The machine diligently produces the mind-saving elixir that is the legal import of Columbia. The beans are ground, tamped, and scalded with boiling water to give me what I need most: that first cup of coffee. With it in hand, the clock is set to March 16th, 1924. The location is the port city of Fiume on the Adriatic Sea, and the time is set for two hours. The plunger is pulled, and we are there.
We arrive in time for a grand celebration: the city is formally annexed to Italy. Benito Mussolini is present, and King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy reads the annexation proclamation to cheering crowds.
The city’s autonomous municipal government had declared in late October 1918 that Fiume wanted to be annexed to Italy, explaining their reasoning with words like “national self-determination.” Italy had only entered WWI because of promises of territorial expansion along the Adriatic at Habsburg’s expense. Fiume is now named Rijeke and is the third-largest city in Croatia
Fiume was once labeled the center for fascism since Mussolini began his takeover of Italy from there. By pulling the wool over King Victor Emmanuel III’s eyes, he was able to take over the government.
As the crowds cheer, the alarm goes off, and a soft landing on the couch is the result. My text tone lets me know Linda Hill has sent this week’s prompt. The text reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “wool.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
If you want to see what other bloggers have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link: https://lindaghill.com/2024/03/15/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-march-16-2024
Wool by John W. Howell © 2024
“What do you mean by pulling the wool over King Victor Emmanuel III’s eyes?”
“Mussolini was able to convince the king to place him in the position of head of the government. No election or anything. I would say that was a wool pull.”
“Okay, before your explanation, I envisioned Mussolini holding up a sheep.”
“Not a bad visual for this situation.”
“When did this happen?”
“It was in 1922. 30,000 citizens protested to the king demanding Mussolini be put in charge.”
“So he did.”
“Yup. The king felt his dynasty would be preserved by doing so.”
“Did it help?”
“Well, the king stepped down in 1946 after 46 years on the throne. I would say it helped.”
“All this talk of Kings makes me thirsty.”
“There’s no pulling the wool over my eyes. Did you order the Uber?”
“Yup. Right over there.”
“Wow. That’s a 1963 Studebaker Avanti.”
“It is a beauty, and we get to ride in it.”
“This might be the best ride yet.”
“As you can see, I haven’t been gathering wool.”
“No, I think you scored big on this one. Let’s go.
Fiction Favorites 
What an elegant car.
Happy weekend, dear John
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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The car was something in its day. Was pretty much hand made and expensive. They didn’t sell enough to keep going.
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Whoa! Where did he find That Uber? No wool pulling here!
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You have to wonder about an Uber driver using that vintage machine.
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haha, I really don’t think he needs the money. But then again, what does it cost to repair a Studebaker these days?!
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I’m sue everything is custom so I would say a fortune.
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You guys are stylin’ this week. Good bit of history, John. Whenever you need examples of wool-pulling, look toward politicians. Masters at the craft,
I hope you have a great weekend. Give that new pup some exercise.
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We don’t have to worry about exercise for sure. Thanks, Dan.
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A bit of history, mixed with wool pulling, and a ride in a Studebaker — a perfect Saturday fantasy. 😊
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Thank you, Gwen. I thought so too. I used to live in the South Bend area where the Avanti’s were made. The whole Studebaker story is a classic example of union and management ineptitude resulting in the destruction of a company.
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Love the ride. The wool here is that it’s stolen and you’re an accomplice now.
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Is that why I hear sirens?
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What a fantastic dive into history, John, including the Uber ride. The Avanti is a long way from a Studebaker wagon.
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That is true, Tim. Sad to see that company go under.
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Wow! Riding in style! 😀
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Yup. We even will wipe our feet before getting in.
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LOL 😀 😂
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😁
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Always confused on Mussolini. Some stories paint him as smart and others an idiot.
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Was very ruthless. I think he had some thug tendencies. I know Adolf Hitler thought he was an idiot but that doesn’t say much.
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True. Maybe a ruthless, useful idiot?
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There you go.
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Slick ride.
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Yup. 😊
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Now THAT is an Uber.
As for old Benito, I always refer to him as the Coors Light of dictators, relatively speaking mind you. He never had a chance once that asshole to the north took power in ’33.
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I agree he never had a chance. I like that Coors lite of dictators. 😁
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It seemed applicable.
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I am late reading your Thursday post about Twiggy’s playmate and had trouble commenting. They make an adorable pair – the Ying and the Yang! Kudos for giving another one a forever home.
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Thank you, Jo. It is a rodeo here for sure.
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You have a way with history, John! Thanks for the reminder.
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Thank you for reading, Jo. I hope you have a super Sunday.
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John, I’ve had two generous mugs of the “mind-saving elixir” and still feel foggy, LOL. But your great post is boosting the caffeine. 🙂 I got a kick out of the wool pulling. You know me, I’m drooling over that 1963 Studebaker Avanti. I wasn’t familiar with those. Fabulous car. Hugs.
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It was a shame that they didn’t sell better. It was the last gasp for a dying company.
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I agree. You scored big time on the Uber ride this week. Another amazing time in history!
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Thank you, Jan.
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Great history lesson, wool included.
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Thank you so much, Pam.
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Wow, a Studebaker! I was 8 when they stopped making them.
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It was a shame to see that company fail.
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I love the car! I didn’t know that Studebaker actually produced a stylish car.
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Yes. It was their last chance. A very limited number produced each year.
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Well done, John. and N-I-C-E ride.
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Thank you, Monika. I don’t know why but I thought those Avanti’s were terrific in their day.
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They were sooooo cool.
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Indeed.
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This is perfect history for the prompt. And the Uber…wow!
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Thank you, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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Nice looking ride. I am enjoying these history lessons. There’s no pulling the wool over your eyes!
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Thank you, Deborah. 😊
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Great use of ‘wool’ … and here I thought you’d be writing about knitting a blanket out of wool yarn, or summat. That’s an Uber ride the likes of which I’ve never seen before! Happy Saturday … er, Sunday now!
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Thank you, Jill. Yes the Avanti was very special in its day.
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Wow! A rare classic Uber! As for Mussolini, how long did it take the Italian populace to realize he’s pulled the wool over all their eyes – or did they ever?
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He was voted out of power in 1943 and killed by an angry mob in 1945.
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None too soon!
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Yeah, he was not a nice person.
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That is a very cool Uber! Guess he wasn’t too difficult to have the wool pulled over…
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Nope wool be wool. 😊
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Hah! 🐏🐑😁
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😁
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As a knitter, I was immediately attracted to the word wool 😉 I’m imagining the king with a wool cap that Mussolini ever so discreetly (or not) pulls down over his eyes. I’m glad to see the Ubers are getting more fancy and fun.
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The Uber was fancy for this week. We never know about others.
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Well now, that was most interesting. I did wonder once in a while how Mussolini came to power. Now, I need to look up what happened to the Italian royal family.
Hey, I’d like a ride in that car! Let’s go to the drive-in in it.
I have a cool wool vintage blanket to curl up in!
🐑 – sheep + wool – wel + x
💋💋
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I haven’t been to a drive in since I was 20. I love the idea. The king of Italy stepped down in 1946. Rocket-rcket + X
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Ah.. I looked them up. The royal family still exists. The Italians don’t seem to celebrate their royals the way the Brits do.
Not that it matters.
Royal – Ryal + X
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Good to know – knw+x
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Interesting. It appears if we just apply ourselves intelligently, everything comes up love.
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Love is the only real important thing part of living. Love-lve+x
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YES!
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❤️
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What a car.
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I know right?
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[…] Favorites Stream of Consciousness Saturday- Prompt – Wool | Fiction Favorites (johnwhowell.com) The machine diligently produces the mind-saving elixir that is the legal import of Columbia. The […]
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Thank you for the link, Traci.
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I think Benito may have been a polygamist. I think he married his second wife without divorcing his first.
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Not a surprise either. Thanks, Chuckster.
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