Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Just”

~ John W. Howell

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

The black machine just sits, waiting for a command. The touchpad offers selections to please every coffee lover’s taste. The conundrum is which to select. There’s the Americano, flat white, cappuccino, Latte, espresso, single cup, and double cup. My finger follows its muscle memory and selects the double cup. The icon lights up to let me know the order has been received. The grinding, groaning, and sputtering precede the slow delivery of fluid that makes life worth living again.

One sip and the clock comes to mind. It is set for November 23, 1924, in New York City, and the duration is an hour. The plunger is pulled, and we find ourselves at a newsstand on Lexington Avenue. We grab a newspaper and read.

The article states that Edwin Hubble announced his discovery that Andromeda, previously believed to be a nebula, is another galaxy and that the Milky Way is only one of many such galaxies in the universe. Hubble disclosed his discovery to The New York Times, and they broke the story. Hubble went on to publish a paper on December 30 after peer review and was presented by him at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society on January 1. The idea that our Earth and galaxy were unique has been turned over as a result.

Just as an order was placed with the hot dog vendor, the alarm went off, and we were back on the couch, having a strange craving for sauerkraut. A text has come in, and it is from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “use ‘just’ in your first sentence.” Use the word “just” any way you’d like in your first sentence, then just write to your heart’s content. Enjoy!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link: https://lindaghill.com/2024/11/22/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-23-2024/

Just by John W. Howell © 2024

“Just what made you pick a double cup?”

“What do you mean?”

“All those choices. You could have had something other than your usual.

“I just wasn’t in the mood for the others.”

“Well, I guess that explains why you only put catchup on your burger.”

“Anything other than cheese muddies the water.”

“Says the guy in a rut.”

“So what would you choose?”

“Right now?”

“Yes.”

“It comes in a brown bottle and goes by the initials of VooDoo Ranger.”

“Of course it does. Uber?”

“Right over there.”

Photo – Dan Antion

“A 1978 Mercedes Turbodiesel Wagon. That puppy is a classic.”

“I thought you would like it.”

“That model was the first Mercedes wagon to be powered by a diesel engine. It was part of the W123 series, which was known for its reliability and durability. The 300TD was a luxury station wagon with a 3.0-liter, five-cylinder diesel engine that produced 123 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque”

“And who cares?”

“Well Dan Antion would and me of course.”

“You are putting the rest of us to sleep. Let’s get in.”

“Fine. I should make you buy.”

“Wait. Tell me more about the Mercedes.”

“Too late. Just get in.”

68 thoughts on “Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Just””

  3. Hubble’s discovery certainly deserves a celebratory Voodoo Ranger, John. “Who cares?” 45 years on the road and that car is still humming, OK, growling along.

    Great job with the prompt – enjoy the weekend

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Pingback: Connections — SoCS – No Facilities

  8. That is a great classic car, well worth a ride in. However, I NEVER put ketchup on a good cheeseburger. You can’t taste anything else – it’s gotta be mustard. Same reason I won’t put it on fries. I prefer mustard. The fridge is loaded with lots of difference kinds. Also goes will with sauerkraut!

    Liked by 2 people

      1. Yup, my husband is a ketchup man. My uncle used to put ketchup on EVERYTHING my aunt cooked for him when they were first married. She revolted and said she would not cook for him unless he threw the ketchup out, He did,

        Liked by 1 person

  11. So, we’re not alone. Y’know, I always feel that I’m being followed or watched when walking the dog at night. Well, I haven’t been disemboweled yet, unlike those poor cows out west.
    I liked your ride this week.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. I’ve not followed you enough to understand your connection to VooDoo Ranger BUT there was a VooDoo Ranger truck blocking traffic downtown last week and I thought of you! 😆

    Gosh, that car is a beauty. I don’t think I have ever seen one at the classic car shows we go to. Will have to keep an eye out for one now, though.

    Liked by 1 person

      2. If only we had “just” the right choices instead of being confronted with the Paradox of choice when we are supposedly engaged with mundane tasks? (I couldn’t help carry forward the “just” prompt… Doesn’t take much to lead me to temptation? 😁)

        Liked by 1 person

  16. I like a dark double, myself.

    sauerkraut 😬

    Hubble Hubble

    Toil and trouble

    Forests burn

    Volcanoes bubble.

    Round about the galaxy go

    In the poisoned earth ball throw.

    Toad, that under cold stone  

    Days and nights hast 1461  

    Swelter’d venom sleeping got,  

    Boil eco in the pot.

    ☄️🔭

      

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Yeah… As you know, It’s a parody of the 3 witches’ chant in MacBeth, Act IV – Sc.1.
        It’s meant to be a comment on climate change.
        .☄️🔭 ☄️🔭.☄️🔭 ☄️🔭

        As soon as I read “Hubble” it popped into mind. I memorized it when I read MacBeth when I was 15. I just loved it.

        Liked by 1 person

  18. This was just so good Boss.

    I can imagine your cuppa was just so good and then you just stood your ground against the naysayer until the Uber showed up. And will you just look at that puppy! You’re right, it’s a classic. And I bet it showed up just in time huh?

    Liked by 1 person

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