Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Tip”

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

Taking my time with my coffee seems like a good way to welcome a Saturday morning. Listening to the cardinals do their imitation of the Jersey boys standing on the corner reminds me to check the mailbox for any hint of a prompt.

A move to the front door was interrupted by what sounded like some big guy doing a cannonball into a pool from a twelve-meter platform. A look into the backyard gave me a tip as to the source of the sound,

There was an Olympic size pool and diving platform where just last night was only turf and crossvine. It appears as if the execution of the cannonball caused a tsunami that has washed over the yard. There is a big guy swimming for the edge.

A yell causes him to look up at me standing on the porch, wondering where sandbags can be secured this early. I cup my mouth with my hands. “What are you doing?”

He yelled back, “The breaststroke.”

My mind gave him props for his comedic timing. However, my body screamed for him to get out of that pool and tell me what’s going on. I don’t have a pool and need to get to the bottom of this situation. The jamoke lumbered over and explained that he was an animator from Warner Brother’s studio and did all this animation on behalf of Linda Hill.

Of course, he did. He received a tip from me to rewind, erase, or whatever else one does to get rid of an animation scene. He handed me an envelope, and once the yard was back to normal, I opened it. Here is what it said. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “tip.” Use it as a noun or a verb. Have fun!

If you would like to join in on the fun, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2022/04/01/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-april-2-2022/

Tip by John W. Howell © 2022

“You have gone off the deep end.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Who’s going to believe some guy drew a pool and then dove into it.”

“Technically, he jumped into it.”

“My point is, who’s going to believe that?”

“There is no reason to believe. It’s fiction.”

“So what are we supposed to do with it then?”

“Laugh, cry, shout, ignore, or anything else ty want to do.”

“Come on. Some guy draws a pool. Don’t you think that’s farfetched?”

“Let me give you a tip.”

“Ah, the prompt.”

“Yes, but that’s not why I’m giving you a tip.”

“So why?”

“To open your mind to the creative process.”

“So, what’s the tip.”

“Enjoy more. Question less.”

“That’s it.”

“Yup.”

“How do I apply that to life.”

“What if I drew a bottle of VooDoo Ranger right now.”

“I would rather have a real one, thank you.”

“Yes, but the drawing could remind you of your last experience.”

“I agree. It could.”

“Okay so here’s the bottle I drew.”

“Uh huh?”

“Take a tase.”

“Brother. Okay, I’ll humor you. Hummm.”

“What?”

“Tastes pretty good. A little dry maybe.”

“You’re kidding right?

“Of course. After all it’s your post.”

“You dog.”

“Let’s go get a real one.”

“After you.”

72 comments

  1. Magical, John… where’s my pencil…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Design what you would like to have then let yourself go into it.

      Like

  2. I enjoyed this, John. I always wished I could draw. I can hardly scribble stick-people. Happy Saturday sung to the tune of Oh What a Night by the Dells. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh What a Night is a great one. Thanks, Jill. Happy Saturday to you * sung to the tune of Proud Mary by Creedence Clearwater Revival

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Great song choice from you!

        Liked by 1 person

  3. I would love someone to reach in with the big pencil and draw a scene in my yard. I would believe, 100% Great intro, John and a good job on that prompt. I’m humming the tune from Merry Melodies as I close this comment.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Always good to keep that imagination exercised. Love the tune as well. See you at the bar.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Not being artistically gifted, I’ve never been able to draw (apart from curtains, my pensions and unwarranted conclusions). I certainly can’t draw on paper, although, as years go relentlessly by, I find that I can draw on experience – and that can often tip the balance!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Well done, Keith. Your words take the place of any drawing any day.

      Liked by 2 people

  5. haahahah. I subscribe to a willing suspension of disbelief. Works for me constantly.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I know you do. It is always good to keep that imagination machine running. Thanks, Pamela. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  6. If only we could really have that power.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Wouldn’t it be great? I would like to see the look on someone’s face when you told them they were in a scene that you drew. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Or tell them you drew them into existence.

        Liked by 2 people

  7. ❤ Your stream of consciousness is an engaging one to traverse.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m so glad you liked it Chel. I loved visiting you place and need to come back and visit more often. Thank you for the kind words. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. No worries. My life is so fun-filled right now, I only get a few minutes to visit my favorites so I don’t expect anyone else to do more. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  8. “The breaststroke.” Hahaha! Thanks for the smile with my morning coffee, John. 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you got one Linda. Thanks for letting me know.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. This is so imaginative that it amazes me. Great job, John. You pulled me in fast and kept me on the hook. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That is a super compliment, Tim

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Gwen M. Plano · ·

    Another great escape from reality. Oh to dream, to imagine, to just have fun with words! — thank you, John, for today’s frivolity. 😁

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Gwen. Escape is my middle name. I hope you enjoy the weekend.

      Like

  11. Enjoy more, question less. That’s the rub for a speculative author. People who go with the flow seem to enjoy themselves. Those who question everything don’t get the same enjoyment from a story.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I pity those who question everything.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. That’s a new extortion method on me!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes it is. 🤣

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Oh to be able to draw my own world vision. Thanks for the laughs John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You can do it. Thank you, Lauren.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. petespringerauthor · ·

    The ability to stretch our minds to imagination is such a precious gift.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Just hope we can get back. Thanks, Pete.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Lol John I look forward to your posts every week I really do I just suspend my common sense and go with the flow!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Good one, Willow.

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      1. It’s roughly what you were experiencing o think? 😂😂

        Liked by 1 person

  16. Clever and thoroughly entertaining! I’ve penciled myself in to have a great day. You’re invited to have one too.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Susan. I’ll just do that. 😁

      Like

  17. I always loved the Disney animation documentaries when the illustrations jumped off the page. I bit on all of it – hook, line, and sinker.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ha ha ha . Me too.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. D.L. Finn, Author · ·

    That’s the perfect pool. One you can draw, use, and then erase!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes indeed. Can get a new one every day too.

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  19. LOLOL!
    Now it’s the animator. He did a good job.
    The bugs bunny I sent you is street art. I wonder if he painted that, too?
    (Still a pink thing)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. He might have. He did not erase it if it was he.

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      1. Oh goody!

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      2. Yes, indeed.😁

        Liked by 1 person

      3. So, what did you think of my war/zombie look for my temporary Gravatar? I’ve also been drawing Art Gown Zombies. I think the bad guy will have a name something like Raw Snit-Oop.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Did not look like your personality. For a fictional character it would be terrific.

        Liked by 1 person

      5. Yeah.. Anyway, I changed it. The new one works perfect. I think Gravatar was afraid of the zombie one.

        Liked by 1 person

      6. I don’t blame it. 😁

        Liked by 1 person

      7. 🤣😂

        Liked by 1 person

  20. Ha! Ha! Good one, John! If only we could draw what we want. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That would be great.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Taking your time enjoying coffee on a Saturday morning sounds perfect. Then your creativity soared to an amazing level. I love the pool concept and would like someone to draw a pool in our backyard, please. Good take on tip, John! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You want Olympic or shaped? Spa and waterfall? Do you have a pencil? You can do it. Thanks, Lauren.

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      1. Olympic, spa, and waterfall! Why not reach for the stars! 😁

        Liked by 1 person

  22. Ain’t nothing like the real thing, Boss.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I hear you, Pilgrim.

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Enjoy more, question less. Love that advice, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Diana.

      Liked by 1 person

  24. The power of the pen… or ink… or computer 😉
    And very sage advice, I say!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Dale

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Well done, John! Talk about creativity, that’s your middle name!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You are so sweet, Jennie. ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you, John. 😍

        Liked by 1 person

  26. This is fun. Thank you!

    Like

    1. I’m glad you liked it. Thanks for letting me know.

      Liked by 1 person