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.
Gone by John W. Howell © 2022
“So Trevor, what are you doing out here?”
“I, uh misplaced something.”
“Misplaced something? What is it?”
“Not really a what. More like a who.”
“Ah, I see. A lost love, perhaps.”
“Well, I guess you could put it that way.”
“You want to talk about it?”
“Yeah, sure. Not much to say, though.”
“Well, share what you feel comfortable sharing. Say, is that lipstick on your neck?”
“Okay, I tell you. I met this girl and invited her to the camper.”
“Sounds romantic.”
“She said she would love to go with me.”
“Yes?”
“So we came here and got inside where it was warm.”
“It’s getting interesting.”
“We decided to sing some songs.”
“Sing? Is that a code word?”
“No. Really sing. Trouble was she couldn’t carry a tune.”
“Where was I when all this was going on?”
“Still in town, I suspect.”
“Okay, go on.”
“Well, I started to teach her how to carry a tune.”
“And?”
“She became distraught, so I thought I would try something else.”
“Is this where the lipstick comes in?”
“You are very wise. Yes, I decided to put some on her.”
“Then what happened.”
“She bolted for the door, and here we are.”
“Boy, that’s too bad. Did you learn anything with this experience?”
“Yeah, I sure did.”
“Tell me.”
“When you try to teach a pig to sing, you end up with a frustrated pig and teacher.”
“She was a pig?”
“Didn’t I tell you that?”
“No. No matter. Did you learn anything else?”
“You can put lipstick on a pig, but you still have a pig.”
“Wisdom beyond your years. I would write those down.”
“No opposable thumb, remember.”
“Have Seri remind you then.”
“Will do.”
Fiction Favorites 
Poor Trevor. Fancy him thinking he could teach a pig to sing. Next thing you know, he’ll be appearing on America’s Got Talent!
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Maybe he could brush up on his ventriloquism act and sing for the pig. Just a thought.
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You are so clever, John! And now I am remembering a certain ex-governor who shall remain nameless!
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Yes, Ann Richards (one time Texas Gov) was colorful. That expression has quite a history. Obama used it in 2008 and caused a stir.. Thanks, Mae.
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Love brings out the optimist in all of us. Poor little guy.
Good job, John.
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Thank you, Dan. 😊
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But did the pig fly? Nice, John!
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I think he just might have ….
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LOL! 🙂
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, GP.
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Maybe that’s why she is gone. Thanks, Jill.
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Poor Trevor.
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Unlucky in love for sure. Thanks, Craig.
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Poor Trevor. Maybe he just chose the wrong pig… or the wrong song – have to take her pitch into consideration, yanno 😉
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Lot of broken glassware around the camper too. Maybe he is better off without her.
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I’m thinking so… 🙂
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haha, Keith beat me to it – America’s Got Talent or I do believe American Idol will be back….
I just thought the dog was wondering how long it would take to dig a tunnel to the rabbit.
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That snow did look pretty deep. Thanks, GP.
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Hilarious, John. You surprised me with this one, like always. 🤣
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Always good to be surprised. (Well, on some things like a story) Thanks, Gwen.
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😂
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Ha ha ha! I did not see the lipstick-on-a-pig bit coming!!
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I didn’t either till I got there. Thanks, Liz.
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You’re welcome, John. 😀
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I didn’t see the pig in lipstick coming either. I think those above me are right and that pig flew. 😀
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I will bow to their genius. Thanks, Deborah. 😊
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😀 Me too!
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Seeing a pig with lipstick on flying brings a wry smile to my face, but I can’t see how else she could have left the camper. No tracks in the snow. 🙂
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Good deduction, Tim. It’s final then. The pig could fly.
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🙂
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😊
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That was a surprisingly wild adventure. Really took off with the revelations.
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Philosophy dog. 😁
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“You can put lipstick on a pig, but you still have a pig.”
So true! Who knew dogs were so wise?
Thanks for the smiles, John.
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Glad to manufacture smiles. Thanks for letting me know you got some, Staci. 😁
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Your cleverness is never lacking, John. Thanks for the smiles again!
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Thank you, Lauren. 😊
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In a camper? To sing? C’mon, Trevor, we know better, you thought you were going get ‘a pig in a blanket’!!!
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Oooops. You caught him.
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Another wonderful mind blowing story, John! Keep ‘stephen.bottcher@gmail.com coming.
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😁
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Just in time for Valentine’s Day — great story, John! I’ve got to feel sorry for poor Trevor, though. He doesn’t seem to have much luck with love, but at least he’s got his wits about him.
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Yes. I think he would say having wits trumps love. Thanks, Debbie.
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A pig!! Hilarious! I am bent over laughing. And bringing the old quote into it is priceless. Love it!
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Thank you, Jan 😊
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I wasn’t expecting that! Good one 🙂
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Thank you, Denise.
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M’hh.. such a cleverly written sweet story, John. Amazing!
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Thank you, Lamitten
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Most welcome, John.
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I will get right back to you John. I am looking in the Timeless Quotes by Will Rogers for the appropriate response. I should add it is the politically correct updated version for the 20s. Though I might be in trouble there. The first quote is something about Nothing is politically correct. gotta go
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you, Michael
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🙂🙂
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Lol – Really poor Trevor, but a very entertaining story for us. 😉 Thanks, John! xx Michael
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Thank you, Michel
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🙂🙂
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Very clever, John! I did not imagine Trevor was trying to sing with a pig … lol. At least he got off easy 😉
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I would say so.
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The best thing about these challenges is the unpredictable nature of where everyone will take them. A photo like that entitles the imagination to run wild. Fun time reading your post, John!
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Thank you. Pete. I love these prompts. Gives me an opportunity to let go.
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It was a good try, an earnest try. But the whole lipstick on a pig jumped the shark all the way back when Sarah Palin made a joke about it during one of her stump speeches. I was actually there, and it’s when I knew we’d lost another expression to the ether.
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😁
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Hahaha!!
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😁
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[…] Gone by John W. Howell © 2022 […]
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