So this is the last week of February and the last week I’ll be posting the WORDS FOR WEDNESDAY. This has been fun, and I hope some of you have enjoyed the stories–reading them or writing them. These are my last two lists for the month of love. Have at it.
In case you’re new, here’s what Elephant’s Child writes to explain the meme: “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, or a poem… We can use some or all of the prompts, and mixing and matching are encouraged.”
enchanted | champagne |
lavish | caviar |
scurrying | candlelight |
bouquet | heartshaped |
smash | flee |
anyway | excitement |
It seems that not only is February my birthday month, but 2022 is my year as well. Yes, I am a Tiger…Whoopty do! I thought that was just wonderful, but when I looked into the characteristics of people born in this year, I discovered there may be some drawbacks. While we all love to hear how great we are if we’re Aquarians or Capricorns–Tigers or Pigs, we should heed what our other, perhaps more objective, characteristics are. Since I’m into creating tables this month, I thought I’d list my positive and negative personality features, so if we ever meet, you’ll know how to deal with me.
The Great Tiger | The Not So Great Tiger |
competitive | impetuous |
independent | irritable |
confident | overindulgent |
brave | given to depression |
Quote of the Week: “The good news is that she is one of the nicest people in the universe. The bad news is, that’s because she always does exactly what she pleases. An Aquarius female is rebellious, headstrong, and contrary. She can be selfishly independent and exasperating, especially when she is running through the house screaming, “freedom!”
― Hazel Dixon-Cooper, Born on a Rotten Day
Jeff says
I hope you had a great birthday. As a Capricorn, it sounds right, I prefer praise to criticism, too… I started to work on your words this week, but just ran out of time.
Granny Annie says
BEST KEPT SECRET by Granny Annie
Matilda cried and wanted to flee their home. Her father knocked softly on her bedroom door. “Go away” she demanded. He responded, “Let me in unless you want me to smash the door.”
Matilda tip-toed toward the door and reluctantly allowed her father entrance. He was carrying the most beautiful gown she had ever seen. She was totally enchanted by the beauty of the dress and by the gorgeous heart-shaped orchid corsage bouquet he brought in. “You are going to the lavish ball tonight and I am your date.” Her father was very handsome in his tuxedo and Matilda began scurrying around to get ready. She was filled with excitement. Her date had backed out but she would be able to share in the party with champagne, caviar and candlelight anyway.
It was the first time the village paid attention to Matilda. They never realized she was the Princess and her father was their King. It has been a wall guarded secret until now. The date who had jilted her stood trembling as Matilda and her father entered the ballroom.
Elizabeth Seckman says
So many good uses of the prompts in the comments. Kudos to all of the creatives!
Sandra Cox says
Happy Birthday. Loved the quote of the week and the description of Tiger:) Like everything else, pluses and minuses:)
The lavish banquet was held in the enchanted forest. Cavier and champagne flowed freely. Candlelight illumed the huge, heart-shaped bouquet of red roses. Excitement ran high as the fairies danced in the sky and their human counterparts danced on the petal strewn floor of the forest.
Smash. A tree fell nearby, and a rogue elephant trumpeted. Fairies scurried. The humans flee. One fairy remains behind, setting on the laden table, swinging her legs and sipping champagne. As the elephant emerged into the clearing, the fairy asked, “What are you doing here anyway, Elmond?”
The old elephant nudged the fairy aside and dipped his trunk into the punch bowl and began to guzzle, his tail swishing happily.
“Party crasher,” the fairy muttered without heat before she too went back to guzzling champagne. Once the punch bowl was sucked dry, Elmond bowed to the fairy, and the fairy and elephant danced in the moonlight, while a breeze blew softly through enchanted trees.
Finally, dawn broke as well as the nightly enchantment. No sign of revelry remained. No lavish table, no flowers, no humans, no fairies, no elephant, nothing to giveaway the secrets of an enchanted forest, except for a lonely rose petal that danced on the dawn breeze.
Mike says
The excitement of the heartshaped table laid out with champagne, caviar, and candlelight suppressed her desire to flee.
Susan Kane says
I always go all quirky when writing 100 words:
Belinda inhaled deeply as she descended the marble stairs. The room was lavishly prepared with champagne and caviar, shimmering in candlelight. Carrying a heart shaped bouquet, Belinda beamed at her groom, her heart beating with the excitement of love.
When all was going well, the whole event smashed into floral and cake pieces. At first, after the following stampede, the groom’s parents examined the carnage. What had happened? There had been some scurrying in the far corner, which led to discovery of a nest of rats.
So much for love.
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Susan – great … a fun storyline – I can see it! A scattering of a wedding – cheers Hilary
C. Lee McKenzie says
Oh dear. Rats!
river says
Thank you for the words this month, they have been a challenge.
I am a Leo and a Water Dragon.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Great to meet you this month, Leo and Water Dragon. Thanks for playing.
Liz A. says
Every astrology is about leaning into your strengths and learning from your weaknesses. I wish I had a cool animal like tiger. Or dragon. Alas, I’m a pig.
C. Lee McKenzie says
But pigs are known for their energy, enthusiam, and enjoyment of life. Those are excellent qualities!
Jacqui Murray says
Any discussion of tigers is welcome. They are gorgeous creatures, as feral as they come. dNothing wrong with that.
C. Lee McKenzie says
They are gorgeous. Just look at that guys face!
Thomas Anderson says
Hi, Cheryl-Lee!
I can tell a short story, a true one, using all of the words in your two columns:
We couldn’t wait to leave work behind, flee the city and spend a romantic weekend in the Poconos. Main road or scenic route, how we got there didn’t matter anyway because we were together. Giddy with excitement by the end of the three hour drive, we went scurrying up the mountain slope from the parking lot to the rustic honeymooner cabin I had reserved. We entered to find an enchanted love nest that would be our oasis for the next 36 hours. The focal point was a heartshaped tub in the center of the living room. Next to the tub we found a bouquet of roses, a complimentary bottle of champagne and a row of scented wax tapers that invited us to bathe the room in romantic candlelight as we bathed our bodies in warm water and sweet smelling bubbles. Caviar was the only thing missing from the lavish scene. Smash? Did we ever!
I looked up my Chinese Zodiac info and determined that I am an Earth Ox. The first set of characteristics I found for Earth Ox describes Donald Trump, but does not fit me at all.
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However, when I added my birth year, 1949, as a qualifier, I got a different result, one that fits my personality much more closely:
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Thank you for visiting Shady’s Place today, dear friend Cheryl-Lee. Enjoy the rest of your week and I hope to see you again soon!
Thomas Anderson says
Hi, Cheryl-Lee!
I didn’t realize your blog rejects brackets. Here below is the content missing from my first comment. I found two sets of descriptions for the Earth Ox. The first one isn’t me, the second is a better fit.
#1:
Earth Ox’s characters are world beaters. They have a belief, a core inner strength that nothing in astrology can rival. They have ambition and drive dripping from every pore – and they trample everyone and everything underfoot in order to reach their goals.
#2:
Personality Traits of the 1949 Chinese Zodiac Earth Ox: They are righteous, humble and polite, which makes many people willing to make friends with them. Last but not least, the Earth Ox is very determined and will not be influenced by others easily. However, they are sometimes too conservative and stubborn.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I’m so glad you aren’t like The Donald. I much prefer the #2 type personality.
Thomas Anderson says
Hi, Cheryl-Lee!
I didn’t realize your format rejects brackets. Here below are the two paragraphs missing from my first comment:
Description #1:
Earth Ox’s characters are world beaters. They have a belief, a core inner strength that nothing in astrology can rival. They have ambition and drive dripping from every pore – and they trample everyone and everything underfoot in order to reach their goals.
Description #2:
Personality Traits of the 1949 Chinese Zodiac Earth Ox: They are righteous, humble and polite, which makes many people willing to make friends with them. Last but not least, the Earth Ox is very determined and will not be influenced by others easily. However, they are sometimes too conservative and stubborn.
messymimi says
That sounds like a weekend to cherish forever.
C. Lee McKenzie says
This was a sweet memory, and how clever of you to incorporate this week’s list of words to tell the story. Bravo!
Charlotte (MotherOwl) says
Thanks for your words. Here’s my story Words for Wednesday. Once again a part of Susan’s story.
I hope the comment form will work for me this time.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Sorry your visits this month have been a challenge. I have no idea why.
Beth Camp says
What a neat writing challenge and happy birthday! Nice to know that underneath the hardworking writer is the spirit of a tiger. I don’t follow star signs closely, but I’ve always taken pleasure in being a Saggitarius (a fire sign), known for being an explorer, curious and adaptable — and married to another fire sign (a Leo). Neither one of us resists packing a suitcase! Have a very good year ahead!
C. Lee McKenzie says
It seems you found the perfect mate, Beth! Nothing like having someone at your side who’s ready to take off and see the world.
Yvonne (@Fiction_Books) says
**I have never really followed horoscopes or the Chinese years, but your tiger image set me thinking**
Referring to Chinese Five Elements, the year of 1958 is the Earth year. And according to Chinese Zodiac, 1958 belongs to the year of the Dog. Therefore, people born in 1958 are the Earth Dog.
Earth dogs generally cannot inherit much wealth from their forefathers, so most of them rely on their own efforts; they have the ordinary luck in youth and it’s hard for them to accumulate wealth; their luck becomes better in middle age and they have sound luck in old age.
Earth dogs are broad-minded, faithful, considerate, well-disciplined and they stick to principles. Also, they are grateful, chivalrous, brave and have the courage to take the blame for what they do, thus it’s easy for them to offend somebody. Earth dogs always have clear goals and they are self-poised towards success and failure, never compromising their conscience to do things. They are persistent and never give up. They believe in the life philosophy of taking their own road in a down-to-earth manner. Although earth dogs are very capricious sometimes, they never hurt others arbitrarily and they respect the other’s position and attitude rather than forcing the other to accept their opinions. Earth dogs don’t like to interfere in the life of others, vice versa.
Earth dogs have the artistic spirit, so it’s not suitable for them to work in industry and commerce circles with fierce competition and internal strife. It doesn’t mean that their physical strength or fighting spirit is inferior to others, but their practice and personality cannot cater to others in this complicated society.
In work, earth dogs are always meticulous and responsible and they are committed to their work and try their best to finish the work. Due to their serious and responsible attitude, they are more likely to succeed.
In terms of love, earth dogs are tongue-tied in the face of their loved ones. The most headache thing for them is the romantic love because they don’t know how to create the romantic atmosphere, or how to answer back when the partner takes the initiative. However, they will give all they have for their loved ones and they are very faithful.
Generally, earth dogs have favourable luck in making money but they need to avoid the money matters between friends and sign the agreement in advance to avoid the unnecessary loss in cooperation.
**Given what the paragraph about love says about me, I don’t really feel qualified to even try and make a suitable sonnet out of your very romantic word offerings this week** 🙂
I hope that you had a lovely birthday xx
C. Lee McKenzie says
This was quite interesting, Yvonne! You were born under quite a propitious star or sign. I’m not a true horoscope believer, but I love the myth and mystery of it.
I haven’t taken a stab at this month’s meme at all, so you’ve already done far more than I have, and these are my words. 🙁 Time ticketh too quickly.
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – yes Yvonne’s post is interesting … and I love Tigers …
Thanks for letting us have the words this month – cheers Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
All the words:
She’d noticed the bouquet, seen the lavish table lit with candlelight, and knew he’d have champagne, caviar, heart-shaped chocolates at the ready.
To dine – each year that was always a treat in store – she’d wait, but excitement was lacking …
Anyway this time she was very anxious – however enchanted their lives appeared to be – she was disillusioned …
Her mind was scurrying … she really wanted to flee, could she smash her way out of this conundrum before dinner … or did she need to wait til the morrow …
.. and make the coming year – the time to move on …
**-**
Oh dear – I seem to be in the mode of fleeing … but I’m happily settled here – all well – but I’ve fled!
Cheers and Lee thanks for your words this month … I do enjoy this each week – and thank EC for continuing with the meme – with thoughts to all – Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
I note Alex’s comment – + hope we’re not eaten before March comes around! I’m sure you fall somewhere in between those descriptions and mostly under the first column … as we all probably do … cheers and hope you’ve had a happy birthday month … and here’s to many more – Hilary
C. Lee McKenzie says
Well, I’m focusing on making the first column more me. Now that I’m aware of those other qualities, I’ll try to avoid being like any of those descriptors.
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
I’m certain we all fall in the first column … and I know all friends here are of that ilk … and I certainly know you fall into that first column …
C. Lee McKenzie says
You did a bang up job with all of the words! Fleeing, scurrying, and smashing your way into another super story for this meme!
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Thanks Lee … cheers H
messymimi says
What began as beautiful seems to have become smothering. Excellent use of the prompts.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
We’ve been warned, little tiger!
And happy birthday.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Ha! Great Alex.