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.”

A nice sit on the back porch and a concert by the cardinal intent to broadcast his availability is interrupted by a tone on my phone. (I didn’t mean that rhyme.) A quick look on the screen shows a large box on the porch. Thank heavens it didn’t fall into the backyard, is my thought while going through the unlock process.

A gate of steel rolled back, four bolts unlocked, two crossbars lifted, and the front door is thrown open. A mental note is made to replace all this stuff with a security sensor. There is nothing on the box to indicate the contents or sender, but the assumption is it’s from Linda Hill. A walk around the box reveals nothing.

All of a sudden (Love that), a whirring noise accompanies the slow rise of the top of the box. The decision was made to step back just as the top fell to the driveway. Inside the box, a strange green color glows as a hand clutching some kind of gun rises from within.

Soon a green helmated character in a green skirt follows the hand. “Where’s the kaboom? There was supposed to be an earth-shattering kaboom,” says the character. The realization comes to me that this is Marvin the Martain in person. I immediately apologize for the lack of a kaboom, and Marvin hands me an envelope. (Of course)

Marvin continues to rise and disappears in a large fluffy cloud. I open the envelope to find a message. Here is what it says, Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “make a note.” Do with it what you will. Have fun!

If you would like to have fun, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2022/07/08/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-9-2022/

Make a note by John W. Howell © 2022

“I don’t even remember Marvin the Martain.”

“I made a note to look up the Warner Brother’s characters and was surprised that he’s been around since 1948.”

“That’s hard to believe.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“What is the fascination with these characters anyway?”

“No real explanation other than I always liked them and find them fun.”

“So they become part of your intro.”

“Exactly.”

“And you aren’t nuts.”

“I don’t think so.”

“I’m going to make a note.”

“About what?”

“To ask for an appearance by Foghorn Leghorn.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“That is so easy to arrange.”

“I would love that.”

“Consider it done.”

“Calls for a Voo Doo Ranger.”

“Or two. I’m buying.”

“Even better. I’ll do Über.”

“Done.”