Happy “National Water Balloon Day“–obviously something created by folks looking for a way to cool off.  No water balloons here, but I do have a kiddie wading pool full of water that the puppy is enjoying splashing around in.

The weather here has cooled in recent days and is beautiful right now–perfect for working in the yard, walking the dog, and just enjoying the garden that has definitely appreciated the little bit of rain we got the other day.  Not enough to put out the various areas that are on fire, but at least it was a start.

Today will be a full work day for me, balancing a host of meetings while puppy wrangling (can you hear the barking from there?).  Somewhere along the way I’ll be giving today’s writing prompt and random words a try at some point.

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:   Going on a family camping 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:   

visitor           horseplay        loop                       hickory

contest         volcano           advertisement       dust

getaway       chilly                forgotten               parade

apricot         boundary         elevation               portal

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!

Happy Friday!  Hard to believe another month is coming to a close.  I was disconcerted to see back-to-school supplies in the stores a few weeks back, but apparently it is getting to be that time of year already.

I could swear that summer just started!

The weather here at the Writing Castle is beautiful–sunny skies and moderately cool temperatures–a far cry from the heatwaves places were experiencing last week or the flooding in other parts of the country currently.  The slightly cooler temperatures fit right in with “National Lasagna Day“, which is apparently today.

From vegan to seafood and dessert, lasagna fills recipe books around the world. Even the sauces come in a wide variety.  Many families create unique recipes that are passed down from generation to generation, with special sauces, and secret ingredients.  The origin of lasagna is debated with varying theories and, initially, the word lasagna referred to the pot in which the dish was cooked rather than the food. 

I may have to put off celebrating Lasagne Day until the weekend, when I have time to go to the grocery store for ingredients, but I’ll definitely be giving today’s writing prompt and random words a try at some point.

Care to join me? Continue reading →

Is it Friday again?  Seems like the week just started.  Whether your week went by quickly or slowly, I hope it was a good one.

We’ve been having some beautiful summer weather here the last few days — not too hot, not to cold, and no wild-fire smoke in sight.  The “not too hot” part is especially good since I’m in the midst of trying to repair a sprinkler leak and don’t want the plants in the yard dying of thirst while the water is turned off.

According to the calendar, today is “National Hammock Day“, which sounds like a great thing to celebrate.  Now if only I had some sturdy trees and a hammock to string between them, I’d be all set.  Maybe I’ll celebrate “National Mango Day” instead, since I do have a ripe mango.

Did you know that one mango contains almost two and a half times more vitamin C than an orange? Mangoes are also high in vitamins A, B-6 and K, antioxidants, potassium and dietary fiber.

Somewhere in between work, sprinkler repair, puppy wrangling, and mango eating, I’ll be giving today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

Care to join me? Continue reading →

Happy Friday! Summer is in full force these days, with clear blue skies and warm temperatures.  Unfortunately, it has also brought wildfires in many parts of the U.S. and, for the UK, a first-ever extreme heat warning.   All that heat/sun may be great for solar installations, but not so great for people and pets, especially people with jobs that require them to work outdoors.

Stay safe and hydrated everyone.

While “National Popsicle Day” might more appropriate, today is actually “National Give Something Away Day.”

Whether we give tangible items, financially, or by offering our skills and services, we lift others up. Our words can be a gift, too. Showing empathy, encouragement, and compassion to someone during a time of need may make us feel vulnerable, but it empowers those we offer it to as well. You can also share your time with others by volunteering. 

I have several boxes of items that are ready to be given away–today will be a great time for me to find a new home for them, in between a full work day of meetings and conference calls.  Regardless of whatever else I manage to do, I’ll be giving today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

Care to join me? Continue reading →

Welcome to another Friday! For those who had Monday off in observance of Independence Day, I hope you enjoyed your short-work week.  I had both Monday and Friday off, so this week just flew by.

Currently, summer is in full swing here and yesterday I filled up the doggie-wading pool for the puppy, who instantly jumped in and did her best to splash out all of the water.

She had a grand time.

I had less of grand time when she then ran through the dirt and in through the house, but it was nothing that a mop and a towel couldn’t take care of.  She is now busily dropping balls into the water and batting them around.

Simple pleasures are the best.

For me, today’s simple pleasures will include diving into the latest library book that finally appeared in my queue after weeks of waiting and making a big pitcher of lemonade now that the lemon tree has some ripe fruit on it.  Regardless of whatever else I decide to do (or not to do), I’ll be giving today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

Care to join me? Continue reading →

Happy Friday!  For those in the U.S., this is the start of a long holiday weekend (for most).  Somehow, celebrating the country’s independence this year is  somewhat bittersweet with the constant barrage of attacks on democracy and basic freedoms that have been going on.  The holiday is a good reminder to not take anything for granted.

On a happier note, the puppy, who is growing by leaps and bounds, is currently asleep and looking her adorable best–curled up like a little chocolate croissant with one ear flipped inside out.  Later she’ll be back to racing around the yard like she has a booster-rocket strapped to her back, but for now, all is peaceful.

Taking a nap sounds like a great idea — maybe I’ll join her once my work is done. Fortunately, I have the day off work today, so napping is definitely on the schedule.  Working in the yard is also on the schedule today, but first I’ll be giving today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

Care to join me? Continue reading →

Happy “first Friday of Summer”.

Nature has been taking the job seriously here this past week with temperatures that make me wish, once again, that I had air conditioning.  Even the puppy has been feeling the heat and has been searching our cool areas of tile to sleep on.  She is so stretched out that she looks like she has melted. 

Coincidentally, according to the National Day Calendar, today is “National Take Your Dog to Work Day“–or as I think of it, “every day” here at the Writing Castle.

For those who have had enough reality for today, it’s also “National Take Back The Lunch Break Day“, which sounds like a good idea to step away from the computer/phone/television, head outside, and enjoy some fresh air, a real lunch, and some social interaction.  

Whatever I wind up celebrating today, I’ll be giving today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

Care to join me? Continue reading →

Happy “it’s almost officially summer” Friday.

Here at the Writing Castle, the skies are blue, the sun is shining, and the flowers are gently waving the breeze — well, they would be if the puppy hadn’t eaten most of their little colorful heads off.  Ah well, this too shall pass (pun intended).

For those looking for something to celebrate, it is both “National Cherry Tart Day” and “National Apple Strudel Day“.  That sounds like a good reason for me to pull out the old family strudel recipe . . . or maybe I’ll just plan a trip to the local bakery instead.

For those who didn’t realize that this Sunday is Father’s Day, it’s also likely to be “oh no, I need to find a gift” day. 🙂 

Whatever thing I wind up celebrating today, I’ll be giving today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

Care to join me? Continue reading →

Welcome to the start of a brand new week.  

Normally, we post our weekly writing sprint on Fridays, as a way to end the week with a little creativity, but today we’re changing things up a bit.

In completely unrelated news, the Writing Castle is now home to a new puppy who is a high-energy, rose-bush-eating, bundle of fur who has not yet been convinced that the computer keyboard is NOT a chew toy.

Fortunately, she’s cute when she’s sleeping.

Needless to say, getting any writing done has been a definite challenge, what with attempting to puppy-proof the house and spending far too much time in the backyard asking “who needs to pee?” in a perky, cheerleader voice.

Sometime today, between work and puppy-wrangling, I’m determined to give today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

Care to join me? Continue reading →

Welcome to the end of another week.  

According to the Calendar of Days, today is “National Doughnut Day” or, if you prefer, “National Chocolate Macaroon Day”–both seem like tasty celebrations.

Although I’m always happy to celebrate Doughnut day, I hadn’t previously been aware of the story behind it:

The Salvation Army created National Doughnut Day in 1938 to honor the women who served doughnuts to soldiers in World War I. This day began as a fundraiser for Chicago’s Salvation Army. The goal of their 1938 fundraiser was to help the needy during the Great Depression.

In 1917, the original “Salvation Army Doughnut” was first served by the ladies of the Salvation Army. It was during WWI that the Salvation Army Lassies went to the front lines of Europe. Home-cooked foods, provided by these brave volunteers, were a morale boost to the troops.

The doughnuts were often cooked in oil inside the metal helmets of American soldiers. American infantrymen were then commonly called “doughboys.”

Who knew?

After work, If I can avoid getting donut crumbs all over my keyboard, I plan to give today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

Care to join me? Continue reading →