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.
A big thank you to Margaret Adamson, her friend Sue Fulcher, and Bill Dodd. Their prompts challenged us all last month and gave us a lot of fun too.
The prompts will be here this month and I am providing them.
Thank you to everyone who put their hands up to provide the prompts next year. I have takers until June and November 2021 has been claimed but the rest of the
year is free. River and Messymimi have said that they will take more than one month but I would really like to hear from more of you. Different people provide such different prompts which really test our mettle.
This week's prompts are:
- Bent
- Icon
- Never
- Quiet
- Half
- Hope
And/or
- Other
- Mean
- Particular
- Little
- Life
- Anthem
Have fun.
I am Woman.
ReplyDeleteIn her later years (even before the cruelest of diseases claimed her ) she led a quiet life. Perhaps it is just for ‘women of a certain age’ that Helen Reddy was an icon, but I doubt it. Bent but never broken she sang. ..
And how I hope she knew just how many women thought (dammit KNEW) that she was singing their song. Despite often being bent and broken ‘I can do anything if I have to’ has been my mantra for more than half my life. Other lyrics from that song mean things to me too, but those lines have particular significance. I am also ‘determined to achieve my final goal’ – whatever that might be. It is a simple little song – and a powerful anthem too.
Great post. Apropos Ms. Reddy, I had no idea of her sort of 'origin story', if you will. Watching the film version of her life was eye-opening. I had always liked her from hearing her music on our AM radio. She was a real dynamo!
DeleteShe was, and I mourned that dementia claimed her. Rightly or wrongly I consider it the cruelest of diseases.
DeleteWonderful EC - I haven't seen the film about her ... but I've always loved her music and that song 'I am a Woman' defines her ... and many of us. Clever inclusion of the words into this brief story about her. Thank you - take care - Hilary
DeleteIt was indeed a powerful anthem, Sue. A friend of mine, now retired from a career as a Professor of political science, used Helen Reddy extensively when dealing with the topic of women's rights.
DeleteExceptional use of the words and I loved Helen Reddy so. She was my time girl.
DeleteI've always been a huge fan of hers. Her movie is my watch list.
DeleteGreat job there EC!
XO
WWW
Her song has always been part of me, even before she wrote it. I felt such sorrow when I heard she died. Even in her last battle, I just know that she never gave up.
DeleteShe was very special.
DeleteWhat a wonderful tribute and what wonderful use of the words. Going down the dementia trail with Mom I agree with you totally.
DeleteI love this, "Bent but never broken."
DeleteI'm a big fan of mantras. They really do help move us in a positive direction. Well written, as always. Have a wonderful weekend!
Warmly,
Elsie
A fine piece of writing. Chapeau!
DeleteWonderful. And a wonderful reminder. Thank you!
DeleteWell done. I agree, dementia is a cruel disease. I see they're now getting promising results with some experimental therapies based on LSD. Let's hope it works!
DeleteAn excellent write EC!!! Dementia is a horrible disease!!!! Big Hugs!
DeleteCindi has offered to provide the prompts for July - and has promised to make them less challenging this time.
ReplyDeleteLaurie: Thank you. I am really pleased that your eyes are allowing you to comment at the moment. Stay well.
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely wonderful, EC, and a fitting memoriam to a woman who knew how to roar.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: Thank you.
DeleteI did not know that Helen Reddy had passed away. Dementia is such a cruel disease for sure. I remember her singing and boy, could she roar... She had talent for sure.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Julia
Julia: She had a heap of talent and it seems that she spoke for many of us in that sone.
DeleteOkay, working on it. And while i agree it's lots of fun when different people provide the words, i remain willing to do an extra month if you need me.
ReplyDeleteMy story is over here.
DeleteNice take regarding Helen with the words listed.
ReplyDeleteWatched a documentary on Helen the other evening.
Margeret D: I haven't seen anything about her in years. I hope the documentary was good.
DeleteAnthem? What am I going to do with that?
ReplyDeleteRiver: Leave it out?
DeleteDear EC - interesting sets of words ... here's mine from the 2nd set:
ReplyDelete"What a little man, the one person who was so mean … why did he pick on that tiny child, whose life as a chorister meant so much to the little lad.
The anthem he sang was so beautiful, cascading quietly around the nave, gently resonating to those who listened in quiet contemplation.
His smile as the anthem concluded radiated out … aimed particularly at that little man, who could be so cruel.
The man got up leaving urgently … it was then that the small child realised there were other kinder ways to live a life.
He would now remember to sing his anthem under his breath whenever he felt anxious and let others hear when appropriate to given them cheer."
All the best - Hilary
I must ponder this Hilary and will be back.
DeleteI don't think I am getting this one, Hilary.
DeleteEven the ugliest people can teach us valuable lessons. So glad that little lad was receptive to his lesson. Nicely done.
DeleteXO
WWW
Hilary Melton-Butcher: I really like thinking of a an anthem has something which can chastise as well as comfort...
DeleteEveryone is good for something, even if it's just to be a bad example.
DeleteThere was a time when an ICON meant something. It was venerated in a place of worship, a piece of a holy man’s thighbone, or something equally tasteful. Of, course my icon might have been your heresy, but Trump seemed BENT on corrupting the whole concept. He has made himself the icon. Basically his rallies are an ANTHEM to the cult of Trump, a reflection of a LIFE gone wrong from the moment he exited the womb. It’s not that he has LITTLE regard for the truth, he NEVER has any regard for the truth. When his lips are moving he is lying. His glass is never HALF full, his messages are not filled with HOPE, sometimes they verge on apocalyptic. An honest path forward is out of the question. Whatever PARTICULAR tactic works at the moment is used to further his own ends. And what does all this mean to the sycophantic, MEAN, lick spittle todies, who have OTHER agendas, all geared towards holding on to power, without regard for the institutions that have served the country well, or their constituents? They may remain QUIET now, knowing that Trump will spew his bile at them at the first sign of dissent, but their lack of courage, their unwillingness to speak truth to power, their cowardice, their craven silence, will come back to haunt them. Wait until the next election and they will be following their icon down the road to ignominy. Justice is yet to be served.
ReplyDeleteWOAH! Great use of the words though I avoid any political tales when I can. It is time to be over. Good job David.
DeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: A sad truth, which still has me worrying weeks after the election should have been conceded.
DeleteHere is mine, all words used.
ReplyDelete--------------------------------------------
He was bent over almost double now but refused a wheelchair or a zimmer frame. His sturdy stick supported him as he meandered slowly through the park. He enjoyed his daily anthem to normalcy. A little perk in his quiet life.
He ignored the odd quasi-modo taunt. Usually from mean bored teenagers rollerblading selfishly on the park paths, just about knocking him over. He would have been the same at their age. They were only half men, never realizing that this could be their future.
A skating icon he'd been in his time. Until the particular final accident that had compounded his spinal injuries leaving him permanently twisted. Hopeless, his orthopaedic surgeon had said, shaking her head, your bones are too brittle to take rods.
No, not hopeless, he had responded quietly, looking up at her, as long as I have life I am full of hope.
---------------------------------------------------
XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: This is beautiful. People like your retired skater are STILL my icons. Indeed I value them more as they age than I did when they were at the height of their powers.
DeleteGood for him, holding on to joy as long as he is living.
DeleteWonderful tale offering hope. Good use of the prompts.
DeleteWell done. The last sentence: a big beautiful bow on the package.
DeleteWhat a gripping tale. I hope to be allowed to stay as positive.
DeleteGood words but I can't think of anything at all. I guess I'm not much into writing mode this month.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day.
P.S., for some reason, I get a mail failed to deliver error message when I sent you an email. But anyway, I'm volunteering to host WFW for one of the months that is left if you still need someone. Just letting you know in case you didn't get my email.
lissa: Thank you. If your email account is gmail it has a heap of issues with my server. It will probably arrive later.
DeleteNext year is looking pretty good (though I still need more volunteers.
I will put up a draft plan sometime next week.
I hope your writing mojo comes back.
A particular anthem for life is never be even a little mean to others.
ReplyDeleteMike: If only more people knew and sang that song.
DeleteSo well done. I still sing I Am Woman. I watched the movie Helen Reddy on Netflix and liked it.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Janie Junebug: Thank you. That song speaks to and for a lot of us doesn't it?
DeleteI wish I had lived it instead of merely singing it.
DeleteJanie Junebug: You and me both.
DeleteI should watch the movie you all mentione in the comments, sounds nice. Stay safe everyone!
ReplyDeleteNatalia: I haven't seen the movie either. You stay safe too please.
Delete❤️
ReplyDeleteR's Rue: Thank you.
DeleteIt is said brevity is the soul of the wit. Well then:
ReplyDeleteHalf an hour left. They should give up hope. Had she ever bent a knee in front of an icon? Never! Not even to have some peace and quiet.
And if particular people called her mean? She would just whistle an other little anthem on life.
Sean Jeating: Wow - you packed a lot into those brief words. And no, I have never knelt to an icon either. And sometimes I AM mean.
DeleteI hope you are enjoying yourself very well do keep safe
ReplyDeleteSteve: Thank you. We are pretty safe here - and I hope you are too.
DeleteGreat prompts ❤
ReplyDeleteKinga K.: Thank you.
DeleteJust dropping by to wish you a Happy Hanukah. May blessings and miracles carry you onward, dear friend.
ReplyDeleteRawknrobyn: Thank you - and to you.
DeleteBig Hugs EC! Well done everyone!
ReplyDelete