Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Guess.”

August 12, 2017August 11, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 31 Comments

SOCS

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. Today’s prompt is “Guess.” Linda Hill says we can use it any way we want. If you would like to participate, visit Linda’s blog and find out how. Here is the link https://lindaghill.com/2017/08/11/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-aug-1217/

“So if I had to guesstimate the amount we need—”

“Yeah, hold on a minute. What do you mean guesstimate?”

“You know. An estimate and a guess rolled into one.”

“So why not just say a guess?”

“Cause my number will be more accurate than a guess.”

“Well, then why don’t you call it an estimate?”

“Real simple. My number will be less accurate than an estimate.”.

“Now you have me confused.”

“Not hard I’m sure.”

“Very funny. So you are saying your guesstimate is somewhere between a guess and an estimate.”

“Yes. I think you have it.”

“And you count on these number to do your job.?”

“Sure do. At least I’m not coming up with a SWAG.”

“Okay, what’s a SWAG?”

“Scientific Wild Assed Guess.”

“And that’s good you aren’t coming up with a SWAG?”

“Oh yeah. A SWAG takes some input and when all is said and done it is still a guess. Too much work. A guesstimate gets you there with a lot less effort.”

“Here we are trying to figure out how much beer we need for the game. What do you do where you use guesstimates?”

“I work for NASA. In charge of fueling the rockets.”

“So sorry I asked.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #134 by Keith Channing

August 8, 2017August 7, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 38 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 keith@channing.info before 6 pm 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.

Kreative Kue #134

“I’m so glad we have this break. I have been working my fingers to the bone.”

“To the bone. Sounds pretty dramatic.”

“Well maybe I have overstated the situation, but I’m exhausted.”

“What have you been doing?”

“We have been trying to solve a problem with Quantum Physics.”

“What kind of problem?”

“It is pretty complicated.”

“Try me.”

“We need to put a forty ton spacecraft into orbit with only twenty ton of energy.”

“Ah. Sounds like a Theory of Relativity problem to me.”

“Solved with a Quantum equation, right?”

“I don’t know I would try E=MC squared.”

“Hmm. Let me put that into my calculator.”

“Okay, how’s it going?”

“A little slow.”

“You need me to explain the Theory of Relativity?”

“I understand the Theory of relativity. What I don’t get is how to clear this thing.”

“Give me that.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt ” High/Low”

August 5, 2017August 4, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 33 Comments

SOCS

“Low,” said the grand master. “It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday Time again.” This weeks prompt is High/Low. Linda Hill says we can use one or both and GET THIS, there is a bonus for starting and ending the post with one or both. (so now you know the reason for the wacky beginning. If you would like to join in go to Linda’s blog and find out how. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2017/08/04/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-aug-517/

“Hey there.”

“Hey there yourself. What you up to these days?”

“Well to tell you the truth I’ve been feeling a little low so I’ve been trying to get high.”

“Get high. That’s not so tough. What chew been trying?”

“Well, I went to a seminar on getting high on life.”

“Did it work.”

“Nope.”

“Why not?”

“Felt low about the cost. I went to an Eastern wise man to find the meaning of life.”

“Let me guess. He made you feel low.”

“No I was high for a while then had to leave the mountain for the low lands.”

“And you felt low?”

“No, not really. You see the lowlands aren’t so low. So I still felt high.”

“And when you left the lowlands you felt low?”

“No, I took an airplane which was high.”

“Okay, I give up. Why so low now?”

“You’ll laugh.”

“No, I promise.”

“My DVR quit, and I missed the first two episodes of Game of Thrones.”

“You have got to be kidding me?”

“What?”

“People are out there with severe problems and manage to get the most out of life every day, and you are low over a TV show?”

“Have you seen Game of Thrones.”

“No.”

“Then you have no idea about what constitutes feeling high or low.”

“I’ll tell you what.”

“What?”

“I may not have seen Game of Thrones, but I’ve heard enough to cart you off to the nut house on a high-low.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #133 by Keith Channing

August 1, 2017July 31, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 44 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 keith@channing.info before 6 pm 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.”

Here is the photo.

Kreative Kue #133

Business by John W. Howell © 2107

“Hello is this the repair office?”

“Yes, ma’am. You Fix-It at your service. What can we do for you?”

“I live above the Sears store, and someone was supposed to be over to fix a leak above my window.”

“Yes, ma’am. Could I have your name?”

“Oh, of course. It is Sharon Sears.”

“Thank you. I see your work order right in front of me. The man is supposed to be there now.”

“Oh, let me look outside.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I don’t see anyone out there. There is a ladder though.”

“Ah, that’s a good sign. Let me call our man and see where he is. May I put you on hold?

“Certainly.”

“Hey, Driskoll. Where you at?”

“I’m at the Sears store.”

“Okay, exactly where you at?”

“I’m on a tall ladder looking at the roof.”

“Okay hold on.”

“Ma’am?”

“Yes.”

“My man says he is on a tall ladder looking at the roof.”

“There is no one on a ladder. The one here is short. Ladder that is.”

“Hold on ma’am.”

“Driskoll?”

“Yes, sir.”

“What’s the address of the store?”

“Not sure. It’s the one at the Parkland Mall.”

“Okay, hold on.”

“Ma’am is your store at the Parkland Mall?”

“Oh no. It’s the one downtown. We have leather crafts and gifts. The other is a hardware and clothing store.”

“Yeah, I’m familiar with Sears. Please hold on.”

“Driskoll, you are at the wrong Sears store. Get off that roof and go to 121 Bakewell Street.”

“But boss.”

“But boss what?”

“The manager paid me in advance to fix the roof.”

“How much?”

“Two thousand.”

“Yikes. Hold on.”

“Ma’am?”

“Yes?”

“My man can’t get there today. How about tomorrow?”

“What is the forecast?”

“Slight chance of rain.”

“Okay then, tomorrow. Thank you.”

“Goodbye, ma’am.”

“Driskoll. I got the other job scheduled for tomorrow.”

“How’d you do that?”

“Told the lady there was only a slight chance for rain.”

“You know that’s a lie. There’s a typhoon forecasted for tomorrow.”

“Sometimes I hate myself, but business is business.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Limb”

July 29, 2017July 28, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 22 Comments

SOCS

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This weeks prompt is Limb. Linda Hill says we can use the word any way we want. If you would like to participate, visit Linda’s blog for some helpful instructions and great posts on the prompt. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2017/07/28/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-2917/

“So, what did you say was the prompt this week?”

“Limb.”

“Limp? What the hell kind of prompt is that?”

“Not limp you dolt. Limb.”

“Lamb? Okay, that is a little better. I could do a little, “Mary had a little lamb.”‘

“Not lamb. What’s the matter with your hearing anyway? It’s limb.”

“Ah, I got it now. Okay, how about a recipe for gin and tonic. We can use lime as a garnish.”

“I may have to call a doctor after I slap you. Not lime. It’s Limb.”

“I know a guy named Lim. He was in my math class.”

“Let me give you a hint. I will tear you limb from limb if you don’t stop.”

“Is that from Shakespeare?”

“No, it is from my mouth.”

“So the prompt is limb like a branch of a tree?”

“By Jove, I think he’s got it. Yes, limb like on a tree.”

“Well, that shouldn’t be too hard then.”

“After we finally get to it, no.”

“I have the greatest knock, knock joke. It even has a limb in it.”

“Sounds fun.”

“You start it.”

“Okay knock, knock.”

“Who’s there?”

“You idiot. just start running.”

Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #132 by Keith Channing

July 25, 2017July 17, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 46 Comments

Kith explains “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 keith@channing.info before 6 pm 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.

Kreative Kue #132

“Be quiet someone is in there.”

“Who is it?”

“I have no idea. It is somebody who’s working.”

“How do you know she’s working?”

“Light over the computer. Back to the windows. Certainly not someone having a holiday.”

“What do we do now?”

“I’m not sure. We can’t bust in there now.”

“What about all that loot that was rumored to be in there.”

“I guess we will have to hit another place.”

“Aw come on. One look at us and she’ll faint.”

“We can’t take that chance. What if she screams and some guy comes out with a gun.”

“What’s the chance he’ll be able to hit us both?”

“So you are volunteering to be shot.”

“Well, no. I see what you mean.”

“I think we are going to have to settle for some other place.”

“You told me you saw the loot.”

“Yes, I did.”

“Tell me.”

“It will just torture you.”

“Yeah, but better to dream than not.”

“Okay. There was cheese, peanut butter, and walnuts.”

“Go on. You don’t mean it?”

“That’s what I saw.”

“You know the last time I had cheese I had to slide it out of that stupid four way snap trap.”

“When’s the last time you had walnuts?”

“I can’t even remember, but I had to drop one once when the cat showed up.”

“Me I never eat peanut butter. They always use peanut butter on those snap traps.”

“Man I’m starving.”

“Let’s go to the barn and get some grain.”

“I guess that will have to do. Be careful that damn owl has been around lately.”

“If I didn’t know better, I would think people don’t like mice very much.”

“Don’t say that. I have some pretty tender feelings.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Book Title

July 15, 2017July 14, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 39 Comments

SOCS

It is Stream of Consciousness time again. This week is a doozy. Here is Linda’s instruction. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “book title.” Take the title of the book you’re currently reading or the one sitting closest to you when you’re ready to write your SoCS post and base your post on the title only. I’m not asking for a book review or a synopsis, just whatever the title itself brings to mind. For example, Gone Girl makes me remember the first time I left home to live by myself. Or Lord of the Rings makes me think of all the rings I’ve owned in my life. Enjoy!” If you want to join this happy band, go to Linda Hill’s post and read how. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2017/07/14/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-1517/

I am currently reading Fantasy Patch Steven Geez

“So, where are we?”

“What do I look like? I know nothing about navigation. I have no idea.”

“I must have blacked out when we went through that force field.”

“That makes two of us.”

“I remember being one light wave from touch down at the last check.”

“Yeah well, I think we missed the landing site.”

“Hows the ship?”

“Looks like all is normal. We are listing twenty degrees though.”

“I think we hit something soft.”

“Why do you say that?”

“The landing sequence failed, and we should have been pulverized at the decent speed.”

“Yet we are still here.”

“That’s why I’m saying something soft.”

“What is the surface of Planet X73 composition?”

“Let me see. According to the records, it is supposed to be granite like strata.

“Well if that were the case we would be goners for sure. Does the environment scan work?”

“Yup. Let me run it. Hold on I’m getting the readings and interpretation.”

“What is it?”

“This is impossible. it says gauze and cotton.”

“Gauze and cotton. Those are compositions found on Earth. Not five light years from there.”

“All the same.That’s what it says.”

“Get a visual and shoot it to my communicator.”

“You have it.”

“You won’t believe this.”

“What?”

“We are sitting on a patch on the arm of a giant.”
“Get out.”

“Seriously. He looks asleep. When he gets up we are in for a fall I’ll tell you.”

“What kind of patch?”

“Let me blow the image up a bit. It has a name. F-A-N-T-A-S-Y. fantasy. A fantasy patch?”

“You thinking the same thing as I am.”

“That this giant is in some kind dream state. Yes.”

“Can we fire up again.”

“I think we better. As I say when he wakes up and stands up I don’t think we will survive the fall.”

“Here goes. The launch sequence has begun. We have ignition.”

SLAP!!!

“Mom there’s still more mosquitos in my room.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #131 by Keith Channing

July 11, 2017July 10, 2017 ~ 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 keithkreates@channing.ino before 6 pm 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.

Here is the photo.

“So what are we supposed to be looking for anyway?”

“The dispatcher said to keep an eye out for anything unusual.”

“Look at those yellow awnings. They are unusual.”

“Yes, they are. Not that kind of unusual.”

“So what kind?”

“How long you been on the force?”

“Ten years why?”

“You should know what kind of unusual. Robbers, killers, rapists and anything else that looks illegal.”

“Man I haven’t seen any of those for a while.”

“You know what I mean.”

“What do those kinds of people look like anyway?”

“You are getting on my last nerve. Quit being so literal. Just look for anything suspicious.”

“That for sale sign looks suspicious.”

“I give up. Sit there and be quiet.”

“What if I see something?”

“Ask for permission to speak.”

“Got it.”

“The silence is a nice change.”

“Permission to speak.”

“Go ahead.”

“Whats that guy with the gun doing?”

“What guy? What gun?”

“Permission to speak.”

“Yeah do it.”

“That was just a test.”

“Okay one more and I’m reporting you to the captain.”

“Permission to speak.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Coffee.”

“Coffee what?”

“Permission to speak.”

“Damnit go ahead.”

“The guy with coffee has a gun.”

“Yeah right. Yikes. What was that?”

“Permission to speak.”

“Go ahead darn you.”

“The guy with coffee is shooting at us.”

“Shoot back.”

“Permission to speak.”

“For heaven’s sake get down. Speak.”

“My gun’s not loaded.”

“Okay, we are getting out of here. My report will end your career.”

“Permission to speak.”

“I give up. Go ahead.”

“The guy with the coffee gives me an idea.”

“What is it?”

“Permission to speak.”

“Ugh. Please.”

“Let’s get some coffee.”

Stream of Consciousness – Prompt “ick”

July 8, 2017July 7, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 40 Comments

SOCS

It is Stream of Consciousness time again. This week’s prompt is “ick.” Linda Hill says we can use it as part of another word or by itself. If you want to join the fun here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2017/07/07/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-817/

“Ick.”

“What is ick?”

“I just stepped on a cricket.”

“That’s no small trick.”

“Well, not to nitpick but he could have avoided it.”

“Now you’re making me snicker. How’s it his fault?”

“He’s quicker than me and should have gotten out of the way.”

“Maybe there was other traffic.”

“You on his side or just being tricky?”

“No gimmick. I just am presenting another side.”

“We can avoid any bickering if you just admit it was his fault.”

“We can argue if you wish. I’m not chicken.”

“I don’t want to argue. I just hate like the dickens to be wrong.”

“I know that. Trust me this situation can quickly get boring.”

“You calling me boring? I’m thunderstruck.”

“Oh my goodness. You sound like a slapstick comedy.”

“You sound like someone about to be dropkicked.”

“Arguing is not my bailiwick.”

“Then admit the dipstick of a cricket is at fault.”

“Okay fickle one. I admit it but only because I don’t want to sleep outside.”

“Good job. By the way you just reminded me, that doohickey needs repair.”

“Doohickey? You mean that finnicky tent?”

“Yup. The way you roll you never know when you will need it, Micky.

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #130 by Keith Channing

July 4, 2017July 3, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 24 Comments

Keith explains in his own 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 keithkreates@channing.ino before 6 pm 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.

Here is the photo.

Kreative Kue