Some mornings the wait for the 10 oz cup of salvation can be agonizing. It may be a matter of not sleeping well or too late to hit the rack. Whatever the reason, standing like a monk with a begging bowl, bed hair shadow casting, blinking sand-filled eyes is not a good look.
Eventually, the steaming brew is brought full measure, and only the heat keeps it from being consumed like a beer bong on spring break. It arrives just as the end of the emotional rope is metaphorically reached. With shaking hands, the libation is raised to the lips, and a small sip is accompanied by an imaginary Young Frankenstein-like yell of “It’s alive.”
Brain finally engaged, it is time to turn to the business of the day. It is Saturday, after all, and by tradition, something mystifying will be found in the yard. Checking the Ring doorbell camera brings a satisfying all, clear in the scope of vision.
Then a sound like the TV has been left on reaches my ear. Looking into the backyard, a bright yellow cartoon canary is sitting on the fence. Opening the rear door, “I tot I saw a puddy tat,” message is clearly understood. Yes, it is true Tweety Bird is sitting on my fence. If so, Sylvester can’t be far away.
A tap on my shoulder sends me and my coffee into a ten-foot altitude record. Carefully positioning my cup captures most of the live-giving fluid as we hit the ground. “Excuthse me, sir, but I have a messssthage from Linda Hill.”
Having never met Sylvester before, the fact that he is six feet tall was totally unappreciated by me. He handed me a piece of wet paper, and he and Tweety disappeared.
The message reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “rope.” Use it as a noun or a verb. Have fun!
If you would like to have fun, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link. /https://lindaghill.com/2022/03/25/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-march-26-2022/
Rope by John W.Howell © 2022
“So you did it again.”
“What?”
“Brought in a couple of cartoon characters and then dropped them.”
“No, I didn’t drop them.”
“What was the point?”
“They carried the prompt.”
“Why did they say so little?”
“Had to keep within SAG rules. More dialogue equals more money.”
“You pay them?”
“What do you think?”
“Yeah, that’s right. You write fiction.”
“Bingo.”
“What about the prompt?”
“Have you had enough?”
“Good point. I’m at the end of my rope.”
“And ready for a nice cold beer.”
“You could rope me in for that.”
“So now we have taken care of the prompt and can go.”
“No sweeter words were ever spoken.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
“Given the circumstances, if you were me, you would.”
“You’re buying.”
“Gladly. Let’s go.”
Fiction Favorites 
Never let it be said that John W Howell doesn’t know the ropes when it comes to these SoC challenges (although I secretly think he may have been on the ropes a time or two)
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On and at the end. 😁
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You and me both, my friend. 😀
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😊
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you for sharing, Michael. 😊
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:-)) xx
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What a pretty and imaginative story, John! Thanks for sharing, and enjoy the weekend! xx Michael
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Enjoy your weekend as well, Michael.
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Thank you, John! 🙏
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I am very pleased to see Tweety show up, John. I am a fan.
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I’m glad Tweety made an appearance too. 😁
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I love Tweety! Great job, John. Happy Saturday! Sung to the tune of The Three Bells.
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A favorite by the Browns. Thanks, Jill Happy Saturday to you * sung to the tune of Mr. Sandman by the Chordettes.
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My mother loves The Three Bells. Mr. Sandman is a great song!
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Have her listen to the version by the Les compagnons de la chanson https://youtu.be/r3WAAKIDn7c
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I will…thanks!
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The pre-coffee John depicted is quite a sight to behold!
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Not a pretty picture around here for sure. 😁
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😀
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😁
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Saturday morning with Sylvester and Tweety. 🙂 Time for another cup!
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Yes, indeed, Tim. 😁
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Sylvester six feet tall? At least you caught your coffee cartoon style! Have a great weekend, John.
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Thank you, Maggie.
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You are welcome, John.
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😊
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Wonder if the guy’s neighbors are taking bets on who will show up each Saturday.
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I’m not sure if the neighbors are able to see all that goes on. I’ll have to check that out. 😁
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In that case, those must be very strong beers that these two are having.
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VooDooRanger.
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Sounds brutal.
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Yup. 9% ABV. That’s why I can only have one.
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Good job, John. Although, it’s pretty easy for Tweety to rope me into a story. One of my favorite cartoons.
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Thank you, Dan. 😊
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Wouldn’t it be great if the bartender’s nickname was Doc?
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It would be great. Thanks for the laugh.
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Another fun one, John. Tweety was always a favorite of mine. 😁 Have a great day!
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I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Gwen. 😊
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“standing like a monk with a begging bowl, bed hair shadow casting, blinking sand-filled eyes…”
I spit out my tea on this one, John. Every dang morning except I’m probably a nun with a begging bowl. Lol.
Tweety is one of my favorite cartoon characters. Thanks for that addition and nice job with the prompt.
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I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Mary. Thanks for letting me know.
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A six-foot-tall Sylvester would be an intimidating sight. Everybody loves Tweety. I think the girls might have to speculate about Tweety if they find a feather in the yard.
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They haven’t found one yet. Of course we only had one visit so far. Thanks, Pete.
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I loved the visual of your coffee flying into a ten-foot altitude record, John. And who doesn’t love Tweety? Good one, and Happy Saturday. 🙂
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Thank you. Lauren. Lucky the coffee was caught.
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😂☕️
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You know all the ropes, John. Even enough to become a cartoon character yourself!
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That would almost be a nightmare. Thanks, GP
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Very entertaining and relatable!
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Thank you, Susn. 😊
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Dang! Now I kind of want to watch an old Hitchcock film by that name.
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Which film would that be?
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Rope.
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Ah yes. Starring James Stewart. .I never saw it and totally forgot it was his.
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Wonderful film. Great lesson on how a minimal cast and location can still reveal a great story.
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Looks like a good one. Thanks for the info.
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I enjoy your visitors. They do a good job of keeping you on task. Say hello to Tweety Bird upon her return.
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Let’s hope she returns. Thanks, Lauren. 😊
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I couldn’t wait for that jolt of caffeine either, John. Our Tweetie birds are still sleeping though, so no cartoons to start my day. A fun post. It’s clear you know the ropes. 🙂
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Ha ha ha. Thank you, Diana
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John, you strung me along before you roped me in to the end. Good work!
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I was trying to get you to the end of your rope. I might have come close. Thank, Steve.
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I enjoyed every strand.
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😁
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“It’s alive!” That was so funny! I’m glad Tweety Bird and Sylvester appeared to deliver the prompt. Thufferin’ Thuccotash!
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Me too. I’ll have to have them back.
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Ahh, Tweety and Sylvester.
You’re lucky Granny didn’t show up and bat you around your head with an umbrella.
It’s quite painful, according to Sylvester.
What should I say next? Epor!!!!!
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Resa.
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I love those two cartoon characters! I never imagined Sylvester at 6′, but hey, it’s fiction, so it’s all good. I’m amazed how quickly you can move from coffee to a cold beer. 🙂 Great response to the prompt!
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Thank you, Jan. Coffee to beer is a time move. 😁
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I never thought about how tall Sylvester could be. Six feet works 🙂 Good one.
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Thanks, Denise. 😁
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