Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Motion

~ John W. Howell

A picture of a string with drops of water- the logo for SoCS

 

Touching the two coffee icons on the coffee maker’s touchscreen sets in motion the solution to the sitting-on-the-back-of-a-rocket annoyance in my head from caffeine withdrawal. The soothing elixir flows from the dual spout into the mug. The aroma begins the healing process.

The first sip deadens the nerve endings to quell the rocket’s red glare. Of course, the second sip is accompanied by the cacophony of the doorbell’s Westminster chime and the crystal-crumbling barking of my beloved Hounds of Baskerville.

A toss of a new treat into the soundproof room and slamming the door brings a kind of hush that allows the brain to think. A quick look at the security monitor confirms the presence of Tweety Bird on the porch holding a clipboard and envelope. Knowing conversation is futile, 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. Monty Python’s Harmless Little Rabbit’s cage is closed. The front door is opened.

Tweety Bird hands me the envelope and clipboard. Attaching a fiver, signing, and then handing it back brings a smile to Tweety’s beak. Thinking a bird needs more motivation, an anonymous tip on success is proffered as the door closes. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the action.”

The letter is from Linda Hill. It reads:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “motion.” 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/2026/09/04/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-september-5-2026/

Motion by John W. Howell © 2026

“Tweety Bird, huh?”

“Yup. I was glad to see him.”

“How do you know it’s a him?”

“I don’t.”

“Pretty dangerous making assumptions.”

“Do you know?”

“Yup. According to Warner brothers Tweety is a he.”

“If you knew that, why ask me?”

“Just curious. I love getting your brain in motion.”

“Clever.”

“Thank you.”

“Speaking of motion, have you called for an Uber?”

“I have. It is right over there.”

Photo by Tom Okragly

“You have got to be kidding.”

“Don’t let the appearance fool you.”

“Oh, I’m not fooled. I doubt that pile of junk even moves.”

“It does. It got here, didn’t it?”

“What’s that paper on the driver’s side windshield?”

“It says not to move it.”

“So why was it in motion?”

“The paper is dated 1953. I think it is safe to move.”

“Is it safe to ride in?”

“Of course. Here are your goggles.”

“What are these for?”

“There is a little dust in there that blows around.”

“Why can’t we get a normal Uber?”

“These classic finds are cheap.”

“I guess so. Let’s get going.”

“Now you are talking.”

 

 

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Published by John W. Howell

I have been working in business for over forty years and now have the time to work in special areas of interest. My passion has always been to create compelling stories of fiction. I have authored six novels and am working on my Seventh. The first novel is still in manuscript form and being utilized as a door stop in the laundry room. The second is a contemporary fiction novel of 89,000 words and is complete and I am currently seeking a publisher. I also write poetry but have not had the guts to share any with anyone. The one time I read a piece to a person their only comment was, “it doesn’t rhyme.” I will continue to write and hopefully my blog, Fiction Favorites at www.johnwhowell.com will provide some entertainment and an interesting thought or two. I live in the Austin area with my wife Molly and an assortment of loving pets.

75 thoughts on “Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Motion”

  1. Five bucks buys a lot of birdseed for that little guy. Maybe he can add a catnip toy for Sylvester and have a quiet weekend. Good job with the prompt. I hope there’s a good AM station around. I doubt that baby has much of a sound system.

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  7. Kind of gives new meaning to the words ‘rust bucket’ doesn’t it? But that hood ornament just screams ‘aerodynamic.’ Keep your goggles on and your mouth closed. I hear that dust is killer.

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  8. John, you don’t have to take that kind of stuff from TO. I would send the Voodoo Rangers over to his classy neighborhood and then maybe he’ll keep his pie hole shut. He messes with me like that all the time too… He has nothing better to do the bug people. I’ve had it… I’m taking him off my speed dial. Also, just wait until you get his first invoice for copyright infringement on his stupid car pictures . You know he has the law firm of Dewey, Chittum, and Howe on retainer😰,

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  12. Hi, John. It was fun for Tweety to turn up at the door. From “the rocket’s red glare” to “a kind of hush” you had my mind rolling around. I don’t know why I get such a kick out of the “bucket filled with 1000 marbles” but I do — I guess the marble keep my rolling brain going. Still shaking my head over this week’s Uber… LOL. Happy holiday weekend. Hugs.

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  15. What a journey this would have been! I can remember being in one of my dad’s old vehicles and seeing the dirt below my feet. Oh, the memories you’ve conjured! Well done, John.

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  19. John, I’m always impressed with how you use up the challenge word(s) just dealing with the coffee machine.

    I can’t think of a time you had to use a second sentence, let alone a second paragraph.

    Although, when I look at today’s …Uber? … I think you could use a second mode of transport. It’s likely the dust in the air is rust dust.

    Then again, VooDoo makes a great eye wash.

    👁️🍻 👁️🍻 👁️🍻

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  23. A fiver AND a priceless bit of advice? Score it a win for Tweety!

    As for the Uber, it has lots of potential. But then again, so do my Dolphins and I ain’t depending on them to get me anywhere, so there’s that.

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