The One-Minute Writer: Today's Writing Prompt: What's wrong?


What’s wrong with this picture?

It’s half past eight and the kids are in bed. It’s time to relax on the couch in front of the television. However, something is different about tonight. The large couch is empty. There is no Hubby lying, stretched out, remote control in hand, constantly flicking through the channels from one comedy panel show to another. Hubby is working late. I can actually watch what I want to tonight! Let’s hope there’s something worth watching then!…

The One-Minute Writer: Today's Writing Prompt: Meal


Today I have to write about the who, what, and where of my ideal meal.

I always rave about the fabulous meals we had on our honeymoon in Sorrento, Italy.  We stayed at the exquisite Capodimonte Hotel on a half-board basis.  Every evening, we were treated to a gastronomic delight of Neapolitan fayre: antipasti, soups, pasta, succulent meats in delicious sauces, and a variety of tasty seasoned vegetables.  After filling up on the large portions of scrumptious starters and main courses, I always made room for dessert.  I have never tasted such deliciously moreish cakes and puddings, as I did on my honeymoon: chocolate, strawberry and lemon profiteroles, tiramisu, and various flans and gateaux.  These culinary delights were topped of by bottles of Italian wines.

I would love to return to the Capodimonte Hotel with my husband of twelve years and our beautiful twin daughters to savour some more ideal meals.

The One-Minute Writer: Today’s Writing Prompt: Role

Today, I have to think about the various roles I play in my life. If I had to give up all but one, which one would I keep?

I’m cook, cleaner, chauffeur, entertainer, nurse, referee, teacher and confidante.  All these roles fit together to make the ultimate role of being a mother.  There is no other role so demanding nor so rewarding.

The One-Minute Writer: Today’s Writing Prompt: Better

“Someone really needs to design a better…”

… child-friendly restaurant.

I’ve been to many restaurants that purport to be “child-friendly” over the years, but I’ve yet to see one that truly lives up to this description. 

Someone really needs to design better toilet facilities for child-friendly establishments.  They would have low pedestals with fold-down child seats, non-touch flush, and there would be anti-bacterial wipe dispensers beside the toilet rolls. There would also be a couple of larger parent and child cubicles.  These child-friendly toilet facilities would have low sinks, reachable easy to use taps and low child-friendly soap dispensers.  They would also have low quiet hand dryers.  (My twin girls are terrified of hand dryers that sound like jet engines!)  There should also be good baby-changing facilities and comfortable baby feeding areas.

Someone really needs to design a better children’s menu with healthy nutritious meals that are appealing to children.  The food should be served with children’s cutlery and drinks should be served in plastic children’s cups with optional ‘sippy cup’ tops.

Someone really needs to design a better table for child-friendly restaurants.  Each table should be equipped with bottle / baby food warmers and steralisers, table-top activities to keep the whole family amused.

The ideal child-friendly establishment would also have a softplay area, amusement arcade, games room, and disco / entertainment area.  The walls would be decorated with a gallery of beautiful children’s artwork.

The One-Minute Writer: Friday Fiction: Swing

Today I have to write a brief bit of fiction using the prompt, “Swing.”

The intruder was back. I could see him from my kitchen window. He had just come into my garden over the back fence. He moved purposefully towards his goal, not knowing (or caring) that he was being watched.

He jumped onto the table, but there wasn’t much left for him to scavenge there.  He had his eyes on the bigger prize, but could he reach it?  He leapt up to grab the washing line.  I watched him swing back and forth until he managed to get on top and scurry across to the bird feeder filled with tasty peanuts.  Mission accomplished.

The One-Minute Writer: Today's Writing Prompt: Family

Today I have to write about someone I know who is not related to me, but is like a family member.

As a child, Thursday nights meant three things to me:

1. Top of the Pops on the telly
2. A visit from Auntie Lena, and
3. Sweeties!!  (Courtesy of Auntie Lena!)

Auntie Lena is not really my aunt, but rather she is a friend of the family.  She is the younger sister of my Mum’s best friend from her school days – Margaret (who now lives in Maryland, USA, and has done most of her adult life).

Growing up, we saw my “Auntie Lena” just as often, if not more than, my ‘real’ aunts and uncles.  Today, Auntie Lena still attends all our family parties and celebrations.  She has never married and has very little ‘real’ family of her own in the UK, but she is most definately a cherished part of our family!!

The One-Minute Writer: Today's Writing Prompt: Wind


Today I am the wind’s interpreter:

Let me breeze in amongst the garments hanging on your washing line.
With my breath and the sun’s rays it’ll be dry in no time.

Let me whistle through the branches with their leaves all turning brown.
With my persistent whipping all the leaves will soon be down.

Let me whip up all the litter that the humans have tossed aside.
Blowing your garbage in your face is the only way I can chide.

The One-Minute Writer: Today's Writing Prompt: Pet


Today, I have to describe an everyday scene from the point of view of a pet.

Yikes!  I nearly bounced through the roof of the run there!  I wish The Nice Lady would get that noisy back door fixed.  Every time the humans open or close that squeaky door, my sister and I get quite a fright.  Us rabbits are nervous creatures, you see.  That’s on account of us being prey animals.  Our fight or flight responses are finely tuned.

We soon calm down when we realise that it’s just The Nice Lady coming out of her home.  Then we watch her to see what she’s up to.  Yes!  She’s opening the trunk with all our rabbit goodies inside.  It must be feeding time.  Yippee!

“Race you to the bowls, Sis!”

Hop, hop, hop!…

Before setting out on a long plane or train journey, I make sure I have ample reading material with me.  There is nothing that will make my journey pass quicker than a good book.  I like to completely immerse myself in the story.

However, if my long journey is by bus,coach, or as a car passenger, then I would have to make do with an audiobook on my MP3, as I tend to suffer really bad motion sickness on these modes of transport.

The One-Minute Writer: Today's Writing Prompt: Overindulgence

In what way is 21st century society the most overindulgent?

We live in a very overindulgent society.

Single people and couples are living in large executive houses with a lot more rooms than they need.  Many of these people have huge modern kitchens with all the latest mod-cons, but they never use them!   They may have a gleaming stainless steel range cooker, but they never cook!  Instead, they eat out, buy take-aways or perhaps pop a ready meal in the microwave!

People are regularly replacing items such as televisions, mobile phones, computers and furniture, when they are still in good working order.  They do not need to replace these items, but simply want the latest model or just fancy a change.

Many mothers are not dressing their second child in hand-me-down clothes, but buying everything from scratch again!  Clothes are being replaced, rather than mended.

People buy too much food at the supermarket, resulting in fruit, vegetables and bread being thrown out, having gone off!

We live in a very wasteful society!