A leisurely Saturday is usually de rigor. There is no trip to the store purposely planned for the day. Coffee brewing and the memory of a carrot chomping bunny way in the past ensure the day’s outlook looks hopeful. With cup in hand and a check of the Ring, camera gives me the assurance that the day will go as expected. Several sips into the hot steaming stuff and an alert hits my phone. “An object has been detected on the front porch.” This is very strange since most alerts call for a person detected.
Wishing and hoping the so-called object is not a cartoon character, the unlock the front door series. Three minutes later, facing me on the porch is Pepe Le Pew holding what appears to be a black cat in advanced stages of panic. Her eyes beg for help as Pepe continues to shower her with kisses.
I smile. “How may I help you?”
Pepe takes his eyes off the cat and looks at me. “Uh-huh, monsieur. Thees lovely creature, and I have a message from Linda Hill. Can you reach into my back pocket and get it?” The cat made every effort to get away, but Pepe’s hug was secure.
The message is indeed sticking out of Pepe’s pocket. A quick snatch, and it is mine. Meanwhile, the cat manages to slip out of Pepe’s hold and makes a break for the woods. Pepe takes off after her leaving me to open the message.
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “trip.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun! This is all it read.
If you want to have fun, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link.
/https://lindaghill.com/2022/03/11/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-march-12-2022/
Trip by John W. Howell © 2022
“I don’t get these cartoon characters.”
“What’s not to get?”
“I mean, as long as you are doing these pitiful intros, why not do something exciting.”
“Like what?”
“A trip to outer space or out west even. Anything but these one-dimensional cartoons.”
“Oh, stop. Weren’t you ever a kid?”
“Yeah, but I grew up.”
“Maybe you had a bad experience with cartoons.”
“No. I’m older and have given over to older things.”
“Like what?”
“Er. Movies and drama.”
“Okay. Do you ever get a laugh?”
“With comedies, yes.”
“Adult comedies?”
“I suppose.”
“Did you ever really take a look at the themes in the Warner Brothers cartoons?”
“Well, no.”
“You should cause most are adult themes. Take Pepe, for instance.”
“Okay.”
“The poor cat had some paint spilled on her, and Pepe mistakes her for a skunk.”
“Yeah, so?”
“He falls hard for her, but in her case, not so much.”
“I get that.”
“So the story. Boy meets girl and falls in love. Girl not interested. How many times has this been a theme in your world?”
“Hey. Let’s not get personal. You mean in my entertainment world?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, I see what you are saying. Why don’t you have a picture of the character at least?”
“Cause I think the reader knows exactly what that picture will look like and no need.”
“Still.”
“Besides, the pictures are copyrighted and require a royalty.”
“The real reason comes to light.”
“Maybe. I know something that is royalty-free.”
“I hope it is barley pop.”
“Yup. You buy it, and I drink it.”
“A trip to the pup is next.”
“Lead the way.”
Fiction Favorites 
When I came back from my last trip, all I could say was, “Oh, wow!”
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You and Steve Jobs. 😁
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😵💫
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Weren’t cartoons used to touch on sensitive topics like war too? They work as an incredible medium for getting difficult points across. It’s why I like anime.
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I agree. There is something about stepping away from real life to deliver a message that makes the message stick. Thanks, Charles.
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Cartoons may also be able to break various laws of physics or be outlandish enough to amplify certain issues. That helps people realize them in reality.
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Good point.
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I know exactly what those characters look like, John. Right down to the expression on their faces 😉
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I knew that would be the case, Thanks, Dan.
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I can only imagine the stories you tell to your grandkids! Brilliant, John. This is one of your best. 😁
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You are too kind, Gwen. I do appreciate your words though. My youngest grandchild is twenty and they definitely don’t want to hear these kind of stories from me.🤣
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LOL…I suspect they’d like to hear a few stories from your college years, the censored ones.🤣
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Ha ha ha. Those go with me.
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I’ll take that trip to the pub with you, John.
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Always welcome, GP.
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This was great, John! Happy Saturday sung to the tune of White Silver Sands by Don Rondo. This is my father’s favorite song. 🙂
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What a great song, Jill. Happy Saturday to you* sung to the tune of Don Rondo’s first hit Two Different Worlds.
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I’ll check it out! Thanks!
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😁
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I wasn’t expecting Pepe Le Pew! Apropos of nothing, I’ve always liked the word “de rigor.”
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Ha ha ha. I like de rigor too, Liz. 😊
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😀
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A trip back in time to Saturday morning cartoons is always good. Thanks for bringing a smile to my face, John. 🙂
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Thanks for letting me know, Tim
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I happen to like your cartoon characters, John, except Pepe LePew was not my favorite. Probably because he kept harassing a cat. 😉
In the early 90’s, I watched Tiny Toons and can tell you that there was a lot of humor that many children would laugh at, but probably not get the meaning of the joke or situation. Funny cartoons, though.
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Yes indeed. I never got to Tiny Toons but did like the originals. Thanks, Mary
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You really brought these characters to life, John. Hugs on the wing!
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Thank you, Teagan.
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Pepe the Lascivious Lecher was kind of cute. I’m surprised the decency of police haven’t come down hard on him. I guess his kind of lasciviousness is acceptable. No worries, I’ll go to the pup with you any day.
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Always happy to have you. 😊
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I always enjoyed my Looney Tunes on Saturday morning with the kids. I was a fan of Pepe Le Pew back in the day. I love these introductions 🙂
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Thank you, Denise. I loved them too.
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I always look forward to Saturdays and your post, John. You manage to make me laugh every time and this one is no exception. I remember Pepe Le Pew and his strange obsession. A great introduction!
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Thank you, Jan. I always like the look in the cat’s eyes.
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Someone up above mentioned it, and the monitors have tried to shut down Pepe. He wasn’t supposed to appear in the remake of Space Jam for that reason. Use the air freshener on the monitors and keep Pepe.
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Yes. Thanks for the support.
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Loved this one, John, and thanks for the Saturday smiles! Have a great weekend!
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You are welcome, Lauren. Thanks.
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Pepe Le Pew was my favorite cartoon! So glad he made an appearance here 🙂
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He is one of my favorites too.
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I want to know how you manage to have such great visitors. I am envious. Thanks for the laughs.
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I make them an offer they can’t refuse. 😁 Thank you.
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Now that makes sense. I guess I need to up the ante.
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Just get a wise guy to deliver the invites.
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This was priceless! Pepe Le Pew and the poor, panicked cat. Please tell me next week will be Sylvester and Tweety Bird. Your dialogue leading up to the bar is hilarious. Well done, John.
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Thank you, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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I haven’t seen a cartoon in more than a couple decades, but I was impressed with how sophisticated children’s movies had become. They threw in plenty of humor for the adults as well as kids.
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So true. The last kids movie I saw I laughed like crazy.
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Who could resist Pepe’s charms? Well, besides that poor cat, of course.
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I know right? 😁
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Oui! Oui!
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Pepe was nothing if not persistent.
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That’s for sure.
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But his delivery, I gotta admit, it really did stink.
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Good one. 🤣
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Haha!
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😊
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I like this image.
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I like the cartoon characters. I am quite a fan of Pepe. I am not sure you would want him to take up residence though, John, he might take a fancy to one of your girls.
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I think he is looking for someone with a white stripe up the back. Lucy and Twiggy don’t come close.
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Hysterical!
If Pepe didn’t reek, I’d take him in.
It would be great to have a Maurice Chevalier type to trip around with.
Ah hell, all’s well that ends in smell.
I’ll have a glass of red wine, please!
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It would be nice to be able to invite Maurice over for dinner.Not sure he is bad enough for you though. 😁
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Well, if he wears a couple bottles of cologne… does he play guitar? Drums?
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Not sure. We’ll have to ask him in the next life.
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