Tuesday Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #408 by Keith Channing

November 21, 2023November 20, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 43 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 your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before Sunday evening UK time. 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 link. https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2023/11/20/kreative-kue-408/

The Photo.

“Come on, each of you. Take my hand.”

“No way. He tried to kill me.”

“I didn’t try to kill him.”

“What would you call it?”

“I tried to maim you.”

“I’m sure you didn’t really want to main him.”

“Yeah, I really did.”

“See, why should I take your hand in peace when that savage is trying to injure me.”

“You both need to calm down and take my hands.”

“He needs to apologize.”

“What did he do?”

“I did nothing. That’s what I did.”

“Why does he need to apologize?”

“He questioned my honor.”

“I didn’t question your honor. I questioned your sanity.”

“Oh my. Why was your honor in question?”

“I decided to call it off with his sister.”

“Yeah. One argument, and he walks. What a coward.”

“Let him finish.”

I didn’t like the way she presented her side of the disagreement.”

“So he just leaves and tells my sister it’s over.”

“What was it about how she presented her side of the argument that you didn’t like?”

“She shot at me with a pistol.”

“She never meant to hit you. If she meant it, she would have you, coward.”

“See, he’s insulting my honor.”

“Okay, this looks like a situation that is not win-win. I say you all walk away and pretty much forget about the whole thing.”

“We can’t do that.”

“Why?”

“We’re friends, that’s why. Have been for twenty years.”

“Yeah, we love each other.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #406 by Keith Channing

November 7, 2023November 6, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 52 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 your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before Sunday evening UK time. 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/2023/11/06/kreative-kue-406/

The Photo.

“Okay, men. If you will listen up, we have a few announcements.”

“Yeah, like how to get outta here.”

“What was that?”

“Oh, nothing. I was just getting some air under my paridhana. I was telling the hot air to leave.”

“May I continue?”

“No one stopped you.”

“Would you quit interrupting?”

“Sure.”

“Thank you. Now, before we form up for the parade, I just have a couple of things you need to remember.”

“Like not do this again next year.”

“What is with you?”

“I thought we were going to attend a class and not be paraded like freaks in a circus.”

“What is so bad about being in a parade?”

“I understand we are following the elephants.”

“That’s correct. One thing I was going to tell you all is to mind the lumps.”

“Lumps? You mean droppings, don’t you?”

“Well, yes.”

“See, that is something we shouldn’t have to do. Why not put the zebras behind the elephants?”

“Because the zebras are in the finale.”

“They are more important than us?”

“The crowd has seen a bunch of men in skirts. Now zebras, on the other hand, are a rarity.”

“How about we quit.”

“You can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Read the contract you signed.”

“But this is harassment.”

“Yeah, and it’s also covered.”

“I want a lawyer.”

“You are a lawyer.”

“Oh, yeah. I would say I have a fool for a client.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue # 405 by Keith Channing.

October 31, 2023October 30, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 58 Comments

You can go to Keith’s site and check out the prompt. Here is the link. https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2023/10/30/kreative-kue-405/

The photo.

The Show by John W. Howell

“Excuse me, waiter.”

“Yes, sir?”

“We ordered wine quite a while ago.”

“Yes, sir, I know, but the show is running long.”

“Show?”

“Yes, sir. Old Babcock and his Hamburgler show.”

“Hamburgler?”

“I’m sorry, sir. I should explain. You see, Mr. Babcock lives alone. Every year around Halloween, he dresses up like the Hamburgler and puts on a show.”

“What kind of show?”

“Ah. This is where your bottle of wine comes in.”

“I was hoping we’d get there.”

“He selects five bottles of wine from our cellar.”

“That’s a lot to drink.”

“No, he doesn’t drink them all. He has one for himself and then four for the legs of a chair.”

“Legs of a chair?”

“Yes. He balances each leg of a chair on one of the four bottles till all are resting on the wine.”

“Then he sits in the chair and drinks the fifth bottle.”

“No. He then stacks chairs on top of each other with himself on the uppermost chair.”

“Is he nuts?”

“Only a little. Mostly he is very balanced, and people love the performance.”

“So, back to my bottle.”

“Yes, it is one of the bottles holding up a chair.”

“You don’t have another?”

“It was the last.”

“So I wait until the act is over?”

“It won’t be long.”

“How do you know?”

“He’s putting the fifth chair in place now.”

“And.”

“Every year, he crashes while installing the fifth chai—Oops, there he goes.”

“What happened?”

“He was caught by a guy with a cigar. I’ll be right back.”

“Where you going?”

“To get your wine. He won’t be needing it anymore.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, he’s had enough.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #404 by Keith Channing

October 24, 2023October 23, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 62 Comments

Here is a link to Keith’s post – https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2023/10/23/kreative-kue-404/

The photo

“What the heck is that noise.”

“I’m not sure. Sounds like an alarm of some kind.”

“But who set it off, and for what reason?”

“I have no idea. Let’s go out and see.”

“You crazy? If it’s an alarm, you could get hurt.”

“I suppose you’re right. It’s just how long can that noise last?”

“I would suspect until the danger is over.”

“Yeah, that certainly makes sense.”

“So you’re staying put?”

“Until it stops, I am.”

“Smart.”

“Wow. The silence is deafening. It stopped.”

“Now you can go out there and see what it was.”

“You coming?”

“I’ll watch you from here.”

“Okay, I’ll report back.”

“Wait. It’s a trap. That Bald Eagle over there made that noise to lure you out of the den.”

“Whoa, that could have been a big mistake.”

“He loves chipmunks, and a big tasty bite like you would have been right up his alley.”

“Hold on.”

“What?”

“You calling me fat?”

“Erm. Might be better to take my chances with the Eagle.”

“You said it, not me.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible Kreative Kue #403 by Keith Channing

October 17, 2023October 16, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 49 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 your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before Sunday evening UK time. 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/2023/10/16/kreative-kue-403/

The photo.

“What’s he doing?”

“From here, it looks like he’s going around the track.”

“He can’t do that.”

“Who’s going to tell him?”

“You think he’s got telemetry?”

“Look at his gear. What do you think.”

“Let’s call the track judge and have him give him a red flag.”

“It may work, but I wouldn’t count on it.”

“Why’s that?”

“You think he even knows what the red flag means?”

“Good point. He’s going to be in big trouble when the rest of the field laps him.”

“They’ll try to avoid him, right?”

“If they see him.”

“We better have the judge hit the caution flag and get everyone to slow down.”

“Good thinking. Hitting that lawnmower at 200 Miles per hour won’t do either any good.”

“Look, he’s turning onto the infield.”

“Call the police.”

“Wait a minute. He’s doing a victory donut.”

“Call the network and get a reporter down there. This might be a good PR story.”

“What? An old guy on a go-cart causing the race to be delayed?”

“Look, he’s standing on the cart with his arms in a v above his head, and the crowd is going nuts.”

“I called the network. They’re heading there with a magnum of cheap champagne.”

“This is epic. The video will go viral.”

“And you and I could be the laughingstock of racedom.”

“For being kind to an old fart. I don’t think so.”

“Maybe, we can sign him for endorsements.”

“Now you’re talking. Let’s get down there.”

“How about the race?”

“Who cares? Oh, wait. Yeah, restart it, then let’s go.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #401 by Keith Channing.

October 3, 2023October 2, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 58 Comments

In Keith’s words.

If you would like to visit Keith’s post, here is the link. https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2023/10/02/kreative-kue-401/

The Photo.

“I still don’t get it.”

“They want to take some photos.”

“What for?”

“I think they want to run them in their paper.”

“Seems silly to me.”

“You and I have the same opinion, but we really should play along.”

“Who are these other little weirdos?”

“They are members of the court.”

“Court?”

“You know. The homecoming court.”

“How in the heck did we get wrapped up in this mess.”

“Remember when we first got here, we said we needed to fit in?”

“Yeah, I even said that.”

“Fitting in meant we had to join the festivities.”

“I know that. What I mean is, how did we win the contest? That mess.”

“We were chosen out of al the other candidates.”

“I thought we were just standing with them. Not contestants.”

“It seems everyone thought we were worthy.”

“But there is supposed to be a king and queen.”

“I think they overlooked that part.”

“Well, Lieutenant. As soon as this foolishness ends, we must complete the mission.”

“I know, sir. And we will. There is just one more thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Chocolate cake.”

“What?”

“They are serving Chocolate cake.”

“We are on duty, Lieutenant. Besides, chocolate cake is illegal back home.”

“But we are not home, sir.”

“I suppose one piece won’t hurt.”

“Oh, sir. You are the best.”

“But no more. You know what the next morning feels like after too much.”

“Don’t remind me, sir.”

“Okay, let’s go to the cake bar and relax.”

“After you, sir.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #400 by Keith Channing

September 26, 2023September 25, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

You can visit Keith’s post. Here’s the link https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2023/09/25/kreative-kue-400/

The Photo.

“Tell me again. How did this happen?”

“Um. It is not a pleasant story, Doc.”

“Well, to treat it effectively, it would help if I know how you got it.”

“You promise this will stay between us.”

“I have taken an oath. Besides, HIPPA rules would have my butt if I talked about my patient’s treatments.”

“Okay then. I was having a drink or two—”

“Or two?”

“Okay, maybe I lost count. Anyway, I was feeling good and decided to entertain the folks at the party.”

“You didn’t mention a party.”

“There was a party.”

“Go on.”

“I decided to get a few laughs with my juggling.”

“Sounds pretty benign.”

“It was for a while. I started with oranges.”

“Started?”

“Then moved to grapefruit.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Then someone suggested watermelon.”

“Still doesn’t look like a problem. This looks pretty nasty, bump.”

“My spouse suggested we leave.”

“I still don’t understand.”

“Have you ever ignored your spouse?”

“I can’t say I have.”

“Well, when I ignored the request to leave, my spouse added in a bowling ball to the watermelon mix.”

“Couldn’t handle it, and it came down on your head?”

“No, I was doing fine until the ball-bat came down on my head.”

“Yeah, you’re going to need stitches.”

“And a note to get me back in the house?”

“You must have put on a real show.”

“So they tell me.”

“Not sure a note will work.”

“How about saying I have a terminal illness.”

“That’s a lie.”

“Without a note, it isn’t.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #399 by Keith Channing

September 19, 2023September 18, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 46 Comments

The photo.

Visit Keith’s blog to see what others do with this prompt. Here is the link: https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2023/09/18/kreative-kue-399/

“Look through your scope and tell me what you see.”

“Yeah, you are right. It’s a man with a dog.”

“Any idea what he is doing here?”

“I don’t have a clue. But if he keeps walking in this direction, no tellin’ what will happen.”

“He’s got something slung over his shoulder. Can you see it?”

“Yeah. I can’t make it out.”

“Sachel bomb, you think?”

“Could be, but looks more like a lunch.”

“How can you tell that?”

“I’ve never seen a sachel bomb in a Yeti tote.”

“Could be a clever ruse.”

“I suppose. I’m more worried about that poor dog.”

“What about it?”

“He’s got it on the end of some kind of tether.”

“Which means?”

“Could be a remote-controlled explosive device.”

“Is the dog real?”

“Looks that way.”

“Man, talk about a cold-blooded killer. Uses a live dog as a bomb.”

“I don’t know, but I don’t get a killer vibe out of this guy.”

“How so?”

“Given the white whiskers and the country dress, I take him for a blogger.”

“A blogger. What the heck is a blogger?”

” Solitary beast that continues to write no matter what.”

“What makes you think he’s a blogger?”

“Aside from the dress, who else would be walking along a solitary road in the country with a dog on a rope?”

“I’ll take your word for it. So do we let him get close or vaporize him?”

“I say we let him pass. I’m sure he is harmless.”

“How would he react to the description that he’s harmless?”

“Probably write an angst-filled post about people experiencing harmlessness. The feeling would pass in a day after all the comments from empathetic readers.”

“Can we get into this blogging thingy?”

“What? Give up this vital security overwatch assignment and go back home?”

“Does sound pretty good.”

“And we have spare fuel for the ship.”

“And it’s only ten lightyears.”

“We would be the first bloggers. Our first post could be titled ‘Coming Home.'”

“On second thought, we have a job to do.”

“Yeah. Our world is counting on us. Another Earthling will come along.”

“One every hundred Earth years.”

“We need to be here.”

“Besides, it’s Taco Tuesday.”

“Settled then. We stay.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Prompt – Kreative Kue with Keith Channing

September 12, 2023September 11, 2023 ~ 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 your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before Sunday evening UK time. 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.” You can visit Keith’s site and leave a link to your story. Here is his link. https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2023/09/11/kreative-kue-398/

The photo

“What a cute puppy.”

“He certainly is. Purebred too.”

“What’s his name?”

“Scruffy.”

“Aw, that’s a cute name. Where did you get him?”

“A friend of mine’s pet had him.”

“Does he live far away?”

“Who?”

“Your friend.”

“Yeah, a little far, why?”

“I’ve been thinking of getting a puppy. How far?”

“234 million miles.”

“Huh?”

“Yeah, he lives on Mars. He sends his puppies here to feed.”

“Feed? What do they eat?”

“Glad you asked. Can you stay for dinner?”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Prompt – Kreative Kue # 397 by Keith Channing

September 5, 2023September 4, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 58 Comments

I’m happy to welcome Keith Channing back and am so glad he is feeling better.

In Keith’s words. “Using this photo below (taken in Singapore at the end of 1978) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before Sunday evening UK time. 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/2023/09/04/kreative-kue-397/

The photo.