Tuesday – A Little Personal – Kreative Kue # 292 by Keith Channing

December 8, 2020December 7, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 64 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

“You want to tell me what happened?”

“You would never believe it.”

“Oh, come on.”

“No, you would immediately think it was my fault.”

“Well, that’s not a nice thing to say.”

“But you always take the other side.”

“Only when I think you’re wrong.”

“Which is most of the time.”

“Okay. I promise I’ll hear you out and keep my opinions to myself.”

“Well, if you promise.”

“I do.”

“There I was. Standing on the corner minding my own business.”

“Your stories all start out the same.”

“You asked. Should I continue?”

“Sorry. Go ahead.”

“As I said, I was minding my business when this big bus turned the corner.”

“You didn’t chase the bus, did you?”

“You going to wait or not?”

“Sorry again. Please proceed.”

“On the bus was this picture of a beautiful dog. It was running its heart out.”

“Okay. That would be a Greyhound bus.”

“The dog looked at me, and in an instant, I knew what I had to do.”

“The dog looked at you?”

“I took off and kept stride for stride. I kept asking the dog if it needed help.”

“No response.”

“How did you know?”

“Lucky guess.”

“We came to a corner, and the bus stopped.”

“When are we going to get to the paw?”

“The doors opened, so I started to get on.”

“Someone kicked your paw?”

“No, the doors slammed shut on it. Seems they didn’t want a dog on there even though they had one captive on the side.”

“Doesn’t seem like that would do too much damage.”

“Then the bus started moving with my paw in the door. That’s when I knew I had to yank it free.”

“Which caused the hurt.”

“No. The rear tire hitting it caused the hurt.”

“I see.”

“That’s it? Just I see. No critical comments.”

“I think anything I say would just add insult to injury.”

“So you think it is my fault that I got injured trying to help a poor dog in distress?”

“No. That’s not what I think.”

“What then?”

“That you’re an idiot.”

“You were going to keep your opinion to yourself.”

“I lied.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “List”

December 5, 2020December 4, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 49 Comments

Today is Stream of Consciousness Saturday. Linda hill used the e-mail system to transmit our prompt today. Here it is, “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “list.” Make or talk about a list. Enjoy!”

If you would like to join in, visit Linda’s blog and see how easy it is. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2020/12/04/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-5-2020/

“Well, it’s Saturday, so you must be working on your prompt.”

“Yes, I’m making a list now.”

“List? You are supposed to be working the prompt.”

“list is the prompt/.”

“Ugh, I should have known. What list are you working on?”

“Naughty and nice.”

“You being Santa this year.”

“No, but I got to thinking of some of the people in this world.”

“So now you are judging whether they are naughty or nice?”

“Judging is a harsh term.”

“So give me an example?”

“Judge Judy.”

“Huh. Pretty obscure, I’d say. Naughty or nice?”

“Both.”

“Aw, come on. This is a waste of time.”

“Go ahead, name someone.”

“Okay Me.”

“Low blow.”

“Why?”

“This is not an interdiction session.”

“That bad?”

“Well?”

“What do you mean well?”

“You have a tendency to be naughty.”

“Define naughty.”

“Always teasing me about my prompts.”

“Oh, please. You are wide-open for that. No one takes these prompts as seriously as you. In fact, I would say have the time you are not living up to the terms of the prompt.”

“Oh yeah? Like what?”

“Supposed to be a stream of consciousness, not a well-thought-out plan. So what else?”

“Okay. What else? Erm. You spend too much time at the pub.”

“Only because you are my friend.”

“What does that mean?”

“You don’t drink a lot, but you are a carrier.”

“How about now?”

“I could use a gallon.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“That would serve as a stimulus.”

“Speaking of that, I have McConnell, Pelosi, and Schumer on the naughty list.”

“Sounds right.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible -Kreative Kue #291 by Keith Channing

December 1, 2020November 30, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 57 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.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes, Can we help you?”

“Are you all friends?”

“Yes, we are. Why do you ask?”

“It is amazing to me that Easterners and Westerners can be friends, is all.”

“Well, we’ve known each other for a long time.”

“Which means you would do anything for each other.”

“Yes, that is true. We are puzzled by your questions.”

“Let me come to the point then.”

“That would be great cause you are starting to concern us.”

“This woman with me has something that I think you need.”

“And what would that be?”

“I see you all are unshod.”

“Unshod? Oh, you mean we have no shoes?”

“Yes, that’s it.”

“We are taking advantage of the warm sand. Our shoes are right over there.”

“Where?”

“Oh, my goodness. They were there a minute ago.”

“Shows how fleeting possessions can become. Fear not, for we have the answer. A nice pair of shoes for each of you in your size.”

“Wait a minute. Those are our shoes.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I bought those boots in town.”

“So maybe we have a case of disputed ownership here.”

“Yeah, maybe we need the police.”

“At your service.”

“Huh?”

“In addition to a cobbler, I’m the deputy peace officer for the township.”

“My word.”

“And today, I have a special on both shoes and arrests. Both for only ten dollars each.”

“So if I want to buy an arrest for the woman?”

“Ten dollars.”

“And if I want the shoes?”

“Ten dollars.”

“Both?”

“Twenty dollars.”

“So to buy the shoes is the cheapest option.”

“You have a quick mind, sir.”

“How about my friends?”

“I can arrest them at a special rate.”

“No, I mean their shoes.”

“Two for ten dollars.”

“Fine, you have me. I’ll take the shoes.”

“That will be thirty dollars.”

“Wait, you said ten dollars for my shoes and ten dollars for my friends. That’s twenty dollars.”

“Shipping and handling. A total of ten dollars for the order.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Opt”

November 28, 2020November 27, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 59 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and Linda Hill already left the prompt on the front porch. At first, I didn’t know what the envelop contained, so I soaked it in disinfectant. Here it is. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “opt.” Use it as a word or find a word with “opt” in it and base your post on that. Have fun!”

“No one will ever think of this one.”

“What one.”

“The prompt this week is ‘opt.”‘

“Like in opt-out.”

“Hey. That’s the one I thought no one would think of.”

“Shows how delusional you are. It’s the first thing I thought of.”

“Now I have to think up another.”

“That’s your option.”

“You did it again. That was my next.”

“I guess you will have to optimize your thinking.”

“You are torturing me, aren’t you.”

“You need to be an optimist. Your dark side is not very attractive.”

“Okay, I want you to stop talking and let me think.”

“Sure. I’ll adopt the mannerisms of a mime.”

“When?”

“Just as soon as we are finished with the shoptalk.”

“We are done.”

“M.”

“What? Where did you get that chalkboard. Oh, I see. You are going to communicate by writing. Yes, I will read what you write out loud. You are welcome. Oh, sorry. ‘Thank you.’ Yes, you are welcome. Now what? ‘You have to admit this optical way is still good.‘ That’s it. I quit.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue # 290 by Keith Channing

November 24, 2020November 23, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 58 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 #290

“Well, we are here.”

“Yeah, it looks like it.”

“Shall we go in?”

“What for?”

“The whole idea was to come here and seek sanctuary.”

“I know, but to look at it now, it seems overpowering.”

“It is just a building.”

“You can say that, but to me, it means so much more.”

“How’s that?”

“See those crosses on the steeples?”

“Yeah, hard to miss.”

“It is a sacred place, and we should be respectful.”

“We are respectful.”

“I mean, we should not be going in there just to. escape our fears.”

“Then, why?”

“We should be offering thanks for the blessings we have.”

“I will give thanks for the security the building offers.”

“By the way, how do you know that building is all that safe?”

“Remember when I went on that scouting trip?”

“Yeah.”

“I snuck in there and witnessed the rector having an allergic reaction.”

“What was he allergic to?”

“Get this. Cats.”

“Cats?”

“Yup. One of the parishioners came in with a cat. I can tell you I was scared out of my wits seeing that thing. Lucky, he didn’t see me. I suspected he had my scent the way his nose was twitching.”

“Then what?”

“The rector told her to take the cat out. He was allergic. He then started sneezing his head off.”

“So you are saying there is no cat there.”

“That’s why I chose this place. A mouse can’t be too careful.”

“Well, okay, but you have to promise we will give thanks for our good fortune.”

“Of course we will. Also, you will be glad to know the rector tends to leave a lot of crumbs after his lunch.”

“All the better. Any cheese there?”

“I think somebody moved it.”

“Figures. Oh well, crumbs will do. Let’s go.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Last Thing I Put in the Fridge

November 21, 2020November 20, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and Here is Linda Hill with this week’s prompt. She is carrying a big bag, so I’m guessing she has some whopper of a prompt.

“Hi, Linda.Looks like a big prompt.”

“Xray eyes?”

“No, it’s just that it’s a big parcel.”

“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “the last thing you put in your fridge.” Start your post with the last thing you put in your fridge. Let your mind wander from there. Enjoy!”

“Um, thanks, Linda.”

“See ya, John. Haircut warning.”

If you would like to participate in this joy, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2020/11/20/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-21-2020/

“Deep yogurt.”

“Huh?”

“I’m in deep yogurt.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’m having trouble coming up with something to write about yogurt.”

“Why do you need to write about yogurt?”

“It’s the Stream of Consciousness prompt.”

“Yogurt? Goodness, the Hillster is really reaching.”

“No, no, no. She didn’t give yogurt as a prompt. We are supposed to write about the last thing we put in the fridge.”

“Yogurt was the last thing?”

“Yes, and what can you say about yogurt.”

“You could talk about flavor.”

“Vanilla.”

“Hmmm. Type.”

“Greek.”

“Yeah, well, I see your point. Maybe make up a story with yogurt in it.”

“And lose the reader entirely.”

“Well, with that prompt, you are going to lose them anyway.”

“Maybe a poem? I could incorporate yogurt into a poem.”

“Oh yeah. I can hear the Pulitzer committee calling right now.”

“Let me try.”

“Go for it.”

“‘I woke this morning.'”

“Going for a Haiku?”

“Yes. Hold on. Here’s the next line. ‘Confused as to what to write.”‘

“Um, okay.”

“Big finish now. ‘Picked yogurt, it’s deep.'”

“I think I would pass this week.”

“Why? It’s a good poem.”

“I don’t want you to embarrass yourself.”

“I’m going with it.”

“All righty then. I’m leaving.”

“Where you. going?”

“All this talk of yogurt has made me hungry.”

“For yogurt.”

“Heavens no. Thinking of a double bacon cheeseburger on a pretzel bun.”

“With fries?”

“Supersized.”

“Animal.”

“Want to come?”

“And leave my yogurt?”

“Suit yourself.”

“I’ll drive.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #289.

November 17, 2020November 16, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 53 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.

“Easy. Not too fast.”

“How’s this?”

“Just a little slower.”

“Okay, I’m almost at idle.”

“Yeah, that’s good.”

“What is so special about this morning.”

“You should see this bench covered in frost. It is beautiful.”

“What does that have to do with slowing down the rise?”

“I wanted to get a picture of it with the sun coming up. The contrast is amazing.”

“I’m not sure about you.”

“What do you mean?”

“What diety do you know has a Minolta camera and causes the sunrise to be slowed so he can get a picture.”

“Well, none. So what’s wrong with having a hobby.”

“You are a god for heaven’s sake. You don’t go around taking pictures, and you certainly don’t cause the sun to be delayed.”

“Didn’t hurt anyone.”

“How do you know. There might be some creature totally dependent on the exact time of sunrise for something important.”

“Oh yeah. Then why did you invent Daylight Savings Time.”

“You are going to bring that up again, are you?”

“Well. You haven’t been able to fix it since you introduced it.”

“Okay, okay. Let’s just drop it.”

“No more said about my camera?”

“Just one question.”

“Shoot.”

“Where do you display those photos anyway?”

“Got a guy named Keith who takes em and puts them on display.”

“Does he know the source?”

“He has no idea. He thinks he took them. Lucky for me, he is a little forgetful.”

“Lucky for him too.”

“Amen.”

“Nice.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt –

November 14, 2020November 13, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 54 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and here comes Linda Hill carrying what looks like a lawyer’s briefcase.

“Hey, Linda.”

“John.”

“This week’s prompt?”

“Or my lunch.”

“Yeah, I guess that could be.”

“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “ring.” Use it as a noun, a verb, an adverb, or an adjective…use it any way you’d like. Have fun!”

“Gee, thanks, Linda.”

Well, you heard it from the horses— um, directly from Linda hill. If you would like to have fun with the rest of us, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Nov. 14/2020

“Put a ring on it.”

“What?”

“Nothing, just trying out the prompt.”

“Should have known. Ring, right?”

“Yup. So that was the prompt used as a noun.”

“So now you need to think up an adjective, adverb, and verb.”

“How did you know?”

“Logic. If you decided your use as a noun, then the others followed.”

“You are so smart. You know that?”

“Nice of you to say, but I don’t think that bit of logic took any smarts.”

“I should ring up the Nobel Prize committee and tell them about you.”

“Right.”

“See what I did there? Verb.”

“Someone asleep could see that. How about an adjective?”

“My ears are ringing from the explosion.”

“That’s pretty good. How about an adverb?”

“The only one I can think of is ringingly.”

“Yeah, that is pretty good. I ringingly endorse your Stream of Consciousness post.”

“Does that endorsement come with money?”

“No. I’ll stand you to a beer, though.”

“You ring my bell.”

“Get your key ring. You are driving.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible -Kreative Kue #288 by Keith Channing

November 10, 2020November 9, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 59 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 #288

“I would say tear it down, sir, but it is three hundred years old.”

“I mean, everything was fine until yesterday.”

“What happened yesterday?”

“I went about my normal day.”

“How’s that look?”

“Well, let’s see. Got up, took the dog out, had coffee.”

“Sounds like you’ve covered the first hour at best.”

“Well, now just hold on. Ah, yes. While I was walking the dog, I noticed an unusual burn in the field over there.”

“Uh-huh. Go on.”

“I just thought it was weird. A circle burned in the field.”

“How large a circle?”

“That’s not the important part, but I would say twelve feet.”

“That is pretty big.”

“Anyway. I went over to have a look. The burned part smelled like lavender.”

“That’s odd.”

“I thought so too. I turned to leave and was blinded by a light.”

“Don’t tell me. You were then revved up like a deuce, another runner in the night.”

“Teah, very funny. You want to hear this or not?”

“Sorry. Go ahead.”

“Okay, then it felt like I had a boulder on my shoulder.”

“You tripped on a merry go round.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing. Continue.”

“I finally figured out I was being abducted by aliens.”

“Okay, sir. Hold it right there. I came here to give you a bid on the roof. I’m not one to hold to conspiracy theories and stuff like that.”

“This is the truth.”

“I can’t handle the truth.”

“Calm down. As you can see, I’m here. The only thing that happened is we all got into some kind of drink. Then this girl told me she could turn me on to something strong.”

“They played the song with the funky break.”

“How’d you know?”

“It’s a song lyric, sir. Excuse me, I gotta get going.”

“We razed the roof.”

“I’ll say you did. Now I need to get into my curly whirly. Have a nice day, sir.”

“Wait. You haven’t heard the best part.”

“Sorry. My mama always told me not to look in the eyes of the sun. Bye.”

“Too bad he’s gone. He’s going to miss seeing the calliope crash to the ground.”

Steam of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Jour”

November 7, 2020November 6, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 46 Comments

Bonjour. It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and here is Linda Hill with this week’s prompt.

“Hi, Linda.”

“Hello, John. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “jour.” Find a word containing “jour” or use it as is. Bonus points if you start or end your post with that word. Enjoy!”

Thank you, Linda. I hope you noticed that I started the post with ‘bonjour.’ Bonus points earned. I can almost smell the calfskin seats in my new Bentley.

Views of the neighborhood