Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wednesday 31 October 2018

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.


The prompts will be here 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 weeks prompts are:

  1. Sully
  2. Chagrin
  3. Funambulist
  4. Heavy
  5. Lowering
  6. Sand

And/or

  1. Ablutions
  2. Wasting
  3. Saucy
  4. Perpetual
  5. Moonstruck
  6. Cigar

Have fun.

I am so grateful to Margaret, Sue and Bill for this month's prompts.  They challenged some of us (me most definitely) but inspired some wonderful stories.

Next month the prompts will be here again and I will be providing them.  

102 comments:

  1. I hope everyone has fun with this.

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  2. Funambulist is a new word for me:)

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    1. Sandra Cox: And me. Hooray for dictionaries. And learning.

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    2. Agree, some interesting new words for me here!

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  3. Funambulist is a new word for me to :)

    All the best Jan

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    1. Lowcarb team member ~Jan: I don't feel quite as ignorant as I did. It was new to me too.

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  4. To my chagrin funambulist was new to me as well. My partner said he had heard it - but couldn't remember what it meant. Which doesn't count.
    Hooray for trusty dictionaries.

    Oh David. Close but no cigar. Your perpetual insistence on rewriting the past is futile. You are wasting your time. You wouldn't be lowering her in anyone who matters eyes if you just told it like it was.
    Don't be a pretentious twit. You wash in the mornings, you don't 'perform your ablutions'. And Sally wouldn't know what you were talking about if you called her a funambulist. Indeed I suspect she would hit you.
    Draw a line in the sand and stick to it. Sally was a tight-rope walker. She was saucy, beautiful and incredibly skilful. It is no wonder she left you moonstruck. I am pretty certain that everyone who saw her perform loved her. And you were the lucky one, who was allowed to share her days until the circus moved on. It was your friends who nursed their chagrin and wondered how you were so lucky. Yes, your heart was heavy when she left, but oh what a week you had to remember. What an incredible week.

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    1. Oh David. Oh Sally. Well written, Sue.

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    2. You've got to watch those circus performers. Good story.

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    3. Good one, EC....

      And Sally took off with the man on the flying trapeze. He had her heart all along!

      Well done. :)

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    4. That was quite a list of words this week, but you made them work. Great job, Sue!

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    5. a great "conversation" piece! loved it!

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    6. Now I'm catching up, reading all your stories, from the bottom up. Wonderful twist Elephant's Child. I like your take on pretentious language here.

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    7. Hi EC - this captured it ... the pathos to be found with circuses and their travelling entourage ... great read - cheers Hilary

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    8. Way to go, EC! You nailed it. I loved this- circus performers (people) can be captivating.
      ~Jess

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  5. Well written story Sue. yes I thought the word Funambulist would stir the pot a bit.

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    1. Margaret Adamson: It did. I suspect you sent many of us to either the dictionary or Captain Google.

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  6. Gerald believed performing ablutions were wasting his time when he rather to chase after Betty. He desired saucy Betty with her perpetual flirting. Gerald was good and truly moonstruck with Betty. She smoked quality cigars which was uncommon in ladies of the time. His cigars were the cheapest on the market. Oh, Betty.

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    1. Susan Kane: I don't like Gerald's chances. Ablutions matter. And Betty is going to recognise the cheapness of his cigars too.

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    2. Gerald must be very young to think that way. As soon as my boys figured out they liked girls, they suddenly wanted to shower a lot more.

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    3. Alas, I think Gerald's chances of winning the fair maiden are... up in smoke.

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  7. These look like fun words, I'll let the brain mull them over while I go outside and move a couple of plants to less accessible places.

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    1. River: I hope you find a place where your plants are safe.

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  8. Thank you, Margaret and Bill for this month's very interesting choices. And thanks to you, too, EC. :)

    "Not intending to SULLY his ambitions, those watching on believed his antics today were more of a “fumblelist” than a FUNAMBULIST. The young bloke’s balancing abilities on the tightrope left a lot to be desired.

    Much to the CHAGRIN of the CIGAR-chomping circus owner, he felt the youth was MOONSTRUCK, falsely believing he was good enough to join the troupe.

    He wasn’t...not yet, anyway.

    LOWERING himself to the SAND on the floor of the circus ring, the young lad was HEAVY of heart. He knew his performance hadn’t been good enough. By the look on the faces of those around him he had knew he’d been WASTING his time...and theirs.

    Feeling sick to the stomach, he looked around for the nearest ABLUTIONS’ block.

    A SAUCY little blonde, flicked back her hair as she climbed the ladder. It was her turn on the tightrope.

    She looked to be more brass than brains, though, the circus owner thought, but she deserved her chance to prove him wrong. He directed her to begin her audition.

    The circus owner shook his head in dismay. There had been a PERPETUAL flow of hopefuls all week. Only a few had made the cut."

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    1. Lee: This is a fun take. Who knew that 'running away to the circus' was so hard and that not everyone makes the cut.

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    2. Practice makes perfect, i hope those who didn’t make it the first time get to try again.

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    3. Well done, I enjoyed this!

      XO
      WWW

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    4. very well written! enjoyed it!

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    5. Hi Lee - this made a great read ... circus owners must so often struggle to find performers ... cheers Hilary

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  9. Switching between errant laptops(the techno kind, not klnees!) is more than enough funambulism for this lil chicken. I hope to have mine repaired and returned tody, but then P.will need to work on that one so I will still be days away from playing catch-up.And I thought it was "sully" not "sally" Eyes, keyb

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    1. dinahmow: It is sully. Which was in an early draft of my tale and omitted (through operator error) from the one I posted. And this chook would never have made a career (or even a hobby) out of funambulism.

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  10. wow...now that's a collection to ponder.

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    1. Much to Kelly's chagrin her ablutions were getting her nowhere with washing away the saucy mess that had sullied her favourite apron.
      It was all Freds fault. She threw an annoyed glance his way. There he had stood, moonstruck over Phyllis Chapman, cigar in one hand and cooking sauce in the other paying no attention to what he was doing which was supposed to be, helping her. Fortunately the cigar was extinguished when it fell in the sand but the sauce found its home all over her frills and ruffles.
      Fred sighed. Life with Kelly was a bit like being a funambulist. Breathing heavily he lowered himself into a lawn chair and vowed to give Kelly a wide berth next time she asked for assistance in cooking.

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    2. only slightly confused: My sympathies are ALL with Kelly. Sorry Fred, but they are.

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    3. This brought a smile to my face.... :)

      It proves....leave the barbecueing to the women!!!

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    4. Fred, you should be moonstruck over only one woman!

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    5. Very well done. I've known some Freds in my time.
      Sympathies always with the Kellys.

      XO
      WWW

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    6. LOL - loved this! glad that his cigar did not fall into the sauce!

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  11. If I wasn't so tired, and my arm wasn't aching from my pneumonia vaccine, I would have loved to give this one a try, but my brain just isn't focusing right now.

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    1. mxtodis123: I do hope your pain and fatigue ease off. And you will be very welcome whenever you join the fun.

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  12. Hi EC - had to look it up ... but now I know what funambulist means ... I might tightrope round that list! I'll be back - maybe a while ... cheers for now - Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: I look forward to seeing where your agile mind takes you (and us).

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    2. It's given up I'm afraid ... I had another look and got my knickers in a twist ... so the funambulist would be very fumbling and not safe flopping onto that heavy sand - whether she fell or lowered herself. I will not sully my mind any further ... too much lowering won't help! To my chagrin ... I fail! Yet made it ... cheers Hilary

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    3. Hilary Melton-Butcher: Not a fail at all. I am smiling broadly. Have a great week.

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  13. My goodness, forgot about words for Wednesday - mind went blank again..

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    1. Margaret-whiteangel: I do understand blank mind syndrome. Perhaps next week will be better for you.

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  14. Takes a lot of brain power. Way to go for everyone who is joining :)

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    1. Small Kucing: We have fun, and I hope some week you will join us.

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  15. To my chagrin, my heavy handed comments about the lowering standards of my competition showed that my attempts at being a philosophical funambulist were like sand in the wind. They did not sully my competition, they only cast doubt on me.

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    1. Bill: Thank you for joining us again. Hoist with his own petard?

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    2. I like the compact nature of this run on.....

      XO
      WWW

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    3. short and saucy! nicely done!

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  16. Bill, he sounds like someone who needs to be a little longer on ear and shorter on mouth.

    My take on the prompts is over here.

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  17. I had fun with this and posted a true storyt on my blog.
    https://wisewebwoman.blogspot.com/2018/10/cigar.html

    XO
    WWW

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    1. Wisewebwoman: Thank you for joining us again. I am heading over to check out your story now.

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    2. Wisewebwoman: This is such a clever use of the prompts. And all too familiar.

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    3. Thank you EC!I'm so enjoying these Wednesdays :)

      XO
      WWW

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    4. I wish I had had your courage in telling people not to smoke. I liked your story.

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    5. I really loved your memories and story. Nicely shared!

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  18. This was a tough one!

    Tonight was no different. Their perpetual garden chores gave way to ablutions followed by the sound and then smell of popping corn. Movie time. Tonight it’s Moonstruck.

    “That saucy Loretta,” she says as her eyes get heavy and her head nods. Before long both are asleep, wasting popcorn on the floor.

    When they wake, he lights a cigar and asks, “ Was it good for you?”

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    1. Marie Smith: Love it. And can relate to be so tired after garden chores that the eyes just close. A funambulist I am not. A somnambulist I have been.

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    2. LOL - loved this, and the movie!

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  19. I'm going to have to skip it this week. My head is hurting just a little too much to play...but I love seeing everyone else join in!! :)

    Elsie

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    1. Elsie Amata: I am so sorry that your head is giving you grief again. The return of the migraines? I hope it goes quickly.

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  20. More people should inspire others. :)

    Hope you're doing fine.

    Blue

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    1. Blue Grumpster: Margaret and her friends did an excellent job of inspiring (and challenging) rather a lot of us. I am fine(ish). Thank you for asking.

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  21. May I on behalf of Sue, Bill and myself, thank everyone who were challenged and wrote wonderful story with our combined prompts this month. Fabulous to read all your different takes. We will be back next year again to inspire and challenge you again.

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  22. For once I feel a bit superior. I knew - without looking anywhere - the meaning of funambulist ;) But then lowering had me baffled.
    And once again I'm late ... well it's still only Friday here. Hope I can make it before deadline (in the sand) My story is here
    And a heartfelt THANK YOU to Margaret, Bill and Sue. It has been fun.

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    1. Uglemor: You SHOULD feel superior. I suspect you are the only one of us who knew funambulist - and that in a language which isn't your first. Off to read your story very shortly.

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    2. Yours was a wonderful story! I'm so intrigued!

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  23. You got me with a few of those EC. Kudos to Jazz for knowing that the fridge is the best place to hang out.(lol) Hugs...RO

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    1. RO: Jazz still likes that spot. And still uses it to wander behind the kitchen cupboards. A purring cupboard is a very weird thing...

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  24. I was certain I shared the link to mine late last night, but I was sleep-typing at times, and so may not have hit publish. Plus I've noticed that the Mac I use at home is not "Blogger" friendly as it will not save my log-in name. Here is my attempt: the chagrined funambulist

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    1. Cindi Summerlin: I have been, I have marvelled.

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  25. So sorry I haven't time to join in today, as I enjoy these so much.:/
    Will try to make it next time!

    Wishing You a Magical Weekend! xoxoxo

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    1. Ygraine: Thank you. I hope your weekend is filled with joy and beauty - and look forward to you joining us next week.

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  26. Excellent read everyone!!! Another great post EC! Thank you! Big Hugs and I hope you are well!

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    1. Magic Love Crow: Margaret and her friends' prompts inspired some wonderful stories didn't they?

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    1. Magic Love Crow: And to you - where has the year gone?

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  28. Wow! I really enjoyed the reads here.
    Thanks everyone.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Lowcarb team member ~Jan: So did I. Margaret and her team inspired some wonderful stories this month.

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