Waiting for the perfect cup of coffee can try one’s patience. The red light blinking behind the eyes is a low caffeine warning, and it intensifies with each passing moment. The red warning is joined by the beating of the anvil with a sledgehammer feeling in the brain. The body is giving its last “Warning Will Robinson” before a complete fetal position meltdown. But wait. The soothing syrup has begun its movement from inside the guts of the machine to my cup. Salvation is at hand.
Just as the cup meets the lips, the Westminster chime that is the doorbell cuts through the air like a bullet train to Avignon. The Baskerville Hounds take the cue to join the mayhem and escalate the decibels to eardrum-splitting altitude. A quick toss of a bag of kibble and slamming of the soundproof room door quickly brings back some decorum. l
Checking the security system monitor, I see someone who looks like Daffy Duck standing with an envelope in one hand. Not wanting to go through the world discussion about leaving the message, the better course of action is to simply shut down the security system and open the door.
Heaving a sigh, the security system shutdown process has begun. 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 SEAL team needs to be called off, and a call to the leader makes that possible. A call to the tow truck driver stops the deployment of an M1A1 Abrams Tank. The control panel simplifies the shutdown process of the security system. The boiling oil vats are put on standby, the turret mortars disengaged, the Trebuchet on safety, the concertina wire rolled, the Claymore mines reset, the tower Gatling guns on safety, the moat net dropped, the alligators fed, the IEDs and shoulder-held rockets put away. The Proton torpedoes switched off. The locks on the door are thrown. And the door opened.
The duck hands me the envelope. I thank him, and he stands with his hand out. Looking at his hand, he says, “A tip mate.” Thinking hard and not wanting to toe the line, my response is finally, “Be the wind not the flag.” He looks cross, so slamming the front door seems to be the right thing to do.
Opening the envelope, there is a message from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “toe/tow.” Use one, use both, use them any way you’d like. Bonus points for using both. Have fun!
To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link:
https://lindaghill.com/2025/08/08/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-aug-9-2025/
Toe/Tow by John W. Howell © 2025
“I’m telling you all those non-tips are going to come back to haunt you.”
“Like how?”
“Maybe no one will deliver anymore.”
“Nah. They are paid to do that.”
“How about sailing the envelope up onto the roof?”
“And risk a one-star Yelp review?”
“Yeah, okay. Be a scrooge if you want.”
“I’m surprised he hasn’t shown up yet.”
“You and he could be best buddies.”
“Oh, come on. Who is going to tip someone who looks like Daffy Duck?”
“Just the whole world is all.”
“Please. There wouldn’t be enough to fit on my big toe.”
“Weak.”
“What do you mean?”
“If you were trying to squeeze in the word ‘toe’ for the prompt, that was very weak.”
“Can you do better?”
“Yeah. You are cheap from head to toe.”
“Who always buys the VooDoo Rangers?”
“Well, that part is an exception, which now that you mention it, would be nice. To have one.”
“Uber?”
“Over there.”
“Looks like a 1961 Thunderbird.”
“I think so.”
“At least we won’t need a tow.”
“There is one thing, though.”
“Of course, there is.”
“We have to stop at the auto show in the farmer’s market.”
“How long?”
“Two hours.”
“I’ll be right back.”
“Where are you going?”
“To get a cooler full of VooDoo Rangers. Maybe there’ll be hummus and crackers at the farmer’s market.”
“Now you are talking.”
Fiction Favorites 
Still Looney after all these years.
I have to feel for Daffy though. You’d think he would be living large on all those royalties but nope . . .
A Bullet Bird! Man, they really do not make them like this anymore.
Good Saturday to you Boss
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I remember going out with a girl who had a ’59 bird. You could live in that thing, it was so big.
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You could have lived in one part of the car and rented out the other part.
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Terrific, Pilgrim. 😊
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If you could learn to toe the line, maybe you would get an Uber that you didn’t have to work for?
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Ha ha ha. I think this may be something to look into, GP. 😀
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Ha ha, good one, GP!
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I thought so, too.
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Thanks, Liz. I get inspirations at least once a year…LOL
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You’re welcome, GP.
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Have fun at the auto show!
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Thank you, Liz. 😊
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You’re welcome, John.
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😀
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Sounds like a nice deal for that car. Though I’m unsure on the hummus and beer combo.
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How about hummus and cola?
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Maybe? I tend to drink seltzer when I have hummus these days.
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That will do it, too.
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Daffy should know he’s not getting a tip showing up before coffee. ☕️ Love the Thunderbird.
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Yes, Silly duck.
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That silly Daffy. A tip? I never!!
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I know, right?
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Nervy little duck. 🦆
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Yes, it is.
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😊
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A money tip for Daffy does seem illogical. That Thunderbird looks like a nice ride.
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Thank you, Tim. I agree on the tip.
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Try not to stub your toe kicking the tires of that vintage Thunderbird. Besides the fact that a stubbed toe will diminish the whole Voodoo Ranger experience…
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I will watch it. Thanks, John
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“Be the wind not the flag.” seems like a fair tip for a duck. Just saying.
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Yes it does
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I think a car show at a farmer’s market is a worthy stop. They probably have a beer stand somewhere.
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We have a cooler, so no problem.
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The girls might be wanting to bite your toes if they knew you were comparing them to Hounds of the Baskervilles. Could stream of consciousness and you can say I tow-ld you so.
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Ha ha ha. They are used to my characterizations
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Why don’t we ever notice our typos until after the comment is sent? Should have been good stream of consciouness.
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I didn’t notice it when I read it.
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Good thing you disarmed the Proton torpedoes. The Farmer’s Market sounds like fun with a six pack of Vodoo Rangers. A lot of our outside markets here have a collection of vintage vehicles.
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I’ve been to a few with vintage cars.
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Always a draw for me!
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Me, too.
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You’re deththpicable! But what a mighty fine-looking ride that is!
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Yes indeed, Lois.
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Hope you had a good day at the farmers Market 😁😁😁😁
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We did. Thanks, Willow.
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excellent 💜😘
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😀
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Hahaha…LOVE your tip! I’m gonna have to remember that one. Well done with the challenge and that lovely Uber ride. My Dads’s best friend while growing up had a red Thunderbird…talk about a sweet ride.
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Thank you, Monika. Ill bet that bird was wonderful.
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It was something very special.
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😊
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The boiling oil vats are put on standby, the Proton torpedoes switched off, etc. That is some security system and a lot to shut down. You should have asked him for a tip instead of him asking you for one. BTW last evening I drank a Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA and it was very good. Delicious.
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I’m glad you liked the VooDoo Ranger. Thanks for letting me know, Thomas. The imperial is the only one I like.
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That ride would be great fun! An auto show at a farmer’s market – no problem! The snacks and drinks would be a bonus. Have a great weekend! Cheers!
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Thank you, Michele. I hope you have a peaceful Sunday.
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Thank you. 😊 🕊️
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😊
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Now that’s my kind of farmer’s market. Hummus and crackers sound wonderful.
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Yes, indeed.
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What a car! Reminds me of the Thunderbird in American Graffiti. Yes, go to the car show with Voodoo in tow. This was fun, John.
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I loved those cars. I went out with a girl who had a 1959 T-Bird. Had enough room inside for a rodeo.
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Wow!
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😊
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It seems you always remember to shut down security. Here, we are in terror of forgetting. Don’t laugh–it’s happened.
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I’m sure.
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Everything is right with this post except the hummus – I’d skip that. Pick up some cukes for me at the market. You should have plenty of room in the trunk for a bushel.
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You are right about the room. Thanks, Dan.
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Ha! Love it. What sweet ride. Love the old Thunderbirds! Nice way to use the prompt!
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Thank you, Jan. Those were tons of steel for sure.
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Reading this I just had to wonder, why don’t ducks have toes?
I have a ceramic duck that looks a lot like Daffy, and it has toes.
Love the car!
Love hummus and crackers. Have fun at your VooDoo car show picnic!
🍘X 🍘X 🍘X
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Thank you, Resa. Ducks have toenails, so I think they have toes. 🏆
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OMG! You’re right! I love it!
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😊X
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😊 X 😊 X
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