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.
The prompts will be here again this month but are provided by Margaret Adamson, and her friend Sue Fulton. They also include photographs taken by Margaret's friend Bill Dodds.
This week's prompts are:
- baptism
- dregs
- pinafore
- exploring
- sugar
- bee hive
And/or
- heart
- meddling
- primary
- contrary
- mug
- kitchen
Have fun.
Kitchen is my favourite place where I cook and use my computer
ReplyDeleteGosia k: I cook and clean in my kitchen, but never use a computer there. I am glad it is your favourite place.
DeleteMemory tugs at my heart strings. Memories of my mother. The kitchen, and indeed the home, were too small to confine her. She was no pinafore clad mama, and she never sugar coated her criticisms, but we knew she loved us, and was proud of us.
ReplyDeleteIdeas crowded her head and made it busier than any bee hive. She was always exploring , and testing, boundaries. Those explorations led her down some difficult and unpopular paths when she made decisions which were contrary to society's expectations. She returned to paid employment long before it was considered acceptable for a mother. When people talked about the dangers of 'latch key kids' she dismissed them as meddling busybodies. She was happier and we benefited.
'Drink the cup of life to its dregs - and then hold out your mug and ask for more' summed up her attitude.
Ironically, drinking was her downfall. Initially it was a celebration, and then it became consolation and protection when things didn't go her way. In her later years, becoming her primary carer was an ugly and traumatic baptism of fire for me. I still bear the scars and only now, more than a decade after she left us, am I able to forgive her. And myself.
Wow!
DeleteSad how some seem to need to self medicate to get through life...and sad the affect it has on those around them.
DeleteHeartrending, EC....and believable...so very believable. Life is not always kind.
DeleteConcise...to the point...no embellishment needed...well done!
I've known too many for whom drinking became a way of life and I'm sorry to hear it claimed your mother too. but you are stronger for having been through that baptism and the scars will heal more as time goes on.
DeleteYou certainly brought her to life, with all her love, energy and flaws.
DeleteAlcohol can be such a destroyer, especially of families. And it does indeed leave scars.
It's interesting to read of your mother's earlier days, EC. How hard it must have been to see her decline. As always, well written too.
DeleteThank you all. It was hard. It is still hard. However, I am finally remembering the pocket dynamo rather than the sad woman she became.
DeleteWOW! A moving story and probaby difficult to write. You Mum was a strong woman until the drink took her over and unfortunately that has left you with scars but scars can heal. Think on the positive and that is "She Loved You".
DeleteYou've told a difficult story very well. It's a gut wrencher.
DeleteI am so sorry that you had that burden to carry. I see now where you get some of your strength.
DeleteThis is so sad! I'm so sorry! You turned out to be an amazing person! Big Hugs!
DeleteThank you all.
DeleteNot an easy piece to put out here. And, I suspect, not easy to write.
ReplyDeleteBut cathartic, I would hope.
dinahmow: Thank you. She is haunting me at the moment and some catharsis would be welcome.
DeleteWow, I will ponder on these intriguing words, which all together rather resemble my favorite kitchen gadget wall in Target! I'll be back.
ReplyDeleteKaren S.: I look forward to your return.
DeleteOur memories are similar only me it was my dad. The scars do last a lifetime.
ReplyDeletemxtodis123: I am sorry to hear it. I am (at last) remembering some of the positives my mother gave to us.
DeleteQuite the collection.....the wild horses in my brain are pulling in all different directions. I'll try to get a rope on them lol.
ReplyDeleteOkay....here we go....
DeleteCass stood at her kitchen counter, mug in hand, and stared out the window at the neighbouring house. The new neighbours had done a little 'decorating' over the weekend and the old 2 story now boasted primary colours on all outside surfaces. Hand over her heart Cass watched as the meddling woman from across the street stomped over to the cyan blue front door and gave it a good pounding.
"Well," Cass mumbled, "welcome to the neighbourhood folks. You are about to receive your baptism by fire courtesy of MayBelle Lewis. I can't really say I blame her for it either. That is quite the view out her front window now."
Cass dumped out the dregs in the coffee pot and prepared the filter for a new batch. "May as well have refreshments for the show. Maybe I'll check my sugar supply and bake the new neighbours a little treat. They'll likely be in need of a little kindness after this."
She was just exploring her options in her favourite cookbook as the new neighbour came to the door patting down the ruffles on her lemon yellow pinafore. MayBelle stopped dead in her tracks, fist still raised in the 'knock' position.
"My dear" she breathed, "I just love your outfit and what you've done with the house."
Next door Cass sat down heavily in a chair....."What on earth just happened there?" she asked no one in particular.
Sorry, I just couldn't seem to work beehive in there.
A fun little tale, Delores. (Perhaps, MayBelle in her hurry to pound on the new neighbour's door hadn't had time to do up her hair in her recognisable BEEHIVE hairdo!) :)
DeleteOh....good one. Where were you when I needed you?
DeleteI'm only a keyboard away, Delores ;)
Deleteonly slightly confused: Love it - and love the way you always take the unexpected path.
DeleteDelightful! A twist, the neighbor is not whom we expect.
DeleteHa. What fun. Loved it.
DeleteHaha...totally thought this was going the other way!
Deletea wonderful story with a nice surprise. Perhaps MayBelle will paint her own house now?
DeletePerhaps the neighbour came over just to tell the new people that she had a Bee HIVE inher garden and she hoped no one was allergic to bee sting. Thaat would work but I do love your ending.
DeleteBaptism, beehive, and dregs - not that is an interesting combination!
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: It is isn't it? And would really like to see what you could do with those words.
DeleteI was baptized in a beehive. All that's left of me is dregs.
DeleteSandi: Sweet dregs though.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLee: I am glad. I didn't enjoy school. And sneer at those who tell me that my school days were the best of my life.
DeleteWhile i loved learning, i did not so much enjoy school. Very nice story!
DeleteGreat job, Lee. As always, you brought color and gusto to your writing.
Delete"school became an adventure - one I happily explored and enjoyed"
Delete:-)
I've deleted and re-posted, as you can see, because I noted two typos in my original post. I hate, hate making typos. I wrote and posted my little story very quickly yesterday morning because I as waiting for the plumber to arrive. :)
Delete"My first day at PRIMARY school was going to be a BAPTISM of sorts. I believed I’d dislike it as much as being dunked under water.
Not unkindly, my mother dragged me out of bed and led me to the KITCHEN. After I sat down at the table, she handed me a MUG of hot Milo.
Begrudgingly, I took it, but all I wanted to do was scuttle back to the sanctuary of my bedroom.
Why did adults have to keep MEDDLING in my life?
CONTRARY to what my parents may have thought, I enjoyed my life, playing with my dolls; playing my imaginary games while EXPLORING the large yard surrounding our home in the country. I’d even kept my finding of the BEEHIVE at the far rear end of the property a secret.
After I’d drained the DREGS of my delicious drink, I sprinkled SUGAR on my bowl of oats. I ate slowly in an effort to delay the inevitable.
My HEART felt heavy in my chest.
However, my unwillingness and despondency was all about to change.
From the moment I donned my new, brightly-coloured school PINAFORE my spirits lifted. How pretty it was!
Thenceforth, school became an adventure - one I happily explored and enjoyed."
And, thank you, EC, Messymimi, Sandra and Sandi for your supportive comments.
DeleteWednesday Words are always a lot of fun. Good for the grey-matter! :)
I never really enjoyed school either. I was always "new kid" for most of my school years because of when the military moved us. It was hard enough just being "new kid" but I was also a red-head, with glasses, and for a while braces on my legs or teeth. When I had leg braces, my mom made my clothes so I could wear pants to fit over them, but it wasn't the generation where many girls wore pants.
DeleteI'm glad that you were able to turn it into an adventure!
I never really enjoyed school It was a means to an end for me. Howwever now i love learning and thrive on it. Loved your story.
DeleteA great write Lee!!
DeleteI was here earlier looking for the words, couldn't sleep so sat up reading, but the words weren't here yet.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what I'll do with them yet, nothing immediately springs to mind, but I'll have a story by Friday.
River: I am sorry the words weren't here when you first looked. I put them up a little after five.
Delete:) I was asleep again by then.
DeleteSecond set:
ReplyDeleteHer primary concern was for her husband, the man she loved, yet the man with the wandering heart ...
... the meddling cleaner had hidden his special mug as a game of hide and seek ... he seeks ... he finds his mug with her hands around it ...
... he cannot escape for now - but she cannot become contrary, otherwise her husband will not return to the kitchen to still her own heart.
Cheers - Hilary ...
Hilary Melton-Butcher: Some intriguing snippets here. I would love to see it developed further.
DeleteWondering what comes next. Will she be able to keep his heart after all? Will she give up and move on?
Deletewritten like the opening chapter of a good mystery!
DeleteNow I wonder - what comes next/
DeleteTantalizing.
DeleteGood set of words there. Unfortunately can't join in today..
ReplyDeleteMargaret-whiteangel: Not a problem. Hopefully you will join us again next week.
DeleteWorking on it tonight, will get it done tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteJamie Ghione: I look forward to it.
DeleteHere it is:
Deletehttp://jannghi.blogspot.com/2018/05/words-for-wednesday.html
Jamie Ghione: I have been and thoroughly enjoyed your words.
Deletelovely words!
DeleteI enjoyed reading this, though sorry that your mom was so hard to take care of later in her life.
ReplyDeleteNatalie Aguirre: Thank you.
DeleteMuito interessante.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e continuação de boa semana.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
O prazer dos livros
Franciso Manuel Carrajola Oliveira: Thank you. It is a fun meme.
DeleteJust looked in to say Hi! and read your response to the prompt - so poignant! so spare and beautiful. Not one word extra. Must have been a hugely difficult time, caregivers do a soul-sapping, challenging job.
ReplyDeleteNot playing today, can hardly string two words together right now :) hope to be back after a bit of down time.
Best wishes always.
Nilanjana Bose: Between WEP and the A-Z I am not surprised you are exhausted. Not surprised at all. I hope your down time is restorative.
DeleteHa, can't think very well today...but here goes...
ReplyDeleteAah, affairs of the heart...
how such things invite outside meddling!
And it all begins in primary school,
contrary to popular belief.
But here I am now: married to childhood sweetheart,
and sipping coffee from a "Love you" mug,
in our fabulous new kitchen. 😉😉
Ah, love the happy ending!
DeleteYgraine: Love it. And can just see that picture. Warming and wonderful.
Deletevery happy! and happy for you!
DeleteThen love can bloom early and stay blooming.
DeleteBeautiful! A happy ending!
DeleteHere's mine EC.
ReplyDeleteThe baptism was tomorrow and she was dashing around tidying up the last dregs from the party which had finished late the night before. She had forgotten to put on her pinafore and immediately regretted it, as her dress was covered with drips from the empty soda cans left outside. She wanted to finish quickly as she still needed to explore the shops for a few last-minute item for more guests arriving in a few hours. She saw a trail of ants all over the opened sugar packets people had left on the garden table. After more clearing up, she was on her way down the lane and as she passed a bee hive, and knowing that some of her guests liked honey in their tea, she would add it to her shopping list.
Adding this after enjoying reading everyone's contribution, and read yours. Must have been very hard for you, so sorry, it must have been sad and stressful.
DeleteSometimes there's just too much to do and too little time.
DeleteDenise inVA: Definitely too much to do. Loved your take - and thank you.
Deleteshe sounds like a wonderful hostess!
DeleteGreat Story Denise. Sticky soda on your dress, not a good look1
DeleteFun times! Here's my single sentence play along:
ReplyDeleteOur hearts were meddling when primary results came back
contrary to our expectations, for our mug won the contest for most entertaining kitchen-wear!
Wonderfully done in one sentence!
DeleteCrystal Collier: So succinct. And excellent.
Deletewell done!
DeleteGreat job, You inspred me to ry a story in one sentence and I just about managed it.
DeleteI've had zero writing gumption lately. I'm going to copy the words and see if they job anything. Thanks. :)
ReplyDeleteTara: I hope they do. And there will be more to tempt/challenge you next week.
DeleteI emptied the dregs of the sugar bowl into the pocket on my pinafore and left the kitchen before I was caught and asked what I was doing. My mommy has amazing eyes and ears and somehow she nearly always knows what I'm up to.
ReplyDeleteToday is the baptism of my little brother, Charlie, and our little house is a beehive of aunts, uncles, and cousins. But I have my own mission.
When we arrive at the chapel, I make sure I'm standing by my dad. He's holding Charlie, and I don't want Mommy to hold my hand. I'll need both of them.
While the pastor talks, I'm exploring a tiny hole in the carpet with the toe of my shoe. Finally, he picks up the silver cup.
I reach into my pocket and scoop a few grains of sugar into my palm. When everyone is looking at him. I sprinkle the sugar on Charlie's head.
"What are you doing?!" Mommy gives me the look of death.
"I just want him to be sweet."
Ha! Excellent! Just what i can picture a child doing.
DeleteCarol Kilgore: I love it. And didn't we all want our brothers to be sweet. And sometimes they were. Briefly.
Deletehahaha! I love this! should have thought to do it to my brother!
DeleteLove it. That is a hhilarious thought.
DeleteThese words led me in a rather odd direction.
ReplyDeletemessymimi: I loved your use of the prompts. So much.
DeleteI would love to time travel like that!
DeleteThese Wednesdays come round so quickly!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the reads here, thank you.
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: They do rocket by don't they? I am glad you enjoyed the creativity.
DeleteMine has been posted here: honeycomb cake
ReplyDeleteCindi Summerlin: I have been and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Though my eyes were damp.
DeleteHello EC - mines on the blog now. You know I can't be brief.
ReplyDeleteCathy @ Still Waters
Cathy: I have just read your piece. And love it. Truthful and beautiful. Though it was another I found very sad. Perhaps I am in a melancholy mood.
DeleteI thought today I would challenge myself to see if I can write a 1 sentence story and below is my attempt.
ReplyDeleteIf John had his way, I would be tied to the KITCHEN sink, not allowed any opinions of my own, he thinks I am nothing but a MEDDLING busy body, CONTRARY to this, I have a good HEART, am not a MUG and my PRIMARY concern is for the safety of my child and as soon as I can, I will escape this evil man's clutches.
I like this! Great job, Margaret.
DeleteOh, I hope she escapes soon!
DeleteMargaret Adamson: You really met this challenge. And I hope she escapes soon (perhaps tying him to the sink).
DeleteI know I've asked you about how this works, but apparently I'm still not getting it. lol Meme's I'm used to have a list where people who participate leave their link so folks can visit the blogs of those participating. In this case, is the list those who comment? I see some have the prompt in their comment and others don't. Thanks so much for swinging by and the encouragement with the foot, and nice comment about the knitting are appreciated.
ReplyDeleteSandy: I am sorry for the confusion. And it does mean that you need to read the comments to see who is playing (and how). River for example posts on her blog. catmint (the comment immediately under this one) posts here in the comments.
DeleteIt felt like a baptism of fire as I set up my new beehive. I drank the dregs of my coffee nervously and immediately starting brewing some more. In my haste I spilled the black liquid on my pinafore. No more sugar though, soon hopefully it would be honey sweetening my coffee. The bees had already started exploring the garden.
ReplyDeleteThank you, EC, and everyone else, for this fun exercise.
nicely done!
Deletecatmint: This is a lovely (and very economical) use of the prompts. And hopefully you will get honey. Soon.
DeleteGood take on the words and glad you exjoyed writing the story
DeleteMy 2nd story using the other words.
ReplyDeleteSometimes when I sit on my rocking chair on my porch, my mind wanders back to when i was a child in the 60’s. I was fascinated to watch my Mother backcomb her hair into the BEE HIVE style. My favourite time was after school each day when I would bounce into the kitchen and there she would be with her flowery PINAFORE on, baking wee buns and scrumptious cakes. I spent a lot of time with Mother listening to her stories and asking lots of questions. I loved EXPLORING the stories of when I was younger and one I am not too proud of was at my child BAPTISM. Apparently I cried so loud that no one could hear the minister speaking and immediately I had been sprinkled with water and blessed, he asked my Mother to take me out of the church!
But Motther always has time for me even when I am sure I asked the silliest of questions. Sometimes she would ask me to help her and I loved adding the SUGAR and flour into the cake mixture and when she had put it into the tins, i was allowed to lick the DREGS of the bowl clean. I am so glad at the ripe old age of 89 I can look back and still remember those wonderful happy days of my childhood.
Margaret Adamson: Love it. Some precious (and sweet) memories.
Deletewonderful memories!
DeleteLove this! Sounds like wonderful memories of childhood. Great way to use the words of the week. :)
Delete~Jess
Everyone has had fun and done well with the words again this week.
ReplyDeleteGood job everyone! :)
I found quite a few words that work well with the neighbors here, and I thank you a bunch!(lol) Hugs...RO
ReplyDeleteRO: I am glad.
DeleteHave a wondrous weekend, EC:)
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: Thank you. I have ripped out a huge bag of weeds and will go back outside shortly. We still have 800 or so bulbs to squeeze in the ground. I hope your weekend is wonderous.
DeleteAnother great and moving post! Thank you EC!!!
ReplyDeleteMagic Lowe Crow: Thank you. There are some very talented writers in the blogosphere aren't there?
Delete