When the coffee machine knows the need and desire for the relief the beverage promises, has reached an apex, it then decides it needs a cleaning. Empty Grounds is the message blinking to get my sore eyes to notice. In a nutshell, no empty, no coffee. With unsteady movements, the grounds receptacle is emptied, washed, and replaced. In gracious appreciation, the two spouts pour forth the life-saving elixir.
Once the caffeine has hit the brain, the clock is set for January 19th, 1923. The location is the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. The time is set for two hours, and the plunger is pulled.
We arrive at the university just in time to see physicist Dirk Coster of the Netherlands and chemist George de Hevesy of Hungary read from the journal Nature about their discovery of the 72nd element, Hafnium, Latin for Copenhagen. Hafnium is not found as a free element but is dispersed in Earth’s crust to the extent of three parts per million and is invariably found in zirconium minerals. Dirk and George did not know it then, but the metal is very useful for controlling rods in nuclear power plants because of its high melting point.
As champagne is being served, the alarm goes off again. The couch is my landing spot. The tone on my phone is the expected text from Linda Hill. It reads:
Your prompt for #JusJoJan the 20th and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “in a nutshell.” Use it as an idiom, or use it literally. Enjoy!
If you want to see what other bloggers do with the prompt, visit Lindas’s post at this link: https://lindaghill.com/2024/01/19/the-friday-reminder-for-socs-jusjojan-2024-daily-prompt-jan-20th/
In a Nut Shell by John W. Howell © 2023
“That was a nice trip. You did that 1023 thing again.”
“Yeah, I blew it again. Even so, I thought a little education would do us all good.”
“Or provide an incentive for a nap.”
“Oh, come on. I’ll bet you never heard of Hafnium.”
“You are so right, and I’m afraid to go near water. I’m so heavy with that knowledge.”
“Yeah, very funny. I’m sure someone appreciates it.”
“I certainly hope they let you know in the comments.”
“Well, even so, It is good to keep learning.”
“I’ll bet the kids in Chemistry back then were pleased these guys found another element to memorize.”
“It was number 72, so I don’t think the kids would notice.”
“Anyhow, I’m tired of learning, so how about a trip to the pub.”
“Good idea. Give Uber a call.”
“Already done. He’s waiting over there.”
“Where? I can’t see anything beyond that giant peanut.”
“That’s it. The driver is there too.”
“You gotta be kidding me.”
“Transportation in a nutshell.”
“Great tie-in to the prompt.”
“Thank you. Let’s go.”
Fiction Favorites 
The peanut van is amazing!
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Yes it is a very popular thing. Thanks, Rabirius
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Dirk and George deserved the champagne props but your coffee comes first Boss. After which we time travel to New Orleans for the nectar of the Gods.
And yes, in that Nut-mobile. Because we can.
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That thing would be fun for a tour. Cheers tonight.
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It would.
Saluds aplenty Sheriff.
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😁
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Did not see the visual pun coming. Nice one.
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Thank you, Charles.
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Perfect ride. I know Linda Hill will be proud!
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Thanks, GP. 😁
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[…] John Howell’s Special for me, Cheryl. I might not need the glass of ice, but I’ll take the standard […]
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Thanks for the link, Dan. Super post.
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Good choice for the prompt, John. Tell your buddy it did make this old chemistry student smile. Well, I didn’t actually smile, but I remembered learning about transition elements, and–appropriate for this post–their partially filled D-Shell. See, he could have been climbing into the big peanut with someone more boring 😉
Perfect Uber vehicle
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So glad you remembered the partially filled D-Shell. What scares me is if I hadn’t done the research on the element I would have you out there wondering what I was thinking. 😁
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I paid a lot (in 1975 dollars) for that bit of knowledge, John. It’s good to be able to use it.
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😁
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“Transportation in a nutshell”! Well played!!
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Thank you, Liz. 😊
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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I believe people interview for the ‘prestigious’ job of driving that nutshell. Imagine how that looks on one’s resume, ‘I was Mr. Peanut’. I remember memorizing the elements in high school chemistry but can’t recall that one. I do remember the pretty girl sitting next to me😉.
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I think you had your priorities, Steve. 😁
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The Uber is perfect for the prompt. Reminds me of when my cousin once saw the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile driving down the road.
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They are good for laughs too
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Yes, they are!
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Wow! You might have to switch to a nice peanut butter stout for one day. Oddly enough, I am currently writing about technetium, another rare Earth element. Might have it ready by Spring.
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Good luck on the technetium story. Have a super weekend.
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and for a short period of time Hafnium was the penultimate stable element… now can we order another round ?
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Yes order. This one’s on me.
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Oh how funny! Let’s go!! Happy Saturday John!
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Jump on.
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LOL I love it!
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I’m glad, Kymber.
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Love the nut van. LOL
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I like the term nut van. It fits very well. Thanks for the visit.
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The effect hafnium has had on many things is really interesting, John. The Danes have come a long way since their Viking days. Riding in a peanut shell with Mr. Peanut driving is really amusing! Great job!
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Thank you, Tim. I was worried about him having a monocle but it worked.
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LOL! Wonderfully done, John, a little education and a great tie in to the challenge that in a nutshell, made me chuckle out loud! 😂 I loved the Uber ride choice for this post!
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Thank you, Deborah. 😁
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Mr Peanut was 104…upon his demise. Glad you got the ride in when you did.
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Oh my. I didn’t know he passed.
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Mr Clean and the Kool-Aid man were at the funeral.
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I’ll bet is was a nice service.
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That was an interesting time journey and I learned something. Such fun posts! And I LOVE this Uber ride. 🙂
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Thank you so much, Jan. I’m glad you liked it.
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Very clever, John. I suspect a ride in Mr. Peanut would be one never forgotten. 😄
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It would have to be interesting. Thanks, Gwen. Here is a look at the interior https://www.google.com/search?q=planters+nutmobile+interior&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwik5vyb3uyDAxXRwskDHW4ZBisQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=nutmobile+interior&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQARgBMgUIABCABDIGCAAQBxAeUABYAGDwJmgAcAB4AIABjgGIAY4BkgEDMC4xmAEAqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWfAAQE&sclient=img&ei=ryOsZeTSCNGFp84P7rKY2AI&bih=633&biw=1031&client=safari&hl=en-US
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Wow!!
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😊
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I think it’s fabulous that we learn something new as we sip on our café. And, call me nuts, but I think that would be a fun trip to the pub in that mobile!
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I think it would be a fun trip, Dale. Cheers tonight.
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It would!
Cheers to you!
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😊
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Oh John, you are hilarious. And a good teacher too.
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Thank you so much, Robbie.
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Totally iconic! Well done, John.
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Thank you, Monika. Iconic says it in a nutshell.
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Ha ha ha! I learned something new today that I can forget about tomorrow. Thank you.
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Yes this is fluff information for sure. Thanks, Pam.
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As usual, I leave this page with a smile.
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As usual I love to hear that.
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Ha! I learned something, and enjoyed the odd take on the prompt.
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Thank you, Chel. I’m glad you liked it. 😊
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Love that transportation 💜💜💜
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Thank you, Willow.
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A pleasure John 😁
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😊
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Well, well.. I’m in a nutshell.
1023?
Hafnium backwards is Muinfah. Cant beat that!
Love the history lesson. Thanks John! # 72 sounds like magic. Add them together 7+2=9. I rest my case.
𝟡𝞌 𝟡𝞌 𝟡𝞌 𝟡𝞌
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🌰🐚X 7-2=5 5X 5X 5X 5X
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WTF?????
You’re a 🌰🐚!!!
Okay, let’s go with
5X 5X 5X 5X
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5X 5X 5X 5X 🌺
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Ahh, another forgOXen comment, due to my wandering between my 2 WP blog worlds.
💋
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Oh well. 🤗X
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