Category: Prompt

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Bug”

~ John W. Howell ~ 25 Comments

Stream of Consciousness

It is Stream of Conscious Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is “bug.” Linda Hill says we can use it any way we want. (that’s a relief. I hate to be shoved into using a word in a way I don’t want.” If you would like to have a go at this fun visit Linda Hill’s blog and read how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS June 23/18

Bug by John W. Howell © 2018

“Ixnay on the alktay.”

“Okay, so what weird thing do we have going today?”

“Read my lips.”

“I can’t understand a thing you are saying with those chapped lips.”

“For heaven’s sake. I think our place has a bug in it.”

“A bug? No biggie. Get some Raid.”

“Not that kind of bug you idiot. A listening device bug.”

“I see we’ve been reading too many spy novels.”

“I’m serious. I think someone is listening.”

“Okay genius. If so you have tipped them off that you know they are listening.”

“I tried to give you a sign.”

“Pig Latin is not a sign.”

“I mean with my lips.”

“You looked like you were passing gas. Your lips didn’t tell me a thing.”

“So now what do we do?”

“I don’t know about you, but I’m going to confess to tearing off the mattress tags.”

“Come on. Be serious.”

“I think it’s time for you to be serious. What makes you think someone is listening.”

“Strange things happening.”

“Like what?”

“Well, I was in that fast food place and ordered a hamburger.”

“Yes?”

“You know how much I love french fries. I even said to you before I left the house that I wish I could have some fries.”

“Yeah, I remember. You want to lose some weight, so you are not having any.”

“Well, that’s just it. When I placed my order, the server said, “Do you want fries with that?”

“So?”

“How did the server know I wanted the fries unless whoever is listening called ahead and told.”

“I think you need to lay down.”

“And supersize. How did the server know to ask? It keeps going on and on. When I couldn’t find the rye bread at the supermarket how did the checker know to ask if I found everything okay?” How does the gas pump know to ask “debit or credit?”

“I’m going to call the doctor in a minute if you don’t stop.”

“You better heed these warnings. As for me, I’m going to stop talking in the house. Do you hear that Mr. CIA? No more talking.”

“My prayers have been answered.”

“What’s that?”

“Nothing. Nothing at all.”

 

 

 

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #179 by Keith Channing

~ 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 – pingbacks don’t often work.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.”

The Photo.

Kreative Kue #179

“Okay, so how far have we moved?”
“Today?”
“Very funny.”
“I’m serious.”
“Yes, if you must joke, today.”
“Twelve feet.”
“Twelve feet? You must be kidding. I’m sure we have come further.”
“Further than yesterday’s sixteen feet.”
“This is insane. How can we continue to stay on this road when it is obvious the traffic isn’t going anywhere?”
“Um. Check the barrier in the middle.”
“Huh? Yeah, that does look pretty formidable. How about to the right?”
“The hills.”
“Drat. We’re trapped like rats. What kind of vacation is this anyway?”
“I think rats have a better chance. I would say it is a survival kind of vacation. We are out of water.”
“How can we be out of water? We packed enough for three days.”
“We’ve been sitting here for four.”
“We have? Where have I been?”
“A real good question. How’s that book coming along?”
“I guess I have been a little preoccupied.”
“I would call it ‘deep trance’ rather than preoccupied.”
“Well, there is a plot point I have been trying to work out.”
“That point where the man and woman are trapped in a cave and can’t get out.”
“That’s the one.”
“Art imitating life I think.”
“Huh?”
“Never mind. Did you work it out?”
“Yes. It seems they found an old flare gun and fired it through a vent in the ceiling of the cave and were rescued by the Coast Guard.”
“Oh, that is ingenious. Isn’t there a Coast Guard station near here?”
“Let me look on my phone. Oh yes, there’s one about three miles from here.”
“Do we have a flare gun?”
“Gosh no. Wait. Are you thinking of the cave rescue.”
“Could be. Open the sunroof. Maybe I can yell loud enough for help.”
“We are not in a cave.”
“Could have fooled me.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Reservation”

~ John W. Howell ~ 40 Comments

Stream of Consciousness

 

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time Again. This week’s prompt is ‘reservation.” Linda Hill says we can use it any way we want. (I love the smell of freedom.) If you would like to join our merry band visit Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS June 16/18

Reservation by John W. Howell © 2018.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Who you talking to?”

“I’m on hold. I’m sort of ranting to the wind.”

“There’s no wind in the house.”

“Don’t start on me. I’m on this stupid call to make a reservation, and I’m on hold.”

“That’s pretty normal isn’t it?”

“You would think that if a restaurant requires reservations, they would have enough people to handle the calls.”

“You probably got the guy who washes the dishes at this hour.”

“What do you mean? Three o’clock is after lunch and before dinner. There should be nothing to do but answer the frickin phone.”

“Getting a little worked up I see.”

“Oh shut up. Wait the line stopped that stupid music. Oh yes, thank you for taking my call. I would like to make a reservation for Saturday night. Uh…This Saturday night. Yes, I will hold.”

“The old route you to the end of the line hold.”

“Stop. He said another call was coming in and would I mind holding.”

“Of course another call. A big rich guy who will take the last Saturday night reservation.”

“Yes, hello. That’s okay I don’t mind holding.”

“What was that?”

“He put me on hold again. Another call.”

“Good grief. Do yourself a favor and hang up.”
“No way. This is the best new restaurant in town. I’m not giving up.”

“Suit yourself.”

“Oh hi. Yes, I’m still here. Sure.”

“On hold again right?”

“He mumbled something about the kitchen. I think this is the owner.”

“Well, la de da. You are being snubbed by the owner no less.”

“Yes, that’s correct. This Saturday.  Why are you laughing? No kidding. Okay, put me down for then. That is Sammy at two one zero, five five five, one two one two. Thank you. Goodbye.”

“What was that all about.”

“Nothing.”

“Come on. What time do we eat?”

“Seven o’clock. Best seat in the house.”

“Wow, I’m impressed. I heard it takes a year to get a reservation.”

“Ours is in twenty-twenty. Excuse me I have to go and mark the calendar.”

Tuesday Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #178 by Keith Channing

~ John W. Howell ~ 37 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 – pingbacks don’t often work.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.”

The Photo.

Business Center by John W. Howell © 2018

“What the hell?”

“Excuse me, ma’am?”

“Why is this thing telling me to sign in again?”

“Well. you have to use the sign in procedure to use the computer.”

“Come on sonny. I’m not that stupid. I’m talking about this website.”

“Oh sorry. I thought you were having trouble signing in.”

“Yeah if only. I got bigger problems than that.”

“Can I be of assistance?”

“Do you know anything about binary physics?”

“Er..no.”

“Then thank you very much but butt out.”

“Well. I never.”

“Never what?”

“Experienced such rudeness.”

“Please. At your age, I’m sure you have.”

“I can’t remember when then.”

“So put on your big boy pants and get over it. I need to concentrate.”

“Fine. I’ll just finish my banking then.”

“Banking?”

“Yes, I do my banking online.”

“What bank do you use?”

“First National.”

“I would take my money out of there if I were you.”

“What? Why would I do that?”

“Cause in ten minutes that place will be empty.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Look sonny. I’m giving you a hint since you tried to be nice. Take it or leave it.”

“What are you doing over there?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know? Now are you going to move your money or not? I’m ready to hit the enter button.”

“I can’t believe this.”

“Believe it, sonny. Believe it.”

 

 

 

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #177

~ John W. Howell ~ 40 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 – pingbacks don’t often work.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.”

The Photo.

Kreative Kue #177

Headquarters by John W. Howell © 2018

“Okay, guys listen up. We have good intel that the enemy has begun moving supplies and personnel into our sector. Yes, what is it, Ames?”

“What kind of intel?”

“Our spotters have confirmed. Okay?”

“Yeah, okay. It’s just those damn spotters have misled us before.”

“That was only because of that corn that was dropped on the highway. May I continue?”

“You’re the boss.”

“So we need to make sure our troops know to enact Plan Red on my command. You all know about Plan Red, right?”

“Yes.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Right so commander.”

“Great then. By the way Ames.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Why are continuing to scratch your ear.”

“I’m not sure sir. It sure itches.”

“Let me have a look at that.”

“My God man you have been infected by the invaders.”

“What does that mean sir.”

“It means the enemy is now upon you. We need to hit you with Plan Red immediately or who knows what will happen.”

“Aren’t there side effects to Plan Red?”

“Oh, a few minor ones.”

“Like what?”

“Palm hair is handled. Tooth growth if ingested. Withered extremities if inhaled.”

“What about if sprayed?”

“No side effects.”

“Why not spray me then.”

“That is probably the safest way.”

“Do it.”

“We can’t.”

“What why not?”

“None of us have been trained.”

“Who is trained then.”

“Only the spotters as far as I know.”

“Tell them to get here quick.”

“Now that’s a problem.”

“Why is that a problem.”

“They are on a corn break right now.”

“Tell them the break is over.”

“Can’t do that.”

“Why not.”

“They are union.”

“So that means?”

“You might want to join the union, fast.”

 

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Your Favorite Word.”

~ John W. Howell ~ 49 Comments

Stream of Consciousness

 

It is Saturday Stream of Consciousness time again. This weeks prompt is an unusual one. Linda Hill says we should choose our favorite word and then write a post about it. I think the challenge here is selecting a word that is a favorite and appropriate to share on a family blog. That eliminates my first selection immediately. By the way, if you would like to partake in this happiness go to Linda’s blog and read all about it. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS June 2/18

Peaceful by John W. Howell © 2108

“This is your favorite word?”

“Yeah, so what’s wrong with it?”

“Of all the damn words in this world you have to wander into mine.”

“What does that suppose to mean?”

“Peaceful. You could have picked any other word. But no, you pick peaceful.”

“I’m still not getting it. What’s the problem?”

“That is my word.”

“Okay, you need to explain that one. How can peaceful be your word?”

“When I was born, my parents said I was a peaceful child. When my teachers talked about me, they used the word peaceful to describe my behavior. My spouse counts on me to be peaceful in times of stress.”

“Anything else?”

“My dog appreciates the fact that I’m peaceful.”

“Okay I get all that but why can’t we share the word?”

“Share? You want to share? You who wouldn’t even let me borrow a hammer. You now want to share?”

“For heaven’s sake. I’ll just pick another word.”

“Oh no, you don’t. You can just pick another word and deny me the right of granting you a license to use ‘peaceful.'”

“A license? You don’t sound like someone described as peaceful.”

“You want to use the word or not?”

“I think I’m almost out of time here. It may be a moot point.”

“You can’t use ‘moot’ either.”

“Huh? Where is that coming from?”

“I have the  copyright on the word ‘moot’ as well as ‘peaceful.”‘

“You are kidding me.”

“A ton of others too.”

“Who issued these copyrights?”

“The copyright office. I sent a manuscript to them with 100,000 words and they issued me a copyright.”

“You didn’t get the words in the manuscript copyrighted. You got the manuscript that has the words in it copyrighted.”

“Looks like splitting hairs to me. I can let you use ‘moot’ for a nominal fee.”

“I think you have slipped a gear or two.”

“‘Slipped’ and ‘gear’ are both copyrighted.”

“This is ridiculous.”

“Copyrighted.”

“Okay, how much to use peaceful?”

“You have to use it with another word so there will be no confusion with mine.”

“What other word?”

“Tomato.”

“Tomato?”

“Yes either before or after but in no case are the words ‘tomato’ and ‘peaceful’ to be used separately.”

“This is silly. Peaceful tomato or tomato peaceful? Who is going to understand that combination.”

“Not my problem.”

“Apparently.”

“Copyrighted.”

“Bite me.”

“You owe me for those two as well.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #176 by Keith Channing

~ John W. Howell ~ 48 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 – pingbacks don’t often work.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.”

 

The photo

Kreative Kue # 176

Birdman by John W. Howell © 2018

“Hi, sir. We are from Channel Ten News and wonder if we may have a minute.”

“Well, it depends.”

“Depends, sir?”

“Yes. It depends on what you want.”

“Oh, sir we don’t want anything. We are doing a feature on unusual animal owners and would like to ask you a couple of questions.”

“I can’t see the harm in that. Okay, shoot.”

“You don’t mind if we film our interview do you?”

“Um. Where is this going to show up.”

“We have a feature every Sunday called Animal Friends. If this interview works out it will be this Sunday at ten o’clock.”

“Aw, that’s a shame.”

“Why’s that sir?”

“My bedtime is nine thirty. I guess I’ll miss it.”

“Do you have a DVR?”

“Why yes. Yes, I do.”

“Problem solved. Just record the show and play it back in the morning.”

“Do you know how to set the thing?”

“No really, sir I can’t. Maybe you can get help or use the instruction manual.”

“I guess my nephew can do it.”

“Okay then. How about those questions.”

“Shoot.”

“Okay, Leroy, start filming in three, two, one. This is Jefferson here with… uh . . .Okay cut. I forgot to get your name.”

“Aloysius Bronnowitz.”

“Can I call you Al.”

“You can call me Al. I like that song too.”

“Okay let’s go from the top. Three, two, one. This is Jefferson here with Al Bonnowitz who we’ve been told is a kind of bird whisperer. Hi Al.”

“Hi, Jefferson.”

“Tell me, Al, how did you become a birds whisperer?”

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

“That bird, Al. It is sitting on your hand.”

“Yeah what about it?”

“What makes it do that?”

“Well, you see birds have these feet with claws. They wrap them around—”

“Al.”

“What?”

“We all know how birds perch. Why is it perched on your hand?”

“I guess it got tired of the tree limb.”

“Come on, Al. Give me something here. Not everyone can have a bird sitting on their hand.”

“I don’t see why not.”

“It is not that common, Al.”

“Oh, so you think I have special powers.”

“Exactly.”

“Okay. I am able to talk to birds.”

“Now we are getting somewhere. What do the birds say to you?”

“They say all kinds of things.”

“Like what?”

“Well, there’s ‘Tweet, twittle, tweet.’  Also, ‘Twee twit two hoo.”‘

“Al.”

“What.”

“Translate that for our audience.”

“The first was, ‘Look at that clean car.”‘

“And the second?”

“That reporter has a nice clean head.”

“Okay, Al. I’m not going to ask about your t-shirt and we need to be going. Thank you.”

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Grill”

~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

Stream of Consciousness

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this weeks prompt is “grill.” Linda Hill says to have fun with it. So in that vein, I will proceed. If you would like to have fun with “grill” or are just curious as to why a bunch of seemingly normal looking people do this each week, stop by Linda’s blog and read all about it. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/05/25/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-26-18/

Grill by John W. Howell © 2018

“What is that on your teeth?”

“It’s my grill.”

“Grill?”

“Yeah. What do you think?”

“You look like your about to break into a rap song.”

“Now come on. You can’t say this doesn’t look cool.”

“I guess I could say it. The problem is you probably won’t hear it.”

“What?”

“See what I mean?”

“I’m just messing with you. I heard what you said. Everyone has their own opinion.”

“What does your family say?”

“Oh, they think I’ve lost my mind.”

“Well?”

“You know my family. They can’t handle anything out of the ordinary.”

“I think this is just a little more than out of the ordinary. Is that permanent?”

“Heavens no. See it comes right out.”

“Well, that’s a blessing. How much did that thing cost? Looks expensive.”

“You would be surprised. I got a good deal.”

“A good deal? How’s that?”

“Bought it used.”

“Uh. What?”

“Yeah, a guy I know wanted to upgrade to a model with diamonds so he—”

“Stop right there. You are telling me you bought that thing that you put in your mouth from someone who already put it in his mouth?”

“No now come on. That would not be sanitary.”

“So what do you mean used?”

“The guy swore he never wore it.”

“Who is this guy?”

“You don’t know him.”

“Do you?”

“Well, he was hanging out at the corner.”

“OMG.”

 

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #175 by Keith Channing

~ John W. Howell ~ 33 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 – pingbacks don’t often work.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.”

The photo.

Kreative Kue #175

The Spectators by John W. Howell © 2018

“Alright riders. Keep this side of the white line and in single file.”

“Why do we need to stay here, Boss?”

“What is the matter, Schmidt? Did you miss the briefing?”

“No, sir. I was there.”

“Then you know the answer to the question. Don’t make me say it out loud so they can hear.”

“Who sir?”

“You are getting on my last nerve, Schmidt. The ectators spec ey.”

“All those people lining up to watch us?”

“Keep your voice down. They’ll hear you.”

“So what, Boss?”

“In another minute I’m going to reach back and give you a smack.”

“I still don’t get it.”

“Before we started on this mission I told you there would be some who would not want us to complete what we need to do.”

“Yeah, but look at them. They are cheering.”

“Are you listening? They only sound like they are cheering. They are shouting out their orders.”

“Orders.”

“I told you before we started. This would be no picnic for us.”

“What the hell. What do you mean, orders?”

“What part of flesh-eating didn’t you get when I covered this earlier.”

“I thought they would be monsters.”

“Trust me, Schmidt, they are. They only look like us to lure us over that white line.”

“And once over the line, we are lunch?”

“Now you’ve got it. All we have to do is get by these things, and we will be free to ride out of this place.”

“This can’t be true, boss. Look at them. There’s a cute one up ahead.”

“Don’t fall for it, Schmidt. Stay in line.”

“It’s getting harder, Boss.”

“Schmidt. Come back. Everyone else. Stay in line. Schmidt, come back. That’s an order.”

“Can’t hear you, Boss.”

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Empty/Hollow

~ John W. Howell ~ 46 Comments

Stream of Consciousness

 

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This weeks prompt is “empty/hollow.” Linda Hill says we can use one or both. If you haven’t had enough pain in your life and want to join this crowd, just visit Linda’s blog and find out how. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/05/18/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-19-18/

Empty/Hollow by John W. Howell © 2018

“Why are you looking off into space with that empty stare.”

“I am thinking of the good times.”

“The good times? ”

“Yeah. You know the times when we had no responsibilities. The times when we stayed up late and raised hell.”

“What has gotten into you today? You perhaps don’t remember those early morning headaches. Being yelled at for arriving late at work. The prayers for forgiveness.”

“Leave it to you to turn fond memories into hollow history.”

“I’m just sayin’.”

“Yeah, I know. I need to get over it.”

“You do. After all, we have a lot to do today.”

“Today? What do we have to do today?”

“We are going to write our Senator, remember?”

“Yeah, remind me why we are doing that?”

“Sometimes your head is as empty as a hollow log. We are going to write the Senator and ask for a recommendation for parole.”

“For the tenth time.”

“Just takes once.”