... is what this week brought (unlike the wider world's activities, for which much thanks.)
And it is grateful I am for Terrie's blazing return, along with the sparkling and colourful rockets offered by the rest of you, all insisting on several re-readings to extract full enjoyment. Hard to choose, but eventually, so glad to have the back, I settled on the 'dillos, as captured in The Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 123.
this week’s words are: drift camel sanguine
Entries
by midnight Thursday 12th November, new words posted Friday 13th
Well done, Terrie - you deserved this in spades. hugely entertaining series.
ReplyDeleteA "blazing" return indeed, Terrie! Way to go!
ReplyDeleteAnd the 'dillos are back with a vengeance. Magnificent crop of tales last week, Terrie. Applause...Applause...!!!
ReplyDeleteYour accolades are so welcome everyone. If it wasn't for this wonderful site the 'Dillos would probably not have found their way onto a page. I really enjoy writing about them and as I had been absent for a while I thought a good catch up was in order but you might not get such a full crop of tales in future.
Deletemany congrats, a bit late but it's like that, nearly like a Dillo nightmare... you capture these creatures so well!
DeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 125
ReplyDeleteCinereus chuckled sanguinely, searching the ground and selecting items as he went. ‘I can help cleanse their senses.
Trub kin you get that rock with the hollow in it, while I get what I need.’
Armi, Trub and Tosca watched as he pounded his leafy collection, added water and dropped something dark from his pouch into the brew. A foul scent and camel coloured mist drifted from the mixture.
Despite protests, every Vark and Pangolin forcibly drank mouthfuls of the stinking brew.
‘Remind me not to get drunk around that old reprobate,’ Nigel muttered.
Cinereus looked up, ‘I heard that.’
"camel colourd mist" truly inspired!
DeleteThat must be some special ingredient from the pouch. A hair of the dog of sorts.
DeleteThis nicely written entry reminds me of reasons not to drink!
Deletethe sense of nasty goings on filters through this, along with the camel coloured mist... which is pure genius, it really evokes the images you write so precisely.
DeleteExtract from a Martian Travelogue
ReplyDeleteAll routes lead to the fabulous domed city at Olympus Mons.
There is no better way traverse red desert trails than astride a magnificent mechanical camel. Strap yourself onto the back of one of these technological miracles, connect your respirator to the substantial oxygen reserves stored in its hump, and immediately you feel somehow imbued with a sanguine sense of security. Sands may drift on mighty storms but your mount will steadfastly find its destination. Swaying to the forward motion you’ll find yourself channelling the panoramic splendour of David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia.
Have we a con man at work here? Very interesting, David.
DeleteHow much? I want one. Great use of the prompts for a promo which might be found in one of Heinlein's worlds.
DeleteYou've caught the tone of desperate purveyors of leisurely delights perfectly - my toes are curling.
DeleteA humorous and entertaining piece, David. Very clever.
Deleteclever, mirroring OTT copywriting and setting it in a future time and make the whole thing seem reasonable...
DeleteI really liked the imagery you have conjured David, it draws the reader in and cleverly entices them to try the journey.
DeleteWrong place, wrong time
ReplyDeleteAnything but sanguine, the drifter paused and shielded his eyes from the scorching sun.
“What the hell?” Ahead, tethered camels stood.
“Ahoy!” he called out, hurrying forward. Surely they could spare some water. He halted when he saw the boy roasting on a spit.
A man with a rifle spoke. “Too bad you had to see that.”
“The roasted lamb, you mean?”
“I wish it were so, but alas, it isn’t”
The drifter turned and sprinted on wobbly legs as shots fired. Miraculously, he ran on, unhurt.
“Wake up, Henry.” His wife scowled. “You promised to paint the living room today.”
Henry may very well be wishing he had stayed asleep. Good one, John.
DeleteLOL. Henry needs to postpone the painting and seek help.
DeleteWhat colour was he going to paint it?
Deletewhat a nasty dream - but we ask, which is worse, the dream or painting the living room...
Deletereally enjoyable cleverly constructed sentences that by turn create concern, horror, thrills and a brilliant final line.
DeleteCRIME SHOW
ReplyDeleteRay Anderson loved crime shows, especially those featuring gruesome murders and dismemberment. He was watching one tonight. His TV screen showed a woman reading a magazine. A man - tall, handsome - entered the scene. The woman smiled warmly, sanguinely.
Ray stiffened expectantly.
The man approached the woman, who offered a pack of Camels. He lit one and watched the smoke drift slowly upward.
Ray stood up.
A gun appeared in the man’s right hand. A shot rang out.
Ray pulled the CD from his DVR and looked at his wife slumped in her chair.
He smiled. Time for dismemberment.
I think lockdown is getting to us. Wow - to get so much menace and violence in a mere 100 words. Impressive.
DeleteI trust he has another CD to show him how.
DeleteWhat a ride, Jim. I enjoyed this greatly. Nice use of the camel prompt.
Deleteyes, I was impressed by the camel prompt use too - but more than that, how much badness is crammed into a seemingly innocuous CD...
DeleteASS TO FRONTWARDS
ReplyDelete“All that baby fat I could milk you like a camel if we run out of water.”
It seemed to Caolin that Colm had become quite sanguine during the process of patching up his leg.
Of course that gave way to the odd stifled chuckle as he was carried over Colm’s shoulder – and the mocking smugness as Colm exaggerated the act of asking Caolin’s backside for directions.
“Moonwards, you say?”
Caolin could smell a month of hilariously disrespectful remarks on the brew.
He was glad when he drifted off to the rocking motion of the man’s gait over rough ground.
Caolin needs to have a dart concealed about his self.
DeleteWhat unusual, great dialog. It really made this piece pop.
Deletesharp, precise and excessively nasty when we get to the last line. Very cleverly done.
Deleteso much to enjoy about this . Wonderful dialogue giving it real pace and easily imagined action.
DeleteDessert? [Threshold 324]
ReplyDeleteRaven, benefitting more – or recovering faster – than I from flat beer and sex whose peaks had been several and sky-reaching, and unaware the drift-hit vibration of my inner skull matched the churning of new-conceived belief) drove on. Lack of sun lost us a distant shine to aim for, and the camel-coloured sands darkened to sanguine, making it harder to spot the green of vegetation we sought for sustenance.
'Or birds,' he said, after barren miles.
Sourly, 'You've learnt to fly?'
He pointed, veered and steered towards a distant, shifting blackness which, as we got closer identified itself. Triumphant, 'Road kill.'
Beer and sky reaching sex... not a bad day. And then came the road kil. Nicely done, Sandra.
DeleteSuch vivid and clear use of language, Sandra! Masterfully done!
Deletetight written nastiness in many ways, vivid and carrying the serial onward. I can't tell from the writing which one is your favourite, Sandra, but I bet this is close to being the top one. Just a feeling.
DeleteThis is such a great series Sandra. I always look forward to reading threshold.
DeleteChange of focus [399]
ReplyDelete'Aleks' diary? You've been reading Aleks' diary?' Pettinger's temper, having been lulled to sanguinity, erupted with alarming intensity. He stood. Loomed across the breakfast table, shouting in her face. 'Christ, Philly. Never mind that bollocks about camels and needles' eyes, that's a gross abuse of hospitality!'
Coolly amused, 'Camels? What've they got to do –?'
'Whatbollockingever! You know what I mean! I trusted you!'
Something close to remorse drifted across her goldfinch eyes. 'You don't need to worry. He's only got good things to say about you.'
But he'd beaten her to her bag. Was first to seize her notebook.
You showed us Pettinger's ire very nicely. Love those goldfinch eyes.
DeleteHow wonderfully you describe Pettinger's fiery temper, Sandra.
Deletenot sure that was a good move on Philly's part but there's very little that pleases Pettinger anyway... the diary entries might well be useful in the future...
DeletePart 30
ReplyDeleteThe spirit world remains sanguine even in the height of the fever of Covid-19 causing so many thousands to join them in the spirit world. The numbers drift ever upwards but after so many fraught days and endless casualties, we tend to read and pass on. For many in the NHS it is clear the coming winter is likely to be the straw breaking the camel’s back. Those in the spirit world are doing their best to support, guide and help those trying to keep living ones on this side of life but it is a battle with many losses.
Covid is certainly doing its part to keep the sprit world supplied. I liked you camel prompt use.
Delete"straw breaking the camel’s back" - ha! Forgot about that possibility.
DeleteStop The Week; I Want To Get Off (123)
ReplyDeleteHere we go with plans being discarded… difficult to be sanguine in these circumstances. The good news is, I am viewing a classy Toyota this Friday lunch time, with luck my final buy, when this one dies I will not drive again, It’s too easy to drift into over familiarity with the road when you’re older. Shaun found these wheels. I swear if I asked for a camel he’d find it in three days.... my old car broke down so no visits to the shop although they’re needed but we have time to put ourselves together again. Haven’t we???
I'd definitely take the Toyota over the camel. Nice one.
DeleteShaun definitely has hero qualities. shopping for a car.
DeleteIf this is your last car, Antonio, you should have opted for a Mercedes or a Porsche. Go out in style!
Deletenot in Ryde where cars are left in public car parks... at least that's my excuse!
DeleteI collect the car Saturday morning!!
DeleteThe Mad Italian (182)
ReplyDeleteThe President-elect is surprisingly sanguine about the fiasco of his predecessor refusing to accept the will of most of the people. It is easy to see the divisions and know the drift toward the loser will be difficult to halt. A herd of camels would be easier to direct than the voting public when elections dominate the thinking and more than that, the emotions of those who have cast a vote and become disappointed at the outcome. Everyone thinks the vote should go their way… it’s one of life’s sad truths, you rarely get who you vote for…
Spot on comments from the erudite Italian. Any election creates grumblings from the losing side for sure.
DeleteHow true that people think their vote is the correct one. A contemplative view from the Italian.
ReplyDeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 126
ReplyDelete‘Sarg, may I call you Sarg?’ Pink Fairy waited for her nod. ‘I’ll get straight to it then,’ ‘I’m aware danger threatens the valley and want to offer support and any help I can.’
He delicately brushed camel-coloured mud from his feather-boa, ‘Please don’t let my appearance, or size, deceive you; I am experienced in covert operations.’
A flicker of uncertainty and doubt drifted across Sarg’s snout.
‘I have access to a considerable amount of items that may be of help to you: Weaponry and some nasty little potions too.’ he added sanguinely.
Sarg’s expression changed to one of interest.
I can see Sarge's eyebrows raising in interest. Go Pink!
DeleteThe Book From The Sea 3
ReplyDeleteMalook rubbed at his camel-coloured hair and grinned, sanguinely, ‘I’ll keep a tight hold on my purse don’t you worry.
I’m leaving at first light; will you see me off?’
Prekor nodded.
They toasted their wine-goblets together, drained the contents and went to bed.
That night Malook’s dreams flashed with images of deep water, fierce fire and dark stone, and he drifted restlessly in and out of sleep until the pale light of dawn warmed his back.
Splashing water on his face, he raked at his hair, pulled on his clothes, and went to finish packing his collection of belongings.
At first I thought Malock's dreams were from whatever he drank, but I think hes just anxious about his travels.
ReplyDelete