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.
This month the prompts will be here, but are being provided by David M Gascoigne.
This week's prompts are:
- Aghast
- Snivel
- Beautiful
- Magnanimous
- Frogmarch
- Spoonfeed
And/or
- Shoulder
- Knot
- Frenzy
- Wicket
- Wriggle
- Visible
Have fun.
This is a true story. A political story. And a dark story. You have been warned.
ReplyDeleteIn the last weeks of his life my father could neither eat nor drink (even spoonfeeding was no longer an option). Medical intervention had gone as far as it could. His pain was, mostly, managed but he was waiting to die. Anxious to die. He didn’t snivel about it, but he had had more than enough. Every time he woke in his last days his first sentence was the same ‘Oh God, am I still here?’ His distress, his fatigue, his frustration were only too visible.
My city, Canberra, was established as the seat of Federal Government. Despite having too many politicians as temporary residents it is a beautiful city.
In 1988, the magnanimous Federal Government (wriggling out of their responsibilities again) foisted self government on us. However they still keep their fingers firmly in our pie.
In May 1995, the only other ‘territory’ (the Northern Territory) in Australia went where no legislature had gone before, and passed laws allowing a doctor to end the life of a terminally ill patient at the patient’s request.
Federal Politicians were aghast, at the temerity of a territory shouldering what they considered a Federal responsibility. In a frenzy one of them proposed a Bill which would make it illegal for the Territories to pass (or even consider) any legislation relating to assisted suicide. It passed.
Some States have passed euthanasia laws quite recently. Others are considering it. We cannot.
There are moves afoot at the moment to repeal the legislation – for the Northern Territory at least. One of our local Federal Politicians is vehemently opposed and made it clear he would not support the Bill so any move to include my territory has been killed. He is apparently mature enough to consider the issues, but has stated clearly that our other elected representatives are not. It is the classic ‘Gordian knot’ and requires bold and decisive action. We are not asking that the old and the infirm be frogmarched to their death but are asking, pleading, for the chance for our loved ones and ourselves to be able to die with some dignity IF that is their/our choice. We want to be able die at home, and not to have to move to another State (for up to a year) to be able to end our lives if and when it becomes necessary.
And as a PS I have left wicket out. It is a wicked situation and it is not a game for far too many.
While i will not even pretend to speak to your political situation (that is out of my bounds), i do understand that many want the right to cut short their suffering or that of a loved one.
DeleteWell written and unfortunately all to common. Saskatchewan patients can ask for DNR on their charts which is Do Not Resuscitate and that was my late wife's choice and would be mine. Euthanasia is still a sticky topic.
DeleteExcellent use of the word list, E.C. But very sad to know it is a true story. I pray your father will remain comfortable in his remaining days.
DeleteGail M Baugniet - Author: Thank you. Sadly my father's last days were far from comfortable, but his pain is now over.
DeleteHi EC - I feel for you after this heart-rending comment using David's words. Just desperate for the few, who actually need that peace of knowing its possible near the end of life.
DeleteI think I'll leave it there - but I'm with you - and it's interesting to learn about your country's situation ... thank you - for this difficult take. Hilary
Wow EC!!! This is so well written! So powerful and meaningful! So very sad!!
DeleteSending you much love!
Basically my mother committed suicide by refusing needed blood transfusions. We could not have assisted her death so she did it herself. Her final words to me were "Don't worry". She wanted her life over and the pain gone and she was the bravest person I ever knew. I miss her so. You are a brave one also.
DeleteGranny Annie: I am so glad for your mother that option was open to her - while aching for you and your family, and for the necessity.
DeleteYour father truly was a brave man!
DeleteWonderful use of the words, Sue, and a statement about the idiosy of politicians.
ReplyDelete"make it illegal [...) to pass (or even consider) any legislation relating to [...]" reminds me of the long-lasting Article 41,3,2° in the Irish Constitution:
ReplyDelete'No law shall be enacted providing for the grant of a dissolution of a marriage.'
Ah, don't get me started ...
Rather I shall echo David's 14 words.
Aghast at how they
ReplyDeleteSnivel. What happened to
Beautiful,
Magnanimous, citizen?! I would
Frogmarch them to class and
Spoonfeed them true information!
Cloudia: Thank you for joining us. I love this and would happily be on the end of that spoon.
DeleteTrue information is a hard commodity to come by.
DeleteWe need more of those well taught, magnanimous citizens, and i would love to find a way to make it happen.
DeleteHi Cloudia - excellent take on David's words ... well done - Hilary
DeleteGood idea but where would you get the "true" information? Nice use of the words Cloudia.
DeleteYup, well written!
DeleteWell-written and states eloquently the case for end of life choice.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: Thank you.
DeletePutting on my thinking cap, back to link and read later.
ReplyDeletemessymimi: I look forward to seeing where these prompts take you. And us.
DeleteIt will be over here.
DeleteThis is scandalous EC, in this day and age? Here we have death with dignity. And my dear friend of recent passing opted for that when his cancer was everywhere. I hope the legislation is changed and quickly.
DeleteXO
WWW
This is not a story about Cricket, not a story about someone who in his buying frenzy forgot to pay and shortly afterwards is snivelling whilst getting frogmarched.
ReplyDeleteNo! I would not let spoonfeed me; not even by David's prompts, which in the first moment prompted me to look aghast.
It's a (short) story about a beautiful young Canadian knot on holiday in the Wadden Sea, aghast wriggling in a wooden wicket, and visibly flying frenzy.
And about an elderly man who, despite his terribly aching shoulder, would free the feathered creature.
Did he feel magnanimous? No. He just smiled. What a wonderful morning.
Sean Jeating: Smiling with your elderly man - and the bird flying free.
DeleteI admire your elderly man.
DeleteIt is joyful to take part in freeing a trapped creature.
DeleteWell done Sean, great use of the words.
DeleteXO
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Hi Sean - an interesting take on this week's words ... thank you - Hilary
DeleteWhat a wonderful morning indeed. Good job Sean.
DeleteGood for him! Nice tale.
DeleteA fictitious story of course.
ReplyDeleteI was aghast as I witnessed the young man snivel as the beautiful curvy woman was led into the police van. Although she was magnanimous, the officer still frogmarched her into the back of the van like a common criminal. Her only crime was trying to help an old man who couldn't remember where he lived as darkness was creeping on.
Julia
Julia: This is sad - and I am glad it is fiction. Great use of David's prompts.
DeleteCreative use of the prompts, Julia. Well done.
DeleteGood story, you used the prompts very well indeed.
DeleteWell done!
DeleteXO
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Hi Julia - true and false at times I'd guess - but an excellent take on the prompts. Cheers Hilary
DeleteGood one.
DeleteNot seldom fiction is surpassed by reality.
Fiction sometimes ring true.
DeleteHola hijo de elefante!!!! Paso a saludar y darte las gracias por tus visitas, disculpas que vengo demorada en responder!!
ReplyDeleteAqui dejo mi aporte para el juego, ya que jugar siempre resulta divertido
Opcion 2:
Esa noche, al abrir el postigo
Ella se hizo visible en el jardín de su casa
La chica de dorados cabellos estaba ahí
Con un meneo musical en su cintura
Sonriendo
invitándolo a bailar bajo las estrellas.
Emocionado y con un nudo en la garganta Jonathan se dirigió a la puerta.
Cuando salio de la casa la abrazo y ella puso la cabeza en su hombro
Ambos se besaron con frenesí.. Después de largo tiempo de ausencia.
Fin
Te dejo un abrazo muy grande!!!
A disfrutar la semana con buena salud y alegria
y que tambien disfrutes de tu maravilloso jardin
eli mendez: Said 'Hello elephant son !!!! I will say hello and thank you for your visits, sorry that I am delayed in responding!
DeleteHere I leave my contribution to the game, since playing is always fun
Option 2:
That night, when opening the shutter
She became visible in the garden of her house
The girl with golden hair was there
With a musical wag at her waist
Smiling
inviting him to dance under the stars.
Excited and with a lump in his throat, Jonathan headed for the door.
When he left the house I hug her and she put her head on his shoulder
They both kissed furiously .. After a long time of absence.
End
I leave you a big hug !!!
To enjoy the week with good health and happiness
and that you also enjoy your wonderful garden'
And I thank her for joining in the fun - with a very different (and more positive) use of David's prompts.
Muy bien!
Delete¡Que bueno!
DeleteQuiero Eli Mendez, Mi desculpe por mi Español insuficiente. Me gustan mucho tus palabras poeticas. Pero es una cosa que no intiendo, tampoco con la ayuda de la traduccion útil y amable de Hijo de Elephante. Que es un meneo musical?
DeleteSaludos Mama Búho
(And in English: Dear Eli Mendez. I like your poetical words very much, but there's one thing, I do not understand, not even with EC's helpful and kind translation. What is a 'meneo musical' (musical wag)?)
... y naturalmente, en el momento en que pulsé Enter, entendí que meneo = wiggle!
Delete(... and of course the moment I clicked Enter, I understood meneo = wiggle of course!)
Well done, David - those are great choices.
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: They are great aren't they?
DeleteI've long believed that politicians take far too much interest in things that should be no concern of theirs. working for themselves instead of for the people they are supposed to be governing.
ReplyDeleteRiver: No arguments. That particular politician is a devout Christian and believes it is his right to foist his beliefs on everyone.
DeleteHi River ... I agree - especially here since the Northern Territories would have had a different approach to the subject. Thank you - Hilary
DeleteI love "Beautiful" word very much. It makes më calmdown and Smile. Also i love synonyms of "Beautiful" words too.
ReplyDeletebread&salt: We all NEED beauty don't we?
DeleteLike the words, has me thinking.
ReplyDeleteMargaret D. I hope your thoughts bring you back here with a story...
DeleteHi David and EC - I'll be back to read, comment and write something for the first words ...
ReplyDeleteSecond set:
She shoulder pushed against the fence, her actions becoming more frenzied … she only wanted to wriggle the bindweed in and out of the picket wicket fence … covering the badly woven willow straps … ensuring the broken pickets were invisible.
The family had only just moved in to the new cottage … hoping for a happy start – and her mess-up at the fence had to remain invisible as far as possible … until the knots of life all gave some semblance of normality to their new surrounds.
Cheers Hilary
Different take on the words, well done!
DeleteXO
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Hilary Melton-Butcher: I really like that, and hope she succeeded (at least temporarily).
DeleteWishing her success, good story.
DeleteGood luck to her!
DeleteKnots of life. Love it. Your words sucked me right into the story, Hils.
DeleteOh, hoping for success.
DeleteI had a visible shoulder knot like a sticky wicket that gave me a frenzy wriggle.
ReplyDeleteMike: Ouch.
DeleteOooh, i get a knot in the middle of my back on occasion, i hope you get it unknotted soon, it's very painful.
DeleteHi Mike - congratulations on your succinctness ...
DeleteI saw your take on the prompt after mine and shuddered at my verbosity! Cheers Hilary
16 words. Are you sure you're not getting a bit loquacious, Mike?
DeleteBest wishes for a speedy recovery, anyway.
Mike, I can relate to that pain. I took grated raw ginger three times a day and my knots went away in no time. It took all the inflamation away like magic.
DeleteJulia
Short and nasty.
DeleteMy slightly longer than anticipated story is scheduled for Friday on my blog.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I look forward to reading it tomorrow morning.
DeleteRiver: I have read it - and loved it. Thank you.
DeleteThe knot in my shoulder just won’t go away,
ReplyDeleteThough I snivel and whine about it all the long day.
In a frenzy, I’d wriggle, aghast at the pain,
Till a beautiful masseuse would massage me again.
The Blog Fodder: Hooray for the masseuse - whose work is obviously as beautiful as she is.
DeleteAh, yes, sometimes it takes a good massage to get the pain to go. Wishing you many pain-free days.
DeleteHi Blog Fodder - I hope your beautiful masseuse returned to help further ... perhaps in other ways?! Cheers Hilary
DeleteThat's worthwhile to endure the pain!
DeleteEchoing Hilary's question.
DeleteOuch!!! Like I told Mike, I took raw grated ginger three time a day and it took the inflamation away that caused my shoulder pain, in no time.
DeleteJUlia
I need a masseuse myself. Good compact use of the words.
DeleteSmiling at your painful rhyme.
DeleteHere is mine, now I'll go back and read the others. I used all the words.
ReplyDelete-------------------------------------------------
On days like today, her patience was stretched to the limit. She sat beside her mother, touching her shoulder with one hand while spoon feeding her with the other. Her mother wriggled and snivelled, her distress far too visible.
She was aghast at her own intolerance of these daily visits top the care home to feed her mother her lunch. She looked around the dining room, at the way the more mobile residents were frogmarched to the tables. Her stomach was in a knot today.
There was nothing beautiful or magnanimous in her attitude. She needed to work harder, take on more clients, to pay the bills for this expensive place. Her thoughts were in a frenzy. A sticky wicket indeed of balancing her personal life and this burden she felt of mother-care.
Was she even visible anymore to her mother? Was she even aware she had a daughter?
Her mother shook her head, forcing the spoon away from her mouth. And looked up at her, tears in her eyes.
And to her astonishment, her mother spoke, she couldn’t remember when she had spoken last.
“Annie,” she said, stuttering and slow, her words emerging with tortuous difficulty, “You, you, you are sooooo gggood to me.”
__________________________________________________
XO
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Wisewebwoman: That sentence at the end made my eyes leak - and made your protagonist's work completely worthwhile. Loud applause.
DeleteWow. The dilemma of so many, as they wonder if it natters. Yes, it matters.
DeleteFeeling tired, exhausted, somehow helpless, in despair ... and then this: One of those tiny wonders of life.
DeleteGood on you, WWW.
So sad WWW, so sad, then to have her mother speak to her, it makes her struggles worthwhile.
DeleteHi WWW - my mother said similar to me ... it lives with me to this day - and certainly relieved the burden and I now have happy memories of those times as the end drew nearer. Well done - so well written - all the best - Hilary
DeleteVery poignant. I had a lump in my throat at the end.
DeleteThanks you all so very much for your kind words. It means the world to me.
DeleteXO
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Beautiful story. So well written and very touching. Well worth waiting for.
DeleteJulia
Beautiful story, beautiful closing words.
DeleteTouching story, well written
DeleteAre these becoming harder or is my brain turning to mush?
ReplyDeleteI’m trapped. With only a small wicket as the one visible chance at escape, my stomach becomes a knot of frenzy. Then taking a deep breath, I wedge my shoulder between the narrow grille work and wriggle my way to freedom.
Ah lucky you, escaping so easily!
DeleteXO
WWW
cleemckenzie: Oh to have a mushy brain as agile as yours (and your character too).
DeleteHi Lee - sometimes the words just don't gel ... but I love your clever take on the words ... you might be trapped, but you worked your way through - as any author does!! Cheers Hilary
DeleteSuccinct - and a clever use of the words.
DeleteA clever use of the prompts and a clever escape.
DeleteJulia
Yes! Well written, no mush here.
DeleteWell done, my dear. The question of "allowing" the terminally ill to die is a conundrum everywhere.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Janie Junebug: Thank you. Sadly at the moment we cannot even consider this conundrum here.
DeleteMy first set:
ReplyDeleteThe Paramedics were aghast at the cursing snivelling man – who launched a snot-ridden scream at them, while the tried to treat him. They called the police, so he could be frogmarched off – he needed to be treated, but the prison doctors were used to dealing with this state of sad decline. They suspected his whole life he’d been spoonfed … what’s this world coming to?
But thankfully we have wonderful, beautiful souls in the Care Systems in this country – for which most of us are extraordinarily grateful and appreciate their support.
Ghastly thought - but true, sadly ...
Thanks David for these interesting words ... cheers to you both - Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: I love it - and am thankful that most of us are indeed grateful. I wish that the ingrates were quieter though.
DeleteHi EC - way too many drunks, druggards spilling their blood in all directions late into the night - I'm really horrified how little people seem to care about themselves ... and how much effort and care the Emergency Services take on our behalf. Thanks - yes the ingrates could be quieter. H
DeleteIn many ways, Hilary, a sad reflection of society. Well done!
DeleteDefinite thumbs up on this one, Hils.
DeleteGame, set and match!
DeleteWell done Hilary, our essential workers do so much for so little and you captured it well here along with our disturbed fellow humans whatever their sickness, mental, addiction. It's a hard world to live in. Thank you.
DeleteXO
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Good reality check. Thank goodness for those paramedics and care givers who have to work with all kind of difficult ungrateful people in all kind of circumstances. I certainly think they deserve to be highly paid.
DeleteJulia
Another good job Hilary.
DeleteParamedics and co. are true heroes. Well written.
DeleteGreat story
ReplyDeleteRajani Rehana: There are LOTS of great stories this week.
DeleteGod bless you ☺️
ReplyDeleteRajani Rehana: Thank you.
DeleteSorry to be late getting my own contribution in. It has been a busy couple of days. Here it is:
ReplyDeleteAh, those halcyon days of high school!
I have BEAUTIFUL memories even though I was neither the best student academically, and certainly not the best behaved, coming as I did from “the other side of the track”. I am quite sure that some of the SNIVELLING social-climbing teachers were AGHAST that they had to put up with the likes of me, let alone provide instruction in the esoterics of geometry. Some of their favourite students were SPOONFED, some kids were almost fawning clones of their sycophantic teachers, WRIGGLING and squirming with reciprocal affection, patently superficial though it might be. Being the son of the owner of the local bus company, one boy was VISIBLY singled out for all the MAGNAMIMOUS attention that could be heaped upon him. He was never FROGMARCHED to the principal’s office. There was, after all, the annual garden party on the lawn of his parent’s estate to think of.
Ironically, he gave me a bit of a SHOULDER to lean on. He was at heart a decent sort and actually sprang to my defence a couple of times. We both played on the school cricket team, and I was a decent bowler. I could be counted on to take a few WICKETS. I remember once when I injured my hand during a match, he actually tied the KNOT in my tie for me after the game.
Life was a FRENZY at times, and having no help at home I learned to fend for myself. That’s the most important lesson I learned at school and it has served me well throughout my life. Thanks for nothing, teachers!
David M. Gascoigne: Thank you. I love this and am very glad that you found a friend. Sad that no teachers stepped up to the mark though.
DeleteOnce I heard or read – can't remember who said or wrote it – "It is not necessarily good to have parents."
DeleteSame goes with teachers. Obviously.
Good read, David. Thank you.
You captured your schooling so well David. I too had a very similar experience with teachers rewarding the rich and stepping over many of us strivers and fudging the marks of the privileged.
DeleteI am so glad you found a friend. How kind he was.
Well done!
XO
WWW
Hi David – excellent … mine wasn’t quite so bad – but things happened that I didn’t dwell on. I certainly wasn’t pampered … but never asked, so didn’t understand – til ‘older age’ understanding came about. My love of ball sports helped - a place to disappear to, or just enjoy and be good at.
DeleteI’m just so glad I was born with common sense, an ability to get through, and a degree of self-confidence to move on … the learning has mostly come from living in different countries, now blogging and having time to re-evaluate on life itself. It’s an interesting world …
Thanks for this – a note for us all to be aware of where we come from, what we’ve achieved etc …
I’m enjoying your word selections … cheers Hilary
Thumbs up. Good job on this one, David.
DeleteI'm glad that you had a friend's shoulder to lean on in those difficult days of High School. Some teachers can boost your confidence when others can destroy it. You seem to have done well and learned by common sense.
DeleteJulia
and I may add, a great use of the prompts. I missed the word "spoonfed" in my short story.
DeleteJulia
You gave us great prompts and you used them very well yourself. We all have memories of at least one shoulder to lean on.
DeleteThe teachers were as much prisoners of the system as we were, except for an exceptional few. Good that you found a friend.
DeleteLove the word wriggle.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: It is a truly onomatopeic word isn't it.
DeleteThere ya go, making me look up words;)
DeleteMine has finally been posted here: https://ofdandelionsandsunshine.blogspot.com/2021/08/words-on-wednesday-811.html
ReplyDeleteCindi: I read it, enjoyed it, and hope for more in the weeks to come.
DeleteOnce I had an encounter with a fairy and a leprechaun. To cut it short: It is wiser not to deny both, their existence and magic power.
DeleteThis was terrific!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Varadan, Author: This meme is a heap of fun. Hopefully you will join us some week.
DeleteGreat prompts by David! Though I'm not much of a writer these days, I will keep these prompts in mind for my art!!! ♥
ReplyDeleteRain: I look forward to seeing where these words take your art.
DeleteWell written everyone!
ReplyDeleteBig Hugs EC!
Magic Love Crow: Thank you - for you kind words and the hugs - which are reciprocated.
DeleteDear father in the name of your son we guard give all evil we get rid of this worldwide pandemic I ask for the whole world Amen
ReplyDeleteGreat prompts David. You put some real thought into them.
ReplyDeleteA MOTHER'S CONFUSION by Granny Annie
Susan's mother was aghast at the site visible to her. Brandon held Phillip tightly as he tried to frogmarch him down the stairs. Phillip was bound and gagged tightly. Despite his efforts he could not wriggle free. Susan went into a frenzy as she demanded Brandon explain what he had such a hold on her beautiful son Phillip.
"I found Phillip and was loading all your precious silver into a bag. I caught him and he tried to escape my grasp so I had to tie him up."
Phillip's shoulder was twisted in pain and he mumbled through the mask. Susan wanted to untie every knot and free her son. She could only snivel at the sticky wicket that they had to deal with. Phillip squirmed and squirmed desperately trying to tell something to his mother. Finally he was able to explain what had happened. Susan would never feel magnanimous toward Brandon. She hoped the authorities would be able to catch him.
It was obvious Brandon had been able to spoonfeed Susan a lie. Brandon left them to settle their problem by themselves while he ran off with the bag of silver family heirlooms.
Granny Annie: A great take on the prompts and I also hope that the authorities can catch dastardly Brandon.
DeleteHi Granny Annie - well done on the twisty take ... cheers Hilary
DeleteBugger Brandopn! Well written.
DeleteHi EC your story about your dad from the beginning is very touching. wishing you and family all the best. and great prompts from David this week.
ReplyDeleteSteve: Thank you.
DeleteBuona domenica
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI deleted my previous comment, as my link misfired. Here's a working linmk to my strange story: WfW
ReplyDelete