The long wait is over. The Columbian soothin’ syrup fills the mug, and the aroma of those poor masticated beans covers the air like a blanket. Should we feel sorry for the beans? They were ripped off their bush home and forced into bags, held deep in the hold of a ship, only to emerge in a strange country. They were then run through the most brutal grinder, doused with boing water, and disposed of with the moniker “dregs.” The first sip of my coffee tells me to be thankful, not sorry.
The clock is set for Saturday, November 15. The location is St. Louis, and the time is one hour. The plunger is pulled, and we find ourselves in the courthouse.
We hear the jury read guilty verdicts for nine members of the St. Louis-based “Egan’s Rats” gang of bank robbers who were convicted of robbery of a mail truck and each sentenced to 25 years incarceration in a federal prison. Over five years between 1919 and 1924, Egan’s Rats, founded by Willie Egan and later led by Dint Colbeck, stole almost $4.5 million worth of cash and property, including the heist of $2.4 million from an armored mail truck on April 2, 1923. The convictions ended the organization, which had employed over 300 people over 35 years.
As the judge leaves the bench, our alarm goes off, and we flop back on the couch. A text comes in from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “blanket.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Lnda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2024/11/15/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-16-2024/
Blanket by John W. Howell © 2024
“That was an obscure blanket of history.”
“Yes, it was. Very interesting, though.”
“I guess running a criminal enterprise for 35 years has to be a record.”
“Oh, I don’t know. The US Congress has been at it for 248 years.”
“Well, catching them must have been some fine sleuthing.”
“I would say so. Speaking of sleuthing.”
“Uber is over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“A custom pick-up.”
“Yeah, she’s a beaut.”
“Looks like we can all fit.”
“That is a bonus for sure.”
“Shotgun.”
“Of course. I’m paying, and you call shotgun.”
“Okay, I’ll take the middle.”
“Good decision.”
Fiction Favorites 
You certainly made me appreciate the cup of coffee I’m drinking right now, John!
How much to buy the Uber?
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I think that model is going for about $30,000 if it is like some others. Coffee is to be appreciated. Thanks, GP.
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“The Columbian soothin’ syrup…” I love that! I also like the note about Congress. I think, “he who pays rides shotgun” is a good motto. Enjoy the ride and VooDoos.
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Thank you, Dan. I like the motto.
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I have finished a lovely mug of coffee, John… and I am grateful for it!
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I have as well and feel the same. Thanks, Jaye.
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Hahaha!
Perfect line as far as Congress is concerned Boss.
Have a great weekend
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I hope you have a super weekend as well.
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🙂
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😊
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“Oh, I don’t know. The US Congress has been at it for 248 years.” BOOM!! Direct hit!
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They deserve it, Liz. Thanks.
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You’re welcome, John. Yes, they do deserve it.
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😁
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I loved the truck… And like Liz ““Oh, I don’t know. The US Congress has been at it for 248 years.” … Spot on, and likewise this side of the pond..
Enjoy your weekend John..
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Thanks, Sue. I think we all feel the same about our legislators. 😁
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Wow. That is a very bright yellow to see when I first wake up. Hope the car has a hood.
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I think they want to show off all that chrome.
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Great lesson in history, John. Classifying Congress as a criminal organization is a viewpoint many agree with. That pickup is cool, and should be a good ride to the pub.
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I agree on the ride,Tim. Yes the Congress has proven itself to be more interested in self enrichment as opposed to public good.
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True, in my opinion, John.
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😁
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You covered the blanket pretty well. And I definitely want to ride in that Uber. I’ll drive.
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Okay you drive and I’ll drink. 😊
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Perfect!
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😁
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That’s a nice ride.
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It certainly looks that way doesn’t it?
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LOL . . . Columbian coffee, criminals, Congress, and a custom pickup. Brilliant, John. 😂
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The C’s of life. Thanks, Gwen.
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Oh no, compelling story. love the bright yellow!💕
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I liked it too, Cindy.
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Well, there’s a lot to enjoy here. Love what you’ve done with the ‘blanket’ prompt and the yellow pickup is fab. If ever I get a pickup, it’ll be yellow!
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Yes if you get a pickup it should be yellow. Thanks, Esther.
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I’m a sucker for historical anecdotes like this one. Keep them coming , accompanied with your usual tongue in cheek 😁
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Thank you, Steve. So nice to hear.
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Apt observation, John.
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Barbara.
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Well hopefully coffee beans aren’t conscious beings. You gave me an idea about getting a cup of that “Columbian soothin’ syrup”. I did not know about Egan’s rats. I looked them up now.
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Thanks, Thomas. Let’s hope those beans are not conscious beings.
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My day is winding down but for some reason I now want some of that Columbian soothing syrup!! Great post today!
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Thank you, Jill.
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if we felt bad for everything we eat, we would starve to death. I don’t like coffee unless it’s covered in chocolate…
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I agree on feeling sorry.
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I like buying American, but you just can’t get Columbian coffee grown here! Darn!
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Does any coffee grow here?
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You see the problem I ran into
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Yup. It is a problem for sure.
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The caffeinated sippin sauce is indeed highly appreciated and recommended before interacting with any human life form, I think 😆 ☕️
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I agree with you wholeheartedly. 😁
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Whoa…with names like Willie Egan and Dint Colbeck, they were almost destined to become crooks. Nice ride. Zoom, zoom.
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Ha ha ha. Those are crook names.
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Interesting gangland history. Thanks, John!
My step father’s great, great (not sure of the # of greats) uncle, Frank McCowan, rode with the Dalton gang in the late 1800’s. According to my step dad.
Anyway, they may have had blankets. Probably had blankets. Who doesn’t have a blanket?
This is not a blanket comment, although there are blankets in it.
🐂 🐂 🐂
Git along little dogies!
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I love where your creativity carries you on these comments. 🐂 🐂 🐂 🐂
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Posted this on Bluesky, John! Amazing as always!
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Thank you, Traci. Glad you liked it.
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So wild. Their organization employed that many people? Wow. Cool truck!
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Yes they had something going on for sure. I liked that truck too.
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That was quite an organization in that era. Wonder what it comes to in today’s dollars.
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The $4M haul would be worth #75M today.
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Hi John, a very interesting story this week. I would think there’s a movie.
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You have to wonder why if not.
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“Oh, I don’t know. The US Congress has been at it for 248 years.”
Hehehe. Tack on another 4, John. A fun story and what a cool Uber! Lol. I’d definitely take that ride.
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I would like a ride too. Thanks, Diana
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I’m laughing out loud and Hubby asks what’s so funny. Telling him that Congress has been running a criminal enterprise for 248 years (and the Egan’s Rats backstory) was a hilarious moment – wish you had been there. I do feel sorry for the coffee beans…sort of.
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I do until I take that first sip. I’m glad you and hubby got a laugh. 😁
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Yes, and yes!
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😊
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