Waking up on a Saturday carries with it the promise of a visit from one of my favorite cartoon characters. Since that has been the scene for a while, it is almost expected each week. Since it is expected and the front door’s unlocking carries immense protocol and effort, I decided to invest in a new security system.

The installer left yesterday and while my magic brew is under construction, reading the operator’s manual is in order. At the top of the page are the words “Good. Feel Good.” Thinking that the security company has a heart, I couldn’t help but feel comfortable. The brew cycle is finished, and the instructions for the system are entirely consumed while drinking the elixir.

My ring doorbell lets me know there is someone out on the porch. Checking my phone, I could see what appears to be the Tasmanian Devil standing with an envelope in his hand. I can see him gesturing to open the door. Checking my instructions on the door opening procedure, I notice on the control panel the “Time Lock” feature has a blinking red light. The manual says that means it is engaged. The small print also says there is no override and that the door will open at the time indicated on the panel. Checking the board shows the time to open is 9:00 AM.

Since it is 7:00, I use the outside speaker to communicate that the door will open in two hours. The eyebrows of the Tasmanian Devil heads north as he starts to spin. Before long, he has eaten the front door and all the living room furniture. With a loud burp, he drops the envelope and spins back out the hole where the former front door used to be.

Sorry for getting rid of the iron bars, concertina wire, and other barriers; I open the envelope. Sure enough, it is from Linda Hill. The message says, Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “the first 2-5 words at the top of the closest printed matter.” Open (if necessary) the closest printed matter to you. Use the first 2-5 words at the top of the page any way you’d like in your post. Have fun!

If you would like to have, fun, visit Linda and read how easy it is. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2022/07/22/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-23-2022/

Good. Feel Good. By John W. Howell © 2022

“What kind of prompt is Good. Feel Good?”

“I followed the instructions and opened some printed matter, which was the second through fifth words at the top.”

“Couldn’t you make up something else?”

“Against the rules.”

“You a Boy Scout?’

“Just want to play by the rules, is all.”

“So you get bonus points?”

“Sometimes.”

“Which you think you can turn in for a Bentley Turbo Convertable?”

“A dream is all.”

“All this seems foolish.”

“To you maybe. There are tons of folks who do these prompts.”

“Doesn’t make it less nuts.”

“Well, we all enjoy it.”

“I guess that is all that counts.”

“You a believer now.”

“No, I just want to move on.”

“To the next subject.”

“No to the pub.”

“You buying?”

“My turn.”

Uber?”

“Just ordered it.”

“Hey, a Bentley Turbo Uber.”

“In your dreams.”

“Exactly.”

“I hope there are peanuts on the bar.”

“In your dreams.”

“Touché”

Waiting as usual for the meister of brew to cough up my hot, steaming, frothy cup of joe, a glance toward the newspaper captures a disturbing headline. Customers who have bagged their own groceries are seen as a minimum wage worker threat. Needing more information after the cup is delivered, I grab the paper and head for the back porch.

The story details that the habit some shoppers have of bagging their own groceries is viewed by store bagging employees as threatening their way of life. “Minimum wage phobic,” was how one worker put it. The worker went on to say that a law ought to be passed, making those who have bagged their own groceries guilty of a hate crime.

Sipping my brew and thinking deeply about the issue causes me to miss the first blaring second of the klaxon horn we call a doorbell. Twiggy and Lucy have already gone airborne, so it’s best to see who is there. Then, casting about some turkey treats to turn the dog’s attention to something other than the door, I do the ritual and finally open it.

“I say, boy. This here. I say this here is delivery.” The line came out of Foghorn Leghorn with the velocity to raise my thinning hair. “I say, boy. Don’t. I say, don’t just stand there. I say take this envelope.” It is strange to have someone blowing hot air that has the scent of corn. I take the envelope, and Foghorn Leghorn wishes me a good day and struts off down the street.

Knowing it was from Linda Hill, in no hurry, I watch as the giant chicken disappears around the corner. Turning to the envelope, a quick opening reveals this message. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “bagged.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy! If you want to enjoy, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here’s the link. https://lindaghill.com/2022/07/15/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-16-2022/

Bagged by John W. Howell © 2022

“No one is going to believe this, you know.”

“It’s fiction. They don’t have to believe it.”

“But you are spreading falsehoods.”

“Happy falsehoods.”

“Huh.”

“Readers like to hear about happy, no-brainer stuff.”

“You certainly have the no-brainer covered.”

“What’s wrong with a little fantasy fun?”

“Well, for one, this is a serious world full of serious problems that should be taken seriously.”

“All the more reason to have a diversion from all that seriousness.”

“This is getting tense. I’m all for getting this discussion bagged and heading for the pub.”

“What about all those serious subjects?”

“You have your fantasy way of coping. I have my barley pop method.”

“It’s good you are buying.”

“Yes, with that in mind, let’s walk.”

“You going to be overserved?”

“Let’s just say it might be a possibility.”

“Walking is good.”