In the month of December there were holidays on Saturday. Now that the holidays are about over, it is time to pay attention to the Stream of Consciousness prompt hosted by Linda Hill. In fact, I was sitting on the back porch drinking coffee when it occurred to me that I had not seen any envelopes or boxes either from the sky or on land. The hole in the backyard from the embedded chest is finally fixed, so anything falling would not be appreciated.
Thinking no deliveries a bit odd for a Saturday, I decided to go to the front of the house in the chance something had been dropped off. It’s doubtful that it would happen without Twiggy’s alarm being tripped, but it never hurts to check. Walking out the front door a large van was blocking the driveway. Walking up to it there was a small logo just below the cab window. It took a minute but getting closer it turned out to be this.
Going around to the driver’s side I knocked on the window. There was a bit of commotion inside the van but eventually the window slowly sunk into the door. A boxing glove on the end of what looked like one of those things old folk use to pick up stuff came out at great speed. Ducking away from the blow I was able to grab the note stuck to the glove. Here is what it said.
Your prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “In the.” Start your post with the words “In the” – that’s the prompt! Enjoy!
As I finished reading the note a huge anvil from above buried itself in the street right behind me.
If you would like to join this fun visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2022/01/07/the-friday-reminder-for-socs-jusjojan-2022-daily-prompt-jan-8th/
In The by John W. Howell © 2022
“In the slim chance I missed something , what was that verbiage all about?”
“An intro to the prompt.”
“I noticed you started with “in the.”
“Well yeah that was the instruction.”
“How did you know that?”
“I read it in the note.”
“But the note didn’t get their until that stupid cartoon boxing glove came out of the van.”
“Yeah so?”
“So how did you know?”
“I cheated.”
“What?”
“Yeah, I read Linda’s email and knew the post had to start with “in the.”
“My goodness. This is the first time in the near past that I can remember you admitting you cheated.”
“Well, come on. The risk is pretty low. What’s Linda going to do? Sue me?”
“No but in the chance you would go unpunished, I may deny you a nice barley pop.”
“Now that would be cruel and unusual punishment.”
“I guess you are right.”
“Really?”
“Besides it’s your turn to buy.”
“Of course, it is.”
Fiction Favorites 
In the time it took me to read this, my coffee went cold. You may be tempted to think one or both of two things: either I am an incredibly slow reader or the temperature in my study is so low that the thermal energy in my coffee dissipated in what can only be described as record time (or maybe I’m in northwestern Canada). In fact, neither is in the frame. In the time it took me to write this comment, my ever-loving wife, partner and best friend, between them, made me another cup. It’s in the kiln now, being fired – or is that the apprentice who helped them? Once it’s glazed and re-fired I’m confident it will be filled with hot coffee. In the pink is what I’ll be.
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Terrific stream on consciousness, Keith. The new cup story was a great segway into an interesting tale of a curmudgeon in his straw covered cottage working on the cure for world hunger. I would continue cause I think you have something here. Another log on the fire please. 😁
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I remember at school we had whole tables made entirely of logs. Seems like a waste to put them on a fire.
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Use coal then.
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😎
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Writers have fun creating and reading nonsense, so much more entertaining than what the Networks spew. This was a fun escape. Loved it, John. 😁
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Hahaha. I like your descriptor. I think it was nonsense and so goes the output of a stream of consciousness. Thank you Gwen. I’m glad you liked it. Much better than hearing Biden talk about the economy and how really well we are all doing. Shut up Joe. 😊
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I’d vote for you any day. 😂
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Oh, thank you Gwen. Of course, I wouldn’t want that job. I would take dictator though. 😁
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Good reflexes, John. I was picturing Twiggy and Lucy having to lick you back to consciousness. Nice job on the prompt. I don’t think Linda will press charges.
Have a nice weekend.
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Thank you Dan. I believe Linda is gratious in that respect. 😁 Have a super weekend too.
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Nicely down with hitting the prompt rule twice. Though ‘in the’ has me thinking of a certain song that’s stuck in my head. Damn sleeping lion. 😁
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“In the quiet jungle.” Yikes now I have it.
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That song is going to outlive human civilization.
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Makes the Variants of Covid look like amateurs
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Ha ha ha! That was great, particularly the cartoon boxing glove!!
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Thank you, Liz. 😁
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You’re welcome, John.
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Great job, John! I have the same song as Charles stuck in my head now. Happy Saturday!😉
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Happy Saturday to you Jill * Sung to the tune of In the still of the night by the five satins. (You tube it)
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Great song, John! I’ve always liked it. I enjoyed the black and white video on YouTube. 🙂
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I was having trouble getting it copied or would have sent it to you. Glad you liked it. 😊
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Even with blurry vision John you’ve made me smile 💜💜💜
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Thank you, Willow. 😁
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Impressive, John. I really liked the Wiley Coyote reference. 🙂
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I’m glad, Tim. He is sort of a totem for me.
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John, you could have said the prompt came to you in a dream or that you have ESP. Would that have been more believable? Well, whatever. I don’t call it cheating, but rather, it is being proactive and abiding by the terms of the prompt.
I’m going to get another cup of tea and hopefully there are no anvils dropping into the kitchen. That would hurt.
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Yes, the Acme Anvil Company has supply chain problems so I think you are safe. Thanks, Mary
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Nicely done, John!
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Thank you, Deborah.
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That would be cruel and unnecessary punishment. The no pop, that is. It is quite fair that you needs must pay, this time 😉
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Yes I think so. VooDoo Ranger here I come.
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I was so jealous. Marc had some last week. I cannot buy it here. I could find it in Ontario, apparently. Maybe I’ll take an hour-long drive one day, just for the hell of it. Oh wait. That would be two hours, total…
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Maybe just go visit Marc. 😁 The old two birds with one stone senario.
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His turn to come up to Canada 😉 He can bring some 😉
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He can smuggle them in his pant legs. 🤣
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Haha! Or in his suitcase 😉
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Wrapped securely.
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But of course!
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😊
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Wow! Glad you dodged that blow AND the anvil. Great use of the prompt and kudos for starting it off with “in the.” These are always fun!
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Thank you, Jan.
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In the tavern, you might remind your friend that barley is only one way of making beverages. It’s cold enough to explore the joys of corn.
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I am very familiar with corn squeezens
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Good punctuation having that anvil land right behind you. A good story always has dramatic punctuation.
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Thank you, John
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You were brave to approach the driver, John! Great post.
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Thank you, Miriam.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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😊
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Enjoy a cold one, John. Part of the fun of these posts is how you “discover” the prompts.
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Thank you, Pete.
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Such a joy to read your creations.
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Aw. You are the best, Audrey. ❤️
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♡
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Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you , Michael
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Terrific, John! Also this with the anvil from the sky. 🙂 xx Michael
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I always like a falling anvil or safe. Thanks, Michael.
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I thought this post would be about Wiley Coyote, but it seemed he just planted the boxing glove.
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Yes, but you never know what next week will bring. Thanks, Robbie
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Getting dangergous to get these prompts…lol
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I know. 😊
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Yup, Wile E. Coyote and the classic anvil. Good thing the roadrunner wasn’t around, as he could have snatched Linda’s note.
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That would be fun.
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🙂
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Never deny an individual the gifts God has provided us.
That’s uh . . my sermon for the week.
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Thanks, brother.
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😂😂😂😂👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
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Thank you, Cheryl
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