Writing Prompt Wednesday #33: Life’s a Picnic

Did you know tomorrow is International Picnic Day? Me neither. I love looking up things like that.

Nothing’s better than a picnic. My family and I love picnics and we start going as soon as we can and for as long as we can. We have a few picnic spots in the city and a few outside.

We usually ride our bikes with a wicker basketful of goodies and a picnic blanket. Preparations are part of the fun, and the best part is getting there. I usually take a book as I can’t imagine a successful picnic that doesn’t include laying on the grass and reading, if only for a little while.

Over the years, we’ve acquired some accoutrements we deemed necessary; in addition to the basket and blanket, we have bamboo cutlery and plates, various containers and Thermoses. Can you tell we take picnicking very seriously?

Writing Prompt: Write a story or poem that somehow includes a picnic. Maybe the characters are getting ready for a picnic, maybe they’ve just returned, maybe something happens at a picnic. See where this prompt takes you.

Post your story/poem or link in the comments by June 29 to be included in the round up.

Posted by:

Ula

I’m a (vegan) broccoli addict. Also, I’m a wife, mom, copy editor, health writer, yoga and meditation teacher, and soon-to-be personal trainer and health (sleep, stress management, and reovery) coach. I love coffee, my dog Jazz, two cats, Kimchi and Pixie, and the color dusty rose.

14 responses to “Writing Prompt Wednesday #33: Life’s a Picnic”

Solveig

June 18, 2015

There is a story in my head that started growing while I was trying to fall asleep last night… Thankfully you do give a good amount of time to come up with one.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Ula
  
  June 19, 2015
  
  I’m looking forward to reading what you come up with.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
Silver Screenings

June 19, 2015

This is an excellent writing prompt. A picnic could go in all kinds of directions…!

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
Cindy

June 20, 2015

Once Upon a Picnic – by Cindy Scott

“It almost seemed impossible to believe. I mean when you look at it, it doesn’t look like it should be anything,” I said, pointing at a plate on the blanket that was spread across the ground. “You agree with me, right?”

The girl sat across from me and just kind of shrugged. She picked up a banana. “I am not the most knowledgeable about such things,” she said trying to ignore the plate and its content. “I had to pick up the plate to take it out of the basket. I got my look at the thing. Really you should know, I mean you mom made the damn thing!” She tugged at the banana’s stem, it cracked, and there was a definite smell of banana in the air. “I think you should try it, she said pointing with the banana and smiling. “Right now!” She took a bite of banana and nodded.

“Mariana, I don’t like trying new things. Not sure why it was included. I thought it was a desert or something.” I made a grand gesture at the banquet, “Besides Mom made far too much food. We could never hope to finish it all. This is a picnic and picnics need hot dogs and hamburgers.”

Mariana eyed her companion and shook her head. “Well, okay, soy dogs and veggie burgers too,” I added. I hated when Mariana reminded me she was a vegetarian. Hell at least she still like cheese and ice-cream. I took another look at the plate lying in the center of the blanket.” I never asked what mom made for our picnic. I just assumed that she included the regular stuff. I lean over to sniff the plate. There was a decidedly nutty smell to the plate. ”Well, we shouldn’t let it ruin our picnic, should we?”

“I am not going to be the first one to try it,” Mariana coughed as she laid down the peel on her plate and picked up a bottle of water. “I will stick with what I know, and she pointed to the pile of cheese sandwiches.”

“You’re the one who is always telling me that I need to try new things. Why are your afraid to try it?” I asked.”

“Well…yeah, okay. But you’re not trying it either and you are pickier than me. I like what I know and what’s in them.” Mariana smiled and picked up a sandwich, taking dainty little bites.

“That’s weak and not fair! You should try something different,” and I gestured at the plate sitting there, looking rather lonely in a room of hamburgers and cheese sandwiches. Mariana looked at me, as if to judge me and my choices. “Oh don’t look at me like that, Mari. Something different that doesn’t have meat in it. Like this,” and I held up the plate, leaning it towards her. “Yum?”

“Ah, no!” she said firmly.

“But, you don’t know if there is meat.” Mariana turned her head to watch a swooping aerial display of starlings and chickadees over the adjoining field.

I put the plate down and scooted over to her. “Fine! You don’t have to eat it, whatever it is, Mari.” I put my arm around her shoulders. “We can just enjoy this picnic that Mom made for us, promise?”

She was still looking away at the rolling fields of gray-green grasses, daisies, and buttercups. “Come on, I promise not to make big deal about what you eat, if you won’t make a big deal about what I eat. Also, plate is forgotten?”

She turned her head slowly and shoved me away, “Okay, Goober,” and picked up her water bottle again. “Now I am kinda curious to know what your Mom made for us.”

“We should leave it be,” I said.

“How about this, one taste for each,” she said. Mariana leaned forward and picked up the plate. “You know, we are acting like kids who don’t want to eat their spinach or pork chops.”

I laughed, “Yeah, in a way we are.” I picked up a plastic fork and gently scooped up the saucy and spongy thing from the plate. “Tell my Mom I love her,” I said is a dramatic tone. Another sniff and I could smell nuts and something like chocolate. It has to be a dessert. Maybe? “Okay, going to do it,” and I took a deep breath and opened wide.

Surprisingly, I didn’t die. Neither did Mari.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Ula
  
  June 23, 2015
  
  I like how you built up the suspense and left us wondering until the end. I wonder what it was. Was it any good?
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Norah

June 20, 2015

International picnic day. Now there’s one worth celebrating! Should be more like that! 🙂

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Ula
  
  June 23, 2015
  
  There are many interesting holidays. I like to check once in a while.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
  1. Norah
    
    June 24, 2015
    
    I’m pleased you did – and shared! 🙂
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
If we were having coffee – 20 June 2015 | Solveig Werner

June 20, 2015

[…] I can finish it today, I’ll post my entry to this weeks writing challenge hosted by Ula @ the Confessions of a Broccoli Addict, the theme is Picnic, which definitely suits the seasons of this weekend. I think that I might […]

LikeLike

Reply
Elissaveta

June 23, 2015

Now I want bamboo cutlery.
I love picnics too and the preparations are the best part. It is all too easy to just drop by the shops and buy a salad and a loaf of bread and I hate to admit I have done this before but comparatively, spending the morning whipping up some healthy snacks is a lot more rewarding.
I shall be waiting for the next sunny weekend eagerly.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Ula
  
  June 23, 2015
  
  To tell you honestly, we rarely use the bamboo cutlery, but it is nice to have.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
A long forgotten picnic | Solveig Werner

June 23, 2015

[…] is my reply to the writing prompt from Wednesday 16th of June 2015 provided by Ula @ Confessions of a Broccoli Addict. The prompt is “Write a story or poem that somehow includes a picnic. Maybe the characters […]

LikeLike

Reply
Stories of summer | confessions of a broccoli addict

June 23, 2015

[…] Want to take a shot at another writing challenge? There’s still time to respond to the picnic prompt. […]

LikeLike

Reply
We’re going on a picnic or two… | confessions of a broccoli addict

June 30, 2015

[…] Below are two responses to Writing Prompt Wednesday #33: Life’s a Picnic. […]

LikeLike

Reply