Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Inspire/Aspire/Expire

~ John W. Howell

 

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

It was a quiet morning that could inspire incredible feats of mental productivity. However, before that process could begin, my carbon host kept reminding me to aspire to something even more important than the solution to the world’s problems. The shaking hands, frontal lobe pounding, and blurred vision led me to conclude that the carbon unit was set to expire without coffee. Lucky for it and me, the cup was already completing the beautiful act of creation. The aroma hit the olfactories like a linebacker determined to sack the quarterback. The olfactories called “time out,” and the rest of the unit stood at the ready for relief. Lips slightly parted, waiting for the hot potion that would soon be coursing throughout the entity, delivering its life-saving properties.

That done, it was time to visit the patio to get to work on the e-mails and post visits. As I was setting up the umbrella, a strange noise came to my now functioning hearing systems. It was like a small cry of a hawk. Looking up, I could see a speck in the sky that quickly turned into a dot. While my caffeine field brain was calculating the possibilities, my ocular sensors figured out that the flailing object was a man, and he was headed right for me.

The air was forcibly driven from my body at the point of catching the man. Yes, he landed right into my outstretched arms. We both hit the patio with a noise that could be described as resembling a watermelon hitting the street after dropping from a  twelve-story building. I think you get the picture.

I’m not sure how long I was out, but I opened my eyes to the biggest person I had ever seen. He had arms that looked like GI Joe on his best day and no neck. Around his waist was a belt with a buckle that read WWF Champ. “Hi, the name’s Tiny,” he said.”Thanks for catching me. This is for you.”

With that, he shoved an envelope into my immobilized hand, stepped over me, and left through the gate. I felt like a school project called flat me, forgotten on the concrete. Twiggy finally licked me back to life, and I opened the envelope. Inside was a message from Dan Antion. It read;

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “inspire/aspire/expire.” Use them in any form you like. Use one, use two or use them all if you want. If you use two, you get bonus points! If you use all three, Cheryl will put your next drink on David’s tab. Enjoy!

Clearly, I deserve a drink.

If you want to participate, go to Linda Hill’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2021/10/01/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-october-1-2021/

Inspire/Aspire/Expire © 2021

“You’ve done it again.”

“What?”

“Used our time on that stupid prologue.”

“Well, I couldn’t help myself.”

“What brought Tiny back to life?”

“Jennie Fitzkee.”

“Of Teacher’s Reflections?”

“The very same.”

“You opening this blog to requests?”

“No, but she suggested that it might be fun to have Tiny visit.”

“Pretty short visit.”

“Big impact, though.”

“What happened to the prompt?”

“It’s all in the prologue.”

“So we can hit the bar?”

“Yup, and the first one is on Dan Antion’s buddy David.”

“Just the first?”

“What they don’t know won’t hurt them.”

 

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Published by John W. Howell

I have been working in business for over forty years and now have the time to work in special areas of interest. My passion has always been to create compelling stories of fiction. I have authored six novels and am working on my Seventh. The first novel is still in manuscript form and being utilized as a door stop in the laundry room. The second is a contemporary fiction novel of 89,000 words and is complete and I am currently seeking a publisher. I also write poetry but have not had the guts to share any with anyone. The one time I read a piece to a person their only comment was, “it doesn’t rhyme.” I will continue to write and hopefully my blog, Fiction Favorites at www.johnwhowell.com will provide some entertainment and an interesting thought or two. I live in the Austin area with my wife Molly and an assortment of loving pets.

56 thoughts on “Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Inspire/Aspire/Expire”

  2. Nicely done, John. It’s always good to see Tiny, well, for us. I’m guessing you would have been satisfied with a different kind of zoom meeting. David’s credit card has not expired, and I think you will like what he’s been drinking lately. As Linda would say, enjoy.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Great prologue, John. I was worried about you for a minute, but am glad you made it through unscathed. Poor David. He might be crying in his bourbon about now.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. I don’t think David is going to allow Dan to control SoCS and hand out drinks on his tab anymore, but nice job with the prompt and saving Tiny. I can only say that it’s a good thing Twiggy was there to lick you back to complete consciousness. What would you do without her and a prologue?

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Glad you got your coffee before Tiny dropped in. Each week the delivery gets better and better! I look forward to this 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  18. As usual, your imagination inspires me to work harder on mine. But, then, just being dull has its advantages, people don’t bother me. Love the JF reference. Nice work, John.

    Liked by 2 people

  23. Lol!
    Almost had me wtf..ing!
    Nonetheless, you are brilliant and did it all.
    The part about the watermelon hitting the street from 12 stories was meaningful, to me.
    I’m searching for its onomatopoeia!

    Liked by 2 people

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