Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Inner/Outer”

September 26, 2026September 25, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 53 Comments

Sometimes understanding the inner workings of the coffee machine is difficult, given its expressionless exterior. The machine certainly has inner quirks that show up as a lack of performance. For example, this morning everything looked normal as the machine was powered up. Then this message appeared briefly on the touchscreen.

The normal screen appears, but the mystery of the machine’s message is still with me. Two touches of the coffee icon produced a normal hot, steaming 8oz cup of soothing syrup, whose aroma began calming the Notre Dame Marching Band sound in my head from not enough caffeine. The first sip went further, and all that is left is a slight sound of that tiny triangle, which is seldom heard. The second sip is accompanied, as we all know, by the cacophony of the combination of the Doorbell Westminster chimes and the rock-crumbling bark of Twiggy and Tempeste warning the idiot who can’t read the “Do not ring the doorbell sign that death is imminent. A quick toss of a couple of Bennie Bomes into the soundproof room, followed by a door slam. The quiet reverberates like Disturb’s Sound of Silence

A look at the security monitor confirms that the doorbell ringers are Laurel and Hardy. 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.

Hardy steps forward to hand me the clipboard and envelope. Laurel taps him on the shoulder. He responds by asking Laurel to give him a minute. Laurel continues to tap. “What is it?” Hardy demands. “You are standing on my foot.” The clipboard goes back with a fiver attached, and once inside, the envelope is opened to reveal a message from Linda Hill

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “inner/outer.” Use one, use both, use ’em any way you’d like. Bonus points if you use both. Enjoy!

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

https://lindaghill.com/2026/09/25/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-september-26-2026/

‘I see you repeated using the prompt.”

“Yeah, I have been getting a lot of folks who wonder where the prompt was used.”

“You could bold it.”

“But then the dialog turns into prose.”

“Too complex for me. How did you choose Laurel and Hardy today?”

“They are a favorite of mine.”

“They say slapstick humor is the lowest kind.”

“I never said I was sophisticated in my laughs.”

“I do think they are funny.”

“As a kid, I loved watching them. I saw a few reels recently, and they are still funny.”

“I’ll take your word. I haven’t seen them in years.”

Speaking of years, did you call Uber?”

“Yup. Right over there.”

“Now you are talking. I get dibs on the stretcher.”

“Not sure that’s going to happen.”

“Why not?”

“Because there is a catch.”

“Of course there is. What is it?”

“We have to transport a guy from the hospital to the care facility.”

“Why the heck do we get into these situations?”

“It’s all about the money. The trips are free.”

“I think paying would be better.”

“Ah, come on. Think of the experiences. You know first aid, don’t you?”

“Huh? No, I don’t.”

“Don’t tell the driver. I told him you did.”

“What if something happens?”

“It won’t. The guy is perfectly healthy.”

“Why is he in an ambulance then?”

“He is 102 years old.”

“Great. What if he has a heart attack or something?”

“Just follow the directions on the defib machine.”

“Give me a Voodoo Ranger.”

“You’ll be fine.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Typo”

September 19, 2026September 18, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 52 Comments

The cofee (whoops. A typo) machine stands like a beacon in the post-apocalyptic world of my head during caffeine withdrawal. The steady flow of soothing elixir brings appetizer-like aromas that promise relief. The first sip stops the zombie moans in my brain. The second is accompanied by the combination of the Westminster Chimes of the doorbell and the eardrum-puncturing baying of Igor’s hounds in Twiggy and Tempeste’s reaction to the chimes. A quick toss of two knuckle bones into the soundproof room, followed by the slamming of the door, brings a Deep Purple Hush back to the room.

A glance at the monitor shows Chip and Dale, the chipmunks, each holding either a clipboard or a letter. Since talking to them is futile, the security shutdown process begins.

Chip hands me the letter and Dale the clipboard. When signed, the clipboard goes back to Dale with a fiver under the clip. Thinking that they might have a problem with the money, a bag of unshelled peanuts follows the clipboard.

Once inside, the letter is opened, and it is from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “typo.” Use it any ~~wya~~ way you’d like. Have fun!

If you would like to see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link: https://lindaghill.com/2026/09/18/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-september-19-2026/

“Chip and Dale? Where did you come up with them?”

“I was looking around for a character, and they just came to me.”

“I can see them trying to spend the five bucks.”

“That’s why I gave them the peanuts.”

“Yeah. Where did they come from?”

“This is fiction, remember.”

“Ah. Poetic license.”

“You got it.”

“Speaking of license.”

“Did you call Uber?”

“Right over there.”

“What the heck is that thing?”

“It’s a 1939 Buick sedan retrofitted for rail inspections.”

“How is that going to get us to the pub?”

“The pub is on the mainline.”

“Since when?”

“This is fiction, remember.”

“Stumbled onto my own patard.”

“What?”

“Never mind. So we just hop in there and go to the pub?”

“Well.”

“I knew it. A hitch.”

“A small one.”

“Okay, give it to me.”

“We have to take a ride on the Reading Railroad.”

“Why’s that?”

“The card said so. We landed on chance.”

“For heaven’s sake. You are taking this fiction thing a bit far.”

“Fun, though, right?”

“Okay, let’s get going. We might get there by tonight.”

“The Reading is in Pennsylvania ”

“And we are in Texas.”

“I hope you have some VooDoo Rangers.”

“You bet.”

“Let’s go then.”

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

September 15, 2026September 14, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 81 Comments

Today, I randomly opened Eternal Road – The final stop to page 111. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word nearest my finger is “Wringer,” which is our prompt.

“Nice to have you visit.”

“I have really enjoyed myself. This hotel is the best.”

“I agree. I think it’s time for us to check out, though.”

“What makes you think that?”

“Well, they have cleaned our room.”

“I guess that’s a hint that we have to move on.”

“You said it. It’s too bad cause I like this place. The food is great.”

“I agree. Everything is so clean. Not like some other places we’ve been.”

“Yeah, talk about overcrowding and the lack of regular cleaning.”

“I have never visited a laundry before.”

“Well, if we hadn’t slept in, we wouldn’t be here now”

“What do we do?”

“We have to avoid being caught up in the washing machine and then the wringer.”

“What is a wringer”

“I don’t know exactly how it works, but I know whatever goes in comes out flat.”

“Have you seen it work before?”

“Oh yeah, plenty of times. I was just lucky to be able to avoid it.”

“So what’s our next move?”

“When they grab these sheets, jump over to the clean pile.”

“Won’t they see us?”

“Nah. We are too small for them to see us.”

“And so we will go to another room?”

“Yup. We can stay. But this time we have to be alert, and when they come to clean the room, we need to go onto the mattress.”

“Got it. I’ll tell you, being a bedbug is not easy.”

“You said it.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Reason”

September 12, 2026September 11, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 71 Comments

The only reason survival is possible is coffee. That golden elixir is the only self-medication that stops the spike-driving, rail-laying, metal-on-metal sound in my head from caffeine withdrawal. The aroma alerts my senses to be prepared for soothing peace.

The first sip quells the noise. The second sip, as we are all too familiar, is accompanied by the falling grand piano in the Grand Canyon sound as it hits the floor, a combination of Westminster chimes of the doorbell and the bark to St. Louis, picture window smashing sound of Twiggy and Tempeste treating the idiot who can’t read the do not ring the doorbell sign as a threat to life and limb. A quick toss of peanut butter-stuffed Kong toys into the soundproof room, and a slam of the door hails the arrival of the peace train.

A check of the monitor shows Marc Antony, the Bulldog, with a clipboard and letter. Knowing conversation is futile, the security shutdown process is begun.

The Bulldog gives me the letter and clipboard, which is signed and returned. A fiver is clipped to the board, so the Bulldog smiles and makes his exit. Once inside, the letter seems to be from Linda Hill and says: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is ‘reason.” 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/2026/09/11/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-september-12-2026/

“Okay, what’s the reason you didn’t give the Bulldog one of your clever quotes?”

“I thought the fiver would be enough.”

“Don’t you think once he gets back to the delivery company, all the other characters will ask about the motivational tip?”

“How will they know he made a stop at my place?”

“Yeah, that’s a good point. I don’t suppose those characters compare notes.”

“I think they just do their job and go home. What reason would there be to mill around and discuss deliveries?”

“What reason indeed. I’m now sorry I mentioned it.”

“Nah, don’t be sorry. Enquiring minds want to know.”

“Speaking of that, you ready to go to the pub?”

“You get an Uber?”

“Don’t I always? Right over there.”

“Wow, that is some color. Looks like a 64 Chevrolet C10 pickup.”

“Been worked on, too. There is room for three.”

“That’s a good thing. No sitting on the floor?”

“Nope?”

“So what is the catch?”

“This guy is also a DoorDash delivery person.”

“So?”

“We have to make one stop.”

“Uh huh.”

“He needs to deliver a shipment of canaries to a pet store.”

“You make me laugh.”

“Seriously.”

“And the canaries need to ride in the cab.”

“How did you know?”

“Instinct.”

“Here are some overalls.”

“What are these for?”

“The canaries need to sit on your lap, and I don’t want them to get anything on you.”

“Aren’t they in a shipping container?”

“Yes, but you never know.”

“I’ve been in worse conditions.”

“That’s the spirit. Let’s go.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – “Transport

September 8, 2026September 7, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 67 Comments

Today I randomly opened The Last Drive to page 145 and, with my eyes closed, pointed to it. The word closest to my finger is “transport.” This is our prompt today.

“How are we going to get there?”

“I have arranged a transport for us.”

“I’m not sure why we have to leave.”

“I’ve already told you. This place can no longer support us.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that our gracious host can no longer keep us.”

“What did we do?”

“Nothing. But it appears there will be a major cleaning, and we will be in the way.

“Can’t we just stay out of the way?”

“It is very difficult. When they clean, it is very thorough.”

“Sounds like you’ve been through the process before.”

“I have, and I was lucky to escape.”

“So what’s the transport situation?”

“In a couple of minutes, the vehicle will be here. When it shows up, we have to be quick.”

“How quick?”

“We’ll have to jump; otherwise, we will miss it.”

“Okay.”

“You all packed?”

“I’ve got nothing to pack.”

“There’s our ride.”

“That’s a cat.”

“It’s only temporary. The dog gets a bath, and then, when dry, we can go back home.”

“So we jump?”

“Yes. Give it your best flea hop. I’m right behind you.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Motion

September 5, 2026September 4, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 75 Comments

Touching the two coffee icons on the coffee maker’s touchscreen sets in motion the solution to the sitting-on-the-back-of-a-rocket annoyance in my head from caffeine withdrawal. The soothing elixir flows from the dual spout into the mug. The aroma begins the healing process.

The first sip deadens the nerve endings to quell the rocket’s red glare. Of course, the second sip is accompanied by the cacophony of the doorbell’s Westminster chime and the crystal-crumbling barking of my beloved Hounds of Baskerville.

A toss of a new treat into the soundproof room and slamming the door brings a kind of hush that allows the brain to think. A quick look at the security monitor confirms the presence of Tweety Bird on the porch holding a clipboard and envelope. Knowing conversation is futile, the security shutdown process is begun.

Tweety Bird hands me the envelope and clipboard. Attaching a fiver, signing, and then handing it back brings a smile to Tweety’s beak. Thinking a bird needs more motivation, an anonymous tip on success is proffered as the door closes. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the action.”

The letter is from Linda Hill. It reads:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “motion.” 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/2026/09/04/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-september-5-2026/

“Tweety Bird, huh?”

“Yup. I was glad to see him.”

“How do you know it’s a him?”

“I don’t.”

“Pretty dangerous making assumptions.”

“Do you know?”

“Yup. According to Warner brothers Tweety is a he.”

“If you knew that, why ask me?”

“Just curious. I love getting your brain in motion.”

“Clever.”

“Thank you.”

“Speaking of motion, have you called for an Uber?”

“I have. It is right over there.”

“You have got to be kidding.”

“Don’t let the appearance fool you.”

“Oh, I’m not fooled. I doubt that pile of junk even moves.”

“It does. It got here, didn’t it?”

“What’s that paper on the driver’s side windshield?”

“It says not to move it.”

“So why was it in motion?”

“The paper is dated 1953. I think it is safe to move.”

“Is it safe to ride in?”

“Of course. Here are your goggles.”

“What are these for?”

“There is a little dust in there that blows around.”

“Why can’t we get a normal Uber?”

“These classic finds are cheap.”

“I guess so. Let’s get going.”

“Now you are talking.”

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

September 1, 2026September 1, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 47 Comments

Today I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 177. With my eyes closed, I pointed to the page, and my finger fell closest to the word “business.” This is our prompt.

“None of your business.”

“But that is a beautiful catch.”

“Yeah, I know, and where I found it is my business, not yours.”

“Okay. Be that way then.”

“It’s just that if I tell you, word will get out and before I know it all of them will be gone.”

” That is absolutely silly. Why would I share something that you and I need kept secret?”

“It’s the nature of things to want to impress others with what we know.”

“But in this case, we need those food sources to be kept on the down low.”

“I still think I should keep it to myself.”

“I’m really hungry and can’t locate a decent meal.”

“I suppose if you are hungry, that is a different situation.”

“And the fact that I’m your mate should mean something too.”

“Got me there. Okay, the abalone bed is where that pile of rocks lies underwater after the landslide.”

“I know that spot.”

“Of course you do. We met there.”

“We used to slide down that bank.”

“That’s the one.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t trust me.”

“Well, you can now go and get yourself lunch.”

“For an otter, you are certainly a strange one.”

“I guess it’s because I learned a long time ago that trust is fine. Control is better.”

“You are sleeping in the brown kelp tonight.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Sleep”

August 29, 2026August 28, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 63 Comments

After a lousy night’s sleep, there is nothing better than a big cup of joe. It is always appreciated when the machine is ready to go and delivers that steaming cure for the firetruck siren in my head from caffeine withdrawal. The first sip turns the siren off. As we know, the second sip is accompanied by the sound of the doorbell’s Westminster chimes. This annoying intrusion is then followed by the “Bark them to St Louis” reaction of Twiggy and Tempeste.

The quiet is stunning. There are no chimes or baying of Igor’s hounds. Checked the security monitor in case something was missed, but there was nothing. After turning on the infrared laser and painting the porch area, the image of a visitor appears. It is Casper the friendly ghost. The security shutdown process is begun out of curiosity.

Casper is standing in the glow of the laser, a clipboard and an envelope hovering near him. Taking both and returning the signed clipboard with a fiver, a tip comes to mind. “When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.” — William Arthur Ward. It is given to Csper, and he leaves.

Inside the envelope is a message from Linda Hill. It reads:

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

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

https://lindaghill.com/2026/08/28/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-august-29-2026/

“Man, I had a bad night’s sleep last night.”

“What’s the problem?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I kept thinking about our Uber ride today.”

“What about the ride?”

“I’m worried you won’t like it.”

“Since when does that even count?”

“You know I want you to enjoy your ride to the pub.”

“And yet I usually arrive needing a shower and an electroshock treatment.”

“Aw, it’s not that bad.”

“I’ve been in a neck brace all week from falling out of that 10-story car.”

“This week will be different. Look over there.”

“I must say this is an improvement. I think it’s a 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack, 6.4-liter (392) HEMI V8, in Sublime Green.”

“Well, you would know.”

“What’s the catch?”

“Aw, come on.”

“There is always a catch.”

“There’s only a driver’s seat.”

“So we sit on the floor?”

“Cushions, actually.”

“Doesn’t sound too bad.”

“I’m worried about you getting out.”

“Why’s that?”

“*Cough.* You are no spring chicken.”

“You worry about you. Ouch.”

“What was that?”

“I think I broke a fibula.”

“What?”

“Just kidding. Let’s go.”

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

August 25, 2026August 23, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 56 Comments

Today, I randomly opened Eternal Road – The Last Stop to page 99 and, with my eyes closed, pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “mess.” That is our prompt.

“You are a mess.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“No, I mean you are literally a mess.”

“In what way?”

“You have food all over your face. It’s like you haven’t been taught anything.”

“I don’t see that I’m doing anything different.”

“This must be the first time I’m noticing then.”

“Uh oh. Looks like the honeymoon is over.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well, pointing out little things that now bother you when they never did before.”

“But you should see the mess on your face.”

“I’m not sure how to avoid it.”

“Maybe if you wouldn’t gulp your food, you could be a little more careful about how it goes in.”

“There’s another.”

“Another what?”

“Indication of dissatisfaction.”

“Oh please. Just because I say something about your slopping eating, you take it to mean the honeymoon is over.”

“Is it?”

“If you don’t quit harping on it, I may have to smack you.”

“A loving comment.”

“Eat your carrion and then maybe we can fly to the lake and get you cleaned up.’

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Starts with GL”

August 22, 2026August 21, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 70 Comments

The glass touchscreen on the coffee machine is glowing with a soft light. A quick thump of the top brings up the icons. The best guess is the machine was caught sleeping, and, of course, we will never know. A touch of the two coffee button starts the flow of the life-giving elixir that promises to quell the falling Mosler Safe hitting the concrete sound that the lack of caffeine is duplicating in my head.

The first sip does the job. The second sip (Of course) is accompanied by the Westminster chime of the doorbell and the eardrum-bleeding cacophony of Igor’s hounds, Twigy and Tempeste. A toss of a veggie burger into the soundproof room and a slam of the door brings the peace train into the station. A check of the security monitor shows what appears to be Gladstone Gander holding a clipboard and envelope. Since asking anyone to simply leave the envelope has never worked, the security shutdown process is begun.

Gladstone Gander hands me the clipboard and envelope. The signed clipboard is handed back with a fiver. Once in the house, the envelope reveals a message from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “Starts with gl. Find a word that starts with “gl” and use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

To see what others did with the prompt, visit Linda’s post at https://lindaghill.com/2026/08/21/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-august-22-2026/

“So you got the prompt out of the way quickly.”

“Yeah, so fast that Reader Tom probably missed it.”

“Of course there is Reader Jim, to point out what Reader Tom missed.”

“Those two are on it for sure. It seems you know them.”

“Sure do. We worked together in another life.”

“Doing what? Robbing banks?”

“Ha ha ha. No, we were in the drug business.”

“I knew it was some nefarious dealing.”

“Sorry. Just over-the-counter healthcare products.”

“Ah, sorta like VooDoo Rangers.”

“Sorta. You call Uber?”