Happy Friday. For those who celebrate, Easter is right around the corner, though it hardly seems possible. All this sheltering-in-place and social distancing has really jumbled up my sense of time. I’m guessing this year people will need to exercise a little ingenuity in order to celebrate. One coworker is planning to cook her traditional holiday dinner and then “celebrate” with widespread family members via Zoom. Not quite the same as sitting around the same table together, but still fun.
Around here, it doesn’t look much like Easter, but it does look like spring. The lilacs have come and gone, but now the roses are blooming. The”Silver Dollar” roses have outdone themselves this year–there must be a dozen blooms on the bush. I have a vase of them on the table nearby and I’m enjoying their lemon-y scent. The climbing roses seem to have grown a foot in the last few days and it looks like they are attempting to take over the house. I’d trim them back but the new growth is covered in buds, so I will have to wait until they finish blooming (or their take-over is complete).
The jasmine, geraniums, and a couple of other unknown plants are also all busily flowering, giving the yard bright pops of color. It’s a nice change from the skies which have been more grey than blue for the last several days. I love it things start to bloom, although my allergies are in rare form as a result. Sneezes and watering eyes are hardly likely to endear me to the neighbors these days. In case you’re curious, I can confirm that sneezing while wearing a mask is an experience not to be repeated. Good thing I made washable masks.
Now that the work-week is winding down and I don’t have holiday cleaning and cooking on the ToDo list, I think I’ll give today’s writing prompt and random words a try.
Care to join me?
For those of you working away on a story (whether a first draft or a polished version on its way to publication), if you’re not feeling random, we’d love to hear a bit – whether it’s a scene, a paragraph, or even a phrase that you are especially pleased with and would like to share.
If you don’t have a story in progress, or just want to work on something new, I hope either today’s random words or writing prompt will catch your creative fancy.
Ready?
What if: “Your character helps a stranger?
Feel free to interpret the “What if” any way you choose (or ignore it completely) and include any (or all) of the following random words:
captured wisdom sparkle sleep
home barricade glossy ivy
headache preserve mistaken ginger
blowgun visitor blubber raspberry
I look forward to seeing your stories in the comments. If you’re not feeling in the writing mood today, or don’t have time, feel free to post suggestions you might have for future “what-if” prompts. Ideas are always welcome.
Happy writing to all!
Eight Ladies Writing 
I couldn’t work in “blubber,” but I think I got everything else. My foray into fantasy! Sort of. 🙂
The Visitor
Ivy Apatow woke from a long winter’s sleep with a raging headache.
“Where’s my blowgun?” she asked her valet, in the mistaken impression she was under siege.
“Have some nice ginger tea,” Dexter said, handing her a steaming cup. “You’ll feel better. And when you’re up to it, you have a visitor.”
“A visitor?” Ivy rubbed her eyes and shoved her glossy hair behind her ears, trying to come awake.
Dexter nodded, handing Ivy her bathrobe.
“I offered her a selection of cook’s spelt scones with raspberry preserves to tide her over while she waits your convenience,” he said. “Also, your bath is ready. Don’t barricade yourself in there. You know what happened the last time when you fell asleep in the tub. Pervis was not amused by the damage.”
Ivy’s eyes sparkled.
“You have to admit, though, Dexter, we had fun.”
Dexter would not so demean himself.
“If that is all,” he said with a bow so slight that if you blinked, you’d miss it.
No more than an hour later, Ivy made her appearance in the drawing room, where her visitor, an angular lady of mature years, was examining Ivy’s latest acquisition, a medieval sword of uncertain provenance that Dexter in his wisdom had suggested she needed. Nothing was left of the spelt scones except a few crumbs on the carpet, which the beast would pick up in due time.
“Hello,” Ivy said.
“Hello,” the visitor said. “Could I borrow this sword?”
“Perhaps,” Ivy said. “What do you want it for?”
“My home has been invaded.” The lady tested the blade’s sharpness with her thumb. “And my Alterio has been captured. I must repel the marauders.”
“Marauders, is it?” Ivy said, reaching for her dagger and silk-lined cape. “In that case, we’ll both go.”
Oooh, this sounds promising. Ivy definitely sounds like she is up to the challenge of fending of those marauders. Now, who is that unknown lady?
Late to the party, but I love this, Kay!
I’d love a Dexter, and a cook. He’d make short work of grocery shopping in corona-world, and she’d turn his acquisitions into delicious baked goods. That’s my perfect fantasy right now.