Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #72

April 12, 2016April 11, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 28 Comments

Another Tuesday and time for Kreative Kue by Keith Channing. If you wonder what’s going on here, let me have Keith explain. Just so you know I’m making his mouth move. “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 #72

“Let me step back a bit and take a look.”

“Okay, but hurry up. This concrete is cold.”

“Ah, I see a problem.”

“What problem?”

“The outline has a protrusion to the right. You need to bring your leg up more.”

“Leg? Which leg?”

“Well, your right one of course. I would hurry I think the police will be back very shortly.”

“This was all your idea. Let’s lie down on the body outline you said. It will knock the fraternity brothers off their feet you said. Now you are being picky about a leg?”

“Okay, I’ll take the photo. By the way that ceremonial sword you are holding looks fake.”

“It’s supposed to look fake. It’s a joke for heaven’s sake. Who would be lying in the road with the Mystical Knights of the Sea sword sticking out of them anyway?”

“Yeah, but a little blood wouldn’t hurt and can’t you put that sword in such a way, so it doesn’t look like you are holding it?”

“No short of really sticking it in me I can’t.”

“Also, you left your keys on the mat there. That looks stupid.”

“Alright, I guess this was not such a good idea after all. Let’s go. I’m going to get up.”

“No don’t move I’ll take the shot.”

“Whoops. I slipped.”

“Hold still.”

“Do we have any more whiskey?”

“I don’t think so why?”

“I could use a drink of something.”

“What’s the problem?”

“I stuck myself with the sword.”

“OMG. Let me get a shot of that. Now that looks real.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible Kreative Kue #71 by Keith Channing

April 5, 2016April 4, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 23 Comments

Here is another in the series by Keith Channing. His words “Using this photo as inspiration, (below) 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 #66

Here is my interpretation.

“Psst Bowser. You need to smile like Aunt Helen.”

“Geez, what is it about people and pictures. They go ga-ga when some dope aims a camera at them. I think you need to smile Mom instead of worrying about me. The last time I looked, I don’t have a set of lips that are conducive to a smile. In fact, when I do smile people run like hell. They think I’m snarling. Not that you care but I had the next door neighbor try to kick me when all I was trying to do was be friendly. Fixed him, though. I lifted my leg on his newspaper. I had to laugh at the thought of him sitting down after dinner and opening his paper. I’ll bet it took a few minutes for him to figure out that the wetness was not from the sprinklers. I even imagine him sticking his fingers in his mouth while eating something at the time.

Right now I would love to jump off mom’s lap and go lift my leg on Pa. His idea of a good time is to continue to snap photos no matter what’s going on. Take right now for instance. We are here having dinner with Aunt Helen before she goes off to mortuary school and it just doesn’t seem to be an occasion for a lot of pictures. Okay take one or two but for god’s sake do we have to do it after each course? We just had the salad and up he jumps, grabs the Nikon, and we are all blind for the next three minutes. I don’t mean to say anything, but Aunt Helen looks like she has been practicing on herself. I don’t think that’s wrong of course. It’s better than trying her craft on me. I can’t figure out what she sees in dead people anyway. I think they smell funny, and no self-respecting dog wants to stay around them.

Okay, team. How about we get to the beef course now. I’ve pretty much had it with creamy Italian salad dressing. I need something I can get my teeth into before I consider a leap at old Pa over there. Don’t get me wrong I love my humans but man sometimes they can be such a pain.”

“Come on Bowser. Give Pa a smile.”

“Okay Pa here you are. A big smile from Bowser to you.”

“Look at that dog Mary. He’s snarling.”

“Damn what did I tell you?”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #70 by Keith Channing

March 29, 2016September 15, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 39 Comments

I get knocked out by Keith Channing’s photo prompts. Here’s what Keith says, “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 website, next Monday.”

Here’s the photo.

My Interpretation.

Our Baby by John W. Howell

“Mommy, when do I get a turn?”

“Just a minute Jimmy. I’m not sure she can stand. I’ll let you know.”

“But Mommy, you promised I could play with her.”

“I know sweetie, but we need to make sure you don’t accidentally hurt her.”

“Oh, mommy. I don’t want to hurt her ever.”

“I know sweetheart. That’s why we need to make sure.”

“Why is she having trouble sweetheart?”

“I’m not sure honey. She seems to have a balance problem.”

“She is happy, though.”

“I know. It is very hard to hold her. She wants to run I’m sure.”

“Did you ask her if she knows what the problem could be?”

“Yes but all I got was a bunch of baby talk. The agency said it takes time for the language skills to become natural.”

“Maybe we should call someone.”

“Might be a good idea later. The agency said to try several steps before calling.”

“Did you do them?”

“Well, everything but the last step.”

“The last step. What is that?”

“I almost hate to do it, though. I have heard of others not coming back after that last step.”

“Well, maybe there was another problem with the others. I’m sure the agency wouldn’t tell you to do a step that would harm her permanently.”

“I guess you’re right. Okay, the last step it is. I’m hitting the power switch now.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #69 by Keith Channing

March 22, 2016March 21, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 25 Comments

Regular visitors know I like prompts and Keith Channing does one each week in which I am addicted to participating. 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 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 – pingbacks don’t seem to be working, and I haven’t yet figured out why.

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.”

Here is the photo

Kreative Kue #69

Here is my interpretation.

Get Away by John W. Howell.

“Man, I can’t believe we did it.”

“Shush. We are still not in the clear.”

“Yeah I know. This sack is getting heavy, though.”

“It won’t be too much further until we make our hotel.”

“I can’t seem to stop smiling.”

“I know, and you’re going to give us away.”

“Okay. I’ll be serious. Hurrump.”

“Ha ha ha. Hurrump indeed.”

“I know right? How do I stop from laughing?”

“Think of getting caught. That should sober you up.”

“That’s a horrible thought alright. Okay, I’m good now. How much further?”

“The hotel is around the next corner. Once in our room, we can do all the laughing we want. Did you see the look on that clerks face when she read my note?”

“Oh man. Don’t remind me. I thought her eyes were going to bug right out of her head. The way you had your hand in your coat pocket, I’m sure she thought you had a gun.”

“I did that on purpose. I didn’t want any mess ups.”

“I never did see the note. What did it say?”

“Aw, you really don’t know?”

“No. I was in the restroom when you wrote it on that napkin remember?”

“Oh yeah. I just wrote put eight pair size six British shoes in the bag and take my American Express and no one gets hurt.”

“Why are these people so picky about American Express?”

“Don’t know. Maybe it’s the service fee. But anyway she got the word and here we are with the shoes.”

“And almost to the hotel.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #68

March 15, 2016September 15, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 43 Comments

As most of you know, I enjoy prompts from Keith Channing. Here is what he says, “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 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 – pingbacks don’t seem to be working, and I haven’t yet figured out why.

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.

“Oh, my gosh Helen.”

“What Seal?”

“did you see those things that those performers threw up in the air?”

“No what are they?”

“I’m not sure, but one is crawling around in my hair.”

“EW. Get it out.”

“I can’t. The bugger runs to the other side of my head.”

“Hey you performers.”

“Yes, Ma’am. What is it?”

“What did you just throw into the air?”

“You mean the confetti?”

“No not confetti. There are some things moving in my girlfriend’s hair.’

“Let me see. Oh, those. Don’t worry. Besides, we didn’t throw them.”

“What do you mean ‘don’t worry?’ They are moving for heaven’s sake. What are they?”

“We call them Nee Nahs.”

“Nee Nahs? Do they have another name.”

“Hmm. Let me see. I think they are called crab lice in your country.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #67 by Keith Channing

March 8, 2016March 7, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 39 Comments

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 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 – pingbacks don’t seem to be working, and I haven’t yet figured out why.

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.

Here is the photo.

Kreative Kue #67

“So tell me again what the mechanic said.”

“Why? I’ve told you ten times.”

“I just can’t believe he would give you that advice.”

“Why not. He’s the mechanic.”

“I know but it seems a little dumb to me is all.’

“Dumb? What do you mean dumb?”

“I have never heard of such a thing is all I’M saying.”

“Well, maybe there are new procedures for roadside repairs.”

“I can’t believe roadside repairs have changed over the years. You come out, try to fix the problem and then if you can’t you tow the vehicle into the shop.”

“Yeah so don’t forget we are in a strange part of the country. These people probably have their ways of doing things.”

“Tell me again what the mechanic said to you. mary and I were over at the field looking at the beautiful flowers and didn’t hear anything.”

“Fine. This is the last time, though.”

“Okay, just tell me.”

“The mechanic came out here. He looked at the motor.”

“Yes?”

“He said we needed a repair that could only be done at the shop.”

“So far sounds normal.”

“He then backed his wrecker up to the car.”

“Yeah we saw that.”

“He then pulled out the motor and said he would be back shortly.”

“And you let him do this?”

“I had no choice the motor was out and hanging from his wrecker.”

“When did he say he would be back?”

“Shortly.”

“It’s been four hours.”

“Well maybe shortly means something else here.”

“Call him.”

“I can’t.”

“You can’t? Why not?”

“My phone is in the wrecker.”

“Damnation.”

“Yup.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #66 by Keith Krates

March 1, 2016February 29, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 25 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. Here is the photo

Kreative Kue #66

Here is my interpretation.

“I have to say I love it out here.”

“I do too. It is so quiet.”

“You can say that again. Remember when we were worried about the train tracks?”

“Yeah, that was a hoot.”

“We were all concerned that there would be too much noise.’

“Yeah, remember telling the real estate agent that we might want to pass on the house.’

“I sure do. I can see her face now.’

“Talk about red. I’ve never seen a color like that.”

“Me either. I thought she was going to explode.”

“Well, she did convince us to take the house. She said the tracks are never used.”

“She was sure right about that. I don’t think there has been a train since we move in.”

“I can’t recall one. Come to think about it.”

“Why is it we are sitting here at this station then?”

“Well, you know how it is.”

“Tell me how it is.”

“You never know when there will be one.”

“And so.”

“We want to be ready to complain to the real estate agent.”

“I think we are a little nuts don’t you?”

“She said never and never is a long time.”

“For sure.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #65 by Keith Channing

February 23, 2016September 15, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 29 Comments

Keith Channing puts out writing prompts in the form of photos. Here is what he says, “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 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 – pingbacks don’t seem to be working, and I haven’t yet figured out why.

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.”

Here is the photo

My interpretation

“How about you sir? Would you like one?”

“Um. I don’t know really. What d’ya say they were made of?”

“I didn’t say. These are the best there is on the planet.”

“Okay, I’ll bite. The best what on the planet?”

“Here little boy. You want one?”

“I have to wait for my dad. He said not to take anything from strangers.”

“I think that’s candy kid. This situation is different. It’s lunch.”

“I still better wait.”

“How about you over there. You want one?”

“Like the other guy, I would like to know what they are.”

“These are hamburgers. You never saw a hamburger before?”

“No. Can’t say I have. Say where did you people come from after all?”

“We are from the government and we are here to help you.”

“We don’t need any help. We are doing fine.”

“How about a hamburger then.”

“What’s it made of?”

“Beef. Good ole government beef.”

“What’s beef?”

“You’re kidding right?”

“No ma’am. I never heard of it.”

“You know what a cow is?”

“Sure I do. They are our pets.”

“Beef is cow.”

“COW? dead cow? You want us to eat cow?”

“What is the matter with you? Everyone eats cow.”

“Not here we don’t. We play fetch with them, and they provide companionship.”

“Does everyone feel that way?”

“YES.”

“Well, Blanch it looks like another government feeding program has been planned to the finite detail of perfection. We sure have a lot of hamburgers to eat.”

“I like our uniforms, though. Don’t you?”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #64

February 16, 2016September 15, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 33 Comments

As you know, I love prompts and am fond of those by Keith Channing. His instructions, “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 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 blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here – pingbacks don’t seem to be working, and I haven’t yet figured out why.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your blog or web site, next Monday.”

Here is the photo.

Here is my interpretation.

I know this story will be confusing since I hardly understand what happened myself. In fact, I don’t know why I’m writing this down since I don’t believe there will be anyone around who will read it. Okay, no matter. I think writing things down helps me control the panic I feel. I know whoever reads this won’t understand the nature of my feelings but let me explain my sense of dread by writing down what happened as best as I know.

I came back to the jungle after a long trip to the city which included an eight-hour drive through the outback, a small airplane ride and then a flight from the regional airport. I needed to earn some money to keep the hospital going. We were spending more that we were bringing in. (that is a story for a different time) I came back to the hospital very late and went straight to my room. The trip was long and I was exhausted. I lay down and went to sleep. When I awoke and walked around there was no one here. The patients were all gone and the staff as well.

I went to the radio room and tried to call the nearest station to find out any information they could give. The station did not answer. I then looked at my SAT phone with the idea of calling my sister in London for no other reason than to see if she heard something about the hospital being closed down. There was no service and at first I thought the satellite had malfunctioned. I called the regional police on the radio and all I got was the white noise that tells me their radio is not working. I began to feel my stomach rolling like I had too much wine. I knew it was the first signal of fear and I needed to get control before I did something irrational.

I sat in the radio room and tried every broadcast channel and finally gave up. There was no response to any of my broadcasts. I looked at the SAT phone for the tenth time and still no signal. It was clear to me now that I was disconnected from the world. This lonely outpost where I worked for ten years to bring modern medicine to this remote privative area was cut off from civilization.

Sitting on the veranda and visits to an empty village for the last ten days has finally convinced me that I need to go from this place and seek out other people. The Range Rover will take me back through the outback to the small airport. Maybe there has been some kind of atmospheric disturbance that has caused the radios and phone to malfunction. Only a face to face meeting will answer my most pressing question. Is there anyone else out there?

Tuesday – Anything possible. Kreative Kue #63 by Keith Channing

February 9, 2016February 9, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 25 Comments

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your blog or web site, next Monday.”

Here is the photo.