The coffee machine sits in silence, waiting for orders. As a hapless slave to a caffeine addiction, there is no way to tolerate a malfunction. Yet the message on the touch pad screen says, “Message 666 see owners manual.” Flipping through the pages, message 666 finally pops up before my caffeine-starved, red-rimmed eyes. “Take Another Look,” was all it said. Looking back at the touchpad screen, the message reads “Got Cha,” and then the menu appears. Shaking my head, the two coffee selections are made, and my patience is rewarded with an eight-ounce mug of brain-saving elixir.
One sip, and the Westminster chimes and Igor’s hounds all begin a cacophony that threatens the eardrums. A quick toss of doggie treats for each and the slamming of the door to the soundproof room brings silence to the Earth. A glance at the security monitor shows Frosty the Snowman on the porch. Of course, the attempt is made to have the delivery left, but as usual, a signature is needed. With a sigh, the security shut-down process begins.
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 security system’s shutdown process. 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. Robbie’s Bot is sent to the basement. The locks on the door are thrown. And the door opened.
Frosty points to the clipboard where to sign. After he hands me an envelope and holds out a mitten hand in the classic tip gesture, the tip of the day is delivered. “Better go and play before you melt away.” Stepping back through the front door, I give it a mighty slam. The envelope is from Linda Hill, and the message inside reads: Your prompt for #JusJoJan the 24th and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “take another look.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!
To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/23/the-friday-reminder-for-socs-jusjojan-2026-daily-prompt-for-jan-24th/
Take Another Look by John W. Howell © 2026
“What was Frosty the snowman doing in Texas?”
“Taking advantage of the below-freezing temperatures today, tomorrow, and Monday.”
“Wow. That’s not right. You Southerners aren’t built for that kind of weather.”
“No kidding. We wear knitted caps and gloves when it hits 50 degrees (-15 C).”
“A bunch of weenies if you ask me.”
“You are the first to squeal when it hits 100 (37.7 C) in the summer.”
“Who wouldn’t?”
“Not Texans.”
“Whatever. We need to get to the pub, and the Uber is over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“Wait a minute. We can’t go in that.”
“Why?”
“It only seats two, and it’s freezing out here.”
“Take another look. There is a backseat.”
“Who’s going to squeeze in there?”
“I will. There is one errand we have to make, though.”
“Uh huh. I thought so.”
“It’s an easy one.”
“What is it?”
“We need to drop off some moonshine on the way.”
“You are kidding, right?”
“No, this is a real-life Smoky and the Bandit.”
“Can I say no?”
“And miss a VooDoo Ranger?”
“My better judgment says, ‘Pass.” I’ll meet you at the pub.
“Okay, then I’ll stay with you. Let’s call another Uber.”
“Good thinking.”
Fiction Favorites 
Very topical and timely, John. Hope the grid holds.
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We do too. But if not, our Hummer EV will take over.
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💯🤞🤞🤞🙏🙏
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😊
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It might be good to stay close, John. Eastbound and Down is the theme song that storm is playing. Sheriff Buford T. Justice is probably waiting for you.
PS, Tell Frosty he can come here for some repair snow. It doesn’t look like he’ll melt along the way. Stay safe and warm.
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Love the Eastbound and Down reference, Dan. That is exactly what is going on. We are ready fro Teens at night and freezing rain in the day. Wishing you a peaceful weekend. 😊
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Freezing rain scares me. Pretty, but so dangerous. Take care.
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I agree. No one here knows how to drive in it either.
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Everyone here seems to forget every year.
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“Knitted hats and gloves” when the temps hit 50 degrees — hilarious, John, but I can relate. 😄
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Our blood is so thin that anything below 70 gives us the shivers. Wishing you a lovely weekend, Gwen..😊
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Hardly a blog I can dismiss. . . There’s nothing wrong with your imagination, sir! xx
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Thank you for that vote of confidence, Joy. I’m so glad it still functions at 84. Everything else seems to be having trouble keeping up. 🤣
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Definitely going to be some smoking involved with that car. Also, I’m guessing Frosty is rushing back up here for our negative/single digit temps. Not looking forward to going out.
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He can stay her for the low teen temps at night.
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I wondered how long Frosty would last, John. I didn’t know it was below freezing there. It probably is good to get another Uber. Have a great weekend.
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Thank you, Tim. Wishing you a great weekend as well.
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Did you add some new things to the security system, or have I just not been paying attention? I don’t remember the Klingons, Targ, or Robbie’s Bot. I was probably laughing too much at this–I just love it.
Freezing rain followed by ice…accidents waiting to happen. And then there are those who purposely leave their sprinkler systems on to create frozen art. We are some kind of crazy.
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Yes, those are all new. If you would like to think one up, I would be more than happy to add it, too. 😊
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Ha! I think you have everything covered quite well, John. This must have worn you out because I did not see Twiggy and Tempeste getting their knucklebone tossed into the soundproof room! 😯😬😀
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Take another look. They got treats tossed into the soundproof room.
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How did I miss that??!!! Whew! Thank you!
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Well, now you are up to date. 😊
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OK, what was the tip to Frosty? and I like that Uber. A hot rod. The engines that were the basis for car racing in this country were developed by moonshiners in Virginia to enable them to outrun the law!
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The tip was to play before melting. Thanks for the additional information about the hot rod engines.
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Another day, another try. What kind of car is that ? Did I miss it ?
Cold ? You want cold? How about minus 8 with a feel like of minus 31 !!!
Chicago is very cold and windy but no snow in this storm – yet. Stay warm.
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Yes, you made it. The car is probably a 1936 Ford coupe. At least that’s what the grill looks like. Yes, Illinois does get cold, but we are not used to it. Little things you have that we don’t are frost-free outdoor water faucets and a winterized electrical grid. We will be getting freezing rain and then ice later today. Stay warm, too.
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I think my post went through !!!
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It did. Magic. What did you do differently?
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No clue – just typed in my comment and then my email and password. And it WORKED.
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Well, now you are labelled “someone.” So you missed one thing on the reply
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I vote you invite the driver inside, stay warm, and drink the moonshine instead.
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Great idea. Thanks, Craig.
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LOL. Wise choice, John. 😅😆😎 Hugs.
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Thank you, Teagan. Hugs.
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I love the moonshine bit!
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The car inspired the deviation. Thanks, Liz.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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Well played, John. We may need some of that moonshine to get through this weather fit only for Jack Frost. But we’ll be ok if the grid holds. Cheers!
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Maybe we could give the grid a shot of moonshine. 😀
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