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 again this month but are provided by Hilary Melton-Butcher.
This week's prompts are:
1. Watchful
2. Laggard
3. Pudding
4. Mulberry
5. Bark
AND / OR
1. Promenade
2. Vineyard
3. Allotment
4. Wisdom
5. Tenth
Hilary is incredibly generous and also provided us with an extra set.
1. Life
2. Borrow
3. Wily
4. Ochre
5. Brook
Have fun. And huge thanks to those who come back (sometimes time and time again) to offer encouragement to others.
I am very, very grateful to Hilary for providing the prompts this month. They have taken us on some truly delightful journeys.
Next month Wisewebwoman will be providing the prompts on her blog. I hope to see you there.
Advertising is now an accepted part of life. Advertisements claim a huge allotment of most television programs, newspapers and magazines. It does my head in. I don’t believe a tenth of what is claimed. The creators of advertisements try to be wily and latch on to current trends and entice us to buy their products. They strive to be new, and original. I think they are barking up the wrong tree.
ReplyDeleteWine advertisements are a case in point. In their ‘wisdom’ self styled experts and connoisseurs often describe the fruit of the vineyard (particularly red-wine) as having hints of mulberry. Not wanting to be seen as laggards the wine buffs agree with them and promenade down the same deceitful path. Mulberries belong in pies or delicious puddings. The same experts sometimes describe the colour of a rich burgundy or claret as red ochre. Years back I watched a television program when someone (and I forget who) watchful for such unnecessary hyperbole refused to brook such nonsense and blew what he described as a wine-wankers whistle at them. I have often wanted to borrow that whistle, and blow it long and hard.
Purrfect. I loved it. And certainly agree on the advertising. Ack. The few good ones are a work of art.
Delete"A wine-wankers whistle"?!? Ha - that's brilliant! Thanks for my laugh of the day. :-)
DeleteI agree with what you are telling us. Today, I'm too tired to even think about coming up with even a short story. Maybe tomorrow.
DeleteGood one, Sue. My granddaughter has plans to go into advertisement when she graduates from college this year. I expect that she will be the rich one in the family.
DeleteEverything I always wanted to say about advertising :)
DeleteExcellent! The ads make me want to not buy the product, quite often.
DeleteJulia: I do hope that inspiration does strike for you tomorrow.
DeleteHi Sue - that was really clever ... amazingly crafted report on the advertising industry with these words. Brilliant - love it ... thanks so much - Hilary
DeleteHaha yes Wine descriptions are really funny that way. LOve it.
DeleteThe genius of Sue manifests itself again.
DeleteBrilliant Sue! Had a good laugh.
DeleteXO
WWW
I'm glad I made it back to the ol' blogosphere in time to read your entry this month. Brilliant! (Not that I'm surprised.) You said what most of us believe, and I definitely want one of those wanker whistles... :)
DeleteSusan Flett ... great to see you - yes I can see you with one of those wanker whistles ... love the thought! Cheers Hilary
DeleteYou are brilliant! Love this!
DeleteIncredible. Such good use of the words and so succinct. I love it! (I've never had a mulberry pie, but now I want one!)
DeleteMore wonderful words from Hils:)
ReplyDeleteEC, hope your week is the cat's meow...and not the complaining or demanding meow;)
Sandra Cox: Hilary has given us excellent prompts hasn't she. I have already heard the demanding cat meow this morning. He has now had the first of his tablets and is quiet.
DeleteLucky Jazz!! ...
DeleteHi everyone and Sue particularly ... I'm not prepared! But I will be around ... thanks for enjoying the words. I'll be back 'shortly' - maybe tomorrow! Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: When you are ready. I look forward to seeing where your prompts take you - and I often find it harder to write to my own. Odd, but true.
DeleteThis looks like fun, but I'd be horrible at it. I'll watch to see how everyone else does. :)
ReplyDeleteMartha: This IS fun, and I hope you will join us. I suspect you are being way too hard on yourself and it isn't a competition.
DeleteI was watchful as the laggard tried to make pudding out of mulberry bark.
ReplyDeleteWe walked the promenade in the vineyard to get our
Deleteallotment of wisdom but only got one tenth as much as we needed.
Mike: Captain Succinct rides again. Well done. Mind you I don't fancy the laggard's pudding.
DeleteMike doesn't beat around the bush, or should I say the vineyard.
DeleteThe laggard might want to rethink that. Well done!
DeleteBark pudding? sounds like children at play. Well dome.
DeleteWow, a man of few words... but ya used them well. Quality over quantity. Nice job!
DeleteExcellent!
DeleteI just said I'd like to try mulberry pie... but I'm not so sure about mulberry bark pie! Good use of the words, though!
DeleteOh dear ... we can't beat you Mike!! Thanks for being here ... see you all tomorrow - cheers Hilary
ReplyDelete15 prompts?! Well, here we go:
ReplyDeleteBeing a watchful and phrase borrowing laggard, while eating a mulberry pudding he pondered about the wisdom of a wily bark spider couple he recently had watched on the promenade leading to the vineyard nearby his allotment.
Comparing their fate with the life of ochre-breasted fracolins whose population was but a tenth of what it had been twenty years ago, he entered the kitchen and asked his wife who was gutting a brook trout she had angled in the morning: "When are you ready, darling? I am hungry."
all the words in one paragraph. I'm impressed.
DeleteWow! You did that very well.
DeleteSeab Jeating: Loud applause. And thank you for continuing my education. I had to look up fracolin.
DeleteHi Sean - brilliant - well done and taking us in all sorts of appropriate directions ... love the ochre-breasted francolin ... and great use of brook - thank you ... Hilary
DeleteWow, that was well done. Like EC I doid not know francolins.
DeleteNicely done!
DeleteXO
WWW
Impressive!
DeleteWell done!
DeleteI, too, had to look up the word francolin. I'm feeling like an amateur, in this group of master writers!
DeleteMy plan is that you will see me there, but you should see me here first, as soon as i'm done working on these words.
ReplyDeleteGot it, over here.
Deletemessymimi: I will be over to check out your always positive use of the prompts as soon as they go live.
DeleteA very diverse list this week :)
ReplyDeleteRiver: It is, isn't it. Lots of scope for us to play.
DeleteBuon mercoledi.
ReplyDeleteGiancarlo: Thank you - and to you.
DeleteHi EC - my first set:
ReplyDeleteThe watchful dog barked, the kitchen laggard blinked, the wafting aroma of the Mulberry pudding told us dessert was on its way to the picnic table … delicious with Cornish cream!
Cheers Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: That sounds truly delightful. A warm delicious smelling kitchen - and all is right with the world.
DeleteYummy! Well done.
DeleteThanks EC and Charlotte - an early Summer pudding would be rather lovely just now - and yes yummy for sure. Cheers Hilary
DeleteWell done, Hilary. Be sure to put aside a bowl of pudding for me.
DeleteI will ... but bring Miriam with you - lots available and we have the Cornish cream! Enjoy the taste buds recollecting Summer pudding ... cheers H
DeletePerfect, concise and perfect.
DeleteXO
WWW
Nice job! You quickly painted a vivid picture and managed to entice all of our senses. :)
DeleteAnd i am sure the dog will want a share!
DeleteIdea of pudding is really good. But not sure whether watchful dog let us to taste it or not. Happy spring, happy day.
DeleteHiya ... no, no - the dog would relapse into zizz time again - once we'd enjoyed the pudding with the cream ... then is the time for him to demand a walk!
DeleteThanks everyone ... cheers Hilary
Cornish cream?! Now I really want a piece of that pie! What yummy writing!
DeleteI've now tried my hand at those words. I still had some from the past weeks left over, and I could not use all of these either. THe result is over here.
ReplyDeleteNext month I'll clean the slate and start over with just that week's words.
Hi Charlotte - well done ... I enjoyed your continuing story ... all the best - Hilary
DeleteYour story has pulled me in. Looking forward to the next chapter!
DeleteI was working under the WATCHFUL eye of Olivia. She would BROOK no slacking off; the chance to be a LAGGARD on her watch was slim to none. You couldn’t really blame her. She had worked so hard and sacrificed so much to make this VINEYARD successful. LIFE doesn’t always deliver what we might hope but by strength of character, determination and fortitude, we can all improve our ALLOTMENT, and she had certainly done that. She was a WILY old broad, and I say that in the kindest way possible, with affection. I respect her WISDOM immensely. Life had not always been a bowl of MULBERRIES for her – in a manner of speaking. Now the mulberries infused the wine with that delicate aroma and subtle flavour undetected by any but the pseudo wine tasters, and those who claim to know what food would pair perfectly with everything from an arugula salad to a rack of lamb. May I BORROW your tongue exalted one to tell me what I should appreciate or not! Olivia BARKED out orders to the motley crew hired for harvesting the grape. Perhaps every TENTH one of them gave a damn, the rest were there to PROMENADE up and down, trying to look efficient, giving the appearance of industriousness, but all the while only looking forward to Friday’s pay cheque. I was dispatched to check the levels in the vats. At this stage in the process that OCHRE mass resembled nothing but thick PUDDING. But that thick pudding would ultimately become the drink of Bacchus; the stuff of miracles, the toast of kings and paupers. If you have to work for a living it might as well be here!
ReplyDeleteHi David – love your use of words … brilliant descriptions; mulberries have hit home with you – haven’t they … and it’s extraordinary what yuggy mash ups turn into … oh for a glass of wine now! Tea time at the moment …
DeleteThanks for joining in … have a peaceful Easter - Hilary
Fabulous use of the words. I read it very fast, but not too fast to savour.
DeleteVery descriptive davd, I really enjoyed what you did!
DeleteXO
WWW
David M. Gascoigne: Brilliant. Again.
DeleteUn relato magistral!!! con muchos detalles excelentes y una genialidad en cuanto a la adecuación de las palabras dentro de el.. Me ha gustado mucho!!
DeleteMuchas gracias, Eli.
DeleteThis SOB (sassy old broad) appreciates your story of the wily old broad and her vineyard. Great use of the words!
DeleteWell done! You make me see her standing there, making sure of everything. And yes, i know about those who don't care if they do a good job, but want the pay.
DeleteI love how you used so many of the words to describe Olivia. She really came to life for me!
DeleteBunny was watchful. As he slowly ate his allotment of his mother’s delectable mulberry pudding in the vineyard, he heard a bark. DOG!
ReplyDeleteHis heart picked up several beats and his nose twitched as he smelled the air. There it was; the nasty, old, musty smell of that nasty, old, musty dog who lived at the farm just down the road from the vineyard. This was no time to be a laggard or take a leisurely stroll along the paved promenade that wound through the grapevines.
The wisdom from A Bunny’s Life: How to be Wily in the Face of Danger, was clear.
“When you hear a dog bark, never stop to borrow anything from anyone, not even a tenth of a cup of sugar. Make straight for the Ochre Brook, dive into your burrow and lay low for several hours.”
Bunny wasted no time getting himself home. Easter was coming and he had eggs to dye.
Hi Bish - what fun ... loved the take and the fact he had plenty to do at home ... and Bunny's 'How to be Wily in the Fact of Danger' ... clever take on the story ...
DeleteThanks - have a blessed and peaceful Easter weekend - cheers Hilary
Good story with an unexpected and funny ending. Yay!
DeleteBish Denham: I loved it. And hope that Bunny can enjoy the mulberry pudding on another day.
DeleteMuy bueno y divertido el relato!!!!
DeleteWhat a fun use of the words! And very timely, too... thanks for saving the Easter bunny. :)
DeleteHooray for Bunny! A truly delightful tale.
DeleteSo fun. I struggle so much with writing titles, and you just popped a fabulous one into the middle of this little story. I'm so impressed. Maybe you can write a book to go with it? :)
DeleteI haven't done this in a couple of weeks but tried some of the words today.
ReplyDeleteThanks Granny Annie - I loved your take - so great you joined us - thank you ... Hilary
DeleteGranny Annie: I have read and thoroughly enjoy your tale.
DeleteI visited your blog and left a comment there. Very creative!
DeleteHi EC - second set:
ReplyDeleteShe could brook no argument her life had been a riot of colourful exploits ... she was always borrowing friends’ clothing – jackets, dungarees, jumpers, cardigans– all of earthy colours … olive green, russets, blood orange, even ochre brick – her wily friends had worked out they needed to make sure they demanded their clothes back.
Delighted to see so many entries ... cheers Hilary
Actually 3rd set ... !!
DeleteBut still clever.
DeleteTerrific use of the words.
DeleteXO
WWW
Hilary Melton-Butcher: I think that many of us have known someone just like her. Quick to borrow, not so quick to launder/repair/return. Great use of your words.
Deletejajajajajajaaj parece que no le gustaba devolver las prendas!!! Muy bueno!
DeleteLove it! And for some reason, it tickled me pink that you used the word dungarees. I thought I might be the only person in the world who still used it... :)
DeleteHeeheehee! While i'm not the fashion plate she would borrow from, i do know this person's twin.
DeleteSeveral people here have used the word Brook with this meaning, which was new to me. You chose some really interesting words with plural meanings and it created a treat for all of us to read and write. Thanks Hilary. Fifteen prompts was a lot - and I loved using them. And I wouldn't mind a wardrobe like the earth-colored one you described!
DeleteThanks Hilary for the prompts they were brilliant. I used all of them....
ReplyDelete-----------------------------------------------------------
Henry was such a laggard, listlessly stirring the mulberry pudding in her grandmother's old ochre bark bowl. Life was such a chore living with him, he was getting old and forgetful and she had shared her concerns with Brook, their daughter, the last time they had visited her vineyard.
"Mum we can give you and dad a tenth of our allotment up here," she had said, gesturing broadly across the vast expanse of her holdings, and the beautiful promenade beneath the cedars, "I could keep an eye on him too. You'd only be borrowing it after all...." and she had stopped, appalled at how it sounded. "Oh mum, I don't meant to be wily and conniving but you'd be better off up here..."
Brook was full of wisdom, thought her mother now. They needed to move. And soon.
---------------------------------------------------------------
XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: This is simultaneously sad and beautiful. Hooray for daughters just like Brook - and safe harbours for Henry and his wife.
DeleteVery touching. Nice use of the words... they fit seamlessly!
DeleteBrook is thinking ahead. It's not easy when that time comes.
DeleteSad, yet positive. Good use of the prompts.
DeleteThanks Wisebewoman ... very wise of Henry's wife to realise and accept they needed to move. Delightful, yet sad, read ... but memorable - thank you ... cheers Hilary
DeleteSuch a tender story, that hits home for so many people of the "sandwich" generation. And the offer didn't seem too appalling to me ... We are all "just borrowing," after all.
DeleteFelicitaciones por tu texto hijo de elefante!!!esta genial!!!
ReplyDeleteAqui dejo mi aporte!!
Emma recorrió el viñedo de su abuelo
Todos los días de sus vacaciones hizo el mismo paseo
porque siempre había algo nuevo por mirar y descubrir
Las plantaciones, los colores, los aromas , los trabajadores
que amablemente conversaban con ella y le contaban historias
quedarse allí entre las vides
y hacer preguntas era lo que más le gustaba
Cuando su abuelo Charles la acompañaba en el recorrido
respondía con su sabiduría de tantos años trabajando la tierra
obteniendo las mejores y más ricas uvas
Ya hacía muchos años que había comprado esos terrenos con una herencia y parte de su asignación mensual sin gastar un décimo para sí mismo, ahorrando el dinero para progresar junto a su familia.
Algún día esas tierras serían la gloria de sus hijos y nietos.
Saludos y abrazos para todos y que lindo animarse a jugar en tiempos difíciles!!! A cuidarse mucho!!!
eli mendez: Congratulations on your text, son of an elephant, it's great!
DeleteHere I leave my contribution !!
Emma toured her grandfather's vineyard
Every day of his vacation he took the same walk
because there was always something new to look at and discover
The plantations, the colors, the aromas, the workers
who kindly talked with her and told her stories
stay there among the vines
and asking questions was what he liked the most
When her grandfather Charles accompanied her on the tour
he responded with his wisdom from so many years working the land
obtaining the best and richest grapes
It had been many years since he had bought these lands with an inheritance and part of his monthly allowance without spending a tenth for himself, saving the money to advance with his family.
Someday those lands would be the glory of their children and grandchildren.
Greetings and hugs to all and how nice to be encouraged to play in difficult times !!! To take care of yourself a lot !!!
Thank you so much for joining us again. I loved your story - and hope the land stays in the family for many, many years.
A lovely story, Eli.
DeleteIf only every family had such a heritage.
DeleteMuchas gracias.
DeleteYes - if only people thought of others and prepared for the future ... loved the tale - thanks Eli ... all the best - Hilary
DeleteI love Argentinian wines, so I do hope you are writing about land that you actually own. How wonderful that would be. I love how these writing prompts can be used so well to create a story in another language. Well done!
DeleteHi EC - 2nd set ...
ReplyDeleteI'll be back tomorrow to fully answer outstanding comments ...
In their wisdom the owners had decided an allotment of a tenth of their fields would be planted as vineyards … making sure the council’s requirement of a space to promenade in - would be there for the villagers to enjoy the great outdoors.
Cheers to you all - Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: That is wisdom I can applaud - and hope that the owners and the villagers enjoy it for many years to come.
DeleteIt'd be kinda nice if all rich folks believed in tithing for the common good...
DeleteAnother nice job, Hilary.
Sounds like a good plan.
DeleteNice story and a nice plan!
DeleteThank you everyone for visiting and being here ... yes we all need to think of others ... appreciate your thoughts. Cheers Hilary
DeleteWhat a wonderful idea, word prompts may save the world!
DeleteGreat post. I was in day surgery yesterday so missed a few posts last couple of days. ♥
ReplyDeleteaussie aNNie: I do hope your surgery went well.
DeleteHi Aussie Annie - I do hope things have gone well ... and you'll be recovered soon. Thanks for coming by - all the best - Hilary
Deletelife is borrowed from the time of hands ,so let's not waste it in willy tangled moments that make us stuck in mud pond .
ReplyDeletebut swim in the soothing brook of gratitude while holding ochre in bloom of hope in hand :)
blessings!
baili: Thank you so much for joining us this week - I love your very positive take on the prompts.
DeleteHi Baili - love this ... and as EC says - so positive - delightful ... life is borrowed from the hands of time isn't it - so true. Thank you for joining us - all the best - Hilary
DeleteLove this Baili!
DeleteSo impressively succinct!
DeleteWell done everyone! Big Hugs EC!
ReplyDeleteMagic Love Crow: Many, many thanks. From us all.
DeleteI finally had some time to write with these words today. Another fun set of them - thanks Hilary! Here's the link to my story, posted on my blog. https://www.ofeverymoment.com/2021/04/flash-fiction-wily-decision.html.
ReplyDeleteSusan -of every moment: The link gives a 404 error at the moment. I will try a different technique to track it down.
DeleteSusan -of every moment: FOUND IT.
DeleteSorry. I am struggling to get my blogging skills back! It looks like I added an extra period at the end, which created the problem. Thanks, EC, for not giving up, and visiting, and letting me know. Here's the link again. https://www.ofeverymoment.com/2021/04/flash-fiction-wily-decision.html
Delete