100 Word Challenge -- Ferocity

The 100 Word Challenge is exactly a that --- a challenge to write 100 words centered around a one word prompt plucked from the work of an author being read by or having been read by our host. This week's word is ferocity.



Nature’s Fury

Dark clouds gathered in the distance. A slight breeze stirred the air and a soft rumble of thunder signaled the storm’s pending arrival. A shadow fell over the area as the sun was hidden by the black clouds. Wind whipped through the yard sending loose items flying. Deafening claps of thunder sounded in unison with electrifying flashes of lightening. The few drops of spattered rain turned to a torrential downpour creating a river where the street had been. Hail began pounding the roof threatening to break through skylights . Then silence. Nature’s ferocity passed; replaced by the gentle sounds of spring.

100 Word Challenge -- Unspoken

The 100 Word Challenge has long been one of my favorite memes. It has passed into new hands temporarily and can be found here. The theme word this week is "unspoken". Upon reading the prompt this story came to mind.

He sits with the remote in his hand flipping through channels. She sits across the room consumed by the computer on her lap. Each comfortable with the silence between them.

He looks over at his bride of many years and a boyish grin fills his face as he says, “Guess what?” This is an old game they have played for years and she can’t keep the twinkle from her eyes.

She smiles back knowing what she is to say and what his answer will be, but she never grows tired of this game. “What?”

“I love you.”

Some words should never be left unspoken.

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 -- Examine

From Velvet Verbosity come the challenge to write 100 words on examine. The following is what came to mind.






Each year I stand clothed in a hospital gown opened down the front in a room so cold I'm shivering reading posters on self examinations while trying to ignore “the machine.” The always cheerful lab tech asks if I am ready.

I have stood in an examining room like that every year for the past 20 years. Each year I have endured the torture of having each breast placed on a cold plate of glass, squeezed flat twice and x-rayed while standing on my tiptoes holding my breath.

Each year I have passed the exam cancer free. I am ready.

God Smile

I have received this picture several different times via email. I always love getting it, because it is an amazing shot. Because of this photo I have begun to look for other places that God is smiling as us and remembering if God can smile for us even with the mess we have made of things then maybe I should smile a little more often.

Not long ago when drying after a shower I noticed that grass from a pair of socks had gotten shaken into the bathtub. I was having grumbly thoughts about having to clean up that "mess" then I saw it --- a smile. The pieces of grass were laying there in a smile. Well, I could no longer be gumbly about that grass, it was smiling at me. I didn't clean it up right then. I left it a day or two just to remind me to smile.

So my challenge to you is to look around --- God might have a smile just for you hidden somewhere in a cloud, a flower arrangement, or even the dirt on the garage floor.