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, and mixing and matching is encouraged.
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. The prompts will also include photographs taken by Margaret's friend Bill Dodd
Sadly Sue is unwell and Margaret is very, very busy so neither of them are likely to use their prompts this month.
Here are this week's prompts.
- Botanic
- Gathering
- Finger
- Port
- Canine
- Elastic Band
And /or
- Department
- Prose
- Stable
- Wink
- Chandelier
- Pirouette
Hmmm, i think i have something, and i'll be back to link it when i'm done.
ReplyDeletemessymimi: I look forward to reading your creation. As I always do.
DeleteSorry i'm so late with the link, it is over here.
DeleteOne woman. Two different worlds.
ReplyDeleteLess than a year ago Natalia’s life was lived under sparkling chandeliers in the very glossiest of department stores. In sky high stilettos she strode down runways and completed an elegant pirouette before strutting back - presenting the champagne sipping gathering with both sides of the very expensive garments on display.
Those stores had been shut for months now. The news and social media prosed on about the need to return to ‘normality’.
Natalia didn’t care. Any port in a storm she thought. As Nat she was making her living in a more botanic setting. Her grooming was simple. She simply ran her fingers though her hair and pulled it back from her face with an elastic band. The smiles and winks from customers had been replaced with canine wags and woofs. Her finances had taken a hit, but her footing was more stable. Her expenses were less too.
If and when a vaccine was found she could go back to life at the top end of town. She could, but would she…?
Phew! Good one.
DeleteThis was excellent! Humility and new hobbies always can work together.
DeleteExcellent story :) At least she didn't sit about moping for the old job.
DeleteGreat story Sue. I imagine a lot o have learned people that the life they had in the fast lane was not really what they want to go back too. There are more important things in life
DeleteThat was one good story.
DeleteWell done, Sue. As always!
DeleteThis is wonderful!
DeleteThat was extraordinary. So very well done. Taken in a very different direction.
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What a wondrous story and she truly found herself.
DeleteWoot. Woot.
Good for her! Her previous job became impossible, she learned something else. That attitude and spirit is so needed now, virus or no.
DeleteI love when people find the silver linings! Great story. Sending positive and healing vibes to Sue.
DeleteWarmly,
Elsie
Elsie Amata: Thank you - with particular thanks for your wishes for Sue.
DeleteI love it! You have such a gift for pulling all those seemingly unrelated words into a great micro-story!
DeleteWell done EC - you've really tied a set of words, I found impossible, together into a delightful story line ... the Devil Wore Prada ... now she's been intelligent enough to find a new way of life. Clever - all the best Hilary
DeleteExcellent story! Big Hugs!
DeleteI think I like the botanical setting best anyway. A good story.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Julia
Julia: I would be more comfortable in that environment too.
DeleteGotta think about this. My brain has been sluggish.
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: I doubt very much that your brain is ever sluggish.
DeleteCome on Susan. These words are not half as challenging as last week
DeleteYou can do it!
DeleteAnd she did!
DeleteQuite a diverse selection, I'll put my thinking cap on.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I look forward to seeing where your thinking cap takes you - and us.
DeleteYes I like to stir it up River!
DeleteMy story will be on my blog http://river-driftingthroughlife.blogspot.com.au on Friday.
DeleteElephants Child had these words on her blog today... Botanic;
ReplyDeleteGathering; Finger; Port; Canine; Elastic Band; Department; Prose; Stable; Wink; Chandelier; Pirouette.
That's as short a story as I can get.
Mike: You could have made it shorter if you had chosen to leave out some of the words.
DeleteMike you could have said -Sue's blog has a gathering of words!
DeleteThe first annual gathering of the County Department for Canine Botanic Relief Stations began in the foyer of the Hawkins Manor. Underneath the ornate crystal chandelier people who loved events and especially loved to be seen at events crowded into the foyer waiting for the festivities to start. Supposedly everyone who was anyone had been invited to the fundraiser, though no one really knew exactly what it was for. Nonetheless they enjoyed the sweets and the port as they waited patiently. They all knew following a brief presentation they would dance the night away to the sounds of Elastic Band, a local Motown cover band.
ReplyDeleteSoon the very prim and proper dowager mistress of the manor, Mittie Hawkins appeared, was handed a speech and began to read the prose. After a few sentences it became apparent she was unfamiliar with the intent of the organization, when she stopped mid sentence, pointed a finger at the chairman and said “Plant pink bougainvilleas in every park for dogs to urinate on? Are you daft?” With that she kicked her leg and spun in a half pirouette, grabbed the arm nearest her, to stable herself then turned to the crowd and with a wink and said “This is preposterous, don’t waste your money on this cause. Dogs have been peeing on bushes forever with no help from us”
Anne in the kitchen: YAY Mittie - though I hope the party goes ahead anyway.
DeleteI loved your unexpected take of the prompts.
Well done Anne and also Mittie for not falling into a stupid suggestion. Hse probably got a cheer!!
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DeleteHehe, thank for a laugh. Much needed, and demasking those high-faluting nincompoops serve them right ... aww, Margaret, look what your prompts have done to my language.
Delete(Deleted and re-posted due to typos).
Well done with these prompts.
DeleteLaughing here. Another different take!
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Heeheehee! Certainly, dogs need no help to find spots. Have fun dancing, folks, and put your money where it will do some good, not line someone's pocket.
DeleteHi Anne - I'm also laughing ... dogs just do what comes naturally ... clever take ... all the best - Hilary
DeleteNice words and good stories by all.
ReplyDeleteMargaret D: Some day we will coax you into joining us.
DeleteGo on MArgaret, have a go with at least some of the words.
DeleteAs I was awake very early this morning, I had time to put pen to paper and write a short story about the first selection of words. Perhaps if I wake early tomorrow I will have time to tackle the other set and join in the fun. Ok Here we go.
ReplyDeleteBelfast is our main PORT in Northern Ireland and one of my special places to visit in that city is the BOTANIC Gardens. It was first established in 1828, and the gardens have been enjoyed as a public park by the people of Belfast since 1895. There is an extensive rose garden and long herbaceous borders and the tree enthusiast can seek out the rare oaks planted in the 1880s, including the hornbeam-leafed oak. On one of the occasions in the summer that I visited, I could see they were having problems with some of their roses. Aphids were being restricted to plants by enclosing the plants in perforated plastic bags fastened using an ELASTIC BAND. Not sure how that worked out.
My most favourite spot in the gardens is the wonderful glass Victorian Palm house where they have been GATHERING beautiful tropical plants from over the world for decades. Although CANINE friends are allowed on a lead in the park, they are not permitted into the Palm House. As I was walking on the lower level, I looked up to the higher walkway just in time to see a young man on bended knee putting a ring on his beautiful girlfriend’s FINGER. How romantic I thought!
This sounds like a place, I would like to visit. Thanks for the words.
DeleteMargaret Birding For Pleasure: Like Charlotte (MotherOwl) I would love to visit this place. Thank you.
DeleteWell to Charlotte and Sue, you are very welcome here for a visit, both of you when and if this terrible virus goes away. I would love to show you round our beautiful country. By the way, the ending I made up and imagined but the rest is all true
DeleteI could spend a few happy hours there.
DeleteI love this tour of Belfast, a city I love.
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An excellent description of your landmark!
DeleteHi Margaret - that's a really clever take on those words ... and yes how romantic - loved it ... thank you. Take care - Hilary
DeleteClever use of the words and lovely description of the place. I want to go!
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ReplyDeleteI am on a roll so here goes my second story with the second set of words.
ReplyDeleteYears ago when I was a lot younger, I had a Saturday job in one of the big CHANDELIER bedecked, very expensive DEPARTMENT stores.
We had a very obnoxious assistant manager called Percy who insisted on being called by his full title, Mr Crankshaw. He constantly tried his best to make our lives miserable. However he always sucked up to Mr Green, the manager who did not see through this act.
However, one morning, just after opening, Percy, arrived in not so STABLE a state, ten minutes late and came tumbling through the doors in a kind of failing PIROUETTE, delivering a long PROSE of apologies and platitudes.
All we could do was endeavour to keep our faces straight and I gave a meaningful WINK to another assistant, knowing at last Mr Green would see this miserable wretch for what he was now and hopefully get rid of him.
Here's for hoping. Well written.
DeleteMany thanks Charlotte for your kind comment
DeleteMargaret Birding For Pleasure: I hope so. I really hope so. I can remember working under a Mr Crankshaw myself. It isn't a pleasant memory.
DeleteGosh yes, I've worked with these sycophants. It's brilliant when they betray themselves.
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Perhaps Mr. C will eat enough humble pie to become human. One can only hope.
DeleteWell done ... fun take on the 2nd set ... cheers - Hilary
DeleteI think everyone has either worked for a Mr. Crankshaw or been Mr. Crankshaw.
DeleteEven though I had no need to resort to the dictionaries, online or paper, this time, the words were very inspiring. So much so, that I had written up a Words for Wednesday post without using a single one of them ;) I would not want to make an overlong post, and tax my readers' endurance, Oh dear, Margaret, you really did it, I'm constantly spouting this kind of exalted language! I'll have to amend my ways.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I'm talking genealogy this time around, and I could sure need some proof reading by native eyes, if you please.
Charlotte I have not written for over a year and although these are my selection of words this month, I usually am too busy to write myself (I am NOT a writer anyway) but early this morning was different. Don't ask my why but thank you for leaving comments on my story and I hope you were not too tired after reading them!
ReplyDeleteMargaret Birding For Pleasure: Very few of the people who join this fun are writers (me included) and I am also very glad to see you join the fun. I am hoping that you will have an early start next week too, but will understand if you don't.
DeleteNever! Reading good stories is not tiring, but works as a tonic to me! Thank you
DeleteNice prompts ❤
ReplyDeleteKinga K.: They are. I am very grateful to Margaret and her friends, and blown away (again) by the creativity of the participants.
DeleteNice story
ReplyDeletenassah: I hope you will join us some week. The more the merrier.
Deletethe Finger Pointing Department is closed today. Hugs and hope you have an amazing day! RO
ReplyDeleteRO: That is a Department I would be very, very pleased to see shut forever. Great use of the prompts and I hope your day/week is wonderful.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteAnd I hope it stays closed
DeleteGood words offered and great use by you of all 12. I only wrote a quick story using only the first 6 words. Still a fun exercise.
ReplyDeleteGranny Annie: I loved your use of the prompts and am very, very glad to see you joining us again.
DeleteWOW! Wouldn't like to be that dog!
DeleteFabulous stories, as always!😊😊
ReplyDeleteHopefully I will have time to join in again soon, when all my commitments have been met and I can just sit and contemplate again! 🙄
Very well done everyone 👍
Lots of love and hugs ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Ygraine: Many thanks. I hope you can join us. I really hope it - and hope that your commitments include some fun ones.
DeleteHuge hugs.
Emma had always enjoyed BOTANIC Gardens. They were in fact amongst the most enjoyable places of all for her to spend time. And usually they were free, which suited her perfectly.
ReplyDeleteGenerally she would pick a poor weather day to make her visit, for that ensured that there would not be large GATHERINGS of people there, which put her off totally. She knew that she was dressed shabbily; what else could you do on an old age pension as your only income? But she resented the knowing, self-satisfied WINKS of others as they glanced in her direction. Mentally she gave them all the one-fingered salute.
She struggled to wrap the ELASTIC BAND around her wallet, which clearly had seen better days and was falling apart, and her FINGERS hurt a little after she had it securely in place. Today she would give herself a special treat and buy a sandwich at the cafeteria and take it outside to sit on the bench near what had formerly been a STABLE and was now a potting shed. Her neighbour, kind soul, had received a bottle of PORT from someone, and despite the fact that JC had turned the water into wine, eschewed strong drink for fear of eternal damnation. Let me be damned with a bottle of Port, thought Emma, and her neighbour was happy to unload it on her. Emma filled a small opaque container with what amounted to a large glass of the ruby elixir, screwed the cap on tight, and looked forward to a swig or two with her sandwich, and no one would be any the wiser.
Oh! The deviousness of it all. If her ancient limbs would have permitted she would have PIROUETTED for joy
Out the door she went, clutching her wallet, smug in the satisfaction that she would be flouting the laws against imbibing in public. Should have moved to France years ago she thought. Now there’s a civilized country. A cop walked by, a CANINE officer actually, and she panicked for a moment thinking that the dog might be trained to sniff port! But its olfactory powers were doubtless oriented towards marijuana, and she was safe.
She passed the imposing headquarters of the DEPARTMENT of Agriculture. It must have been a grand mansion at some time in the past for there was an imposing CHANDELIER in the lobby. And it was mere steps away to enter the Botanic Gardens, where she could revel in orchids and palms, bougainvilleas and epiphytes, cacti and succulents, and even butterflies in a hot house. A great day was in the offing. She might even write to her sister who lived on the west coast about the experience. Surely the Port would stimulate a little purple PROSE, and she was already starting already to compose a few bons mots in her head.
David Gascoigne: I love this. I really love this - and aspire to becoming Emma. On so many levels...
DeleteWell done, I love the use of port, it didn't occur to me. Emma is a shero.
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A brilliantly written story David. I loved it.
DeleteMay she have a banner day!
DeleteHi David – this was delightful … I could see it all – the shabbiness of her clothes … making them last over time; wonderful descriptions you’ve given us … which could so easily make a little scene … Maggie Smith’s ‘A Lady in the Van’ comes to mind. The secret ruby elixir … releasing a little purple prose … well it’s sunny here – so I’m hitting the great outdoors to compose a few bon mots …
DeleteExcellent – loved it – thank you … Hilary
Enhorabuena, David, porque has trabajado muy bien el reto, y porque has conseguido un texto muy ameno.
DeleteSaludos desde Sevilla.
Muchas gracias, Manuel, por tus amables palabras. Que tengas un buen día.
DeleteYou're painting pictures with those wordes of yours, well done! I can see that lady sitting in the botanical garden.
DeleteThe term purple prose speaks such volumes. I loved the story!
DeleteTake out one "already" in the last sentence!
ReplyDeleteNearly floored with this ... here's mine:
ReplyDeleteThe class of 2020 run by someone called ‘Elastic Band Canine’ … oh well takes all sorts to make the world – she thought – but honestly …
How could a creative writing course member concentrate when the leader was called ‘Elastic Band Canine’ … then those words on the blackboard … even worse … there are limits to one’s imagination:
‘Botanic’; ‘Gathering’; ‘Finger’; and ‘Port’; …
To make matters worse – these were the on-line homework instructions … so there was no one to chatter with, or gossip with …
So to simplify things for herself … she switched off – grabbed a bottle of port … self-gathered herself in, waited for her brain to waggle its finger at her approach to the exercise … and settled down with her beloved pooch for an evening of mind-warping tv … much better than EC’s suggestions.
Hic, hic, hic … and away she goes … yippee …
Cheers, hic, cheers - Hilary
This one really had me chuckling, Hilary.
DeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: Like David I am chuckling and love your inspired use of the prompts.
DeleteWell done on this. Very inspired.
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Well Hilary That gave me a giggle. A different approach to the given prompts
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DeleteHeeheehee!
DeleteThanks to you all ... I'll be back to comment on your entries later on ... the sun shines and want to get out! Stay safe - Hilary
DeleteFun! Great job, Hil.
DeleteHic! ... to you as well. Trying not to use the prompts was a fun take.
DeleteInspired use of the words and a truly fun tale.
DeleteHere is the link to mine. Back after a dry spell and looking forward to reading everyone's.
ReplyDeleteWisewebwoman
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Wisewebwoman: It is lovely to have you join us again and I really enjoyed your Words for Wednesday.
DeleteI sure she would have settled for "any port in a storm"!
DeleteLooking forward to seeing some images of how you arrange the prompts meme matching those words.
ReplyDeleteSteve: No images from me this time - though in one of the weeks to come the prompts ARE images. Which experience tells me will trigger some very different responses.
DeleteI have not been inspired to write much since the run up to our US elections, but felt inspired by the first set of prompts given. I nearly finished writing a short piece with four out of six prompts before throwing in the towel. I will take that as a win! :D
ReplyDeleteBea: Some days four out of six of the prompts is a HUGE win. Your elections have been doing my head in even this far away.
DeleteI totally agree with EC above. Try again, don't give up.
DeleteHave you published it? else do! I wrote a piece with NONE of the words, and still I participate. It just happens. The idea is to get us writing, not to use all the words.
DeleteSounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteNatalia: It is a heap of fun. Some day perhaps you will join us.
DeleteTe agradezco la invitación a participar, pero, parece que hoy las musas de la inspiración me han abandonado.
ReplyDeleteO quizás, también sea, porque esta semana me han llegado un hijo desde Alemania, y una hija desde Málaga, a los que hacía casi dos años que no veía, y mi mente estás más en aprovechar el tiempo con ellos, disfrutando de su compañía, que en otras cosas. En otra ocasión será.
Que tengas un buen día, estimada amiga, y es siempre un placer pasar por tu espacio.
Cuán maravillosos son contigo tu yerno y tu nuera. 2 años es mucho tiempo para no verlos. Disfrútalas cuando puedas.
DeleteManuel: Thank you. I am so grateful for your kind words and very, very happy to hear that you have had some important family time this week.
DeleteWe look forward to seeing you some other time. Really look forward to it.
Muchas gracias a las dos, por tan amables y cariñosas respuestas.
DeleteUn cordial saludo.
Manuel: It was a pleasure. I was so pleased you joined us and hope you have a safe, healthy and happy week.
DeleteFun.
ReplyDeleteR's Rue: It is. I would love to see what you would make of the prompts some week.
DeleteWell, as short as possible:
DeleteReturning from a gathering in the Botanic Garden, I wondered whose fingers had been at my bottle of Port.
Two hours later I learned that my grandmother had given herself Dutch courage with help of an elastic band to extract the bloody canine that had made her almost mad in her upper department.
Feeling her stable genius restored she then wrote some prose before confessing with a wink and a tiny pirouette: "I needed to have one in my chandelier."
When noticing my brows forming a question mark, she added: "Old German idiom."
Sean Jeating: I love it - and wonder what Old German Idioms my father had tucked away. I am wincing at the do it yourself dentistry though. Dental pain is in a category all of its own.
DeleteIt is, but the second meaning of "canine" was so inspiring.
DeleteSean Jeating: I am always amazed and delighted by the very different directions that the prompts take participants.
DeleteHi Sean - well done ... and using canine in that form - take care = Hilary
DeleteWell although i set the words i never thought of canine in that way. Well done
DeleteLadies, thank you. I am glad, if I could conjure a smile on your lips.
DeleteI cannot seem to find my take on the prompt! So I will put it up again. It'll be even more awesome the 2nd way around:
ReplyDeleteJane gazed around the Annual Botanic Garden event at Portway Park. There was something wrong but she could not put her finger on it. The zinnia display was safe, since Trixie, the town canine with no common sense had run away. But the gathering of community seemed on task. In fact, all seemed to be going well. Then the Community band began to play when suddenly Brittany screamed, dropping her clarinet and running off. Apparently one elastic band had snapped in her bra, giving a sharp slap on her right breast, her huge right breast.
Music would resume soon, Jane assured all.
Susan Kane: Poor Brittany. Her living bra has died and her cups runneth over. Of the right one anyway.
DeleteHi Susan - well done ... I'm chuckling away at the thought and descriptive images that might occur ... stay safe - Hilary
DeleteThis is why I wear sports bras. There again, I am not as well endowed as Brittany. ;-)
DeleteVery creative! Loved it:)
DeleteWell I did chuckle about the bra breaking and it was a surprise in the story but a good surprise Susan.
DeleteI'm a day late and a dollar short like always, but here's my bit.
ReplyDeleteNumber One Ghost
Ornery Owl of Naughty Netherworld Press and Readers Roost: Never too late. I really enjoyed your dark take.
DeleteBetter late than never. Well written poem however it is too dark for my liking and gave me the chivers.
ReplyDeleteExcellent everyone! Big Hugs EC!
ReplyDelete