Weekend Writing Prompt – Page 4 – The Elephant's Trunk

Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt is challenging us to
get creative with the word “adventure” in exactly 76 words.
This is my response to that word challenge.

You ever have that feeling you get when you meet someone for the first time …. and you know?

That’s what happened to me when I first met Bill …. almost 56 years ago to the day. It was our first date, the dreaded blind date, but we had chemistry and we still do.

Sure, we’ve had our misunderstandings …. who hasn’t? …. but what an adventure our life has been.

He’s the fisherman but I caught a keeper!

NAR©2024
76 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #355 – Adventure

Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge – Chemistry

Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Misunderstanding

These are The Marvelettes and this is “Don’t Mess With Bill”

Flash, Poem

In The Dark

March 11, 2024March 9, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

A Dectina Refrain and a short poem
for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt.
Word requirement is 65, prompt word is “tap”.

Tap
tapping
on my door.
Who can it be?
It’s too dark to see
but the noise just won’t stop.
I get up from the sofa
and tippy toe to the front door;
peek through the window but no one’s there.
Tap tapping on my door. Who can it be?

Noise from outside.
It’s too dark to see.
No place to hide.
Stop watching me!

Weekend Writing Prompt #354 – Tap

This is Billy Squier with “In The Dark”

Flash

Purification

March 3, 2024March 2, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Not
a peep
did she make
in her white dress
receiving the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

NAR©2024
15 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #353 – Spirit

Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge – White

This is Dalai Lama meditation, “Purification”

Flash

A Little Alone Time

February 26, 2024February 25, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt
has challenged us to write something clever
in exactly 91 words, using the word “intent”.
This is my response in exactly 91 words.

Angie eased into the bathtub.

Her once lithe and graceful body had been rebelling for a while; now it had declared mutiny.

She didn’t expect to have free time today so this moment of solitude was bliss.

Angie barely had time to relax when she heard the persistent nudging on the door; a black paw soon found its way into the narrow opening.

Sidney, the cat.

He was intent on getting into the bathroom to see what Angie was up to without him.

“Sid!” Angie scolded playfully. “A little privacy, please!”

NAR©2024
91 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #352 – Intent

FOWC with Fandango — Privacy

Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Expect

FOWC with Fandango — Lithe

Moonwashed Weekly Prompt – Bliss

This is Rufus Wainwright with “Alone Time”

Uncategorized

Here’s A Howdy-Do!

February 18, 2024February 17, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt is asking us to
write something original in exactly 38 words,
using the word “gregarious”. This is my response.

Look at that old skinflint!

He’s always been the cheapest, nastiest SOB in town.

Now he’s all chipper, greeting people with friendly smiles.

I’ve been wondering where this sudden gregarious attitude is coming from.

Two words: employee discount!

NAR©2024
38 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #351 – Gregarious

This is Chris Cagle singing about that “Wal-Mart Parking Lot”

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Poem

In Denial

February 12, 2024February 12, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt has challenged us to write
creatively in exactly 60 words, incorporating the word ‘vapid’.
Using a few other prompt words, here is my 60-word response
in the form of a Dectina Refrain and a Haiku Duet.

Old
man with
vapid thoughts
and empty eyes
lives in denial;
puppeteers pulling strings
feeding hypnotic untruths
into flaccid, desolate brain
on the outskirts of insanity.
Old man with vapid thoughts and empty eyes

Gray, grayer smoke
above the clouds in the sky
no light shining brightly

Brown dying trees
dried leaves lay at the roots
no buds tacitly emerging

NAR©2024
60 words

Weekend Writing Prompt #350 – Vapid

FOWC with Fandango — Denial

Moonwashed Weekly Prompt – Hypnotic

Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Desolate

FOWC with Fandango — Outskirts

This is “Fool On The Hill” by the Beatles

Dectina Refrain:
This refrain is written as follows:
1^st line – 1 syllable, 2^nd line – 2 syllables
3^rd line – 3 syllables, and so on for 9 lines;
the 10^th line is comprised of the first four lines
as one stand-alone line.

Uncategorized

From Eden

February 5, 2024February 5, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt has challenged us to write
a poem or prose of exactly 97 words, including the word ‘anfractuous’.
I’ve added a few other prompts I had laying around, namely from
FOWC with Fandango, Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge and
Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge. This is my 97-word story.

They lived in lush green perfection of ripe fruit and pristine water. When their misadventures and disobedience angered the Maker, they and their sons were cast out.

One son, a farmer, made an offering of paltry wheat; the Maker was displeased.

The other, a shepherd, offered his firstborn lamb, which pleased the Maker.

In a panic, the jealous farmer killed his brother.

Enraged and saddened, the Maker banished the murderer, condemning him to a life of endless wandering.

Anfractuous paths covered the land. The farmer roamed for years, until blindly falling from a cliff to his death.

NAR©2024
97 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #349 – Anfractuous

Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge – Green

FOWC with Fandango — Roam

Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge – Misadventures

FOWC with Fandango — Panic

This is Hozier with “From Eden”

Flash

Jumping The Shark

January 28, 2024January 28, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Two prompts today:
Weekend Writing Prompt and
Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge ~
to include the words ‘bridge’ & ‘turmoil’,
all in 53 words. Here is my story.

There are certain lines that exist in society, even among the closest of friends, lines not meant to be crossed.

She not only crossed the line …. she hurtled the bridge and jumped the shark.

And why? She’s only human and carelessly, regrettably didn’t think things through; now her brain is in turmoil.

Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Bridge.

Weekend Writing Prompt #348 – Turmoil

This is Billy Joel with “You’re Only Human”

Flash

Home Cooking

January 24, 2024January 23, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt
is challenging us with the word “note”;
in exactly 72 words, this is my response.

My mother was a terrific cook; her specialty was, of course, homemade Italian food – manicotti, arancini, etc.

She left me her ‘recipe book, which was really nothing more than scribbled notes. Her ‘detailed‘ cooking instructions read: “some cheese” and a “glass” of water.

I can remember the glass she used to add water to whatever she was cooking; it was an old Flintstones jelly jar.

How I wish I had that jar!

NAR©2024
72 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #347 – Note

This is “Come On-A My House” by Louis Prima

Flash

High And Dry

January 22, 2024January 22, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt
is challenging us with the word “note”;
in exactly 72 words, this is my response.
🍸

After thirty minutes and two martinis I began feeling paranoid. It was painfully obvious, at least to me, that everyone who saw me sitting by the bar thought I was either an elegant call girl just past her prime or a lonesome, tedious housewife who had been stood up.

I became aware of someone approaching. I looked up expectantly, smiling; it was just the concierge. Whispering discreetly, he handed me a note.

NAR©2024
72 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #347 – Note

This is “The Queen of the Blues”, Dinah Washington, with “Drinking Again”

Flash

Step Right Up

January 18, 2024January 18, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt
has challenged us to write a piece
of exactly 87 words, making sure to
include the prompt “appointment”.
This is my response to that challenge.

“Do you have an appointment?”

“An appointment? I didn’t even know I was coming!”

“Haha! You should have seen your face! You looked like you were gonna die!”

“Funny! You’re a regular Jerry Seinfeld!”

“Listen, toots! You barely made it up here so don’t push it. HE remembers everything!”

“Up here? So I made it? Oh, thank God!”

“You’ll get your chance.”

“Gatekeeper, can I put in a good word for a friend?”

“No saving seats.”

“Can I tell you her name?”

“No need. HE already knows.”

NAR©2024
87 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #346 – Appointment

From the soundtrack of The Aviator this is Rufus Wainwright with “I’ll Build A Stairway To Paradise”

Poem

Finger Lickin’ Good

January 8, 2024January 12, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

This is my 45-word response to
Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt
incorporating the word “guide”.

Our guide,

he truly tried

to hide

from the cannibal tribe

but they circled wide

and would not be denied

eating our group fried

at the feast for chief’s bride.

We offered a bribe.

With whisky plied

they let it slide.

Bright side:

nobody died!

NAR©2024
45 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #345 – Guide

This is Mark Knopfler with “Cannibals”

Flash

Dizzy Miss Lizzy

January 2, 2024January 12, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

It’s a hat trick!
Melissa’s Fandango Flash Fiction Challenge,
Fandango’s One Word Challenge and
Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt.
🎄 👓 😉

In my tree
winking at me.
Can you see?
No?
You need glasses!

NAR © 2024
13 Words

Melissa’s Fandango Flash Fiction Challenge #248

FOWC with Fandango — Glasses

Weekend Writing Prompt #344 – Wink

This is “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” by the incredible Colt Clark and the Quarantine Kids. Of course it is!!

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Flash

VERNAL EQUINOX

December 27, 2023December 27, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

As I sit here in my recliner looking out my bedroom window, wondering where Christmas has gone, I ask myself if I should venture out for my walk.

“It’s a bleak-looking day and awfully chilly. Stay inside where it’s warm and comfy.”

But then I remember that my wonky knee could use the exercise and time is fleeting. In just 83 days the beautiful blushing bride of nature will arrive and winter will be nothing but a distant memory.

NAR © 2023
79 Words

This is Felix Mendelssohn’s “Spring Song, Op. 62 No. 6″

Weekend Writing Prompt #343 – Window

Flash

LIFE IS STRANGE

December 18, 2023December 18, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

This weekend our challenge was
to write a poem or a piece of prose
in exactly 21 words using the word “ocean”.
Here’s mine.

Life is strange.

I’ve lived years on
one continent
only to find a friend
across the ocean

who became
my sister.

NAR © 2023
21 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #342 – Ocean

This is Lucy and Ethel singing “Friendship”

And from the 1954 movie “White Christmas”, this is Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen singing “Sisters” (co-stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye).

Uncategorized

TANGO

December 11, 2023December 10, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Their eyes met across the darkened, smoke-filled room. The attraction was too strong for either one to look away.

They slowly circled the perimeter of the dance floor, never breaking the chain that kept them spellbound.

Everyone and everything in the room seemed to vanish except for the music.

They fell into an embrace and began to dance a tango, moving to the rhythm of their hearts.

NAR © 2023
67 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #341 – Rhythm

This is Lorena Tarantino and Gianpiero Galdi dancing to “La Cumparsita”.

Flash

THWACK!

December 4, 2023December 4, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

“Watcha staring at, Norman?”

“Ain’t staring, Agnes. I’m observing.”

“That so? Watcha observing then, Norman?”

“Nuthin that concerns you, Agnes.”

“It’s Mrs. Claus with the biggy bumps, ain’t it?”

“She’s got a nice wobble, is all.”

“You idiot!”

**THWACK!!**

“Ow! I gots a biggy bump on me head now, Agnes!”

“Ain’t no bump, Norman! Just a wee wobble.”

NAR © 2023
58 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #340 – Wobble

This is Sue Thompson singing “Norman”.

Flash

AS IF

November 26, 2023November 26, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Our summer neighbors were two women from Manhattan; “playwrights”, they said.

There was endless “lesbian” speculation.

The writers called their weekend cottage “Intermission” – tres cool!

Idiots foolishly obsessed over the whole gay thing.

“Who gives a fuck?” I argued. “They’re authors!”

“Says the storyteller!” the idiots jibed.

NAR © 2023
47 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #339 – Cottage

This is Elvis Costello & The Attractions with “Everyday I Write The Book”

Today I’m hosting
Name That Tune.
Hit the link; try your luck!
https://rhythmsection.blog/

Flash

PERCHANCE TO DREAM

November 19, 2023November 19, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Come to bed, pretty.

Can you hear the wolf beckoning you?

Let the Sandman cradle you in his arms, protect you from the macabre terrors of the night.

You trust me, sweet child, don’t you?

Foolish.

NAR © 2023
36 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #338 – Macabre

This is Metallica and “Enter Sandman”

Please join me today
as I host another round of
Name That Tune.
It’s an oldie but a goodie!
https://rhythmsection.blog/

Flash

THE MESSAGE

November 12, 2023November 12, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

General Agricola was restless; for three nights he did not sleep. The Caledonians were plotting, of this he was certain. They were a pompous lot, thinking they could defeat his legions.

There was fire in his belly and he was determined to prove himself irreplaceable to the emperor, Vespasian.

Agricola summoned his first officer, Acilius. “I require the services of the scribe, Tertius. Depart immediately and bring him to me.”

Acilius did as commanded. The wizened scribe, Tertius, sat at the foot of Agricola, his calamus at the ready. He began the most crucial message of his life.

NAR © 2023
98 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #337 – Scribe

FOWC with Fandango — Belly

FOWC with Fandango — Pompous

Officer

FOWC with Fandango — Restless

Wizened

This is Civil War doing “Rome Is Falling”

Flash

THE BIG HUNT

November 10, 2023November 10, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

I search high, I look low.

Where did my damn glasses go?

They aren’t here or over there.

I can’t find them anywhere.

Not on the couch or near the stove.

I’ve been home, did not rove!

Not by the sink, under the bed.

Well look at that! They’re on my head!

Weekend Writing Prompt #336 – Search

This is “Keep Searchin'” by Del Shannon

Flash

BLEEDING ON MY PAGE

November 1, 2023October 31, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Baby animals are cute. So are knitted booties, toothless grins.

My engagement ring definitely wasn’t cute, even though my mother declared it so 53 years ago; neither are the stories I write and frequently bleed on.

I have issues with “cute”; you’re going to give me a complex by commenting with that word.

We wouldn’t want that, would we?

I might have to disassociate, sever ties, and that would be a bloody shame.

Weekend Writing Prompt #335 – Dissociate

It’s the Stones doing “Let It Bleed”. Yeah, it is. 🩸

Flash

KIND OF A DRAG

October 22, 2023October 22, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

It was a busy night at The Cock ‘n Bull. The second act was about to start when Paige Turner came running out of her dressing room screaming that she’d been robbed.

Imagine my embarrassment when I, Angie O’Plasty, queen of the Chicago circuit drag queens, was accused of trying to absquatulate with all the girl’s expensive wigs!

Of course it was a complete misunderstanding and I was exonerated when my nemesis, Brook Trout, was found with the stolen goods.

Talk about a hair-raising experience!