Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Sty”

February 27, 2021February 26, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 48 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and I looked up in time to see a balloon floating down into the yard. Not being cautious, I ran over since I could see an envelope attached to a string on the balloon. Sure enough, the return address was Linda Hill’s. I ripped open the envelope to find out the prompt this week. To my surprise, here’s the message. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “-sty.” Find a word that ends in “-sty” or use the word “sty.” Enjoy!”

If you would like to participate, visit Linda’s blog and see how easy it is to lose your grip[ on reality. Here’s the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Feb. 27, 2021

“I don’t even have to ask. You got the prompt for this week.”

“Why don’t you have to ask?”

“You have the ashen look of a person who is flummoxed.”

“I’m not flummoxed. I just can’t decide the direction.”

“What is the prompt?”

“Sty.”

“Like in the eye?”

“Well, that could be one but words that end in s-t-y or the word itself.”

“Describe your bedroom, and you’ve got it.”

“Meaning?”

“Pigsty.”

“Yeah, very funny, that is a different word.”

“Okay, you got me. What are you going to do?”

“Ask a friend for help.”

“You have one?”

“I think I need to do this myself. Honesty is not your strong suit.”

“Ah, don’t be testy. I was just kidding. Let me help.”

“Okay, I’ll give you amnesty. Any ideas?”

“How about talking about modesty?”

“Um. I would have to get into immodesty descriptions, and that might get me into trouble.”

“Okay, maybe discuss your rhinoplasty.”

“Nose job? I haven’t had a nose job. That would be an element of dishonesty.”

“Was an idea that came to be looking at your nose. Maybe a nice story of the desert. Your hero could be thirsty and out of his mind.”

“And then he becomes a bloodthirsty killer as a result.”

“Now you’re cooking. I’ll leave you in this feisty mode. You’ve got this.”

“Thanks for your help. I was too hasty judging your input.”

“Now that your prompt problems are over, how about a frosty one?”

“At the Zesty Pig Pub?”

“I think you are pushing it, but sounds tasty.”

“After you, your majesty.”

“Stop it.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue # 300

February 23, 2021February 22, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 68 Comments

This is the 300th post that Keith Channing has created as a prompt. I joined his prompts after the 36th. So this means I have been enjoying and participating in Keith’s prompts since August 4th, 2015. Boy, time flies when you are having fun. Congratulations Keith on a fine job.

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 next 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 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 Monday.”

The photo,

Kreative Kue #300

Westward Ho by John W. Howell

“Amos. Come here and look at this.”

“What is it.”

“There is someone out in the south pasture on a lawn tractor.”

“I told you to make sure that gate was locked.”

“Never mind that. What is she doing there.”

“From my view, she’s mowing the hay.”

“We don’t want that do we?”

“I’ve thought it’s about time. I was just looking over the baler yesterday.”

“But she is cutting the hay, and look how it is blowing out in little pieces.”

“I think you’re right. That’s not the kind of thing we want. Hey, you on the tractor. in the pasture.”

“Me.”

“Are you on a tractor?”

“I think so.”

“Are you the only one in the pasture?”

“Besides you?”

“Yes.”

“I guess so.”

“So what are you doing here.”

“Heading West.”

“Heading West? On a lawnmower?”

“It’s the only vehicle I have.”

“But you are making a mess of my pasture.”

“I thought you would appreciate getting it cut.”

“The pieces are so small I won’t be able to pick them up.”

“Oh, I never thought of that.”

“You from around here.”

“No. I’m from New York.”

“New York City?”

“Yes.”

“And you came all the way to Iowa from there?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I have to give it to you. I couldn’t imagine doing that myself.”

“You want me to finish the mowing?”

“Maybe you need a break. What’s your name?”

“Jenny. Jenny Deere.”

“You wouldn’t be related to-”

“John Deere? Yup, he’s my dad.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #299 by Keith Channing

February 16, 2021February 15, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 67 Comments

In Keith’s words.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.

The photo.

“Hold on, everyone.”

“I can’t see my feet.”

“Looks like they are running out of shrimp.”

“Did you honestly just sneeze?”

“Where’s the help around here.”

“All you can eat for a buck?”

“Harold, you said this was an exclusive place.”

“Has anyone seen my wing?”

“Chicken wing.”

“Nah, stupid. My wing.”

“Hey, you there. That’s my serving.”

“Get your foot outa of mine then.”

“Where’s the manager?”

“Right here under y’all.”

“I’m never coming back.”

“Don’t let the door smack ya where the good Lord cracked ya.”

“Waiter. Wheres my wine?”

“You are kidding, right?”

“Yeah, make it a birdbath.”

“Anybody want to swarm after the meal?”

“Excuse me, madam. Take your wings off me. I’m not your husband.”

“You sure look like him.”

“I’ve been told that a lot.”

“Who wants dessert?”

“Is it included?”

“Yes.”

“What is it?”

“Suet paired with sunflower seeds.”

“Oh, yes, please.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – prompt – Above/Below

February 13, 2021February 12, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 75 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and here comes Linda Hill with a small package.

“Hey, Linda.”

“Hey, John. Here’s your prompt for this week.”

“Small box.”

“Small prompt. See ya.”

“Thanks, Linda. Well, let me open the box and see what we have. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “above/below.” Use one, use both, use ’em however they inspire you. Bonus points if you use them both. Enjoy!”

If you would like to have fun and enjoy, go to Linda’s blog and read how easy it is to join in. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2021/02/12/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-feb-13-2021/

“The sky above and the Earth below.”

“What are we doing?”

“I’m creating a poem.”

“What’s it about?”

“The sky and Earth.”

“I got that part; how about the rest?”

“Not sure.”

“What do you mean, not sure?”

“I only have the first line, “The sky above the Earth below.”

“Do you mind if I add to it?”

“No, go ahead.”

“The row ahead, I gotta sow.”

“Hmm. Not sure that’s where I wanted to go.”

“The wind around is starting to blow.”

“I think you are touching on it, you know.”

“The river beside me continues to flow.”

“Now you are rhyming just like a pro.”

“The temperature’s falling, and it’s starting to snow.”

“Your skill is terrific, and mine is so low.”

“Spring will be soon, and things will grow.”

“For this great poem a debt to you I owe.”

“At last, our travels lead us to this plateau.”

“Wait, keep going, and I’ll pay you some dough.”

“Alas, my mind is tired, and we must end this tableau.”

“I’m thinking of a treat you might not want to forgo.”

“Not sure there is anything that is quite apropos.”

“I have in my mind a big treat by the name of merlot.”

“The lure of the grape has no hold which I had to outgrow.”

“Well, then I suggest a new friend, beer, just say hello.”

“I have met Mr. Beer, and our friendship is definitely not nouveau.”

“Let’s stop all this rhyming and go where we can become all aglow.”

“I happen to know a spot that would be perfect.”

“I’m so gal you stopped rhyming.”

“You actually threw off my timing.”

“Stop now.”

“But how?”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue 298 by Keith Channing

February 9, 2021February 8, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 60 Comments

In Keith’s words.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The photo

Kreative Kue #298

“Trevor. Oh, Trevor.”

“Over here, boss.”

“Over where? I can hear you I can’t see you, though.”

“By the hedgerow. Near the post.”

“There you are. What on Earth?”

“What on Earth indeed.”

“What happened?”

“I was minding my own business on the scent trail of that pesky skunk and all of a sudden I found myself stuck.”

“Can’t you back out?”

“That’s just it. I tried backing out but the snow clumped up on my behind and I got stuck.”

“It looks pretty free now.”

“Yeah, cause I started rocking back and forth to make room.”

“What stopped you then?”

“The skunk.”

“The skunk? How could the skunk stop you?”

“He came over and said he could get me out.”

“Your sworn enemy offered to help you?”

“Well, he said he could get me out if I made him a promise.”

“Uh-oh. That doesn’t sound good.”

“Tell me about it. He wanted me to promise never to chase him again.”

“What did you say?”

“I told him I could never make a promise like that.”

“What’d he do.”

“Walked away. So, now, can you get me out?”

“Sure but I need you to make me a promise.”

“What promise?”

“To never chase that skunk again.”

“Here we go again. I could never make that promise.”

“Well, this snow should be gone in a week or two.”

“Okay, okay. I promise not to chase the skunk again.”

“Repeat after me. And if I do.”

“And if I do.”

“I’ll sleep in the barn until the smell goes away.”

“Gee. I kinda like the smell.”

“Say it or stay here till spring.”

“I’ll sleep in the barn until the smell goes away.”

“Okay, I have you.”

“Thanks, boss. By the way, I had my paws crossed.”

“And I’m the only one who can open doors to let you in the house.”

“Yeah, good point.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Flag

February 6, 2021February 5, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 68 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and I pulled a postcard out of the mail today. To my surprise, Linda Hill did not make a trip to deliver the prompt. She sent it on this card instead. After reading the prompt I can see why. This week’s prompt, as written by Linda, is:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “flag.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

This one sure didn’t need a box or large envelop for sure. If you would like to participate in the fun, go to Linda’s blog and read how to do that very thing. (Was hard not to end that sentence with a preposition) Here is a link to Linda’s place.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Feb. 6, 2021

“You look relaxed for a Saturday.”

“I’m just enjoying the sun.”

“What about the angst that is usually associated with the prompt?”

“No big deal. I’ve got it in the bag.”

“In the bag?”

“An expression.”

“Want to explain your laid back attitude.”

“This week’s prompt is “flag.” There are many ways to take it. All I have to do is pick one and write it.”

“You leaning in any direction?”

“Well, I could go with Old Glory, our country’s flag.”

“That would be a good one.”

“Or I could write about racing and the checkered flag.”

“There are oceans of material there.”

“Speaking of oceans, I could discuss ships of the line and the admiral’s flag.”

“The ship the admiral is on is called the flagship.”

“I might write a story about a stranded motorist who needs to flag down help.”

“You could make it a thriller and have the person who stops be a serial killer.”

“That would be exciting. I could also explain flag football.”

“Not a lot of folks know about that for sure.”

“Maybe I will discuss how referees throw a penalty flag.”

“Like in a Super Bowl game?”

“Exactly.”

“This is where you were leading me all along, right?”

“Caught me.”

“Let me guess. This little thingy will end at the pub.”

“How clairvoyent of you.”

“And I’m buying?”

“Pure genius.”

“This flag prompt is over, right?”

“Beer 30 my man.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue # 297 by Keith Channing

February 2, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 76 Comments

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 next 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 Monday.”

The photo.

Kreative Kue #297

“Yes, I know what I’m doing.”

“I hardly think so.”

“Look, I’ve done this rodeo before, and it is no big deal.”

“You know this is a clothes dryer, right?”

“It may look that way to you. I prefer to think of it as a warmer upper.”

“Warmer upper? Are you nuts?”

“I don’t think so. Answer me this. Are you more comfortable now or last July?”

“That is a no brainer. n July, the temps are nice and warm. Right now, it is freezing.”

“My point exactly. So what do you do to get warm?”

“Well, I snuggle in my bed or get next to someone.”

“Exactly. Quite frankly, I’m tired of you shoving me out of bed. How do the folks react to you getting in their bed?”

“They are not very happy. I usually end up on the floor.”

“You are making my case.”

“How does the warmer upper work?”

“Well, Mom turns it on.”

“With you inside?”

“No, of course not. I wait until it goes off, and then when she opens the door, I jump inside.”

“Doesn’t she get mad. After all, the humans like their clean clothes.”

“The best part is she usually opens the door and takes some stuff out and then walks away. That’s when I strike. You should try it.”

“With you in there?”

“No. I’ll jump out, and then you jump in.”

“I don’t think I’ll fit.”

“That’s a bummer. Why not?”

“I’m fifteen hands high and weigh 1600 pounds. That’s why.”

“You know, I keep forgetting you’re a horse. Shut the door, will ya. There is a draft in here.”

You better hope Mom doesn’t catch you.”

“I’ll take my chances. Shut the door.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – The Beginning, The End

January 30, 2021January 29, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 63 Comments

The end of the week signals Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and I see Linda Hill has decided to leave a big package at the curb. I don’t blame her since it looks heavy. The sign on the side says Prompt so, I guess this is it. Man, this is heavy.

Your prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “the beginning, the end.” Write about the beginning of something and the end of something. Bonus points if your first sentence contains “the end” and your last sentence contains “the beginning.” <– Read that again. Have fun!

So there you are. If you would like to join in, visit Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2021/01/29/the-friday-reminder-for-socs-jusjojan-2021-daily-prompt-jan-30th/

“The end of your life looks to have arrived.”

“No smart-assed comments. I have a real problem.”

“Besides your mental state, you mean?”

“Har de har har har. To the moon Alice.”

“Huh.”

“Ralph Kramden on The Honeymooners.”

“You are lost in the past, I see.”

“Did you ever see the show?”

“Can’t say I did.”

“Lot of good life lessons.”

“What has you all wrapped around the axle today? Please don’t tell me it’s the Hill prompt.”

“A little bit. I need to come up with a beginning.”

“Clear as mud. What beginning for what?”

“For the post. I have the end already up there.”

“The end? Up there? Let me smell your breath.”

“That comes later. The story started with The end, and the story has to end with The beginning.”

“You now have me so confused I’m not sure I can help you.”

“That’s okay, you already did. I was thinking of Ralph Kramden when he used to tell Alice he was boss and she was nothing.”

“Doesn’t sound very nice.”

“Then she would tell him that it was no big deal him being boss over nothing.”

“Sounds like a funny bit.”

“Then they would kiss and make up.”

“To end the show?”

“Nah, for their relationship, it was the beginning.”

“Like with you and I.”

“What do you mean?”

“Beer. The Beginning.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue 296 by Keith Channing

January 26, 2021January 25, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 57 Comments

In Keith’s words.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The photo.

Kreative Kue 296

“I’m not sure I can run anymore.”

“You have to. We need to make it to the yard.”

“What’s the rush?”

“You’re kidding me, right?”

“No, I’m not. Are we late for dinner?”

“No, dinner is hours away.”

“I give up. Why are we running?”

“You didn’t see that thing by the woods.”

“What thing?”

“That monstrosity with the black eyes and glowing nose.”

“You mean the carrot?”

“Carrot? What are you talking about?”

“It’s a snowman with a carrot nose.”

“What about those coal-black eyes.”

“You just said it.”

“What?”

“Coal. The eyes are made of coal.”

“Nah, uh.”

“Un-huh.”

“Whew, let’s stop running.”

“Thank heavens. I can hardly get my breath.”

“So you’re saying it was a snowman.”

“Yup.”

“How’s he get there?”

“That old guy with the beard built it.”

“The one we live with?”

“The very same.”

“The author.”

“Yup.”

“Why would he build a snowman?”

“For a story.”

“Not much of a story.”

“What if the snowman came alive and was chasing us?”

“Now that would be a story.”

“Don’t look now, but we better get to running again.”

“This is fiction, right?”

“I’m not hanging around to find out. I’m going to bug out. You with me?”

“Well ahead of you, my friend.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Close Eyes and Point

January 23, 2021January 22, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 78 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and here comes Linda Hill with a mammoth box.

“Hey, Linda.”

“John.”

“Prompt?”

“Duh. I’ll just leave it here on the porch. I doubt it will fit in the door.”

“Thanks, Linda. Would you look at this? I better open it and see what we’ve got. I feel like I’m on Chopped. The prompt.”

Your prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “close eyes and point.” When you’re ready to write your post, open a book, a newspaper, or whatever is handy and close your eyes, and point. Whatever word or picture your finger lands on, make that the basis of your SoCS/JusJoJan post. Enjoy!

“Why are you sitting there with your eyes closed?”

“It’s part of the Saturday prompt.”

“Of course, it is.”

“When I open my eyes, I have to point at a magazine or book and then use a word or picture as the prompt.”

“So you picked Vanity Fair magazine?”

“Don’t you think that’s pretty smart? It’s the Holiday 2020/2021 issue.”

“Well, I suppose as long as the word or picture is something you can use in a story.”

“Okay, here goes. I’m opening the mag, and still with my eyes closed, I’m pointing right here.”

“Looks like you have one.”

“Tell me I’m afraid to look.”

“Not sure you’re going to like it.”

“Tell me.”