Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Food”

 

Saturday Stream of Consciousness time again. This week’s prompt is “Food” which can be used as the theme of this post. If you would like to know more and join this fun go to Linda Hill’s site http://lindaghill.com/2016/02/26/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-feb-2716/  Here is my interpretation.

Food by John W. Howell © 2106

“So today class we are going to talk about food. Yes, Johnny.”

“Will this be on a test?”

“Well Johnny, I hate to tell you this, but the only way I can be sure you understand the lesson is to give you a test. So yes. There will be a test. Try to stay up with the class.”

“Most of the class sleeps during the lectures so I don’t think it will be too hard to stay up with them.”

“Very funny Johnny. Have you ever thought about being a writer?”

“No ma’am. I want to be able to make a living.”

“Okay, Johnny may I proceed?”

“Yes ma’am sorry about the interruption.”

“Now class in this segment we are going to learn how the body converts food to energy. Sigh, yes, Johnny.”

“Are you talking energy like oil and gas.”

“Well in the body food changes to elements that act like gas in a car.”

“Wow. We talking Methane?”

“Let’s not go there, Johnny. By the way do you need to visit the restroom?”

“No ma’am. Why do you ask?”

“Oh no reason I just would like to move on is all.”

“Oh, I get it. You would like me to be quiet.”

“I didn’t say that Johnny. May I proceed now?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry.”

“We will also learn the correct kinds of food to eat to maximize your body’s performance. What? John.”

“By performance are you talking running and that kind of stuff?”

“Yes, Johnny. That is exactly what I’m talking about. Thanks for clarifying that for us.”

“My dad eats wheat germ to help him sleep.”

“I’m not sure how wheat germ helps him sleep.”

“Me neither. He just says it helps his performance in the bedroom.”

“Fine Johnny. Let’s start the lesson shall we?”

“Yes, ma’am. Sorry for the interruption.”

“Now class who can tell me the most important meal of the day?”

“Yes, Charles.”

“Pizza.”

“Um. Anyone else want to try? Yes, Mary Lou.”

“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”

“Very good Mary Lo— Yes, Johnny what is it?”

“I think Charles is right. Pizza is the most important meal of the day. Especially if you don’t have any.”

“Okay, I give up. Here’s what we are going to do. I’m going to sit down in Johnny’s chair, and Johnny will teach the course. Come up here Johnny.”

“Thank you, teacher. Now class who can tell me the four major food groups.

“Yes, Simon.”

“Grilled cheese, bacon, pizza, and chocolate milk.”

“Correct. We need to add Ice cream and Snicker bars, but I think you have it. What’s the matter, Mrs. Crane? You crying?”

 

 

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #65 by Keith Channing

Keith Channing puts out writing prompts in the form of photos. 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 website, next Monday.”

Here is the photo

 

My interpretation

Have One by John W. Howell ©2016

“How about you sir? Would you like one?”

“Um. I don’t know really. What d’ya say they were made of?”

“I didn’t say. These are the best there is on the planet.”

“Okay, I’ll bite. The best what on the planet?”

“Here little boy. You want one?”

“I have to wait for my dad. He said not to take anything from strangers.”

“I think that’s candy kid. This situation  is different. It’s lunch.”

“I still better wait.”

“How about you over there. You want one?”

“Like the other guy, I would like to know what they are.”

“These are hamburgers. You never saw a hamburger before?”

“No. Can’t say I have. Say where did you people come from after all?”

“We are from the government and we are here to help you.”

“We don’t need any help. We are doing fine.”

“How about a hamburger then.”

“What’s it made of?”

“Beef. Good ole government beef.”

“What’s beef?”

“You’re kidding right?”

“No ma’am. I never heard of it.”

“You know what a cow is?”

“Sure I do. They are our pets.”

“Beef is cow.”

“COW? dead cow? You want us to eat cow?”

“What is the matter with you? Everyone eats cow.”

“Not here we don’t. We play fetch with them, and they provide companionship.”

“Does everyone feel that way?”

“YES.”

“Well, Blanch it looks like another government feeding program has been planned to the finite detail of perfection. We sure have a lot of hamburgers to eat.”

“I like our uniforms, though. Don’t you?”

 

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – A Contraction

 

 

 

This week’s Stream of Consciousness prompt is a contraction. We are to start the post with a contraction and end it with one as well for extra credit. It ain’t going to be easy. Oh wait, maybe it will. If you would like to participate go to Linda’s site and you can read all about it. http://lindaghill.com/2016/02/19/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-feb-2016/ here is my contribution.

Contraction by John W. Howell © 2016

“Can’t you do something to help me?”

“Gosh, darling. I don’t know how I can help.”

“Aren’t you in this with me? After all, you’re the one who wanted that nightcap.”

“I know I’m equally to blame here honey, but I feel helpless.”

“Try useless. Get me some ice won’t you?”

“I’d rather stay and hold your hand.”

“I need ice. I don’t need a damn hand hold.”

“Okay, okay. I’m going. What’d the doctor say?”

“About what? I can’t read minds all t’sudden.”

“How long we’ll be going through this.”

“Through this? We? Who’d believe there is a we here. It looks like I’m the only worker.”

“When’s he coming?”

“I’d figgered he’d been here by now. I don’t know. I’m getting real close. Oh, there’s another contraction.”

 

 

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #64

As you know, I love prompts and am fond of those by Keith Channing. His instructions, “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 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 blog or web site, next Monday.”

Here is the photo.

 

Here is my interpretation.

Home by John W. Howell © 2016

I know this story will be confusing since I hardly understand what happened myself. In fact, I don’t know why I’m writing this down since I don’t believe there will be anyone around who will read it. Okay, no matter. I think writing things down helps me control the panic I feel. I know whoever reads this won’t understand the nature of my feelings but let me explain my sense of dread by writing down what happened as best as I know.

I came back to the jungle after a long trip to the city which included an eight-hour drive through the outback, a small airplane ride and then a flight from the regional airport. I needed to earn some money to keep the hospital going. We were spending more that we were bringing in. (that is a story for a different time) I came back to the hospital very late and went straight to my room. The trip was long and I was exhausted. I lay down and went to sleep. When I awoke and walked around there was no one here. The patients were all gone and the staff as well.

I went to the radio room and tried to call the nearest station to find out any information they could give. The station did not answer. I then looked at my SAT phone with the idea of calling my sister in London for no other reason than to see if she heard something about the hospital being closed down. There was no service and at first I thought the satellite had malfunctioned. I called the regional police on the radio and all I got was the white noise that tells me their radio is not working. I began to feel my stomach rolling like I had too much wine. I knew it was the first signal of fear and I needed to get control before I did something irrational.

I sat in the radio room and tried every broadcast channel and finally gave up. There was no response to any of my broadcasts. I looked at the SAT phone for the tenth time and still no signal. It was clear to me now that I was disconnected from the world. This lonely outpost where I worked for ten years to bring modern medicine to this remote privative area was cut off from civilization.

Sitting on the veranda  and visits to an empty village for the last ten days has finally convinced me that I need to go from this place and seek out other people. The Range Rover will take me back through the outback to the small airport. Maybe there has been some kind of atmospheric disturbance that has caused the radios and phone to malfunction. Only a face to face meeting will answer my most pressing question. Is there anyone else out there?

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Tire”

a new socs-badge-2015

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This week’s prompt is “Tire.” Linda Hill has authorized the use to be a prefix, suffix or part of a word. Wahoo the use is up to us. If you would like to participate, go to Linda’s site. http://lindaghill.com/2016/02/12/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-feb-1316/  Here is my contribution.

“Tire” by John W. Howell ©2016

“Retire? What the hell for?”

“Now come on. We’ve talked about this. It’s time.”

“Time for what? Time to lay my burden down you sayin’?”

“Yeah I’m saying. Time for you to check out. To take it easy. To give up your position.”

“What you’re sayin’ sounds illegal boss.”

“For heaven’s sake. I’m just worried about you is all. You’re gonna drop over dead on this job, and I think you ought to take some time for yourself.”

“I never planned on retirement. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.”

“You could do some fishing.”

“I’d rather die than go out on a boat.”

“How about woodworking?”

“No tools and besides I’m sure I would take off a finger.”

“How about painting?”

“Allergic to paint.”

“Sculpture?”

“Hammer and chisel? Oh yeah, I see broken bones now.”

“What do you like to do on your days off?”

“I read and drink beer.”

“So you can read and drink beer then.”

“I can only do that for a couple of hours.”

“But you like to read right?”

“I sure do.”

“Why don’t you become a writer?”

“I guess I couldn’t hurt myself with a pen right?”

“There you go. I think we have found the perfect thing for you to do. Now, how about it. Time to retire?”

“Nope.”

“Nope? Why not?”

“I don’t know how to write.”

“Oh please. You don’t have to know how to write. You just write.”

“You think?”

“Sure. There are millions of writers.”

“Man. I can see it now. From tire store manager to writer. I’ll bet I sell a million.”

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt Finger

 

a new socs-badge-2015

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. I would never have believed the word “finger” and Linda Hill would ever be associated together. Well, this week the prompt is “Finger.” Linda says we can use it… er the prompt anyway we want. If you would like to know more about this craziness program you can go here and read on how you can participate. http://lindaghill.com/2016/02/05/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-feb-616/

Finger by John W. Howell © 2016

“Is that your age or IQ?”

“It’s the number of friends you have including yourself.”

“Yeah, amusing. Why don’t you quit it.”

“Quit giving you the finger.’

“No, quit showing everyone how stupid you are.”

“Well, you’re the one who started it.”

“Started it? All I said was you shouldn’t wear that jacket.”

“And I said it’s my choice.”

“And I said you will be sorry when someone asks you if you are a Denver Broncos fan.”

“Why would I be sorry?”

“Cause you don’t know anything about the Broncos or Denver for that matter.”

“Well, I do like the jacket.”

“Yeah I know. We are going to a place where that won’t help you much.”

“I’ll just tell everyone that I like the clothes.”

“I’m sure everyone will appreciate that distinction.”

“So why are people so particular?”

“They love their teams is all.”

“Where we going again?”

“To a bar called ” The Carolina Panthers Den.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “An” #JusJoJan

 

 

Saturday again and time for Stream of Consciousness Saturday. Today’s prompt is “an.” Linda Hill says we can use it any way we want and has offered a suggestion of starting words with “an” or making “an” the theme of the post. If you would like to know more about this go to Linda’s blog at   http://lindaghill.com/2016/01/29/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-jan-3016/  You might mention to Linda that I didn’t find her suggestions helpful in inspiring me to write. Here is my endeavor. (also, look at the year at the end of the link. I knew something was up that’s one hundred years from now.)

The Great An by John W. Howell ©2016

“All hail the Great An.”

“Why thank you, thank you very much.”

“Tell us Great An what does the future hold?”

“If it is anything like last night’s poker game I would say a full house.”

“Seriously Great An it is another new year 3016, and your subjects are curious as to what they can expect from their supreme leader.”

“I would say the subjects can pretty much expect the same kind of leadership as last year. You know. Higher taxes, lower wages, more war, less clean water, not enough to eat. So what’s new?”

“But sire. You averted a full-scale uprising with promises of better conditions.”

“Was I drinking at the time?”

“Come to think of it sire, you were.”

“Well, there you are then. Can a man be held to his word when he’s in the bag?”

“I must warn you, sire the peasants are on the verge of revolting.”

“I can tell you, noble knight given their propensity to avoid bathing I would say they are already there.”

“I cannot be held responsible for what will happen if you don’t reform and improve the living conditions of your realm sire.”

“You have convinced me. Do you have a pen?”

“Yes, sire. Here.”

“Let’s see. Ah yes, a proclamation. Henceforth all citizens will live better or be put to death. There I signed it. Now take it to the printer guy and tell him to make copies to be distributed to every man, woman and child.”

“Yes, sire. You are going to go down in history as an extraordinary monarch.”

“You think so?”

“Yes, you will never be forgotten. Your name will be on everyone’s lips throughout eternity followed by a spit.”

“Followed by what?”

“A kiss sire. Followed by a kiss.”

This post is part of Just Jot it January. If you want to join in here is the link. Hurry the month is going fast. http://lindaghill.com/2015/12/31/just-jot-it-january-2016-rules/

jjj-2016

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #61

I guess by now you all know I love writing prompts, and Keith Channing posts a photo once a week on Mondays. You can go here and see the post http://channing.info/wp/2016/01/25/kreative-kue-61/

Here is the photo

 

Wheels by John W. Howell © 2016

“Hey look at that guy.”

“Which guy Mandy.”

“That guy on my left over there.”

“The guy on the skateboard with that freebee t-shirt?”

“Naw. Not that guy.”

“I still don’t see who you are pointing at.”

“The guy with the white shirt talking on the phone.”

“Oh, that guy. Yes, I see him. What’s the problem?”

“You don’t notice something odd about him?”

“Maybe I’m still looking at the wrong guy. You mean the guy with the backpack, in the white shirt, talking on the phone, walking towards us.”

“Bingo. You and I are talking about the same guy.”

“So why the interest?”

“You said it.”

“Said what?”

“You said the guy walking toward us.”

“Yeah, so?”

“Don’t you get it?”

“Get what?”

“He’s walking.”

“OMG. I didn’t notice.”

“He is the only guy I have seen in months who has no wheels. He’s walking.”

“I need to take a picture of this. Can you imagine going around like that? The people back home won’t believe it.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Odd/Even”

 

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This week’s prompt is “Odd/Even.” Linda Hill says we can use them any way we want. This concession is good since if we had to use them together, it might be a problem. If you would like to participate in the madness here is the link  http://lindaghill.com/2016/01/22/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-jan-2316/  Here’s mine.

Odd/Even by John W. Howell © 2016

“Did you hear that?”

“I think so. It sounded odd didn’t it?”

“Odd? It sounded like a gunshot. That’s what it sounded like.”

“Oh, I don’t think so.”

“I’m telling you it was a gunshot. Any fool can recognize a shot when it goes off.”

“Well I’m not a fool, and I don’t think it was a gunshot.”

“For heaven’s sake. Let’s just drop it then.”

“Why drop it? You called me a fool.”

“I said any fool could tell it’s a gunshot. You couldn’t tell, so you’re no fool.”

“Hmm. I’m thinking you’re pulling a fast one here.”

“I’m not doing anything.”

“Any fool can see you are twisting things.”

“So now you are calling me a fool. I don’t see how I’m twisting things.”

“No. I just said any fool could see you are twisting things. If you don’t see it, then you’re not a fool.”

“I would say now we are even.”

“Both fools you mean?”

“Exactly.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #60 by Keith Channing #JusJoJan

I guess by now you all know I love writing prompts, and Keith Channing posts a picture once a week on Mondays. You can go here and see the post http://channing.info/wp/2016/01/18/kreative-kue-60/  Here is the photo.

 

The Son of the Sun by John W. Howell © 21016

“Wow, this is cool. playing out in nature.”

“Yeah I really dig it.”

“What’s that tune you’re playing?”

“A little something I made up.”

“I like it. Let me try the keyboard.”

“Oh, that is the way. You play it well.”

“Do you have a name for this song?”

” I call it the son of the sun.”

“Man. That’s a weird name. Why that?”

“Every time I play to a certain point there comes a massive beam of light. One more note and I’m there. Watch. See that?”

“Whoa. That blinded me. This happen every time?”

“Yeah I can’t explain it.”

“I wonder if you could like harness it?”

“The beam of light?”

“Yeah. Maybe you could make some money with it.”

“Aw man. I don’t think so. I wouldn’t want to fool with mother nature.”

“Do you have any more songs?”

“Yup, a few. Here listen.”

“That one is cool. What’s its name?”

“I call it end of the Earth.”