Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Yawn”

February 16, 2019February 15, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 64 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this weeks prompt is “yawn.” Linda Hill asks us to write about the first thing we think about when reading the word “yawn.” If you would like to participate in this crazy fun go to Linda’s blog and read how. It is effortless. Here is the link.

https://lindaghill.com/2019/02/15/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-feb-16-19/

“So what are the instructions?”

“To write about the first thing I think about when I see the word ‘yawn.”‘

“OMG. That is such an easy prompt.”

“Um. Not when it comes to my brain it isn’t.”

“What do you mean?”

“I know most folks would think of sleepy or bored when they see the word yawn.”

“Yeah, that’s correct. What did you think about?”

“I’m almost afraid to tell you.”

“Oh, come on. We’ve known each other for years. You can tell me.”

“I think I would rather not. I’ll just do the prompt and write about a history class I had in college.”

“Now that would not be in keeping with the prompt. By the way what about that class?”

“Did you see the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off?”

“Yes. Oh, you mean that scene where the high school teacher played by Ben Stein kept saying ‘Anyone, anyone,’ and was horribly boring?”

“That’s the scene. Well. This college professor was just like Ben Stein. He talked in a monotone and simply recited dates and facts of history. We could have read his lecture out of the book.”

“That must have been painful.”

“One day while half the class was asleep, the professor fell off the stage.”

“Oh my.”

“He was looking back over his shoulder doing his Ben Stein imitation and just walked off the stage. It was about a two-foot drop.”

“What happened?”

“Nothing. The class didn’t seem to notice. I think everyone had tuned him out so didn’t realize he had stopped talking.”

“What did you do””

“Called 9-1-1.”

“Was he okay?”

“Yup. Just a few bruises. I got an A in the class. He said I was the only one awake and deserved it.”

“Ha ha ha. So what did you think of first when you saw the word ‘yawn?'”

“Promise you won’t think me crazy.”

“Come on. Of course, I promise.”

“That I need to mow the lawn.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes. That is the first thing.”

“You have something wrong with you.”

“Damn.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “LY”

February 9, 2019February 8, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 59 Comments

Amazingly, it is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this weeks prompt is “ly.” Yup. You read it right, “ly.” Linda Hill says to use an adverb as a prompt. There are bonus points for beginning and ending the post with an adverb. You now understand why I began the post with “amazingly.” If you would like to join in on this crazy fun simply (see what I did there) visit Linda Hill’s blog and read how. Here is the link https://lindaghill.com/2019/02/08/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-feb-9-19/

“Happily I’m back.”

“Really? Where have you been?”

“He asks absent-mindedly.”

“Truly I don’t know where you’ve been.”

“I love how you effortlessly ignore what I say to you.”

“Okay, now I urgently need to hear it again.”

“Lean closer because I’m going to repeat myself quietly.”

“I’m hungrily waiting for your words.”

“I told you gracefully the first time I was going out shopping with the girls.”

“Ah, now I remember. You and your band savagely attacking the retail establishments. How did it go?”

“We effortlessly maxed out our cards and had lunch to boot.”

“You unabashedly confess to overspending?”

“I think I would rather describe it as ‘remorsefully accepting the income limits.”‘

“I’m cheerfully grateful for the acceptance.”

“I eagerly await the next month.”

“I grimly await the next bill.”

“Grimly is way better than ruthlessly.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Affirm”

February 2, 2019February 1, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is, “affirm.” Linda Hill is not offering bonus points this week but does advise us to have fun. So with that in mind if you would like to join this merry band who like nothing more than having fun, visit Linda’s blog to read how to become involved. It is effortless. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Feb. 2/19

“Hey there. Hello. Anyone home?”

“Oh, I’m sorry I was listening to a CD with my headphones on.”

“What you listening to, The Grateful Dead?”

“No, I’m listening to affirmations.”

“Affirmations? What the heck are affirmations?”

“It is a wonderful set of motivational speakers who talk regarding positive affirmations.”

“That tells me a lot. You can’t define a word using the word.”

“Yeah, I see that. Okay. These folks use soft words to help you feel good about what you are doing.”

“And you don’t feel good.”

“I feel terrific.”

“Why’s that?.”

“I think it is obvious.”

“Not to me.”

“Because I affirm I feel terrific.”

“How much did these CD’s cost you?”

“You just don’t understand.”

“I guess I have to wonder about self-affirmation.”

“I got it from all the other affirmations I received on the CDs.”

“Can you affirm me?”

“That might be hard.”

“Why?”

“Because you are a mess.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “ad/add/AD (Anno Domini).”

January 26, 2019January 25, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 50 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday again and this weeks prompt is “ad/add/AD (Anno Domini).” There is good news, Linda Hill says there are bonus points if we use all in the post today. I’m all over the bonus points cause this week’s points added to the three years previous points get me that Grande Mocha Latte I have been wanting. If you would like to have your wants fulfilled, go to Linda’s blog and find out how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder for #SoCS & #JusJoJan 2019 Daily Prompt – Jan. 26th

“I bet I can beat you at dominos.”

“What are you doing?”

“Preparing for church.”

“What’s with the domino challenge.”

“Its part of the service. It’s going to be in Latin.”

“You cannot be that dumb.”

“What do you mean?”

“Dominus stands for The Lord like in Dominus vobiscum. The Lord be with you. Not dominos.”

“I suppose you also know what Anno Domini means.”

“I do but what does that have to do with what we were talking about?”

“Well, I hear it a lot in history class.”

“Good grief and you never asked?”

“Don’t want to look like a fool.”

“I get that, but would amend it to ‘Look more like the fool I am'”

“That’s cold. So what does it mean?”

“In the year of Our Lord.”

“When?”

“Please stop.”

“Okay, I’ll just add that to my list.”

“What list?”

“Of new things I’ve learned.”

“Good idea.”

“You see that ad on TV?”

“What ad.”

“The one where you can learn a language in thirty days.”

“Yeah, so?”

“I want to take English.”

“You may actually be successful with that.”

“You think?”

“No.”

Now I gotta go get that latte.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Art”

January 12, 2019January 11, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 52 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is “art.” Linda Hill directs that we should “Talk about something that’s hanging on your wall. Add a picture.” Well, that sounds fun. If you would like to join in on this type of escapade visit Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder for #SoCS & #JusJoJan 2019 Daily Prompt – Jan. 12th

“Hey, Art.”

“What?”

“What are you doing?”

“I’m supposed to describe something hanging on my wall.”

“Other than the spaghetti from last night?”

“Very funny. No, I’m supposed to describe a piece of art. I can even include a photo.”

“Wow, you know how to have fun. So go ahead.”

“This piece of art was done by John Gable who lives in Maine. It is a watercolor and is titled, “Before the Parade.”

“Okay tell me more.”

“The painting shows two vintage automobiles waiting at the side of the road for the parade to begin. One of them is hardly visible. The cars will be in the parade, and you can see that the day is a warm one as the drivers are waiting in the shade.”

“Sounds like a slice of life.”

“Also a large truck is on the road and passing the two waiting.”

“So what does this painting tell you?”

“I would say that John Gable paints in a photo-realism style. He brings a level of detail into his work which is amazing. This looks like a moment in time captured forever.”

“When did you get this piece.”

“I was in Maine in the early eighties and bought it from John then.”

“I must say it is beautiful.”

“I agree.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt Sap/Sep/Sip/Sop/Sup

January 5, 2019January 4, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 49 Comments

Another Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this weeks prompt is a doozy. It is sap/sep/sip/sop/sup. Linda Hill says we can use all of them or just a few or find a word with them included. Well, I choose all just cause I can. If you would like to get these feelings of independence, go to Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder for #SoCS & #JusJoJan 2019 Daily Prompt – Jan. 5th

“Sup brother?”

“I feel like a sap.”

“How so my man?”

“Do you have time cause it is one of those long stories.”

“For you? I have all the time in the world. You are my best buddy.”

“Wow. Thank you. Okay so here goes—”

“Hold on there bestie. For you, I would do anything.”

“Gee, that’s swell. So there—”

“I would walk through fire.”

“Heres the stor—”

“I would swim through sharks.”

“I appreciate that. I was—”

“No rock too big to move for you.”

“You want to hear the story or not?”

“Aw. Of course, I want to hear it. You are my brother from another mother.”

“I—”

“Or maybe brother from another father. It doesn’t matter. What is your trouble?”

I, erm, was sitting in Micky D’s minding my business. I had a soft drink to sip and catsup to sop, so life was good.”

“I would say good my man. Continue.”

“All t’ sudden this septuagenarian sits in my booth across from me.”

“What the hell is a septuagenarian?”

“Someone who has lived at least seventy years.”

“Oh. Go on.”

“He asks me if I’m going to finish my fries.”

“Aw, the poor guy was hungry.”

“No, that’s not why he asked.”

“Why did he?”

“He has a theory that fries and soft drinks cause sepsis.”

“Sepsis? What’s that?”

“Blood poisoning.”

“The guy is nuts for sure.”

“That’s what I thought. I told him I would give up my fries and soft drink.”

“What did he say?”

“He told me I was saved and took my fries and soft drink.”

“He conned you.”

“That’s why I feel like a sap.”

“Buy the way, do you have a SEP-IRA?”

“I’m not sure. What is it?”

“Simplified Employee Pension – Individual Retirement Plan. It is for retirement.”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“I can set you up.”

“What if I don’t want one.”

“You’ll get sepsis.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Ask Someone Else = Storage”

December 29, 2018December 28, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 32 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this weeks prompt is “Ask Someone Else.” Linda Hill says we should ask someone else for a prompt word. I did, and the word came back. It is “storage.” If you would like to run around and chase perfect strangers all the while begging for a prompt word, visit Linda’s blog and find out how you can uplift yourself to this level of social interaction. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/12/28/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-29-18/

“Where have you been?”

“It is a pretty complicated story.”

“Okay, I have the time. What is this all about?”

“You know I participate in a prompt every Saturday right?”

“I’m all too aware.”

“Well, this week the leader directed that we ask someone else for the prompt word.”

“Yeah, so what’s the problem? Ask away.”

“You are pretty critical of this program, so I decided to ask a stranger.”

“I just think you go overboard sometimes. How did asking a stranger work out for you?”

“I asked several.”

“You couldn’t be satisfied with just one answer?”

“I didn’t get an answer.”

“Why not?”

“When I asked for a word the first guy thought I needed money and gave me a fiver.”

“That is a good thing.”

“The next person thought I was hungry and gave me their sandwich.”

“Still not too bad.”

“The third person thought I was being fresh and slapped my face.”

“Now it is starting to go downhill which I suspect is where this thing is headed.”

“The fourth person thought I was demanding their wallet and hit me in the face.”

“So we are slowly headed to the bottom of a giant mess. Go on.”

“The fifth person was a cop.”

“This is where it will end I’m sure.”

“I asked him for a prompt word, and he said ‘storage.”‘

“Okay, so you got your word. This still doesn’t let me know where you have been.”

“I found out what he meant by ‘storage.”‘

“Don’t tell me.”

“A euphemism for jail. Lucky for me the charges were dropped after I explained what I was doing to the judge.”

“You were lucky.”

“Not really luck.”

“How so?”

“The judge does the same prompt. he asked me for a word.”

“Let me guess the word you gave him.”

“You won’t get it ever.”

“Freedom.”

“How did you know?”

“Just lucky I guess.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Tin.”

December 22, 2018December 21, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 44 Comments

Aggregating my thoughts today made me realize it is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this weeks prompt is “tin.” Linda Hill instructs that we can use the word of a word containing “tin.” She also advises having fun and offers bonus points if we begin and end the post with the word “tin” or a word with “tin” in it. So now you know why there is an unusual beginning to this post. If you would like an aneurysm, please participate. You can do that by visiting Linda Hill’s blog and reading up on the latest mental health methods. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/12/21/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-22-18/

“This sign will be pinpointing some of my neighbor’s flaws.”

“I think you might be overreacting.”

“To someone who is afflicting me with such aggravation.”

“Tell me the situation, and maybe I can be helpful in deflecting your anger.”

“The guy lets his dog use my yard as a privy and is tainting my environment.”

“Did you have a conversation about the urinating?”

“Of course I did. He began advocating that it was really my fault.”

“Your fault? That must have been aggravating.”

“I’ll say. The brigantine suggested that I build a fence.”

“That does sound like he is conflating the issue.”

“I’d love to know what that means. It’s like I’m consorting with Merriam Webster.”

“It means mixing two elements. I think he is detracting from the real issue.”

“Yeah, no kidding. That’s why I’m dedicating this sign to him.”

“For what it is worth I think you will be escalating the tension.”

“I don’t see how. All this sign says is keep your dog off my property you disgusting idiot you.”

“What if someone put that up and was pointing to restricting your behavior?”

“If I were committing the same offense, I would expect it.”

“Well then, I guess I’m reluctantly consenting to your move.”

“Thank you so much for the attempt at correcting my behavior, but I must do this.”

“Need a hammer for detonating what I’m sure will be WWIII?”

“Very funny. I hope the guy at least finds this sign disrupting.”

“I think you will be ratcheting the tension ”

“I certainly hope so. By the way, do you have any turpentine?”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Hairy”

December 15, 2018December 14, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this week’s prompt is “hairy.” Linda Hill says we can use hairy any way we want and there are bonus points if we use it in more than one meaning. I’m all over the bonus points so that will be my objective. If you jump to bait easily, you might want to join this group. Visit Linda’s blog to read how. Here is the link

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Dec. 15/18

“She asks me why
I’m just a hairy guy
I’m hairy noon and night—”

“Another song. What is it this time.”

“One of my favorites. Hair from the Broadway show. They are doing their fifty-year tour.”

“Fifty years? The show was on Broadway before you were born.”

“Yeah, but it doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate it.”

“What brought a fifty-year-old play to mind anyway?”

“I was looking up the Hairy Man Festival in Round Rock Texas and just wondered how many other things had hair involved in them.”

“Hairy Man Festival? What is that?”

“Back in the 1880’s, there was an old hermit who used to try to scare people off by jumping at them. He was covered with hair and became known as the Austin Big Foot. Every year those folks in Round Rock hold a festival in his memory.”

“Nothing much to do around there I’m guessing. What else did you find?”

“The Hairy Who.”

“Okay, I’ll bite.”

“A group of Six Chicago artists who got together to co-create works that spoke of the culture of the Sixties.”

“Interesting. Anything else?”

“The Hairy Frog of Central Africa. Called the Horror Frog.”

“Lovely I’m sure.”

“Has claws.”

“To be avoided I’ll bet. Okay, I’ve heard enough.”

“Wait there’s the hairy woodpecker, spider, and tongue.”

“I can’t hear you. La la la.”

“Hairy ears.”

“I’m going to give you a hairy eyeball if you don’t quit.”

“Okay, that’s it.”

“Fine. How about lunch.”

“Yeah. Let’s go to Harry’s diner.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Musical”

December 8, 2018December 7, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 53 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness time again and this week’s prompt is “musical.” Linda Hill advises that we can use it any way we want. I love this kind of empowerment. If you would like to be too big for your shoes visit Linda’s blog and read how to join this band of hyperactive keyboard abusers. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/12/07/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-8-18/

“What is that tune you are humming?”

“Tune?”

“Yes. You’ve been humming it all morning.”

“I have not.”

“Okay, then I need to go to the ear specialist to check for tinnitus.”

“What does it sound like?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Sometimes like the song from the Sound of Music musical.”

“Which one?”

“The Hills are alive with the sound of music, one.”

“I like that song. If I put my ear to yours do you think I could hear it too?”

“Get away from me. Other times it sounds like something classical.”

“Can you name it?”