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 Vest at his blog. He has not yet put up the prompts, or responded to my email so I am stepping in for this week at least. I do hope that he and his wife are ok.
If he does put up a post, then we will just have more words to play with.
This week's 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 Vest at his blog. He has not yet put up the prompts, or responded to my email so I am stepping in for this week at least. I do hope that he and his wife are ok.
If he does put up a post, then we will just have more words to play with.
This week's prompts are:
- protest
- burden
- pattern
- reckless
- hopscotch
- camel
And/or
- crown
- locust
- blast
- first
- grabbing
- old
I am sorry to be late to the party. Have fun.
I was just about to email you and see if you knew anything about Vest, I know his wife is not well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for these words.
River: Life seems to have got in their way, as it does for all of us. Words for Wednesday will be here this month.
DeleteThough I protest and blame everyone else, I know deep down in my gut that I bear the burden of my own insanity before I have a party or house guests. It is a familiar pattern I follow every time and Iaunch with some sort of reckless abandon into a frenzied cleaning mode starting at the tip top of the house and working my way down. I mean, it is realistic to think overnight guests might feel the need to play an energetic game of hopscotch in the attic, right. One chore after another and I rush areound the house sweeping, mopping, dusting and then I decide I need to rearrange furniture, but nothing like moving a night stand from one side of he bed to the other. Oh hell no, I am not content until I am moving entire rooms from one floor to the other. I have decided the next time I have guests, i need to borrow a pack mule or a camel, or maybe just hire a cleaning service and sit on the chaise and have a drink while it all gets done for me. Decisions, decisions!
ReplyDeleteAnne in the kitchen: I love it. And plead guilty. House guests send me into a frenzy too. A silly frenzy. Here's to raising a glass next time round. A leisurely glass.
DeleteI love it too, although the frenzy doesn't happen here. Guests for dinner have me making reservations at the nearest hotel which is 5 minutes walk down the road. Mind you, that doesn't mean I don't go crazy rearranging furniture (*~*)
DeleteI love it three :) This is me to a "T" ... my excuse is that my mom always did it this way too ...
DeleteBravo, bravo! Loved this story so much.
DeleteLove this! You certainly nailed my house:)
DeleteGood words to make a story from - no haven't done so as yet :)
ReplyDeleteMargaret-whiteangel: I hope you will.
Deleteyes, please have a go.
DeleteThank you for your lovely email. I can use all the hugs and concern I can get! He is home and relaxed for the moment. Have to medicate him for two weeks, so taking things day by day...Hugs to you, too.
ReplyDeletee: I am so pleased that Jacob is home again. Look after yourself as well as him.
DeleteAnd right here, this is the best about blogging. Healing wishes to you both :-)
DeleteGood news that we hoped for.
DeleteI'm glad the Words for Wednesday is back here. Now I'm thinking about them... Will come back when/if I have a story for at least one set.
ReplyDeleteOlga Godim: The words will be here all this month, and I am really looking forward to seeing what you make of them.
DeleteMe too.
DeleteHi EC - here 'tis:
ReplyDeleteThe brain protests, and is burdened by yet another chore, there used to be a pattern of intent over this feckless season … but now a reckless abandon greets me … why do I seem to do it all … and the rest of the family go about their normal lives.
Why is this grey mass playing hopscotch, when those I believe I love are out in their camel coats cavorting carols giving enjoyment to others …
… why me? Don’t protest my blogging buddy … unburden your life, do less, join in … and let a pattern of happiness resume its place in your life.
I'm sure many feel this way sometimes ... cheers and Happy Festive Season to one and all .. Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: Yes. I am pretty certain that a LOT of us feel this way. And cheers to doing less. And the resumption of happiness.
DeleteLess is more, as the saying goes. And doing less is so relaxing.
DeleteYou are so right...we often feel the same. Great job on the use of the words.
DeleteThis was great!
DeleteSeth was First in the land and wore the crown. He was king, and a good king. King of all; the old, the young, and all creatures from the locust to the crocodile.
ReplyDeleteSmall hands were grabbing for Jezzicle's harness. The camel moaned in protest. He was a beast of burden, yes, but games? Children's games???
There was nothing in the Camel's Etiquette Bible that said he had to obey the smallest of two-legs even if his father was king, and Jezz's legs were just not built to play hopscotch. Besides, if he so much as made the attempt it would set a pattern, and Abdul's demands would become more reckless and less achievable.
Jezz made his decision. He looked down his elegant nose, shook his head and spat. And waited for the blast of rage from the tiny tyrant beneath him...
eeuuww, camel spit! I can feel Abdul's rage building to a tantrum as I type. Great story!
DeleteWay to go Jezzicle. Sometimes you just have to stand up for yourself. :)
DeleteHa, ha, ha...Now we have to wonder what thoughts fill the heads of the camels at the zoo that try to spit on us. Bless their hearts and Jessicle's:-) Loved it EC.
DeleteLove this, EC :) I wish we knew what animals think. I think I wish that, anyway.
Deletejenny_o: I am pretty certain that some days I would not be flattered.
DeleteWhat a perfect fairy tale. This was grand, EC!
DeleteMy story will appear on my blog on Friday as always, I hope you will all come over and read it.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I will be there. And am already looking forward to it.
DeleteYou know I will be there with bells on:-)
DeleteHis protest went unheard. Did they not know what a burden it was for him to continue this pattern week after week. It was reckless on their part. He would not play hopscotch one more time just to get through the camel dung to his office.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: I am so pleased you found the time to join us this week. Camel dung on the way to the office? Eeeeuw.
DeleteJust where does this guy work? Hopping through camel dung??? Wonderful use of all the words in quick fashion. Loved it.
DeleteGreat job, Mason. Enjoyed it!
DeleteGood selection, thanks. I'll get to work on them. You might suggest to your participants that it is possible to pre schedule these WfW posts....I have mine for February all ready to go.
ReplyDeleteOkay...here we go....
Delete"Dad, I really have to protest. You can't carry this burden in a random pattern doing a hopscotch all around the world. It's reckless is what it is and Rudy is not a camel. He needs water stops (among other things). Now, what are you going to do about it?"
"Holly this system has worked for over 200 years and I haven't heard Rudy complaining."
"Okay fine, you leave me no choice. Come on Rudy The first thing we're doing is dumping this old 'blast from the past' you call a sleigh and grabbing us a new model. The Locust 350 has gps, heated seats and driving reins, a cocoa warmer and an extra capacity storage space. Christmas Eve it's you and me old man...we'll see who wears the crown for speedy, accurate and dependable toy delivery. Uh, I need to borrow the sleigh to go into town."
only slightly confused: Seasonal, and brilliant. Yay Holly.
Deleteand funny :)
DeleteSuch a timely story. Glad Rudy will get some relief this year. Loved your use of the words.
DeleteWhat a perfect story for Christmas!
DeleteThe party begins when you arrive! Good luck all you clever people
ReplyDeleteCloudia: Some day you will join us oh clever one...
DeleteOh now I am worried about Vest too. May be more problems with his wife after her disappearance. I hope he is alright. Thanks for stepping up for the words. Good ones!
ReplyDeleteGrannie Annie: Vest has some medical issues of his own, and is in the throes of moving house. I think he is a bit overwhelmed, but hope that he and Rosemary are doing better.
DeleteThe CAMEL grunted in PROTEST as I placed the heavy, cumbersome pack on his back. I'd had the creature for years and our daily routine had fallen into a familiar PATTERN. I levered myself up in front of the pack, picked up the reins and thumped my heels against his sides. With another groan, he rose to his feet, much like a carpenter's ruler unfolding. As we started forward, the dog, mangy and thin, ran in RECKLESS circles between his hooves,in a crazy game of four-legged HOPSCOTCH.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: Love it - but am feeling very sorry for your camel.
DeleteWell didn't you do an amazing job Sandra! Loved it. I can just see the dog running through the camel's legs.
DeleteThanks, EC and Granny Annie.
DeleteNot to worry, EC, he will be well fed and rested at the end of his journey:)
Having no imagination and not seeing the word "cat" on the list, I guess I'll have to go sit in the corner and cry.
ReplyDeleteSnowbrush: I suspect you are a stranger to the truth and have plenty of imagination. And hope you find some things of interest while you are weeping in the corner.
DeleteThe camel protested the heavy burden of a reckless girl in a patterned dress playing hopscotch on his back.
ReplyDeleteHey, I did it!
Alex J. Cavanaugh: You did. And remarkably succinctly too.
DeleteYep, you did it and you did it very well.
DeleteWoo Hoo, Alex!
DeleteI'm into crowns these days:
ReplyDeleteThe crown settled gently on his head, a perfect fit just as it had always been. Yet when he eased from his throne and stood, it tipped to one side. Grabbing it quickly to put it right, the old man staggered a bit at first, then strode in measured steps toward the balcony. As he pulled open the tall glass paned doors, a blast of winter chill caught his breath, and for a moment, he stood stunned by the sharpness of it. The memories of other days buzzed like locust in his head, and he hesitated in wonder at the beauty spread before him. Surely, there would be other beauty awaiting. Not here, of course. Then he plummeted to the earth.
cleemckenzie: Oooh. Unexpected. Beautiful. And very, very sad. I hope he finds the beauty he seeks.
DeleteYikes! Poor fellow. I feel so sad. Good job Clee.
DeleteOh my, I didn't see that one coming.
DeleteI am so exhausted today, so these have been entertaining for me. I have had a long week and actually thought today was Thursday, so I am off a bit. :) Always love seeing what people put together with the words. Such a variety.
ReplyDelete~Jess
DMS ~ Jess: If it helps at all, it IS Thursday here now. I hope you are a little less tired, and I agree, the variety is always fun.
DeleteI do hope everything is okay with Vest and his wife. Such a worrying time for him.
ReplyDeleteHere's my tale for today...
"At FIRST glance, I thought I was seeing things; and then, looking more closely through the fog I thought it was a CAMEL, the beast of BURDEN. To my surprise, on a closer inspection, of course, it wasn’t a camel at all!
Finally, when I could see clearly, I saw the distinct PATTERN - it was a giraffe!
The children who had been playing the OLD-fashioned game of HOPSCOTCH on the nearby footpath started running around GRABBING each other with joy. They’d never seen such a sight before; neither had I! What a BLAST!
The haughty-looking giraffe was tossing its head about in PROTEST at a pesky LOCUST that insisted on being RECKLESS, annoyingly buzzing around the CROWN of the giraffe’s head.
Oh, how I wanted to leap up onto the back of the truck bearing the beautiful giraffe and chase the cheeky locust away."
Lee: I would be blown away to see either a camel OR a giraffe. And both can look haughty. Great use of the words.
DeleteVest is a bit overwhelmed, but I hope he and Rosemary are ok(ish).
Wow all 12 words. Great job Lee...as always.
DeleteThanks, EC and Annie.
DeleteI always set the stop-watch on these great little exercises. I try to create them in 10 to 15 minutes...15 mins being the cut-off point. Just a test I give myself! :)
The camel doth protest too much,
ReplyDeleteasks for his share of tent
‘It’s too cold to play hopscotch
outside at any event.
The burden of four legs is such -
reckless, or circumspect,
and if they’re long, all four must touch
the ground or else be wrecked.
Please raise the flap just one notch
it won’t disturb the pattern
of cobalt blue and butterscotch.
The sun means sunburn
and the night knows only to clutch
to itself all comfort -
the service out here is not top notch
lifting the flap won’t hurt.’
But the tent owner knows her Aesop
says ‘stay there’ and lets the flap drop.
Or was it Grimm or Anderson? -
at any rate she knows the lesson.
Keep legs and nose that side of flap -
camels, or that smarmy chap.
Nilanjana Bose: Love it.
DeleteI am thinking of Kipling here. Your camel (your poor camel) has a right to say HUMPH. As many times as it takes to grow a hump.
Love it, love it. What a great poet you are and what great use of the Words For Wednesday. Clever mind.
DeleteOh, nicely done :)
DeleteThank you, ladies :)
DeleteEC, I loved Just-so Stories too! Staple re-read :)
Nilanjana Bose: Snap. And my insatiable curtiosity is why I am the Elephant's child.
DeleteDitto to all the remarks above! :)
DeleteThe old Crown blasted the locust-shaped bullets to the pirates, grabbing the first spoils of war.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
A Cuban in London: Now I want to know how the pirates responded... Love it, thanks for joining in.
DeleteI have completed my use of the Words For Wednesday and the poem is on my blog.http://granan10.blogspot.com/2016/12/grasping-at-straws-wfw.html
ReplyDeleteGranny Annie: I have been, I have read, I have applauded.
DeleteThe blasted orange fat mofo won the POTUS crown. His first order of business: to go on grabbing women's sex parts, be they old, young, or full of locusts.
ReplyDeleteLord pls help us all. Retweet.
Rawknrobyn: Sigh. And hiss and spit.
Delete