Grab Bag Writing Challenge - March 2021
- bygone - crumble - dowdy - fond - nostalgic - onetime - past - recall - reminisce - retrospect - summon - tribute - venerable - wistful - yesteryear -
by Aurelia West
Terra had never considered herself wistful, but she couldn’t help but reminisce at the sight of her onetime stomping grounds. The tallest of trees rose around the small clearing, the thickness of their stumps a tribute to the many years they had stood watch over the clearing.
Terra began to circle the clearing, lost in her nostalgia. She recalled times past with her friends, where they would zip around as if no one could catch them, pretending to summon animal familiars to serve as their companions. In retrospect, there might even be traces of their fond times within this section of forest, from a bygone time when they were more carefree. She knelt near the closest stump, digging through the brambles that surrounded it.
After what felt like more digging than should be allowed, Terra successfully pulled out a rather dowdy doll. Its hair was tacked on straw and it looked seconds away from crumbling into nothingness. Suddenly, she remembered the day she buried it here, clear as day.
The village’s venerable oracle had told her that one day, long after she’d left the village, she would return there. This, so far, was true. She would be searching for a key, some item from yesteryear that would assist her on her journey. Terra supposed that also was true. The doll held memories she herself had nearly forgotten and holding it once more in her hands had inspired a new flame in her soul. She hadn’t been searching for it, but it seemed the doll had given her enough energy to go on.
Terra had never considered herself wistful, but she couldn’t help but reminisce at the sight of her onetime stomping grounds. The tallest of trees rose around the small clearing, the thickness of their stumps a tribute to the many years they had stood watch over the clearing.
Terra began to circle the clearing, lost in her nostalgia. She recalled times past with her friends, where they would zip around as if no one could catch them, pretending to summon animal familiars to serve as their companions. In retrospect, there might even be traces of their fond times within this section of forest, from a bygone time when they were more carefree. She knelt near the closest stump, digging through the brambles that surrounded it.
After what felt like more digging than should be allowed, Terra successfully pulled out a rather dowdy doll. Its hair was tacked on straw and it looked seconds away from crumbling into nothingness. Suddenly, she remembered the day she buried it here, clear as day.
The village’s venerable oracle had told her that one day, long after she’d left the village, she would return there. This, so far, was true. She would be searching for a key, some item from yesteryear that would assist her on her journey. Terra supposed that also was true. The doll held memories she herself had nearly forgotten and holding it once more in her hands had inspired a new flame in her soul. She hadn’t been searching for it, but it seemed the doll had given her enough energy to go on.
by Emily Spencer
Bonnie knew all too well that most people's first impression of her was "dowdy grandma." She would not lie; it hurt, even though her husband, Ralph, was quite fond of reminding her that she shouldn't put stock in such talk. Still, she could not help but reminisce about bygone days and wishing they could have met the girl she was back then.
Before her body had started to crumble into old age decay, Bonnie had been the belle of the ball. She could easily recall a time when she could summon the boys to her side by a mere tilt of her head. Not to brag, but it was a tribute to her youthful reputation as jitterbug queen that had captured the heart of Ralph Summers, the boy she would go on to marry. "Not bad," she thought wistfully. Yes, in years past, she had been considered quite the catch!
Nostalgic notions aside, she had work to do that involved much more than dreaming nostalgic dreams about yesteryear and her onetime reign as a dancing diva. The venerable "life of the party" had supper to attend to, clothes to wash, and errands to run for Ralph, who had managed to forget (conveniently, if you asked Bonnie) to go the market yet again. Men! With a wry shake of her head and a chuckle, she rose to go about her day. "Come to think of it," she thought in retrospect, "forgotten market runs and all, I wouldn't have it any other way!"
Bonnie knew all too well that most people's first impression of her was "dowdy grandma." She would not lie; it hurt, even though her husband, Ralph, was quite fond of reminding her that she shouldn't put stock in such talk. Still, she could not help but reminisce about bygone days and wishing they could have met the girl she was back then.
Before her body had started to crumble into old age decay, Bonnie had been the belle of the ball. She could easily recall a time when she could summon the boys to her side by a mere tilt of her head. Not to brag, but it was a tribute to her youthful reputation as jitterbug queen that had captured the heart of Ralph Summers, the boy she would go on to marry. "Not bad," she thought wistfully. Yes, in years past, she had been considered quite the catch!
Nostalgic notions aside, she had work to do that involved much more than dreaming nostalgic dreams about yesteryear and her onetime reign as a dancing diva. The venerable "life of the party" had supper to attend to, clothes to wash, and errands to run for Ralph, who had managed to forget (conveniently, if you asked Bonnie) to go the market yet again. Men! With a wry shake of her head and a chuckle, she rose to go about her day. "Come to think of it," she thought in retrospect, "forgotten market runs and all, I wouldn't have it any other way!"
by February Fortescue
I love decorating my home! Many people in my area of the United States often go for a Country/Modern feel, with beige walls, wooden tables, and brown couches. It's unusual to find someone break out of the norm. Me? I love vintage! My home in part looks like a tribute to some bygone era. I think I'm most proud of the Panther Lamp that I recall inheriting from my mother's side of the family. In the past, it was believed that watching television would hurt your eyes, and the 1950's had all sorts of tv lamps. In retrospect, I'm not sure that is completely accurate and these lamps don't put out much light, but some of them are very beautiful. The Panther Lamp in particular is black, sleek, and very modern looking.
I also own a Bell System rotary phone from yesteryear. It's also black in color. It's surprisingly very heavy, and because the phone lines have changed, it won't dial out, but I believe it will still ring in. Because it's so heavy, I figure if an intruder breaks in and I can't locate my cell phone in order to summon the police, this rotary phone would make an excellent weapon! This phone has lasted since the 1960's – no part of it is about to crumble or stop working, either! It makes me nostalgic for the past when things were created to last and you only had to buy them onetime, rather than over and over again like today's cellphones. It also makes me reminisce about simpler times. There wasn't much technology then and much less information to keep up with.
Another item I own that I'm fond of and makes me wistful for the older days is the venerable "record player," which is what I'm told it was once called. Mine actually once played record albums and 45's. It does appear a bit dowdy compared to the sleekness of the Panther Lamp and the rotary phone, but because it needs a new needle and I own several records, I'm tempted to look for a newer model for this one – perhaps one that includes a cd player as well. I'll skip the 8 track and cassette players – I never liked how easily they could become damaged and I've never been drawn to them.
I love decorating my home! Many people in my area of the United States often go for a Country/Modern feel, with beige walls, wooden tables, and brown couches. It's unusual to find someone break out of the norm. Me? I love vintage! My home in part looks like a tribute to some bygone era. I think I'm most proud of the Panther Lamp that I recall inheriting from my mother's side of the family. In the past, it was believed that watching television would hurt your eyes, and the 1950's had all sorts of tv lamps. In retrospect, I'm not sure that is completely accurate and these lamps don't put out much light, but some of them are very beautiful. The Panther Lamp in particular is black, sleek, and very modern looking.
I also own a Bell System rotary phone from yesteryear. It's also black in color. It's surprisingly very heavy, and because the phone lines have changed, it won't dial out, but I believe it will still ring in. Because it's so heavy, I figure if an intruder breaks in and I can't locate my cell phone in order to summon the police, this rotary phone would make an excellent weapon! This phone has lasted since the 1960's – no part of it is about to crumble or stop working, either! It makes me nostalgic for the past when things were created to last and you only had to buy them onetime, rather than over and over again like today's cellphones. It also makes me reminisce about simpler times. There wasn't much technology then and much less information to keep up with.
Another item I own that I'm fond of and makes me wistful for the older days is the venerable "record player," which is what I'm told it was once called. Mine actually once played record albums and 45's. It does appear a bit dowdy compared to the sleekness of the Panther Lamp and the rotary phone, but because it needs a new needle and I own several records, I'm tempted to look for a newer model for this one – perhaps one that includes a cd player as well. I'll skip the 8 track and cassette players – I never liked how easily they could become damaged and I've never been drawn to them.
by Prof. Tarma Amelia Black
Sometimes, it is difficult to look upon the past and not wish one was back in that time. Remember when? How often does yesteryear seem to be more bold, more brave, and more fun than it is now? Reminiscing about past challenges and tributes, even of perhaps a onetime event, such as the winning of some sort of acclaim during a trivia challenge, can be attractive and cause nostalgic memories and feelings of 'what was.'
At the same time, though, summoning old memories of bygone days, might contain within them an incentive to create even more actions or activities to continue on in the feeling of 'doing something fun.' Fond memories of partaking in sporting events, recalling the sheer adrenaline (or relief) of crossing the finish line (whether it be first or simply surviving the event to actually finishing it) or wistful thoughts of what fun it was to be in a dance marathon could lead a person to … but what comes next?
There are all kinds of options available, if one wants to be appreciative of the past, but continue on in the 'Now.' Participation in some venerable activities, which have been around for ages and given a great deal of respect, like Tai Chi or Aikido or another martial art (even if the uniforms are a bit dowdy), could crumble away any layers of sloth, awakening the dormant athlete who, in retrospect, may not have been all that great in sports, but surely had a good time!
Sometimes, it is difficult to look upon the past and not wish one was back in that time. Remember when? How often does yesteryear seem to be more bold, more brave, and more fun than it is now? Reminiscing about past challenges and tributes, even of perhaps a onetime event, such as the winning of some sort of acclaim during a trivia challenge, can be attractive and cause nostalgic memories and feelings of 'what was.'
At the same time, though, summoning old memories of bygone days, might contain within them an incentive to create even more actions or activities to continue on in the feeling of 'doing something fun.' Fond memories of partaking in sporting events, recalling the sheer adrenaline (or relief) of crossing the finish line (whether it be first or simply surviving the event to actually finishing it) or wistful thoughts of what fun it was to be in a dance marathon could lead a person to … but what comes next?
There are all kinds of options available, if one wants to be appreciative of the past, but continue on in the 'Now.' Participation in some venerable activities, which have been around for ages and given a great deal of respect, like Tai Chi or Aikido or another martial art (even if the uniforms are a bit dowdy), could crumble away any layers of sloth, awakening the dormant athlete who, in retrospect, may not have been all that great in sports, but surely had a good time!