Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “How”

A picture of a string with drops of water- the logo for SoCS

 

How to begin this week’s post is a conundrum. A start with a cup of coffee is always a smart thing. While waiting for the magic machine to pump out the life-giving elixir, contemplation can occur. Perhaps a mnemonic device is needed. Maybe a nonsensical phrase will work. How now, brown cow comes to mind. A rejection that phrase comes quickly since it provides no stimulus at all.

The coffee is ready, and so is the tone on my cell phone, indicating an incursion into the optical monitoring space on the front porch. The image on the phone is blurred, which then necessitates a physical check at the front door. Throwing back the deadbolt, turning the electronic lock to open, raising the steel bar, disengaging the electrical shock guard, the front door is ready to open.

A final check through the peephole indicates the porch area is vacant. The situation seems safe to open the door. Hand on the knob and a gentle tug inward exposes the inside to the outside. In the brightness of the sunlight, an image stands ready to engage.

“Have you seen that wascally wabbit?”

Yes, how it happened is a mystery, but before stands Elmer Fudd, shotgun and all. My question tumbles out of my mouth. “How did you get here?”

Fudd just stands there and blinks. There is reason to believe he has no idea how he got here either. He finally hands me a note and says, “Tell that wabbit I’m on his twail.” A nod from me, and Elmer turns and walks away.

The note is predictable and still leaves me with the question, How does Linda Hill get these things into these characters’ hands? Here is what it says. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “how.” Use the word “how” in your post. Bonus points if you start your post with it. Enjoy!

If you want to participate, you can go to Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2022/04/08/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-april-9-2022/

How by John W. Howell © 2022

“We have to make this short.”

“Why?”

“Cause you ate up all the time with that stupid Elmer Fudd story.”

“I thought it was cute.”

“Cause you own this dump.”

“What side of the bed did you get up on?”

“How I get out of bed has nothing to do with anything.”

“Your bed is against the wall, right?”

“How did you know?”

“Just a wild guess given your reaction to my get out of bed question.”

“Let’s forget the bed, okay? I can’t believe how you divert the discussion.”

“So, what do you want to talk about?”

“Ever hear of beer.”

“Your one-track obsession, you mean?”

“Better than messing up a perfectly good prompt.”

“How did I mess it up? I started the post with the word “how” and used it.”

“Dragging that poor character in kicking and screaming.”

“He was on the porch.”

“You really believe this stuff don’t you?”

“What choice do I have?”

“Buying me a beer is a great alternative.”

“Okay, but it is just an experiment.”

“Of what.”

“To see if beer is a better alternative to fiction.”

“You admit it then?”

“Sure. By the way, can Elmer come too?”

“Gad. You are buying. Bring anyone you want. Let’s just go.”

 

81 comments

  1. Keith Edgar Channing's avatar

    Always a good start to Saturday, John.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Keith

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    Wait. Does getting up on the wrong side of the bed mean you hit a wall trying to get out? The phrase never made sense to me until now.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes it could but more likely it means being out of a routine.

      Like

  3. GP's avatar

    Love the way you connected the two stories!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, GP. It is fun to do that. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Jill Weatherholt's avatar

    This was great, John! Happy Saturday!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Happy Saturday to you Jill *sung to the tune of Still the One by Orleans

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Tom's avatar

        John, I am still trying to understand this Blog stuff. Yep your Elmer thing didn’t help. Maybe when we talk next time you can try to Enlighten me. Till then stay well. Oh right
        HOW about that?

        Liked by 2 people

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          I will be happy to give you some help. Till then stay crazy.

          Like

      2. Jill Weatherholt's avatar

        I love that song!❤️

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

    Nicely played!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Liz.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

        You’re welcome, John.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Dan Antion's avatar

    Another week, another good job on the prompt, John. How you do it doesn’t matter. Just ask Elmer.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Ha ha ha. He’s not much of a talker. Thanks, Dan

      Liked by 1 person

  7. quiall's avatar

    Ha ha! I love the image of Elmer Fudd blushing! I don’t know why that always endeared me to him. Excellent resolution my friend, as always. Be well.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Pamela. Be well too. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  8. coldhandboyack's avatar

    There’s a brown cow at the bar with a bone to pick with you.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I ain’t afraid of no cow.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. srbottch's avatar

    John, how do you come up with this stuff. It’s like your brain is a howitzer shooting out crazy stuff that has us howling for more. Good job!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Steve. You are so right about the shooting part. 🤣

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Gwen M. Plano's avatar
    Gwen M. Plano · ·

    I’d forgotten about Elmer Funn, but he and my cup of brew put me in a happy place. Great use of the prompt, John. Early morning chuckles are the best. 😁

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      They are the best, Gwen. Thanks for chuckling along with me. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  11. John Hric's avatar

    Stalking the wascilly wabbit is an excellent way to work up a thirst. Just be sure to unload the shotgun and put it away before beginning the post hunt festivities. Otherwise it might disturb the bar decorum when Elmer sees that wabbit while everyone else is quaffing their beer. Missed him by that much chief ! Do you need another beer ? That one seems to have hopped right out of the glass ! And I am mostly sure how…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Of course I need another beer. Reminds me of the time someone asked if I wanted to stop after work for a couple of beers. I told him “If I can’t have all I want, I don’t want to stop.”

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Dale's avatar

    I’ve been waiting (rather patiently) for Elmer Fudd to make his appearance… and you delivered today! Woot! How wonderful is that?
    And how about this? Have a fantabulous Saturday, John.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Have a wonderful Saturday as well, Dale. Elmer is for you. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale's avatar

        Awww shucks! Thank you, John. It’s gonna be a relaxing one mostly as it is raining off an on. Hopefully, there will be a break long enough to walk around the block!

        Liked by 2 people

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          A walk in the rain is nice too.

          Liked by 1 person

        2. Dale's avatar

          That it is… Less so at 41℉, though…

          Liked by 1 person

        3. John W. Howell's avatar

          Yeah I suppose.

          Liked by 1 person

        4. Dale's avatar

          Well dressed it would be ok…

          Liked by 1 person

        5. John W. Howell's avatar

          Okay. Dress well and go do it.

          Liked by 1 person

        6. Dale's avatar

          Look at you pushing me out the door! Actually, had to bring my mother for an errand and then have a coffee with her and then well… tomorrow is another day 😉

          Liked by 1 person

        7. Dale's avatar

          Go with the flow is how I roll 😉

          Liked by 1 person

        8. John W. Howell's avatar

          The best way to roll.

          Liked by 1 person

  13. Sorryless's avatar

    You want to know how to win friends and influence people? Buy them a round.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Beer not lead I assume. Thanks, Marc.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. bikerchick57's avatar

    The wascally wabbit is not here, John, but I have a wascally cat always looking out the window for Tweety and friends. I’ll let you and Fudd know if that ever changes.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank, Mary. We would appreciate a heads up.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. T. W. Dittmer's avatar

    Thanks for the Saturday smile, John. Made me wonder what Elmer would think about beer as a viable alternative to fiction. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I think beer could be a good alternative, Tim 🤣

      Liked by 1 person

  16. petespringer's avatar
    petespringerauthor · ·

    Maybe that’s my problem. My bed is against the wall< so I always start my day by getting up on the left side of the bed.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Is that the wring side?

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Author Jan Sikes's avatar

    Boy, the “Woke” people would have a field day with Elmer Fudd and his shotgun, John. 🙂 Great prompt! And it pays to get up on the right side of the bed every time! Happy Saturday!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I’m sure they would have a field day, Jan. Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Maggie's avatar

    Ha! John, Linda does seem to work a few magic tricks, but somehow you get all the interesting characters! Great post today.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I think she thinks I need help.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Maggie's avatar

        😂 I doubt that, John.

        Liked by 1 person

  19. Resa's avatar

    I’ll come if Elmer can’t! No sense leaving a glass of wine unattended. Of course as a veggie I dwon’t dwink Wabbit Wine.
    How about that?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I agree. Elmer has taken a powder. I’m not a veggie and I won’t drink wabbit wine either. 🤣

      Like

  20. Damyanti Biswas's avatar

    “To see if beer is a better alternative to fiction.”

    Hehe I’m going to think about that for a while.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Does make for a slight pause. Thanks, Damyanti. 😊

      Like

  21. Chel Owens's avatar

    I liked Elmer’s intrusion. Wabbits help with memory loss, right?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Sometimes they contribute to memory loss as well. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Michael.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. OIKOS™- Art, Books & more's avatar

    Great, John! Simply describing the coffee machine would make other famous writers green with envy. 😉 xx Michael

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It is an important device for sure. Thanks for the compliment, Michael.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. OIKOS™- Art, Books & more's avatar

        :-)) Oh yes, John! Without a coffee machine i would not stay alive for a longer time. 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  23. willowdot21's avatar

    Well blow me down John I left a reply but it looks like Elmer erased it! Well as I was saying he a strange geezer that Mr flood! I really did enjoy your ramble to the pub today 💜💜

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Willow. I sure don’t know where those messages go. Thanks. 😊

      Like

      1. willowdot21's avatar

        WP eat them!

        Liked by 1 person

  24. D.L. Finn, Author's avatar
    D.L. Finn, Author · ·

    Another good one! You got me watching some old Looney Tunes again.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      What fun, Denise. 😁

      Like

  25. robertawrites235681907's avatar

    Hi John, such fun to find my favourite cartoon characters here every week.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      They seem to like visiting me. I don’t feed them or anything.

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Jennie's avatar

    Elmer Fudd! I loved this, John. The build up is the best! I started laughing at “How now, brown cow” and never stopped.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Jennie.😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie's avatar

        You’re welcome, John. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person