After putting the food for breakfast into Twiggy and Tempeste’s bowls, it is time for coffee. Thinking a change would be good, the coffee machine was ordered to brew a Latte instead of the standard straight 10-ounce cup. The button is pushed, and nothing. The machine stares back at me as if a big mistake is about to happen. The touchpad asks, “You sure?” Once more, the order is confirmed, and the sounds begin almost like the machine shrugs what could pass for shoulders. Steamed milk followed by a shot of espresso and then foam.
Grabbing the finished product and taking a sip turns the mind to the clock. Today, the clock is set for December 14, 1924. The location is Fairfield, Montana, and the duration is thirty minutes. The plunger is pulled, and we arrive in Fairfield in time to see a record being set.
The town of Fairfield, Montana, set a weather record for most significant drop of temperature in a 12-hour period, from 63 °F (17.2 °C) at noon to −21 °F (−29.4 °C) at midnight. It is now midnight, and my cheeks are starting to crack in the cold. Being caught in twenty-one degrees below zero temperature in PJs is not the most comfortable thing in the world. Just as my Lattee begins to freeze, the alarm goes off, and we are back on the warm, comfy couch.
Linda Hill sent a text. It reads, “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “food.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2024/12/13/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-14-2024/
Food by John W. Howell © 2024
“Well, you had no trouble with the food prompt.”
“No, it seemed to flow with the morning routine.”
“How was that Latte anyway?”
“It was great in liquid and popsicle form.”
“Hard to believe that big of a temperature swing in twelve hours.”
“Yeah, I can tell you that the temperature below zero was cold. I heard some guy say it was a dry cold. It was cold, cold.”
“Don’t you think next time you should wear something more substantial than PJs?’
“Yeah, I didn’t think that one through.”
“Did anyone want to loan you a jacket or anything?”
“No. An old guy asked if I needed any food, but that was it.”
“Lucky you weren’t put in a mental hospital.”
“I suppose. Never gave that a thought either.”
“I have a thought.”
“Bubbles, amber liquid, thought of a food in some parts of the world?”
“I think you are on to me.”
“Call Uber.”
“He’s right over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“I see we are going first class.”
“At least there is a backseat.”
“I’ll give you that. But not much more.”
Fiction Favorites 
Growing up in Alberta, we often had those sudden drops in temps. It is a dry cold which means it’s darn cold!! I recall my nose hairs freezing waiting for the school bus.
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That is cold.
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Growing up in the desert of Southern California, I knew nothing of freezing weather. Then, I moved to Indiana and experienced frost-bitten feet—an unforgettable awakening. As always, great dialogue and story, John. ❄️☃️❄️
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That must have been very painful. I can’t imagine how much. Thanks for the kind words . 😊
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I couldn’t imagine what was going to happen on Dec. 14th, but you sure found something!!
Smooth moving dialogue too.
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Thank you, GP. The day was pretty calm 100 years ago.
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Everyone was too cold to come out!!
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I think so. 🤣
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We went from 60°f (16°c) on Wednesday afternoon to 17°f (-8°c) sometime during the night. That was enough of a swing for me. You’re talking 40 more degrees, John. And, by the way, that’s not jammies weather. At least you fed the girls before leaving.
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They do not wait for breakfast. First priority. Thanks, Dan
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Yikes, what a temperature change! When your coffee turns into a popsicle, it’s time to get into a car with a working heater.
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I agree with that for sure.
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Wow, John! A 73 degree temperature drop is SO significant! What in the world is Mother Nature trying to accomplish with that?
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Maybe get rid of all the nudists. Who knows? Thanks, Tim.
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Well, I did miss the caldron of boiling oil and the entire description of keeping your fortress secure…that might have kept you indoors during that temperature drop. But a latte in popsicle form does sound rather tempting. I do like coffee ice cream.
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The problem with time travel is trying to dress properly. Thanks, Lois.
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From 63 °F (17.2 °C) to −21 °F (−29.4 °C) in 12 hours is very extreme. I remember when we came over from Sweden to Wisconsin in January 1996. The temperature dropped 30 degrees Celsius in 12 hours at ended up at around -20F but it started around freezing. I am used to those temperatures in northern Sweden but not such a sudden drop and I was kind of shocked.
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I stepped off an airplane in Minneapolis and went from 70 degree F to -30F. That was a shock too.
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Those types of temp drops sound dangerous. Guess people would have time to get warm, but it had to cause many to get sick.
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I’m sure it did.
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We have temperature swings here in WI, but nothing like that. It was almost 50 here on Monday, then the Arctic breeze blew in on Wednesday and I woke up to -3 Thursday morning. Yay! Well, it’s warming up again today, supposed to be a balmy 35, so maybe flip flops and shorts? 😉
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We had a 34 night temp a couple of days ago. That was killer cold for us.
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Brrrr! That’s cold! We have a wind advisory in place bring the feels like temperature down to 28 degrees F this morning. I’ll take that over minus 21 though.
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Yes 28 would be downright balmy in comparison. Just don’t go swimming.
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A latte Popsicle. I could do with that in the summer! You did choose an unhealthy place to visit in PJs. Not sure you could last 30 min at that temp, but maybe you are just warm-blooded. Dan does pick some great Ubers for you – I do like this one!
Belly rubs to the girls!
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Thank you, Noelle. The girls love those belly rubs
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Oh burrrr John, liquid popsicles in the cold. The hospital might have been a welcome stay just to get some sleep. Thank god for ubes.. xo 😚
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Thank you, Cindy. 😊
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That is an extreme shift. I also haven’t seen snow on a WordPress blog for a long time, but here it is. I had it set for every December on mine, but haven’t seen it for a while. I need to go check. I always thought it was fun.
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Me too. It is a toggle now and can’t be preset.
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Hopefully the heater works! 😄
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That is a great hope. I do too.
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😌
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😊
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Food? Yes, please.
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Right behind you on that idea.
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Brrrr cicles! Great post today.
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Thank you, Jill.
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Wow. That is quite the spread. How lovely to up the ante with a latte! And as long as the ride gets you to the pub…
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I think you hit on the important stuff, Dale.
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😉
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😊
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I wouldn’t have survived. I feel the cold when the temps hit 40. I sure hope those residents remembered to turn off their outside water.
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The cold and I are not best friends either. Thanks, Steve. Good warning about the water for those folks. 😁
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I could handle -20 temperatures when I was a kid but not anymore!
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Me either. Way too cold.
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I do not take kindly to the cold myself. I’m definitely a Miami Dolphins fan for a reason, since my team is like me when it comes to the cold weather. Nope!
And umm . . oh well, all Ubers ain’t created equal.
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The cold is not for me either. 🥶
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Brrr…! Your flow from the cold to food to amber liquid to Uber was terrific!
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Thank you, Jennie. 😁
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You’re welcome, John.
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