Before we begin our silliness today, I want to remind us of all those who stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944. For some, it was their last day, and we owe them a great deal for their sacrifice. There are very few alive now who participated in that D-Day exercise for liberty, but most lived full lives that their comrades would not enjoy.
Almost by coincidence, the coffee machine did not immediately spring to life but seemed to be contemplating that fateful day. Finally, as with most solemn occasions, the moment of contemplation ended, and the brain-healing elixir began to flow into my mug.
The first sip calmed the painful feeling of caffeine withdrawal and the meltdown warning of the klazon horn in my head. The second sip brought the familiar but still annoying joining of the Westminster doorbell chime with the St. Louis-bound barking of Twiggy and Tempeste, often referred to as the Hounds of Baskerville. The two dogs chased a bone into the soundproof room, and a door slam brought the grateful feeling that silence is golden.
A look at the security system monitor shows Winnie-the-Pooh with an envelope on the porch. No need to even discuss leaving it. With a sigh, the security shut-down process began.
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 was 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. Peregrine Falcons perched on the roof above the front door are fed. The vat of boiling oil set to warm. The front door is opened.
Stepping onto the porch, Winnie hands me the envelope and a clipboard. I keep the envelope and hand back the signed clipboard. Winnie has his paw out, making the classic tip sign. “As Vince Lombardi once said, It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up, was my tip for Winnie.
Back in the house, the message in the envelope is from Linda Hill. It reads:
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “coincidence.” 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/2026/06/05/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-june-6-2026/
Coincidence by John W. Howell © 2026
The anniversary of D-Day, coinciding with today, is a coincidence.”
“Well, if you call every seven years a coincidence, yes.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I do. Saturday here is usually a day filled with ridiculous satire, and for it to be a solemn anniversary does sound like a coincidence.”
“Maybe we should have skipped our pub trip.”
“I think if you could ask those who gave their lives, they would want us to live normally, which would, in a small way, make their sacrifice worthwhile.”
“I can see that.”
“So where is the Uber?”
“Right over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“Oh, this is great.”
“What do you mean?”
“A van filled with poison and maybe live bees.”
“Don’t be silly. The guy rides around in that van all day, and he is fine.”
What’s the catch?”
“Oh, that.”
“Yes, that.”
“We have to help the guy tent a house for termites.”
“Tent a house?”
“Yeah, he twisted his ankle and can’t get on the roof.”
“So we have to go up on a roof?”
“Just to put the tent in place.”
“How big is this house?”
“Three stories.”
“Can we pass?”
“I already told him we would do it.”
“Of course you did.”
“Here is your breathing device, hazmat suit, and gloves.”
“Why do we need all this stuff?”
“Oh, I forgot to mention. We have to go inside to make sure there are no leaks after the gas has begun.”
“I’m a hard, no.”
“I thought so. Okay, I’ll call for a regular Uber.”
“Thanks.”
Fiction Favorites 
I think they would want us to enjoy this day, John, but I know they’d appreciate us thinking about their sacrifice.
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I agree, Dan. Thanks. 😊
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Surprised there is a regular uber in their area. Seems to always be weird.
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My friend loves to save money, so the Ubers he tries are weird.
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God Bless our troops. Then and now.
John, for some reason I just cannot picture you in a Haz Mat suit – a Toga, yes, but that’s another story. Nor can I see you on the third floor roof. But I’ve been told stories 😄.
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The stories are probably true, but I can confirm them if I hear them
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Not to sidestep your post but my brain got stuck. My husband is from Bedford, VA. The Bedford Boys’ loss was incredibly painful for that town; they’ve built a beautiful D-Day memorial there. It’s a moving space to sit and remember.
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I can imagine. The magnitude of the losses on that day is humbling. Thanks, Laura.
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The tip to Winnie-the-Pooh could be helpful for him, John. The pest poison in the van should be sealed. A three-story tent house for termites needn’t be very big, I think. I hope you’re having a great weekend.
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Thank you, Tim. So far, so good on the weekend. Hope you are having the same. 😊
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You’re welcome, John. 😊 This weekend is a blessing, a young grandson’s violin recital last night and a high-school graduation celebration of another grandson today. 😍🙏
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Wow. It is a blessing. 😀
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Call another Uber and toast those who stormed the beaches with a VooDoo Ranger! Poo Winnie! He’s such a mild tempered bear. You should have tipped him.
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You are right about the tip. Oh well, maybe the next time he shows up. Thanks, Noelle.
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I’ll be sure to let him know!
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Ha ha ha.
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Oh, John–I picture you scaling those three stories like a champ, then getting to the top and in your best Cagney voice: “Look Ma! Top of the world!” Not the rest, though. We know how that ended…😬
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It is a long way down, Lois. One of my favorite Cagney movies. I used to use that quote when I was up where I didn’t belong. 🤣
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Good example. I am guessing you forgot the cartoon character in honor of D-Day.
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Wanted a figure who was quiet and gentle.
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Above a song about the D day Beachs and those brave men’s sacrifices… from the perspective of a survivor.
I have not been able to visit much of late but I see the security has as ever been upgraded! … Unfortunately your mates judgment about Uber rides has not been upgraded at all!!
💜💜💜
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My mate’s judgment definitely needs an upgrade. Thanks, Willow.
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😃😃😃
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😀
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You could try one of those Waymo’s and go driving through emergency sites. I probably need to include those in one of my stories.
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A good idea. 🤣
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I did not learn about tenting a house for termites until I came to Texas. At first it seemed crazy to me but sometimes it is necessary. You are right, today we should certainly rememeber all those who stormed the beaches of Normandy.
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Thank you, Thomas.
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Than you for commemorating D-Day in today’s post.
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Thank you, Liz.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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I appreciate the reminder. Their sacrifice is immeasurable.
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I agree.
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Termites?!?!!!
OMG! Do not take any home. Good thing you called an Uber.
Years ago I was acquainted with a guy who started an insects only pest control. I asked him if he was worried about tracking bugs home? He said NO! He said his clothes & boots were saturated in the poisons he used. Anything that landed on him died.
I’ve often wondered if he was still alive.
On a more interesting note – What if you parked a truck like that in front of your door? Might keep the Hill Pests away!
OX OX
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Good suggestion, Resa. I would probably work. 😀X
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Pest prevention… 🐂
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😊X
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Good choice on the hard pass tenting a 3 story house! I still can’t believe you stiffed Winnie the Poo. I can’t even imagine the sad face on the little bear.
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Yeah, poor Winnie. Thanks, Monika.
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glad in retrospect the baby didn’t come on D day but nicely mentioned John. 10 stories.. Yikes and termites?! been there done that. Hope you get a handle on them. xxx
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Don’t worry. All is handled. Best wishes for the baby.
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My dad took us to the drive-in theater to see “The Longest Day.” That movie made a huge impression on me. And it was such a brilliant military operation.
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Yes, it was. Thanks, Dawn
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Thank you for including a D-Day Remembrance. I grew up watching and loving WWII movies, and The Longest Day is one of the best. And yes those guys who lost their lives would definitely not want you to skip the pub trip. Good thing you ordered a new Uber.
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I agree, Jennie. It’s too bad they all can’t join me at the pub. Well, maybe in telling a story, they did.
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I think they did!
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Feels like it. 😀
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🙂
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😊
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Yeah that was a wise choice. It’s one thing to go above and beyond . . but when the beyond in question might just be the great beyond? A bridge too far I say.
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Yes, way too far. Thanks, Pilgrim.
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🙂
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😊
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