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
What’s the Buzz? by John W. Howell ©2021
“I’m telling you there was this huge kid just loping along the street.”
“Kid? I thought someone said it was a marshmallow.”
“No. It was a kid who was made out of marshmallows, I think.”
“Did it have the words Stay Puff on his sailor hat?”
“Yes, how did you know?”
“I saw the movie.”
“Movie? What are you talking about?”
“Ghostbusters. There was the Stay Puff marshmallow kid in the movie.”
“What’s it doing here?”
“You can ask that cop approaching, but I would say he’s part of the protest.”
“I guess that makes some sense.”
“Yes, after all, we are protesting the use of iconic symbols in advertising.”
“Huh? I thought we were protesting higher taxes.”
“That’s a good cause too. No, this is definitely to end the abuse of symbols that we know and love.”
“Like what symbols?”
“Smokey the bear, for one. The poor overweight guy in those Michelin commercials for another.”
“I’m speechless.”
“You didn’t know how far it went, did you.? Think Gerber, baby. How does that kid live down the representation he was given.”
“You’ll have to excuse me. I gotta go.”
“Oh, sure. Run out when the going gets tough. You ask the Roadrunner how she feels being tied to a cable company for so many years.”
“Uh. I think I hear my wife calling me.”
“Yeah, run home to mommy. Don’t even think of that poor bear container having to sit in pantries all across the US holding that honey. Does anyone ask if she would like some? Noooo.”
“What a cute baby. What’s her name?”
“Oh, thank you. Her name is Minnie.”
“After Minnie Mouse?”
“You have a problem with that?”
“Lovely name. Good talk. See ya.”
Fiction Favorites 
Nice one, John. I just looked back to 2010 to remind myself what the demonstration was all about. According to a large banner, it was demanding the maintenance of the right to retire at 60 on a full pension (✓), for a true recognition of the labour force by profession (?), against a planned reduction in pensions (✓) and for a fairer distribution of wealth (?). Not a lot to ask, is it?
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Did they get it is the question.
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As I recall, they got the government talking (the unions are incredibly strong on France) but I don’t think any of their demands were actually met.
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I’ll bet they needed more people. Thanks, Keith.
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Guess Stay Puft does look rather child-like. Even angry, he resembles a tantruming toddler.
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Yes he does. I thought that when I first saw the movie.
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I need more coffee!
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🤣
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I’m always amazed at where your mind goes. Nicely done.
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Thank you, Staci. Sometime it does go to very strange places. 😁
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I didn’t say “strange.” Don’t put words in my mouth!
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Hahaha. Okie dokie.
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I love the twist at the end! (I didn’t see it coming.)
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I’m always glad to surprise you, Liz.
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😀
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😊
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Okay, you got me with story! Good ending!
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Thank you for letting me know you liked it, GP. 😊
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I can not recall you ever being a disappointment, John.
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I love that, GP.
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Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you, Michael.
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Funny conversation. Strikes are always the best, when they are for things that don’t affect anyone. 😉 Thanks for sharing, John! Enjoy your day! xx Michael
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I used to love the strikes in Italy. They last about an hour and then everyone goes back to work. By the way, I couldn’t comment on your post today. The links all took me to “Coming soon.”
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Another fun tale from your mind.
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Thanks, Craig.
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Well done John. I never thought about the poor bar holding the honey. Thanks for letting your mind off its leash today.
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Hahaha. I love that, Dan. Sometimes it is good to let it run free. 😁
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LOL! I think that has to be one of your most creative and wildly imaginative ones yet, John.
Wow. Just wow. 🙂
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Thank you, Mae. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😁
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Nicely handled, John. It never ceases to amaze me, the creative ways you come up with to go with these photos.
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Thank you, Debbie. I try to make something out of the photo that isn’t necessarily in the photo. 😁
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Hmm, something about the scene made me think of Ocean Beach in New Jersey. I was walking the boardwalk as I read your post. Hilarious as always, John. And…I love it when you include a message as well. We’ve all got to laugh at ourselves. Well done! 😁
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Ocean Beach is a lovely place. Never been but have seen photos. We need to laugh at ourselves more. Thanks, Gwen. 😁
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Laughing right out loud again, John. Where you come up with these, I’ll never know! Great stuff!
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I’ll never know either. Thanks, Jan
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There is a LOT going on in that picture and you managed to fit it all in!
Too funny!
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Thank you, Dale.
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🙂
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😊
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That was funny, John. I’d run too…
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😊
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Another fun example of your hard-working, imaginative mind, John. 🙂
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Thank you, Lauren. 😁
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Thought you might enjoy this post from Pit (who I have followed for quite a while). Figured you might miss east Texas once in a while.
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Thank you, GP. I follow Pit as well but you are kind to think of me. There are things I miss and others not so much. 😁
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I like how your mind works. I was thinking a different ending, but I loved the surprise. (Good chuckles, too!)
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Thank you, Priscilla. I’m glad I surprised you. 😁
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Enjoyable read, John. I love all the brand and cultural references.
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Thank you, Maggie. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😁
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Laughing out loud!
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😁
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[…] What’s the Buzz? by John W. Howell © 2021 […]
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Poor Smokey, think of all the forests he’s saved.
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Yes. That’s why the activists want him left alone. 😁
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