Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt -“Notebook.”

November 7, 2026November 6, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 45 Comments

If one were to consult the Caffeine Addicts Guide to Fulfillment notebook, it would confirm: A morning cup of coffee should be a time of contemplation and peace. The hot, aromatic fluid should be enjoyed in surroundings that are conducive to relaxation and expansion of the mind. As we have come to realize, such is not the case in my space. Oh, sure, the first sip lives up to the hype and helps quell the banging in my head that one would experience in a ship-building yard due to the dangerously low level of caffeine in my body,

The second sip shatters the image with the cacophony of the Westminster chimes of the doorbell coupled with the teeth-rattling barks of the Baskerville hounds known in these parts as Tempeste and Twiggy. A quick toss of two squeaky toys into the soundproof room, followed by the door slamming, brings the kind of silence described in Boston’s “Peace of Mind.”

A look at the monitor shows Barnyard Dawg waiting with a clipboard and a letter. With a sigh, the security shutdown process is begun.

The B-2 bomber squadron and the F-35 escort must be called off. One call does it. The tank corps and gunboats are told to stand by. The Apache helicopters are rerouted. The electric shock fence is turned off. The drawbridge over the quicksand is lowered. The robot attack dogs returned to their charging station. The laser-guided machine guns on the roof are set to caution. The nest filled with rattlesnakes put away. The bucket filled with 1000 marbles is locked down. The tear gas canisters shut off. The electrified welcome mat set to off. The fall-away sidewalk into the pit filled with spikes is locked. The hornet’s nest closed. The water cannons are set to safety. Bear traps are set to off. Peregrine Falcons perched on the roof above front door fed. The vat of boiling oil set to warm. Monty Python’s Harmless Little Rabbit’s cage is closed. The front door is opened.

The dawg hands me the envelope and the letter. After signing, the clipboard is passed back with a fiver clipped to it. Once inside, the envelope is opened. It is a letter from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “notebook.” Use it the way you’d like. Enjoy!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link: https://lindaghill.com/2026/11/06/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-november-7-2026/

“Barnyard Dawg?”

“Yup. He’s the one who tangles with Leghorn Foghorn.”

“When did he make his first appearance?”

“1946, in a feature named Walky Talky Hawky with Henry Hawk and Foghorn Leghorn.”

“Wow. That was 80 years ago.”

“Yes, the math works.”

“Did you see the cartoon?”

“I was five years old. If I saw it, I don’t remember.”

“Easy, old timer. I have a surprise”

“What’s that?”

“A clip of the cartoon. Just got it off YouTube. Here it is.”

“That was pretty funny. How about the Uber?”

“Right over there”

“Wow, looks like a 1945 Chevy Stylemaster coupe.”

“It is a beauty.”

“What’s the catch?”

“Easy peasy.”

“Okay.”

“We get to be in a car show in front of the pub.”

“That’s no catch. That’s like falling into heaven.”

“Except the show lasts until 7:00.”

“So?”

“No Voodoo’s till then.”

“Ouch. Okay, I can do it.”

“You sure? I see your hand shaking a little.”

“Just age. Let’s go.”

Tuesday – anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Button

November 3, 2026November 1, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 62 Comments

Today I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 93. With my eyes closed, I pointed to the page. My finger fell closest to the word “Button.” That is our prompt.

“Don’t touch that.”

“Why?”

“It is a doomsday device. That button will be the end of us all.”

“How do you know that?’

“Listen, kid. I have been around to see what happens when that button is pushed.”

“If you know what happens, how do you escape?”

“That is a long story. Just trust me. We need to go now.”

“Where are we going?”

“I happen to know that, with the change to standard time, the folks are still asleep. Perfect time to have breakfast and then hide out.”

“I’m still wondering about that button. Also, what does R-A-I-D spell?”

“It spells death to us. If the folks see us, they immediately go to it and fill the air with poison. Also, when we get near the folks, stay away from the ears. They can hear our wings whine and start slapping like crazy. My advice: do your drilling on anything exposed below the neck.”

“Okay, got it.”

“Let’s go.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – “Appreciate”

October 27, 2026October 26, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 40 Comments

Today I randomly opened Eternal Road – The Final Stop to page 189. With my eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger was “appreciate.” This is our prompt today.

“I appreciate you.”

“Oh sure. That’s an easy thing to say.”

“I really mean it.”

“I doubt that.”

“Why?”

“If you appreciated me, you wouldn’t treat me so badly.”

“Oh, come on. I’m not treating you badly on purpose.”

“Okay, so you will admit that you are treating me badly.”

“I guess on a specific case basis it would appear that I’m not treating you with the utmost kindness.”

“So why say you appreciated me?”

“Cause I do. I’m very grateful that you are here.”

“Why is that?”

“I’m an osprey, and you’re a fish. What’s not to appreciate?”

“Sheesh. What a life.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Ends with Ish”

October 24, 2026October 23, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 56 Comments

A busy Saturday ahead. Need to get everything done by 11:00 am for the TCU/WVU football game. The Producer graduated from WVU, so we enjoy the games. My team, Notre Dame, is on a bye this week. A touch of the two coffee icon starts the flow of soothin’ syrup that will kill this peckish pounding in my head. It’s like the stamp forge at the Ford Motor Rouge plant, from my dangerously low caffeine level.

The first sip quells the factory noise and vibrations. The second sip, as we all know, is accompanied by the cacophony of the Westminster Chime doorbell, in tandem with the St. Louis-bound baying of Cerberus, a multi-headed hound from Greek mythology that guards the gates of hell, in the form of Twiggy and Tempeste.

A quick toss of a couple of toy fish into the soundproof room, followed by the door slamming, brings back the peace George Harrison envisioned in the song “My Sweet Lord.” A glance at the monitor shows Cecil the Seasick Sea Serpent and his pal Beany. Beany has an envelope and a clipboard. The security system shutdown process is begun.

Beany hands me the envelope and clipboard. Once signed, it goes back to Beany with a fiver in the clip. Cicil gives me a big smile, and the front door closes. Inside the envelope is a message from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “ends with ‘ish.’” Find or make up a word that ends with “ish” and use it any way you’d like. Enjoy! To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link: https://lindaghill.com/2026/10/23/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-october-24-2026/

“That was a funny one. Cecil?”

“Yeah, I loved those guys as a kid.”

“Was that when dinosaurs roamed the earth?”

“Late 40s until 1952. They were puppets and a live TV show.”

“You had electricity, right?”

“Yeah. The set was an Admiral console with a ten-inch screen. The unit weighed more than the couch.”

“How did you watch that?”

“Well, you had to get close for sure.. Mom was always telling me to back up.”

“The hardships of a childhood.”

“I remember one time she threatened to take me to the eye doctor. That did it. I watched it from twenty feet away.”

“Could you see anything?”

“Yeah. The sound helped, though.”

“Those were the days.”

“I think today’s days are better. Speaking of better, did you call Uber?”

“Right over there.”

“You are kidding, right?”

“No, that’s our ride.”

“Is there room in the front?”

“Yeah, room for three. Why wouldn’t you want to ride in the back?”

“With all that booze?”

“I know it would be a hardship, but you could do it.”

“No thanks. What’s the catch?”

“A couple of stops.”

“How many is a couple”

“Three bars is all, then our pub.”

“That’s not so bad. We could do a Voodoo at each place.”

“Now that’s the spirit. Let’s go.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Pitch”

October 17, 2026October 17, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 62 Comments

Thinking of the pitch made by the guy selling the coffee machine. He said, “It will anticipate your needs before you know them.” It is a wonder, then, why the touchscreen remains dark. My need is a cup of coffee, and if the machine knows that, why not deliver? In desperation, the machine is given a good thump, and like magic, comes to life. Say what you want about technology, sometimes the old methods work best.

The first sip calms the drum line beating of the Fightin Irish marching band in my head from caffeine withdrawal. The second (as we have come to know) is accompanied by the Westminster chime of the doorbell in duet with the “To St. Louis” barking refrain of Twiggy and Tempeste. A quick toss of two new toys into the soundproof room, followed by a slam of the door, brings a kind of hush over my world.

A glance at the security monitor shows Daffy Duck on the porch with an envelope and clipboard. My knowledge of characters on the front porch means one thing: the security system needs to be shut down.

Daffy hands me the clipboard and envelope. Passing the clipboard back with a fiver brings a smile to Daffy’s face. One inside the envelope from Linda Hill has the following message: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “pitch.” Use it as a noun, use it as a verb, use it the way you’d like. Have fun!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link:https://lindaghill.com/2026/10/16/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-october-17-2026/

“Well, you got the prompt out of the way pretty quickly.”

“Yeah, was rather proud of that.”

“I thought you would go to a sports theme.”

“Why’s that?”

“Oh, I don’t know. You know, like, Ten Things Not to Do on the First Pitch of a Baseball Game.

“You know, I’m not a big sports fan. When I was a kid, the Detroit Lions and Tigers scarred me for life.”

“Scarred how?”

“They never won.”

“Oh, I see. So winning is everything?”

“To a kid? Yes.”

“Well, we are winners today.”

“Yeah, how?”

“You know that Okragly guy?”

“Of course.”

“He found us a terrific Uber.”

“Where is it?”

Right over there.”

“What is that?”

“A Ruxton Front Wheel Drive luxury car came out in 1930, with only 96 produced. The Great Depression bankrupted the company, and it became defunct. Only about 40 were sold as new cars to customers; some were given to debtors, but most of them ended up in wrecking yards.”

Alright. What’s the catch?”

“Oooh, opposite of pitch. I like it”

“Come on.”

“Okay, no catch whatsoever.”

“Let’s go then.”

“Right behind you.”

”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Verification

October 13, 2026October 12, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 48 Comments

Today I opened The Last Drive at random to page 199. With my eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “Verification.” This is our prompt.

“May I see your ID?”

“Why’s that?”

“I need verification of who you are.”

“I told you.”

“I know, but verification is important; otherwise, I can’t let you in.”

“I just showed you my invitation.”

“All well and good, but verification is still needed.”

“I don’t have any ID.”

“Well then, sir, would you please step aside. You are holding up others.”

“Wait a minute. There has to be another way.”

“Don’t know what that might be.”

“Do you have a list of those invited?”

“Of course I do.”

“Then why not check the list with the invitation?”

“That won’t give me the verification that I need.”

“Seems silly. What’s one more at a feeding frenzy anyway?”

“If we let in every stray shark that comes by, there would not be enough prey to go around.”

“Okay. I guess I’ll miss this one then.”

“You know, on second thought, you have been nice about this. I agree the rules are a bit stringent. Go ahead in. Mackerel are the subject of the frenzy today.”

“Thank you.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Familiar”

October 10, 2026October 9, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 54 Comments

The familiar routine of morning coffee, followed by bedlam, is comforting even though it’s annoying. A touch of the two coffee icon on the touchscreen brings the coffee machine to life. The first sip quells the jackhammer-on-concrete noise in my head from caffeine withdrawal. The second sip is accompanied by the Westminster chime of the doorbell and the simultaneous baying of Twiggy and Tempeste, obviously auditioning for guardians of the gates of hell. Two new toys tossed into the soundproof room, followed by the door’s slam, brings the kind of peace Leon Bridges describes in the song Peaceful Place.

A glance at the security monitor shows Horton the Elephant on a nest on the porch. He has an envelope and clipboard. Obviously, the security shutdown process needs to begin.

Horton passes me the envelope and clipboard. The signed document, with a fiver clipped to the board, is returned. The question, “How long are you going to sit on Mayzie’s egg?” goes unasked, and the front door closes.

The envelope is from Linda Hill. The letter inside reads:

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

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link: https://lindaghill.com/2026/10/09/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-october-10-2026/

“I’m not familiar with Horton.”

“He’s a character out of a book titled Horton Hatches the Egg.”

“Odd thing, an elephant sitting on an egg.”

“From the mind of Dr. Seuss.”

“What made you think of that character?”

“I was looking at the Warner Brothers characters when Horton popped up. I remember seeing the cartoon and reading the story to my kids.”

“A bit of nostalgia, huh?”

“I suppose. The story is great, with lessons of greed and commitment.”

“Does it end well?”

“It does. Like most of our Uber rides. Speaking of which.”

“Right over there.”

“What is that?”

“It’s a VW pickup truck.”

“I didn’t know they made pickups.”

“They did between 1980 and 1983.”

“Okay, so what’s the hitch?”

“A small thing.”

“Never small.”

“One of us has to ride in the back.”

“The person who hired the VW, raise your hand.”

“Okay, I’ll ride in the back.”

“Great. Let’s go.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – “Direct”

October 6, 2026October 5, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 48 Comments

Today I randomly opened Eternal Road – The Final Stop to page 143 and, with my eyes closed, pointed to the page. “Direct ” is the word closest to my finger. That is our prompt today.

“Okay, you men, listen up.”

“Yes, sir.”

“This next mission is going to be a tough one. I’ll need every one of you to do your best. Any questions?”

“Sir?”

“Yes, Jones.”

“You indicated that the plan is an all-out direct assault.”

“That’s right.”

“That’s going to be costly in terms of casualties.”

“We all signed up for that, Jones.”

“I know, sir, but I have an idea.”

“Oh, do tell.”

“Instead of a direct assault, we break up into groups and hit the target from several angles.”

“Hmm. Tell me more.”

“Well, in that way we neutralize the threat and at least save some of the troops for a later engagement should it be needed.”

“Are you sure separate attacks will neutralize the threat?”

“I have seen these kinds of attacks before. The enemy comes in with bravado and even killer gas. After a couple of hits, they pull back immediately. Deep down, they are very soft.”

“I must say you have seen more action than I have. Okay, let’s go with your plan. Okay, everyone, you heard it. We are going to attack the enemy in groups. Simpson, you and your troops are group one. Jones, you are group two. Kawolski, group three. Here are the targets. Any other questions?”

“Sir.”

“Yes, Kawolski.”

“What if this dope doesn’t retreat?”

“Just have your troops keep biting. Remember, you are fire ants, and those tall ones can’t stand for long. Besides, your target is the ankle, and that is the tender zone.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Breeze”

October 3, 2026October 2, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 60 Comments

The cup of coffee was delivered in a breeze. No funny messages, no pout, no workplace demands, just a double cup of coffee. The first sip brings calm to the Berlin Symphony Orchestra playing the Anvil Chorus in my brain from dangerously low caffeine levels. The second sip (wait for it) is accompanied by the cacophony of the doorbell, Westminster chimes, and the baying of the Hounds of Baskerville by Twiggy and Tempeste. A quick toss of a knucklebone into the soundproof room and a door slam brings peace like Björk singing “It’s Oh So Quiet” on the soft parts.

A glance at the monitor shows Winnie the Pooh standing on the porch with an envelope and clipboard. Knowing conversation is impossible, the security shutdown process begins with a sigh.

The clipboard is returned after signing, with a fiver attached. Winnie’s smile let me know Clarabell is happy with the tip. Closing the front door, the envelope contains a letter from Linda Hill. It reads:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “breeze.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link:

https://lindaghill.com/2026/10/02/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-october-3-2026/

“Winnie the Pooh?”

“That’s who it was.”

“Too bad Christopher Robin didn’t show up.”

“Why’s that?”

“We could breeze through a lesson or two.”

“On positivity?”

“Or honey consumption.”

“That should be spelled hunny.”

“Okay, you got me.”

“Speaking of honey.”

“Uber is over there.”

“What the heck?”

“It’s a 1950 Ford Highway Patrol cruiser.”

“I can see that. This one has plenty of room, so there must be a big catch.”

“Just a small one. We have to drive Broadrick Crawford to the set of the Highway Patrol TV series.”

“That actually sounds fun.”

“10-04.”

“Okay, let’s go. Wait a minute. That series ended in 1959.”

“Since when are you averse to a little time travel?”

“Since I would like to get to the pub for a Voodoo Ranger without being caught in some time continuum glitch.”

“I guess that could happen.”

“Okay, so do we need a different Uber?”

“No. We’ll skip the filming.”

“Thank you.”

Tuesday – Anything possible – Finger Point Prompt – “Responsible”

September 29, 2026September 28, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 62 Comments

Today, I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 63 and, with my eyes closed, pointed to the page. The word nearest my finger was “responsible.” That is our prompt today.

“All right. Who do you think is responsible for this mess, Jackson?”

“You think someone is going to own up to this?”

“They’d better, if they know what’s good for them.”

“I think you are dreaming if you think someone will step forward.”

“Well, let’s just see, shall we. Johnson.”

“Yes, sir.”

“What do you know about this mess?”

“Nothing, sir.”

“You sure?”

” Yes, sir. I am.”

“Baker.”

“Yes, sergeant.”