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.
The prompts will be here this month but are again being provided by Mark Koopmans.
This week's prompts are:
- Ghostlike
- Holly
- Incidents
- Joking
- Kilogram
- Lactate
- Magnanimous
- Needles
- Outboard
- Particle
- Quiz
- Rancor
Have fun.
Huge thanks to Mark for providing us with prompts this month. He certainly stretched my brain cells. Hard. The prompts will be here again next month, but I am providing them.
·
·
·
Holly was single, old and childless. She didn't possess the smallest particle of dress sense, had a mop of grey hair and a smile which could light up a room.
ReplyDeleteShe was also fat. Very fat. She was diabetic and had got used to giving herself needles - when she remembered. Moving around was an effort and she huffed and puffed like an outboard motor. Her doctor repeatedly tried to quiz her about what she ate. She simply smiled magnanimously and said 'a little of this and a little of that'. On other days she said 'that is for me to know and you to find out' . When he told her just how many kilograms she should weigh, she thought he was joking.
He wasn't. Difficult as she was (and sometimes he had to bite his tongue to suppress his rancor) Holly had charm. Lots of charm. And he was worried. There were just too many incidents (high lactate levels for one) which suggested that her heart was failing. She said that if she was to achieve the weight he was suggesting she would be ghost like. He told her that she would be a ghost if she didn't.
Two stubborn people, in a battle for life or death...
Excellent. Holly must have considered herself to be immortal. Or just in denial.
DeleteI love this. Great writing.
Ha! I really liked this piece. Thank you, E.C.
DeleteThis is, sadly, only too true for a lot of folks. Well done, EC.
DeleteWow! You certainly used the words well here, EC. :)
DeleteWow is right. This sums up what many doctors face.
DeleteDang. Well done, you. Short and powerful. Really enjoyed it.
DeleteThat kind of hit close to home, not that I am grossly overweight like Holly, but I know how it goes. I enjoyed your words Sue. No time today, try tomrrow.
DeletePoor Holly, she'll have to give up "a little of this, a little of that" and then repeat, repeat, repeat. I know how she feels, although it was no surprise to me when the doctor told me how much I needed to lose. I already knew.
DeleteThat's wonderful Sue!
DeleteThis was really well done EC. Do you know Holly in real life? ;)
DeleteHi EC - well done ... an apt take on life ... as River says poor Holly - but I suspect her doctor suffers along with her ... two ghosts I hope not! Cheers Hilary
DeleteVery nicely done, Sue. Will take a stab at this sometime later today. Sorry to hear you have been feeling a little under the weather, but at least it's not the dreaded COVID-19.
DeleteBravo, EC! I could picture Holly thinking all of these things. Bonus points for using all the words too. Much better than what my migraine brain could do right now.
DeleteElsie
Well done EC!!!
DeleteYou used all of them - well done!
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: I try to always use all of the prompts but Mark has definitely given my brain cells a workout this month.
DeleteUma história narrada com grande gosto.
ReplyDeleteUm beijinho florido.
Megy Maia 🌈
Megy Maia: Many thanks. Stay safe, stay well.
DeleteWell done. Holly really came to life. And the banter at the end...purrfect.
DeleteHope today is a good day filled with much sparkle.
Hugs
The atmosphere had been filled with rancor for far too long. The after effects of the past incidents that had occurred weighed heavily. It was time to put bad feelings, and unfounded suspicions aside. It was time to be magnanimous about what had occurred, and work together in a concerted effort to solve the mystery of Peter’s disappearance.
ReplyDeleteFor too long Holly felt she was moving around in a ghostlike haze. On top of everything else that was going on, the long, hot, dry summer had been debilitating. She felt she’d been losing more than a kilogram in weight a day, and, due to dehydration, Holly had been unable to lactate. If she sat for too long, she felt pins and needles in her feet. In no way was it a joking matter.
Fed up with all the moody silences...to the thousands of questions left unanswered and ignored, Holly rang her mother to quiz her about what really had happened that fateful day on the lake last summer. The day Peter disappeared without a trace; the day the outboard motor, along with the oars, mysteriously went missing off the family boat.
Only the tiniest particle of evidence, a cryptic note was found at the stern of the boat. No one in the family, or their close friends, recognised the writing.
Lee: That is the sort of mystery which could break a family. I do hope that next week's words give you the impetus to continue this story.
DeleteThey need answers, i hope you continue and they get some.
DeleteLee; such a sad story. I hope they find answers soon.
DeleteWell done. Echoing the others, this cries for a soultion.
DeleteMy speculations as to what happened are now running riot
DeleteHi Lee - clever ... and it could so easily be developed - take care: while you figure it out?! Cheers Hilary
DeleteThanks, everyone!
DeleteTake good care of yourselves and your loved ones. Stay positive...upbeat...and don't lose your sense of humour. :)
Carrying On! Brava!
ReplyDeleteCloudia: Of course - and I hope you will join us again.
DeleteThis week i tried to come up with something mostly cheerful.
ReplyDeletemessymimi: You always do - and I look forward to reading it.
DeleteI'll give this a shot and have something up by Friday.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I am sure you will and expect to read it with immense pleasure.
DeleteThis weeks word was a mixed bag. Some of them spoke very much to me, some not at all. I am back on the track, writing tales from the Unicorn Farm.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte (MotherOwl): I am so glad that some at least of these words allowed you to continue the Unicorn Farm story. I have already read (and thoroughly enjoyed) this installment.
DeleteWhat a wonderful story you wrote with the 'words'. She sounds like a good sort :) with a smile..
ReplyDeleteTake care, be safe.
Agreed, plus... So many people are at home right now and, some are bored too so, gotta find something to do! :)
DeleteMargaret D: Thank you - and you stay safe too.
DeleteHot guys: I am finding plenty to do - and hope you are as well. Stay safe.
DeleteI am and, you too, dear.
DeleteI'll be back to comment, but in the meantime here's mine:
ReplyDelete"Miss Willmott named her plant Silver Ghost … it rose ghostlike – holly prickled from the garden – yet after rain it bled lactate … something to watch out for.
The laughing giggles rang out around the grounds, as inadvertently the gardeners’ arms touched the irritating ooze, which generated ribald jokes of the wrong sort … yet everyone was amused.
After many itching incidents and when sufficient plants had been carefully wrapped for shipment – the box was weighed … one kilogram … the freight paid – and off flew these gems to Canada to be planted in her new garden on the Island."
Hope everyone is safe ... take care - Hilary
I do not think I would buy that plant, thank you.
DeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: I probably WOULD buy that plant. And would be spiked and oozed on. Love this take.
DeleteVery creative. Loved it.
DeleteUna serena giornata a te.
ReplyDeleteGiancarlo: And to you - with more peaceful (and healthy) days to follow.
DeleteEach time I try one of your word prompts, my mind goes blank.
ReplyDeleteI do more of a stream of consciousness process.
You, on the other hand, do a great job with them.
Rick Watson: Thank you. I am reluctant (for good reason) to share the streams of my consciousness.
DeleteHolly thought they were joking when they told her she was lactating. The incidents had become more frequent which is why she went to the hospital in the first place. The doctor was magnanimous in his explanation and told her, without rancor, it was a phantom or ghostlike afterbirth symptom (not that she had given birth) similar to other such phantom experiences undergone by humans. He said it would mean injections to cure it and she was afraid of needles. He then quizzed her about all her sexual activity and about her weight, how many kilograms had she lost or gained lately. Eventually they arranged an appointment for a future date. Holly went down to the harbour and jumped into the dinghy starting the outboard to take her back to the boat on which she lived. Unfortunately the engine sputtered and died and she managed to find a particle had got stuck in the starter. Just my luck today thought Holly as she eventually made it home.
ReplyDeleteWell done Jo - machines on water can be difficult! Glad Holly made it home safely, by the sound of it - cheers Hilary
DeleteJo: Poor Holly. Poor, poor Holly. Some days are like that, and I am so glad she got home safely.
DeleteHow are you. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteR's Rue: Still coughing, still sneezing (not Covid 19 based) but fine.
DeleteYou stay safe too please - and continue to enjoy the little things. As I will.
Many thanks for your visit and your always kind words about my projects. Hope you're doing well with all that's going on around us.
ReplyDeleteSandy: Not kind words - truthful words. We are ok and I hope that you and yours are as well.
DeleteHello there, this is a fun project, I will be back to join in. Keep safe and well, all of you :)
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: I do hope you can join us - and hope that you are your family stay safe and well too.
DeleteHey, Sue? Are you keeping well?
ReplyDeleteMagnanimous? Holly’s daddy had never been. He was famous for his rancor and rages, not a single particle of kindness existed in her old man.
But THIS? This gift of a lakefront condo and unlimited use of outboard boat was hers? In Needles, Nevada? Somewhere near Laughlin with all its casinos meant night life. She giggled. Daddy had gotten rid of her at last.
When daddy’s limo pulled up to the house, Holly quizzed. “What…what…is this?”
He handed her the keys, said “Welcome to Needles” and drove off with dust billowing. Holly gaped at her rusted single wide trailer. A coyote skirted a Joshua Tree, lifted his leg and urinated. Tumbleweeds rolled by.
Forget about the boat.
Susan Kane: I have a cold and a cough still (not covid 19 related) but am fine. How about you?
DeleteLove your story. Holly's nasty father appears to have won this trick.
Hi Susan - such a different take ... fun to read - thank you - cheers Hilary
DeleteYes, fun to read. Mind you a single wide trailer can be lots of fun, we had one in North Carolina many years ago.
DeleteAN UPDATE. MARK LIVES IN SPAIN, WHICH HAS BEEN HIT HARD BY THE VIRUS. HE SAYS HE IS FINE - BUT HAS BEEN A TAD DISTRACTED, WHICH IS WHY HE HASN'T BEEN BY. I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND AND WISH HIM WELL - AS I KNOW YOU ALL DO.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update, and good wishes to Mark!
DeleteThank you...and sending Mark very best wishes too!!
DeleteThanks Sue for sharing the update, I appreciate it!! (Kept meaning to sit down for an hour and relax with a little bit of blogging maintenance, but Pffffft...
DeleteLoved how so many people did so many things with the words of which I wanted.
Looking forward if there's any upcoming holes in the 2021 schedule ;)
PS: I'm writing a daily blog again... good grief.. Must have some extra, free time :)
Mark Koopmans: It was my pleasure.
DeleteHi EC - thanks for the update on Mark ... I knew he was there and was hoping all will be well with him ... Spain is having a tough time ...
ReplyDeleteYou too and all here - take care ... Hilary
Good job, stay safe and healthy everyone!
ReplyDeleteNatalia: Thank you - and you.
DeleteReally entertaining stories...many thanks to all!😊😊
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping all is well with you...stay safe, my dear friend...
With much love and hugs ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Ygraine: I am so very grateful to the participants (and the cheer squad) too. I hope you are feeling much better and can stay safe (and be healthy).
Delete"There will be a quiz later people so pay attention."
ReplyDelete"Very magnanimous of you professor, to let us know beforehand.", Holly quipped.
Professor Irwin grumbled a bit under his breath and then said, "Some of you are known for not paying a particle of attention during my lessons so the warning was essential."
"I hate it when he needles us like this." Jan whispered to Holly. "Why does he always have such rancor towards us?"
"And he's so creepy." Holly shuddered.
At that moment the professor drifted, ghostlike, over to the outboard motor suspened centre stage.
"Let us begin." He lifted the two kilogram cannister of combined fuel and oil and held it up for observation with an explanation of the contents for his students. "I'm not joking people, pay attention." he boomed.
"Um, professor...." Dale objected, "maybe we should wait until the motor cools before we refuel."
"Nonsense" Professor Irwin snorted. The fuel was poured, or at least, the professor started to pour it into the motor but sadly, spilled some of it on the hot motor housing. A mighty explosion rocked the lecture hall.
"These incidents keep happening.", Sue remarked to her friend Anna. "Once a month, on a Friday afternoon, in professor Irwins old lecture hall you can hear a loud explosion and then smell fuel and smoke. By the time you race to the door everything is as it should be."
"Well", Anna said, "Folks day that room is haunted."
Oooh, ghosts messing with outboards. Sounds scary. Good one only slightly confused.
DeleteOnly Slightly Confused: Love it. I am sad that I suspect the room is haunted by more than just Professor Irwin though. Love that he went out with bang, and feel for those he took with him.
DeleteHamish and Glenda were for the most part a very happy couple, still good friends, even after eight years of marriage. It was Christmas. The HOLLY was beautiful, glossy green with red berries. Just what a Christmas decoration should be.
ReplyDeleteGelnda's parents had been really MAGNAMINOUS, giving a brand new 25 HP OUTBOARD motor for the boat at the lake. Now that they had a grandson nothing was too much it seemed. Last time they dropped by, they were JOKING about Hamish and Glenda getting busy on a daughter. Hamish, as might be expected, was more than willing to do his part in the activity to achieve this goal; Glenda not so much. She was, after all, still LACTATING with the first one. And she wasn't convinced that two so close together was a good thing, whatever her parents thought.
She had retained a few KILOGRAMS from the pregnancy and was anxious to shed those before even contemplating getting fat all over again, suffering through morning sickness, so bad the whole day seemed GHOSTLIKE sometimes. And then there was that INCIDENT where she dragged herself out for a coffee, responding to Hamish's entreaties, and vomited in the restaurant. There was no RANCOUR between Hamish and Glenda, or in fact between Glenda and her mom and dad, it just didn't make a PARTICLE of sense to her to even contemplate another baby right now. She was having a hard enough time changing diapers for one and couldn't even imagine doing it for two. Hamish helped, but it was amazing how he could suddenly have to do something at the mere whiff of a dirty diaper. If truth be known it NEEDLED Glenda a little.
She remembered that her girlfriend, Abigail, had sent her a QUIZ to complete. Glanda and Abigail went all the way back to first grade. They were in fact more like sisters than friends. The quiz was about pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and all matters related thereto. It was well-intentioned and for a sociological study of some kind. But one look at the questions had convinced Glenda that she shouldn't answer. If she told the truth they might come and remove the baby!
Interesting you can tell a woman's side of such things very well David. I can empathise with Glenda. Most women can.
DeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: Even my childless self empathises with Glenda. And yes, I have been needled by the importance of something/anything else when unpleasant jobs come up too. I always enjoy your take on these prompts and thank you for joining us again.
DeleteMine (boringly) has been posted here
ReplyDeleteCindi Summerlin: I have real doubts about the 'boring' assessment you have given us, and will be over to check it out for myself shortly.
DeleteThanks everyone! Big Hugs EC!
ReplyDelete