This meme was started by Delores a long time ago. Computer issues led her to bow out for a while. The meme was too much fun to let go, and now Words for Wednesday is provided by a number of people and has become a movable feast.
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.
Last month Cindi provided us with some wonderful challenges. Thank you Cindi.
This month the prompts will be posted here.
This weeks prompts are:
- ancient
- bedraggled
- fortunate
- cap
- narrow
- evaluate
and/or
- arouse
- frail
- execute
- herbs
- unwieldy
- dusty
And an image you can also use or discard.
Have fun.
Good words....the brain is spinning.
ReplyDeleteonly slightly confused: I look forward to seeing where your spin takes us.
DeleteOh yes, I am in. These words are timely for my thoughts.
DeleteStory is posted on my blog.
DeleteI like this list, not sure what I'll do with it yet though. Ancient, frail, bedraggled; that's me lately, I've been trying to do without my afternoon naps and it just isn't working. So back to sleep I go, starting today, nap from 2pm to 4pm.
ReplyDeleteRiver: Naps are good. Naps are very good. Add me to the frail ancients at the moment. I am pretty certain the mirror would shout bedraggled too.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, EC. :)
Delete"Her crusade had just begun, but her heart was already pounding as Meggie screeched to a halt at the Stop Sign at the end of the NARROW lane.
Someone, many, many years ago, had planted lavender and rosemary along the edges of the laneway. Both HERBS, when in flower, formed a very attractive hedge.
In dealing with her family, much depended on what actions Meggie took. She needed to EVALUATE her next move in an intelligent, calm manner.
Would she approach them CAP in hand, or would she go in all guns blazing; the latter not literally, of course.
It was FORTUNATE she still had a long distance to travel before she reached the ANCIENT homestead. She had to EXECUTE many UNWIELDY, DUSTY roads before she entered the long, winding driveway that led to the old family home.
Her unavoidable mission had just begun, but Meggie already felt BEDRAGGLED.
She hadn’t given the family forewarning of her plans. To do so beforehand would only hinder progress because she knew her plans at this point in time were FRAIL; not strong or substantial. More in-depth thought was needed.
Meggie felt it best not to AROUSE their suspicions; not a good idea to give them time to form allegiances against her before she confronted them."
Lee: This sounds like an excellent beginning to a continuing story. I really want to know what Meggie is going to do - and why she needs to.
DeleteIt's always sad when familiy turns against each other and one has to take drastic steps. My hope is Meggie is on the right side of it all and succeeds.
DeleteGood job as always Lee. I, too , would like to know more about how the family reacts. Too bad we all have family squabbles from time to time.
DeleteWonderfully suspenseful!
DeleteGripping and marvelous at the same time! Bravo.
DeleteWell done Lee.
DeleteOh my...what IS she up too?
DeleteAdd me to the list of those who want more about the why and how of this Lee. What's happened? How will it work out?
DeleteThanks everyone.... :)
DeleteWell done, Lee.
DeleteSomeone is going to come up with something really wild with that second batch of words.
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: I hope so. I really hope so.
DeleteI know they were all a hit for me!
DeleteAll the prompts were great but that second six was crazy. Can't wait to see what happens with those words.
DeleteI love your stop
ReplyDeleteGosia k: I smiled when I saw it in town a year or so ago. The addition of 'everything' to the sign was fun. And the flowers lovely.
DeleteIn the narrow cabin of the Fortunate, she began to evaluate the ancient, bedraggled captain as he took off his cap.
ReplyDeleteMarie Smith: Of course. I love that you have taken us to the sea...
DeleteI sense romance in the open seas...
DeleteShort and sweet, very nicely done Marie.
DeleteShort but sweet and very communicative:-)
DeleteI don't want to stop everything. Life is full of colour, excitement and wonder. I do however, want to stop aging. Stop it dead. If ever I become an ancient, frail and bedraggled old crone you can execute me. You should execute me. I want to LIVE not to exist.
ReplyDeleteI am fortunate that I am a rational woman (and no narrow thinker). Thinking cap firmly in place I will evaluate my options. All of my options.
Yes, I am a scientist but only a few short years ago talking to someone hundreds of miles away would have been considered magic. So to magic I will turn. The unwieldy and dusty grimoire I found in the antique shop may, just may have the answers. Particularly if I can prepare the herbs using the best scientific equipment available. Wish me luck. Or say goodbye...
Good luck. Although if you haven't ever read Tuck Everlasting, you might do so before you take your potion.
DeleteLovely, hopeful in its own sense of magic.
DeleteMagical and delightful and naturally I wish you luck!
DeleteI'll wish you luck for sure......and hope you'll share the anti aging serum when you're done.
DeleteWow, you have just released the exact thoughts of many people, you did not disappoint with this one EC.
DeleteI wish you tremendous luck and will never say goodbye.
DeleteLove this and wish you luck of course. There'll be no goodbyes from me. Even ancient and frail, I'd want to stay alive as long as I still have my mind, because then I could impart to younger ones what passes for wisdom in my mind.
DeleteGreat job as usual, EC. :)
DeleteWell written, EC, and well enjoyed.
DeleteI love this! Your character has the right idea;)
DeleteOkay. I will stop everything. I think that means I can go to bed.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Janie Junebug: It does indeed. Nap well.
DeleteThis is an interesting, fun way, to get people to write! I love that stop sign! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteMagic Love Crow: It is fun. The more the merrier. Would you like to join us?
DeleteWhat happens if you are not a writer??
DeleteMagic Love Crow: Most of us aren't. It is a bit of fun - but readers are also always welcome.
DeleteIf I may bend the rules and respond to those prompts now:
ReplyDeleteancient and
bedraggled as I am,
I feel fortunate
and even tip my cap
to the narrow evaluators.
Cloudia: You are not bending the rules one iota. Love it, and thank you for joining us.
Deleterule 1: there are no rules!
Delete:)
short and sweet, my cap is tipped to you!
We make our own rules here! Bravo I enjoyed your offering Cloudia!
DeleteThere ARE no rules...that's the best part. Great job.
DeleteI like what you did with the rules Cloudia, you did really good.
DeleteGood job Cloudia:-)
DeleteHappy writing, Everyone!
ReplyDeleteThe Happy Whisk: Thank you. Some day you will join us.
DeleteHere’s mine. Thanks EC.
ReplyDeleteShe felt ancient and bedraggled as she struggled through the thick underbrush. Fortunate as she was to have the breath to continue on, she knew the man whom she had seen earlier that day, with the cap pulled down to hide part of his face, was not far behind. The trail grew narrow and she knew she had to evaluate her surroundings before continuing, but right now all she could think of was escape. And then she woke up and realized she had only been dreaming.
Denise inVA: I am glad your busy life allowed you to join us this time. And am glad that the terror was just a dream...
DeleteOh those dreams bother me so! Wonderfully done.
DeleteOh wow.....those are the dreams we remember.
DeleteNice offering Denise, dreams can be so real at times.
DeleteExcellent. Very chilling until she awoke.
DeleteThank you friends, and I have enjoyed everyone’s take on these. All very creative with the words.
DeleteHi EC - here's mine:
ReplyDelete"The cap hid the bedraggled hair … this woman with the narrow outlook was so ancient … no wonder she could not understand, nor evaluate what was required of her. Fortunately for her she had loving family who helped her through these times."
Cheers Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: I hope that my family will step up to the pass for me... Love this, but it feels close to the bone tonight.
DeleteI echo EC, but doubt very much that will happen for me.
DeleteThis is one of my fears also...time will tell. Nice one Hilary.
DeleteGood use of the prompts Hilary:-)
DeleteGood words. Stop, you bedraggled ancient!
ReplyDeleteYeah...I might need to work on that. :)
Sandi: Thank you. And I suspect that bedraggled ancients do (naturally) come to a stop.
Delete;-)
DeleteI always enjoy reading what the prompts inspire.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: So do I. And am frequently amazed at the very different directions.
DeleteI'm not very handy with these challenges. I can't take the pressure :)
ReplyDeleteRick Watson: This from the man who writes very day. Forgive me, but I think you are stretching the truth a little.
DeleteThat sign is a real attention grabber for sure EC, and the flowers are so colorful! Hugs...RO
ReplyDeleteRO: It caught my eye when I went into town that's for sure. And I love the summer display of flowers.
DeleteHere is mine on my blog: A Thanksgiving Story
ReplyDeleteI like what you wrote very much Cindi.
DeleteBeen there already. Good story telling:-)
DeleteCindi Summerlin: As you know, I saw that yesterday. And applauded. As always.
DeleteGood morning, I'm joining in with the words now. I'll have to do something with that delightful photo later. Here's my offering.
ReplyDeleteI'm fortunate for what feels like ancient memories, and hope once the dust settles and my frail, unwieldy thoughts since November 2016 continue I'll evaluate a daily narrow cap in search for some sort of sanity within our bedraggled world of politics inside what's become a bizarre Washington.
Nice going Karen, you used the words very well.
DeleteAmen Karen S. Good job!
DeleteKaren S.: Love it. And Washington isn't the only political hub which is bizarre. My city is too.
DeleteAn elderly beggar in his (bedraggled) clothes one cold rainy night was walking alone with his worn-out (cap). Once he reached the end of a dark (narrow) alleyway, he came across an (ancient) goddess statue that appeared to be looking down at him, as he gazed up, he tried to (evaluate) what a huge statue like that would be. Kneeling down in exhaustion by her feet, he suddenly became (fortunate) when another man offered him shelter and food to eat.
ReplyDeleteGood job Lon, so many are left out in the cold, this shows a little hope for those less fortunate. Nice job with the words.
DeleteIt was wonderful for him to find shelter from the cold. Good story Lon.
DeleteLon Anderson: Thank you for joining us. I loved your use of the words, and would like to see more of that kindness. Worldwide.
DeleteExcellent words EC, I'm adding to my story from last week, I have posted on my blog at this link WFW - Blowing in the wind I hope you all enjoy.
ReplyDeleteJimmy: I have been, I have marvelled and I definitely did enjoy.
DeleteSo many great takes on the words this week. They really spoke to a lot of us.
ReplyDeleteI agree Delores, this week is great.
Deleteonly slightly confused: It has been wonderful. So many different directions...
DeleteOnce I recover from being in a different time zone, I'll return to write some "brilliant" prose based on the prompt. Right now, brilliance isn't a word I understand. Hope I spelled it right.
ReplyDeletecleemckenzie: Welcome back. Jet lag leaves you a great deal more coherent than I can manage.
DeleteHope you will join us soon. We are drawing quite a crowd.
ReplyDeleteGranny Annie: Isn't it wonderful.
DeleteBouganville? Those guys are agressive! Had to take out one that had been growing for 20 years (well, a gardener did.
ReplyDeleteGreat words.
Susan Kane: In fact they are petunias in hanging pots in the city. A lovely splash of colour. Hopefully you will join us again soon.
Delete76 comments?? wow
ReplyDeleteRiver: And the number is climbing. I am so happy that more and more people are joining us.
DeleteIn the ancient days of sorcerers and dragons, there lived a bedraggled hag named Reba who was not of that world. She'd volunteered for a time travel experiment in the year 2052. Somewhere during her journey to what was supposed to be 1960, something went wrong. Reba had been fortunate to survive.
ReplyDeleteShe knew by looking at her hands and arms that her appearance had changed, but she didn't know how much until she discovered a lake.
Gone was her cap of unwieldy red curls and her ready smile. In their stead were a drawn, narrow face with turned-down lips and long stringy hair the color of a dusty road.
Knowing she would never return to her home, Reba evaluated her situation and formed a plan. Although she appeared frail, her spirit and energy remained the same as they had been in 2052. This was something she could use to survive any encounters with people of the day so as not to arouse undue suspicion.
She quickly set about gathering herbs and berries, all of which were plentiful, suddenly grateful she'd paid attention in her university botany class. She didn't want to accidently execute herself.
A noise reached her ears. Someone or some thing bustled through the woods, making no attempt at quietness.
Reba twisted her hair atop her head and rammed a stick through it to hold it in place. Just as she finished, a man with blond hair and bright blue eyes walked into view.
She smiled her old-lady smile and held out the berries and herbs cupped in her hands.
=====
Off the cuff and unproofed.
Happy November!
Carol Kilgore: Your off the cuff and unproofed effort has blown me away. I would like to know more about Reba and this world.
DeleteEveryone has done so well...lots of fun had in the writing and in the reading thereof. Thanks you all. :)
ReplyDeleteLee: It has been wonderful. Really wonderful.
DeleteAlways a good read.
ReplyDeleteThat stop sign, haven't seen one like that before :)
Margaret-whiteangel: The unsanctioned addition to the Stop Sign made me smile a lot.
DeleteMy story is scheduled for tomorrow and now it's time for me to shut down, on-peak starts in about half an hour.
ReplyDeleteRiver: Good luck. I am looking forward to your story and need to talk to my own ISP. While I was vacuuming this morning my PC downloaded an incredible amount of (invisible) data.
DeleteThe second set of words reminded me of an Aussie show I've stumbled across on Netflix. I can't recall its name, but it's a sort of Thelma & Louise-type buddy thing. The two women have had to leave the city in order to escape certain death. They're driving north & the shots of the open earth with a never-ending horizon intrigue me. The eath looks dusty & dry.
ReplyDeleteBea: Not a show I have any knowledge about. Some of our countryside does have a never-ending dry horizon though.
DeleteHa ha ha, I love that sign, hee hee hee.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: I do too. And look for it each time I go into town.
DeleteGreat sign! Always fun reading whatever everyone else writes using the words. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
DMS~Jess: So do I.
Delete