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.
Anytime Now by John W. Howell © 2022
“See anything yet?”
“Just the mountains.”
“Not very comforting.”
“Yeah, for sure.”
“So, what are we going to do?”
“I can’t think of anything but wait.”
“You sure someone’s coming.”
“Positive.”
“It’s getting colder.”
“Yeah. We should have brought warmer jackets.”
“Says the guy who mocked us for wanting to bring the winter stuff.”
“Well, that’s done. No use dwelling on it.”
“Except you have a heavy jacket.”
“You can have it.”
“Thanks. By the way, how do you know someone’s coming.”
“Before we made the emergency landing, I radioed our location with a mayday call.”
“Landing? I wouldn’t call an upside-down airplane a landing.”
“It was rockier here than I thought.”
“What made the engine fail anyway.”
“Fuel starvation.”
“Ran out of gas?”
“Well, that is another way of putting it.”
“Didn’t you fill up before taking off?”
“With the four of us, I had to take a lighter fuel load. I think the gage was off.”
“You’re supposed to do a visual on the fuel level.”
“I know, but we were in a hurry.”
“Haste makes waste.”
“Thanks, I’ll remember that.”
“Should we build a fire?”
“If you want to get warm, I’m pretty sure the burning plane won’t blow up. After all, the fuel level was pretty low.”
“Is that a joke?”
“It did sound funny.”
“Excuse me for not laughing.”
“You know a more positive attitude would go a long way.”
“Okay, how about this. I’m so glad your mistake didn’t get us all killed.”
“Now you’re talking. Look, here comes a vehicle. See, we are saved.”
“That vehicle, as you call it, looks like a truck full of pigs.”
“It is still a way out of here.”
“Remind me to make an appointment when we get back.”
“An appointment?”
“I think you need to have your head examined.”
“Yeah, good. I’ll remind you.”
“Come on, kids. Daddy is treating us to a ride with his family.”
“See, your attitude is improving already.”
Fiction Favorites 
Need to remember the phrase ‘fuel starvation’. Has a lot of potential.
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A new euphemism to add to the lexicon!
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😊
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It does sound dramatic. 😁
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“Come on, kids. Daddy is treating us to a ride with his family.” 😂🤣😂
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🤣 Thanks, Chris.
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Are we there yet?
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Good one, Jill!
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It is. 😁
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I need the restroom. 😂
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Brilliant, John. Not much traffic in that part of the Scottish Highlands, that’s for sure.
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I believe it. Has a nice moon feel.
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These are the times a minor injury would be helpful. Nothing bad, but enough to generate some sympathy. Well done, John.
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I think we have all been there on certain occasions. Maybe not as extreme though. Thanks, Dan
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Nah, nag, nag, they’re always nagging over silly things! (Don’t let my wife see this…)
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You are covered. I just burned your response. 😂
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Phew! Thanks.
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😊
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Love the comment about daddy’s family.
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I think she is at the full mark on patience.
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haha, I like Jill’s answer – are we there yet?
From the woman on the rock, “Keep looking! I know I left my pocketbook out there somewhere!”
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Needle in a haystack situations. 😁
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This was hilarious!
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I appreciate that, Liz. Thank you.😊
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You’re welcome, John.
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Good one, John. That tale sure fits the photo. Riding with a truck load of pigs? Hmmmm. 🙂
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Not the most pleasant way for sure.
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This was so funny! Fuel starvation…good one!
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😊
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I’m going to have to remember the phrase “fuel starvation”! Good one, John!
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I hope you never need to use it, Deborah. 😁
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Me too!! 😀
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I sense a marriage counselor or a divorce lawyer in the near future, LOL.
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I think you may be right, Mae. The truck ride will be the deciding factor between the two.😊
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🤣
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😁
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A ride with his family? That’s a good one, John. 🤣 Thanks for the early morning amusement. Loved this read!
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Thank you, Gwen. It was fun to write too. 😁
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Keep looking, she has a red sweater on.
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Still chilly wouldn’t you say?
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Love “fuel starvation”, John. What a delightful read!
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Thank you, Dina. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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LOL! When my son was a baby, I was mocked for bringing a suitcase full of warm clothes to Lauderhill, Florida in February, so I repacked for the second leg of the trip to Key West. It was 50 degrees and we froze!!!
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I have been cold in Key West as well so I know that feeling.
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Fuel starvation—haha. 🤣
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😁
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There’s someone I’d never fly with again! Good one, John 🙂
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I’m with you. Thanks, Denise.
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“A positive attitude would go a long way.” Yep, that’s true for most family vacations. Nicely done, John!
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Thank you, Debbie.
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Oh my! There is too much to love about this one, John. The dialogue, the situation, the rescue…great stuff!
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Thank you, Jan
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Oh, I’d say they are in “good” hands. At least they’ll have a story to tell on TikTok. 🙂
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That is true. Thanks, Mark.
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It’s a Catch-22 with this pilot. His bedside manner is great, but in order to enjoy it, you’re probably going to be in a hospital . . bedside.
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Ha ha ha. Good one.
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A great story that made me laugh. When I first saw the image, I figured they were looking for the AAA tow truck. Your story was so much better. The dialogue was great.
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Thank you so much, Lauren. 😁
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If they get hungry there’s always pork rinds 🙂
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Now well cooked.
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Why does this have echoes of my life? Fuel starvation, ha! I’ll try that one sometime.
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I think we all can hear this one slightly in the background.
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Ah Inadequate Males Syndrome at play!
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Symphony of Syndrome
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Our conversations run much like this.
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I have some like this as well.
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Another thank you for sharing. 😁
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😁
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Thank you with a big smile, John! Yes, “fuel starvation” is to remember, for later usage. 🙂 xx Michael
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Thank you, Michael. 😊
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You’re welcome, John! Best greetings to the girls. 😉 xx Michael
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[…] Anytime Now by John W. Howell © 2022 […]
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Some friends should be limited to a bar stool encounter, yanno? Safer!!
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“Bar stool encounter.” I love that. 😁
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I have my moments…😉
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