Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #213 by Keith Channing

April 2, 2019April 1, 2019 ~ 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 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.~~

There won’t be a Kreative Kue for a couple of weeks – it seems someone is rather keen (and in a hurry) to buy our home here in France. Next week, we’ll be heading to the north of England in an effort to identify a house to live in after we have to leave this one! The next scheduled Kreative Kue will be on Easter Monday, 22nd April.”

The photo.

“Hey, Charlie. Whatcha doing?”

“It looks pretty obvious.”

“So tell me.”

“I’m trying to decide on calling the fire department or not.”

“For this little fire?”

“Yes for this little fire. I’m getting concerned.”

“Concerned? About what? It looks like it’s under control. A few branches is all.”

“It may appear to be that to you. There’s a deeper issue.”

“My goodness. Sounds sinister.”

“Don’t laugh. It is sinister.”

“Oh come on. Looks the fire is starting to die down.”

“That’s what I thought about a half hour ago.”

“So this thing has been burning for a half hour?”

“Longer than that.”

“That does seem a little strange. It doesn’t seem like there is enough wood to keep it going for that long.”

“Now you are beginning to get a sense of my worry.”

“Other than that it still seems quite normal.”

“Except for one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“I didn’t start the fire.”

“Come again? What do you mean you didn’t start the fire?”

“I came out here to light this brush—”

“So you did start the fire.”

“Let me finish, will you?”

“Go ahead.”

“I came out here to light this brush, and when I got here, I realized I forgot my matches.”

“Sounds like you. So how did you get the brush lit?”

“That’s just it. While reaching in my pockets for a light and realizing I had forgotten the matches I said, “Hey brush. You gotta light?”

“Don’t tell me.”

“Yup. The brush ignited. Just like that.”

“And has been burning ever since.”

“Now you understand.”

“I think we need to do something.”

“Okay. I’m glad you feel the same as I do.”

“Repeat after me.”

“Huh? I was thinking of calling the fire department.”

“No, forget that. I have a feeling you are gifted, and we should act fast before the gift goes away. Repeat after me. “Hey, brush.”

“I don’t get it but okay, “Hey, Brush.”

“You gotta beer?”

“You gotta beer? You are a jerk. You know that?”

“You want one?”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Dough/D’oh

March 30, 2019March 29, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 45 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is “dough/d’oh.” Linda Hill says, “Use one, use both, use ’em any way you like. Enjoy!” Well, you heard her. If you would like to join in visit Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS March 30/19

“Where did you get the dough?”

“The corner store has all kinds of fresh dough. Bread dough of every kind.”

“So you going to do some baking?”

“No. I thought I would leave it on the porch to harder and then have a doorstop.”

“Ah. Dark sarcasm in the classroom.”

“Huh?”

“You were joking right?”

“Duh. I must say you are swift today.”

“Well, I have been a little off lately.”

“Any reason?”

“I can’t put my finger on it.”

“You haven’t been yourself since you came into that dough from your grandfather.”

“Do you think that’s it?”

“You have to admit you changed the day it arrived.”

“Having dough like that is a big responsibility.”

“Come on. It wasn’t that much.”

“Yes but handled correctly it will grow. That’s the hard part.”

“I don’t see that.”

“It has to be kept warm and in a dark place.”

“Wait. We are talking about money, right?”

“No sourdough.”

“D’oh!”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #212 by Keith Channing

March 26, 2019March 25, 2019 ~ 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 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

“So how long have you been coming this way?”

“What do you mean?”

“Along this rocky beach.”

“Oh, this is a favorite of mine. I love the sound of the water.”

“But it is hard to walk on.”

“Yes but the views and fresh air make it all worthwhile.”

“I don’t know, but I think I prefer the higher ground.”

“What? And miss the opportunity to commune with nature?”

“The only nature I see are those buzzards circling overhead.”

“Come on. Look at those gulls over there.”

“Yeah, you see one gull you see them all.”

“Looks like someone got up on the wrong side of the bed.”

“Well, I wasn’t very keen on taking this walk.”

“I know if it were up to you, it would be all about lying around the house all day and never seeing anything.”

“Well, I’m not a big fan of the outdoors.”

“I don’t get that. Your kind has roamed the Earth for centuries.”

“Maybe some of my kind has. It is not for me. Can we go back now?”

“I can’t believe this. Your ancestors invented fire for heaven’s sake. You would think you could stand a little walk?”

“Easy for you to say. You have four legs so it is not as hard on each leg.”

“Okay, we’ll go back, but not a peep until kibble time.”

“I promise.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #211 by Keith Channing

March 19, 2019March 18, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 39 Comments

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

The Photo.

“What’s that guy doing?”

“I hear tell humans have this thing that captures your soul.”

“Oh, come on. No one can capture a soul.”

“I’m just saying.”

“You didn’t answer my question. What’s he doing?”

“See that eye that he has brought up to his face?”

“The one with Minolta written on it?”

“That’s the one.”

“What is he doing?”

“Man. I got the question. I’m not sure I have the answer. Quit asking already.”

“Okay, then do you think he will hurt us?”

“Another unknown to me, but I don’t think we shouldn’t take any chances.”

“Think we out to spring out of here?”

“You’ve been hanging around those Springboks again, haven’t you?”

“No matter. What should we do?”

“I say we charge. There are three of us and only one of him.”

“When’s the last time you charged anything?”

“Yeah, big talk coming from a turn tail.”

“You two make me sick. Are we going to stand her looking like a 70’s rock group caught by the paparazzi?”

“I say we saunter off into the brush.”

“The brush gives me a rash. I’m not doing that.”

“Do you think a shot of our rear would be enough to scare him away?”

“Worth a try.”

“On three we’ll turn around.”

“What I like about you, Leroy is you use the KISS method of problem-solving.”

“KISS? What’s that?”

“Keep It Simple Stupid.”

“Who you calling stupid.”

“Shut up Harry. No one was talking to you.”

“I can beat your butt you know.”

“Stop fellas. We need to turn. One, Two—”

“Hold it. He’s walking away.”

“Look at that. Just the mention of our rear and he turns tail.”

“Ha ha ha. The power of the rump. Who wants to get lunch?”

“I hear there are some wildflowers at the waterhole.”

“Let’s go. I’m famished.”

“You know we could have taken that guy.”

“Hush, Berry. It’s over.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #209 by Keith Channing

March 5, 2019March 4, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 48 Comments

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

The photo.

“so you are telling me to soar above this crowd and make them ooh and ah?”

“Exactly.”

“You know its easy for you to give orders. You just stand there with your bah of heaven knows what and boss me around.”

“What do you mean ‘heaven knows what’? There are prime mouse pieces I give you.”

“Yeah, well it would be nice if they didn’t sit in the fridge so long.”

“You think I’m going to run out and get you a fresh mouse before every performance?”

“No, I wouldn’t expect you to do that. Just cut me loose, and I’ll bring back a nice fresh mouse for myself.”

“That will never happen. You would be gone in a heartbeat.”

“You don’t trust me?”

“How did you guess.”

“Okay, so that one time I got lost in the fog.”

“There was no fog.”

“Heavy rain?”

“Clear as a bell. You were making a run for it.”

“Till your thugs caught up with me.”

“Might I remind you of one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“You were sick and undernourished, and you’re lucky we brought you back.”

“I remember it differently. I’m oppressed.”

“Please. What is this all about anyway? You are acting like a petulant child.”

“I was looking at that animal show.”

“You were watching TV again?”

“Couldn’t help it. That thug guard left it on.”

“Your handler you mean?”

“Your words not mine. Anyway, there was this beautiful falcon flying in the robin’s egg blue sky free as a bird, so to speak.”

“And that’s what you would like to do?”

“Yes. I would also like to poop on this crowd but know I’ll get detention.”

“And rightfully so. What about your food and medical care?”

“I’ll find my own.”

“Like you did before?”

“Um.”

“Why not just do the show, and I’ll get you some nice turkey meat to eat.”

“Can I have an apple with that?”

“Of course.”

“Okay. Let’s get this over.”

“Don’t drag your talons through anyone’s hair.”

“Man you know how to suck the joy out of life.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Cele-“

March 2, 2019March 2, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 33 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and this weeks prompt is “cele-” Yes that is right. Linda Hill says to use a word that has “cele” in it and to have fun. If you would like to participate, visit Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS March 2/19

“Cele-” by John W. Howell ©2109

“So what are you doing with that celery?”

“Oh, this? I’m studying it to see if it will fit in my celebratory event.”

“What celebration are you having and why wasn’t I invited?”

“Well, I’m celebrating my first year racing anniversary.”

“You don’t want me as a celebrant?”

“I just haven’t gotten around to invitations yet. I want to make sure my celerity is still up to par.”

“Your what? I’ve heard of celestite but not celerity.”

“Means swift or fast. I have to make sure my racing is still as fast before I throw a party. I’m wondering if I should have a celestia as part of the music?”

“Now you have me thinking you are looking to celestials for inspiration.”

“It’s an instrument. I would have thought a celebrity like you would know that.”

“You can take your foot off the insult accelerator.”

“Your thin skin is priceless. I was giving you a compliment.”

“How is your graceless comment a compliment?”

“I called you a celebrity I thought that was kind. Let me decelerate by giving you an apology.”

“Okay. Consider my angst canceled.”

“Maybe I should consider celeric instead of celery.”

“Huh. You have me there. I feel faceless with all these words.”

“Do you think we have parceled “cele-” enough?”

“I am totally substanceless on the subject.”

“Want a beer?”

“You bet.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #208 by Keith Channing

February 26, 2019February 26, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 29 Comments

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

The photo.

“Ho Ho. Mama and I love each other.”

“Yeah right. Go ahead and enjoy yourself. You’ll be back down here when she gets tired of you.”

“Says you. Look at that smile. She thinks I’m the cutest.”

“Everyone likes a little puppy kiss now and then. It will become old hat pretty soon.”

“I think you are jealous.”

“Me jealous? You have got to be kidding me. I just want you down here so I can explain my plan.”

“Plan? What plan?”

“Let me ask you. Do you enjoy living in this teapot on wheels?”

“It’s okay. Nice and cozy.”

“Well, I can remember running across the meadows free as a bird. Now you try to run, and you get about as far as the end of the leash.”

“Yes but Mom and Dad said this was only temporary while they are on vacation.”

“Temporary? How long has it been? You tell me.”

“I don’t know. Dad said we would be gone a month.”

“Do you know how long that is in dog years?”

“I’m a puppy. How would I know?”

“Seven months we have been held captive in this tin can.”

“Wow. That does seem like a long time.”

“So here’s what we are going to do. As soon as you stop licking Mama’s face, you are going to whine to go out. I will do the same. Once we get outside, we will slip out collars and take off for the open road.”

“Slip our collars? I’ve never done that.”

“It’s easy. First, you bolt forward. Then when Mama pulls you back you turn around and duck your head. Like magic, the collar comes right off.”

“How did you know how to do this?”

“Humans always pull back when you lunge forward. The collar and leash are designed to hold you from getting away with tension in the forward position. The collar is not designed for the reverse. I have practiced a few times. So you got that?”

“I think so. Where are we going to get dinner on the road?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe a stray rabbit or something.”

“Ew. You mean a raw rabbit?”

“Yes, I mean a raw rabbit. Our ancestors lived that way for centuries.”

“You going to catch it?”

“I suppose.”

“Skin it.”

“OMG, why don’t I just order out.”

“Maybe we could make our get-away after dinner.”

“What and miss our after-dinner walk and treat?.”

“This is sounding like a not good idea.”

“Okay. How about tomorrow?”

“Good. After breakfast then.”

“You’re on.”

“Wait.”

“What?”

“We always have ‘fetch the ball’ session after breakfast.”

“Let’s just serve our time shall we?”

“I’m good with that.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue # 207 by Keith Channing

February 19, 2019February 18, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 46 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.

“I just love to write cards home.”

“Huh? I’m sorry, but I was concentrating on this dispatch.”

“I said I just love to write cards home. Do you?”

“You know I need to get this out. What was the question?”

“Do you like to write cards home?”

“Sometimes I write home. I can’t say I like it. I would rather be home thank you.”

“That goes without saying, but a card makes you feel a little closer.”

“You are so funny. How can a card make you feel closer?”

“While you are writing, you can think of those who will be reading what you wrote and then you can visualize their smile and feel close.”

“You are quite a romantic. When I write home, I only give the facts like I’ve been taught.”

“Don’t you ever miss home?”

“Of course I do, but it doesn’t help to make up stories about smiles and thinking of those reading what I write.”

“Why not?”

“For one the only people reading what I write want to know what is going on and could care less about feelings.”

“I think you have not had a happy youth.”

“Happy has nothing to do with it. I’m a warrior and what I write is a situation analysis, not a valentine card.”

“Goodness, we are grumpy today.”

“For another what makes you think the folks back home smile?”

“Everybody smiles.”

“See you are now thinking like an Earthling. Everybody here smiles. When was the last time you saw a smile on your controller droid?”

“So you won’t let me dream?”

“You do not have time to dream. We are being extracted in two hours, and if I don’t get this dispatch off, the mission will be scrubbed, and we’ll be trapped here for another hundred Earth years.”

“Would that be so bad? At least we would have our smiles.”

“And pizza. I almost forgot about the pizza.”

“Can we please stay? It’s only a hundred years.”

“I guess it wouldn’t hurt. Go ahead and finish your card. I’m going to color for a while.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue # 206 by Keith Channing

February 12, 2019February 11, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 63 Comments

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

The Photo

“I can’t understand frog. I said, ‘Hello little guy.’ Maybe you could sign or something.”

“For heaven’s sake. How about I use English?”

“Wow. You speak English?”

“No. The guy across the way is throwing his voice.”

“What guy?”

“Forget the guy. I was being facetious. I’m speaking English. What the heck is the matter with you?”

“You ask that? Here I am holding a frog in my hand who is speaking English.”

“Yeah so?”

“So? Don’t you think that is cause to be a little confused?”

“If I were human I suppose it would be a little unusual.”

“If you were human? What the heck are you.”

“What do I look like?”

“A frog.”

“Looks like a frog. Just might be a frog.”

“Are you from outer space.”

“Nope. From right here in Murphy’s swamp where you found me.”

“How did you learn to speak English?”

“How many times have you come to this swamp to read your poetry?”

“Yeah, hundreds.”

“It would take a fool not to be able to speak after listening to all those poems.”

“Which one did you like the best?”

“I think the question should be, ‘Which one was the least offensive.”‘

“That was cold.”

“You are right. I just can’t help myself.”

“Are you a poet?”

“No, but I do review poetry.”

“You do?”

“Yup. For the New York Times.”

“My gosh. What is your byline.”

“Phineus P Phrog.”

“You are Phineus P. Phrog? I can’t believe it. I worship your reviews. You’ve made the most famous poets with your elegant words.”

“My goodness, you make me blush which is not a good thing when the crane comes around.”

“Please tell me my poems are not that bad.”

“I have professional integrity to maintain. Between you and me I think I would find something else to do.”

“Don’t say that. I love to read and write poetry.”

“You don’t have to give up reading.”

“You are breaking my heart.”

“I have an idea.”

“What’s that?”

“I could make you my assistant.”

“Your assistant? That sounds wonderful. What would I have to do?”

“Well. there’s a matter of needing proofreading.”

“Yeah, I can do that.”

“The mail is horrendous. Maybe you could answer the mail.”

“Perfect.”

“Twitter?”

“All over it.”

“My Facebook page needs a redo.”

“Consider it done.”

“Deadlines?”

“I have a great organizational system.”

“My blog?”

“I’ll ghostwrite and post for you.”

“Flies.”

“Flies?”

“I eat a lot of flies.”

“You don’t catch your own?”

“No time.”

“Freeze-dried?”

“Last resort.”

“Deal.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “LY”

February 9, 2019February 8, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 59 Comments

Amazingly, it is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this weeks prompt is “ly.” Yup. You read it right, “ly.” Linda Hill says to use an adverb as a prompt. There are bonus points for beginning and ending the post with an adverb. You now understand why I began the post with “amazingly.” If you would like to join in on this crazy fun simply (see what I did there) visit Linda Hill’s blog and read how. Here is the link https://lindaghill.com/2019/02/08/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-feb-9-19/

“Happily I’m back.”

“Really? Where have you been?”

“He asks absent-mindedly.”

“Truly I don’t know where you’ve been.”

“I love how you effortlessly ignore what I say to you.”

“Okay, now I urgently need to hear it again.”

“Lean closer because I’m going to repeat myself quietly.”

“I’m hungrily waiting for your words.”

“I told you gracefully the first time I was going out shopping with the girls.”

“Ah, now I remember. You and your band savagely attacking the retail establishments. How did it go?”

“We effortlessly maxed out our cards and had lunch to boot.”

“You unabashedly confess to overspending?”