In Keith’s words. “Using this image (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really. Either put your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before the end of the week. 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. Thank you for taking part.”

Here is a link to Keith’s post. https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2024/04/22/kreative-kue-429/

The photo.

Professionalism by John W. Howell © 2024

“So, guys. As you know, this podcast is heard around the world. I want you all to enjoy the discussion but watch your language.  Although we are not FCC-regulated, our audience expects a high degree of professionalism. We will be live in one minute. Are there any questions?”

“Er, I have one.”

“Sure, Jerry, go ahead.”

“The subject today is the mating behavior of the yellow banana gnat.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

“When it comes time to talk about the actual act of reproduction, what words can we use.”

“Well, Jerry, as you know, our audience is made up of knowledgeable and sophisticated listeners. I would use the proper terms where necessary.”

“That is helpful. What about the terms for the gnat’s body functions?”

“Again, Jerry. I would stick to the terms that are recognized by professionals.”

“Thank you. I just don’t want to make any mistakes.”

“Jerry, you are a renowned Entomologist. You are one of the few who have studied the yellow banana gnat extensively. You have nothing to fear in terms of your knowledge and respect in the field. You are a special guest, and we are fortunate to have you on this broadcast today. There is no reason to be nervous. Whatever you say will be taken as gospel. So I hope you feel empowered to relax and share your knowledge.”

“I do, Ralph. Thank you.”

“All right, we are live in three, two, one. Good afternoon, listeners. Welcome to our podcast ‘You, Me, and the Insect Makes Three. Today, we are broadcasting in the open air from the village green and are especially pleased to have Jerry Manning, Chief Entomologist with the US Forest Service. You all know Jerry’s background, so without further ado, welcome Jerry.”

“Thank you, Ralph.”

“So tell us, Jerry. What makes the yellow banana gnat so special?”

“In a nutshell, Ralph, the yellow gnat is special in two areas.”

“Two areas. That is different. What are they?”

“The way it poops and the way it lays one on it’s mate.”

“Oh, I have just been informed that our transmitter has gone down. I’m sorry to say the broadcast has been canceled.”

“Was it something I said?”

“No, Jerry. Not at all. You were great.”

In Keith’s words.

“Using this image (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really. Either put your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before the end of the week. 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. Thank you for taking part.”

Keith’s post. https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2024/04/15/kreative-kue-428/

The photo.

The Addition by John W. Howell © 2024

“I say, Desmond, I hadn’t expected this.”

“Well, It’s your job to inspect permit jobs then.”

“It is. On the phone, you said you were ready to inspect an addition.”

“Yes, that is true. I want everything to be on the up and up. No unpermented or unapproved additions for me.”

“I can respect that. I wish more were as conscientious.”

“So, what questions do you have for me.”

“Just one.”

“Shoot.”

“What is this?”

“It’s my new shed.”

“You say that like it has been built.”

“Oh, now come on. Surely, you can see that construction is finished.”

“My name is Wilson, and I see a slab of wood siding and some cement blocks.”

“Exactly.”

“What do you mean exactly? How can you call this a shed?”

“Did you look at the plan submitted with the permit request?”

“No. I haven’t had a chance.”

“What you see is exactly what was submitted.”

“Hold on, let me look.”

“Take your time.”

“By golly, you are right. Wood slab and five concrete blocks.”

“That is what is in place.”

“I don’t know who approved this at city hall, but this is unacceptable.”

“Look at the signature.”

“Hmm. Looks like the mayor.”

“Yup. So go tell him his approval is unacceptable.”

“I’ll say it’s a bit different, and no need to bother the mayor. Here is your approval.”

“Nice doing business.”

“I hope you are not planning any more additions.”

“Nope. I am planning to build a hotel, though.”

“I hear nothing.”

In Keith’s words:

” Using this image (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really. Either put your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before the end of the week. 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. Thank you for taking part.”

Here is a link to Keith’s post: https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2024/04/08/kreative-kue-427/

The photo:

Who? By John W. Howell © 2024

“Okay, who are you?”

“You don’t recognize me?”

“If I did, I wouldn’t ask.”

“Fair enough. I’ll give you a hint.”

“Can’t you just tell me?”

“No, cause when you realize who I am, you will completely fall apart.”

“Oh, please. When do I come apart?”

“Does the word FedEx mean anything?”

“Where? How did I miss it.”

“See.”

“See what?”

“You came apart at the mere mention of the word.”

“Okay, give me a hint.”

“Fence.”

“Fence? What kind of hint is that?”

“Think about it.”

“Wait a minute. Now your voice sounds familiar.”

“Yes, you may be getting it.”

“You’re that annoying beast that runs along our privacy fence screaming at me.”

“Screaming is such a harsh word.”

“We’ve been going at it for years.”

“That’s true.”

“I vowed if I ever met you, I would tear you limb from limb.”

“Now why would you vow that?”

“For all the stuff you said behind that fence.”

“Ah that was just posturing. You should ignore that.”

“What are you doing on my sofa anyway?”

“I thought you knew.”

“Knew what?”

“Our uprights are getting married.”

“What does that mean?”

“You and I will be brothers.”

“Says who?”

“That’s just how it goes. My upright and I are moving in with your upright and you.”

“Over my dead body.”

“No way to act.”

“Let’s put it this way. Always sleep with one eye open.”

“Standard practice but I get your drift.”

“You do?”

“Yup.”

“Hum. This may work. Your upright has the best treats.”

“What? How do you know?”

“She has given me some.”

“She never told me about that. You better sleep with one eye open and quit mooching treats.”

“What happened to the brotherly love?”

“The line is drawn at treats.”

“Well okay then we both will sleep with one eye open.”

“Doesn’t shound very productive does it.”

“Now that you mention it, no.”

“Truce?”

“Truce. Lets get some shuteye.”

“Great idea.”

In Keith’s words:

” Using this image ( below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really. Either put your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before the end of the week. 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. Thank you for taking part.”

A link to Keith’s post: https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2024/04/01/kreative-kue-426/

Fulfillment by John W. Howell © 2024

“Thank you for your trust in Marks and Spencer. How may I help you?”

“Yes. I believe I have received the wrong shipment.”

“I can certainly help with that. May I have your name?”

“Channing. Keith Channing.”

“Yes, sir, Mr. Channing. Are you calling about your last order?”

“I most certainly am.”

“Very well, sir. Can you tell me the problem?”

“I am able to, yes.”

“Quite. Is there something wrong with the order?”

“Well, if you consider that I didn’t order a Jack Russel Terrier, I would think so.”

“You say there was a Jack Russel Terrier in your order?”

“That is all that’s in my order.”

“I see you ordered a number of other things. Are you saying none of them are in the parcel?”

“That is what I’m saying.”

“Oh, I do apologize. It looks like you received someone else’s order.”

“Since when does Marks and Spencer send live animals in their shipments?”

“Excuse me? Did you say live animals?”

“Yes, he is sitting looking at me.”

“I thought you were talking about a stuffed toy.”

“No, it is a dog. A live dog.”

“I’m sorry, sir, but Marks and Spencer does not traffic in live animals.”

“How did it get into one of your shipments then?”

“I’m sorry, sir, but I just can’t say.”

“What do you mean ‘you can’t say?'”

“I mean, I have no idea how a live dog got into a Marks and Spencer shipment.”

“So what can we do?”

“As far as Marks and Spencer is concerned, we don’t think it is our problem.”

“Do you have a supervisor?”

“Yes, I do. His name is Mr.Trevor.”

“May I speak to him?”

“I’m sorry, but he is out of the country at this time.”

“Of course he is.”

“Shall I have him call you when he returns?”

“When does he return?”

“By Christmas time, I expect.”

“Nine months from now?”

“Yes, sir.”

“What do I do with Mr. Trevor’s dog in the meantime?”

“I would give it something to eat and let it go outside.”

“I can see where this is going.”

“Is there anything else I can help you with, sir?”

“No.”

“Before you hang up, there is a brief survey at the end of the call. Please be advised that a mark less than five will be looked upon by management as unsatisfied. Can I count on you to rate this call as a five?”

“I will ask Mr. Trevor’s dog about that. Good day.”

In Keith’s words: “Using this image (Below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really. Either put your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before the end of the week. 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. Thank you for taking part.

Keith’s post: https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2024/03/25/kreative-kue-425/

The photo:

Beach by John W. Howell © 2024

” You look like your thoughts are far away. What’s up?”

“Just wondering, is all.”

“About what?”

“Oh, I don’t know. The future, I guess.”

“Oh my. What started this path?”

“I think it was planning this vacation.”

“It has been glorious. You did a fabulous job.”

“I have enjoyed it too.”

“So why so glum.”

“I’m not glum. Just because I’m thinking of things doesn’t mean I’m unhappy.”

“You may say so, but I recall things differently.”

“Maybe your memory is flawed. You know that blast could have knocked a few screws loose.”

“Yeah, that was something, but I have all my facilities.”

“Look down the beach. It appears folks are rebuilding.”

“I’m amazed anyone is still here.”

“It is a miracle for sure. What was here before the blast?”

“You mean what city?”

“Yeah.”

“Los Angles.”

“Well, at least the beach is still here.”

“Ever the optimist.”

In Keith’s words: Using this image (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem—anything, really. Either post your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before the end of the week. If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please also mention it in a comment here. Thank you for taking part.

Here is a link to Keith’s post. https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2024/03/18/kreative-kue-424/

The photo:

Visitors by John W. Howell © 2024

“I don’t know about this fire. We might be out of propane.”

“I think we have bigger problems.”

“What do you mean?’

“I’m recording something that looks a bit strange. Do you see it, my dear?”

“The sun is in my eyes a little, but I see it too. ”

“What do you suppose it is?”

“Without propane, we won’t have lunch. What could be more important than that?”

“You want to explain it to him, my love?”

“Sidney. Forget about lunch. Keith is right. This is a big deal.”

“I can’t get my camera focused, you two. Tell Sidney what you are seeing.”

“Go ahead, Keith. Tell him.”

“Yes, my dear. I can’t be certain, but it looks like giant ants are heading this way.”

“Giant ants? You’ve got to be kidding.”

“No, have a look for yourself.”

“OMG. It never fails. Try to have lunch outdoors, and these unwelcome visitors show up. I’ll go get the ant powder.”

“Sid, it’s going to take more than powder. They look to be the size of busses.”

“Okay, then we’ll just let them have the steak.”

“I don’t think that will be enough.”

“What then?”

“I think we’d better make a run for it.”