The Lesson of The Color Yellow … Friday Fictioneers

February 10, 2016 / Penny L Howe / 29 Comments

A big shout out to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields and Friday Fictioneers. An outstanding place for authors to finesse their writing style each week by writing a flash fiction (100 words or less) or short story based on a photo prompt. For more info on how you can be a part of this fun loving group of writers or to just sample their creativity, click HERE!

My entry:

PHOTO PROMPT © The Reclining Gentleman

The crowd was spellbound.

“It’s not just about the color yellow,” she said pausing for affect. “Although if one thinks about it yellow’s a most exceptional color. After all the sun shines yellow, the moon at its brightest is a rich golden yellow and we mustn’t forget glorious spring daffodils. Yes, yellow a truly fulfilling aspect of color.”

The shining vision of loveliness continued. “You see it’s not only about color in one’s life. It’s about the absence of it and most definitely one color should never be sufficient.”

Then with a mighty sweep of her wings the angel vanished from view.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed my words. Have a wonderful rest of your week and weekend to come, rich with colors of every kind!

♡

With sincere affection

~ Penny

She Plays So Well – Friday Fictioneers

January 20, 2016 / Penny L Howe / 31 Comments

A new week brings a new “flash fiction” writers challenge from Friday Fictioneers. Thank you to the always gracious and talented, Rochelle. To be a part of this wonderful writers weekly challenge or read some of the awesome other entries click HERE!

My entry (for those who follow my blog) is unlike those I generally write which tends to be positive, loving and upbeat. Still I hope all you creative types out there enjoy this very temporary change of pace from me:

PHOTO PROMPT © Jan W. Fields

She Plays So Well

“She plays so well,” he thought with undying admiration.

A virtuoso, her long slender fingers drifting delicately over keys with expertise rarely seen. He was only one of many applauding her amazing performance, but he was the lucky one asked to attend her in her dressing room after.

Happily sharing his love fully and completely, too late realizing he was also the one selected to replace depleted creative energy, he felt her demonic fingers drifting delicately over his body draining him of life.

“Ah, but she plays so well,” he thought even as his beating heart stopped in dying admiration.

Thanks for your visit, I hope you enjoyed this playful rendition of life not going the way you thought it should. A good idea to remember sometimes things aren’t what they seem.

Have a great rest of the week and weekend to come. May your days be filled with only good and positive things!

With much affection,

~ Penny

Friday Fictioneers – Wishing you …

December 23, 2015 / Penny L Howe / 23 Comments

It’s been awhile since I’ve spent time with the Friday Fictioneers. Those talented writers, whose creative stories (of approximately 100 words) always make for a good read, are lead by the gracious and talented Rochelle. For more information on how you can become a Friday Fictioneer or just spend some time reading other authors creative musings, click here!

My offering for this week’s photo prompt by Scott L. Vannatter follows:

PHOTO PROMPT – © Scott L. Vannatter

When a Cat Smiles

Writing down the names of my social media friends on my “Socially Correct Greetings” list and then adding which holiday greeting to be used for each (based on their religious beliefs) was time consuming this year.

I didn’t want to use the generic Happy Holiday greeting either. Too impersonal.

My cat smiling, as usual, at both my and my species self imposed idiocy responded accordingly with a single “Meow”.

One sound conveying so much. I liked it and so followed his wise advice.

I wish you and yours … LOVE!

♡

With much affection,

~ Penny

The Heart of the Matter ~ American’s looking for America!

October 21, 2015 / Penny L Howe / 28 Comments

A very dear and cherished friend of mine (not an American, he’s from Scotland currently residing in France) wrote a flash fiction (100 words or less) story for Friday Fictioneers (a very successful weekly writer’s challenge “based on a photo”. Rochelle, congrats on your third year as the awesome facilitator for this literary blog).

His short story was about a trip he took to my country – to experience America – a few years back. It did bring excellent memories of his time here in the Tri-Cities of Washington, as well as Portland, Oregon, and of course San Francisco and many other towns, cities and communities he visited. Here is a link to his story “Greyhound”.

At the close of his story he shared the video of Simon & Garfunkel singing the song “America”! And while it brought back wonderful memories it also reminded me of where we, as Americans, are today.

It seems we Americans are all searching for America with our many concerns and fears for the now of things and our futures but I truly believe the Heart of America is still where it’s always been … inside each of our hearts. (Going all the way back to indigenous Americans and then the steady addition of each of the many of us whose ancestors and current family members came as immigrants and settled here in our amazing country.)

America is truly an amalgamation of all peoples, races, creeds, religions and of course individual points of view. To find the hope and potential of America, my fellow Americans we’ve but to look within our own loving hearts. There is so much potential for all of us. Working together we will accomplish more than we ever have before.

So now after this long introduction, here is my 100 word flash fiction story based on the photo below:

PHOTO PROMPT © Ron Pruitt

Quietly waiting for her turn to board the bus, an elderly woman carrying a ticket, small bag and guitar stood in line. While adjusting the items she carried, a young man also standing in line asked if he might help. The man was thanked and given the guitar to hold.

“Where are you going?” He asked politely.

“Downtown.” She replied. “First to vote and then to attend a gathering of fellow musicians to celebrate.”

“What are you celebrating, and why bother to vote first?” He responded.

“Because I can!” She said answering both questions, a huge smile on her face.

~*~

Thank you, have a wonderful day,

With much affection,

~Penny

Friday Fictioneers – The Yin and Yang of Foam

September 2, 2014September 2, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 31 Comments

PHOTO PROMPT – Copyright – Madison Woods

The Thing About Foam!

Foam, the essence of yin and yang. Occurring in nature, foam can be a part of creation or found at its decomposition at the end of life. Foam produced from soap gives one the feeling of cleanliness and health, while foaming at the mouth is considered a symptom of disease.

An exceedingly popular foam is found at the head of things a’top a perfectly poured mug of beer. The pouring and procurement of said “head” an art in and of itself, alluding to the fulfillment of taste in the brew itself. All in all a most satisfactory balance to life.

(100 words)

Friday Fictioneers is a wonderful way to practice and improve your writing skills, visit with other writers and have a great time of things in the process. Be sure to check it out. Just ask for Rochelle, the hostess with the mostest.

Friday Fictioneers – The Walkway to Nowhere!

March 12, 2014March 12, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 41 Comments

Photograph: Copyright Adam Ickes ©

The Walkway to Nowhere!

The raised passageway was built from wood locally grown and hewed. The builder had provided the wood at no cost. Locals were surprised by his generosity! There was talk!

“Henry, have you been on the walkway recently?” She asked, handing him his morning cup of beverage.

“Nope.” He replied. “Haven’t been there since I finished building it. Why?”

“Well, I know you were against it’s construction and now there are reports of visiting folks going missing there.”

Henry the Sorcerer, appeared to contemplate her news while drinking in a deep satisfying gulp of his special wetlands brew.

“Hmmm” He said contentedly!

It’s been awhile since I’ve spent time with the Friday Fictioneers. The writers there, whose stories (of approximately 100 words) always make for a good read , are lead by the gracious and talented hostess Rochelle. For more information on how you can become a Friday Fictioneer or just spend some time reading other author’s creative musings, click here!

Have a great day,

Penny

Clueless when “Opportunity” knocks – Friday Fictioneers!

September 25, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 67 Comments

Flash Fiction (100 words)

The Door to Opportunity

“Sam, what are you doing?”

“Huh,” he replied, busily opening and closing each door in sight.

“I asked what you’re doing,” Irving said.

“Oh, I’m looking for opportunity,” Sam answered while continuing to open and close each door.

“I think, the metaphor means having to actually go through the door when opportunity knocks. Opening and closing doors isn’t going to achieve anything!”

“What’s a metaphor?” Sam paused to stare at Irving.

“Just a figure of speech, referring to something else to make a point – that you’re not getting.”

“Okay,” Sam replied and began to open and close doors again.

There’s a lot more effort required when opportunity knocks. It’s just giving you a heads-up. You’re still the one who needs to pursue the advantage being presented!

Be sure to check out Friday Fictioneers’ other excellent offerings. Do you write? Want to give this flash fiction a try? Click here for details! Join an excellently talented group of international writers, have fun connecting with others, like yourself. The talented hostess Rochelle is there to help.

I hope your weekend is going well for you, thanks for stopping by,

~ Penny

The warmth of your arms ~ paradise lost!

September 12, 2013September 13, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 63 Comments

Short short (flash) fiction – Friday Fictioneers, check it out! A wonderful weekly writing challenge for all writers, brought to you by the talented and gracious hostess (Rochelle). Click here and then – write!

This weeks photo prompt:

Photo credit: Jan Wayne Fields

Flash Fiction version:

(count – 100 words)

Paradise Lost

Remember my saying “when I am in your arms the world is a perfect place?” It was true. I felt loved, desired and safe. Three strong emotional needs we all share, I found in your arms. Isn’t that what paradise is all about? Shared experiences in the moment, our weekend in New York, wrapped in gossamer tissues of hopes, desires and promises.

Then our worlds clashed, private agendas displacing love with personal goals.

Now, memories of our brief happiness mixed with desire and longing. Loving memories of paradise … and paradise lost.

Missing the warmth of your arms.

The full length version:

Paradise Lost

I miss the warmth of your arms. I have for 6 long months now. But your agenda was different than mine. We did connect though, didn’t we? The long weekend we spent in one of the most romantic cities on the planet, New York, was heavenly in it’s perfection.

Do you remember my telling you, when I was in your arms, the world was a perfect place? I felt loved, desired and safe – all rolled into one. Three of the strongest emotional needs humans require. I found them all – in your arms.

But that’s what paradise is all about, isn’t it? What is experienced in the moment; wrapped in gossamer tissues of hopes, desires and promises. Such heady stuff.

And so we played, laughed and loved, reality continuing, all around us, while we lived our dreams. Then our worlds clashed, the love still there but overwhelmed by our individual game plans and our inability to express ourselves well – as you pointed out after you’d been gone for awhile and we were speaking on the phone – You asked why neither one of us had looked into the other’s eyes and said “I need you and love you so much” even though we both felt it.

Each, so insecure of self we feared the other’s open rejection and our own ability to be what we felt the other wanted – so we were silent.

But happiness was mine, for a brief period of time. Now I have memories of contentment mixed in with sensual desire and longing. Such loving memories of paradise and paradise lost.

I miss the warmth of your arms.

~*~

Thank you for reading, have a lovely day today and a beautiful tomorrow!

~ Penny

Friday Fictioneers – “Bee There” News Report!

July 31, 2013July 31, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 58 Comments

Friday Fictioneers – A writers challenge. Be specific – write one hundred words or less. The format – flash fiction. The prompt – A photo by Jennifer Penderfast, thanks Jen. Your gracious hostess – Rochelle. The fun you get when you read each of the stories from an International group of writers gathered each week to partake of this creative fun and entertainment: Priceless. For more info and to sign on: Click here!

FLASH – A Special “Bee There” News Report

Reporter Johnnie Bee Good reporting… *All b**ees* avoid *bee**ing seen in the following locales…* Bee careful, *bee**cause it’s a jungle out there.*

Old MacDonald had a farm – The *Bee**Gee’s have claimed it – as their own. They are* *bee**having with extreme violence to infiltrators!*

In the Still of the Night – The fireflies are *beewitched****, shining their lights in front making scary faces and scaring the* *bee**zeejus out of us.*

Bee kind to your web-footed friends – Don’t have a clue on this one, but old Mother Goose has got a bee in her bonnet today! And no it’s not one of ours!

*Bee**lieve it or not …* Johnnie Bee Good signing off!

~

Song heard in the background (not really ) is “Ain’t misbeehavin” – with too many extra words this week – just having too much fun here!

Hope you enjoyed, have a great day!

Penny

Friday Fictioneers – Seeing Eternity!

July 24, 2013July 24, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 50 Comments

Seeing Eternity

They say on a clear day you can see forever. Perhaps this is so. But I think … if you’re high enough, viewing the world by looking out, over thick misty clouds stretching off into the horizon … perhaps you feel like you’re seeing eternity.

You stand there, poised above everyday problems, staring into a vast distance of possibilities and potentialities; this moment in time etched in your mind – one you’ll remember forever. The day you were high above the clouds, above doubts and fears, with the sense of belief … that perhaps you can.

It’s time for the fun and creativity of Friday Fictioneers. A group of international writers (clever and witty ones, I might add), who share their writing talent each week. Prompted by a photo they write a flash fiction (100 words approximately) for your entertainment and pleasure. Hosted by the very lovely Rochelle, this is a challenge to participate in – if you enjoy writing, and having fun! Click on the Friday Fictioneers link for more information!

If you enjoy reading, click on the links in the blue box collection.