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
The Wait by John W. Howell © 2021
“So Trevor, old boy. How have you been lately?”
“You are talking like we don’t share living space. You know how things have been lately.”
“I’m just trying to make conversation while we wait.”
“Yeah, well, don’t bother. Those humans will be in there forever. Or at least, it will seem forever.”
“What goes on in there.”
“See that horseshoe?”
“Yes, I do now.”
“That is a sign of luck.”
“And what does a sign of luck mean?”
“We’ll be lucky to get out of here in less than two hours.”
“Why do you say that?”
“See that beaded curtain?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Once a human goes through a beaded curtain, it is like the brain is wiped clean.”
“I still don’t understand.”
“Inside beaded curtains are all kinds of weird things. There’s tea to drink.”
“That doesn’t take long.”
“Cakes to eat.”
“Yum. I could do that in a second.”
“Leaves to read.”
“Huh?”
“These people finish their tea and then look at the dregs at the bottom for guidance.”
“Like sniffing a fireplug?”
“I suppose. They put their nose in it and get all up in the leaves.”
“I know I need to get my nose all up in things to get a read on them too.”
“Also, there are things.”
“Things?”
“Yes, shelves of things. Useless crap like soap and those smelly sticks.”
“I remember we ate a couple of those. Mom kept yelling about her defusers. I thought that maybe there would be an explosion.”
“I remember that too. Pretty funny. The most feared of all items is a scarf or hat the gets put on for a picture.”
“A picture of the humans?”
“No, you dolt. A picture of us.”
“Us?”
“See my pose.”
“Yes.”
“Imagine some hideous scarf or bunny ears.”
“The horror, the horror.”
“Yes. You describe it well. Was that your Marlon Brando voice?”
“Thanks. Been working on that. Why don’t we just take off?”
“Whhhaaaattt? We were given the command ‘wait.'”
“So it is just a word.”
“Don’t be a fool. Behind that word is all the things we hold dear. Kibble, treats, ear scratch, belly rub, fetch, delivery person barking—”
“Okay, I get it. We will stay till our hinnies hurt. I just hope the hat and scarf thing is not in the cards.”
“You want to play a game of cards?”
“Sure, which one?”
“I’m thinking of a card. You tell me which one.”
“The three of clubs.”
“Nope. That’s not it.”
“Hey wait a minute.”
“You are too quick for me. It was the Ace of Spades. I’m thinking of another.”
“Queen of hearts.”
“Nope.”
Fiction Favorites 
You had me at defusers, John. Brilliant.
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Thank you, Keith. 😁
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[…] Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #307 by Keith Channing […]
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Thak you for sharing my post.
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Oh, the horror of the scarf and bunny ears! I hope they escape that fate, LOL.
And I always love learning what animals think of us 🙂
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Hahaha. I just hope it isn’t what I think of us. Thanks, Mae. 😁
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Lol! So funny, John!😉
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Thak you, Jill. 😊
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Cute idea for an even larger story, John!
I couldn’t decide if it was the ultimate doggie door (but not so great on keeping insects out), or if they were posing for the kennel club.
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Hahaha. Thse are two good ideas I could have run with, GP.
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This canine conversation was a delight, right down to the Marlon Brando voice!
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Thank you, Liz. Now you have to name the movie where Brando said, “The horror, horror.”
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You’re welcome, John. Apocolypse Now, based on Joseph Conrad’s novella Heart of Darkness.
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Yessssss. Good job. (Now tell me you didn’t look it up somewhere)
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I didn’t look it up somewhere. Heart of Darkness made a very big impression on me when I was assigned it in the 9th grade. I absolutely hated it! And then I was subjected to it again in college. As for Apocolypse now, there was so much hype when it came out, there was no escaping it. (I did watch it eventually.)
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The move was something to see in a theater with surround sound.
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I can imagine. (I saw it on the small screen.)
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Excellent! I got add ply enjoyed this, John. I think you have those guys down to a t, or tea, or tee. 250 bonus points for using “fireplug” instead of the incorrect phrase they use here in New England.
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The term fire hydrant comes from the UK. No surprise that’s what they are called in new England.
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That’s supposed to say “I totally enjoyed this.”
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I got it. (believe it or not)
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Hahaha! I never understand how my phone comes up with these things for a one letter spelling error.
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I can’t explain it either. 😁
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Beaded curtains definitely have that effect. Especially in college towns.
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Yes then there is more junk.
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At least they have each other.
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That is true. Thanks, Craig.
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Thanks for the chuckles that your story inspired in me. The things those dogs talk about! And one trying out a Marlon Brando voice!
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O, Dave. Only in the weird world of John W. Howell. 😁
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Hey, if there are dogs in your world who can give a good “I coulda been a contender!” imitation, then that’s a fun world.
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Hahaha.
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The fact that they know who Brando is speaks volumes about how they’ve been raised. These are clearly cultured dogs. Loved this, John.
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Thank you, Staci. 😁 They live with Keith Channing in the UK so maybe some of his sophistication rubbed off.
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Another home run, John. Dogs do have that great olfactory nerve but they do put it in odd places, wouldn’t you agree?
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These two are spot on about the beads. It’s always a bizarre investment of time awaiting you on the other side. Not that I am complaining about it, mind you.
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Yes. The beads are a spider to the fly invitation
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No kidding!
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😁
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A brilliantly entertaining conversation. John, you have a gift for speaking canine language! 🙂
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I think I was a dog in a previous life or maybe just spent a lot of time in the doghouse. Thanks, Jan
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Lol! Or maybe both. 🙂
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Maybe. 😂
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So funny, John. Thank you for the morning laughter. You’ve brightened the day with your diffuser and other goodies. 😂
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Thank you, Gwen. 😊
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Melika!
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Thank you, Billy Ray
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I ever tell you we had beads between our dining and living rooms. We were very groovy back then… I’m thinking we didn’t use them to their proper advantage now… Hmmm.
Those two are very patient! 😀
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No, you did not mention those. I always liked the mystery of beads
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They were rather cool. We were the talk of the town. My father did like to be first for all sorts of stuff!
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I can imagine being the talk of the town. Gives you some great memories. 😁
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My father so did love that 😉
And yes, it does!
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🤗
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Love the doggy dialogue, John! You’re a master! And that photo is adorable! 😁🐶
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Thank you, Lauren. You made me blush.
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Ha! Thanks for making me smile, John. Hugs!
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Thanks for letting me know you liked it, Teagan. 😁
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the three of clubs – very good card, but the five of snacks is better! :))
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Don’t forget the seven of schnapps.
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Haha 😂 even better!
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🤣
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I know hats and scarves arent appreciated here either. Although, I will try it later anyways…lol
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Hahaha. We can always keep trying, Denise.
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What must our pets think?
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Mmmm. That we are nuts?
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And rightly so. 🙂
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No fair. You do puppy dialogue so well already. 🙂
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Haha. Thanks Audrey.
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Very funny!
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[…] The Wait by John W. Howell © 2021 […]
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