The coffee machine touchscreen is in the hide mode. One touch of the two coffee selection brings it to life. The aroma of freshly ground beans fills the air, and the soothing syrup slowly fills the cup. The low caffeine warning horn in my head goes silent with the first sip. The second sip brings another annoying sound of the front doorbell. While the Westminster chimes threaten to cause a brain bleed, Tiggy and Tempeste join in trying to bark the intruder to St. Louis. A toss of treats into the soundproof room and a slam of the door ends the torture not a moment too soon.
A glance at the monitor reveals a fluffy bunny holding an Easter basket containing an envelope and a clipboard. By now used to the highway robbery that goes on with deliveries, no conversation is necessary. The security shutdown process is 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. 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 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 Tasmanian Devil is directed to the food in his cage, and the door drops. The electronic jammer is kept active, given a situation with a robot not too long ago. The locks on the door are thrown. And the door opened.
The bunny hands me the envelope and the clipboard. After the signature and handing it back, the bunny’s paw signals the expectation of a tip. Obliging, the following words of advice are given. “Do not hide eggs where they can’t be found.” Stepping back through the door and giving it a good slam, my attention turns to the envelope.
Inside is a message from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “hide.” Use it anyway you’d like. Enjoy!
If you would like to see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2026/04/03/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-april-4-2026/
Hide by John W. Howell © 2026
“Only you would stiff the Easter Bunny.”
“He got a valuable tip. You know what happens to the eggs that are not found?”
“No, what happens?”
“They rot and smell like…well, rotten eggs.”
“But to hide them where they can be found is not really hiding them.”
“The whole idea is to pretend to hide them, isn’t it?”
“I guess that is one way to look at it.”
“Speaking of hiding things, did you order an Uber?”
“Right over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“You are joking.”
“No. That is our ride.”
“In the cab or in the trailer?”
“Your choice. I will say the trailer has some nice goodies in it.”
“Like what?”
“Ritz Bits for one.”
“I do like those. So what’s the catch?’
“Catch?”
“Come on. There is always a catch.”
“Okay, we have to help the driver unload the trailer at the supermarket.”
“Big job?”
“Naw, there is a conveyor, and the cases are light.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
“The hidden reward will be Ritz Bits with our VooDoo Rangers when we get to the pub.”
“You going to hide a case under your shirt?”
“No, the driver said we could have a box.”
“A whole box?”
“Don’t get greedy.”
“Fine.”
Fiction Favorites 
I’m pretty sure your chocolate bunny is going to be a hollow one. Ritz Bits are the best!
Happy Easter to you and the Producer, John.
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Thank you, Dan. Happy Easter to you and The Editor, too 🐰
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Morning. You’ve reminded me that, years ago, I used to eat Ritz crackers with peanut butter atop them. A delicious combination. Don’t know why I stopped. It’s time to rectify that!
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Nice crunchy peanut butter and Ritz. Yum. Go for it, Neil. Happy Easter 🐰
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You forgot the shower. You got your Ritz and your frosty beverages but if you’re gonna be unloading a truck, the shower probably has to be a part of it, conveyor or no conveyor. It whups you. But then the Voodoos are gonna taste even more delicious so that’s the bonus round.
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A good idea for sure. The shower will be the finishing touch. 😀
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Haha! Yes it will.
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😊
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Ritz bitz and beer? Never thought of that combo.
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Give it a try. You’ll get hooked. 😀
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Ritz Bits dipped in chocolate. Oh, yeah. Melt that chocolate bunny and give it a try! 🐰🍫😉Happy Easter, John.
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Ha ha ha. Sounds good, Lois. 😀
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The wisdom of the bunny cannot be overstated. I remember one rainy Easter some 60 years or so ago. We moved our Easter egg hunt inside. One egg was forgotten, never found — until months later when the smell gave it away.
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I can just imagine it, Maggie. 😳
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Not a pleasant surprise! 😂
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🤢
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Having an Easter bunny delivering the prompt from Linda Hill on the day before Easter is nice. Riding with all the Ritz Bits would be tempting. It’s good they’re not tough to deliver. Have a great Easter, John.
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Thank you, Tim. Have a great Easter as well. 😊
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😊
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😊
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I think this Uber is over the top! Especially with the reward!
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A truckload of Ritz? Who can refuse?
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I couldn’t, especially with beer!
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😀
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Ritz Bits are nice. Could use some right now.
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Me too. 😀
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Oh now I’m hungry and need my coffee! Happy Easter John 🐰🤗❤️🐇
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Thank you, Cindy. 😊
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Seems like it’s shaping up to be a good day. Beer and snacks.
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Nothing better. Thanks, Craig.
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Brilliant use for today’s consciousness prompt. Can’t believe you stiffed Bugs! No jelly beans for you, John. Happy Easter.
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I am very bad. The Jelly Bellys will be missed.
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Fantastic use of the prompt, John, and even the Uber ride is a good one this time. Who can resist Ritz bits? 🙂
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I cannot resist. Thanks, Jan
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What a fun post! Have a lovely Easter.
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Thank you, Dawn. Have a lovely Easter as well. 🐰
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Haha! Loved the tip. I’ve never had Ritz Bits — must correct that situation. Happy Easter. Hugs on the hop!
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You will like them. 😀
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Ritz bits are rather delicious… I’m thinking this is worth the ride!
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I would say so as well. Thanks, Dale.
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😁
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Ritz Bits with VooDoo Rangers sounds great. You had a very interesting ride. I wrote about “reindeer hide” for this prompt.
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Reindeer hide sounds interesting.
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Thank you John
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Great job with the prompt, John. Happy Easter to you and yours!
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Thank you, Deborah. Happy Easter to you and He-Man
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Always fun to wait for the twist. May your Ritz Bits be plentiful and your eggs lightly hidden. 🙂
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Thank you, Laure. I found all my eggs, but didn’t put them in one basket.
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Crackers and beer. What a combo. Salty crackers, I trust. Adds to the beer experience.
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Also, peanut butter. Can’t beat the combo.
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Yeth! Thath a good combo!
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Well done on the prompt. John. Ritz and beer, win-win.
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Especially with Ritz Bits peanut butter and a Voo Doo Ranger. 😀
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Oh, yes!
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Anything for a ritz bits!! 😂
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So good and so addictive too. 😀
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Another vice 😂
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Ah well.
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I suppose I would done it too for ritz bits.
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Sure. A no brainer. Thanks, George.
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