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 Alex J. Cavanaugh who challenged us last month, despite it being a very busy month for him. This month Wisewebwoman is providing the prompts and they will appear here. Charlotte (MotherOwl) has selected light blue as the colour of the month.
This week's prompts are:
- Ravioli
- Serenity
- Marble
- Bridge
- Soccer
and/or
- Foliage
- Nepotism
- Lectern
- Lantern
- Gorgonzola
As always, have fun.
I'll get to it, somehow.
ReplyDeletemessymimi: In your very busy life you are totally forgiven if you miss a week - much as we love your stories.
DeleteMy story is over here.
DeleteThe words have to come out and I have to make time for them.
Here's mine. All words and colour used. Good luck to all!
ReplyDelete---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The monthly bridge game was routine now. But the challenges of taking one’s turn in hosting it once every six months was getting far too competitive for Rose and Roger. What happened to serenity, one of their rules?
Ravioli, they decided. And what’s with Fred and Rita putting out that massive charcuterie board last month, my god it even had Gorgonzola on it. The stink of the thing! They supposed a fancy board was now in order every month. French cheeses, expensive crackers.
Foliage would fill the table a bit, mused Roger. And that marble lazy susan as a centrepiece filled with those little perfect cakes free from your uncle, thank goodness for nepotism!
And garlic bread and a big salad in the sky blue bowl, Rose was working up some enthusiasm. And the lanterns in the driveway all lit leading up to the door, said Roger, really setting the scene!
Yes, the group would be jealous of their effortless presentations. She envisioned herself at a lectern, educating others how to have the perfect bridge night.
Everything was set for the big night as they waited on the chairs on the front porch and served wine to the guests as they mingled and after about 45 minutes herded them into the dining room.
Something was wrong, those decorative cakes were missing. What? Roger took the salad out of the fridge and Rose went to the oven for the bread and ravioli. The empty oven gaped at her. The counters were covered in dirty plates and cutlery.
Aghast, she looked out at the yard. Their sons and their soccer team had come in through the back door, filthy from football, and had scavenged all the food and were out on the back patio picking at the remains of the charcuterie.
________________________________________________________
XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: Brilliant - and something I have no doubt that the parents of teenage boys know only too well.
DeleteI wonder what the murder count was?
DeleteThose cheeky sons! Surely they knew that spread wasn't for them?
DeleteWell done WWW ... but what an evening for bridge, so much to do before even sitting down to the game ... but the love the kids rocking in and eating it all ... even the salad. Cheers Hilary
DeleteLittle Sean, who spent every spare minute with a football, would never have dreamed of such an outrage. ... Well, there were no bridge evenings at home either ;-)
DeleteThanks for another fine read, Mary.
It sounds like something which happened here, only Brother-in-Law was the pillager-in-chief. He had the cheek last week to tell me if I wanted to keep something for myself on my own counter in my own home, I needed to put my name on it.
DeleteWisewebwoman: I have to look up charcuterie - it's an interesting sounding word.
DeleteHave a lovely day.
Here's my quick and dirty take on these prompts. Will be back to comment in a bit.
ReplyDeleteJanine firmly believed that the arts, including the culinary arts, are a bridge between different cultures, ages and/or beliefs. A lantern if you like spreading serenity and joy, without the need of a lectern to spread their tidings.
Her restaurant was a fine testament to that.
Gorganzola, with its white and pale blue marbled appearance resembling porcelain was the primary ingredient of her most famous sauce. Soccer stars, politicians, the rich and the famous and ordinary families lined up to savour its delights. Spinach ravioli, gorgonzola sauce and walnuts united them on long benches outside under the foliage of the grape vines – which also provided the delicious wine that was served with it.
.
In keeping with her ethos, nepotism had no part in who got a seat at her table. Friends and relatives had to queue with everyone else.
I would gladly join the lineup. If you’re ahead of me, Sue, perhaps you can bring a snack while I wait!
DeleteI love this story, but you can keep your gorgonzola sauce. Maybe. I've never tried such a thing and it might be worth sampling.
DeleteWhat a lovely picture you paint EC and I'm a huge fan of gorgonzola. Sauce sounds divine!
DeleteXO
WWW
Gosh EC - sounds a great supper dish ... I'd love to be there ... but I'd be queuing early ... great use of the words ... cheers Hilary
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI'm sorry I had to delete the above comment. My mouth was so watering that I couldn't think straight.
DeleteNicely done!
DeleteElephant's Child: Food can bring people together no matter who you are. Who doesn't like food?
DeleteHave a lovely day.
The marble in the beef along with the gorgonzola made the serenity of the lasagna a bridge to cross immediately.
ReplyDeleteShort and savoury.
DeleteMike: It is good to see Captain Succinct back.
DeleteSo succinct - almost Shakespearian ... a great read - cheers Hilary
DeleteMaking me hungry….
DeleteMe too.
DeleteNow we need lasagna...
DeleteHolding a marble lantern standing at the lectern, Father Bridge, who deep in his heart was still a European, said – and when beginning one could hear all his serenity in his voice: “Light-blue Gorgonzola filled Ravioli are not to anyone’s taste. Same goes for foliage spiders, and … soccer.”
ReplyDeleteAnd then with Stentor voice: “It’s not soccer, you fuckwits, it’s football.”
Break.
“And now go in peace, dear children, and indulge in your beloved nepotism.
Sean Jeating: Like so many religious leaders Father Bridge sticks to his dogma.
DeleteHi Sean - love the Stentorian voice ... a favourite word of mine - good 'break' too ... and indulge in our beloved nepotism at this time of year ... getting others to do the work ... cheers Hilary
DeleteSounds like a real priest using that kind of language. I wonder if he sentenced himself to a dozen Hail Marys?
Delete@ Sue: Father Bridge had but one dogma: Football is football, and NOT soccer. ;-)
Delete@ Hilary: No doubt you could hear him and would love his tirade, as football is not soccer, eh? ;-)
@ David: No, but Bishop Nonsen on Reek Sunday send him to climb Croagh Patrick on his bare feet and afterwards to St. Patrick's Purgatory.
You'd know who has a sense of humor in the congregation by who was choking back the laughter.
DeleteNow, my dear Mimi, here's Sean not being able to choke his laughter. Thank you.
DeleteOooh! Father Bridge said a rude word!
ReplyDeleteFor Father Bridge there are no rude words before the Lord. ;-)
DeleteGood mix of words this week, not sure what I'll do with them yet.
ReplyDeleteRiver: Something good no doubt.
DeleteGet thee to the confessional at once, Father Bridge with thy heathen mouth!
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
Dear Mary, as above I told David, Bishop Nonsen sent him first on Reek Sunday to climb Croagh Patrick on his bare feet and afterwards to St. Patrick's Purgatory.
DeleteGood and well done.
ReplyDeleteMargaret D: Thank you for reading (and sometimes participating) week after week.
DeleteHi EC and Wisewebwoman ... here's mine (not short!) ...
ReplyDeleteChapter One: That kid … he's stuffed my marbles into the ravioli … but now they can play soccer over the Serenity Bridge … honestly he always finds a way … even if it's table soccer with a model structure (p'rhaps?!) making sure the stuffed pasta doesn't fall into the sauce … splaat!!!
Chapter Two: the lantern swung amongst the foliage, the moonlight also filtered down … like looking through gorgonzola filigree … bluish tinges, even suffused light blue. But it was Krampus … ready to lecture anyone in the church, even as far as nepotism went, that dark and moody night …
Chapter Three: Well there wasn't any supper – the kid and his friend messed up the ravioli; the nightingale played his chorus on song as we all waited for that horned figure to clamber up to the lectern to pontificate across the world with his gibberish … a week early … but Happy Christmas to one and all.
Chapter Four: No doubt the ridiculousness of all craftily created tales will continue on and on into 2025 … cheers to you all - Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: I really, really hope that your craftily created tales continue for 2025 and beyond. They always get me thinking...
DeleteI'll be here ... thank you!! Cheers H xo
DeleteDark take on the words Hilary, very well done!
DeleteXO
WWW
As always, Hilary, you use the words in ways that the rest of us plebians could never even think of, all the while entertaining us and waiting for the next round.
DeleteMay there be many more stories to tell next year.
DeleteChapter five, dear Hilary: Und wenn das fünfte Lichtlein brennt, hast Du Weihnachten verpennt. ;-)
Deletethecontemplativecat here. so clever! Your usage of the words are excellent.
DeleteLove the prompts. Will try to get a story done today but have to go out of town for my MRI.
ReplyDeleteGranny Annie: You have my sympathies. I loathe MRIs. I hope yours goes well and look forward to seeing what you come up with.
DeleteIt was very satisfying to enjoy the SERENITY of a LIGHT BLUE sky. I was sitting under a tree, well reclining actually, in the dappled shade of the verdant FOLIAGE above me. I think I must have resembled an ancient Roman praetorian, lacking only an attentive slave to drop the grapes into my mouth. Grapes be damned, the GORGONZOLA sandwich I had was doubtless sent from heaven. My sister had been in charge of the banquet and in an entirely laudable display of NEPOTISM made sure that I left well provisioned. I have to admit that the feast laid on for the SOCCER team was an elaborate affair. Imagine how grand it might be if ever they have a winning season. The RAVIOLI was served on platters that seemed to be made of some kind of slivered MARBLE, elegant in the extreme, a BRIDGE to the finer aspects of life for scruffy footballers barely able to spell ravioli. Doubtless some of them required training in the handling of a knife and fork. From the LECTERN various dignitaries pontificated, the LANTERN made the sweat on their foreheads glisten. I was glad to be out of there. Thanks Sis for the care package that exited with me. Now, where is that cannoli?
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: Where can I sign up for a sister like that?
DeleteVery nicely done! Maybe the lesson in gracious living will do the footballers some good.
DeleteEspecially the perfectly described intellect of "scruffy footballers" added to my serenity. Thank you, David.
DeleteHi David - Oh yes – the serenity of a light blue sky, with a light breeze, under that verdant foliage … slacking off praetorian guard …. but oh yes a gorgonzola sandwich would satisfy the soul need for food.
DeleteLooks like Sis provided the Praetor with sufficient to keep him well away from helping the scruffy football team, especially as it sounds as though there's enough leadership to educate each member of the team in the etiquette they needed … I wonder if there's an etiquette for the football team, or for that matter the 'socca' team if that's what they were called?
Cheers Hilary
thecontemplativecat here.
ReplyDeleteMama's house was filled with SERENITY before the crowd rushed home for Christmas. Sound would echo with children laughing and racing over the MARBLE floor. While Mama and her daughters made RAVIOLI for the dinner, precious 10 yr old Luis played SOCCER with his new ball out by the BRIDGE by the road, watching for late comers.. Life was relatively calm, but
then Gr-aunt Melba had not arrived yet. Luis hollered out "She's here!" All rushed to prepare for her arrival.
Luis destroyed the living room, tossing pillows around, throwing toys in unlikely places. Sister Anna Marie went to the kitchen and spilled marinara sauce around, making a flood of red that dripped from counters.
Alfred ran to the bathroom and soiled it mildly. Mama turned a bit of sauce into smoky char coaled mess. As Melba stomped to the front door, Sister Anna led the small children in a screaming argument. Melba stopped abruptly, then stomped back to the car and drove off.
When it was certain that she had left in a squeal of tires, clean up began.
Another family holiday disaster diverted.
thecontemplativecat: I guess Melba is the diaster? I guess some relatives are better when they are not there.
DeleteHave a lovely day.
Susan Kane: I am smiling so broadly my face hurts. Thank you.
DeleteHi Susan - yes great telling ... though I suspect many Melbas wouldn't turn round and go ... but a delightful tale of tantrums to ward off the evil Gr-aunt!! Cheers Hilary
Delete;-) It is not necessarily good to have gr-aunts. I'd prefer peach melba to gr-aunt Melba, anyway.
DeleteI'm grinning ear to ear. As I always jokingly say, "Family, you can't live with them and there aren't enough places to hide all the bodies." I guess scaring them off is better.
DeleteThis made me smile. An unexpected twist! :)
DeleteThe prompts are words I wouldn't even thought to use so it's a good challenge. So thank you Wisewebwoman.
ReplyDeleteMy take on the prompts is here: Therapy for the reformed witch
Have a lovely day.
lissa: I am heading over to read it now.
Deletelissa: Back again. This was great. And how I would love to have her power.
Deletethecontemplativecat here. I had posted some brilliant writing but it disappeared.
ReplyDeleteMama smiled at the temporary SERENITY of her Italian home. MARBLE covered the floors and soon Luigi would be playing SOCCER on it . They arrived en mass, with Sister Anna Marie taking the lead. The women filled the kitchen with laughter as they made RAVIOLI. Luigi took his new ball and played by the BRIDGE near the road. He kept watch.
Kept watch? Why? Gr-aunt Melba would be arriving soon, and life would end.
When Luigi gave them the heads up, the Italian family swept into action. The twins took over the living room, throwing pillows around. Sister Anna Marie spilled marinara sauce around the kitchen, while Mama burned some sauce in a small pan, sending smoke everywhere. Wicked little Vinnie made the bathroom disgusting; it was his talent. Sister Anna Marie led the toddlers in a screaming fest.
Gr. Aunt Melba stormed away. Luigi watched for 10 minutes to make sure she was truly gone.
Rejoicing could begin.
Susan Kane: It was still here. And is excellent.
DeleteObviously, having a great-aunt is not always a good thing. ;-)
DeleteSean Jeating: I am a great aunt (several times over). Which is ironic because I wasn't a good aunt. Not as bad as Melba though. I don't think.
DeleteOh, Sue, I did not intend to offend. I just thought it was funny to vary a saying I once heard: It's not always good to have parents.
DeleteFeel yourself hugged, my dear.
Sean Jeating: Not offended at all. It is true I wasn't a good aunt (and not a lot better as a great aunt).
DeleteI had some wonderful aunts. The gr=aunts were from pre-WW1 generation and were not interested in me.They also smelled funny.
DeleteI always get here two days late, EC and tonight I have no imagination left in me. There are many good writers in your crowd.
ReplyDeleteThe Blog Fodder: There are some great writers - you too when your imagination hasn't dried up.
Delete
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic tradition! It’s wonderful to see how the Words for Wednesday meme has evolved and how many people continue to participate. I love that it encourages creativity in all its forms—whether it’s stories, poems, or even just a bit of fun with the prompts. I’m sure it’s a great way to keep the writing spirit alive throughout the year!
I invite you to read my latest blog post: https://www.melodyjacob.com/2024/12/one-blogging-mistake-that-is-reducing-your-traffic-and-how-to-fix-it-now.html
MELODY JACOB: It is a wonderful meme and I am so very grateful to Delores who invented it. I am heading over to your post now.
DeleteAs always a lot of fun! Great words!
ReplyDeleteFundy Blue: Wisewebwoman has done us proud hasn't she?
Delete