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
Snow Day by John W. Howell © 2021
“Trevor. Oh, Trevor.”
“Over here, boss.”
“Over where? I can hear you I can’t see you, though.”
“By the hedgerow. Near the post.”
“There you are. What on Earth?”
“What on Earth indeed.”
“What happened?”
“I was minding my own business on the scent trail of that pesky skunk and all of a sudden I found myself stuck.”
“Can’t you back out?”
“That’s just it. I tried backing out but the snow clumped up on my behind and I got stuck.”
“It looks pretty free now.”
“Yeah, cause I started rocking back and forth to make room.”
“What stopped you then?”
“The skunk.”
“The skunk? How could the skunk stop you?”
“He came over and said he could get me out.”
“Your sworn enemy offered to help you?”
“Well, he said he could get me out if I made him a promise.”
“Uh-oh. That doesn’t sound good.”
“Tell me about it. He wanted me to promise never to chase him again.”
“What did you say?”
“I told him I could never make a promise like that.”
“What’d he do.”
“Walked away. So, now, can you get me out?”
“Sure but I need you to make me a promise.”
“What promise?”
“To never chase that skunk again.”
“Here we go again. I could never make that promise.”
“Well, this snow should be gone in a week or two.”
“Okay, okay. I promise not to chase the skunk again.”
“Repeat after me. And if I do.”
“And if I do.”
“I’ll sleep in the barn until the smell goes away.”
“Gee. I kinda like the smell.”
“Say it or stay here till spring.”
“I’ll sleep in the barn until the smell goes away.”
“Okay, I have you.”
“Thanks, boss. By the way, I had my paws crossed.”
“And I’m the only one who can open doors to let you in the house.”
“Yeah, good point.”
Fiction Favorites 
I see you’ve worked out the value of Trevor’s promises. Good one, John. I still can’t see how he got in there, though 😀
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It is like he made a major jump and then got stuck. I figured Trevor was a little light on his word. Like Twiggy.
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Or is it possible that some wicked human dropped him in there? Asking for a friend.
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Hmmm. A very plausible explanation.
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What a fun dialogue, John. 😊 When I lived in Connecticut, my little Bichon Frise would get stuck in the snow. Sweet memories. Thank you!
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Sweet memories, indeed. Thanks, Gwen.
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Ha ha! Trevor should know better than to tangle with a skunk. It never ends well.
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It never does. But tell that to a dog.
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Yeah, they never listen.
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True,😊
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Aw…poor Trevor. Good one, John!
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Thanks, Jill.
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haha, I didn’t think of the dog making the mistake!
“Stupid human! Leave it to him to throw the stick clear across the yard!”
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Hahaha. A great explanation of how that could happen. Thanks, GP.
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Good job, John. Bargaining with the dog never works out for the human.
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We all have experience trying for sure. Thanks, Dan.
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Never take a terrier at his word.
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Get it in writing.
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And there are some dogs who will NEVER learn… my sister’s dog got sprayed seven – yes SEVEN times in one summer…
Fun one!
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You would think after the first time they would learn. I know when I got sprayed it never happened again. 😁
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Buahahaha! I imagine you no longer try to talk to the pretty kitty with the white stripe after the first time 😉
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I lived in Connecticut and got home late and opened the door to my car and hit a skunk. He sprayed me and the inside of the car. I took off all my clothes and went inside and climbed into bed. The wife at the time asked, “Have you been drinking?” Had to laugh out loud. The car never recovered. When the sun came out it smelled all over again. Got rid of the car.
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File this one under a snow job. who is a good dog … in the barn ?
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Yes, barn. Smelly dog.
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Sounds like the skunk won the day after all. Although, I am glad poor Trevor got unstuck!
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I felt sorry for him. He looked miserable. Thanks, Mae.
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I think it benefits everyone not to chase the skunk, lol.
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Yes. It should be a rule. Thanks, Teri.
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I saw a video the other day of cows unhooking the electric fence successfully. Made me giggle.
Fun read, John. ♡
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Cows are very smart.
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I was kind of wondering how he got in that position in the first place — thanks for the explanation. As for the skunk, yuck! Well done, John!
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Thank you, Debbie. 😁
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Ha ha. Dogs and skunks. I remember quite a few smelly baths. Perhaps a bit of time in the deep snow will help. 🙂 A fun story, John.
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Hahaha. Maybe, Diana. 😁
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Oh, those pesky skunks can get a dog in trouble every time! Good one, John!
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Yes, they do. Thanks, Jan
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Haha – the skunk was trying to do the boss a favor – who knew about crossed paws?!
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I know. Who knew. Thanks, Barbara.
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Funny John. Our dog would break out and always find the skunk. I’d suit up in rainwear and use my homemade concoction and bathe her. That smell lingered for weeks.
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I know. I was sprayed once and though I was going to die. 😂
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Oh no! The worst.
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I know right? 😨
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Been there, done that with one of our dogs. Took countless baths (special shampoo) and weeks before the stink was gone.
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I know. Thanks, mark.
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Haha! It’s a jungle out there! By the way, I just started Eternal Road last night. I’m already hooked, John.
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I’m ;like a cocaine dealer in that I like the sounds of that, Pete.
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😎😎😎
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Nobody taught him about skunks?!
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I think deep down he knew. 😁
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LOL
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😁
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hilarious haha… i’m not sure we can trust him about “minding my own business” and “the skunk” story. It might be something else, more urgent or even horrific? 😱😱🤔😶🙃
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LOL! I hope he keeps that promise. 😀🦨
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You would think he would be better off doing so. 😁
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Imagine crossing your paws so you can CHASE a skunk, rather than run away from it!
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Go figure, right?
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LOL
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Hahaha!
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😊
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[…] Snow Day by John W. Howell © 2021 […]
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