Although it is titled Friday Night Quickwrite, you can join us and share anytime during the week. I will provide a spark or prompt with some kind of inspiration to get your mind going, and when you are ready, just write and share.
This week I am sharing a text from Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. This book is full of short entries organized from A to Z that captures moments, observations, and emotions from her life. This book is full of writing ideas and inspiration. The one I used tonight is filed under “Childhood Memories” and includes a table with the heading of “What My Childhood Tasted Like.”
In my notebook I made a table similar to AKR’s with food items and a little snippet of what they remind me about my childhood. It was fun to recall these special memories. I even texted my siblings and asked them about foods, and we share many of the same memories.
I am always intrigued how foods, smells, and songs attach themsleves to memories. Many of these food items on my list could be written as a memoir, a poem, or even a short story. Full of writing possibilities!
Please join me and writing about your childhood tastes and share it with us below. Happy writing and enjoy your long weekend!
Leigh Anne is currently on summer break and is waiting for the water temperature to warm up so she can read while relaxing with her sister and daughter (both teachers!) in the pool. When not on summer break, she teaches 6th grade ELA in southern Indiana.
Three Teachers Talk 
I enjoyed this prompt. It reminded me of my ancestors and the time spent with family. Like Cathy, many desserts came up. I do love my sweets. I also noticed that many were associated with the strong Italian men in my family – my dad, my grandfather, and my great grandfather. Thank you for another wonderful writing experience, Leigh Anne.
LikeLike
I am glad you enjoyed it, Heather! Food connects so many memories for me, and I really would write about more of them. Thank you for joining us!
LikeLike
This was a trip down memory lane for me. It brought many smiles as I wrote. My mom expressed her love for us through her cooking and many of her dishes became “traditions”. I also noticed that I remembered many, many desserts. I guess that’s where my sweet tooth came from. Thank you for this delightful prompt. This list could begin a focus on memoir poems for me.
LikeLike
I carry on many food-related “traditions” as well. I think this prompt could lead to so many other writing pieces too! Thank you for sharing!
LikeLike
Friday Night Special — Breakfast for dinner: eggs, bacon, and pancakes with boysenberry syrup
Popcorn — a “must-have” in order for UCLA to win its basketball and football games
Spaghetti with meat sauce — felt super sophisticated when we switched to Prego sauce
Not eating my mother’s hamburgers — she tried to trick us by calling them “McMom’s” but they were awful. She now admits that because she was always on a diet, she’d buy super lean ground beef — they tasted like cardboard.
Peanut butter and lettuce sandwiches on whole wheat bread — another “dislike” — this time for lunch. When I complained to my mother, she told me that my father liked them, so if I wanted something else, I’d have to make it myself. I ate them.
Banana milkshakes — a staple of my after-school diet. Loved this with a slice of toasted sourdough bread and butter.
LikeLike
These sound like wonderful memories, Margaret! I have a special popcorn memory with my mother! Thank you for writing along with us, and I hope you will join us again!
LikeLike