A leisurely wait for the magic restorative brew to be finished causes the mind to wander. A quick thought on the subject of redecorating raised by The Producer reminds me to pay attention to the task at hand. The very idea of hanging wallpaper turns the spine into an ice-filled waterfall.
The coffee is ready, and just as a sip is completed, my phone alerts me to another interloper out front. Since it is Saturday, the only assumption that may be valid is a prompt delivery from Linda Hill. Checking the phone does not confirm my hypothesis but gives a glimpse of a large envelope lying on the porch.
A deep sigh reflects the annoyance of entering the security protocol required to venture out the front door. An idea passes that maybe some kind of mail chute would prevent all this falderal. The idea is forgotten while opening the iron gate, lifting the steel bar, rolling back the concertina wire, disengaging the tear gas system, and unlocking three bolts plus two locks. The front door is thrown open.
Standing looking like they had been hit by a stun-gun was Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog. “What do you guys want?” was the peevish question leaving my lips without an escort. “Morning Ralph.” Morning Sam.”
Okay so after a few moments of confusion the pair reached down and picked up the envelope. They smiled and handed it to me. They then punched the timeclock (Where that came from is anybodys guess) and picked uptheir lunch pails and walked down the drive.
Opening the evvelope was a surprise since there was a message written in sharpie on a piece of wallpaper. It read Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “wallpaper.” Use it however you’d like. Have fun!
To have fun go to Linda Hill’s blog and read how easy it is to join it. Here is the link.
https://lindaghill.com/2022/08/05/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-aug-6-2022/
Wallpaper by John W. Howell © 2022
“Ralph and Sam?”
“Yeah.”
“Where did you come up with those two?”
“I always liked them. They made their bebut when I was twelve years old and I thought they were hysterical.”
“But no one else knows them.”
“Maybe you don’t but plenty will.”
“What’s with the blatent and gratudious use of the prompt?”
“What do you mean?”
“You just threw in the word wallpaper like it was an after thought.”
“I just didn’t want to go down a wallpaper route. There are threats enough about redecorating without courting disaster. I hate wallpaper.”
“Tell us how you really feel. I think I’ve been to a group session of wallpaper survivors. By the way you don’t happen to have a photo of Ralph and Sam do you?”
“How’s this?”
“Oh I remember them.”
“Of course you do. Now that your memory has been jogged do you know who’s buying.”
“Sadly I do.”
“Let’s go. There is a Voodoo Ranger calling my name.”
“Do you have a picture of that too.”
“I keep it in my wallet. Here you go.”
“Okay then. Let’s go.”
