The challenge is back. Huge thanks to the organisers and participants. A visit HERE will give you access to a range of talented and very different takes on the theme. I do hope you will visit others and applaud them.
I struggled with this prompt. As a committedobsessional gardener I value and need my wheelbarrow. However I don't give a rat's fundament what colour it is. And then I started to wonder how the wheelbarrow feels...
***
The trees blaze with arboreal fireworks.
I carry away the faded glory.
Winter has a hard-edged beauty of its own.
Largely ignored and neglected I wait the season out.
The much admired daffodils dance effortlessly in the breeze.
This is
my busy season. I work. Hard. Rolling to the compost pile
laden with weeds, lumbering back to the garden filled with mulch. Back
and forth, back and forth.
Most of the heavy work is done and I dream of being included in the celebration of summer. Included and seen as beautiful.
A fresh
coat of blue would be fine I suppose,
but I really, really see myself as a big, beautiful, RED workhorse.
but I really, really see myself as a big, beautiful, RED workhorse.
***
Word Count:
If every picture tells a thousand words we are way over the limit.
In actual words? The wheelbarrow is a quiet achiever and taciturn. 114 words.
Full critique acceptable.
Beautiful garden images EC.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: Thank you.
DeleteI loved the photos interspersed, they added to the thoughts shared by your wheelbarrow. Blue would be pretty too, yet my heart flutters when I see a red one.
ReplyDeletePearson Report: You are obviously in tune with my wheelbarrow.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this piece of writing. I had never given much thought to the humble wheelbarrow...
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: I have also just 'used' my wheelbarrow and am now feeling guilty.
DeleteWheelbarrows are so underrated, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteI had quite a close relationship with my father's...used to live being taken for rides in it by him and my brother when I was small! Lol
How I love the pictures...so very beautiful and colourful.
Thank you so much for sharing!😊😊
Sending you much love and hugs, always ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Ygraine: They are. I rely on mine, but also neglect it. My father's wheelbarrow was an uncomfortable ride (due to hardened concrete lumps) was was definitely a hard worker.
DeleteDaffodils or jonquils already! You like the cold and you have certainly had that this year.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: It has been a patchy winter here, but mostly warmer than usual. We do have some daffs and jonquils out, and the sulphur crested vandals are beheading them.
DeleteSuch beauty in text and image!
ReplyDeleteMarie Smith: Thank you so much. Your own beautiful posts frequently take me wandering.
DeleteI agree with Marie: such beautiful pictures and I love your text. :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan: Many thanks.
DeleteGreat pictures.
ReplyDeleteJamie Ghione: My gardening photo folders are FULL.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteA very interesting way of looking at a wheelbarrow. As a workhorse, it does haul around quite a bit. I loved the images you chose and the supporting text accompanying them,
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
Pat Garcia: Thank you. My wheelbarrow makes some garden tasks possible. Essential tasks which I couldn't manage without it.
DeleteI like how you did this. Yes, a picture speaks a thousand words and they are all so lovely.
ReplyDeleteStarting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: Thank you. I really did have troubles with this prompt.
DeleteYou've captured it perfectly - a sturdy, practical soul with just a hint of whimsy!
ReplyDeleteJemi Fraser: Whimsy is always welcome here - and thank you.
DeleteWonderful, EC:) You breathed life into that wheelbarrow. I loved it.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: The wheelbarrow and I thank you.
DeleteLove that first shot (tree, red
ReplyDeleteAuthor R. Mac Wheeler: Autumn is one of my favourite seasons - even if the wheelbarrow does get the dirty work (again).
DeleteBeautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: Thank you.
DeleteYou made me smile with that revision to 'obsessional' gardener. So the images you selected and the poem you wrote to celebrate that red wheelbarrow are just lovely.
ReplyDeletePS Sorry for the typo that led to the delete!
Beth Camp: I knew what you meant with the typo and would happily have let it stand. I am obsessional (about gardening and other things). And thank you.
DeleteYou are so cleaver with using pictures instead of words. Well done. My wheelbarrow and me are inseparable it seems. It's my secret partner in Spring, Summer and Fall, then when the snow comes, I let it rest.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Julia
Julia: Many thanks. My wheelbarrow gets a work out too, and is (perhaps) tired of being the silent partner.
DeleteThis. is. awesome! And clever! And interesting. Now I wonder how the other garden tools feel.
ReplyDeleteJ C: Now there is a thought. And do the other garden tools get on, or are there secret rivalries and wars...
DeleteOh, how nice. I smiled as I read your charming entry. She wants to be red, hey? Why do I think it is a she?
ReplyDeleteAnd the photos are fantastic, as always.
Olga Godim: 'Why do I think it is a she?' Perhaps because she is hard-working, essential and underappreciated.
DeleteMost pleasant to pal around with you, Sis
ReplyDeleteCloudia: I am glad.
DeleteI can tell by the dates on the comments that in your part of the world, it is already my birthday. Good luck with the challenge.
ReplyDeleteLisa: Thank you. And a very happy birthday to you.
DeleteWhat would we do without our wheelbarrows, red or otherwise. And those workaholic truck are an absolute necessity too. Loved your pictures and a glimpse of the hardworking (obsessive) gardener.
ReplyDeletecleemckenzie: Without my wheelbarrow the garden would be in MUCH worse shape than it is.
DeleteClever, writing from the wheelbarrow's POV!
ReplyDeletemessymimi: Thank you. Even a wheelbarrow likes to be heard.
DeleteI like that! The visuals really added to it.
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: Thank you.
DeleteI had thought of painting my tired old barrow...bright yellow, like our house interior.
ReplyDeleteBut I've never got beyond the thought...
dinahmow: It has never occurred to me to decorate my much used wheelbarrow. It is fine as it is, big enough to carry things for me, and not so heavy that I cannot move it when full.
DeleteI have no critique of this one, my friend, other than praise. Lovely, vivid images with a diverse color pallet. I love looking at your work. And I was very amused with how you connected the shots through that POV!
ReplyDeleteJohn Wiswell: Many thanks. I am endlessly grateful to (and for) the talented writers I have found here in the blogosphere.
DeleteAn awesome take on the prompt! I love reading from the wheelbarrow's perspective and the fact that you can connect with the emotion of a metal workhorse is writing at its best. The photos only add more depth to a beautiful weaving of words. Bravo to you, EC!
ReplyDeleteRiver Fairchild: Thank you. As always. Your support has been invaluable.
DeleteWheelbarrows are important, too. This barrow has two big advantages. First owners who care for and maintain it. Second, it has such an important sense of purpose and self, it has aspirations. My kind of wheelbarrow. Yours, too.
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: Odd or not, I AM feeling a bit guilty because I had never stopped to consider the wheelbarrow's feelings or aspirations before. When this one is too tired to continue as a workhorse it will still have a home.
DeleteLovely story - and the photos are absolutely perfect.
ReplyDeleteI'm very glad to hear that the patchy punk is back home with you. Have they given a name to what the problem was? Please scratch his ears for me (if he allows such liberties!)
Alexia: Many thanks.
DeleteJazz's ailment is still a mystery. We go back to the vet for a follow-up tomorrow. He is (fortunately) still eating, and considerably more benign that usual. I will give him a scrooch for you.
I'm glad you could join us this month! I love that you put yourself into the shoes of the wheel barrow. Not that wheel barrows have shoes, of course. I also loved the pictures!
ReplyDeleteL.G. Keltner: Thank you. I really did struggle with this prompt and I am glad that you like it.
DeleteGreat that you felt up to it this month, Sue. And what a beautiful set of photos to tell your wheelbarrow story. So two so far plumbing the mind of a wheelbarrow. It works!
ReplyDeleteDenise Covey: Thank you. Nausea still with me, but I refuse to let it win (often).
DeleteBrave Sue. Keep finding beauty everywhere you look and point your camera...x
DeleteDenise Covey: Many thanks.
DeleteI love your pictures☺
ReplyDeletenatalia20041989: Thank you.
DeleteI'd give a rat's fundamental to have that little Citroen Pickup. At least it looks like a Citroen. Oui!
ReplyDeleteBill: I am ignorant, but both the wheelbarrow and I think it is lovely.
DeleteWhat a delightful collection of images of wheelbarrows and plants. I could almost smell the wet earth and feel the satisfaction of doing all that planting.
ReplyDeleteKalpana: Thank you. Wet earth has a truly lovely smell doesn't it?
DeleteI like this. I don't have a wheelbarrow, but a nearby neighbour does and twice a year she plants it with petunias or pansies. my mum had a brown wheelbarrow, she won it in a raffle and dad was disappointed. He thought prizes should always be money.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I really like my wheelbarrow. The skinny one complains it isn't big enough, but it is quite big enough for me (and features in the early wheelbarrow shots in this piece).
Deletewe have two plain wheel barrows one black, the other green, I prefer the ones planted with flowers
ReplyDeleteLinda Starr: Selfishly I prefer my wheelbarrows to be useful rather than decorative.
DeleteI love this quirky take on the prompt! Right up my alley :) And the photos are just right.
ReplyDeletejenny_o: Thank you. I struggled with this one (and with choosing the photos).
DeleteHi EC - delightful ... and so so true ... I rather fancy the big red one though - but now-a-days I wouldn't be able to manage that amount of gardening ... still your homely one would suit me - if I had a garden. Love the photos and the not on hard work ... it is - cheers and the take was perfect - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: Even wheelbarrows have dreams... And the garden is frequently beyond me too.
DeleteI enjoyed your take on the topic and I think the picture added just the right touch.
ReplyDeleteRick Watson: Many thanks.
DeleteEC, this is brilliant! Well done!!! I love it!! Love your words and I love the photos!! Congrats!!!
ReplyDelete(My friend, from the bottom of my heart, I think you are a wonderful person!! Sending love your way, always! Start loving you!!! Big Hugs)
Magic Love Crow: Thank you. Most days I will settle for liking me (or not disliking me).
DeleteI really loved your perspective! Are those pictures from your garden?
ReplyDeleteCindi Summerlin: All of the photos are mine, and all but the last two are from our garden.
DeleteThe Little Wheelbarrow That Could!
ReplyDeleteBea: Fortunately it is indeed the little wheelbarrow that could - regardless of its colour.
DeleteBea just took the words out of my mouth, lol!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a blue (and redish:) wheelbarrow with *lots* of stories to tell...
Mark Koopmans: Thank you. Taking words out of anythings mouth is a tad unhygenic though.
DeleteYou made me feel for the wheel barrow. Good job.
ReplyDeleteMary Kirkland: Since this piece came into my head I have been feeling guilty about my treatment of the wheelbarrow. Silly but true.
DeleteI bow what you mean by loading compost. I do lots of it and it is really hard work for me nowadays.
ReplyDeleteFriko: And me. Quite a lot of the garden is hard work these days.
DeleteDamn auto-correct: I know not bow.
ReplyDeleteFriko: Auto-correct is a wilful beast isn't it? And frequently wrong.
DeleteGreat shots and taking it from the wheelbarrow's envious pov. Poor thing just wants to be a big red truck.
ReplyDeletePat Hatt: Don't we all have dreams? Some possible, some less so...
DeleteLovely shots!
ReplyDeleteLady Fi: Thank you.
DeleteGosh, I haven't had a wheelbarrow for years. Now I'm wondering what I've been missing...
ReplyDeleteBut when I was a kid, the wheelbarrow was always red, at least for as long as it was any color.
Rebecca M. Douglass: I have never, ever had a wheelbarrow which wasn't 'utilitarian' coloured. When this one retires I may have to change that.
DeleteA beautiful red workhorse!
ReplyDeleteI really loved the gorgeous pictures and your words, which got right to the point.
My son and I may end up needing a wheelbarrow. The yard area at the new place isn't that big, but there's a lot to do!
The Real Cie: Thank you. Wheelbarrows are wonderful things. They make hard jobs a heap easier (even possible).
DeleteNow, that's taking empathy to the next higher level! I always knew you had great empathy for other people... and animals, too,.. but it seems your ability to walk in another's proverbial shoes extends to metal and rubber wheels, as well. Bravo! This is an interesting and very clever take on the prompt. Well done, dear lady.
ReplyDeleteSusan: I am indeed an empath. Which is a double edged sword. I am amazed at just how guilty I now feel for taking the wheelbarrow for granted...
DeleteGreat photos and the text makes a story to complete your entry.
ReplyDeleteSally: Thank you. Denise suggested I might like to do a photo entry - and this is a compromise.
DeleteI love stories from a different point of view! Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteDiane Stringam Tolley: Thank you - and there are so many different points of view...
DeleteHave a weekend filled with color, sparkle and cool breezes.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Sandra Cox: Thank you - and the same for you.
DeleteI think my wheel barrow died happy with all the uses we put it through. funny how it always seems the perfect tool for any hauling job.
ReplyDeletedolorah: They are. Mine is used often (in most seasons).
DeleteI really love the contrasting elements of this sentence, "A fresh coat of blue would be fine I suppose, but I really, really see myself as a big, beautiful, RED workhorse."
ReplyDeleteBernadette: Thank you. Don't we all have dreams?
DeleteI liked the seasonal images you used and the pictures really brought it to life.
ReplyDeleteAntice Brown: Thank you.
DeleteI relished the creative images evoked by your words. Lovely photographs have been drizzled over your essay cake to make a really delicious treat.
ReplyDeleteThank you for making our day brighter!
Wally Jones: That is a truly lovely thing to say. Many thanks.
DeleteI enjoyed the combination of prose and pictures, that serve to bolster each in a superb manner. Well done.
ReplyDeleteChristopher Scott Author: Thank you. It is mostly a photographic essay but my non visual self needed a few words.
DeleteAnother great switch on the POV. I really like the stance this story took. The lovely pictures added volumes. Whether red or blue, I like that your wheelbarrow had good self-esteem.
ReplyDeleteToi Thomas: Thank you. The wheelbarrow is a dreamer. A sadly underrated dreamer.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear about Jazz. I hope all is well soon!!
ReplyDeleteThe write-up is great and I like the red truck. :)
mail4rosey: Thank you. On both counts.
DeleteWhy waste words when you choose - probably took - such appropriate photos. As for that last one - a red wheelbarrow grown up and blooming.
ReplyDeleteRoland Clarke: Thank you so much. I did take the photographs and they are all (except the last two) photographs from home. Still feeling a tad guilty about the lack of words in a writing challenge though.
DeleteI read a blog recently that said the most effective way to protest is by self sufficient gardening. Lovely piece and beautiful well kept wheel barrow.
ReplyDeleteEdix: Welcome and thank you. I am not self-sufficient, but do try. And the garden gives me haven, exercise, beauty and solace.
DeleteCool and clever! Stunning images as usual, EC. So very glad to see the photo-art as an entry at WEP! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteNilanjana Bose: Thank you. Denise gave me the idea - and I am so grateful for the kind comments.
DeleteGreat pictures. This made me want to garden. Great job.
ReplyDeleteJamie: Welcome and thank you. My garden is fed with blood sweat and tears and is STILL heart balm, respite and solace.
DeleteI like the wheelbarrow's point of view - well done! These days I feel like the wheelbarrow: back and forth, back and forth to the garden. But every trip is a joy because I come back with yummy fruit and veggies! :-)
ReplyDeleteDiane Henders: Those repetitive trips ARE a joy. And a reflection of lots of work and a smidgeon of luck.
DeleteI could spend hours drifting through your world shared here - thank you for your big-hearted shares. A big red workhorse:)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the new tenderlings springing up everywhere. I wish you a very large joy this season:)
- Jennifer
Jennifer Richardson: Many, many thanks. And hugs.
Delete