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. And huge thanks to those of you who come back, sometimes time after time to cheer other contributors on.
This week's prompts are:
And/or
- Gentle
- Ordinary
- Cards
- Simple
- Office
I don’t think I am laying any hidden cards on the table when I say that the office is not my favourite place.
ReplyDeleteHowever, this ordinary day was given a gentle opening when I drove past the misty surrounds of the lake on my way in. The simple things are the best, and that view was a boon and a blessing.
Sorry, flat chat today and that is the best I can come up with for the moment (and with my own prompts too – of the shame of it).
If this is flat, your best is mind blowing. It's very descriptive and drew me right in to a lovely setting.
DeleteAs you say, the simple things are best. I like your simple, heartfelt paragraph! :-)
DeleteA short statement that is very descriptive and not flat at all. I hope you enjoyed your time away from the office.
DeletePraised be the simple.
DeleteNothing flat about it, such a pretty view on the way to work would be enough to sustain the spirit all the way until lunch.
DeleteDon't be hard on yourself, Sue. I doubt that any of us could do as well so succinctly. I know I couldn't.
DeleteNothing flat - when things are troubling ... we all cramp up - the main thing is take care - with thoughts - Hilary
DeleteLove this EC, simple reminders of simple things. Well done!
DeleteXO
WWW
Love the imagery in this. Well done.
DeleteElephant's Child: I this sounds good. And I think you got the idea across.
DeleteHave a lovely day.
She'd worked in the office for twenty years. A simple, gentle soul. Whenever there was a death or birth among the other workers, she was the first to send cards. If anyone had asked her to describe herself she would have promptly answered, ordinary.
ReplyDeleteAfter twenty years of faithful service, she decided to retire. The day finally arrived. She walked to her desk and her eyes widened. Hundreds of cards with well-wishes were scattered on and around her desk. A slow smile spread across her face and her heart warmed. Maybe she was an ordinary, plain ole gal. But not today. Today she was special.
Sandra Cox: This is truly lovely. I am so glad that she was recognised - and loved.
DeleteI love it! Great use of the prompts, and it made me smile. :-)
DeleteA touching scene. If it would happen to me I would simply burst into tears. Little kind gesture does that to me every time.
DeleteFar too often "simple, gentle souls" behind their back are ridiculed. Thus, your example is a lovely exception.
DeleteKudos.
She had made friends by her simple, gentle, ordinary ways. They knew she cared and that mattered. Excellent.
DeleteLovely Sandra - just right ... she was the rock, the standard bearer and they appreciated her. Cheers Hilary
DeleteOh I loved this. Often the quietest people are the most appreciated.
DeleteXO
WWW
Sandra Cox: I like this happy story.
DeleteHave a lovely day.
This is a great challenge. I'm just not up to it, though. Good luck, all!
ReplyDeleteJenn Jilks: This is a fun challenge - and I hope that some week you will feel up to joining us.
DeleteUsing the photo as a prompt.
ReplyDeleteGentle Ordinary scenes of nature, make the best greeting Cards like this one. Simple, beautiful and in no way disruptive to display in one's
Office.
Thank you dear friend!
Very nice. :)
DeleteCloudia: This is lovely.
DeleteHow true this is.
Delete;-)
DeleteWell said. My mind went to "greeting card worthy" as well.
DeleteCloudia - just right ... thank you - Hilary
DeleteI love cards and so appreciate a flurry I had recently so this speaks to me.
DeleteXO
WWW
Great job. I enjoyed this.
DeleteThe clever writer will combine both!
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: I hope so. There are lots of clever writers who play this game. And yes, that is a hint.
DeleteYou think, Cloudia is not clever?
DeleteSean Jeating: Of course not. I love the way that people have used the prompts - and many of them have used them all.
DeleteUff! Sue! I asked Alex!
DeleteSean Jeating: Oh. I doubt you will get a response - he rarely comes back to read comments.
DeleteSuch tender writing. You pulled it all together!
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: I hope you will join us this week.
DeleteSitting in one's office, watching autumn leaves and the gentle ripple of water in gathering mist can mean bad cards for an ordinary servant. It's as simple as that.
ReplyDeleteIs he not getting his work done that makes for the meaning?
DeleteSean Jeating: You have me a little confused. And I hope that everyone who sees that view benefits from it.
DeleteAh, Sue, should I have fallen victim to my suboptimal English again?
DeleteI wanted to express that in a (cold) world of commerce, dreamers have bad cards.
Sean Jeating: Your English is excellent. It was my foggy mind at fault. And I hope that dreamers always triumph. I firmly believe that we all need to dream.
DeleteSo let's dream, my dear. ;-)
DeleteThe peace of the night.
Hi Sean - dreamers ... so often have the bad or difficult cards ... thank you - Hilary
DeleteYou capture the dreaming spirit well. I do it and am startled when called back to reality.
DeleteXO
WWW
Harsh task masters don't often appreciate dreamers, do they?
DeleteWorking on it, back in a jiffy.
ReplyDeleteMy story will be over here.
ReplyDeletemessymimi: As always I am looking forward to it.
DeleteI love that image!
ReplyDeleteRiver: I do too. It is a beautiful place.
DeleteFog or smog can hide a hog in the bog behind a log.
ReplyDeleteMike: Definitely fog. And there are no hogs in the area.
DeleteThat's because they are hidden so well.
DeleteMike: This makes me laugh. Thanks Mike.
DeleteHave a lovely day.
He was an ordinary gentle soul who worked in the same office as myself and who gave simple little cards to all for their birthday.
ReplyDeleteMargaret D: He sounds like a delightful workmate. Thank you for joining us.
DeleteJust right Margaret ... well done - Hilary
DeleteHe's the type who makes the workplace brighter.
DeleteHi EC - I've based mine on both the image and the words:
ReplyDeleteMisty lake … gentle as we go into Autumn … it should be so simple ….... but no – life has definitely become not that.
The card will be perfect to send to Gran – she can carry on with her ordinary, daily existence without any worries about the future. I'm sure she'll enjoy the view.
But when I visit I'll remind her of her days at the Office Holdings organisation, when she kept flaunting all those over-the-top shoes … sandals, trainers, heels beyond the pale … and we'll laugh as we dream crazy stories of those days …
My worries disappear as I spend time with her – these early soft Autumnal days are precious … then I'll return my normal – where I cannot forget the world shenanigans …
Dear Gran you'll not worry or hear about the future … your happy memories can remain with you … we need to face and carry on.
(PS – oddly there is an organisation 'Office.co.uk – that deals in footwear …...... who knew! Not me til I looked)
Cheers - I'l be back ... Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: This is lovely. Lucky Gran - and lucky granddaughter too. And no, I didn't know about Office.co.uk. Who knew indeed.
DeleteGran sounds like the kind of person we'd all like to meet.
DeleteLovely Take on the words Hillary.
DeleteXO
WWW
Thanks everyone - re Office.co.uk - I was going to do something different ... but heels and platforms from past days could easily fit into the story. Cheers Hilary
DeleteLovely, Hils. The love for Gran shines through.
DeleteGran sounds like someone who had a fun life, and won't let any worries get her down.
DeleteWell done Hilary, I used to own so many shoes it was a sin. Now, only a few. Heels are for the young!
DeleteI never really minded being in the OFFICE. I had both the education and the practical experience to do what I did well, and what seemed complex to others was in reality SIMPLE for me. Now, of course, a lot of design work is done on a computer, and I remember with horror when someone had the craziest idea that it could be accomplished using punch CARDS. ORDINARY structural schematics resembled ancient cave paintings – with no disrespect to cave paintings! But speaking of structure, nothing is better than the structure of nature, the interconnectedness of all the parts of an ecosystem, its effortless functioning efficiency, its diversity, its purity, Its GENTLE perfection. Let me loose in a forest, in a meadow, on a mist-shrouded island. Let me explore an estuary, listen to the cries of gulls, awaken to the sound of crows, marvel at a doe and its fawn. That, my friends is what really counts.
ReplyDeleteA great takedown of technology and what we lose in our creativity. Yes what really counts is so important to our well being.
DeleteXO
WWW
How very true David ... beautifully told - just what we need now ... to marvel at nature ... thank you - Hilary
DeleteDavid M. Gascoigne. Yes, yes and yes.
DeleteThe structure of nature is what we should be trying to emulate. Excellent points in your story.
DeleteHere's mine, all words and picture used.
ReplyDelete--------------------------------------------------------------------
Everyone urged Rose to move after it happened. Surely looking out over the lake, especially when the frequent fog almost obliterated it, would remind her constantly of Geoff and the accident?
Gentle Geoff, Rose reflected, a far from ordinary man. A card designer extraordinaire, an avid kayaker, animal lover, environmentalist.
But those rogue waves on Lake Superior were unpredictable and dangerous. Driven by sudden gales, capsizing all in their paths.
The thing was though, and Rose smiled at the thought, Geoff would have chosen his simple exit if he had the choice.
The Coroner’s Office stated on the death certificate: ”Death by misadventure.”
How Geoff would have loved that.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: This is lovely. And I am very confident that Geoff would HATE Rose moving away...
DeleteSome good writing. Geoff, sigh, poor Geoff. Oh well.
DeleteIt's hard to be left behind, although i'm sure she'd find it harder if she moved away.
DeleteGreat job. I hope that Rose doesn't move away.
DeleteWisewebwoman: ”Death by misadventure.” - I like that a lot. Good use of the prompts.
DeleteHave a lovely day.
Well done Wisebewoman, (love that moniker). Hmm, misadventure, mystery abounds!
DeleteHa ha - well done WWW ... Rose had a thorn to live by ... I hope the guilt didn't get to her - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThis is purrfect! Well done.
ReplyDeleteLovely! Here's mine:
ReplyDeleteShe was a GENTLE lady and thought of herself as ORDINARY, but that last word was far from the truth. She was dealt her CARDS in life and still retained her SIMPLE ways. Her OFFICE was one of reflection, as though everyone who passed through her doors, received nothing but the warmth of her even-keeled nature. In that she was quite extraordinary.
I would love to visit her office, Denise and bask in the warmth.
DeleteXO
WWW
DeniseinVA: Thank you so much for joining us with this lovely tale. We all need many more of these far from ordinary people.
DeleteShe sounds like just the person you need in an office when there's a crisis or problem.
DeleteThis told a nice tale in very little space. Gave me a real feel for the character.
DeleteHi Denise - a lovely read for your tale ... thank you - Hilary
DeleteA gentle breeze seemed simple to the town of Cork. There was a coming storm on its way, but it was nothing new to the church of St. Catherine. As such, the Ladies’ Auxiliary gathered baskets of clothing, linens, and canned food for the needy.
ReplyDeleteSt. Catherine was an ordinary and simple town, where St. Catherine’s had a reputation to maintain, one of gentility and generosity. The Ladies Auxiliary had been watching the stormy skies and setting up the tea tables for the coming rain.
Voluntary spinsters swept the sanctuary and dusted benches. After all the work, the storm hit with a vicious vengeance. The Ladies raced about the sanctuary, gathering prayer cards, and locking the office windows.
“Well, ladies. It seems weather has taken our joy of worship. Let’s set and enjoy our worship with the cards.” Nuns do not scurry, as a rule. But some raced to the office, opening the cash box, and cards were dealt.
Money and heavy rains did not matter, as long as there was strong English tea.
Susan Kane: Now you have me wondering what a nun's card game of choice would be... A lovely use of the prompts.
DeleteThey will enjoy themselves, storm or no storm.
DeleteHi Susan - fascinating snippet ... the Nuns had their strong English tea - cheers Hilary
DeleteVery well done Susan I love the imagery of the nuns playing cards.
DeleteXO
WWW
Not like the nuns I remember!
Delete
ReplyDeleteBEWARE
Such a peaceful setting belies the truth and mystery of my ancestral home. The fog and fall colors that fade and die all contradict reality. Our nightly howls are a warning that humans ignorantly ignore.
Oh, how I relish the hunt. Guns give false bravado to the hunter. So humorous and sad, but oh so delicious in more ways than one.
My pack of forest denizens, swift and strong, ready to fill our coffers with the foolish unbelievers. A few hearty explorers will prove worthy to join our ranks, but the gun enthusiasts will fill the bellies of our young.
Hi Susan!
The picture inspired my 100 word drabble. (sorry, I ignored the words) Can you tell I'm ready for Halloween? 😊 Wishing you wellness and much inspiration for the upcoming season!
Yolanda Renee: I suspect you are always ready for Halloween. And love that the gun enthusiasts don't have the upper hand here.
DeleteVery nice Renee, that picture can produce many stories.
DeleteXO
WWW
Hi Renee - well done ... love the drabble - good to see you joining us.
ReplyDeleteHalloween is too far away for now ... when it gets darker, I'll think again! Cheers Hilary
Yesterday at the office was nothing more than ordinary, yet, the boss told his employees with a gentle voice, today, let's keep things simple, and if you have any complaints, now is the time to put your cards on the table.
ReplyDeleteLon Anderson: Lovely to see you back in the blogosphere. I like your use of my prompts too.
DeleteHi Lon, A flash in less than 50 words, my hat is off to you! Well done! Thanks for the visit!
DeleteThank you, Renee, and much thanks to you, for your visit as well!
DeleteFine little appetizer. Now I'd like to learn what happened afterwards. ;-)
DeleteHere's my take on the prompts: Fiction: The Lake View. I don't think I'll ever be on time with these but all the same, the prompts are quite useful and helpful to me even if I never could finish anything I started by using them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the prompts.
Have a lovely day.
lissa: I have read and enjoyed your take on the prompts, and am very glad you find them useful.
DeleteLo más simple y común sería que cuando acudo a la oficina municipal de mi pueblo, me atiendan de inmediato y de forma amable, y no te dieran siempre una tarjeta donde te dicen:¡VUELVA USTED EL DÍA TAL... A LA HORA ...)
ReplyDeleteEspero que esto lo lea el Alcalde de mi pueblo.
Un abrazo.
Manuel: Love it. And how I wish that all business could be conducted that way...
Delete