Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Peace/Piece

September 21, 2024September 20, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 56 Comments

The message on the coffee machine’s screen is very clear: No coffee until we are clean. Throwing hands up in the air, all peace seems lost until the second message flashes: It only takes two minutes; press start. Grabbing a piece of courage, pressing start saves the day. There is some noise, and then the magic message: All Clean.

The first sip brings the brain to life and reminds us to grab the clock. The time is set for September 20th, 1924, and the location is Washington, D.C. When the plunger is pulled, we find ourselves on the corner of Rhode Island Avenue N.W., M Street, and Connecticut Avenue N.W. in Washington, D.C. Here, the dedication of the Nuns of the Battlefield is a public artwork made in 1924 by Irish artist Jerome Connor.

The artwork honors the more than 600 nuns who served as nurses to both the Union and Confederate injured and ill troops during the US Civil War.

The lower right side of the relief is signed: JEROME CONNOR 1924

The lower left side of the relief is inscribed: BUREAU BROS. BRONZE FOUNDERS PHILA. ENN

On the granite above the relief is inscribed: THEY COMFORTED THE DYING, NURSED THE WOUNDED, CARRIED HOPE TO THE IMPRISONED, GAVE IN HIS NAME A DRINK OF WATER TO THE THIRSTY.

On the granite below the relief: TO THE MEMORY AND IN HONOR OF THE VARIOUS ORDERS OF SISTERS WHO GAVE THEIR SERVICES AS NURSES ON BATTLEFIELDS AND IN HOSPITALS DURING THE CIVIL WAR.

On the rear of the slab near the base is inscribed: ERECTED BY THE LADIES AUXILIARY TO THE ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS OF AMERICA. A.D. 1924 BY AUTHORITY OF THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES

Just before the Temperance Union served lemonade, our alarm goes off, and we are in the comfort of the couch. A text has arrived from Linda Hill. It reads:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “peace/piece.’” Use one, use them both (for bonus points), use them any way you’d like. Enjoy!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here’s the link: https://lindaghill.com/2024/09/20/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-sept-21-2024/

“A perfect visit for the peace half of the prompt.”

“I thought so. The piece was in keeping with the wonderful memory of those nuns.”

“What was the deal with the Temperance lemonade bit?”

“It was a tongue-in-cheek nod to your obsession with VooDoo Ranger.”

“Ah, you mentioned it first.”

“Uber?”

“Right over there in the garage.”

“What the heck is that?”

“It’s an electric car built by Westinghouse in 1965.”

“I only see two sets.”

“Yeah, the driver said we could take it.”

“What good does that do when the idea is to have a designated driver for our pub trip?”

“This thing has a top speed of 25 miles an hour and a range of 50 miles and is powered by six six-volt batteries.”

“It will take an hour just to get to the pub. Back to my question.”

“I guess we need something else.”

“Call them back and get a better ride.”

“Okay, but I thought this would be fun since only 50 were made.”

“Okay, you win. Get the driver, and I’ll squeeze in the back.”

“You are a prince.”

“No. Just thirsty.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Brushed

September 17, 2024September 16, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 48 Comments

I opened the book My GRL randomly to page 191 and, without looking, pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “brushed.”

“So, how long did that take?”

“It seemed like ten days, but it was only two. He is now fully brushed.”

“That sounds like a lot of time.”

“That horse is a monster.”

“Yeah, I know. I still can’t figure out why you felt the need to brush him.”

“You know all that dander and dust that builds up under those hairs.”

“Yeah, I’ve seen a little of that.”

“All that crap just got to me one day.”

“I still don’t get the point.”

“I am real tired of drilling through all that just to have lunch.”

“Why not just fly to a cleaner horse?”

“Cause those Clydesdales are real tasty. There’s nothing like them.”

“Funny. I never tried one.”

“You should. This one’s clean enough.”

“Well, thanks for the invite. How about after lunch, we fly over and go for a stroll in the dung pile.”

“You’re on.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Speedometer

September 10, 2024September 9, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 60 Comments

Today, I randomly opened Eternal Road – The final stop to page 199 and, without looking at the page, I pointed. The word nearest my finger is ‘speedometer.’

“How fast are we going?”

“Looking at the speedometer, we are standing still.”

“Yeah, but the trees are rushing by, so we are moving.”

“I suppose there is no way to tell since the speedometer is on the fritz.”

“Just feels like we are going too fast.”

“I think that’s because you are used to slower speeds. Your walking speed is below 6.”

“I suppose you’re right. I have this funny feeling.”

“What feeling.”

“When I was climbing and took a dive, I got weightless. It feels like that.”

“Well, we’re still on the road and not flying.”

“Maybe the speed has something to do with it. The trees are now a blur.”

“Why am I not getting these feelings.”

“I think your size may have something to do with it.”

“I suppose that’s possible. Stop looking out the window.”

“How can I help it? There are windows all around. I don’t feel well.”

“How about I cover you so you don’t have to look.”

“Better than that, I’ll get on the floor. Can’t see anything from down there.”

“I told you this would be a bad idea.”

“I just hate to be left alone.”

“The trip is only an hour.”

“Still an hour of my time is seven of yours.”

“They told me cats hate to ride in cars.”

“I want to break that stereotype.”

“Just don’t barf, okay.”

“I feel better. I’ll reserve barfing for the living room.”

“Thanks.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “tack/tech/tick/tock/tuck.”

September 7, 2024September 6, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 50 Comments

Coffee can’t come soon enough. There should be a way to start an IV while still in bed. In that way, stepping on legos, stubbed toes, tripping over footstools, and all manner of mayhem might be avoided. Such is impractical, so one must go through the minefield to reach the golden elixir. The first sip is worth the trouble. Once the brain came to life, the clock was the first thought. Although there was no tock to accompany the tick, the tech behind it is intact. It is set on September 6, 1914, and the tack is Atlantic City, New Jersey. A safety tuck under the arm and a plunger pull find us immediately at the Miss America pageant.

The fourth annual Miss America Pageant was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and won by Miss Philadelphia, Ruth Malcomson (1906—1988). The 1922 and 1923 winners, Mary Katherine Campbell (who had entered from Ohio as Miss Columbus), placed First Runner-Up. The pageant marked the last time previous winners were eligible to enter the Miss America pageant.

Mary Katherine Campbell ( December 18, 1905 – June 7, 1990) was The only person to win the Miss America pageant twice and the second woman in history to win the title.

Just as we were about to meet and greet the winners, the alarm drops us onto the old trusty couch. A text has arrived from Linda Hill. It reads:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “tack/tech/tick/tock/tuck.’” Use one or use ’em all for the bonus points. Enjoy!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link: https://lindaghill.com/2024/09/06/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-sept-7-2024/

“All those women and you didn’t get to talk to any?”

“That’s right. A sad thing, too.”

“I think you should take me with you on these ventures.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because I would know what to do instead of standing around until the time ran out.”

“What would you do?”

“Get a few phone numbers. Maybe ask one out.”

“They are in the past. You know that, right? What good would a phone number do you?”

“Hmm. You make a good point. Okay, maybe just a quick hug.”

“I could see you getting hauled off to jail for assault.”

“All right, never mind. Let’s take a new tack.”

“Okay.”

“Does the tech in that tick-tock allow for return visits?”

“I suppose it does.”

“There you go then. We tuck that puppy in a bag and take it with us.”

“And?”

“When we need to extend time, we reset it and return.”

“Let me think on that.”

“I know the perfect thought juice.”

“VooDoo Ranger, right?”

“How did you guess?”

“How about Uber?”

“Right over there.”

“A 1949 Ford truck.”

“Looks that way. Of course, the 49 and 50 looked just like it.”

“The important part is you seem fascinated with trucks.”

“Yeah, I guess a soft spot, and we can buy two more VooDoo Rangers with what we save on the fare.”

“What do you mean ‘we?'”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Communicate

September 3, 2024September 2, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 54 Comments

Today, I randomly opened the book My GRL to page 241, and without looking, my finger landed closest to the word ‘communicate.’

“So what did you say?”

“I said that is no way to communicate.”

“What happened then?”

“He reached in his pocket and pulled out a little pad and pencil.”

“Then what?”

“He wrote out a note. Tore it out of the pad and handed it to me.”

“A note? He already threatened you with his fist and then wrote out a note? What did it say?”

“Put all the money in a bag, or you’ll get it.”

“Get what?”

“That’s what I asked.”

“And.”

“He looked at me for a minute and then scribbled another note.”

“I can’t wait. What did this one say?”

“It was a crude drawing of a gun with the word ‘this’ under it. I held it up in the air and said, ‘This?’ He nodded.”

“Then what?”

“The police came in and took him away.”

“Did they disarm him?”

“He didn’t have a gun. I did give them his drawing.”

“Imagine that?”

“I sort of felt sorry for him. Doesn’t seem like he knew what he was doing.”

“Wait a minute. He was robbing you.”

“Yeah, I know. I probably should have just given him some money and let him go. He looked desperate.”

“Now, you are sounding crazy.”

“At least he won’t be charged with armed robbery. A drawing of a gun is not a gun.”

“At least not yet.”

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

August 27, 2024August 26, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 47 Comments

Today, I randomly opened Eternal Road – The final stop to page 45 and, without looking, placed my finger on the page. The word closest to my finger is “answer.”

“Is that your final answer?”

“What do you mean, ‘final answer?'”

“I mean that you can’t change your mind once you commit.”

“Um, maybe I better think a little linger.”

“I haven’t got all day.”

“Okay, okay, I just need a second.”

“Time’s up.”

“I said a second, not a split second.”

“Very funny. Come on, is that your final answer.”

“Yes. For heaven’s sake. That is my final answer.”

“Well, congratulations. You have completed the test.”

“Test? What test?”

“The test to see if you have what it takes to be part of this great organization.”

“Part of? Wait a minute. All I did was come in here for lunch.”

“I know, and now you are one of us.”

“I just said yes to your question. I didn’t know there was any more to it than that.”

“Oh, cricket. The world is a wondrous place, and on every highway, important questions need answers. You did well.”

“I’m sure I don’t understand what you just said, nor will I understand it.”

“It doesn’t matter. You said yes, and that’s all that counts.”

“I still don’t understand the importance of the question, ‘Do you want fries with that?’ I will just trust that my sandwich will be ready soon.”

“Life is more than a sandwich, cricket. I pray you see that one day. That’ll be eight fifty.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Hap.”

August 24, 2024August 23, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 89 Comments

Happiness is a strong cup of coffee to get the blood moving and the brain in gear. Thank you to my magic potion machine for delivering a cup of the hot steaming stuff with no delay. The functioning brain meant reaching for the clock would not be wasted. The clock is set for August 23, 1924 and the location is St Louis, Missouri. We arrive to pick up the story from the St Louis Dispatch in an article written by Roland Thomas.

He writes that the planets Mars and Earth were the closest today than they had been since August 18, 1845, and the closest since high-power telescopes had been constructed, coming within 34,630,000 miles (55,730,000 km). We know from experience that Mars and Earth would not be this close again until August 28, 2003.

As stories of men on Mars attacking the Earth are rumored, our alarm goes off, and we land safely on the couch. A text from Linda Hill comes through. It reads:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “hap.’” Find a word that starts with “hap” and use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda Hill’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2024/08/23/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-aug-24-2024/

“Pretty exciting stuff.”

“Back then, it was.”

“When will it happen that Mars will be closest again?”

“Not till 2035.”

“Wow, that is a long wait.”

“Yeah, if you missed it in 2003, it sure is.”

“You going to watch it?”

“Humm. Maybe. I’ll be 94 then.”

“Oh, come on. With your VooDoo Ranger as support, there’s no contest.”

“I suppose you would call it the fountain of youth.”

“Well, maybe not the fountain of youth, but maybe the source of youth.”

“Or at least a haphazard conduit.”

“Well, we are happiest at the pub. Let’s go.”

“Uber?”

“Right over there.”

“Okay, I call shotgun.”

“You got it.”

“Do we have a ladder to get up there?”

“It so happens that I’m prepared to give you a boost.”

“Don’t drop a senior citizen.”

“Don’t tempt me.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – “Nothing”

August 20, 2024August 19, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 50 Comments

Today, I randomly opened the award-winning book Eternal Road—The Final Stop to page 259 and placed my finger on the page without looking. The word nearest to my finger is ‘nothing.’

“What are you thinking?”

“Nothing.”

“Oh, come on. Your face tells a different story.”

“What do you mean?”

“That deep frown tells me something is bothering you.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Looks like something.”

“Why can’t you just believe me when I say it’s nothing?”

“Because I’m concerned when it looks like you’re troubled.”

“I’m not troubled.”

“Okay, let’s drop it then.”

“You started it. How about we drop it when I say we drop it?”

“You call it then.”

“I’m not ready to drop it yet.”

“Why not?”

“Because you didn’t accept the fact that I wasn’t thinking about anything.”

“I do now.”

“Yeah, but now I’m not thinking of nothing. I’m thinking about not talking to you for the rest of the day.”

“This got out of hand fast.”

“So next time when I say ‘nothing’ to a question of ‘What are you thinking about?’ You’ll believe me, right?”

“Absolutely.”

“Okay, I forgive you.”

“Thank you.”

“What are you thinking?”

“That I need three fingers of bourbon.”

“You are always thinking about bourbon. I believe you have a problem.”

“Soon to be solved with three fingers.”

“That was funny.”

“You think so?”

“Yeah.”

“I love you.”

“What are you thinking?”

“Don’t start. Go get your bourbon.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Shirt

August 17, 2024August 16, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 56 Comments

My coffee machine has started to develop an attitude. After punching the brew button, my fingers start drumming on the countertop. Indeed, you would think the machine could appreciate withdrawal symptoms when they manifest. Instead of sympathy, a message comes up on the touchpad. It says, “Keep your shirt on, this quality brew takes time.” Suitably chastised. Hopefully, my pout has had an impact since the coffee is delivered instantly.

Just after a sip, the doorbell’s Winchester Chime routine causes most of the coffee to hit the floor. Twiggy and Tempiste try to warn whoever is at the door that rabid wolves have taken up residence. A deep sigh and loud “Cut it out” finally bring some sense of quiet as the security system shut-down procedure starts.

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.

The door is opened, and a character who looks very much like Bug Bunny asks me to sign for a special delivery letter. My only comment is, “I guess you missed the do not ring the doorbell sign.”

He responds, “Don’t know how to read, Doc.” He then turns and hops away.

The letter is from Linda Hill, and it reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “shirt.’” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

If you want to see what others have done with the prompt, here is a link to Linda’s post: https://lindaghill.com/2024/08/16/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-aug-17-2024/

“So again, no clock.”

“Well, this week, I had a request from an old friend to do the security system.”

“Oh, so you take requests now?”

“No, but in this case, my friend is a loyal follower and misses the old post. The story is a little deeper, too.”

“Do tell.”

“We both lost another friend who enjoyed making suggestions on the post. They both devised the Trebuchet, ballista, and the mote net. So, this post is in honor of Dan. Thanks, Tom, for the suggestion.”

“Well, my suggestion to honor those two with a VooDoo Ranger seems a little shallow.”

“No, I think that is a great way. If Dan were here, he’d jump on that suggestion. Uber?”

“What does my shirt say?”

“Over there?”

“Yup. Look over there.”