Tuesday Anything Possible – Kreative Kue Photo Prompt # 40

September 1, 2015August 31, 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.

Here is my interpretation.

“Larry look at that guy.”

“I can’t he will see if I turn my head. Tell me.”

“Okay. You won’t believe it. He looks like a Roman.”

“How-”

“Sush, not so loud.”

“Okay, is this better?”

“Yes.”

“How do you know he looks like a Roman.”

“Well for one thing he has leather armor on.”

“Well, that is odd but is it like Roman armor?”

“That’s my opinion, Larry. You are such a pain sometimes. The point isn’t if he is authentic it’s that he is in costume.”

“Hey, you told me to keep my voice down. You should too.”

“Yeah fine. Want some of this sandwich?”

“No. I want to know more about the Roman.”

“Just look at him. What’s he going to do? Run you through with his spear.”

“He has a spear?”

“Yes, it’s laying on the box he is sitting on.”

“That’s a little more like it. I’m going to sneak a peek. OMG, he is wearing Bally sandals .”

“You idiot I didn’t say he was a Roman I said he looks like one.”

“He has horn-rim glasses. What a fake. You didn’t tell me about the glasses.”

“I could hit you with this sandwich. Why don’t you go tell him not me.”

” I would like to do that very thing.”

“What’s stopping you ?”

“He does have a spear, and I have to say his haircut looks right. I’m unsure.”

“You’re impossible.”

“Still offering a bite of the sandwich?”

“Please don’t make me tell you what to bite given how I feel right now.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt Any Four Letter Word

August 29, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 26 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday again. This week’s prompt is any four letter word. This more or less opens the world of words that have four letters. I guess I could go to all kinds of extra efforts to find a real good four letter word yet the one that immediately comes to mind is love. I think I’ll go with that one. If you would like to join in each week go to Linda’s site and find out how to do it. It’s easy so come on join in. http://lindaghill.com/2015/08/28/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-august-2915/ Here is my interpretation of a four letter word prompt.

“So you’re part of this prompt thing are ya?”

“Yeah, I am. This week’s is a bit of a puzzle though.”

“How so?”

“The prompt is any four letter word.”

“Any four letter word? Wow I can think of a hundred right off the top of my head.’

“All good for mixed company right?”

“Well anyone I hang out with has heard them all before.”

“I can imagine.”

“What’s that mean?”

“Oh nothing. I just think we’ve all become too casual about the use of profanity.”

“Profanity? What makes you think I was talking about profanity?”

“Oh I don’t know. Just the way you jumped on the four letter thing I guess.”

“Well I’ll have you know the first word that popped into my mind was ‘help.”’

“Help? You serious?”

“Yeah then walk, talk , milk, silk, wish, fish, rant, aunt, tale, fail,near, beer─”

“Okay I get it. I’m sorry I accused you of being profane.”

“Said, dead, keep, beep─”

“Enough. I take it back.”

“I love you man.”

“W-what?”

“You are so gullible.”

“So I was right.”

“Naw. I was thinking of the best one.”

“Which is?”

“Love. As in I love you.”

“You kill me.”

“I love you to death.”

“You can say that again, but please don’t”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #39 by Keith Channing – Prompt

August 25, 2015August 31, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 26 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 own 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 own blog or website, next Monday.” Here is the photo.

“So that’s the moon.”

“Yes, it is. You sound like you didn’t know we’re going to land there.”

“It’s just I never imagined being chosen for this mission.”

“Oh, I understand. Aw inspiring eh?”

“You can say that again. Where’d you pick up the accent?”

“Accent? What accent?”

“That little eh on the end of your last sentence.”

“Never thought of it.”

“Anyway there is an old myth that the moon is green cheese.”

“It sorta looks that way right now.”

“I think it’s the glass tint on the windshield.”

“Yeah, you could be right.”

“I wish I was wrong, though.”

“Why’s that?”

“I promised my mom I would bring back a sample of the moon.”

“Why would green cheese be a better sample than a rock?”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“No, why?”

“What is tastier? Green cheese or a rock?”

“So your mom would eat a moon souvenir?”

“She’s a mouse. What do you think?”

“Yeah. I keep forgetting we are mice. All this space travel hype. I almost thought I was a real astronaut.”

“You know the difference between an astronaut and a mouse don’t you?”

“Besides the obvious I’ll bite.”

“Astronaut’s got a round trip ticket.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Prompt from Keith Channing

August 18, 2015August 17, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 18 Comments

Keith Channing has a prompt each week he calls Kreative Kue. He posts a picture and has these instructions. “ 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.” Here is the link to his post http://channing.info/wp/2015/08/17/kreative-kue-38-2/

This week’s photo.

“I’m telling you I know this area, and you can find a reasonably priced home. All you have to do is keep looking.”

“Well, you’re my real estate agent. Why don’t you show me some things?”

“That’s why we’re here.”

“In a shopping center in front of a barber shop.”

“Now you have to keep an open mind.”

“Open mind about what?”

“About living in a barber shop.”

“You have to be kidding me.”

“Are you allergic to hair?”

“That’s not the point. Why do you think I should live in a barber shop?”

“Well for one thing this is Florida, and your budget is pretty small. Besides I think I can get the owner to knock off some of the rent if you agree to sweep up at night.”

“This is ridiculous. Where do you live if I may ask?”

“You’re in my house.”

“This van?”

“Well, it’s better than a barbershop. I even have a pet whatchamacallit bird out for a walk right now.”

“I need a new agent.”

“No, you need a ton more money.”

Stream Of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “ay”

August 15, 2015August 14, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 36 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday again. This week we have a new badge which was established by pitting several bloggers against each other in mortal combat. It was agreed in advance the last one standing would establish the badge for the rest. Since all manners of contests cause me to break out in a rash I did not participate. I do think all the competitors did an excellent job. Special congratulations to Hope Floats for the winning design.

This week’s prompt is “ay.” We are to use a word that ends in ay. If you would like to participate go to Linda Hill’s blog and read about the rules. Here is the link. http://lindaghill.com/2015/08/14/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-august-1515/ My interpretation follows.

“So tell me again what the guy said to you.”

“He said, ‘Aye matey, you’ll make a fine seaman.’”

“Give me a little more context here. Why would he say that?”

“Well, I asked if he was looking for employees.”

“Employees? On a ship?”

“He was standing on the corner. He had a parrot on his shoulder, and one leg was wooden. He was holding a sign that read Crew members needed. Good, pay.”

“And you decided to talk to him?”

“Aye. I mean yes. I asked him what would be the duties of a crew member.”

“This is getting worse. What did he say?”

“He mentioned manning the sails, swabbing the deck, and boarding other ships.”

“Boarding other ships? The person was a pirate?”

“Nay me hardy. The person was a sea, captain.”

“Nay? Are you nuts? You have a job and a good home.”

“That’s today. What about the future?”

“What possible future could there be in the pirate business?”

“He offered me an eighth split.”

“Split of what.”

“The bounty. You know gold, silver, and jewels.”

“Have you been watching Pirates of the Caribbean again?”

“You gave it to me for my birthday.”

“Yes, I know. I didn’t think it would be a gateway to your delusions.”

“I don’t have a delusion. In fact I gotta go I’m due at the gangway in a half hour.”

“I think I need a jug of Chardonnay.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible

August 11, 2015August 10, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 25 Comments

Here is this week’s photo and my interpretation below it.

“For heaven’s sake can’t you see I’m on holiday?”

“Yes, sir but you see my wife here just absolutely adores your work.”

“She does? Hello, I’m Reggie. What’s your name?”

“My name is Helen Mr. Trueforth.”

“Oh please call me Reggie.”

“Oh, I can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“You are the Prime Minister and a star and it wouldn’t be right.”

“Star? Well, I like the sound of that. Don’t you men?”

“Mr. Trueforth?”

“Yes, son what is it?”

“About that autograph?”

“Oh yes, it would be my pleasure. What do you have for me to sign?”

“A petition sir.”

“Oh, I would be delighted. I even have a new pen. Here you are. What is the petition against or for?”

“Your removal sir.”

“Oh. Well, I certainly wish you luck. Come on men let’s go play volleyball.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Enthuse”

August 8, 2015August 7, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 32 Comments

It is “Steam of Consciousness Saturday time again. This week’s prompt is “enthuse.” It can be used with a prefix or suffix. I was trying to think of a prefix but could not come up with one so I’ll go with the original and suffixes. If you would like to join in go to Linda Hill’s site and learn more. Here is the link http://lindaghill.com/2015/08/07/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-august-815/ Here is my interpretation of the prompt.

“All right team we are going to practice our enthusiasm today.”

“Oh goody, I just love to enthuse before lunch.”

“Who said that?”

“I did.”

“So what’s wrong with enthusiasm? We all need it sometimes.”

“Oh, nothing is wrong with enthusiasm. I just don’t think it is something you can just gin up at will. You either are enthused, or you’re not. You can’t make it up.”

“Nonsense. Enthusiasm is like any other emotion. You can practice being enthusiastic and before you know it you are enthused.”

“I’m sorry I just don’t believe its right.”

“ENTHUSE.”

“Wait. You scared me.”

“Do it.”

“Yay.”

“Bigger. Put your heart into it.”

“Yay?”

“Come on you wimp. Push it.”

“Yay!”

“Better. One more time with gusto.”

“YAY!!”

“Now you are talking. You sound enthusiastic. How do you feel?”

“Enthused sir.”

“Now that’s what I’m talking about now. Carry on enthusiastically.”

“Yes, sir. May I be excused?”

“Excused? What for may I ask?”

“I want to prevent enthuse in my pants, sir.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Photo Prompt

August 4, 2015August 3, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 36 Comments

Keith Channing is a talented writer who has a regular feature named Kreative Kue and he has published his 36^th. I find these prompts to be uniquely challenging and decided to join in this week. The idea is to take a picture Keith has published and write anything you want about it. I decided to write a flash fiction story about the photo. I hope you like it and if you want to check out Keith’s site go here http://channing.info/wp/2015/08/03/kreative-kue-36/

“Hello, Sergio. Yeah, we are almost to the border. No, it’s just the three of us. Me, Jorge and my sister. I know we should get off the phone. Will you have the truck on the other side right? Good, see you then. Goodbye.”

“Who are you talking to?”

“It’s our pickup man. He will meet us when we get across the river.”

“Do you trust him?”

“Well, let me put it this way. I have only paid him half, and he needs the money. Marie, not so fast.”

“I am anxious to get to the other side. I can’t wait to start our new life.”

“Jorge what are you doing?”

“Picking an orange. What’s the big deal?”

“We are not supposed to make any kind of trail. Don’t pick more.”

“Sure. Who died and made you boss?”

“I’ve planned this crossing for over a year. I don’t need any screw ups. Do not drop those orange peels either.”

“Oh yeah? What should I do with ’em then?”

“I could tell you, but I’m a gentleman.”

“HALT USTEDES TRES NO SE MUEVEN.”

“Oh my God it’s the border patrol.”

“What did they say?”

“HALT YOU THREE DON’T MOVE. I think they mean it.”

“Ponte de rodillas rápida.”

“Hey, no pushing. What are they saying?”

“Get down on your knees quick. I would do what they say.”

“How in the hell did they know we were here? I’ll bet it’s that phone call of yours.”

“Sorry Jorge they are saying orange. You picked the only alarm orange in the country.

“Does this mean we will not get to cross into Mexico?”

“That’s what it looks like Marie.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Ready”

August 1, 2015July 31, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 27 Comments

Stream of Consciousness Saturday time. This week’s prompt is “Ready.” We minions are allowed to use it any way we want. Humm, I can think of a few ways. If you would like to join the madness fun, please go to Linda Hill’s blog and read up on what is needed. http://lindaghill.com/2015/07/31/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-august-115/

“So are you ready?”

“Ready for what?”

“Ready to go.”

“Ready to go where?”

“Ready to go home.”

“Am I ready to go home?”

“I think that is the question. Yes, are you ready to go home?”

“No. I’m not ready.”

“Why aren’t you ready?”

“I’m not drunk enough.”

“Oh, I think you are.”

“Are what?”

“Drunk enough.”

“I think I’ve drunk enough but am not drunk enough. Does that make sense?”

“I guess in a weird way it makes sense. So you ready?”

“Sure let me get my shoes.”

“While you’re at it I would get your pants as well.”

“Might come in handy.”

“Yup.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “VIS”

July 25, 2015July 25, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 17 Comments

Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this week’s prompt is “VIS.” Linda Hill in her graciousness has allowed us to use VIS any way we want. For more information about this painful, exciting prompt go here. http://lindaghill.com/2015/07/24/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-2515/

All VISITORS MUST CHECK IN said the sign on the receptionist’s desk. Vincent stopped and waited for the young lady to acknowledge him.

“Yes, sir. May I help you?”

“Yes, you may. I’m here to see Mr. Viscount.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“I represent VIS Racing and yes I do.”

“Yes sir please sign in and I will call his assistant.”

“Thank you.”

“Sir?”

“Yes.”

“Mr. Viscount is in the visual studio and cannot be disturbed.”

“But I have an appointment for ten o’clock.”

“I understand, but his assistant said he has a concern with the stock price of VIS vis-a-vis other industrials.”