C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

You are here: Home / Blog Hops / It’s Time To Write About Love On This First Wednesday

It’s Time To Write About Love On This First Wednesday

By

Elephant Child

This month is special to me for a lot of reasons: I met my husband in February. My birthday’s in February, and chocolate eating is encouraged in February. So to celebrate…I’m posting the prompts for February’s WORDS FOR WEDNESDAY. Of course, all the prompts will have something to do with LOVE, so I hope you’ll get into the spirit of St. Valentine’s month and leave your story in a comment. If you don’t want to play, enjoy what others leave. It’s fun no matter how you play.
Here’s what Elephant’s Child writes to explain the meme:

“Essentially the aim is to encourage us to write.  Each week we are given a choice of prompts: which can be words, phrases, music, or an image.  What we do with those prompts is up to us:  a short story, prose, a song, or a poem… We can use some or all of the prompts, and mixing and matching are encouraged.”

Choose either column one or column two, or if you’re really into this, write something using the words from both columns. Ready. Set. Go!

RealizeFlummoxed
StickyDiet
Chocolate-coveredStuffed
WrappedInspected
DoorbellHeart-shaped
DelightBox
Sign of the Green Dragon by C. Lee McKenzie

Let me do a quick segue into another love-related topic-FOOD! But What Are They Eating? is hosting The Sign of the Green Dragon today with my post From Quesadillas to Bok Choi. Come see what my kids munch on during their adventure to find hidden treasure.

#IWSG
Join Us Now

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG posts. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or a story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional!

Is there someone who supported or influenced you that perhaps isn’t around anymore? Anyone you miss?

The awesome co-hosts for the February 2 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler,Jacqui Murray,
Sandra Cox, and Lee Lowery!

My husband was my staunch supporter. He read what I wrote, and that alone was a huge deal because he was a non-fiction-technical manual-financial report kind of reader. When I needed to get to a book event anywhere in the world, he helped me with the details: flights, packing, presentations. Yes, he even listened to what I planned to deliver at conferences.

If I was up in one of my MOODS-“I can’t write…Why do I even think I’m a writer…”Nobody’s going to read this!-he was there to talk me down. I guess I don’t need to state it more clearly. I miss him and all that he did for me every day.

Quote of the Week: “You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”  Dr. Seuss

Comments

  1. When the doorbell rang, James realized that he was an idiot. He had forgotten a big day. When Annie has a diamond on her finger, there are certain actions a guy must take: Buy gift, buy large obnoxious card, search for flowers, find… Oh, he is so dead.
    Throwing on clothes and grabbing his wallet, James flew out to the nearest store, a CVS pharmacy. List in hand, James checked off each gift.
    Anything wrapped sticky, chocolate covered? Check. Obnoxious glittery card? Check. Flowers? A little shy on that supply. What else? What else? James’ chest constricted.
    This gift had to be something she wouldn’t expect. Frustrated James looked around him and giggled. Grabbing a basket, he walked along each aisle, tossing whatever he could into the basket. Animated teddy bear? Oh yeah. Hello kitty plush in a mug? Yup.
    James lost control. Aisles rolled by miraculous items he threw into the basket. Water pistols? Heck, yeah. Six pack of Diet Coke? Hello Kitty bath toy? Better believe it.
    James was exhausted. At home, he wrapped up the haul with Christmas paper, and finished just in time. Annie walked in and giggled with delight. When she got to the Hello Kitty, James sensed the moment passing. Desperately, James handed her a gift bag.
    Annie pulled out a red and pink woodchip wreath (good price, $25). Life was good again. Until next time.

  4. Siento llegar un poco tarde, pero no os lo he podido enviar antes porque he estado el fin de semana de viaje.
    A continuación os pongo el relato escrito por mi nieta Daniela, de once años.

    LLega San Valentín y yo a dieta para quedarme como un delfín.
    Estoy desconcertado porque me comería relleno de chocolate hasta un pescado.
    Alguien llamó a la puerta, y cuando abrí, había una caja en forma de corazón, ¡Ay! un regalo, ¡que ilusión!.
    Pero que decepción, porque ya lo he inspeccionado y no era un bombón.
    Otro San Valentín, sentado en mi sillón.

  9. Happy birthday and have a lot of chocolate this month! You have special memories of your husband’s support and that’s wonderful and touching. And your word prompts have a lot of potential for February and Valentine’s Day.

  10. Tan pronto salga de la escuela, mi nieta Daniela, le pasaré las palabras, porque me dijo que quería volver a participar.
    Dicho esto, te comento, que mi esposa y yo pasamos del Día de San Valentín, porque desde que nos conocimos hace casi cincuenta años, siempre hemos tenido claro que es un día de puro consumismo, y para decir un dulce “te quiero” mirando a los ojos de tu pareja, dar un cariñoso beso de amor, o entregar un bonito regalo porque te ha salido del corazón comprárselo, cualquier día del año es bueno, y no el que te impongan las firmas comerciales.
    En casa nunca falta ese delicioso y adictivo manjar que es el chocolate, del que un fraile dominico español, que lo elaboraba en su Monasterio, en el siglo XVII, dijo: Vienen de todas las regiones del país a comprármelo, por eso mismo, yo nunca lo probaré, porque desde el día que lo haga, por su adicción, dejaré de mandar en mi casa.
    Gracias, por tu buen hacer, y espero pasar de nuevo con lo escrito por mi nieta.
    Un cordial saludo.

    • I’m happy to meet someone who agree with hubby and I on Valentine’s day - at least for married couples.
      I look forward to Danielas writings. And thanks for the history lesson 😉
      Sorry for not having the energy to write in Spanish (too long ago I learned it, but still I can read!).

  12. Hi Lee,

    Happy to hear that February is a HAPPY month for you…and I LOVE one of your reasons…CHOCOLATE!

    February is usually one of my least favorite months because so many unpleasant things happened during this month. But, over the years, the sadness mellowed and now I can concentrate on the happy aspects of the month for me. Both my parents and grandparents were married in this month, my mother was born in this month, and there is Valentine’s day, of course… Enjoy your birthday…and all that YUMMY CHOCOLATE!

  13. I couldn’t work “doorbell” in but the other words are all there.

    The other day I made an infrequent visit to a shopping mall and I REALIZED how much I detest them. I confess to being a tad FLUMMOXED with the obscene level of marketing for Valentine’s Day with HEART-SHAPED (the heart is a pump by the way), CHOCOLATE-COVERED everything everywhere you looked. I watched one fellow buying some STICKY concoction for his wife, I suppose, because he was wearing a wedding ring. But who knows for sure……? He paid extra to have the BOX WRAPPED in some gaudy paper, with a bow big enough to use as a hood ornament on a car, and seemed DELIGHTED to INSPECT all the metallic tinsel and tacky paper that would soon clog the landfill. The thought occurred to me that the recipient of this gooey mess might be on a DIET, and after she has STUFFED herself with 500 calories per bite and sent her blood sugars soaring, might be inclined to ask questions such as “Do I look fat in this dress, dear?” It might be truthful to reply “You look fat in everything”, but survival must be taken into account, and honesty can take a back seat to that. As for me, I buy socks for my wife, nice warm socks, and that’s better than all the chocolate crap in the world. Ask her and she will tell you it’s true!

  15. May you have the best February, Lee, filled with a happy birthday, lots of chocolate, and memories of your wonderful husband! I’m am reading lovely tributes to husbands as I visit around today. There are so many good men in this world. It fills my heart and gives me hope. I’m sorry for your loss.

  16. Heart-Shaped Box is a song by Nirvana. Just looked at the list and that caught my eye.
    Happy birthday!
    Hope you had a good IWSG day! I was under the weather earlier this week (not the C👾vid, don’t worry), but I’m much improved now.
    I’ve been scheduling debut author interviews at Operation Awesome. If you know one, please tell them to reach out to me.
    Over at the a-to-z challenge, plans are hatching for April 2022, including a big event this month (starts Feb 4). Any interest in doing a guest post for one of the letters? Maybe match it with the new book? Email me if you think you might want in. Alex is doing L.
    Plus, WEP has the “All You Need is Love” flash fiction challenge on February 16 - 18.
    Quote for February: “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” -John Bunyan

    • So happy to see your comment, Lennie! And glad that you were only under the weather in a “light” way and not having to deal with Covid.

      I’ll email you about the guest post in April. As always it sounds like fun! Thank you for thinking of me.

  17. Happy IWSG day.

    She was flummoxed as she inspected the heart-shaped, pink foil-wrapped packet with slow dawning delight. Anu realised her expectations on this Valentine’s day had been low. She had broadcast her newly begun diet and didn’t think anybody would send her anything stuffed, sticky or chocolate covered.

    This was fun

    • Love that your husband is your support. GT is not into my books, but if I need him to lug books around, he’ll be right there. I guess that’s something? I love the quote. I’m swiping it to share. Thank you.

  19. Hello, I’m using all 12 words! Here goes.
    Honey, can’t you hear our doorbell? Trying to wake up I looked around, and immediately became speechless and flummoxed realizing today was Valentine’s Day and like clockwork my hubby always had a heart-shaped box of chocolate candy waiting on my nightstand. Until today. No card not even a sticky-note confessing his love for me. Quickly I scanned our bedroom even popped my head down and inspected under the bed. No box of candy there and nothing stuffed under my pillow or anything heart-shaped to be found. Oh my. Twenty-six years of marriage and he forgot? No, this can’t be happening. So, I headed downstairs, no hubby and then what to my bewildering eyes did I discover next? Eight tiny reindeer, no wait that’s another story, were my eyes deceiving me? I should mention for future reference never say you’ve gone on a diet before Valentine’s Day, or you might find a heart-shaped bowl filled with oatmeal and stuffed with pistachios, bananas and sushi for breakfast! I kid you not. Just as I was trying to wrap my head around all of this, our doorbell rang again. Okay, okay I’m coming and as I flew open the door, there waiting on my porch was a bouquet of wildflowers in a vase with a lovely red ribbon wrapped around it. The card said, “For my Valentine, All my love your sweetheart. (Oh, you don’t have to eat the oatmeal.)”

  20. He inspected the heart-shaped box , realized a sticky chocolate-covered diet wrapped in and – anyone flummoxed? – just had stuffed the “delight” into the bin, when the doorbell went.

  22. Words for Wednesday sounds like a fun exercise! I’ll have to try it sometime.
    A wonderful tribute to the support and encouragement of friends and loved ones. May we be heartened by the fact that they remain in our hearts, if not in our lives.
    Please don’t get me started on chocolates, I’ve had to give up M&Ms as it is 🙂 But as far as candy celebrations go, Valentine’s is better than Easter - at least in my book.
    Happy writing in February!

  23. I’m right there with you, Lee. My husband was my rock, in every possible way. When he passed away, I did not know how I could go on without him. Of course, we do. And they would want that for us. Now, I encourage my friends to do less fussing and more loving. We know not the day when our loved ones will be taken from us.

    • When I read your post today, I understood all that was behind the words. Loss of our people is heartwrenching. Loss of our mates is beyond expression. Thinking of you and understanding what it’s like.

  25. I’m a huge supporter of your chocolate reason!
    I can’t imagine what it will be like when the day should come that my own husband leaves. I’m definitely inspired by how you’ve kept going with so much energy and joy.

  26. That Seuss quote is a great one indeed.

    Sounds like your husband was a wonderful supporter of your work.

    • No choice, right? We just get up in the morning, do what must be done, go to bed at night. Repeat. But there are good times, too. All is not gloomy, and I know my husband wouldn’t want it to be.

  28. How wonderful for you to have had the experience of the love of your life. He sounds like a wonderful man and partner in life. Of course, you miss him every day and carry his kind words and support with you always.
    Hugs to you, my friend.

  29. We and maybe many people love February. I dont know why? We dont call it “Love Month” but whole world celebrate Valentines day in this month. I think february isnt a normal month! Maybe it is a different, unique and special month (Miracle month for the one). Happy February.

  30. Here is my story for Words for Wednesday, with both sets of words included:
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    The DOORBELL rang. Afraid to hope, she WRAPPED her hand around the doorknob and pulled, but the door was STICKY. It took her three tries to open it, and then DELIGHT enveloped her. Her friend Cat-Tail stood in the doorway, grinning like an idiot jaguar-shifter he was, the CHOCOLATE-COVERED fur around his muzzle belying his otherwise tough warrior appearance.
    “I didn’t REALIZE chocolate was so tasty,” he said sheepishly. He seemed FLUMMOXED. “They were STUFFED with raspberries.” He offered her the empty pink HEART-SHAPED BOX in his scarred paws. Guilt flickered in his yellow eyes. “I bought it for you but I ate it all. Couldn’t resist.”
    “I’m just happy you came back alive from your mission, you stupid cat.” She stood on tiptoes, grabbed his ears, pulled his face down, and kissed his nose. It tasted of chocolate too.
    “Chocolate is not the main item of my DIET,” she said as she INSPECTED him for injuries. He seemed to have come out of his latest adventure unscathed, and her worry finally eased. She tugged him into the house and closed the door.
    “Come,” she said. “I have fish for you to celebrate your success. Pacific salmon.”
    Oh, fish,” he purred happily. “Even better than chocolate.”

  31. My birthday is also in February. Happy birthday to us, and lots of chocolate!
    It is great to have had such a supporter in your husband. Even though he is gone, your memory keeps him alive.

  32. Your husband was awesome. Here are my words:
    I looked at the cellophane wrapped heart-shaped box with delight. My doorbell had rung, but when I opened the door, the only thing on the front porch was a box of chocolate covered cherries. I was flummoxed as to who may have brought them, until I realized it didn’t matter. I was on a diet to lose ten pounds, but I quickly ripped through the box wrapping and stuffed two candies in my mouth. With sticky fingers, I turned the box over to inspect the nutrition label. I stared in horror at the skull and crossbones and a sticky note from XXX Exterminating. “Put one or two out in your garage to take care of your rat problem.”

  33. Happy Birthday. And birthday month.
    I love that your husband was your rock and support and that you have happy memories to sustain you.
    Thanks for the most excellent prompts too - I have loved reading through people’s takes on them and will be back again.

  34. She and I speak different languages and have different priorities.
    This morning is a case in point. When the doorbell rings she and I both get up. I scurry away, and she rushes to answer it. I was flummoxed. Doesn’t she realise that her mother was right to teach her about stranger/danger? No-one who needs to ring the bell is welcomed here by me.
    When the coast was clear I re-emerged to find her exclaiming in delight about the heart-shaped box of chocolate covered cherries she had just received.
    I inspected the box carefully. It was too small to get into. Fail. The individually wrapped treats she was so happy to get smelt sticky and sweet to me. Another fail. She stuffed another one in her mouth saying sternly ‘diet tomorrow!’ Diet? Yet another fail.
    Despite our differences she loves me. And I love her too. Purring I settle down on the chair beside her.

    • Oh my this was super-tender-sweet and loving, and funny too at the same time. And stranger-danger, this was wonderful and it’s kind of what I have told my children and now my grand-children, “Just because the doorbell rings doesn’t mean you have to answer it!” Stranger-danger!

    • Elephant’s Child: Oh, I like this ending, it’s perfect.

      Have a lovely day.

      P.S. I wish the background is a little lighter as if it is rather hard to read the comments or the post itself.

  35. I’m sorry for your loss.

    It’s always interesting what people come up with for the words. There are so many ways to go. I admit, I really hate Valentine’s Day, so I’ll just grumble over here in my corner.

  37. Your post today gives us all another reason to cherish each day. Your strength and creativity and sense of humor lightens some of the darkness. Yes, we should honor our loved ones with good memories, and affirm the value of holiday and chocolate!

  40. The taste was silk and heaven. Caramel trailed on my tongue as I slowly swallowed. Lost in the several seconds of one heart-shaped chocolate, I ignored the doorbell, the barking dog, and above all things, I stuck another piece of chocolate deliciousness from that brand new box on the counter, back in my mouth.

    Happy IWSG day. I love your post. You always inspire me.

  41. I know what you mean about the husband. Mine is my sounding board and always supportive. His favorite line which I always appreciate-“It’s fiction!” Yep, he’s right.

  43. What a blessing to have him in your life. Those of us with supportive spouses don’t realize how fortunate we are until we hear stories from writers who aren’t as lucky. I’m going to try the Words for Wednesdays. Sounds like fun.

    • Thank you Diane. And I look forward to your reading the story you come up with using the prompts. It’s fun and I’m always amazed what writers manage to create with such odd and seemingly disconnected words.

  44. Lovely, that your sweetie was so supportive.

    ***My story using all the words***

    No one was there when I answered the doorbell. I took a cursory look around but didn’t spot anyone hiding in the hedges or walking quickly away down the sidewalk. It was only as I was about to shut the door that I saw it: a heart-shaped box wrapped in red cellophane. A single rose lay across the top.

    Of course I picked it up and inspected it closely, but there was no note, nothing to indicate who it might be from. I was flummoxed. Who could it be? I mean, I live alone, I don’t date. I’m not even interested in dating. I don’t go out and I’m not looking. I’m perfectly content to be a single, middle-aged woman living alone who might describe as being a bit frumpy. But since I’m not trying to impress anyone ask me if I care what others think about me?

    I did realize it might be a bit dangerous to open a supposed box of candy that mysteriously appeared on my doorstep. Who knows, maybe it was poisoned or laced with hallucinogenic drugs. But something deep inside was absolutely delighted, so in it came. To hell with my so-called diet!

    The box was stuffed with chocolate-covered strawberries, my favorite, which I promptly stuffed into my mouth. Oh! the wonderful sweet stickiness of it all.

    That’s when the doorbell rang again. Mouth full and no doubt smeared with chocolate I answered it. A handsome young man stood there with a somewhat anxious look on his face.

    “I left a box of chocolates here by mistake,” he said.

  49. My story, using all the words. - Great prompts.
    ———————————————————————————————-
    When the doorbell pealed its loudness into her living room it startled her. What on earth? She wasn’t used to visitors. She pulled herself up on her cane which was always nearby and slowly shuffled her way out to the hall. She was quick to realize there was no one there peering through the stained glass.
    The door was always sticky and she wrenched it open with some effort, flummoxed, ready to tell any lingering mischievous schoolboy to go and get stuffed.
    She inspected the heart shaped box on the porch step, wrapped in red paper and a huge ribbon.
    With difficulty, she leaned over, and picked it up and brought it inside.
    No, she suddenly thought with delight. What date was it? February 14th! She had completely forgotten. How many years now, she calculated on her fingers, fifty-one years?
    He was out there, her Dietrich, still loving her from afar, still remembering their passionate affair in Berlin when they were committed to others. Still sending her chocolate covered roses once a year.
    —————————————————————————————————-
    XO
    WWW

  50. Hi, Cheryl-Lee!

    Happy 1st Wednesday of February, 2022, dear friend!

    It was touching to read about your supportive spouse and a very special relationship that started in February, the month dedicated to romance. It was huge for him to take time to read all your written works, help you prepare for trips and rehearse your conference presentations. Giving generously of one’s time is perhaps the most meaningful way of showing love.

    The quote by Dr. Seuss resonates big time. It applies to love, but I think it also applies to writing or anything else we are passionate about. You know you have found your muse and are in the zone when you hate to set aside time to eat, sleep and shower because your mind is on fire with writing ideas.

    Happy February birthday to you, dear friend Cheryl-Lee!

    • You’re right, Shady. When you’re passionate about something, the world is perfect. I’m glad you wrote this in your comment, but then you always have an interesting take on things. Love reading what you write.

  51. I’m sorry for your loss, Lee. I don’t imagine his absence ever gets easy. Happy IWSG day.

  59. Hi Lee - the first set:
    The doorbell rang, delighted, she rushed to get there first … her little brother was not going to get his hands on the delivery – Valentine’s Day was special.

    He always had chocolate-covered, sticky paws – he was always eating.

    Urgency – the bell went again … she opened the door, the postman passed her a wrapped box, which was, of course, addressed to her. Then she realised it was not chocolates … but another book to curl up by the fire and read. Much better for her … yet sticky fingers were also not needed on her new Mills and Boon book.

    Cheers Hilary

    Good luck to all authors …