The coffee machine detects the reality of being away for a while. She asks about the nature of my coffee drinking for the past week. Hemming and hawing did not forestall the answer long. The confession of drinking coffee brewed elsewhere brings a silent rebuke from the machine. “I hope you have a doctor visit on your calendar soon,” is the message scrolling across the touch screen.
Confirming the appointment date breaks loose a cup of the heavenly brew. On the first sip, the clock comes to mind. The setting is for March 21, 1925, and the location is the state of Tennessee. The duration is one hour, and the plunger is pulled.
We arrive in Dayton, Tennessee, which will be the location of the famous Scopes trial in July 1925. For now, though, we arrive just as the Butler Act takes effect.
In the U.S. state of Tennessee, the Butler Act, prohibiting school teachers from denying the Biblical account of man’s origin, took effect as it was signed by Governor Austin Peay. The Act provided that “it shall be unlawful for any teacher in any of the Universities, Normals and all other public schools of the State which are supported in whole or in part by the public school funds of the State, to teach any theory that denies the Story of the Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible, and to teach instead that man has descended from a lower order of animals,” had been passed by the state House of Representatives, 71 to 5 and by the Tennessee Senate, 24 to 6. The Act would remain on the books until its appeal on May 17, 1967. Maybe we’ll get back for the trial after John Scopes is indicted for teaching evolution, but the alarm goes off, and we fall flat on the couch.
There is a text from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “calendar.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post.Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2025/03/21/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-march-22-2025/
Calendar by John W. Howell © 2025
“I love how you sneaked calendar into the early p[art of your story.”
“I wanted to get it out of the way.”
“Well, you did that for sure. What made you pick that destination?”
“I have always been fascinated by the idea of passing a law forbidding the teaching of science. The fact that fundamental extremists could influence a state legislature to do so has amazed me since school.”
“So the fundamentalists only wanted the bible version of creation taught?”
” Well, they didn’t want evolution taught. The law didn’t say anything about the bible version.”
“I can’t believe anyone was prosecuted under such a law.”
“High school teacher John Scopes was.”
“Yeah. Did he go to jail?”
“No, he was found guilty and fined $100 by the judge, but that was set aside by a higher court ruling that judges cannot assess a fine above $50. That has to be done by the jury.
“I hope someone doesn’t decide Voo Doo Ranger needs to be outlawed.”
“So if they did.”
“Hello, hoosegow.”
“You call Uber?”
“Right over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“Look at that a Camero. At last, a ride in which we can be proud to be seen.”
“We can be proud to be seen. There’s only one problem.”
“What’s that?”
“No engine.”
“What?”
“The guy rebuilt the car and ran out of money.”
“So, how are we supposed to get to the pub.”
“Push.”
“Push?”
“Yup. As you know, the pub is in the valley, so well, just push the car till it gets rolling, hop in, and coast to the pub.”
“Sounds more like a you job than a me job. I’m getting in.”
“Maybe we should call a cab.”
“Up to you. I’m comfortable.”
Fiction Favorites 
As long as there are 2 people in the world – there will be disagreements!
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So true, GP. 😊
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“I hope someone doesn’t decide Voo Doo Ranger needs to be outlawed” – Remember 1920, John. Scares me to think about it.
Make sure you call a different Uber for the ride home.
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Ha ha ha. I think we’ll stay the night. Thanks, Dan
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Man, there is a religion to that perfect beverage. When THAT gets messed with by the courts, it’s time to revolt!
As for that ride, you’re gonna have to pull a Flintstones
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Yabba yabba doo.
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LOL
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😀
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It’s amazing all of the things that people have tried to outlaw over the years. Guess we’ll see what happens next too.
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Well, John, here we are 100 years later and there are still those who want to deny science in the name of religion and pass laws for said religion, but that’s where this comment will end. Because a Camaro and beer sounds like a much better topic to discuss. When in my 20’s and 30’s, I wanted so bad to own a Camaro. Now, I don’t know that I could get in and out of one…lol.
Call a cab.
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Today’s story shows that human behavior doesn’t change quickly. You are right about the Camaro and beer. I never wanted one, but did rent a few when I traveled. Fun car. A cab might be the answer,
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Haha, well this was an interesting take on the prompt. I’ve ran out of gas before after a hurricane and had to push to the gas station, that certainly was no fun, but the idea of coasting downhill certainly sounds hilarious, just make sure you have a designated driver LOL.
Happy Saturday, John! 😊
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Thank you, Laura. Glad you enjoyed the silliness. running out of gas is no fun, especially after a hurricane. Happy Saturday to you. 😀
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Crafty and timely post, John, way to get some miles on the press with the parallel’s! They best Not ban coffee or there will be trouble! 💓
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A coffee ban would be bad. Thanks, Cindy.
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Crazy stuff, and you do a great job of helping folks see the craziness. Enjoy the day, John. In our part of the world, it’s finally (I hope finally) warming up. 🌞
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I rather enjoyed the coolness of Phoenix. It was refreshing, given the low humidity. Thanks, Gwen.
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I’m behind the wheel with the passenger door open, John. Give her a push and jump in! Some fun tonight!!
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Ha ha ha. I had that visual in my head when I wrote the piece. I got it up to five miles an hour, and it is all downhill. Let’s go. 😀
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Incidentally I was making myself a coffee as I opened your post. In the second paragraph you wrote “March 21, 1025” but I think you meant “March 21, 1925”, but considering the topic it might as well have been “March 21, 1025”. It is hard to believe that you could not teach evolution, but those were the times. It was fun and interesting reading.
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Ha ha ha. You are the first to catch that typo, Thomas. Got it corrected. Thank you. 😊
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Remove the floorboards, take a eat, and you can walk the car to get the Voodoo Rangers. Should be light enough without the engine!
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Good advice, Noelle. I’ll put on heavy-soled shoes for sure. 😊
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It’s amazing what’s been outlawed over the years. You wouldn’t believe half of it! And as always, a great story, John. You know how to entertain us.
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So glad you liked it, Esther.
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No engine is a big problem! 😅 I remember learning about that court case in university coursework. Interesting to learning about legal decisions related to education. Thank you for the share!
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It was an interesting case. Lots of Hollywood connected with it
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Things have not changed in Tennessee or some of its neighboring states in the last century or so, John. Fun story, love the coffee maker with the tude.
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She does have a tude like everyone else in this house.
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I wasn’t expecting the Uber to have no engine!!
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A little surprise for me, too.
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😀
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Quelle surprise. We wouldn’t want to widen children’s horizons by teaching outside of the bible…
As for the car, he who calls for the Uber, pushes…
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I like your reasoning on the push factor. 😀
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I thought you might!
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😊
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That old Spencer Tracy movie is one of my favorites. You’ll need a bit more muscle to deal with the lack of power steering. Getting home might be more of a challenge.
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I think after four VooDoo Rangers, getting home will be impossible,
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Lol! Love the Camaro. Too bad it doesn’t have an engine. So many crazy laws. This is a great example! Thanks, John.
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Crazy laws, indeed. Thanks, Jan.
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Interesting destination choice, for time travel.
One could say a “timely” topic.
I might be missing something, but it does seem like some states are moving backwards on that issue.
Radnelac!
🗓X 🗓X
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Yes, a timely topic.😊X 😊X Saying good night now
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GOOD MORNING!!
I’ve been told to go away in the morning, until my energy calms down!
💥X
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Ha ha ha. I would never tell you that ⚡️X
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Okay, I believe you, even though you’ve never experienced it! However, fruit’s on!
🍎X 🥝X 🍓X 🍊X
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True. I’m pretty chipper in the AM myself.
🍎X 🥝X 🍓X 🍊X
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🍎X 🥝X 🍓X 🍊X
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😀X
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What a story!
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Ha ha ha. I hope you liked it 😀
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Very much so.
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😀
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