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 keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm 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.
“Okay, so how far have we moved?”
“Today?”
“Very funny.”
“I’m serious.”
“Yes, if you must joke, today.”
“Twelve feet.”
“Twelve feet? You must be kidding. I’m sure we have come further.”
“Further than yesterday’s sixteen feet.”
“This is insane. How can we continue to stay on this road when it is obvious the traffic isn’t going anywhere?”
“Um. Check the barrier in the middle.”
“Huh? Yeah, that does look pretty formidable. How about to the right?”
“The hills.”
“Drat. We’re trapped like rats. What kind of vacation is this anyway?”
“I think rats have a better chance. I would say it is a survival kind of vacation. We are out of water.”
“How can we be out of water? We packed enough for three days.”
“We’ve been sitting here for four.”
“We have? Where have I been?”
“A real good question. How’s that book coming along?”
“I guess I have been a little preoccupied.”
“I would call it ‘deep trance’ rather than preoccupied.”
“Well, there is a plot point I have been trying to work out.”
“That point where the man and woman are trapped in a cave and can’t get out.”
“That’s the one.”
“Art imitating life I think.”
“Huh?”
“Never mind. Did you work it out?”
“Yes. It seems they found an old flare gun and fired it through a vent in the ceiling of the cave and were rescued by the Coast Guard.”
“Oh, that is ingenious. Isn’t there a Coast Guard station near here?”
“Let me look on my phone. Oh yes, there’s one about three miles from here.”
“Do we have a flare gun?”
“Gosh no. Wait. Are you thinking of the cave rescue.”
“Could be. Open the sunroof. Maybe I can yell loud enough for help.”
“We are not in a cave.”
“Could have fooled me.”
Fiction Favorites 
Thanks, John. Don’t you just love holiday weekend traffic?
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So much fun. LOL
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Looks like the MassPike on Friday of a holiday weekend. Great use of the photo, my conversations were never that G-rated.
Good job, John.
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Ha haha. I had to translate the comments into PG. Thanks, Dan
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Reminds me of every disaster movie evacuation scene ever.
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We need a big monster stepping all over the cars. LOL.
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Truck-a-saurus!
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I like it. 😀
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I conceded, John. I tried a few lines, but written out, they really sounded stupid. I admire your imagination.
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Thank you, GP. I was trying to do the other lane but it didn’t work out o I went with the traffic. Some days it just takes work.
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I certainly wouldn’t mind being that backup with the beautiful sky above. Nice job, John!
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Thank you, Jill. 😀
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Beautiful scenery and a great story, John. With clouds building, maybe there will be a torrential rainstorm and then a rescue by the Coast Guard. 😀
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That sounds like a good plan, Gwen. LOL. 😀
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Wow! That was me yesterday on Highway 401 leaving Toronto! Great post!
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Thank you, John. Sorry about the traffic. 🙂
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Thank goodness I don’t have to make that trip every day like my daughter and son-in-law.
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Ugh. So true.
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Haha!
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This is perfect, and I think most everyone can relate to it. I remember returning from a trip last August and thinking we would NEVER get home. Traffic moved inches, not feet. We could have used a flare gun 😉
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I always dream of having a Sherman Tank when I get caught in traffic. Sadly it never apprears. Thaks, Mae.
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Judging from the comments, we all know a place like that. Coming home from McCall is frequently that way. Either that, or they have McRib sandwiches again.
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I think the the McRib.
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This ‘vacation’ really does feel like a game of inches . . .
But the flare gun gives me a great idea the next time I’m stuck in traffic. And should the police arrest me? Well . . at least I’ll be moving!
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That’s right. You get to go to the head of the line. Thanks, Marc
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Wooohooo!!!
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Sometimes it feels like that sitting in dead-stop traffic. Moral of the story – pack a flare gun! 🙂
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Always carry a flare gun. Good for starting campfires too.
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This is how I feel everytime I drive to the city…lol
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LOL
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Gee, what sorry luck, having vacation time and being forced to spend it in traffic. Those guys going the opposite direction have the right idea.
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I think so. Except the atomic bomb test sight is straight ahead.
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Love your sarcastic humor, John. Hope they’re in an RV or being out of water might be a good thing, lol
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Thank you, Jacquie. 😀
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Traffic can be frustrating. So can yelling from a cave. The latter sounds easier somedays.
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Ha ha ha. Too bad we don’t have caves. We would all be much happier if we could yell out the opening. (and maybe toss a spear or two)
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And snarl as we moan about looking around our feet for more to do.
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We need to invent fire so there is a lot to do. Here rub these sticks together.(quit looking at my feet. I know I need a manni.)
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is it ok to send this ev or tomorrow morning? I have plans to write it..
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Sure.
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[…] YOU CAN FIND THIS PROMPT HERE – www.johnwhowell.com […]
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Super stuff, Ray.
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here’s my share, but I’ve used ping back as well. https://raynotbradbury.com/2018/06/22/anything-possible-by-keith-channing-prompt-via-john-w-howells-blog/
Maybe I’ll come up with something else later today..who knows.
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The two stories were fantastic, Ray. When are you going to turn comments back on?
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I thought in September haha but I’ll see 🙂 I feel fine without them ✌️ bcz often I’m writing just for myself, to have fun.
Anyway if I’ll come up with anything else, ill send an email. Have a good day 🙂 thx ✌️😀
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Okay.
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[…] Vacation by John W. Howell © 2018 […]
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