To contrast a standard coffee maker to this one is like comparing a steam locomotive to a bullet train. The locomotive gets the job done over time, but the bullet train delivers results immediately. So with that praise of the coffee machine, the two-button press delivers a double coffee in seconds. The first sip stops the air-hammer-on-concrete sound of caffeine withdrawal in my brain. The second brings the predictable crescendo of a load of cymbals hitting the ground after being shoved off a cliff sound of the Westminster Chime of the doorbell, coupled with the baying of Igor’s hounds. A quick toss of two Benny Bones and a slam of the door to the soundproof room traps Tempeste and Twiggy and produces the silence is golden moment prior to the incursion.
A check of the monitor shows the image of someone who looks like Porkey Pig with a clipboard and an envelope. A quick check verifies the need for a signature so with a sign the security system shout down process is begun.
The B-2 bomber squadron and the F-35 escort must be called off. One call does it. The tank corps and gunboats are told to stand by. The Apache helicopters are rerouted. The electric shock fence is turned off. The drawbridge over the quicksand is lowered. The robot attack dogs returned to their charging station. The laser-guided machine guns on the roof are set to caution. The nest filled with rattlesnakes put away. The bucket filled with 1000 marbles is locked down. The tear gas canisters shut off. The electrified welcome mat set to off. The fall-away sidewalk into the pit filled with spikes is locked. The hornet’s nest closed. The water cannons are set to safety. Bear traps are set to off. The front door is open.
The pig hands me the clipboard and envelope. The clipboard is returned after signature. The pig has a cloven hoof extended in the classic ‘tip request’ pose. I gave him an excellent tip. “A good plan executed now is better than a perfect plan next week.” Not waiting for his reply, the front door now separates us.
I open the envelope and see a message from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “contrast.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2026/05/08/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-9-2026/
Contrast by John W. Howell © 2026
“So what was the purpose of comparing the coffee machines?”
“The prompt is contrast, and I wanted to pull it in early.”
“Well, you did that for sure. Say, do I detect a different security system ashut down.”
“Yes you do. My pal Tom Okragly helped me out with that.”
“Why change?”
“I figured folks were getting tired of the old one is all.”
“How did you know that?”
“I put a line in last weeks that if someone spotted the line, I would give them an Amazon gift card.”
“No one did?”
“Nope.”
“Are you telling the truth?”
“No I’m pulling your leg. I just had a feeling.”
“Okay so we’ll see how this one plays.”
“That’s the idea.”
“Are you thinking of changing the pub visit.”
“No that stays. We get to use some unusual rides and that is fun. Speaking of which.”
“Uber is over there.’
Photo courtasy of Tom Okragly
“Nice. A 1958 Buick Roadmaster convertable. With a big catch I’m sure.”
“Just a small catch.”
“What’s that?”
“We have to ride with the top down in the strawberry festival parade.”
“Is that all?”
“Well you have to smile and wave.”
“I can do that.”
“And wear this hat.”
“Wait a minute. That’s a giant strawberry.”
“It’s not real.”
“I know that, but look how stupid I look.”
“So?”
“I’m a world famous author. I can’t be looking stupid.”
“The words from your mouth just confirmed the hat is a good fit.”
Fiction Favorites 
Love the new opening, you guys nailed it. And the tips . . those glorious tips. I’m not sure Porky appreciates it so much, but he should. And hell, I would wear that tropical fruit hat Carmen Miranda made famous if I could score a ride in the backseat of this beauty!
To the Voodoos!
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Ha ha ha. Love the fruit hat idea. To the VooDoos 😀
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Thought you might, Haha!
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😊
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Someday, when you need the Heimlich maneuver to clear a bit of pork rib from your throat, you might remember stiffing Porky. Karma, John. You have to pay attention.
Great job on the prompt. Of course, I’m sitting here with my ordinary coffee from a standard drip machine. But my wife has it timed so it’s ready before I get up.
Love that car – love a parade!
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You are a lucky man, Dan. I love parades, too. 😀
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I always worried about the setup of the claymores, John. It’s good that you like your coffee machine so much. That was a good mental tip for the pig. Going through the parade in that real nice Uber ride could be nice, even with the weird hat. Have a great weekend.
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Thank you, Tim. I’ll bet those mines worried you. Anyway, they have been replaced. 😀
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They’re quite useful, but they have to be set up correctly. One morning I made an examination and saw one set up backwards, aimed at us. There is a lot of force going out the back too, just from the explosion of that C-4.
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I’m glad they are gone. Thanks for not mentioning them while in place. 🤣
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😊
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😀
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I’m sure you look lovely in your strawberry bonnet. Hope you don’t have to line up behind any horses.
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Yeah, me, too. If so, I hope they are bagged.
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Glad the new shut down security ideas all worked John. Glad to help a bit. It was fun. I have a couple more ideas – coming soon. Be safe.
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You are now the official curator of the shutdown process.
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I would definitely wear that hat and wave if it meant getting free strawberries.
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I didn’t see anything in the fine print that mentioned free strawberries. But let’s assume they are available. 😀
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There better be free strawberries. None of those white fuzzy ones either.
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Yes boss. 😀
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John, thanks to taking me back to those wonderful “cruising days” when circling the same designated distance was…”cool”. And, although not a cruising machine the Roadmasters were true “land yachts” and could provide the absolute best road trips of their time. Ah, those were the days. And, as a point of reference, you and l have been together in Plant City, FL during the Strawberry Festival but l don’t remember your strawberry hat…bummer🐳
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I don’t believe I had one. Of course, who’s to know? Especially if the Commander was there.
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Oh, he most definitely was…l couldn’t venture into FL unless he was part of the traveling crew! God bless him🙏
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Yes, God bless him.
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Nicely done with the new security measures. That is some car! I’d wear a giant strawberry on my head if I could ride in that car with the top down. I’ve gotten to the age where I have no shame about looking stupid.
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Yeah, I have been looking stupid all my life. I now don’t care either. After one project was complete, my boss jokingly said, “Well done. You’re not as dumb as you look.”
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Oh, dear. Damning with faint praise, eh?
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Yup. I actually became that guy’s boss.
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Karma . . .
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Sweet karma at that. He was a better employee than a boss. That was for sure.
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Bear traps? Sidewalk spikes? Hornet’s nest? What happened to the vats of boiling oil? That was my favorite part!
I am sending you a Strawberry Shortcake doll to wave to the crowd.🍓Those big cheers will be for you–not that gorgeous vehicle. 😉
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I certainly appreciate that, Lois. Yeah, I replaced the sequence. to keep it fresh. Here, take this boiling oil vat as a souvenir. Careful, it’s hot.
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John–you are a gem of a man!
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😀
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Ohhhhh… 1000 marbles could definitely make for an interesting scenario…
And that is a lovely ride for sure. Smile for the camera!
Cheers ya later!
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Yup. Cheers ya later for sure.
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You know it !
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Done.
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Take photos in your hat driving the car for your next post!! We won’t laugh… promise-:)
😉😂
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Yeah, sure. 🤣
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😂😂😂
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😀
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Confession… I did skim over the shut down now and then. Just finding it there, where it belongs, brings a smile each time. It’s a reliable, starting point. A must. A launching pad. The new version sparks the imagination in fun ways too.
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Glad you liked it. My man Tom is working on additional details.
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Are you channeling your inner Carmine Miranda? No hounds either…
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They do an imitation of Igor’s hounds
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😁
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What a sweet ride, John. LOL, the strawberry hat might not be so bad… at least he didn’t have to wear an entire Strawberry Shortcake costume. If you really want to torture the guy there’s this:
strawberry shortcake cartoon short youtube – Google Search
😀 Hugs.
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Thank you for the cartoon, Teagan. Happy Sunday to you. 😊
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I’d love to see a photo of that strawberry hat – especially on your head. 😊
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Ha ha ha Maybe when pigs fly, Gwen.🤣
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The strawberry-hat photo might last a wee bit longer than the ride. 😄 Would be fun though! 🍓 Thank you for reminding me I forgot to have a cup of coffee this morning. It happens.
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If I forgot, I would be in the ER. Thanks, Michele.
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Well, don’t let that happen!
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😀 ☕️
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Great early use of the prompt, John. 😁 Yes, I noticed the change in disarming the security system. Man, what a sweet ride! You bet I would ride with the top down wearing a strawberry on my head.
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Thank you, Jan
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That A 1958 Buick Roadmaster convertable is certainly an incredible uber. That is an interesting contrast between the coffee makers. I wonder what you think about the contrast between a Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA and a run of the mill massproduced bland pale lager. Anyway, I nominated you for the Sunshine Award. I hope you don’t mind.
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Thank you for the nomination, Thomas. I’ll try to be worthy. 😊
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Thank you so much John
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I’ll reply on Wednesday.
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Have always loved your Saturday prompt but love the change. So clever. And that classic car…wow, just wow. Glad you kept the VooDoo’s, John. Some things just shouldn’t be switched up. 😉
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Thank you, Monika. Since I actually have a VooDoo Ranger on Saturdays, I think it will be here for a while.
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I do love the new routine John it’s even more intense 😁😁😁😁
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Oh, thank you, Willow.
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What a ride! and driving in the parade should be fun with some VooDoo Rangers at the end of it – or while you’re driving. The new intro is great, but how do you close off a hornet’s nest?
As for Pa=orky’s tip, you should have said, “That’s all, folks!)
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A four-sided container that closes the hornets in until it’s time to drop the nest on the intruder. I don’t have a license to use the famous phrase.
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🎼 Strawberry hats, forever! 🎼
Remember, when waving, it’s all in the wrist. Just like tippling a fave glass.
🍺𝓧 🍓𝓧
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Yes, wrist 😀Xlympics.
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I noticed the changes in the security shutdown right away. The hornet’s nest and electrified welcome mat…yikes! Great Uber, and your last line was a perfect zinger.
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😊
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I like the new security shut down. The 1000 marbles is good and the fall away sidewalk too! Great job with the challenge! Add sunglasses and a loud shirt no one will know it’s you in that great car. 😂LOL!!
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Could get into a Miami Beach vibe for sure. Thanks, Deborah.
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