100 Words -- Give

From Velvet Verbosity comes the 100 Word Challenge. The challenge is to produce 100 words on the given one word prompt. This week's word is "give". What would you give?



Slowly he circled the old pick-up truck. “Whacha want for ‘er?”

“Whacha give me for ‘er?” came the slow reply.

“Looks like she’s in pretty good shape.”

“Yep, runs alright, got nearly new tires too.”

“Want ‘er for my son to drive.”

“Yep, kids these days need somethin’ to drive.”

“Boy ain’t got a lick of sense.”

“Most of ‘em don’t. Least that’s what I hear. Never raised one of my own.”

The two men stood staring at the truck for several minutes each with his own thoughts.

“What’d ya say ya want for ‘er?”

“Whach give me for ‘er?”

100 Word Challenge -- Material

The challenge this week from Velet Verbosity is 100 words on "material".



It had been a long time since he had been in this room, but there before him was all the materials he needed. He savored the aroma of the oils as he squeezed dabs of paint onto the pallet and tested the weight of each brush in his hand as he studied the form of the bristles. He turned to the blank canvas and paused. Swiftly he made the first stroke of paint on canvas and time stood still and raced pass at the same time. Joy filled his soul and he wondered why he had been away so long.

100 Word Challenge -- Writ large

The challenge this week from Velvet Verbosity is writ large. The idea was slow coming; the following is my effort.





The teacher’s words had rung in her ears as she worked, “If you put your best effort into you paper, your effort will pay off.”

She hadn’t been sure what that meant exactly, but she had a feeling it meant if she worked hard she wanted to get an A. That’s what she wanted more than anything because her sister said that she was dumb and that she could never get an A.

The teacher walked up and down the aisle passing back papers. There it was writ large at the top of the page for all to see.

100 Word Challenge -- Place

From Velvet Verbosity comes the 100 Word Challenge each week. A one word prompt, a few loose rules and a wonderful writing exercise. This week I created a piece of fiction that probably could be found in be a very poor romance novel, but yet a scene that is played out in various forms in real life or so I imagine.


“My place or yours for coffee?” he asks as he gently placed his hand in the small of her back to guide her out of the noisy restaurant.

A million thoughts race through her mind, tumbling over each other, and making no sense at all. Did I clean the kitchen, pick up the bathroom? I wonder if his closets are cluttered or ultra neat like him. Do I even have coffee! What if he doesn’t like the décor of my place? If we go to his place I can leave when I want, but what if he doesn’t ask me to stay. Did I….

“My place or yours?” he repeats closer to her ear this time sending her heart racing with his heavenly musky scent.

“I know a quiet little all-night diner over on twenty-third,” she smiles. “They serve great coffee.”

“Chicken,” she thinks.

100 Word Challenge -- Lemonade

Velvet's new word is Lemonade. She said it was not really the season, but she wanted something to "bring some cheer as we begin the decent into winter." Sorry Velvet, but this piece just wrote itself.



One can of frozen lemonade concentrate. That was all I had wanted. Was that so hard? It wasn’t supposed to end like this. One can of lemonade. Oh, why hadn’t I just told her I make that silly pie tomorrow after I’d had a chance to go to the store? Why had I let her go by herself? So proud of that new license; so eager to be the driver. One can of frozen lemonade. “Not the pink kind,” I had cautioned. Now it didn’t matter. Now it would never matter. For one can of frozen lemonade my world has ended.

100 Word Challenge -- Bear

Velvet Verbosity has returned and my creative juices are wanting to flow again. The word we were given this week is BEAR.




He was hungry. Winter had been long and food scarce when he had gone searching.

With the return of warm weather; however, he knew he would find sustenance carefully packed and stored inside their flimsy tents. One swipe of his paw would gain him entrance to a feast far different from his usual fare. Easily accessible, sweet, and filling.

A mighty roar escaped his throat before he turned to lumber back up the side of the mountain. Experience had taught him not to linger. Their fear of him brought the burden of danger. A danger he was willing to bear --- for Twinkies.

100 Word Challenge -- Snapped

There are two things I've heard about writing. The first is you should write about things you know about and the second I've heard more recently is sometimes the story just writes itself. The second is what happened with me as I began to write for Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge. This is not what I had intended to write. Maybe it has something to do with last weeks challenge and I'm still a little hung up on tragic, or Lou's post last week or what has been in the new this past week. But let me assure you that this story is fiction, I have not "Snapped" which is the challenge word for this week.

She snapped her jacket and looked in the mirror. She looked ready. Everything about her said professional.

Her hands glided over the latches of her satchel and snapped them closed. The papers were all ready. Each one had been marked.

Her heels echoed as she walked down the hall. She paused at the door before reaching for the handle. She drew one deep breath and slowly exhaled, her mind racing.

As she reached the desk the bell rang. The noise grew to a deafening level. She steadied herself for a moment.

She reached into the satchel drawing out the pistol --- She had snapped.

100 Word Challenge -- Tragic (And only a little late)

Velvet Verbosity host the 100 Word Challenge each week. This week's topic is tragic. The writings are supposed to be posted by Sunday. I was a wee busy this past week but wanted to post my writing a little late, just for the challenge and late is better than never (Sandy). Below is a fictional account of a one bride's entrance at her wedding. A true tragedy bordering on comedy.



The bride took a deep breath and stepped onto the landing at the exact moment her cat darted in front of her. To keep from stepping on the cat she did a quick side step, catching the heel of her shoe on the plush nap of the carpet causing her to lunge forward. Luckily she was able to grab the banister throwing her leg over as she began her head first slide. Slick satin glided over polished hardwood. Her squeal preceded her into the grand hall where the guest awaited a disheveled bride.

The tragedy of a ruined entrance that would turn to comedy as the years passed.

One Dark Stormy Night or Creative Teaching

On Thursday I had one of those teaching moments that really make it all worth while.

I was in the reading group I have each day. This group of three boys and one girl are not usually interested in what we are doing and just go through the motions to more or less humor me or to keep me from growling at them.

On Thursday we were discussing the *author's purpose for writing*. We had covered the basics boiling reasons for writing down to three -- inform, entertain, or persuade. The kids were doing pretty go telling the differences but ran into a snag when I asked (or rather the worksheet asked) if an article that was entertaining had to be funny and light. They all said yes.

At that I began to tell a story and when I finished all four students were leaning forward with their little mouths slightly open and eye huge. The story went something like this:

One dark stormy night I was driving home. Lighting flashed all around me and the road seemed unfamiliar.

Suddenly the car went clunk, clunk and died. I rolled to a stop just managing to get the car off to the side of the road. Then the headlights went out and I sat in total darkness.

A bright flash of lighting highlighted an old two story house off to the right even though I didn't remember having ever seen a house there before. The loud clap of thunder that followed spurred me to action. I jumped out of the car, pulling my coat up over my head to protect me from the rain and ran toward the house hoping someone would be there that could help me.

As I ran up the steps onto the porch I took a big breath to steady myself and shake the water from my coat. I heard a strange cackling laugh coming from behind me. It wasn't a friendly laugh. It was the kind of laugh that means you are in big trouble.

I was to scared to turn around. I raised my arm to pound on the door but as soon as I had barely touch the door is slowly opened with a soft creak. The laugh behind me was getting closer. I didn't wait to be invited in; I shoved the door open rushing in and slamming the door behind me.

Here I just stopped leaned back and said, "Okay what was my purpose?" I swear every head nearly hit the table. They were that into the story. They laughed and giggled and told me it was to entertain. Then I asked, "Was that story funny and light. Of course they all had the correct answer to that one too.

They were also able to decide that this was just a fiction story and I had not had that experience.

One boy did ask what happened next and to that I had to say, "I don't know. I was just making it up as I went along." They were impressed. Yes, they were impressed.

I love teaching moments like I had Thursday.

100 Word Challenge -- Doorway

After taking a couple of weeks off I've once again created for the challenge from Velvet Verbosity with 100 Words for doorway.

Slowly, I walked down a long, door lined corridor. I was looking for something, some place that I was supposed to be. Each door had a sign on it, but none of them was what I was looking for. On I walked past doorway after doorway stopping briefly at each trying to decide if it was the right one, if it was the one I was supposed to enter. I looked back up the empty hall at all the doors I hadn’t opened. I hesitated on the threshold of the last door then with one hard push I entered.

100 Word Challenge -- Anger

Velvet Verbosity is back with the 100 Word Challenge. This time the word is Anger. Anger often results in things being said that are later regreted, but the damage done by words can never be undone.

Anger

“Just shut up! Shut up, shut up, shut up! You have no idea what you are talking about. You have to be the dumbest person that ever walked the face of the earth. Don't you ever use that tiny brain?”

“But ...”

“No you don’t get to talk. Keep your mouth shut and listen. Because all you are is a big screw up. Why I ever thought you would amount to anything is beyond me. You are worthless!”

“Please” Slap

“What do you mean please? What makes you think your sniffling will work. I hate you; you lazy piece of hopeless nothing.”

Day 27 Thursday Thirteen #21 What to Do On Thanksgiving Day

1. Frist thing to do is count all your blessings. A good time to do this is just before you roll out of bed and the rest of this list gets in the way.

2. Check on the grandchildren. If they are still asleep then quickly take a shower and prepare for the day.

3. Chech with daughter about what you can do to help in the kitchen; this is important since you are at her house.

4. Suggest she wash the turkey, removing all the gibblets from both cavities. (They aren't so good if you cook them in the paper sacks.)

5. As she puts the turkey in the oven be sure the oven is set for the correct time and temperature and then greet the grandchildren as the come in to *help*.

6. Help serve the grandchildren a breakfast full of carbs and sugar so they will be wound up for the rest of the day.

7. If the weather is pretty take grandchildren to the park, if not drag out games and toys to play with with them.

8. About 10:30 suggest that daughter begin prapartations of other foods such as the dressing and the fruit salad for the meal to be served about 1:00. Ignore the comments she makes about she knows what she is doing.

9. Give the grandchildren snacks to hold them over until the noon meal you know is going to be late.

10. Make a run to the grocery store to get the items that daughter forgot to buy (you knew this was going to happen).

11. Help in the kitchen while telling husband that he doesn't get to watch the pre-game show because the grandchildren want to watch the parade.

12. Help daughter set the table and make final preparation for the meal. Greet her in-laws as they come in with the rolls for the meal.

13. Pause and give thanks for being able to share a fabulous meal with family and friends. (Even if it was chaotic getting it all ready.)

Day 24 100 Word Challenge Time

Velvet Verbosity's word this week is Time. And the time for the meeting between Hank and June Ann is set. She isn't happy about it and depending on VV word next week Hank's plan will be reveled.


Time

Of course I have time to meet with you,” June Ann replied the smile leaving her face. This was not who she wanted to talk and not who she wanted to meet with. Her position as head of the Tribune forced her to do things she didn’t necessarily want to do. Meeting with Hank Derby just happened to be one of those things.

Hurriedly she made her way across the small parking lot as the wind stirred up debris wondering how she had been talked into meeting him here at the Bar and Grill. This had better be good or this time he’d get a big piece of her mind.

Day 17 100 Word Challenge -- Intuitive

The word for 100 Word Challenge this week is intuitive. I've continuted the story started last week. Now we meet June Ann, that long legged, blue-eyed, spit-fire that Hank mentioned last week. (Here for that bit of writing.)

Intuitive

June Ann had met Hank at the Economic Development committee meeting. There was an intuitive feeling that something wasn’t as it seemed. He seemed a little too sure of himself.

Her daddy had taught her how to judge people, but he hadn’t taught her how to keep her mouth shut. She had probably said too much that evening with Hank there. But he had been so --- so smug.

The phone ringing brought her out of her reverie, “Editor’s Desk,” she said smiling to herself. Inheriting this paper had changed her plans. Now more than ever this little town was home and she was working hard to keep it moving forward without loosing itself.

Day 9 100 Word Challenge -- Resurrect

Velvet Verbosity is back and the challenge this week is the word resurrect. The following paragraph is the opening of a story that is playing around in my head. I'm not sure I can write it -- I'm usually better at beginnings than endings, but I'm going to try to used each of VV's word prompts to put this story together.

Hank Derby was ready to put his plan to work in this dusty, old town. It needed someone to resurrect it and he was just the man to do it. He was going to set this place on its ear, put it on the map, and make a name for himself. But first he had to convince her to help him. He had never met anyone quite like that long legged, blue-eyed ball of spit fire, but he was ready to give it his best James Dean try. He couldn’t believe that girl didn’t realize what she was sitting on. But with his help, she soon would.

100 Word Challenge --- Moral

Each week Velvet Verbosity issues a word and a challenge to write 100 words. She sets no boundries except 100 words (and even then she is lenient). Some have continuing stories that intertwine the new word into them, and some have stand alone narratives. Others write poetry or prose with deep meaning. All are interesting and worth reading. Below is my humble attempt at this weeks word -- Moral.

“Just get something and stick it in your bag. Shit, Ms. SmartyAss over there is watching like she thinks we’re up to somethin’. You’ve gotta distract her.”

“I gotta to do what? Why?”

“Shhhhh. We’ll get caught if you act chicken. Now go ask were the toothpaste or somethin’ is.”

“Can I help you girls find something?”

“No ma’am. We’re fine.”

“Why’d you say that? Man I can’t believe you ain’t never done this. Everyone does it. ‘Sides they expect us too.”

“Yea, well my granny don’t expect it. I’m not stealing anything and you’d better just put that stuff back. She says we’ve got to have morals.”

100 Word Challenge -- Twist

Join the fun and challenge presented each week by Velvet Verbosity (I love that word --verbosity). She gives us a word and we write our story, poem, essay. Below her wonderful logo/icon (again which I love because I actually own an old typewriter much like it) is my writing for this week. My inspiration was part of a post by Lou. "I think I've made a discovery - a rather melancholy discovery, but a discovery nonetheless. And it has to do with possibilities. And it has to do with how men age. Mentally. You see, we don't feel much different than we did when we were kids. If it wasn't for the changing face in the mirror, ..." Now for my twist.

She crumpled the papers in her hands. This wasn’t right. There had to be a twist. She stood waiting for an O. Henry ending to all of it. She wanted to call to him, to shout at him, to beg, to let the tears come, to let him see the tears and for him to kiss them away. He just kept walking – never turning back. Her mind searched through their life together but could find nothing that would cause him to stop loving her -- to leave what she had thought was a lasting love. Her mind screamed, “WHY?” Slowly she turned catching her reflection in the glass. Oh, cruel twist.

100 Word Challenge --- Fusion

The challenge is to take a word given each week and create 100 Words on that theme. Below are my *creations* for the word FUSION."Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” was your invitation. And you came; in large numbers you came. You brought with you beautiful languages with words we have taken as our own. You brought with you wonderful holidays and celebrations that we made our own. You brought with you ideas, beliefs, and knowledge and we made them our own. We are America and we are strong because you came. We are America because there is more than one way. We are America because we have a yearning to breathe free. We are America because of fusion.


And because I have an over abundance of time and a penchant for romantic sap there is this.


“A union by or as if by melting,” the voice became a drone as her thoughts wandered in different directions. That night long ago in a car behind an old barn when a single kiss caused an awakening in her --- what a new and exciting feeling. A line from a song popped into her head as a smile touched her lips “I was willing, but she wasn’t ready.” Her thoughts turned to another summer night. The softness in his eyes as he held her in the moonlight -- the feel of muscles against soft skin -- the way heat rose from there bodies --

"It's fusion," she blurted.

100 Word Challenge --- Evolution

She cupped the rose in her hands. She had hoped her feelings would be different by now. That love would have evolved.

A year had passed. A year of meeting all her husband’s needs, of trying to love him, of wanting to love. Would she always feel this way? Was she the only women of her generation yearning for love? Must she be doomed to a loveless life because she is an obedient daughter? How could she have let this happen? Footsteps on the paving stones aroused her from her reverie and she turned with a smile. Always with a smile.

100 Words FRESH

(This is my first attempt at the 100 Word Challenge. I hope you enjoy my take on fresh.)


She walks the produce isle of the market looking for something that will tempt her. Her eyes survey the fresh foods artfully stacked in bins. She takes in their colors and smells. She hesitates. Her hands cradle a large rough melon. She inhales the sweet smell of ripeness and listens to the dull thump that matches the thumping of her heart. Her mind says, “This one’s perfect.”

Her heart answers, “They are his favorite.” Tears fill her eyes. She turns and walks slowly back down the isle. Like the produce the memories are too fresh, too painful. Her heart always wins.