Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Why/Y”

April 28, 2018April 27, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 40 Comments

Why lookie there. The Sears Calendar on the barn wall tells me it is Stream of Consciousness Saturday again. Of course, the year is not 1901, but it is still Saturday. This week’s prompt is “Why/Y.” Yeah I know looks goofy but let me explain. Linda hill says we should use a word that begins with Y as a theme for our post today. Also, the extra point potential lies in beginning and ending the post with the word, “why.” So far so good I would say. If you would like to challenge your brain to a chicken run, drop by Linda’s post and find out how. Here is the link https://lindaghill.com/2018/04/27/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-april-28-18/

“Why did you by a used Yago?”

“Why not?”

“I love it when you answer a question with a question.”

“It is the only way to avoid an answer.”

“So tell me. What prompted you to buy that thing?”

“Have you ever heard the concept of collector’s item.”

“Of course I have. I usually think of a collector’s item as a piece of art or antique.”

“Yeah, well that’s where most people make a mistake. Ever hear of an AC Cobra?”

“Yes, it was a roadster built by Carroll Shelby in the sixties.”

“Very good. You know how much one in pristine condition sells for today?”

“Oh, I would guess around three hundred thousand.”

“Try a million five.”

“You have got to be kidding.”

“Nope. So now you have the answer to your Yago question.”

“Did you say pristine?”

“On the Cobra? Yeah.”

“What about that missing tire and hood on your Yago?”

“Cosmetic. All fixable.”

“Engine?”

“Can be repaired.”

“Windshield.”

“New one is three hundred bucks.”

“I only have two questions.”

“What are those.”

“Yugo? why?”

***

Note to Linda Hill Cha-ching.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Spoke”

April 21, 2018April 20, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 38 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this week’s prompt is “spoke.” Linda Hill says we can use it any way we want and will get bonus points if we don’t use it in the first sentence. (well, that seems easy.) If you would like to join our happy clan visit Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS April 21/18

“Why are you holding your breath?”

“Immmaaatryntostoppmyselffromsayinaworddd.”

“What? I can’t understand you with your cheeks all puffed out and your mouth closed.”

“Waaaaaaaooooffffffff. I said, ‘I’m trying to stop myself from saying a word.”‘

“Okay, this is pretty normal. What word are you not trying to say?”

“Spoke.”

“Spoke?”

“Yeah Spoke.”

“This is another one of those Saturday Stream nightmares of yours right?”

“It is not a nightmare but a good way to hone writing skills. You could take a lesson.”

“I’ll ignore that. What does holding your breath have to do with writing skills?”

“Look at the beginning of this post.”

“What about it?”

“I started the post without using the word ‘spoke’ in the first sentence.”

“So?”

“I just got bonus points for not doing that. How easy do you think it is to start a prompt post without using the prompt word?”

“In the first sentence? Pretty easy.”

“Well maybe you think so, but I thought that beginning was pretty creative.”

“Let me try one.”

“Yeah, go ahead. Let’s see how you handle it.”

“Hi, how are you?”

“I’m fine. Wait a minute. That’s not fair.”

“Why not? I didn’t use ‘spoke’ in the first sentence.”

“But your story went nowhere.”

“And you think yours is going somewhere?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Show me.”

“You and I have been talking about the prompt for the last three hundred words. I call that flash fiction at it’s finest.”

“You have to find a new hobby. You really do.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Mon.”

April 14, 2018April 13, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 31 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this week’s prompt is “mon.” Linda Hill says we can use “mon” as part of a word or by itself. The only word I can think of that is a stand-alone use of mon is a greeting from Jamaica. “Hey mon!” After that, I have a problem. I guess I will soldier on. If you would like to increase your stress level go to Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/04/13/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-april-14-18/

Mon by John W. Howell © 2108

“Monday, Monday, so good to me
Monday mornin´, it was all I hoped it would be
Oh Monday mornin´, Monday mornin´ couldn´t guarantee
That Monday evenin´ you would still be here with me.”

“Okay, what is going on.”

“I have a song in my heart, and it is Monday, Monday.”

“This is Saturday. Why Monday?”

“Hey, mon. I’m an entertainer don’t ya know.”

“Bob Marley, right?”

“You are a monumental genius, mon.”

“You can stop anytime now.”

“You afraid I will monopolize the women at the party tonight?”

“Not really. More like you’ll drive them away with your monotonous one-man act.”

“You want to join in? This could be a moneymaker.”

“Moneymaker how could that be possible?”

“You think my singing is pretty monstrous, right?”

“Um, sort of an understatement.”

“Well then what do you think the people will do when I offer to stop for a monetary consideration?”

“I suppose they will give you money.”

“Right you are. What if I give them a full monte?”

“They will throw the money at you and then throw you out.”

“Perfect plan. Want to join?”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Passive /Aggressive”

April 7, 2018April 6, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 54 Comments

Passive/aggressive is part of Stream of Conscious Saturday. Not necessarily behaviors of any of the principles it’s just that today’s prompt is passive/aggressive. There are bonus points for starting the post with either. (Cha-ching) If you would like to participate please visit Linda Hill’s blog and learn how to manage both passive and aggressive prompts. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/04/06/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-april-7-18/

“Passive is my mode of dealing with challenges.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I was just getting ready for my support group meeting tonight.”

“What support group meeting?”

“Oh, I didn’t tell you. I have decided I need to talk out some things.”

“And my ears have been cut off I suppose.”

“Now come on. You know you get tired of hearing about all my little quirks.”

“No, I find your quirks as you call them, very endearing.”

“I can’t believe that.”

“Well, it’s true.”

“The fact that I can’t cross the kitchen floor.”

“Endearing.”

“Or can’t stand the tentative nature of living in a house that we don’t own.”

“Endearing.”

“Of wanting to have more babies.”

“Yes, endearing.”

“Of being afraid of aggressive insects.”

“Totally endearing.”

“Being allergic to flies.”

“The most endearing.”

“Afraid of being stepped on.”

“I share that fear and it is endearing.”

“I can’t weave a web.”

“I always help. Endearing.”

“Well, maybe I’m overreacting a bit. I think I need to put my feet down and get a grip.”

“That’s my love. Put all eight down and take a deep breath. I like it when your six eyes are shining. You look so aggressive.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Bun”

March 31, 2018March 30, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 43 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this weeks prompt is “bun.” Linda Hill further advises that the word bun can be used as part of a word or alone. If you would like to participate in this prompt, hop like a bunny (oh my) over to Linda’s blog and read all about it. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/03/30/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-march-30-18/

Bun by John W. Howell @ 2018

“Bun in the oven. Bunsen burner. Easter Bunny.”

“What are you doing?”

“I signed up for the Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt.”

“And you have lost your mind?”

“No, I’m trying to get a story developed around this week’s prompt.”

“Let me guess. The prompt is bun.”

“You are amazing.”

“So how hard can it be? How about a bun vendor who has a magic bun that he gives to a bun eater.”

“That is your story, not mine.”

“Why does it have to be yours anyway.”

“There are rules.”

“And if you break them you go to jail right?”

“It is a matter of pride and honesty.”

“Okay then put on your thinking cap and get a story going.”

“Okay here goes. There is this guy who is a bun vendor and has a magic bun. He gives it to a princess who needs the bun to attract the bun eating prince.”

“Why would the guy give away a magic bun?”

“He was actually a frog before the princess kissed him and now he needs to show his gratitude.”

“Gratitude for rising to the exalted position of bun vendor?”

“Well, he is human now and happy about that.”

“So no more fly eating.”

“May I finish.”

“You go.”

“Okay, so the princess takes the magic bun with her to the ball.”

“What ball?”

“The prince is throwing a ball to meet all the fair ladies in the kingdom.”

“A fine point left out of the story.”

“A big line forms and the ladies are meeting the prince.”

“Before cocktails? That must have been nerve-wracking.”

“Yes. I mean, may I continue?”

“Knock yourself out.”

“The princess gets in line and finally approaches the prince. She reaches out and has the bun hidden in her palm. She and the prince look into each other’s eyes as they eagerly grasp each other’s hand.”

“Wow. Romantic or what?”

“They pull together and as if magnetized, touch lips.”

“Okay. Now we are getting somewhere.”

“The magic bun melts in their fevered grip forming a permanent bond between the two.”

“And they live happily ever after right?”

“Well, let’s just say the magic bun did its job.”

“What does that mean?”

“The prince was turned into a frog and the princess had a frog attached to her hand.”

“OMG. Are you nuts?”

“Well, unlike every other prince in the kingdom, the bun vendor didn’t mind the frog and married the princess.”

“His plan all along?”

“He was the only one living happily ever after.”

“You need professional help. You know that?”

“Here, have a bun.”

Views of the Neighborhood – Galveston Book Festival

March 25, 2018March 24, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 98 Comments

Yesterday I was in Galveston for their Book Festival. I had to drive 41/2 hours. Such is the life of an Island dweller. Everything is hours away.

It was two lane road the whole way. This garbage truck in front of me was my best friend for twenty miles. He kept me from exceeding the speed limit. In fact, he was so concerned he held me at least five miles per hour under the whole way.

The Festival is in the grade school.

Here is the setup. You can tell we are in the gym by the doors.

I thought I would take a shot without the doors

Would you buy a book from this guy?

A view of the other setups around me.

More booths

Here is a far away shot of my booth.

Happy book lovers.

Final shot. Now for another 41/2 hours back to the island.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Green”

March 17, 2018March 16, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 48 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this week’s prompt is “green.” Linda Hill says we can use the word any way we want. It is tough not to think of green in the context of St. Patrick’s Day, but I’m certainly going to try. Not that I have anything against St. Patrick’s Day. In fact, as a graduate of Notre Dame University, I embrace the day. (Happy St. Patrick’s Day) It’s just that using green in that context is so easy I have to resist. If you would like to have conflicts with yourself like this, why not join the group? Visit Linda Hill’s blog and find out how to become insecure really fast. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/03/16/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-march-17-18/

“Green, green, it’s green they say
On the far side of the hill
Green, green, I’m going away
To where the grass is greener still.”

“Okay is this the New Christy Minstrels—dope addition?”

“Aw, come on. My singing isn’t that bad.”

“You need to step outside yourself and listen once.”

“You’re just envious.”

“Oh, yes. I’m green with envy that I can call hogs as well as you.”

“Call hogs? Where did that idea come from?”

“Look behind you.”

“What the heck is that?”

“In my view, it grunts like a hog, it smells like a hog. Probably is a hog.”

“Where do you suppose this hog came from?”

“I would guess a farm.”

“Now you’re being a smart-ass. I mean how did it get here?”

“Want to do another stanza of Green, Green and find out?”

“No thank you. You’re saying my singing called this hog over here.”

“Yup.”

“Can’t be. The nearest farm is twenty miles away.”

“I think we should enter this hog in the Olympics. Seems it can sprint pretty fast. Has great distance too.”

“Why don’t you do something to help me instead of cracking the jokes.”

“Okay tell you what. Let’s put up some signs in the neighborhood advertising this found hog. Someone is sure to claim it.”

“In the meantime, where do you propose we keep it?”

“I have a thought but you’re not going to like it.”

“Try me.”

“Your room.”

“My room?”

“I think it would be very happy there.”

“Very funny.”

“Wasn’t meant to be humorous.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “So Far.”

March 10, 2018March 9, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 54 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is “so far.” Linda Hill advises that we can use it any way we wish. If you would like to tease your brain, come join us. Go to Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS March 10/18

“So what do you have so far?”

“Dear Mr. President.”

“Yes well. Ahem. Dear Mr. President.”

“You already said that.”

“I know, I know I’m just trying to warm up.”

“Why not a couple of laps around the building.”

“I mean to the subject. Not actually a physical warm-up.”

“Fine. You’re the boss.”

“Now, where was I?”

“Dear Mr. President.”

“Oh yeah. Ahem.”

“Don’t say ‘Dear Mr. President’ again.”

“For heaven’s sake. How am I ever going to get this letter dictated if you keep interrupting?”

“It is a challenge I’ll admit.”

“Okay, I’m going to ignore you and just go through it.”

“The last time you ignored me remember what happened?”

“When was that?”

“Yesterday.”

“I can’t recall. What happened?”

“I told you to turn left on Forest Avenue and what did you do?”

“But there was a no left turn sign.”

“Ah, so you do remember. Tell everyone what happened next.”

“Em, we went straight ahead.”

“To what end.”

“The road it ended.”

“Yup and how much did it cost to have the car towed?”

“Wait a minute I never told you that.”

“You used your debit card. All I had to do was look at the transaction.”

“Can we get back to the letter?”

“Tell the folks how much.”

“Two hundred bucks.”

“Now don’t you feel better?”

“I’ll tell you what would make me feel better, Siri. Stay away from my debit card.”

“Not gonna happen boss. Okay, so far you have, ‘Dear Mr. President.”‘

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Fine.”

March 3, 2018March 2, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 35 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this week’s prompt is “fine.” There are bonus points if this post is finished with the word fine as well. If you would like to join in the fun, go to Linda Hill,s blog and read how easy it is to wander off the edge of the cliff. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/03/02/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-march-3-18/

“Fine day we are having.”

“Yes it is fine isn’t it?”

“So what does this fine day find you doing?”

“I need to do a little fine fixing up around the house.”

“What is fine fixing up?”

“It’s where my usual fine carpentry hack job won’t suffice.”

“What does a fine carpentry hack job look like?”

“Oh, you know. wood shavings and fine dust everywhere.”

“Ah. Fine. I get it. No real attention to cleaning up and such.”

“I think those are the fine points. It is also not enough care about the project.”

“The fine details?”

“You got it. Like making sure fine lines are taken out.”

“And the finish has a fine softness.”

“With a fine sheen like hand rubbed.”

“How do you get a fine sheen.”

“You have to use a fine brush and no drips.”

“That sounds fine, but there must be more to it.”

“You have to choose a fine grade of steel wool to polish the surface.”

“After your fine coat of Polyurethane?”

“Yes. A fine observation.”

“What should I look for when I want fine steel wool?”

“The package has a grade from coarse to fine.”

“What a fine way to get the right stuff. You going to go for the extra points?”

“As long as you are fine with what I have explained.”

“I’m fine.”

“Fine.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Door”

February 24, 2018February 23, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 43 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday again and this weeks prompt is “door.” Now just having the word “door” as a prompt would be a little mundane, so Linda Hill kicked it up a notch. She requires “door” to be used in a specific context, which is, a door we have walked through that isn’t our own THIS WEEK. If you would like to join in on this fun go to Linda’s site and read how. Here is the link if you dare.