Ah, Saturday. The day that requires no intelligence or energy. The day when the mind and body take some time to themselves. The day where the agenda is free style and time a seemingly squanderable resource. It is also the day when the AI in charge of coffee has an iron grip on my heart. Begging and pleading only slows the process of turning roasted South American bush fruit into the hot, frothy, aromatic liquid that quells my addition.
It is usually a test of wills on who will crack first. The machine or me. Returning the cursed thing to the store is an idle threat. The machine knows giving up the soothing mainline caffeine delivery system would be harder than losing a limb. Pounding and cursing have little effect. There was a time when the machine shut down entirely and accused me of being technically insensitive after such an episode. Three days of shlepping to Starbucks cured me of any future violent overtures.
So how long will the wait be? There is a stirring, and low rumble followed by three sputters indicating the life-restoring fuel is about to be dispensed into my cup. Be still my beating heart; here it comes. Ten ounces of glory are delivered. Trembling hands caress and move the cup to the lips. One sip and, like Gene Wilder in Young Frankenstein, seeing the monster rise from the table, scream, “It’s alive.”
Linda Hill’s message hits my computer screen at my moment of ecstasy. It says Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “heart.” Use it any way you like. Have fun!
If you would like to have fun, visit Linda’s blog and read how. Here’s the link.
https://lindaghill.com/2023/02/10/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-feb-11-2023/
Heart by John W. Howell © 2023
“What the heck was that all about?”
“We’ve been off for a month, and I thought I would reintroduce the espresso maker and its odd behavior.”
“You almost gave me a heart attack.”
“How’s that?”
“I thought you were having a brain bleed or something. Going on about stupid coffee.”
“Excuse me.”
“What?”
“Coffee is what starts my day.”
“Well, I think you might be a little obsessive over it.”
“Oh, not like you, of course.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Three words. VooDoo Ranger Imperial.”
“Hey, you leave my significant other out of this.”
“Listen to you.”
“Alright, I’ll give it to you. I shouldn’t talk.”
“You ought to get someone to write a song.”
“What kind of song?”
“Maybe a heartthrob country and western.”
“Why?”
“To express your affection.”
“Got a title?”
“Sure, My Heart Belongs to VooDoo.”
“You’re heartless, you know that?”
“Let me buy you one.”
“You’re forgiven. But if you’re going to buy, can we have more than one.”
“Dial Uber.”
Fiction Favorites 
Reblogged this on https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you for sharing the post, Michael. 😁
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My pleasure, John! xx Michael
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😁
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Lol, this is why i am making my first daily brew like in the earliest past. Only a pot, hot water and the coffee powder. No filter and no AI. Best wishes, and enjoy your weekend, John! xx Michael
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You are very smart. 😊
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Dial Uber, good answer.
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Yes indeed. Thanks, GP.
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Lol! I enjoyed this, John. Happy Saturday!
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I’m glad. Happy Saturday to you, Jill * sung to the tune of Greenfields by the Brothers Four.
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It’s good to see you didn’t forget the machine and you didn’t give up on VooDoo in your absence. Nicely done, John.
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Thank you, Dan
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Too funny, John. I’d like to hear the VooDoo Country Western. It might become the next YouTube sensation. 😄
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Thank you, Gwen. Let’s hope you are right. Have a super Saturday.
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LOL… dial Uber. Thanks for the morning fun, John. I’m ready for a “day that requires no intelligence or energy” for sure. Hugs.
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Thank you, Teagan. I think we are all ready for that day.
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Good one, John! It makes me glad that I have simpler coffee machines. 🙂
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Hello Mr. Coffee. Thanks, Tim.
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Wait. We get to rest on Saturday?
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In theory.
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A country western song for an IPA, John? No offense, but I think that requires jazz or easy listening. In my mind, anyway. Country western is for Miller or Budweiser (blech).
I used to covet coffee, but now it’s mostly tea, and I don’t have to fight a machine to get it. Treat your AI kindly and you’ll reap the brown foamy rewards with a smile and life.
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Thank you, Mary. You are right about the C&W song and IPA. Okay, how about Heavy Metal Rock?
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That would be good. Since I don’t like most IPA’s, I would pick Metallica’s Enter Sandman…off to never-never land.
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🤘🏻
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John, ditch the coffee machine and stock your frig with Guinness Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Beer. It can also replace your Voo Doo. Great way to start and finish your Saturday. Have a Super weekend.
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Great suggestion, Dan. Would go well with the sour dough hard pretzel for breakfast.
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I love the sound of coffee dripping into the pot! Maybe my heart belongs to java?
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Mine does for sure. Thanks, Noelle.
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“aromatic liquid that quells my addition ?” Addition ! ? ! Perchance me thinks the garden fairies have made a field trip and visited you keyboard. Perchance. However none of the poetry was lost. Three fingers sir ! Or one burly Voodoo Ranger…
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I’m a coffee addict. No way around it.
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what’s a prompt on love, coffee and country without a little drama. You espresso’d yourself bold, dark and strong John. ha❣️
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Ha ha ha. You made me laugh. This comment can only be possible from a poet. 😊
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Mission accomplished John. You guessed it! ha 🤣
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😊
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You’ll like my poem from yesterday I think John, 🌹
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Chivalry is alive in your hands, Cindy.🌹
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Yes indeed and I know how you love your dogs so I thought you would appreciate my poem. Thanks for checking it out. ❣️
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I liked it a lot. 😊
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Aww thanks 🙏
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Well played, John! :D:D:D
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Thank you, Liz 😊
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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Ah yes, nothing like being at the mercy of the beast that supplies your daily elixir! It’s VooDoo night! Have a fabulous one!
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Thank you, Dale. Saturday’s posts always keep that in mind.
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Of course! 🙂
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Hi John, you are funny about your coffee addiction. I hardly ever drink coffee and when I do it’s more like coffee flavoured milk.
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I love my coffee. The Germans make the best. When I used to travel there I drank tons of it. Thanks for the comment.
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LOL! I can almost see you there anxiously waiting for the machine to finish making your coffee. When #1 Grandson was little I would make him warm cocoa and put it in his sippy cup. He hated the wait and would have a literal hissy fit , crying, and yelling at the kettle to boil faster so he could have his morning cuppa. This went on for several year. Baby Girl said I got him addicted to it.
He rarely drinks hot cocoa now. So, not that addicted. 😀
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A cute story, Deborah. Thanks for sharing.
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😀
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I can smell the coffee brewing here 🙂
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Great isn’t it?
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Do you think it’s possible that your coffee maker is the one who gave you the addiction?
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You mean like a drug dealer? I think you are right, Pam. I’m going to explore that thought.
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Ahh, coffee, I got them java bluuuuues. It’s probably a good thing you can’t hear me singing, but yes, it’s an addiction in our house, too 🙂
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I think I did hear it, Jacquie. Don’t stop writing to become a singer.
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I’m right there with you on the morning life-giving elixir, John! I couldn’t tolerate an uncooperative coffee maker. It’s great to have you back in the saddle!
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Thank you, Jan. Good to be back. 😁
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Good one, John
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Thanks Audrey.
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Hello John,
Despite the effin coffee machine monster, it’s a nice soft landing back on Saturday’s Stream of Consciousness.
Looking forward to the ensuing insanity .
You are very good to your friend. You must like him, lots.
Buy him a Voodoo for me!
🧟♀️ 🐂 🍺 🐂 🍺 🐂 🍺 🐂 🧟♀️
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I think I will keep you to myself and let him buy his own VooDoo. But I appreciate the gesture. OX OX OX OX OX 💐
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Lol! Okay, I’ve never been a kept woman, but there’s a first time for everything. 🐂🐂🐂🐂🐂 💐
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Kept like in a secret. Not kept kept. (That would never work) 🐂🐂🐂🐂🐂 💐
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AH! A secret… I can keep secrets. 🤫 🙊
OX OX OX OX
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Yes indeed. 😁 OX OX OX OX
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No morning coffee = heart attack, right? Great job with the prompt, John. I lost count of all your hearts. Good thing you you went for the VooDoo Ranger, too.
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I tend to include VooDoo Ranger in each week. Thanks, Jeannie.
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You do a good job at that, John. I’d be worried otherwise. 😅
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Ha ha ha.
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😂
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I’m a French press, Kicking Horse kind of person myself. 😁 Great job with the prompt. Made me smile.
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I used a French press some years ago but sadly became a slave to the Jura coffee machine. Kicking Horse sounds like a super coffee. Being an idiot with a machine I use Costco Columbian. Loved your comment and follow. Thanks.
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How can one live without coffee and Uber? Good one, John! 😀
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Hard to imagine, Lauren. 😁. Thanks
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🤗☕️
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☕️😁
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