Mondays Finish the Story – This is as Deep as it Gets!

December 11, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 12 Comments

The Photo and Sentence Prompt: “Donning her fins and snorkel, she headed out into the deep water.”

My Entry:

Donning her fins and snorkel, she headed out into the deep water. She knew deep water well. At the moment in her personal life she was over her head in deep waters. Deep troubles, deep problems, deep,deep deep!

Here, in the ocean she could let it all go, for at least a short period of time. Forget about her cheating husband, her loss of her job this week, all the ever increasing bills, and the amazing fact that she really didn’t care all that much about any of it.

The deepness felt because of great weariness, an exhaustion from trying to do so much for so many.

However with each stroke, as she swam through the waters, she felt an increasing sense of freedom for the first time in a very long time. Yes she thought, it’s my turn now. Her strokes became fuller and stronger as she swam. I believe the only deep thing I’m going to let myself get into going forward is this big, beautiful ocean. With a quick kick off and a few more strokes she headed for shore.

Yes, she thought, finally time for me to live my life – for me.

For more information about Mondays Finish The Story (flash fiction) Writers Challenge, where the writer uses both a photo and an opening sentence for the prompt: click HERE. Barb will guide you through the process, be sure and read some of the other excellently written entries while you’re there.

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Thanks for stopping by, have an excellent weekend, and if you live here on the West Coast of America, be careful, a lot of rain and wind going on … take care of you!

With affection,

~ Penny

Mondays Finish the Story – Dancing for the life of it!

November 24, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 14 Comments

Dancing For the Life of It

“Dance as if no one is watching!” Now where have I heard that before? Oh yes, it’s part of a Mark Twain quote. But I digress. I am only a dancing statue but if I were flesh and blood …

… you’d find me running barefoot through open fields and meadows. I’d be scaling the tallest majestic mountains, breathing in the beauty of never-ending surrounding vistas.

If I were alive I’d swim to the bottom of the ocean, meet mysterious creatures residing in the murky, dark and sometimes luminous “other worlds” of the ocean’s depths.

Being on earth as a human, I’d explore, without hesitation, the wonder and uniqueness of every single living entity … and glory in its creation. I’d meet as many forms of life in the wild and learn of their ways in nature. I’d embrace the natural behavior and order of things. And after I had done all those things … I’d dance … because I have the gift of life!

Thanks for stopping by and reading, I hope your enjoyed.

Happy beginning of the week, I hope your week is a great one for you,

~ Penny

Sunday Photo Fiction – A Scary World Out There (in your head)!

November 23, 2014November 23, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 12 Comments

photograph © Alastair Forbes

Trapped in A Vortex of Negativity

“Hey, I tell you it’s a scary world out there.” Jerry said.

“I think it’s all in your head.” His best friend replied. The two were sitting in the warm den near the fireplace, mugs of coffee in their hands.

Paul waved toward the window. “Just look outside into the forest. It’s frightening. Weird sounds and I’ve heard people are going missing. Bad things are happening everywhere.”

“You’ve heard, yes. but has anyone actually been lost in our forest?” Paul held his fearful friend’s gaze with his own level one, waiting for the response and then he motioned to the window and the beautiful forest scene unfolding outside. “The sun is coming up, it’s going to be another great day. Enjoy the day Jerry, enough with this negative crap, already. There are always bad things going on somewhere, but no more so than at any time in history, maybe less.”

“Yes but they say…” As Jerry stopped for another drink of his coffee Paul interrupted him.

“They say, they say … it’s all in their heads too. You know what Jerry, I’m sick of all this.” He stood up banging his cup down on the table. “You all need to come to your senses. I’m going home.”

Jerry watched as his friend headed for the door calling out to him “It’s dangerous out there Paul, would you like me to walk with you to your house?”

Paul snorted, shaking his head sadly as he looked back at his friend before heading to the doorway, derisively adding “Jerry, I just live next door.”

Paul could be heard to mutter to himself as he slowly opened and then closed the door behind him. “An emotional epidemic, that’s what this is and it’s contagious, everyone thinking, saying and writing all these negative things. When will they see it’s all in their heads. Thoughts are things and they’ve created this condition with their thoughts. They’re trapping themselves in a vortex of negativity.”

***

For more information about Sunday Photo Fiction where the photograph is the prompt to your imagination, click here for the details. Alastair will be your guide. And, while there, be sure to click on the little blue guy for more short stories by some great writers!

Thanks for stopping by, have a great Sunday and week to come,

~ Penny

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

Alastairs Photo Fiction – Simple is and simple does!

October 13, 2013February 17, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 36 Comments

Each Sunday my good friend Alastair offers up one of his excellent photographs as a prompt for writing a short fictional piece. Be sure to check out this fun activity, click here for more information.

Simple is as Simple does.

“I just want to leave, daddy!” the little girl said. “I’m not having any fun!”

“But honey, you’ve hardly ridden any of the rides.” The dad was concerned to see the unhappy look on his daughter’s face. He had been so sure, when he picked her up at her mother’s house for his “weekend time”, that she’d love to go to the carnival. Didn’t kids like these things any more?

“I don’t care. I just want to leave and go some other place. It’s noisy and all the rides are scary with people screaming. They’re rude and they keep bumping into us on the ground.” His daughter’s small hand held tightly onto his while tugging him in the direction of the exit.

“Well, wait a minute,” Her dad tried again. “Let’s go by the food stands, they have yummy treats to eat there. That’s always fun at carnivals.” He patted his substantial stomach while deciding there was always room for one more corn dog!

“No daddy, my tummy still hurts from the last ride and we can buy treats everywhere. I just want to go.”

The dad looked and felt very frustrated as they slowly maneuvered their way through the noisy throng of indifferent people who, now that he noticed it, all seemed to be running around in hyper mode; looking for the next great thrilling ride, or fat engorged snack or cheap plastic prize to be awarded for winning a “fixed” game.

When they reached the exit the dad turned to his daughter and impatiently asked “So where do you want to go?”

The little girl answered quietly. “Could we go to the park, just the two of us, walk around, feed the squirrels and maybe you could push me on the swing. Doesn’t that sound like fun, Daddy?”

*******

Is there a loss of pleasure in “simple things” today? Are we perhaps so inundated with the never ending media of thriller type videos, movies, TV shows, books and of course real life activities, it has become difficult to go to a simple and happier place!

Ligo Haibun Challenge and Warm welcome!

October 11, 2013October 12, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 13 Comments

It is my pleasure to announce the addition of a fourth judge to the panel of the Ligo Haibun Challenge: Esenga of Ese’s Voice, a gifted and skilled writer. Read her own words as she explains The Danger of Being Me! Welcome Ese!

For this week’s (writing) prompt there are two photos from which to choose:

Your haibun writing challenge: pick one of the above photos (click on either photo for a larger view). Think about the photo you’ve chosen. What does it mean to you? What thoughts, memories, experiences come to mind as you ponder? Consider how you will present your piece?

With that in mind, begin! Write a few paragraphs (one or more), include the haiku (form of Japanese poetry – 3 lines of 17 or fewer syllables), an essential part of your haibun. Your haiku (one or more) can be either a closing to your written piece or in-between the paragraph(s) to add emphasis.

I encourage you to enter. Publish your written piece on your blog for others to read and enjoy. To officially enter the challenge, link your URL Address to the blue link box below.

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To assist in getting a “feel” for the intriguing method of haibun writing, read from our current and past entries. Full rules for entering and to learn more about the other judges (Nightlake, Pirate, Penny) and the “Ligo Haibun experience” click here!

Have a great day,

~ Penny

Friday Fictioneers – Her motivation

July 17, 2013July 17, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 46 Comments

Each week Friday Fictioneers (a troupe of most excellent writers) gather to display (on their own blog sites) an one hundred word (approximately) flash fiction from a photo prompt. Orchestrated by the the excellent composer of words herself, Rochelle. This weeks photograph compliments of AnElephantCant. To join in this rompingly good, creative writing fun – click right here!

When Is a Bike More Than Transportation?

There is a gracious and gentle blogger in blogland, who, every day, wakes up to debilitating pain, affecting her joints and muscular system. Years and years of physical problems and pain, but she can’t take most conventional pain medicine, she works with alternative therapies, which includes beautiful compositions of her photography and original poetry.

So where does the bike come in? Awhile back she was amazed to discover she could actually ride a bike for brief periods. She has given her bike a name. It has become a part of her emotional and physical well being.

Visit Robyn Lee, A blogger who inspires other bloggers with her amazing talent, loving personality and awesome courage! You will not regret it!

A response from Robyn in my comment section yesterday when I inquired how she was doing:

Robyn Lee | July 16, 2013 at 2:49 pm

I just got back from a very mini ride. It’s near 100 degrees here (wet head). My pain feels less while I’m riding – and I try not to miss a day. May do one more attempt at rehab before I succumb to surgeon knife. Have been very limited and high pain despite being in what is probably strongest/best physical shape of life. Crazy – but maybe it’s just not able to stay in socket — as I said though – one more idea … so hopeful there ~ love to you and thank you for asking ! x

Need I say more, my fellow bloggers. When I saw the photograph of the bike, I had to share!

~ Penny

Ligo Haibun Challenge ~ The Monsoon Comes

June 29, 2013June 30, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 42 Comments

Welcome to the weekly Ligo Haibun Challenge. To view the honourable mentions from last week’s Challenge, scroll to the bottom. You will also find more information on how to enter.

The prompts this week are:

Monsoon or Haze

For my haibun entry this week I have chosen the word: Monsoon

The Monsoon comes

His boat touched sandy bottom. Breathing huge gulps of salty wet air, he tugged on the small boat; still fighting the torrential winds, rain, and his exhaustion. Pulling his boat up a little further from the waves he fell onto the soaked sand, rain continuing to pummel his body.

He had almost been claimed by the sea. So very close. The ocean becoming vast, looming over him with deep and rolling waves. The shoreline, far away. Lost and alone in his boat he knew he was too far from shore. Proud. His pride in his boat, the carvings his own. So he had strayed and stayed, out on the ocean – too long.

The struggle, intense. Ocean waves pouring down, tumbling him and his boat over and under the monster waves, his now insignificant and small boat. But he had a hand hold and held on to the edge of his boat, swimming through the roiling waters pushing himself and his boat in the direction of the shore. He swallowed so much of the ocean, his body was bruised and he lay next to his boat, staring at the carvings, as the monsoon swept over him. He had survived.

the monsoon comes

torrential rains, changing winds

unforgiving of life

The Honorable Mentions for last week’s Haibun Special Challenge are:

Celestine, of Reading Pleasure

Eric, of Peripatetic Eric

Penny, of The Why About This

Thank you, Celestine and Eric for your haibuns. They were both excellently written. Click on their name to read their entries. It was very difficult for the judges to chose from so many quality submissions this week and with much reluctance I allowed myself to be overruled and picked as one of the honorable mentions by the other judges. I am honored to be included along with the others.

To me, writing a haibun is a personal challenge and I would, at this time, like to extend an invitation to all those who enjoy writing, to join us and become a part of our Haibun community. We welcome your creative talents.

For more information on how to enter click here or go to the tab marked Ligo Haibun at the top of my blog. Your entry should be submitted prior to next Friday,