Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Pick a number”

~ John W. Howell

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

Thinking of the heat possibilities for the next ten days, the slow dribble of coffee and rising steam leads me to consider ice cubes in the brew. Shaking off the thought and taking the first sip causes the concern over hot stuff in the summer to fly out the window. Yes, it has been above 100 degrees F (37 C) for the last 28 days. The projection is for records in the above 105 categories (40 C) for the next ten days.

There is no choice but to hang on and pray that the power grid holds. This means dog walks in the morning and anything that needs to be done outside in the morning as well. We are expecting another stage of water conservation which will mark the end of watering any lawns that people have.

We have zero scape, so the water restrictions will not affect our garden. If this heat keeps up, though, I can imagine the time coming that will require a sponge bath in the sink. I think Twiggy will be the only one glad for the water reforms. Her love of bath is only surpassed by her love of a vet visit.

I am surprised that while watching the Weather Channel, the announcer breaks into the broadcast. “We have a message from Linda Hill,” is his lead-in. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “pick a number.” Choose a number—any number—and write about it any way you’d like. Have fun!”

Gotta wonder how Linda does it. Anyway, if you would like to see how others handle the prompt, visit Linda’s blog. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2023/08/04/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-aug-5-2023/

Pick a Number by John W. Howell © 2023

“What number did you pick?”

“One hundred is the number.”

“I guess you are all too familiar with it.”

“Yeah. It’s like an old friend.”

“Not sure I would put it that way.”

“You know we call this part of the summer Hell’s Back Porch.”

“So I’ve heard. When’s it going to break.”

“I figure a day before the freeze.”

“What freeze?”

“They are projecting a colder than normal winter for Texas.”

“Does it ever end?”

“Well, beats the alternative as they say.”

“Lucky we still have VoooDoo Ranger.”

“Speaking of that.”

“Uber is here already. He’s right over there.”

“What is that thing?”

“A road grader.”

“Why?”

“You ever ride on a road grader?”

“No.”

“So, a new life experience. Will help you forget the heat.”

“It will be so cool in the pub once we get there. I’ll be grateful right?”

“Now you are getting it.”

“Notwithstanding, I’ll be soaking wet from sweat.”

“Nature’s cool down technique.”

“Fine.”

75 thoughts on “Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Pick a number””

  6. I have long suspected it was only a matter of time before the Weather Channel became a division of ACME Looney Tunes Amalgamated. I was really pulling for 42. Sadly 100 fits to overheated state of affairs. Keep cool. Partly with properly chilled bourbon.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. The cowboys in the old westerns would take sponge baths in crude looking tubs. Sometimes a fair barmaiden would do the honor. But they often seem to wear their cowboy hat and smoke a cigar while soaking. Do you have a cowboy hat and cigars, John.

    Liked by 2 people

  9. Hang in there John, heat relief is coming soon. Those pesky heat emitting incandescent light bulbs have been banned. You should see some relief by this fall as all existing incandescent bulbs begin to burn out.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. The number 100 just about covers the state of Texas. Your introduction describes the state of affairs very well. By noon I am in for the day. My second rain barrel is getting low, but I only water my plants in pots on the patio. Our lawn is cut short and goes with the natural flow. Maybe we will laugh at this when it freezes.

    Reading that bit about a sponge bath in the sink reminded me of a bit of an old song or saying from the past. A line was “How in the heck am I gonna wash my neck, if it don’t rain no more,,,no more,,,no more.” Cheers!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Hades. Texas has become Hades. Aye aye aye.
    Thank goodness for VooDoo and wine tonight!
    And coffee in the morning is not dependent on the outside temps, of that I am certain! Now, if you wanted one in the afternoon (or after the muy-importante morning brew), then, sure, Iced Coffee is a delicious beverage 😉
    Happy Saturday and we’ll toast you tonight, Jefe!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Soaking wet from sweat is Nature’s cool down technique. Nice positive there, John.
    A sponge bath in the sink sounds so cute. Oh, wait. That’s not Twiggy–that’s you! 😲

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Ha! That’s the truth. Thank goodness for air conditioning. I hear you about the heat, John. Our stretch of days at or above 100 started on June 19th. I got a kick out of “Hell’s back porch.” I used to joke that maybe Dante had gotten control of the afterlife and that this was really hell. Lately it doesn’t sound like a joke.
    Hot coffee definitely works better for my wake-up and for my irritated respiratory tract, but I’ve been saving leftovers for an iced cup in the afternoon. Mixed with plenty of milk and sometimes some coconut cream.
    Take care. Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Ha ha ha! It is not quite as bad up here. But every summer I think that the hot weather is a reminder that if I don’t want to go to hell, I had better behave.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. I’m sorry to be late, John. I was waiting for it to cool down. Consecutive days over a hundred is not a metric I even want to record. I hope it breaks sooner than planned. Good job on the prompt, even better on the non-scape.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. 100 bottles of VooDoo on the wall
    100 bottles of VooDoo
    If 1 of those bottles should happen to ranger
    99 bottles of VooDoo is stranger.

    99 bottles of VooDoo on the wall
    99 bottles of VooDoo
    If 1 of those bottles should happen to ranger
    98 bottles of VooDoo is stranger.

    98 bottles of VooDoo on the wall
    98 bottles of VooDoo

    This should keep me busy today!
    😬𝖃😵‍💫ꭓ😱Ẍ🥴⧗

    Liked by 1 person

      1. I love a good laugh! 💋😬𝖃😵‍💫ꭓ😱Ẍ🥴⧗🤣X
        🎼56 bottles of VooDoo on the wall……………

        Like

  28. This intense heat is putting a strain on everything. I feel very lucky that the power grids are holding so far. Fingers crossed that they continue. Great use of the prompt, John!

    Liked by 1 person

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