Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Fine.”

March 3, 2018March 2, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 35 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this week’s prompt is “fine.” There are bonus points if this post is finished with the word fine as well. If you would like to join in the fun, go to Linda Hill,s blog and read how easy it is to wander off the edge of the cliff. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/03/02/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-march-3-18/

“Fine day we are having.”

“Yes it is fine isn’t it?”

“So what does this fine day find you doing?”

“I need to do a little fine fixing up around the house.”

“What is fine fixing up?”

“It’s where my usual fine carpentry hack job won’t suffice.”

“What does a fine carpentry hack job look like?”

“Oh, you know. wood shavings and fine dust everywhere.”

“Ah. Fine. I get it. No real attention to cleaning up and such.”

“I think those are the fine points. It is also not enough care about the project.”

“The fine details?”

“You got it. Like making sure fine lines are taken out.”

“And the finish has a fine softness.”

“With a fine sheen like hand rubbed.”

“How do you get a fine sheen.”

“You have to use a fine brush and no drips.”

“That sounds fine, but there must be more to it.”

“You have to choose a fine grade of steel wool to polish the surface.”

“After your fine coat of Polyurethane?”

“Yes. A fine observation.”

“What should I look for when I want fine steel wool?”

“The package has a grade from coarse to fine.”

“What a fine way to get the right stuff. You going to go for the extra points?”

“As long as you are fine with what I have explained.”

“I’m fine.”

“Fine.”

Tuesday Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #163 by Keith Channing

February 27, 2018February 26, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 65 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.

“SICWK 302 calling base.”

“Go ahead 302.”

“I have made a safe touchdown and am now active.”

“We copy that 302. We are receiving an image now.”

“I hope to be able to explain it, base.”

“Yeah. The monitors are showing a carbon unit.”

“Copy that, base. It looks to me like one of the life forms on this planet.”

“Can you tell if it is an intelligent life form? ”

“It hasn’t moved in quite a while. It does have unusual facial features. It almost looks like it is trying to determine something.”

“What form did you elect to take?”

“They have something here called an ATM. There were so many I decided to take that form.”

“What is the purpose of this ATM?”

“It is a reservoir for paper.”

“Paper?”

“Yes. My sensors determined that this planet has little pieces of a compound of fibers that the inhabitants use as currency to barter for goods and services.”

“You sound like you know a lot about it.”

“They also have an intelligent being here called Google. This Google knows everything. I believe it is the repository for all knowledge.”

“Well thank the planets you have help. Has the life form moved?”

“No. It is still staring at something on my face.”

“What is on your face?”

“I had to replicate a screen. It gives instructions on how to use the ATM.”

“Why is the life form staring then?”

“Maybe there is a language problem.”

“What language did you use.”

“Ours of course.”

“Um, 302?”

“Yes, base.”

“What are the odds a life form on a distant planet will be able to decipher Scrungy?”

“Google said Scrungys are everywhere. This thing still hasn’t moved. Maybe it is not viable any longer.”

“I’m so glad we sent you on this important mission 302.”

“Why, thank you.”

“Sure,”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Door”

February 24, 2018February 23, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 43 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday again and this weeks prompt is “door.” Now just having the word “door” as a prompt would be a little mundane, so Linda Hill kicked it up a notch. She requires “door” to be used in a specific context, which is, a door we have walked through that isn’t our own THIS WEEK. If you would like to join in on this fun go to Linda’s site and read how. Here is the link if you dare.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Feb. 24/18

“Why so glum, chum.”

“I hate to say this, but sometimes your alliterations come at the wrong time.”

“Oh, my. You are in a mood. You been over to Linda Hill’s place again, right?”

“How did you know?”

“Same face every time.”

“It’s cause I like the prompts and want to do well.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“You know I write all the time.”

“Yeah, I do. In fact, I think you are obsessive.”

“Save the psychological analysis for some other time. I have a real problem.”

“Okay. I’m sorry. What’s the problem?”

“Here it is. We are supposed to write about a door that isn’t our own that we have gone through this week.”

“Sounds fun. I don’t see the issue.”

“I only went out once this week.”

“Ah, the old Howard Hughes recluse writer thingy.”

“And guess where I went?”

“A bar, restaurant, museum, or something interesting I hope.”

“That’s just it. I went to the frickin Rheumatologist.”

“What? the Rheumatologist? Oh, that is one exciting trip. How was the door there?”

“You are not helping.”

“What’s with you writers anyway? You have some kind of sun allergy?You’re all the same. To leave the house is like a major deal.”

“We get wrapped up in our work.”

“Yeah, and all your friends are in your head.”

“You are my friend. You aren’t in my head.”

“You’re kidding me right?”

“Yeah. Sorry about that. You are in my head too.”

“I think you need to find a hobby.”

“I have one.”

“Do tell.”

“Making up stories.”

“The prosecution rests your honor.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #162 by Keith Channing

February 20, 2018February 19, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 34 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.

“Take the picture for heaven’s sake.”

“Whoops. Looks like the battery is dead.”

“Do you have another?”

“I think so. Let me look in my photog bag.”

“Your what?”

“It’s the bag with all my photography supplies.”

“So, do you have one?”

“Hold on. Let me see. Double-A nope. Triple-A won’t work. Ah, here it is.”

“Thank heavens. I don’t think I can stand here too much longer.”

“Have a seat then.”

“Are you kidding me? I can’t sit down.”

“Why not?”

“I’ll wrinkle this shirt and pants.”

“I hate to tell you, but the pants already have a crease.”

“Wha—? I knew that hangar was not right. Do you have an iron?”

“An iron? I barely have a battery let alone an iron.”

“Are you ready to take the picture?”

“Yes. All set. Smile please.”

“Wait. I can’t stop thinking about the crease.”

“Forget the crease already. It won’t show in the final. If it does, I’ll airbrush it out.”

“You sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure. Now say cheese.”

“Cheese.”

“Beautiful. I got it. We are done.”

“Is that auto photo going to show?”

“Yes, it will.”

“Super I want her to think I like cars.”

“Who is this picture for anyway?”

“My landlady.”

“Your landlady. You have got to be kidding me. Why a photo for your landlady?”

“She told me if I ended up in pictures my rent would be free.”

“Um, Roberto?”

“What?”

“I think she meant motion pictures. You know, Hollywood.”

“Aw, you think? Hey, do you think I could be in motion pictures?”

“Don’t know about motion pictures but there is one place you could excel.”

“Where’s that?”

“Not where but what.”

“What?”

“You could run for President.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “His/Her(s)

February 17, 2018February 16, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 45 Comments

Her eminence Ms, Linda Hill has kicked off the Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this week’s prompt is “His/Her(s). I’m going to quote Linda directly when she issued the order for the prompt. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “his/her(s).” Use one, use both, bonus points if you start your post with one and end with the other. Have fun!” So you see why the post started with a flourish.

If you would like to participate in the group psychological experiment, go to Linda’s blog and read how you can. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/02/16/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-feb-17-18/

“Her hair is blowing in the wind.”

“It’s supposed to do that. It is part of the feeling.”

“‘Part of the feeling?”‘ What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I have made this piece to represent someone underwater.”

“Okay. I still don’t get it.”

“The wind duplicates the current so when her hair blows

it is like the current of a river or the ocean.”

“Oh, so you have carved a woman out of rock and put that cheesy hair on her to simulate the current flowing.”

“Except for the term, “cheesy,” I think you have the concept.”

“Look at the hair. It looks like it was knit by my grandmother.”

“I’ll have you know I made that hair myself.”

“You are a sculptor, right?”

“Yes, I am.”

“I think you ought to turn hair making over to someone else. Why didn’t you just carve it out of stone?”

“I guess I could have. I just wanted to have a mixed media piece.”

“Instead you have a bald women sitting on a rock.”

“Harsh.”

“But true. I think you ought to rename this one.”

“So make my whole day. What is your suggestion?”

“See that angelic look on her face and the lovely body?”

“Yeah, of course. I made it.”

“How about “Beautiful Collaborator?”

“No one will get that.”

“Falling Hair?”

“Gross.”

“Cross Dresser?”

“Too political.”

“Some Day My Prince Will Come.”

“Chauvinistic, but you have given me an idea.”

“Oh good. What do you think you should call it?”

“How about simply, “Him.”

“Him?”

“Him.”

“I think you should keep the, “Simply” and call it, “Simply Him.”

I like that. “Simply Him.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Our #161 by Keith Channing

February 13, 2018February 12, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 42 Comments

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.

“Here boy. Come on.”

“Hey, dog you are being called.”

“The name is Trevor, and I think he’s calling you.”

“Now that is damn near impossible.”

“Why is it impossible?”

“Well for one thing. He can’t see me so how’s he supposed to know I’m here?”

“You are kidding me. The old man can’t see you?”

“Well, there are some rare times he can.”

“When’s that?”

“You know that special bottle of brandy in the den.”

“Brandy? Oh, you mean the water that smells bad?”

“There is a lot of water that smells bad, but yes.”

“What about it.”

“Well, when there have been too many “I’ll just have one more,”then he magically can see me.”

“Does he talk to you?”

“Um, talk isn’t the right word. I think they call it cursing.”

“Oh yeah. I’ve heard that went he comes across my poop in his bare feet.”

“Ha ha ha. I love those times.”

“So how come I can see you? I don’t use any of the smelly water.”

“You are pure of heart. You have no agenda.”

“You are saying I’m dumb.”

“No, let’s just call you simple and leave it at that.”

“So what makes him so complex?”

“Look at him. Sitting on that noisy thing called a Snapper, cutting grass out in the middle of nowhere. Don’t you think doing something useless like that takes a complex mind?”

“I never thought of it like that. So you are saying the more useless the task, the more complex the planning behind it?”

“You know Trevor, I take back what I said about you being simple.”

“Well, thanks but why?”

“You have just identified one of the facts of life not many think about.”

“Facts of life?”

“Yes. You have articulated the key to understanding the government.”

“Is that possible?”

“You have given the world a start.”

“Before I’m nominated for the Nobel prize, I think I’ll go over and ask Mr. Complex if it is dinner time yet.”

“You go, boy.”

”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Tale/Tail

February 10, 2018February 9, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 34 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This week’s prompt is “Tale/Tail. Linda Hill says we can use one or both. If you would like to play with words visit Linda’s blog and see how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Feb. 10/18

“I see you been up to the Hill.”

“Huh. What are you talking about.”

“You have a prompt tucked under your arm, so you have been to the Hill.”

“Oh. You talkin’ about the Linda Hill hill?”

“Yes, of course. Man, it takes forever with you.”

“Whatever. Yes, I have this week’s prompt.’

“Care to share?”

“Tale/Tail.”

“You talkin’ sex now?”

“You call me slow. You’re not only the same, but your mind is in the gutter.”

“You’re the one talkin’ dirty. Not me.”

“The first is like a story. Tale. The second is like what is on an animal.”

“So it could be the tale of a tail.”

“Well, I suppose it could be.”

“What are you going to write?”

“I think I’ll do a story about a guy telling a story. It will be a tall tale of the woods.”

“So where does the tail come in.”

“What tail?”

” I thought you had to use both.”

“No, it is okay to use one or the other or both.”

“Can I do one?”

“Of course.”

“Mine’s going to be about a ranch. I’m almost positive I can work in the word tail. You got your horsetail, dog tail, foxtail, raccoon tail, cow tail—”

“Okay, I get it. Why not go away and write it.”

“You want to get rid of me?”

“In a word?”

“I don’t get it. I bust my tail helping you with your prompt tale, and this is the thanks I get.”

“Don’t consider it permanent.”

“And now the narrator says, “In anger, he turns tail and heads for the door.”‘

“Don’t go away mad.”

The IF Challenge – A Prompt by A Frank Angle

February 7, 2018February 6, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 63 Comments

Ever think about how many times we use the word “If” in a day? Although some more than others, we use “if” in a variety of ways. Well, it took an exchange with Marc (@Sorryless) initiate this idea – the If Challenge.

The Basics

Write a post featuring If as the theme.
Publish the post after I post mine.
Link to my If Challenge post (NOT this page).

The Details

An If post can be in any form: a short story, a poem, an artistic impression, a commentary, and more. You choose the format.
At the end of your post, mention the If Challenge and encourage your readers to read more If Challenge posts that will be linked in the comments on my post. NOTE: Link to my post, NOT this page.
If you choose, you may display the If Challenge badge.
I will probably post my If post on Tuesday 6 February 2018 at 9:00 PM (Eastern US).

Here is my response to the challenge.

“If I tell you a secret, can you keep it?”

“If I tell you I can, will you believe me?”

“If I tell you I believe you, will you believe me?”

“If I tell you ‘yes,’ will you believe me?”

“If I say ‘yes,’ will you tell me the secret?”

“If I say ‘yes,’ will you believe me?”

“If you say ‘yes,’ I will believe you.”

“If you say ‘yes,’ I will tell you the secret.”

“If I say ‘yes,’ you will tell me the secret?”

“Yes.”

If you would like to read other contributions go to:

https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2018/02/06/on-if/

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #160 by Keith Channing

February 6, 2018February 5, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 45 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 – 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 website, next Monday.

The photo.

“Okay, mister. Where do you want the concrete?”

“Concrete? What concrete?”

“I have a mixer full of concrete ordered for delivery.”

“Delivery? I never ordered concrete for delivery.”

“Here’s the invoice. Look for yourself. ”

“Hmm, six yards of concrete. Yes, that’s my address, but I’m telling you I didn’t order it.”

“Give it to me. Your name Smith?”

“No. My name is Bronkowski.”

“You have any idea who Smith is? Whoever it is, owes me $540.00.”

“Well, it sounds phony and it’s not me, that’s for sure.”

“Sorry, buddy but your address is on the order, so I need to unload here.”

“Wait. I just had a thought.”

“Yeah, what’s that?”

“Old lady Schmidt has been complaining about my chicken wire sculptures for a month. I’ll bet she called you guys.”

“Why would she do that?”

“I think she believes these are support structures for concrete statues.”

“So she is giving you a hint?”

“More like a shove.”

“So what about it?”

“Not a bad idea. I was going to make topiary sculptures, but I can see concrete might be more permanent.”

“You’ll have to work fast. This stuff sets up pretty quick.”

“How quick?”

“You’ll have a couple of hours. Besides that delicate chicken wire is not going to take a heavy load all at once.”

“So you are telling me?”

“To stick with topiary. Where does Old Lady Schmidt live?”

“Next door.”

“What if I dump it there?”

“Yeah, it is only one number off. Could you?”

“You cover the cost?”

“I’ll get my checkbook.”

Stream of ConsciousnessSaturday – Prompt “In Other Words.”

February 3, 2018February 2, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time and this week’s prompt is “In Other Words.” Yes, you read that right. Linda was very kind this week and dictated that we only have to use ‘in other words,” once in our post. Okay, gang, this preamble doesn’t count. If you would like to cause, your confidence to slip a little by joining in go to Linda Hill’s post and read how to do that most effectively. Here is the link.

https://lindaghill.com/2018/02/02/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-feb-3-18/

” In other words, you don’t want to go.”

“I didn’t say that. I said I had some things to do.”

“Why don’t you just come right out and say you don’t want to go.”

“If I didn’t want to go, I would just say that. Why are you being a jerk?”

“You know how much I like this kind of thing. I know you are not crazy about it, but I would think you could just be a good sport and go with me.”

“First of all, when did you know about this?”

“Well, I just got the tickets at work.”

“When?”

“Monday.”

“Here it is Saturday, and you think I will drop everything to go and you couldn’t give me more than twenty-four hours notice?”

“I guess I could have.”