The coffee machine required a shake to allow the beans to enter the hopper. Sometimes they get hung up at the opening, and the grinder goes nuts trying to figure out where the beans have been hiding. This is knowledge obtained by having a heart-to-heart talk with the AI in charge. The AI explained that a shake wasn’t necessary and that simply pushing the beans into the hopper was sufficient. Of course, to do that would be to deny the opportunity to score on the prompt today. Finally, the first sip is available, and with it, the dreaded doorbell chimes.
A toss of several treats into the soundproof room contained the sound of Twiggy and Tempeste attempting to break the sound barrier with their barking. Slamming the door brought a quiet, only disturbed by the whooshing in my ears left from fractured eardrums.
The security system must be deactivated before opening the front door and addressing the visitor. Before that, though, the SWAT team needs to be put on standby. A quick text to the leader confirms that status. Also, the flight of A-10 Warthogs must be diverted. Another call to the commander puts that worry to rest. The control panel makes the shutdown of the security system 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, the alligators fed, the IUDs and shoulder-held rockets put away. The locks on the door are thrown. A look at the security camera screen shows a large yellow bird with its eyes way too close to the camera lens. “What do you want?” is transmitted through the speaker. The birds responds, “Message from Linda Hill.”
The bird is instructed to read the message. In a high voice, she reads aloud, “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is ‘shake.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!”
Thanking the bird, the instructions are to leave the message and beat it. “What, no tip?” the bird yells. “Stay away from black holes,” is the tip. The Bird turns, gives her tail feathers a shake, and disappears down the drive.
To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda Hill’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2025/04/25/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-april-26-2025/
Shake by John W. Howell © 2025
“No future visit.”
“Well, Edna Ferber did win the Pulitzer prize for her novel So Big today in 1925″
“Why didn’t we go to see that?”
“It was just a news article. I suppose she had a party, but we weren’t invited.”
“Okay, so you went with Big Bird.”
“I didn’t say it was Big Bird. I would have to get authorization to do that.”
“Fine, so it was a big yellow bird.”
“Yup. There are hundreds of those around.”
“Sure, there are. Just like hundreds of VooDoo Rangers.”
“That didn’t take long.”
“What?”
“Till you worked VooDoo Ranger into the conversation.”
“Why wait?”
“Call Uber.”
“Did he’s over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“No way.”
“They are going to pay us.”
“How does that help get to the pub?”
“A new tire and we are on our way.”
“Wait a minute. Who’s driving?”
“The guy who went to get a tire.”
“How long is that going to take?”
“There he is now. Come on, shake a leg and let’s give him a hand.”
“Why I get involved in this stuff, I’ll never know.”
“That’s funny.”
“What’s funny?”
“You write it and wonder how you get involved.”
“Yeah, good point. What do you want me to do?”
“Hold these lug nuts.”
Fiction Favorites 
Dear John
Will you ever reach the pub in this car? We suppose you would better walk. But mind those big yellow birds.
Happy weekend
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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I think walking is a good idea. My friend has a way of getting the worst rides for sure. Thanks F4oC. Wishing you a lovely weekend.
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haha, Cute one, John!
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Thanks, GP.
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Remind me not to come trick or treating at your place, John. I love, “Stay away from black holes” as a tip.
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I wonder why I don’t get many trick or treaters, Dan. Maybe the moat is a turn off.
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😂
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😊
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However you dream these up is beyond me, John! Warthogs, alligators, shakin birds, and black holes …oh my!🐤🐊🐗
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I’m never alone, Cindy. That’s for sure. 😀
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Hahahaha.. you sure aren’t 💕
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😊
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Interesting vehicle. It’s like if someone installed an engine on Tetanus.
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Ha ha ha
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I’ll be surprised if you don’t have to push it to the tavern.
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Carry might even be necessary.
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Well done with the challenge, John! Some times those rust buckets can be deceiving. I hope you made it to the pub. 😉
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We’ll get there eventually.
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If you’re lucky, he won’t blow another tire on the way to the pub. Have a good day.
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Ha ha ha. Now that you have said it, I’ll bet it will happen. 😀
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Oops! I’ll shut up now.
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😀
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I’d love to see those Warthogs! I collected pictures of planes from WWII and the Korean War when I was a kid. As for your eardrums, I hope they heal in time for the next canine frenzy! The Uber looks like fun, as long as there are some VooDoo Rangers at the end of the ride!
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Yes, I’m hoping for a ride. Either way there will be Voo Doo Rangers.
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Very clever, John. I have nightmares thinking of when I tried to change a tire. Have a great weekend! 😄
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There once was a wise man who advised every couple contemplating marriage to change a tire together. If they survive that, then the relationship has a chance. Thanks, Gwen.
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For my husband and me, it was hanging wallpaper together that was the marriage test.
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Yep…that would be THE test for sure. 😄
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Ha ha ha.
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We managed to go through it and get to the other side!
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Always good
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Wallpaper could be the end for sure.
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I never want to go through that again.
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I did it several times.
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So did I.
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Came out unscathed
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Hmm, there is no back license plate. I do believe the Uber is waiting for a tow to the salvage yard to be crushed.
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Yeah, a small detail. Thanks, Liz.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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Interesting story path.
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Thanks, Pat
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Great tip! One should always be careful of black holes 😉
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Yes, get too near and it is a problem.
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Yep! You definitely conquered the prompt. Not so sure about that Uber, though. 🙂
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It was a real problem for sure. 😀
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lol That is funny, yes! Thank you for the late-night laughs. 😊
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Laughter is good anytime. I’m glad you got some, Michele. Thanks for letting me know. 😊
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Sure is! You’re welcome and thank you, John. 😊
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😊
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“A toss of several treats into the soundproof room contained the sound of Twiggy and Tempeste attempting to break the sound barrier with their barking” Ha Ha at least you have a way of controlling the situations. Bribing always works.
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Yes, it does. Thank you, Thomas.
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Haha! Well done, John!
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Thank you, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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Brilliant way to meet the challenge, John! Love it. Your ‘secondary’ alarm system always brings me smiles.
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Always glad when you get a smile. Thanks for letting me know, Monika.
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Seem the 2 of you and your VooDoo are lug nuts!
Hmm, nuts backwards is stun; somehow appropriate.
Anyway, lousy Uber, I’ll see if I can find one of those really good ones up her in TO, next time I’m out and about.
Umm, no offence to Dan! I’m not competitive or anything; – anything.
Nice work on the prompt, John!
🚕 – tai + O in front.
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No competition for sure. O+🪓-A
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O+🪓-A O+🪓-A
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3(O+🪓-A)
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Did you know Axe Throwing is a sport in Canada?
4(O+🪓-A)
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Here too. 4(O+🪓-A)+ (O+🪓-A)
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It should be an Olympic sport!
🏆🏆
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YAY. We win
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John, you had me at “The coffee machine required a shake to allow the beans to enter the hopper.” What an intro, and I suppose it’s smart to always keep the alligators fed! I’m not so sure about that car though, but best to shake a leg! Good one, as always!
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The car may be a problem. Thanks, Lauren.
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Your java expeditions should come with a whip and hat, Indy, because you DO bring the adventure.
As for the challenge, you got that one in with a couple minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Sorry, I’m still in NFL Draft mode. But the Uber . . . make sure to tighten those lug nuts!
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Thank you, Pilgrim. I think you missed the TD in the first few minutes of the first quarter. I’m sure you were still getting the refreshments.
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I was! LOL
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😀
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I also have a home that goes on high alert when anyone dares to touch the front porch. Halloween is a delight around here. 😂
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Ha ha ha. I feel your pain.
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