Tuesday – Anything possible – Kreative Kue #153

December 19, 2017December 18, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 53 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 keith@channing.info 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 web site, next Monday.

The Photo.

“How did you come to buy this present for me?”

“It just spoke to me as I walked by it in the store.”

“What kind of store was that?”

“A little shop down on Thirteenth Street.”

“Thirteenth street? What was the address?”

“Six-sixty-sixth Thirteenth Street, why?”

“Oh, just a little curious. I noticed on the card that the store had a funny name.”

“Funny how?”

“All Things Eternal sounds a little weird.”

“Oh, I don’t think so. I think they stand behind their products is all.”

“Look at this inspection tag. It’s signed by someone named Cya.”

“A very common name in the apparatus business. You going to try them or not?”

“I’m just a little concerned about this whole thing.”

“Why?”

“Look down. That is one heck of a fall if they don’t work.”

“For heaven’s sake. There is a lifetime warranty.”

“A what?”

“Lifetime warranty.”

“Whose lifetime.”

“The user of course.”

“Now you’ve convinced me. There is no way I’m putting these wings on and stepping off this ledge.”

“Chicken.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #152 by Keith Channing

December 12, 2017December 11, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 42 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 keith@channing.info 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.

“What are you looking at?”

“Shush. I think I hear something.”

“Don’t be a fool. There is nothing there. Keep digging.”

“I’m not sure I’ve told you I love you enough.”

“Aw, that’s sweet. What caused you to say that?”

“You know how I feel about you.”

“Yes, of course, I do.”

“I guess I’m a little taken with the fact we are on our honeymoon.”

“I know isn’t it wonderful? But you know this isn’t technically our honeymoon. That won’t begin until after the ceremony.”

“Well, I’m just filled with love. I think we have been on a honeymoon ever since we met.”

“You know, you say the nicest things.”

“I am so excited about our life together at last.”

“It has been a trial, but that is all behind us now.”

“I still think I hear something.”

“That is impossible.”

“Let me lean a little closer.”

“I think you are imagining things.”

“I don’t know. I may not have hit him hard enough.”

“Oh for heaven’s sake. He’s been dead for a day now. Hurry up and get him covered so we can get to the ceremony.”

“Should we say some words?”

“Why?”

“He was your husband after all.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #151 by Keith Channing

December 5, 2017December 4, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 39 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 keith@channing.info 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.

“Ground control, helo 174.”

“Go ahead helo 174.”

“We are ready to move to the hanger.”

“Roger helo 174. Take alpha taxiway to intercept with 16. Make a left on 16 to beta and hold short at beta.”

“Alpha to 16. Left on 16 to beta. Hold at beta, helo 174.”

“Okay, Frank. You want to tell me how come this machine seems smaller than yesterday?”

“I’m not sure. I know you, and I haven’t grown.”

“Good observation. I hope you come up with an answer before we reach the hanger.”

“Who’s at the hanger?”

“The FAA examiner that’s who.”

“Who called him?”

“I had to. When it was clear we could no longer stay in the air, I was required to report it.”

“Let me think. I know when we came back from the trip yesterday this craft was full size.”

“Yeah no kidding, Hold on. Holding short at beta. Helo 174”

“Roger helo 174. Watch for the United heavy. Once he passes, proceed to the hanger.”

“Holding until the United heavy is clear then to the hanger. Helo 174. Did you do anything different when you put it away.”

“No. I gave her a wash and then put her in the hangar.”

“Did you refuel her?”

“I did.”

“Clean the interior?”

“Yup.”

“Dry her off?”

“Uh. Did you say dry her off?”

“Yes. Did you dry her off?”

“I forgot.”

“You forgot? Well, there you go. You put her up wet?”

“I guess I did.”

“Well, no wonder she is smaller. You let her shrink.”

“How did I know?”

“What is the name of this craft?”

“Violet.”

“You should have known.”

Tuesday – Any Thing Possible – Kreative Kue #150 by Keith Channing

November 28, 2017November 27, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 44 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.

“Can’t you hear my heartbeat?”

“Excuse me. I didn’t hear what you said.”

“Oh, it was just a lyric to a song.”

“It sounded nice. Say it again.”

“When I feel you put your arms around me
Baby, baby, can’t you hear my heartbeat?”

“My goodness that sounds rather sexy.”

“When you move up closer to me
I get a feelin’ that’s ooo-wee.”

“So where did you hear this song?”

“It was on the radio this morning.”

“This morning and you still remember it?”

“Get real. Of course. I remember it.”

“Do you remember any more of it?”

“Can’t you hear the poundin’ of my heartbeat
’cause you’re the one I love, you’re the one I love.”

“Oh, that is so nice. How about you and I going out?”

“Hey boy. Have you forgotten where you are?”

“I don’t think so. Why.”

“We are kids for heaven’s sake. We can’t go out.”

“But you said you loved me.”

“It’s just a song. Besides we are supposed to be undercover. How would it look if we went on a date?”

“Who would know. It’s not like we would make out or anything.”

“I’m not so sure about you. Besides our orders are clear. Lay low and be children and wait for the rest of the invaders.”

“I know, I know. I just thought we had something that’s all.”

“Try to remember the mission and keep dancing Zogtool.”

“Hey, only my friends get to call me Zogtool.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Tell it to the Galactic troopers.”

“Ah, your mother wears anti-gravity boots.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #149

November 21, 2017November 20, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 37 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.

“I don’t often come this way.”

“Why not?”

“Well, the neighborhood is a little sketchy.”

“What do you mean by sketchy?”

“Take those two birds we just passed for example.”

“Those guys behind us?”

“Yeah, didn’t you think they were a little odd?”

“I thought they were beautiful. Those feathers were something else.”

“What about the way they looked at us?”

“I didn’t notice anything.”

“The one standing sneered.”

“Sneered? How is that possible he has a bill like us.”

“Maybe it was the look in his eye.”

“You are way too self-conscious. Not all birds can be like you and me.”

“Check out these two weirdos up ahead.”

“Those beautiful black and brown guys?”

“Yup those two.”

“What’s the problem?”

“You ever see a black and brown bird before?”

“No can’t say I have.”

“That’s just what I’m talking about. How do you know they can be trusted.”

“Are you saying because they look different from us maybe they can’t be trusted?”

“Exactly.”

“How about you, Can you be trusted?”

“What kind of question is that? Of course, I can be trusted. Why would you ask?”

“Let’s face facts here. You and I are the only white birds on this block.”

“Yeah, so what?”

“Don’t you think those other birds are wondering if you can be trusted because you have no beautiful feathers?”

“Why would they think that?”

“Why do you?”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #148 by Keith Channing

November 14, 2017November 13, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 46 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.

The trip by John W. Howell

“So where is the cruise ship?”

“Who said anything about a cruise ship?”

“You said we were going on a cruise.”

“I don’t think I said a cruise.”

“What did you say then?”

“I think I said you and I were booked on a boat trip.”

“Boat trip, cruise. What’s the difference?”

“For one thing a boat trip is on a boat, not a ship.”

“To me, they are the same.”

“A boat is smaller.”

“Like those in the river there?”

“Exactly.”

“Okay, so it’s a small boat. Still a cruise to me.”

“Hold on. Another thing that separates a cruise from a boat trip is on a cruise you don’t have to do anything but eat, sleep, and play.”

“Yeah, I get that. So on a boat trip, you need to be involved in doing things.”

“Now I think you have it.”

“Like what things?”

“Depends on what you signed up for.”

“Signed up for? What does that mean?”

“Well, for instance, I signed up to be a deckhand.”

“Deckhand. Wait a minute. I thought this was going to be a vacation?”

“It is. A working vacation.”

“You mean to tell me we are going to be working as deckhands on one of those barges?”

“No, not at all.”

“Well. that’s a relief.”

“You’re signed up as a cook.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #147 by Keith Channing

November 7, 2017November 6, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 35 Comments

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 keith@channing.info 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.

“So there I was standing on the bow of that great ship.”

“How did you get on the ship?”

“I was a member of the crew. May I continue?”

“Yes, by all means.”

“As I said I was standing on the bow looking off to the sea.”

“Where was the ship going?”

“It was headed for America. We were doing fourteen knots, and the air was so cold I could see my breath.”

“I’ve never seen my breath. What did it look like?”

“It was like a cloud or smoke from a hookah. All of a sudden this large chunk of ice appeared out of nowhere, and we crashed into it. I was thrown to the deck and covered with chunks as we passed.”

“How did you survive?”

“I got out from under the ice and ran to the bridge. It was warm inside. The captain was frantic. He asked me if I saw anything. I told him we hit some ice. That was the last time I talked to him.”

“Why didn’t you talk to him?”

“He was busy, and I had my duties to attend to.”

“What duties?”

“I was assigned to pilot a lifeboat which I did.”

“It is a wonder you survived.”

“Yes, most did not. That is why we are building this boat here in the desert. It is to be a memorial to those who perished.”

“There is no water for hundreds of miles.”

“It doesn’t matter. They will know.”

“Who will know?”

“The lost souls. The ones I couldn’t save. They will know my sorrow.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #146

October 31, 2017October 30, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 39 Comments

Using 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 keith@channing.info 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.

“My children, as we look over the beautiful countryside we must think of how vast the world is and how small we appear in relation to it. Ow.”

“OMG. The pastor was just stung by a bee.”

“Impossible. He is our leader and cannot be taken down by a humble bee. He is impervious to such mundane nuisances.”

“Can someone help me? I have been stung by a bee.”

“So much for the impervious leader.”

“I can’t believe it. Just last night he was walking on hot coals.”

“I knew it was a trick.”

“It was no trick. I supervised the building of the coals myself. I looked at his feet, and he had no burns.”

“So why is he in so much pain over a little bee sting.”

“I don’t know. Did you see him the day before lying on a bed of nails.”

“Yes, and I thought that was a trick as well.”

“You can’t be serious. Did you not see the marks on his skin with your own eyes?”

“Yes I saw them. So what is up with the bee?”

“I can’t imagine. I think I must approach him and ask.”

“Good luck with that.”

“My leader. How may I help you?”

“This bee caught me in a venerable place, and I need help.”

“But my leader you are a man of courage and faith. I watched as you tested your faith on coals and nails. Can’t your faith carry you through this bee sting?”

“My son. We all have points of vulnerability. It is the Creator’s way to keep us from getting too arrogant thus believing we can live without faith.”

“Oh, I see. So the bee found your point of vulnerability.”

“Do you remember the classics, my son? The story of Achilles?”

“Oh, yes my leader. He was strong and brave, but his heel was his point of vulnerability.”

“That’s correct. We refer to someone’s vulnerability as “An Achilles heel.”

“So the bee caught you in your Achilles heel.”

“I would say Achilles’ bum is more accurate. Help me to the infirmary. I need someone to take out the stinger.”

“The only person there is nurse Pradeep.”

“Yes. I know my son. Hurry.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #145 by Keith Channing

October 24, 2017October 23, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 34 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.

“I’m waiting.”

“I know, I know. I need to take my time.”

“Time? Time to do what?”

“If you must know choosing the right fabric for my dress is very important.”

“I agree it is important if you were marring the right man.”

“Now Mom. Let’s not get into that again.”

“The that which you mention is a the heart of my discontent.”

“Why mom? You know he is a man after my heart.”

“Oh, I’m sure he is after much more than your heart, my dear.”

“Not this again. For the last time, he doesn’t want any part of our family money.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it.”

“Okay, he will sign a document saying he doesn’t want anything from you or dad.”

“He told you this?”

“Yes, he did.”

“This boy has a job?”

“He’s a man, and yes, he has a job. A good job.”

“Doing what?”

“He is a banker.”

“A banker? This sounds promising.”

“Well, I’m finished with my note.”

“Read it to me before you give it to the clerk.”

“Okay, mom. Here it is. Please take this fabric and put it in a bag. This is a holdup. We are desperate fugitives and will not hesitate to kill you if you don’t do what we say. Do not call for help. How’s that?”

“I think that part of desperate fugitives and killing is a little strong.”

“How about, this is a holdup and please do what we say, and no one gets hurt?”

“Much better dear. Go with that.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #144 by Keith Channing

October 17, 2017October 16, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 44 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 keith@channing.info 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.