While making a note of today’s destination, It is noticed that the coffee machine has not made a sound in over five minutes. This leads me to believe something is amiss. Looking closer, the plug is found lying on the counter. Knowing how difficult it is for machines to work while unplugged, the situation is corrected.
Soon, the aroma and sounds of a fresh cup of joe meet my senses. It’s time to grab the clock and set it for Paris, France, May 4, 1924, and a duration of two hours. The plunger is pulled, and we find ourselves on the opening day of the 1924 Olympics.
To quote the History Channel. “The 1924 Paris Olympics—held in the City of Lights as a tribute to Pierre, Baron de Coubertin, the retiring president of the International Olympic Committee—drew 44 participating countries, a big increase over the previous 29. Over 1,000 journalists worldwide covered the Games, in which 3,088 athletes competed in 126 events. This was the first Olympics that featured women’s fencing.”
Also, “The 1924 Paris Olympics—which ran May 4 to July 27—became famous in pop culture decades later as the subject of the 1981 movie Chariots of Fire. The movie is based on the true story of British runners Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams.”
As the opening ceremonies begin, the alarm signals our return to the living room couch without seeing an event. My text tone lets me know Linda Hill has sent the prompt text. The text reads. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “note.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!
To see what other bloggers have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2024/05/03/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-4-2024/
Note by John W. Howell © 2024
“Why don’t you time these things so that we can see more?”
“I guess I get a little nervous about being in the past.”
“Why? It would be fun.”
“Yeah, and the potential of messing up something is high.”
“Like what?”
“What if someone in 1924 took my photo.”
“Yeah, so?”
“Well. I don’t belong in that time, and maybe the photo shows me from a different time with the clothes and everything.”
“Okay.”
“Then the guy would make a note of the fact.”
“Again, so?”
“And talk to his friends and maybe show them what I looked like.”
“This is getting boring. What’s the point?”
“Mabe, the guy would go on a quest to find me.”
“Hello. Conclusion needed.”
“Okay, let’s say the photographer is Alfred Stieglitz. Instead of all the beautiful photos of Georgia O’Keefe and donations to museums, he stopped his photography to search for me.”
“How do you get through doors with the size of your head.”
“This is not about me but a time traveler and someone who messed up the time continuum.”
“I still think it would be worth the risk. Can I change the subject?”
“Wouldn’t be VooDoo Range, would it?”
“Mind reader.”
“Oder an uber.”
“He is already here. Over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“Aw, come on.”
“Super discount. We do have to make one stop.”
“We do? What for?”
“We have to help the guy with one of his customers.”
“Oh, I just can’t wait. What customer is this?”
“The zoo.”
“The zoo. Where in the zoo?”
“The elephant house.”
“That’s it. I’m going to order my own Uber.”
“Don’t be a spoiled sport. You ever rooter an elephant house?”
“I’ve never rootered anything.”
“A first time for everything. Let’s go.”
“Why do I always follow your goofy ideas.”
“You are a happy man. Make a note of that.”
Fiction Favorites 
Brilliant funny and topical as usual. Thanks for the laugh and smile
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Thank you for the lovely comment.
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Another great dialogue. Really funny.
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Thank you, Rabirius.
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It’s the little things about time travel that cause problems. I guess we’re better off with your measured visits, John. With respect to the elephant house, good luck – keep that truck clean.
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Ha ha ha. Keeping the truck clean might be a challenge.
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A tour de force of inspired silliness!
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I love your comments, Liz. Thank you.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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[…] “Steve, Stephan, whatever, the drink is in the system. You can look it up. It’s a glass of Willette Reserve, a snifter of seltzer and a glass of ice. It’s named after the world famous time-traveling author, John Howell.” […]
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Thank you for the link, Dan. 😊
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I once had an electric hammer that my dad gave me on April Fool’s Day. No, I didn’t plug it in, but he did and, wow, in his hands it worked beautifully.
Another great historical tidbit. I love these.
As for rooting out a bathroom, I saw a rooting truck in the Adirondacks with the motto, ‘your number two is our number one business’…
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That motto can be filed under truth in advertising. The hammer story gave me a laugh, Steve. Thanks. 😊
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🍺
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🥃
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Touché!
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😊
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Only you would come up with roto-rootering an elephant house!!
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I had to be subtle. 🤣
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😂 of course!
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😁
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And away go troubles down the drain…
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Just hang on to the sissy bar over there.
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Such is the danger of time travel. Murder on the nerves.
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And you can’t take anything for it either. Thanks, Charles.
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HAHA! That was funny. Thanks for the morning laugh out loud moment, John the happy man! 😂
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Glad you liked it
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Well done, John! This is very informative for me. I liked the movie, “Chariots of Fire,” but didn’t know it was inspired by the 1924 Summer Olympics.
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Amazing information exists. It is a lot of fun finding it.
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William Blake would be proud of your research. He’d bring you your chariot of fire. 🤨
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Thank you, Tim.
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LOL Don’t feel bad, I’ve never rootered anything either.
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You don’t know what you are missing, Kymber.
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Wow! Maybe you could set the clock to half-past Roto-Rooter. If you stand by with a kazoo you can be the Roto-Rooter pooter tooter.
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Ha ha ha. Good one, Craig.
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Note:
Never try to Roto-Root and elephant. Even Tiny should beware.
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Good advice, Noelle.
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This was really funny, John, especially the elephant house.
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I’m glad you liked it Jennie. 😊
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What a fun time travel! Those first Olympics had to be pretty amazing. Gotta love the Uber. But a quick stop to rooter the elephant house…Ha! Ha!
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Glad you liked it, Jan. Thank you. 😊
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Clean up in aisle three.
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Ha ha ha,
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This is a great inspirational dialogue
Hello,
How are you doing?
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Thank you, Lucy, Doing fine. How about you?
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Nice hearing from you
Can we connect
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Already have. 😊
Sent from my iPhone
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Send me your email address
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As ever John you entertain us with your historical knowledge! Plus the added excitement of your time travelling alarm clock!
i agree you’re very wise not to stick around too long for fear of messing up history 💜💜💜
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Yes it gives me a stiff neck with worry. Thanks, Willow 😁
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wear a scarf 🙂
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😁
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Make sure you wear clothing that would not be noticable as being from another time (unless looked at super closely – which won’t happen because you are super careful)… coz yeah, you bring us in and out so fast! 😉
I am still amazed at how much you do manage to teach us!
Hmmm… let’s hope that detour is a quick one.
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Ha ha ha. Good advice, Dale. Thank you.
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😉
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😁
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Send me your email address
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Roto-Rooter must be international as we have this same company here in SA. I’ve never seen them operating at the zoo though.
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It was a metaphor for a big poo mess. 😊
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Yes!
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This is one of your best, John! Hilarious and clever! And Roto Rooter and an elephant house? How do you think these up? 🙂
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I just wait for my brain to send a message o my fingers. I have a very different brain. Thanks, Lauren.
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It’s believed we all have doppelgangers so what’s to question if you were ‘seen’ back in the ’20’s? It would simply be a funny story, right? Of course, the elephant in the room is that well . . there’s really an elephant in the room.
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Ha ha ha. Another good one.😁
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Haha! Two for two huh?
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Yup
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