Saturday, July 24, 2010

Saturday Centus: Medford Bound

Jenny Matlock

I am joining Jenny Matlock and gang for her Saturday Centus. Each week we are given a prompt, a phrase in which to design a story or poem around. We are limited to 100 words, not counting the prompt. This week's prompt is, well, let's just say this week's prompt is pretty darn "wordy". The prompt will be in bold in my story below. You can use the prompt anywhere within your writing. I whined about the prompt all day long so decided to go ahead and use that as part of the story as well. So without further ado, I present to you:

Medford Bound 

Driving six hours is a long time on the road. Six hours spent singing “car”aoke and taking in the picturesque scenery, but mostly reminiscing about the good times. But those days were long gone and my mind was in a different place now. Or was it? My pulse quickened as I passed the road sign which read "Medford 27 miles." 

“What the heck is this?” I asked myself when I read this prompt. This isn’t a prompt; it’s a freaking 60 word essay! Let’s scratch all of the above except the last line. There, that’s better. I can work with that. Now where was I?

My pulse quickened as I passed the road sign which read “Medford 27 miles”.  That’s still a ways but its proximity made me hurry my pace. I was eager to finish. I hurt all over and am not even sure I will make Medford by sundown. These walking sticks sure give one a great workout!

22 comments:

Viki said...

Ha,Ha, Ha. This was pure genius. Loved it. Great Centus.

Bookie said...

This was different! Like the idea of walking...but it would be a far piece!

Brian Miller said...

walking 27 miles...might hurt worse than the sunburn i got today..lol. fun play polly!

Terra said...

I wonder how many will think you are blind with your stick or how many angry dogs you will have to contend with?

I also think it is funny how a 60 word prompt seems SO long to us now that we are only writing with 100 words...I complained a bit too - I had to read it a lot to get my mind wrapped around it...

that said - I actually love what you did with this challenge and I am going to read it again bfore I part!

Anonymous said...

brilliant my friend;)

cj Schlottman said...

Wonderful! I love your twisted take on this "60-word essay." It was harder than I thought it would be, but you nailed it.

And thanks for your comments and reassurance. Actually,my character was purely fictitious. I have attended every one of my HS class reunions, and in 2011, we'll have our 45th! I always have a great time, and when my husband was alive, he looked forward to them as much as I did....said my crowd was a whole lot more fun than his. And yeah, I was a nerd, but a cool one.

Terra said...

PS I love that Mr. Sister is blogging! I had no idea! What fun is that. I will try to keep an eye out for wonderful posts from HE...

Malisa said...

Loved it! You were just like me...I had to do a word count on the prompt! Ha! Great way you twisted that prompt to totally work for you! And who would have guessed about the walking sticks? Oh, I really enjoyed it!

Malisa

Vicki/Jake said...

Different take on it for sure....

Weezer said...

You crack me up, you know that? I never know which direction your mind is going in. This is great!

Kim Lehnhoff said...

Walking? In this heat?

Let's hope the story takes place in Fall...

And I want to know where you came FROM, since you just come up to the sign - how far have you been walking?

Eager to hear the rest of the story.

jfb57 said...

Great take on the prompt! I agree that is did seem like an essay! I enjoyed this!

S. Susan Deborah said...

Polly:

You know more that the prompt or anything else, it is wonderful to see you trying and playing around with words.

Sitting back and enjoying the antics.

Joy always,
Susan

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Very funny!!!!! You're right too - it was more of an essay..... :)

Kat said...

Ha ha ha! I love what you did with this. But walking? Really? This must be fiction lol. What a fun, original take on the prompt this week, I really enjoyed this. Kat

Willoughby said...

That was quite the prompt! I love what you did with it!

Tina said...

I'm grinning. I too thought the prompt was rather restrictive...but a challenge is good for us, right? I love how you incorporated that into the tight little story you told.

Jenn Erickson said...

Polly, I like the challenge of the abbreviated prompt, and I love what you did with this one. Tee hee, walking sticks.. a wonderful creative twist!

Cheryl said...

Nice nice nice! Loved how you twisted this within an inch of its life.

Life@Cee said...

That was a clever way to alter the prompt without actually altering the prompt. Healthy, too, including the walking sticks.
Cee

linda said...

Very good!

Jenny said...

Clever, clever girl.

And if you can really walk 27 miles with Nordic Walking Sticks NO WONDER you can still fit in that dress, girl!

Cool use of the prompt!

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