The coffee machine has finally come to an end. Reminds me of the song we sang in the schoolyard. “Ring around a Rosie. Pocket full of posies. All fall down.” Since that song was inspired by the bubonic plague, it seems fitting in this situation. The machine has given up the ghost and must be replaced. The new one is on its way, but until it arrives, it must be jiggered to override the internal controls. With much jiggering, a cup comes at last.
The first sip brings to mind the statue of Roger Rabbit. A deep sigh follows the thought of having to get rid of it. The first task is to see if it is still there. A check of the ring doorbell on my phone shows it is no longer on the drive. To confirm the security shutdown process is begun. The claymore mines disarmed. The tower machine guns are placed on standby. The boiling oil vat is secured. The moat net retracted. The concertina wire rolled back. The trebuchet was secured. The gate lifted. The locks and deadbolts reset. The front door opened.
Looking at where the statue used to be confirms it is gone. In its place is an envelope. Tearing it open, there are two messages. The first is from someone who signs their name, The Phantom. It reads No Police. If you want to see your stature again, you’ll follow our directions. We will be in touch.
I hope the would-be kidnappers are happy with their statue since there is no reason to respond to any demands. The second message is from Linda Hill. It reads. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “a song from your childhood.” So think of a song from your childhood and just write. Have fun!
If you would like to have fun, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it will be. You can also see other prompt responses. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2023/05/05/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-6-2023/
Childhood Song by John W. Howell © 2023
“So you did ring around the Rosie?”
“Kinda morbid, wasn’t it?”
“Ever lose a coffee machine?”
“Can’t say that I have. I would have picked London Bridges’ Falling Down.”
“Why that one?”
“Well, the machine has taken a fall, and I thought that would be more appropriate.”
“It would work well too.”
“So what about that statue?”
“I think I’ll just ignore the kidnappers when they contact me.”
“You think that’s wise?”
“Why not?”
“They might be gang members and come after you.”
“Over that stupid statue?”
“Well, they want money.”
“Yeah, I didn’t think of that. I’ll find out what they want, but I sure do not want the statue back.”
“I get that. Do you remember the song, “Nick knack paddy whack?”‘
“‘Give the dog a bone.” Sure, I remember.”
‘”This old man came rolling home.” Remind you of anything?”
“Help me.”
“A few too many VooDoo Rangers.”
“Of course. Punch up, Uber.”
“You are the best.”
“I guess that means I’m buying.”
“So kind to offer. There’s our ride.”
Fiction Favorites 
Those are some classics. Don’t hear little kids singing them these days.
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think they have pretty much faded away.
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You can’t question a strategy that begins with nursery rhymes and ends with the nectar of the Gods.
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Seems pretty inclusive for sure. Thanks, Pilgrim.
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Have a great Saturday Boss, and enjoy that cold one.
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I will for sure. You as well. 😁
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Great dialogue, John. Now I’ve sweet memories of songs we sang as children. Intruders weren’t an issue in our household. Of course, living in no-man’s-land with several not-friendly dogs in the yard might have helped. 😄
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I would say you were protected. Thanks Gwen.
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The next note might be a bill for hauling and disposal. I hope the new machine arrives soon. It’s a scary thing, facing the day without coffee.
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I have a workaround so we can get coffee. It is a pain though. Wednesday is the delivery day. 😁
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☕️☕️
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The coffee maker! Oh no! As a fellow coffee addict, I’m sorry for your loss.
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Thank you so much. The new one is due Wednesday. Until then I have a manual override so we still have coffee. A real pain though.
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I hope your new coffee machine gives you a most excellent cup of java, John. Perhaps you can leave the old one out in the driveway so the statue thieves can take that too.
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Good idea, Mary. We are returning it to the retailer.
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Nick knack paddy whack is nice. There needs to be a childhood song written for the Bourbon Tour. After all we are only as old as we think. With semi sincere apologies to Voodoo Ranger…
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Good idea, John. Maybe to the tune of Rock- a-bye-Baby
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I’ve been introducing my 3-year-old grandson to some of these nursery rhymes, but I’m not telling him the background until he’s older! The thieves are in for a big surprise when you don’t respond to the ransom demand. Maybe you could tell them to sell it if they need the money!
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I wonder if there is a market for a Roger Rabbit statue?
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Oh, I definitely do! Think of the Hollywood types who would love it!
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There you go. A statue for the front yard in Beverly Hills.
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This one gave me flashbacks of a movie called Ruthless People. If you haven’t seen it, Danny DiVito’s wife, Bette Midler, is kidnapped and they demand ransom. Danny is ecstatic. It’s hilarious.
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A few VooDoo Rangers might solve the stolen statue mystery, or at least put it out of your mind. 🙂
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Ha ha ha! I’ll wager you will pay them to keep the statue, am I right?
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Hey I resemble that.
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This was fun, John.
I really need to get my hands on some VooDoo Ranger… Otherwise one might end up being a character in Atonement, TN… LOL. Hugs.
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Yes get the Voo Doo Ranger Imperial. It is full flavored. There is a lighter version but it’s for wimps.
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Aww good memories with the songs you picked despite the lyrics of Ring around the Rosie because they were not just singing but movement too. I especially liked nick knack paddy whack give the dog a bone.
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Thanks, Jill. The activity was the most fun.
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Oh…the fond memories! This made me think of Red Rover, too. Keep jiggering, John!
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Happy Saturday to you, Jill *sung to the tune of Sweet Nothin’s by Brenda Lee.
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The ransom of the Roger Rabbit statue reminds me of O. Henry’s “The Ransom of Red Chief.”
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Very similar, Liz. 😊
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This was hilarious! I love how you used the songs with the statue and the robbers. Fingers crossed they don’t come after you.
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I hope not too. 😁
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🙂
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Love the fun, John. I’d be lost without my morning coffee. Hang in there, and I’d just let the kidnappers keep the statue too. 🙂
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I think I will.
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Never fails to interest me! Lol.
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Thanks, Traci.
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Yep, the statue nappers are in for a surprise when they try to get ransom money. At least it’s gone. 🙂 Great response, John!
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I hope it is gone for good, Jan
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You covered some of the classic childhood songs. I’m glad I didn’t know Ring Around was about the plague growing up! Good way to get rid of statue but it will interesting to see what they want.
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Yes it will. Thanks, Denise.
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Hi John, a very novel way of getting rid of your statue problem. I hope the kidnappers find a cartoon museum to put it in.
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Thank you, Robbie. Putting it into a museum would be a great way to get rid of it.
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That’s where all the statues nobody wants go – haha!
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That’s the one with a padlock on the front door, right?
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Haha – to keep out the marauding hordes.
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😁
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[…] Favorites https://johnwhowell.com/2023/05/06/stream-of-consciousness-saturday-prompt-childhood-song/ The coffee machine has finally come to an end. Reminds me of the song we sang in the schoolyard. […]
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Thank you for sharing a link, Traci
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Row, row, your boat
Gently through John’s moat
Warily, warily, warily, warily
Voodoo Ranger down your throat!
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🤣 Very clever, Risa. 🤗😘
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Thank you!
🐂🤗🐂😘🐂
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😊X 😊X 😊X 😊X
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WelcO(X)me!!!
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WelcO(X)me is terrific
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So funny, John! Those songs took me back a few years (just a few). 🙂 And I’d miss my morning coffee too. 😁☕️
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Thank you, Lauren. 😁
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