Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Peace/Piece

~ John W. Howell

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

 

The message on the coffee machine’s screen is very clear: No coffee until we are clean. Throwing hands up in the air, all peace seems lost until the second message flashes: It only takes two minutes; press start. Grabbing a piece of courage, pressing start saves the day. There is some noise, and then the magic message: All Clean.

The first sip brings the brain to life and reminds us to grab the clock. The time is set for September 20th, 1924, and the location is Washington, D.C. When the plunger is pulled, we find ourselves on the corner of Rhode Island Avenue N.W., M Street, and Connecticut Avenue N.W. in Washington, D.C. Here, the dedication of the Nuns of the Battlefield is a public artwork made in 1924 by Irish artist Jerome Connor.

The artwork honors the more than 600 nuns who served as nurses to both the Union and Confederate injured and ill troops during the US Civil War.

The lower right side of the relief is signed: JEROME CONNOR 1924

The lower left side of the relief is inscribed: BUREAU BROS. BRONZE FOUNDERS PHILA. ENN

On the granite above the relief is inscribed: THEY COMFORTED THE DYING, NURSED THE WOUNDED, CARRIED HOPE TO THE IMPRISONED, GAVE IN HIS NAME A DRINK OF WATER TO THE THIRSTY.

On the granite below the relief: TO THE MEMORY AND IN HONOR OF THE VARIOUS ORDERS OF SISTERS WHO GAVE THEIR SERVICES AS NURSES ON BATTLEFIELDS AND IN HOSPITALS DURING THE CIVIL WAR.

On the rear of the slab near the base is inscribed: ERECTED BY THE LADIES AUXILIARY TO THE ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS OF AMERICA. A.D. 1924 BY AUTHORITY OF THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES

Just before the Temperance Union served lemonade, our alarm goes off, and we are in the comfort of the couch. A text has arrived from Linda Hill. It reads:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “peace/piece.’” Use one, use them both (for bonus points), use them any way you’d like. Enjoy!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here’s the link: https://lindaghill.com/2024/09/20/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-sept-21-2024/

Peace/Piece by John W. Howell © 2024

“A perfect visit for the peace half of the prompt.”

“I thought so. The piece was in keeping with the wonderful memory of those nuns.”

“What was the deal with the Temperance lemonade bit?”

“It was a tongue-in-cheek nod to your obsession with VooDoo Ranger.”

“Ah, you mentioned it first.”

“Uber?”

“Right over there in the garage.”

Photo by Dan Antion

“What the heck is that?”

“It’s an electric car built by Westinghouse in 1965.”

“I only see two sets.”

“Yeah, the driver said we could take it.”

“What good does that do when the idea is to have a designated driver for our pub trip?”

“This thing has a top speed of 25 miles an hour and a range of 50 miles and is powered by six six-volt batteries.”

“It will take an hour just to get to the pub. Back to my question.”

“I guess we need something else.”

“Call them back and get a better ride.”

“Okay, but I thought this would be fun since only 50 were made.”

“Okay, you win. Get the driver, and I’ll squeeze in the back.”

“You are a prince.”

“No. Just thirsty.”

56 thoughts on “Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Peace/Piece”

  2. I don’t guess the Temperance Union was serving Mike’s Hard Lemonade. I’m glad you opted for the designated driver. I hope he doesn’t listen to the radio while you’re drinking.

    Liked by 2 people

  3. I have to agree with Dan on the hard lemonade!
    It is very nice to honor the nuns, especially since they did not pick sides – they tried to ease the pain of them all.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Firstly, here’s to the nuns who comforted all the many casualties of war. Of which, there are always too many. They make so much more than lemonade.

    As for this piece, it’s second to . . . wait for it . . . nun! And then you wrap it up with a lunchbox car. And I’m glad you reconsidered and used it for your Voodoo run, because really, how often do you get to feel like a box lunch?

    Liked by 1 person

      1. It’s punny business all day with me, Boss.

        Lunch Box Ubers might be a thing. Maybe.

        I don’t know about genius, but now I’m craving lunch. Yep, skip breakfast altogether and get right to the middle.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. I agree with GP. It is right to honor those nuns who nursed people from both sides. Electric cars were manufactured quite a while ago, without successful sales. Now we’re heading toward all cars being electric.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Oh dear, what a horrible design, it couldn’t be worse.
    We can well understand that such a car is hard to sell.
    Dear John, we wish you a wonderful weekend
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  9. I did not know about the service of the nuns, so this was really interesting! Did they note what orders they were from?

    The car is amazing – I would love a ride in that. And Hubs has promised to get me some Voodoo Ranger to try!

    Like

    1. Sisters of St. Joseph, Carmelites, Dominican Order, Ursulines, Sisters of the Holy Cross, Poor Sisters of St. Francis, Sisters of Mercy, Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, and Congregation of Divine Providence.[7]

      Like

  11. I knew of the nun’s work but didn’t know of this monument. Thank you for including it in your dialogue. Great job—as always! 🌞

    Liked by 1 person

  18. I didn’t know VooDoo Ranger made a lemonade?

    Live and learn… like about those nuns, who were on the side of helping the wounded, which is no side at all. Rather it is a place.

    Also, that car is interesting. Sometimes it seems like great inventions were left behind, until just before it’s too late.

    🐂 🍺🍻 🐂

    Liked by 1 person

        1. I knew that. Didn’t want my VooDoo Ranger friends to take offense though. They can be a little unkind especially if they have a lock of your hair. Yes the car was a great idea but not well execuited. 🐂 🐖 🐖 🐖 🐂

          Liked by 1 person

  19. The society had a centennial celebration on the 20th. Wonderful! I didn’t know about the Hibernian Society until I met our wonderful DIL. She is a member, I’m so proud. The Philly Irish Catholic group often gathered at the pub. I imagine a John Howell’s special was on the menu. No Uber or VooDoo Ranger back then.

    Liked by 1 person

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