I’m nearly halfway through the writing challenge I set myself, twenty random words, each to be included in one story or piece of writing. Some have been more straightforward than others – for example, the second, donkey , had no end of possibilities – we have seaside donkeys here in Weston-super-Mare on the beach in the summer. My dad had a mule called Starlight when he was in Italy during the war in a mountainous region. A story about his mule could easily become a story about a donkey. In the end I wrote about donkey-stones, a product made from ash and cinders, formed into a pebble shape and used to clean doorsteps etc. The first on the list, by chance was ‘last’ – and for a while I thought about a cobbler’s last, but in the end wrote about the last night a group of friends were together.
Since then, I have had spiffy, lumber, taboo, root, heat, carriage – and now I am on ‘needless’. I’ve pondered on this for a while now but have come to no conclusion – but I’ve not set myself a time limit, so I will start when I have a moment to put my mind to it. As the list was randomly generated and as the challenge is to write to it without adapting or changing or discarding any of the words, they do seem, to be honest, rather dull. However a challenge is a challenge and I will rise to it.
Mentioning challenges, the TV programme ‘Masterchef’ is full of challenges. There are several different ‘Masterchef’ programmes, amateur cooks, celebrity contestants and professional chefs which has been the most recent series. I love food and cooking, but it’s the competition between different people, and the impact it has on them which interest me most. Cocky cooks can come unstuck, nervous cooks can falter – or blossom, enigmatic people can reveal more of themselves – or maybe what they seem is what they are. It’s about personalities and character as well as skill, knowledge and experience.
I won’t mention who won this latest contest, and won’t comment in any way which might give a clue for people who haven’t quite caught up with it yet. The only thing I will say is that I was delighted at the outcome, I thought all the participants right from the start were talented and did their best, that the demonstration of character, courage and creativity, and determination was impressive, and the support and kindness they gave to each other and generosity of spirit actually brought tears to my eyes!
I’m already looking forward to Masterchef 2025 in the spring next year, even though a shadow has been cast over it because of the apparent behaviour of someone associated with the show. Meanwhile, I have to plan what we’re having for meals over Christmas!
Lois Elsden 