Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Phone.”

~ John W. Howell

 

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

The wait for coffee has my nerves on edge. I check my phone for messages, but there are none. That process took ten seconds of waiting time, so it is pure downtime until the soothing brew hits my cup. Ah, there they are, the first drops of the life-giving fuel followed by a full cup. With my brain fully functioning, it is time to turn to the clock. The year is 1924, and the day is September 13th. The location is Washington, D.C. The plunger is pulled, and we find ourselves at the retirement announcement of General Pershing.

General of the Armies John Joseph Pershing GCB (September 13, 1860 – July 15, 1948), nicknamed “Black Jack”, was a senior American United States Army officer. He served most famously as the American Expeditionary Forces(AEF) commander during World War I from 1917 to 1920. In addition to leading the AEF to victory in World War I, Pershing notably served as a mentor to many in the generation of generals who led the United States Army during World War II, including George C. Marshall, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar Bradley, Lesley J. McNair, George S. Patton, and Douglas MacArthur.

Upon reaching the age of 64 (as required by Department of War regulations at the time), The General was granted full pay and allowances for the rest of his life, as well as continued use of his office at the SWAN Building in Washington, which served as the headquarters of the Department of State, the Department of War, and the Department of the Navy. Pershing was succeeded as Army Chief of Staff by Major General John L. Hines.

Before the drinks were served, the alarm went off, and back on the couch, we landed. Checking my phone, a text has come in from Linda Hill. It reads:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “phone.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

Visit Linda’s blog to read what others have done with the prompt. Here is the link https://lindaghill.com/2024/09/13/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-sept-14-2024/

Phone by John W. Howell © 2024

“Well, at least you nailed the prompt.”

“Is there a problem?”

“We never stay for the drinks.”

“That shouldn’t bother you.”

“Why’s that?”

“You know a VooDoo Ranger is pretty close to the end of the history lesson.”

“That’s true. I just would like to stay around a while and socialize.”

“I’m almost afraid of what could happen.”

“I would behave.”

“Said the impulsive one. Get on the phone and order an Uber.”

“Already done. It’s over there.”

Photo by Dan Antion

 

“Now you are talking. A 1936 Ford DeLux sedan.”

“I thought you would like it. You can have a shotgun; I’ll take the back.”

“You are so generous.”

“Naw, I just know where my bread is buttered.”

“I almost think I should wear gloves.”

“I think it will be okay unless you are eating fried chicken.”

“Where do you come up with some of the things you say?”

“I have no idea.”

“it really doesn’t matter. Let’s go.”

 

66 thoughts on “Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Phone.””

  6. Thanks for the lesson on Pershing, John. I’m not a big WWI or WWII history buff, but it would have been awfully interesting to sit in on the meetings with the generals and President during WWII.

    Love your ride this week! You and your better half should have been dressed 1920’s style, had a chaffeur, and went to the Ritz for the Voodoo Ranger.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. That’s right, it doesn’t matter where those ideas percolate, as long as they just keep coming for our enjoyment. Well done. By the way, the General tutored a fine list of soldiers.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Thank you for the very interesting information about the names of the missiles that the Germans almost did not have on their ground a few decades ago. Now we will get new ones very soon, could they be named after one of the former presidents? 😉 Best wishes, Michael

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  13. Maybe you can revisit Black Jack and chase Pancho Villa through the desert. Might have to switch to mezcal for a day, and ride a cavalry horse for an Uber. That is a sweet vehicle. It looks like it’s just been made ready for paint.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. This is interesting. Pershing is a name I’ve heard in my life. Your history lesson is short, but does fill in a blank or two.

    Thank you, John.

    By the way, your VooDoo pal must have some of that ol’ black magic in him.

    He charms you out of VooDoo every week.

    Who do voodoo? He do!

    OX OX OX

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Ahh… M ox ox ch.
        Although, he’s not like Wimpy, because he never promises to ay you back on Tuesday!
        💋🍺X 🍺X 🍺X💋
        (mooch is almost smooch!)

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