In Keith’s words. “Using this photo (Below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keith@channing.info before 6 pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here – pingbacks don’t often work.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.
The Photo.
The Gift by John W. Howell © 2017
“How did you come to buy this present for me?”
“It just spoke to me as I walked by it in the store.”
“What kind of store was that?”
“A little shop down on Thirteenth Street.”
“Thirteenth street? What was the address?”
“Six-sixty-sixth Thirteenth Street, why?”
“Oh, just a little curious. I noticed on the card that the store had a funny name.”
“Funny how?”
“All Things Eternal sounds a little weird.”
“Oh, I don’t think so. I think they stand behind their products is all.”
“Look at this inspection tag. It’s signed by someone named Cya.”
“A very common name in the apparatus business. You going to try them or not?”
“I’m just a little concerned about this whole thing.”
“Why?”
“Look down. That is one heck of a fall if they don’t work.”
“For heaven’s sake. There is a lifetime warranty.”
“A what?”
“Lifetime warranty.”
“Whose lifetime.”
“The user of course.”
“Now you’ve convinced me. There is no way I’m putting these wings on and stepping off this ledge.”
“Chicken.”
Fiction Favorites 
Ha! Good one John. I should be getting ready for Mordor, but I couldn’t resist taking a look at your post. Maybe I need more coffee and more sleep, but I didn’t know where you might be going. Okay so I desperately need both, but still… Hugs!
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If you can figure t out without coffee, I have failed. Thanks, Teagan. Hugs
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LOL…thriller writers and Christmas are an odd mix for sure. Another fun short story, John. Have a great day. 😀
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At least I didn’t toss him off the ledge. 😀
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Very kind of you. 😀
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My restraint. After all it is the holiday season. 😀
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Ha ha! Nice job, John. Just looking at that photo makes my palms sweat.
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Jill
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“They said this hotel room had an ocean view!”
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Ha ha ha. Good one, GP.
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I wanted to stay away from the obvious – this was all could do!!
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You did well.
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I love it, John. We seem to be building parallel universes here.
In case you’re interested, the shot was taken in September 2002 from the room we were occupying in the New York Athletic Club on the edge of Central Park – as I recall, it was on about the fifteenth floor (a friend had arranged it for us and booked us excellent seats for 42nd Street to mark our first visit to your country).
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Wow. What a great introduction. NYCAC is a great place to stay.
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The only difficulty was that I had to pop into (I think) Macy’s for a jacket and tie, so I’d be allowed in the front entrance. Great location, though, and from what I can gather, not somewhere you can just book and turn up. We had to sign in as guests of our friend. Oh, and 42nd Street was a great show.
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Yeah the coat and tie thing was a gotcha. I met a guy for cocktails there once and borrowed a tie.
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Probably for the best. The universe is always looking for another Icarus.
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Thanks, Charles.
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🦔
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Very good, John. Unexpected (as I’ve come to expect) but funny.
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Glad you liked it, Dan. 😀
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Another unexpected ending, John.
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Thanks, Teri. 😀
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You really have a lot of fun with these. As soon as I hit the address,I knew you had something entertaining tucked away in your writer’s sleeve.
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Gotta wonder who the gift giver was. Thanks, Mae.
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Thanks for another chuckle. Wings were the last thing I expected.
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Thank you, Jan. 😀
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Better to buy flight gear at the airport than a shop called All Things Eternal and better to have it inspected by FAA than Cya.
BTW “Cya” was brilliant writing.
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Ha ha ha. Thanks Greg. Coming for a brilliant writer, I am humbled. 😀
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So is that bus 6019 or 6109? Let me know when you get down there.
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I think with the convention of driving on the right side (NYC) and reading left to right it is *splat*
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ha ha ha.
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😀
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Fascinating to read your account of this photo, John. My eye was drawn to the guy jay-walking in front of that black limo. Love your take, and I have to say, I wouldn’t try the wings either!
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A little risky I would say.
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Hilarious, John – and so creative! Gotta find a way to bottle your creativity – you’d make a fortune. I dare say it would be a better seller than those wings…
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, John. I think those bottles will sell well if they have a Molson label.
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How about this: Howellson’s creative Brew
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There you go. We’ll market it in Sweden.
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I kept thinking it sounds like a gift from the Twlight Zone:) Very glad they questioned it and didnt try to fly…one has to wonder about the gift giver though….
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I know right. Who could it be? 😀
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Ha! Really good, Charles!
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😀
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😀
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“Wow, it’s beautiful, Benny! I’m huffing and puffing, but the view is worth it! How many steps you figure we climbed getting up here, Sweetheart?”
“Wake up, Mindy! You’re dreaming! AND, who the hell is ‘Benny’?”
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Ha ha ha. Nice job Billy Ray.
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Thanks, Good John! Wishing all good things for the Howell family during the holidays and throughout 2018! ♥
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Thank you, Billy Ray. All the best to the Chitwoods as well
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LOL! I had no idea where you were going with this tale and then surprise! Never saw wings. Evah! I thought you’d do something with that bus, and the number on the roof. Too obvious I suppose. 🙂
Good one as always!
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Thank you, Deborah. Yes I wanted to do a Christmas gift from the devil.
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🙂 LOL!
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😀
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[…] The Gift by John W. Howell © 2017 […]
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