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.
Warm by John W. Howell ©2021
“Yes, I know what I’m doing.”
“I hardly think so.”
“Look, I’ve done this rodeo before, and it is no big deal.”
“You know this is a clothes dryer, right?”
“It may look that way to you. I prefer to think of it as a warmer upper.”
“Warmer upper? Are you nuts?”
“I don’t think so. Answer me this. Are you more comfortable now or last July?”
“That is a no brainer. n July, the temps are nice and warm. Right now, it is freezing.”
“My point exactly. So what do you do to get warm?”
“Well, I snuggle in my bed or get next to someone.”
“Exactly. Quite frankly, I’m tired of you shoving me out of bed. How do the folks react to you getting in their bed?”
“They are not very happy. I usually end up on the floor.”
“You are making my case.”
“How does the warmer upper work?”
“Well, Mom turns it on.”
“With you inside?”
“No, of course not. I wait until it goes off, and then when she opens the door, I jump inside.”
“Doesn’t she get mad. After all, the humans like their clean clothes.”
“The best part is she usually opens the door and takes some stuff out and then walks away. That’s when I strike. You should try it.”
“With you in there?”
“No. I’ll jump out, and then you jump in.”
“I don’t think I’ll fit.”
“That’s a bummer. Why not?”
“I’m fifteen hands high and weigh 1600 pounds. That’s why.”
“You know, I keep forgetting you’re a horse. Shut the door, will ya. There is a draft in here.”
You better hope Mom doesn’t catch you.”
“I’ll take my chances. Shut the door.”
Fiction Favorites 
Ha ha ha! I did not expect a horse!!
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Either did I!
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That makes three of us. 😁
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I know this will sound strange but it was a surprise to me too. 😁
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I think the dog has the right idea! A horse? LOL! Good one, John.
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Thank you, Jill. 😂
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Very clever, John. I loved the dialogue and definitely didn’t expect a horse! My dogs always darted to the dishwasher. They spoiled me by licking the plates clean before I had a chance to switch on the machine. 🙂
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Thank you, Gwen. Lucy would do the same but I don’t let her. 😁
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Hmm, you’re no fun. Lucy deserves a few licks now and then. 😂
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Well, she does sneak a couple now and then.
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I think I understand him.
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I do too. Of course I do I wrote him. Thanks, Craig
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Very clever. A horse was a surprise for me also.
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Thank you, Karen.
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You got this straight from the horse’s mouth, Boss. And not for nothing, but I get dizzy at the mere thought of being tumble dried.
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Yeah, not something for me either. 🤢
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I am determined to become a boat-worthy mate, though. I love the ocean, so it’s entirely possible that my stomach will eventually get the drift. Hopefully . . .
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Hahaha. I think we should stay in the Tiki hut. Tasty margarita’s in there.
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Now you’re talking.
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Yup. Jimmy Buffet on the tunearator and unlimited salt and ice.
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You know how to partay.
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Yes indeed. Maybe a big bowl of nachos too.
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I’ll bring my homemade guac.
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From the dog’s comment, it must have been a draught horse (see what I did there?)
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I saw what you did there. Now I wish I had ended with,”No surprise after all I’m a draught horse.” I didn’t think of it.
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Sorry, John. I couldn’t resist that one.
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It was a good one too. 😁
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Do you also howl at the moon? A horse?
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Only when the moon is full. Thanks, Billy Ray. 😁 (still hoarse from two nights ago)
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A great warmer-upper. 🙂 And the horse was an unexpected twist. Great response to the prompt, John.
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Thank you so much, Jan. 😊
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Sometimes I’d like to get in there. 🙂 A fun story, John.
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I always had that thought when I was in college and there were these huge dryers at the coin op. 😂 Thanks, Diana.
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LOL. Get in there with all those soft, clean, warm clothes and take a nap. 🙂
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Doesn’t that sound good though? Oh look you have lint in your hair. 😁
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Lol.
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Hahahaha. 😁
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😁
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LOL! Never saw the horse coming. Entertaining as always, John.
Given we have over a feet of snow on the ground right now following a winter storm, I may have to go throw some clothes in the dryer!
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Just try not to climb in after them. Thanks, Mae. I hope you stay warm. 😊
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😀
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😁
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Maybe the horse can just stick his head in the dryer. Good one, John!
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Thanks, Pete. I’ll mention it to him. 😁
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I wasn’t expecting a horse…lol.
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There would be something wrong with both of us if you had expected a horse. Thanks Denise. 😂
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Lol
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LOL
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Yup! The horse caused me to splutter my coffee … again! lol funny, John.
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Sorry about the keyboard, Soooz. 😂
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😁
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Shop at Slick Steve’s appliance. The only retailer featuring ride in dryers. And we have the new slow speed tumblers for when Spot talks Thunderbolt into keeping warm. Close that outside door will you ?
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Hahahaha. Great one, John
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You do indeed have a funny bone, John. I can’t compete.
I guess I’m getting scrambled with all the covid in the news, my contribution is, “You’re not getting me out there with all those people. I heard what Dr. Fauci said last night!!”
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I like it, GP. 😁
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‘Horse’ was a nice twist — didn’t see that coming! Poor little pup almost looks like the Sputnik dog in his spaceship.
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I know right? He does look a little put out.
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Aww, too bad that pup just can’t tell mom a nice warm blanket fresh from the dryer would be awesome. A blanket works for a horse too. I didn’t see the horse coming! 😂
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Thank you, Deborah. 😁
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Ha ha … I do love surprise endings! Thanks for the chuckles!
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You are welcome. 😁
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Well done, John. I wasn’t expecting that. I frequently find someone laying on the warm clothes after they have been placed on the bed. I guess it’s irresistible.
Sorry to be so late, I’m still catching up.
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Don’t worry about catching up, Dan. It can be a tough thing to do.
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I didn’t see that horse coming! Good one, John! 😁
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Thanks. Lauren. I was hoping you wouldn’t hear him either. 😁
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This is cute, John. Although that pup looks a little guilty, I bet he/she tries it again!
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I think she will. Thanks, Barbara.
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You are a funny man, John. 🙂
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Thank you, Mark. 😁
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Definitely not expecting a horse! Lucky for this dog he’s not at my house as my dryer is on top of my washer!
Too funny.
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It would make it tough to get up there for sure. Thanks, Dale. Have a super weekend.
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Up and and in there!
Will do. You have an excellent one as well!
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I will. Thank you.
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Well done, John!
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😁
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[…] Warm by John W. Howell © 2021 […]
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