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 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.
Bus Stop, Bus Stop by John W. Howell © 2021
“Where is our bus?”
“I don’t see it.”
“What are we going to do now?”
“I don’t have a clue. Maybe we can catch another.”
“I thought this was supposed to be a lunch break.”
“Yeah, me too. Looks like it was just a quick stop. I told you we should have gotten a translation book.”
“This rain isn’t going to make it any more comfortable.”
“The fact that I’ve grown webbing between my toes should tell us something.”
“Webbing?”
“Just joking. It’s been raining so much. I think we are going to need to tread water soon.”
“So, back to the bus. What should we do?”
“Hold on, I have the tour operator’s card here. Let me call them.”
“Oh, thank heavens. Yes, call them.”
“Hello. This is McGee calling. Bob McGee. We are stranded at a bus stop. How soon for the next bus? You’re kidding? Yeah, we know that now. Yes, sure, put us on that one. Isn’t there anything sooner? Okay then. Thanks. Bye.”
“So that didn’t sound good.”
“The next bus is tomorrow at this time.”
“Twenty four hours in this jungle outpost? There’s no place to sleep.”
“Well, we will just have to make due. The guy said we should never have gotten off the bus.”
“That makes me feel so much better knowing that. So what do you suggest?”
“What do you have in that bag?”
“My dirty red bandana and my harmonica.”
“Perfect. We are saved.”
“How so?”
“I’ll just thumb a diesel down before the next rain, and we’ll sing songs to the driver. We’ll sing every song the drive knows.”
“You sayin’ the windshield wipers will be slapping time?”
“Now, you’ve got it.”
“Gee, Bobby. It does sound good.”
“We are making memories, kiddo. The kind where you might want to trade all your tomorrows for a single yesterday.”
“You have such a way with words, Bobby. Put out that thumb, and let’s get going.”
***
Thanks to Chris Christopherson for writing, Janus Joplin, and Johnny Cash among others for singing one of my favorite songs, “Me and Bobby McGee.” Here is Janis
Fiction Favorites 
What a spiffing yarn. Could turn out cheaper than a bus fare, too.
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I think so too.
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The photo and your story reminded me of the “vacation” from h@#% when I traveled to Venezuela many years ago. Nice, John!
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I think we all have had one of those. Thanks, Jill.
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That’s a neat idea, John. Good goin’!!
I thought, “John told us the tour bus would pick us up, but …..”
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Hahaha. Thanks, GP. 😊
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Not exactly funny, I know, but I wanted to work-in your tour bus for the picture.
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As soon as I saw that dirty red bandana after Bob McGee, I knew where this was going. I love it!!
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Thanks Liz.It’s gettin harder to fool you. 😁
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Chortle. 😀
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😁
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Never saw that one coming. Great job.
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Thank you, Craig.
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You are so clever, John! I didn’t get the Bob McGee reference until the harmonica, red bandana and driver line. Then it all fell into place and I just went along for the ride grinning ear to ear. I’ve got Janis’s song on MP3. Bravo on this today!
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Thank you , Mae. I love to work some of my favorite songs into stories. Thanks for letting me know you liked it. 😁
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What a fun post, John! And fiendishly clever!
Aaaah, Janis! One of my favorites of all time!! Back then, I was so heartbroken that I never got to see her in concert, and it does my heart good to know she’s still remembered. But then, Me and Bobby McGee? How could anyone ever forget? It’s as much fun to listen to today as it was all those years ago.
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She was a favorite of mine too. When she died I was so sad. Such a great talent. Thanks, Marcia.
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I remember reading the headlines with tears rolling down my cheeks. 😥 I’ve heard “prettier” voices, but very few have ever touched me as much as she did. I love how you worked those lyrics right into your post. As I said, fiendishly clever, my friend. 🙂
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Thanks, Marcia. I like the idea of fiendishly clever.
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That was great, John. I didn’t see it coming when he made the call, then it started to sink in. Thanks for the smile and the memories of someone gone too soon.
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So true, Dan. Thanks. 😁
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For a minute I thought someone had a misleading sign and this was Romancing the Stone. Does this bus go to Cartagena ?
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Ha! Ha! Ha! This just might be your best yet, John. I’m still laughing! 🙂
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I’m glad, Jan.
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Splendid, John! I always liked that song, too (having lived in Port Arthur a while!). When you first mentioned Bob’s name, I didn’t immediately make the connection — thanks for surprising me in a happy way!
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I’m so glad you were surprised, Debby. Thanks for letting me know. 😁
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Love it! Bobby McGee brought back all kinds of memories. You’ve again brightened the day.🌞
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I’m so glad, Gwen Thanks for letting me know. 😁
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They made the best of it. Thanks for sharing the video:)
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Thank you for the comment, Denise.
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💕💕💗 Melika!
Billy Ray Chitwood
https://www.billyraychitwood.com http://about.me/brchitwood
On Tue, Jan 12, 2021 at 3:02 AM Fiction Favorites wrote:
> John W. Howell posted: “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.” >
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Thank you, Mr. Chitwood.
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You are so clever, John! This was so good. And I’m with Bob McGee…Enjoy the ride and build the memories for tomorrow. They’ll be talking about it for years to come 🙂
Love me some Janis Joplin.
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Thank you, Dale. Good advice for sure. I love me some Janis too. 😁
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I think we both believe in that. 😊
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Yes we do. 😊
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I wonder if Bobby McGee ever runs into Elvis down there. 🙂
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Or up there.
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And now we know the REST of the story . . . .
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Yes you do.
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That’s one of my favorites from Janis Joplin. Good take on the prompt image, John!
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Thank you, Deborah.
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You’re welcome, John!
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human wit is saviour in any situation 🙂 but agreed with the guy on the other end of the phone, they should never have gotten off the bus… 😉🙃 ah Ray, being practical (again), and not so adventurous 😂😂
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Yes, practical, Ray. 🤣
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Ah, Bobby McGee sung by Janis Joplin. You worked this great song into the photo prompt perfectly. I’m guessing the Janis photo is Woodstock.
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Yes. I believe it is.
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🙂
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[…] Bus Stop by John W. Howell © 2021 […]
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