Happy “National Hamburger Day” (if you’re reading this on May 28th)–it’s also “National Road Trip Day” and “National Cooler Day.” Sounds like the perfect combination for friends getting together for a holiday barbeque (taking appropriate safety precautions, of course).
On a more serious note, it’s also the “International Day of Action for Women’s Health.”
May 28 is the International Day of Action for Women’s Health, which for over 30 years, women’s rights advocates and allies in the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) movement worldwide have commemorated in diverse ways. Year after year, women, girls, advocates and allies have continued to take action and stand up for sexual and reproductive rights for what they are: an indivisible and inalienable part of our human rights.
I’m guessing people (at least those in the U.S.) will be busy planning what they will be doing for the upcoming long Memorial Day weekend. With many cities and states opening up and doing away with masks and distancing, there will be a lot more options than there were last year. Judging from the steady stream of highway traffic I’ve encountered whenever I’ve had to drive anywhere recently, folks are definitely making up for lost time.
For me, it is likely to be a lazy day around the house. My only definite plan is to leave my work-computer turned off. I’ve only been moderately successful at that in the past, but I hope springs eternal. Regardless how that plan turns out, I’ll definitely be adding another minute to my elliptical workout routine (I’m up to 35 minutes) and giving 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: Road Trip!
Feel free to interpret the prompt any way you choose (or ignore it completely) and include any (or all) of the following random words:
Pontiac menace cargo nineteen
headphones large apparition hound
bank elastic proud allergic
huffy sissy bark fog
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 writing prompts. Ideas are always welcome.
Happy writing to all!
Eight Ladies Writing 
Well, this one was fun, Elizabeth! I could almost turn this sprint into a real story… 🙂
The Road Trip
Trying to see the road through the fog, Duncan peered through the windshield of the ancient Pontiac as he navigated the narrow lane that followed the Large Muck River. Apparition-like mists surrounded the vehicle, creating a menace for all travelers. Only nineteen and proud of his new drivers license, he had no desire to wind up on the river bank.
“Speed it up, Son,” his Uncle Foozy said from the back seat. “Get them headphones out of your ass and put the pedal to the medal. We’ll never get there at this rate.”
Duncan had no intention of following the advice of his Uncle Foozy, who had three DUI convictions and couldn’t be trusted to drive the lawn mower with any degree of accuracy.
“Can’t,” he said.
“Why not?” Uncle Foozy said.
“Ever hear of the Hound of the Baskervilles? Crime was solved because the dog didn’t bark. Same principle here.”
“That don’t make no sense. Where did that happen? Nowhere around here, I bet.”
“No,” Duncan said. “It was in a book.”
“Oh, a book.” Uncle Foozy snorted. Duncan felt that his relative had about as much interest in literature, popular or otherwise, as he had in safe driving.
“That’s just sissy crap,” Uncle Foozy said, confirming Duncan’s thoughts. “Don’t get huffy now, but you’re driving like there’s nitroglycerin in the cargo hold. Get a move on.”
“Doing my best here. So, what about those Lakers?” Duncan’s conversational skills were nothing if not elastic.
“Bah.” Uncle Foozy coughed. “How much further? My throat’s closing up here. I don’t feel so good.”
Uncle Foozy had ingested an item from a questionable eatery along the way. He was deathly allergic to peanuts and, careless as ever, was caught without his Epi-Pen out here in the back of beyond. Time was of the essence.
“Don’t worry,” Duncan said, smiling at his uncle in the rear-view mirror. “Everything is absolutely under control.”