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.
Lonesome Vally by John W. Howell © 2020
“You got to walk that lonesome valley.”
“Huh?”
“You got to walk it by yourself.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Nobody else can walk it for you.”
“Okay?”
“You got to walk it by yourself.”
“Now that the lesson is over, what are you. saying?”
“I was just prepping for our big adventure.”
“Are we really going to jump off this cliff and glide into that valley?”
“Yup. We agreed.”
“You didn’t say there was water down there.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Shouldn’t be a problem? I can’t swim.”
“Oh, stop being a cry baby. We can coast and then touch down on the shore.”
“You see those trees? How much shore is there?”
“Enough. We aren’t that big. Besides, we have landed in trees before.”
“I don’t know how I get you to talk me into this kind of thing.”
“Oh, come on. We are built for this kind of adventure.”
“Alright, I think I’m ready. No more Lonesome Vally songs, okay?”
“Okay. Just follow my lead. Spread your wings and step off.”
“You know we are only grackles. We don’t have to behave like eagles.”
“You wanna be a grackle in your heart forever, then stay here. Me, I’m going to fly like an eagle.”
“Yet another song, Roscoe? Go ahead. I’m right behind you.”
Fiction Favorites 
I really enjoyed that, thanks!
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Thank you. 😁
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I think I’ll wait and go second, too! Great job, John. Happy Tuesday!
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Hahahaha. Thanks, Jill. Have a Terrific Tuesday as well.
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I’m with the eagle-hearted one. Although, I always though the word ‘grackle’ was rather cool.
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I like it too. Thanks, Charles.
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Wonderful dialogue, John. Eagles nest near our home and watching the babies make their first flight is wonderful to behold. In my heart, I soar. Does that count? 🙂
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Of course. Anytime your heart soars counts. Hopefully that is a lot of times. 😊
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Ha ha! I did not see the twist coming.
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Excellent. I like when that happens. Thanks for letting me know. Liz.
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You’re welcome, John.
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Loved it!
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Thank you, Pamela.
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From a bird’s point of view, good one, John.
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Yes. I was trying to fake you out with the illusion they were a couple of parasailers and then pull the twist at the end.
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I was going to go for this river being the “bunny trail” for teaching inept people who couldn’t run the rapids.
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That sounds good to me. 😁
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Good one!
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Thank you, Beck.
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Roscoe sounds like he’s wearing rose colored glasses. But you have to admire his spirit.
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He is one of the more daring in the grackle flock. Thanks, Dan
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I loved this, John. I’m not sure you’d be able to see grackles against that backdrop – I had enough trouble spotting Turkey Vultures against the woodlands around Hawk Mountain. I would have loved to have seen a few sizeable vultures soaring over it, though the area pictured is more likely to see black kites that (European) black vultures..
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Thank you, Keith. I’m not usually bounded by facts. 😂
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I remember the first time I saw a boat-tailed grackle at KSC. Gorgeous little bird. Didn’t I use it for a Kreative Kue at some time?
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I did a search on my posts and no mention of a boat tailed grackle. Sorry.
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I lied. It was https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2014/07/19/memories-of-florida-2/
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Okay then.
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You don’t see a lot of stories about grackles. I was afraid it was going to be Deliverance when I saw the photo.
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I know what you mean. Que the banjo and guitar.
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Ya gotta think big!
Love that twist 🙂
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Thank you, Dale. 😁
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😉
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LOL! From Woody Guthrie to Steve Miller. That grackle has good taste 🙂
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He does. Thank you, Mae.😁
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I love this response to the prompt, John! Grackles, no less and music to boot! Great post!
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It is always fun to work a little music in. Thanks, Jan
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What a neat picture! And I can get behind singing grackles!! Well done, John!
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Yes. I’m trying to raise their position in life. Thanks, Debbie.
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Beautiful in a ‘locked-in way’…think I’ll stay in my desert! Good delivery, John. 🙂
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Thank you, Billy Ray.
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Nice! I’m going to be singing that song all day now 🙂
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It is a good one for getting into your ear.
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Definitely always fly like an eagle.
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True. Grackle or no.
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That’s good, John. Although I had to look up what grackles were! Love that word 🙂
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Me too. Thanks, Barbara.
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One never knows where one is going to expand one’s vocabluary! (too many “ones” in this…)
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One doesn’t know does one?
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I never talk that formally, I’m not sure why I did that here – haha!
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Hahahha.
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I love this!
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Thank you.
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You’re welcome.
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[…] Lonesome Valley by John W. Howell © 2020 […]
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Thanks, Keith
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The grackle knows his tunes . . .
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Hahaha
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