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.
Huge thanks to River for providing the prompts last month. The prompts will be here again this month and are provided by Sean Jeating.
This week's prompts are:
- catch,
- hurry,
- panting,
- running,
- train,
- forehead,
- minutes,
- saved,
- seats,
- sweat
Charlotte (MotherOwl) has given us Pebble Grey as the colour of the month. If you can also incorporate it into your stories she (and I) will be grateful.
Have fun.
Hi EC and Sean ... here are both of mine ... I'll be around ... cheers Hilary:
ReplyDeletePanting … running to catch the train … was too much … she was in a hurry … the pebble grey mist swallowed her … now she can't find her way ...
*****
The pebble grey sweat dappled his forehead … I don't think I wanted him sitting with me in the seats I'd saved for us. He has a few more minutes before the train leaves to find a seat: so boy go find a new seat!!
Hilary Melton-Butcher: Pebble grey sweat? Eeeuw. I don't think I would want him anywhere near me.
DeleteHilary, my dear, what would I give for smelling pebble grey sweat ... not..
DeleteRunning to catch your ride is not easy, and if you arrive sweaty, no one wants to sit next to you. Good use of the words!
DeleteOoh on that grey sweat, I'd have to move!
DeleteXO
WWW
You always come up with great images!
DeleteAs always, great use of the prompts Hilary.
DeleteThanks everyone ... pebble grey sweat - yugh! Cheers Hilary
DeleteAs always, Hilary, your deft touch pleases us all.
DeleteThose would be easy to combine into one story.
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: So do it. Mind you I suspect that some of the stories will surprise you (and me).
DeleteHow cometh, Sir, right now I do vividly remember someone saying: ‘Intellectual people are intelligent people without brains?
DeleteI like that! I'll have to remember the difference between intellectual and intelligent.
DeleteAlex - Especially if we include Sean's two options ... I think I'll give it a miss for now!
DeleteKatie, going by her mother’s dictum, was a horse. Horses sweat, men perspire, ladies dew. She had only been a couple of minutes later than usual but didn’t think she was going to catch the train. Hurry as she might, the train was getting ready to leave when she reached the station and running had been her only option. She plopped down panting.
ReplyDeleteShe wiped her sweaty forehead (sorry mum) with her sleeve and turned to thank Rosie who had saved her a spot next to her on the pebble grey seats. She did hope that they didn’t absorb her ‘dew’ and change colour on the short trip to the city.
Ha ha, Sue. Obviously I made it far too easy to combine the words! :)))
DeleteNicely done! Many years ago, in a comic panel Margaret tells Dennis the Menace, "Horses sweat, men perspire, ladies glow," and he responds with, "You're glowing like a horse, Margaret!"
DeleteHi EC - rather too often I suspect that happens ... and love the comments ... cheers Hilary
DeleteI remember being told that sweat was a dirty word when I was a kid. Perspire was preferable for "real ladies". Ha! Well done EC on your story!
DeleteXO
WWW
Ha! Very creative:) Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
DeleteWe're all racing for the train. Fun story EC
DeleteAs for me, I just exude sweet nectar, tinged with eau de sel!
DeletePanting, in a hurry to catch the train, the man was running full out. He managed to grab a handrail and swung himself on board. It was only when the conductor pushed open the door for him, he realized he'd forgotten to purchase his ticket.
ReplyDeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Sandra Cox: Oops. I wonder whether the conductor will be kind to him...
DeletePhew. Sh.. err ... certain things happen. ;-)
DeleteYikes! I hope this is a train where you can buy a ticket on board.
DeleteHi Sandra - I hope they sell tickets on the train ... sometimes they do/did here ... I'm sure that happens quite often now ... with the changes happening around trains and parking etc ... cheers Hilary
DeleteI hope they didn't boot him off!
DeleteXO
WWW
Congress on the subject of ‘Time Management’ in Vienna. A German and a Japanese on their way to the underground. The German says: "If we hurry, we'll catch the next train." Both start running.
ReplyDeleteOn the train, they sink into their seats, panting in their pebble grey suits. The German wipes the sweat from his forehead and gasps: "Ten minutes saved!"
Asks the Japanese: "And what are we now going to do with the ten minutes?"
Sean Jeating: I love it. And suspect they will use their ten minutes up recovering from the run.
DeleteGreat use of the words. Frank Gilbreth, one of the founders of modern time and motion management (read Cheaper By The Dozen for his story) was sometimes asked what he was saving time for and to summarize he said it was so you could do what you wanted instead of what you had to do. "For tiddly-winks, if that's where your heart lies!" is one of his lines.
DeleteCheaper by the dozen is one of my favourite books.
DeleteInteresting to consider ... ten extra minutes of life ... spent wondering what to do ... thank you for these comments ... cheers Hilary
DeleteWell done Sean, I wondered where this was going!
DeleteXO
WWW
LOL. Excellent, Sean;) Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
DeleteFun story. Good prompts Jean.
DeleteI'm working on it, will be back to read and link up.
ReplyDeleteMy very short story will be over here.
Deletemessymimi: I am looking forward to it.
DeleteI echo, EC:)
DeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
I did not participate, but have enjoyed reading everyone else's contributions.
ReplyDeleteGreat Granny Grandma: It is a fun meme. Perhaps you will join us some week.
DeleteSean was in a hurry and panting while running to catch the train.
ReplyDeleteClever!
DeleteMike: Short and sweet.
DeleteI must attempt to be succinct with my 'entry' next time ... well done Mike ... cheers Hilary
Delete;-)
DeleteLove the stories here and notice they are all running to catch a train, so I'll try to think of something different.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I look forward to seeing where the prompts take you.
DeleteYes, even my story has people running to get past a train. Great minds! Can't wait to see your twist tomorrow.
Delete“HURRY or I’ll CATCH you”, I said to my friend as we ran along the pathway near the TRAIN line. I called out after a while and said, “stop”, “I’m PANTING far too much, I need a rest from RUNNING and chasing you”.
ReplyDeleteMargaret D: I rescued you from spam again. Sadly it wouldn't take much chasing at all before I would be out of breath. Great use of the prompts.
DeleteHi Margaret - Catch me if you can ... I wonder how many trains or buses, as we have here, don't wait as we run towards them. You had your rest - you went to spam! Sorry ... cheers Hilary
DeleteMargaret, I'm glad you were rescued by Sue from the dungeon of oblivion.
DeleteThose games are fun, but you do need to stop once in so often.
DeleteThank you. I'm glad I'm out of the 'spam'.
DeleteA forehead shines with dreams untold,
ReplyDeleteMinutes pass as stories unfold.
Saved in laughter, seats filled tight,
Sweat from toil, hearts alight
Cloudia: This is beautiful.
DeleteHi Cloudia - that's really clever ... well done - cheers Hilary
DeleteLovely piece, you inspire me to try poetry on the prompts.
DeleteXO
WWW
Good one, Cloudia.
DeleteI like it!
DeleteBack in the saddle of W4W. Thanks for the great prompts, EC and the colour from Charlotte. This following story is true.
ReplyDelete-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That time I stood like a statue on the platform, panting from the exertion. I had hurried to the station to catch the afternoon train with very few minutes to spare. I knew he was waiting for me at the other end.
Why was I running from Jim into the arms of Liam? For that was what tore me up inside.
I stared at the pebble grey engine as it pulled into the station towing the dusty green carriages, snorting and heaving as trains do. I had saved my seat in advance when I booked. And oddly, strangely, that thought dragged me to the decision.
I was the last to board, the last to look back at the smoky city.
I found my seat and leaned my sweaty forehead against the window and closed my eyes.
And knew this was the biggest mistake of my life.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now I'll go back and read all of yours!
XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: Out of the frying pan and into the fire? I am glad that you recovered from this big mistake - and suspect it took time and effort. Well told.
DeleteSo did she go back? I hope she was running back to Jim's arms.
DeleteHi WiseWebWoman ... sorry this was true - great tale for the prompt. Cheers Hilary
DeleteSad that it was true.
DeleteSometimes words don't come easy to me. This is one of those moments.
DeleteFeel yourself hugged, Mary.
I hope the mitake can be rectified.
DeleteThe comments are all so brilliant. What a creative bunch. Hi, Sue!
ReplyDeleteJoylene Nowell Butler: It is a very creative bunch and I am delighted each week to read such different takes on the prompts.
DeleteIt's such fun to read the responses! In another universe I am participating ~ lol!
ReplyDeleteFundy Blue: It is a fun meme and I am happy to have a part in its continuance. Perhaps in another time zone you will join us.
DeleteGreat stories come out of these prompts! Good job.
ReplyDeletecleemckenzie: There are some beauties aren't there?
DeletePlease feel free to finish my story. I ran out of time and have invited others to finish the story in the comments section. http://granan10.blogspot.com/2024/10/words-for-wednesday-and-wordless.html
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful initiative to spark creativity and encourage writing among participants! I love the idea of using various prompts to inspire different forms of expression. It’s a great way to connect with others and share our stories. I hope many people join in on the fun!
ReplyDeleteI just posted new content, and I invite you to read [my latest article here](https://www.melodyjacob.com/2024/10/are-you-failing-to-recognize-symptoms-of-anxiety-or-depression.html).
MELODY JACOB: This is a fun meme and new participants are always welcome.
DeleteI am off to check out your post now.
My TRAIN of thought wandered a little. The MINUTES ticked by and I wiped the SWEAT from my FOREHEAD. The choice of SEATS was one of two rocks, and I swear I had chosen the least comfortable and it was hot from the July sun. I had SAVED my lunch for just such a moment, snacking al fresco, but the actuality didn’t align with the imagined pleasure. Mosquitos biting my cheeks and ants running up my legs did nothing to enhance the mood. The I saw the bear. It was RUNNING in my direction and PANTING heavily. Was it in a HURRY to CATCH me, or simply running? Lunch al fresco took on a whole new meaning, and being the main course on the menu was something I hadn’t counted on. How I lived to tell the tale is a story for another time.
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: I hadn't thought before that a bear would be depriving the 'squitoes of their food. And I would love to read the rest of this tale.
DeleteI bet the bear was in a hurry to catch the next train. ;-)
DeleteThanks for a fine read, David.
Nicely done! You wove the words well.
DeleteWhy the hurry? Panting, running, trying to catch the train. Minutes saved are all in vain, the sweat on your forehead all for naught. There are no seats.
ReplyDeleteThe Blog Fodder: That is true here too - but even standing is better than waiting for the next one.
Delete