When does a coffee machine become more than just a machine? This question enters my mind while approaching the one that sits in my house. The reason for the question is that late last night, there was some faint mumbling coming from the place where the purveyor of the delicious elixir often referred to as soothing syrup rests. Notice that the word “machine” did not leave my lips. Upon investigation, a loud shushing sound was followed by a noticeable flickering of a light. There were no further sounds or light, so other than implanting in my brain the possibility that this item may be alive, the issue was tabled until today.
Moving toward selecting the two coffee buttons, which is something I enjoy, gave me a start. Before my finger could engage the button, the machine began brewing the two-cup serving. The thought occurred that maybe there was a heat sensitivity, but then last night’s experience led me to believe this thing is alive.
The first sip brought the bells of Westminster crashing down around me. The two bark machines joined the cacophony until a knuckle bone tossed into the soundproof room and the door slam brought back peace. Checking the security monitor verified the presence of a character that looked very much like Sylvester J. Pussycat Sr. “What do you want?” was the challenge. “Suffern’ succotash. A delivery,” the reply. Trying the “just leave it” ploy was answered with the usual, “need signature.” With a sigh, the security shut-down process began.
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, and the IEDs and shoulder-held rockets put away. The Proton torpedoes switched off. The gamma ray beams covered. The high-powered maser guns switched to standby, and the nanorobots were chained in the basement. The Klingons are called back, and the Targ is caged. The locks on the door are thrown. And the door opened.
Sylvester hands me an envelope and a clipboard. I sign by the X. He, of course, has his paw out looking for a tip. My gift, “As Albert Schweitzer said. There are two means of refuge from the misery of life – music and cats.” Sylvester is stunned as I slam the door. I open the envelope, and it is a message from (who else) Linda Hill. It reads:
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “something you enjoyed.” Write about something you thoroughly enjoyed. Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
If you want to see what others have done with the prompt, Visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2025/11/07/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-8-2025/
Something You Enjoyed by John W. Howell. © 2025
“So the coffee is something you enjoy, or is it pushing buttons?”
“Yeah, it’s the coffee. That sentence was a bit clumsy.”
“Just a bit. What is with that machine, anyway?”
“I wish I knew. After it is finished brewing, I turn it off.”
“So what is the problem?”
“It comes back on again.”
“By itself?”
“Yes. Don’t you think that’s odd?”
“Odd? I think it is possessed.”
“Well, let’s not go that far.”
“Okay, I don’t have to live with it.”
“Like other problems in life, I’m going to let this one ride.”
“Speaking of ride, the Uber’s over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“Okay then. Looks like it will get us there.”
“I think so too. One problem, though.”
“Of course there is. What’s the problem?”
“Something the driver enjoyed was drag racing.”
“Yeah, so?”
“He lost his license, so we have to drive.”
“That defeats the whole purpose of having a driver.”
“Well, I’ll be the designated driver.”
“Voodoo Rangers are something you enjoyed. Tell you what. We will take the bus.”
“Bus?”
“Yeah. Right over there.”
“Cowabunga. Let’s go.”
Fiction Favorites 
Hilarious, John… We hate opening our front door too…
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🤣
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Nice Uber!
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It is. Way too fast for me these days, though. Thanks, Joy. 😊
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Sufferein’ succotash. I taught I taw dat bus titting in a parking lot in Pacific Beach in Tan Diego.
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Ha ha ha. Good one, Pat. Thanks. 😊
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Not easy to do a Tweety Bird imitation beyond I taught I taw…. Glad you enjoyed it.
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Yes, it was well done.
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🤓
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All I ever get at my front door are sales people. Internet providers and solar panels – tell Sylvester I’d give him a nice treat. Glad you decided not to be the designated driver, John.
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Yeah, DD is not in my DNA. Thanks, Dan
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Bus reminds me of the Electric Mayhem bus from Muppet Movie.
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Charles.
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Cowabunga stuck in my head…who said that?? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Whew! That’s a load off. Now onto the rest of the day. Enjoy the ride!
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Here is some TMI about cowabunga. The term “cowabunga” originated from the 1950s children’s TV show Howdy Doody, where it was used by the character Chief Thunderthud. It was later adopted by surfers in the 1960s and became a widespread pop culture phenomenon in the late 1980s and early 1990s thanks to its use in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon. Thanks, Lois
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Surfers! I remember that now. But it all started with Howdy Doody…all the info I didn’t know I needed. This is great. Thanks, John! You wanna be Michaelangelo or Rafael😂🐢
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I’ll take Rafael. 😀
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Getting there is half the fun.
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Of course it is. Thanks, Craig.
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now that’s a bus that would make me smile… Great post😊
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It made me smile, too.
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My goodness, your security gets tighter and tighter. You need a bot to disarm it 😹
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I have a checklist. The problem with a bot is that it also needs to be disarmed. Maybe I’ll add one in
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Good to see you rising to the challenge 😄
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Check next week.
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It’s good you had your coffee, John, in spite of the strangeness of the machine. Riding the bus should be okay, but I don’t see a driver.
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He went for coffee. He’ll be right back. 😊
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LOVE that bus – I would take it in a heartbeat. More bones for the barking machines!
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Yes, they bark better with bones.
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I like both ride options today and I enjoyed today’s SOCS.
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I agree — both terrific ride options. As a kid, I knew a couple of people (older than me) who had black on white Chevelle Super Sports. I think that was the first time I saw a car with bucket seats.
Great visit, John. Hugs.
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A possessed coffee maker could make for interesting mornings. ☕️ Cool Uber rides. Great photo from Dan.
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Both are fun options! 🙋🏻♀️ My mom had a SS. Hers was a caramel color. Would have been one to hold onto!
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Haha! I’m not a coffee drinker (I’m a tea woman), but I take all caffeine seriously and respect the process!
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Great post John! Coffee is the elixir of gods 🤣
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I also enjoy coffee, but maybe not drag racing ubers.
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John, did I miss it or do you not have a bucket of boiling oil above the door that spills on some nefarious character penetrates your fortress?
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Yes, the oil is in vats fired by propane. In the narrative, they are put on standby
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Cowabunga! I’ll bet you got some stares riding in that VW bus!
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Quite a few. A lot of folks asking for a ride , too.
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Yup…good alternative ride! Bart Simpson said it best.
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😀 Thanks, Monika.
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I have no idea what these peeps are complaining about when it comes to your tipping, because from where I sit, your tips are gold. Gold I tell you! Of course, from where I sit I ain’t the one receiving these tips so there’s that.
As for the story, slam dunked. Again.
And only you could score a backup Uber, Boss.
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Sometimes a backup is needed, and it is wise to plan for it. Take air travel these days, for example.
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And you nailed it with both rides at that!
Yeah, air travel is sad, ain’t it?
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It is.
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Ugh
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😊
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Luv my coffee, but not a possessed machine!
That bus might make you high, just by sitting in it! lol
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🤣
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Nice bus!
Will you be testing the acid on the ride over?
If you do, you will have a VooDoo experience like never before. Oh, and say “Hi” to the Orange Sunshine Lady for me while you’re there! I haven’t seen her since I finished off the baggie.
🐂 🐂 🧟♀️🍻
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The Orange Sunshine Lady has decided that VooDoo Rangers are a better way to self-actualization than the green stuff. She said she was tired of waking up on the floor and not being able to find the door. 🥴X
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What door? There’s a door?
I need to get out of here!
😵💫X 🥴X
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Ha ha ha. 😆X
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😂X 😂X
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What a cool bus! Too bad about the driver of the car losing his license, as that was a great car. Still, you won out with the bus. BTW, I never knew Sylvester’s full name!
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I did not know Sylvester’s name either. I went to the WB site, and there it was.
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Ta-dah!
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