Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Shirt

~ John W. Howell

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.”

 

 

 

56 thoughts on “Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Shirt”

  5. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. 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

    Liked by 1 person

  13. 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!

    Liked by 2 people

  14. 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 💜💜

    Liked by 2 people

  15. 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?

    Liked by 1 person

  16. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

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