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.combefore 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.
This Train by John W. Howell © 2022
“Wouldja look at that.”
“What?”
“That video. Almost looks real.”
“That’s cause it is.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re looking out a window. Everything beyond the window is part of the world.”
“That might be true, but it doesn’t mean it’s real.”
“Oh, come on. Don’t tell me we are going to get caught in a semantics loop?”
“I don’t even know what that is. All I’m saying is just because there is stuff beyond the window doesn’t mean that stuff is real. Look now. It all changed.”
“That’s because we are moving.”
“Moving? What kind of insanity is that?”
“I don’t want to break this to you too hard, but we are on a train.”
“Since when?”
“Last night, we boarded a train.”
“Where was I?”
“Oh my gosh. You were on the end of your leash. You got on the train. We all went to sleep, and here we are.”
“Look at that. It looks like a big city.”
“Yes, it is. We need to go through the city to get to the seashore.”
“Seashore? We going to the seashore?”
“We sure are.”
“Oh boy. I love the seashore.”
“I know you do. That’s why we are going.”
“Where?”
“To the sea— Hold on. Are you feeling okay?”
“I’m just messing with you. I can’t wait until we get there.”
“We should be there tonight.”
“All those smells. The crabs and birds. The sand and sun.”
“You believe it is real then?”
“The seashore?”
“Yes.”
“Of course. It’s just looking out this window that doesn’t look real.”
“Maybe you should take a nap then.”
“And miss something.”
“Something that may not be real.”
“Good point. A nap it is.”
“Good dog.”
“Arf.”
Fiction Favorites 
I thought this was hilarious, John. Sadly, it may be closer to reality than you intended – according to our vet, poor Trevor is now showing symptoms of dementia on top of his other problems.
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Dogs get dementia? I didn’t know that.
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It’s very sad, Liz. He sits for ages looking at the vacuum cleaner, or into a corner (possibly because his eyesight is poor and he can’t work out where he is); if he hears when you call him (he frequently doesn’t) or clap loudly, he perks up and charges off in the wrong direction (maybe because his hearing is going). That, coupled with lengthy episodes of staring into space, not unlike a petit mal episode, our vet says are indicative of dementia.
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This is hearbreaking. 🥲
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Oh, that is sad. I hope you can maintain some quality of life for him.
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He’s not doing too badly, Liz. He gets really happy about going for a walk then has to be carried to the park because the solid roads hurt his legs. Apart from that, he enjoys his food and has a lot of sleep.
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That’s not too bad, then. 🙂
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😊
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😊 Let’s hope he is okay.
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Oh, dear, Keith. I wish him well. Lucy is an oldster too and we count each day as a blessing. I’ll keep Trevor in the same thought space as Lucy. Bless him.
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Thanks, John. Our vet is changing his pain medication soon; we’re hoping this might bring him back a little, but we know that his time with us is finite.
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I have a difficult time with the finite time our pets are allowed to spend with us. It always becomes harder when that time draws to a close. I hope the med change does help. Of course, we always have to remember it is not nessasarily the amount of time but the quality. Trevor has been blessed with a good life. Thanks for sharing.
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That dog is a writer at heart!
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Yes he is. Thanks, Marc.
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Cute dog, cute story. The dog looks a lot like my Dot! (She thinks that way too!)
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I’m glad you liked it. Thanks, Darlene. Give Dot a pat from me.
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So cute, John!
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Thanks, Jill.
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Cute story. I like the napping on a train idea.
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I like napping anywhere idea. 😁
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I could never beat that, John! It’s been so long since I’ve been on a train, I almost forgot what it was like.
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The last train I rode was from Connecticut to NYC in the 80s.
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I loved this exchange. And I love the ending. Who doesn’t like naps? Great story, John.
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Thank you, Staci. I think I needed one when I wrote this. I haven’t had a nap in years but I think maybe that will change. 😁
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I always say I haven’t napped since my first child was born. (Oh so many years ago.) I do, on occasion, pass out from exhaustion. Does that count?
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Oassing out is an effective way to catch up.
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The seashore destination changes everything, of course!!
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Yes. A little bit of past life nostalgia I’m afraid. I do miss the sea.
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I’ve been thinking about Cape Elizabeth lately . . .
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Yeah, Let’s go.
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We can go in the summer. Otherwise, there will be a big misalignment between the fantasy sparkling blue water and the reality of frigid winds off the ocean blasting us in the face. We’ll wait till summer.
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Nuts.
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😦
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As only a dog whisperer could capture! Well done, John. Have a great one! 🌞
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Thank you, Gwen. I hope you have a great one too. ❤️
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Hopefully, he has sweet dreams of the seashore while napping on his way to the beach! If I where on a train headed there right now, I’d be excited too!
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Yes we shoud all go on a train to the beach. Thanks, Mae.
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Nice one, John! 🙂 And I think you must be a dog whisperer, as Gwen says. Keep smiling, and keep making me smile. 🙂
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Thank you, Tim. I love the comment.
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There is a depth to this dialogue, John, that goes beyond the conversation. 🙂 Everything is in how it is perceived. Fantastic job!
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When by a window do what the dogs do. Bark. Bark with enthusiasm. Like the fate of the universe depended on it.
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Yes and bark whoever is there to St Louis.
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As I was scrolling down to leave my comment, I saw Marc’s and could not agree more.. That pup has logs of imagination, as does the owner of this blog!!
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Thank you Dale. A lovely comment for sure.
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True one, too 🙂
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It’s been decades since I was on a train. Couldn’t sleep because I didn’t want to miss anything, real or not.
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I remember that feeling too.
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Good one! I thought of my philosophy class while reading it…lol.
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Yes indeed. Guilty.
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🙂
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A trip to the seashore sounds perfect to me, as well 🙂
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Let’s all go.
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Well done, John. Maybe that explains Maddie barking when there’s nothing out there .
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Could be. Or a ghost cat.
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Plus it seems as if you get there faster if you take a nap along the journey. 😀
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That is for sure. I always was sorry I was the driver. Hard to nap in that position.
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True!
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😁
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Good one, John. I love watching dogs trying to figure out the mysteries of the world.
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Thank you, Pete.
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I’m afraid I’ll always be waiting around for the not real to reveal itself. Ha. Great bit, John. Wouldja….I kinda adore the look of it. ♡
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Wouldja is a made-up word that seems to have roots in native societies. Thanks, Audrey.
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I just love seeing it spelled out. Brings me joy.
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😊
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Very Jean Paul Sartre…
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Why thank you, Geoff.
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After reading Keith’s comments, I find tears in my eyes. I didn’t know dogs could get dementia. How incredibly sad. Such short lives they live, but oh. how they fill them to the brim! Glad Trevor’s taking a trip to the seashore. Making good memories, enjoying life while he’s able.
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It is important that they have the best life possible. Thanks, Debbie.
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You must love it when there’s a dog in the challenge photo. Well done, John.
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I do. Thamks, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you for sharing the post, Michael.
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😊😊
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[…] This Train by John W. Howell © 2022 […]
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