Wednesday, 20 December 2017

Words for Wednesday

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, which includes cheering on the other participants.  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 posted here but provided by Margaret Adamson and her friend Sue Fulton.  The prompts will include photographs taken by Margaret's friend Bill. .

This week's prompts are pictorial.  Thanks Bill:



Have fun. 
at

125 comments:

  1. Gosia20 December 2017 at 06:06

    i LOVE YOUR SECOND PHOTO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elephant's Child20 December 2017 at 06:57

      Gosia k: It is not mine, but Bill's photo and I agree. It is spectacular.

      Delete
  2. Bob Bushell20 December 2017 at 06:26

    The Raven is so beautiful EC.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elephant's Child20 December 2017 at 06:58

      Bob Bushell: It is. I have a huge soft spot for the corvid family and they are hard to photograph.

      Delete
  3. Elephant's Child20 December 2017 at 06:58

    For me?
    I can't tell you how much this means.
    You have my heart under lock and key, permanently imprisoned, and to know you share my love, brightens the greyest day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous20 December 2017 at 07:32

      Great, EC!!

      Delete
    2. jenny_o20 December 2017 at 08:02

      Love it, EC. And the photo.

      Delete
    3. Lee20 December 2017 at 08:21

      Terrific, EC. Lucky for us, your imagination has no limits. :)

      Delete
    4. Margaret Birding For Pleasure20 December 2017 at 08:24

      i see you were thinking outside he bx, Very good

      Delete
    5. Bill 20 December 2017 at 09:34

      You do my pictures a great honor, EC. I have a big smile on my face.

      Delete
    6. messymimi20 December 2017 at 09:49

      Well done!

      Delete
    7. Cindi20 December 2017 at 11:07

      Smartly done!

      Delete
    8. Sandra Cox20 December 2017 at 14:13

      How lovely.

      Delete
    9. Charlotte (MotherOwl)21 December 2017 at 00:38

      Lovely words to lovely pictures. So good.
      And I'm just so happy, I found this challenge. It has made my life a little better.

      Delete
    10. Elephant's Child21 December 2017 at 06:00

      Uglemor: We are glad you found the challenge too. And very happy that you have joined us.

      Delete
    11. Magic Love Crow22 December 2017 at 11:57

      Perfect! Beautiful!

      Delete
  4. 21 Wits20 December 2017 at 07:07

    Oh my goodness both photos are great, especially the first one I live close to a town also named Castle Rock. I'll be back! Before Christmas arrives too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure20 December 2017 at 08:25

      oking forward to reading your take on these photographs

      Delete
    2. Elephant's Child20 December 2017 at 08:29

      Karen S.: Echoing Margaret.

      Delete
    3. 21 Wits29 December 2017 at 04:33

      Okay Margaret and EC I finally got my post in! Here it is because these photos are especially dear!
      http://twincitiesblather.blogspot.com/2017/12/wfw-pictorial-style-and-merriness.html

      Delete
  5. Linda Starr20 December 2017 at 07:16

    He was imprisoned in the jail at Castle Rock with no hope of anyone paying his bail before the holidays. He also knew there wouldn't be any visitors. He received very poor treatment based upon the alleged crime he'd committed even though he was completely innocent. To top it off the food was beyond terrible. As he gazed out the open window through the bars thinking of ending it all, he saw a crow brought him the smallest red flower. He decided not to give up hope, not just yet.

    ReplyDelete
  6. only slightly confused20 December 2017 at 07:29

    Hmmm...now that's different. I shall put my mind to it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure20 December 2017 at 08:28

      Different and now looking forward to what you come up with

      Delete
    2. Elephant's Child20 December 2017 at 08:30

      only slightly confused: I am always happy to see where your mind takes you - and us.

      Delete
  7. Alex J. Cavanaugh20 December 2017 at 07:35

    Those are good! And could go so well together in a story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure20 December 2017 at 08:28

      And I hope you are going to let us know the story!

      Delete
    2. Elephant's Child20 December 2017 at 08:31

      Alex J. Cavanaugh: They are good, and are creating some wonderful pieces already.

      Delete
    3. 21 Wits29 December 2017 at 04:34

      I think what I enjoyed most about these photos is how each one made me feel.

      Delete
  8. Charlotte (MotherOwl)20 December 2017 at 08:06

    This are incredible word-provoking photos. I posted on my blog this time round. My Words are here. I posted the photos as well - with a link to Bill. If this is not allowed, just tell me, and I'll take them off again, but not immediately, as it is still Tuesday (late evening) in my part of the world. And I'll be off to bed very soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure20 December 2017 at 08:29

      Would be lovley if you could copy your story here also

      Delete
    2. Elephant's Child20 December 2017 at 08:31

      Uglemor: Of course it is not wrong. I will be over to read your story shortly. Sleep well (Wednesday morning here).

      Delete
    3. Bill 20 December 2017 at 09:38

      A wonderful story!

      Delete
    4. Cindi20 December 2017 at 11:10

      I really enjoyed your story!

      Delete
    5. Charlotte (MotherOwl)21 December 2017 at 00:24

      Thank you all for your kindness.

      Of course I can post my story here as well. Here goes:
      Jailhouse Rock ... this haunting tune was written while I sat incarcerated in Castle Rock City Jail. My crime was a petty one. I had been hunting crows with my old blunderbuss.

      I fell into a ditch, and broke my glasses. A bit later, I saw something black among the bushes, thinking it was one of those bloody crows, I pulled the trigger, only to realize - even before the hails had hit, that it was the priest having a pee. He survived the shot, but was unable to sit for a long, long time.

      I was convicted, and put into Castle Rock City Jail. I served my time, listening to Jailhouse Rock, and decided, that I too would become a famous guitar player. Well, I never did get famous, but I've earned my honest living as a guitarist in many a good rock band ever since.

      Now I'm old, waiting for death in a room not unlike the prison cell back then. And I'm looking at a painting in my room. Oh, the irony. It depicts an old crow in a sunlit field. Eyes half closed and its beak into the wind.

      I feel a sense of unity with this old crow. Soon, very soon, I'll stretch my wings and fly into the sunlight.

      Delete
    6. Margaret Birding For Pleasure22 December 2017 at 07:44

      Brilliant story and thank you so much for adding it to Sue's site so all to read.

      Delete
  9. Marie Smith20 December 2017 at 08:09

    The old jail was haunted, or so they said. The spirits of those who’d been hanged there rattled chains in the middle of the night.

    Outside a raven frequented the exercise yard and loudly proclaimed his presence. He dropped a red rose every time he visited.

    Or so they said.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure20 December 2017 at 08:23

      Good use if the picture prompts

      Delete
    2. Elephant's Child20 December 2017 at 08:32

      Marie Smith: I love it. And want to know more. The story of the raven could go so many places...

      Delete
    3. messymimi20 December 2017 at 09:52

      A very eerie jail that would be.

      Delete
    4. Cindi20 December 2017 at 11:10

      Nicely done!

      Delete
    5. Charlotte (MotherOwl)21 December 2017 at 00:21

      Ohhh, erie story.

      Delete
    6. Sandra Cox21 December 2017 at 02:04

      Very spooky. I loved it!

      Delete
    7. Bill 23 December 2017 at 08:34

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    8. Bill 23 December 2017 at 08:36

      Short, but wonderful, Marie!

      Delete
    9. Marie Smith24 December 2017 at 05:26

      Thanks everyone. I wouldn’t want to serve time there!

      Delete
  10. jenny_o20 December 2017 at 08:09

    I'm a sleek, jet corvid
    Some people think I'm morbid
    But I have a mushy place
    Right below my face
    And beauty such as this
    Deserves a corvid kiss

    Thank you, Bill, for this marvellous picture, which helped me get my poetry mojo up and running again :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure20 December 2017 at 08:30

      Not too sure if I want to be kissed by a Raven

      Delete
    2. Elephant's Child20 December 2017 at 08:33

      jenny_o: A corvid kiss would be a privilege. Such intelligent birds...
      And HOORAY for finding your poetry mojo again.

      Delete
    3. messymimi20 December 2017 at 09:53

      Ravens are fascinating, i wouldn't mind meeting one that had a bit of a soft spot.

      Delete
    4. Cindi20 December 2017 at 11:11

      grinning! love this! and would love a corvid kiss!

      Delete
    5. Charlotte (MotherOwl)21 December 2017 at 00:20

      A raven with a soft spot
      And a Donkey with poetry mojo
      Deserve praise from a blue Owl.

      Delete
  11. Lee20 December 2017 at 08:18

    Okie-dokie...here I go...

    "The wild, unseasonal storm had arrived without warning causing havoc to all around. Humans, birds, animals, buildings and trees alike were not exempt from its indiscriminate path of destruction.

    Dumping hail the size of golf balls, its howling wind tore apart everything, giving no quarter; showing no mercy.

    Unprepared for the maelstrom, she’d found shelter in an old, dank, dark abandoned building.

    Fortunately, her laptop was in its leather case.

    The relic of days gone by had been the reason for her trek through the unfamiliar countryside.

    The first chapters of book she was writing about the history of the area were about the incarceration of convicts during the late 1800s.

    She smiled at the irony of her situation; at finding her own self sheltering in the confined space. If only its weathered walls could talk.

    Once the fury had abated she stepped outside.

    Looking worse for wear, a dishevelled raven barely took any notice of her. It was more interested in a sole red flower that had escaped the destructive squall."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure20 December 2017 at 08:32

      great take on both of the photographs Lee

      Delete
    2. Elephant's Child20 December 2017 at 08:34

      Lee: Love this. A wonderful use of the prompts.

      Delete
    3. Lee20 December 2017 at 08:38

      PS....typo alert! Add a "the" before "book she was writing"!

      Sorry!!! :)

      Delete
    4. messymimi20 December 2017 at 09:55

      Very good, i want to read more about how she researches the book, what she finds out.

      Delete
    5. Cindi20 December 2017 at 11:12

      enjoyed this! great use of the photos!

      Delete
    6. Sandra Cox20 December 2017 at 14:16

      Well done, Lee!

      Delete
  12. Margaret Birding For Pleasure20 December 2017 at 08:21

    Using the first photograph.
    My Grampa used to tell me stories of who on a Saturday night would get thrown into this tiny Castle Rock jail to sober up until the morning. Although Grampa never drank himself and he worked as hard as the other folk in his small town but on Saturday’s most of the men folk would congregate in the saloon and drink themselves into oblivion and every week wake up in Castle Rock jail. My Grampa used to go to the jail on Sunday’s and help them all stagger home to their wives.
    -------------------------------------------------------
    Using the second photograph
    Do you mind! This is a very private moment. I wish to spend some time on my own with my life long sweetheart of 12 years. My grey surroundings reflect my mood but my spirit has been lifted as I see this one single red flower blooming where I buried Sonya. Now please retreat and respect my privacy at this sad time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elephant's Child20 December 2017 at 08:35

      Margaret Adamson: Great use of both prompts. I suspect the first was/is true in lots of areas.
      The second is sad and lovely.

      Delete
    2. Bill 20 December 2017 at 09:40

      Gold star for Margaret!

      Delete
    3. messymimi20 December 2017 at 09:58

      Your jail story reminds me of how Otis used to end up in the Mayberry Jail most weekends.

      Such a bittersweet moment in your second story.

      Delete
    4. Cindi20 December 2017 at 11:14

      A beautiful story of the raven.

      Delete
    5. Lee20 December 2017 at 15:46

      Well done, Margaret...on both counts. :)

      Delete
    6. Charlotte (MotherOwl)21 December 2017 at 00:11

      Well turned stoires both of them.

      Delete
    7. Sandra Cox21 December 2017 at 02:03

      Both well done, Margaret!

      Delete
    8. 21 Wits29 December 2017 at 04:35

      Bravo, I enjoyed them both, great little stories to really!

      Delete
  13. Barbara20 December 2017 at 08:21

    I love those photos and the comment from Marie Smith.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elephant's Child20 December 2017 at 08:36

      Barbara Fisher: They are great aren't they? And I want Marie to write more. I am intrigued.

      Delete
  14. River20 December 2017 at 09:40

    Interesting pictures. I'll put the subconscious to work and post something on Friday. For now, I have yet another Christmas morning tea to attend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elephant's Child20 December 2017 at 11:25

      River: This year I have avoided all Christmas functions. So far anyway. Looking forward to seeing what your subconscious comes up with.

      Delete
  15. Bea20 December 2017 at 10:02

    Bill has a great eye!

    ReplyDelete
  16. klahanie20 December 2017 at 10:03

    Hi Sue,

    Intriguing angle using the pictures. In fact, I'm raven over this one.

    Gary 😀

    ReplyDelete
  17. Cindi20 December 2017 at 11:06

    Here is mine: Follow Your Dreams

    ReplyDelete
  18. Margaret D20 December 2017 at 15:14

    Interesting. Rather like the photos and make up a story by them, it's different.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elephant's Child20 December 2017 at 16:10

      Margaret-whiteangel: It is interesting, and some lovely stories have come to light.

      Delete
  19. messymimi20 December 2017 at 20:15

    The pictures led me, and i'm not quite sure what will happen next.

    http://messymimismeanderings.blogspot.com/2017/12/cat-shelter-decor-wordless-wednesday.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elephant's Child20 December 2017 at 20:33

      messymimi: I have off to see what wonders you have created.

      Delete
  20. Blogoratti20 December 2017 at 20:37

    Interesting photos and thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elephant's Child21 December 2017 at 06:02

      Blogoratti: Bill's photos are great aren't they?

      Delete
  21. Pat Hatt21 December 2017 at 02:12

    Placed behind bars for a crime he didn't commit. Lost within a system who would never listen. The crow his only link to the outside word. Its calling echoing at least twice a day. Sometimes three if he was lucky. But one day, it never came. Days turned to weeks and it never returned. The crow flew free, something he would never experience again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elephant's Child21 December 2017 at 06:02

      Pat Hatt: This is achingly sad, but sooooo good.

      Delete
    2. DMS21 December 2017 at 10:43

      I agree! Sad, but very good! Thanks for sharing. :)
      ~Jess

      Delete
  22. Jamie Ghione21 December 2017 at 02:27

    http://jannghi.blogspot.com/2017/12/words-for-wednesday.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elephant's Child21 December 2017 at 06:03

      Jamie Ghione: I have been and thoroughly enjoyed it.

      Delete
  23. SpacerGuy21 December 2017 at 04:08

    The black evil crow looks so deathly in your second photo and yet the red flower somehow defies it, bright and alive - love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elephant's Child21 December 2017 at 06:03

      Spacer Guy: It is an amazing photo of Bill's isn't it? So many directions for minds to take flight.

      Delete
  24. Hilary Melton-Butcher21 December 2017 at 12:45

    Hi EC - Woo-oooo I say .. 93 comments - that photo from Bill looks evil - no wonder the poppy is red. There's more tales or moroseness in the raven and that prison ... cruelty too - as you say to Spacer Guy above .. amazing photo - cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elephant's Child21 December 2017 at 14:59

      Hilary Melton-Butcher: Woo-hoo indeed. I am very, very fond of the corvid family and think they get a bad press. They are intelligent and family minded birds.

      Delete
  25. D.G. Hudson21 December 2017 at 12:56

    I like the starkness of the crow image but they do signify a lot of dreadful things. It may be because they are black, it gives them an ominous look. Crows can remember faces and pass on information to their buddies too. . .like a bird hive-mind.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elephant's Child21 December 2017 at 15:00

      D.G Hudson: I have never thought of them as evil. I was fascinated to learn that they recognise faces/behaviour and teach it. Perhaps not hive-mind precisely but learned and intelligent behaviour. There was a lovely story a while back about a young girl who was brought presents by crows.

      Delete
  26. Barbara21 December 2017 at 20:33

    I probably won’t get to visit you again before the New Year so I just wanted to wish you a Very Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2018. Hugs Barbara

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elephant's Child22 December 2017 at 07:04

      Barbara Fisher: Thank you so much. And the same to you and yours.

      Delete
  27. Susan Kane22 December 2017 at 11:07

    Great photo choices! So many directions to go with these!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Magic Love Crow22 December 2017 at 11:57

    I love both pictures, but that second one has my heart! Big Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elephant's Child22 December 2017 at 14:07

      Magic Love Crow: And mine. I have a huge soft spot for the corvid family. They are too often sadly maligned.

      Delete
    2. Magic Love Crow23 December 2017 at 14:36

      I agree!

      Delete
    3. Elephant's Child23 December 2017 at 14:55

      Magic Love Crow: I knew you would.

      Delete
  29. Sandra Cox22 December 2017 at 12:32

    Hope your Christmas is wondrous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elephant's Child22 December 2017 at 14:06

      Sandra Cox: Thank you. And yours. And a new year to match.

      Delete
  30. RO22 December 2017 at 22:06

    That single spot of color on picture 2 speaks volumes. Hope your day is as amazing as you are! Hugs...RO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elephant's Child23 December 2017 at 06:45

      RO: Thank you. I will settle for quiet and productive. Amazing sounds tiring. Hugs.

      Delete
  31. Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com23 December 2017 at 07:27

    As striking as those photos are, I'm bowing out. Sorry. I don't feel I could do justice to them at the moment.
    May you be enjoying a summer-like holiday season.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elephant's Child23 December 2017 at 07:53

      Rawknrobyn: Not a problem. It is indeed summer (though I am not enjoying it). I hope your holidays are blissful - and chocolate filled.

      Delete
  32. Lowcarb team member23 December 2017 at 10:01

    I do think picture two is amazing ...
    Well done to all those above, and on other blogs!

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elephant's Child23 December 2017 at 11:04

      Lowcarb team member: I agree. I think it is an incredible photo and love the directions it has taken people.

      Delete
  33. 21 Wits29 December 2017 at 04:32

    Greetings, from a few days past this posting, but I had to post something for both of these incredible photos, and blogging time was really missing for me until now! So here is my post for it! http://twincitiesblather.blogspot.com/2017/12/wfw-pictorial-style-and-merriness.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elephant's Child29 December 2017 at 06:36

      Karen S.: Thank you. I have been, I have marvelled.

      Delete