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. An additional prompt from Charlotte (MotherOwl) is to include Bright Red Orange in your take on the prompts.
This
week's prompts are:
- Damn
- Campaign
- Missile
- Vital
- Assure
And/or
- Practitioner
- Movement
- Futile
- Eternal
- Interpret
Have fun.
I'll let these cook a bit, see what comes out of the pot.
ReplyDeletemessymimi: I am sure it will be delicious.
DeleteMy story will be over here.
DeleteI like how messymimi's comment, good words too.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: messymimi has a way with words doesn't she?
DeleteI can ASSURE you, dear readers, that the CAMPAIGN I've recently joined, was initiated by a serious MOVEMENT led by a well-known medical PRACTITIONER.
ReplyDeleteOne may INTERPRET my joining as a whim, but the truth is the target of it was collecting money for the VITAL treatment of MISSILE casualties, (my nephew being one of them).
The slogan , on the BRIGHT RED ORANGE background was:
DAMN FUTILE war!
Strive for ETERNAL love!
DUTA: And so say all of us.
DeleteHi DUTA - oh so true ... thank you ... very damn and very futile each and every one of them. and echoing EC words - so say I - Hilary
DeleteIt’s very sad that this is autobiographical, Duta.
DeleteDuta, that was powerful!
DeleteBrava, yes and yes and yes.
DeleteXO
WWW
Damn futile war, indeed!
DeleteIt's always futile. People have to protect themselves, but they shouldn't be pushed into have to protect themselves, if you get what I mean.
DeleteWell done Duta. War is indeed futile, yet also eternal it seems.
DeleteWell written!
Delete...and thanks for using my colour.
DeleteSo sorry.
DeleteThis was so well written and impactful.
Dr Jones had been Brad’s medical practitioner all of his life, but now he had severe doubts.
ReplyDeleteThey started when he went to have his flu shot and his doctor assured him that if only he took the recently released Vitamin X (which the doctor coincidentally had for sale) he would be blessed with eternal life and would remain active and his movements would be as supple as that of a cat.
Dr Jones was obviously on a campaign to promote Vitamin X because there were photos of the bright orange red Vitamin X bottles all over the waiting room, and when Brad was dubious he had pushed a pamphlet of the same colour into Brad’s reluctant hands.
‘I am the best advertisement for the product you can get’ he said. ‘I am now 77, and as vital as I was in my twenties.’
His blandishments were futile. Brad interpreted his enthusiasm for Vitamin X as sign of a failing mind. As he left the surgery he screwed the pamphlet into a tight ball, and hurled the missile into the nearest bin, muttering ‘damn, damn, damn, now I need to find another doctor’, and wondering whether he should report Dr Jones to the Department of Health.
Hi EC - wonderful telling of a story ... loved it - I hope it's not too near home for you ... it isn't for me here - I'm fortunate with my young doc! Cheers Hilary
DeleteI love your story. Good job on using those prompts.
DeleteUnfortunately, we don't have enough doctors in our country and finding a new one is impossible.
Hugs,
Julia
Excellent story, I wasn't sure it where it was going and then punch!
DeleteLoved it!
XO
WWW
If I were Dr Jones I'd put a spell on you. :)))
DeleteGood one, Sue!
Any doctor hawking his own patent medicine needs his head examined. I'm glad it didn't work on Brad.
DeleteI always hate having to find a new doctor, but if mine started pushing something new and unknown I would have to just like Brad. Great story.
DeleteJulia: Finding a new doctor isn't easy here either, but sometimes it has to be done.
DeleteMaybe Dr. Jones had shares in the company.
DeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: Perhaps he does - which is another reason for finding a new doctor.
DeleteEww I do not appreciate selling snake oil in new bottles - even if they're "my" colour.
DeleteDon't ya hate it when your doctor goes off the deep end?
DeleteWell done and happy weekend.
Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
I think we have all seen or heard about similar medical practices.
DeleteI assure you this damn presidential campaign is like a missile aimed at my vital organs just waiting to explode.
ReplyDeleteMike: I can so understand that.
DeleteAbsoeffinglutely.
DeleteXO
WWW
Ha ha ha, herewith I am echoeing WWW.
DeleteYes!
DeleteI agree with you and I don't even live there!
DeleteYup, so much so!
DeleteDitto, Mike!
DeleteHi EC - the first set for now:
ReplyDeleteDamn those magpie missiles were bombing in and out of the bright red orange azaelia bushes … sadly it was assured that most of the tiny baby little brown jobs' eggs won't survive … with luck despite the magpies' campaigns a few vital ones will …
Cheers Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: I know the magpies have to survive but... I am also grateful that our magpies do not raid nests or gobble chicks. Great use of David's prompts.
DeleteI really like the direction in which you took this Hilary.
DeleteWell done!
XO
WWW
The magpies mishap (would) let my heart rise like a falcon up to the sky, Hilary.
DeleteWhy don't they eat cake. ;-)
Some birds can be destructive, even if they don't mean to be.
DeleteMagpies are like missiles, especially when homing in on the meat scraps my brother throws to them.
DeleteWell done, Hilary. Done as only you can!
DeleteMagpie missiles, good description - and thanks for using my colour.
DeleteVery nice. Even though we have no magpies here there are other "critters" that disrupt the nesting process.
DeleteA true story. thanks David and EC. All words and colour used.
ReplyDelete------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Those bright red oranges though1 I said.
Vital to the recipe, said my sister. It’s the kind mum always used.
I assured her that they were sevilles, I being a long practitioner of adhering to instructions as written.
Her eternal damn marmalade, said Dee, for it lasted all winter long.
Yes, I agreed, it was futile to ask her to add grapefruit or lemon peel!
Only one way to interpret that recipe of hers! Dee made a sudden movement to the cupboard underneath the sink.
Ta da! She said, hauling out a gleaming large copper bowl. Mum’s monster marmalade bowl.
We proceeded to cut up the oranges and chop the peel and flick them like missiles into the bowl, laughing and then, suddenly, crying.
God I miss her so much, said Dee, wiping her eyes, little bits of orange pulp streaking her cheeks.
If she saw us now she’d launch a campaign in the house called “stop the crybabies!” I said. And then I wiped my own eyes and got back to work.
_________________________________________________________
XO
WWW
Lovely reminiscence!
DeleteHow old would your Mum be, by now?
Making her marmalade is a wonderful way to remember and pay tribute to her.
DeleteFun with marmalade making! and tears at remembering. Nice story.
DeleteWisewebwoman: This is lovely - and epitomises bitter sweet.
DeleteYes - lovely to read and remind ourselves of days gone past ... thanks WWW ... cheers Hilary
DeleteSometimes a few tears are the best therapy of all.
DeleteSweet story. A monster marmelade bowl - sounds intriguing. I hope the marmelade turned out as well as your mother's.
DeleteLovely. My sister and I had a similar afternoon trying to make Mom's fudge frosting.
DeleteHm. Trying to combine last and this week's prompts with my suboptimal English:
ReplyDeleteWhat happens on this planet is difficult to interpret. One could, however, come to think that armed guardians, in their lodge wearing a bright red orange necklace, assure for decent money they are willing to find a way to "ground" the damn movement's futile campaign to let vital practitioners save the so-called eternal ecosystem.
ahem: [...] with their missiles. ;-)
DeleteClever, especially the ending.
DeleteSean Jeating: Loud applause. And compliments on your excellent English.
DeleteDeftly done, Sean.
DeleteExcellent English as always Sean. Good take.
DeleteXO
WWW
Well done - I liked the ballistic afterthought, and I can see nothing amiss with your English (I would not do as good in German ;) ). And thanks for using my colour.
DeleteCleverly done Sean - and nothing wrong with your English ... what happens on this planet belies our thoughts ormy comment - cheers Hilary
DeleteNice use of the prompts. Why the self deprecation? I speak "red-neck" English so I have no room to ever criticize anyone.
DeleteThanks everyone.
DeleteJust to make sure: Not fishing for compliments I was,
It was merely a statement. After all, I know that all my life I was lazy in learning vocabularies and grammatical patterns and structures, and thus, compared to my German, my English is lousy. ;-)
Like mimi I am going to have to let these words simmer in the subconscious for a while.
ReplyDeleteRiver: Happy simmering.
DeleteNice reading everyone, well done.
ReplyDeleteI ASSURE you it’s VITAL that we get that DAMN CAMPAIGN going as soon as possible before the enemy launches the MISSILE.
Margaret D: Great take - and so brief too.
DeleteThat too!
DeleteHi Margaret - yes as EC says - well done and short! Cheers Hilary
DeleteWell and succinctly told!
DeleteThank you.
DeleteWell done!
DeleteOur Damn US political
ReplyDeleteCampaign is picking up speed like a
Missile!
It is Vital that people of heart and mind turn out in huge numbers I
Assure you!
And vote Democrat.
DeleteCloudia: I am echoing David M. Gascoigne here - and watching in horror.
DeleteLet the heart and minds begin the march!
DeleteBoring ... sadly ... I'll go with David and EC -cheers Hilary
DeleteYes, voting is important.
DeleteThe Jehovah’s Witnesses had a CAMPAIGN in my neighbourhood and found my door with the speed and accuracy of a heat-seeking MISSILE. I should have slammed the door in their face but a lifetime of civility prevented me from doing that. Did I wonder why things are happening in the world they inquired? “Nope,” I replied but they pressed ahead to ASSURE me that they could tell me why. It is all written in “The Book.” Mind you, not everyone knows how to INTERPRET the book. In fact, only they know what it all means. Not even all the other Christian sects, let alone those Muslims, Jews, Rastafarians, Buddhists, Confucians, Zoroastrians, followers of Zeus or Thor, PRACTITIONERS of voodoo and what all else. Only they know. They told me that it was VITAL for me to immediately join their MOVEMENT to experience redemption, salvation, rhapsody and ETERNAL happiness, thereby knowing that I would never be scalded in the eternal fires of Hell. They know these things. Argument was FUTILE, logic was wasted. Finally, I did the only thing that worked. I slammed the door in their face. And it felt DAMN good too.
ReplyDeleteGreat take on the words David, you really caught the annoyance we all feel at these intruders. I often wonder if atheists went on the march, verbally assaulting all those in their private homes, how everyone would react.
DeleteXO
WWW
David M. Gascoigne: Sadly familiar. These days I don't let them get far into their spiel before I firmly shut the door and walk away. Great use of your prompts.
DeleteWe have some very nice Witnesses here. I find those in the streets, trying to get my money for their various campaigns far worse. Their 'emotional extortions' are sometimes bordering on the unethical.
DeleteI feel sorry for you, dear David, but after such an affront it is inevitable: you will burn in hell.
Delete;-)
Hi David - they never even get that far with me ... but I like Sean's comment ... cheers Hilary
DeleteIt's so hard, I have learned to simply say I'm not interested and close the door.
DeleteAs for "The Book," I read it and I will tell you no one has the corner on the market of meaning. I enjoy discussions, but not with those who will not begin by saying, "Please help me understand if I'm wrong."
The only advantage I have found for my Ring doorbell is knowing when to answer the door and went to not answer.
DeleteVictory was now assured. The campaign was heated. It moved ahead like a vital missile. The color stream it left was bright red orange. Damn! Our Candidate Manager was a very experienced practitioner though some of her movements seemed futile until she built a collaborative, supportive and friendly culture. Then crowds began to interpret the message of eternal hope. Her contender easily won the position of City Dog Catcher.
ReplyDeleteGranny Annie: Unexpected use - but fun. Thank you for joining us again - you have been missed.
Deletehehe. gratz, and thanks on using my colour.
DeleteMay the city dogs "catch" him. ;-)
DeleteGranny Annie - clever take on the words - thanks ... Hilary
DeleteCleverly done!
DeleteCute use of the words.
DeleteLoved the ending GA, quite a surprise!
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
Today unlike last week I used the Words for a bit of my story while it was still Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteHi EC - I have to come back ... but here's the 2nd set:
ReplyDeleteHow on earth am I, the Practitioner, expected to interpret 'the Movement's vision' – especially in those monstrous colours … what a futile bright red orange thought that is, as we aim towards the eternal.
Cheers everyone - Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: Sorry to be so late responding. I have been out all day (LL). I like this, a lot though I also like those 'monstrous colours'.
DeleteNice, intriguing use of the words.
DeleteI like this. I makes me think!
DeleteThe first JW visit I had was before children in our apt complex. They were there early Sat. morning, 9 am. I gave an expected response, and they argued with me.
ReplyDeleteAnon: I am sorry about that - and hope you shut the door firmly on them.
DeleteHi Anon - I feel for you ... I hope they got bored and eventually left the complex alone ... well done - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteDamn! I have been on a campaign to improve myself, but thus far it has proven to be futile. Instead I seem to be a practitioner of some eternal stall and delay movement me me as the only participant.
ReplyDeleteI can assure you, I only act quickly if it regards something vital or chocolate.
Now it is up to you to interpret why it took me so long to get this written.
Personally I am blaming an abundance of low flying missiles that caused me distress. At least that is my story and I'm sticking to it. (Unless my bright red orange embarrassed face gives me away)
Ha ha ha. Glorious!
DeleteAnne in the kitchen: Love it. And those campaigns are futile here too (despite the absence of low flying missiles).
DeleteCongratulations Anne ... fun take - and we're happy to wait for your entry ... slowness is my futile life now-a-days ... I move and think on though! Cheers Hilary
DeleteYou needed time for the story to grow!
DeleteThe participants, as usual, are creative! Well done!
ReplyDeleteFundy Blue: I am blown away each and every week by the very different directions the prompts take us.
Deletethecontemplativecat here.
ReplyDeleteDamn! Samuel ground his teeth. The campaign had gone smoothly, with all his troops in place. But the struggles seemed to be futile. Clarrise had launched the missile, hitting vital targets. The movement up the right flank seemed to assure success, but it could not be. Damn, Samuel groaned and growled. That was when it all came to an end.
Clarisse’s mother had come to take her home early. Samuel’s mom thanked her profusely. Being a practitioner of destruction, Samuel took off with his mother chasing him. He and Clarisse had left a messy field of massacred knickknacks, nice crystal, and a scattering of plastic soldiers.
Another day, another battle.
Susan Kane: Love it. I suspect many mothers will recognise (wincing) Samuel. And Clarisse.
DeleteSamuel does seem to leave dstruction in his wake.
Delete