Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt -“Notebook.”

November 7, 2026November 6, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 45 Comments

If one were to consult the Caffeine Addicts Guide to Fulfillment notebook, it would confirm: A morning cup of coffee should be a time of contemplation and peace. The hot, aromatic fluid should be enjoyed in surroundings that are conducive to relaxation and expansion of the mind. As we have come to realize, such is not the case in my space. Oh, sure, the first sip lives up to the hype and helps quell the banging in my head that one would experience in a ship-building yard due to the dangerously low level of caffeine in my body,

The second sip shatters the image with the cacophony of the Westminster chimes of the doorbell coupled with the teeth-rattling barks of the Baskerville hounds known in these parts as Tempeste and Twiggy. A quick toss of two squeaky toys into the soundproof room, followed by the door slamming, brings the kind of silence described in Boston’s “Peace of Mind.”

A look at the monitor shows Barnyard Dawg waiting with a clipboard and a letter. With a sigh, the security shutdown process is begun.

The B-2 bomber squadron and the F-35 escort must be called off. One call does it. The tank corps and gunboats are told to stand by. The Apache helicopters are rerouted. The electric shock fence is turned off. The drawbridge over the quicksand is lowered. The robot attack dogs returned to their charging station. The laser-guided machine guns on the roof are set to caution. The nest filled with rattlesnakes put away. The bucket filled with 1000 marbles is locked down. The tear gas canisters shut off. The electrified welcome mat set to off. The fall-away sidewalk into the pit filled with spikes is locked. The hornet’s nest closed. The water cannons are set to safety. Bear traps are set to off. Peregrine Falcons perched on the roof above front door fed. The vat of boiling oil set to warm. Monty Python’s Harmless Little Rabbit’s cage is closed. The front door is opened.

The dawg hands me the envelope and the letter. After signing, the clipboard is passed back with a fiver clipped to it. Once inside, the envelope is opened. It is a letter from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “notebook.” Use it the way you’d like. Enjoy!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link: https://lindaghill.com/2026/11/06/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-november-7-2026/

“Barnyard Dawg?”

“Yup. He’s the one who tangles with Leghorn Foghorn.”

“When did he make his first appearance?”

“1946, in a feature named Walky Talky Hawky with Henry Hawk and Foghorn Leghorn.”

“Wow. That was 80 years ago.”

“Yes, the math works.”

“Did you see the cartoon?”

“I was five years old. If I saw it, I don’t remember.”

“Easy, old timer. I have a surprise”

“What’s that?”

“A clip of the cartoon. Just got it off YouTube. Here it is.”

“That was pretty funny. How about the Uber?”

“Right over there”

“Wow, looks like a 1945 Chevy Stylemaster coupe.”

“It is a beauty.”

“What’s the catch?”

“Easy peasy.”

“Okay.”

“We get to be in a car show in front of the pub.”

“That’s no catch. That’s like falling into heaven.”

“Except the show lasts until 7:00.”

“So?”

“No Voodoo’s till then.”

“Ouch. Okay, I can do it.”

“You sure? I see your hand shaking a little.”

“Just age. Let’s go.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Costume

October 31, 2026October 30, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 62 Comments

The coffee machine looks at me as if to ask a question. “What is it?” Is my response. The large touch screen comes to life with an answer. “Need a day off. There is a costume party to attend.” With the anvil chorus in my brain from a caffeine shortage, I have nothing to say but, “No.” Touching the two coffee icon on the touchscreen starts the process of delivering the elixir that cures all ills. The cup finally fills, and the first sip acts like placing a velvet cover over the anvil. It may still be there, but muted. The second sip, as we have come to expect, is accompanied by the sound of the Westminster chimes of the doorbell and the molar cracking barking of Twiggy and Tempeste. Together, these interruptions have the settling quality of a Yamaha grand piano hitting 34th Street after a fall from the Empire State Building penthouse.

A toss of two Beny bones into the soundproof room followed by a door slam brings back the peace that Cat Stevens sang about in the song Peace Train. A glance at the monitor shows Michigan J. Frog, with top hat, cane, clipboard, and envelope. Knowing that asking a singing frog to leave the envelope is futile, the security shutdown process begins.

The frog breaks into singing Hello! Ma Baby and hands me the clipboard and envelope. The clipboard is handed back along with a fiver. The envelope is from Linda Hill and contains a letter. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “costume.’” Use it the way you’d like. Have fun!

If you would like to see how others react to the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link: :https://lindaghill.com/2026/10/30/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-october-31-2026/

“Michigan Jackson Frog?”

“Yeah, he was a favorite of mine.”

“When was that?”

“Back in 1955.”

“Whoa. You were alive in 1955?”

“Very funny. Yes, I was 14 years old.”

“I didn’t realize you were that old. I should be nice to you.”

“Why’s that?'”

“You know, a be kind to dogs and seniors kind of thing.”

“Yes, I can imagine. Speaking of kind, did you order the Uber?”

“I sure did. It’s right over there.”

“Oh, come on. That thing is not going anywhere.”

“But at this price we can’t go wrong.”

“I suppose we have to carry the thing.”

“Not at all. I’m going to call my AI buddy to fix it up.”

“This I gotta see.”

“Okay, how’s this?’

“You have got to be kidding.”

“Nope, good as new. Let’s go.’

“There has to be a catch.”

“Yeah, we have to be home by midnight.”

“Why’s that?”

“The car returns to its original condition at the stroke of twelve.”

“We’d better go then.”

“Age before beauty.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Ends with Ish”

October 24, 2026October 23, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 56 Comments

A busy Saturday ahead. Need to get everything done by 11:00 am for the TCU/WVU football game. The Producer graduated from WVU, so we enjoy the games. My team, Notre Dame, is on a bye this week. A touch of the two coffee icon starts the flow of soothin’ syrup that will kill this peckish pounding in my head. It’s like the stamp forge at the Ford Motor Rouge plant, from my dangerously low caffeine level.

The first sip quells the factory noise and vibrations. The second sip, as we all know, is accompanied by the cacophony of the Westminster Chime doorbell, in tandem with the St. Louis-bound baying of Cerberus, a multi-headed hound from Greek mythology that guards the gates of hell, in the form of Twiggy and Tempeste.

A quick toss of a couple of toy fish into the soundproof room, followed by the door slamming, brings back the peace George Harrison envisioned in the song “My Sweet Lord.” A glance at the monitor shows Cecil the Seasick Sea Serpent and his pal Beany. Beany has an envelope and a clipboard. The security system shutdown process is begun.

Beany hands me the envelope and clipboard. Once signed, it goes back to Beany with a fiver in the clip. Cicil gives me a big smile, and the front door closes. Inside the envelope is a message from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “ends with ‘ish.’” Find or make up a word that ends with “ish” and use it any way you’d like. Enjoy! To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link: https://lindaghill.com/2026/10/23/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-october-24-2026/

“That was a funny one. Cecil?”

“Yeah, I loved those guys as a kid.”

“Was that when dinosaurs roamed the earth?”

“Late 40s until 1952. They were puppets and a live TV show.”

“You had electricity, right?”

“Yeah. The set was an Admiral console with a ten-inch screen. The unit weighed more than the couch.”

“How did you watch that?”

“Well, you had to get close for sure.. Mom was always telling me to back up.”

“The hardships of a childhood.”

“I remember one time she threatened to take me to the eye doctor. That did it. I watched it from twenty feet away.”

“Could you see anything?”

“Yeah. The sound helped, though.”

“Those were the days.”

“I think today’s days are better. Speaking of better, did you call Uber?”

“Right over there.”

“You are kidding, right?”

“No, that’s our ride.”

“Is there room in the front?”

“Yeah, room for three. Why wouldn’t you want to ride in the back?”

“With all that booze?”

“I know it would be a hardship, but you could do it.”

“No thanks. What’s the catch?”

“A couple of stops.”

“How many is a couple”

“Three bars is all, then our pub.”

“That’s not so bad. We could do a Voodoo at each place.”

“Now that’s the spirit. Let’s go.

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt -Fodder

October 20, 2026October 20, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 63 Comments

Today I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 93 and closed my eyes. I pointed to the page, and the word “fodder” was closest to my finger. That is our prompt today.

“So what do you think, Captain?”

“I’d say we are going to have a tough time, General.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Well, the terrain is not conducive to cover, for one thing.”

“And?”

“That open field will be tough to cross without being seen.”

“I guess that’s true.”

“One more thing.”

“Yes, Captain.”

“We are going to take a lot of casualties to get to the objective.”

“Is there a way to reduce those?”

“Short of sending a phalanx to act as cannon fodder to save the rest, I don’t see how.”

“So you think sacrificing troops upfront could save the rest?”

“Well, sir, there is only so much spray in that can. If I know the enemy, he will panic at the sight of thousands of bees, drop the can, and run. Of course, this will be after he tries to defend himself.”

“I think that may work. What’s to guarantee he won’t return?”

“There is no guarantee, but next time we’ll be ready”

“Okay, Captain. Let’s do it.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Pitch”

October 17, 2026October 17, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 62 Comments

Thinking of the pitch made by the guy selling the coffee machine. He said, “It will anticipate your needs before you know them.” It is a wonder, then, why the touchscreen remains dark. My need is a cup of coffee, and if the machine knows that, why not deliver? In desperation, the machine is given a good thump, and like magic, comes to life. Say what you want about technology, sometimes the old methods work best.

The first sip calms the drum line beating of the Fightin Irish marching band in my head from caffeine withdrawal. The second (as we have come to know) is accompanied by the Westminster chime of the doorbell in duet with the “To St. Louis” barking refrain of Twiggy and Tempeste. A quick toss of two new toys into the soundproof room, followed by a slam of the door, brings a kind of hush over my world.

A glance at the security monitor shows Daffy Duck on the porch with an envelope and clipboard. My knowledge of characters on the front porch means one thing: the security system needs to be shut down.

Daffy hands me the clipboard and envelope. Passing the clipboard back with a fiver brings a smile to Daffy’s face. One inside the envelope from Linda Hill has the following message: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “pitch.” Use it as a noun, use it as a verb, use it the 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/2026/10/16/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-october-17-2026/

“Well, you got the prompt out of the way pretty quickly.”

“Yeah, was rather proud of that.”

“I thought you would go to a sports theme.”

“Why’s that?”

“Oh, I don’t know. You know, like, Ten Things Not to Do on the First Pitch of a Baseball Game.

“You know, I’m not a big sports fan. When I was a kid, the Detroit Lions and Tigers scarred me for life.”

“Scarred how?”

“They never won.”

“Oh, I see. So winning is everything?”

“To a kid? Yes.”

“Well, we are winners today.”

“Yeah, how?”

“You know that Okragly guy?”

“Of course.”

“He found us a terrific Uber.”

“Where is it?”

Right over there.”

“What is that?”

“A Ruxton Front Wheel Drive luxury car came out in 1930, with only 96 produced. The Great Depression bankrupted the company, and it became defunct. Only about 40 were sold as new cars to customers; some were given to debtors, but most of them ended up in wrecking yards.”

Alright. What’s the catch?”

“Oooh, opposite of pitch. I like it”

“Come on.”

“Okay, no catch whatsoever.”

“Let’s go then.”

“Right behind you.”

”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Familiar”

October 10, 2026October 9, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 54 Comments

The familiar routine of morning coffee, followed by bedlam, is comforting even though it’s annoying. A touch of the two coffee icon on the touchscreen brings the coffee machine to life. The first sip quells the jackhammer-on-concrete noise in my head from caffeine withdrawal. The second sip is accompanied by the Westminster chime of the doorbell and the simultaneous baying of Twiggy and Tempeste, obviously auditioning for guardians of the gates of hell. Two new toys tossed into the soundproof room, followed by the door’s slam, brings the kind of peace Leon Bridges describes in the song Peaceful Place.

A glance at the security monitor shows Horton the Elephant on a nest on the porch. He has an envelope and clipboard. Obviously, the security shutdown process needs to begin.

Horton passes me the envelope and clipboard. The signed document, with a fiver clipped to the board, is returned. The question, “How long are you going to sit on Mayzie’s egg?” goes unasked, and the front door closes.

The envelope is from Linda Hill. The letter inside reads:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “familiar.” Use it the way you’d like. Enjoy!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link: https://lindaghill.com/2026/10/09/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-october-10-2026/

“I’m not familiar with Horton.”

“He’s a character out of a book titled Horton Hatches the Egg.”

“Odd thing, an elephant sitting on an egg.”

“From the mind of Dr. Seuss.”

“What made you think of that character?”

“I was looking at the Warner Brothers characters when Horton popped up. I remember seeing the cartoon and reading the story to my kids.”

“A bit of nostalgia, huh?”

“I suppose. The story is great, with lessons of greed and commitment.”

“Does it end well?”

“It does. Like most of our Uber rides. Speaking of which.”

“Right over there.”

“What is that?”

“It’s a VW pickup truck.”

“I didn’t know they made pickups.”

“They did between 1980 and 1983.”

“Okay, so what’s the hitch?”

“A small thing.”

“Never small.”

“One of us has to ride in the back.”

“The person who hired the VW, raise your hand.”

“Okay, I’ll ride in the back.”

“Great. Let’s go.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Inner/Outer”

September 26, 2026September 25, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 53 Comments

Sometimes understanding the inner workings of the coffee machine is difficult, given its expressionless exterior. The machine certainly has inner quirks that show up as a lack of performance. For example, this morning everything looked normal as the machine was powered up. Then this message appeared briefly on the touchscreen.

The normal screen appears, but the mystery of the machine’s message is still with me. Two touches of the coffee icon produced a normal hot, steaming 8oz cup of soothing syrup, whose aroma began calming the Notre Dame Marching Band sound in my head from not enough caffeine. The first sip went further, and all that is left is a slight sound of that tiny triangle, which is seldom heard. The second sip is accompanied, as we all know, by the cacophony of the combination of the Doorbell Westminster chimes and the rock-crumbling bark of Twiggy and Tempeste warning the idiot who can’t read the “Do not ring the doorbell sign that death is imminent. A quick toss of a couple of Bennie Bomes into the soundproof room, followed by a door slam. The quiet reverberates like Disturb’s Sound of Silence

A look at the security monitor confirms that the doorbell ringers are Laurel and Hardy. With a sigh, the security shutdown process is begun.

Hardy steps forward to hand me the clipboard and envelope. Laurel taps him on the shoulder. He responds by asking Laurel to give him a minute. Laurel continues to tap. “What is it?” Hardy demands. “You are standing on my foot.” The clipboard goes back with a fiver attached, and once inside, the envelope is opened to reveal a message from Linda Hill

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “inner/outer.” Use one, use both, use ’em any way you’d like. Bonus points if you use both. Enjoy!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link:

https://lindaghill.com/2026/09/25/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-september-26-2026/

‘I see you repeated using the prompt.”

“Yeah, I have been getting a lot of folks who wonder where the prompt was used.”

“You could bold it.”

“But then the dialog turns into prose.”

“Too complex for me. How did you choose Laurel and Hardy today?”

“They are a favorite of mine.”

“They say slapstick humor is the lowest kind.”

“I never said I was sophisticated in my laughs.”

“I do think they are funny.”

“As a kid, I loved watching them. I saw a few reels recently, and they are still funny.”

“I’ll take your word. I haven’t seen them in years.”

Speaking of years, did you call Uber?”

“Yup. Right over there.”

“Now you are talking. I get dibs on the stretcher.”

“Not sure that’s going to happen.”

“Why not?”

“Because there is a catch.”

“Of course there is. What is it?”

“We have to transport a guy from the hospital to the care facility.”

“Why the heck do we get into these situations?”

“It’s all about the money. The trips are free.”

“I think paying would be better.”

“Ah, come on. Think of the experiences. You know first aid, don’t you?”

“Huh? No, I don’t.”

“Don’t tell the driver. I told him you did.”

“What if something happens?”

“It won’t. The guy is perfectly healthy.”

“Why is he in an ambulance then?”

“He is 102 years old.”

“Great. What if he has a heart attack or something?”

“Just follow the directions on the defib machine.”

“Give me a Voodoo Ranger.”

“You’ll be fine.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Typo”

September 19, 2026September 18, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 52 Comments

The cofee (whoops. A typo) machine stands like a beacon in the post-apocalyptic world of my head during caffeine withdrawal. The steady flow of soothing elixir brings appetizer-like aromas that promise relief. The first sip stops the zombie moans in my brain. The second is accompanied by the combination of the Westminster Chimes of the doorbell and the eardrum-puncturing baying of Igor’s hounds in Twiggy and Tempeste’s reaction to the chimes. A quick toss of two knuckle bones into the soundproof room, followed by the slamming of the door, brings a Deep Purple Hush back to the room.

A glance at the monitor shows Chip and Dale, the chipmunks, each holding either a clipboard or a letter. Since talking to them is futile, the security shutdown process begins.

Chip hands me the letter and Dale the clipboard. When signed, the clipboard goes back to Dale with a fiver under the clip. Thinking that they might have a problem with the money, a bag of unshelled peanuts follows the clipboard.

Once inside, the letter is opened, and it is from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “typo.” Use it any ~~wya~~ way you’d like. Have fun!

If you would like to see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link: https://lindaghill.com/2026/09/18/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-september-19-2026/

“Chip and Dale? Where did you come up with them?”

“I was looking around for a character, and they just came to me.”

“I can see them trying to spend the five bucks.”

“That’s why I gave them the peanuts.”

“Yeah. Where did they come from?”

“This is fiction, remember.”

“Ah. Poetic license.”

“You got it.”

“Speaking of license.”

“Did you call Uber?”

“Right over there.”

“What the heck is that thing?”

“It’s a 1939 Buick sedan retrofitted for rail inspections.”

“How is that going to get us to the pub?”

“The pub is on the mainline.”

“Since when?”

“This is fiction, remember.”

“Stumbled onto my own patard.”

“What?”

“Never mind. So we just hop in there and go to the pub?”

“Well.”

“I knew it. A hitch.”

“A small one.”

“Okay, give it to me.”

“We have to take a ride on the Reading Railroad.”

“Why’s that?”

“The card said so. We landed on chance.”

“For heaven’s sake. You are taking this fiction thing a bit far.”

“Fun, though, right?”

“Okay, let’s get going. We might get there by tonight.”

“The Reading is in Pennsylvania ”

“And we are in Texas.”

“I hope you have some VooDoo Rangers.”

“You bet.”

“Let’s go then.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Reason”

September 12, 2026September 11, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 71 Comments

The only reason survival is possible is coffee. That golden elixir is the only self-medication that stops the spike-driving, rail-laying, metal-on-metal sound in my head from caffeine withdrawal. The aroma alerts my senses to be prepared for soothing peace.

The first sip quells the noise. The second sip, as we are all too familiar, is accompanied by the falling grand piano in the Grand Canyon sound as it hits the floor, a combination of Westminster chimes of the doorbell and the bark to St. Louis, picture window smashing sound of Twiggy and Tempeste treating the idiot who can’t read the do not ring the doorbell sign as a threat to life and limb. A quick toss of peanut butter-stuffed Kong toys into the soundproof room, and a slam of the door hails the arrival of the peace train.

A check of the monitor shows Marc Antony, the Bulldog, with a clipboard and letter. Knowing conversation is futile, the security shutdown process is begun.

The Bulldog gives me the letter and clipboard, which is signed and returned. A fiver is clipped to the board, so the Bulldog smiles and makes his exit. Once inside, the letter seems to be from Linda Hill and says: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is ‘reason.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link.

https://lindaghill.com/2026/09/11/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-september-12-2026/

“Okay, what’s the reason you didn’t give the Bulldog one of your clever quotes?”

“I thought the fiver would be enough.”

“Don’t you think once he gets back to the delivery company, all the other characters will ask about the motivational tip?”

“How will they know he made a stop at my place?”

“Yeah, that’s a good point. I don’t suppose those characters compare notes.”

“I think they just do their job and go home. What reason would there be to mill around and discuss deliveries?”

“What reason indeed. I’m now sorry I mentioned it.”

“Nah, don’t be sorry. Enquiring minds want to know.”

“Speaking of that, you ready to go to the pub?”

“You get an Uber?”

“Don’t I always? Right over there.”

“Wow, that is some color. Looks like a 64 Chevrolet C10 pickup.”

“Been worked on, too. There is room for three.”

“That’s a good thing. No sitting on the floor?”

“Nope?”

“So what is the catch?”

“This guy is also a DoorDash delivery person.”

“So?”

“We have to make one stop.”

“Uh huh.”

“He needs to deliver a shipment of canaries to a pet store.”

“You make me laugh.”

“Seriously.”

“And the canaries need to ride in the cab.”

“How did you know?”

“Instinct.”

“Here are some overalls.”

“What are these for?”

“The canaries need to sit on your lap, and I don’t want them to get anything on you.”

“Aren’t they in a shipping container?”

“Yes, but you never know.”

“I’ve been in worse conditions.”

“That’s the spirit. Let’s go.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Motion

September 5, 2026September 4, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 75 Comments

Touching the two coffee icons on the coffee maker’s touchscreen sets in motion the solution to the sitting-on-the-back-of-a-rocket annoyance in my head from caffeine withdrawal. The soothing elixir flows from the dual spout into the mug. The aroma begins the healing process.

The first sip deadens the nerve endings to quell the rocket’s red glare. Of course, the second sip is accompanied by the cacophony of the doorbell’s Westminster chime and the crystal-crumbling barking of my beloved Hounds of Baskerville.

A toss of a new treat into the soundproof room and slamming the door brings a kind of hush that allows the brain to think. A quick look at the security monitor confirms the presence of Tweety Bird on the porch holding a clipboard and envelope. Knowing conversation is futile, the security shutdown process is begun.

Tweety Bird hands me the envelope and clipboard. Attaching a fiver, signing, and then handing it back brings a smile to Tweety’s beak. Thinking a bird needs more motivation, an anonymous tip on success is proffered as the door closes. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the action.”

The letter is from Linda Hill. It reads:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “motion.” 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/2026/09/04/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-september-5-2026/

“Tweety Bird, huh?”

“Yup. I was glad to see him.”

“How do you know it’s a him?”

“I don’t.”

“Pretty dangerous making assumptions.”

“Do you know?”

“Yup. According to Warner brothers Tweety is a he.”

“If you knew that, why ask me?”

“Just curious. I love getting your brain in motion.”