Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #121 by Keith Channing

May 2, 2017May 1, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 31 Comments

Keith explains, “Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr 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 #121

“Who knocks at the portal of the Great Grand Inquisitor?”

“We have a candidate who is unworthy.”

“Any worst than the last one.”

“Well thins one is certainly not as pretty.”

“Speaking of that check on her and see if she is still breathing.”

“Yes, sir. She’s asleep in her chair.”

“So what brings this candidate to my lair … er … portal?”

“This person wants wisdom sire.”

“Wisdom? Is he out of his mind?”

“Why would that be your highness?”

“With wisdom comes responsibility. look at him.”

“The blindfold you mean.?”

“Not him. The other guy.”

“The other guy is me, sire.”

“Now you have me confused. Who is the candidate?”

“This one in the blue shirt with the blindfold.”

“Why the blindfold?”

“To keep our secrets sacred.”

“What secrets?”

“Gosh, boss I don’t know. I just thought there were things people shouldn’t see.”

“I’m beginning to wonder about you.”

“A-about me? Why about me?”

“Well, for one thing, there’s the blindfold. For another you have all these weird lights running around the room. They are making me dizzy. Also, who is the guy holding up the wall? Finally, where did you get that tie?”

“Okay, I get it. You have some doubts about me. I can assure you all these things can be fixed.”

“Okay. Fix them, and we will talk.”

“What about the candidate?”

“Can he hear us?”

“Yes.”

“Candidate.”

“Y-yes sir.”

“Go in peace.”

“Thank you, sir. Uh, one question.”

“Yes?”

“I’m broke and wonder if you can you help me out?”

“Sure. Which way did you come in?”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Yard”

April 29, 2017April 28, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 36 Comments

SOCS

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This week’s prompt is “Yard.” Linda Hill says we can use the word any way we want. In fact, we can add letters to make a whole new word. For example, we could add bird, work, man, brick, vine, or any number of letters or words to make something different. I think I stay a purest and work with “yard.” If you would like to join in go to Linda’s place and read all about it. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2017/04/28/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-apr-2917/

“What you doin?”

“Making a sign.”

“I can see that. What is the sign for?”

“To advertise a yard sale.”

“You selling your yard?”

“Very funny. Now we are gong to sell stuff we don’t want.”

“Where does the yard come in?”

“We are going to lay all the stuff in the front yard.”

“Sound like a mess. What if it rains?”

“Then we will move to the garage.”

“Oh and then have a garage sale?”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Why don’t you just have a garage sale and get it over with.”

“Because we would have to clean the garage.”

“Why?”

“We can’t have people seeing a dirty garage?”

“Why?”

“What? Are you a three-year-old? Because we wouldn’t want people to see how we live.”

“Why don’t you change how you live?”

“For heaven’s sake.Do you know how much effort it takes to keep everything neat?”

“I do so I think no one will even notice a messy garage. I do believe that they will see those cheap plants in the yard.”

“What cheap plants?”

“Those little pots from Home Depot. At least take the tags off of them.”

“Em, I don’t think so.”

“Why not?”

“How can we take them back after the yard sale if we take them off.”

“You’re going to return them.”

“Yeah. We don’t want to have to take care of them.”

“And you don’t want people seeing your yard without plants.”

“Bingo.”

“Is there a camera somewhere here? Hello, am I being punked?”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Due #120 by Keith Channing

April 25, 2017April 24, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 22 Comments

Keith tells us what is going on. “On to this week’s challenge: Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr 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.”

Kreative Kue #120

“I think it would be nice if you stopped singing that song.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Does my singing bother you?”

“Let me put it this way. When one is stuck on a roof the last song one wants to hear is ‘Up on the Roof.”‘

“I guess that makes sense. How about a different song?”

“Like what?”

“The mate was a mighty sailing man,
The skipper brave and sure.
Five passengers set sail that day
For a three-hour tour, a three-hour tour.”

“You’re kidding right?”

“What’s wrong.”

“The theme from Gilligan’s Island?”

“Nice tune though.”

“We are on a roof for heaven knows how long and you think that song will cheer anyone up?”

“Well we have a lot of room at least.”

“And nothing more. I was lucky to save my purse.”

“Well we are all safe and that’s what counts.”

“Spoken by someone who never seems to want a bath.”

“Aw. Look on the bright side.”

“Okay. Tell me the bright side.”

“You wanted to redecorate the house anyway.”

“Not with ten feet of water.”

“Check the sunset. It’s beautiful.”

“I will admit it is beautiful. Ouch what was that?”

“What?”

“Something bit me.”

“A mosquito?”

“You better pray not.”

“There are some out now.”

“Did you bring any repellent?”

“No time.”

“Okay then. We need to start thinking of rescue.”

“I think we will have to be patient and wait.”

“Till all our blood is gone?”

“Till a boat comes for us.”

“When will that be?”

“Michael, row the boat ashore, hallelujah.”

“Thanks. I think.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Spell”

April 22, 2017April 21, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 36 Comments

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Come and sit for a spell. It is Steam of Consciousness Saturday time again and this week’s prompt is “Spell.” Linda Hill is allowing bonus points if the first sentence of the post has the word “spell” in it.(Nailed it) Otherwise, we can use the word any way we want. If you would like to join in here is the link to Linda’s post. You can read all about it there. https://lindaghill.com/2017/04/21/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-apr-2217/

“How do you spell it again?”

“I-t.”

“Har de har har. You know when to be really annoying.”

“Come on lighten up. It was a joke.”

“I don’t think this is the time for joking. We have one opportunity to open this door, and if we blow it, all hell will break loose.”

“Okay. I’m sorry. It is spelled m-a-n-c-h-e-s—”

“Not so fast. I have m-a-n-c-h-e-s. Is that right?”

“Yes so far. The next letters are t-e-r.”

T-e-r. Got it. Oh, manchester.”

“Right. Now go ahead and hit “enter” and the door should open.”

“There it is opening.”

“Alright then now all we have to do is open the safe and help ourselves.”

“The safe?”

“Yeah, the safe. I have the combination. It is another city word.

“Okay, I’m ready.”

“Pittsburgh.”

“Huh? What about Pittsburgh?”

“That’s the code word.”

“Spell it for me and don’t do that i-t nonsense again.”

“P-i-t-t-s-b-u-r-g-h.”

“You sure there’s an h in Pittsburgh?”

“For heaven’s sake. Put it in.”

“Okay. Now what?”

“Hit “enter.”

“What’s that noise?”

“Sounds like an alarm to me.”

“Oh great. An alarm. Now what?”

“I would say this is the time we take off running.”

“Where did we go wrong?”

“I guess whoever put in the code did not know how to spell Pittsburgh.”

“Who gave you that code anyway?”

“Old man Briscoe.”

“The one who can’t see?”

“Or hear.”

“Can you spell jail?”

“J-a—”

“Shut up.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #119 by Keith Channing

April 18, 2017April 17, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 29 Comments

Keith explains. “Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr 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 #119

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Moo.”

April 15, 2017April 14, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 30 Comments

SOCS

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this week’s prompt is “Moo.” Yes, you saw that correctly. Linda Hill says that we can use the word “moo” or a word rhyming with “moo.” The interesting part is she also says there are BONUS points for using the word “moo” in the post. Guess which way I’m going? Bonus points baby. If you would like to join in go to Linda’s blog and check it out. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2017/04/14/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-apr-1517/

“What are you going to order?”

“Moo goo gai pan.”

“What’s that?”

“It’s an Americanized version of a Cantonese dish. Sorta like stir fry.”

“I don’t see it on the menu.”

“It’s not there that’s why. I’ve been here before, and they make it special.”

“How do you spell it.?”

“M-o-o-g-o-o-g-u-y–p-a-n”

“Hold on. I just googled it, and it’s spelled with g-a-i instead of g-u-y.”

“So why did you ask me in the first place.”

“I just thought you would know.”

“Well excuse me for mistakes. At least I have heard of the dish before.”

“Yes, but you should know how to spell what you eat.”

“Okay. What are you going to order?”

“Almond chicken.”

“Of course you are.”

“What’s that supposed to mean.”

“I’m sure you can spell almond and chicken so you would order the most common thing on the menu.”

“I like almond chicken.”

“Of course you do.”

“Again. What do you mean.”

“You like white bread with no crust. What do you think I mean?”

“I’m plain.”

“Oh, gee you think?”

“Now you’ve hurt my feelings.”

“You’ll be fine, Jane.”

“Thank you Bratzilla.”

Tuesday Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #118 by Keith Channing

April 11, 2017April 10, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 38 Comments

In Keith’s words. “Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr 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.”

Here s the photo.

Kreative Kue #118

“I don’t see anyone from this direction.”

“Yeah me neither.”

“Who was the guy that rented you this space?”

“He was the exhibit coordinator. A vice president I think.”

“And he gave you a good deal?”

“He said it was his best price.”

“Told you it was a high traffic area right?”

“He said all the folks who go out for dinner pass this way.”

“Why haven’t we seen a soul?”

“Maybe they are still at dinner.”

“At midnight? I don’t think so.”

“I don’t understand it.”

“I do.”

“You do what?”

“Understand it.”

“Explain it to me then.”

“The guy took our money and rented us this worthless space.”

“How about those guys next door? They are in the same boat.”

“Hey, you guys. Sold anything tonight?”

“Haven’t even seen anyone. How about you?”

“Same here. Talk to you guys later. Good luck.”

“Man, that sucks. guess we all have been had.”

“What are those guy selling?”

“I don’t know. If you are so curious, go over and ask.”

“And maybe miss a sale. No thank you.”

“I think it is a moot point. Our inventory looks pretty ragged.”

“Tell me again why we got into the ice sculpture business?”

“Don’t start on me.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Give/It is Saturday Stream of ConsciousGiven/Giving”

April 8, 2017April 7, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 39 Comments

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Given the fact that it is Saturday Stream of Consciousness time again I must point out this week’s prompt which is “Give/Given/Giving. Linda Hill is offering extra points if we begin (notice the first word up there) and end the post with one of these words. Looks like I have one-half of the bonus, so we’ll see how the rest turns out. If you want to join in go to Linda’s post and read all about it. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Apr. 8/17

“Give me that shovel.”

“Why, I’m doing okay.”

“At this rate, we will be here all day.”

“Where to you have to be?”

“That’s not the point.”

“What’s the point then?”

“Time is money?”

“Well, that’s a given. How much money we talking about?”

“What do you mean?”

“All this money you are talking about. How much?”

“I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

“Okay, let me phrase it differently. If we hurry up and dig this hole what other money-making project do you have to get to?”

“I have to mow my lawn.”

“Oh my goodness. How much money then?”

“Well, the guy who mows charges thirty dollars and hour.”

“Okay then. While mowing your lawn, you earn thirty dollars and hour right?”

“Yeah, that is one way to look at it.”

“How long does it take?”

“To mow the lawn?”

“Yes.”

“Thirty minutes.”

“Fifteen bucks. So if we hurry you can earn the equivalent of fifteen bucks.”

“Yes, I guess so.”

“You know how much we are earning on this job?”

“No.”

“Fifty an hour. So if we don’t hurry, we can cover your fifteen bucks.”

“Keep the shovel. It’s the gift that keeps giving.”

‘

Tuesday Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #117 by Keith Channing

April 4, 2017April 3, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 26 Comments

Keith explains in his words. “Using this photo as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr 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.”

Kreative Kue #117

“Trudy, did you get everything?’

“I did. It took over five hundred dollars, but I think I’ve bought everyone a gift.”

“Did you remember Uncle Joe?”

“Yes, I remembered Uncle Joe. I also remembered the other twelve of your relatives.”

“Now wait a minute. You have relatives too.”

“I only have my mother and sister. That is two.”

“So what are you saying?”

“Nothing. I just want you to know that in the gift spending department your relatives have the lion’s share.”

“And you think that is unfair?”

“No, I didn’t say that. It’s just that spending all that money every year puts a strain on the budget.”

“So who do we eliminate?”

“That’s the problem. There isn’t anyone we can cut.”

“As I thought. Are all the gifts under the tree? They’ll be here early tomorrow morning.”

“You want to come look?”

“No. I think it’s time for bed.”

“Should I leave the tree lights on?”

“No. We don’t want anyone looking in the window and is tempted .”

“We are twelve stories up. Who’s going to look in the window?”

“Yeah, you’re right. Go ahead a leave ’em on.”

“It is so festive. I’m glad we bought the gifts.”

“Aw, that is a nice thing to say. I thought you were mad.”

“No, I have to remember it is Christmas after all.”

“Sweetie?”

“Yes, love?”

“Did you lock the window?”

“Oh for heaven’s sake it is late. Go to sleep. Besides, it is twelve stories to the window. Who’s going to come in.”

“Yeah, who indeed.”

Stream Of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Any.”

April 1, 2017April 1, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 32 Comments

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It is stream of consciousness time again and this week’s prompt is “any.” Also, there are extra points for using another word starting with “A.” Can it get any better than this? If you would like to join in, please visit Linda’s post and read how to do it. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2017/03/31/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-apr-117/

“Aristotle wake up.”

Aw, what is going on?”

“Any time you want to get up will be fine.”

“After last night I’m lucky to be alive.”

“All the people at the party were staring at you.”

“Almost all. There were a couple looking at you.”

“After all, I had to hold you up.”

“Always have to build ourselves up at the expense of others do we?”

“Anterior to your show.”

“Alright, then I concede I was the bigger uh what shall I say?.”

“Ass. Just say it.”

“And now that you have it would be redundant.”