the Challenged | Writing Prompt | August 22

Lazy Leo Laments

It’s still August, so technically I’m not late!

Photo by Juan Ordonez on Unsplash

This about sums up my summer writing ambitions.

Since melanoma surgery in early July, the phrase “couch potato” can aptly be applied to me.

I offered up a prompt for August, for writers of the Challenged.

August 22: Leo is the fifth sign of the zodiac, spanning from July 23 to August 22. Do you have a Leo in your life? Tell us about them. (Bernadette E Wallace)

I fully intended to publish the response to my prompt on the given date.

But other responsibilities took priority. It was my husband’s 75th birthday.

Sorry for the delay…

The Leo I know can be full of energy, or downright listless.

Laziness is her worst flaw. She has others.

She can exhibit jealousy, impatience, pride, sullenness, stubbornness and impulsiveness.

Wow. Why would you want to be anywhere near this woman?

Because these negative traits are far outweighed by her positive ones.

She is compassionate.

Someone once told her, “You have the gift of mercy. You care so much about others.”

This was the best compliment she’d ever received. She holds it close to her heart.

She is loyal.

Her family, friends and co-workers knew this. They could always count on her to be there.

She is courageous.

Challenges are met with decisiveness. She faces them as tasks to be completed.

She is passionate.

Life is for the living, she dares to try new things. She took up sewing when she inherited her dad’s old Singer.

She is creative.

While her dream of singing on Broadway never came true, she finds other outlets.

Karaoke nights always tempt her to take the stage. She can really belt out a tune! Her go-to song is “When Will I Be Loved,” by Linda Ronstadt.

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(You’re welcome.)

Creativity shines in her writing skills. As many of you know, she can express life’s experiences through words that speak to your heart.

Like this one…published in the Challenged.

[embed]Unplug For 24 Hours Do you think you can do it?medium.com

This Leo is far from perfect, but she strives for it most of the time.

She won’t let you down, if she can help it.

To that point…thank God August has 31 days!

I refused to let the hard working editors at the Challenged without my submission. It’s in their rules after all.

Thanks so much to them for another month of inspiration!

© 2026 Bernadette E Wallace

[embed]August Prompts I’m all out of appropriate adjectivesmedium.com