Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wednesday 7 December 2022

Words for Wednesday 7/12/2022

 




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.
 
Huge thanks to messymimi for providing the prompts last month.
 
The prompts will be here this month, provided by me. 
 
This week's prompts are:
 
  • Candles
  • Everyone
  • Nine
  • Days
  • Heart

 

And/or

 

  • Aunt
  • Strike
  • Bullet
  • Ballet
  • Missed

 Have fun.

I have nearly finished drawing up a schedule for next year which I hope to post for your consideration/comment later this week.  Thank you so much to all those who volunteered to provide prompts for us.

117 comments:

  1. How do you volunteer? What does it require?

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    1. Sandi: You let me know that you would like to volunteer - either on a post or via an email and tell me which month would suit. It involves providing prompts each Wednesday for the month in question and (depending on your preference) either publishing them on your blog or sending them to me and I will publish them here.

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    2. I'd like to do it! Any month.

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    3. Sandi: Thank you. Here or on your blog?

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    4. I would like to post the prompts here on your blog. Or email them too you.

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    5. Sandi: Thank you. If you email the prompts to me I will put them up (and give you the credit).

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  2. Great prompts, Sue. I used all the words and most of this story is true.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Auntie had a routine for her birthday. I’ve never seen anyone more excited for her own birthday. It was never about presents (“why would I want everyone buying me stuff I don’t need with money they don’t have?” - and she meant it.)
    She was a squarish roundish woman with a passion for the ballet and a heart of gold. She’d do anything for everyone. Sure, there’s one in every family. We dedcied to do something different this year. Something that would acknowledge our gratitude for her years of love and dedication to our troubled family.

    At nine days out from the big day, we pooled our bits of money and bought two tickets for Swan Lake at the Cork Opera House. We drew lots for the one who would go with her.

    Tom decided to bite the bullet and fill her car with petrol to make it less stressful. Between the bunch of us we didn’t miss a trick.

    Joanie, her daughter, won the second ticket and on the Big Day when they had left for the ballet we descended on the house. I had time to bake the heart shaped cake and someone had got fancy candles.

    We didn’t know it was her last birthday on earth. We were all so happy when she arrived in the door with her daughter and there were fifty of us hiding everywhere in her big old rambling house, all jumping out of our hidey holes to scream and holler and take pictures of her startled face, her ballet programme still clutched to her chest.

    Cancer took her lickety split six months later.

    And every day, she is missed more deeply.
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    XO
    WWW

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    1. I don't know which parts of this story are true, but I suspect that the death of your aunt led to this story. She must have been a delight in your life. Thank you for sharing her with us. Peace from Dee Ready

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    2. Wisewebwoman: This is beautiful and has left me with misty eyes. Interesting that we both featured Swan Lake - though my story is definitely not true.

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    3. A beautiful story, and a reminder to cherish every moment.

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    4. A sad but very lovely celebration story.

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    5. Well written and heartywarming. All lives should be marked in this way at least once.

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    6. Hugs on this. It was so warmly written and your auntie sounds like she was a wonderful woman.

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    7. Oh, what a good story. Well written, thanks.

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    8. What a lovely, heart-felt story. I'm sure she knew how much she was loved.

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  3. I love reading this touching story. I'm so sorry for your loss.
    You chose fitting gifts but most of all, the gift of love.
    Julia

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  4. Uncomfortable in the suit she insisted that he wear, he sat glumly in the uncomfortable seat in the overheated theatre. He wasn’t sure how long they had been there, but it felt like at least nine very long days.

    ‘Strike me dead’, Ben muttered. ‘A bullet would be less painful. I have missed a game of football for this?’ His aunt Hester was the odd one out in the family. She arranged scented candles around the bath, and liked art and kulchur. She told him that everyone should see at least one ballet in their lives – and appreciate the grace, the strength and the beauty. She was very dear to him, and had a firm place in his heart so he had agreed to take her to see Swan Lake, because her usual companion was too sick to go with her.
    He made a quiet (but firm) decision. Next time Aunt Hester wanted to expand people’s horizons, someone else in the family could step up to the pass. Much as he loved her, he had done his duty.

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    1. This is great, EC. You have a lovely knack of intertwining sentiment with droll;) Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com

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    2. One taste was enough, well told EC, though I often do wonder how changed men would be if they opened up to magnificence.
      XO
      WWW

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    3. I love your story EC and I can picture Ben muttering "A bullet would be less painful" I love the play on the word ballet. (bullet)
      I'd love to go to the ballet.
      Julia

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    4. He got his kulchur and that was enough. Many people are like that with ballet.

      Good story!

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    5. Well, the Bens of this world like to sit in their favourite armchair with a chip bag in their left hand and a beer bottle in their right and watch tattooed multimillionaires in short panties play. Thousands of people do even follow them to away games by train or plane. That's kulchur, stupids! How much is the world?

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    6. Nicely done EC although I'm with Ben and would prefer to be elsewhere, but not watching football either.

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    7. I suspect that many people, especially men, would feel the same way about ballet, without giving themselves a chance to understand it and appreciate its incredible beauty - and those dancers were doubtless more athletic than the football players he missed seeing.

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    8. Excellent use of the prompts as always, and you made me chuckle with "art and kulchur". Not everyone's cup of tea. ;-)

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    9. Minus the scented candles I would love taking his place. Well written.

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    10. Oh, bless him for 'doing his duty.' Maybe he enjoyed the ballet, despite his misgivings.

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  5. Marlene lit the candles for her mother, Sally, who'd returned from her nine-day trip abroad the week before. All her life, Sally had wanted to visit Greece. She'd studied the language, did her research, discovered which villages she wanted to visit, and saved her money. Now she was home and everyone who'd chipped in to help her make her dream a reality, was there, eager to hear her stories. In the glow of the sputtering candles, she began to tell them of all the people she'd met. "Everyone I met welcomed me to their country," she said. "That wouldn't, couldn't have happened without your help. I hold all of you in my heart. How dear you are to one who's dreamed has been realized. Thank you." (Dee Ready)

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  6. Bullet and ballet - now that's quite the combination!

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: And people are already stepping up to the pass with it...

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  7. Keep everyone in your heart during the nine days of candles.

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    1. Mike: Nice to see Captain Succinct on the trail again. Which nine days of candles?

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    2. Maybe we start a new tradition.

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    3. Hanukah, for Cloudia and Robyn.

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    4. Nine days of candles sounds nice. Love your shorties.

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  8. I will work on my story between addressing Christmas cards and be back to link up soon.

    Please include me on the list for next year, i have so much fun doing it.

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    1. messymimi: I look forward to seeing what you do with the prompts on your busy day. And thank you.

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    2. messymimi: I have read it and applauded. The louder because it is a true story.

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    3. I can sympathise with you about your car, Mimi: At the end of October, after 22 years, I had to say goodbye to my brave burro.
      Re the recovery of your relative one thought spontaneously came to my mind: What a man's will can achieve! Wonderful.

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  9. There was a candle by the window sill every time you opened a door it flickered and died . But when you went by it would die. Again you light it but it dies when you walk by. You keep this up for hours on end but that light just dies out, again. What is it? Is it knocking at my door? In my thoughts I think my candle is fading out. Awe What is my next task. Is death upon me? I just have to ask, Well the time has come and I must go, the call has come and I shall go.

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    1. Anonymous: This is dark. And intriguing.

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    2. Very sobering thoughts in this story, Anonymous.

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    3. I wonder what would happen if the candle was burned at both ends?
      Dark but powerful story.
      XO
      WWW

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  11. Oops, second try. I missed a word!

    Sing to the tune of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"

    Go get the matchbox out
    and pretty candles numbered nine
    We'll make it last for eight days
    based on rituals, divine.
    Everyone concurs that
    storebought fruitcake ain't divine.
    And the airing of the grievance
    Takes my peeps far, far, far
    too much time.
    So take heart that you'll destroy your heart
    Cuz latkes are delicious
    and not at all nutritious
    Hanukah is coming around!

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    1. Rawknrobyn: I love this . And hooray for combining religious/cultural celebrations.

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    2. Wonderful! There is so much to celebrate this time of year.

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    3. Thanks so much, EC and messymimi.
      You and blogland remind me of all the good stuff that's worthy of relishing in, especially this time of year.
      Cheers.

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    4. Brilliant Robyn ... so clever - cheers Hilary

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    5. Good take on the words.
      XO
      WWW

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    6. Thanks, all. It doesn't exactly flow like the song, but it was a fun creation. Love and blessings all around.

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  12. Well stated have been off blog due to bereavement

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    1. Steve: I am very sorry for your loss.

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    2. My heart aches for you. It can be especially difficult at this time of year.

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  13. Replies
    1. Glad to read that the kittens are getting better. Hope you and the mister are doing well.

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  14. After all nine bullets had missed everyone of the ballet ensemble, the idea striked him to lit a few candles for his aunt in the cathedral of his heart. Those were the days.

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    1. Sean Jeating: I suspect the cathedral of his heart is huge - and will hold a number of candles.

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    2. H'm that is a succint anecdote of what must have been terrifying.
      XO
      WWW

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    3. It would certainly be worth taking time to be thankful after such an event!

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    4. Happy that he missed. Still love those shorties. Maybe because I can't do them?

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  15. Thank you for the words which I will work on tomorrow and have a story on my blog on Friday. This afternoon I go to visit the dentist. it won't be as bad as sitting through a ballet but holding those x-ray clamps will feel like biting a bullet.

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    1. River: Good luck at the dentist.

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    2. The news was not good, but as I expected.

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    3. River: I am sorry to hear that.

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    4. I'd rather sit through ten ballets than visit the dentist once, but you already used some of the words here. Good luck.

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  16. Good to read these once again.

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    1. Margaret D: It is a fun meme isn't it? Sadly I had to rescue you from spam again. Blogger seems to have taken a dislike to you.

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  17. Hi EC - so glad the words are here again ... I've used all the words:

    "As everyone sat huddled with only candles for light and warmth … my aunt reminded us that we had nine days or more ahead when the weather would be freezing.

    She was also so good at telling stories … and often reverted her tales back to the times she was in the war when a bullet had missed her – bringing the horrors outside back to us.

    Now we made a space and for exercise practised our ballet or worked out making sure our heart rate rose …

    The most important thing we felt was to come through this time intact and healthy … we valued our lives and our society … and wanted to see 2023 in."

    Cheers - I'll be back to read all the entries ... Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: I love it. And hope those nine days go fast.

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    2. Well crafted in your own inimitable style, Hilary.

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    3. Nicely woven Hilary, I can see it all clearly in my mind.
      XO
      WWW

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    4. I do hope they see in the new year, and many to come.

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    5. Well written, Hilary.
      There are not many aunts alive, yet, to tell their great-great-grandchildren about the horror of war. Which is why the multifaceted horror of war is unimaginable for most. As it probably is for us happy old people who have been allowed to live in peace all these years.
      Looking around the world, may we be spared this experience.


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    6. Keep warm, that's most important.

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    7. Thanks everyone ... we can't imagine war can we - but perhaps Ukraine will bring the reality back to us - it's seriously dreadful in this day and age. All the best - Hilary

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  18. I am sure you will agree that EVERYONE loves CANDLES. What’s not to like about flames flickering in the dark, casting shadows, tugging at the HEARTS of young lovers, imposing remembrance of the dear departed on others? I think my AUNT was the candle queen of all time. It’s a wonder she didn’t burn her house down several times, but if a candle were to STRIKE her fancy she had to have it. She dodged the BULLET on more than one occasion. I remember once when she had NINE candles burning on the small kitchen table in her apartment. At least we were there to spring into action if the flames got out of control. There were many DAYS when we worried about her safety, but as it turned out our concern was misplaced. The fire brigade was never called! She passed away a year ago yesterday and she is MISSED terribly. I lit nine candles at our table and the flames flickered and danced in a BALLET of her life. She would have squealed with joy.

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    1. David M. Gascoigne: Another story that tugs (hard) on my heart strings. What a lovely way to be remembered.

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    2. That would be a lovely remembrance of her.

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    3. What a peaceful flickering tribute. Lovely, David.

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    4. Delightful tale David ... wonderful and so glad no harm came to her. Cheers Hilary

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  19. Oh I love this line David: "the flames flickered and danced in a ballet of her life." Well done!
    XO
    WWW

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  20. Once in a year, in May, my aunt and I set up nine candles. Once a day for nine days she strikes a match and lights them, fresh and new.

    Each candle represents a child killed that horrible day when a madman sprayed bullets at us. It was our first ballet performance. All were killed, except for me and one other, a girl who in her teens killed herself because she couldn't live with the memory. We added her candle years ago.

    The candles are the hearts that no longer beat, no longer shine. The candles are the little pink tutus and satin shoes. My aunt and I say a prayer for her daughter, my cousin whom I will always miss, and for the other girls. We cry. We hug.

    On the morning of the tenth day we put everything and everyone away and go one with our lives.

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    1. Wow, Bish! That was a compelling story,

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    2. Bish Denham: Tears here. Thank you.

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    3. Wow is right! Very well told.

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    4. Not bad for a children's writer. ;-)

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    5. Cold ran up and down my spine reading this. Well writen.

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    6. Hi Bish - so very sad ... a tale of horror, yet remembrance for their souls. Hilary

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  21. Beautiful and moving pieces of writing. We have such an awesome community of writers. Merry Christmas, EC.

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    1. Joylene Nowell Butler: We do, don't we? Which is lovely. A very merry Christmas to you and yours.

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  22. Kudos to you for being almost done with your schedule for the next year, Sue! That must feel really good. Good stories so far!

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    1. Fundy Blue: It does feel good and I am endlessly grateful to those who answered my plea.

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  23. I really like your story. It speaks about relationship and feelings on obligation, and I like that. This is a great line, "A bullet would be less painful".

    I tried this morning to comment twice and couldn't. I'm having so many issues commenting.

    Teresa

    T. Powell Writes @ https://journalingwoman.blogspot.com

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    1. Teresa: Thank you. I am sorry that you are having commenting issues. Sometimes I have found that (temporarily) swapping browsers helps.

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  24. Here's my link: Susan. Now off to reading. Thanks EC for hosting this!

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    1. Charlotte (MotherOwl): I have already read and enjoyed your use of my prompts.

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  25. My WFW are to be posted on my blog on Friday. Here it is in advance on your page. Fun prompts EC.

    HAUNTED SHOOTING MATCH by Granny Annie

    They lit the CANDLES and every BULLET missed. EVERYONE laughed as NINE shots were fired and there was not a single STRIKE. The flames danced like an undisturbed BALLET dancer. Our AUNT was aghast at the number of shots that were MISSED. She pressed her hand to her HEART and exclaimed that this had to be the devil's DAYS.

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    1. Granny Annie: Oooh. And now I am wondering whether the bullets were fired at the candles - or some other target.

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  26. What a lovely remembrance and perhaps a new tradition of lighting nine candles each year .

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  27. Oops! That comment was meant for Bish. I do like Granny Annie's piece, though. I would not care to be in that room with so many bullets flying around :-)

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  28. While jabblog has been quiet about it she has also used the prompts wonderfully on her blog.

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