Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #266 by Keith Channing

June 9, 2020June 8, 2020 ~ 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

Kreative Kue #266

“Well, sweetheart, are you ready?”

“I am m’love.”

“As soon as the photo is taken, we need to get into the wagon and start toward Paris.”

“Okay, then that’s it. The photo is taken. We need to say goodbye to our children.”

“We will miss them.”

“It is only for a little while. That will be perfectly safe here.”

“I know it’s just sad that they can’t come with us.”

“You know that the journey will be rough, and it seems cruel to subject them to hardship.”

“I know you are right. Okay, let’s go. The sooner we start, the sooner we’ll be there.”

“That’s my man. You do know that Paris is a two-week wagon trip from here. right?”

“Yes, you’ve explained it. What I don’t understand is why we are taking a wagon when we have a perfectly good Peugeot in the garage.”

“Remember when I said we need to make a grand entrance when we arrive in Paris.”

“Yes, I do.”

“That gypsy wagon will be the best show possible.”

“Tell me again why you are wearing garlic and me pomegranates.”

“To ward off the evil magic on the trail.”

“Thought maybe it would be mosquitoes. Also, why the mustache?”

“You know full well the Mime business is a man’s world. If I’m to get even a notice, I need to make people believe that it doesn’t matter that I’m a woman.”

“So when we get to the audition, you are going to pretend to be a man?”

“No. I’m just going to cast doubt on a preconceived notion.”

“All very confusing, but you do what you need to do.”

“Easy for you to say since you look like a man.”

“What do you mean look.”

“Let’s just get going, shall we?”

“Who’s driving?”

“Me.”

“Figures.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Fan

June 6, 2020June 6, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 51 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and this week’s prompt is explained by Linda Hill. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “fan.” Use it by itself or find a word that starts or ends with it. Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!”

If you would like to join this merry band of enjoyment, seekers visit Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS June 6/2020

“I wonder if I should go all fanatic?”

“Fancy that you would even wonder.”

“Well, I was just fantasizing about how to handle the prompt.”

“Linda hill fanbase central here.”

“Oh, come on. I’m not even close fanwise.”

“So what is the prompt? Fantasia?”

“No, nothing of that fantasy caliber. Just use Fan or a word that starts with fan.”

“Fantastic. I know some fan words.”

“I’m sure your’s will be fantabulous.”

“Are you being serious or just doing a fandango on my mind?”

“Let’s just say I’m a superfan.”

“Wait a minute. You just ended a word with fan and without any fanfare either.”

“It’s allowed. Just me displaying my fanciness.”

“I have to say that was fantasmic. Can we stop now?”

“I think we cover the fan world completely .”

“And maybe a little more. I think I am suffering from fantigue.”

“Don’t you mean fatigue, you of the word fancywork?”

“Normally, yes, but this bit has me in fantasyland.”

“How about a drink? A Fanta orange soda, maybe?”

“How about a barley pop on the fantail of my boat?”

“I knew there was a way to get a ride on that fandangle of a boat.”

“Next time, fantanista?”

“Yes, new-fangled one?”

“No fanciful games, just ask.”

“Fine. I mean fan.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #265

June 2, 2020June 1, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 36 Comments

In Keiths 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.

Kreative Kue #265

“Look out for that cart.”

“Yeah, I’m clear of it. Thanks for the warning, though.”

“I’m telling you these folks heading for their tea are downright dangerous.”

“Don’t you think it ironic the woman is in a cart, and the Tea place is named the Tea Caddy?”

“It sort of caught my funny bone, yes.”

“Next, we’ll be seeing golf balls dropping on the street.”

“Yes, and men in golf shoes click-clacking all over the place.”

“Good thing we are pretty far from the golf course, or this could be a reality.”

“So where to now?”

“How about we head over to the fabric store. There are some tweeds that I have been dying to check out.”

“Tweeds?”

“Yeah, I might want to have a jacket made.”

“For what occasion?”

“Nothing special. Just to have it.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in anything but a t-shirt.”

“I know. I think it’s time to upgrade a little. I might want to have something that doesn’t have advertising on it.”

“Boy, that just doesn’t sound like you. Everything okay?”

“Just because I want a jacket?”

“How are you and Steve getting along?”

“Just fine. It’s just a jacket.”

“You having an affair?’

“Oh please. Never mind. Let’s just go to the t-shirt place and see if there is anything fun there.”

“If you don’t want to tell me, that’s okay. I’m just your best friend is all.”

“There is nothing to tell.”

“I might want to look at some tweeds.”

“Is Ralph cheating on you?”

“No. Me looking at tweeds is normal. You not so much.”

“How about some ice-cream?”

“You depressed?”

“For gosh sakes.”

“I got it, right?”

“It’s just ice cream.”

“Sure,”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Spay/Splay/Spray

May 30, 2020May 29, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 60 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and here is Linda Hill to explain this week’s prompt. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “spay/splay/spray.” Use one, use two, use ’em all, it’s up to you. Have fun!”

So there you have it. If you would like to have fun, please visit Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS May 30/2020

“Oh, my goodness.”

“What?”

“Just saw the prompt for this week.”

“Ah. The Hill Hilarity. What is it?”

“Spay/Splay/Spray.”

“Hmmm. There are the obvious uses.”

“Who wants to talk about neutered pets, legs, or mosquitoes?”

“You could go in a completely different direction.”

“Yeah, like what?”

“Well, Spay is a town in Germany located in a great wine production area.”

“Okay, I guess that would be interesting. What wine?”

“Riesling.”

“Yum. I like a nice Riesling.”

“You could also talk about splay without mentioning body parts.”

“I don’t see how.”

“There is an architecture term splay that describes an angle of a wall from a door or window that makes it wider the further away from the door or window.”

“Not sure I could pull that off. I don’t really understand .”

“Think of a window that also has a window seat. You have the window, and then the walls come into the room at an angle, so there is room for the seat. It’s called a splay at the wide part in the room.”

“I guess I get that. What about spray?”

“I think you are stuck with the idea of droplets of liquid. You could describe different kinds of spray.”

“Or just stick with spay and splay.”

“What fun is that? You could talk about the spray of the sea.”

“Okay, then here is my attempt. A little haiku, which should keep the Hillster happy. Ahem.

In the town of Spay,

There’s a window with a splay . . .

Safe from ocean spray.

How’s that?”

“I’m no critic, but am wanting to move on with the day.”

“so?”

“Close enough for government work.”

Tuesday – Anything possible – Kreative Kue #264 by Keith Channing

May 26, 2020May 25, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

In Keith’s words.

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

The Photo.

Kreative Kue #264

“Is there any way I can convince you to get that screaming baby out of my face?”

“He’s your new brother, and he wants to kiss you.”

“That is about the last thing on Earth he will do if he tries.”

“Oh, come on. You were excited when you heard you were going to have a brother.”

“That is before he got here with his smelly pants and milk barf breath.”

“Are we a bit jealous?”

“Jealous of something that has all the personality of third base at the ball diamond? Not likely.”

“But he’s just a baby.”

“I know, and when he gets old enough to fetch whatever I want him to get, he can stay that way.”

“You are being very hard.”

“I just think that if someone had asked my opinion before ordering him online, I would have at least had some say so in the situation.”

“‘Ording him online.’ That’s pretty funny.”

“What’s so funny. Are you saying babies don’t come from Home Depot?”

“No, they don’t.”

“Where do they come from then?”

“I . . . uh . . . er well, that is a long story.”

“Let me just ask one question.”

“Okay, but I don’t think you are old enough to understand the answer.”

“Trust me, I can deal with the answer.”

“Okay. What’s the question?”

“Does this kid come with a money-back guarantee?”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt –

May 23, 2020May 22, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

Chances are this is Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and here is Linda Hill to explain this week’s prompt. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “ch.” Find a word that starts with “ch” and use it as your prompt word. Bonus points if you start your post with that word. Enjoy!”

So now you know why I started this post with the word “chances.” I can hear those bonus points hitting the register now Cha-ching. If you would like to join in the madness, visit Linda’s blog, and find out how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS May 23/2020

🎶”Chances are cause I hold a silly grin the moment you come into view.” 🎶

“Okay, you trying out for something?”

🎶 “Chances are you think I’m in love with you.”🎶

“Come on. What’s the deal?”

🎶Just because my composure sorta slips when your lips meet mine.🎶

“Lips? What are you talking about?”

🎶Chances are you think my heart’s your valentine.”🎶

“Hold on, fella. What is the matter with you? Oh wait, it’s Saturday, and chances are you have a Linda thing going on.”

🎶In the magic of moonlight when I sigh ‘Hold me, close dear.”‘🎶

“That’s not going to happen.”

🎶Chances are you believe the stars that fill the skies are in my eyes.”🎶

“You drunk?”

“No, I’m not drunk you, idiot. I was trying to finish this song and collect some bonus points for using a ‘ch’ word.”

“Why didn’t you just say so instead of giving me a scare.”

“Scare? About what?”

“The way you were mooning and crooning, I thought maybe you were stuck on me.”

“Oh, now that is funny. What would make you think I would be stuck on you.”

“Just the way you were singing.”

“Not a chance, big guy.”

“I see. Well, when you put it that way, I’ll be going.”

“Now, let me ask you. Are you drunk?”

“Not yet. Give me time.”

“Okay, let’s go. I’m buying.”

“And you said you’re not stuck on me. Want to take it back?”

“It is just a beer. Chances are you’ll come to your senses.”

“I think you are right, but it might take more than one.”

“Sucker punch?”

“Yup. You are easy that way.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #263 by Keith Channing.

May 19, 2020May 18, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 77 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.

Kreative Kue # 263

“Harold, come here.”

“What m’love?”

“Look out the window over there. Just beyond the trees.”

“What am I looking for?”

“Don’t you see above the trees what looks like some kind of antenna?”

“Oh, now I do. Would you look at that? Them government people are checking on us.”

“Checking on us? Whatever for?”

“I think they are checking to see if we are maintaining the shelter in place rules.”

“Couldn’t it be they are looking at someone else?”

“Bertie. Think about it. What other houses are there around us? We are the only one here.”

“What do we do then?”

‘Well, we are sheltering in place according to the rules.”

“I just don’t like being watched. I mean a couple of over the hill pensioners like us. Don’t they have anything better to do?”

“I see your point. It is a matter of personal freedom. It’s bad enough being cooped up here without some snooper team checking up. I’m going to get something.”

“Don’t you lower yourself to go down there and talk to them, Herold.”

“I have no intention of talking.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I have something here in the closet.”

“What is that thing?”

“This, my dear, is an MK153 shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapon.”

“Goodness, where did you get that thing.”

“Amazon prime.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Take out that snooper thingy.”

“Won’t you get into trouble?”

“A gray-haired old fart like me. What are they going to do? Shoot me?”

“Maybe. Might shoot me too.”

“You know I never thought of that. Okay, maybe we try to ignore that thing.”

“Nah. Take it out. Harold.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Want”

May 16, 2020May 15, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 47 Comments

Want to want is the opposite of need to need. With that introduction, it is Stream of Conscious Saturday, and here is Linda Hill to explain this week’s prompt. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “want.” Make the word “want” the first, second, or third word of your post. Have fun!”

So now you know that I choose using want as the first and third word to start the post. I am saving my bonus points for a Bentley Continental V8, so you know I have to work especially hard. Here’s a photo to help you see what I am shooting to achieve.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday

If you would like to save up points to get what you want, visit Linda’s blog and read how.

The link

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS May 16/2020

“So please explain what the heck you were talking about when you said, ‘Want to want is the opposite of need to need.”‘

“When did I say that?”

“Up top at the beginning of this post.”

“Oh, that. I believe need and want are two different things.”

“Okay, please explain.”

“When you need something, it is more or less vital.”

“and?”

“When you want something, it is a desire but not a matter of life or death.”

“Explain the want to and need to stuff.”

“We all can choose to want something. I call that want to want.”

“Then need to need is more like an emergency.”

“No, it is still a choice. Take eating, for instance. If you don’t need to need food, you could starve. We all need food to live, but if a person denies that need, then there is trouble.”

“Way over my head for sure. Where do you come up with this stuff?”

“I’m a writer, remember.”

“Doesn’t mean you need to go off the deep end. So that Bentley is in the want department?”

“Yeah, I think you’ve got it.”

“So, if you don’t get it, you won’t die?”

“I think we could safely. say If I don’t get it, I will need to want to die.”

“We need some drinks. A whole lot of drinks.”

“Why’s that?”

“To quote Jack Nicholson in the movie “Terms of Endearment.”‘

“Don’t say it.”

“To kill that bug you have up your ass.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Cave”

May 9, 2020May 8, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness time again and this week’s prompt is “cave.” Linda hill says we can use it any way we want. That includes use as a verb or a noun. If you would like to have fun with words, visit Linda’s blog, and read how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS May 9/2020

“I’m so glad it is Saturday, aren’t you?”

“Well?”

“Oh, no. The dreaded Consciousness Steam.”

“Well, it is part of who I am.”

“I agree on the part that is a nutcase.”

“Come on, you know these weekly prompts keep me going.”

“A few more weeks and you will have arrived.”

“What?”

“Never mind. What are we working on this week.”

“Cave.”

“Alright, you admit that’s what you do every week. Cave to the madness.”

“No you idiot. ‘Cave’ is the prompt.”

“Easy for you. Just describe where you are until you figure out what to write.”

“Have fun if you will, but let me remind you that if I’m in a cave you’re are right there beside me.”

“Now that I think about it; I also cave to this kind of thing each week.”

“Yeah, so quit with the mocking and get on with the help.”

“So we covered a verb and noun. What else?”

“Can we try for an adjective?”

“Hmm. Can’t think of one.”

“How about cave dweller. What kind of dweller? Cave dweller.”

“Sorry, chum. Still a noun.”

“How do you know?”

“Not sure. I just do. Now, if you were to describe someone as a cave-dwelling person, then you would be in the adjective category.”

“But then it is not using cave as an adjective.”

“Correct.”

“How do we get out of this?”

“We pull two barley pops and drink our way out.”

“I’ll finish the post. You get the pops.”

“Fair exchange. How about we order a pizza?”

“Been trying to cut down on the carbs.”

“Sausage, onion, green pepper, extra cheese, marinara, hand tossed, brick oven-baked.”

“I cave.”

“Good man. I’ll order.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue # 261 by Keith Channing

May 5, 2020May 4, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 57 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.

Kreative Kue #261