Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “ART”

July 30, 2016July 29, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 26 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness time again. This week’s prompt is “Art.” Linda Hill says we can use the word as it is or as a name. She also say’s we don’t have to draw. That is a big load off my mind since drawing is something I don’t do. If you would like to participate here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2016/07/29/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-3016/

“Art?”

“Yes, my man. What cam I do for you?”

“Huh? I was just wondering if this mess on canvas was art.”

“Oh, I thought you were asking me a question.”

“I don’t know you. My name’s Art.”

“Can you believe it. My name’s Art too.”

“Go on. What’s the chance of that?”

“Now what were you saying about the mess on canvas?”

“Well, I was wondering if these blobs of paint could be considered art.”

“I think we should ask the artist?”

“Do you know who did this atrocity?”

“I know the artist, yes.”

“Well, maybe we could ask if they consider this art.”

“Yes.”

“Yes, we should ask?”

“No yes. It is art.”

“How do you know?”

“I’m Art, the artist.”

“Oops. I didn’t mean this mess was a mess.”

“No? What did you mean?”

“I guess I don’t like it very much.”

“You’ve made that clear.”

“Aren’t you mad?”

“Not really. You see this canvas was on the floor of my studio. My agent came in and the next thing I knew it was on the wall here in the gallery.”

“So you didn’t paint it?”

“No, I sorta slopped it.”

“What a relief. I enjoy your other works, and this was out of synch.”

“Well, They say art is in the eye of the beholder.”

“Is this for sale?”

“Yup.”

“How much?”

“Fifty Thousand.”

“You’re kidding?”

“All the way to the bank Art.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #87 by Keith Channing

July 26, 2016July 25, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 24 Comments

This prompt is created by Keith Channing. In his 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 – for reasons I have yet to fathom, pingbacks don’t seem to be working.

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 is the photo

Kreative Kue #87

“Unit thirty-one.”

“Unit thirty-one go ahead.”

“Unit Thirty and I have canvassed the area and there is nothing suspicious here.”

“Roger thirty-one. Please confirm that all the doors are closed and locked.”

“Roger that. We have been around the perimeter and tried each door. All are locked.”

“Anyone home Unit thirty -one?”

“No. The house seems to be empty right now.”

“Did you try the bell.”

“Yes, we did. There was no answer.”

“Very well Unit thirty-one. You and thirty can resume your patrol.”

“Uh dispatch.”

“Yes, thirty-one.”

“Who called in the alarm?”

“The service. We got a call from the service.”

“What did they say was going on?”

“They said that had an incursion alarm.”

“Could it be the perp is still inside? Maybe he got in and then locked the door behind him.”

“Not likely thirty-one. There are motion detectors that have not tripped. I think it was a faulty door unit is all. You can leave the area.”

“Uh, dispatch?”

“Yes, thirty-one.”

“The house moved.”

“What. Say again you just broke up.”

“The house is rising up into the air.”

“Come on with the jokes.”

“No joke dispatch. The house is rising off the foundation. It is going up into the air. I can see it overhead. Wow.”

“Thirty -one come in. Thirty-one are you still there?”

“Y-yes.I’m still here but thirty is holding on to the garden hose and he must be fifty feet up in the air. I hope he can hold on.”

“Help is on the way Thirty-one.”

“Unless you have a helicopter, I think it is too late. The house has disappeared into the clouds.”

“I think you better get out of there.”

“Why. I don’t want to leave thirty.”

“What if the housed comes back down on you.”

“Good point dispatch thirty-one clear.”

“Take the dog with you thirty-one.”

“Roger. Thirty-one out.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Second”

July 23, 2016July 22, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 16 Comments

Time again for another prompt from Linda Hill in support of Saturday Stream of Consciousness. This week’s prompt is “second.” The beautiful part Linda says we can use it any way we want. Reminds me of Janice Joplin’s lyric from the song “Me and Bobby McGee.” It goes like this, “Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose.” If you would like to join in, go to Linda’s site. https://lindaghill.com/2016/07/22/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-2316/

“I can’t believe it.”

“What?”

“I came in second.”

“Second on what.”

“Second on the poetry contest.”

“Well, that sounds pretty good. What did second get you.”

“You don’t understand. Second is nothing. Second is a failure. I wanted to be first.”

“Calm down. Not everyone can be first. I think second is quite an honor.”

“You would. You don’t understand my poetry.”

“Now that’s not true.”
Yeah well, you always glaze over when I read it to you.”

“I don’t glaze over. Sometimes I don’t think it is spot on.”

“You don’t understand.”

“Okay read me the second place entry then.”

“All righty then. I’ll read it, and you won’t understand.”

“Try me.”

“Okay here goes. Ahem. ‘Rise, fall, fail.”‘

“That won second place? You are upset with second place with that piece? Who won first.”

“Here is the first place poem. ‘Born, die.”‘

“I take it back. I don’t understand anything. You are so right. Congratulations on the second place finish.”

“Neanderthal.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible Kreative Kue #86 by Keith Channing

July 19, 2016July 18, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 45 Comments

Keith Channing has been passing us photo prompts for about a year. In his 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 – for reasons I have yet to fathom, pingbacks don’t seem to be working.

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 #86

“Martha get out of that drug store and come see this.”

“What is it?”

“See that girl over there?”

“Girl? Oh, you mean that young woman by the statue.”

“Yes, that’s the one.”

“So what about her?”

“I think I saw her touch the statue.”

“Well, that’s not against the law.”

“I know, but I believe she reached for his parts.”

“Parts? What the heck are you talking about?”

“You know his equipment.”

“How can you tell this happened?”

“I was minding my own business and happen to look over, and the statue started moving after the gi….er woman reached her hand up in front. I couldn’t see if she touched him but he started waving his hands.”

“Okay, that will be the last time we have wine with lunch. You know statues can’t move.”

“I’m telling you that one did. Come and look.”

“Oh my gosh. He doesn’t have any clothes on.”

“When is the last time you saw a statue with clothes. No more lunch wine for you either Martha.”

“My goodness he looks alive, and I think he should put his pants on.”

“Do you know how silly that sounds?”

“Why is that young woman laughing.”

“You tell me.”

“I feel like giggling myself.”

“Behave yourself.”

“Maybe one little touch.”

“Martha, you’re making a fool out of yourself. I’m going to get someone to find that statue some clothes.”

“Yes, Clarence you do that. Take your time darling. I’ll keep watch to make sure he doesn’t get away.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “If/Then”

July 16, 2016July 15, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 25 Comments

If you don’t know, it is Saturday Stream of Consciousness time again. This week’s prompt is “If/Then.” Linda Hill also is allowing bonus points for beginning the post with “If” and ending the post with “Then.” If you would like to participate here is the link to check out. https://lindaghill.com/2016/07/15/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-1616/

“If I told you that I love you what would you do?”

“If you said that, I’d wonder what you’re up to.”

“Aw come on. You know I like you.”

“Like is one thing. Love is another.”

“Okay, I’ll keep my thoughts to myself.”

“So what thoughts do you have.”

“I think I will keep them to myself.”

“Oh, pouting are we?”

“No. I just don’t want you to get spooked.”

“I don’t spook easily.”

“Let’s just say I want you to know I care for you.”

“That is so sweet.”

“Thank you, I think. Do we have a future?”

“We can hang out until we know each other better. I’ll answer you then.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue by Keith Channing

July 12, 2016July 11, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 30 Comments

This week’s photo prompt (below) from Keith Channing in his own 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 – for reasons I have yet to fathom, pingbacks don’t seem to be working.

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 #85

Work by John W. Howell

“You could give me a hand you know.”

“Well, that’s just it. Sucking is not in my classification.”

“Wait? What do you mean not in your classification.”

“Just what I said, man. I’m a certified holder. There is nothing in my job classification that says I need to do anything but hold.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me. We’ve been working together for five years, and you never said anything about a job classification.”

“I just found out.”

“Huh? Wadda you mean?”

“I was with Jerry the union steward on another job, and he told I couldn’t suck enough.”

“You sure he was talking about a job classification and not the quality of your work?”

“Why that no good so and so was talking about the quality of my work.”

“Ah. Well, you don’t have to listen to him. Come give me a hand.”

“I’d love to, but I now feel unqualified.”

Oh, come on. You can suck with the best of them.”

“You say the nicest things. Thanks.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Concentration”

July 9, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 20 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this week’s prompt is “concentration.” If you would like to join in go to Linda Hill’s place and read all about it. Here is the link https://lindaghill.com/2016/07/08/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-916/

“You hear that?”

“W-what?”

“That noise.”

“No. I am busy trying to figure this thing out.”

“I don’t mean to break your concentration, but I think we have a problem.”

“No kidding. That’s why I can’t think about some random noise.”

“Yeah well, the noise sounds like something’s been torn off.”

“Let me do a little more of, as you say, concentration and maybe we can do something about it.”

“Well, I would hurry if I were you.”

“I hear you. How much time to we have?”

“The ground is coming up pretty quick.”

“Might need a prayer.”

“Already done. Been a pleasure Steve.”

“Same here Sam.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #84 by Keith Channing

July 5, 2016July 4, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 27 Comments

Since I love prompts I have been running Keith Channing’s Kreative Kue for over a year. Here is how he describes the process in his 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 – for reasons I have yet to fathom, pingbacks don’t seem to be working.

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 is the photo.

Kreative Kue #84

“Okay, you men. I’m going to have to ask you to stop right there.”

“Huh. You talking to us lady?”

“Yes. I’m talking to you. What are you doing here?”

“Not that it’s any of your business we are on maneuvers.”

“Maneuvers? What kind of maneuvers?”

“You’re kidding, right? You don’t recognize these uniforms?”

“You could be a gang of escaped convicts for all I know.”

“Oh come on. We are with the army.”

“Whose army.”

“For heaven’s sake our army.”

“I don[t know about you but the term ‘our army’ doesn’t tell me much. You are on private land. You know that don’t you?”

“Well, ma’am we don’t have much time to sit here discussing the fine points of property ownership. We need to proceed down this road now.”

“Not going to happen.”

“W-what? Who’s going to stop us?”

“Just us.”

“You and those two mutts?”

“Did you hear what he called you Trevor and Eos. The man has no manners. In answer to your question sir. Yes. Trevor, Eos and I will not let you pass.”

“Okay, ma’am have it your way. ATTENTION TROOP. WE WILL PROCEED DOWN THIS ROAD. IF ANY CIVILIANS GET IN THE WAY, ARREST THEM INCLUDING ANY OF THEIR PETS.”

“You need to keep your voice down. My husband is taking a nap.”

“For the last time. I am ordering you to let us pass.”

“I don’t report to you, so your order means nothing to me.”

“You are putting me in an awkward position. Do you know that ma’am?”

“This road leads right by our house. You and your noisy men will wake my husband, and he needs his rest. He’s a writer and works very hard.”

“What if we are quiet?”

“How is that possible?”

“We have a stealth mode. Please?”

“Well, now that you have asked nicely I see no reason not to let you go down the road now.”

“I’ll pass the word for stealth.”

“Have a nice day. By the way what planet are you from?”

“Earth ma’am.”

“Ah. No wonder you were so pushy. We have seen Earthlings before, and they are always in a hurry. My advice is to slow down and smell the Stitpots.”

“Stitpots?”

“Yes, it’s the national flower of Quarro.

“Quarro?”

“Don’t worry. You’ll figure out your wrong turn in no time. Have a nice day.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Long”

July 2, 2016July 1, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 28 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this week’s prompt is “Long.” Linda Hill says we can use the word “long’ with any definition. Makes you wonder how many there are. If you want to join in go to her link. https://lindaghill.com/2016/07/01/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-216/

Here is my interpretation.

Long by John W. Howell

“So how long has it been?”

“How long? Hmmm, let me think.”

“It can’t be that hard.”

“Well, there was that long period where we weren’t talking.”

“Okay, it wasn’t that long.”

“Then there was the time you had that long beard.”

“Come on. When it got a couple of inches long, I cut it off.”

“And the time you and Susie went to the store for a long time.”

“I explained that it was long cause we ran out of gas.”

“Uh huh. Then that long letter from nosey Mrs. Brigget wondering if our marriage was okay.”

“She stuck her long nose in something that was none of her business.”

“Then we waited a long time while we did the marriage counseling thing.”

“I thought we got along pretty well during what you call a ‘long time'”

“Then there was that long vacation from hell.”

“I know, I know. I should have thought long and hard about taking you camping.”

“So the question was, ‘How long has it been?”‘

“Yes. How long has it been?”

“We got a divorce three months ago that’s how long.”

“Wow. That long?”

“And you are three months behind on your payments.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue # 83 by Keith Krates –

June 28, 2016June 27, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 28 Comments

I love prompts and 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 – for reasons I have yet to fathom, pingbacks don’t seem to be working.

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