This meme was started by Delores a long time ago. Words for Wednesday is now 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.
A big thank you to Cindi who provided some different and challenging prompts for us last month.
The prompts will be here this month but are provided by Mark Koopmans.
This week's prompts are:
- Koozie
- Porche
- Dinosaur
- Watergate
- Douglas
- Soften
· And/or
- Castrated
- Chateau
- Lego
- Router
- Suncream
- Freudian
Happy New Year - and have fun with the first of a series of particularly Markesque prompts.
·
·
The glowing jade Koozie reminded me of Rosie O'Donnell. Remember when she would throw them to her audience? I drove to her show in my Porsche or I may have watched it while sitting on my porch. I can't recall, but I do remember the kids' dinosaur Legos were everywhere, Douglas' especially! We stayed at a nice hotel when we went to see Rosie, the Watergate, I believe it was called. There was a lot of security. It was like being at a French Chateau, you know the kind where you need a lot of suncream because you are outside le jardin a lot. I can not believe I remembered that translation from high school French classes. I am guessing about the suncream, however. I never took Australian. Well, my router may be kicking me off soon. I wish to thank my hero, Sigmund Freud, and...aaaargh...I fell on some ice! It was like brick. I wish someone would soften it.
ReplyDeleteAck. These are hard! 😆 (But fun!) I can't resist doing them. I have to confess, though, I think there is no polite way to use the word I didn't touch. Uh...
I love this!
DeleteNice save on the Porche. I had to ask for clarification. And I agree on the challenging words. It will be interesting to see how my muse uses them.
DeleteSandi: I really enjoyed this - and am smiling broadly. Thank you for joining us again. I am so glad that Mark's choice of words didn't castrate your creativity.
Deleteha ha! 😄
DeleteI am not quite sure why you view the word castrate as impolite.
DeleteBrilliant save on the Porsche! Sorry for the confusion, but love what you've done with the words on the porch :)
DeleteThat's a fun story. The word you mentioned not using is the one i used as the Freudian slip. That was the only way it was getting in there.
DeleteDavid, really? REALLY? 😆
DeleteOh oh - I hadn't twigged the word porch for Porsche - ne-er mind ... I might get some wits (or nits) during 2020. I agree thought I couldn't use 'that' word - did think about it though re bulls ... but a great take ... I hope Mark's words are 'simpler' for the next lot!! Cheers Hilary
DeleteReally enjoyed this!
DeleteIt's only Tuesday where I am but I had a good reason to post now instead of tomorrow. I did get a little confused.
ReplyDeletehttps://nothoughtsnoprayersnonothing.blogspot.com/2019/12/wednesday-words-sun-cream.html
nothoughtsnoprayersnonothing: It is decidedly Wednesday here (trust me). I will be over to read your take in a minute.
DeleteHappy 2020 year, may all your wishes be fulfilled.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Salamanca.
vilia: Thank you - and to you and yours.
DeleteHappy New Year, EC.
ReplyDeleteMarie Smith: Thank you. I hope that yours is all you could hope for.
DeleteA question because I know there a different spellings of American words when in other countries. "Porche." The car, Porsche? or the front/back porch of a house? It will change the direction of my story.
ReplyDeleteCindi Summerlin: I 'think' Mark meant Porsche. Or at least that is the way I took it.
DeleteOh wonderful! Much more fun. I learned to drive a standard car in my father's 911T Porsche and his Austin Healy. A definate influence on my driving style. LOL. I'm surprised I've only gotten one speeding ticket in my life.
DeleteThank you for asking, Cindi. I had been scratchin my head as well. A few of the words are too modern for my Susan-stories. I am still thinking. You did very well!
DeleteYes, good question Cindi!! And, I'm so jealous!! Never driven either a Porsche or an Austin Healy... very cool!!
DeleteWell, now. You have some distinctive words. If I can think through them, I will come back.
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: Mark's words had me scratching my head too. I do hope you do return.
DeleteLeonie trilled 'Happy New Year Douglas!' and planted a sloppy kiss on his reluctant cheek. 'I am going to soften your hard attitude to me yet, oooh that sounds a bit Freudian' she tittered. He shuddered. Her face was greasy with sunscreen, she was marinated in perfume but she was the bosses wife so he had to be polite.
ReplyDeleteShe handed him yet another glass of Chateaunerf du Pape. Horrid stuff. Never in his worst dreams had he imagined this. Closing the office between Christmas and New Year sounded good. Using that time as a compulsory 'planning week' with the rest of the team sounded bearable - except that it also meant spending time with his dinosaur boss and his pretentious wife in their McMansion by the sea.
The movie 'Watergate" was showing in an endless loop on every screen in every room. He would sooner be castrated than endure another day of this. Much sooner.
If he had stayed home he could have watched the cricket, with a cold beer in a Koozie (stupid name, they were stubby holders) by his side. Intermittently he and Jason would have continued building their lego fantasy world and no-one would have talked about synergy, stakeholders and reinvigorating the customer base.
Brainwave! With just a little manipulation of the computer system he could freeze everything, claim that the router needed replacing, and offer to get another from the nearest town. With luck he would be offered the use of the Porsche to make the trip. Hell, he would make the trip by bicycle if it meant a few hours away from this hell hole...
A koozie is a beer holder! Wait, what were those things Rosie used to throw at her audience?
DeleteKooshie!
Delete🤭
Sandi: Captain Google gives me some other meanings for kooshie. Live and learn.
DeleteI wondered what you meant by Rosie throwing them at the audience LOL
DeleteOh, I feel with poor Douglas here. Well written, I can smell that bosses wife ;)
Delete"...Marinated in perfume..." what an awesome image (actually, it's quite a dreadful vision, but you know what I mean!!
DeleteAnd chortled hard with "...Koozie (stupid name, they were stubby holders)..." as for my entire life, I've only known them as "Coosies," but when I looked it up, I was shocked. Well, kinda only a little, but still...
PS: Glad I'm not working for that boss either!!
Sounds like it's also time to look for a new job in the new year!
DeleteOh, brilliant! That was a challenging set of words, but you nailed it. I had to go and look up 'koozie' - I have some beer cozies, but I didn't know they were called koozies. I learn something new every day... :-)
DeleteElephant's Child: I am not going to look. I am not going to guess either! 😳
DeleteSandi: I have put the alternative meanings out of my head but they weren't offensive (that I can remember).
Deletekooshie ... I'd have spelt it cushy ... ah well!! and no doubt spelled it! Cheers H
DeleteWell written EC!
DeleteEven though Douglas had had a melanoma removed from his neck, he was driving with abandon in his convertible porche. He'd been sure to apply suncream liberally. In his hand was a koozie wrapped beer which he planned to hide before he reached his destination. A wrapped package on the passenger seat held a stuffed dinosaur and another package contained the latest lego toys. He was on his way to his grandson's first birthday party.
ReplyDeleteSince his retirement, Douglas had softened considerably and he was much happier, therefore his relatives were pleased to have him around. His former firm had reorganized and the new honchos had all but castrated him by constantly heaping on more work and allowing less time off. All the while berating him for a job "not completed timely" or "not good enough". He was glad to be rid of them and the stress and anxiety of the job.
He was looking forward to seeing all of his family, playing with his grandson, and eating all the BBQ had to offer. His daughter always made a watergate salad because it reminded her of her mother who'd died at such a young age. He missed his wife very day. As he entered the driveway he couldn't help but think his daughter's home looked like a chateau in France with rounded rooms and a couple of spires on the roof. His son in law was an architect and he thought he'd gone overboard designing their home so outlandishly.
As he got out of his car he remembered the router his daughter had asked him to pick up since theirs had gone haywire. He was sure this was going to be a relaxing day in the country. Then who should open the front door but Margo, the woman his daughter was trying to fix him up with. Oh brother, he thought, this might not be such a good day after all. He decided he wouldn't let Margo corner his attention. Margo's profession as a a psychiatrist carried over to her personal life. If she wasn't comparing his behavior to every Freudian cliche, she was clinging to him like they were an item. Now let's see how could he keep her at bay? Should he spill some wine on her low cut dress or should he casually mention he'd met the love of his life. Creative ideas flooded his mind and he saw he might make the day a study in the art of Freudian slips.
Linda Starr: I really, really like this - and hope that Douglas can avoid Margo. There could be another story in the ways he choses to do so too...
DeleteThat was really well done! You brought the character to life.
DeleteYes, I wanted to know what happened and whether he avoided Margo successfully.
Delete"... a study in the art of Freudian slips" :) Hehe, I want to see. Let's hope next Wednesday's prompts provides you material for some examples.
DeleteMe, too!! I hope Douglas had fun steering clear of Margo -- at least better than the Titanic and its iceberg did :)
DeleteWonderful story and you nailed the prompts!
Great use of the prompts! Bosses who heap more work and then complain you don't get it all done are the bane of everyone's existence.
DeleteHi Linda - a story or two here ... would love to know more - cheers Hilary
Deletethank you all
Deleteshould be "missed his wife Every day"
ReplyDeleteLinda Starr: Not a problem. I knew what you meant.
DeleteHappy new year 2020.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your fires all over in Australia. I hope you much water for the new year.
orvokki: Many thanks. I hope you and yours have a wonderful 2020 (and all the years to come). Lots and lots of rain would be more than welcome.
DeleteI like your story, felt sorry for Douglas.''I used most of the words.
ReplyDeleteSo I googled the word Koozie and found I had been using one for years, always put my scotch glass in one during the hot summers. Helped too when my hands were slippery with suncream - didn’t want to drop the glass after all. Douglas always used to laugh at me when I did this but he was the one who got a sunburn, not me. We would all sit on the chateau lawns sipping our drinks and taking in the sun like a bunch of dinosaurs lazing around. I always brought out a comforter to soften my relaxing position. I kept the comforter in my Porsche so it was always handy. I remember one time when hubby had taken the dog to be castrated - poor thing – he collected it the next day and the dog came around to us all on the lawn hoping for a treat. However, he soon realized his lack of success and flopped down in the sun with the rest of us.
Jo: I really like your use of Mark's challenging prompts. And there is NO compulsion to use all of the words. None. Nada. Zip.
DeleteYeah great job, Jo:) I wanted to use as many different "weird" words and make it challenging, but you got me back good!
DeleteWell done!
DeleteWell done Jo ... fun to read - cheers Hilary
DeleteDouglas Koozie had a doozy of a new car. It was a latest model Porsche, bright yellow in colour.
ReplyDeleteHe’d sold his old dinosaur of a car to Watergate Cheap Cars.
His young son cried a flood of tears when he saw it parked out front of the plant-filled porche.
The boy had loved the ancient, vintage vehicle.
To soften the blow, Douglas bought the sad lad a new Lego set. Douglas told him to stop acting like a baby. The kid’s high-pitched, whining sounded as if he, instead of the family dog, had been castrated!
Once he’d set up the router between his computer and the Sat Nave on the new Porsche, Douglas spread sun cream over the boy’s face and arms. He then put the top down on the convertible, before speeding out through the ornate, wide gates of the Chateau.
“Hey, Dad!” Said the boy, his sullen mood having lifted. “What is a Freudian Slip made out of...silk, lace or satin?”
“What do you mean, boy?” Asked Douglas.
“Well, I read yesterday about Freudian Slips...and it made me wonder. With Mum’s birthday next week, perhaps we could get her one – or maybe, two.”
I wish you and your loved ones all the very best for 2020, EC. :)
Lee: This is excellent. Thank you for you New Year wishes - which I return to you.
DeleteWonderfully done and very entertaining!
DeleteLOL, I'd like a satin Freudian slip. Well written and thanks for the chuckle.
DeleteI want to get my girlfriend a Freudian slip, too!! Love that neat twist on the words, Lee, and if there isn't a company out called "Freudian Slips," there should be!
Delete"Freudian Slips... for today's thinking woman..."
DeleteExcellent! Love the boy's definition, i'd want to look for those if they existed at the lingerie store.
DeleteMine has been posted here: the dinosaur
ReplyDeleteCindi Summerlin: I will be over to read it shortly.
DeleteJust came back from yours, Cindi. Wow!!! There's a story everyone should read - especially the guys :)
DeleteChe l'anno nuovo possa riempire la tua vita con felicità, gioia, prosperità e che possa realizzare tutti i tuoi sogni.
ReplyDeleteUn augurio per te è quello di trovare sempre l'alba anche quando arriva l'imbrunire.
Buon 2020!
Giancarlo: Thank you - that is a truly lovely wish. I hope that 2020 (and all the years to come) is kind to you.
DeleteSuper interesting bunch of words. Many of them sound funny when uttered aloud. Apropos that, what is a 'koozie'?
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Bea: I had to ask Dr Google about Koozies. Here they are known as stubby holders and are a fabric or foam sleeve that is designed to thermally insulate a beverage container, like a can or bottle.
DeleteHappy New Year to you and your family.
Oh, right! Thank you and Doc Google. We have the same type of holder here! Never knew how to spell the darn thing. :)
DeleteJust dropping by with forceful energy for safer days, weeks, and months ahead. May 2020 bring all the reprieve and joy that you deserve.
ReplyDeleteRawknrobyn: Many, many thanks. I am uncomfortable but safe. I wish the same was true of rather a lot of people.
DeleteI'd completely forgotten about the W4W!! and what a selection! Is the Porsche as in the car with the forgotten S or is it house porch with an extra e thrown in to throw us off? and if we are being thrown off porches or even Porsches, let's hope they aren't too high.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I didn't check any of Mark's selection but just put them up. I took it to be missing letter Porsche, but it could just as easily be an extra letter porch. Your choice.
DeleteI love all the stories here :)
ReplyDeleteRiver: There are some beauties aren't there. If you get a chance check out Cindi's - which is beyond creepy.
DeleteAgreed!! Read Cindi's... it's fantastic and oh-so-very-twisted, too :)
DeleteI've been trying to think of a sentence that uses Koozie and castrated. I believe I will think about the Porsche I never had, and finish my new year's libation. It's time for bed.
ReplyDeletehehe I feel the same way. It is always so fun seeing a post dated in my future. 1 January 2020 at 19:51 when it is not quite 11 am here.
DeleteBill: I hope your libation was delightful and your sleep sound - and filled with wonderful dreams.
DeleteYou’re peeps are good with word prompts. In the past, my mind freezes when I try these.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year.
Rick Watson: I am surprised your brain ever freezes. A very happy New Year to you and to Jilda.
DeleteHappy New Year, Sue and everyone else!! I'll be back in a bit to read the entries in full, because I'm absolutely intruiged to see how "Koozie" was used!!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, my apologies... it's supposed to be a Porsche car and not a porch. Duh!! to me :)
Mark Koopmans: Thank you for the prompts - which have taken people down some very different (and sometimes dark) paths.
DeleteI know, right!!! And this is only the first week of five...
Delete[Cackles while holding his own (precious) koozie close to his chest]
Douglas the dinosaur drove to watergate in his Porche, hell burned beyond the horizon but koozie will soften and solve everything! Happy New Year EC!
ReplyDeleteSpacer Guy: Happy New Year. I have known more than one person who believes that a koozie's contents will make anything and everything better.
DeleteHi Sue: It's the annual reunion of Miriam's family today - every New Year's Day, but I will get back to this tomorrow and see what I can come up with. In the meantime I will wrap my hand around the koozie on my insulated coffee mug!
ReplyDeleteDavid Gascoigne: Happy New Year and reunion.
DeleteHappy New Year, my friend.
ReplyDeletemxtodis123: Thank you. And a very happy HEALTHY New Year to you and yours.
DeleteMy new PORSCHE was gleaming, and I was more than a little smug that I had won it simply by buying a raffle ticket from the local Rotary Club. It was such a contrast to my old DINOSAUR, already almost as much of a fossil as the extinct beasts themselves. I knew I wouldn't be able to keep the Porsche, the maintenance costs alone would bankrupt me, and I could have taken the monetary prize instead, but I really wanted the experience of driving such a vehicle, if only for a few weeks before selling it (already prearranged). My “insulated “coffee cup didn't seem to be efficiently insulated since it was almost burning my hands, so I slipped a KOOZIE on it to ensure that I didn't react to the heat and spill coffee on the hand-tooled, virgin leather seats. Virgin huh? CASTRATED bull more likely!
ReplyDeleteCousin DOUGLAS is the world's highest ranking snob, but even he doesn't have a Porsche. I could hardly wait to drive up to the house – CHATEAU more like – where he lives. Ironically the gated community is called WATERGATE, reminiscent of a nefarious period in history, and is full of petty crooks who have masked their devious and manipulative activities under a cloak of legality, but they are all charlatans and con-men. They SOFTEN up their clients with extravagant promises of riches to follow, and benefit from fat commissions only made possible by the human inclination towards greed.. And the victims are too embarrassed to admit they have been duped so Douglas and his ilk continue to get away with it. Ponzi scheme deviants all of them.
Uncharacteristically, I found Douglas helping his son with a LEGO set – must be his obligatory thirty minutes a week of devoted parenthood. He was lathered in SUNCREAM and would have been right at home dripping oil from the barbecue spit where a huge roast was turning slowly. Now there's a FREUDIAN image, Douglas roasting on a spit! A delicious thought
indeed !
He asked me to stay for brunch (aka carnivore's feast) only because he felt obliged to, but I declined the opportunity to bask in the glow of his lugubrious charm. I had to return a ROUTER that I had borrowed from a friend, and couldn't wait to see expression on his face when I delivered it in a Porsche!
David, I got such a Hannibal Lecter feeling from your character and he definitely seems to have a few chips on his shoulder!! Totally enjoyed reading your story, and I'm glad that this guy is not my neighbor!!
DeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: Love it. And I also love his (totally warranted) attitudes to the Douglases of this world. I hope he enjoys his porsche to the max.
DeleteVery well done!
DeleteGlad you came back to comment ... such a fun read - glad he could escape using the excuse of the router ... cheers Hilary
DeleteGreat choice of words. I will enjoy reading all the stories with a cup of tea later :) Happy New Year, thinking of you all over there.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: Thank you. A very Happy New Year to you, to Gregg and your family.
DeleteHappy New Year Elephant's Child! Wishing you all the best for 2020! Oh those are some interesting words!!!
ReplyDeleteRain: Many thanks. A very Happy New Year to you and yours too. And yes, Mark's words are ALWAYS interesting. And challenging.
DeleteHi EC - sorry about the state of the air ... and all the dreadful fires and losses many of your fellow countrymen are experiencing.
ReplyDeleteHere's the first set:
I wondered if the drink slot in the 1962Porsche was large enough to hold a koozie tinnie - Douglas couldn’t do without his ‘cold beer’.
He’s such a dinosaur … he’s really from the Watergate era … and still trying to soften up the new girl …
I think I’ll just rest up and carry on enjoying this early start to the New Year – same as last year … nothing changes as far as Douglas is concerned …
Cheers and thinking of you all on or near the east and south coast of Australia - Hilary
Hi Hilary! Your story reminds me of the bad ol' days, and you tell it so well! Hopefully, Douglas got well busted by the long arm of the law!!
DeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: I suspect we have all known a Douglas or two. I do hope his 'new girl' is wise to him. Quickly.
DeleteA very, very Happy New Year to you.
Excellent take on the first set!
DeleteLaurie: Thank you. All the very, very best to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteMy story is on my blog, as usual.
ReplyDeletemessymimi: As usual, I loved it. And am hoping for a happy ending.
DeleteHappy New Year Elephant Child. Sorry I haven't had time to participate in the memes lately. I've been watching the news from Australia and it's very sad and frightening.
ReplyDeleteStay safe.
Hugs, Julia
Julia: Thank you. Our news has been breaking my heart, and this coming weekend promises to be another shocker.
DeleteThank you for your visit. The memes will still be here when you are ready to join us again and I hope that you and yours have a wonderful year ahead.
The thought of a castrated dinosaur really makes you think.
ReplyDeletePowdered Toast Man: And now I am wondering what species we now know would not exist if the dinosaurs had been castrated. Thank you for that.
DeleteDear E C wishing you a happy new year filled with grace of Lord love of family and peace of soul!
ReplyDeletesaty blessed dear friend!
baili: Thank you so much. And to you and yours.
DeleteSo cool,Happy New Year to everyone here!
ReplyDeletenatalie20041989: Thank you - and to you and yours.
DeleteA few simple words: Very best wishes for the coming year!
ReplyDeleteJ Cosmo Newbery: Thank you. Simple but powerful words - like so many of your poems.
DeleteJust had to give it a try this time...;)
ReplyDeleteHer demands denied, she screams like a castrated cat, her voice echoing around the walls of her parents chateau.
In a terrible rage, she stamps on her Lego castle, smashing it to pieces.
Her father's router is next, then her mother's suncream which is poured all over the Persian rug.
Surely there must be a Freudian message in such terrible behaviour...? Lol
Happy New Year xxx
Ygraine: I loved that you joined us this time, and really, really love what you did with these very disparate prompts. I can just hear that caterwauling...
Delete@Ygraine: This is a fun use of the prompts. I especially like how you use lego.
DeleteHave a lovely day.
Thank you both, so much! :))
DeleteI have a friend who has Freudian slips quite often.(lol) Peeking in to see how things are going, and sending some hugs across the way. I know it has to be rough going there, as we all wish things to improve. RO
ReplyDeleteRO: I really like Lee's use of the term, and hope it stays in my memory. I like the idea of a silk Freudian slip. With hand made lace.
DeleteThanks for your hugs. The next few days are expected to be dreadful and we are all watching. And hoping.
She looked out the study window and watched as the black Porsche drove slowly up the drive. Two figures were hidden behind the shine of the sun on windshield. The top was down although there was still snow on the ground from the storm three days ago. She drew in a deep breath and stood to receive her guests. Jenson held her arm as she stepped into the grand entryway. Hand-in-hand they walked. Smiling and laughing. Her stomach churned the closer they got. She noted a Koozie in Beth's hand. Of course, what else would she expect from a descendent of Watergate? Drinking before the clock struck noon. Her dinosaur features softened a bit as her son, Douglas, embraced her. Then she saw Beth was also expecting a hug. It was going to be a long weekend.
ReplyDeleteElsie
Elsie Amata: Welcome back. I love your take on Mark's prompts. A long, long weekend indeed.
Delete❤️
ReplyDeleteR's Rue: Thank you.
DeleteI just went where the words took me even though they seem a bit wacky to me. I honestly would not thought to use any of these words. Here's my take on the prompts:
ReplyDeleteFiction: Koozie & The Mocking Fate
Have a lovely day.
lissa: Thank you for joining us. I really enjoyed your take - and would like to read more about Koozie. And if I was her I would definitely have changed my name.
DeleteAnd by the way, happy belated new year Your side of the world celebrates new year first so I'm always going to be late with my greeting but Happy New Year!
ReplyDeletelissa: Thank you. And to you.
DeleteI was nearly castrated in a chateau but I shouted "Lego of me", picked up my assailant's router and threw it at her while also squirting a conveniently discovered tube of sunscreen in her eyes... then I awakened and wondered about the Freudian explanation of that dream.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year
Andrew R. Scott: Lego of me is an entirely appropriate thing to say. Freud? Pfft.
DeleteAnd a Happy New Year to you and yours.
except I meant suncream...
DeleteUn sereno e felice fine settimana.
ReplyDeleteGiancarlo: Thank you - and to you.
DeleteI love this idea; how do I find out who is providing the writing prompts each week?
ReplyDeleteNordpaw: I do hope you will join us. The prompts will be here this month and at the start of each month I will put up a post telling you where to find them.
DeleteHappy New Year.
ReplyDeleteI haven't yet made it my New Year resolution to join in … but the words are an interesting mix :)
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: We will tempt you to join us yet. Or at least I hope we do.
DeleteWell done everyone!
ReplyDeleteEC, wishing you rain, good health and lots of love for 2020! Big Hugs!
Magic Love Crow: Many, many thanks. How I appreciate your generous heart and spirit.
Delete