Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #282 by Keith Channing

September 29, 2020September 28, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 43 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.

“What’s it look like from there?”

“Not a bad view. I can see all the emplacements.”

“So, what are we faced with?”

“I would say their force is brigade strength.”

“OMG. How are they deployed?”

“Look like they are dug in about a half-mile from this wall.”

“Can they see you up there?”

‘Sure, but who cares. They’re not going to be interested in a ground squirrel. It looks like they have some artillery too.”

“Yeah, figures. The minute we start moving, they will open up. You see any lookouts?”

“Nope. There are a couple of chipmunks down the wall further.”

“Uh. Roscoe?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t cha think they might be like you?”

“Never thought of that. I guess they could be lookouts. Beats me where they found two guys that small, though.”

“Anything else?”

“No, and this squirrel suit is getting pretty hot.”

“Just take it off then.”

“And expose my self?”

“Oh, for heaven, sakes. You’re a raccoon. Who is going to pay attention to a raccoon?”

“The big dog sleeping under the tree.”

“Where the heck did prairie dogs get a real dog?’

“How do I know? Let me come back.”

“Okay. You’ve done well. Come on back.”

“Let me hide these acorns, and I’ll be right there.”

“Idiot.”

“Maybe I’ll wash them first.”

“Now, you’re talking.”

Stream of Conscious Saturday – Prompt – Container

September 26, 2020September 25, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 41 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and here comes Linda Hill carrying a big bag.

“Hi, Linda.”

“Hi, John, I have in this container the prompt for this week.”

“Can’t wait. What is it?”

“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is ‘container.’ Use the word ‘container’ any way you’d like. Or think about a container of some kind and write about it. Enjoy!”

“Gee, thanks., Linda.”

“You need a haircut, John.”

“Bye, Linda.”

There you have it. If you would like to join in the fun, visit Linda’s blog, and you can read how easy it is. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Sept. 26/2020

“Hey, man. What’s up?”

“Ah, the seventies man arrives.”

“Wow. Good mood I see. Linda Hill must have given you a perplexing prompt.”

“Not really, it’s just I have to figure out how to use the prompt.”

“What is it?”

“Container.”

“Easy peezy. Just use the word ‘container.’ Heck, you and I could use it several ways.”

“No, the word container was already used up top.”

“Up top? Where is ‘up top?”‘

“The beginning of the post. Linda used the word ‘container’ in describing what she had in a bag.”

“So that’s a noun. Use it as a verb.”

“Um.”

“He containered the virus.”

“Big stretch.”

“Okay, adjective.”

“Go ahead.”

“His belly resembled a container.”

“Bigger stretch. I think I’ll just use ‘container ship’ as my prompt.”

“Oh, excellent idea. You can talk about how they container things and where they store the containers.”

“And I can do it myself.”

“Ah, right you are. Me ? I’ll just walk to the container store and see what is new in closet items.”

“Or walk to the open container joint and have a few 12 ouncers.”

“That too. You stay and work hard. I’ll be off doing research.”

“Be careful I don’t want to have to bail you out of the drunk container.”

“I like what you did there. See ya.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue by Keith Channing

September 22, 2020September 21, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 42 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

“Here, take these binoculars and tell me what you see.”

“Lord, it looks like a castle.”

“My thought exactly.”

“I had no idea that we would be tackling something this big.”

“Nor I. When I got the orders, I simply thought it was going to be a two-person job.”

“Not likely. You and I would be quickly overwhelmed if we tried to do this alone.”

“How many people do you think are inside.”

“Oh, who knows? There could be a hundred given the size of that building. You know how much mayhem a bunch of people cause.”

“My thought exactly. Should we move in closer, or do you think we know enough to walk away?”

“We can’t walk away. We have a responsibility and even took an oath.”

“Yeah, you would have to remind me about the oath. So what do you recommend?”

“I say if we walk away now, we will never be able to live with ourselves. We should do our duty.”

“Even if its the last thing we do?”

“Without a doubt.”

“Okay, I’m with you. Do you have the paperwork?”

“Yup, right here in the rucksack.”

“Should we say a prayer?”

“I don’t think so. You’ve made your peace, right?”

“Yes, I have.”

“Let’s just go. How about we hum the Battle Hymn of the Republic. It will give us comfort.”

“Good idea. OMG, I’m not sure I have a pen.”

“Not to worry. I have one in my rucksack.”

“Do you have the listing agreement?”

“Yup. All filled out.”

“Okay, then. Let’s go forth and list this sucker in the name of MLS.”

“Mine eyes have seen the glory. . . . ”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Tion”

September 19, 2020September 18, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 54 Comments

Concentration is needed when it is Stream of Consciousness Saturday. You will see what I mean when Linda Hill explains this week’s prompt. Here is Linda now.

“Thanks, John. Okay, you get the bonus points.Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “-tion.” Find a word that ends with “tion.” Bonus points if you start your post with it. Have fun!”

Goodbye, Linda, and thanks for the prompt. Well, now, you can see why I started the post with the word “concentration.” Let’s hear it for the one step closer to the Bentley convertible. I can almost see it.

Views of the neighborhood

“Fascination is the name of the game.”

“Do I get decryption of this message?”

“In your case, I will make an exception.”

“I hope I’m not violating a long-standing prohibition of yours.”

“No, it’s just when you come around I get the sensation that you don’t approve of these prompt days.”

“Wow, what a revelation. I can’t imagine how you got that idea.”

“Maybe it’s the friction that I feel between us.”

“Or the devotion that you have to this Saturday romp.”

“Now that you mention it, I guess it would look like that to you.”

“Or anyone who happens to observe your action.”

“Well, at least it’s not my vocation.”

“So, back to your original statement. What is the relation to fascination?”

“To win at Stream of Consciousness, you have to have a certain level of motivation.”

“Yeah? You sure it’s not a level of mutation?”

“See there you go again with a level of rejection.”

“Okay, I’ll put aside my dysfunction feelings and let you explain.”

“These prompts keep me from mental deprivation.”

“So they are a substitution for idleness of the brain.”

“Yes, an equalization for my lack of thinking activity during this lockdown.”

“I get it. How about something with some barley and carbonation.”

“Is it a celebration?”

“Yes. A declaration of your mental freedom.”

“I guess I could use the rehydration.”

“Spoken like a true academic.”

“Hey, you didn’t use a “tion” word.”

“My mortification for sure. Let’s go.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue by Keith Channing

September 15, 2020September 14, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 61 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 #280

“Don’t make a sound.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not nuts you know.”

“I wonder what he wants?”

“See that horn. You can take a guess.”

“Aren’t Rhino’s grass eaters?”

“Yeah, but tell him that.”

“I think he is lost.”

“Oh, come on. He wants to run us through and then stomp us into molecules.”

“Why do you suppose he picked us?”

“How do I know. I’m guessing he saw us and decided we needed to be taught a lesson.”

“Boy, that breath is something else.”

“Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m not going to stand here and wait for him to make the decision. I’m taking action.”

“The last words said by a brave one and recorded by the steadfast and cowardly sidekick.”

“You gonna just wait for him to make a move?”

“Maybe he’ll forget.”

“Ha. He’s a cousin to the Elephant. Those brutes never forget.”

“Okay, then. You go, and I’ll be right behind you.”

“Wait. I just had a thought.”

“What is it.”

“We are tick birds, right.”

“Last time I checked.”

“I think he needs a going over.”

“Why didn’t he just say so?”

“You speak, Rhino?”

“No, of course not. You?”

“No. Just jump up on top of him, and let’s see what happens.”

“Look, he likes us.”

“Man, look at all the goodies.”

“This is heaven for sure. Look at him when I scratch right here.”

“It doesn’t get any better than this. Look up synergy in the dictionary, and you’ll see our picture.”

“You are just using hyperbole, right?”

“Most definitely. There’s no picture.”

“You had me concerned.”

“Eat your ticks, and enjoy yourself.”

“I could say the same.”

“So noted.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Collar

September 12, 2020September 11, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 51 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and here is Linda Hill with this week’s prompt. So Linda, what do we have today?

“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “collar.” Use it as a verb, a noun, or metaphorically. Bonus points for using it in all three ways! Enjoy!”

Thank you. If you would like to join this group, visit Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Sept. 12/2020

“What is that?”

“This, my friend, is an old fashioned collar.”

“I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

“I found it in my granddad’s chest in the attic.”

“How does it work.”

“Well, you have a shirt that doesn’t have a collar. This attaches to it.”

“Why would anyone want that kind of thing?”

“In the olden days, you could wear the shirt without the collar. The collar stays clean. Then when it came time to dress up, you add a clean collar. Get it?”

“I suppose. Sounds like a lot of work to me. What else was in that trunk?”

“You knew my grandfather was a detective, right?”

“Yeah, I heard you mention that a few times. Given the prompt today, can you guess what else is in the truck?”

“What’s the prompt?”

“Collar.”

“Don’t tell me grandpa has records of all his collars?”

“Bingo. You got it. His arrests are all documented, and he kept them all.”

“Sounds a little compulsive to me.”

“Well, he was kind of that way. He was proud of being able to make a collar after a long investigation.”

“Speaking of long.”

“Yeah, I think we’ve covered the subject.”

“You wearing your collar to the bar?”

“No, I think I’ll leave it here.”

“Good, the Eau de mothball is not a good scent for you.”

“Thanks.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #279 by Keith Channing

September 8, 2020September 7, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 50 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 #279

“Hold that ladder steady.”

“I got it.”

“What the hell. I can’t see a thing with this faceguard on.”

“You know the rules.”

“Yeah, I do. Still seems stupid.”

“You have to make sure you don’t become infected.”

“I know, I know it’s just hard to see is all.”

“Can you see the point of contamination?”

“Not really. Everything up here looks the same. Oh, wait. I think I see it. I’m going to deploy the antibacterial now.”

“Make sure you cover the area totally.”

“I’ve been doing this since you were in diapers. I got this.”

“Just trying to help.”

“I know. I’m sorry. This suit is so damn hot too.”

“You ready to come down?”

“I think so.”

“How did that spot get contaminated anyway?”

“From the report, the guy was coming in for a landing and then hit this pole.”

“That had to hurt.”

“Yeah, he is still in the hospital.”

“Tested positive I suppose.”

“Yup.”

“Which virus?”

“Human being.”

“OMG the worst.”

“I know right? Okay, hold on. I’m ready to come down.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Sharp”

September 5, 2020September 4, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 48 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and this week’s prompt is “sharp.” Linda Hill is not here today but sent the message that we could use the word in any or all of its definitions. If you would like to join this happy band of word warriors, visit Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Sept. 5/2020

“Do you have an ax to grind?”

“Oh, very funny. Yes, I am putting a sharp edge on this tool.”

“I don’t often see you with an ax in your hand.”

“I have a tree in the back yard and a couple of the sharp limbs are poking holes in my screens.”

“so don’t you need a saw?”

“For what?”

“To cut the limbs.”

“See, here’s the point. You’re a sharp guy and can understand this. If I cut the limbs, they’ll just grow back, and I’ll be in the same position.”

“What? In ten years?”

“No matter. That tree has it coming. A couple of sharp blows to the trunk, and my problems will be over.”

“You need to think this over.”

“Wait. You feel sorry for the tree?”

“In a way. How long has it been there?”

“Before the house was built.”

“Ah-ha. So the tree was here before you.”

“So?”

“You are the interloper. That tree has rights.”

“In what court of law?”

“The court of fairness.”

“Never heard of it.”

“Yeah, well. Let me just say it takes years to make a tree and only minutes to destroy it. I think you are being rash.”

“So, you think I should just saw the branches.”

“Absolutely.”

“I don’t have a saw or a ladder.”

“I have both.”

“How about you saw the branches.”

“Okay, if it will save the tree….hey, wait a minute. You planned this, didn’t you?”

“I don’t care what people say. You are one sharp tool in the drawer. Go get the tools. I’ll be out back with. the tree.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #278 by Keith Channing

September 1, 2020August 31, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

In Keith’s words. “Using this photo 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 #278

“Come on boy. You can do it, boy.”

“The name’s Roscoe. Call me Roscoe.”

“Come on Roscoe. You can do it.”

“I know I can do it. My feet are touching the bottom. See I’m walking in.”

“Okay, you are almost here. Halleluiah I’m saved.”

“Saved what are you talking about? You having a soulful experience over there?”

“You are a rescue dog aren’t you?”

“Whaaaaat? Rescue dog?”

“Yeah, even your name screams rescue. Roscoe rescue.”

“How long you been on this island, Mate?”

“Hard to tell. What year is it?”

“2020.”

“Yikes. my boat foundered and sank in 2018.”

“Well, genius looks like you have been here for two years. I like what you’ve done to the place.”

“So you are not a rescue dog/”

“Look at me, Bud. I couldn’t rescue myself let alone some hayseed your size.”

“Well, at least it is nice to have someone to talk to. Want some tea?”

“You know Sport. You are dumber than you look. How many dogs you know drink tea?”

“Well, none.”

“Yes, that’s right. Also, let me ask you a question.”

“Okay, shoot.”

“How many dogs you know talk?”

“Again none.”

“So maybe you better take stock, Rube. Ya think you might be having a hallucination?”

“You have got to be kidding. I watched you swim from the horizon to here.”

“So whats that fifty miles you think?”

“Seems difficult but you are a rescue dog.”

“Wake up Ferd. Go ahead and touch me.”

“Oh, my. My hand went right through you.”

“What does that tell you?”

“I’m just dreaming.”

“Now you got it. One last question.”

“Sure, might as well.”

“Why a dog hallucination?”

“What do you mean?”

“You could dream up anyone. Why a dog?”

“Man’s best friend I suppose. ”

“You are hopeless. Okay, I’ll take the tea. Darjeeling I hope. A little milk no sugar. Got scones?”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – More Than a Hundred

August 29, 2020August 28, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 68 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and here is Linda Hill to describe this week’s prompt. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “more than a hundred.” Write your post inspired by something you have more than a hundred of in your home right now. Enjoy!”

Thanks, Linda. If you would like to enjoy working a prompt visit Linda’s blog and read how simple it is. Here is the link.