The coffee machine, as has become a familiar pattern, informs me of a malfunction. This time, the cappuccino operation is temporarily disabled for repairs. Since that was not on my mind this morning, the news has no impact on me. The coffee button starts the process. In checking the date for April 5th, 1925, the only thing going on is a tornado striking Dade County, Florida, causing damage of $300,000 ($5,000,000 in today’s dollars). Not wanting to be involved with a tornado, the decision is to relax with a cup of coffee and leave the clock for next week.

One sip and the doorbell goes off. The effect is like a klaxon horn in a submarine. The pups take up their battle stations and get ready to dive while barking in volumes that would cripple normal hearing. Before the windows shatter and the ears explode, a toss of a puppy treats into the soundproof room causes a mass exodus to grab one. A slam of the door ends the Hounds of Baskerville sound effects.

Before opening and addressing the visitor, the security system needs to be deactivated. Before that, though, the SWAT team needs to be put on standby. A quick text to the leader confirms that status. The control panel makes the shutdown of the security system process simpler. The boiling oil vats are put on standby, the Trebuchet on safety, the concertina wire rolled, the Claymore mines reset, the tower Gattling guns disengaged, the moat net dropped, the alligators fed, the IUDs and shoulder-held rockets put away. The locks on the door are thrown. A look at the security camera shows a bird that looks very much like a road runner standing on the porch. Throwing open the door startles the bird, and with a “beep-beep,” it goes off down the driveway. There is an envelope left in the wake of the bird. It is from Linda Hill. Once opened, the message reads:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “contains ‘pat.’” Find a word that contains “pat” or use the word “pat” as your prompt. 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/2025/04/04/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-april-5-2025/

Pat by John W. Howell © 2025

“Boy you have that security system deactivation down pat.”

“I’ve been doing it for a while.”

“We didn’t get to see much of the roadrunner.”

“Roadrunner “look alike” you mean.”

“Uh, okay. The point is he didn’t hang around.”

“I think the door scared him.”

“It’s just a door.”

“But that recording of a ghoul scream left over from Halloween might have made the difference.”

“I didn’t hear it.”

“Was meant to be heard by kids only. I guess the bird was on that wave pattern.”

“That doorbell is a pain huh?”

“There is a sign under the bell not to ring it. Most people are good about it. I guess the bird can’t read.”

“Maybe the bird is apathetic to your desires.”

“Okay, you get a bonus point for that.”

“How about something else?”

“Like a Voo Doo Ranger?”

“You order an Uber.”

“Over there.”

“That is a beauty.”

“I like that it says Uber 5000 on the bumper.”

“Let’s just hope it runs.”

“Looks substantial to me.”

“Let’s go then.”

The coffee machine gives me a message that it needs to be cleaned. It is an automated process that only requires me to drop a cleansing tablet into the appropriate hopper when prompted. Knowing full well until the machine is cleaned, there will be no coffee. So the button is pressed, which starts the twenty-minute cycle. What does one do for twenty minutes while a small devil attempts to beat a hole in your head for the lack of caffeine?

Looking at March 29th, 1925, it is one day when nothing much happened. Just as the coffee’s ready, the doorbell rings, sending Twiggy and Tempeste into fits of fur-shedding caterwauling that threatens to shatter the windows. Moving them into a soundproof room with a knuckle bone, the security system needs to be addressed.

Of course, the security system needed to be disengaged before going to the door. The control panel made the process simpler. The boiling oil vats are put on standby, the Trebuchet on safety, the concertina wire rolled, the Claymore mines reset, the tower Gattling guns disengaged, the moat net dropped, and the IUDs and shoulder-held rockets put away. The locks on the door are thrown. The final camera check picked up the image of a rabbit chomping on an oversized carrot. “What do you want?” is my greeting through the loudspeaker system . “Hey, Doc. Open the door.”

Heaving the heavy six-inch door open, my first expression was, “Awe, aren’t you cute.”

“Cute smoot, Doc. I’m here on business.”

“What kind of business?”

“I have a message from Linda Hill.”

“Aww, that’s so nice of you.”

“Here, take it.”

The rabbit handed me an envelope and disappeared around the side of the house. Heaving the door closed and resetting the alarm system before opening the envelope. Once done, the message from Linda Hill read: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “awe/aww.” Use one, use both, use ’em any way you’d like. Bonus points if you fit them both into your post. Enjoy!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2025/03/28/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-march-29-2025/

Awe/Aww by John W. Howell © 2025

“Well, you got the bonus points.”

“I sure did. I’m going to have that Bentley Turbo convertible before long.”

“How much of it do you have so far?”

“Twelve lug nuts.”

“Awe, you have a long way to go.”

“Yeah, but I’m determined.”

“Aww, that is so inspiring.”

“Yeah, right. Some would say stupid.”

“Not me.”

“Yeah, ’cause I’m buying the VooDoo Ranger. You call Uber?”

“Right over there.”

“What is that thing?”

“I’m not sure.”

“But what year?”

“Who knows?”

“All I can say is it looks like it has been ridden hard and put up wet.”

“But there are enough seats for both of us.”

“So true. Let’s go.”