Staggering to the machine with the hope of relief that a hot cup of aromatic, steaming elixir will bring to quell the flashing neon sign behind my eyes that says in bright red, “Low Caffeine warning.” Red is also the color of Valentine’s Day, and that wish of love is certainly part of this post as soon as the coffee is ready.
Finally, the cup is filled, and the first sip begins the process of serenity. An interruption occurs in the form of the Westminster chime cacophony courtesy of some dope not reading the “Do Not Ring The Bell” sign. A couple of heart-shaped treats thrown into the soundproof room preserves the integrity of the windows and crystal, which would otherwise be in jeopardy from the bark to St Louis response of Igor’s Hounds. Slamming the door brings peace back to the valley.
A check of the monitor reveals a baby in diapers carrying an envelope and a bow. It must be Cupid or a very deranged delivery person. No need to go through the discussion about leaving the envelope, since the pattern is clear. 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. The MH-60 Jayhawk Helicopter hovering over the house is diverted. 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. Robbie’s Bot is sent to the basement. The Tasmanian Devil is directed to the food in his cage, and the door drops. The locks on the door are thrown. And the door opened.
The first thing Cupid does is hand me the envelope and a clipboard, which is signed and returned. The second thing he does is shoot me with an arrow to the heart. Love blooms on the porch. Cupid got a ten-dollar tip (clever boy). Inside the envelope is a note from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “love.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun, and happy Valentine’s Day!
To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link: https://lindaghill.com/2026/02/13/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-feb-14-2026/
Love by John W. Howell © 2026
“Cupid, huh?”
“Yes, Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Thank you, but please get that goofy look off your face.”
“I think it is the arrow.”
“Whatever it is, take it somewhere else.”
“A little afraid of brotherly love, I see.”
“It’s not the brotherly kind I’m worried about.”
“Oh, stop. I’m just filled with the day is all.”
“You should avoid those cupid myths.”
“He looked real.”
“Yeah. Like I look real.”
“Let’s not go there.”
“You’re right. You know what my love is right now?”
“Let me guess. VooDoo Ranger and the pub.”
“Bingo.”
“Uber?’
“Over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“Wow. A 1967 Pontiac GTO. Love that.”
“Yes, and since it is Valentine’s Day, we get to go directly to the pub.”
“Love that color.”
“There’s that goofy look again.”
“Let’s just go.”
Fiction Favorites 
Well done, John… its good to read an opinion about a popular day…
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Thank you, Jaye.
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💖
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Wow! Cupid gets a tip. I’m impressed, John. Enjoy that VooDoo.
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Thank you, Dan. I will for sure.
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This is how three little letters- GTO- create the most beautiful of four-letter words . . . love. Because as Ronny and the Daytonas once opined, three deuces and a four-speed and a 389 will get you to Pomona. I imagine Cupid is riding shotgun.
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I hope Cupid is on board. Your comment reminds me of my high school car. Double deuces on a 1949 Ford Flathead V8. Took everything till the 57 Chevy overhead V8 came out. What memories.
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You are the car guy Sheriff. Through and through.
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Bron in Detroit. What can I say?
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Truth
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😀
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A happy and uncomplicated ending. Awesome. Also reminded me what holiday it is. Meh.
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There will be a few more reminders out there. Hang on.
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Might just avoid social media for the weekend then.
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Good idea.
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Love is such a great prompt for Valentine’s Day, John, and having it delivered by Cupid is lovely. I guess he deserves the tip after shooting love into your heart. The GTO will be a fun ride to the pub. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your wife, John. 💖
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Happy Valentine’s Day, right back, Tim.
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Sweet car. I want to ride in it.
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It is available for about $125,000.
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Cheap at twice the price.
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Ha ha ha
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🙂 🙂 🙂 And that Uber is perfect! Happy Valentine’s Day to you, the dogs’ Mom, and, of course, the Hounds of the Baskervilles.
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Thank you, Noelle. Happy Valentine’s Day to you
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You know, John, I always need a cup of caffeine after reading your security shut-down process. That’s a lot of work. May need to take a nap.
Excellent choice of ride today!
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Yes, it is nap-worthy, Mary. That’s why a cup of the steaming stuff will serve you well.
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‘get that goofy look off your face.’–picturing every cartoon face and laughing about it. But, gosh–a $10 tip. Cupid knows his stuff. Love to Twiggy and Tempeste. 😻
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Thank you, Lois. Could you see me stiffing Cupid on Valentine’s Day?
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haha! You’re a good man, John! 😂
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😊 You are sweet to say so.
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Cupid getting a tip was a surprise twist though one could argue love makes us all do things that are out of the ordinary.
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I could just hear the hew and cry if I stiffed Cupid. Thanks, Laura.
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Yep yep that would have meant biggggg trouble. 😂
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Yes, indeed.
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To say I love that car is an understatement. B would love it too. Cupid is a clever boy. And so are you John. Great post today!!
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Thank you, Jill. 😊
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Nice car, John, and the perfect color for a Valentine’s Day trip to the pub. I had to chuckle at all the prep before you opened the door for Cupid. Lol. Sounds like a great choice.
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Thanks so much, Diana.
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I love how Cupid scored a ten-dollar tip. Well played, little fellow!
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Yes. I was afraid to not tip. He had a bow and a quiver of arrows after all
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Cupid’s arrow got you. 💕 My BFF in high school had a ’67 GTO. Her dad even had it pinstriped. Oh, the memories! Glad that was your Uber!
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Oh, the memories indeed. Thanks for sharing, Jennie.
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Yes! 😀
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😀
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Well done, Cupid!! I hope you had a Happy Valentines Day! ❤️❤️
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Very. Thanks, Darlene.
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Dito what Darlene said. ❤ Hugs.
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😊
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LOVE the Cupid bit, especially that he got a ten spot out of you!
Valentines…I’m late, but I live in a perpetual Valentines state.
V❤️𝖝 ❤️𝖝 D❤️𝖝 ❤️𝖝
(mathematical bold fraktur small x’s)
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Happy Valentine’s Day, too. 😊X(❤️+❤️)
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OX❦🕊❦OX
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😊X
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What’s not to love about that red GTO? Happy (albeit belated) Valentine’s Day.
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Thank you, Monika. It is a beautiful car. 😁
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