Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wednesday 31 March 2021

Words for Wednesday 31/3/2021

 

 



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.

131 comments:

  1. 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.
    Wine 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.

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    1. Purrfect. I loved it. And certainly agree on the advertising. Ack. The few good ones are a work of art.

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    2. "A wine-wankers whistle"?!? Ha - that's brilliant! Thanks for my laugh of the day. :-)

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    3. I 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.

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    4. Good 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.

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    5. Everything I always wanted to say about advertising :)

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    6. Excellent! The ads make me want to not buy the product, quite often.

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    7. Julia: I do hope that inspiration does strike for you tomorrow.

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    8. Hi Sue - that was really clever ... amazingly crafted report on the advertising industry with these words. Brilliant - love it ... thanks so much - Hilary

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    9. Haha yes Wine descriptions are really funny that way. LOve it.

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    10. The genius of Sue manifests itself again.

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    11. Brilliant Sue! Had a good laugh.

      XO
      WWW

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    12. 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... :)

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    13. Susan Flett ... great to see you - yes I can see you with one of those wanker whistles ... love the thought! Cheers Hilary

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    14. You are brilliant! Love this!

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    15. Incredible. Such good use of the words and so succinct. I love it! (I've never had a mulberry pie, but now I want one!)

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  2. More wonderful words from Hils:)
    EC, hope your week is the cat's meow...and not the complaining or demanding meow;)

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    1. 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.

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  3. Hi 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

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    1. Hilary 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.

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  4. This looks like fun, but I'd be horrible at it. I'll watch to see how everyone else does. :)

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    1. Martha: 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.

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  5. I was watchful as the laggard tried to make pudding out of mulberry bark.

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    1. We walked the promenade in the vineyard to get our
      allotment of wisdom but only got one tenth as much as we needed.

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    2. Mike: Captain Succinct rides again. Well done. Mind you I don't fancy the laggard's pudding.

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    3. Mike doesn't beat around the bush, or should I say the vineyard.

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    4. The laggard might want to rethink that. Well done!

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    5. Bark pudding? sounds like children at play. Well dome.

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    6. Wow, a man of few words... but ya used them well. Quality over quantity. Nice job!

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    7. I 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!

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  6. Oh dear ... we can't beat you Mike!! Thanks for being here ... see you all tomorrow - cheers Hilary

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  7. 15 prompts?! Well, here we go:

    Being 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."

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    1. all the words in one paragraph. I'm impressed.

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    2. Wow! You did that very well.

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    3. Seab Jeating: Loud applause. And thank you for continuing my education. I had to look up fracolin.

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    4. Hi 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

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    5. Wow, that was well done. Like EC I doid not know francolins.

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    6. I, too, had to look up the word francolin. I'm feeling like an amateur, in this group of master writers!

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  8. My 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.

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    1. messymimi: I will be over to check out your always positive use of the prompts as soon as they go live.

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  9. A very diverse list this week :)

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    1. River: It is, isn't it. Lots of scope for us to play.

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  10. Hi EC - my first set:
    The 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

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: That sounds truly delightful. A warm delicious smelling kitchen - and all is right with the world.

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    2. Thanks EC and Charlotte - an early Summer pudding would be rather lovely just now - and yes yummy for sure. Cheers Hilary

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    3. Well done, Hilary. Be sure to put aside a bowl of pudding for me.

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    4. I will ... but bring Miriam with you - lots available and we have the Cornish cream! Enjoy the taste buds recollecting Summer pudding ... cheers H

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    5. Perfect, concise and perfect.

      XO
      WWW

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    6. Nice job! You quickly painted a vivid picture and managed to entice all of our senses. :)

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    7. And i am sure the dog will want a share!

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    8. Idea of pudding is really good. But not sure whether watchful dog let us to taste it or not. Happy spring, happy day.

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    9. Hiya ... 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!
      Thanks everyone ... cheers Hilary

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    10. Cornish cream?! Now I really want a piece of that pie! What yummy writing!

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  11. I'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.
    Next month I'll clean the slate and start over with just that week's words.

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    1. Hi Charlotte - well done ... I enjoyed your continuing story ... all the best - Hilary

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    2. Your story has pulled me in. Looking forward to the next chapter!

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  12. I 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!

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    1. Hi 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 …
      Thanks for joining in … have a peaceful Easter - Hilary

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    2. Fabulous use of the words. I read it very fast, but not too fast to savour.

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    3. Very descriptive davd, I really enjoyed what you did!

      XO
      WWW

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    4. David M. Gascoigne: Brilliant. Again.

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    5. Un relato magistral!!! con muchos detalles excelentes y una genialidad en cuanto a la adecuación de las palabras dentro de el.. Me ha gustado mucho!!

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    6. This SOB (sassy old broad) appreciates your story of the wily old broad and her vineyard. Great use of the words!

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    7. Well 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.

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    8. I love how you used so many of the words to describe Olivia. She really came to life for me!

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  13. Bunny was watchful. As he slowly ate his allotment of his mother’s delectable mulberry pudding in the vineyard, he heard a bark. DOG!

    His 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.

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    1. 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 ...
      Thanks - have a blessed and peaceful Easter weekend - cheers Hilary

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    2. Good story with an unexpected and funny ending. Yay!

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    3. Bish Denham: I loved it. And hope that Bunny can enjoy the mulberry pudding on another day.

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    4. Muy bueno y divertido el relato!!!!

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    5. What a fun use of the words! And very timely, too... thanks for saving the Easter bunny. :)

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    6. Hooray for Bunny! A truly delightful tale.

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    7. So 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? :)

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  14. I haven't done this in a couple of weeks but tried some of the words today.

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    1. Thanks Granny Annie - I loved your take - so great you joined us - thank you ... Hilary

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    2. Granny Annie: I have read and thoroughly enjoy your tale.

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    3. I visited your blog and left a comment there. Very creative!

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  15. Hi EC - second set:
    She 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

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    1. Terrific use of the words.

      XO
      WWW

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    2. 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.

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    3. jajajajajajaaj parece que no le gustaba devolver las prendas!!! Muy bueno!

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    4. Love 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... :)

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    5. Heeheehee! While i'm not the fashion plate she would borrow from, i do know this person's twin.

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    6. Several 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!

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  16. Thanks Hilary for the prompts they were brilliant. I used all of them....

    -----------------------------------------------------------
    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.
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    XO
    WWW

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    1. Wisewebwoman: This is simultaneously sad and beautiful. Hooray for daughters just like Brook - and safe harbours for Henry and his wife.

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    2. Very touching. Nice use of the words... they fit seamlessly!

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    3. Brook is thinking ahead. It's not easy when that time comes.

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    4. Sad, yet positive. Good use of the prompts.

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    5. Thanks 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

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    6. Such 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.

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  17. Felicitaciones por tu texto hijo de elefante!!!esta genial!!!
    Aqui 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!!!

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    1. eli mendez: Congratulations on your text, son of an elephant, it's great!
      Here 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.

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    2. If only every family had such a heritage.

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    3. Yes - if only people thought of others and prepared for the future ... loved the tale - thanks Eli ... all the best - Hilary

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    4. I 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!

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  18. Hi EC - 2nd set ...
    I'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

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: That is wisdom I can applaud - and hope that the owners and the villagers enjoy it for many years to come.

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    2. It'd be kinda nice if all rich folks believed in tithing for the common good...

      Another nice job, Hilary.

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    3. Sounds like a good plan.

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    4. Thank you everyone for visiting and being here ... yes we all need to think of others ... appreciate your thoughts. Cheers Hilary

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    5. What a wonderful idea, word prompts may save the world!

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  19. Great post. I was in day surgery yesterday so missed a few posts last couple of days. ♥

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    1. aussie aNNie: I do hope your surgery went well.

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    2. Hi Aussie Annie - I do hope things have gone well ... and you'll be recovered soon. Thanks for coming by - all the best - Hilary

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  20. life is borrowed from the time of hands ,so let's not waste it in willy tangled moments that make us stuck in mud pond .
    but swim in the soothing brook of gratitude while holding ochre in bloom of hope in hand :)
    blessings!

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    1. baili: Thank you so much for joining us this week - I love your very positive take on the prompts.

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    2. Hi 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

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    3. So impressively succinct!

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  21. Well done everyone! Big Hugs EC!

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    1. Magic Love Crow: Many, many thanks. From us all.

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  22. I 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.

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    1. Susan -of every moment: The link gives a 404 error at the moment. I will try a different technique to track it down.

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    2. Sorry. 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

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