100 Words – Kill and Purr
2010
Since I’ve moved (remember that? I moved.) I’ve been enjoying the simple pleasures of homemaking.
Hang on. Homemaking? Isn’t there a better term for that? One that’s not all wrapped up in antiquated ideals? Domestic arts? Hip home stylin’s?
I don’t know. Point is that right now I’m sitting by the huge Rumford fireplace with my L’apple (that’s what I affectionately call my Mac laptop), satisfactorily full — but not TOO full — of delicious homemade foods, surrounded by my beautiful things and I feel…happy. Content. At peace.
It’s been a long time since I’ve felt that way. So pardon me for a moment while I bask in it.
My pick for this week is from Evanstarwen. Loved the creative twist here. And let me just say, there were some other really awesome pieces as well, and I’m trying to spread the love around.
Killer in the Night
He prowled in the woods, all soundless precision and deadly intent. His keen eyes dismissed the darkness as a non-hindrance, while his sharp hearing tuned out irrelevant sounds to track the music he lived for: that panicked, frantic thrumming of a heart that recognized lethal pursuit. Fear. Ah.Exhilarating.
Almost there, within striking distance. His victim whimpered, terrified. He silently unsheathed his weapons.
Death.
Afterwards, he walked up to the cottage, calling to the woman inside. The door opened, revealing him as he stood in the light.
“There’s my baby,” she cooed, reaching for him.
“Meow,” he replied, purring contentedly.
Still no time for pleasure reading, but I am clearing the deck for National Novel Writing Month. So I grabbed one of our antique books off the shelf. This week’s prompt is from Memories and Vagaries by Axel Munthe, published in 1930. This edition was limited to 500 numbered copies, and this copy has the handwritten number 338. I love old books.
And because I can’t help myself, here is a little excerpt from chapter VIII.
“They say that love for mankind is the highest of all virtues. I admire this love for mankind, and I know well that it is an attribute of noble minds. My soul is too small, my thoughts fly too near the earth ever to reach so far, and I am obliged to acknowledge that the longer I live the farther I depart from this high ideal. I should lie if I said that I love mankind.”
The word is:
UNBIDDEN
P.S. I’ve gotten a couple of comments that say some of you are having difficulty knowing which post to put your link on for the current challenge. Or having difficulty finding the current post when you come back. To make it easier I’ve done two things.
1. I’ve made the “What’s the Word” box a clickable link.
2. I’ve added “Current Prompt” to the menu at the top.
Here’s a visual aid (click for larger image).
19 comments
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The Thief’s Story « Evenstarlight
[...] is a response to the 100 words challenge in Velvet Verbosity. The word for the week was “unbidden”. I chose this ... -
Purplemoose Gazette » Dreams of You
[...] This is my entry for this week’s Velvet Verbosity’s prompt “Unbidden”.I encourage you to check into the weekly prompts, ... -
Aurora's Creative Corner » Blog Archive » Unbidden
[...] This is written for Velvet Verbosity’s 100 word challenge on the prompt “unbidden“. [...] -
exercise to lose weight
Thank you...... Wow? Amazing in turn.. Many appreciation...
Wonderful choice! Love this one, but you’re right. Reading through your list is an embarrassment of riches.
I was planning all summer to do NaNo for the first time this year, but my November is shaping up to be so busy I am not sure I can commit. I am still wavering, opinions are welcome.
TinfoilMagnolia recently posted..It Was Time
Great choice. I’ve been reading her – I like her stuff. Now. As for unbidden. I must ponder this … unlike the prompt, I now am bidden.
lceel recently posted..The Tarot thing revisited
cracking up, lceel! You MUST write, because you are bidden.
Thanks for the smile.
Barbara recently posted..Pampered Pink
Thank you, lceel! I don’t know what else to say. This really made me smile.
Evenstarwen recently posted..The Thiefs Story
V V, the choice this week was great. I loved the imagery of Evenstarwen’s piece.
Barbara recently posted..Pampered Pink
I have to admit I too, was having some trouble finding the winner/new prompt each week. The two additional links solve that problem completely. Thanks!
I’m glad a few of you said something. The creator of a website can never accurately gauge usability because they can’t navigate it with fresh eyes. Though I love the visual aspect, I was ambivalent about the layout of this template since it breaks from traditional blog format. Hopefully those new links will solve the problem. I’ll have to include a screen shot in general instructions too. Or add a “New Here?” page or something.
Velvet Verbosity recently posted..100 Words Kill and Purr
Wow. This really made my day. Thank you for picking me, and thank you all for your kind words! Reading your wonderful 100 words posts is definitely one of the best parts of my week.
Evenstarwen recently posted..The Thiefs Story
Tinfoil-Do it! Seriously. Even if you don’t finish, it’s fun to try. There’s a bunch of fun people there, and the community is worth the price of admission.
And VV-The changes are perfect! Exactly what was needed!
I’m under username spudrph on nanowrimo.org, if y’all want to buddy up.
Michael recently posted..Then and Now
Thanks for the encouragement Michael. I would love to buddy up with any and everyone I “virtually” know who is doing this. I am in a void between 2 writeup areas which are each about an hour away from me, so online support would be all I have. I think I am “tinfoilmagnolia” on NaNo as well. Y’all give me some buddy goodness.
Velvet, the new format is wonderful. So much easier to navigate. Thanks for taking time to change things around a bit.
TinfoilMagnolia recently posted..Strange Days Indeed
The entries so far are incredible. I feel ridiculously excited whenever I see a new link on the list.
It’s nice to hear that people really look forward to this. Keeps me inspired.
This is a brilliant idea, and I love the community. So much talent. Thanks for hosting this.
Evenstarwen recently posted..The Thief’s Story
I agree, Evenstarwen! I check several times a day to see if there is a new post I get to read.
Encouraging lessa (my daughter) to write another piece. She’s the one who led me here.
Barbara recently posted..Dreams of You
That would be so cool if you both do it, a mother and daughter writing on the same prompt. I would ask my mom, but she’s ignoring her blog after she put it up. I hope your daughter goes for it, Barbara. The differences in perspective would be interesting.
Evenstarwen recently posted..The Thief’s Story