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 have been here this month. Huge thanks to everyone who joined in the fun and/or commented.
This week's prompts are, first two phrases:
- Bitten off more than he can chew (taken on a task which is too much for him)
- Diamond in the rough (a person who is generally of good character but lacks manners, education, or style)
And/or
- Welcome
- Trigger
- Moving
- Taller
- Essential
- Expecting
Have fun everyone.
Next month Wisewebwoman will be hosting on her blog. I really look forward to seeing where she takes us.
Getting a start now, i think He and She, the couple characters who will not tell me their names, will claim these prompts. Characters can be so stubborn!
ReplyDeletemessymimi: Names OFTEN give me trouble. Looking forward to seeing where these take you.
Delete|I was expecting a bit more of a spread after the funeral...isn't that essential these days? Well at least the line is moving along nicely. Oh, nice to see you here John. Welcome!"
ReplyDelete"Well I wouldn't have missed poor old Al's funeral for the world. Um...you didn't happen to hear how it happened did you?"
Apparently he was at the buffet here Saturday night and choked on a piece of steak. I guess he bit off more than he could easily chew."
"Oh! I thought maybe it was his heart. He was really stressed out after losing his wifes diamond ring anniversary gift in the rough at the club. I offered to look for it for him as I'm taller and could maybe see it better but he just said 'it's hopeless' and went off to the jewellers. I think he was going to pull the trigger on the purchase of a bigger diamond. Wonder if he ever bought it?"
"Oh I think so. His widow is sporting a massive diamond on her right hand and another onn her left."
"Yeah.....I found the original after old Al left. Made a nice little consolation gift for her."
only slightly confused: Love it. Diamonds in the plural to ease her pain...
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DeleteTo quote that lady who departed on the 5th Aug 1962, "Diamonds are a girls best friend".
Laughing here, excellent take on the prompts
DeleteXO
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Fun take on the words ... if only someone could find me a diamond in the rough ... !
DeleteSuper use of the words. I especially like the unexpected use for "diamond in the rough." Very clever.
DeleteDiamonds, eh? They'd be cold comfort. (They don't call 'em ice for nothing!)
The prompts are a great idea. They make it more challenging.
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: Some weeks they are very, very challenging.
DeleteThis week there are two lots of words on my blog.
ReplyDeleteWelcome. Expecting. Trigger. Essential. Taller. Moving.
A friend passing by during the evening told us he was in town. It was *essential we remained Alert,
We had been *expecting the un-*welcome *trigger happy guy to call on us after his release from prison. Much* taller than most men, his head was *moving above the bushes when I popped up my hat with the Floor mop above the window sill, It was then he was exposed when he fired and received my calling card, "Gotcha."
Vest Daily Gaggle.
Vest: This is a fun take on the words. I hope that the trigger happy go was moved on quickly.
DeleteBack in the clink - well done ...
DeleteTrigger-happy fellas don't always engage their brains. Nice job!
DeleteWhile waiting for words this week to appear. a family member provided me with six to play along with.
ReplyDeleteROAD. POLICE. FAT. MOOR.FLASHED. LEAN.
The Lightning Flashed and the Thunder Clashed and loud the Police did roar, chasing two bedraggled criminals across the foggy Moor
One was a lean and lanky man whose face spelt pimples and failure,,
The other man a big fat guy. who had a couple of wives in Australia.
I did not sleep to well last night, Up early and I have prepared Dinner for today had breakfast and fed the moggies. and I am now waiting for words to appea5r on Elephants child Blog.
Vest Daily Gaggle.
Vest: I have read your words at your blog (as you know). I am sorry I wasn't quick enough for you this morning.
DeleteA poet! You're even more talented than I thought you were.
DeleteDavid's business card read:
ReplyDeleteAll your Social Problems Resolved.
Not moving in the circles you feel you belong?
I can change that.
The Impossible just takes a little longer.
After a frantic call from his friend and neighbour Alice David knew he had taken on a tall order.
She said,' I am expecting Miracles from you David. It is essential you get this right. He is rich . That is the ONLY positive thing I can tell you about my daughter's choice of a mate ( I love her dearly but her taste is in her feet). She says he is a diamond in the rough. I can see the rough, but no diamond. He belches. He farts. He picks his nose. In public. He tells off colour stories. She is determined to marry him and if any of my friends ever meet him not only will he not be welcome, I can see doors slamming shut on my precious girl as well. And perhaps on me too. I am begging you, David. Please help us. I will pay anything you ask.'
The tall order became even taller when he was introduced to Billy-Bob, and he wondered if perhaps he had bitten off more than he could chew. Alice hadn't exaggerated. At all. Billy-Bob was impossible. His temper was on a hair trigger. His only interests seem to be sport, booze and women. If he thought someone was looking down on him, or they were talking about things he wasn't interested in or didn't understand he launched into strings of obscenities. He spat and scratched. He had no manners and he wasn't even clean.
David took a deep breath and considered his plan of attack. It would be a long job and a difficult one. And not cheap. His friend and neighbour Alice was going to have to pay through her elegant and snobby nose for this one.
Well done, EC. And what fun. I love his business card. Purrfect opener.
DeleteI think we could use that guy over here.
DeleteIf only he had half of the problems mentioned he would still be a major problem, as the old Scottish saying goes "A Crow is Nae whiter for being washed.:
DeleteA problem that definitely needs solving....swiftly, once and for all!!!
DeleteVery descriptive, EC! lol
Sadly except for the lack of hygiene I know that guy
DeleteGreat story Sue and I would like to read more. I am on holiday in Scotland at the moment and it is lovely to have more time to read all the stories. Thanks for hosting this wonderful meme.
DeleteMargaret Birding For Pleasure: Thank you. Enjoy your holiday.
DeleteOh boy, I really want to see Part 2 of this one. Excellent cliff hanger!
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Hi EC - well done ... actually I thought he might turn into one of those purry things that do delight us! But a real life nasty guy ... hope the good guy can help. Cheers Hilary
DeleteEchoing Wisewebwoman in wanting to know ow this turned out. This sure is a task.
DeleteHmmm, there IS going to be a part two, right? I'd like to know how he's going to fix that guy. A Pygmalion make-over of epic proportions, or something more nefarious?
DeleteGreat job, Sue. Have a super weekend!
Well done! Excellent EC!
DeleteHe thought MOVING to a new area would TRIGGER an ESSENTIAL, positive change to what had become a disruptive, unhappy existence. He wanted to feel TALLER, stronger, in power of his life; to not be swallowed up by the problems engulfing him –problems that were no fault of his own.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the township was not what he had been EXPECTING.
Even though he had been made feel WELCOME by the locals many of whom appeared to be diamonds in the rough, he told himself over and over, “I feel like I’ve bitten off more than I can chew, but onward and upward, come what may!”
He felt out of his depth, but was determined to overcome his insecure feelings. He wasn’t going to allow his doubts, which he knew, deep down, were unfounded, to deter him from his course.
Major changes in the offing for him.
DeleteLee: Nice take on the prompts. And here's hoping his new life will be everything he could hope for.
DeleteMoving into a new community village , town or office or a new new crew on a ship for example can be somewhat traumatic. Unless you are strong willed there will be persons there to make your life untenable.
DeleteChange is always hard wheter it be a physical change or just a change in attitude
DeleteChange is always very stressful, excellent take on the prompts.
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Hi Lee - a change can be a real challenge ... clever take on the prompts ...
DeleteWell done. Sounds like your protagonist has a strong core.
DeleteYou and River seem to be twin souls. I hope your protaginist ends up as well as hers.
DeleteNice job! Moving to a new area can be very stressful (says the gal who's lived in the same house for almost fifty years...) But moving to a new area to escape turmoil only works if the turmoil isn't self-created. Then it has a tendency to move with you.
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ReplyDeleteTaller
Expecting
Ruth sat at the bar with her brother, waiting for "The Date" to appear. Since his breakup with Nancy he had not been out at all and after a year of moping she had convinced him to try Tinder. They sat on his couch one day and she watched him swipe left on most photos, only right on two. She told him to ease up the trigger finger on the left swipes, that he was eliminating possibilities entirely too quickly. He explained, with rationale only he could understand, that it was essential for him to have fewer options, thereby lessening the chance of rejection. She tried to tell him if you limit it to 2 and both reject you the math is 100 percent rejection, where if you tried to meet 10 people and 5 of them rejected the meeting, the worst would be a 50 percent rejection rate. Math had never been his strong suit though.
As luck would have it he had established contact with one of the two and set up a meeting at the bar with dinner to follow. She was his safety net, just in case the date was a no show, but at the bar no one would guess they were even acquaintances. They made no eye contact and though they spoke to each other minimally they never invaded more social air space than any one would breech with a complete stranger. Even through the subterfuge, she was a welcome and much needed support system.
Then they spotted "her" moving, no sashaying, through the crowd. This was not at all what she was expecting. Though she was a bit taller and a little blonder she was a dead ringer for a more beautiful, more stylish, more aloof Nancy.
She took a sip of her drink, put the glass down on the cocktail napkin, twirled the bar stool around to get ready to leave and said quiety "Talk about a type. You may have bitten off more than you can chew with this one. You damn well better call me later"
Anne in the kitchen: This is both engrossing and so very sad. I do hope his sister and I are both wrong.
DeleteGoing to the local hop or posh dance hall or another choice the co/dir Ball you will meet possible partners of your own level. keep trying you will click on your future nearest and d dearest, like I did at the local hop. She told her sister I was too old but nice. But after a year we hitched and stayed that way fo 63 years.
DeleteWow Anne what a great story, I really enjoyed it it reminded me a little of that song Pina Colada.
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Hi Anne - always a worry these sorts of things - one is open to possibilities of varying sorts ...
DeleteThis calls for a follow up. I would like to hear what he tells sis after the date. well written.
DeleteNow I want to know what happens.
ReplyDeleteonly slightly confused. You and me both.
DeleteI haven't thought that far, but I think it ended badly for him.
DeleteHopefully, there will be a happy ending to his story. He's obviously drawn to a certain "look," but maybe this new gal is an improvement over his ex. Not just in looks, but in all the ways that count. Nice use of the words!
DeleteLots of really good stories here. I'll see what I can do by Friday. Going out for a new laptop tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteRiver: A new laptop? I am sorry it has come to that, but glad that you are getting one. Looking forward, as always, to reading your story.
DeleteBitten off more than he could chew ...
ReplyDeleteIn the upward wind current there was a pong that delighted … the King Vulture soaring above the South American jungle canopy … tipped his wing tips, searched for the rotting carcass … oh there was enough here to fill ‘his boots’ …
… he swooped low, diving through the jungle growth … til he found it– a huge anaconda … so old it had died … but delightful rotting flesh just for him, he thought …
… he was glad to see something else had ripped the carcass open – an essential so he could get his claws and beak into the body to satisfy his scavenging needs …
… but this seventeen foot ‘old man’ anaconda was just too much – a bite too far … definitely he’d bitten off more than he could chew ...
But his own eyes were rheumy ... still he was enjoying the taste of rotting flesh ... seventeen feet was too much!
Not nice, but an environmental good deed ... cheers everyone! Hilary
Ewww but well done!
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Definitely leaves a feeling of rotten smells and flesh and definitely well done:)
DeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: He needed to invite friends and family to join the feast. As you say, an evironmental good deed.
DeleteYummy tale ;) I liked it.
DeleteI hope that old vulture doesn't eat so much he can't take to the skies when he's done! Nice writing, Hilary.
DeleteLike those two sayings..
ReplyDeleteThe tales are good, people do do well writing.
Margaret-whiteangel: I grew up with those phrases, and agree, I am always blown away by the directions the prompts take people.
DeleteI had fun with these words and phrases!
ReplyDeleteHere's the link to mine!
Wisewebwoman
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Wisewebwoman: I loved it. It is true too often as well.
DeleteKeep moving they said, just keep moving. We gotta big welcome for you at the museum. They're expecting you to be there--why, you're the essential part of this brouhaha.
ReplyDeleteSo Trigger clipped and clopped out to a roaring crowd. He stood taller than ever, his blond tail wisping behind him. Roy would be proud.
Susan Kane: A fun take. Hoory for Trigger (who I always liked better than Roy).
DeleteI did too. The horses are the heroes in my mind. Hi Ho Silver--I bet he got tired of that one.
DeleteIs this a play on something - then I'm lost. But horses are heroes, I agree.
DeleteWell, you certainly took this in a different direction, didn't you? Nice job. I can practically see his silky tail and mane waving in the breeze... A fun use of the words!
DeleteLove it!
DeleteWelcome in Poland the country in central Europe
ReplyDeleteGosia: Thank you. I believe that my father had relatives in Poland.
DeleteI thought they were quite challenging prompts this week.
ReplyDeleteWell done to all.
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: The prompts often ARE challenging. Or I find them so.
DeleteI'm typing this on my new computer, but I can't access my own blog, K tells me I have to sign in top blogger again, but I didn't see the option on the page. Working out a new laptop is so frustrating and makes me feel stupid at times, but I'm getting there. At least I didn't give up and take it to K to sort out this time.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I was thrilled to discover that you succeeded in accessing your blog - and loved your story.
DeleteHere my story...http://peppylady.blogspot.com/2019/06/wednesday-pop-up-number-forty-one.html
ReplyDeletepeppylady (Dora): I will be over to check it out shortly.
DeleteA violent story, but till well done.
DeleteDang it! This just reminded me I was supposed to write one for last week, I think. I need to find the post. I was down with a virus for the last few days. I totally forgot!! The search is on. I'm so sorry!
ReplyDeleteElsie
Elsie Amata: Not a problem. Sometimes life gets in the way. I hope you are feeling much better now.
DeleteJust saying hi and thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteI'm skipping today's assignment. *Holding head down in shame.*
Rawknrobyn: No shame. Never, ever feel shame.
DeleteWe've had a busy weeks with Owlets finishing scool, taking exams, being celebrated and so on. But now I had a few, creative hours to myself. Here's my next installment in my never-ending story of
ReplyDeleteSusan and ther troubles.
...and thanks to you Elephant's Child for a month of delicious, enticing and challenging prompts.
DeleteUglemor: I have read your story - and love it. I also love the very different directions the prompts take anyone who joins us each week.
DeleteWow, these were particularly challenging...so very well done to everyone who dared to attempt them!
ReplyDeleteI have really enjoyed reading...and being filled with awe!!😊😊
Have a Fabulous Weekend!
Lots of love and hugs xxx
Ygraine: I have just read (and wept a little) the poem you posted on your blog today. Your work so often fills me with awe. Good luck with the medical mayhem ahead.
DeleteGreat stories everyone!!! Thanks EC! Big Hugs!
ReplyDelete