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 week's prompts are:
- Synthetic
- Aquamarine
- Clock
- Ring
- Curious
- Structure
And/or
- Nuance
- Blessed
- Abalone
- Blanket
- Puff-pastry
- Sea Silk
Her experiences with Neil decided Frances. When they met in person he asked what her favourite colour was. Aquamarine she told him, the colour of the sea. Oh , you mean blue he said. no, no, no she thought. Can’t you see the subtle nuances in colour that the word conveys
ReplyDeletePerhaps her face gave her away. He changed topic and started telling her how important his role was in the structure of his company. He talked about himself all through the main course. He continued into dessert and sprayed bits of puff pastry across the table. She couldn’t wait to leave but the clock seemed to have slowed to a crawl.
So she zoned out. Which he didn’t seem to notice.
While he talked profits and dividends she thought of her beloved ocean, the iridescence of abalone shells, and of sea silk. Her friend Hilary had first introduced her to the wonders of this incredible fabric. Made from long silky filaments secreted by a gland in the foot of pen shells it was finer than any synthetic material – so fine that a scarf made from it could be easily drawn through a ring. The stuff of fairy tales…
This date was just like all the others. She was blessed to be single. No more dating, no more uncomfortable conversations with men who had decidedly curious ideas about what a meal out entitled them to receive. She wasn’t a complete wet blanket. If people were happy to be married that was their decision. It wasn’t hers, and she was going to be emphatic about saying no in the future.
There are far too many 'Neil's in the world, but at least Frances won't suffer any more of them. And I'd never heard of sea silk - how cool! I learn something new every day. :-)
DeleteAs usual, Sue, you put us all to shame! You are brilliant.
DeleteHerewith Neil is declared nailed.
DeleteI like this very much and now I know where sea silk comes from, but what are pen shells? Off to google.
DeleteIf you have the gift of singleness, embrace it. Well told!
DeleteBrilliant usage of the prompt Sue! :D
DeleteFab story. I bet we all know those boring accountant types. Good for her to be stalwart.
DeleteLove this! I love being single and am also happy for those who choose marriage. :) Awesome job with the prompt
DeleteI loved this, Sue. I think we've all encountered a Neil:)
ReplyDeleteBrilliant Sue ... loved this ... so appropriate today. Aquamarine is so beautiful ... but you've given us a delightful view of a date that was most definitely not to be ... thank you for including me in your storyline! Fun ... cheers and I'll be around tomorrow - Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: I am so very grateful that you introduced me to sea silk. I will be exploring that rabbit hole (in the ocean) for some time...
DeleteFabulous story EC I have been on those kinds of dates and have zoned out. You capture it so well.I have knitted with sea silk which is so like a spider's web in lightness.
DeleteXO
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Wisewebwoman: You have knitted with sea silk? How amazing. I hadn't even heard of it until Hilary sent me these prompts.
DeleteOn my way to work on it.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! As usual of course!
DeleteMy story, based in truth as they often are, will be over here.
Deletemessymimi: I loved your story, though my heart ached for Stu.
DeleteIf not done yet, Mimi, you should consider to enter the literary world.
DeleteI was curious about the synthetic ring structure on the aquamarine clock.
ReplyDeleteMike: I would be curious too. And find clocks fascinating, whatever their colour (anologue clocks of course).
DeleteAnd what is about the sea silk? ;-)
DeleteTaking apart a clock to see how it works is often quite fun.
DeleteSue - I've got two clock memes. I'll have to look for more.
DeleteSean - I had to look that up to "sea" what it was.
MM - Been there done that. And it's about time to do it again. Maybe another post!
Thanks a bunch Amazon! Well, I can't really blame them can I? As usual I waited until the last minute to think about what I was wearing to the wedding. Come to think about it, I really did not have much time since this was a spur of the moment wedding without much lead time.
ReplyDeleteI ordered the aquamarine dress with my Prime account, anticipating delivery the next day.
That morning I woke and began my vigil, looking at the kitchen clock then going to the front door and opening it to see if the package had arrived and each time I found nothing. Instead of the constant back and forth I decided to go about my chores. I still had a few hours before the the wedding and could at least get something done. After a quick living room clean up, folding the couch blanket, and rearranging the pillows there was still no dress.
I went upstairs and decided to go ahead and get completely ready, sans dress, so when it arrived all I would have to do is give it a light steam, put it on, and then be on my way.
Finally with only about 30 minutes to spare, I heard the doorbell ring and found my package on the front stoop. Originally I was curious about exactly what the dress would look like, but when I pulled it out of the soft plastic pack, my curiosity turned to horror. I was not expecting sea silk and I know there is usually a small nuance in the color on a computer screen and actuality, but the lovely empire waisted pastel dress in the picture looked nothing like the shiny synthetic neon turquoise frock with zero structure that was there in front of me.
I ran the steamer over it, put on the stupid $59.99 abalone, I mean albatross and walked out the door.
Now the only question in my mind is would I be blessed with the man of my dreams going ahead and marrying someone who looked like an electric puff-pastry?
*for everyone who has ordered something that looked nothing like the photo*
Anne in the kitchen: Aaargh. So well told. I do hope the man of her dreams is much more interested in the woman than her dress.
DeleteI suggest in next life to order wedding outfit not via Amazon. ;-)
DeleteAs for Sue's hope: I am pretty sure, the groom prefers his bride sans dress anyway.
It has happened, but not with something so critical as a wedding dress. You did a great job telling of the frustration these situations engender.
DeleteMaybe, just maybe I was echoing the frustration of a comforter I ordered that is nothing like the photo on the store's website. But I can't blame Amazon for it!
DeleteHeh. Good one, Anne;)
DeleteWell told disaster tale. And yes often the reality is far different from the fantasy.
DeleteXO
WWW
AAARGH Pictures can be so deceiving.I'm sure the man of her life will understand and love her. She's a brave one dressing up like that. What a story to be telling children and grandchildren later on :)
DeleteI will send over my W.W story.. I wrote a version, and it disappeared.
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: Disappeared where? It isn't in spam, I have checked. I do hope you can recreate it.
DeleteThe scent of porridge cooking, and semolina burning, Sister Lilian was relieved that the day was almost ended. Pouring the slurry into the ring pan, Lillian whispered to the stove, looking at the clock, she prayed in a serious sonorous whisper, "O, dear Lord. I am in so in a bad place. I need your help." The crackling of lumpy sheep’s fat crackle and splatter answered her.
ReplyDeleteIt was the abalone, wrapped in a puff pasty, crusted with blueberry semolina, ladled with blue fingernails., that gave Lilian a bad taste. Stirring the glop, then throwing purple fritters into bubbles of melted sheet’s fat, she shredded the recipe book. There was little nourishment to be had there, but it tasted pretty good.
Susan Kane: Wow - a combination of several week's prompts into the one story! Tasted pretty good? Shudder. I hope never to eat with Sister Lilian.
DeleteNice story, awful cooking. Always try to vet the recipe before serving it to others.
DeleteOh gack, how awful but truly imaginative.
DeleteXO
WWW
Culinary eccentricity, obviously
DeleteYuck. I would not like to eat there. Still well written :)
DeleteInterest in sea silk, after visiting an Abalone farm had him led to the Byssos-Museum in Sant'Antioco, Sardinia. Pinna nobilis. The word alone. What a difference to coa vista.
ReplyDeleteStill pondering he heard a shrill voice: "I am for the praise of nuance!"
Probably she felt her clock was ticking. Dressed to kill. Puff-pastry coloured complexion, synthetic aquamarine ring, her thought structures seemed similar to those of the chewing gum bubble producing Yankee woman some years ago who - half curious, half bored - watched the glassblower in Waterford, elbowed her companion in the ribs and asked: 'Honey, why don't they do it by machinery?'
Oh, well. He decided to throw a blanket of charity over his thoughts and blessed the lady with a smile as she passed.
Sean Jeating: I often need to throw a BIG blanket of charity over my thoughts. That is a truly wonderful phrase. Thank you.
DeleteThat blanket of charity can cover a multitude of sins.
DeleteThrowing blanket on his thoughts is not heavy enough. I do not know what could be.
Delete"Blanket of charity" I'll have to remember that.
DeleteXO
WWW
That "blanket of charity" can cover a multitude of sins.
DeleteThe balnket of charity is a much needed thing in many exhibition places :) Thanks for this tale.
Deleteinteresting list; what exactly is sea silk?
ReplyDeleteHave enjoyed reading, Sue. "Sea silk." Love it.
ReplyDeleteDenise Covey: We have the lovely Hilary to thank for sea silk. How I would love to see some.
DeleteEnjoyed reading the stories and well done to all...kept me entertained for a good while :)
ReplyDeleteMargaret D: I am very glad to hear it. Sorry it took me so long to respond. I had to rescue you from the spam folder.
DeleteHi Sue - the 2nd set:
ReplyDeleteHer beloved deserved a special dessert for their anniversary … which she'd organised to be a picnic in their garden … no need to travel or have company. Their marriage had been a blessing.
She'd used the blanket his mother had given them all those years ago … and which had comforted them … now laid out with the culinary labours of her day.
The mille-feuille, resting on the iridescent abalone shell, was made … early on in their marriage, these had been their treats when they could not afford to go out …
Spun sugar was woven over the top … she wondered if her husband would realise the nuance to that concoction … all those hours and days he'd spent in the laboratory working on the properties of Sea Silk … while she lingered and hankered for him at home.
Now they could be together … perhaps in time he'd show her some of the Mediterranean bays he'd been able to visit when researching Sea Silk … then she'd know their lives had been blessed.
Thanks for putting the words up ... I will be back anon! Cheers Hilary
Love(ly) story.
DeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: Sean is right. This is a lovely story. I do hope that he does take her to those Mediterranean Bays. It sounds like she has earned it.
DeleteLovely story Hilary, she was truly supportive to his ambition.
DeleteXO
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I absolutely love this Hilary! :D
DeleteAt the end of the years of work, comes the reward. Well told!
DeleteSweet story, abd heart warming. They deserve a travel time togethernow.
DeleteThanks for the visit. Currently out of town, so on line is a bit limited ...thus the delay after your visit and kind words. Good luck to all with the writing prompts. Hope you're enjoying July, time is surely going fast.
ReplyDeleteSandy: Thank you. Have fun while you are out of town.
DeleteIt will not come as a surprise to anyone that Hilary is no stranger to luxury, enjoying the finer things in life, like her AQUAMARINE kaftan made from SEA SILK. I can’t even imagine what that cost; better keep the moths away from it though. There’s probably not an item of SYNTHETIC clothing in her entire wardrobe. I heard that at one point she lived the high life on Vancouver Island where she was known to have PUFF-PASTRIES filled with ABALONE for lunch, while she nestled beneath a hand-woven marino wool BLANKET as the waves lapped at her well-STRUCTURED and daintily painted toes. As a child she had been CURIOUS about the high life, with luxury a given, NUANCED only by the moment. How BLESSED it must be to live like that, she thought. There was a time when she had to set the CLOCK, awaiting its RING to disturb her reverie. Now time was measured by James coming to top up her glass with a lovely New Zealand white, inquiring whether she would like a refill of the abalone pastries too. How did she amass her fortune? Well that a tale for another time…….
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: Smiling here, but convinced that 'our' Hilary doesn't know that life at all. Or even hanker for it. Perhaps the words next week will prompt you to tell us how she amassed that fortune. Ill-gotten gains?
DeleteAh the finer things in life. I'm afraid I deliberately missed that boat. Well told story.
DeleteXO
WWW
Poor girl.
DeleteAs a vacation, that would be lovely. As a full-time life, i think it would be smothering.
DeleteExcellent story.
Fine story. Like WWW I deliberately missed. Hope to hear more of Hilary later on.
DeleteThis is a fabulous use of the prompts. I want to hear how she came into this lavish life.
DeleteAh I love your writing!! So good!! Probably because I can resonate with the character. Have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeletemail4rosey: Thank you. Perhaps some week you will join us, though your appreciation is very welcome.
DeleteHi David - thank you ... the next chapter awaits that fortune! A kaftan of Sea-Silk ... might be worth selling though! You're right though - no synthetic materials in my wardrobe, but sadly no wool either ... I'm a delicate 'child'!! The thought of a vanilla slice really does tempt my memory bank ... as Rosey says you do create beautiful and thought provoking stories ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeletePienso que mis musas, deben de estar refrescándose en la playa, porque no se me ocurre nada original con estas palabras.
ReplyDeleteLo siento, y en la próxima lo volveré a intentar.
Un cordial saludo.
Manuel: Not a problem and thank you for your visit. Stay cool, stay safe and enjoy the beach.
DeleteMine. All the prompts used. Slightly challenging there!
ReplyDelete---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As Harold wheeled Judy out of the restaurant afterwards, she asked him to stop before they reached their hotel. In the little shop’s window, the blouse was riveting. Aquamarine – her favourite colour – and made of sea silk and not synthetic. The structure too was perfect. Easy to take on and take off with three large buttons made of abalone shells, she was sure. There was a little round clock sign on the door. It opened in the morning at 9.
She said nothing. He did enough as it was. Even to bringing those little puff pastries she loved to their room for a bed time treat every night.
Later, he moved her chair to their fourth floor hotel window overlooking the sea and placed the blanket on her knees before handing her the little plate.
“I feel so blessed, Harold,” she said nibbling on the pastry. He handed her a glass of wine.
He was silent for a minute or so, the nuances of their long marriage were always clear to her. He was thinking of the accident.
“I’m curious,” he now said softly, twisting his wedding ring as he did when upset, ”don’t you blame me at all? If only I hadn’t hit that deer…..”
“It would have been the same if I had been driving,” she said firmly, “it jumped out so fast.”
She then looked up at him, smiling, teasingly.
“Tell you what, you could buy me that blouse I was eyeing in that window earlier.”
He smiled and looked so relieved as he leaned down to kiss her.
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XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: This is excellent and my eyes are slightly misty. If only all relationships were like that...
DeleteLife can be so cruel, so wonderful.
DeleteExcellently told. Kudos.
An accident is something you wouldn't do again if you had the opportunity to change things. She knows it was an accident he would have prevented if it had been possible.
DeleteSince she doesn't blame him, i hope he'll stop blaming himself.
Wow! This is so well done.
DeleteWell written, but I cannot but wonder if she's exploiting his feeling of guilt.
DeleteWonderful! What a testament to along and loving relationship (and a bit of guilt maybe)
DeleteI need to exercise my brain with these words but can't put two thoughts together at the moment :0
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: I have days/weeks like that. Look after yourself and thanks for coming by.
DeleteThank you Sue :)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis is a bit long for a shortie, but no way could I fit those word into my "Susan-tale". As usual using the wordes in the order they were given:
ReplyDelete"We make synthetic aquamarines almost around the clock, and yet this ring has a curious structure. How come?" the boss asked Elena in a voice the nuance of which let not a bit of her temper hidden.
"We were blessed with some abalone shells, the real McCoy," Helena answered frankly. She wrapped the blanket even closer around her slender frame, eating yet another or the delicious puff-pastries. She could almost not wait telling her chef about the sea silk.
(Re-post because of a terrible typo).
Charlotte (MotherOwl): Applause. The challenge is hard enough already (or I find it so) and you choose to add two additional layers of difficulty. The real McCoy is a phrase I haven't heard in years and it brought my father back to me. Thank you.
DeleteHere's throwing the blanket of charity. ;-)
DeleteAn excellent short!
DeleteThe last couple of sentences should read: "She wrapped the blanket even closer around her slender frame, eating yet another or the delicious puff-pastries. She was looking forward to telling her chef about the sea silk."
DeleteWell done Charlotte - the real McCoy fun to bring into your story ... thank you - Hilary
DeleteHow brilliant and difficult using the words in order.
DeleteHi EC - I'll be back later on ... this is the first lot:
ReplyDeleteThe church committee met outside to listen to the newly repaired clock and its bells …
The clock chime now seemed rather 'off colour' … while the ring of bells appeared synthetic.
Perhaps the newly painted aquamarine clock-face had caused this synthesising of the change-ring.
They might learn about this curious development during the scheduled talk from the senior campanologist … or at least could ask about this new synthetic occurrence.
Before they could sign-off the conservation and repairs.
Hilary Melton-Butcher: I love it And campanology is something I find fascinating.
DeleteA fresh take. Good!
DeleteVery nice way to use the words. The bonus for me is learning a new to me word. I will admit I had to look up the word campanologist.
Delete