Waiting for a lifesaving ten ounces of Columbia’s finest liquid personality can challenge the nerves. Sure, it’s only three minutes, but it can seem like a lifetime when the nerve endings scream for relief. Caffeine addiction is a prime reason to be on edge, as the mechanics of producing the soothing syrup seem to be moving in slow motion.
The aroma and the click of the message to ‘enjoy’ signals the pain is almost over. A sip of the crema and the inhalation of the curative vapors lead to the belief that one will live. A walk to the patio, cup in hand, completes the morning. Since the seasonal change from Hell’s Back Porch to I Think We Are Going to Live has lowered the temperatures from the 100s to the 90s, life outside is possible.
Recent rains have left the Earth smelling like life has returned, and the reoccurring circling of the vultures has given way to the happy sounds of songbirds. Yes, the Texas summer seems to be over, and now it is time to enjoy the outdoors.
Feet up, contemplating a relaxing day is a brief respite from the cares of the world. A small shadow begins to widen around me. Clearly, a rather large box has been jettisoned from an unseen flying machine. As the square shadow continues to expand, it occurs to me that movement away from the contact point might be a good idea.
Jumping up and screaming like a first grader saves my bones from a crushing introduction to a very well-fortified box from the ACME air delivery service. Attached to the box is an envelope on a string. The return address is Linda Hill. The message inside says, Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “prime.” Use it as an adjective or a verb, use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
To see what others do with this prompt, visit Linda’s blog. Here is the link.https://lindaghill.com/2023/10/06/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-7-2023/
Prime by John W. Howell © 2023
“Another box?”
“Looks like it.”
“Your prime plot point.”
“Well it beats other things.”
“Like what?”
“Urns.”
“Yeah that one was a stretch for sure.”
“So who knows what is in that thing.”
“I’m surprised it didn’t smash apart.”
“I thought you would say something like ‘I’m gald you weren’t crushed.'”
“Look around.”
“What?”
“This is a blog not the real world.”
“I’m missing the point.”
“I knew you wouldn’t be crushed. If you were this puppy would be over.”
“I guess that’s true.”
“Now if you want to talk real.”
“Uber so we can fill our gut with VooDoo Ranger Imperial IPA.”
“Already called he’s sitting right over there. The green car.”
“That 1952 Studebaker Commander State?”
Photo by Dan Antion
“Yeah that’s the one.”
“Well at least we have a car this time.”
“About that.”
“What.”
“It has no motor so we have to push it.”
“Not even going to ask or argue. Let’s hope for a favarable down hill run.”
“Coming back hom might be a problem.”
“Yeah but then I’ll have fortification.”
“True that.”
Fiction Favorites 
Hi John, your Hell’s Kitchen has moved over here and it’s 36 C and so dry. Good luck with the pushing.
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Thank you, Robbie. Looks like your spring is off to the Texas races. 😓
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Indeed
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[…] know, Dan, I’ve been following John Howell. It seems to me that would be a cold glass of VooDoo […]
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Thank you for the link.
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With you and Robbie still in and now in the 90s, I guess I have little room to complain about our weather. John, I hope the cool VooDoo Ranger does the trick. Enjoy a nice weekend.
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Thank you. Enjoy yours as well.
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A little fortification is always a plus!
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Thanks, GP.
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ACME has delivered everything for years. How come I never see their trucks? Did I understand correctly that you cream your coffee? Great car!
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I do cream my coffee but I was talking about the crema that forms in the brewing process. Thanks, Steve.
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I like the car. Studebaker made some that looked pretty cool, and some that were just off somehow. Happy pushing.
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I used to live in South Bend Indiana which was where they were built. Amazing history. Thanks, Craig.
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At least you had your coffee before pushing that mammoth to the bar. Enjoy one for me, John.
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Thank you, Maggie. I will. 😁
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That’s a cool car, John. With no engine, it will be lighter, but not light enough to push, for me. Have a good weekend.
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Ha ha ha. Good point, Tim. Have a good one.
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So far, so good. 🙂
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Yes the getting up is a good start.
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I’m glad your temperatures are more comfortable. We’ve been able to open our windows which I always love this time of the year. Cool car! Maybe you can cut out the bottom and run it like Fred Flintstone’s car. 🙂
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Good idea, Jill. Happy Saturday to you *sung to the tune of Raindrops by Dee Clark
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John, given the high number of items you receive from Acme, you may want to consider getting an Acme Prime membership
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Good idea
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John, I think this is a con job to sell memberships. Dan has done this before. I’ve been nicked a couple of times. Just beware. I’d look into Acme a little closer. Their P&L is a bit sketchy.
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Thanks for the tip, Tom. 😁
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John, I think this is a con job to sell memberships. Dan has done this before. I’ve been nicked a couple of times. Just beware. I’d look into Acme a little closer. Their P&L is a bit sketchy.
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John, given the high number of items you get from Acme, you may want to consider getting an Acme Prime membership. Have a great weekend.
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Great idea, Dan. I think that can work in.
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For some reason, I kept going back to that first sentence. Probably one of the best opening lines I’ve read.
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Oh my. What a lovely compliment. Thank you, Charles.
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It is now overcast and cool here so I’m a happy camper. And I’m so pleased I’m not addicted to coffee! Talk about hellish morning…
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It is an addiction I embrace. Thanks, Pam
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Such a cute little car. Jerry Seinfeld took some comedians for a ride in a later model Studebaker. The ‘no motor’ in this one would have been a bummer no matter how much coffee he plied them with.
Here in Florida we are getting ready for the BIG CHILL tonight–down to 55. 🥶 We are such wimps.
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We had 62 this morning. So lovely. Yes the no motor is a bummer.
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Glad its cooling off but that’s still too hot for me. Glad you avoiding that box 🙂
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I don’t think jumping into that box quickly is the right thing to do. Thanks, Denise.
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You start off with such poetic prose, John. A delight to read… and then boom! ACME box to jolt us out of our reverie! I thought of you last night as I had me a VooDooRanger! Didn’t know my corner store had ’em. Tonight, however, we shall both toast you !
Happy Saturday!
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Thank you, Dale. I will toast you both as well. I’m glad we could spend some time together (VooDoo me and you.)
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Sweet! 🍻
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😊
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There is something about a Studebaker that is hard to take seriously.
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The name is a laugh for sure.
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What a car! And a hard choice -VooDoo Ranger or the magic elixir of coffee!
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Yes it is a hard choice. Thanks, Noelle.
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As far as “green cars” go, that’s the only one I would love taking a ride in.
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Me too. I had a 52 Ford that color.
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Of course you did. 🙂
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Ha ha ha.
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😉
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A beautiful classic car, and I love the aroma of coffee, however it doesn’t agree with me lol.. I am a Nettle tea freak lol 🙂 an acquired taste but I have my own nettles I pick from lol
And the aroma of damp earth and songbirds… Nothing beats that except perhaps the smell of new mown grass in the early morning dew.
Have a relaxing weekend.. ❤
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I like the damp Earth and songbirds. I worked my way throuht college mowing lawns so I got my fill of the freshly mowed grass in the early dew.
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A beautiful aroma… and mowing grass is commendable work…. My hubby was a ground maintenance man who did other peoples gardens for a living.. 😀
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I worked lawns for four summers.
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Lol! What a twist. Great car, but a motor would be nice. 🙂 Good one, John.
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Thank you, Jan. You would think a motor would be critical. 😊
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John, your coffee build-up was outstanding. Really. Of course I’m glued to what’s in the box. Too bad that gorgeous car didn’t have a motor.
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Well, we will see next week on the box. Sorry about the motor. 😁
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😀
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😊
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Early fall temps are a great relief, aren’t they? I love the cooler days and am glad you’re enjoying them as well. BTW, the Studebaker is a beauty. 😊
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Thank you, Gwen. Yes the days are lovely. Thanks 😁
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Okay John What’s in the box?
Or should I say who…whom…who?
Anyway I hope you get home in time for nextSaturday’s prompt.
Fortified, or not, that Stud…etc… is going to take a lot of time to get up the hill!
🐂🐂🐂
Maybe these OXen can help pull it?
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Great idea on the oxen. Got the Studebaker back yesterday. but will remember them for the next time. 🐂🐂🐂🐂
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Oh good! 🐂🐂🐂🐂 – ready when you need ’em!
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Yes indeed. 🐂🐂🐂🐂
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💋
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😁
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