Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Mean(s)

November 10, 2018November 9, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 49 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this weeks prompt is “mean (s). Linda Hill says we can use the prompt with or without the (s). Maybe I’ll use them both. If you would like to participate in this fun go to Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Nov. 10/18

“What does that mean?”

“I think it is pretty clear.”

“If it were clear I wouldn’t ask.”

“You ask a lot of questions so how am I supposed to know if something is clear to you or not?”

“It’s not clear to me.”

“Okay. The sign means to keep off the grass.”

“Why does it say, ‘Touch Not?'”

“I figure that would cover everything. Feet, hands, body. You name it, ‘Touch Not’ means no part of anyone should be on my grass.”

“You are a mean mother. You know that?

“Why would you say I’m mean?”

“Who cares if someone steps on your precious grass. It is meant to be walked on.”

“Oh no, it is not meant to be walked on. Grass means green visual. Nothing else.”

“Green visual. Did you just make that up?”

“Maybe. I think that is what grass means to me.”

“What about picnics, flying kites, lawn bowling, and crochet?”

“On someone else’s grass.”

“I can tell you this attitude means a potential for a lonely old age.”

“If those who want to visit me mean to walk on my grass, I would be happy being lonely.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“I do mean that. My ‘Touch Not’ sign goes up tomorrow.”

“Why not today?”

“It would mean postponing my lawn party.”

“You are a disturbed person. You know that right?

“Talk about mean?”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Bone”

October 27, 2018October 26, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 34 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday again and this weeks prompt is “bone.” Linda Hill says we can use it any way we want. I just love the smell of freedom in the morning. If you would like to participate and lose yourself forever just visit Linda’s blog and she has the easy info on how there. Here is the link https://lindaghill.com/2018/10/26/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-27-18/

“What is that thing?”

“I found it in the park.”

“Well, I’m glad you didn’t find it in the backyard. What is it?”

“I think it is an animal bone.”

“It’s the size of a baseball bat. What kind of animal would have a bone that big?”

“If I were to hazard a guess I would say a tridactyl.”

“You mean like T-Rex.”

“Exactly.”

“Oh man. Don’t be telling me we have a T-Rex in the neighborhood.”

“You know they are extinct, right?”

“So they say, but I wouldn’t take any chances.”

“Oh come on. How silly can you be? Extinct means no longer on the planet.”

“I hear you. It’s just that I have been hearing some strange noises when I’ve been out at night.”

“What kind of noises?”

“Heavy footsteps in the grass.”

“Well, maybe it is some other kind of animal or your imagination.”

“I’m telling you these were big heavy footsteps.”

“You want to go out and take a look to see if there are any tracks?”

“Its dark now.”

“We have fire remember. We can make a torch.”

“I keep forgetting the fire thingy. How did you do that?”

“Rubbed a couple of sticks together. Come on. Let’s make a torch, and I’ll show you that it could not be a T-Rex out there.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #197 by Keith Channing

October 23, 2018October 22, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 42 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, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.”

The photo.

“What’s that old saying?”

“Okay, you got me. What old saying?”

“Something about the red sky.”

“Oh, that one. Red sky at night sailor’s delight. Red sky in the morning sailor take warning.”

“Yeah, that’s it. Have you seen the sky tonight?”

“No, I haven’t been out of this radio shack for five hours.”

“You gotta go out and take a look. I’ll watch the radio for you.”

“What am I going to see?”

“You will not believe the sunset. It is almost like the sun is going to drop into the ocean.”

“I would love to see that. All you have to do is put on these earphones and listen for our call sign which is ‘Fairwind.”‘

“What happens if I hear it.”

“Just record the message in this log and answer them. Start your answer with ‘Fairwind.”‘

“Sounds easy enough. After all, you won’t be gone but a few minutes.”

“That is true.”

“Okay, I got this. You go look.”

“Thanks. Be right back.”

“Boy, that was quick. You back already?”

“Are you kidding me? It must be a hundred degrees out there. That sun is coming very close. I couldn’t stay long.”

“Well, there was one message.”

“You have got to be kidding me. I was only gone a couple of minutes. What was the message?”

“Here it is. It is from the atmospheric agency. It is pretty short.”

“Read it to me.”

“Fairwind. Farewell.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Can”

October 20, 2018October 19, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 43 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is “can.” Linda Hill says we can use it any way we want. If you would like to join this happy band of psychotics visit Linda’s blog and see how easy it is to do. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/10/19/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-20-18/

“I know I can.”

“Can what.”

“Can do anything I put my mind on.”

“You can?”

“I can.”

“Show me you can.”

“Think of a word any word, and I can tell you what it is.”

“You can do that? How is it possible.”

“I can conger up spirits from the other side.”

“Who can do what?’

“They can read your mind.”

“I can just imagine what they are going to find when they do that.”

“So can you think of a word?”

“Yes, I can. I have it.”

“I can almost see it.”

“You can do better than that I hope.”

“I can see the word starts with ‘c.”‘

“Wow, you can see that? You are right.”

“I can also see that the second letter is an ‘a.”‘

“Perfect. I believe you can see the word.”

“The third letter is an ‘n.’ The word is can.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. But ‘can’ is not the word.”

“Wait a minute. You said the first three letters were ‘c-a-n.’ That spells can.”

“It does spell ‘can,’ but my word was ‘cantaloupe.’

“Well, maybe I only got part of the message. I can try again. ”

“Now you are being a pain in the can.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #196 by Keith Channing

October 16, 2018October 15, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 58 Comments

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.

“So tell me. Is it going to be okay?”

“How long has this been going on?”

“No more than a couple of hours.”

“Well, that is a blessing. I’m glad you called me right away.”

“We didn’t know what else to do.”

“I think you did the right thing. Most people wait too long and then it is too late.”

“It’s not too late I hope?”

“Just a few more moments and I can give you a better idea of what we are facing.”

“I’m sorry for being so anxious, but we wouldn’t know what we’d do if we didn’t have Betsey.”

“Betsey that’s what you named it?”

“Her.”

“Excuse me?”

“Betsey is a girl.”

“Oh my gosh. I never would have guessed that the way it looks.”

“Her.”

“Yeah, I get it. Her. Hold on. I think I have found the problem.”

“Thank heavens. Can you solve it?”

“Yes, I think so. I have the instrument in my bag. Humm. Let me see. Oh, yes, here it is.”

“What do you have to do?”

“I’ll need you to help.”

“Anything. Just tell me what to do.”

“I’m going to make a slight cut here. After that, I need to use this to go in and remove the blockage. I want you to hold this instrument and when I tell you, place it in my hand. Can you do that?”

“Yes. I’m good.”

“Okay, so here we go. First the cut. Yes, that looks good. Hand me the instrument.”

“Here you go.”

“Ah. I’ve got the blockage. Hand me that cloth.”

“What is that thing?”

“Looks like a chunk of charred wood.”

“Charred wood? How is that possible?”

“You’re right. It’s a petrified piece of brisket. How often do you clean this thing?”

“Every time I use her.”

“Well, you better be more careful. You almost lost it.”

“Her.”

“Whatever. If you want to keep it in top condition, you better do a better job of cleaning. You’ll save my fee too.”

“We have a lot of hamburgers to grill. Is she up to it?”

“Yes. I sealed the cut. She is good to go.”

“You know they don’t make grills like this anymore.”

“Yeah, I know. Here’s my bill.”

“This bill is more than my doctor charges.”

“I know. I used to be a doctor.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Precious.”

October 13, 2018October 12, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 41 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday again and this weeks prompt is “precious.” Linda Hill has advised that we can use it anyway want and has issued an order to” have fun.” In that vein, if you would like to join the fun visit Linda’s blog and read the easy instructions. Here is Linda’s link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/10/12/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-13-18/

“This lady at the supermarket called me ‘precious.”‘

“What did you do?”

“What do you mean?”

“Around here if someone calls a person your age ‘precious’ it is not necessarily a compliment.”

“Oh really. I offered to help her with her bags is all.”

“Was she in a wheelchair?”

“No.”

“A walker?”

“How old was this lady?”

“I don’t know. About my age I guess.”

“Tell me what you said and what she said?”

“I said my those bags look heavy. Can I help you out with them?”

“A lady your age.”

“Yup.”

“What was her response.”

“Thank you no, I can manage.”

“So where does ‘precious’ come in?”

“I said, “But you look too delicate to handle such a load.”

“Oh my goodness. Now the ‘precious.”‘

“Yeah.”

“Okay give it to me.”

“Well, aren’t you precious.”

“That’s all?”

“A little more.”

“Go ahead.”

“She said, ‘I’m sure there is a little ole wife at home who needs your help. Why don’t you run along and give the little woman a hand?’ or something like that?”

“She call the manager?”

“No.”

“Well, that’s a break.”

“She showed me her gun.”

“What?”

“Yup. Seems she’s a police officer.”

“What did you do?”

“Put her bag back on the counter.”

“Anyone see all this?”

“Just Mrs. Murphy.”

“Radio Free Europe Murphy? The biggest gossip in town.”

“I guess.”

“We have no choice but to move.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #195

October 9, 2018October 8, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 58 Comments

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.

“Let me buy you a drink, my man.”

“That is very nice of you given the circumstances.”

“Ah what the heck. Life is too short.”

“But it seems like one would feel a little remorse.”

“Remorse? For what?”

“Well, it seems like a pretty goodly amount of money.”

“Yeah, but you know what they say, ‘easy come, easy go.”’

“I know if it were me, I don’t think I would take it so well.”

“You have to remember who suggested the wager.”

“That’s true. I guess if you hadn’t prepared yourself to lose you never would have suggested going title to title on a boat race.”

“That part is true. You see I really had not too much to lose.”

“What are you talking about? That is a gorgeous five-masted schooner.”

“You know the old saying, ‘one mans trash, another man’s treasure.”‘

“Yeah, I’ve heard that.”

“See, I have been trying to sell that tub for over two years with no takers.”

“That is surprising. It is a classic.”

“Yes, it is. Loaded with barnacles and filled with woodworms.”

“So you are saying you are glad to get rid of it.”

“You tell me. The last salvage estimate I got was over a million.”

“Someone would pay you a million?”

“No, I would have to pay a million to get rid of it. Now, how about that drink?”

“Now it is my problem.”

“Yup and at a leakage rate of one hundred gallons an hour, I think you better figure out what to do with it. Those pumps are pretty old. Maybe tow it beyond the shelf and scuttle it.”

“Gin on the rocks.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Card”

October 6, 2018October 5, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 38 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This weeks prompt is “card.” Linda Hill says we can use it any way we want. If you want to join in the madness go to Linda’s blog and read about how easy it is to participate. Here is the link to her post. https://lindaghill.com/2018/10/05/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-6-18/

“What are you doing?”

“Playing a card game. What does it look like?”

“But you keep going through that deck over and over. What game is that?”

“solitaire.”

“solitaire? I’ve never seen solitaire played that way.”

“Well, I admit it is a little unusual.”

“Have you won a game yet?”

“No.”

“How long have you been playing?”

“Today or lifetime?”

“Okay, both.”

“Today, three hours. Lifetime, twelve years.”

“You’ve used the same deck of cards all this time.”

“Yes, I have.”

“And never won?”

“Nope.”

“Any idea why not?”

“It could be because I’m playing with a deck of fifty-one.”

“Could be? Are you nuts? You can’t win with a missing card.”

“It really doesn’t matter.”

“It doesn’t?”

‘Haven’t you heard the expression, ‘It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.”‘

“Yeah, but this is crazy. Where did you get this idea?”

“That song.”

‘What song?”

“Flowers on the Wall by the Statler Brothers.”

“Another earworm for sure.”

“Here take a listen.”

“Rather not.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #194 by Keith Channing

October 2, 2018October 1, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 64 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, with links to your own blog or website, next Monday.”

The photo.

“So you got me up at the crack of dawn to come with you while you fish.”

“Trust me. You are absolutely going to love it.”

“No coffee even.”

“I brought a thermos. When we get settled, we’ll have some coffee.”

“It is so chilly out here.”

“I brought a blanket. We’ll be nice and comfy.”

“What is the first thing we need to do?”

“I’ll need to show you how to bait a hook.”

“Bait?”

“Yes. Here see this worm?”

“Ew, get that squirmy thing away from me.”

“Alright, I’ll bait the hook for you. You can watch.”

“What are you doing?”

“I’m putting this worm on the hook.”

“But you are hurting it.”

“Well, it is only a worm. Fish like them.”

“Do you have to stab it like that? I think I’m going to get sick.”

“It is all over. All you have to do is sit down. I’ll cast your line out to the deep.”

“What happens if I catch a fish?”

“You turn this crank and bring it in.”

“When’s coffee?”

“I’ll get it as soon as my line is in.”

“Oh wait. Something tugged on my line.”

“Quick turn the crank. That’s it, nice and steady.”

“What is that thing?”

“Looks like a nice bass. Here let me put a net under it.”

“What do I do now?”

“Take the fish off the hook.”

“Oh lord no. I can’t do that. You do it.”

“For heaven’s sake, George you have to get a grip. It is not that big a deal.”

“This thing is so slimy. I don’t want to touch it.”

“Fine. There it is off.”

“Throw it back.”

“What?”

“The poor thing. I don’t want it to suffer.”

“Of all the he-men in the world, I had to hook up with a marshmallow.”

“Oh smores. I could go for a smore right now. Where’s the coffee?”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Dom”

September 29, 2018September 28, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 67 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is “dom.” Yup that’s it, dom. Linda Hill says we can use it alone or as part of another word. If you would like to join this mayhem, visit Linda’s blog and find out how easy it is to get hooked. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/09/28/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-sept-29-18/

“Look at this travel guide.”

“Which travel guide.”

“The one I got for our trip to Germany.”

“Humm. Did I miss something? What trip to Germany?”

“Remember we talked about taking a trip?”

“I do remember. I thought we decided on Kansas City.”

“Maybe you decided on Kansas City, but I think we ought to see a little more of the world. We have done enough of domestic travel. I want to go overseas.”

“Okay. What is special about Germany?”

“For one thing the city of Cologne has the Dom Cathedral. ”

“And what is so special?”

“It was built over 500 years and completed in 1880 and is massive. It is one of the largest churches in the world.”

“Looking at this brochure, it says, Kölner Dom.”

“Yes, the city we call Cologne is Köln in German. Kölner Dom means Cologne Cathedral.”

“Sure looks beautiful.”

“Doesn’t it?”

“Whats this Kölsch?”

“Amazing that you would spot that. It is a beer that is made locally in Köln or no more than 30 miles from the city. They say it can’t be transported too far and must be drunk on the premise. There are a number of places that have Kölsch in the city. You can’t get it anywhere else.”

“When do we leave?”

“Do you want to hear of other things to see?”

“Nope, I’m good.”

“How about other cities?”

“I think we won’t have much time after we visit all the Kölsch breweries.”

“Why don’t you let me do the predominant itinerary and then we can see how many we can visit.”

“Okay but leave enough time for a bunch.”

“I love your indomitable, and I might add random spirit.”