Category: Prompt

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue # 287 by Keith Channing

~ John W. Howell ~ 56 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 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.

The Trip by John W. Howell © 2020

“So then I said to Harry. How about we play another eighteen?”

“I can imagine what he said.”

“Yeah, the old duffer said his legs couldn’t handle it. I even suggested a cart.”

“Well, getting older is not the best thing.”

“Listen to these two, Gladis.”

“I know. You would think they were in their teens.”

“I can tell you Frank comes home after a round of golf, and you would think he just completed a marathon.”

“Perry does the same. Moan and groan for hours.”

“I’m glad we decided to take this river trip. I don’t think I could bear the fallout from some golf resort stay.”

“Oh. I’m with you. These two need to learn their limits.”

“So, Perry. When we reach the town, you want to go out for a round?”

“Sounds good, Frank, but I didn’t bring my clubs.”

“We can rent some.”

“Okay, then. Count me in.”

“Well, Gladis. Looks like we will be on nursing duty again.”

“Not me. I’m going to the spa for a nice message.”

“Oh my, that sounds good.”

“Come with me.”

“Um, I’m not sure I can stand having a pair of wings touch me.”

“I hear the gander is a real looker.”

“Gander?”

“Yup.”

“I love geese, don’t you?”

“They are cute alright, and their small little wings drive me crazy.”

“Count me in.”

“Perry and I are going to do a round of golf in town. Will you girls be okay?”

“Sure, Frank. We’ll be just fine. In good wings, as they say.”

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Trick.”

~ John W. Howell ~ 31 Comments

 

 

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and this week’s prompt is “trick.” Normally Linda HIll would come by to deliver a complicated prompt in person. This one is quite simple, and she sent it by Uber Eats. Thanks, Linda, for the brioche and the prompt. Her only caution is, “To use it any way we want and to have fun.” I think I can do that. If you would like to join in on the fun, visit Linda’s blog and read how; here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Oct. 31/2020

Trick by John W. Howell © 2020

“Shake.”

“What are you doing to that poor dog?”

“He’s not a poor dog, and I’m trying to teach him a new trick.”

“What new trick?”

“To shake hands.”

“But he has a paw.”

“You know what I mean,:

“Maybe he’s too old to learn a truck.”

“You believe that old saw, huh?”

“Well, I’m just sayin’. Does he do other stuff?”

“Just sit.”

“Hmmm. Maybe he is a one-trick pony.”

“Yikes, another cliche.”

“Are you giving him a treat?”

“A treat? No.Just a command.”

“Well, see. There might be the problem. You need to reward him when he performs the trick.”

“Okay. I’ll try it.  Here, Bosco, I have this nice porterhouse steak if you’ll shake.”

“You are insane. He’s not going to buy the fact that you offer a piece of kibble and call it a steak.”

“He’s shaking.”

“Speaks to the intelligence of the animal. Want to go to the pub?”

“Um. Do I get a treat?”

“Sure. I’ll let you buy.”

“Sounds like a trick.”

“You think? By the way, congrats on working trick in along with ‘treat.’ Happy Halloween.”

 

 

Tuesday Anything possible – Kreative Kue #286 with Keith Channing

~ John W. Howell ~ 52 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 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 #286

Say What? By John W. Howell © 2020

“Okay, now hold it right there.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I understand this whole art museum thing.”

“Okay.”

“But I don’t get what we are doing here in the middle of the night.”

“I can explain.”

“Please do then.”

“We came at night because you see better then.”

“Oh, so you wanted me to be able to see the art better?”

“Em, no.”

“You know what a highly intelligent and sensitive bird I am, so you want me to critique a few pieces.”

“That’s not it.”

“Ah. You want me to appraise some paintings. I’ll have you know my appraisals are sought after.”

“No.”

“To write a review on a piece or the collection.”

“Sorry.”

“Okay, I give up.”

“There is a mouse in this room, and we would like you to have it for dinner.”

“You want this highly trained and wise owl work for his dinner?”

“Yup.”

“I hope no one finds out about this.”

“Why?”

“I mean, think of my reputation.”

“What reputation?”

“As a bon vivant and renaissance bird. I had those damn eagles convinced I walked on water.”

“A little too much brag, I would say.”

“‘A little too much brag, I would say.’ You sound like my wife.”

“Sounds like you should have taken her advice. You ready.”

“Wait, wait, wait. Are the security cameras working?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t want this to hit the internet. Could you turn them off?”

“Absolutely not. Besides, no one cares about seeing you catch a mouse.”

“I’ve got a million followers on Tic Toc, 100,000 on Instagram, 25,000 on Twitter. They will care.”

“I don’t know about that. I just need the mouse caught.”

“Could you at least call my agent?”

“Agent?”

“Yeah. She’ll know what to do. Maybe this could be the beginning of Super Owl, the next hero.”

“Maybe I should have used a cat.”

“That orange one I’ve seen around.”

“Yup.”

“He has an agent too and is much fussier. He’ll want catering and star billing.”

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Starts with M”

~ John W. Howell ~ 40 Comments

 

 

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again.  Here is Linda Hill with this week’s prompt. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “starts with ‘m’.” Use any word that begins with the letter “m” as the subject or theme for your post. Enjoy!”

Okay, so here we go.

Starts with M by John W. Howell © 2020

🎶”Mairzy dotes and dozy dotes.”🎶

“Okay, I give.”

“You remember that old melody?”

“Can’t say I do.”

“It was popular in the 40s.”

“Well, no wonder. I was born in the 60s.”

“Your loss.”

“Loss? what do you mean?”

“It was a cute song.”

“Sing it.”

“Naw.”

“Why not?”

“Cause I have accomplished what I set out to do.”

“What’s that?”

“Starts with M. It’s the Saturday prompt. I used the word Mairzy.”

“I fell for another, right?”

“Deep into a black hole.”

“Not sure, mairzy is a word.”

“Okay, then I could say mares eat oats, does eat oats.”

“You could. But there is not going to be anyone around to hear you. See ya.”

 

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #285

~ John W. Howell ~ 58 Comments

In Keith’s words.

“On to this week’s challenge: 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.

The Line by John W. Howell © 2020

“I’m just wondering, is all.”

“Don’t even think about crossing that line.”

“I’m not. I just asked the question.”

“Well, don’t ask.”

“Can I ask a totally unrelated question?”

“Sure. But let me warn you I’m not the answer dog in this place.”

“Why is this line important.”

“There you go again. You have this obsession with the line.”

“No, I don’t.”

“What is it then.”

“I just want to know why I can’t cross it.”

“Because.”

“Because, why?”

“I say so.”

“Who are you?”

“The toughest dog around.”

“It can’t be because there is anything special in that room.”

“How do you know?”

“I’ve been in it.”

“When was that?”

“When you were on a walk. I waltzed over your precious line and sniffed that room clean.”

“You didn’t. I told you to never cross the line.”

“Too bad, I did. What are you going to do about it?”

“Yeah, good question.”

“Well?”

“Don’t rush me.”

“How about finding another line?”

“Good one. That’s what I’ll do.”

“The door to the garage has a dandy line.”

“I’m going to check it out. Why are you so helpful?”

“When you have an idiot as a brother, you gotta do all you can.”

“I appreciate that. Hey, wait—”

 

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Look Up a Word

~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

 

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. Linda Hill just walked in with a plain-looking envelope. My guess is she has this week’s prompt and doesn’t want the neighbors to know what’s in it.

“Hi, Linda.”

“John.”

“This week’s prompt?”

“Um, I guess it could be a hot pastrami sandwich, but you have guessed right.”

“I’m ready.”

“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “a word you have to look up.” We all have words we can never spell. Use one of yours in your post and let that word drive your stream of consciousness where ever it goes. Have fun!”

Gee, thanks, Linda. Well, there you have it. If you would like to have fun, go to Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2020/10/16/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-17-2020/

Embarrassment by John W. Howell © 2020

“What are you doing with that dictionary?”

“Looking up a word.”

“What word?”

“Embarrassment.”

“Easy word. It means a feeling of self-consciousness or shame.”

“I know what it means. It’s just I always misspell it.”

“Who cares?”

“I care. Besides, it is this week’s prompt.”

“Of course, it is.”

“I always forget that there are two Rs and two Ss in the word.”

“That can be embarrassing.”

“Very funny.”

“Doesn’t spell check catch that for you?”

“Not when I’m on Twitter.”

“Which raises the question of why you would be using embarrassment on Twitter?”

“You know there are a lot of dopes on Twitter.”

“Well yeah.”

“I like to point out when they post something stupid.”

“And you need to look up the word, so you don’t appear to be like them?”

“Exactly.”

“For some reason, I have this vision of you being one of them.”

“That’s cold.”

“If you have to look up the spelling of an insult, doesn’t that mean you and the idiot you want to insult are on the same level?”

“Maybe I should lay off Twitter for a while.”

“Be one less dope there.”

“Good point.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue # 284

~ 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 6 pm 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.

The Council by John W. Howell © 2020

“Are we at the wrong place?”

“No, this is where the council meets.”

“Where are they?”

“Beats me.”

“You sure we are at the right time?”

“Yup. ten o’clock.”

“Right day?”

“Tuesday.”

“These ashes are still warm.”

“Yeah, it looks like a fire was here.”

“What’s that smell?”

“What smell?”

“Roast lamb smell.”

“Maybe someone had roast lamb.”

“No, it is slightly off. A little heavy for lamb.”

“Good thing.”

“What?”

“Since we are pigs, I would say it is a good thing.”

“I don’t get it.”

“If someone was going to roast a lamb, they might also think about roasting a pig.”

“They don’t do that. It’s against the law.”

“So what was roasted then.”

“My guess?”

“Yeah, go ahead.”

“I think the council got into the humans again.”

“Oh, no. They’ll be gone for days. You know what a human hangover does to the soul.”

“Not to mention the head.”

“Where did they find humans.”

“Oh, there are plenty around if you know where to look.”

“You ever had human?”

“No way. Those things give me the creeps.”

“I haven’t either, but I heard they taste like chicken.”

“Yeah, I would just rather have chicken.”

“All this talk makes me hungry.”

“I could go for a burger myself.”

“Some fries?”

“Of course.”

“I guess we can reschedule the meeting with the council.”

“Yeah. What did you want to discuss with them?”

“The leash law that no one seems to follow.”

“Good subject. I hope they get back to work soon.”

“Lazy politicians. Somebody ought to vote them out.”

“When you elect vultures, what do you expect?”

“I suppose. Let’s go.”

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt –

~ John W. Howell ~ 57 Comments

 

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and here is Linda Hill lugging a huge box.

“What’s in the box, Linda?”

“This week’s prompt.”

“Oh good, it must be a big one.”

“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is ‘medium.’ Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy, and see ya.”

“Medium? Out of that big box?” She’s gone.

Suppose you would like to join in this enjoyment, visit Linda’s blog to read how. It is effortless. Here’s the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Oct. 10/2020

Medium by John W. Howell © 2020

“How do you want your steak?”

“Well done.”

“No, no, no.”

“What?”

“First off, well done, will get you a dry and tough piece of meat.”

“Yeah, so?”

“Second of all, at these prices, a well-done steak is a waste.”

“That’s how I like it.”

“You might as well have a burger. Tell me you have catsup on your steak.”

“How did you know?”

“Good guess.”

“There is a final reason why not to have well-done.”

“Yeah? What’s that?”

“This week’s prompt is the word medium.”

“Oh my gosh. You want me to order my steak medium so that you can score on your dumb prompt.”

“In a word, yes.”

“Okay, then. Make mine medium with a well-done finish.”

“Clever. Very clever. You got it.  Here, have a bottle of Heinz.”

Tuesday Anything’s Possible – Kreative Kue by Keith Channing

~ 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.

Away We Go by John W. Howell © 2020

“So hold on a minute.”

“Not on your life.”

“What are we running from?”

“What? Are you stupid or something?”

“No I just would like to know what’s going on.”

“You don’t need to know. Just keep putting them up and laying them down.”

“What happens if I run out of breath.”

“You’ll die.”

“You’re kidding right?”

“If you want to believe that. Go ahead. It’s gonna be your funeral.”

“There’s nothing behind us.”

“Says you.”

“I can’t see anything.”

“So stop running then.”

“Okay, you’ve convinced me. How far are we going?”

“Till we are out of danger. or.”

“Or what?”

“Or until the lion catches us.”

“There is no lion.”

“How do you know?”

“We are warthogs right?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“You think a lion wants warts?”

“Hmmm.”

“Good point right?”

“Okay let’s stop.”

“Thank heavens.”

“Where did you come up with that wart thing.” 

“I overheard a toad telling a mongoose, ‘Sure you want warts, go ahead and eat me.'”

“Genius.”

“Why thank you.”

“Not you, idiot. The toad. We should tell all our would-be consumers that story.”

“Get ready to start talking. Here comes the lion.”

“Told ya.”

“You were right.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “New/Old

~ John W. Howell ~ 47 Comments

New day means it is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and here is Linda Hill with this week’s prompt. “Hi, John. I see you got a haircut. looks good. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “new/old.” Use either or both of the words “new and old” any way you’d like. Bonus points for starting and ending with either one. Have fun!”

Thanks, Linda. Now you know why I started the post with the word “new.” If you would like to have fun too, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2020/10/02/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-3-2020/

New/Old by John W. Howell

🎶 “New is another word for not having to worry about this old thing breaking down.”🎶

“What are you singing?

“A song I made up. I’m finally getting rid of this old lawnmower, and I’m just singing a farewell to it.”

“How long have you. put up with that old thing?”

“Let’s see. I got out of school in 2001. Got a job, and bought the mower.”

“You are kidding? That was 20 years ago.”

“I bought the best they had.”

“Did this old thing give you any trouble in all those years?”

“Nope. Had to sharpen the blade each year is all.”

“Why the song then. Sounds like its been an excellent mower.”

“Yeah but I have been worrying about it breaking down for years.”

“Goes to show the stuff we worry about seldom happens.”

“I suppose that’s true. Here let me start it one more time for old times sake. Hmmm. Usually one pull does it. Ugh. Looks like it’s not going to start.”

“Out with the old and in with the new.”

“I think I should have been a little more respectful.”

“Why’s that.”

“The new mower won’t be here for a week.”

“Know any mower god prayers?”