Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Watch

~ John W. Howell

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

 

The coffee has been delayed. Checking my watch for the fourth time does not seem to help. Finally, within the bowels of the pesky machine, I hear the faint rumbles that assure me that soon the liquid soothing syrup will be streaming out of the spouts. Sure enough, here it comes.

After a deep sip, the mind thaws, and memory turns to the clock. The setting is simple, February 3, 1924. The place is Washington, DC. The duration is two hours. Checking my clothes before pulling the plunger ensures the dress is appropriate for February in Washington. No use freezing on my watch is the thought.

The plunger pull causes us to end up at 2340 S Street NW in Washington. There are uniformed police everywhere. Listening carefully to the officers, the cause of the commotion is Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the US from 1913 to 1921, has died. We are in front of his home, where he passed at 11:15 this morning.

President Wilson did have a stroke in 1919 that left him all but incapacitated. He and his second wife Edith and his doctor kept the public from knowing the absolute truth. It is said that Edith was, in fact, acting in Wilson’s absence. He retired from the Presidency in 1921.

The alarm sound precedes a trip to the couch. My phone tells me I have a text. It is from Linda Hill (who else?) It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “watch.” Use it as a noun or a verb; use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

If you want to see what other bloggers do with this prompt, visit Linda’s post at this link: https://lindaghill.com/2024/02/02/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-feb-3-2024/

Watch by John W. Howell © 2023

“Wow, that Wilson thing was serious.”

“Yes, it was. There was no succession plan enacted.”

“if that were on my watch, I would have told someone.”

“The cabinet knew but went along with the President’s wishes.”

“Well, I’m glad nothing Earth-shattering took place.”

“The only thing that seemed to be affected was the ratification of the US membership in the League of Nations never happened.”

“Why was that?”

“Wilson, who favored joining, was too ill to negotiate his position, and those opposed in Congress had their way, so the US never joined. Maybe it didn’t matter after all since the League disbanded in 1946. So you may be right. Nothing Earth-shattering.”

“This political talk has made me thirsty.”

“You get thirsty when we aren’t even talking.”

“There’s Uber.”

“I don’t see it. Just that strange-looking truck.”

“That’s it. A vintage 1950s home delivery truck. Isn’t it sweet?”

“I guess you could call it sweet. I would love to know where you find these things.”

“Discount Uber is the place. I watch for the best specials.”

“Okay, I’m game. Let’s go.”

“One other thing.”

“Yes.”

“He has block ice to keep the milk cold.”

“And?”

“Hello. What else does very well when cold?”

“VooDoo Ranger?”

“Bingo.”

“You are the best.”

 

77 thoughts on “Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Watch”

  2. I can’t imagine the Wilson news being kept under the lid in today’s world. As they say (Not sure they really say but work with me) Have Ice? Will travel . . . with Voodoo!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Thanks for the history lesson, John. But even more important, every time I see Voodoo Ranger in the liquor department or on a restaurant’s drink menu, I think, “Oh, it’s John Howell’s favorite.” You’re famous.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Mary. I have made a few brands famous. I don’t know what that says about my consumption habits. I’ll bet the Voo Doo in restaurants is not the Imperial. One of those is pretty strong. Should be reserved for professionals like me.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. I think there were probably many other events within presidencies that were unknown to the public. My mother always talked about Roosevelt’s polio being kept under wraps. Love the Uber!

    Like

  13. This almost makes Lloyd Austin keeping his cancer surgery from Biden seem like small potatoes. But for 2 years??!!
    Can I interest you in cookies to go with that icy cold milk?

    Liked by 1 person

  14. VooDoo Ranger calms the jitters from tasty and fully caffeinated coffee-love it. Way to ‘watch’ out for your individual biorhythms. Isn’t it ironic that the League of Nations was a predecessor to the UN and Wilson was an ardent isolationist? Fascinating what the pursuit of peace will instill in folks. We could use some of that fervor these days.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. I suspect that we have our own Edith Wilson in the White House now. A friend of mine wrote a one-woman play about EW that was very enlightening and received critical acclaim. As for the milk truck, shades of my childhood. we got two bottles of milk with the cream at the top for my parents’s coffee.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. The stroke in 1919 was actually his 4th stroke, the first one dating back to the late 1800s (I think 1896), each one having chipped away at his physical (and maybe mental) prowess. Amazing to think he could hide his complete disability from the public for 2 years!

    I had to look up VooDoo Ranger … never heard of it, but count me in! Will the milk truck be replacing the bus tomorow? Might be a tight squeeze!

    Liked by 1 person

  25. So fascinating.
    If something like that happened today, it would be an internet bonfire, hell breaking loose, the enemy closing in… omg!!!!

    How come VP Thomas Riley Marshall didn’t take over?

    I’m suspicious about the old milk truck with the ice?
    What kind of ice would stay frozen all those years?
    VooDoo ice, that’s what!!!
    I’d get outta there, John! Run!!!!
    🏃‍♂️ OX OX 🏃‍♂️

    Liked by 1 person

        2. Hmm, well so far he’s only falling asleep at the podium.
          He appears to be walking on his own.
          Then the turnip seems like he’s got some form of Intermittent Explosive Disorder with onset of Alzheimers.
          Neither should be running for president.
          It’s a sad state of affairs.
          😢X
          Meanwhile the entire free world is freaked.

          Liked by 1 person

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