The coffee machine is ready for me. A finger on the touchscreen is enough to draw a steaming 8-oz cup of soothin’ syrup. The first sip served to quell the shipyard riveting hammer noise in my head from the lack of caffeine. The second (as we know) is accompanied by the cacaphony of Twiggy and Tempest and their St. Louis-bound barking volume and the Westminster chime of the doorbell.
A sweet treat tossed into the soundproof room, and the slamming of the door brings the peace train back into the station. A look at the security monitor identifies the idiot who can’t read. It is none other than the wolf from the story of ” The Little Red Riding Hood. He is holding a clipboard, an envelope, and a handwritten sign. The sign reads “Open the door, or I’ll huff, and I’ll puff and blow your house down. ” My thought is fat chance, but with a sign, the security shutdown 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. Peregrine Falcons perched on the roof above front door fed. The vat of boiling oil set to warm. The front door is opened.
The wolf looks pleased and hands over the clipboard and envelope. The board is returned with a signature and a fiver clipped to the top. The wolf curls his lip, so a good word has to be shared before slamming the door. The words given to the wolf were by Victor Hugo: “Even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise.”
The envelope is from Linda Hill with a message inside. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “draw.” Use it as a noun, use it as a verb, 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/2026/07/31/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-august-1-2026/
Draw by John W. Howell © 2026
“Did you do the prompt?”
“Of course. It’s in the second line above.”
“That is very obscure.”
“Well, that is half the fun.”
“For you maybe.”
“I suppose you are right. What kind of Uber do we have today?”
“Today is a lucky draw. Look over there.”
Image by Tom Okragly
“What is that?”
“Tom says a 1910 Otto Speedster.”
“I see it has plenty of room for us.”
“All we need are goggles and a duster. Here’s yours.”
“Why do I need goggles and a duster?”
“You are sitting in the back.”
“Why’s that?”
“‘Cause I have to navigate from the front.”
“Navigate? It’s not that hard to find the pub.”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you. We have to compete in the classic Grand Prix at the Austin Circuit of the Americas racecourse.”
“How long will that take?”
“We do just one lab. No more than three hours.”
“Three hours for one lap?”
“We are only doing 30 miles an hour.”
“I give up. Let’s go.”
“It will be fun.”
“They said.”
It is a draw. Enjoy the drive.
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Cool car. Not sure about the ride, but you’d surely look cool driving/riding in it.
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That is true. Thanks, Steve. 😊
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John, I’ll get mine out of the garage. I’ll go pick up Jimbo and then swing by for you. If I leave now, I should be beeping my horn in front of your place about October 21st. Just wait out front. We can try to take the Producer and the pups as well. It will be tight. But it will be fun. See you “soon.”
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Ha ha ha. We’ll be out front waiting. 😄
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Will I need snow tires or chains in October ?
It is a long drive from Chicago.
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Head south and then over. You won’t need chains.
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Ha ha, good one!
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I liked it too. 😄
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John, that Tom guy doesn’t know nuttin’ bout the car bidness…dont trust him, he’s a known CHARlatan🐳
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Make sure your bag is pack cause he’s coming.
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That does sound like a fun race. Spiffy outfits too.
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All we need are some shiny riding boots.
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Looks like a fun ride. I’m guessing that thing doesn’t have seatbelts, so be careful on those sharp turns.
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It doesn’t have sissy bars either, so that is good advice. 😄
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😂
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😄
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Now there’s a car I haven’t seen before. Uber did you right…😁
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I think so too. Thanks, Laura. 😊
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Oh! boy that security just gets tougher! … As for the race you’ll need trebbles to revive your aching back s riding around in the bone shakers!! 💜💜
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I noticed that about the security, too.
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😄
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Definitely Liz💜
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😊
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I think you are right. Of course, three Voo Doo Rangers may put me to sleep.
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After that race I think a nap is called for 💜💜
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Willow. 😄
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Give me a duster and goggles! I’d be happy to ride in the back and navigate. Take the corners easy – those early cars were a little iffy on the curves.
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Why don’t you just drive, Noelle. 😊
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Of course! I will gladly, move over, here I come!
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It’s all yours.
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Not sure about fun but such a cool car to drive for about 10 minutes John! Well wave to you from the sidelines! ❣️
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Thank you, Cindy.I will count it as a win if I don’t have to push it. 😊
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😂oh there’s that !! 😜😂😜yes!!!
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😄
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A great story, and i also love these old cars with it`s own character. Furthermore, most things could be repaired easily and independently. Best wishes, Michael
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Thank you, Michael. Yes, the older ones were easier to repair. 😄
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Yes it’s definitely taking over by stealth! 😞
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😊
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I think your car draw was a good one. You’re sure to have worked up a thirst by the time you reach the pub! 😂
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I think so, too, Deborah. Thanks.
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It’s good that you avoided huffs and puffs from the wolf, John. I hope your ride to the pub turned out okay.
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It was great, Tim. Thank you. 😊
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I’m glad it was great, John. 😊
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Yes that is indeed a lucky draw
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😄
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Your Saturday characters are always so entertaining. I constantly look forward to seeing who will be next. Excellent job of meeting the challenge. Well done, John.
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Thank you, Monika. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Also, thanks for letting me know.😄
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Yay for rumble seats. Watch out for Muttley and Dick Dastardly.
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So true. Good to remember those two. Thanks, Craig.
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I’m not too sure about Hugo’s wisdom anymore, John… not with the intensity at which that rising sun blazes… 😅. But I guess that’s OK, because without it we couldn’t see that glorious sweet ride! Hugs.
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True enough, Teagan. 😄
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Lol!! I’ve missed these. 🙂 I had to go find at least one. Great Uber ride!
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Thank you, Jan. Good to see you here again. 😊
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What could be better than your Uber and the Big Bad Wolf huffing and puffing? Nothing beats this duo.
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So true. Thanks, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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LOL!
The Red Riding wolf eats grandmothers. The 3 pigs wolf is the one draws and expels bad breath.
So, nice car! Probably get you to the whole VooDoo thing by next weeks post, especially since you have to do one something at a lab.
Enough of my joviality. Have wonderful days ahead, John!
OX OX OX
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Thank you, Resa. OX 😄X
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