Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Mostly/At least

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

 

The soothing cup of coffee reaches my lips. The deep intake of breath brings the healing aroma deep into the lungs. The first sip of the nectar of the gods enters the bloodstream and hits the brain like a free-based drag of heroin. This is legal, is the first thought. Well mostly. At least there will be no arrest for caffeine usage, is the second.

Once the internal conversation over the coffee high is finished, the mind remembers that the security system has been off for a week, and a package from the Warner Brothers President is sitting on the front porch. Looking around the living room shows that no monsters typically lurking outside have made it into the house.

Opening the front door confirms the package is still there and has not been moved. A cautious approach is for who knows what could be in there? There is a tab on the side that says “pull me.” A quick yank and the sides of the box fall down. A large urn with the Warner Brothers logo prominently displayed on the front is inside. The thought of what to do with this monstrosity enters my mind. As if to answer my question, Speedy Gonzoles zips up and hands me a letter and disappears in a cloud of dust.

The letter states that the urn is magic and all that has to be done is give it a rub. There is a P.S. on the letter from Linda Hill. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday reads: “mostly/at least.” Use one, use ’em both, use ’em any way you’d like. Bonus points if they both appear in your post. Enjoy!

If you want to see what other bloggers have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s blog . Here is the link . https://lindaghill.com/2023/09/08/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-sept-9-2023/

Mostly/At least by John W. Howell © 2023

“Mostly you cover the prompt. At least you didn’t go on and on.”

“What do you mean ‘mostly?’

“Well you could have gone into a little detail.”

“Like what?”

“Why would you consider caffein mostly legal.”

“I thought it was a little early in the day for philosophical discussions.”

“Philosophical discussions? About caffeine?”

“See. You don’t get it.”

“Okay explain.”

“Well I could have gone on about the rainforests being replaces by coffee plants or worker being poor;y paid for picking the beans.”

“I see what you mean about too early.”

“I’ll bet you didn’t know that for every cup of coffee drunk the world loses and inch of rainforest.”

“Okay pleals let me change the subject.”

“Okay go.”

“How many Voo Doo Rangers does it take to destroy how much of the rainforest?”

“None and none.”

“Excellent. Let’s give up coffee for Voo Doo Rangers.”

“You already ordered Uber, right?”

“Yeah they are right over there.”

“Which one? The 1960 F100 pickup or the road grinder?”

Photo by Dan Antion – https://nofacilities.com/

“Both.”

“Both why?”

“Cause the grinder only has one seat so one of us will have to stand on the back.”

“I nominate you.”

“Okay going. Then you coming back.”

“Let’s go.”

76 comments

  1. Jaye Marie & Anita Dawes's avatar

    a brilliant use of an impossible prompt, John…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you so much, Jaye.

      Like

  2. Unknown's avatar

    […] “Yes, but I’m out of John Howell’s Bourbon.” […]

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you for the llnk.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Dan Antion's avatar

    Well done on the prompt, John, but you got a bad deal on the ride. Standing after the VooDoo Rangers is going to be much harder. Now you’ve got me wondering about what happens when you give that urn a rub…you are going to rub it…right?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I think that’s what is going to happen but who knows?

      Liked by 1 person

  4. GP's avatar

    They mostly decided to compromise.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

    Whatever you do, don’t rub that urn!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Ha ha ha. I’m thinking of calling the ACME urn disposal company to come get it.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

        Sounds like a plan!

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    Makes me happy to drink tea. 😁

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Doing your part but sadly tea farms are causing deforestation as well.

      Like

      1. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

        True human nature. Everything hurts our surroundings. Brings credence to the theory we might be an invasive species on this planet.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          In my mind that is so true.

          Like

  7. T. W. Dittmer's avatar

    Good, John. It’s something to consider, for sure, the effect on the environment of our everyday activities. I do really like coffee, though.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yeah me too. Someone else is going to be the one to give it up. Thanks, Tim

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Jill Weatherholt's avatar

    A ride on the grinder sounds like fun to me! Happy Saturday, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Happy Saturday to you, Jill *sung to the tune of Blue Moon by the Marcels

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Kymber @booomcha's avatar

    I love what you did with this prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Kymber. It was fun.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. coldhandboyack's avatar

    Have fun at the pub. That urn will be waiting when you get home.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      That is what I’m afraid of. Thanks, Craig.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. bikerchick57's avatar

    Well, John, you have given me a reason to be glad that I drink mostly tea. Although, someone is probably harming something harvesting tea as well. Oh well, at least with an adult refreshment, we can save a tree, right?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Unless it’s Gin and then the poor juniper tree has to give up its berries.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. bikerchick57's avatar

        Well, I’m a brandy girl, so many fruits have given their lives for my enjoyment.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Sustainable ingredients. 😁

          Liked by 1 person

  12. lois's avatar

    Speedy! Long time no see. He and his cousin, Slowpoke…they don’t make cartoons like that any longer.
    Have fun riding on that grinder. Be sure to wave to all the kids who will think that is the coolest thing ever.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Good idea to wave, Lois. Thanks. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Gwen M. Plano's avatar
    Gwen M. Plano · ·

    Oh, the hard choices of life… Great use of the prompt, John. 😄

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Gwen. Hope your Saturday is without hard choices.

      Like

      1. Gwen M. Plano's avatar
        Gwen M. Plano · ·

        Me too! 😊

        Liked by 1 person

  14. John Hric's avatar

    Road grinder surfing on the way back from Voodoo Rangers ? ! ? ! The rhetorical question and warning is right there in small yet very bold print on the back of the VR bottle ” What could go wrong ?” Rubbing the urn could be the better choice… or not.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I’m holding off on the urn rub. A few more Rangers and I might be ready. What could go wrong indeed.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Unknown's avatar
    Anonymous · ·

    I’d love riding in back on the grinder! As for giving up coffee – it ain’t going to happen. But we make our one pot last all day!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I only have one cup a day which means I use up a yard of rain forest a year. I’ll go with that.

      Like

  16. D.L. Finn, Author's avatar
    D.L. Finn, Author · ·

    Good one on many levels, John 🙂 I might avoid rubbing that lamp though.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Denise. I think you are right

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Author Jan Sikes's avatar

    Lol! I hate to hear that a cup of coffee damages the rain forest. Definitely ready to give it up, so mostly I’m going to ignore that bit of information. 🙂 At least you have great Uber rides!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I’m totally ignoring it, Jan. Thanks.

      Like

  18. Sorryless's avatar

    I feel as if you are doing the Lord’s work by giving up java for Voodoo, but hey, maybe that’s just me.

    And I love that color blue!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I liked the blue too. No it’s not just you. Zero rainforests wee harmed in making VooDoo Ranger. A toast to you both tonight.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sorryless's avatar

        Seriously!

        Yes, this is worthy of a toast, my man.

        Salud!

        Liked by 1 person

  19. quiall's avatar

    The grinder made sense if you’re talking about coffee. I’m glad I’m saving the rainforest by only drinking tea. I’m sure there is a negative in there somewhere.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yeah, tea trees being planted where rain forest used to be.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Dale's avatar

    I’ll try not too feel too guilty as I drink my coffee (she pauses in commenting to take a sip). Those rub me to get wish things always have a caveat so, maybe a little hesitation is in order. I love that pickup truck!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I find when anything needs rubbing to get a wish, deep thought is a good thing. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale's avatar

        I’m sitting here chuckling thinking I’ve gotta get my mind out of the gutter! (Too much canning and stuff…)

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          I might have led you into the gutter. Not sorry though.

          Liked by 1 person

        2. Dale's avatar

          I know you are not, you wicked man 😉

          Liked by 1 person

  21. Lauren Scott, Author's avatar

    I like that pickup, John. 🙂 Great job on the prompt!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Lauren.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Traci Ashbe's avatar

    Your stories always cheer me up, John, Have a good week!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Traci. Have a great week as well.

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Jennie's avatar

    What will the magic urn bring when rubbed? Inquiring minds want to know. Yes, thank you for skipping the rainforest/coffee details. I think this Aqua Roomer needs a ride in that 1960 aqua pickup. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      We need to rub it next week for sure. 😳

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Resa's avatar

    “Andale! Andale! Arriba! Arriba! Yii-hah!”
    There’s more to that urn than meets the eye.
    I think it’s a Shakespearean urn, I mean with the rub and all.
    Guess I’ll just have to wait until next week to see what pops up!

    Ya know, you guys are already stoopid drunk just thinking about VooDoo.
    Why not just take the truck?

    In closing:
    It’s great that you point out how fast humans are using up the planet’s resources via the coffee example.
    POP into my mind –
    Pac Man – chomping away, eating, wolfing everything in his path until he bites IT! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtpsIx49ObY

    Then once resurrected, having learned nothing, he chomps away, eating, wolfing everything in his path.

    😶‍🌫️ꭓ 🥴ꭓ 😵‍💫ꭓ 😘ꭓ

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I enjoyed the time away with the Pac Man character. I think the visual is a good representation of what humans are doing to the rain forest.
      🥨X 🥨X 🥨X 🥨X

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Resa's avatar

        Yes… chomp away, now!
        Ahh, the perfect emoji line-up for the comment.
        A pretzel, a circle…. all twisted up.
        I can’t improve!
        🥨X 🥨X 🥨X 🥨X

        Like

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          You are the only one on the planet who would get the twisted up symbolism. You are the best. 🥨X 🥨X 🥨X 🥨X

          Liked by 1 person

        2. Resa's avatar

          Takes one to know one!
          🥨X 🥨X 🥨X 🥨X

          Liked by 1 person

  25. srbottch's avatar

    John, is that true about the rain forest and a cup of coffee?

    Liked by 1 person

      1. srbottch's avatar

        Wow, unbelievable.

        Liked by 1 person

  26. robertawrites235681907's avatar

    Hi John, I am so glad I don’t drink coffee. One less thing to feel guilty about.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Ha ha ha. Thanks for the laugh, Robbie.

      Liked by 1 person