Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Point”

June 8, 2019June 7, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 53 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. I have to quote Linda Hill exactly on this week’s prompt. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “open book, point, write.” Pick up the closest book to you when you sit down to write your post. Close your eyes, open the book, and place your finger on the page. Whatever word or phrase your finger lands on, write about it. Enjoy!” I have to run off and find a book.

So there you have it. If you would like to join in visit Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS June 8/19

To prove my intent here is a photo of the exercise.

“What was that whole point to the book thing you just did?”

“Part of a prompt. Linda made me do it.”

“And if she said to jump off a cliff.”

“Long way down. It would make a good story, though.”

“So what are you going to do with the word Cubans?”

“I could have cheated and said I hit on Cubans from Miami.”

“But knowing you, that is not possible.”

“So I could talk about cigars.”

“Are they legal yet?”

“You can bring them in for personal use, but they are not available in the US.”

“So a story about running cigars might not be that interesting.”

“Yeah. I could also talk about a sandwich.”

“Oh. A good Cuban sandwich can’t be beat.”

“But how much can you say about a sandwich.”

“How about rum.”

“How about ho-hum.”

“Good point. Maybe a discussion about the island itself.”

“Could offer some interest. You know Trump just put the kibosh on travel there.”

“Yeah he did kill the cruise line business there, but there are still a few other ways.”

“Maybe you should talk about them.”

“Well, there are eleven categories still allowed. Most everyone would fit the one that calls for support of the Cuban people.”

“What’s that?”

“You have to promise to stick to people-oriented events and not support the government or military events.”

“That seems easy.”

“It remains to be seen. Don’t forget cruise lines could deliver thousands of folks to the island at one time. Now all those folks will have to find there own way there.”

“A swim is not in the cards I suppose.”

“Ninety miles? You tell me.”

“What else could you discuss?”

“Music?”

“You have a lot of explaining to do, Lucy.”

“Oh, Ricky. Can you say Copacabana?”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #220 by Keith Channing

June 4, 2019June 3, 2019 ~ 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.

“Now let me get this straight. The guy comes over and asks what you would like to drink.”

“Yes about an hour ago.”

“You tell him,’ Surprise me.'”

“Yup that’s what I said.”

“He then brings you what?”

“A gin and lemon. It’s right here. I tried it.”

“You didn’t like it?”

“I told him that.”

“What did he do?”

“Went off and came back with a glass of white wine.”

“You haven’t touched it.”

“I know. I don’t like Chablis.”

“How do you know it’s Chablis?”

“He told me when he plopped it on the table.”

“So you said what?”

“I don’t like Chablis.”

“What did he do?”

“Came back with that beer over there.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“A pale ale. Too bitter.”

“Why didn’t you just tell him to bring you something you like.”

“I did. I said, ‘Get me a draft.'”

“And?”

“He did. That’s what I’m drinking.”

“So are you enjoying your party?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Seems like a hassle so far.”

“I can imagine given the struggle over a drink. What are you going to eat for dinner?”

“Humm. Surprise me.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue # 219 by Keith Channing

May 28, 2019May 27, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 47 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

“Well sir, just sit back and relax. We’ll be airborne in a few minutes.”

“I’m not sure about this.”

“Now, sir. You are as safe with me as if you are in your favorite chair in your living room.”

“That’s what I’m worried about. This is like a chair. You sure this thing can fly?”

“It is called a lightweight, sir. It flys like a bird.”

“But can it lift the two if us?”

“I have made hundreds of flights. Trust me, it can lift the two of us. In addition, we will have some friends join us.”

“On this thing. Now you are kidding me, right?”

“Not on this vehicle. Behind us.”

“Behind us?”

“Yes, we will be leading a flock of geese.”

“Geese? Aren’t a bunch of them called a gaggle.”

“Gaggle, flock. No matter. They will follow us for some exercise.”

“Why don’t they go on their own?”

“They think our ship is their mother.”

“Come again?”

“When they hatched, they saw my lightweight first. You know the old imprinting birds do. Well, the eggs were in a nest next to my plane, and the rest is history.”

“Is that them walking around.”

“Yup. You ready now?”

“I guess so.”

“Remember to lift up as we gain speed.”

“You’re kidding?”

“A little lightweight humor.”

“I’m not laughing.”

“Here we go. oops.”

“Oops? What’s oops?”

“Forgot the goose call.”

“Isn’t is like a honk.”

“No, I mean the device.”

“A problem?”

“Not really. You can make a goose sound, can’t you?”

“No. I have no idea how.”

“It’s okay. More lightweight humor.”

“Still not laughing. I see they are following us.”

“Yup.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “

May 25, 2019May 24, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 48 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is . . . Well, let’s have Linda explain.

“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “rhymes with rosy.” Find a word that rhymes with “rosy” or use the word “rosy” and base your post on it. Enjoy!”

Notice the word “enjoy”? So if you would like to enjoy this kind of writing experience, visit Linda’s blog and see how easy it is to get lost in your own enjoyment. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS May 25/19

“What are you doing now?”

“Looking for a word that rhymes with rosy.”

“Whatever for? Oh, wait you are doing that Linda Hill thing right?”

“Every Saturday I do the Linda Hill thing. Every Saturday, you wander in and ask me what I’m doing. Then we get into some kind of discussion where I end up looking like a fool. You would think you would get it by now.”

“That you are a fool?”

“No. That I’m doing a prompt.”

“I just wondered since you have that big ole dictionary in your lap.”

“As I said, I’m trying to find a word that rhymes with rosy.”

“Why not just google it?”

“May violate the rules.”

“Too easy, huh?”

“Maybe.”

“How about posey. You know pocket full of posey as in ring around the rosy.”

“You know where that poem came from, don’t you?”

“Uh. No. Tell me.”

“At the time of the black death, it was a rhyme describing circumstances. Flowers in the pocket to offset the smell of the dead and the ashes from burning corpses.”

“Come on, I hear that was a myth. You read that in the dictionary?

“No. Saw it on YouTube. Ring around the rosy, pocket full of posey, ashes, ashes, we all fall down.”

“Grim, I say. How about nosey. You could do something with that.”

“As in my nosey friend.”

“Very funny. Okay, try mosey. You know, let’s mosey down to the bar for a drink.”

“I like that one. You buying?”

“I didn’t mean it literally.”

“Of course not. Would be too cozy.”

“Gad. Let’s go. This is exhausting.”

“Yay. do you think Rosie is tending bar?”

“I certainly hope not. A nice Bob would be a break.”

“Killjoy.”

“Dork.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible Kreative Kue #21 by Keith Channing

May 21, 2019May 20, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 48 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.

“I still don’t get the idea of the game.”

“It is so easy. I’m surprised you don’t understand.”

“Could you give me one more tutorial?”

“Sure. In fact, I will also demonstrate the finer points.”

“That would be swell.”

“Okay, so the first thing you do is choose your bird. ”

“I have mine.”

“Good. Next, you take your position in the birder box.”

“That’s where you start, right?”

“That’s correct. Now keep your knees bent slightly and get ready to play.”

“This is the part that confuses me.”

“The play part or the knees bent part.”

“No the play part. I’m not sure what to do after the pitch.”

“Oh, now I get it. No one told you that you had to run to the stake over there behind you?”

“They did tell me that. They didn’t explain what happens as I’m running.”

“It is quite simple. You toss the bird. Then you run like hell. If you make the stake before the bird you have scored a point.”

“So it is important to throw the bird as far as possible.”

“I would say it is critical.”

“What happens if the bird gets to the stake ahead of me.”

“See that’s just it. The bird is not going to race for the stake.”

“Oh?”

“No, you see dear he is racing for your hair. If he beats you he gets to tear your hair.”

“Tear my hair?”

“That is a figure of speech. He lands on your head.”

“With those talons? There is a danger that he could hurt me.”

“Now that you mention it. Yes, there is a danger here. I guess that’s why we don’t get many new members. Well, I see you’re up. Give ‘er a good toss now.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Adverb.”

May 18, 2019May 17, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 38 Comments

Lately time seems to fly. It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday again already. Linda Hill has declaired this week’s prompt to be “adverb.” Here is what she said, “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “adverb.” Start your post with any adverb and just run with it. Have fun!” So you see what I did up front. Used the term lately to start off. I know you couldn’t care less but if you would like to join in and “have fun,” as Linda commands visit her blog and read how. It is very easy. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS May 18/19

“‘Certainly you’ll have fun’, they said.”

“Who said?”

“All those folks who passively sit and watch me suffer.”

“I’m sorry but I’m still not getting the gist of what you’re saying.”

“The writerly folks who do this prompt without even a thought.”

“Okay. You need to start over cause I’m lost.”

“You know I do a prompt weekly.”

“Yes to my detriment.”

“And I seemingly suffer doing it.”

“I have witnessed your angst, yes.”

“Others rarely have the same trouble as me.”

“How do you know?”

“Just look at how flawlessly they exicute the prompt.”

“I think you are too hard on yourself.”

“Hold on. I was the one who expressly gave instructions that I would use adverbs exclusively.”

“Yeah, I got the order.”

“You blatently used ‘too.”‘

“Huh?”

“In that sentence above, you particularily used the word ‘too”‘

“Okay.”

“Too is always an adverb. Certainly you knew that.”

“It slipped my mind. I have a few other things going on.”

“Well it really doesn’t matter. The bit is officially ruined.”

“Come on.”

“Remarkably It just proves my original premise.”

“Oh I think you have done enough to satisfy the prompt.”

“Shockingly you are still at it.”

“What?”

“Enough is an adverb. Surely you are trying to annoy me on purpose?”

“You know what would annoy you on purpose?”

“I’m pretty sure you’ll tell me.”

“A knuckle sandwhich that I conviently have right here for you.”

“Salt directly in the wound.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #217 by Keith Channing

May 14, 2019May 13, 2019 ~ 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.

“Mmm mafmum dros emufff.”

“Excuse me?”

“I said I think I’ve had enough.”

“Aw come on. You like my omelet.”

“Yes, but I have had an omelet every meal for the past five weeks.”

“Yes and look at you. A big bird.”

“I know, and I’m thankful for your care.”

“Yeah, you were a mess. You were naked and cold on the ground.”

“I don’t know how I got there. I can’t imagine my mama tossing me out.”

“Sometimes when there are a lot of hatchlings the nest gets crowded. A couple of toss and turns and there you are.”

“S’wonder I didn’t break my neck.”

“I couldn’t put you back in the nest. It was too high. Anyway, you are healthy now.”

“I would say so. You have done a nice job.”

“Aw. Thanks. So back to the omelet.”

“Well, I know you try to avoid meat. I, on the other hand, need meat.”

“Meat? What are you talking about?”

“Oh, I don’t know. A stray worm, cricket, or spider would go well.”

“OMG. The thought makes me gag.”

“Yeah and the thought makes me dream of sinking my beak into one of those wiggly ones.”

“I guess I could go into the garden and try to find a worm. Would that be okay?”

“It would be heaven. One more thing.”

“What’s that?”

“A nice Chianti and some fava beans would go well with that.”

“I named you Hannibal, but you don’t have to get carried away.”

“It was fun though, wasn’t it? Clarice”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Strain.”

May 11, 2019May 10, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 36 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is “strain.” Here is what Linda Hill says about the prompt this week. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “strain.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!” Well you read her instructions. If you would like to participate visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS May 11/19

“You are a strain you know that?”

“Strain? What does that mean?”

“Stupid and a pain that’s what that means.”

“Aw, come on. Can’t be that bad.”

“I was just going over the checkbook and see this entry for five hundred dollars.”

“Had to replace the car tires.”

“You need to tell me before you put such a strain on the budget.”

“But the tires were bald.”

“You could have made some payments.”

“You know how much I hate debt.”

“I do. Okay. I guess you will enjoy the beans and weenies for the month.”

“Sure beats a blowout. Speaking of strain. Is your mother coming to stay this month?”

“Very funny. No she decided to put off her trip till later in the year. she has a new boyfriend.”

“A new boyfriend? What does that make? Number three already this year?”

“She is very particular about who she hangs around with unlike yours truly.”

“Cold wind over the bow. Puts a strain on the mainsail.”

“You pop another surprise like the tires and it will be a hot cannon ball over the bow. through the mainsail.”

“Oh. I love it when you talk dirty.”

“Only you could pull an innuendo out of that statement.”

“Say you love me.”

“And strain my patience further? Time for you to mow the lawn.”

“I knew it. Nothing says love like a good lawn mow.”

“To you alone.”

“Huh?”

“See you later after you love your lawn.”

“No more strain?”

“Yeah. I’m over it.”

“How about a new grill?”

“Get out.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #216 by Keith Channing

May 7, 2019May 6, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 45 Comments

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

The photo.

“Excuse me.”

“What?”

“Where are you taking those sprouts?”

“What do you mean?”

“You just took a bucket full of my sprouts, and I want to know where you are taking them.”

“What makes you think these are your sprouts?”

“Everything here is mine.”

“I’m here, and I’m not yours.”

“How do you know?”

“The farmer tells me so.”

“Jeez, a poet. Tell me Mr. Farmer’s pet. Where are you going with those sprouts?”

“Not that it’s any of your business but I have a trough full of slop, and I thought these sprouts would add an element of crunch to a fairly bland offering.”

“You can’t eat those.”

“Why not. They look delicious.”

“They are to be planted for this year’s crop harvest.”

“Oh, come on. There is a lot left. Duh.”

“I suppose once you have totally fattened the price for you will offset any loss on the number of crops.”

“Huh. What do you mean fattened?”

“You know what happens to pigs on a farm, don’t you?”

“I still don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Ever hear of spiral sliced ham?”

“No.”

“Bacon?”

“Doesn’t ring a bell.”

“Pork shoulder? Pork belly?”

“Wait the term pork rings a bell. When we came here the farmer remarked about a fine-looking group of porkers.”

“Did he mention you will end up in packages.”

“No, tell me.”

“You are food. Once you are big enough, you go to a place and come out in pieces.”

“Say it isn’t true.”

“Can’t do that.”

“Well, there is only one thing to do.”

“What’s that?”

“Here take these sprouts back. I’m going to spread the word that we all go on a hunger strike.”

“Thanks for the sprouts. Good luck on the protest.”

“Want to join us?”

“Not really. I’m pretty partial to sausage.”

“What’s that?”

“Oh, never mind. Not important. Good luck.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Fall From the Sky.”

May 4, 2019May 3, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 70 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this week’s prompt is “fall from the sky.” Yup this is it. To quote Linda Hill, “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “fall from the sky.” Write about anything that falls from the sky–real, imagined, or idiomatic. Have fun!” Humm I have to think about this prompt for a minute. Want to rid my mind of Chicken Little who thought the whole sky was coming down. I don’t think that’s what Linda had in mind. If you would like to deal with this kind of quandary, visit Linda’s blog and read how simple it is to fall off the end of the Earth. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS May 4/19

“You look confused.”

“I’m up in the air about my travel plans.”

“What are you talking about? You’ve been planning a trip to Paris for years.”

“I know. It’s not the destination that bothers me.”

“The timing then?”

“No. Spring in Paris is perfect.”

“Where to stay?”

“All set. I have reservations.”

“I give up. Can’t imagine what you are doubtful about.”

“The flight.”

“Yeah, that nine-hour stint can be boring.”

“It’s not the time in the air that has me wondering.”

“Then what is it?”

“I don’t really understand what keeps a heavy 767 300 up in the air.”

“Oh. Piece of cake. It’s lift.”

“Lift?”

“Yes, the difference in air pressure rushing across the top curve of the wing from the bottom. It’s all physics.”

“I don’t get that. I just imagine the thing falling from the sky.”

“Now why would you think that?”

“Look how big and heavy those things are.”

“Here let me make an airplane out of this paper. When I throw it the forward momentum causes the air to be displaced above the wing. Since nature abhors a vacuum the lower part of the plane rises to fill in. See it flies.”

“Yeah but that is a paper airplane. It’s light.”

“What do you think would happen if I put this paper clip on the airplane?”

“I have no idea.”

“See the plane falls from the sky so to speak.”

“Making my point exactly.”

“But what if I make the wings bigger.”

“So there is more area being displaced?”

“Yup. There you have it. The plane flies”

“So it’s the wings that keep it up in the air.”

“That’s why your Boeing 767 300 has such big wings. It is all calculated as to how much wing it takes to lift that mother.”

“So as long as the wings are there all is good.”

“You got it.”