Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “to/too/two

November 21, 2015November 20, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 18 Comments

It is Steam of Consciousness Saturday again. This week’s prompt is “To/Too/Two.” Since Linda Hill is away in Japan the temporary dungeon mistress HELEN ESPINOSA says we can use these in any manner we choose. (You can tell she is temporary). If you would like to be a part of this ~~madness~~ fun, go to Linda’s post and find out the cost of chiming in. (hint its free) http://lindaghill.com/2015/11/20/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-2115/ Here is my interpretation.

“To what good deed does this gift belong.”

“Oh, no good deed. I just wanted to give you something since you are my friend.”

“I’m totally taken back. I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything, just open it.”

“I’m so excited.”

“Go ahead and tear the paper.”

“My goodness what have we here.”

“I hope you like it.”

“Like it? I love it.”

“It came in the color blue too. I thought you would rather have the red. Also, the guy said the red brings good luck.”

“Yes, the red is so much more distinguished. Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome. I’m sorry they did not have two. I would have liked one as well.”

“Aw. That’s a shame. We could have been twins.”

“I’m not sure about that. I’m so much bigger than you.”

“No, I mean If we wore the same red nose people would think we were twins.”

“Well, they would assume we both had red noses alright. So Rudolf try it on.”

Tuesday Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #51 by Keith Channing

November 17, 2015November 16, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 16 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.

Kreative Kue #51

“Okay, ladies I placed the call. Anything happen while I was away.”

“No nothing much. Charlene here has cold feet.”

“I do not have cold feet. I just said we should think it over and make sure the plan is airtight. Betty’s the one who’s concerned.”

“You can’t say that Charlene. All I said was I don’t want to get caught. Tell us again Jean your thought on getting away.”

“Well to me it’s simple. We go in with our disguises on, and when we come out and get in the cars, we take them off. No one will know it’s us.”

“I think it’s a good plan, Jean. How about the rest of you? You’ve been quiet Mariann. What do you think?”

“I’m just about finished with my disguise, and I say we do it.”

“Good job Marianne. So if you are all okay here’s the plan. We get in the cars and drive to the location. We park as close as we can but avoid the surveillance cameras. We go in and spread out. We use the big bags to take as much as we can. When we think we are finished we get out clean and head for the cars. Everyone got it? Any questions?”

“I have one.”

“Yes, Charlene what is it?”

“Who’s idea was it to do Black Friday at Wal-Mart in the first place?”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Indescribable

November 14, 2015November 13, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 23 Comments

Well, it is another Stream of Consciousness Saturday. This week’s prompt is “indescribable” and the ~~dungeon master~~ leader Miss Linda says we can use the actual word or base the post on something that defies description. (hmmm I guess that’s what the word means) If you would like to add additional ~~stress~~ meaning to your writing life why not go to Linda’s site and see what it takes. Here is the link, http://lindaghill.com/2015/11/13/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-1415/ Here is my contribution.

“So come on tell me what it was like.”

“You would not believe it. I was standing there, and all of a sudden a blinding light washed over me.”

“Then what happened?”

“Then this voice came out of the light and told me to buy a lotto ticket.”

“And you did?”

“No. Not then.”

“So what did you do?”

“Well, I went to the convenience store and asked the clerk what I should do.”

“Come on you’re killing me. What then?”

“She told me to go back to the light and find out the numbers to play.”

“That was excellent advice. Did you do it?”

“I sure did. The light was still there, and so I asked what numbers to play.”

“You got the numbers?”

“Well no. What happened next defies description.”

“Shoot me in the face. Finish the story.”

“The big ole light tells me to think of a number from one to one hundred.”

“What did you say?”

“I picked twenty-one.”

“Then what?”

“The light said, nope that ain’t it.”

“Okay, What happened next.”

“We did that six more times and each time the light told me I was wrong.”

“How does this end?”

“The light yelled at me, and my fear was indescribable.”

“What did the light yell?”

“Quick pick you idiot, is what it said.”

“You are a sick person. You know that right?”

“I prefer indescribably eccentric.”

“Did you win?”

“Nope.”

“Why not?”

“Didn’t play.”

“I’ll give you the count of three to take off running.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue with Keith Channing

November 10, 2015November 16, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 22 Comments

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.

Kreative Kue #50

Here is my interpretation:

“I know it sounds strange officer, but I’m telling you the truth.”

“Let’s just go over a couple of things a little more slowly.”

“Yes, sir.”

“So you say you were sitting in that chair.”

“Yes, officer. Minding my own business.”

“I’m sure sir. Then what did you see?”

“Well, this fella comes running around the corner—”

“Did you get a good look at him?”

“I sure did.”

“What did he look like?”

“Well, he was big.”

“What do you mean big? Tall? Fat?”

“No. I mean he was about seven feet high and about the same across.”

“he was seven feet by seven feet.”

“Yeah, scared the crap out of me.”

“Then what?”

“He grabbed a bunch of chickens and kept running.”

“A bunch? How many?”

“I would say ten crates with ten in each.”

“One hundred chickens? How’s that possible?”

“Beats me officer but I think the way he was dress had something to do with it.”

“Dressed how?”

“He was in a chicken suit. He looked like a fat chicken.”

“Excuse me for asking sir.”

“Yes, officer.”

“What’s that you have in that paper bag?”

“Oh, this? it’s my lunch.”

“Your lunch looks very much like a bottle.”

“To each his own sir. To each his own.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday- Prompt “Strange, Stranger, Strangest”

October 31, 2015October 30, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 26 Comments

Stream of Consciousness Saturday time gain. This week’s prompt as dictated by the boss Linda Hill is “Strange/Stranger/Strangest.” The beautiful part is we can use one, two or all three. IT IS THE WRITER”S CHOICE. I know this doesn’t seem like a big deal to you, but to have a choice these days is a big thing.If you would like to join in go to Linda’s place and find out the rules. Here is the link: http://lindaghill.com/2015/10/30/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-3115/

“Tell me that again?”

“I saw a strange stranger doing the strangest thing.”

“You just left Linda Hill’s place right?”

“Yeah, but so what. Don’t you want to know the strangest thing the strange stranger was doing?”

“I can tell you if you were at Linda Hill’s place she probably gave you a prompt where you had to work in strange, stranger, strangest. Right?”

“I have no idea what you are talking about. You are acting strange. Almost like the strangest stranger.”

“Okay, I give up. What was the strangest thing the strange stranger was doing?”

“He was sitting on the curb drinking milk,”

“This was the strangest thing the strange stranger was doing?”

“No, not exactly.”

“You’re going to drag this out aren’t you?”

“Ask me again.”

“You have given me a headache in my eye. To humor you though here goes. What strangest thing was the strange stranger doing?”

“He was milking a cow.”

“That is strange.”

“And I didn’t recognize him.”

“So he was a stranger to you.”

“Yup and he was strange. No shoes or shirt.”

“No wonder he was milking a cow.”

“Why?”

“He couldn’t get served in the diner.

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #48 by Keith Channing

October 27, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 20 Comments

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.

“I surely wish you would slow down. My feet are killing me.”

“Not much farther Blanch. I can see the house from here.”

“Grr.”

“Whatdju say?”

“Oh, nothing. You wouldn’t care anyway.”

“Now Blanch. Let’s not be a spoiled sport and ruin everything.”

“Ruin everything you say? How about when you sold the car. Did you not think walking everywhere would wear me out?”

“I thought it would be good for both of us. You know fresh air, exercise, healthy lifestyle.”

“Healthy my butt.”

“What? You are getting further away I can’t hear you.”

“WHY DON’T YOU SLOW DOWN THEN.”

“Okay, okay. It’s that I.m anxious to see our new house.”

“Yeah, our new house that is only reachable across this godforsaken river on this rickety old footbridge.”

“Aw Blanch. We agreed the price was too good to pass up.”

“No one mentioned this bridge, and that filthy river down there.”

“It’s not filthy. It’s just brown that’s all.”

“So what do we do when we need groceries? Walk all the way to town?”

“Well…yeah.”

“I’m not going another step.”

“Fine, I’ll go alone.”

“You see the bridge is falling apart don’t you?”

“I’ll give you it needs a little repair. Come on Blanch, it’ll be fun.”

“Only if you promise to get another car.”

“That will be hard.”

“Why?”

“The money went into the house.”

“Oh. Well, I guess I will have to make the best of it.”

“That’s my Blanch. Here give us a peck.”

“With a club I’d like to give you a peck.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday

October 24, 2015October 24, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 25 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This week’s prompt is “beef.” Linda the benevolent has allowed we poor souls to use the prompt anyway we want. If you would like to join in, the fun, visit Linda’s lair site and jump in. http://lindaghill.com/2015/10/23/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-2315/

“Don’t give me that where’s the beef stuff.”

“What? I haven’t said a word.’

“I know, but you were about to say it.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I’ve been around you long enough to know exactly what’s on your mind.”

“I promise I was not going to say where’s the beef?”

“Okay then. What do you think of my story?”

“The story you asked me to read?”

“No the one in the New York Times. YES, the one I asked you to read.”

“Well…”

“I knew it. You didn’t like it.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t say you liked it.”

“You didn’t give me a chance.”

I would think a simple I liked it could be the first thing out of your mouth.”

“That would be if I liked it.”

“So?”

“There seems to be a little bit missing.”

“Missing. What’s missing?”

“You talk about a sesame bun, lettuce, tomato, and special sauce.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

“Er, it would make sense to talk about two all beef patties then.”

“Arg. I knew it. You are so conventional. Can’t you see the metaphor?”

“In a word. No.”

“Say it.”

“As much as it hurts me to say it. Where’s the beef?”

“Peasant.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #47 by Keith Channing

October 20, 2015October 19, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 21 Comments

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.

“Who is that there?”

“Where sir?”

“There on your back. Who is that little person?”

“Excuse me sir, but why do you want to know?”

“We are gathering up all the orphans so we can give them shelter. I’m from the government and here to help you.”

“Oh, I see. Well, we’ll be on our way then.”

“No. I demand you tell me your name and the name of this person.”

“My name is Abioye and this is my sister Mirembe she is mine.”

“And your parents? Where are they?”

“At home sir. They are waiting for us at home.”

“Why would they let you go out alone?”

“We go on our own all the time.”

“Not very responsible.”

“May we go, sir?”

“I still think you should come with me.”

“Our house is right over there.”

“Which one?”

“The one with the largest pole.”

“That’s prince Masego’s tent.”

“My dad.”

“I’ll wait while you go home.”

“Yes, sir. Goodbye.”

“I’m sure we’ll meet again.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Still”

October 17, 2015October 16, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 43 Comments

Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This week the dungeon master Linda has come up with the prompt “Still.” In her usual magnanimous spirit we poor souls can do whatever we want with the word. (except that Dan) If you would like to join in or learn more go to Linda’s site and all answers will be revealed. (Well, except that, that, and that.) http://lindaghill.com/2015/10/16/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-1715/ here is my interpretation.
Still by John W. Howell© 2015
“So when is that thing going to be ready?”
“What do you mean by ready?”
“You know. When do we get to drink something?”
“I’m still working out a few bugs.”
“Please don’t tell me your still has bugs. Yuck.”
“Yeah right. As if you would be fussy. No, it is just an expression for kinks.”
“Kinks? In what.”
“Man, you know the buttons to push don’t you. The tubes are copper, and there are a couple of places where the liquid can’t flow because the tube got bent.”
“How could that happen?”
“And still he tortures me.”
“Who’re you talking to?”
“Those thousands of people reading this blog.”
“Thou─ Ha ha ha. Hold still you may be exaggerating.”
“Okay, the three or four. You are still getting on my nerves.”
“I don’t mean to. When do you think the still will be ready to push out some juice?”
“You coming back for some?”
“I would like to if you will still have me.”
“Oh, no problem. The still will be operational in six years. Will you still be coming back?”
“You’re a jerk you know that?”
“Gee I don’t mean to be.”
“You still are. See ya.”

Tuesday – Anything possible Kreative Kue #46 by Keith Channing

October 13, 2015October 12, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 20 Comments

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.

“Well, mom I guess you’ll just have to get used to the fact.”

“My boy I just can’t stand the idea of you having a family before you figure out what you want to do with your life.”

“It’s a little late for that Mom. We already have a child.”

“I know son, but it seems you are not giving yourself or the child a break.’

“What are you saying mother. Give up the child?”

“She said you didn’t need to be involved.”

“I am involved. That’s our child she is holding.”

“Hush. Keep your voice down she’ll hear you.”

“She is standing outside and it’s raining. I don’t think she will hear me.”

“I think you ought to walk away. Look at you. You don’t even have a car. You have that damned motorcycle. That is not a proper conveyance for a baby let alone its mother.”

“Don’t you have any feelings for the baby? She’s your grandchild.”

“How do you know she’s my grandchild? Did you do a paternity test?”

“No of course not. She and I have been exclusive.”

“Seems to me any woman who would engage in sex before marriage is the type to have many partners.”

“Okay, mom. That’s it. I’m through talking. I’m going out to join my family. You can do what you want. This baby is ours and we’re going to be fine. Give my best to dad. Tell him thanks for driving you here.”

“Your father feels the same as I.”

“Yeah, I got the hint with him waiting in the car.”

“Please say you’ll think it over.”

“I’m going outside to wait with my family for the rain to stop and then we’re going home.”

“Goodbye, son.”

“Bye mother.”