Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Flag

February 6, 2021February 5, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 68 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and I pulled a postcard out of the mail today. To my surprise, Linda Hill did not make a trip to deliver the prompt. She sent it on this card instead. After reading the prompt I can see why. This week’s prompt, as written by Linda, is:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “flag.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

This one sure didn’t need a box or large envelop for sure. If you would like to participate in the fun, go to Linda’s blog and read how to do that very thing. (Was hard not to end that sentence with a preposition) Here is a link to Linda’s place.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Feb. 6, 2021

“You look relaxed for a Saturday.”

“I’m just enjoying the sun.”

“What about the angst that is usually associated with the prompt?”

“No big deal. I’ve got it in the bag.”

“In the bag?”

“An expression.”

“Want to explain your laid back attitude.”

“This week’s prompt is “flag.” There are many ways to take it. All I have to do is pick one and write it.”

“You leaning in any direction?”

“Well, I could go with Old Glory, our country’s flag.”

“That would be a good one.”

“Or I could write about racing and the checkered flag.”

“There are oceans of material there.”

“Speaking of oceans, I could discuss ships of the line and the admiral’s flag.”

“The ship the admiral is on is called the flagship.”

“I might write a story about a stranded motorist who needs to flag down help.”

“You could make it a thriller and have the person who stops be a serial killer.”

“That would be exciting. I could also explain flag football.”

“Not a lot of folks know about that for sure.”

“Maybe I will discuss how referees throw a penalty flag.”

“Like in a Super Bowl game?”

“Exactly.”

“This is where you were leading me all along, right?”

“Caught me.”

“Let me guess. This little thingy will end at the pub.”

“How clairvoyent of you.”

“And I’m buying?”

“Pure genius.”

“This flag prompt is over, right?”

“Beer 30 my man.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – The Beginning, The End

January 30, 2021January 29, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 63 Comments

The end of the week signals Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and I see Linda Hill has decided to leave a big package at the curb. I don’t blame her since it looks heavy. The sign on the side says Prompt so, I guess this is it. Man, this is heavy.

Your prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “the beginning, the end.” Write about the beginning of something and the end of something. Bonus points if your first sentence contains “the end” and your last sentence contains “the beginning.” <– Read that again. Have fun!

So there you are. If you would like to join in, visit Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2021/01/29/the-friday-reminder-for-socs-jusjojan-2021-daily-prompt-jan-30th/

“The end of your life looks to have arrived.”

“No smart-assed comments. I have a real problem.”

“Besides your mental state, you mean?”

“Har de har har har. To the moon Alice.”

“Huh.”

“Ralph Kramden on The Honeymooners.”

“You are lost in the past, I see.”

“Did you ever see the show?”

“Can’t say I did.”

“Lot of good life lessons.”

“What has you all wrapped around the axle today? Please don’t tell me it’s the Hill prompt.”

“A little bit. I need to come up with a beginning.”

“Clear as mud. What beginning for what?”

“For the post. I have the end already up there.”

“The end? Up there? Let me smell your breath.”

“That comes later. The story started with The end, and the story has to end with The beginning.”

“You now have me so confused I’m not sure I can help you.”

“That’s okay, you already did. I was thinking of Ralph Kramden when he used to tell Alice he was boss and she was nothing.”

“Doesn’t sound very nice.”

“Then she would tell him that it was no big deal him being boss over nothing.”

“Sounds like a funny bit.”

“Then they would kiss and make up.”

“To end the show?”

“Nah, for their relationship, it was the beginning.”

“Like with you and I.”

“What do you mean?”

“Beer. The Beginning.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Close Eyes and Point

January 23, 2021January 22, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 78 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and here comes Linda Hill with a mammoth box.

“Hey, Linda.”

“John.”

“Prompt?”

“Duh. I’ll just leave it here on the porch. I doubt it will fit in the door.”

“Thanks, Linda. Would you look at this? I better open it and see what we’ve got. I feel like I’m on Chopped. The prompt.”

Your prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “close eyes and point.” When you’re ready to write your post, open a book, a newspaper, or whatever is handy and close your eyes, and point. Whatever word or picture your finger lands on, make that the basis of your SoCS/JusJoJan post. Enjoy!

“Why are you sitting there with your eyes closed?”

“It’s part of the Saturday prompt.”

“Of course, it is.”

“When I open my eyes, I have to point at a magazine or book and then use a word or picture as the prompt.”

“So you picked Vanity Fair magazine?”

“Don’t you think that’s pretty smart? It’s the Holiday 2020/2021 issue.”

“Well, I suppose as long as the word or picture is something you can use in a story.”

“Okay, here goes. I’m opening the mag, and still with my eyes closed, I’m pointing right here.”

“Looks like you have one.”

“Tell me I’m afraid to look.”

“Not sure you’re going to like it.”

“Tell me.”

“Your finger is on Britney Spears nose.”

“You are kidding, right?”

“No. Open your eyes for heaven’s sake and take a look. Right here on page 49.”

“OMG. What can I do with that?”

“Your prompt, my man.”

“Maybe I could do it again.”

“You have a witness.”

“You?”

“Me. If you think I’ll let you out of this one, you’re nuts.”

“Maybe I can just talk about Britney Spears?”

“Nose.”

“Come on. What can I say about her nose?”

“Count your lucky stars it wasn’t somewhere else.”

“Maybe I could talk about the shape.”

“Sure, that’s a start.”

“Slopes downward.”

“So unusual.”

“Give me a break. What else can I say?”

“Is it cute?”

“Well, I wouldn’t call it cute. Attractive maybe.”

“Excuse me, Miss Spears, but you have an attractive nose.”

“What would you say?”

“This is not my prompt. In the first place, I would have picked a book. At least some words can be used.”

“How about if I start over.”

“I’ll report you to the Linda Hill police force.”

“Even if I offer a token of my appreciation?”

“I’m listening.”

“A pint or two at the pub.”

“Popcorn?”

“All you can eat.”

“Somehow, this makes me feel cheap.”

“No one will know.”

“Now I feel sorry for Brittney’s Nose.”

“She’ll get over it.”

“Yeah, and what’s in a prompt anyway.”

“Now you’re talking. Let’s go.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “First Thing”

January 16, 2021January 15, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 47 Comments

First thing this morning, I ran into Linda Hill. She had something wrapped in old newspapers. “Is that fish,” I said.

“Fish? You better hope not. This is your prompt for this week.”

“Oh, my goodness. Why is it wrapped in newspaper.”

“Cause I ran out of birthday wrap.”

“It’s not my birthday.”

“Just as well then. Here take it.”

“Thanks, Linda. Goodbye.”

Here is this week’s prompt. Your prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “first thing.” Start your post with the words “first thing” and go from there. Bonus points if you end your post with the last thing. Have fun!

“First thing I noticed? Gee, that’s a hard one.”

“Just say whatever comes to mind.”

“Well, the first thing I noticed when we met each other was your complete obsession with the Saturday prompt.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, we had our first date, and you insisted on reading your response to the prompt. I can even remember the prompt.”

“What was it. I don’t remember.”

“It was rutabaga.”

“Rutabaga? What did I say about rutabaga?”

“I put it out of my mind but recall you were planning on planting some.”

“Well, I never did, so how can you say I’m obsessed?.”

“Let me count the Saturday evenings we only talk about your prompt that week.”

“You serious? We talk about a lot of stuff.”

“Like what?”

“Um. Like . . . er. . . the movie we are watching.”

“And how it relates to the prompt. Let me ask you. What caused you to come up with asking me about the first thing I noticed about you tonight?”

“It is the prompt this week.”

“See, the prosecution rests.”

“That’s not the whole thing.”

“What else.”

“We get bonus points if we end the post with “the last thing.”

“Let me help you with that.”

“I thought you didn’t like the prompt stuff.”

“Let me say good night, which will be the last thing.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Sky’s the Limit”

January 9, 2021January 8, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 57 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness time again, and here comes Linda Hill. She has a balloon on a string and an envelope attached to the string. I’ll bet it is the prompt for today.

“Hi, Linda. Want to come inside.”

“No thanks, John. I just need to deliver this prompt.”

“I like the balloon.”

“Well, grab the envelope and open it. See you.”

“Bye, Linda. Now let me see. I’ll open the envelope. Oops, the balloon just got away. Wow, look at it, climb. The sky’s the limit for that sucker. Let me see what the note says.”

Your prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “sky’s the limit.” Write about something that has or seems to have no end. Enjoy!

“Hey, why are you looking up at the sky?”

“I just lost a balloon.”

“A balloon. What kind of craziness are you up to now? Oh, wait. The Saturday prompt, right?”

“That’s right. It came from Linda Hill on the end of a balloon.”

“Let me guess. You opened the envelope, and the balloon got away.”

“Once again, you qualify as a clairvoyant.”

“Only you would lose a balloon chasing something as dumb as this Saturday thing.”

“The prompt is for us to talk about something that is endless.”

“Yeah, so what have you chosen? The height that the balloon will go?”

“No, that’s not it.”

“The amount of time you will spend on this prompt.”

“Very funny.”

“Okay, I give up. What is it.”

“Your criticism of my prompt activities.”

“Huh?”

“It’s endless. You are always criticizing. Never supportive.”

“Now, wait a minute. People will get the wrong idea.”

“About you?”

“No, about you.”

“What do you mean?”

“You should be writing about big endless things like freedom.”

“Freedom can end.”

“Don’t we know that. How about endless possibilities.”

“That does sound better. Possibilities to do what?”

“Do something else on Saturday besides the prompt.”

“There you go.”

“You left yourself wide open.”

“I give up.”

“Beer time?”

“You’re buying.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “In the Corner”

January 2, 2021January 1, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 53 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. If you would like to join this group, visit Linda Hill’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder for #SoCS & #JusJoJan 2021 Daily Prompt – Jan. 2nd

My goodness, Linda Hill, fresh from New Year’s Eve, is here. She is carrying a big envelope, which I assume is the prompt for this week.

“You are right, john. Happy New Year, and here it is.”

“Thanks, Linda. Can I open it?”

“How else are you going to know the prompt?”

“Well, at Christmas, I lost out on a Bentley Convertable.”

“But the note said do not open. There is no note this year.”

“I still feel like I’m in the corner, though.”

“Go ahead, open it.”

“Okay. I’ll read it out loud.”

“Don’t make any mistakes.”

“Gee, whiz. You know how to put someone further in the Corner.”

“My job. Read it.”

“Ahem. Your prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: ‘in the corner.’ Write about whatever the image or thought of ‘in the corner’ brings to mind. Have fun!”

“Would you look at that.”

“I didn’t need an image I had you.”

“There you go. Well, my job is done here. Have a good week.”

“I think my job is done too. Thank you, Linda.”

“Oh, about that Bentley turbo.”

“Yes?”

“You need to work harder.”

“Good advice. Sheesh. Watch that screen door.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Box”

December 26, 2020December 25, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 28 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and this week’s prompt is “box.” Linda Hill says we can use it any way we want. If you would like to join this outrageous group of using words any way we want, visit Linda’s blog, and you can read how easy it is. Here is the link.

/https://lindaghill.com/2020/12/25/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-26-2020/

“What are you doing?”

“Merry Christmas to you too.”

“That was yesterday. So what’s up.”

“I’m trying to figure out what to do with this box.”

“It is a big one for sure. Did your present come in this box?”

“I thought it was my present, but when I unwrapped it, there was nothing inside.”

“Not even a piece of coal?”

“Very funny.”

“Who gave you the present?”

“I don’t know it was sitting on my drive Christmas morning.”

“Any note?”

“Nothing. Well, there was one thing.”

“What was that?”

“One of those tags with the “to” and “from” spaces. You know the one with a Santa on it.”

“So who sent the package?”

“There was nothing on the tag.”

“Maybe someone thought they had put a gift in there but didn’t.”

“This is Boxing Day, right?”

“Yeah, in the Commonwealth countries.”

“I think whoever gave me this box intended it as a gift on boxing day.”

“The holiday did start as a way to reward those loyal servants by giving them the day off and a box of goodies.”

“Not just a box.”

“No. In fact, it looks like whoever gave you this was tired of breaking down boxes for recycling. It was easier to move it to your drive.”

“Boy, that’s not nice.”

“You can say that again.”

“Boy, that’s n—”

“Never mind. Well, I guess you’re stuck with it.”

“Unless I regift.”

“Oh please, it’s the middle of the day. How you going to pull it off?”

“I’ll put this label on it.”

“You think a Bentley Turbo label will make the difference.”

“Sure will get the heart rate up.”

“You are a devil.”

“Fo sure.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Magnet

December 19, 2020December 18, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 37 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and this week’s prompt was sent by e-mail. I miss Linda’s visits, but I can understand that she can’t get to the 10,000 folks who like her prompts every week. This week’s prompt is “magnet”, and of course, Linda says we can use it any way we want.”

If you would like to join this happy band of misfits, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here’s the link. https://lindaghill.com/2020/12/18/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-19-2020/

“Now, what’s the problem?”

“I have my screwdriver stuck to this magnet.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake. Just pull it off. That magnet doesn’t look that big.”

“I know it doesn’t. Here you try.”

“Ugh. Man, that thing is stuck on there. How did this happen?”

“I was putting some screws into that metal frame for the Santa, and I dropped a couple on the grass.”

“Okay, I get the picture. You got the magnet to find the screws.”

“Yes. I figured it would be easier than trying to hunt them down on the ground.”

“Pretty smart, actually.”

“Excuse me, are you giving me a compliment?”

“Well, it is smart. Then what happened?”

“While I was collecting the screws, I accidentally hit the screwdriver with the magnet.”

“And voila, you have this clumsy magnet attached to your screwdriver.”

“Yes. It’s hard to use like this.”

“Get another.”

“Huh?”

“Get another screwdriver.”

“But this is my favorite.”

“But it is useless.”

“Would you abandon something just because it’s useless?”

“Why do we always get into these philosophical conundrums when we are simply talking about inanimate objects?”

“Come again?”

“Just go get another screwdriver.”

“Not going to happen.”

“Why?”

“I have to think of how the screwdriver would feel.”

“It’s not alive. It doesn’t have feelings.”

“How do you know?”

“Give me that.”

“Hey, don’t throw it. Aw.”

“See, the magnet let go when the screwdriver hit the driveway.”

“I wonder if it is hurt?”

“The screwdriver?”

“The magnet.”

“Just shoot me.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt Mini/Maxi

December 12, 2020December 11, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 52 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and here comes Linda Hill carrying a big and little box. I’ll bet she has a surprise for us as far as a prompt goes.

“Hi, Linda. What’s in the boxes?”

“It’s the Holiday, John. It needs to be a surprise. Put these under the tree and open them Christmas Day.”

“What about the prompt?”

“Man, you are type A, aren’t you. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “mini/maxi.” Use “mini” (the smallest of something) or “maxi” (the largest) or both in your post. Have fun!”

“Thanks for the gifts.”

“Where’d you get the boxes?”

“Linda Hill gave them to me.”

“Open them up.”

‘She said to wait until Christmas day.”

“Look around.”

“What?”

“You see Linda here?”

“Well, no.”

“So how will she know if you open them or not?”

“It will ruin the surprise.”

“What surprise is that?”

“You know the surprise you get when you open a present.”

“These don’t look like presents. These are cardboard boxes. One has the printing MAXI on it. The other MINI.”

“I know, but she said—”

“Forget what she said. You have got to break the spell she has over you.”

“She has no spell.”

“Prove it.”

“Fine. I’ll open them. The Maxi first. OMG. There is a gift certificate with all my bonus points. It is for a Bentley Turbo Convertable.”

“Wow. Lucky. What’s in the box marked MINI?”

“It’s a note.”

“What does it say?”

“Since you opened the box before Christmas, you have voided the certificate.”

“Oh, come on. Just close it back up again, and no one will be the wiser.”

“The note goes on to say not to try that.”

“At least you got the prompt written. Besides, what would you do with a Bentley?”

“Drive you to the Emergency room.”

“I don’t need the emergency room.”

“Just hold on for two minutes.”

“Why two minutes?”

“That’s how long it will take me to get my ball bat.”

“Oh, well, time to go.”

“Good move.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “List”

December 5, 2020December 4, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 49 Comments

Today is Stream of Consciousness Saturday. Linda hill used the e-mail system to transmit our prompt today. Here it is, “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “list.” Make or talk about a list. Enjoy!”

If you would like to join in, visit Linda’s blog and see how easy it is. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2020/12/04/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-5-2020/

“Well, it’s Saturday, so you must be working on your prompt.”

“Yes, I’m making a list now.”

“List? You are supposed to be working the prompt.”

“list is the prompt/.”

“Ugh, I should have known. What list are you working on?”

“Naughty and nice.”

“You being Santa this year.”

“No, but I got to thinking of some of the people in this world.”

“So now you are judging whether they are naughty or nice?”

“Judging is a harsh term.”

“So give me an example?”

“Judge Judy.”

“Huh. Pretty obscure, I’d say. Naughty or nice?”

“Both.”

“Aw, come on. This is a waste of time.”

“Go ahead, name someone.”

“Okay Me.”

“Low blow.”

“Why?”

“This is not an interdiction session.”

“That bad?”

“Well?”

“What do you mean well?”

“You have a tendency to be naughty.”

“Define naughty.”

“Always teasing me about my prompts.”

“Oh, please. You are wide-open for that. No one takes these prompts as seriously as you. In fact, I would say have the time you are not living up to the terms of the prompt.”

“Oh yeah? Like what?”

“Supposed to be a stream of consciousness, not a well-thought-out plan. So what else?”

“Okay. What else? Erm. You spend too much time at the pub.”

“Only because you are my friend.”

“What does that mean?”

“You don’t drink a lot, but you are a carrier.”

“How about now?”

“I could use a gallon.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“That would serve as a stimulus.”

“Speaking of that, I have McConnell, Pelosi, and Schumer on the naughty list.”

“Sounds right.”