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.
The prompts will be here this month, but they are being provided by David M. Gascoigne.
This
week's prompts are:
- Little
- Application
- Care
- Companionship
- Father
- Only
and/or
- Farm
- Progress
- Hedgerow
- Care
- Distinguished
- Industrial
Have fun.
She had only her father and little dog for companionship and care, but maybe the application she'd just filled out for the new online dating site would take care of that.
ReplyDeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Hope she finds a good one, Sandra.
DeleteSandra Cox: Echoing David - and smiling at your challenge to Captain Succinct.
DeleteNicely done, good luck to her. Many have been successful.
DeleteOh, one more in the shortie league - well done.
DeleteWhen John was a LITTLE boy he already loved animals. Living on a FARM with indulgent parents, he was able to express this love freely, and was encouraged in every way possible. It was not just farm animals. His FATHER was a great amateur naturalist and took John for walks along the HEDGEROWS where nature abounded. Foxes were there, skunks meandered along without CARE, birds built their nests, Marsh Marigolds lined the WET spots. Paradise was a hedgerow for John. He was an ONLY child but never lacked for COMPANIONSHIP; wild nature writ LARGE was all he needed. Fast forward a few years and John was a DISTINGUISHED ecologist, credentials in hand, getting his share of acclaim in the scientific world. But the hedgerows were gone. The old farm was part of an INDUSTRIAL farming operation fuelled by ever greater APPLICATIONS of chemicals, each one more toxic than the previous ones. Biodiversity was but a memory. John was reminded that this is what we call PROGRESS. Progress? Just give me the hedgerows back and the world will begin to heal, he thought. Ecology is not so complex after all.
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: I am glad that I didn't read yours before I wrote mine. We were definitely on the same page.
DeleteIt only is if your first desire is money, not wise use and preservation of resources.
DeleteHi David - salient and sadly very true ... I hope your distinguished ecologist can bring some sense to the world. Cheers Hilary
DeleteExcellent. I could walk right into this setting.
DeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
True, sad, and well written.
DeleteSarah mourned as she looked over the landscape. Her father’s life on the farm was distinguished by the care he gave to not only the livestock but the land. Even the hedgerows got his devoted attention. ‘It is not only a border between my land and the road’ he said, ‘but small animals and birds depend on it for sustenance and protection.’
ReplyDeleteHe lived on that farm for close to seventy years and got companionship from the environment, the seasons and the other inhabitants. She was glad that he knew little of what was to come. In only three short years after he died the area was reclassified as industrial. His farm was torn down, trees and his carefully nurtured hedgerows were uprooted. Progress? Regress is a better term.
Indeed. It's a sad reality.
DeleteAs you say, Sue, we were in the same track with this one.
DeleteHi Sue - similar line to my entry ... yours is very personal ... I agree: thoughtless change ... cheers Hilary
DeleteA sad story, and all too common. Sigh.
DeleteWell done, EC. Very moving. I mourn the loss of his farm.
DeleteYou and David were definitely on the same page:)
Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
The older I get, the more I dislike progress. Good story.
DeleteLetting them percolate.
ReplyDeletemessymimi: I look forward to your brew.
DeleteMy story will be over here.
DeleteHedgerow. I'm picturing a story set in England.
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: Could be...
DeleteWe are getting some of our hedgerows back ... thankfully ... cheers Alex
DeleteWas Care meant to be on here twice? And I saw that David used the word WET, was that supposed to be where the 2nd Care is?
ReplyDeleteCindi: Care wasn't meant to be here twice. Chalk it up to David's and my error - and feel free to use Wet instead of one of the cares.
Deletemine will post tomorrow and I will come back and put a link in the comments.
DeleteThe son was better with the application of a little care and companionship only a father can give.
ReplyDeleteMike: I do like your snappy use of the prompts.
DeleteHi Mike - excellent ... lovely - I can feel the love. Thanks - HIlary
DeleteGood!
DeleteNicely done!
DeleteI'll be visiting the twins tomorrow so won't have much time to work on it, i'll see what I can do, but I may post Saturday instead of Friday.
ReplyDeleteRiver: Enjoy your day with the twins - which I am sure you will. I look forward to seeing what you create - whichever day you post.
DeleteHi EC and David ... a longish one ... I'm around and will post again shortly ... cheers H
ReplyDeleteI've watched farms progress over half a century … noticed the destruction of hedgerows – now I watch as they are being reinstated – essential corridors for all wildlife.
Our history of agriculture lets us know that we're not great carers of our landscape. There are some distinguished people who are determined to bring back nature into our world … and reclaim some of earth's crust that's been dug up and defiled during the industrial age.
The challenge is to educate us in this era to value our earth … the blue dot in space … while remembering it's just not those in the so-called first world (rapidly being taken down by power-driven selfish leaders) as well as others who are not in such a priveleged position – their peoples have so much that we need to take on board and use intelligently.
Are we able to do this … have we had the best of times – the future …....???
Hilary Melton-Butcher: Ouch. I fear that we are not able to do this. The will is simply not there for too many people in power...
DeleteThe hope is wearing thin for many. You've stated the case well.
DeleteBased on recent history, Hilary, I doubt that we will rise to the challenge and meet it.
DeleteThe challenge is not accepted, not even seen by too many people, som I fear not.
DeleteWell said, Hils, Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
DeleteThanks everyone ... cheers H
DeleteContinuing, but not ending my story of Susan and the chickens.
ReplyDeleteI'll be back later to read.
Charlotte (MotherOwl): I am off to read your piece now.
Delete"With an APPLICATION of courage, you could get your dragon today," Roland's FATHER said. "But remember, my LITTLE one. Your dragon would need all your CARE and COMPANIONSHIP for years to come." The old man nodded, half to himself, and patted Roland's shoulder. "ONLY daring ever win a dragon. Go and win, my son."
ReplyDeleteOlga Godim: How I would love to read more of Roland's and the dragon's story. And yes, that is a hint. Thank you for joining us again.
Deletethecontemplativecat here. Great write! Dragons and children always make thing interesting.
DeleteThis is the start of a beautiful story, should you choose to write it.
DeleteHi Olga - interesting to find dragons here ... delightful snippet ... perhaps more to come? Cheers Hilary
DeleteGreat story - everyone loves a dragon.
DeleteThank you!
DeleteMine is posted, apologies for so late putting the link up. I have bronchitis.
ReplyDeleteCindi: I am sorry about the bronchitis - and thank you for joining the fun despite your health woes.
Deletethecontemplativecat here. I'll give it some thought. We just returned from our trip to see son's family with 3 preschool children. We are exhausted.
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: I look forward to seeing what you create. I can well understand your exhaustion too.
DeleteI haven't been participating but I do enjoy reading your take on things, and everyone else's too. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: Thank you so much for reading - and for cheering us on.
DeleteTomo nota de las palabras, para ver si se me ocurre algo que escribir con las mismas.
ReplyDeleteAprovecho para desearte un buen fin de semana.
Manuel: I hope David's prompts inspire you - and you have a wonderful weekend too.
DeleteDavid chooses great prompt words. Have fun if you're participating!
ReplyDeleteFundy Blue: He does doesn't he? I do hope that the participants and the readers have a heap of fun.
Deletethecontemplativecat here. Good words.
ReplyDeleteLittle did Mary know that her father’s chair was empty for a reason. He had left in the night with no explanation. Mama’s cheeks were wet with tears in silence.
May ran to hide in her spot in the hedgerow, where her treasures were stored.
He didn’t seem to care that it would be just Mama and her working the farm by themselves. Mama joined her in the hedgerow, showing Mary a copy of the application, she had filled out to work in the industrial complex as an office manager. Her boss was a friend of hers from college and told Mama that if she could manage her farm, she could manage anything.
Grandpa said he could handle the farm and watched as they drove to the city. May sighed, “I’ll miss the hedgerow.”
Susan Kane: An excellent use of David's prompts. Poor Mary - and how lucky that Mama had a friend with influence.
Delete