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 on 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 time.”
The photo
Home by John W. Howell © 2021
“Ahhh. The fire feels good.”
“It does. Especially on a night like this.”
“Yes. I’m grateful that we are inside and cozy.”
“Me too. I can’t imagine being out there. Listen to that wind.”
“I know. When I got us more wood, I thought I was going to freeze.”
“You poor dear. I should have gone in your place.”
“Oh no, my love. Fetching firewood is my job.”
“But I would hate to see you somehow get into trouble out there.”
“I had my heavy coat and gloves. I was okay.”
“Did you wear a hat?”
“No. I didn’t think I would need it.”
“See, this is what I’m talking about. Taking shortcuts when it could mean your life.”
“I’ll make sure I have a hat next time, okay?”
“You promise?”
“I promise. Oh, I see it’s almost time for the weather report. I want to see how long this is going to last.”
“How about I make us some hot chocolate, and you get the report.”
“Sounds like a deal. I certainly hope there is going to be a break.”
“What was the temperature when you got the wood?”
“You want it in Fahrenheit or Centigrade?”
“That’s right. You have that fancy watch. Give me both.”
“When I went out, it was 59 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 15 degrees Centigrade.”
“Wow. That is cold. The chocolate will feel good. You know we ought to think about moving South before the next winter. This Texas chill goes right to my bones.”
Fiction Favorites 
Right here, right now, 15° Celcius sounds positively warm. Good one, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have first world complaints around here, Keith. 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
🥶
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! That’s too funny, John. I remember when I lived in Arkansas, people were astounded when I or any member of my family would go outside without jackets, hats, gloves in “cold” weather. My son, who still lives there, wears shorts every day of the year. It’s all a matter of perspective, I suppose. Thanks for the smile.
LikeLike
We love to see visitors in shorts and blue knees. After 60 degrees it is bundle up time. Thanks, Staci.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol! Good one, John! You’re not moving…are you? 🙂 I’m cold when it’s 80 degree. I blame it on my day job where they provide no heat, but keep the A/C at 72 year around.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No we are not moving. fter 60 degrees I start to get chilled these days. Thank you, Jill. 😁
LikeLike
I was wondering what the punch line was going to be!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And there it is. Geriatric humor. Thanks, Liz.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Any time, John! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are 30 degrees here and enjoying that fire 🙂 I was cold in Hawaii when it dipped i to low 70s. Good one.
LikeLiked by 2 people
See and you think we are nuts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Temperature is a perspective, for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed. Thanks, Craig.
LikeLiked by 1 person
hahaha, once again, John!
My mind said : “This would be a great idea, Marg, if we didn’t live in south Florida!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah that’s a good one. My mind went to another direction as well. “by the way. Who is taking this photo?”
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very perspiring Santa! 😓
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahahaha. Good one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve lived in the North and South, as well, the East and West, and I suspect today’s story captures where your heart has truly settled. Good one, John. 🎄❄🎄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Gwen. I think when the temp hit 39 degrees the other night I began to wonder about relative cold. I am now officially a wimp.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike
Perspective. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! I did not expect that ending. 59 degrees indeed! Please send some of that “brisk, chilly stuff” my way. I’d happily welcome those kind of winter temperatures! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know I’m being a baby.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
By all means, bundle up and wear a hat.
Nice job, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dan. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yikes. Though it’s staying unnaturally warm up here. At least from our usual. Soon Southerners are going to come up north for the winter instead of the other way around.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha. I would like to see that.
LikeLike
Buahahaha! All about perspective! Here I was running in 0 C (32 F) and my hands were too warm for my gloves… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well that just says something about your warm heart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh you, smooth talker! xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know right? 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are such a charmer. I’ll keep you around, if you don’t mind 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would be great. 😁❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Phew! 😉 ❤️❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s 29 degrees F or -1.6C here this morning and we have tons of snow!! We’ll be staying in and keeping cozy too. I wonder if I can get someone to make cocoa? 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would do it but I’m pretty far away.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol, any further south and you’ll back to summer temps. It’s -15 Celsius in my hometown today 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
So beautiful the fireside image!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Billy Ray.
LikeLike
Loved this cozy up story John. Although, your characters may want to dip their toe into eastern Canada and will find almost 60 degrees is like summer for us LOL 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Debby. I grew up in Michigan and the winters were awful. Now I’m a whimp.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol, I’d love to be a wimp! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s easy. Just avoid something. Me it’s cold and snow. You get to pick your whimpness.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! I thought that was where you were going with this one, John. We live in one of those places that’s not too hot or cold. Well, out of towners think it’s cold, but I’m running around in short sleeves.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I lived in Sonoma and in Marin county and know that weather. Thanks, Pete
LikeLike
We live up north in Humboldt County along the ocean in the heart of the Redwoods. I think I’ve told you that my wife was from Sonoma, but neither of us like the heat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah but 55 at night makes one forget about the brief 90 type weather.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Living in a goldilocks climate where it rarely reaches 5C and has never in the history of thermometers exceded 39C I find the idea of anything extreme appalling. That said give me cold rather than hot any day. As mum used to say you can put on layers but you can’t take off your skin.. nicely done prompting a debate John
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very wise sayng of your mom. Thanks for sharing, Geoff. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! Ha! You nailed it, John. I had no idea where you were going with this, but you pulled it off brilliantly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thak you, Jan. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the coziness in this story, John. It’s 37 degrees this morning, and this week has been our coldest in the bay area. And we’re getting more rain. 🙂 Great story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You need the rain so it is a good thing. Thank you for the lovely comment on my story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
HaHa! Fifty-nine sure can be cold, can’t it, John? Of course, minus 10 is far worse, unless the sun is shining and the wind is calm. Certainly other factors play in when it comes to that “feels like” temperature!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes to me 59 is cold and I lived in Illinois for about eight years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Talk about perspective! 59F here in December has folks practically breaking out shorts and flip flops with their puffy jackets! 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can imagine. 79 here now. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
😲 And yet, I’ll bet my sister in Bastrop is wearing a sweater. LOL Enjoy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll bet she is. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks again for sharing. 😁
LikeLike
😁😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
59 is cold??
LikeLiked by 1 person
Freezing, Jennie. 🥶
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow!
LikeLike
[…] Home by John W. Howell © 2021 […]
LikeLike
I’ll trade you a Canadian winter anytime. 🙂 Nice work John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mark. No takers here. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t blame you.
LikeLiked by 1 person