcased over at Sandra's blog...very sweet.
ReplyDeleteBirgit: Love it. Passed out in the linguine is NOT the way I want to go. Thank you for joining us.
DeleteHA! Love the humor in this.
DeleteHa. Ha. Too funny, Birgit. What a sense of humor.
ReplyDeleteGood job!
Sandra Cox: It was wasn't it? Thank you for sending Birgit over to play.
DeleteA freaky decade long error forces you to cruise into the afterlife with no end in sight!
ReplyDeletePat Hatt: Welcome. A decade long error is a scary thought.
DeleteA freaky caravan filled with ghosts.... hmm sounds like it would fit right in in my Halcyon Beach.
ReplyDeleteKathleen Valentine: It might at that...
DeleteThanks so much for your visit to my blog. Coming here is always a treat, and under different circumstances, I too would participate in writing about a common prompt, and reading each participant's take on a subject. Perhaps in the near future I might give it a go.
ReplyDeleterosaria williams: You have much more on your plate than writing prompts at the moment. I hope you can join us. Soon.
DeleteLove that photo!
ReplyDeleteLady Fi: Thank you.
DeleteThat random image looks magical.
ReplyDeleteLux G.: Thank you. I thought it looked magical too.
DeleteThanks EC for the great words and picture. Once again this was a fun challenge and mine is also posted on my blog.
ReplyDeleteRIGHT OR WRONG by Granny Annie
They began their CHEERFUL CARAVAN. Their campground was selected in a secluded and wooded area. Everyone loved the way the moon flickered through the trees.
All was well until the close GROUP began to gab and GOSSIP around the campfire.. Of course in this darkness the subject of ghosts had to come up. SOME members got more than a little FREAKY as the casual topic turned to the AFTERLIFE. Many were adamant in pointing out more than one ERROR in the thinking of another. You could always tell who was in the CROSSFIRE.
Their last gathering had been over a DECADE ago. Then they had gone on a CRUISE and enjoyed their time together. But, sadly, following these heated discussions in the forest, everyone knew this would be their last time the would go anywhere together.
Not a one of the once friendly crowd noticed the black shadows that began to move closer and closer into their tiny circle.
The END (in oh so many ways...)
Granny Annie: My parents told me never to argue about religion or politics. It seems that the argument blocked a clear and present danger from this group. Love it.
DeleteThis is my friends' Sue first story
ReplyDeleteWoah! Hold the phone!
That was FREAKY.
I was on the Internet looking for a holiday, somewhere hot, possibly a nice CRUISE when I must have hit a key in ERROR.
Now I have no idea which key it was but I know it took me to a site called AFTERLIFE Holidays and the motto was 'come with us and END up where it's always hot'
Odd, I though to myself, but being a bit of a adventurous soul I moved the cursor and clicked.
'It's the experience you've prayed for, for the last DECADE click here for the start of your adventure in the heat'. So I did, and that's when the gas boiler exploded and the house fell on me.
It's not the holiday I was looking for but it certainly is an afterlife and hot.
Margaret Adamson: Sue always manages to inject humour into her stories. An amazing talent.
DeleteThis is my friends' second story.
ReplyDeleteIt was the 1950's and because we had a dog, we always had a CARAVAN holiday at Bracklesham Bay at the Redskins Caravan Site.
I thought it was amazing, it was near the sea and had SOME sand dunes to run up and down, sheer heaven for a child born during the war years and parents were happy to let the children loose in the world.
The caravans were small, wooden and painted in CHEERFUL colours. There were was no running water and the "facilities' were in a small block building across the field. There were several small fields of these caravans cheerfully called Wigwam, Gunsmoke, Apache, Dodge City and my personal favourite CROSSFIRE, so called because all the paths from the caravans crossed there.
All the caravans had gas lighting and gas stoves and were probably lethal.
At night all the Redskins, would gather in a GROUP at the club house , or the Fort as it was imaginatively called and GOSSIP about the war, the camp or each other. Most of the adults smoked and drunk as was the custom and then stagger back to the caravan where beds were pulled out of cupboards and bedding suddenly appeared from under benches and usually a deck of cards magically appeared.
The kids were tucked up or just left where they fell asleep. The dog was shoved outside for the final 'squeeze' of the day, and the party continued.
I am in my 70's now, but my memories of the Redskins holidays are as fresh as if it were yesterday and even now when I am invited to to visit my friends' old caravan. I am transported straight back - happy days, happy childhood.
Margaret Adamson: I take it back. She doesn't always inject humour - but she does give us a fresh and amazing take on the prompts. Thank you both.
DeleteThis is a true story Sue and it is my old caravan, when she visits it that brings out all these memories. I am having a bit of a break from writing.
DeleteMargaret Adamson: I look forward to your return to writing, but understand that life gets in the way.
DeleteIt seems that you and Sue have been friends for many years - which is lovely.
Happy writing!
ReplyDelete