Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #215 by Keith Channing

April 30, 2019April 29, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 39 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.

“Be real quiet. We are almost there.”

“To the target?”

“Yup. It is just beyond the tree line.”

“How do you know?”

“My GPS has it pinpointed.”

“Man, this brush is so thick I can’t see a thing.”

“I know. We will need to cut through it. We risk making a lot of noise.”

“I don’t know why we didn’t just take the road.”

“And be spotted? That would have been the end of us and our mission.”

“You sure the boss said to take it right?”

“Yeah. The order was to take it not to just look at it.”

“Alright. Don’t get testy. I was just asking.”

“You know our group is counting on us right?”

“I do. Death before failure.”

“You got it. Now if my eyes don’t deceive me, there is a trail over here. Most likely made by deer.”

“Should we follow it?”

“That’s what I’m thinking. So much quieter. Follow me.”

“Oh, this is nice. Look there it is.”

“Man. Look at the size of that silo.”

“What if we take on fire.”

“You know the orders. Avoid engagement unless provoked.”

“Roger that. I’m ready.”

“Okay on my count we will rush the silo and take it.”

“Wait, a question.”

“What?”

“There must be 100 metric tons of grain in there.”

“Yeah so?”

“Don’t you think that is a lot for us two mice to carry home?”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “XP”

April 27, 2019April 26, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 54 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this weeks prompt is “xp.” Here are Linda’s words to explain. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “xp.” Use it as a word, or find a word with “xp” in it. As always, use any way you’d like. Enjoy!” If you would like a challenge like this, please visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is to give your mind away. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS April 27/19

“Whoa, that is some car.”

“Yeah, it’s my new roadster.”

“Wow. That color red almost hurts the eyes.”

“I’ve always wanted a red roadster.”

“What is the name of this thing anyway?”

“It’s a Double Double Diamond XP.”

“Sounds like a ranch.”

“Mitsubishi means three diamonds in Japanese. This was built-in Korea.”

“One more diamond?”

“I think they are competing with the Japanese.”

“Well, it sure looks swell. Is it expensive?”

“You just had to slip that xp word in there huh?”

“Well you know, I am doing a prompt.”

“No, it is not expensive. That is a pretty forward question too.”

“You know how the prompt game goes. You take em as you find em.”

“Yeah, I just didn’t expect the question.”

“So this is an inexpensive export?”

“You could explain it that way I guess. Now you have me doing it.”

“That’s to be expected. Linda Hill does that to people.”

“I want to express myself with my own words.”

“You are the expert on your own words. Go right ahead.”

“I want to expound my way.”

“You have enough exploits to carry on.”

“I feel the need to call Words Express to get rid of these xp words.”

“Won’t do any good to expel xp.”

“How about I expose the whole Stream of Conscious Saturday thingy as a plot.”

“What kind of plot? To make you an expat?”

“No. To drive the taxpayer nuts.”

“Taxpayer? How did that come into play?”

“Was the only xp word I could think of.”

“I think you are cured.”

“No more xp exploits? …….Damn.”

“Yeah damn.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #214 with Keith Channing

April 23, 2019April 22, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 56 Comments

In Keith’s words. (Welcome back Keith)

“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.

“Where are we?”

“Somewhere south of Tulsa.”

“Damn. When is this fog going to clear?”

“Yeah, I wish I knew. My eyes are killing me from the strain of trying to look through it.”

“Is that car stopped up there?”

“No, he is moving. Just slowly.”

“I guess we should do the same.”

“You backseat driving?”

“I’m right here in the passenger’s seat. Front seat driving.”

“Okay, so I’ll slow down. No use running up his bumper.”

“Lucky we have those lines.”

“At least I can keep it in the center.”

“What is that guy doing now?”

“Pulling over it seems.”

“Just go on by.”

“What if he needs help? We are in the middle of nowhere.”

“Always the good Samaritan are we?”

“What if it was you there all alone. Wouldn’t you want someone to stop to help?”

“Okay then, pull over. I just hope it’s not a mistake.”

“Here we go. I’ll just stop behind him.”

“You get out. I’ll stay in the car.”

“Okay. Be right back.”

“I sure hope he knows what he is doing. Oh, here he comes.”

“Well, they are okay.”

“So, what are they doing stopping?”

“Just changing drivers.”

“Oh, well, that seems logical.”

“I’m putting on my signal and pulling out.”

“You sure they are okay. I didn’t see anyone in the car as we passed.”

“They are not very big.”

“What do you mean not very big?”

“When they are changing spots you can’t see them.”

“Okay, now I’m confused.”

“Let’s forget it okay?”

“What is the matter with you. Who was driving that car?”

“A dog. Well not driving just steering.”

“What?”

“The cat was operating the pedals.”

“Quit joking.”

“I’m not.”

“We should call the police.”

“Why?”

“A dog and cat driving a car is dangerous.”

“I thought they did a good job.”

“You going to call or should I?”

“No need I’m telling you.”

“Okay convince me. Why is there no need?”

“The guy in the backseat said he had everything under control.”

“Not from the backseat would he have everything under control.”

“Well, he can’t do the driving.”

“Why not?”

“He’s had too much to drink.”

“That’s it. I’m calling.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Rib.”

April 20, 2019April 19, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 52 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is “rib.” Linda Hill says we can use it as part of a word or as a stand-alone. In any case, we are to have fun. If you would like to join in visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is to tease your brain in trying to think up a word with “rib” in it. I have one, ‘attribution.’ Naa, that’s no fun. I think I’ll go with using rib alone. Here is a link to Linda’s blog.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS April 20/19

“Can I get another rib?”

“What? You’ve had a full rack already.”

“I know it’s just they’re so good.”

“You have to learn to control yourself. There are others here you know.”

“Not so loud. They’ll hear you.”

“Quit being such a glutton. Go have something else.”

“You know I like meat more than anything.”

“It wouldn’t hurt you to have some greens once in a while.”

“The thought makes me gag.”

“It is time you own up to taking better care of yourself. As far as I can see all you do is lay around and finally move when dinner is served.”

“How come all this negativity all of a sudden. All I did was ask for one more rib.”

“You think it is easy taking care of the family and providing for y’all?”

“No. I think you have a big job.”

“Then why don’t you do something to help.”

“Like what?”

“Like leaving enough food for the others.”

“Look this is a big zebra. There is plenty.”

“You don’t know how those cubs can eat. You know I’m getting tired of this ‘King of the Jungle’ mantra you carry on.”

“Come on. Not my fault that I am royalty. Makes you a queen.”

“Big deal. Meantime, I gotta run down another zebra.”

“You look so good doing it.”

“Oh be quiet and eat your rib. Do something with that mane in your eyes.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Lip.”

April 13, 2019April 12, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 56 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is “lip.” Yeah, that’s right, lip. Anyway, Linda Hills says we can use the word alone or as part of another word. For example, Lipshitz. If you would like to join in and perhaps send yourself over the edge, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS April 13/19

“Can you stop with the elliptical for a minute.”

“You want me to stop? Any more weight gain and I’ll need liposuction.”

“Save the lip, I need to talk to you.”

“Your speech is clipped, and brow furrowed, my friend.”

“Your machine makes so much noise. I don’t want my words to slip into oblivion.”

“Okay. I’ve stopped. What is it that has your pants in a backflip?”

“There is a millipede in my bed.”

“So what? They are so lilliputian; you can just brush them away.”

“Not this one. He was huge and did a backflip over my footboard.”

“So you could call him flippant?”

“Come on. I need you to get rid of the flipper.”

“Can you lipread?”

“Well, if you liplike in English.”

“Read my lips. Not going to happen no way no how.”

“You are slipping in your landlord duties.”

“See this clipboard?”

“It is filled with newspaper employment ad clippings.”

“Tells you my job search is not slipshod.”

“So you are not the landlord, slippery one?”

“Not even a blip on the landlord radar.”

“I hope your lipids freeze.”

“Ouch.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Fab”

April 6, 2019April 5, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 54 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is“fab.” Linda Hill says, “Use it as a word or find a word beginning with “fab.” As always, use any way you’d like. Have fun!”

So there you have it. Have fun. If you would like to have fun with words, go to Linda’s blog and read how easy it is to have fun without drugs or alcohol. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS April 6/19

“So what is the prompt this week?”

“Fab.”

“What’s fab?”

“The prompt is fab.”

“I’m sure it is. Tell me the prompt.”

“Fab is the prompt.”

“You doing a Yoda impersonation?”

“No why?”

“To quote ‘Fab is the prompt.’ We all get the prompt is fab, exciting, unique even. The prompt is fab. We’ll give it to you. Now, what is the prompt?”

“You have me down to my last nerve. Let me try to explain this way. The word fab is the prompt.”

“Oh, I get it. Fab is the prompt. So what are you going to do with it?”

“Anymore than we’ve already done? I think we killed it.”

“That’s fab. I think we killed it too. That reminds me.”

“Reminds you of what?”

“Fab Four.”

“Please.”

“Fab detergent.”

“No longer on the market.”

“Fab ra jay.”

“No such thing.”

“Fab a lous.”

“Wrong again.”

“fab er ic.”

“Nope.”

“Fab ra cate.”

“Way off.”

“Now I think we really killed it.”

“Fab job.”

“You too.”

“Thanks.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #213 by Keith Channing

April 2, 2019April 1, 2019 ~ 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.~~

There won’t be a Kreative Kue for a couple of weeks – it seems someone is rather keen (and in a hurry) to buy our home here in France. Next week, we’ll be heading to the north of England in an effort to identify a house to live in after we have to leave this one! The next scheduled Kreative Kue will be on Easter Monday, 22nd April.”

The photo.

“Hey, Charlie. Whatcha doing?”

“It looks pretty obvious.”

“So tell me.”

“I’m trying to decide on calling the fire department or not.”

“For this little fire?”

“Yes for this little fire. I’m getting concerned.”

“Concerned? About what? It looks like it’s under control. A few branches is all.”

“It may appear to be that to you. There’s a deeper issue.”

“My goodness. Sounds sinister.”

“Don’t laugh. It is sinister.”

“Oh come on. Looks the fire is starting to die down.”

“That’s what I thought about a half hour ago.”

“So this thing has been burning for a half hour?”

“Longer than that.”

“That does seem a little strange. It doesn’t seem like there is enough wood to keep it going for that long.”

“Now you are beginning to get a sense of my worry.”

“Other than that it still seems quite normal.”

“Except for one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“I didn’t start the fire.”

“Come again? What do you mean you didn’t start the fire?”

“I came out here to light this brush—”

“So you did start the fire.”

“Let me finish, will you?”

“Go ahead.”

“I came out here to light this brush, and when I got here, I realized I forgot my matches.”

“Sounds like you. So how did you get the brush lit?”

“That’s just it. While reaching in my pockets for a light and realizing I had forgotten the matches I said, “Hey brush. You gotta light?”

“Don’t tell me.”

“Yup. The brush ignited. Just like that.”

“And has been burning ever since.”

“Now you understand.”

“I think we need to do something.”

“Okay. I’m glad you feel the same as I do.”

“Repeat after me.”

“Huh? I was thinking of calling the fire department.”

“No, forget that. I have a feeling you are gifted, and we should act fast before the gift goes away. Repeat after me. “Hey, brush.”

“I don’t get it but okay, “Hey, Brush.”

“You gotta beer?”

“You gotta beer? You are a jerk. You know that?”

“You want one?”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Dough/D’oh

March 30, 2019March 29, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 45 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is “dough/d’oh.” Linda Hill says, “Use one, use both, use ’em any way you like. Enjoy!” Well, you heard her. 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 March 30/19

“Where did you get the dough?”

“The corner store has all kinds of fresh dough. Bread dough of every kind.”

“So you going to do some baking?”

“No. I thought I would leave it on the porch to harder and then have a doorstop.”

“Ah. Dark sarcasm in the classroom.”

“Huh?”

“You were joking right?”

“Duh. I must say you are swift today.”

“Well, I have been a little off lately.”

“Any reason?”

“I can’t put my finger on it.”

“You haven’t been yourself since you came into that dough from your grandfather.”

“Do you think that’s it?”

“You have to admit you changed the day it arrived.”

“Having dough like that is a big responsibility.”

“Come on. It wasn’t that much.”

“Yes but handled correctly it will grow. That’s the hard part.”

“I don’t see that.”

“It has to be kept warm and in a dark place.”

“Wait. We are talking about money, right?”

“No sourdough.”

“D’oh!”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #212 by Keith Channing

March 26, 2019March 25, 2019 ~ 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

“So how long have you been coming this way?”

“What do you mean?”

“Along this rocky beach.”

“Oh, this is a favorite of mine. I love the sound of the water.”

“But it is hard to walk on.”

“Yes but the views and fresh air make it all worthwhile.”

“I don’t know, but I think I prefer the higher ground.”

“What? And miss the opportunity to commune with nature?”

“The only nature I see are those buzzards circling overhead.”

“Come on. Look at those gulls over there.”

“Yeah, you see one gull you see them all.”

“Looks like someone got up on the wrong side of the bed.”

“Well, I wasn’t very keen on taking this walk.”

“I know if it were up to you, it would be all about lying around the house all day and never seeing anything.”

“Well, I’m not a big fan of the outdoors.”

“I don’t get that. Your kind has roamed the Earth for centuries.”

“Maybe some of my kind has. It is not for me. Can we go back now?”

“I can’t believe this. Your ancestors invented fire for heaven’s sake. You would think you could stand a little walk?”

“Easy for you to say. You have four legs so it is not as hard on each leg.”

“Okay, we’ll go back, but not a peep until kibble time.”

“I promise.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – The Last Piece of Mail

March 23, 2019March 22, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 43 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this weeks prompt is…well let’s let Linda Hill explain it. Her words. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “the last piece of mail you received.” Talk about the subject of the last piece of physical mail you received, i.e., a gas bill–talk about gas, not the bill itself. Have fun!”

So the last piece of mail I received was from Blue Cross announcing a 6% increase in my premium. Not very exciting stuff like a Publisher Clearing House $7,000 a week for life but it will have to do. If you would like to join in and have as much fun visit Linda to read up on how easy it is. Here is the link.