Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt Socks

December 26, 2015December 25, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 25 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday again and this week’s prompt is “socks”. Linda Hill says we can use the prompt anyway we want. Now I have to ask you how many ways can you used the word “socks?” Well if you would like to know more about this program just visit Linda’s site http://lindaghill.com/2015/12/25/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-2615/ You can pick up all the info you need there. Here is my interpretation.

“So what did you do after the guy socks you in the nose?’

“I stood there and cried like a baby.”

“what? You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“You don’t know how much that hurt.’

“I can imagine but to just stand there and cry doesn’t sound like you.”

“Oh, it was me alright.”

“How long did you stand there?”

“Not long. I wiped my tears, bloody nose and then got revenge.”

“Got revenge? How did you do that?”

“Well, this guy was wearing white socks see.”

“Yes.”

“He got blood all over them.”

“I don’t think that sounds like revenge. He could just wash them.”

“Oh, I should mention.”

“What?”

“I hit him with my ball bat.”

“What did he do?”

“He was on the ground out cold.”

“So you bled on his socks?”

“Poetic ain’t it?”

“I’m walking away now.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue # 56 by Keith Channing

December 22, 2015December 28, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 23 Comments

I guess by now you all know I love writing prompts, and Keith Channing posts a picture once a week on Mondays. You can go here and see the post http://channing.info/wp/2015/12/21/kreative-kue-56/

Here is the photo and my interpretation follows.

Kreative Kue #56

“I thought the sign was self-explanatory. Driving off the road is not allowed. What makes these damned tourists think the whole world is there for their amusement? Is is not obvious that taking a car down these stairs is a dangerous thing to do. In all my years as a park ranger, I’ve never seen anything like it. Right out of nowhere that van loaded with snot nosed kids and a couple of throwbacks to cro-magnon man come barreling off the road, down the stairs, and through the men’s room and back up on the wall and the road again. I almost believe they took that sign as a challenge. As soon as I get my clipboard I will write down that license plate number and then call it into the Tanzanian state police. They can’t get far, after all, that stone wall probably tore out their oil pan, and their engine will seize up in no time.

Let me see if I have this right. A blue-colored van with South African license plates. The driver looked like some rotter from the city. His wife was on the phone which is typical. I better repeat the number until I get to the clipboard. Let’s see DMB 187 EC. DMB 187 EC. Dumb 87 EC. Yeah, I got it. I wish the park would give me a weapon. I’d a had those two on the ground in no time. Not much I can do with a ballpoint pen and a set of keys. I was lucky to escape the way they were driving. I have to say that trash can saved me. One more time on the number DUMB 78 CE. They’ll be sorry.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Store”

December 19, 2015December 18, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 27 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This week’s prompt is “store.” The grand master has allowed us to use the word any way we like. If you would like to know more, please visit Linda Hill at http://lindaghill.com/2015/12/18/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-1915/. Here is my interpretation of “store.”

“You can put a lot of store in what he says.”

“You sure. I don’t know him well at all.”

“Yes. He’s one of those guys who when he gives you his word it’s like gold.”

“That is funny cause he said the same about you.”

“He did?”

“Yeah. He said your word was a good as fool’s gold.”

“Fool’s gold. Are you sure he said fool’s gold.”

“I remember his exact comment. He said, “That Jack’s word is like fool’s gold. A flash in the pan.”‘

“Why that no good liar.”

“I thought you said his word was gold.”

“I think I gave him too much of the benefit of the doubt.”

“I suppose if your word is like fool’s gold and then if you said someone’s word was good as gold it would be the opposite.”

“You are beginning to make sense.”

“So he is a liar then.”

“Nope. His word is as good as gold, and you can put store into what he says.”

“I get it. I think I won’t trust him.”

“I think you are a smart man.”

“Which might mean you think I’m a dummy.”

“Okay, you’re a dummy.”

“Thanks. Let’s go and get some snacks and watch the game. Who’s going to win?”

“The Steelers.”

“I think I’ll take Denver.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue by Keith Channing – Prompt

December 15, 2015December 14, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 26 Comments

I guess by now you all know I love writing prompts, and Keith Channing posts a picture once a week on Mondays. You can go here and see the post http://channing.info/wp/2015/12/07/kreative-kue-54/

Here is the photo and my interpretation follows.

Kreative Kue #55

“Sorry lady but I missed your comment.”

“Oh, young man my comment wasn’t for you to hear. I was talking to my friends.”

“I’m not sure I wasn’t supposed to hear. It sounded like you were commenting on my three legs.”

“My goodness, no young man. I was pointing to that building over there and wondered aloud if that’s where they stored eggs.”

“Eggs huh. Aren’t you a little old to be telling fibs?”

“I think all of us are allowed to tell lies once in a while. Especially if we avoid hurting someone’s feelings.”

“Like mine for instance?”

“Well yes.”

“You needn’t have bothered. I’m long past getting hurt feelings over my three legs.”

“Young man now that you have mentioned your three legs let me ask how you come to have three legs?”

“It is not a pretty story.”

“I think the three of us have heard most everything. If you would like to share, we would be willing to listen.”

“Well, when I was born I had four legs and lost one in the hay bailer.”

“Okay stop right there. You were right in the first place. I think it is none of our business. We have to be going.”

“You don’t want to hear about how I got into the hay bailer?”

“N-no thank you. Come on girls we need to catch the bus.”

“It’s a great story.”

“Bye now young man. Good luck to you.”

“I was on top of the machine—”

“We can’t hear you. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Clo”

December 12, 2015December 11, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 33 Comments

I guess if you read the headline you are as confused as me. The Stream of Consciousness prompt this week is “Clo.” We are to use the three letters in the order you see here. Some folks wonder why writers are near the edge many times. With this kind of prompt is there any wonder. If you would like to challenge yourself to go near the edge check out Linda Hill’s site http://lindaghill.com/2015/12/11/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-1215/.You will find all you need to know about going bonkers there. Now for my interpretation of Clo.

“I mean it Harry. You need to come out of the closet.”

“I don’t have anything to declare.”

“No, you dope. I mean get your butt out of my closet. I need to get dressed.”

“My, my we are certainly touchy this morning.”

“Touchy my rear. How would you like to have some idiot sleeping in your closet? You are funking up all my clothes.”

“Come on Trish. I took a bath…er…last week. Besides, you know I need a place to crash.”

“The hotel is closed Harry. You need to move on. Look at the clock. When the big and little hand are on the twelve, you need to be cloistered somewhere else.”

“You use words like you are a nun or something. You’re sure not clothed like a nun.”

“You are getting close to being clobbered Harry. Watch your mouth.”

“Okay. Let me gather my clothing and be gone.”

“Don’t forget those awful clown shoes as well.”

“You never like me as a clown did you?”

“Don’t be a clod Harry. No one likes clowns.”

“I don’t know about that. You used to laugh pretty hard when I came clomping in after the show.”

“Well, that’s when we were getting along and had a closeness in our relationship.”

“Yeah what happened?”

“You never got your head out of the clouds. You never grew up.”

“My life is cloudless now.”

“And I have closure, Harry. I have moved on.”

“I know Trish. I wish I could as well. One more night in your closet and I’m sure I can close down my feelings.”

“You only have ten minutes Harry.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible Kreative Kue #54 by Keith Channing

December 8, 2015December 7, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 20 Comments

I guess by now you all know I love writing prompts, and Keith Channing posts a picture once a week on Mondays. You can go here and see the post http://channing.info/wp/2015/12/07/kreative-kue-54/

Here is the photo and my interpretation follows.

Kreative Kue #54

“Well, then I said to the teacher, ‘why do I always have to play these stupid drums'”?

“Was that when he gave you detention?”

“No. Thant comes later. He told me the reason I play the drums is I stink at horns.”

“Wow. That musta hurt.”

“Darn right, it did.”

“So what did you say then?”

“I told him to give me a chance, and I would show him how good I can be on a horn.”

“So why aren’t you playing a horn?”

“Well, it gets complicated. He told me that there were no openings in the horn section so I would have to wait.”

“That sounds reasonable. I don’t know why you get all in a bunch. You think shaking these gourds is fun?”

“I wouldn’t do what you are willing to do.”

“Oh, you too good for gourds?”

“They are called maracas and no I’m not too good. I just was born to be a horn player.”

“So what kind of horn are you going to play if you ever get a chance?”

“I don’t know. I’m thinking of Rhino, but then there’s a Springbok.”

“Springbok is an antler.”

“Okay, then how about a big horn antelope? Also, I told the teacher that we need different uniforms. I said we are tired of looking like we are in the army.”

“What did he say?”

“You’re in detention.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Miss.”

December 5, 2015December 4, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 21 Comments

Stream of Consciousness Saturday and Linda Hill is back from her trip to Japan. Since she is well rested and of sound mind she has dictated the prompt for this week is ‘miss.” Now here comes the good news. We can use it any way we want. If you would like to join in this fun, please visit Linda’s site to read more on how to behave. Here is the link http://lindaghill.com/2015/12/04/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-515/

“Excuse me, Miss.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“I am wondering how you find that book?”

“Oh, this book?”

“Yes, the one you are reading.”

“I have to say it is hit or miss on the plot.”

“Oh, really? I’ve heard a lot of good comments about it. What is the miss, Miss?”

“Miss? miss. You are a corker.”

“Excuse me, Miss? A corker.”

“You know a funny person.”

“Not really Miss. I’m quite plain.”

“Not from where I’m sitting. You look rather distinguished.”

“I’m blushing Miss. Can we get back to what you describe as the miss part of the story Miss?”

“Oh yes. You see the plot seems logical part of the time and illogical at other times.”

“I see. So you would not recommend it.”

“No, not really. It’s stuffy, and the dialog is convoluted.”

“I’ve never heard that before Miss.”

“Wait a minute. This picture on the back. It’s you. You wrote this book.”

“Yes. Jonathon Miss at your service.”

“Aw come on your last name isn’t Miss. It’s Jenkley.”

“Might as well be Junkly Miss.”

“Will you sign my book?”

Tuesday-Anything Possible Kreative Kue #53 by Keith Channing and a Reminder that His Revenge is on sale for $0.99

December 1, 2015November 30, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 26 Comments

The reminder first

As a reminder beginning at 12:00 am PST (6:00 am GMT) on November 30th (Yesterday) until 12:00 pm PST (6:00 pm GMT) on December 1st (Today) His Revenge will be on sale for $0.99 in the US and £0.99 in the UK. This event is a thirty-six-hour sale for the US and UK markets and is in support of CYBER Monday. If you want to read His Revenge, for a limited time it is available for less than half of a Vente coffee at Starbucks. (And lasts longer)

Now to Creative Cakes # 53

As you may know, I have become enamored by the talent of Keith Channing. He has a weekly prompt named Creative Kue, which runs on Mondays. Here are the instructions from Keith for the prompt. “Using this photo as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr 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 blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated.”

His advice. “Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your blog or website, next Monday.” Here are the photo and my interpretation.

SONY DSC

“Hello there. Anyone here?”

“I don’t think there is anyone.”

“This is the right spot. I have the directions right here in my hand.”

“There are no people to serve us, though.”

“I can see that. Where do you suppose they went.”

“I don’t know, but I would say they are missing a real nice opportunity to sell some pies.”

“I know right? I dressed up in my Bastille Day soldier outfit just for the occasion.”

“Tell me. That outfit stinks by the way.”

“Aw come on. It’s festive.”

“Why choose a soldier outfit?”

“I didn’t want to be a peasant.”

“Well, that make sense. Not.”

“So do we just help ourselves to the pies?”

“I don’t know. That truck we passed looks like it delivered them. Of course the name is kind of funny.”

“What do you mean?”

“The lettering on the door says, Marcel Le Cordier.”

“So that means deliverer of pies right?”

“I wish you would learn to read. No, it doesn’t say that.”

“What does it say for heaven’s sake?”

“Le Cordier translates to The Tailpiece.”

“The tailpiece. What the hell does that mean?”

“I think it means we should avoid the pies.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Stuff”

November 28, 2015November 27, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 18 Comments

Linda hill is still cavorting in japan so she appointed Pavowski as the person in charge. He has dictated that the prompt is “stuff.” and all the various derivations. If you would like to know more and join in go to Linda’s blog and find out how. http://lindaghill.com/2015/11/27/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-2815/ Here is my interpretation.

“What is that stuff?”

“This stuff?”

“Yeah, that stuff. What is it?”

“It’s my stuff man.”

“Well. that tells me a lot. What is it?”

“You can’t tell from there?”

“Looks like basket of laundry to me.”

“It’s not laundry. Take a closer look.”

“Okay now I see. Your stuff is nothing but cans.”

“These aren’t cans they’re gold. I’m dealing in the commodies market.”

“Next you’ll tell me your cardboard box is a castle.”

“Better than nothing and yeah its a castle to me. what chew got?”

“Well I’ll tell you I don’t count my wealth in terms of cans. My stuff is more valuable than that.”

“Like what kind of stuff do you have?”

“My stuff has substance and a projectable cash flow.”

“What stuff is that?”

“Corner marketing.”

“Corner marketing?”

“Yeah, standing out there with my advertising message.”

“What message?”

“A number of them.”

“Give me one.”

“Will work for food.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #52 by Keith Krates

November 24, 2015November 30, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 28 Comments

As you may know, I have become enamored by the talent of Keith Channing. He has a weekly prompt named Kreative Kue, which runs on Mondays. Here are the instructions from Keith for the prompt. “Using this photo as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr 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 blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated.”

His advice. “Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your blog or website, next Monday.” Here is the photo and my interpretation.

Kreative Kue #52

“You’ve got to be kidding me. Fifty dollars for this wood and screen?”

“That madam is no ordinary timber and screen. That has power beyond belief.”

“Yeah sure. It looks like a simple wall hanging to me.”

“I can assure you. The magic in that item could make you rich.”

“Rich? You must be nuts. I’ll give you four bucks.”

“I cannot accept your nice offer. If I do the magic will turn black and might be harmful to you.”

“Man, you won’t give up will you?”

“I must protect you. I could let that go for forty dollars and all the right magic will still be intact.”

“What if I still say no and put it down.”

“Oh, I’m afraid it’s too late for that. Once you pick it up, the magic stays with you. If you set it down, the magic will drain out of you. You’ll be cursed.”

“Do you have a license to sell these things?”

“I get my permissions from God.”

“OMG. I’m putting this down now and walking away.”

“Suit yourself madam. Only you will be the one to suffer. Oh, and your family of course.”

“Goodbye, sir.”

“God speed madam I have to take this call. Hello, Sam. How many times have I asked you not to call me while I’m working? Sales? Naw not going so well. Yes, I am trying the curse strategy but no one takes me seriously. Sure I could lay a curse on someone but I’m thinking we should get into another line of business. These wooden things can’t suck enough. Yes, I know your wife makes them but come on. Look you can’t talk to me that way. What? Yeah, I could curse you and don’t call me Lucy. My name is Lucifer.”