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 your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before Sunday evening UK time. 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. Thank you for taking part.”
The photo.
Visit Keith’s blog to see what others do with this prompt. Here is the link: https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2023/09/18/kreative-kue-399/
Country by John W. Howell © 2023
“Look through your scope and tell me what you see.”
“Yeah, you are right. It’s a man with a dog.”
“Any idea what he is doing here?”
“I don’t have a clue. But if he keeps walking in this direction, no tellin’ what will happen.”
“He’s got something slung over his shoulder. Can you see it?”
“Yeah. I can’t make it out.”
“Sachel bomb, you think?”
“Could be, but looks more like a lunch.”
“How can you tell that?”
“I’ve never seen a sachel bomb in a Yeti tote.”
“Could be a clever ruse.”
“I suppose. I’m more worried about that poor dog.”
“What about it?”
“He’s got it on the end of some kind of tether.”
“Which means?”
“Could be a remote-controlled explosive device.”
“Is the dog real?”
“Looks that way.”
“Man, talk about a cold-blooded killer. Uses a live dog as a bomb.”
“I don’t know, but I don’t get a killer vibe out of this guy.”
“How so?”
“Given the white whiskers and the country dress, I take him for a blogger.”
“A blogger. What the heck is a blogger?”
” Solitary beast that continues to write no matter what.”
“What makes you think he’s a blogger?”
“Aside from the dress, who else would be walking along a solitary road in the country with a dog on a rope?”
“I’ll take your word for it. So do we let him get close or vaporize him?”
“I say we let him pass. I’m sure he is harmless.”
“How would he react to the description that he’s harmless?”
“Probably write an angst-filled post about people experiencing harmlessness. The feeling would pass in a day after all the comments from empathetic readers.”
“Can we get into this blogging thingy?”
“What? Give up this vital security overwatch assignment and go back home?”
“Does sound pretty good.”
“And we have spare fuel for the ship.”
“And it’s only ten lightyears.”
“We would be the first bloggers. Our first post could be titled ‘Coming Home.'”
“On second thought, we have a job to do.”
“Yeah. Our world is counting on us. Another Earthling will come along.”
“One every hundred Earth years.”
“We need to be here.”
“Besides, it’s Taco Tuesday.”
“Settled then. We stay.”
Fiction Favorites 
Welp, it’s official.
Taco Tuesday is the universal term for “Let’s eat!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed. It could be the interstellar term as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No life changing decisions on Taco Tuesday. Makes sense.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true. No need to tempt fate.
LikeLike
Well! Taco Tuesday explains it all, John. 🤪
LikeLiked by 1 person
It goes a long way right?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some mornings it takes light years to get to Taco Tuesday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or so it would seem. Thanks, John
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t blame them. Don’t let anything interfere with taco Tuesday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s for sure. Thanks, Craig.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the blogger bit! 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
A page out of real life. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not surprised!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll stay anywhere for tacos! My favorite!😋
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are the best. Thanks, Jill.
LikeLike
Thinking about tacos takes their mind off their security assignment? Good one, John, with a cool twist.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Tim. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Canadian and his dog entering the US illegally.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Could well be. Thanks, Dan.
LikeLike
Taco Tuesday is always a good reason to stay 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think so too. Thanks, Denise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
From Tom: Looks like Andy looking for Mayberry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha. Good one.
LikeLike
Most excellent, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Maggie.
LikeLike
Sachel bombs in Yeti totes, exploding dogs, blogging and taco Tuesday. And it all makes sense! Excellent, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad it does Lois. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
If he harms the dog, vaporize him. Otherwise, let him be. Good job with the prompt, John. I like it when you also go off the beaten path. But think of the ad revenue from being the first blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Dan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol, John. I can’t think of a proper comment. Such an imagination! 🙂
LikeLike
Nothing gets in the way of Taco Tuesday!! I’m glad they didn’t vaporize the poor dog, at least.
LikeLike
So true! People have a comment for every perceived wrongdoing, lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They do. Thanks, Jacquie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Taco Tuesday: Keeping the universe safe. Good story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. All is quiet tonight.
LikeLike
So funny, love this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊 Thank you, Holly
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was really good, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you liked it, Jennie. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hilarious, John. I love their description of a blogger.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Diana.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Imaginative & everything connects so well John! I missed the string in the pic at first but after reading, had to look it up again ! Yup… bloggers 👍 we are in our own world … connecting the dots on the canvas !
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad it came together.
LikeLike
[…] Country by John W. Howell © 2023 […]
LikeLike