Given the fact that it is Saturday Stream of Consciousness time again I must point out this week’s prompt which is “Give/Given/Giving. Linda Hill is offering extra points if we begin (notice the first word up there) and end the post with one of these words. Looks like I have one-half of the bonus, so we’ll see how the rest turns out. If you want to join in go to Linda’s post and read all about it. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Apr. 8/17

Give/Given/Giving by John W. Howell © 2017

“Give me that  shovel.”

“Why, I’m doing okay.”

“At this rate, we will be here all day.”

“Where to you have to be?”

“That’s not the point.”

“What’s the point then?”

“Time is money?”

“Well, that’s a given. How much money we talking about?”

“What do you mean?”

“All this money you are talking about. How much?”

“I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

“Okay, let me phrase it differently. If we hurry up and dig this hole what other money-making project do you have to get to?”

“I have to mow my lawn.”

“Oh my goodness. How much money then?”

“Well, the guy who mows charges thirty dollars and hour.”

“Okay then. While mowing your lawn, you earn thirty dollars and hour right?”

“Yeah, that is one way to look at it.”

“How long does it take?”

“To mow the lawn?”

“Yes.”

“Thirty minutes.”

“Fifteen bucks. So if we hurry you can earn the equivalent of fifteen bucks.”

“Yes, I guess so.”

“You know how much we are earning on this job?”

“No.”

“Fifty an hour. So if we don’t hurry, we can cover your fifteen bucks.”

“Keep the shovel. It’s the gift that keeps giving.”

 

 

‘

 

 

 

It is stream of consciousness time again and this week’s prompt is “any.” Also, there are extra points for using another word starting with “A.” Can it get any better than this? If you would like to join in, please visit Linda’s post and read how to do it. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2017/03/31/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-apr-117/

“Any” by John W. Howell © 2017

“Aristotle wake up.”

Aw, what is going on?”

“Any time you want to get up will be fine.”

“After last night I’m lucky to be alive.”

“All the people at the party were staring at you.”

“Almost all. There were a couple looking at you.”

“After all, I had to hold you up.”

“Always have to build ourselves up at the expense of others do we?”

“Anterior to your show.”

“Alright, then I concede I was the bigger uh what shall I say?.”

“Ass. Just say it.”

“And now that you have it would be redundant.”

“Alleviate my pain and just say you are sorry.”

“Atone for my sins as it were?”

“Absolutely.”

“Announcement time. No.”

“Abhorrent behavior.”

“Alcohol made me do it. Alcohol should apologize.”

“Abstinence should be your vow.”

“Abnormal behavior like that solves nothing.”

“About last night. Have you forgotten the wages of sin.”

“A moment if you will. I have the hair of the dog which will help me remember.”

“Another terrific move. You are not salvageable.”

“Amen brother. Good night again.”

 

 

 

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday again and this week’s prompt is “march.” Linda Hill says we can use the word any way we want. To quote Janis Joplin, “Freedom is just another word for nothin’ left to lose.” If you would like to get involved, go to Linda’s place and read how. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2017/03/24/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-mar-2517/ 

March by John W. Howell © 2016

“Forward march.”

“You’re kidding right. You gonna go there?”

“Why what’s wrong.”

“You’re doing a prompt right?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“The word is forward or march. Which one?”

“March.”

“Come on man. You can do better than, ‘forward march.'”

“Well I’m in a little bit of a hurry, and that was the best I could do.”

“You know haste makes waste. Take a moment and think about the word. You can tie it into something splendid if you try.”

“What do you care anyway?”

“This is my space, and usually there is something worth reading on these Saturday prompts.”

“Maybe it’s time you had a stinker.”

“Not on my watch. Now think.”

“Okay. Hmm, March Hare.”

“Now you are starting. Keep going.”

“March madness.”

“Yesssss.”

“Sousa March, March of the Sugarplum Fairies.”

“Good, good.”

“The month of March.”

“Hot damn.”

“March from Aida.”

“Sweet.”

“March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.”

“Right—uh wait a minute. Aren’t you supposed to make a story using the word March?”

“Well, yes. I just don’t know which to tell.”

“Why don’t you just start somewhere and let it flow.”

“Good idea. Ahem, let’s see how this sounds. Forward March.”

“Sounds great. Print it.”

 

 

It is Saturday Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This weeks prompt is “Man.” Linda Hill says we can use it by itself or as a word with “man” in it. Wow, this leads to all kinds of thoughts. I could address the issues of mankind, discuss man and woman, talk about the man in the moon. Knowing myself, I probably won’t do any of that stuff. If you would like to join in here is a link to Linda’s post. https://lindaghill.com/2017/03/17/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-mar-1817/

Man by John W. Howell ©2017

“What are you going to write about?”

“Man.”

“What?”

“Not what. I’m writing about man.”

“Oh, I thought you were calling me man.”

“No, the subject is man.”

“I see. So what are you going to write about?”

“Man.”

“Uh. I get that. What about man?”

“Well, I thought I would tell a story about a man.”

“What kind of story.”

“Um, maybe a story involving a man.”

“Hello is this mic on? I know it is about a man. What about the man?”

“Er. He is a man and—”

“Okay just stop there. I think you have no idea what you are going to write.”

“I resemble that. How did you know?”

“I think it would take an idiot not to know. You are stumbling around like a lost soul.”

“Hey. You just gave me a story idea.”

“I did? Tell me.”

“This guy meets up with the devil and is offered riches.”

“Oh please go on.”

“Here’s the good part. The devil want’s the man’s soul for the riches.”

“And when it comes time to collect the riches there is some hitch right?”

“You are clairvoyant. How did you know?”

“I watch reruns of the Twilight Zone which maybe ought to tell you something.”

“That you have no life.”

“Yeah right.”

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This week’s prompt is “project.” Linda Hill says we can use it any way we want. (Oh joy). If you would like to join this rag-tag outfit go to Linda’s blog and read the rules, then send each of us a six pack of very expensive beer. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Mar. 4/17

Project by John W. Howell © 2017

“Attention class. Today we are going to discuss the semester project.”

“Excuse me, Mr. Winther.”

“Yes, Michelle. You have a question?”

“I do sir. Can we select any member of the class to be project team members?”

“Well, although that is a good idea, Michelle this project is going to be an individual project.”

“Oh. You mean we can’t get others to help?”

“You should complete the project on your own. Now class. The first thing we should decide is what each of our projects will be. We should try to avoid any duplication.”

“Mr. Winther, sir.”

“Yes, Michelle?”

“I want to have the first pick of the project I want to do.”

“And why should that be, Michelle?”

“I’m the one with the highest GPA.”

“That’s not how we are doing it. We are going to list the projects on pieces of paper and each student will get a chance to draw their project out of a hat.”

“Mr. Winther?”

“Yes, Michelle.”

“Can I go first to draw?”

“We are going by last name Michelle.”

“That means I will be last.”

“It really doesn’t matter. All the projects are good ones.”

“I hate to be last, and I just know my project will suck.”

“Now Miss Zielinski we do not use language like that in my class.”

“I’m sorry, sir. I got carried away.”

“That is okay. If there are no more questions everyone, please pick a project.”

“I just knew it. My project sucks.”

“Miss Zielinski, please. What is your project?”

” To solve world hunger.”

“Now that is a very nice project, Michelle and If you do it properly, you will have your wings in no time. Let’s not hear any more complaining.”

 

 

 

 

How do I start Stream of Consciousness Saturday? Well, like I always do with some kind words from Linda Hill. She has given us the prompt “How.” She further will allow bonus points if we start and end the post with the word “how.” Okay, so I have one-half of the bonus in the bag. (notice the first word up there.) If you want to learn more and join in here is a link to Linda’s post. https://lindaghill.com/2017/02/24/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-feb-2517/

How by John W. Howell © 2017

“How do you think we are going to get out of this mess?”

“I’m not sure but for god’s sake keep your head down.”

“Don’t worry about me. Mrs. Dumbrowski didn’t raise no dumb shit.”

“Mrs. Dumbrowski? Who’s that?  Your name is Smith.”

“Oh, she was my caretaker when I was a kid.”

“Jeez. Always something with you. Why not just say Mrs. Smith didn’t raise no dumb shit.”

“Cause my Mom remarried and her name was Roselle.”

“For heaven’s sake. We are surrounded by a bunch of badasses trying to kill us, and you’re driving me nuts with word games.”

“It’s not word games. It’s the truth.”

“Who gives a f— Whoa what was that?”

“I think someone has themselves a new mortar. That was a shell flying over our head and exploding behind us.”

“I know it was. I was just using a figure of speech. I’ll bet the next one lands in our laps, and I’m going to spend eternity having to watch what I say since you take everything literally.”

“I resemble that. Words are important. You can’t just toss them around Helter Skelter and expect people to understand you.”

“Do me a favor and quit talking. I have a headache and would like to enter the gates of heaven in peace.”

“Larry?”

“What?”

“You think you are going to heaven?”

“I don’t know. I hope so. I’ll tell you one thing. If we don’t get help soon, we are certainly going to find out.”

“Find out what?”

“What eternity looks like. OMG here comes another shell.”

“Wow, that was close. Those guys aren’t very good are they?”

“Lucky for us.”

“Something about their sloppiness bothers me.”

“A little too Helter Skelter for you?”

“Yeah. If I had that mortar, I wouldn’t miss them.”

“Why don’t you make it easier for them. Or better yet. Why don’t you stand up and walk over there and show them how to do it.”

“Sounds good but I’m not sure they would accept my help.”

“Sure they would. Hold up a white handkerchief and take some chocolate.”

“Now you are putting me on. You just want to shut me up.”

“Is it working?”

“And how. ”

 

 

 

So that you understand the nature of what is going on here, I have to quote Linda Hill on this week’s prompt. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “so/sow/sew.” Use one, use ’em all, use ’em any way you’d like. Bonus points if you start and end with any of them. Enjoy! So” I hope everyone noticed I began this post with “so.”

Now I ask you is this freedom or what? If you would like to join in the fun go to Linda’s post. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Feb. 11/17

So/Sow/Sew by John W. Howell ©2017

“So what are you up to today?”

“You noticed I’m deeply involved in this story.”

“I love stories. What is it?”

“It is about a young man who left his home to seek his fortune.”

“That sounds familiar what it the name.”

“Go West Young Man.”

“Hmmm. I’m familiar with the saying by Horatio Alger, but that title escapes me.”

“Cause I just put it on paper.”

“Oh. I get it. It is a story you are writing.”

“Man. Hard to put stuff past you.”

“Now don’t be contrary. Can I read it?”

“It’s not finished. Maybe when it’s done.”

“Read me a line.”

“Okay how about the opening line?”

“Super go.”

“It was a dark and stormy night.”

“Wait. You’re kidding right?”

“Okay. I’ll read the real first line. Ahem. ‘Jacob felt he could so no further. His bones ached from the fear and weight of what he had to do. All along his father told him not to go, and now that he ignored him, Jacob could feel the karma slide like a wet snake up his back and feel the heat on his neck. He could smell the stench of the payback that was about to be his.”‘

“Go on. This sounds great.”

“He decided to lay his burden down and face whatever was in store.”

“What burden?”

“It’s a metaphor for his guilt. Shall I continue?”

“Please.”

“The sow had to weigh hundreds of pounds, and the yoke of wagon pressed into his shoulders. He must find a place to rest, or surely he will fall to the ground and not be in a condition to escape. He stopped at a tree and there an old man called his name.”

“How did the old man know his name?”

“You sound like a reviewer. Just wait.

‘Jacob,’ he called.

Jacob stopped gazing at the man with his brow furrowed. ‘You know my name, old man.’

‘I do.’

‘How is that possible?’

‘I know your father. He sent me to find you.’

‘For what purpose?’

‘To see if you have finished your foolish task which you set out to do. “Sew your wild oats.” is how I believe you explained it to your father.”‘

“‘Wild oats.’ What the heck does that mean?”

“Experience what life has to offer. I think I’ve read enough.”

“No, I want to hear more.”

“Okay. Let me read one more line. ‘Your father has instructed me to warn you to return to the homestead so. . .'”

“So?”