The brew machine delivers a cup of steaming stuff faster than usual. There is more time to fool with the clock. The clock is in the pantry, and the pantry door closes after fetching it. Another dial appears on the back of the clock for the first time. There is a small clock face and a dial. The word ‘alarm’ is beside the face. Looking at my watch, the local time is nine o’clock. So if the alarm is set for Ten o’clock, it will give me an hour in the past.

The alarm is set, and the day and year are chosen: November 24, 1923. Now, to pull the pin to engage. Whoa, that was fast. According to the stadium sign, the location is Forbes Field. That’s a stadium that was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It looks like the game is over since most are leaving. Inside is a giant scoreboard with the names Carnegie Tech and Visitor. It looks like the visitors won the game 23 to zero.

A program is on one of the seats, and the visitors have been identified. It is Knute Rockne’s Notre Dame football team. It looks like the game was a little one-sided. The local folks don’t look too happy, but the Notre Dame folks are all singing and laughing.

A guy from the radio station is interviewing Rockne, saying that the game didn’t reflect his team’s strength. He mentions that they could have done more but decided to allow some first-year members to get some experience. That seems reasonable since, for Notre Dame, the score seems modest indeed.

A bell goes off, and my living room replaces Forbes Field. In my hand, the program has turned into a message from Linda Hill. It reads. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “something that closes.” Write about the first thing that pops into your head that closes. Enjoy!

To see how others handled the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2023/11/24/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-25-2023/

Something That Closes by John W. Howell © 2023

“The pantry door was a cheap way around the prompt.”

“Well, ours does.”

“Tell me again why you don’t use the pronoun, ‘I'”

“Too many first person, present tense stories overuse the pronoun. Everyone gets tired of seeing ” I, I ” all the time.”

“Okay, I get that. Once in a while wouldn’t hurt.”

“I suppose, but I’m trying to do a story without.”

“You just said I.”

“Y0u and are a talking. That’s not what I mean.”

“I’m confused. You know what else closes?”

“Yes, the pub. Did you order an Uber?”

“He’s here.”

“By those Amish buggies?”

“He’s is one of those Amish buggies.”

“Why did I ask?”

“Enquiring minds want to know.”

“Maybe we should walk.”

“Come on. It will be fun.”

 

 

Coffee frees the mind and stimulates the soul. It drips from the spout like it has all day, not knowing the quivering mass witnessing the slow process is about to explode. It finally fills the cup, which reaches the lips just in time. One sip and the affirmation of living one more day is assured. The brain thanks the hand for delivering the wake-up medicine critical to jump-start the thinking process.

With a free-basing brain in gear, the memory of the alarm clock comes rushing in like the sea through an open port hole. The memory seems as messy as a ton of seawater on the floor. The clock sits where it was left. Poor me is the thought in my mind as the task of trying to figure out what to do with it bounces around in my head like a marble in a fishbowl.

Looking at the face provides no clue. There is one big face with hands, one little face with hands, and one medium-sized face with just numbers and one hand. The back has three wind-up keys. One marked time, one marked alarm, and the final marked travel. Beside each key is a small dial, which looks like it is used to set the time and alarm. The question is, what could the dial near the travel key be used for? After fiddling, it is found to move the one-hand face. To set the time, you pull out the dial, move the hands, and punch it in. The alarm is set the same way. The travel dial, when pulled out, moves a single hand to any of the twelve numbers. It is discovered that repeated pulling and pushing of the dial makes the numbers appear in a little window that looks like an odometer with room for seven numbers.

Further experiments causes me to enter my birthday in the odometer window. The next stop is Harper Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, the place of my birth. An alarm goes off, and then back home again. Standing in awe before the clock, which is now on the floor, I get a text. It is from Linda Hill. It reads Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “oo.” Find a word with “oo” in it or just use “oo” because why not? Whatever you decide on, use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!.

To see what other bloggers have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s blog. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2023/10/27/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-28-2023/

OO by John W. Howell © 2023

“That is some clock.”

“No kidding.”

“So, is it magic?”

“I have no idea. I looks that way.”

“You need to find out sooner rather than later.”

“It seems that it can be set for any year.”

“What made the alarm go off?’

“You got me there. Maybe Google has an answer.”

“I think you did something goofy before you took off to the place of your birth.”

I think I could set it for any time I want.”

“Just don’t set it for doomsday.”

“When is that?”

“No one knows.”

“I can’t very well set the date if I don’t know it.”

“You could make a mistake, too.”

“Now is the time for a Voo Doo. Did you call Über?”

“He’s parked in the drive.”

“That’s a herse.”

“Think how much room we will have coming home.”

“What are you talking about?”

“We can sack out in the back.”

“Maybe you can. I’ll ride up front, thank you.”

“After enough Voo Doo, the back will be proof I made a good deal.

 

If a deity is in charge of coffee, then it would be a good idea to offer thanks. The dark, steamy liquid waits for my approving sigh. There it is, the first sip and then the crashing reminder of that box on the back patio. Yelling, “What a curse,” does no good for poor Twiggy’s nerves. She can only react to the volume level of the expression.

Once Twiggy is off the ceiling, finding out what is in the box must be addressed. Another ear placed against the box produces the same result as last time, namely, no sound. A crowbar comes in handy to remove the top. Peering over the edge gives no information since whatever is in there is surrounded by packing material.

Pulling out each piece of material gets me down to another box. The top is quick work, and inside is a clock. It appears to be an old-fashioned alarm clock with two large bells on the top. On the back is a key to wind for the clock and one to wind for the alarm. There is also a third key that is unmarked. The thought goes through my mind that this is a strange gift from the CEO of Warner Brothers. Instructions for the clock are in the box as well. When there’s time, they should be read.

While holding and inspecting the clock, my attention goes to a sudden movement beside the box. It is a carrier pigeon with a message attached to its leg. The message when unrolled reads Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “material.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun! Obviously, it is from Linda Hill. If you would like to read other responses to the prompt, visit Linda’s blog at https://lindaghill.com/2023/10/20/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-21-2023/

Material by John W. Howell © 2023

“You sure Linda doesn’t set up these prompts for you?”

“Of course, I’m sure. Very coincidental, I would say.”

“I mean, having a box filled with packing material is very suspect.”

“I can assure you she doesn’t play favorites.”

“What is with the clock?”

“I wish I knew.”

“Who’s running this blog anyway?

“I wish I knew that too.”

“You are hopeless. You would think you controlled your own material.”

“Look at you with the prompt word.”

“Slipped out. Didn’t do it on purpose.”

“Sure.”

“You ready for the pub.”

“You order Über?”

“Right over there.”

“I don’t see a haywagon.”

“No, right there.”

“Oh, that 88 corvette?”

“That’s the one.”

“How are we both going to fit.”

“You’ll sit on my lap.”

“Oh, brother. Why can’t we get normal Über drivers?”

“We save the equivalent of two Voo Doo Rangers this way.”

“Say no more. Let’s go.”

 

 

The sound and aroma coming from the machine give hope that the cup of soothing syrup will soon be filled. It is done, and the first sip is installed through quivering lips. Sure enough, the liquid has reached the brain in a short time, and the nerve endings have all stopped screaming like the audience at a Taylor Swift concert.

There is time to contemplate the prognosis on the day. Like a steel hammer hitting a horseshoe on the blacksmith’s anvil, the thought returns. That cursed box from ACME is still on the back patio. Weak knees follow the thought like a sled behind a team of dogs.

Reluctantly, I approach the box. At least there is no need to disarm the security system since the patio is inside the secure perimeter. Whoever dropped it there knew the layout, so there is a strong suspicion whoever did knows me. With that chilling thought, my ear quickly goes to the side of the box. There is no sound inside, which is a good sign that there may not be a character to deal with today.

A small parachute lands beside me as I pull my ear away from the box. Attached is an envelope. Of course, it is from Linda Hill, and inside is this message.

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “last thing that broke/you had to fix.” Think about the word that best describes the last thing that stopped working for you, and use that word any way you’d like. Enjoy!

If you want to see what other bloggers have done with the prompt, visit Lindas bloh. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2023/10/13/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-14-2023/

Broke/Fix by John W. Howell © 2023

“So what word did you choose for something that broke and you had to fix?”

“Ignition.”

“Ignition? I didn’t expect that.”

“Neither did I.”

“So tell me.”

“I finished exercising at the gym—”

“Hold on. You still go to the gym.”

“Yeah, of course.”

“You have an EMT standing by?”

“Verry funny. You want to hear about the ignition or not?”

“Go ahead.”

“I have a car with a keyless ignition.”

“And?”

“I got in it and turned the switch and got a message ‘No key detected.'”

“Whoa. I would be finished. What did you do?”

“Remembered a tip from a guy and held the remote device next to the switch.”

“It worked?”

“It did.”

“Here, I thought you were going to have a story about tearing into the electronic guts of the car and spotting the problem and solving it like Walter Mitty.”

“Well, to me, it was like that.”

“Do me a favor.”

“What?”

“Don’t tell anyone else. They’ll laugh you off the planet.”

“I need some VooDoo time. Did you call Uber.”

“Yup, and he’s over there in the garage.”

“By that Humvee?”

“No our ride is the Humvee.”

“Can’t say I’m surprised.”

 

 

 

 

Waiting for a lifesaving ten ounces of Columbia’s finest liquid personality can challenge the nerves. Sure, it’s only three minutes, but it can seem like a lifetime when the nerve endings scream for relief. Caffeine addiction is a prime reason to be on edge, as the mechanics of producing the soothing syrup seem to be moving in slow motion.

The aroma and the click of the message to ‘enjoy’ signals the pain is almost over. A sip of the crema and the inhalation of the curative vapors lead to the belief that one will live. A walk to the patio, cup in hand, completes the morning. Since the seasonal change from Hell’s Back Porch to I Think We Are Going to Live has lowered the temperatures from the 100s to the 90s, life outside is possible.

Recent rains have left the Earth smelling like life has returned, and the reoccurring circling of the vultures has given way to the happy sounds of songbirds. Yes, the Texas summer seems to be over, and now it is time to enjoy the outdoors.

Feet up, contemplating a relaxing day is a brief respite from the cares of the world. A small shadow begins to widen around me. Clearly, a rather large box has been jettisoned from an unseen flying machine. As the square shadow continues to expand, it occurs to me that movement away from the contact point might be a good idea.

Jumping up and screaming like a first grader saves my bones from a crushing introduction to a very well-fortified box from the ACME air delivery service. Attached to the box is an envelope on a string. The return address is Linda Hill. The message inside says, Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “prime.” Use it as an adjective or a verb, use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

To see what others do with this prompt, visit Linda’s blog. Here is the link.https://lindaghill.com/2023/10/06/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-7-2023/

Prime by John W. Howell © 2023

“Another box?”

“Looks like it.”

“Your prime plot point.”

“Well it beats other things.”

“Like what?”

“Urns.”

“Yeah that one was a stretch for sure.”

“So who knows what is in that thing.”

“I’m surprised it didn’t smash apart.”

“I thought you would say something like ‘I’m gald you weren’t crushed.'”

“Look around.”

“What?”

“This is a blog not the real world.”

“I’m missing the point.”

“I knew you wouldn’t be crushed. If you were this puppy would be over.”

“I guess that’s true.”

“Now if you want to talk real.”

“Uber so we can fill our gut with VooDoo Ranger Imperial IPA.”

“Already called he’s sitting right over there. The green car.”

“That 1952 Studebaker Commander State?”

“Yeah that’s the one.”

“Well at least we have a car this time.”

“About that.”

“What.”

“It has no motor so we have to push it.”

“Not even going to ask or argue. Let’s hope for a favarable down hill run.”

“Coming back hom might be a problem.”

“Yeah but then I’ll have fortification.”

“True that.”

The machine works its magic. No begging, threatening, cajoling, or tears were needed for a delicious cup of steaming stuff that makes life worth living. The first sip rushes the caffeine to the brain like cocaine on steroids. The brew’s intense flavor is conducive to several chews rather than a simple swallow. It is always love at first taste of the drink we choose.

After the sip has me centered, a loud noise sends Twiggy off on a barking jag that will eventually clear the neighborhood. Checking my phone, I see a big old box has been dropped on the front porch. There is a tag in the corner that gives me a hint that life is about to get more stressful. The tag has big block letters spelling ACME.

The security system must be shut down to investigate the box. The tower machine guns are deactivated, the moat screen rolled, the concertina wire retracted, the boiling oil set to standby, the claymore mines detached, The trebuchet reset, the iron gate opened, and the locks and bolts thrown.

The front door is carefully opened, and the box is examined. There is a string with an envelope attached. On the outside of the envelope, the printing says OPEN and READ ME. Following the instructions, there are two letters inside. The first is from Linda Hill and reads. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “chews/choose.” Use one, use ’em both, use ’em any way you’d like. Bonus points if you get ’em both in. Have fun! The second is from the President of Warner Brothers. It says simply, We hope you enjoy your gift.

To see how other bloggers have responded to the prompt, visit Linda’s blog. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2023/09/01/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-sept-2-2023/

Chews/Choose by John W. Howell © 2023

“Well, you got the bonus points.”

“Yup. Sure did.”

“What are those bonus points used for?”

“Anything you choose.”

“What do you use them for?”

“I’m buying a Bentley Turbo Convertable.”

“Wow. You can do that?”

“Sure.”

“When do you get the car?”

“Well, it will be a while cause I have to buy it piece by piece.”

“What?”

“Yeah. I have four lug nuts so far.”

“Four lug nuts? At this rate, it will be forever. Sounds like a fool’s errand.”

“See, there marks the difference between us.”

“What do you mean?”

“I have a dream and am working on it. You are more day to day.”

“But four lug nuts. That is almost enough to hold one tire on a nonexistent car.”

“How many Bentley lug nuts do you have?”

“None.”

“The journey starts with the first step. Before you know it, I will be cruising in my convertible.”

“If you can still get a license at that age.”

I’m going to change the subject. How about a VooDoo Ranger?”

“At last, you get to the essential parts of life. Uber is here.

“Can’t wait to see wait the sale vehicle is today.”

“It’s over there.”

“What is that thing?”

“It is a vehicle that paints lines on the street. Got a good price ’cause they need to paint the lines on the road that runs by the pub.”

“Where do we sit?”

“See that trailer with all the cones.”

“Yeah.”

“We sit there and place the safety cones next to the new lines on the way.”

“What fun.”

“I knew you would be thrilled. Here, take some of these tobacco chews. Goes with the job.”

 

 

 

Back home to the Jura coffee maker at last. Humming the tune Yellow Brick Road while waiting for the soothing syrup to make its way into my cup makes the time shorter. The tune has been in my head since it was the last duet sung with my daughter while away. Keeping it in my head also holds the memory of a very special time spent with her, my son-in-law, and the three grandkids.

You see, they are a music family, and when we get together, they cause me to believe that there is some music in my bones as well. Being a realist allows me to play along but not take my participation too seriously. They have a studio with all the sound equipment needed to make the experience feel real. It is so much fun.

So the coffee is ready, and the tune will stay for a while. Since this is Saturday, there should be some kind of delivery of a note from Linda Hill. The silence of the place raises the fear of being forgotten. Suddenly my phone rings and when answered a recorded message intones. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “tune.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

If you would like to see what other bloggers do with the prompt, visit Linda’s blog. Here’s the link. https://lindaghill.com/2023/08/25/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-aug-26-2023/

Tune by John W. Howell © 2023

“Well, this was low-key.”

“I think I’m still getting over the trip.”

“Oh, come on. How could a little four-day vacation be that tiring?”

“You’d sing a different tune if you knew my family.”

“Type A’s?”

“Squared. Never a dull moment.”

“But fun?”

“Oh yeah. Ton’s of fun.”

“There must be a story connected with the Yellow Brick Road tune. Like, who played the munchkins?”

“This was the Elton John version. There were no munchkins. No story except we both wanted to do it together.”

“I see.”

“Time for Uber?”

“He’s already here.”

“I see a garbage truck over there. Is that him?”

“No. Of course not. It’s the gravel truck behind him.”

“What’s wrong with a simple car?”

“Hey, come on. Pulling up to the front of the pub in a T680 Kenworth is more fitting to our lifestyle.”

“Your lifestyle you mean.”

“Well okay. But still it turns heads.”

“In pity I’m sure.”