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.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”
The photo.
Say where? by John W. Howell © 2019
“Look at that place down there.”
“I know right? It’s beautiful.”
“Who do you suppose lives there? Probably some money-grubbing aristocrat.”
“The garden is lovely.”
“You can say that again.”
“The garden is lovely.”
“For heaven’s sake, I didn’t mean to really say it again.”
“Well, I’m a very literal kind of person.”
“With a side of Obsessive/ Compulsive behavior.”
“I resemble that. I’ve been told also that I am very sensitive.”
“What do you mean sensitive?”
“To the feeling of others.”
“Give me an example.”
“Well you said, ‘Who do you suppose lives there?'”
“Yeah, so what?”
“I never answered you.”
“Now that I think about it you did not. Why?”
“Cause I didn’t want you to be uncomfortable.”
“Uncomfortable? How would I be uncomfortable.”
“You mentioned that the owner of that house might be a money-grubbing aristocrat.”
“Yeah so?”
“I live there.”
“What? That’s impossible. You are just a plain old nerd I met at the balloon launch area.”
“Aristocratic nerd don’t you mean?”
“Aw come on. You are pulling my leg.”
“Ask the balloon pilot.”
“You’re serious.”
“Yup. We are landing for a spot of tea and a few watercress sandwiches.”
“At your place.”
“Right on the South lawn. See where the garden paths come together in a roundabout? Right there.”
“Goodness.”
Fiction Favorites 
Great job, John! I loved the interaction. Happy Tuesday!
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Thank you, Jill. Have a lovely day as well.
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That was definitely awkward.
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He’ll run into that guy all afternoon too.
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Small world, isn’t it? You never know whom you might meet on a balloon trip – although some of those people tend to talk a lot of hot air!
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Good one!
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Hahahahaha. Thanks, Keith.
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Very well done, John. Did not see that coming. If you don’t have something nice to say, …
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Can you imagine. Your rule is best. (Well i guess it would be a Mom rule passed down)
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I do like the way you put it in a recent John ku 😏
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haha, surprise – surprise!
I thought, “Jeez, this is one heck of a way to avoid paying the admission fee to tour the castle.”
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Hahahaha. Good one, GP.
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Love the twist!
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Thank you, Liz
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I wanna be that nerdy aristocrat …mostly because of the beautiful place, not sure I’m ready for the tea-party-balloon-trip 😂😂
Cool photo – cool story!
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Ok, so we’ll throw in some champagne and a little cavier for those who don’t want a tea party. 🥂
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😂😂 perfect
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😊
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Great fun read.😄
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Thank you, Linda.
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One never knows! 🙂
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I know right? Thanks, Billy Ray.
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I never saw that one coming. Great job today.
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Thank you, Craig. 😊
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Which just goes to prove that you never know who you might be talking to! 🙂 Well-done, John!
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For sure, Jan. Thank you. 😊
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Hey! Wanna send him my way?
A classic ‘never judge a book by its cover’ moment, if ever there was one…
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I hope you like balloons. 😁 Thanks, Dale.
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Adventure? I’m in!!
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😁
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This is great, John. I didn’t see that coming! There’s a lesson there, I think 🙂
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One that mom told us. “If you don’t have something nice to say…..” Thanks Barbara
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Excellent advice!
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I love how the place is built over the water. Which would beg the question, why balloon when you could be kayaking on solid water?
Nice Kue, Boss.
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More romantic I would guess. Unless you are stuck with a pantload like this guy.
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I’m claustrophobic with a fear of heights, so the romance would be lost on me.
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You would not make a good balloon pilot then.
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As always, I am in awe of your fiction-weaving skills, John.
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Thank you, Hook.
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Seriously, I wish I could write like you, my friend.
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Thanks, Hook.
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Nice having friends in high places!! Lovely photo — I’d be all in for high tea there!
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Me too. Give me some lemon curd, a scone and a cup of black tea.
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I wouldn’t mind landing for a spot of tea:)
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Would be nice. Thanks, Denise.
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Lol, lesson learned!
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So true. 😀
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I love this ending! And seeing as sticking my foot in my mouth is an Olympic sport for me I can totally relate.
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Hahahahaha. Thanks, Laura.
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Oh, this brought back memories! I’ve been to that Chateau and saw Hot Air balloons drifting toward it! I have a photo of that somewhere in an old fashioned album…I may have digitized that one…I’ll go look.
I love the spin and idea of taking tea there! The gardens were superb and taking tea there would be wonderful.
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I thought it might be nice for tea. Thanks, Deborah.
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You are very considerate, John. If you invite me over, I promise I won’t call you an aristocratic nerd.
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Thank you so much, Robbie. I do get tired of that moniker. 😁🥂
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Oh, my! A case of foot-in-mouth disease, I suspect. Well done, John.
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Big time. Thanks, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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[…] Say where? by John W. Howell © 2019 […]
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