I was having a wannabe productive day yesterday. I was thinking of maybe raking the leaves and mowing the lawn. I got out the lawnmower and gave it a tug. It started in one pull, so I knew something was wrong. As I walked behind (yes, it is self-propelled. I’m 80 years old, so I live with it.)
Just when I thought the job would be perfect, there was a box blocking the next pass. I had to stop the mower, and knowing it would never start again until tomorrow, I decided to open the box. Here is what was inside, along with a trouble-shooting guide for my lawnmower. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “roc.” Find a word with “roc” in it or use it as a word all by itself. Enjoy!”
If you would like to stop work and enjoy a prompt, visit Linda Hill’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link.
https://lindaghill.com/2021/05/21/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-22-2021/
ROC by John W, Howell © 2021
“Why’d you stop mowing the lawn?”
“He says wanting to rub salt in the wound.”
“You hurt yourself?”
“No. I got a prompt from Linda and it was in a box that caused me to shut off the mower.”
“Oh-oh. That means no more work today.”
“Right you are.”
“When you going to get a new mower?”
“Come on that one is only forteen years old.”
“I could make an argument that it is only seven give it only runs half the time.”
“Yeah, make fun why don’t you.”
“So what’s the prompt.”
“ROC.”
“You have a stroke?”
“Why.”
“Name’s Larry”
“Don’t start with the Abbott and Costello routine.”
“Roc soud like an eacy one.”
“Oh yeah for you maybe.”
“Rock and a hard place.”
“That’s me totally.”
“Rock and roll.”
“Not in the mood to dance.”
“Rocket to the moon.”
“I get nose bleeds up high.”
“Off your rocker.”
“Tell me about it.”
“Proctology.”
“Pain in the butt.”
“Proclomation.”
“Have no issues.”
“Procreate.”
“Don’t want kds.”
“Okay last one. Procurement.”
“Now that one I can use.”
“Really?”
“Yes it will be a story of two guys who set out to procure giant glasses of beer.”
“Sounds remotely familiar.”
“A procedure we’ve done many times.”
“Shall we go to the Shamrock pub and live out the story?”
“Yeah my crockpot is set for six hours so I’m good to go.”
“That was a cheap one.”
“Dang me. Pretty atrocious. all right.”
“Stop.”
Fiction Favorites 
Never stop the mower, John. You might as well stay at the pub for a few beers. The grass will be there in the morning. After I finish reading a few blogs, I have to mow the front yard. I hope it goes better…then again, maybe I don’t.
I hope you guys have a good weekend.
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There is time for everything. I did manage to finish the lawn. Have a great weekend Dan. I enjoyed Gwen’s visit. NIce Scotch too. 😁
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I need to get started on our grass before the temperature ticks up into the high 80s again.
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Yup.
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I was trying to be original, like your prompt story, but everything I came up with had an atrocious crocodile in it!!
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Darn it. I coulda used a crocodile. Good one GP. 😁
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Atrocious was the sneaky one.
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I used it too that’s why I was envious of crocodile
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Great minds and all that….
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Yup
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Ha ha ha! The story leading up to the story is just as entertaining as your prompt is.
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Thank you, Pamela. I enjoyed writing it. 😁
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Well played!
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Thank you, LIz 😁
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You’re welcome, John.
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Nicely done, John! Happy Saturday!
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Thank you, Jill. Happy Saturday to you * Sung to the tune of Guitar Man by Bread.
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Happy birthday, John!
No lawnmowing for you! I’d say our your feet up and let the Producer spoil you rotten but I know you have trouble taking it easy!
Hop you have a fabulous day!
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Thank you, Dale. Yes, I do have trouble taking it easy. But am trying hard. 😁
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Good!!
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John, I nearly fell off my rocker reading this one. Good thing I didn’t. Today is not the day to visit the ER at URMC. Say what? Oh, the University of Rochester Medical Center. It’s a stones throw down the street, or a rock, if you’re playing along. 😉
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Watch that rocker fall. It could be a big one.
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Great response to the prompt, John. And a big, jumping up and down, HAPPY BIRTHDAY. You’re definitely the king for the day! 👑
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Thank you, Gwen. 😊
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Haha! Especially the proctologist line. Happy Saturday John!
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Thank you, Jill. 😊
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Happy birthday, John. That proctologist line was a sad reminder. I have my annual (careful how you type that word) checkup on monday.
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I have one in August. I hate the prep for that. Best wishes.
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We have one of those mowers too. Can’t think of doing it any other way since the yards are too small for a riding mower.
Happy birthday!
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Yes, indeed.
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“I could make an argument that it is only seven give it only runs half the time.” HAHAHAHAHA!
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Thank you , John
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Hahaha! You rock, John.
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I love the banter and the play with words. Another fun one, John.
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I’m glad you liked It, Diana.
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I agree about the mower they are only at half age not being used half the year 🙂
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That’s true too. Thanks, Denise.
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Six hours will about do it! They’ll be ready for some grub by then.
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I think so too. 😁
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Cheers.
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😁
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Another great dialogue, John, and Happy birthday! 🎂🥂🎉
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Thank you, Lauren. It was terrific.
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Well done, John, great use of the prompt. PS where is Monday’s 10 things post?
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here is the link to Monday’s Top Ten post, Robbie. If you are using the reader sometimes it gets lost. https://johnwhowell.com/2021/05/24/top-ten-things-not-to-do-while-visiting-a-bar-2/ 😁
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How odd, John, I was using the Reader. Actually, I have created lists of my favourite blogs in line with Mae’s excellent suggestion, but it is still the reader. Thanks for the link.
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I don’t trust the reader. I sign up for e-mails
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I used to do that, John, but I was getting flooded with emails. So I moved to the reader and now I’m trying the lists which I am finding quite effective.
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Excellent.
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Just to explain, I used to search for your blog in the reader. Now I click on Monday’s list and there you are. So much easier to find. I suppose its the same as email really, but it feels easier for me.
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In any case I’m always happy to see you. 😊
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Well done, John.
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Thank you, Mark
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