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.
Buffet by John W. Howell © 2021
“Hold on, everyone.”
“I can’t see my feet.”
“Looks like they are running out of shrimp.”
“Did you honestly just sneeze?”
“Where’s the help around here.”
“All you can eat for a buck?”
“Harold, you said this was an exclusive place.”
“Has anyone seen my wing?”
“Chicken wing.”
“Nah, stupid. My wing.”
“Hey, you there. That’s my serving.”
“Get your foot outa of mine then.”
“Where’s the manager?”
“Right here under y’all.”
“I’m never coming back.”
“Don’t let the door smack ya where the good Lord cracked ya.”
“Waiter. Wheres my wine?”
“You are kidding, right?”
“Yeah, make it a birdbath.”
“Anybody want to swarm after the meal?”
“Excuse me, madam. Take your wings off me. I’m not your husband.”
“You sure look like him.”
“I’ve been told that a lot.”
“Who wants dessert?”
“Is it included?”
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
“Suet paired with sunflower seeds.”
“Oh, yes, please.”
Fiction Favorites 
And then the murmur became a murmuration. Great polylogue, John.
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Great term, polylogue, Keith. Then the murmuration became a motivation.
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Background – that was less than half the total number of starlings that descend on our garden regularly. For reasons I can’t begin to fathom, it seems always to happen shortly after Clare has scattered a couple of handfuls of mealworms around.
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Hahahaha.
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It does look like a feeding frenzy, doesn’t it? I swear, it was that bad at the buffet in Punta Cana. Like no one had eaten in days. Ugh.
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Many years ago I vowed to never eat at a buffet again. So far I’ve kept that promise to myself. Thanks, Dale. 😁
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I have to tell you I am not a fan. Bummer when you go to an all-inclusive, though. It’s mostly that! 🙂
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Yeah that is true. 😊
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As someone who has been watching the birds devour our seed, I loved this one, John! Great job. I hope your power has been restored. xo
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Still off this morning until 6:30. They are doing rolling blackouts to conserve energy. It’s 9 degrees F right now. We are gals to see the power in time for coffee. (Yes, our needs are down to the basics.) Have a good one. 😂
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haha, I shouldn’t have read yours first because now I can’t come up with anything – yours is perfect!!
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How about 20 birdies baked in a pie? 😂
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So now you have 2 over me!
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cha-ching
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Ha ha ha! This is hilarious!
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Glad you liked it, Liz. 😁
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😀
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Fun chatter among these hungry birds 🙂
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Thank you, Dave. Was fun to write too. 😁
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Time for the “Sold Out” sign on the blackboard.
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Good solution.😁 Thanks, Craig.
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Just when I think I’ve read your best you come up with something even better. This is now officially my favorite yet. Notice the “yet” part?
Absolutely hysterical, John, and so very, very clever. I loved every word of it!
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I’m so glad, Mae. Thank you. 😁
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I think I can hear that picture.
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Hahahaha. Love this comment. 😁 Thanks.
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This is so funny, and creative. Nice work!
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Thank you, Steve.
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John, are you being affected by the terrible weather in Texas? The news reports are daunting.
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Yes we have hd temps as low as 7 and power outs. We are currently three hours on two off. We are doing okay but a lot of folks are having real problems with broken pipes etc. Thanks for asking.
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Can you share your email with me? Mine is stephen.bottcher@gmail.com
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Done.
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One of your best, John! I loved it! 😂 I needed to laugh and who knew a swarm of birds could evoke it. But in the hands of a clever writer, anything is possible.
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Thank you, Gwen. It was fun to do. Who is the clever writer you mention? I’d like to read their stuff. 😂
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Something tells me this is going to look like every restaurant in town once the pandemic is over! Great dialog to accompany a most satisfying photo!
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Thank you, Debbie. 😁
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It does remind me of a couple buffets I’ve been to. Good one, John.
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Yes and why I swore off of them. 😁
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You’ve won the day with this one…you may extend your bourbon rounds to three tonight! 🙂
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Thank you Doctor Bill Ray. Can you write me a note?
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I’m partial to the Western ‘C’ note… 🙂
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Hahahaha.
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Great job, John. I love the dialog. It looks like you have enough birds for a pie.
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I think so too, Dan
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OMG I’ve never seen such a frenzy except our boys at dinner time! Great story, John. I could just imagine those conversations actually occurring. I hope you are doing okay with the snow and power outages. Take care.
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We are doing well, Barbara. Thank you.
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Oh I’m glad 🙂
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😊
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Too funny, John, and one of your best! 😁😁
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Thank you, Lauren. 😁
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Time to put the “No Vacancy” sign.
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I think so. Or we are sorry but COVID rules say 50% of you have to leave.
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I’ll never look at a birdfeeder the same way again.
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Hahahaha. Thanks. Marc.
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🙂
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I think those birds need to practice some ‘social distancing’. 🙂
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Yes, and get masks for heaven’s sake. 😊
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🙂
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Hahaha! Well done, John.
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😁
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LOL! My word, that’s a popular feeder! Great take on the challenge, John.
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Thank you, Deborah.
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Hi, John. I’m glad to see that you are still able to keep your blog going. Sadly, I have not. But I hope to be back home by Friday and I’ll be back in the swing of things. This was entertaining!
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Thank you, Jan. Yes, I have a personal hot spot that works well. I try to get everything scheduled while the power is on since the hot spot doesn’t have the bandwidth to handle photos etc with any speed. Stay warm. I hear Oncor has stopped the power-outs. 😁
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Oh my goodness I got the best chuckle from this story.
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Always good for you those chuckles. Thanks for letting me know. 😁
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♡
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[…] Buffet by John W. Howell © 2021 […]
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