In the beginning, coffee in our house was made by dripping water through a filter filled with ground coffee from a can. The result was hot caffeinated brown water. Then, in a quest for better coffee, a French Press was (wait for it) pressed into service. It was more or less the same as water dripping, but was pushed through grounds that came from a bag filled with freshly ground beans. The result was a hot, brown-colored water that tasted more like coffee. Now, where are we? Today, it is a snark-filled monster machine that delivers any kind of coffee drink at the push of a button. You talk about first-world convenience. It has arrived. Today, the selection is a flat white. After delivery of the first sip, the Westminster chimes cause my gold fillings to vibrate and the hounds to levitate while demonstrating how they can bark an intruder to St. Louis.
Tossing a few chewy treats into the soundproof room and slamming the door brings back the silent pre-doorbell condition. Checking the security monitor, it is obvious that an Elmer Fudd look-alike can’t read the “Do Not Ring the Doorbell” sign. The usual exchange of greetings determines that the door must be opened. The security system needs to be disengaged. With a sigh, the process is started.
The SWAT team needs to be put on standby. A quick text to the leader confirms that status. Also, the flight of A-10 Warthogs must be diverted. Another call to the commander puts that worry to rest. The SEAL team needs to be called off, and a call to the leader makes that possible. A call to the tow truck driver stops the deployment of an M1A1 Abrams Tank. The control panel simplifies the shutdown process of the security system. The boiling oil vats are put on standby, the turret mortars disengaged, the Trebuchet on safety, the concertina wire rolled, the Claymore mines reset, the tower Gatling guns on safety, the moat net dropped, the alligators fed, and the IEDs and shoulder-held rockets put away. The Proton torpedoes switched off. The gamma ray beams covered. The high-powered maser guns switched to standby, and the nanorobots are chained in the basement. The locks on the door are thrown. And the door opened.
“Have you seen that wrascally wabbit?”
“No.”
“Sign here then.”
While signing, the shotgun in this guy’s hand causes some concern. “You hunting today?”
“No, I work for the delivery company. Just being careful, that’s all.”
Handing back the clipboard, the guy gives me an envelope and holds out his hand.
“Keep your powder dry,” is my tip, and the front door is slammed. Looking at the security monitor, the guy has gone.
The envelope is from Linda Hill (what a surprise). Inside is a message. It reads.
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “at the beginning.” Use it any way you’re inspired to. Enjoy!
To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link, https://lindaghill.com/2025/10/10/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-11-2025/
At the beginning by John W. Howell © 2025
“I enjoyed your at the beginning” opener.”
“I’m surprised.”
“Why?”
“Oh, I don’t know. You never seem to like what I write.”
“Right now I like it.”
“Well, that’s good to hear.”
“What segway are we going to use to get to the subject of the day?”
“You mean VooDoo Rangers, I suppose.”
“You’ve answered my question. Uber is over there.”
“We can’t fit in that.”
“You can sit on my lap.”
“Cold day when I would do that.”
“Why not. I’m not going to bite.”
“Just not comfortable.”
“Good thing I got a backup. Look.”
“Okay. I give up. Let’s take the truck. At least there is room for three.”
“One thing with the truck.”
“Of course.”
“We need to mow a couple of lawns on the way.”
“Sure, why not?”
“You okay?”
“One pint low on the VooDoo is all.”
“Here’s a cooler. We can mow and enjoy a VooDoo.”
“A perfect day in the sun. Hold on till I get my dew rag and overalls.”
“You are the best.”
“You have missed the subtlety of my sarcasm.”
“Just ignored it, is all.”
“Be right back.”
”
