A leisurely wait for the magic restorative brew to be finished causes the mind to wander. A quick thought on the subject of redecorating raised by The Producer reminds me to pay attention to the task at hand. The very idea of hanging wallpaper turns the spine into an ice-filled waterfall.
The coffee is ready, and just as a sip is completed, my phone alerts me to another interloper out front. Since it is Saturday, the only assumption that may be valid is a prompt delivery from Linda Hill. Checking the phone does not confirm my hypothesis but gives a glimpse of a large envelope lying on the porch.
A deep sigh reflects the annoyance of entering the security protocol required to venture out the front door. An idea passes that maybe some kind of mail chute would prevent all this falderal. The idea is forgotten while opening the iron gate, lifting the steel bar, rolling back the concertina wire, disengaging the tear gas system, and unlocking three bolts plus two locks. The front door is thrown open.
Standing looking like they had been hit by a stun-gun was Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog. “What do you guys want?” was the peevish question leaving my lips without an escort. “Morning Ralph.” Morning Sam.”
Okay so after a few moments of confusion the pair reached down and picked up the envelope. They smiled and handed it to me. They then punched the timeclock (Where that came from is anybodys guess) and picked uptheir lunch pails and walked down the drive.
Opening the evvelope was a surprise since there was a message written in sharpie on a piece of wallpaper. It read Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “wallpaper.” Use it however you’d like. Have fun!
To have fun go to Linda Hill’s blog and read how easy it is to join it. Here is the link.
https://lindaghill.com/2022/08/05/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-aug-6-2022/
Wallpaper by John W. Howell © 2022
“Ralph and Sam?”
“Yeah.”
“Where did you come up with those two?”
“I always liked them. They made their bebut when I was twelve years old and I thought they were hysterical.”
“But no one else knows them.”
“Maybe you don’t but plenty will.”
“What’s with the blatent and gratudious use of the prompt?”
“What do you mean?”
“You just threw in the word wallpaper like it was an after thought.”
“I just didn’t want to go down a wallpaper route. There are threats enough about redecorating without courting disaster. I hate wallpaper.”
“Tell us how you really feel. I think I’ve been to a group session of wallpaper survivors. By the way you don’t happen to have a photo of Ralph and Sam do you?”
“How’s this?”
“Oh I remember them.”
“Of course you do. Now that your memory has been jogged do you know who’s buying.”
“Sadly I do.”
“Let’s go. There is a Voodoo Ranger calling my name.”
“Do you have a picture of that too.”
“I keep it in my wallet. Here you go.”
“Okay then. Let’s go.”
Fiction Favorites 
Boss
I need the 411 on the wallpaper group. And no . . never mind, I will just go to the Voodoo Ranger therapy session. Two rounds will do the trick.
You aced the challenge again Sheriff
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Thank you, Pilgrim. Two rounds is about all I can handle. 😁
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Hey, I’m plenty good with that.
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😁
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We don’t see much wallpaper these days. The world has taken to paint, but I’d be surprised if it doesn’t make a comeback.
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It is coming back as accent. 😁
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I hadn’t heard of Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog before. When it comes to wallpaper, my worst experience was stripping nonstrippable wallpaper put up inthe ’50s and painted over decades later.
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I had that in my second house. The whole place was covered including the ceilings.😬
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In the same house, I’d just finished painting the kitchen ceiling, when it started drooping. We didn’t know that there was some kind of fabric or paper hiding cracks in the plaster, and the oil-base paint loosened whatever adhesive had been used to put it up, and the whole thing came down. Never again!
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Oh no. The old ceiling paper.
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Well I have not hear of these two but I love the look of them both 💜💜 I see the sheep dog is the old English type as opposed to your normal collie and the Wolf is not too distant a relative of Willie Kyote!
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The Warner Brother’s team was criticized for making the wolf look too close to Wile E. Coyote. 😁
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He was wasn’t he? Sorry I got his name wrong 😃
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Come on you are a Brit. I always get “realize” wrong.
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To countries separated by one language 😊
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Yes indeed. Plus you guys wanted more tax on the tea.
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Yes indeed we did 🤣🤣😊
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And so it goes.
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I’ve been seeing plenty of ads for wallpaper, but I doubt the new-and-improved version is much easier to get up on the wall.
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I cna’t imagine wallpaper being easy at all. Thanks, GP.
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Oh wow that came out large – get rid of it please!!
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Don’t know why I can’t. Oh well, it is pretty funny.
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LOL! I like that, GP!
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I do too, Jill.
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I remember when I was a kid our next door neighbor had black wallpaper. I think they had a few Voodoos before making that decision! Happy Saturday, John sung to the tune of To Know Him is To Love Him by the Teddy Bears. 🙂
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More of my high school music, Jill. Thanks. Happy Saturday to you * sung to the tune of You belong to Me by the Duprees https://youtu.be/ZUGCCSAa_OQ
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Glad. Glad I am not on the clock yet…
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Yes. Otherwise you would be docked for being at leisure.
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I always thought that was Wile E. Coyote. He was just using the alias of Ralph.
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Good thought. Warner Brothers did put the tow together in a feature to show the differences.
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I am not a big fan of an IPA, but I do love words and am over the moon you used the word ‘ falderal’ today! Have a nice weekend, John.
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Thank you, Maggie. it was one of the words from the 70s. At least I heard it more then. 😁 This IPA has big flavor, aroma, and kick. Gotta love hops to enjoy.
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John, my father was a painter/paper hanger so I picked up some tips. I actually found paper hanging relaxing…until my biggest critic began nitpicking. Then I hung up my passing brushes, scrapped my board and took up drinking (not true). Pay all my expenses and I’ll consider doing the job for you, if you don’t mind a few faux pas from a slightly shaking hand.
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Ha ha ha. I’m trying to talk down the idea of paper. Textured walls and all. Thanks anyway, Steve.
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I would have been too expensive, anyway. I’d work ‘cost plus’ and I’m not the quickest. Good luck with your negotiation.
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Thank you. I think a few VooDoo Rangers would have brought the price down.
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Absolutely! hahaha
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😊
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I knew exactly who Ralph and Sam were before I saw the picture! Guess I’m older than dirt. LOL
Loved this!
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They were introduced in 1953 but are still going strong in games etc. So maybe you saw them last year. 😉
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I’ll go with that explanation. Thanks. lol
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I thought it would fit better. 😁 Thanks, Susan
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LOL! Wallpaper survivors?! That’s a phrase I’ll never forget! 🤣
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Well I’m sure you have been there. Thanks, Gwen. 😁
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Yep. I became an expert at pulling/scraping the wallpaper down. 😊
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You are a saint for sure.
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A group session of wallpaper survivors!! Ha! Ha! I don’t remember these two characters. Thanks for sharing them, John! Good one!
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Thank you, Jan
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Those characters had slipped from my memory until you brought them out. Thanks, John. The way they brought me laughter is a good memory. Wallpaper survivors IS a good one. 🙂
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I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Tim 😁
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I used to like putting up wallpaper when it was in fashion. It did hide some sins. I recall the characters of Ralph and Sam.
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I’m glad you liked the characters, Darlene. I’m afraid I never liked wallpaper.
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I am with you on the wallpaper thing. When visiting potential houses, we found one that we really liked except. EVERY SINGLE ROOM was papered. Nope. Nyet, Nein.
As for Ralph and Sam – excellent choice, I love them.
AND, I have it on good authority I shall finally taste VooDoo Ranger in two weeks 😉 Woot!
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Good news on the VooDoo Ranger. Let me know how you like it. I find it’s best served in a glass that has been chilled. Brings out the aromatics better that way since the chill releases the gas better and you get a nice head on it.
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I am rather excited about it and I shall make sure that the glass is properly chilled (when at home, my glass is always chilled) so I can get the proper effects. Shall notify my partner in crime 😉
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😁 One last thing. Get bottled if possible.
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That is a definite…. I’ll tell my “supplier” 😉
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😁
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Nice to see Ralph and Sam here 🙂 Favorites of mine too.
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I’m glad, Denise.
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I remember Sam & Ralph. Poor Ralph must be related to Wylie Coyote. They’re both losers who use ACME products.
Does that Voodoo Ranger Beer taste a s bad as it looks? I mean that in the good way!
Wall paper should be made illegal. Although leftover bits make okay wrapping paper. Good up-cycling move.
As for the time clock, I heard a rumour that the steel bar and the concertina wire got together for a 1 nighter and had a love child.
Okay another Saturday. Time for wine!
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Yes it tastes as bad as it looks. Aromatic coupled with “hair on your chest” flavor makes it a winner. High level of alcohol doesn’t hurt either. This is not your carbonated defrost lite beer kind of thing. This is Ale. (Makes me want a joint of elk to pick up and eat then throw the bone to the dogs) Maybe a joust or two after dinner.
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LOLOL!!!!
Just reading about this beer is causing hair to grow on my knuckles. SIGH!
I’ll have to wear gloves to the paying of respects tomorrow. Makes me wonder why I bothered doing my nails?
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Seems like a waste of time (the nails). Well now with the hair you have every reason to wear gloves.
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Crikey… now my knuckles are itchy! Aarrgh!
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If you stop thinking of VooDoo Ranger the hair will go away.
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Great! Just what I need, ingrown hair!
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No it disappears.
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I do remember Sam but not Ralph. Odd because if they were always together … Must’ve thought they were Sam & Wile E Coyote.
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That could be for sure, Thanks, Jill
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I liked those two, John. Glad to see they’re still working. I’m OK with wallpaper, until it has to be removed. I hope you’re enjoying the weekend.
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Putting up is easire than taking down. Thanks, Dan
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I had an apartment at University that was far too bright so instead of buying expensive drapes I bought some cheap wallpaper and wallpapered the lower windows. I thought it was brilliant! My landlord never knew. I love Sam and Ralph! That takes me back…
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I did the same only with black paint.
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Haha! I love the idea of a wallpaper therapy group. If you can put up wallpaper with a spouse or girlfriend without snapping at one another, then your relationship has a chance.😊
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That’s for sure. Thanks. Pete.
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Our first house had plaid wallpaper on the kitchen ceiling…courtesy of the previous owners!
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Yikes. 😳
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It was a bit dizzying!
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Ha ha ha
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😵💫
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Punching the time clock brings back memories, as do those cartoon characters. One of our major grocery chains in the Philadelphia area is called Acme. Been around forever, with a loyal customer base. Every time I see one, I think of how many items were bought from the “other” Acme in those Warner Brothers cartoons. Could you imagine the product reviews Wile E. Coyote would have left for their products if the Internet was around back then?
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Internet reviews would make a great cartoon, Bruce. I could see Wile on Yelp right now. 🤣
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I’m a wallpaper survivor, too! 😀 Glad to see Ralph and Sam!
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I’m glad you like them. How are you feeling?
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Better. No swimming, no driving, but no pain. Just very sore. Do you think Voodoo Ranger would speed the recovery? 😎
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I think VooDoo Ranger can cure anything. It also takes rust off metal. 🤗
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Hahaha! 😂
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😊
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How come you had wallpaper and everyone else had keys …..am I missing something ? 🤣💜💜💜💜
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You have two weeks ago post. Because of my cataract surgery, I haven’t done a SoCS post for two weeks.
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I realized that soon after I replied and remembered the post… Stupid of me sorry. How are you doing after the op ?
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All is great. Procedure went well and I see like a hawk.
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I am very pleased to hear that. I have heard lots of extremely good reports on the procedure.💜
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Yes. I’m glad I did it.
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So pleased for you 💜
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Thank you, Willow.
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💜
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