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 I am providing the prompts.
Charlotte (MotherOwl) has selected water blue as the colour of the month. If you can include it in your story she and I will be grateful.
This week's prompts are:
- Wife,
- Comfort,
- Time,
- Book,
- Doors
And/or
- Certificate,
- Appreciation,
- Elephant,
- Olive,
- Major
All I have is a picture for C tommorrow. It being Wenesday tomorrow. I think I will fiddle with the challenge. Perhaps I produce something worth reading. Thanks for coming by my blog.
ReplyDeleteAnn Bennett: I look forward to seeing what you do with the prompts and will be by tomorrow.
DeleteSo good to see you here again Sue - look after yourself ...
ReplyDeleteThe appreciation society issued Elephant's Child a Certificate … they framed it in an Olive frame – she so loved her garden … they wanted her to know she'd majored … welcome back wonderful lady …
Cheers Hilary
Welcome back wonderful lady indeed. Short, crisp and to the point, Hilary.
DeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: Thank you so much. And David too. I did receive not one but two appreciation certificates a little while ago and was amazed.
DeleteYou have my appreciation for "herding the cats" with this challenge.
DeleteGreat entry. I like your writing Hilary.
DeleteWoot. Woot. Great job, Hils. Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
DeleteOlive the blue elephant received a major certificate of appreciation.
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: You are rivalling Captain Succinct. I wonder what Olive has done to deserve that certificate.
DeleteOlive sounds unique, I'd also like to know what Olive did.
DeleteClever Alex ... made me chuckle ... as I'm a town full of coloured elephants at the moment ...
DeleteBlue elephants deserve all the appreciation they can get!
DeleteI am interested in your blog and will follow it. Also if I have time I will write a text on the weekend and come back with a link. It's OK;
ReplyDeleteKaterinas Blog: Welcome and thank you. I will be by to visit you soon.
DeleteSorry all. My own prompts took me to a sad place this week.
ReplyDeleteI suppose I am a wife. We don’t have the certificate but in our time together has definitely been for richer, for poorer and both sickness and in health. Far too much sickness. Doors have opened and closed for both of us.
And now I worry. I worry that the increasing care I need is a burden. A major burden. The elephant in the room which cannot be hidden. My appreciation for all that he does for me is immense, but in the multitude of worries of the world, a selfish one, of becoming a major burden is a heavy one for me.
And a related question: Who was it that decided that blue described depression? Sky blue, water blue, pastel blue, in its myriad of hues I love it all, and take comfort from it and in it. In my book a kind of grey green is much more depressing for me. Not olive green, I love its silvery hues, but a murky kind of yellow/grey green. What colour spells depression for you?
This is so autobiographical it makes me want to weep, Sue. Life is often not fair.
DeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: It is indeed autobiography but weep not. I am luckier than many.
DeleteIt's hard when our turn to slow down and need care comes, we're used to being the caretakers.
Deletemessymimi: It is hard. Very hard.
DeleteIt's so difficult to rely on someone else for what we are used to doing for ourselves, isn't it? Hurtfully difficult. You and your partner are both warriors and will deal with whatever is necessary. Huge hugs, Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
DeleteI don't think I have a color for depression. I like all the colors!
DeleteMike: Interesting. What do you call it when you get depressed? A blogger I miss used to say she was living under a concrete cloud.
DeleteHi EC and all commenters - I feel for you all ... especially you EC and anyone in similar circumstances. I'm fortunate I do get 'down' but nothing like depression, and come out pretty quickly. I think I feel in a mist ... I don't have a colour for it. Just misty thickness ... take care - sent with hugs and love - Hilary
DeleteI'm glad you are back, but you still need to remember self care. No matter what, you are worth so much to so many. I have suffered deep depression and still have light bouts of it. Keep writing, Sue! It's therapeutic and you do it well.
DeleteElephant's Child: Black is the color of depression, to me anyway. I think it's good you have a great partner, life is easier if you have a partner to share your burden.
DeleteHave a lovely day.
Thank you one and all. So very much.
DeleteUnderstandable. I also hate to ask for help, but we're still here, still ticking, still writing our blogs. The alternative would be worse.
DeleteFor me, blue is a good color. It doesn't associate with sadness. There are only two colors I dislike - yellow and red - but they have much to do with my own coloring. I look horrible in yellow and red, but blue is one of my favorite colors in clothing. I have lots of blue: sweaters and t-shorts and jackets. None in the red and yellow palette. :))
I can relate to this feeling, but we have to endure, and letting others help is also a way of showing our love.
DeleteFor me depression is not blue either as I love blue - every blue. Grey is maybe the right colour - like clouds on a rainy winters day, or the drab khaki yellow of a botched plant dye. Something murky and lacklustre, certainly not my pretty blue!
A sad read indeed and I can only hope things become easier, though it may be wishful thinking. I also don't have a colour for depression, though thta sickly yellow/green/grey does make me look away quickly, it's the colour of dead and dying plants, and sickness.
DeleteHeart wrenching Sue, and yes, it's such a worry feeling like a burden to others. I completely understand. So lovely to have you back but please, please, take all the breaks you need to keep yourself together.
DeleteXO
WWW
I'm in a fog.
DeleteHis wife walked blindly through the large wooden doors of the funeral home. It would take time to find comfort for their loss. If he knew his partner at all, and he liked to think he did, she would find solace in a beloved book. He nodded to himself, maybe he would do the same.
ReplyDeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Sandra Cox: There is indeed a LOT of comfort in books.
DeleteI do hope he finds comfort, such a loss can be devastating.
DeleteBooks are medicine for many evils. Well done.
DeleteI find enormous comfort in books. Well done!
DeleteXO
WWW
La"esposa"estaba sentada con "comodidad", mientras leía el "certificado" médico que le había llegado. En él figuraba un dato "importante" sobre su analítica. Le faltaba calcio y por ello tenía que comer alimentos que tuvieran calcio y además unos medicamentos que se los proporcionara.
ReplyDeleteLas "puertas" de la cochera se abrieron y era el marido, que llegaba, después de que viniera del supermercado de hacer la compra. Nunca apuntaba nada y por ese motivo se le olvidó comprar el bote de "aceituna", que le dijo su esposa que comprara.No consideró "Importante", el olvido, para ir de nuevo al supermercado. Era hora de su descanso y nada mejor que hacero que leyendo algúnos capítulos del"libro" que ya había comenzado.
Era hora ya de la cena y en la sobremesa, se pusieron a ver la tele. El mundo de los animales era "importante" para ellos. No se perdían los documentales dedicado a los animales. Esa noche el documental versaba sobre la vida y las costumbres del "elefante"
Un saludo amigos.
VENTANA DE FOTO wrote:
DeleteThe "wife" was sitting "comfortably" while reading the medical "certificate" that had arrived. It contained "important" information about his analysis. He lacked calcium and therefore had to eat foods that had calcium and also some medications that provided it.
The "doors" of the garage opened and it was the husband, who arrived, after he came from the supermarket to do the shopping. He never wrote anything down and for that reason he forgot to buy the jar of "olives" that his wife told him to buy. He did not consider the forgetfulness "important" to go to the supermarket again. It was time for his rest and there was nothing better to do than reading some chapters of the "book" that he had already started.
It was time for dinner and after dinner, they started watching TV. The world of animals was "important" to them. They did not miss the documentaries dedicated to animals. That night the documentary was about the life and customs of the "elephant"
Greetings friends.
Thank you for joining us again. The world of animals is important to me too. Very. My partner takes a shopping list with him but ignores it.
A good story, my husband also forgets if he doesn't have a list.
DeleteLists are necessary here too, for me and hubby, but we do bring them. Nice and long story, I hope your "hubby" will get healthy again.
DeleteWhich one is valuable? Diploma or certificate? The main difference lies in the depth and duration of the program. Certificates are short-term and focused on specific skills; diplomas are typically longer and more comprehensive, while degrees are the most extensive, offering a well-rounded education.
ReplyDeleteHere, sometimes, certificates are more valuable than the diplomas.
bread&salt: Here certificates are frequently more practical than diplomas. And there is a place for both.
DeleteDepending on what you want to do, there's a different kind of training track for everything now.
DeleteI'll get to it.
ReplyDeleteMy story will be over here.
Deletemessymimi: I look forward to it. As I always do.
DeleteElephant's Child, please accept this Certificate of Appreciation, (in a pretty water blue frame,) for your Major accomplishments in your life, your garden, and online. You have opened Doors to other worlds, introduced us to new Books, and at times have brought us Comfort. We are happy to spend Time here with you each day.
ReplyDeleteHear, hear!!!
DeleteRiver (and messymimi): Thank you both. Muchly
DeleteGreat use of these prompts and so true.
DeleteRiver: I like how you used the prompts. I think it's all true.
DeleteHave a lovely day.
Yes! Definitely.
DeleteI'd like to sign this certificate as well.
DeleteThanks dear
ReplyDeleteCloudia: Thank you.
DeleteThe major comforted Olive, the elephant, whilst his wife looked on in dismay.
ReplyDeleteFun60: Smiling. And thinking that the major's wife is very insecure...
DeleteI'm smiling too.
DeleteI do hope nothing was wrong with Olive to cause the dismay.
DeleteShe had spent all morning on her Easter flower display, hoping to get that all important Certificate of Appreciation. But no, all ruined by the elephant .
ReplyDeleteFun60: I can well see how an elephant has the potential to ruin an Easter Flower display - big time. Thank you for joining us.
DeleteElephants are famous for ruining. Well written.
DeleteOuch! Better luck next year, lock up the elephant.
DeleteThey are WIFE and husband, living in COMFORT, most of the TIME behind the DOORS, reading a BOOK, eating their favourite OLIVE salad.
ReplyDeleteIn their younger days, the couple owned a popular eating place in their garden, called "At the ELEPHANT". Its MAJOR attraction was a big metal BLUE elephant through whose belly the food orders were handed out to the customers.
At some point, a CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION was awarded to them by the municipality, for the contribution of their eating place to the food culture of the city.
Great job, Duta.
DeleteDUTA: I am echoing David. And smiling.
DeleteI'd like to eat there. It sounds good.
DeleteNIcely told! I'd go eat there, it sounds unique.
Delete“The WIFE will COMPORT him when he returns from the tragic event”, says the neighbour to another. Such dreadful going ons don’t happen every day, thank goodness, thought Jacob.
ReplyDeleteTIME passed, Jacob put his BOOK down onto the couch as he hadn’t heard a knock on either of the DOORS, the front or the back door, he called to Mary his wife and asked had she seen or heard from their neighbour! Finally Jacob went off to look for his friend, his neighbour.
Hope that makes sense!
Margaret D: It does make sense - and I do hope the neighbour is ok.
DeleteI too hope neighbour is well.
DeleteYes, neighbour turned out OK.. pity about the spelling of 'comfort' though...lol. EC, glad it makes sense..
DeleteYes, we are thankful dreadful things aren't everyday things. Nicely told.
DeleteThroughout life DOORS open and doors close. It’s knowing which one to walk through that’s the key to success. If there’s an ELEPHANT in the room you have to learn to recognize it and deal with it in a TIMELY manner. My MAJOR success has been in meeting my WIFE, from which has flowed a deep APPRECIATION of life. No CERTIFICATE is needed to affirm this simple truth. We both take great COMFORT in BOOKS, and never need to offer an OLIVE branch to each other. Life is very good.
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: Sounds like a sweet life.
DeleteHave a lovely day.
David M. Gascoigne: This is lovely. And I suspect as autobiographical as my piece.
DeleteYou are correct, of course, Sue.
DeleteThis sounds like a nice life. I see you sitting in front of the fireplace each ensconced in a book.
DeleteBeautiful, thank you for the lovely word picture of domestic bliss.
DeleteI have used the first set of prompts and I'm on time this time, well, probaby not as it is already Thursday in some other parts of the world. Thank you for providing the prompts.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, here's my take on the prompts - Fiction: The Cleaner
Have a lovely day.
lissa: I look forward to reading your always original take on the prompts and will be over shortly.
DeleteLovely job! As to lists...I could not do without them, so I empathize with the husband.
ReplyDeletehttps://cleemckenziebooks.substack.com/
Finally, Google allows me to comment here. Hooray! Here is y little essay:
ReplyDeleteThe MAJOR closed the BOOK and sighed with pleasure. He would definitely issue the CERTIFICATE of APPRECIATION for this particular story. When the ELEPHANT and his WIFE finally, after all their travails, went through the OLIVE DOORS, his level of COMFORT had increased dramatically. If only he had TIME for more books he would be content.
This sounds like the synopsis for a long, happy story.
DeleteOlga Godim: Love it. And yes, books are always welcome.
DeleteI'm glad he enjoyed the story so much.
DeleteNow, I've used the Words. Sorry no story of Susan and the Unicorn Farm today. Things have been too busy and my brain is empty.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte (MotherOwl) I really enjoyed your little slice of life (and thank Olga Godim for the perfect phrase).
DeleteHere's mine, all words and colour used.
ReplyDelete--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In her water blue uniform with all the badges and ribbons and gold cords, Major Olive Comfort was a sight for sore eyes on the parade ground. She inspected her troops with a keen eye and grimaced or frowned at the tiniest fleck of dust on a shoulder or a smear on a boot. For she was a miser with appreciation of any kind.
Captain Hugh Langley, at her side always, played by the book, deferring, holding doors, working on his certificates and medals of achievements. He could barely restrain himself from groveling at her shiny boots in adoration.
The secret elephant in the room, or rather in the officers’ club, was his undying passion for her as she snapped and clipped around, never a hair out of place, cap at that perfect angle, you could see yourself in those boots of hers.
Yes, he thought, the time would surely come when she would surely glance his way for longer than two seconds, and that day, he’d be on the path to making her his wife.
Wisewebwoman: I love it - and can't help thinking that they would make a great couple - though I doubt they would be friends of mine.
DeleteOh this was grand. I loved it. Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
DeleteThey sure would be a couple to avoid - well written, and thanks for using my colour.
DeleteNice story of as yet unrequited love. May they be happy together, at least they won't be making two regular people crazy.
DeleteFavorite topic well done! I really liked your text ❤️!
DeleteThe doors to the patio over looking the blue water of the lake were open as the wife and I sat in comfort reading books about times past.
ReplyDeleteMike: This is a lovely picture.
DeleteThis is domestic bliss.
DeleteHappy Writing, Everyone!
ReplyDeleteThe Happy Whisk: I hope so. I really hope so.
DeleteI really liked the words as well as the stories written above. It is very beautiful to write such different stories.
ReplyDeleteI wrote a story on my blog with these words and color. I also made an image with AI to enrich it.
https://peripetiazois.blogspot.com/
Katerinas Blog: Thank you for joining us. I am heading over to read your contribution now.
Delete