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 in your take on the prompts.
This
week's prompts are:
- Beating
- Evidence
- Remaining
- Temperature
- Stench
and/or
- Excessive
- Oppressive
- Exposure
- Dryland
- Cover
Have fun.
The excessive exposure to heat and drought had turned our little piece of paradise into an oppressive dryland with no trees to provide cover and shade from the sun. I especially missed the pretty flower, pink in color, that had brightened my mornings and brought me joy.
ReplyDeleteI turned my face to the west and waited. Rain would come. It must.
Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
DeleteSandra Cox: I hope so. I really, really hope so. We have gone in similar directions this month.
Well done, Sandra!
DeleteI això que diuen que el canvi climàtic és una follia...
DeleteBen resolt!
Rain, something we only dream of for most of the year as we watch our lawns and gardens die.
DeleteI love this. My front garden flowers are just beginning to bloom, and I've been trying to decide how to expand and brighten it.
DeleteI've got some rain I could send your way.
DeleteNo rain here ... we could do with some - I think I'll turn my face to the west and hope patiently. Great little tale - thank you - cheers Hilary
DeleteSeems that we get deluges or drought, nothing in between.
DeleteIt's so hard to wait for rain. Then, when it comes, sometimes you have to hope against hope it will stop in time.
DeleteExcellent, Sandra!
DeleteThere was no beating about the bush. The evidence was clear. Remaining closeted from reality didn’t lower the temperature and the stench of corruption was becoming obvious to all.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn’t even excessive to put much of the blame on the pale, male and stale who had laid their oppressive hands on power and politics for too long.
Just the same, exposure was finally showing them up. Dryland, wetland, nothing and nowhere was safe for them. There was no cover and nowhere to hide. Perhaps, finally, younger, more flexible minds and bodies would take charge of the environment. To save it and us and to ensure that spring pretty flower pink would bloom again.
This week I have met a challenge set by Charlotte (MotherOwl) and used David’s prompts in the order they were given. Not easy and I salute her for doing it week after week.
Repte molt ben aconseguit.
DeleteEnhorabona!!!
Yes!! :)
DeleteWell done with the challenge. I won't be trying that.
DeleteWoot. Woot. EC. Well done.
DeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
It can be a challenge to use the words in the order given! I almost had it this week until the last moment when I decided to move a paragraph to the end. Very well done!
DeleteFlexible minds? Flexible bodies for sure.
DeleteHi EC - I could definitely read more into this ... and well done for using the words in order set - something I try and avoid. Nature will win out in the long-term ... cheers Hilary
DeleteWow, in order! That really escalates the challenge. (And thanks for making me laugh with "pale, male and stale"!)
DeleteYou did well. It is an angry story.
DeleteI find it fun to do this, but sometimes I diverge from my path. Not today, where I used the promps given by David Gascoigne in the order they were given, and to finish my tale of the seventh son.
Very nicely done!
DeleteI love your spin on the use of the words, EC.
DeleteLove,
Janie
I'd be surprised if the first set produced more than murder mysteries.
ReplyDeleteThat's the first thing I though of, but I'm hoping I can write something more pleasant.
DeleteDone!
DeleteThat's the way my thoughts turned ... for all the ten words. Cheers ... H
DeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: That is something that didn't occur to me. Perhaps it should have done.
DeleteHome and working on it. Will be back soon.
ReplyDeleteIt will be over here soon.
Deletemessymimi: I am really looking forward to seeing your always positive spin.
DeleteSuposo que és millor anar al desert com a turista. ;-)
DeleteTot i la humitat i altres coses no agradables, la nostra terra es la terra.
Ben vist!
well done!!
DeleteAt first it seems like a particularly dark set of words, but I'll let them percolate a bit and see what happens.
ReplyDeleteIt is more of a challenge to turn happy words dark.
DeleteRiver: I found them dark too.
DeleteMy weekly contribution and the next chapter has been posted here!
ReplyDeleteCindi: I will be over in a bit.
DeletePobre Kael, encara sort que va trobar una sortida.👌
DeleteYes, Kael was very lucky! Who knows what the bidders had planned for him?!?
DeleteThe temperature in the court was rising as he was beating the charges but the remaining evidence had quite a stench.
ReplyDeleteCruel beater - poor charges ... I hope the stench outed the bully - well done Mike - short and succinct as usual. Hilary
DeleteMike: I do hope he doesn't get away with it.
DeleteHo tenia molt cru. ;-)
DeleteNicely done! I hope that the stench wasn't a body in the courtroom!
DeleteWell done, Mike. Good job of getting those words into one sentence. Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
DeleteIf he did it, may the stench stick to him.
DeleteWell done.
DeleteHi EC and David - horrid words!!! Here's mine to fit that thought ...
ReplyDelete"They needed to keep the evidence of the beating that the remaining parts of the boat had taken and now held.
Due to the oppressive temperature, now that they were on dryland, the stench from the bowels of the craft was excessively appalling: more evidence to be exposed by the investigation.
The investigating team brought all the items from the boat under the cover of the forensic tent.
The coastguard and police investigations would carry on until they'd clarified the situation.
Fortunately outside the police cordon the hedges were full of wonderful pretty pink flowers … probably early roses which gave the team some form of relief – beautiful to look at, and sweet scented."
Cheers to you both and all commenters - Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: I found David's words took me to the dark side. Again. I love your story and am grateful for beauty - as the forensic team was.
DeleteSuch a great job, Hilary. We can always count on you.
DeleteGreat use of the prompts, Hilary, and I love the sweet scent of roses also!
DeleteWonderful use of the words, Hils, and wonderful story.
DeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Great, Hilary!
DeleteNicely done Hilary, I hope they solve all the problems.
DeleteI've had a go, hope it makes sense. Nice tales everyone.
ReplyDeleteThe rug was on the clothes line, it was something that needed BEATING once again, a common occurrence for me. It was so hot, the TEMPERATURE had reached 40 deg C and the STENCH from the abattoir was dreadful as the wind was coming my way, it seems to happen quite often these days. I’ve been to the abattoir and complained my neighbours have also done the same, however, the last time I went there I discovered some EVIDENCE of that dreadful smell. Some of it has been cleaned up but it still REMAINING so the issue to still lingers on.
Oy vay! This sounds serious!
DeleteOh my. I could not live near an abattoir. Not just because of the stench, but the sounds and emotions. It would ruin me.
DeleteAnd what is the source? You're leaving me wondering.
DeleteIt would be awful to live too close to such a place.
DeleteMargaret D: Eeeeuw. I once lived in a town whose major industry was an abbatoir and the stench was indeed awful when the wind was in certain directions. Well done.
DeleteI lived close anough to an abbatoir but we could only smell the odour if the wind was in the right direction and it rarely was. I eventually had a job there but quit after three months.
DeleteIt is revolting. The story is based on a butcher's shop in a country town where the abbatoir is and people complaining who live in that country town of the smell that comes sometimes their way - dead meat I expect!
DeleteYikes. Well done, Margaret.
DeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
DeleteHi Margaret - how revolting ... the thought appals me! Well done - and certainly I can relate. Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic and fun way to encourage writing and connect with others. I love the idea of a "movable feast" for creativity. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete
DeleteBenita James: Welcome and thank you. Perhaps you could join us some week?
The sun was BEATING down, the heat OPPRESSIVE, and all the shade trees had been removed from around the wetland. The frogs were suffering greatly, deprived of COVER and drying out, having difficulty breathing through the pores in their skin, and EVIDENCE was pointing to mutations caused by excessive EXPOSURE to UV rays. The wetland was on its way to becoming a DRYLAND, parched and bereft of cover. The TEMPERATURE of the REMAINING water had increased beyond the capacity of much life to succeed. Plants were dying, slime was slick on the desiccating mud; the odours were foul, the STENCH of decay pervasive. But take heart, a shopping plaza is on the way. Just another day in the Anthropocene – and there’s more to come. Homo sapiens indeed.
ReplyDeleteSadly, such scenes are all too common. I'd much rather have a happy wetland!
DeleteGreat job of pointing out our, and the earths', crisis, David. Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
DeleteVery appropriate David ... and good reminders of how the heat and sun affect amphibians and all animalia ... yugh re the slime - and that concrete evolving shopping centre ... as you say sadly another day in Anthropocene land ... homo sapiens will be off at some stage. Cheers - has to be time for a glass of wine (nearly) ... Hilary
DeleteSo good, David. So tragic! So true!
DeleteHa! Great social commentary.
DeleteAnd they build in flood zones and complain when they flood. It's sheer madness.
DeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: A powerful and ugly truth.
DeleteUgly truth as EC says. I'd prefer a flourishing wetland anyday.
DeleteThe evidence was in, record temperatures beating the previous ten summers. I debated the sanity of remaining in this desert for yet another year, the lawlessness, the heat, the racket... It's stench... I pulled up Zillow.
ReplyDeleteThere you have it. =) *waves* Thanks for the fun!
Great use of the words, and welcome to the fun!
DeleteHi Crystal - great to see you here ... but come back - I'm sure the stench will have gone?! Cheers Hilary
DeleteGood job, Crystal!
DeleteGood decision, good story.
DeleteCrystal Collier: Excellent - and not a word wasted.
DeleteHi, Sue! I'm not surprised by David's choice of words nor his story. He is one of the staunchest advocates for the dangers of climate change, and this piece is tragically spot on ~ plus he threw in "Anthropocene" which resonated with this geologist. All the best to you! ❤️
ReplyDeleteFundy Blue: He is indeed a staunch advocate for the natural world - and a harsh critic of our species. Deservedly harsh.
DeleteGreat jobs from you and your commenters on these stories, an excellent use of the words. I agree with Fundy Blue, David is a marvelous advocate for climate control.
ReplyDelete
DeleteDeniseinVA: Thank you. We all agree on the importance of the work that David does.
Outstanding job on all the stories. You should be thrilled. I also want to compliment you on your photos this month, actually all the other months too. Happy IWSG Day.
ReplyDeleteJoylene Norwell Butler: Thank you. I am thrilled with the stories that this meme produces week after week.
DeleteTry again: My effort is here:
ReplyDeleteDrylands
J Cosmo Newbery: I fear. How I fear.
DeleteThe first list reads to me like a crime scene at a bakery. Like in a cozy mystery.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the nice words about Bug. It's why I've been away from the Internet. Been spending gobs of time outside. Today is my first day back reading blogs.
The Happy Whisk: Perhaps you could write that cosy mystery?
DeleteI do understand needing time away, time to mourn. Hugs.
thecontemplativecat here. I'll be back.
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: I look forward to it.
DeleteI'm having trouble finding what other people wrote from this week prompt. I know I'm not a regular player. But I would like to have chance to read some stories.
ReplyDeletepeppylady (Dora): Many of the stories are here in the comments. When people have posted on their own blogs there is a link to their stories in the comments they have left.
Delete