My coffee machine has started to develop an attitude. After punching the brew button, my fingers start drumming on the countertop. Indeed, you would think the machine could appreciate withdrawal symptoms when they manifest. Instead of sympathy, a message comes up on the touchpad. It says, “Keep your shirt on, this quality brew takes time.” Suitably chastised. Hopefully, my pout has had an impact since the coffee is delivered instantly.
Just after a sip, the doorbell’s Winchester Chime routine causes most of the coffee to hit the floor. Twiggy and Tempiste try to warn whoever is at the door that rabid wolves have taken up residence. A deep sigh and loud “Cut it out” finally bring some sense of quiet as the security system shut-down procedure starts.
The turret machine guns are set to stand by, the boiling oil cauldron tipping mechanism is turned off, and the automated arrow launching pods are unarmed. In addition, the Trebuchet, ballista, and falling rock device are switched to manual. The claymore mines are set to manual, the mote net rolled back, and the concertina wire retracted. The Iron gate is raised, and the bolts are thrown on the front door.
The door is opened, and a character who looks very much like Bug Bunny asks me to sign for a special delivery letter. My only comment is, “I guess you missed the do not ring the doorbell sign.”
He responds, “Don’t know how to read, Doc.” He then turns and hops away.
The letter is from Linda Hill, and it reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “shirt.’” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
If you want to see what others have done with the prompt, here is a link to Linda’s post: https://lindaghill.com/2024/08/16/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-aug-17-2024/
Shirt by John W. Howell © 2024
“So again, no clock.”
“Well, this week, I had a request from an old friend to do the security system.”
“Oh, so you take requests now?”
“No, but in this case, my friend is a loyal follower and misses the old post. The story is a little deeper, too.”
“Do tell.”
“We both lost another friend who enjoyed making suggestions on the post. They both devised the Trebuchet, ballista, and the mote net. So, this post is in honor of Dan. Thanks, Tom, for the suggestion.”
“Well, my suggestion to honor those two with a VooDoo Ranger seems a little shallow.”
“No, I think that is a great way. If Dan were here, he’d jump on that suggestion. Uber?”
“What does my shirt say?”
“Over there?”
“Yup. Look over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“OMG, that is a 1976 AMC Gremlin.”
“Well, you would know. All I see is a way to the pub.”
“This should be fun.”
“You can have shotgun.”
“You are a mensch.”
“Gotta treat the bag man with respect.”
Fiction Favorites 
AMC had a few winners. Nice blast from the past.
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Thank you, Craig. 😁
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Sorry for the loss of your friend, John. This was a unique and wonderful way to honor him.
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Thank you, Dan. 😊
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I’m so sorry for your loss, John. 🌺
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Thank you, Kymber. 😊
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Sorry for your loss. If anyone would ignore that security system, it would be Bugs Bunny.
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That is what I thought. Thanks, Charles.
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Nice one, John, to satisfy your friend’s suggestion. A 1970 Gremlin was the first car I owned after my discharge from the Army. I drove so hard in those days that it lasted about a year, then I traded it in on a new 1973 VW Beetle.
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I can just see you flying down the road in that machine. 😁
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Fantasy John. I could not believe that I was looking at a Gremlin till you confirmed it. Seems rather streamlined. Have a lovely day.
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It seemed streamline to me as well. Go figure. 😁
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We have a good eye 👁️
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Ah yes. That must be it. 😁
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Nothing gets by us
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Except the mundane. It goes by all day.
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My condolences in the loss of your friend, John. This is a nice way to honor him and include a throwback AMC ride that I never ever considered driving.
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Ha ha ha. I never considered driving one either. Thanks for your kind words, Mary.
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I’m sorry for the loss of your friend, John. This was a lovely tribute to him.
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Thank you, Deborah. I think he would have liked it. 😁
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oh my word! I had a green one of those! John I don’t think I’ll ever visit you. You’re scary. But your pups are adorable!
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Yes I have a scary house for sure. Makes going outside an adventure. The fact that you owned a green Gremlin makes you scary too. The pups like me for sure. Thanks, Pam.
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I knew a guy who had a whole fleet of Gremlins. He drove one and cannibalized the othersd for parts.
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I knew a guy who had a fleet of Mercury Cougars and did the same. 😁
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Remind me to wear body armour if I ever come visit you at home! Cool picture of the car, and a fun story, John. So sorry to hear about your friend … that’s one of the downsides of getting older, we start losing loved ones. Have a happy weekend, my friend.
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Thank you, Jill. He was younger than me so it was quite a shock. I hope you have a happy weekend as well. If you ever want to visit I have a secret entrance that runs under the mote.
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Ahhhh … that’s good to know! I’ll keep it in mind 😊
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John,
Wow-excellent piece. Dan would be rolling on the floor. So nice of you to bring back some memories. I thank you very much. Remember to secure the home. Thanks, Tom
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I’m glad you liked it, Tom. I thought a lot about Dan and decided to take your suggestion up immediately. I think he would have liked it too.
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I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend, John. I lost an old friend two days ago. Times are hard.
As for the Gremlin, I told my Dad I wanted one – when I was old enough to have a car of my own. He just laughed!
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I think your dad did you a favor by laughing. Thanks for the words of kindness, Noelle. 😊
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Hi John so sorry to hear about your friend. I think it’s great that he was instrumental in the dearming or even arming of the house security system! A wonderful way to honour him. Also a great chance for us all to enjoy the mayhem the ringing of the door bell on causes. When I visit I shall scale the yard wall make friends with canine security duo and knock at the back door 💜💜
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Or I could give you access through the secret door that leads to a tunnel under the moat. 😁
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Oh! Yes please I would like that 😌😌
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Done.
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Cheers 👍
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I’m so sorry to hear about the death of your friend. Each time we lose someone in our lives, it’s a blow.
I once had a used AMC Gremlin, Levi Straus interior, V-8 engine. At a certain point, the engine seized up, and that was the end of the Gremlin. Ya mean I’m supposed to, like, put oil in it?
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Ha ha ha. Yes oil is a major item. I remember the Levi interior. Was very cool.
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😁
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Sending you gentle thoughts of comfort on the loss of your friend.
Oh my gosh, I had a ’72 pea green Gremlin. Talk about a trip down memory lane followed by a big smile. I actually loved that crazy car! Nice work with the challenge-well done.
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Thank you so much for the kind words, Monika. Pea green was the only hep color for a Gremlin. Thanks for shraring that.
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I have to say it was one of the ugliest cars I’ve ever seen but I really did love that little car. So funky, so 70’s!
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So true, 😁
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Deep condolences about Dan. May he RIP!
Haha! I’ll bet Twiggy and Tempeste have a great time being wolves. Love the Gremilin. A Gremlin could out do VooDoo in a spell(ing) contest.
Winchester Chimes? You mean like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GcPYzYYM9M
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Thank you, Resa. Winchester chimes like this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnK_TtRSc7U
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📣𝐗 📣𝐗 📣𝐗 📣𝐗
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😁X
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Coffee, the honest to goodness stuff, takes time. And then you go and pen a wonderful tribute to a dear friend and THAT is why you’re the boss.
The Gremlin was so ugly it was cool.
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I agree on the Gremlin. Thanks for the other nice words, Marc.
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But they really are cool.
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Hi John, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. I also like these Warner Bros cartoon character posts.
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Thank you, Robbie. 😊
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I’m truly sorry about the death of your friend, John. I think he enjoyed reading your post, from above. I was happy to see the security and Bugs back again, too.
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I think you are right about reading from above. 😁
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I knew you would feel the same way. I’m smiling.😀
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😁
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