Happy “National Plum Pudding Day” (if you’re reading this on the 12th).  It’s also “National Darwin Day,” though that doesn’t sound nearly as tasty.

“Darwin Day is a celebration to commemorate the birthday of Charles Darwin on 12 February 1809. The day is used to inspire people throughout the globe to reflect and act on the principles embodied in Charles Darwin”

Yeah, maybe not.

February 12 is also the day, in 1994, when four thieves broke into the National Gallery of Norway and stole Edvard Munch‘s iconic painting The Scream.  They hardly sound like “Darwin Day” award winners.

Here in rainy (oh, wait, now it’s sunny) California I’ll be celebrating “Wash Down the Kitchen Walls before Painting” day, having successfully made it through “Learn to Drywall Day” last weekend.  I spent days this week deciding on just the right shade of not-quite-white for the kitchen walls, to give it a brighter, fresher look.  Got a small paint sample, brushed some on the wall . . . and it looks just like what’s there.  How does that always happen?

Ah well, if nothing else the walls will be clean and spider-web-free, even if their color doesn’t really change.

While I’m waiting for things to dry, I think I’ll take a break, grab my favorite notebook, and 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?

Prompt:   Trying something new!

Feel free to interpret the prompt any way you choose (or ignore it completely) and include any (or all) of the following random words:   

junkyard           blaze              warrior              research

cuddly               sunrise           fried                   hermit

lollipop             footwork           goat                excavate

silence              project               wizard           copper

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!