Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Luck

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

 

I was taking a break during my bike ride and having a sip of water. Then, looking out over the scenic countryside, I spotted a cloud of dust heading in my direction. I thought it strange that a cloud of dust would appear in a neighborhood that was completely paved. But, since I figured it would be another one of those fictional engagements, I decided to go with the flow. Sure enough, coming around the bend was a wagon train being led by Ward Bond on horseback. “Hey, partner,” he yelled down at me.”You know of a place where we can make camp for the night?” As luck would have it, our park was free of weekend activities, so I gave him directions. “Much obliged,” he said. He then gave a sign to the wagons to follow him, which they all did.

It was about four hours before the last wagon came ambling by where I was standing with my bike. A young man walking beside the wagon came over and handed me an oilcloth-wrapped parcel. I tried to tell him I didn’t expect a present, but he insisted I keep the package. Once the wagon was out of sight, I unwrapped the parcel and found two things. The first was a block of pemmican. The second, a piece of parchment paper with a message. The message read, Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “luck.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

Yes, I did want to follow the train to the park and maybe learn about crossing the plains, but I knew it was just a figment of someone’s imagination and probably would be a waste of time. It sure seemed real, though. I did try the pemmican and can tell you not to bother. The smell alone will get ya.

If you want to enjoy, go to Linda Hill’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2021/08/13/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-aug-14-2021/

Luck by John W. Howell © 2021

“Here we are on Saturday.”

“Yup.”

“So, what’s the prompt?”

“Luck.”

“Luck?”

“Luck.”

“What you got?”

“If it wasn’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.”

“You serious?”

“It’s a song.”

“Oh. For a minute, I thought I was going to be forced to have an interdiction for you.”

“Nope, everything’s okay. I’m going to sing the song.”

“Please don’t.”

“Why?”

“Number one. You can’t sing.”

“Says who?”

“Number two, There’s beer at the pub calling our name.”

“You got a three?”

“Yup.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“Our word count allocation is up.”

“It’s that stupid intro. Eats word like they were free.”

“So let’s go.”

“Can I hum the song?”

“Sure, if you want to ride on the roof of the car.”

“Let me think about it.”

“Only you would say that.”

 

 

64 comments

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you for sharing, Michael. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

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

    A round thing. 😉 Already the introduction is fascinating! Thank you for sharing, John! Enjoy a beautiful weekend! xx Michael

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      You as well, Michael. 😊 Thank you for the lovely comment.

      Liked by 1 person

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

        👍 Thank you as well for beeing part of the wonderful challenge, John! xx Michael

        Liked by 1 person

  2. […] August 14, 2021 · by John W. Howell · in Prompt · Leave a comment […]

    Like

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Michael.

      Like

  3. willowdot21's avatar

    It’s good luck you could tell the wagon train leader where he could set up for the night!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes, luck was with me. Thanks, Willow. 😁

      Like

  4. Jill Weatherholt's avatar

    Good one, John! Happy Saturday!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Happy Saturday to you, Jill *sung to the tune of Run Around Sue by Dion.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Dan Antion's avatar

    I really enjoyed the intro, John. I think it was worth the hit on your word count. After four hours waiting and watching wagons, you need a beer. Have a great weekend. Maybe stay away from that park.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I think you are right, Dan. I’ll see you at the bar. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  6. GP's avatar

    I love your story, but when you mentioned a wagon train and heading west, my mind went directly to “The Miracle Workers: the Oregon Trail” TV show – have you seen it?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I have not seen it. I’ve seen trailers and it looks like my kind of show. The only problem is we don’t watch television except for 45 minutes of a prerecorded series and twenty minutes of news. I suppose I could fit it into the rotation somehow. I really like the concept and think Steve Buscemi is a terrific actor.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. GP's avatar

        The first season was a riot!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          It is still available on Amazon.

          Liked by 1 person

  7. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    Never realized that was a song. Thought it was just an old saying.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It is a fun song with Ray Charles. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  8. bikerchick57's avatar

    I believe your “luck” was the beer calling your name. Happy Saturday, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Very true, Mary. 😂

      Liked by 1 person

  9. John Hric's avatar

    Luck is with you. You made it back from your twilight zone bike ride and no one asked who parked Ward Bond and this wagon train in the park. So did you go for the car buddha riding on the roof ? A good cold brew will usually loosen the bugs from the teeth, ask Ward.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      He opted to not sing. A little slippery up there.

      Like

  10. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

    😀 This is my favorite line: “It’s that stupid intro. Eats words like they were free.”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks, Liz. Typical Twiggy line. 😁

      Like

  11. J-Dub's avatar

    Hee Haw!! I enjoy that song and the show I first saw it on. Cheers to you John!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I’m glad you liked it Jill.

      Liked by 1 person

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

    What in the world made you think of pemmican? Or wagon trains? 😂 Great dialogue, John, and the imagery – well, I’m still on one of those wagons. 😁

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      What in the world makes me think of anything? Who the heck knows. I guess you are still on the wagon but you went ahead and bought a little house on the prairie. 😁

      Like

  13. Author Jan Sikes's avatar

    As luck would have it, your intro had me in stitches! 🙂 Good one, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Jan. I appreciate knowing that. 😁

      Like

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

    I would love to see a wagon train come through 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes indeed. Would be fun for sure.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. karenringalls's avatar

    That was a good one…Ward Bond, wagon train, music! You had me laughing from the very beginning.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Karen. 😁 Glad you liked it.

      Like

  16. coldhandboyack's avatar

    With luck, that pub will have a bathroom. Can’t trust trail-worn pemmican.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I hear you. I think they will.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Jennie's avatar

    Ward Bond… it couldn’t have been any funnier! I have never had pemmican- that’s luck.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      That’s luck for you. How does deer fat, meat and seeds sound this morning. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie's avatar

        Oh, yum…not! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  18. Dale's avatar

    As luck would have it, I’m a day late and a dollar short but still had to tell ya it’s always fun to stop by on SoC…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      And I’m feeling the luck that you did. 😁.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale's avatar

        Sa-weet!!

        Liked by 1 person

  19. circadianreflections's avatar

    I enjoyed the intro story, and wish the rider on the bike did follow the wagon train into the park and camp out with them to hear more stories. Ah, well, the wagon train got lucky having a writer like you write them a happy ending for the night.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes they spent a comfy night around the campfire singing those old favorites and telling ghost stories. I personally dropped off 450 Hersey bars, 100 pounds of marshmallows, and a pallet of graham crackers. SMORES for everyone. Thanks, Deborah.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. circadianreflections's avatar

        😂 That sounds fun!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Doesn’t it? 😁

          Liked by 1 person

  20. Sorryless's avatar

    Luck is a pint glass. Or wait a minute, is that love is a pint glass?

    Let’s go with both.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes. Both sounds about right.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. D. Wallace Peach's avatar

    Wishing you great luck with the beer, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Diana

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Lauren Scott, Author's avatar

    Late again, John, but lucky me for stopping by for this great entertainment! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      You are never late, Lauren. Let’s just say delayed.

      Liked by 1 person