Tuesday – Anything Possible – Prompt “crush”

December 10, 2024December 8, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 64 Comments

On Sunday, I was reading Michele Lee’s post, which contained some photos from her trip to Peñesco, Mexico. I couldn’t help but be taken by the image below. So, here is one of Michele’s photos instead of a finger-point prompt. You should visit her blog. It is special. Thank you so much, Michele.

“Excuse me, sir. Do you know how fast you were going?”

“Yes, I was doing five miles an hour in a 30-mile an hour zone.”

“That is exactly right.”

“So, what’s the problem?”

“Do you know how dangerous driving 25 miles an hour below the speed limit is?”

“No, I don’t.”

“You could be hit from behind.”

“Oh, I don’t think so.”

“What makes you say that?”

“I am a student of psychology, that’s why.”

“What does being a student have to do with getting killed by someone who doesn’t realize you are going so slow?”

“It has everything to do with it.”

“Okay, explain.”

“If you tell people to do something, the human tendency is to resist and mostly do the opposite. It’s human psychology.”

“I’m still having trouble seeing how this fits the situation.”

“Look at the sign on the back of my cart.”

“Yeah, okay.”

“It says machaca, which is Spanish for crush.”

“Still don’t get it.”

“When someone coming up behind me reads the sign, his psychology will make him do anything but hit me.”

“So you are saying that instead of crushing you, the person will do anything but.”

“Exactly.”

“Answer me this, Professor.”

“Yes?”

“What if they don’t read Spanish?”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Stream of Consciousness – Stop Me If You Have Heard This One

December 7, 2024December 6, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 66 Comments

Stop me if you have heard this one. The Coffee machine stands ready for the order. One could almost hear the click of heels as the coffee was promptly delivered. One sip and the clock came to mind.

The setting is 1941, and the location is Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii. The time is 7:55, and the duration is 110 minutes. The plunger is pulled, and we find ourselves on the deck of the battleship USS West Virgina. It is a beautiful Sunday morning, and in the distance, we can see what looks like a whole squadron of airplanes returning to Hickam Field on the island.

These are not American planes returning but 353 Aircraft – 40 torpedo planes, 103 level bombers, 131 dive-bombers, and 79 fighters of the Imperial Japanese Navy with the intent of sinking the American fleet at Pearl Harbor.

These Japanese aircraft were launched from the Japanese fleet north of Hawaii, which consisted of 67 Ships: 6 heavy aircraft carriers, 2 heavy cruisers, 35 submarines, 2 light cruisers, nine oilers, 2 battleships, and 11 destroyers.

In about one hour and fifteen minutes, Japanese planes destroyed or damaged 19 US warships and 300 aircraft and killed over 2,400 US servicemen.

As the West Virginia settles to the bottom of the shallow harbor, the alarm goes off, and we find ourselves back on the couch.

There is a text from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “Stop me if you’ve heard this one.” Write whatever comes to mind when you think of the prompt. Enjoy!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link: https://lindaghill.com/2024/12/06/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-7-2024/

Today marks the 83rd anniversary of the attack and a day that should be remembered. We are not going to the pub today but will be thinking of those who lost their lives.

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Hand

December 3, 2024December 2, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 58 Comments

Today I randomly opened Eternal Road – The final stop to page 31. Without looking, I pointed to the page. The word hand was closest to my finger.

“I appreciate the hand.”

“No problem. We’ll knock out this job in no time.”

“It would have taken me forever.”

“I thought you had tacked a pretty big project.”

“Well, you know how it goes. We always think we can do more.”

“Yeah, I have been there.”

“We could use some more material.”

“What do you think we should use?”

“For that west side, I think something of substance.”

“Yeah, the wind comes through from that direction. It can get pretty cold. Especially up this high.”

“I hate to send you all the way down, but I don’t know any other way.”

“I happen to know of an abandoned place just over the hill. I could go there and get what we need.”

“That’s real close, too. How do you know it’s abandoned.”

“I used to live there. My wife ran off with another.”

“That’s strange. My husband did the same.”

“You don’t suppose?”

“They went together?”

“I thought eagles mated for life. What is up with that?”

“It is a mystery. I really wasn’t sure why I was building a nest anyway.”

“I’m glad I came along. I think there might be a reason to build it.”

“You mean?”

“You and I could build it and have a family.”

“What a great idea.”

“I’ll go get the sticks. Then I’ll catch a nice trout, and we can have lunch.”

“That sounds so good. Hurry back.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Call

November 26, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 62 Comments

Today, I randomly opened Circumstances of Childhood to page 251 and pointed to the page without looking. The word closest to my finger is “call.”

“There is a call for you.”

“For me? I don’t know anyone who would call.”

“Well, it is obvious that it’s for you.”

“I am really confused. Who would be calling me.”

“Why don’t you answer the call and find out.”

“It could be someone selling something, that’s why.”

“Oh, come on. You can just say no, right?”

“You would think, but I’m a pushover regarding sales pitches.”

“How about I go with you, and if it is a pitch, I’ll tell them no.”

“You would do that for me?”

“Of course.”

“Since it is Thanksgiving time, I just want to say I’m thankful for you.”

“Aw, that is sweet.”

“Okay, let’s go answer the call.”

“On second thought, maybe we should just stay here.”

“Why a change of mind?”

“There is something strange about that call.”

“Like what?”

“The quack sounds artificial. Listen.”

“Yeah, I hear what you mean. Wait a minute. Do you think duck season has opened?”

“I’ll bet you are right. You better lay low.”

“How about you?”

“I don’t think goose season is open yet. If it is, though, I think the turkeys have more to worry about.”

“Let’s just stay here.”

“Good plan.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Just”

November 23, 2024November 22, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 68 Comments

The black machine just sits, waiting for a command. The touchpad offers selections to please every coffee lover’s taste. The conundrum is which to select. There’s the Americano, flat white, cappuccino, Latte, espresso, single cup, and double cup. My finger follows its muscle memory and selects the double cup. The icon lights up to let me know the order has been received. The grinding, groaning, and sputtering precede the slow delivery of fluid that makes life worth living again.

One sip and the clock comes to mind. It is set for November 23, 1924, in New York City, and the duration is an hour. The plunger is pulled, and we find ourselves at a newsstand on Lexington Avenue. We grab a newspaper and read.

The article states that Edwin Hubble announced his discovery that Andromeda, previously believed to be a nebula, is another galaxy and that the Milky Way is only one of many such galaxies in the universe. Hubble disclosed his discovery to The New York Times, and they broke the story. Hubble went on to publish a paper on December 30 after peer review and was presented by him at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society on January 1. The idea that our Earth and galaxy were unique has been turned over as a result.

Just as an order was placed with the hot dog vendor, the alarm went off, and we were back on the couch, having a strange craving for sauerkraut. A text has come in, and it is from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “use ‘just’ in your first sentence.” Use the word “just” any way you’d like in your first sentence, then just write to your heart’s content. Enjoy!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link: https://lindaghill.com/2024/11/22/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-23-2024/

“Just what made you pick a double cup?”

“What do you mean?”

“All those choices. You could have had something other than your usual.

“I just wasn’t in the mood for the others.”

“Well, I guess that explains why you only put catchup on your burger.”

“Anything other than cheese muddies the water.”

“Says the guy in a rut.”

“So what would you choose?”

“Right now?”

“Yes.”

“It comes in a brown bottle and goes by the initials of VooDoo Ranger.”

“Of course it does. Uber?”

“Right over there.”

“A 1978 Mercedes Turbodiesel Wagon. That puppy is a classic.”

“I thought you would like it.”

“That model was the first Mercedes wagon to be powered by a diesel engine. It was part of the W123 series, which was known for its reliability and durability. The 300TD was a luxury station wagon with a 3.0-liter, five-cylinder diesel engine that produced 123 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque”

“And who cares?”

“Well Dan Antion would and me of course.”

“You are putting the rest of us to sleep. Let’s get in.”

“Fine. I should make you buy.”

“Wait. Tell me more about the Mercedes.”

“Too late. Just get in.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Small

November 19, 2024November 19, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 60 Comments

I randomly opened Eternal Road – The final stop to page 131. Without looking, I pointed to the page, and the word “small” was closest to my finger.

“Can you see it?”

“Damn, that is pretty small.”

“Here, take this magnifier.”

“It still is too small to see clearly.”

“For heaven’s sake. What’s the problem.”

“My hand is shaking too much to determine what I’m looking at.”

“Maybe if we get closer, it will come into view.”

“It’s not like I can’t wait.”

“It won’t be too long.”

“How long?”

“A couple of light years.”

“That’s all? Why am I straining my eyes then?”

“I thought you would want a first glance.”

“Naw, I can wait. After all, it has been eons since we have been on the road. What’s a couple of light years?”

“That’s very mature of you.”

“I forgot the name of the place.”

“It’s a rather stupid name.”

“What is it?”

“Earth.”

“Boy, you are right. Being so close to the Milky Way Galaxy, you would have thought they could come up with a better name.”

“Yeah, all the others have pretty catchy names. Since we have discovered this one, we should rename it.”

“Great idea. Got any names in mind?”

“Humm. The only one that comes to mind immediately is yogurt.”

“I like it. Let it be so.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Courtroom

November 12, 2024November 10, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 85 Comments

I opened Circumstances of Childhood randomly to page 189 and pointed at the page without looking. The word closest to my finger was “courtroom.”

“You may call your witness counselor.”

“Thank you, Your Honor. The state calls Ms. Charlene Roste.”

“Ms. Roste, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?”

“I do.”

“Very well, Ms. Roste. Would you state your name for the record?”

“Certainly. My name is Charlene Maywood Roste. My friends call me Chuck.”

“Thank you. Now tell the jury exactly what you saw on the night of June sixteenth.”

“Well, there I was, minding my own business when a guy approached me.”

“Is that guy in the courtroom?”

“Yes, right over there.”

“Let the record show the witness has identified the defendant, Farmer Brown. What happened next?”

“He had a pail and three-legged stool, which he immediately used to assault me.”

“By assault, you mean he hit you?”

“No. He grabbed my parts and started taking my milk.”

“Before we go further, the defense insists that you were under contract, which allowed Farmer Brown to take your milk. Do you agree with that?”

“I never saw a contract, nor have I signed one.”

“So here is the paper the defense says you signed. Does this look familiar?”

“I’ve never seen it before.”

“Is that signature yours?”

“Heck no. I always sign with my right hoof. That clearly is a left-hoof forgery.”

“Objection, your honor.”

“Yes, Mr. Travis?”

“The witness is not a certified hoof analyst, so her statement is conjecture.”

“So noted. The jury will disregard Ms. Roste’s last statement.”

“But you say you did not sign the contract.”

“I did not, and that man humiliated me.”

“Thank you, Ms. Roste.”

“Mr Travis, your witness.”

“Thank you, your honor. Ms. Roste, how long have you been on Farmer Brown’s farm?”

“About four years.”

“How many times has he taken your milk?”

“Twice a day.”

“So for four years, that would be over twelve hundred times.”

“I guess. I don’t do well at math.”

“Why did you object this time?”

“To be honest, I was looking for a ‘thank you.'”

“A thank you?”

“Yes. That man has taken my milk over twelve hundred times and never said thank you.”

“I see. What if he says ‘thank you’ now?”

“That’s all I want.”

“Your honor, for a directed acquittal, I will guarantee that my client will say ‘thank you.'”

“What say you, Mr. Prosecutor.”

“Yeah, fine.”

“Ms Roste?”

“I will be good with that.”

“So directed. Yes, Mr. Brown?”

“Thank you, Ms Roste.”

” You are welcome, Mr. Brown. Also, some warm water would be nice in the winter.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Starts with Under.”

November 9, 2024November 8, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 78 Comments

A bright new day is underway. (Is this poetry or what?) The Coffee machine senses the need for fast service. A mere touch of the start button sets a series of machinations in motion that end with an olfactory-pleasing mug of the life-saving elixir. Understanding the memory restoration properties of Columbia’s second most lucrative export, the first sip is taken.

The clock is set for November 8th, 1924. The location is Austin, Texas, and the duration is an hour. Another sip, a pull of the plunger, and we find ourselves at the University of Texas Memorial Stadium. We are here for the first game played in the new stadium. The teams playing each other are the Texas Longhorns and the Baylor Bears.

The crowd is estimated to be 13,500 people, and unfortunately for Texas, the Baylor team beat them 28 to 10. So, the underdog Texas team could not rise to the occasion and set a positive precedent in the new stadium. Just as happy Baylor fans were tearing down the goalposts, the alarm went off, and we were back on the couch.

I hear a text tone and see one from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “starts with ‘under.’” Find a word that starts with “under” and use it in your post. Enjoy!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2024/11/08/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-9-2024/

“It is amazing that those two teams played 100 years ago.”

“Yeah, and until Texas left the Big Twelve they played up to last year.”

“So, 99 years.”

“Yup, and that last score was Texas 38, Baylor 6.”

“Sweet revenge.”

“I suppose. We must understand that Baylor is no longer the powerhouse they once were.”

“You folks in Texas take the game seriously.”

“Yeah, we do.”

“You know what else is serious?”

“Does it have anything to do with VooDoo Ranger?”

“You are a genius.”

“Uber?”

“Over there. Before you look, don’t underestimate the beauty.”

“Beauty? You’ve got to be kidding.”

“Well, yes. I just wanted some way to use an “under” word.”

“We can’t ride in that.”

“Sure we can. Besides, it’s free.”

“Why free?”

“The owner is on the way to the dump, and he passes the pub.”

“How do we get home?”

“Call Uber.”

“The circle of life. Okay, let’s go.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Wave

November 5, 2024November 3, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

I opened My GRL randomly to page 73. Without looking, I pointed to the page, and the word closest to my finger was “wave.”

I will be away from my computer this morning and will not get to comments until later.

“Look out there.”

“Where?”

“Past the third wave.”

“I don’t see anything.”

“You have to look when the wave is low.”

“Oh, I see it. What is it?”

“Hard to say from here. We have to wait until it gets closer.”

“treasure, maybe?”

“Come on, treasure doesn’t float.”

“If it is food, someone will grab it before it gets to shore.”

“You have a point. This island has been deserted forever, so the grab might be a shark.”

“What should we do?”

“We have to go out there and get it.”

“We? With a shark roaming around?”

“Alright, I’ll go.”

“My hero. How are you going to do it?”

“I figure I can grab it on the fly.”

“I see it now. It is a bag of wavy potato chips.”

“OMG. Are the gods smiling or what. No shark will grab those.”

“I haven’t seen Wavys since we left Miami Beach.”

“Remind me again why we left?”

“Peregrine Falcons.”

“Oh yeah. Not a gull’s best friend.”

“They love us, though.”

“They always want to invite us for dinner.”

“Not as a guest either.”

“Look, the Wavys are here.”

“You still know how to open that bag?”

“Never lose a skill, my son.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Chill

November 2, 2024November 1, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 80 Comments

The message on the control pad was clear in its meaning. The lone word, “Chill,” meant coffee would be delayed. Drumming fingers on the kitchen counter does no good whatsoever. An eternity passes until the slow drool of lifesaving elixir begins from the twin spouts.

Finally, I take a first sip, which comes just as the caffeine warning light in my head starts to rotate. The calm after the storm is a relief. Unfortunately, the calm lasts a brief two seconds before the Westminster chimes of the doorbell send the hounds of Baskerville into a frothy barking frenzy at a decibel level that manages to destroy every lightbulb in the place.

The only thing to do is open the bedroom door and toss a jar of peanut butter inside. Once the baying hounds pass the doorjamb in pursuit, the door is slammed, and silence returns. The security system is the next item of attention.

The turret machine guns are set to stand by, the boiling oil cauldron tipping mechanism is turned off, and the automated arrow launching pods are unarmed. In addition, the Trebuchet, ballista, and falling rock device are switched to manual. The claymore mines are set to manual, the mote net rolled back, and the concertina wire retracted. The Iron gate is raised, and the bolts are thrown on the front door.

Standing there is a guy with a chill expression and two massive ears. He is munching a carrot and asks me, “Eh, what’s up Doc?” He hands me an envelope, turns and disappears. Inside the envelope is a message from Linda Hill. It reads:

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

If you want to see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2024/11/01/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-2-2024/

“Why no time trip?”

“The only news from 1924 was an accident in Chicago and a first time crossword puzzle in London. Pretty boring.”

“You know you don’t have to stick with 1924.”

“Yeah, you are right but that damn doorbell went off and I ran out of time.”

“Was that Bugs Bunny?”

“Hard to say. Since I don’t have a Warner Brothers waver of their copyright I’m saying it was somebody else.”

“You a lawyer?”

“No but I play one on TV.”

“Any thought about Voo Doo Ranger?”

“Do you have an Uber?”