Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Beside You”

March 28, 2020March 27, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 41 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and here is Linda Hill to describe the prompt.

“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “beside you.” Write about whatever is beside you when you read this prompt. Not when you sit down to write, but whatever is beside you right now. Take note of it if you think you might forget. Enjoy!”

Thank you, Linda. If you would like to join this fun, visit Linda’s blog, and read how. It’s real easy. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS March 28/2020

“Man, this is a kick to the heart.”

“What are you reading.”

“I just opened Linda Hill’s prompt.”

“Oh, here we go again. What masterful machination did she serve up today.”

“I’m supposed to write about whatever is beside me when I read the prompt.”

“So how hard is that?”

“All that was beside me when I read the prompt were these two pillows.”

“Yeah, so?”

“What can you say about two pillows?”

“I see your point. Maybe you could lie and say there was a scorpion or something interesting beside you.”

“And go to Stream of Consciousness jail?”

“There is such a thing?”

“Not sure and don’t want to find out. I imagine Linda on a platform with a bullwhip. Not a pretty picture.”

“Okay, so what are you going to do?”

“Well, here is pillow number one. It is black and has a fuzzy texture.”

“Oh, come on. You can do better than that.”

“I suppose. Okay, let’s try this. It was the pillow that Lindberg sat on when he flew across the Atlantic.”

“Is your nose growing?”

“Don’t buy it, huh?”

“Who would?”

“How about this other pillow?”

“How about it?”

“It has a pattern of grey and black.”

“Can you be any more boring?”

“Ugh. I give up. What can be said about pillows?”

“I think you were right the first place. A kick to the heart.”

“I think I need to prepare better for the next time.”

“Like how?”

“Maybe sit next to something more interesting.”

“Like?”

“An elephant would provide a lot of discussion topics.”

“I could just see that. Why not a Rhinosaurus?”

“Don’t be silly. Those things are dangerous.”

“I’m leaving you now.”

“Okay, maybe just a parrot.”

“You are hopeless. I’ll be at the bar.”

“Be careful of what’s beside you.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Welcome”

March 21, 2020March 20, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 56 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and here is Linda Hill with this week’s prompt. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “welcome.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!” If you would like to have some fun with these prompts, visit Linda’s blog and read how. It is easy to let yourself go. Here is the link.

https://lindaghill.com/2020/03/20/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-march-21-2020/

“Ahhhhhchoooo.”

” Gesundheit.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I think I’m allergic.”

“To what?”

“Not sure.”

“I see you are not stressed over the Saturday prompt.”

“No, in fact, I welcome the challenge.”

“What is is this week?”

“Welcome.”

“Pretty formal. I’ve lived here for years.”

“No, it’s ‘welcome.”‘

“What’s welcome. We get something new?”

“Quit being a poor imitation of Bud Abbott. The word is welcome.”

“You talking about the good word?”

“OMG, are you serious? The prompt is ‘welcome”‘

“Of course, it is. You throw down the welcome mat every Saturday. We can hardly do anything until you have completed your prompt.”

“Okay, I give up. You recording this or what?”

“What.’ I’m not recording anything so it must be ‘what.”‘

“What must be ‘what?”‘

“You asked, I answered. I wish I knew. Since I’m not recording, I must be doing ‘what.”‘

“How do we get off this loop?”

“Let’s have lunch. Maybe it will help.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Oh, wait. The prompt is ‘welcome.’ Right?”

“Right.”

“Darn, I thought I had it with ‘welcome.’ ‘Right’ is pretty good too.”

“Private memo to myself. Just shoot me.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #254 by Keith Channing

March 17, 2020March 17, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 36 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 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 #254

“What do you mean you can’t find it? The coordinates are clear.”

“The coordinates are real clear, but we still can’t find it.”

“That’s impossible. Give me an optical scan of the area.”

“Okay. Coming at you.”

“I don’t see anything.”

“That is exactly what I told you.”

“Maybe the solar flares are distorting the picture.”

“Okay. What do you see then?”

“Some vegetation is all.”

“That is exactly what we are seeing.”

“Why don’t you walk a couple of klicks and send us another shot.”

“What? Through the coordinates, you mean?”

“That object is as big as a mountain. It can’t have disappeared.”

“So one would think. Maybe our measuring devices have been damaged. You think the locator on the thing could have gotten damaged in flight.”

“Well, the takeoff was certainly a jolt. You could be right.”

“Not to mention the landing. This planet’s gravity is pretty strong.”

“Okay let,’s assume the locator is faulty. Can you get to higher ground and, maybe you can spot it.”

“Yeah, there is a cliff up ahead. We have to cross what looks like a desert.”

“Go ahead and cross.”

“Okay, the rover made it across the sandy place. It looks like this desert has been dug out of the cliff.”

“Can you climb to the top of the cliff?”

“I have shot a grappling hook and rappelling rope up and over. All I have to do is climb up there.”

“You have permission to do that.”

“Okay, I’m here. My goodness.”

“What?”

“This is a plateau and, it is made of grass.”

“Can you see the sphere?”

“No, but when I rise with my jet pack, I can see a huge hole not too far away. There is some kind of pole rising up from the hole.”

“Send me the picture.”

“Here you are.”

“Look at that. Amazing. Aim the camera up to the top of that pole.”

“I don’t have an LD lens, so I don’t know if you can see the top.”

“Yes, I can make it out. There is some kind of symbol on a flag on top. Jet to the hole and point the camera into it. Be careful and don’t fall in.”

“Here it is. “Look at that. The sphere is at the bottom of the hole.”

“You sure. It doesn’t look like ours. The size looks right, but that one is white. Can you see the letters on it.”

“Yes, I can.”

“Do you have any idea what it means?”

“S-P-A-U-L-D-I-N-G? I have no idea.”

“Well, it can’t be good to see other spheres landing around there. We’ll just chalk ours up to lost and take the penalty. Come on back. It’s time for lunch anyway.”

“Roger that sir.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Wire”

March 14, 2020March 13, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 51 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and here is this week’s prompt per Linda Hill. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “wire.” Use “wire” as a noun or a verb or any way you’d like. Enjoy!” So there you have it. If you would like to have some fun, go to Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS March 14/2020

“Wire as a noun?”

“Excuse me? Oh, It’s the Saturday mind thump again.”

“Not a mind thump. It’s a prompt.”

“Thump, prompt all the same to me.”

“That’s ’cause you don’t write.”

“Now, that’s not true.”

“What was the last thing you wrote?”

“A check for that last round of your WIP edit.”

“Very funny. Help me with this.”

“Okay. The noun use of wire would be like, “We need use number 12 wire for the house electricity.”‘

“How about a verb?”

“To wire the house will cost $10,000.”

“Adjective?”

“Our money looks like wire.”

“Adverb?”

“Spending money on wirely things has to take priority.”

“Wait. Are you trying to tell me something?”

“You think?”

“We need to wire the house.”

“Bingo.”

“So, the prompt is done.”

“I think it is. So is our bank account.”

“To wire or not to wire, that is the question.”

“Do you like to roast marshmallows?”

“Of course. What does that have to do with wire?”

“To not wire, you may be able to roast them without leaving your bed.”

“Okay. I get it. Let’s wire.”

“Good decision.”

“With my feet to the fire.”

“So to speak.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #253 by Keith Channing

March 10, 2020March 9, 2020 ~ 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 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 # 253

“Come on out, the water’s fine.”

“Nope.”

“Whattya mean nope.”

“Not coming out.”

“Why?”

“Because I look terrible.”

“How can you say that?”

“It’s true.”

“Okay. Tell me about the problem.”

“It’s embarrassing.”

“How long have we been together?”

“I can’t remember. Our whole lives, I guess.”

“I’m the only one out here.”

“Yeah, so?”

“We’ve been together forever. Why are you embarrassed in front of me.”

“I guess it’s this suit. I’ve never worn one like this before.”

“What bothers you about it?”

“I almost hate to say. You’ll laugh.”

“Come on. I promise not to laugh.”

“Well okay. This suit bearly covers my breast and makes me look like I have chicken legs.”

“But that’s not a bad thing.”

“Go on.”

“You have a beautiful breast and shouldn’t be ashamed to show it.”

“And?”

“You are a chicken. Why wouldn’t you have chicken legs?”

“Typical rooster comment. You just don’t understand.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Figure”

March 7, 2020March 6, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 41 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 “figure.” Use the word “figure” any way you’d like. Have fun!”

If you would like to join in, go to Linda’s site and read how. It is effortless to let yourself go over the edge. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS March 7/2020

“Go figure.”

“What?”

“It just figures that this week’s prompt would be something that I could get my teeth into.”

“So get your teeth into it, already.”

“You don’t understand.”

“I guess not. Tell me.”

“The word figure can be used in several ways.”

“So use it.”

“Not so easy. I have to figure out a strategy.”

“Um-hum.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You, the panster’s pantster needs a strategy? I don’t think so.”

“How do you figure?”

“I don’t think you need to plan. I figure you can just let yourself go and that will be it.”

“You figure?”

“Yup.”

“I was going to describe our neighbor.”

“Which one?”

“The one across the street.”

“Ah. The one with the shapely figure. I could have guessed.”

“Wait a minute. I could write about the guy next door. He cuts a fine figure of a man.”

“That is actually my place to observe.”

“Men can comment on other men?”

“Sure, but when you talk to figure, it seems a little odd.”

“Don’t you ever admire the figure of another woman?”

“Well, sure. That’s different.”

“How?”

“Go figure.”

“What.”

“You stumped me for once.”

“Heh, heh, heh.”

“Shut up and finish your figure prompt before I figure out a way to get back at you.”

“You could throw a barley pop in my face.”

“I figure we will end up there eventually.”

“Smart woman.”

“Not an ending that’s tough to figure out.”

Tuesday – Anything possible – Kreative Kue #252 by Keith Channing

March 3, 2020March 2, 2020 ~ 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 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 #252

“Now, you have to be very careful with this.”

“I know, I know. You already explained that.”

“Yes, I did, but I want to make sure you know exactly how precious this is.”

“Please don’t lecture me on being careful. After all, you’re the one who dropped the last one.”

“Okay, that was an accident. I was jostled when we traded last time.”

“I’m just saying there is no reason to doubt that I won’t take care.”

“Okay, I get it. I didn’t realize you were so sensitive.”

“I’m not sensitive. You’re always giving me directions that don’t seem necessary is all.”

“Excuse me, but aren’t you the one who always gets nervous on new assignments?”

“You call it nervous I call it thorough because I want to do a good job, unlike some people I know.”

“You can’t be talking about me.”

“I am talking about you, Mr. Oops.”

“Where did that come from?”

“Oh, come on. Your little slip caused an entire system to implode.”

“Wait a minute. That system was tens of millions of years old. it was ready.”

“Says you. Okay, let’s forget it. I have the Orion arm solar system in my hand. You have a nice play day.”

“I will try now that I know you hate me.”

“Quit being a little child. You are a god for heaven’s sake. Act like it.”

“You are always so mean.”

“Cry baby.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #251 by Keith Kreates

February 25, 2020February 24, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 58 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 #251

“Well, folks. I have given the car a complete check over. I have some good news and some bad news.”

“Doesn’t surprise me there is bad news. That POC has been giving me fits for two years.”

“Now, darling. Let’s not be negative. Let’s hear what the nice man has to say.”

“Okay nice man. Give us the bad news first.”

“You sure you wouldn’t rather have the good news?”

“No, I’m a realist and need to deal with the downside of each issue foremost.”

“Very well, sir. The bad news is I don’t think your car is ever going to run again.”

“What do you mean? I just had the thing completely overhauled before we started on this ill-advised adventure.”

“Now, dear. We shouldn’t bother this nice mechanic with some of our petty feelings about this trip.”

“Not bother him. What about me. I said driving that heap would be a mistake. And who’s idea was it to take a trip to visit who’s mother?”

“Okay, Leonard. Now is not the time to start ranting about my mother.”

“I think it is a perfect time. We came all this way, and do you think she could have at least offered a cup of tea?”

“You know she’s not well.”

“Not well? That old warhorse is far more healthy than you, and I combined.”

“Well, she still has her challenges.”

“Challenges? Let’s call that little gin habit of hers what it is. She’s a lush.”

“Excuse me, folks, but I need to get back to the shop.”

“Ah, forgive us.”

“Yeah, please tell us the good news since the bad news says we are pretty much doomed to call my wife’s mother for help.”

“Wel,l even though your car will never run again, I can give you a tow to the garage.”

“Excuse me. Where is the good news in that? Are you saying you can tow us for no extra charge?”

“Oh, no, sir. The fee will be five hundred dollars.”

“That is exorbitant. I’m still waiting for good news.”

“The good news is I can still offer you a ten dollar coupon good on any service. The offer expires at midnight tonight.”

“Such good news, I’m overwhelmed.”

“We only have these coupons once a year.”

“Yeah, I’m not surprised.”

“You and your wife want to ride in the truck?”

“Or what? Walk?”

“Dark sarcasm in the classroom, sir.”

“Yeah, I know. How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat yer meat?”

“You said it, sir.”

“Here’s my card.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Animal Sounds”

February 22, 2020February 21, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 53 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and this week’s prompt will need some explanation by the Prompt Master, Linda Hill. Here is what she posted on the dungeon door, “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “animal sounds.” Write about the sounds animals make and how you experience them. Have fun!”

“Meow.”

“Okay, I give.”

“Woof.”

“Please tell me you aren’t having a stroke. Instead, tell me you are heeding the call of the Linda Hill prompt instead.”

“Growl.”

“Please get up off the floor and tell me what’s going on.”

“Snarl.”

“Now you are causing me concern. Before I call animal control, tell me what you are doing.”

“Okay. We are supposed to write about the sounds animals make and how we experience them.”

“So, your experience is making the sounds?”

“Great guess. See you should join in the fun.”

“As the last thing I do on Earth, you mean?”

“Aw come on. You might like it.”

“I think a root canal might be more pleasurable.”

” Go ahead, make an animal sound.”

“You’re pushing me.”

“Have some fun.”

“Toot.”

“You are kidding, right? What sound was that?”

“A baby elephant.”

“Oh my. Why did you pick a baby elephant?”

“To give you fair warning.”

“Of what?”

*BARRRATTTTT

“It’s irratated mama.”

“Very funny.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Cheek”

February 15, 2020February 14, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 39 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this week’s prompt is “cheek.” Linda Hill says we can use it as a noun or verb. I can think of cheek as a noun and an adjective but am having a tough time coming up with a verb. Maybe something will come to me. If you would like to be faced with such life-altering thoughts why not pop over to Linda’s blog and read how you can solve them by joining the happy but at times confused gathering of writers. Here is the link.