Stream of Consciousness Saturday- Prompt – “Choices”

February 1, 2020January 31, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 57 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and this week’s prompt is “choices.” Not just any choices mind you. Let’s let Linda Hill explain in her words.

“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “choices.” Base your post on the subject of making small, uneventful choices. Enjoy!”

If you would like to have the same kind of fun, go to Linda’s blog, grab a big cocktail, and read how easy it is. Here is the link.

https://lindaghill.com/2020/01/31/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-feb-1-2020/

“A little bit of this or a little bit of that.”

“What are you doing?”

“I have some small, uneventful choices to make.”

“Linda Hill, right?”

“Yeah, but look at this.”

“Okay. What am I looking at here?”

“I’m trying to decide between Raisin Bran Crunch or Cheerios.”

“For breakfast?”

“No, that would be too eventful. I mean, a big bowl of either is a meal. That’s an event. Not in the rules.”

“Rules? What rules?”

“Linda’s rules.”

“Let me shut my mouth then. What do you need me to do?”

“See this little crumb?”

“Yes, I see it. I think.”

“Uneventful, right?”

“I would say so.”

“Okay, look at this crumb.”

“Yes. Looks like the other one.”

“Au contraire mon frère.”

“Dale will love you. So, what is it.”

“Like I said, I need to make an uneventful choice. This crumb is a Raisin Bran Crunch crumb, and this is a Cheerios crumb.”

“Can we get to the end of this before I need eye surgery? So what are you doing with these crumbs?”

“You know how I love to feed the birds.”

“I suppose. I have always had a mild concern about your motivation with that?”

“Oh, come on. I love birds.”

“So what about these crumbs?”

“I need to make a change in bird food.”

“I’m waiting for the punch line.”

“I thought I would put one of these crumbs on the feeder.”

“Are you kidding me? The birds won’t even see them, and you’ll base your bird food selection on a dubious experiment?”

“No. The bird food decision is a big one. This crumb decision has nothing to do with that.”

“THEN WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU PUTTING IT ON THE FEEDER FOR?”

“Geez. Calm down. As I said, the rules say uneventful choice. This is about as uneventful as I can make it. The birds won’t see it, and even if they do, it will have nothing to do with my choice of bird food.”

“I think I need to take a nap.”

“That is pretty eventful.”

“Bite me.”

“Another event for history.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Last Call.”

January 25, 2020January 24, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 52 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and this week’s prompt needs an expert to describe. So let’s drag Linda Hill from her warm cozy house and ask her to explain.

“Fine, John. You could have at least allowed me to get my coat, but never mind. Here it is. Your prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “last call.” Talk about the enterprise (sales or service) conducted by the last phone call you received from a business you’re not associated with (i.e. your workplace), or talk about that phone conversation itself. Have fun!”

Thank you, Linda. If you would like to participate, visit Linda’s blog. Here take this coat with you. The link is.

The Friday Reminder for #SoCS & #JusJoJan 2020 Daily Prompt – Jan. 25th

“Why so glum chum?”

“I just got off the phone with the doctor.”

“Oh my goodness, what’s wrong?”

“No, nothing’s wrong.”

“Then why the long face?”

“I was given a clean bill of health.”

“And that bothers you, why?”

“No, it’s not that.”

“Do I need to pound the reason out of you?”

“Okay, here’s the scoop. My prompt this week is ‘last call.'”

“The fact that your whole life revolves around that prompt kills me. Go on.”

“According to the rules, I have to take the last call I received and talk about it.”

“Yeah, so?”

“A friggen’ doctor’s office call? Whats to talk about?”

“Describe the visit.”

“Hell no. Not a soul would care. Besides, there are laws protecting my medical privacy.”

“Not if you spill the beans.”

“You keep using ‘spill the beans’ in these posts. Why?”

“Don’t change the subject. What is the problem.”

“I had planned to talk about something more exciting.”

“Like what?”

“Like the new Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet.”

“Yeah, that’s exciting all right. What made you think you were going to get a phone call about a Porsche? Those things start at $110,000. That may be without wheels and steering wheel too.”

“I had it all planned. I phoned the dealer and asked to speak to someone and then pretended I had to go and asked them to call me back.”

“No call, I take it.”

“No., Just the doctor.”

“The dealer probably heard of you.”

“What do you mean?”

“They ran a credit check, and your score was so low, Experian was going to bill them for the report.”

“Very funny.”

“So talk about your doctor’s visit. Start with the part where you had to take off your pants.”

“I did not have to take off my pants. Just my shirt.”

“Okay, I’ve heard enough. I need something to kill the image.”

“A loaded gun?”

“Good one. Maybe a six-pack will do it”

“Make it two.”

“Done.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Last Movie Seen

January 18, 2020January 17, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 53 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and this week’s prompt is…well, let’s let Linda Hill explain it.

“Your prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “movie title.” Take the title of the last movie you watched (just the title, not the premise of the movie), and base your post on that title. Have fun!” I always like the ‘Have Fun’ part.

So if you would like to have fun, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2020/01/17/the-friday-reminder-for-socs-jusjojan-2020-daily-prompt-jan-18th/

“So, the last movie you saw was Midway?”

“Yeah. it was a good historical reenactment of the Battle of Midway.”

“How do you know?”

“What do you mean?”

“Were you at the battle of Midway?”

“No. It took place in 1942. I was still not even walking.”

“So how do you know it was, to quote you, ‘a good historical reenactment?”‘

“I read the reviews.”

“Oh. I thought you were going to say you have studied the history of the time and can vouch for the accuracy.”

“Well, I did a little, but that was so long ago.”

“The reviews were good, huh?”

“Well, some called the movie middling and too long, but no one took on a claim of inaccuracy, including NPR.”

“So, you going to use the movie in your prompt?”

“As the instructions say, just the title.”

“What are you going to write about then?”

“I am midway through my post.”

“Tell me what the post is about?”

“I am midway through my peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”

“More information in the TMI category.”

“I am midway through the day.”

“Oh, brother.”

“I am midway through my patience.”

“So, you aren’t going to tell me?”

“I just did.”

“That’s it? You talking about your midway positions?”

“Yup. That’s it.”

“Duck.”

“Huh?”

“I’m midway to a roundhouse punch that’s going to knock you off that chair.”

“Oh, come on. You know you are midway to respecting my art.”

“And midway to walking out.”

“And where we are, just midway to the bar.”

“Midway to inviting you.”

“Midway to accepting.”

“I’m Midway to asking the readers to forgive us.”

“Midway to a sign of weakness.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “First Three Words”

January 11, 2020January 10, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 57 Comments

Stream of Consciousness

It is Stream of Consciousness time again, and this week’s prompt is going to take some explaining. Let me ask Linda Hill to tell us what is needed. In her words. “Your prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “the first 3 words of the first full sentence.” Okay, follow me here. This is what I want you to do: 1. Grab the closest book to you when you sit down to write your post. 2. Open it to a random page. 3. Locate the first complete sentence on that page. 4. Use the first three words of that sentence to start your post, then take it from there–write whatever comes to mind. That’s it! Have fun!”

If you would like to have the same kind of fun, go to Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder for #SoCS & #JusJoJan 2020 Daily Prompt – Jan. 11th

“She snaked her…”

“Huh?”

“The first three words of the first complete sentence randomly chosen in this book.”

“Doesn’t make any sense.”

“I know. But the rules are the rules.”

“Whose rules? Oh, wait. It is Saturday, and you are off on that prompt goose chase again.”

“It’s not a goose chase. It is intellectually stimulating.”

“I suppose you were told to have fun too.”

“Yeah. Linda always says to have fun. She is kind that way.”

“Well, your three words sound pretty lame.”

“I think I’ll make a story about someone snaking their arm around an unsuspecting bystander.”

“Yeah, sounds real exciting, all right.”

“No, wait. It gets better. He cries out as the hypodermic needle is plunged deep into his side.”

“Okay, now it is starting to sound like something.”

“She supports his weight as the poison begins to buckle his knees.”

“Sounds like a thriller.”

“Slowly, she allows his body to descend to the concrete as she shouts for help from passersby.”

“She killed him, right?

“The syringe is secreted away as the first good Samaritan arrives.”

“Someone should call 911.”

“What happened, lady?”

“I don’t know. I was standing next to this man, and he simply passed out against me.”

“My gosh. I think he’s dead?”

“Oh, good lord, call 911.”

“Do you know him?”

“Never met him before in my life.”

“Okay, okay, that’s enough. We don’t have to hear the whole story.”

“Aren’t you curious as to what happens?”

“Sure, but I can read it on your blog.”

“Why not just listen a minute, and you’ll have it now.”

“I hear the roar of a six-pack calling.”

“I think I hear it too.”

“What about your story?”

“Ah. She works for the Russians, and the guy is their enemy. She gets caught and spends twenty-five years in jail.”

“I’ll bet there is more story between killing the guy and jail.”

“Yeah, but as you say, there is another calling.”

“I guess this could be why you are not a best selling author.”

“Could be, but who knows. The first one is on you.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Ow.”

January 4, 2020January 3, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 48 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness time again and this week’s prompt is “ow.” Lrt’s let Linda explain. “Your prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “ow.” Find a word that contains “ow” or use it as a word in your post. Have fun!”

There’s that “have fun” thing again. If you would like to have fun visit Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder for #SoCS & #JusJoJan 2020 Daily Prompt – Jan. 4th

“Don’t say it.”

“What?”

“The prompt word.”

“How do you have the knowledge that I’m going to say it?”

“I just know you and your prowess when it comes to prompts.”

“Now you’ve thrown me. What do you mean by prowess.”

“I’ve shown you time and time again how you take the path of least resistance.”

“Allow me the dignity to understand your accusation.”

“You were going to say “ow,” weren’t you? Then start some kind of downhearted attempt at a story around an injury.”

“I resemble that. You could at least give me an allowance for creativity.”

“I did. You have a narrow band of creativity and I guessed where you were going to go.”

“Yeah okay. So I don’t have the creative horsepower that you have. At least I try hard.”

“I’m not sure it’s horsepower. Might just be brainpower.”

“You can use two powers in the same sentence.”

“They are different words, chowderhead.”

“Oh, I like the sounds of that. Let’s go to town for some clam chowder.”

“A downright capital idea.”

“Yeah. We can work on the prompt tomorrow.”

“Not sure about that. After a couple of growlers of beer, I might not be in any shape for word games.”

“We could try anyhow.”

“Let’s see where the wind blows.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Year.”

December 28, 2019December 27, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 47 Comments

Stream of Consciousness

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and this week’s prompt is “year.” Yup, that’s right, “year.” Here is what Linda Hill had to say on the subject.

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

If you would like to get in on this enjoyment, visit Linda’s blog. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Dec. 28/19

Year by John W. Howell © 2109

“Happy New Year.”

“Okay, not that I don’t like the sentiment, what caused that outburst?”

“I’m just filled with excitement looking forward to the new year.”

“Uh-huh. And I’m an elephant. Something else is going on.”

“Aren’t you looking forward to the new year?”

“Of course, I’m looking forward, but it is four days away.”

“You can never plan early enough for a new year.”

“Come on, tell me what is driving this ‘new year’ thing. Oh, wait. Hill right?

“Besides the fact.”

“Oh, sure it is. Let me guess. The prompt is ‘new.'”

“Ha. That’s how much you know.”

“‘Year’ then.”

“You finally stumbled on it. Yes, ‘year'”

“Okay, so you have something written up?”

“Look up there where I said Happy New Year.”

“Yeah, so?’

“What more needs to be written?”

“How about a sign to hang around your neck?”

“Which says?”

“Happy New Year from an idiot.”

“Aw. You say the nicest things.”

“I’m guessing dark sarcasm in the classroom.”

“How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat your meat?”

“Looks like we are off the rails again. Say goodnight Gracie.”

“Goodnight, Gracie.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Ingle”

December 21, 2019December 20, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 48 Comments

Stream of Consciousness

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and this week’s prompt requires a visit by Linda Hill. In her words, “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “ingle.” Find a word that contains “ingle” and use it any way you’d like in your post. Have fun!” I love how she always throws in the “have fun” thingy.

If you would like to be part of the have fun thingy group, visit Linda’s blog and read how. You would be surprised how easy it is to have fun. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2019/12/20/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-21-19/

“Now, you really look pensive, my friend.”

“I’m writing a letter to Chris Kringle.”

“Santa Claus? Why are you saying Kris Kr— Oh, I’ll bet Linda Hill has you on a wild goose chase again.”

“It’s not a wild goose chase it’s words that have ‘ingle’ in them.”

“Hence ‘Kringle.”‘

“Yes. I had intended to put ingle words into my letter.”

“Oh, really? Is the letter done?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Will you read it to me?”

“Sure. Ahem

My Dear Mr. Kringle,

I have been very good this year. I can’t think of a single time where I was bad. Well, there was the time that I had too much Inglenook Chardonnay, but that was only a meaningless slip of judgment. You see, I was mingling with the wrong crowd, and the ringleader got me into a chardonnay chugging contest, and before I knew it, my toes began to tingle. By then, it was too late, and I was wingless, so to speak.

Besides that, I have tried my best to hang out a shingle of virtue. To that end, all I want for Christmas is a Bentley Turbo Convertable. I’m not fussy about the color, but a beautiful slate grey would be lovely. How does it sound?“

“If I were Kris I would leave you one jingle of a bell.”

“Aw come on. I deserve that car.”

“Sure you do. Like I deserve you or a case of the shingles.”

“Cold brother.”

“Speaking of?”

“Right behind you.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Key.”

December 7, 2019December 6, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 42 Comments

Stream of Consciousness

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This weeks prompt is “key.” Linda Hill says we can use it any way we want and, oh, yes. “Have Fun.”

“So where are we off to today?”

“What do you mean?”

“it’s Saturday, and you no doubt have some wild and woolly prompt you need to work on.”

“No. not really.”

“You’re kidding me. No prompt?”

“Yes, there is a prompt, but it’s not so complex.”

“What is it?”

“Key.”

“You mean like the thing you put in a lock to open it. That key?”

“Well, our dungeon master said we could use it any way we want.”

🎶”Key to my heart, I love you.”🎶

“Stop.”

🎶”Key Largo, Montego baby why don’t we go.” 🎶

“You are confusing me.”

🎶”Two thousand miles, I roamed to make this Key West dock my home.”🎶

“I think you have just about used up the key songs.”

“I think you’re right. I can’t think of any more.”

“So, I’m going to post about the key to the city.”

“What city?”

“Doesn’t matter. The post is about the honor as represented by the key.”

“Well, you have fun with that one. I thought you would post some sappy thing about the key to happiness.”

“I thought about it.”

“What stopped you?”

“There is no real key. It is more like several things.”

“Call it keys.”

“Not in the rules.”

“Well, I know one key to happiness it is frosty and has my name on it.”

“You are so easy.”

“Want to come?”

“Can you wait for the post to be finished?”

“I think it is.”

“Yeah, let’s go.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Flyer/Ad”

November 23, 2019November 22, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 46 Comments

Stream of Consciousness

Yes, it is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this week’s prompt is going to take some explanation. I think I’ll let Linda Hill explain. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “flyer/ad.” Look at the latest ad you got in the mail (if it’s a store flyer, choose the product right in the middle of the page) or choose the next online ad you find, and theme your post on whatever the product is. Do not name the brand if you hate it unless you add that it’s an opinion/review of the product in question. You don’t want to chance getting sued. Have fun!”

Somehow I find the chance of getting sued and the word fun in the same sentence as ironic. If you would like to experience irony first hand, go to Linda’s blog and read how to participate. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2019/11/22/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-23-19/

“Why do you care where the flyer is from yesterday?”

“I almost hate to tell you.”

“Oh, let me guess. You are doing that Saturday Stream thing, right?”

“Er… In a word, yes.”

“I threw it in the trash.”

“Darn. I just dumped the coffee grounds into the trash.”

“No, wait. I think I may have put it in the wastebasket.”

“Okay, that would be better than going through the coffee grounds.”

“Here is the flyer.”

“Oh, thank you. This is a mattress company.”

“Well, can you work with that?”

“I’ll have to, I suppose.”

“So I can go back to living my life?”

“Yes. I have a question, though.”

“Okay, shoot.”

“Have you ever heard of The Casper Mattress Company?”

“Nope.”

“I haven’t either. Maybe this is some kind of joke.”

“Well, they paid the postage to prank us.”

“So, you are saying they are a real company?”

“Yes, I have no reason to doubt them.”

“Do we need a mattress?”

“Why do you think the flyer was in the wastebasket? Why don’t you write the Saturday post and be done with it?”

“Cause now I’m curious. Maybe this company is named after the ghost.”

“You are killing me now.”

“Don’t you think it possible?”

“Anything is possible, including manslaughter.”

“Hmmm. I’ll be in my office if you need me.”

“‘Need’ is a relative term.”

“Well, you’ll know where I’ll be.”

“I hope you and Casper have a great time.”

“Me and Casper? It sounds like a great title to a post.”

“Knock yourself out.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Dream

November 16, 2019November 15, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 50 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday again and this week’s prompt is “dream.” Linda Hill says we can use it as a noun or a verb. She also means we can use it any way we like. Well, that brings up a host of possibilities. If you would like to participate in this madness, go to Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.

https://lindaghill.com/2019/11/15/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-16-19/

“What are you eating?”

“It is called a Dreamsicle.”

“I’ve never seen one of those before.”

“Want a taste?”

“Thanks. That is dreamy, all right. Is that orange sherbert on top of vanilla ice cream?”

“Yup. Just a dream, a dream.”

“You’re singing.”

“Yup. All our plans and all our schemes.”

“What song is that?”

“Just a Dream by Jimmy Clanton.”

“I know one. Sing with me, sing for the years
Sing for the laughter, sing for the tears.”