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 Fulcher. They will also include photographs taken by Margaret's friend Danny McCaughan.
Here are this weeks prompts.
- Ironically
- Trove
- Reflecting
- Visit
- Dressing gown
- Buttercup
And / or
- Chronic
- Slippers
- Stretching
- Chuckled
- Technical
- Practice
Clothes make the man was Joe's maxim. He practised what he preached too, giving almost technical attention to his appearance and stretching his salary further than it could go to purchase haute couture. His dressing room was lined with mirrors reflecting his appearance from every conceivable angle, and the overflowing wardrobes were a treasure trove for any fashionista.
ReplyDeleteIronically when his sister Ida found him, those same mirrors were reflecting a less than perfect image. He had been tripped by the sash of his buttercup yellow dressing gown, and had one fluffy slipper on his foot with the other nowhere to be seen. The broken arm, dislocated hip and two spectacular black eyes duplicated in those myriad mirrors was most certainly not the image he wanted to present.
Ida called the ambulance and chuckled ruefully saying 'I shouldn't laugh I know, but it was only yesterday I told him that his vanity had become a chronic illness and would be the death of him. I am thankful that this time he has got off relatively lightly.'
Poor Joe, downed by his vanity. I had to chuckle just as Ida did.
Delete"He had been tripped by the sash of his buttercup yellow dressing gown, and had one fluffy slipper on his foot with the other nowhere to be seen."
DeleteThis sentence alone tells us all about him and his fashionable accident. Bravo!
Pride does come before a fall, it has been said many times!!
DeletePoor Joe!
Good one, EC. :)
Oh, dear, and heeheehee! You can't help but laugh, and hope he learns his lesson. Well told!
DeleteGreat story and I can just imagine it all and indeed I would have also had a quiet giggle!
DeleteYes that is a giggle-worthy story. Well turned.
DeleteHi EC - excellent ... especially finding all his 'failings' reflected in the mirrors ... I think relief and I guess I'd have a smile - that he'd gone fairly quickly ... great take - cheers Hilary
DeletePoor Joe - sounds like he got off lightly.
DeleteI loved your colourfull use of the prompts EC
technical just needs to learn to relax.
DeleteCoffee is on
I just had to laugh, tho a little guilty, but he he was vain. I don't think I've ever owned a pair of fluffy slippers!!
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Great wordsmithing. Great story. Loved it.
DeleteEC, this is brilliant!! Love your story!
DeleteEvery time Aunt Mavis came to visit, her large carpet bag was a veritable treasure trove of gifts for us children. While she sat with Mum drinking numerous cups of tea, they'd discuss her chronic back problems while we were allowed to rummage at will through the bag and divvy up the surprises inside. an easy enough job, since the items were always definitely boy or girl themed and there were only two of us. Myself, Justin and my twin Janet. One year, Janet received several toys along with a dressing gown and matching slippers in a lovely buttercup yellow colour. My set was forest green.
ReplyDeleteAunt Mavis sounds like a lot of fun! :)
DeleteAs Sandi said, Aunt Mavis was a most generous, fun aunt, indeed! :)
DeleteEveryone needs an Aunt Mavis.
DeleteRiver: Echoing the other comments. We all need an Aunt Mavis.
DeleteGood old Aunt Mavis. We all need an Aunt like that.
DeleteThis aunt Mavis. I definitely think, I met her somewhere before - in a book that is. You have written well, River, But now this half-remembered memory will haunt me.
DeleteHi River ... I'd have loved to have had an aunt Mavis ... lots of treasures ... cheers Hilary
DeleteEveryone needs to have an Aunt Mavis.
DeleteI want one too - an Aunt Mavis that is. I've already got the chronic back problem so I don't need that!
DeleteI had an Aunt Mavis, her name was Francie. I adored her. Always the large bag of interesting goodies for us all.
DeleteLovely memory. Thank you.
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This is great!
DeleteOh, you are good Elephant's Child. I can picture this vividly in my mind. You have a great imagination. You are a good comedy writer.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Julia
Julia: Thank you. Words for Wednesday is fun. Perhaps you will join us some week.
DeleteYes Julie it would be lovely if you could write a short story.
DeleteIRONICALLY, as she sat on her verandah, still clad in her DRESSING GOWN and fluffy yellow SLIPPERS enjoying the warmth of the early morning sun, the 1968 hit by The Foundations, “Build Me Up BUTTERCUP Baby” was playing on the radio.
ReplyDeleteSipping on a mug of steaming coffee, she CHUCKLED quietly believing she was a CHRONIC sentimental invalid.
STRETCHING as she stood, she walked inside the house.
A new day had dawned, bringing with it a new beginning.
REFLECTING on the past couple of years, all of which had been fraught with more than a fair share of turmoil and heartache, she was thankful for the unexpected VISIT the previous day. The message he’d brought lifted a huge weight off her shoulders; lifted the persistent burden of dark clouds that had been hounding her.
Finally, she felt she could breathe again. After having suffering months - months that had turned into years filled with distress and concern - a disguised, almost indiscernible loophole in the law had given her a TECHNICAL victory. Hallelujah!
Her home was a TROVE of memories. Perhaps it was time to consider a new profession...maybe the PRACTICE of law!
Disrobing, she laughed as she stepped under the shower.
In full volume, she began singing the song, which had been stubbornly running through her head."
Sometimes the law works out just right in the end.
DeleteLee: A lovely image, and I hope she continues to triumph (and sing).
DeleteI am so glad it all worked out in the end for her and she can sing happy now.
DeleteOh, good. It sounds like she deserved a break. I could see this lady in my mind's eye.
DeleteHi Lee - that was delightful ... and I could see it all - now I'd like to be out on the verandah ... an ear-worm for us today ... Build Me up Buttercup ... fun read - cheers Hilary
DeleteA loophole in the law, serendipity indeed. I'm glad she can be happy again.
DeleteIt's good to know she can breathe more easily now Lee. Music and legal loopholes were her godsend obviously - yours as well maybe?
DeleteNever heard the song "Build me up butterfly"
DeleteThese words made me laugh, and the story ended up being more positive than i thought it would at first.
ReplyDeletemessymimi: I look forward to reading your tale.
DeleteAh a happy ending, that is good!
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Nice selection.
ReplyDeleteCandace stood by the reflection pool in her slippers and buttercup yellow dressing gown prepared to do her stretching. She did it with a technical perfection, the result of years of practice. She chuckled as she thought of Toms visit earlier in the evening. She had tried to convince him to do the stretching exercises to ease his chronic back pain but he wasn't having it. Instead he insisted on carrying his treasure trove of archaeological finds everywhere he went which ws actually aggravating his condition. Ironically, one of the bones was from a mastodon with a massive curve in its back , no doubt contributing to its demise.
ReplyDeleteonly slightly confused: Love it. Sadly I am more like Tom than Candace, being as supple as a brick.
DeleteSome people never learn or sometimes they learn the "hard" way.
DeleteWel written cameo of two opposites. I too am more Tom than Candace.
DeleteI love the idea of a daily stretching program, sadly it doesn't get any further than the stretch I do just before getting up. I'm often carrying far too much weight also, my backpack gets quite heavy at times.
DeleteI love the reflective element to this. Well done!
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Very well written!
DeleteDear Auntie had had a CHRONIC back problem some years back, her Dr. had told her to do some STRETCHING when she got out of bed.
ReplyDeleteEvery morning she could be seen through her window doing her stretching exercises, we know she had her SLIPPERS on. Auntie became excellent with all the PRACTICE.
We would be watching her as we peek through the crack in the door, we always CHUCKLED to ourselves as children often did watching older people doing such things.
OF course we young ones were more into the TECHNICAL aspect of today’s technology.
Yes as children it was so much fun peeping through cracks knowing adults did not know they were being spied on!
DeleteMargaret-whiteangel: Love it. And these days I SHOULD be doing similar stretches.
DeleteOh yes, peeping on aunts and uncles doing strange adult-world things is a part of choldhood.
DeleteOh poor Auntie. I know how she feels having to do those daily stretching exercises. Luckily I don't have any little anklebiters sneaking up and peeping at me on the quiet!
DeleteI need Auntie getting me out of bed and forcing me to do those stretches. Yes I do! Great story.
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FIRST SET OF WORDS USED.
ReplyDeleteI am sitting on the veranda in my DRESSING GOWN sipping my first cup of coffee, REFLECTING back on the days when my teenage twin sons lived at home. Such a lot of noise they could make, and the music they played, well, I am sure the sound nearly travelled to the next farm! Then I thought of the terrible mess they kept their room and it seems no matter what I said, they never got the message to keep it a bit tidier.
As I look out at the field in front of our farmhouse with the morning sun shining on the beautiful yellow BUTTERCUP flowers stretching for as far as the eye could see, a thought made me smile as I think that one of the meanings of Buttercup is neatness. Certainly could not liken that word to how my sons keep their bedroom. When I did venture into their rooms to pick up empty cups and rubbish, one time I found a box under one of their beds and when I opened it, it revealed a treasure TROVE of sealed classic rock albums by numerous artists. I never knew Nigel had this collection although I often wondered how he spent his pocket money as he never had anything to show for it. Spencer, my other son, on the other hand used to save his money and then spend it on something he was saving up for like his classical guitar.
Nowadays, when I VISIT their rooms, they are tidy, no noise, no mess, nothing is ever moved as both boys have now gone to college and IRONICALLY now I miss all that. It is so quiet these days and lonely and I look forward to the times when the boys return for their summer vacation and nowadays, I say nothing about their rooms!
Margaret Birding For Pleasure: I suspect many parent can relate to this. Hopefully when the boys visit they are now at least a bit tidier though.
DeleteTeenagers and messy rooms go hand-in-hand and they grow out of it usually although I know a few 40+ 'teenagers' still with messy rooms.
DeleteLots of memories here. One of my daughters took over 3 rooms in the house as it was a large marital old place. Her mess kept spreading and spreading.
DeleteNow she is tidy pants.
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SECOND SET OF WORDS USED
ReplyDeleteI had a very persistent cough for over 6 months so I had gone to the PRACTICE nurse thinking she would just prescribe an antibiotic. However on giving me a though examination, she sent me for an X-ray of my chest.
I was asked to take the X-ray immediately to the Consultant. I had glanced at what had been written, and then read it again and then again but it was much too TECHNICAL for me to understand. When I was called in to see him, he greeted me with a warm smile as he CHUCKLED and looked down. Oh dear! I was wearing my fluffy pink SLIPPERS, so quickly STRETCHING my hand forth with the X-ray; I tried to cover my embarrassment.
I sat quietly wondering how I could have been so stupid not to have noticed I was wearing slippers instead of shoes as the Consultant looked at the X-ray for a considerable time. Then he turned to me, sat down and gentle told me I have developed CHRONIC bronchitis.
Margaret Birding For Pleasure: Chronic bronchitis? Nasty. I am sure the doctors have seen much worse than fluffy pink slippers though. Love that the doctor was gentle in conveying the bad news.
DeleteDear Margaret Birding For Pleasure, please don't take offense. You're a good writer, I love how you tell a story. These two stories .. I can see all of it clearly and distinctly. You paint pictures with your words.
DeleteBut .. How do I put it ... your stories are a bit too much just every-day life, just descriptions. I miss a twist of plot, a surprise sneaking in ... something that goes "Pop".
You know, there's only reason to criticize when you suspect people can do much better.
Dear Uglemor Thank you for your comment. I have to tell you I am NOT a writer at all and only write a story here on EC's site when I give the month's prompts with my friend Sue.(like this month) In fact Sue is the writer and when I met her she had stopped writing and so to encourage her I suggested she tried writing using EC's prompts. She said she would but ONLY if I wrote also! So that is the only reason I write here. I believe I am much better giving the prompts than writing the stories. Sue over the past year has developed Parkinson's and can not longer write by hand and does not like computers! It is very sad. I do my best to weave the words into some kind of story and I know it will never win prizes but then that is NOT why I write them.
DeleteSue must have rubbed off onto you. I think you're quite the writer. How sad that she can't write any more.
DeleteWould Sue be happy with dictating a story using the words you provide? Then we could read hers as well as yours.
DeleteI wouldn't be happy with chronic bronchitis anymore than I was to find out I had asthma brought on by lung damage from breathing fumes in the factories.
I had bronchitis several times and it is terribly troublesome and challenging to get relief. Debilitating. those fluffy slippers, tho, I laughed.
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This is great, Margaret! Kudos.
DeleteWhat a lovely drive into the country … lots of buttercups along the verges … they were meant to be expecting me, and I was late, to give them time to be ready.
ReplyDeleteI try and visit fairly regularly – it keeps their spirits up … but they get flustered when their routine changes …
I could see the bright yellow dressing gown draped over the chair and heard the loud chatter … ‘oh she’s here’ … and as I walked in …
… he was regal in front of a large mirror … his wife ironically admiring his pose … while a trove of other items lay before them … the decision – not reached – as to what to wear to reflect their state of mind …
… had they wandered too far this time … nakedness was not something I was expecting … I quickly grabbed the dressing-gown to put around his shoulders … dressing could come later.
Now I needed to turn the conversation … so they were not embarrassed as to their state … and we could have a happy visit before I left them to their own devices. They were happy with their life – and that’s all that mattered …
First lot! Cheers Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: What a delightful guest. I am not certain I could muster that same presence of mind.
DeleteI probably could now ... ten or fifteen years ago I'd have hung up my boots and left forever! But sometimes we need to 'help out' ...
DeleteOops. They seem to have wandered far, if not actually too far. Well spun yarn.
DeleteI found is this story sad and i am probably wrong when I assumed that this couple had dementia and they would not have been embarrassed at all. Good story.
DeleteA very interesting story and I'm left wondering about the couple.
DeleteButtercups are quite pretty.
DeleteCoffee is on
H'm that's an interesting story, I feel there's a lot more to it and maybe you will write a sequel?
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Thank you so much ... I 'drew' the story out from some of the others above, and from being involved with long-term care for my mother, who was incapacitated but most of the time fully in charge of her marbles, so I was around people with dementia too - in various stages ... as all of us get to at some stage - and I've learnt to make allowances and not draw attention to things. My mother had a fertile imagination when she was having 'dementia' periods ...
DeleteSo ... no sequel ... as the ideas just came ...
Appreciate everyone's comments ... cheers Hilary
I bet I could find a way to sneak in the word "chuckled" sometime today.(lol) Hugs...RO
ReplyDeleteI so hope you can manage a little story.
DeleteRO: Chuckled is a wonderful word - and thing. I hope your day is full of them.
DeleteI always enjoy the unique stories that come from just a few simple words.
ReplyDeleteYes it is interesting how people direction in story line differs with the words given.
DeleteMason Canyon: I do too, and marvel at the different directions the words take people.
DeleteButtercup - all I can think of is The Princess Bride.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you can think of a short story, I do hope so Alex.
DeleteAs usual my 'entry' will be on the blog in the morning
ReplyDeleteCathy
Cathy: I look forward to it.
DeleteCathy: I have been, I have read it, and I WANT MORE.
DeleteNow I spent all forenoon reading your lovely stories and writing a very long chapter in my tale of Susan and the Unicorn Farm.
ReplyDeleteI apologize for a terrible wall of text this time. I should maybe have written two chapters, but done is done.
DeleteUglemor: I really enjoyed it - and there didn't seem to be a logical place to split it into two chapters.
DeleteI'll be over to read as soon as I finish reading the comments here.
DeleteAm really no good at this, but since I'm actually here on the given day, the first list of words/prompts sorta calls out to me...seems fitting.
ReplyDeleteI've done so much reflecting about life of late, with each visit to my Dad's house. Ironically not all of those visits have been pleasant, but I say to myself, buck up Buttercup and get the job done. I have unearthed a treasure trove of family memento's in those visits. Right down to Mom's dressing gown/nightgown, still being under the pillow on her side of the bed. That actually was a bit disturbing to me. See, told you I was no good at it. Hope you're doing well.
It's a story, it has a beginning and an end and something in the middle. It's not bad :) And you'll get even better with practice.
DeleteSandy: You are wrong. I could picture all of your story, and that dressing gown/nightie under the pillow is a really poignant touch. Thank you so much for joining in this week. I hope to see you back again in the weeks to come.
DeleteAnd you said you were no good at this. Hah! The story is delightful although a little sad.
DeleteOh Sandy, a little tale with so much in it. Imagine the emotions 'you' felt finding the night clothes still in place. I'd love to hear more about this person and the reason for being in the family home.
DeleteTake care
Cathy
So much feeling in this Sandy, I could sense the underlying grief. thank you.
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A lovely emotional story with depth in it. Don't put yourself done. You can write, now I hope you will continue
DeleteAlways difficult going into one's parent's home when the inevitable decline has set in ... so so sad - but we learn so much about life, and our parents ... take care - Hilary
DeleteIronically, the treasure trove I was expecting to find on my visit to the mountains, in the wee hours of the morning in my dressing gown, turned out to be a buttercup. The tiny flower reflecting the sun's beauty.
ReplyDeleteSandra: Love it. The little things are huge in my world and buttercups more valuable than many a treasure trove.
DeleteWhat a lovely last sentence. That says it all about the tiny flower.
DeleteLove this!
DeleteIt's fun to see what people come up with for this.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Mary you I will join in one day with a story.
DeleteMary Kirkland: It is fun.
DeleteWriters such as these are so creative.
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: As you are.
Delete
ReplyDeleteShe woke early, stretching her arms high over her head, as was her usual practice. A quick trip to the bathroom followed and then she moved on to part two of her morning ritual, the selection of her "look" for the day.
With little reflecting about yesterday's attire she chose the powder blue dressing gown and slippers covered in rhinestones. Next she opened her closet and sifted through her trove of jewelry and hats to find the perfect accessories to complete her look. Everything she put on was whimsical with no nod to any technical rules for high fashion. Ironically her mishmash worked and nearly every day she heard that she looked adorable. You might think that the constant adulation would go to her head, but for her it was nothing more than chronic background noise because she was always focused on whatever new adventure was on her horizon.
The door to her bedroom opened and Mom came into the room "Morning Buttercup! I thought I heard you moving around." She chuckled, : I see you are dressed. Princess, is it? It is perfect for our visit with Grandma today. Know why/"
"Cos I am her widdle pwincess"
Nice twist, you made me smile there.
DeleteAnne in the kitchen: Awwwwww. This is lovely. Lucky Grandma.
DeleteWow. All the way through I was imagining and elderly woman maybe with a bit of dementia, then I find it is a "widdle pwincess". So sweet :)
DeleteThat is lovely, A nice twist to the story at the end. :D
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Yes you had my fooled as well A lovely story
DeleteHi Anne - fun one ... had me fooled too ... cheers Hilary
DeleteAww. How fun. Thumbs up:)
DeleteMy story, which continues Aunt Mavis's visit, will be on my blog tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I look forward to reading it (as I do every week).
DeleteSorry so late not much of story...long day at work...https://peppylady.blogspot.com/2019/05/wednesday-pop-up-meme-number-thirty-six.html
ReplyDeletepeppylady (Dora): Thank you for joining us. I really enjoyed your story (and people with piss poor attitudes piss me off).
DeleteHere's the link to mine:
ReplyDeleteWisewebwoman
A continuation of the previous week.
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Wisewebwoman: I have been and LOVED your story.
Deletelove reading how creative people can get with this:)
ReplyDeleteMarfi-topia: So do I. Perhaps you would like to join us some week.
DeleteWow, there are some really fabulous stories here...so creative. Wish I had my "thinking head" on today!!😉
ReplyDeleteWishing you a Wonderful Weekend...with Lots of love and hugs ❤❤❤
Ygraine: I hope your thinking head returns. And that your weekend is all that you wished for me - and more.
DeleteGreat writes everyone! Thanks EC! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteMagic Love Crow: Thank you so much for your support. Huge hugs.
DeleteIronically, I enjoy a treasure trove reflecting a visit in my dressing gown walking among the buttercups and it's a chronic habit while as my slippers are stretching the worn path not with a chuckled technical pursuit but my common practice of enjoying nature's bliss. Happy endings you know.
ReplyDelete21 Wits: Nature's bliss says it all. Thank you for joining us again.
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