Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #74 by Keith Channing

April 26, 2016April 25, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 25 Comments

I have been participating in Keith Channing’s Kreative Kue prompts. In his words, “Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr 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 – for reasons I have yet to fathom, pingbacks don’t seem to be working.

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.”

This week’s photo.

Kreative Kue #74

“Do you see ’em?”

“No, you twit. Put that camera down and get over here.”

“I just can’t help recording this moment.”

“Moment? Which one? Our last you mean?”

“Oh, please. Those guys were just fooling around.”

“Fooling around? Did you see that dust and brush kicked up when they passed overhead?”

“What are you saying?”

“Those were fifty caliber machine gun bullets tearing up the ground that’s what I’m saying.”

“You’re kidding right?”

“I wish I were. I think they are trying to kill us for some reason.”

“Who are they?”

“Might be rebels I don’t know. I do know that they will probably come back.”

“Do you think they know they missed us?”

“I’m sure of it.”

“Shouldn’t we get off the road?”

“I think that will be a good idea. I need you to come back and get this car going.”

“I think you are right. Do you have the keys?”

“I thought you had them.”

“Maybe I left them in the ignition.”

“Come look.”

“Shouldn’t we try to find them before they see us again?”

“Well, yeah stupid. I’m looking.”

“Might be easier to see them if you removed those lens covers.”

“Just find the keys okay.”

“Okay.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “No”

April 16, 2016April 16, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 24 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday once more. This week’s prompt is “No.” Linda Hill says we can use it as an abbreviation of the word number or just as it is. If you would like to see what all this is about, go to Linda’s blog and check it out. https://lindaghill.com/2016/04/15/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-april-1616/

No By John W. Howell © 2106

“What number do you have three?”

“No.Seventy two.”

“No kidding. What number are they serving?”

“They have been stuck on two for the last hour. No movement.”

“Aw man. Don’t they know we need to go fishing today or no dinner?”

“Gee you think? No, they don’t know.”

“Why on earth did you decide to get your license renewed on a Saturday? This is no day for a DMV trip.”

“Hey, I work all week. No other time but Saturday.”

“I guess you’re right. I meant no offense.”

“None taken. Sit down and relax. No need to get riled up. It shouldn’t take too long.”

“No? It looks like it may take several days. If they have done two in an hour, it will take thirty-six hours to get to you.”

“No, you’re right.This isn’t logical. I’ll go see. Hold on.”

“I’m back. Well, they have had some kind of computer glitch. It’s fixed now. She told me no worries we will be out in forty-five minutes.”

“Joy. Then it is an hour and a half to the lake.No way to make it before noon.”

“What do you care? What else do you have to do today? No other job but catching fish.”

“Okay, I have no other engagements. I’m just going to sit here with my mouth shut and enjoy the quiet.”

“No kidding. You can relax knowing we have to sit here another forty-five minutes?”

“Wait a minute. You had me all calmed down. Now for no reason you have me fired up again.”

“There is no way you can make it on your own. You know that right?”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #72

April 12, 2016April 11, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 28 Comments

Another Tuesday and time for Kreative Kue by Keith Channing. If you wonder what’s going on here, let me have Keith explain. Just so you know I’m making his mouth move. “Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr 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 – for reasons I have yet to fathom, pingbacks don’t seem to be working.

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 #72

“Let me step back a bit and take a look.”

“Okay, but hurry up. This concrete is cold.”

“Ah, I see a problem.”

“What problem?”

“The outline has a protrusion to the right. You need to bring your leg up more.”

“Leg? Which leg?”

“Well, your right one of course. I would hurry I think the police will be back very shortly.”

“This was all your idea. Let’s lie down on the body outline you said. It will knock the fraternity brothers off their feet you said. Now you are being picky about a leg?”

“Okay, I’ll take the photo. By the way that ceremonial sword you are holding looks fake.”

“It’s supposed to look fake. It’s a joke for heaven’s sake. Who would be lying in the road with the Mystical Knights of the Sea sword sticking out of them anyway?”

“Yeah, but a little blood wouldn’t hurt and can’t you put that sword in such a way, so it doesn’t look like you are holding it?”

“No short of really sticking it in me I can’t.”

“Also, you left your keys on the mat there. That looks stupid.”

“Alright, I guess this was not such a good idea after all. Let’s go. I’m going to get up.”

“No don’t move I’ll take the shot.”

“Whoops. I slipped.”

“Hold still.”

“Do we have any more whiskey?”

“I don’t think so why?”

“I could use a drink of something.”

“What’s the problem?”

“I stuck myself with the sword.”

“OMG. Let me get a shot of that. Now that looks real.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Ha”

April 9, 2016April 8, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 28 Comments

It is Saturday and time for some more Stream of Consciousness. Linda Hill has picked the prompt “ha.” In her benevolence, she is allowing the use of ‘ha” straight up or as the starting part of a word or words. If you would like to participate in the fun, go to Linda’s blog and see how. Don’t be afraid it only hurts for a little while.https://lindaghill.com/2016/04/08/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-april-916/

“Harold come here.”

“Okay, Hap. What do you want?”

“Did you read the latest hair-raising story ion the internet?”

No. I have better things to do with my time than hang onto a computer all day.”

“Happens there have been aliens spotted in Washington.”

“Well, that’s happy news. Maybe some will take over Congress.”

“I’m serious. I haven’t left this screen all day. It is horrifying.”

“Hand me the laptop. What are you talking about?”

“Look at the beings on the mall. They look like they are getting ready to fight. Look at that hag with the pitchfork.”

“I see them Hap. It looks like one of those zombie movies. Look at the guy with the hat.”

“You think it’s a movie? I have to admit I have a computer habit. Could I have been sucked in?”

“I hate to tell you, but yes. You’ve been sucked in. This film is a B-movie made in the sixty’s.”

“No wonder I didn’t know it. It was made before I was hatched.” (allowance for no fixing mistakes)

“I also think you were pretty hasty in your conclusion.”

“Don’t be a Harpy. I get it.”

“Okay, no harm done.”

“I hated the sixty’s.”

“Time to halt this conversation.”

“Harsh.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Egg”

March 19, 2016September 15, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 49 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday again. The prompt for this week is egg. Linda Hill advises that we can use the word as a noun, verb, or adjective. (I’ll bet you are wondering how the word egg can be used as a verb aren’t you?) If you would like to join the rest of we loonies, please go to Linda’s site and you’ll get all the information you need. http://lindaghill.com/2016/03/18/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-march-1916/ Here is my interpretation.

“Tell me again. How do you use the word egg as a verb.”

“Very carefully.”

“Funny. Now come on tell me.”

“Well, the word egg is an interesting one.”

“Oh, here comes a lecture I can tell.”

“No there will not be a lecture. I just think for three letters the word egg is pretty powerful.”

“Please spare me and those reading the analysis. No one wants some obscure facts about the word. All we want to know is how egg can be a verb?”

“First, think of egg as a noun.”

“You’re ignoring what I say right?”

“An example. This Easter egg is blue.”

“Yes, you’re ignoring me.”

“How about as an adjective. The egg dish.”

“Please stop. I think I’m the only one here now. Before I leave, tell me how egg becomes a verb.”

“Well, if you insist. Think of a couple of kids planning some mischief. One says to the other, ‘Let’s egg Mr. Thompsons house.”‘

“That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

“Why do I end up being the straight person for your lame stand-up routines.?”

“Just a good egg I’d say. Oh, that’s a noun.”

“What would you call a goose egg?”

“Still a noun.”

“How about on your head?”

“Painful.”

“Right.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #68

March 15, 2016September 15, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 43 Comments

As most of you know, I enjoy prompts from Keith Channing. Here is what he says, “Using this photo as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr before 6pm on 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 seem to be working, and I haven’t yet figured out why.

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.

“Oh, my gosh Helen.”

“What Seal?”

“did you see those things that those performers threw up in the air?”

“No what are they?”

“I’m not sure, but one is crawling around in my hair.”

“EW. Get it out.”

“I can’t. The bugger runs to the other side of my head.”

“Hey you performers.”

“Yes, Ma’am. What is it?”

“What did you just throw into the air?”

“You mean the confetti?”

“No not confetti. There are some things moving in my girlfriend’s hair.’

“Let me see. Oh, those. Don’t worry. Besides, we didn’t throw them.”

“What do you mean ‘don’t worry?’ They are moving for heaven’s sake. What are they?”

“We call them Nee Nahs.”

“Nee Nahs? Do they have another name.”

“Hmm. Let me see. I think they are called crab lice in your country.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Ball”

March 12, 2016March 11, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 34 Comments

Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This week’s prompt is “Ball.” Linda Hills says “go have fun with it.” If you would like to join in the fun, go to Linda’s site and get briefed on how to do it. http://lindaghill.com/2016/03/11/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-march-1216/

Here is my interpretation.

“Have a ball. That’s what she said?”

“Well, not exactly. She said Have fun.”

“So we should have fun but keep it under control?”

“I don’t know how you got there. Have a ball. Have fun. It’s all the same to me.”

“That is because you are pretty sloppy with your word use.”

“Sloppy? How do you figure.”

“Just take the last example. You use fun and ball as if they represent the same level of enjoyment.”

“Yeah so?”

“So? When I say ‘have a ball’ the word ball congers up music, dancing outrageous behavior.

“Maybe to you. I’ve never been to a ball, so I don’t know what goes on there. Is it fun?”

“Sure it’s fun, but that is only half of it.”

“What half?”

“A small subset of the entire experience.”

“So when I say ‘have fun’ it is only half of when I say ‘have a ball.’

“Now you’ve got it.”

“Okay tell me. After the fun part, what goes on.”

“I don’t mean to say there is a part. ‘Fun’ just doesn’t cover everything.’

“Like what?”

“Dancing close to a beautiful woman.”

“I’ve done that, and I call it fun.”

“Just fun?”

Hmmm, I think I’m getting what you are saying.”

“Good man. Then there is the music, and everyone all dressed up.”

“Okay, okay. I get it. Never been but I’ve seen movies. So Linda made up the prompt ‘ball’ but only wanted us to have fun and not a ball.”

“Looks that way.”

“I need to talk to her.”

“You go boy.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #67 by Keith Channing

March 8, 2016March 7, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 39 Comments

Using this photo as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr before 6pm on 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 seem to be working, and I haven’t yet figured out why.

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.

Here is the photo.

Kreative Kue #67

“So tell me again what the mechanic said.”

“Why? I’ve told you ten times.”

“I just can’t believe he would give you that advice.”

“Why not. He’s the mechanic.”

“I know but it seems a little dumb to me is all.’

“Dumb? What do you mean dumb?”

“I have never heard of such a thing is all I’M saying.”

“Well, maybe there are new procedures for roadside repairs.”

“I can’t believe roadside repairs have changed over the years. You come out, try to fix the problem and then if you can’t you tow the vehicle into the shop.”

“Yeah so don’t forget we are in a strange part of the country. These people probably have their ways of doing things.”

“Tell me again what the mechanic said to you. mary and I were over at the field looking at the beautiful flowers and didn’t hear anything.”

“Fine. This is the last time, though.”

“Okay, just tell me.”

“The mechanic came out here. He looked at the motor.”

“Yes?”

“He said we needed a repair that could only be done at the shop.”

“So far sounds normal.”

“He then backed his wrecker up to the car.”

“Yeah we saw that.”

“He then pulled out the motor and said he would be back shortly.”

“And you let him do this?”

“I had no choice the motor was out and hanging from his wrecker.”

“When did he say he would be back?”

“Shortly.”

“It’s been four hours.”

“Well maybe shortly means something else here.”

“Call him.”

“I can’t.”

“You can’t? Why not?”

“My phone is in the wrecker.”

“Damnation.”

“Yup.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday _ Prompt “This and That.”

March 5, 2016March 5, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 33 Comments

This is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This week’s prompt is “This and That.” I have no idea what I’m going to do with these two things. Of course, there is a catch. We have to start our post with this or that and get bonus points (redeemable for Starbucks Coffee) by ending the post with one of these two words. If you would like to join in on the ~~confusion~~ fun, visit Linda Hill’s site at http://lindaghill.com/2016/03/04/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-march-516/ Tell her John sent ya.

“This is the tool you need.”

“That thing is the right tool?”

“This is the right tool.”

“That looks like a corkscrew.”

“This is like a corkscrew.”

“That looks good for opening wine bottles.”

“This can do a lot more believe me.”

“That thing can do what?”

“This can get that key out of your lock.”

“That can?”

“This can. Look all you do is put it in the place where you twisted the key off and turn it in.”

“That will twist the key out of the lock?”

“This will.”

“That will also open wine right?”

“This will do that as well.”

“That and remove keys.”

“This is a miracle tool.”

“That costs how much?”

“This is only fifty bucks.”

“That is fifty bucks?”

“This is what I said right?”

“That is crazy.”

“This is also true.”

“That is one tool you can keep.”

“This tool is your answer. What are you going to do without it?”

“This and that is what I will do. More this than that.” (Whew I did it.)

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #66 by Keith Krates

March 1, 2016February 29, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 25 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 website, next Monday. Here is the photo

Kreative Kue #66