Another night of worry about a random rocket seems to dissipate with the first sip from the fresh hot mug in my hand. All too soon, it is time to figure out what to do with the rocket, though. To that end, a visit to the bathtub has thankfully verified that Pepe La Peu has decamped. Just where he has gone is anyone’s guess.
“Monsieur le Owner.” It is Pepe standing by the door to the backyard. My response is a cool acknowledgment of his presence. He begins to tell me about his action plan, and he is temporarily halted by my upraised hand. “So we are clear, I would like you to dictate your plan into my phone.” A frown crosses his furry forehead. “Mais oui but let me ask why?”
My assurance that we need to fuly understand his plan seems to assuage his concern. He takes my phone and describes the ignition procedure. My hand goes up again. “Oui monsier?” My explanation of the home owners Association rules about igniting rockets with in the community falls on understanding years. “You have a Trebuchet as part of your security system, no?” He goes on to explain that he will use the Trebuchet to loft the rocket out of the neighborhood and then commence with the ignition sequence.
The point is made by me that the Trecuchet might be too small to handle the rocket and suggested the larger ballista might be a better choice. In fact the ballista is scheduled to be delivered today by Amazon Prime.
Pepe agree to wait for the ballista and said he had a text on his phone from Linda Hill. Looking over his shoulder the text reads. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “dict.” Find a word that contains “dict” and use it in your post. Have fun!
If you would like to have fun visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is to join in. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2022/12/09/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-10-2022/
Dict by John W. Howell © 2022
“What the heck is a ballista anyway?”
“It’s a big ole rock throwing catepult used in ancient times.”
“And you had to order one?”
“Yeah. Came recommended by Dan the same guy who sold me the Trebuchet.”
“You know people are going to start talking about you.”
“I would hope they would grab a dictionary and look these things up.”
“Clever.”
“What?”
“How you worked dictionary in there.”
“Didn’t think about it.”
“Well, anhow folks aree going to think you are off your rocker with all these security devices.”
“It’s a dangerous world out there.”
“Oh stop. You just like to write about that stuff.”
“Okay you caught me. Was fun to work the ballista into the story.”
“When is this crazyness going to be over.”
“You mean Pepe and the Rocket?”
“Yeah what else would I mean?”
“I guess he will have it all figured out next week. By the way I did not know Pepe was an MIT grad and validictorian I might add..”
“Okay that’s it. Time for more predictable substance.”
“You mean beer don’t you?”
“I do and you’re buying.”
“I bought last week.”
“I don’t mean to contradict you but what does that have to do with anything?”
“Don’t we share the cost?”
“You are the only one with money.”
“I forgot. Okay, text Uber.”
“Fandango is on his way.”
Fiction Favorites 
Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you, Michael. 😁
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You’re welcome John! xx Michael
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What a nice introducing story, and the answer on the challenge also fantastic. Thanks for sharing, John! Enjoy a beautiful weekend! xx Michael
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Thank you, Michael. 😊
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My pleasure, John! xx Michael
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Very good, John, but I’m surprised the HOA rules don’t contain an interdiction against the use of ballistae…
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Nice use of the plural, Keith. As long as there is no noise, the HOA is okay.
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Hmm, I’m wondering if I should read my HOA manual. Nope, I think I’ll pass. I just can’t face that tome. All the do’s and don’ts overwhelm me, but I’ll just learn from your escapades, John, and laugh while I do. Enjoy the day! 🌞
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Do not go near that manual, Gwen. If you do, at best, you’ll need a nap. At worst, you’ll realize you have been guilty of several violations and now owe the HOA $5,000. (Good thing no one caught you, right?) 😁
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🤣 so wise and always hilarious.
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❤️
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That seemed like a harder the usual one to figure out.
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Not many dict words in my brain. Thanks, Charles.
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Addiction. Na, one trip to the pub per week doesn’t count even if it’s a long one.
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My thinking exactly. Of course the five gallon to go order might be suspect. Thanks, Craig.
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No addiction here, except your need for unusual things to order. You wife must be thrilled with your collection, John.
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She does wonder sometimes but I remind her that I’m not a drug user, gambler or alcoholic.
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Then you’re good to go.
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Yay
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I was on my way to looking up ‘ballista’ – thanks for the definition. Now I’ve learned something today. Oddly enough, Rockler has been littering my web crawling with plans to build something that looks like a ballista.
Great job on the prompt, John. Good luck with the HOA.
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Thanks, Dan. We all need to learn useless stuff once in a while. 😁
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[…] might be an issue, David. I’m not sure we have anymore John Howell’s Bourbon—I just poured the last shot. I’ll check […]
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Thanks for the link, Dan.
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So, did Pepe deliver his MIT vadedictory address in English, French, or Franglais?
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I’m not sure. He emptied the auditorium before he could deliver it.
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Touche!
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You could almost hear the pounding feet and screams from here.
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😀
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😊
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Ugh…HOA…we just paid our yearly dues. I often wonder where the money goes. Happy Saturday to the tune of Itchy Twitchy Feelin by Bobby Hendricks. Enjoy!
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Thank you, Jill. Happy Saturday to you*. Sung to the tune of Tossin’ and Turnin’ by Bobby Lewis
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John,
I purchased our ballista about two months ago. I’ve had fun with it. Love giving the squirrels a ride into the forest behind our house. I bought mine at Costco and might return it for the next model up. I need more distance since some of the critters are coming back.
Enjoy yours and let me know what else you do with it besides rockets.
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Mine is the giant throw a truck a mile model. I’ll let uyou know how it works.
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Great job, John. 🙂 Pepe a grad from MIT? I could go on about that, but it would be obiter dictum.
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None of your comments would qualify under the obiter dictum tenant. 😊
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Wonder how Fandango measures up to Fantasia…
I’m thinking Pepe’s plan is a Pew…
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Ha ha ha. I think Fantasia has an edge. Green hair.
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That must help…
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And a Mohawk to boot.
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That nails it, then!
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Yup.
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“…the ballista is scheduled to be delivered today by Amazon Prime.”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
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They dropped it on the front porch. Blocks out the sun.
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The only thing missing was a dictaphone, John. 🙂 I have to admit I didn’t know what a ballista was. So, I learned something. Good one!
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Thank you, Jan. You can use that word everywhere you go. In fact you can substitute it for other words like when you are at Starbucks. You can refer to the barista as a ballista. When caught you can just say “quoi.”
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“People are going to start talking about you” … lol
Clever as ever. great post John!!
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They have been talking about me for years. Thanks, Jill.
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Now I want a ballista!
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I know right?
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Seriously!
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😁
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Gotta love those HOA rules, and how did we ever live without Amazon? 🙂 Great job on the prompt, John. Happy Sunday!
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Thank you, Lauren. Happy Sunday to you as well.
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Are you hoping for an interdiction?
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Nah. Chicken wings maybe.
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I would want it clear too, John!
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Ha haha
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Hmm, prediction!
Pepe’s plan works, you get rid of the rocket, but he has become addicted to your coffee, bath and bath bombs.
He stinks the place up, again.
Then, you use the trebuchet!
🐂🦨🤢🐂🦨🤢🐂🦨🤢
PS. You will pay for the beer forever!
🍺💋🍺💋🍺💋
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I love your plan. Maybe I’ll write it out that way.🐂🦨🤢🐂🦨🤢🐂🦨🤢. I know I’ll pay forever. 🤗😘
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Yes, my plan… devised from hours of Looney Tunes, and your Saturday posts!
LOL!
You seem happy about paying forever.
Where’s the nearest wine bar?
🍷🐂🦨🤢🐂🦨🤢🐂🦨🤢🍷
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I guess I’m doomed to pay. My buddy has no money 🙄
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Thing is, you have a buddy! 🥹
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😳 You know what? You are so right. Freeloader or not still a buddy. ❤️
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Yes! Some things mean something!
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You are so right. 🤗
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Haha, John, Pepe is very innovative.
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Yes he is. Thanks, Robbie.
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Nice
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Okay, I confess. I Googled trebuchet and ballista as soon as I knew Pepe was out of the bathtub. Now I better understand the mechanism to remove the rocket. Next week will be very telling. And how much did this cost on Amazon? Pepe has always been a smooth operator, so I doubt he offered to pay.
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The Amazon cost was a mere $30,000. (Free shipping) I think we can get Warner Brothers to foot the bill. Thanks, Jennie. 😁
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I like your positivity! 😀
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Ha ha ha
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