It is entitled, “Imagination Run Amok,” and was the club’s choice for best story of the month of June.

Imagination Run Amok

By Bob Mason

Amok – Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary – Adverb – Definition 2:

“in a murderously frenzied state”

The instruction from the judge came innocuously enough, by email. The directive? To purposely put my imagination in a murderously frenzied state.

“There’s no assigned topic,” he said.
Riiight.
“Let your imagination run amok,” he said.
Mhmm . . .
Needless to say, I startled at the instruction as well as its source!

What were we to murder, my imagination and I? Honestly, there is no one I want to murder, not even hypothetically. I love people; I love animals; I love plants. I love every living thing! Then it dawned on me. Clearly a judge would not even hint that a heretofore law abiding citizen should do such a thing . . . not to the living.

But, I realized, this is a leader in a writer’s group. I knew immediately what he was getting at, cleverly not spelling it out, so to speak. It’s not a living being that he wants me to murder. It’s the language!

And so, here I am, sharpening my wits, flexing my creativity, and taking aim. Let’s do this!

English language, your mine! Y-O-U-R, your MINE! And you’re Grammar, to. That’s Y-O-U-‘-R-E, and ‘to’ with one ‘o’. Hasta la vista, baby!

©2023 Bob Mason

Last month I sent an email to the members of the Siskiyou Writers’ Club reminding them to write a story for the June meeting.  I said, “This month there is no assigned topic, theme, or word.  Let your imagination run amok.”  Well, you have to be careful what you say. 

Bob Kaster

The Siskiyou Writers’ Club is a local group of folks with a passion for creative writing of all genres.  The club generally meets the last Thursday of the month in various locations throughout Siskiyou County.  Our next meeting will be Thursday, July 27, 2023, 5:00 PM at the Mount Shasta Golf Resort.  For more information, contact Mike Grifantini, 530-710-4882, email [email protected]
or Bob Kaster, 530-598-5204, email [email protected]

• CALFIRE SISKIYOU UNIT HAND CREW SELECTED FOR BLUE RIBBON AWARD
  Post Views: 6 YREKA – The Blue Ribbon Award was created by the Western Fairs Association, the premier organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the fair industry in the Western United States and Canada, to honor those that go above and beyond to support their annual fair.  The 10th District Agricultural Association Board of Directors,
• 10th DAA selects Kenny Elwood for 2026 Golden Pass
  Post Views: 11 YREKA- The 10th District Agricultural Association Board of Directors is happy to announce a Lifetime Pass will be presented to Kenny Elwood of Bella Vista. The pass will be given at the opening ceremonies of the Siskiyou Golden Fair on June 24th.  Opening ceremony begins at 5:00 PM at the fairground flagpole
• FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: Carson’s Window Coverings & More
  Post Views: 12 Filing No.: 2026-47-0190FILED IN: Siskiyou CountyDATE: 06-03-2026Laura Bynam, ClerkBy: D.Brooks,Deputy ClerkFICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENTThe following person (persons) is (are) doing business as:Carson’s Window Coverings & More108 S. BroadwayYreka, CA 96097 in SiskiyouMailing Address:108 S. BroadwayYreka, CA 96097530 598-9247Registered Owner(s):Maridee CarsonThis Business is conducted by: An IndividualThe registrant commenced to transact business under
• Traffic Stop in Siskiyou County Leads to $1.9 Million Cocaine Seizure, Driver Arrested
  Post Views: 21 Source – Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office -$1.9 Million Cocaine Seizure Results in Arrest- On May 29, 2026 at approximately 1150 hours, a Siskiyou County Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2022 Mazda CX5 for a mechanical violation. During the traffic stop, the driver was found to be unlicensed and demonstrating multiple
• F-35A Lightning II Jets from Luke AFB Arrive for Two-Week Training at Kingsley Field
  Post Views: 15 Siskiyou County, California — Residents in Siskiyou County and surrounding areas may notice increased jet activity and noise in the skies over Shasta Valley and nearby regions as a squadron of advanced F-35A Lightning II fighters from Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, trains with the Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing.