Wednesday Words from 2012: Maniacal Old Woman

Violin music scratched from Miss Violet Ramsey’s record player, volume turned up high, pouring music directly at her head. Her deaf ears scarcely heard even a note, which did not seem to be a problem.

By the window where Miss Violet sat, she stroked her calico kitten and sipped hot cocoa topped with melted marshmallow.  "How about we have another, Kitty?" as she set a fresh cup next to six empties. It had been a long cold day, and six cups were nothing.

Violet had barely taken a sip, when she cried out, “Oh, look, Kitty!  There’s another one!”  Even with her glasses steamed and fogged, Miss Violet did not miss a man  in a dark overcoat as he rushed by on Albany Lane, now a very slippery street.  

When he tumbled and cursed, Miss Violet giggled and marked another hash mark on her writing tablet. “That makes 13 today!” Marshmallow spittle splattered onto Kitty, who was not in the least bothered by it.  

Her joy was disturbing on so many levels.

This is a re-post from Nov. 29, 2012.  The italicized, underlined words were a gift from Delores (her blog at the time "thefeatherednest") and Wednesday Words challenge she instigated. Being the clever girl she is, Delores managed to capture and pique the interest of many bloggers who delighted in using 6 unrelated words and playing with them.

This writing challenge still exists!  You can find the words at several bloggers' sites, mainly Elephant's Child, River-Drifting through Life,  Please head over to Delores' site, as there is always something going on there!

In honor of Delores at thefeatherednest and her wit, her perspective, her way of thinking.

I have heard darkness described as mysterious, inky, like velvet...but the darkness in the old Davis mansion, with the last Davis reposing in his coffin across town in the Gentle Rest Funeral Home, was, simply put, horrifying.  I would have as soon sat at the side of old Mr. Davis’ coffin all night than stay in this hideous old mausoleum.  Yet, here I must stay, all the long, black, dismal night.  What’s worse, I have to stay here,  ALONE.

I continue this prompt:

Matilda twisted the dust rag, glancing at the dark corners and the shadowed ceiling.  How had she been chosen to keep the lights on in this old rotting mansion?  To keep away the greedy townspeople who had hated the Davis legacy with a deep born loathing?

‘Oh, well’ she sighed.  She dragged another bag of silver and baubles to put in the back of her van parked in the back of the kitchen.  The paintings were secured, the carved statues next to them, and now the silver. 

‘Maybe one more bag…the library had a nice collection of first edition Jane Austen and Charles Dickens…

Wednesday Words: Hold Your Positions

Source: micromoth

From his blind in the big tree, Paul had contrived a basic plan: provide reconnaissance for his troops and escape detection.

Conversation came from behind the garden.  The seething woman called out.  Paul crouched down in his hiding place, spinning possible escape plans to elude the woman below.

She called again.  “Paul, get down here right this minute!” 

Paul clutched his toy soldiers.  “Alright, men.  This is serious…” Mom had discovered his location.

  

“Paul, we have to leave for downtown right now!  AND I promise the dentist will NOT use needles!  This is just a check-up.   And we’ll see a movie after…”

Paul dropped the toy soldiers, and climbed down.  “Hold your positions until I return, men…” 

Source: vierdie

Thanks, Delores, for you words this week!  Good selection as always.  To readers:  Please go to Delores @thefeathernest  to discover what other wordsmiths had done with these underlined word above.  

Wednesday Words: Last Week

Source: rkirbycom

Joe heard the coffee filter through yesterday’s grounds and grimaced.

Gloria.  Life with Gloria had been filled with dancing, martinis, late nights in nightclubs.  Joe had  muscle in the city back then.  People knew his name, gave him respect. 

After Gloria, life went sour. Joe took a slug of the coffee and spewed it on the desk.  Sour and bitter.

Source: vivechugh

When Gloria had sauntered out the door, Joe was squashed like a bug, a mess on the sidewalk with cigarette butts.

Gloria.  If only.  If only Joe could get a break. 

A knock at the door caused Joe to look up from his coffee and cigarette.  Gloria slinked through the office door.  “Hey, Joe.  ‘Member me?”

P.S.  These words are from last Wednesday; this alternate story occurred to me.  So I gave it another shot.  Thanks, Delores.

Wednesday Words: The Garden

Source: Ayla87

The sun filtered through the garden, breaking through the dense foliage.  The twining squash vines sported hearty zucchini, which (as we know) would muscle its way through the other vegetables. 

Source: micromoth

Butterflies were dancing over the blooming lavender and dahlias.  Over in the corner, isolated from the serene garden, were two gooseberry bushes.  Brooding and sour, they knew it was only a matter of time before they would be picked and treasured.

Source: Newsham

For now,  all was at peace.

Many thanks to Delores@thefeatherednest  .  Please go to her site to read other contributions!

Wednesday Words: Pamela

Pamela had always been a gregarious child, her grandma said with just a bit of pride.  Grandpa called her “Munchkin” which made her laugh, because she was anything but small or weak.  Tall as a man and just as strong, Pamela could handle just about any physical challenge.

Pamela had always been a gregarious child, her grandma said with just a bit of pride.  Grandpa called her “Munchkin” which made her laugh, because she was anything but small or weak.  Tall as a man and just as strong, Pamela could handle just about any physical challenge.

Wikipedia, God bless 'em

The moonshiners in the back woods often tippled back a few samples of their work, which set them carousing and singing bawdy songs at the top of their lungs.  One afternoon, Grandpa mentioned that he wished those n’er do wells would get their comeuppance someday.  Pamela gave thought to his words.

When dusk was just dipping, Pamela wrapped herself in a burlap sack and darkened her face with charcoal.  Gazing about the barn, she noticed some ancient tools and buckets.  There in the corner was a rusted bed pan that Ol’ Aunt Pitty has used before she died.

Source: freepages.history...

Armed with the pan, Pamela crept silently up to the camp where the carousing men were staggering around.  She leapt from the brush with a roar.  Stunned, the men were speechless as Pamela battered them with the bed pan until some fainted. 

“GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE!” Pamela roared.  They ran.

Pamela destroyed the still and jars of moonshine.

There would be no more carousing near Grandpa’s farm.

P.S.  Oh, Delores!  You are messing with our minds!

        The underlined words have been given to us by Delores @thefeatherednest.  Please visit this site to read what some have written in the comment section.  Also take a look at the participating sites in the right sidebar.  Fun reading.

Wednesday Words: Cyrene

Source: Ambroz

Cyrene glided into the classy bar.  Thank God for Cougar Dating service!  She patted the red rose pinned on her low cut dress.

 

Ah, there he is! The old guy with his own red rose on lapel!  Cyrene licked her tongue across front teeth, checking for lipstick.  Her bicuspid fangs were less obvious since the dentist trip and whitening had removed heavy tobacco stains. 

He sat there, a dithering old man.  His rheumy glassy eyes and a slack wet drooling mouth, Edward Saint-Germaine appeared every bit the wealthy old man.

For a single moment, Cyrene felt recalcitrant about moving in for the kill, but that quickly passed.

P.S.  These words are courtesy of Delores at myfeatherednest .  Please check the right sidebar for other Wednesday Words participants!

P.S.S.  I left out rodeo by pure accident.  Oh, well.  Next time I will do better.  Sorry, Delores.

Virtue Limited

Source: xymonau

A flannel-soft night erased frayed edges of day, leaving Evangeline to contemplate how her virtuous life revealed her inching towards the end of life.

 

All the luxuries I have denied myself…all the delights of the flesh…

Gazing out at the black sky, at the donuts of stars several life times removed, Evangeline considered her life to be a multiple of cartoons played out in black and white.

Damn.  She considered, grabbing the car keys and the big wad of cash from under the mattress.  I’m going to ‘Vegas.

Virtue has its limits.  

Source: jaylopez

Many thanks to Delores at thefeatherednest who instigated/started this Wednesday Words Challenge.  Please go to her site, where she has participants on her right sidebar.  

"Donuts" and "cartoons' were out there, Delores!!  

Wednesday Words: Regina and Reginald

Source: stevek

The twins had lived their eighty years in the same house, each claiming their own half. 

Source: xymonau

Regina was inclined toward the luxurious while Reginald preferred the “house in decline” style.  Her rooms were divine in their pink and purple valentines.  Reginald preferred manly pine walls where the heads of leonine and bovine animals were stuffed and preserved.

Source: midwest

Unknown to both, clandestine termites were burrowing through the supports with machine dedication and engine –like industry.

Source: TACLUDA

What once had been a place enshrined by money and obsession soon fell into ruin, collapsing into a ravine.  Regina’s screams and Reginald’s roaring obscenities disappeared in the rubble.

Delores @thefeatherednest really made this week's words a true challenge.  But...I do love a challenge!  Check out her post!  Participate in her weekly words!!

Wednesday Words: Lucky

Source: fishmonk

Dashing through the downpour, Jackson could see no other shelter than a shadowy doorway.  Within the doorway lay a trembling dog, soaked to the skin.  Even with its matted fur, Jackson appreciated that this dog had some breeding. 

Source: lauralucia

Attached to Jackson’s key chain was a tiny LED flashlight.  “Here, boy…” Jackson rubbed the wet fur with his woolen scarf, while searching for a chain or some ID. 

The flashlight caught the glint of a tag in the shape of a four-leaf-clover, with the name “Lucky” and a phone number.  Jackson dialed it, hearing the ring, and finally an answer.  “This is the Blank residence.  How may I help you?”

Source

After telling about finding “Lucky”, Jackson heard a boy in the background shouting with joy.   “Lucky!  Lucky has been found!...”  Moments later a car pulled up and the boy jumped out into the rain, wrapping his arms around his dog.

“You need a ride, mister?”  The boy turned to ask.  But no one remained, the doorway was empty.  Jackson had disappeared into a sheet of rain.

Many thanks to all who read Delores @thefeatherednest and find her Wednesday Words a challenge!  Take a chance and see what you can create!

Wednesday Words: Sam and Nora

Source: xymonau

Champagne bubbles were illuminated by the full moon overhead as Sam and Nora snuggled on a bench along the boardwalk, enjoying the sounds of the rolling surf. 

Source: brainloc

They touched the wine flutes together with a clink.  Nora found a tissue and wiped her teary eyes.  The moonlight glinted off Sam’s balding head as he smiled. 

“Oh, Nora!  We’re not done yet,” he chuckled.  Kissing her deeply, Sam stood and pulled Nora to her feet.  Another sound kiss all but cemented them both in place.

“Same time, same place next year, Sam?”  Nora smiled, gazing up at Sam tenderly. 

Sam nodded as they broke their embrace, reluctantly pulling away.

As each headed off in different directions to their respective spouses, Sam raised his glass.  “Here’s lookin’ at you, kid.” 

As the fog rolled in, each disappeared into the shadows of their other lives.

Source: mjio

 With apologies to Casablanca.  Many thanks to Delores/myfeatherednest!  Delores is faithful in finding amazing words for each Wednesday.  Please see what she has created, along with others in her comment section.

Wednesday Words: Cowboy Bob

Source: fishmonk

Cowboy Bob loved sitting around the campfire, watching the flames and listening to the muted sounds of cattle.  He spread out the horse blanket on the hard ground and leaned back against his saddle. 

Instead of feeling that familiar dozing-off, Bob felt queasy.  He bolted upright and sniffed the night air.  The foul odor came from beneath his horse blanket.  He ripped it off the ground, unveiling a fresh cow-pie. “#?%blasted#@sh*$”

Thanks again to Delores @thefeatherednest who always fines the best, most challenging words.  Check her out!!!

Wednesday Words: The Intrepid Benjamin

Warm laundry...mmmm

Being intrepid did not always work in Little Man's best interests.

When Mummy turned her back, he crawled toward a vase, which resulted in a crash and broken glass.  Then Little Man discovered a spoon and Daddy’s iPad.  Just a few bashes resulted in a clang, a flash¸ and some loud buzzing.

Yes, being intrepid could possibly drive Mummy over an emotional cliff.

I crawled here, and stood up.  NOW what do I do?

Many thanks to Delores at myfeatherednest  for the Wednesday Words.  Please visit her site and read about Tod in a cliffhanger.

And the men are marching...

per Wikipedia

And the men are marching,

Marching,

Faces to the grandstand,

On a windy day.

Marching, marching as 

the Shining Brass Band

Officiates.

The humble and the brave

Pass

The pompous and the proud.

Marching into

The soup of history.

For Delores at the feathered nest  and the Wednesday Words of April 18, 2013

Delores posts six words on Wednesdays, challenging bloggers to juggle them around.  This is what I juggled.  Thanks, Delores!

Delores at myfeatherednest posted some Wednesday Words yesterday.  I wrote something in the comment section, and felt silly afterwords.  The words deserved something more, which Delores wrote today.  Simply lovely.

That in mind, I wrote this today.  Hopefully, it will be better.

Source

Richard ran his fingers lightly along the piano, willing himself to ignore the pain in fragile arthritic fingers.  Had it been so long ago? 

Peeling away the memories of hours spent in solitude at this piano, Richard recalled the joy, the utter joy at playing such a magnificent piano.  

Genius…that was what they called me, then.

The first chord sounded and Richard willed his hands to play the classics once more.

The List

Me on a lovely bright beach day

It is a dark room day.

In a dark room house.

Not a creature is stirring,

Not even a m…

Wait!  Wait…I didn’t mean to write that.  Just slipped out of a brain that is on automatic mode.

What does one write when it is a dark room day, when light hurts and sounds skewer the head?

I read Delores at thefeatherednest and Cro at Magnon's Meanderings who created lists of good things, events, memories that remind them of the goodness of living.  Their lists were excellent, as they themselves are excellent.

My list on this dark room day is as follows:

                        Finding the perfect pillow

            Smell of movie theater popcorn

                                    Scent of lavender oil

                        Thunderstorms

            A crescent moon in a clear sky

                                    Seeing a baby

                                    Holding a baby

            Memories of Christmas with our children

                                                My husband’s laughter

                        Freshly baked bread

            Real butter

Our granddaughters giggling in the backseat of our car

                                    Reading Little Women for the first time

                        Buying packets of seeds in the spring

                                    SKYPE

            Having a phone

                        Indescribable joy of God’s love and presence

                                    Knowing how to pray

            Picking strawberries with my mother and talking with her, alone

                        Making strawberry jam

                                    Songbirds in the spring

                        Singing and not caring who hears me

                                                Talking with strangers in a line at the market

Watching a returning Marine sweep up his child at the airport

            Knowing that I am loved

                                    An hour without pain

                                                Redwood trees

                        Crème’ Brulee

                                      Holding a quilt made by a great-grandmother

                        Moments of silence

                                    Being able to weep, cry, mourn, laugh, giggle, etc.

                        Possessing empathy

                                                Rhythmic beating of a heart

What would be on your list?

Wednesday Words: Dec. 14, 2012

Source

Snow fell with a vengeance.  Indoors Clement thought about the loaded supplies, ready to last for two calendar weeks.  Clement made the decision and opened the door.  “I’m going out to get the milk and doughnuts, honey!” Pregnancy demands, husband obeys.

Top of the tree swayed, as if undecided, out of balance.   The AxMan below nervously stepped away.  Success is when an AxMan survives.

source

Wednesday's words on Thursday

Alas, I am late again.  Too long to explain, but it has to do with allergies and headaches.  But here are my words:

inconvenient     day     embarrassed    hopeful    disappointed   snowy

I will publish my take on these words later in the day, and will put up a post of Delores' wonderful words tomorrow!

AAAAACCCCCHHHHHOOOOO!

Wednesday Words from Delores

Violet loved to listen to music.

Violin music scratched from Violet Ramsey’s gramophone as the elaborate sound amplifier poured notes directly at her head. Her deaf ears scarcely heard even the sweetest notes.  

 By the window where Violet sat, she stroked the calico kitten and drank hot cocoa topped with melted marshmallow.  “Oh, look, kitty!  There’s another one!”  

She watched as a man in a dark overcoat rushed by on the slippery street.  When he fell, Violet laughed and marked another hash mark on her writing tablet. “That makes 13 today!”