Happy New Year. It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This week’s prompt is “first/last.”  Linda Hill says we can use the two words or definition for the words. There is an extra credit possibility by beginning the post with “First/Beginning/Start etc. and ending the post with “Last/End etc. If you would like to try this kind of thing go to Linda’s post and read the rules. Here is the link https://lindaghill.com/2016/12/30/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-3116/

First/Last by John W. Howell © 2016

“First, as a beginning, I want to start this lecture with a story.”

“Excuse me, professor.”

“Yes, Mr. uh.”

“Tompkins sir.”

“Yes, Mr. Tompkins what can I do for you.”

“Well, sir I’m a little confused on your opening statement.”

“Confused?”

“Yes, sir. You began your lecture saying the same thing three times.”

“I did now. Well please illuminate for the rest of the class and me as to your meaning.”

“Uh you said ‘first as a beginning, I want to start this lecture with a story.”‘

“I believe you are quoting me correctly, Mr. Tompkins. What is your question?”

“Is it not true that First, beginning, and start have the same meaning?”

“In the context of my statement absolutely not.”

“Can I ask for an explanation then.”

“Yes, my son I am happy to explain. By first I meant the number one thing to accomplish. Beginning in my statement meant to prioritize. Finally, the word start said where the priority would begin. So as you can see, they are not the same.”

“I have to beg to differ, sir.”

“But young man. I hold the keys to your success in this class.”

“But professor—”

“I think the discussion is over for now.”

“Can I add one more point?”

“I don’t see how the time spent on this is significant.”

“I need to understand.”

“See me when I have said my last and the lecture is at an end.”

It is Saturday and time for Stream of Consciousness. This week’s prompt is “cook.” Since it is also Christmas Eve, I think a Christmas story would be in order. Linda Hill says we can do whatever we want, so I think I have the portfolio. If you would like to read up and join the fun, go to Linda’s post. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Dec. 24/16

Cook by John W. Howell © 2016

There is a lot of rumors going around that a new king of kings is to make an appearance in the village. Such nonsense is of no concern to Josiah. There is bread to bake and cakes to make. There is no time to be listening to the tounges wagging in the street. Josiah has the distinction of being the village cook and takes his responsibility seriously. Soon the people will descend upon his shop to buy this day’s labor.

The work starts early and Josiah must hurry to give the dough time to rise and to mix the batter until it is smooth. Sleeping late is a luxury for the idle rich and Josiah can barely make ends meet. He feels fortunate that he can keep a small portion of the bread for himself which is set aside for the time when he goes home for the day.

This day has been especially busy since there are new people in the village. There was a decree sent out by Caesar Augustus that all the people should be taxed. The decree further stated that each person should return to the land of their birth to be counted and then taxed. So many have come to his village that Josiah has been forced to make more and more bread and cake each day. Even so, he has had to turn away customers. Josiah does not take comfort in the increased business since the Miller charges him more and more each day for the flower. The evil man laughed and told him to go somewhere else if he didn’t like the price. There is nowhere else for Josiah to go. He must continue to work harder

So many have come to his village that Josiah has been forced to make more and more bread and cake each day. Even so, he has had to turn away customers. He does not take comfort in the increased business since the miller charges him more and more each day for the flower. The evil man laughed and told him to go somewhere else if he didn’t like the price. There is nowhere else for Josiah to go. He must continue to work harder and make less money for his trouble. Still, he feels fortunate that he is able to save a small portion for himself.

The business day finally ends and Josiah locks his shop and begins his long walk home. He decides to take a shorter way home past the stables that are behind the Inn. Nearing the stables Josiah encounters a light that makes daylight out of the dark. He stops and is struck with the wonder before him. There are animals clustered around a manager and at first Josiah though they were eating hay. Upon venturing closer Josiah could see a little baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in the manger. A beautiful woman and proud looking man are there along with heavenly hosts praising God. Josiah is compelled to draw nearer and is filled with the spirit.

“E-excuse me. I don’t mean to interfere.”

“You are most welcome sir. Please come closer. This is the Christ child and my wife Mary. My name is Joseph.”

“I-I’m named Josiah which is also Joseph. Is this the king of kings I have heard about”

“So nice to meet you, Josiah. Yes, this is he.”

“I want to give the baby a gift but I don’t have anything to offer but this crust of bread.”

“He would be honored to receive it.”

“Here little baby. I’m sorry it is so meager and not worthy of the king of kings.”

“Your gift gives him pleasure and more from the heart than all the gold, frankincense, and myrrh which he has already received.  Go in peace Josiah.”

“Thank you your grace.”

“I’m a carpenter, Josiah.”

“Thank you, Joseph.”

It is Saturday and therefore time for Stream Of Consciousness. This week’s word is “moot.” Linda (Dungeness) Hill says we can use the word as a theme of the post of just the word itself. Let me think of which way I will go. Decisions, decisions. I wonder which way I will go? To those who know me have to figure it is a moot point. I will go with the word. If you would like to join in, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2016/12/16/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-1716/

Moot by John W. Howell © 2016

“How is that again?”

“I wonder if the paper is correct?”

“You wonder if the paper is correct or the information on the paper is correct?”

“Why is it we have to get into these ridiculous discussions?”

“What?”

“Of course I’m wondering if the information is correct. Sheesh.”

“You know half of the problems of the world are a matter of miscommunication.”

“So where did you get that statistic?”

“I read it on-line.”

“Tell  me you read that on Wikipedia?”

“How’d you know.”

“When you pull something out of the air that is totally irrelevant to what we are talking about it is usually that you’ve been on Wikipedia again.”

“Let’s get back to the paper. What is on it?”

“They are saying we might have a white Christmas.”

“So what is the problem?”

“I just wonder if they are correct.”

“You won’t know until Christmas.”

“Maybe there is a way to verify the information.”

“I don’t think there is. I think this is a moot point.”

“You mean solved?”

“No. Moot means debatable with no certain solution.”

“So what is debatable?”

“Whether there is a way to be certain we’ll have a white Christmas.”

“We could check the weather forecasts.”

“Which are one hundred percent accurate?”

“Well, no. How about the government?”

“You would want to go there?”

“I see what you mean. it is debatable.”

“Moot.”

“Yup. Merry Christmas.”

“Happy New Year.”

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This week’s prompt is “bear/bare. Linda Hill says we can use them any way we want. One or both. Wow, the possibilities are endless. Oh yes. In case you want to join this happy crew here is the link to Linda’s blog. Go and read for yourself how easy it is to join in and begin to lose your mind like the rest of us.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Dec. 10/16

Bear/Bare by John W. Howell © 2016

“So which is it?”

“How do I know? Do I look like a constitutional scholar?”

“Now that you mention it. No.”

“Thanks. How do you get me into these goofy things anyway?”

“Hey, I’m just asking the questions. You’re the one wanting to answer them.”

“I suppose you have a point. What was the question again?”

“The constitution gives the population the right to do things with their arms. I’m wondering what people are allowed to do?”

“Oh, now I get it. You’ve wandered near that Hill person and she has given you some words. So what are the words?”

“You don’t have to be so cold. That’s not why I was asking.’

“What are the words.’

“Bear/Bare.”

“Like bunny/bunny?”

“No one is B-E-A-R and the other is B-A-R-E.”

“Okay, I get it. You want to make something up about the constitution. The right to bear arms.”

“Well, sorta. I also wanted to be humorous.”

“You humorous. That’s a laugh.”

“See it’s working.”

“Okay, what kind of humorous?”

“I wanted to say something about if people don’t want to wear long sleeve shirts they don’t have to according to the constitution.”

“The right to  bare arms. Right?”

“Yeah, Right. How about it. Funny?”

“No. I think funnier would be a question around growing hair on our arms.”

“I don’t get it.”

“No surprise there. Here let me point it out. The right to B-E-A-R arms. Gggggrrrrrrowwwelllll.”

“Not funny.”

“No not funny like your face, but funny.”

Today is Saturday and time for another stream of consciousness. Today’s prompt is “in/out.” If you would like to figure this whole thing out, please go to Linda Hill’s site and read all about it. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Oct. 29/16

In/Out by John W. Howell © 2106

“How you been?”

“Good and you?”

“Wait I’m not the one who has been in and out of the hospital.”

“No. I’m the one.”

“So how do you feel?”

“Like I’ve been in and out of a nightmare.”

“What was the problem anyway?”

“Not sure. I think it had to do with insurance.”

“I don’t mean about the nightmare. I’m talking about you.”

“What about me?”

“If you hadn’t just gotten out of the hospital I think I would like to be the one to put you in. Let me make it easy. Did you have an accident?”

“No.”

“You want to input more meat on that bone outside of the word ‘no'”?”

“No broken bones. The x-ray in the hospital ruled out broken bones.”

“In fact, are you trying to make me crazy without trying?”

“In  my opinion, that train pulled out a long time ago.”

“Can you at least tell me why you were in the hospital?”

“The supermarket was all out of doctors.”

“Okay, that’s it. I’m out of here.”

“Without any information?”

“While I still have my sanity which around you is an in and out thing.”

“I love In and Out Burgers. Want one?”

“I would love one, but they aren’t in this state.”

“That’s an outrageous state to be in.”

“Let me go. Please. Without a doubt, I’m in the process of losing my grip.”