Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #205 by Keith Channing

February 5, 2019February 4, 2019 ~ 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 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.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The photo.

“Papa come quick. Someone has taken Seal.”

“What do you mean taken?”

“She and I were minding our own business, and this brute of a man came and grabbed Seal.”

“Can you take me to him?”

“Of course. Follow me.”

“Not so fast, Angel. I’m more than twice your age.”

“Okay, here we are. Look down there.”

“Oh my gosh. He has her in his hand.”

“I know Papa. I think he might crush her.”

“I wonder what he intends to do. I’ll tell you this though. If he harms one feather on her head, I’m coming for him.”

“How about us taking a pecking run at him.”

“He might harm Seal.”

“I think we could surprise him.”

“too risky. I’ll fly down and see if there is any negotiation possibility.”

“Be careful Papa.”

“Pssst. Seal can you hear me?”

“Oh yes Papa, I can. Where are you?”

“I’m just behind the giant’s head where he can’t see me. Are you all right?”

“I’m just fine. The giant has some delicious seed.”

“You mean you are not a hostage?”

“No. I’m sitting on his hand eating some seed. He came to where Angel and I were playing and put out a finger. I hopped on, and here I am.”

“Can you fly away?”

“Of course.”

“Then do it.”

“And give up this seed?”

“For heaven’s sake, I’ll get you all the seed you want. Just come home.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

“Okay then. Let’s go home.”

“You ought to be spanked, young woman.”

“Why?”

“I told you never talk to strangers.”

“He’s not a stranger. He lives here and puts out seed for us.”

“Still, humans are hazardous animals.”

“I thought he was sweet.”

“That’s cuz you’re an innocent bird.”

“You know humans eat birds don’t you?”

“Ew. They do?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry Papa I won’t do it again.”

“That’s my girl.”

“Papa?”

“What, dear?”

“What kind of birds do humans eat?”

“Those big old chickens and Turkeys.”

“Ew. Let’s get home so I can take a bath.”

“Come on Angel we need to go home.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #203 by Keith Channing

January 22, 2019January 21, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 61 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.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The photo.

“Captain Tom this is Houston.”

“Go ahead Houston.”

“Is this Captain Tom?”

“Excuse me but are you new to the team?”

“Yes. Why do you ask?”

“Do you know how many of us are here?”

“Where?”

“In outer space.”

“Well, I’m quite sure we are not alone if that’s what you mean.”

“Okay let me start over. You called for Captain Tom. I answered. You then asked if I were Captain Tom.”

“Yes so?”

“Who the heck do you think I am?”

“No need to be prickly. I was just following protocol.”

“I’m sitting in this cramped capsule which as far as I know is the only cramped capsule orbiting the Earth right now. You called me and then have the cheek to ask if I am Captain Tom.”

“I’m beginning to see your point. You are on a mission, and the only one on that mission, and I called you.”

“What does that tell you?”

“Since we are on the same frequency I would guess that you are Captain Tom.”

“So why did you ask? I know I’m making a mountain out of a hillock but with nothing else to do and it being so damn cold, I am curious.”

“That is an interesting saying you have there.”

“Which one.”

“Mountain out of a hillock.”

“Yeah, so?”

“The saying we have is “mountain out of a molehill.”‘

“For heaven’s sake. What’s the difference?”

“Also you mention the cold.”

“Yes, I did. It is freezing up here.”

“What have you done with Captain Tom?”

“Here we go again.”

“It would not be cold unless the integrity of the capsule has been compromised.”

“If that were to happen you would see it on the telemetry.”

“Unless someone knows how to intercept the signal. Now before I hit the abort button tell me what you did with Captain Tom.”

“I ate him.”

“What?”

“He was just too tempting. Like a sardine in a can. In case you wonder, he was delicious. Go ahead and abort. I’ll just be waiting up here for the next one. TTFN.”

“TTFN? Your call sign?”

“No. Ta Ta For Now. Zoraggeue out.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue # 202

January 15, 2019January 14, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 36 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.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The photo.

“Where are we going?”

“It is a surprise. Just dress warmly.”

“Come on. Tell me where we are going.”

“If I tell you, then it won’t be a surprise.”

“Where is it written that I need to be surprised.”

“I think it would be fun is all.”

“Give me a hint.”

“Okay. We are going to the beach.”

“The beach? Are you crazy? It’s got to be twenty degrees out there.”

“I know that’s the fun of it. Who goes to the beach in the winter?”

“That statement makes me think you haven’t thought this through.”

“First of all, there will be no crowds.”

“I’ll give you that.”

“Secondly there is something big there that I want you to see.”

“Like what?”

“Okay. Since you are so insistent. It’s a sand castle.”

“You’re kidding right?”

“No. I’m serious.”

“This is the biggest sand castle in the world. It’s a wonder.”

“Can I wait until spring?”

“It won’t be there in the spring.”

“You sure there will be no crowds?”

“I guarantee it.”

“Can we go inside.”

“Yup. There’s coffee too.”

“Sold.”

“You’ll love it.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue # 201 by Keith Channing

December 18, 2018December 17, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 32 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

Kreative Kue #201

“What the heck is he doing?”

“Let me adjust my scope. Ah yes. He is eating.”

“Eating? What is he eating?”

“Looks like sunflower seeds.”

“God in heaven. I hope he doesn’t plan to sit there and eat a bag of sunflower seeds.”

“I think that is exactly what he is going to do.”

“You don’t think he is connected to Mendoza do you?”

“I think that is some schlub who is on holiday. His license plate is from the Avignon area.”

“He could be a mule you know.”

“I don’t think so. What mule have you ever seen in a van munching sunflower seeds?”

“There is always a first time.”

“Man I hope this guy moves on.”

“Yeah, I hear you.”

“He’s got about fifteen minutes until Mendoza shows up then all hell will break loose.”

“You think Mendoza would take him out?”

“In a heartbeat.”

“Anyway to warn him?”

“I don’t think we can get down there and then back up here in time. I think he’ll just have to take his chances.”

“He’s alone right?”

“Looks that way.”

“Well, I guess all we can do is pray.”

“Maybe I can take out Mendoza before he has a chance to hurt that old man.”

“Sounds like a long shot but then that’s what you are good at doing.”

“What a nice thing to say. Thanks.”

“Well, it’s true.”

“Still nice to hear. Oh, wait. The old guy is getting into his van.”

“Come on old man. Start it up and get the hell out of here.”

“He going.”

“Thank heavens.”

“Mendoza, you hear me?”

“Yeah old man I do.”

“I was at the rendezvous and no sign of the feds.”

“Excellent. You stay a while.”

“I did. Even had some sunflower seeds.”

“You look pitiful?”

“The most pitiful. If there had been anyone waiting for you, they would have come to warn me. I think the area is safe.”

“Thanks, old man. When I get back, I’ll be sure to reward you handsomely.”

“No need my boy. Your safety is reward enough. After all, you are my number one son. See you later.

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue # 200 by Keith Channing

December 11, 2018December 10, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 50 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 on 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.

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, on Monday.”

The photo.

The Mistake by John W. Howell

“So who do you have on your list?”

“Looks like an old man named Tasker.”

“Anyone else?”

“Nope. He’s the last one today.”

“Man, Thank the Creator. I’m totally worn out.”

“Me too. We have been at it for thirty days straight without a break.”

“Well, that’s how the collection business goes sometimes. Too bad those other guys got to have a vacation this week. It has made it especially tough on you and me.”

“I’ll second that. What’s say we do this one and then stop for a couple of drinks?”

“You are talking my language. Okay, we are over the guy right now.”

“You being the bombardier, just give me the word and I’ll cut loose.”

“Steady. The guy is out in a field. Another three feet. Steady. Okay, now. Hit the beam.”

“Beam’s away. The guy should be here any second.”

“I hear him in the transport receptacle. Man, he is a noisy one.”

“Let me check it out on the observation screen. Uh-oh-oh.”

“What do you mean, ‘oh-oh?”‘

“If that is the old man Tasker he sure doesn’t look his age.”

“Let me look I have the facial recognition tool. Lucifer H. Beelzebub. We collected the right guy at the wrong time.”

“What do we do now?”

“I don’t know. I never had this problem before.”

“Are we in trouble?”

“For collecting someone who according to my tablet is not due for another seventy Earth years? You tell me.”

“Crap. We need to do something quick. Can’t we dump him?”

“No once collected, always collected.”

“We’ll just have to beg forgiveness.”

“Beg who, Tasker?”

“Naw. He knows nothing. We’ll have to beg the Creator.”

“No way. The last time I was meeting with the Creator I almost pooped my robes.”

“You don’t poop.”

“That’s what I wanted to do. I said almost. Besides you were the guy responsible for aiming. How did this happen?”

“I had my tablet open to the wrong year. Ever since that last download, this stupid thing reverts to a different year when you are sure you have set it right.”

“You better report that to IT. It may be the only way to save our butts.”

“Good plan. I feel better already.”

“What about Tasker? I wonder how he feels?”

“To be in heaven? I’m sure we can sell the advantages. Maybe we can tell him he was lucky we snatched him while he was in grace. Prevented a trip to the other place.”

“You well know he was in grace right up to the last minute or he would not have been on our list.”

“He doesn’t.”

“You want to lie to him?”

“You know, I think I have Post Collection Stress Disorder. I gotta ask for some time off.”

“Good luck with that. We will be lucky to see a vacation day in the next hundred Earth years.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #199 by Keith Channing

December 4, 2018December 3, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

In Keith’s words now that he is back. “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 on 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.

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, on Monday.”

The photo.

“Okay this is part 24B so why doesn’t it fit in slot 24?”

“You sure you read the instructions right?”

“I did. The next step is to fit part 24B into slot 24.”

“Why is the part so short then? Slot 24 is a foot bigger.”

“Yeah, that has me puzzled as well.”

“I have never seen such a confused mess in my whole life.”

“What do you mean ‘confused mess?'”

“Just look at this thing. Half the parts are not the right size, and it seems some are missing.”

“I checked all the parts before I began and they were all here.”

“Then why do you seem to have run out of material?”

“If I knew that I would have this conundrum solved. I called you for help not for stating the obvious.”

“Okay. I get it. Let me look at the plan.”

“It’s over there under the coffee cups.”

“Let me see. I just love these Ikea directions. I have a mechanical engineering degree and feel underqualified.”

“So what do you think?”

“For starters did you look at the picture?”

“No. Can’t say I did.”

“If you had you would realize this is supposed to be a square.”

“A square? I didn’t buy a square. I bought a rectangle. The foundation is for a rectangle.”

“You better look at your order then. You have a square. Did you get this at the Ikea store?”

“No, I ordered it online.”

“I think you better return it. You will never have enough material to finish a rectangle.”

“Look at my order. It clearly says the measurements are a rectangle.”

“All the better. It is their fault then. Wait what is this message in red?”

“Please check your order carefully before you begin assembly. No refunds or returns once assembly has begun.”

“Looks like you are screwed.”

“What if I order another square?”

“Humm let me see. If I measure the sides and multiply by two. Yes, that will work.”

“I’m going to do it right now.”

“Just your luck you will get a rectangle.”

“That will work too.”

“Just think of the money you saved by ordering online.”

“Dark sarcasm in the classroom.”

“Yeah, sorry.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #197 by Keith Channing

October 23, 2018October 22, 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.

“What’s that old saying?”

“Okay, you got me. What old saying?”

“Something about the red sky.”

“Oh, that one. Red sky at night sailor’s delight. Red sky in the morning sailor take warning.”

“Yeah, that’s it. Have you seen the sky tonight?”

“No, I haven’t been out of this radio shack for five hours.”

“You gotta go out and take a look. I’ll watch the radio for you.”

“What am I going to see?”

“You will not believe the sunset. It is almost like the sun is going to drop into the ocean.”

“I would love to see that. All you have to do is put on these earphones and listen for our call sign which is ‘Fairwind.”‘

“What happens if I hear it.”

“Just record the message in this log and answer them. Start your answer with ‘Fairwind.”‘

“Sounds easy enough. After all, you won’t be gone but a few minutes.”

“That is true.”

“Okay, I got this. You go look.”

“Thanks. Be right back.”

“Boy, that was quick. You back already?”

“Are you kidding me? It must be a hundred degrees out there. That sun is coming very close. I couldn’t stay long.”

“Well, there was one message.”

“You have got to be kidding me. I was only gone a couple of minutes. What was the message?”

“Here it is. It is from the atmospheric agency. It is pretty short.”

“Read it to me.”

“Fairwind. Farewell.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #196 by Keith Channing

October 16, 2018October 15, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 58 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.

“So tell me. Is it going to be okay?”

“How long has this been going on?”

“No more than a couple of hours.”

“Well, that is a blessing. I’m glad you called me right away.”

“We didn’t know what else to do.”

“I think you did the right thing. Most people wait too long and then it is too late.”

“It’s not too late I hope?”

“Just a few more moments and I can give you a better idea of what we are facing.”

“I’m sorry for being so anxious, but we wouldn’t know what we’d do if we didn’t have Betsey.”

“Betsey that’s what you named it?”

“Her.”

“Excuse me?”

“Betsey is a girl.”

“Oh my gosh. I never would have guessed that the way it looks.”

“Her.”

“Yeah, I get it. Her. Hold on. I think I have found the problem.”

“Thank heavens. Can you solve it?”

“Yes, I think so. I have the instrument in my bag. Humm. Let me see. Oh, yes, here it is.”

“What do you have to do?”

“I’ll need you to help.”

“Anything. Just tell me what to do.”

“I’m going to make a slight cut here. After that, I need to use this to go in and remove the blockage. I want you to hold this instrument and when I tell you, place it in my hand. Can you do that?”

“Yes. I’m good.”

“Okay, so here we go. First the cut. Yes, that looks good. Hand me the instrument.”

“Here you go.”

“Ah. I’ve got the blockage. Hand me that cloth.”

“What is that thing?”

“Looks like a chunk of charred wood.”

“Charred wood? How is that possible?”

“You’re right. It’s a petrified piece of brisket. How often do you clean this thing?”

“Every time I use her.”

“Well, you better be more careful. You almost lost it.”

“Her.”

“Whatever. If you want to keep it in top condition, you better do a better job of cleaning. You’ll save my fee too.”

“We have a lot of hamburgers to grill. Is she up to it?”

“Yes. I sealed the cut. She is good to go.”

“You know they don’t make grills like this anymore.”

“Yeah, I know. Here’s my bill.”

“This bill is more than my doctor charges.”

“I know. I used to be a doctor.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #195

October 9, 2018October 8, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 58 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.

“Let me buy you a drink, my man.”

“That is very nice of you given the circumstances.”

“Ah what the heck. Life is too short.”

“But it seems like one would feel a little remorse.”

“Remorse? For what?”

“Well, it seems like a pretty goodly amount of money.”

“Yeah, but you know what they say, ‘easy come, easy go.”’

“I know if it were me, I don’t think I would take it so well.”

“You have to remember who suggested the wager.”

“That’s true. I guess if you hadn’t prepared yourself to lose you never would have suggested going title to title on a boat race.”

“That part is true. You see I really had not too much to lose.”

“What are you talking about? That is a gorgeous five-masted schooner.”

“You know the old saying, ‘one mans trash, another man’s treasure.”‘

“Yeah, I’ve heard that.”

“See, I have been trying to sell that tub for over two years with no takers.”

“That is surprising. It is a classic.”

“Yes, it is. Loaded with barnacles and filled with woodworms.”

“So you are saying you are glad to get rid of it.”

“You tell me. The last salvage estimate I got was over a million.”

“Someone would pay you a million?”

“No, I would have to pay a million to get rid of it. Now, how about that drink?”

“Now it is my problem.”

“Yup and at a leakage rate of one hundred gallons an hour, I think you better figure out what to do with it. Those pumps are pretty old. Maybe tow it beyond the shelf and scuttle it.”

“Gin on the rocks.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #194 by Keith Channing

October 2, 2018October 1, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 64 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 website, next Monday.”

The photo.