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.

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.”