Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Anyway”

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

Anyway. It seems like a long wait for the machine to build that delicious, frothy, steaming cup of soothing syrup. Other activities can occur while hoping for a total lack of technical hick-up that delays delivery. Shopping online can go uninterrupted while the snorts and creaks of the machine verify continued operation. Finally, the aroma of the liquid fills the air as the cursed AI master delivers the goods.

Grabbing the cup and the first sip reminds me of the continued worry in the backyard. Pepe has been working for a week on setting up the ballista to launch the rocket out of the yard. Then, last week, the comments section produced Resa’s suggestion that the Trebuchet could launch the skunk after the missile is gone.

Such a possibility will bring welcome relief to my sanity and olfactories. The only flea in the ointment is devising a plan to get Pepe to sit in the Trebuchet for a moment before release. Also, a consideration must be made for Pepe’s safety since he will fall at a velocity that could produce injuries. A parachute of some kind would do the trick. So, the next problem will be getting Pepe to put on the chute before sitting on the Trebuchet.

As the furrows in my brow threaten my vision, the warm scent of Pepe fills the living room air. “Pardon, Monsieur, but the ballista is loaded and ready for take-off.” Trying to keep as much distance from Pepe as possible, I nod. He places an envelope on an end table and raises his eyebrows. “Let me read this. and then we will go out to inspect the ballista. Holding my breath and moving slowly, the envelope is scooped off the table. Once opened, it reveals a message from Linda Hill. It reads. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “start your post or one paragraph with the word ‘anyway.'” Bonus points if you start your post with “anyway” and regular points if you use it in a paragraph somewhere else in your post. Enjoy!

If you would like to participate in this exercise of fantasy, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2022/12/16/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-17-2022/

Anyway by John W. Howell © 2023

“Anyway, you did get the bonus points.”

“Yes indeed. Nailed that sucker.”

“So what are you going to do about the skunk?”

“As you read, I have a plan.”

“That skunk will empty his stink tanks on you if you try to put him in a parachute.”

“I know. So, there has to be a way to trick him.”

“You know your neighbor has a black and white cat.”

“Yeah?”

“Why don’t you outfit it with a parachute and then convince Pepe that they could go skydiving together.”

“Hmm. Not a bad plan. How do we keep the cat calm?”

“Sheesh, what am I? The military joint chiefs? That’s your problem.”

“Yeah, okay. Just thought you had an idea.”

“Give it some beer. I don’t know.”

“Wait a minute. How about some catnip?”

“Now you’re talking. Drug the cat.”

“It is not like drugs. They just love it, that is all. All Pepe has to see is the cat in the chute. The catnip will keep her happy.”

“And distracted from the chute.”

“Exactly.”

“Speaking of distracted, isn’t it time for the Pub run?”

“You want to stay here. I just got a twelve-pack of VooDoo Ranger Imperial.”

“Not sure twelve will be enough.”

“Trust me, it will.”

“How do you know?”

“Imperial is 9% Alcohol. Six for you is more than enough.”

“I’ll take your word. Got snacks?”

“Goldfish and peanuts.”

“Perfect.”

“And the price is right.”

“Even better.”

 

65 comments

    1. Thank you for sharing, Michael

      Like

  1. An very easy day, it seems. 😉 Best wishes, Michael

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you Michael. Yes not much mayhem today.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. May pleasure, John! Enjoy your weekend! xx Michael

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Maybe if you rub the parachute with catnip and place it on the ground, Pepe will get tangled in it.

    Then again, six of those VooDoos and you’re going to need the parachute, John. Good job!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Ha ha ha. You are so right about the VooDoos. I hope to have this figured out by next week. Thanks, Dan

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Maybe Pepe would like some VooDoo…I’m assuming ‘drunk as a skunk’ has roots in truth.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I could see him singing some drinking song in French as he is lofted several blocks away.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Anyway – I’d love to see someone try to get a parachute on a skunk!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I would too. Maybe he can be talked into it.

      Like

  4. Hope those brews kill your olfactory sense until you can evict your guest.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think they would kill almost everything. You almost need a spoon to consume a VooDoo Ranger Imperial.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. In that case, give one to Pepe. You might not need the neighbor’s cat.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. I dunno about the skunk and cat parachute business. Somehow, I don’t see it ending well.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ha ha ha. Most of my adventures don’t

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Funny thing, that.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Yes indeed. 😁

        Liked by 1 person

  6. I’m not seeing a good ending to this. I hope they have nose plugs! Happy Saturday, John sung to the tune of A Wonder Like You by Ricky Nelson.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Good song, Jill. Happy Saturday to you *sung to the tune of A Million to One by Jimmy Charles.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. A cliff hanger, for sure. Can’t wait for the sequel.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Oh, my, John, I haven’t been here in awhile, and horrified to see you have that pesky skunk hanging around. Pew! I hope your plan works, but perhaps it would be easier to call animal control? What do you think?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think animal control would be a practical solution. Practical is not my life Mary. Thanks for the suggestion it is a good one.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Pretty cool resolution to the Pepe problem. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. If only I can get him to put on the parachute.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. I am so looking forward to seeing where this is going to go. Up, up, and beyond I am quite sure.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You have to admit the sight of Pepe flying over several yards could be very funny.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I’ll bring the popcorn…

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Ha ha ha. Good deal.

        Liked by 1 person

  11. D.L. Finn, Author · · Reply

    I don’t see a cat bring eager, even with cat nip to wear that parachute. I do look forward to this outcome though.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Maybe I’m dreaming about the cat. Might have to do something else.

      Like

  12. Pepe…parachutes…and VooDoo Ranger beer. How can this possibly go sideways…or up?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ha ha ha. Yeah, what could go wrong?

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Anyway, Every time I make coffee, I think of you.

    Okay, in case you don’t want to launch a cat with Pepe; being the fab designer I am, I have made this stunning black silk bathrobe (out of old silks from my tickle trunk).
    Notice Pepe’s name embroidered on the back, in white!
    Pepe will love it. Tell him it’s a thank you gift from me, and that I love all the bath bombs he sent me. (Between you and me they had maliferous odeur upon arrival)
    The robe’s silk is fussed and tucked into a unique Haute Couture design, that deploys as a parachute upon being airborne.
    I hope this gift reaches you in time for the launch!
    Sincere regards, Resa.
    🐂🦨🐂🦨🐂🦨🐂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Absolutely perfect. Pepe is such narcissist he will go for it immediately. I hope it gets here in time too. OX OX OX OX 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. OX OX OX OX

        Liked by 1 person

      2. You are a genius 🍷 🌹

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Thank you, dahling!
        🍷 🌹 🍷
        Cheers!

        Liked by 1 person

      4. 😊 🐂 🌹 🍷

        Liked by 1 person

      5. Aww… what about you, though?
        🥃😊 🐂 🌹 🍷

        Liked by 1 person

      6. Welcome dahling!

        Liked by 1 person

  14. This is going to be rather interesting to see how you get yourself and Pepe out of this one… Now… if we could get our hands on the female version of the cat with no olfactory abilities like in Over the Hedge… https://youtu.be/O_n84MQuFuM?t=25

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ha ha ha. I think I have a solution. Resa is going to make a silk bathrobe which can double as a parachute. The woman’s a lifesaver. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I tell ya… betwixt you and Resa… fantabulous!

        Liked by 1 person

  15. It’s so good to be back to your madhouse 😘💜

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ha ha ha. Always something going on. Here have a cup of cocoa. There’s marshmallows over there next to the Baileys.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Always fun to visit 💜

        Liked by 1 person

  16. Lol! Sounds like a workable solution. Getting the cat to cooperate might be a bit more difficult than it seems. They are known for being independent and uncooperative. Maybe a bit of tuna on the parachute. 🙂 Another entertaining Saturday post, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Jan. Glad you liked it.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Alls well when it ends with the Voodoo you do, at Bob Barker prices!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes indeed. I have a new supply of VooDoo Imperial and it is wonderful.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Nectar of the Gods

        Liked by 1 person

  18. Ah, the plan sounds excellent! Pepe is a lover, so perhaps he will be convinced the cat is a skunk? I look forward to reading how things work out.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Jennie.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome, John.

        Liked by 1 person

Put your favorite fiction or non-fiction in writing. I would love to hear from you

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. Log Out /  Change )

Connecting to %s

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

%d bloggers like this: