The coffee machine gives me a message that it needs to be cleaned. It is an automated process that only requires me to drop a cleansing tablet into the appropriate hopper when prompted. Knowing full well until the machine is cleaned, there will be no coffee. So the button is pressed, which starts the twenty-minute cycle. What does one do for twenty minutes while a small devil attempts to beat a hole in your head for the lack of caffeine?
Looking at March 29th, 1925, it is one day when nothing much happened. Just as the coffee’s ready, the doorbell rings, sending Twiggy and Tempeste into fits of fur-shedding caterwauling that threatens to shatter the windows. Moving them into a soundproof room with a knuckle bone, the security system needs to be addressed.
Of course, the security system needed to be disengaged before going to the door. The control panel made the process simpler. The boiling oil vats are put on standby, the Trebuchet on safety, the concertina wire rolled, the Claymore mines reset, the tower Gattling guns disengaged, the moat net dropped, and the IUDs and shoulder-held rockets put away. The locks on the door are thrown. The final camera check picked up the image of a rabbit chomping on an oversized carrot. “What do you want?” is my greeting through the loudspeaker system . “Hey, Doc. Open the door.”
Heaving the heavy six-inch door open, my first expression was, “Awe, aren’t you cute.”
“Cute smoot, Doc. I’m here on business.”
“What kind of business?”
“I have a message from Linda Hill.”
“Aww, that’s so nice of you.”
“Here, take it.”
The rabbit handed me an envelope and disappeared around the side of the house. Heaving the door closed and resetting the alarm system before opening the envelope. Once done, the message from Linda Hill read: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “awe/aww.” Use one, use both, use ’em any way you’d like. Bonus points if you fit them both into your post. Enjoy!
To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2025/03/28/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-march-29-2025/
Awe/Aww by John W. Howell © 2025
“Well, you got the bonus points.”
“I sure did. I’m going to have that Bentley Turbo convertible before long.”
“How much of it do you have so far?”
“Twelve lug nuts.”
“Awe, you have a long way to go.”
“Yeah, but I’m determined.”
“Aww, that is so inspiring.”
“Yeah, right. Some would say stupid.”
“Not me.”
“Yeah, ’cause I’m buying the VooDoo Ranger. You call Uber?”
“Right over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“What is that thing?”
“I’m not sure.”
“But what year?”
“Who knows?”
“All I can say is it looks like it has been ridden hard and put up wet.”
“But there are enough seats for both of us.”
“So true. Let’s go.”
Fiction Favorites 
Dear John
that’s a SAAB, isn’t it? I had such a car when I was a student. I loved it.
I like your AWE\AWW text.
Wishing you all the best
Klausbernd 🙂
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Thanks for the identification, Klausbernd. I looked up Fiat but never thought of Saab. Wishing you a lovely weekend.
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I looked up several as well, but never thought of Saab
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I didn’t either. It looks to be around a 1965
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It was a great car, two stroke engine.
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I used to see them smoking up a storm.
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Looks like you’re getting double bonus points today. But I love the process of opening your door – what no SWAT team emerges from the back yard?
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I should add a SWAT team. A good idea, GP. Thanks.
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lol
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😊
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Good one, GP!
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It was. Gotta add a SWAT team.
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I await further developments re the SWAT team.
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Yes, now I’m on the spot.
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😁
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😀
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Haha, what a chaotic morning with the coffee maker needing to be cleaned and the dogs causing a ruckus due to the security system. They are the security system! 😆 That car looks like a fun ride! 🤣 🤩 Happy Saturday, John! Great job on the prompt 👏
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Thank you, Laura. The dogs would make a great security device if an intruder was allergic to barking followed by licking. 😀
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🤣 😆
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😊
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Before you get into that car, I hope the driver latches the hood.
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That would be a good idea. Thanks, Liz.
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Aww! I love this. Going for coffee now. Have a great day ☕️☕️
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Wishing you a great day, too, Holly.
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Thank you dear friend. It’s a beautiful day here in the tropics. 🏝️
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Great. It’s a Nice day here in the Southwest, too. 🌵
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Great to hear. We could use some rain.
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We just had three days worth
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It’s supposed to storm later today. There was a small fire in some brush right across from the beach yesterday.
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Good thing it remained small.
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Yeah, these fires are nothing to fool around with. There were three fire trucks out there. 🙂
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Good thing.
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You ever find it strange when you hit a day where nothing interesting happened? It’s like a blank spot in history.
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I found it very strange.
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That Uber might be a holdover from The Love Bug or a reject from Disney’s Cars. Either way, if it runs to a beer and home from a beer, what is the difference? Right John?
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Exactly, Mary. Who cares what it looks like if it gets the job done.
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That is a long wait for coffee, Doc. I hope you got to have a cup before you headed to the pub. That ride is interesting, but I have no clue what make and model it is.
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I found out it is a SAAB, but I don’t know the year.
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I came across that too, John, but that oval marking on the grill confused me.
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Me too.
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Cute smoot! exactly, LOL. I so enjoy your posts, John! The ridden hard & put up wet is pure Texan. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve stopped myself from saying that phrase in ‘polite’ company.
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Ha ha ha. I can imagine if you don’t know about horses, it could be taken the wrong way.
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That might be the Saab where you had to add the oil to the gas when you filled up. But it does look like a speedy little car, which should get you to your Voodoo Ranger in no time!
As for all your security measures, I think Tempeste and Twiggy are all you need!
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It is a SAAB, Noelle. Tempeste and Twiggy would be good if barking makes your ears bleed. Otherwise, they can be bought with a belly rub. 😀
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Sending them lots of belly rubs to spare your ears!
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Thank you.
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I’m picturing you leaving a trail of falling car parts starting with the hood… But dang, that is a sweet little ride.
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I’m betting it’s a 1959 or 60 SAAB. I’m going to look it up now. Nope it looks more like a 1965
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This was fun to read!
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I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Christine. Thank you for letting me know.
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I’m glad someone on your end could identify the car, John. I could go with a quiet day where nothing noteworthy happens. Maybe you guys should have popped into a speakeasy 😉
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I guess we could have, but it was time for a security run-through.
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I’m glad someone on your end could identify the car, John. I could go with a quiet day where nothing noteworthy happens. Maybe you guys should have popped into a speakeasy 😉
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What a fab-looking car, John. I’ve not seen one of those before.
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I saw one way back when it had to share the road with a T-Rex.
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It would be a fun ride for sure! I noticed some commenters suggested a SAAB. Though I know nothing about cars, your photo reminded me of my aunt’s car when I was a kid — it was a SAAB. 😊 Have a terrific weekend, John.
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There you go. It is a SAAB verified by GM Plano. 😀
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🤣
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😊
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Looks like fun! As long as it runs. 😄
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Yes, that’s true.
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great post
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It’s great to see the rabbit back, John 🐰🥕
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Thanks, Robbie. He was glad to be back too.
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Ah. (Just wanted to drop that version of the word.)
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There you go. 😊
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I’m always in awe as to how you weave two stories into one challenge every Saturday, Boss. It’s WHY I call you Boss. Well, one of the reasons.
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Aw,. Thank you, Marc. A very nice thing to say. 😀
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All true.
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😊
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Why can’t these coffee machines light up for cleaning AFTER your first cup? Why is that?
As for the awesome write. That is quite the cool car!
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I have no idea. I think there is a rule in the machine world that if there is an option to be a pain in the ass – – Take it. The car is cool.
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You’re so right! Damn them!
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😀
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Bonus points times two. Well done!
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Thank you, Monika.
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Sounds like a time/world blurp.
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I think so.
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Never give up on the Bentley. Nice to see Bugs here, and that Uber looks like a fast ride.
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Yes. Never give up. 😀
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So those first few comments were a nice Saab story.
I’m happy Bugs came back. I missed him, lots. (Boo hoo, yet another Saab story)
Anyway, I won’t go on. I know you have to put on your active noise cancellation headset to let the dogs out of the soundproof room.
Have fun!
🐖 🐂 🐖 🐂
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They are on the loose. (Who let the dogs out) 🐖 🐂 🐖 🐂
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Bugs? He may have dug underground, and up into the sound proof room.
Bewawe the wabbit!
🐖 🐂 🐖 🐂
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Bugs is always to blame. 🥕
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YES!
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😊X
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Great response to the prompt, John! Interesting looking car 😉
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Thank you, Marie.
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As long as there are enough seats, what could go wrong?
Good one, John! 🙂
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😀
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