One knows when the machine is going to function correctly. There are no knocks or pings, and the aroma begins immediately. This knowledge comes from years of experience relying on machines for life-affirming elixir. Today is good in that the liquid pours from the twin spouts like it is happy to see me.
One sip and my mind turns to the clock. It is set for Saturday, October 18, 1924, and the location is the Polo Grounds in New York. The duration is an hour, and when the plunger is pulled, we find ourselves in the stands surrounded by screaming fans.
In one of the most anticipated games of the 1924 college football season, played before 60,000 at the Polo Grounds stadium in New York City, Notre Dame defeated Army, 13 to 7. Nationally syndicated sportswriter Grantland Rice wrote his famous “Four Horsemen” column published in the next day’s newspapers.
The article included the famous lines.”Outlined against a blue-gray October sky,” Rice wrote, “the Four Horsemen rode again. In dramatic lore, they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction, and death. These are only aliases. Their real names are Stuhldreher, Miller, Crowley, and Layden.”
Just as it was time to run on the field, the alarm goes off and we are back on the couch. A text from Linda Hill has this week’s prompt. It reads:
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “starts with ‘kn.’” Find a word that starts with the letters “kn” and use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!
To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2024/10/18/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-19-2024/
Kn by John W. Howell ©2024
“You went to Notre Dame, didn’t you?”
“I sure did. Got my MBA there.”
“I don’t think Notre Dame fans have changed.”
“No, just as enthusiastic as ever.”
“I’ll bet you all knocked back a few beers on game day.”
“That we did. Of course, being older, I was under control.”
“I’m sure you were. Your knack for keeping me in line should be applauded.”
“Speaking of that, did you contact Uber?”
“Right over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“An old Dodge Ram?”
“An old Dodge Ram tanker, I might add.”
“The age-old question is, where are we going to sit?”
“There is plenty of room. I would wear your sunglasses, though.”
“why’s that?”
“There’s no windshield, so you need to protect your eyes.”
“Why do we get these junk heaps anyway?”
“Two extra VooDooRangers.”
“Huh?”
“We save enough for two extra VooDoo Rangers.”
“Okay, but who can drink two extra?”
“That is another problem. Here, let me help you get into the Dodge.”
Fiction Favorites 
What a wonderful vintage car. But would we be able to convert it for using hydrogen fuel? 🙂 Best wishes for a nice weekend, John! xx Michael
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I think methane might be a better choice.
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That’s right, but smoking will not allowed furthermore. ;-/ xx Michael
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😁
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That’s a fab car!
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I like it too. Thanks Esther.
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Quite the bucket of bolts from Uber this time!
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Got a wrench?
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No, but I have duct tape!
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That’ll do.
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That was an era of some serious teams from Notre Dame. Get on the train, head east and kick a**
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Indeed.
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Notre Dame, a bunch of ‘kn’ words and a Dodge Ram – you’re all set, John
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Thank you, GP.
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A convertible!
Yeah sunglasses, extra strength at that.
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Maybe goggles and a duster. 😁
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Goggles would be a much better idea.
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Yes indeed.
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I enjoyed this time hop. Happy Saturday 🥰
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Thank you, Jill. Glad you enjoyed it.
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Not sure that car is going to make it. Looks like 60% rust, 30% paint, and 10% praying to any God who will listen.
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🤣
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Nicely played, John! I wonder how fast that ride goes? Might want to hold on to yer hat as it may surprise you. 😂
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I think you are right, Deborah. Gonna wear my Pittsburgh Pirates hat.
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😊
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😁
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I didn’t know the Army had a polo team. I also didn’t know you got your MBA from Notre Dame. That old Dodge is an interesting body style.
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The stadium in New York was called the Polo fields. I also got my undergraduate from MSU. (I think you knew that) The truck is interesting indeed. Thanks, Tim
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I am picturing you doing a slow ride downtown…wind ruffling your hair, cool shades on, and people stopping to stare. Quite the image.
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Thank you Lois. That is quite a scene. Of course the reality is me hunched low with a cap on and a set of goggles. 😁
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What a fantastic way to spend your time-traveling hour! As for the Uber, I’m not so sure. It looks like it will dissolve into a pile of rust at any moment.
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I think you are right. 😊
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You knocked that one out of the park 😉
And ummm… I dunno that that particular ride is worth two extra VooDoos… just sayin’!
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Could be risky for sure.
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What if it can’t make it to the pub? Hopefully it will be close enough to walk…
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We’ll call door dash to pick up a six pack and deliver.
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Always a solution!
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Have to have all the contingencies in place. It is VooDoo Ranger after all
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Absolutely!!
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😊
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Your Ubers are much more interesting than ours?!
Love that your coffee machine was pleased to see you 😁😁😁
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Thank you, Willow.
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I have my doubts about that old Dodge actually running. 🙂 Fun post again!!
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It is pushable though
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Take your four horsemen with you. They can help with the extra brews.
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Great idea, Craig. Wait whose buying?
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I hate WordPress. I’ll try this again. I think control is an admirable skill when mastered. I’m still working on it.
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I hate WordPress too. I have complained until I’m blue in the face with no results. I’m still working on control myself and don’t have a tone of time to perfect it. 😁
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Go Irish! Well done with the prompt, John. Clever and perfect.
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Thank you, Monika. Loved the Georgia Tech finish yesterday.
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That Dodge Ram looks, well, terrible. But it is an interesting looking vintage car. It was fun reading.
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I think it is a junk yard candidate unless there is someone who wants to do a ground up restoration.
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Good story! But you spelled “KNotre Dame” wrong…
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Ha ha ha. I should have also talked about Knute Rockne. Missed that opportunity
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Even better.
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😁
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Very knice, John. I don’t think you’re going to get far in that car though.
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Thank you, Diana. I think you are right about the car.
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Nothing like taking a bug to the face when your cruising down the highway. Notre Dame, of course, is a traditional football power, but I noticed both Army and Navy are undefeated this year and have slipped into the top 25.
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Yup. Army and Navy have super teams. Thanks Pete.
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Nice rust bucket Uber. It looks like a metaphor for the Four Horsemen…. the aliases.
Yes, sunglasses will protect from pieces of rust flying into your eyes.
Every time I see KN, I think of Knude Jensen. He was in my class grades 3-6.
It was always the same riot withe the new teacher at the top of the year, and every time there was a substitute teacher.
Down the roll call they would go. Then the big quiet pause while the class waited for the teacher to get the nerve to say “Nude Jensen”. At that point riotous laughing broke out.
His name was pronounced Ka-Nude. The K was not silent, but teachers are smart.
🐖 🐖 🐖 🐖
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Hysterical story, Resa. Thanks for the laugh.
🐖 🐖 🐖 🐖 🐂
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😂𝐗 🐖 🐖 😂𝐗
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😂𝐗 🐖 🐖 😂𝐗 🥦
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Yes! I ate my broccoli last night.
🏆 you win due to a healthy emoji attitude.
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We both win since you ate your broccoli last night.
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I think that’s one uber option I’ll pass on, John! But good idea to wear the sun glasses! Fun story!
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Thank you, Lauren. 😁
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Hi John, your interlude was very interesting, as always. I am used to vehicles with no windscreen protection. The safari vehicles have high seats so there is no protection from the wind and elements. It’s terrific during a thunderstorm. Foreigners think our rain is tropical but it is not. It is frightfully cold and hits you hard like bullets.
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Thank you, Robbie. If I ever get to South Africa I remember the rain advice.
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Thank you for the Notre Dame/Army history. Navy has huge connection since WWII. College football is the best, and I’m glad it’s as popular today as it was back then. The Four Horsemen? Brilliant writing from that reporter. I want to ride in that Uber!
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It was a lovely piece of history and worth sharing. I think a shove in that Uber is more like it. 😁
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Definitely worth sharing this wonderful piece of history! I’ll take a shove in that Uber. 😀
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I’ll steer.
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Yes!!
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😊
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