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.
The Challenge by John W. Howell ©2021
“Look at that.”
“I know. Crazy, wouldn’t you say.”
“Out in this kind of weather.”
“No hat even.”
“Would serve her right.”
“What would serve her right?”
“If she got picked up in the talons of a giant snow owl.”
“I wouldn’t mind seeing that.”
“You making a challenge?”
“No, I just said I wouldn’t mind seeing her picked up in the talons of a giant snow owl.”
“You know they don’t believe in giant snow owls.”
“So who would know?”
“I had the same thought.”
“Why don’t you do it then?”
“Then what?”
“Beats mice, I’m sure.”
“To eat?”
“I’m just saying.”
“Ew.”
“Okay, then forget it.”
“You know something?”
“What?”
“You and I don’t have enough to do.”
“Guilty. Let’s think of something else.”
“Like maybe a sheep.”
“Yeah. A sheep in a snowstorm. Now that would be a real challenge.”
“You’re on.”
Fiction Favorites 
lol I thought this picture is a forecast for the weather in your city, for tomorrow 😂
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I think we have had the last of the snow for another decade or so. 😁
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btw, what’d you do if you’d get THAT MUCH SNOW all of a sudden?
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We would be shut down even more than COVID. There is no snow removal equipment in this part of Texas. We would have to wait for the sun to melt it all. (That would be in hours given the temps would probably hit 21.1 C degrees.) 🌞
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Yes, preparation is everything during winter ❄️ & you have the best weather for the dogs 🐶 🐕- 🍀 lucky!!
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We do. They can go out everyday. When it is raining they don’t stay out too long. 😁
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Ah, my dogs envy your dogs 🙂
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Your dogs are so cute. Ay least they can snuggle in the warm house. 😁
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😂😛 true :))
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and love the story… they are def doesn’t have much to do, because when its so cold outside – all you can: seat near a fire and gossip about other people
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And have something warm to drink. 😂
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Warm drink is the best part about winter 🥶;)
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How about a nice punsch glögg?
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Perfect 👌🙌😀
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😁
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Btw just heard… that snow has fallen EVEN in the Sahara desert this year 🧐🤨& temperatures dropped to -3C/27F.
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Looks loke the great Odin is havng his way. 😁
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It’s a well-known fact that the only people who don’t believe in Giant Snow Owls are those who have never seen one.
Nice job as always, John.
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That is a well known fact. The same goes for the giant mice. Thank you, Keith. I always have fun with these. 😁
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She’s not even wearing gloves…she’s easy prey. Nice one, John!
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That is exactly what I thought, Jill. Thank you. Good thing the owls prefer mice. 😁
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Oh gosh, I’ve always thought the Giant Snow Owls to be so pretty. Could it be true that birds of prey see us as, well, dinner? Another good one, John. Stay warm during this current freeze. 😊
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It is 63 degrees here right now. I think these two owls see us as needing help. Thanks, Gwen. I hope you stay warm since you are getting some freezing weather. 😁
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I love the point of view twist!
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Thank you, Liz. 😁
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You’re welcome, John.
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I would have enjoyed seeing the giant snow owls grabbing a bite of something else beside worms and mice. 🙂 I have to admit my humour is macabre. My imagination stretched, and I could see them swooping down. Shalom aleichem
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Good thing they don’t find us tasty since there would be an unending supply of food. Thank you, Pat. Shalom.
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Your POV is unique.
I thought, “So it never snows in Texas, eh?!”
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Hahaha. I like that too. Thaks, GP. 😁
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Those winter coats probably get stuck in your throat anyway.
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Very true. Thanks, Craig. 🤣
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Giant snow owls from above . . . and ice snakes from below! There’s more to worry about than just freezing to death in those winter storms. 🙂
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I’m glad you can see that, Mark. A lot of folks don’t. 😂
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How giant are these snow owls? The regular ones look pretty big when they spread their wings.
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These guys stand six feet tall. Wing span of twenty. 😁
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GREAT! dear John.
Quite surreal. Actually, we love going out in a snowstorm, even without a hat, but we don’t believe in those big snow owls.
“No!” protesting Siri 🙂 and 🙂 Selma “We do!”
Dina wants to believe because she wants to photograph such an imaginary owl. Well, a real owl can be photographed by everyone.
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It will be a special photo for sure. All she has to do is go out in a field with no hat or gloves while it is snowing. The giant owls will watch her every move. She will be able to photograph them by snapping opposite of the wind. Of course separating the white owl image from the heavy snow is the challenge. Thank you, Seri and Selma for believing. Best wishes Fab Four. Thank you for the nice comment. 😁
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I don’t NOT believe in Giant Snow Owls. Just in case…
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Hummm. I think you are wise as do the Giant Snow Owls. 🦉
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I’m respectful of them, for sure.
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😂
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I can just picture those giant snow owls sitting there debating and discussing her.
Hope the sheep are safe!
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I think so. These guys seem pretty particular to me. Maybe they’ll call out for a puzza.
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🙂
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I think, as a species, we probably taste like chicken. I’m not sure we have giant snow owls in this area. Maybe up the road in Vermont.
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You have to be careful though. 😁
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Well, I do suppose anything’s possible. I think the Giant Snow Owls would let this one go. Too much work to get through all the clothing.
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You are right, Jan. Too much work.
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Yikes! Giant snow owls?? Who knew? And can you imagine how often she’d be falling if she really tried to keep a watch out for overhead birds of prey?!
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Yes. Watch that chunk of ice. 😁
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Never met a ‘snow owl’ – big or small – and, that’s fine with me…I hate snow!
Now, I have to do a ‘MM’, no ice, just to get all your snow out of my mind…
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I hope it worked. Thanks, Billy Ray.
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I will have to keep an eye on the sky now when I go outside in a snowstorm 🙂
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Don’t trip.
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Lol
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😁
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This one got me giggling. The pov of giant snow owls and the unsuspecting human. Great story, John.
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Thank you, Diana.😊
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You crack me up!
And for the record… just in case? I’ll keep my senses on high alert!
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Especially in the North country. 😁
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Hahaha!! 😉😁
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Hahaha, now I want to read a whole story about a couple of squabbling married giant snow owls 🙂
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Maybe you should writie it. 😁
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Oh God no, I’ve already got far too much writing in front of me!
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Okay then.😁
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Oh, seeing the Giant Snow Owl is on my bucket list! How can anyone not believe in them?!! I sure hope I have a camera with me when I see one. 😂
Great story for the image, John.
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Yes, a camera is a must Deborah. We are all counting on you. 😁
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LOL! 🤣
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😁
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As much as I wished we had snow here, now I’m quite thankful. 🙂 No worries of giant snow owls with huge talons swooping around!
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Yes those things can be dangerous for sure. Thanks, Lauren
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Interesting
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😊
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I’d like to see that… well, maybe not. Well done, John.
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Maybe not, indeed.
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😅
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Well done, John. A very unique take. There are worse things than being eaten by a giant snow owl like Zoom calls for 9 hours a day every day.
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I agree. I have to feel sorry for you on that. I remember conference calls one after another for the whole day. Then the work needed to be done at night.
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[…] The Challenge by John W. Howell © 2021 […]
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