Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Look Up a Word

 

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. Linda Hill just walked in with a plain-looking envelope. My guess is she has this week’s prompt and doesn’t want the neighbors to know what’s in it.

“Hi, Linda.”

“John.”

“This week’s prompt?”

“Um, I guess it could be a hot pastrami sandwich, but you have guessed right.”

“I’m ready.”

“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “a word you have to look up.” We all have words we can never spell. Use one of yours in your post and let that word drive your stream of consciousness where ever it goes. Have fun!”

Gee, thanks, Linda. Well, there you have it. If you would like to have fun, go to Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2020/10/16/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-17-2020/

Embarrassment by John W. Howell © 2020

“What are you doing with that dictionary?”

“Looking up a word.”

“What word?”

“Embarrassment.”

“Easy word. It means a feeling of self-consciousness or shame.”

“I know what it means. It’s just I always misspell it.”

“Who cares?”

“I care. Besides, it is this week’s prompt.”

“Of course, it is.”

“I always forget that there are two Rs and two Ss in the word.”

“That can be embarrassing.”

“Very funny.”

“Doesn’t spell check catch that for you?”

“Not when I’m on Twitter.”

“Which raises the question of why you would be using embarrassment on Twitter?”

“You know there are a lot of dopes on Twitter.”

“Well yeah.”

“I like to point out when they post something stupid.”

“And you need to look up the word, so you don’t appear to be like them?”

“Exactly.”

“For some reason, I have this vision of you being one of them.”

“That’s cold.”

“If you have to look up the spelling of an insult, doesn’t that mean you and the idiot you want to insult are on the same level?”

“Maybe I should lay off Twitter for a while.”

“Be one less dope there.”

“Good point.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue # 284

In Keith’s words.

“Using this photo ( below)as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem, anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6 pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The photo.

The Council by John W. Howell © 2020

“Are we at the wrong place?”

“No, this is where the council meets.”

“Where are they?”

“Beats me.”

“You sure we are at the right time?”

“Yup. ten o’clock.”

“Right day?”

“Tuesday.”

“These ashes are still warm.”

“Yeah, it looks like a fire was here.”

“What’s that smell?”

“What smell?”

“Roast lamb smell.”

“Maybe someone had roast lamb.”

“No, it is slightly off. A little heavy for lamb.”

“Good thing.”

“What?”

“Since we are pigs, I would say it is a good thing.”

“I don’t get it.”

“If someone was going to roast a lamb, they might also think about roasting a pig.”

“They don’t do that. It’s against the law.”

“So what was roasted then.”

“My guess?”

“Yeah, go ahead.”

“I think the council got into the humans again.”

“Oh, no. They’ll be gone for days. You know what a human hangover does to the soul.”

“Not to mention the head.”

“Where did they find humans.”

“Oh, there are plenty around if you know where to look.”

“You ever had human?”

“No way. Those things give me the creeps.”

“I haven’t either, but I heard they taste like chicken.”

“Yeah, I would just rather have chicken.”

“All this talk makes me hungry.”

“I could go for a burger myself.”

“Some fries?”

“Of course.”

“I guess we can reschedule the meeting with the council.”

“Yeah. What did you want to discuss with them?”

“The leash law that no one seems to follow.”

“Good subject. I hope they get back to work soon.”

“Lazy politicians. Somebody ought to vote them out.”

“When you elect vultures, what do you expect?”

“I suppose. Let’s go.”

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt –

 

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and here is Linda Hill lugging a huge box.

“What’s in the box, Linda?”

“This week’s prompt.”

“Oh good, it must be a big one.”

“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is ‘medium.’ Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy, and see ya.”

“Medium? Out of that big box?” She’s gone.

Suppose you would like to join in this enjoyment, visit Linda’s blog to read how. It is effortless. Here’s the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Oct. 10/2020

Medium by John W. Howell © 2020

“How do you want your steak?”

“Well done.”

“No, no, no.”

“What?”

“First off, well done, will get you a dry and tough piece of meat.”

“Yeah, so?”

“Second of all, at these prices, a well-done steak is a waste.”

“That’s how I like it.”

“You might as well have a burger. Tell me you have catsup on your steak.”

“How did you know?”

“Good guess.”

“There is a final reason why not to have well-done.”

“Yeah? What’s that?”

“This week’s prompt is the word medium.”

“Oh my gosh. You want me to order my steak medium so that you can score on your dumb prompt.”

“In a word, yes.”

“Okay, then. Make mine medium with a well-done finish.”

“Clever. Very clever. You got it.  Here, have a bottle of Heinz.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “New/Old

New day means it is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and here is Linda Hill with this week’s prompt. “Hi, John. I see you got a haircut. looks good. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “new/old.” Use either or both of the words “new and old” any way you’d like. Bonus points for starting and ending with either one. Have fun!”

Thanks, Linda. Now you know why I started the post with the word “new.” If you would like to have fun too, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2020/10/02/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-3-2020/

New/Old by John W. Howell

🎶 “New is another word for not having to worry about this old thing breaking down.”🎶

“What are you singing?

“A song I made up. I’m finally getting rid of this old lawnmower, and I’m just singing a farewell to it.”

“How long have you. put up with that old thing?”

“Let’s see. I got out of school in 2001. Got a job, and bought the mower.”

“You are kidding? That was 20 years ago.”

“I bought the best they had.”

“Did this old thing give you any trouble in all those years?”

“Nope. Had to sharpen the blade each year is all.”

“Why the song then. Sounds like its been an excellent mower.”

“Yeah but I have been worrying about it breaking down for years.”

“Goes to show the stuff we worry about seldom happens.”

“I suppose that’s true. Here let me start it one more time for old times sake. Hmmm. Usually one pull does it. Ugh. Looks like it’s not going to start.”

“Out with the old and in with the new.”

“I think I should have been a little more respectful.”

“Why’s that.”

“The new mower won’t be here for a week.”

“Know any mower god prayers?”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #282 by Keith Channing

In Keith’s words.

“Using this photo ( below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The photo.

The Forward Observer by John W. Howell © 2020

“What’s it look like from there?”

“Not a bad view. I can see all the emplacements.”

“So, what are we faced with?”

“I would say their force is brigade strength.”

“OMG. How are they deployed?”

“Look like they are dug in about a half-mile from this wall.”

“Can they see you up there?”

‘Sure, but who cares. They’re not going to be interested in a ground squirrel. It looks like they have some artillery too.”

“Yeah, figures. The minute we start moving, they will open up. You see any lookouts?”

“Nope. There are a couple of chipmunks down the wall further.”

“Uh. Roscoe?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t cha think they might be like you?”

“Never thought of that. I guess they could be lookouts. Beats me where they found two guys that small, though.”

“Anything else?”

“No, and this squirrel suit is getting pretty hot.”

“Just take it off then.”

“And expose my self?”

“Oh, for heaven, sakes. You’re a raccoon. Who is going to pay attention to a raccoon?”

“The big dog sleeping under the tree.”

“Where the heck did prairie dogs get a real dog?’

“How do I know? Let me come back.”

“Okay. You’ve done well. Come on back.”

“Let me hide these acorns, and I’ll be right there.”

“Idiot.”

“Maybe I’ll wash them first.”

“Now, you’re talking.”

Stream of Conscious Saturday – Prompt – Container

 

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and here comes Linda Hill carrying a big bag.

“Hi, Linda.”

“Hi, John, I have in this container the prompt for this week.”

“Can’t wait. What is it?”

“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is ‘container.’ Use the word ‘container’ any way you’d like. Or think about a container of some kind and write about it. Enjoy!”

“Gee, thanks., Linda.”

“You need a haircut, John.”

“Bye, Linda.”

There you have it. If you would like to join in the fun, visit Linda’s blog, and you can read how easy it is. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Sept. 26/2020

Container by John W. Howell © 2020

“Hey, man. What’s up?”

“Ah, the seventies man arrives.”

“Wow. Good mood I see. Linda Hill must have given you a perplexing prompt.”

“Not really, it’s just I have to figure out how to use the prompt.”

“What is it?”

“Container.”

“Easy peezy. Just use the word ‘container.’ Heck, you and I could use it several ways.”

“No, the word container was already used up top.”

“Up top? Where is ‘up top?”‘

“The beginning of the post. Linda used the word ‘container’ in describing what she had in a bag.”

“So that’s a noun. Use it as a verb.”

“Um.”

“He containered the virus.”

“Big stretch.”

“Okay, adjective.”

“Go ahead.”

“His belly resembled a container.”

“Bigger stretch. I think I’ll just use ‘container ship’ as my prompt.”

“Oh, excellent idea. You can talk about how they container things and where they store the containers.”

“And I can do it myself.”

“Ah, right you are. Me ? I’ll just walk to the container store and see what is new in closet items.”

“Or walk to the open container joint and have a few 12 ouncers.”

“That too. You stay and work hard. I’ll be off doing research.”

“Be careful I don’t want to have to bail you out of the drunk container.”

“I like what you did there. See ya.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue by Keith Channing

In Keith’s words.

“Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The Photo

Kreative Kue

The Agents by John W. Howell © 2020

“Here, take these binoculars and tell me what you see.”

“Lord, it looks like a castle.”

“My thought exactly.”

“I had no idea that we would be tackling something this big.”

“Nor I. When I got the orders, I simply thought it was going to be a two-person job.”

“Not likely. You and I would be quickly overwhelmed if we tried to do this alone.”

“How many people do you think are inside.”

“Oh, who knows? There could be a hundred given the size of that building. You know how much mayhem a bunch of people cause.”

“My thought exactly. Should we move in closer, or do you think we know enough to walk away?”

“We can’t walk away. We have a responsibility and even took an oath.”

“Yeah, you would have to remind me about the oath. So what do you recommend?”

“I say if we walk away now, we will never be able to live with ourselves. We should do our duty.”

“Even if its the last thing we do?”

“Without a doubt.”

“Okay, I’m with you. Do you have the paperwork?”

“Yup, right here in the rucksack.”

“Should we say a prayer?”

“I don’t think so. You’ve made your peace, right?”

“Yes, I have.”

“Let’s just go. How about we hum the Battle Hymn of the Republic. It will give us comfort.”

“Good idea. OMG, I’m not sure I have a pen.”

“Not to worry. I have one in my rucksack.”

“Do you have the listing agreement?”

“Yup. All filled out.”

“Okay, then. Let’s go forth and list this sucker in the name of MLS.”

“Mine eyes have seen the glory. . . . ”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Tion”

Concentration is needed when it is Stream of Consciousness Saturday. You will see what I mean when Linda Hill explains this week’s prompt. Here is Linda now.

“Thanks, John. Okay, you get the bonus points.Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “-tion.” Find a word that ends with “tion.” Bonus points if you start your post with it. Have fun!”

Goodbye, Linda, and thanks for the prompt. Well, now, you can see why I started the post with the word “concentration.” Let’s hear it for the one step closer to the Bentley convertible. I can almost see it.

Views of the neighborhood

“Tion” by John W. Howell © 2020

“Fascination is the name of the game.”

“Do I get decryption of this message?”

“In your case, I will make an exception.”

“I hope I’m not violating a long-standing prohibition of yours.”

“No, it’s just when you come around I get the sensation that you don’t approve of these prompt days.”

“Wow, what a revelation. I can’t imagine how you got that idea.”

“Maybe it’s the friction that I feel between us.”

“Or the devotion that you have to this Saturday romp.”

“Now that you mention it, I guess it would look like that to you.”

“Or anyone who happens to observe your action.”

“Well, at least it’s not my vocation.”

“So, back to your original statement. What is the relation to fascination?”

“To win at Stream of Consciousness, you have to have a certain level of motivation.”

“Yeah? You sure it’s not a level of mutation?”

“See there you go again with a level of rejection.”

“Okay, I’ll put aside my dysfunction feelings and let you explain.”

“These prompts keep me from mental deprivation.”

“So they are a substitution for idleness of the brain.”

“Yes, an equalization for my lack of thinking activity during this lockdown.”

“I get it. How about something with some barley and carbonation.”

“Is it a celebration?”

“Yes. A declaration of your mental freedom.”

“I guess I could use the rehydration.”

“Spoken like a true academic.”

“Hey, you didn’t use a “tion” word.”

“My mortification for sure. Let’s go.”

 

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue by Keith Channing

In Keith’s words.

“Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The photo.

Kreative Kue #280

Rhino Saw Us By John W.Howell © 2020

“Don’t make a sound.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not nuts you know.”

“I wonder what he wants?”

“See that horn. You can take a guess.”

“Aren’t Rhino’s grass eaters?”

“Yeah, but tell him that.”

“I think he is lost.”

“Oh, come on. He wants to run us through and then stomp us into molecules.”

“Why do you suppose he picked us?”

“How do I know. I’m guessing he saw us and decided we needed to be taught a lesson.”

“Boy, that breath is something else.”

“Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m not going to stand here and wait for him to make the decision. I’m taking action.”

“The last words said by a brave one and recorded by the steadfast and cowardly sidekick.”

“You gonna just wait for him to make a move?”

“Maybe he’ll forget.”

“Ha. He’s a cousin to the Elephant. Those brutes never forget.”

“Okay, then. You go, and I’ll be right behind you.”

“Wait. I just had a thought.”

“What is it.”

“We are tick birds, right.”

“Last time I checked.”

“I think he needs a going over.”

“Why didn’t he just say so?”

“You speak, Rhino?”

“No, of course not. You?”

“No. Just jump up on top of him, and let’s see what happens.”

“Look, he likes us.”

“Man, look at all the goodies.”

“This is heaven for sure. Look at him when I scratch right here.”

“It doesn’t get any better than this. Look up synergy in the dictionary, and you’ll see our picture.”

“You are just using hyperbole, right?”

“Most definitely. There’s no picture.”

“You had me concerned.”

“Eat your ticks, and enjoy yourself.”

“I could say the same.”

“So noted.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Collar

 

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and here is Linda Hill with this week’s prompt. So Linda, what do we have today?

“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “collar.” Use it as a verb, a noun, or metaphorically. Bonus points for using it in all three ways! Enjoy!”

Thank you. If you would like to join this group, visit Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Sept. 12/2020

Collar by John W, Howell © 2020

“What is that?”

“This, my friend, is an old fashioned collar.”

“I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

“I found it in my granddad’s chest in the attic.”

“How does it work.”

“Well, you have a shirt that doesn’t have a collar.  This attaches to it.”

“Why would anyone want that kind of thing?”

“In the olden days, you could wear the shirt without the collar. The collar stays clean. Then when it came time to dress up, you add a clean collar. Get it?”

“I suppose. Sounds like a lot of work to me. What else was in that trunk?”

“You knew my grandfather was a detective, right?”

“Yeah, I heard you mention that a few times. Given the prompt today, can you guess what else is in the truck?”

“What’s the prompt?”

“Collar.”

“Don’t tell me grandpa has records of all his collars?”

“Bingo. You got it. His arrests are all documented, and he kept them all.”

“Sounds a little compulsive to me.”

“Well, he was kind of that way. He was proud of being able to make a collar after a long investigation.”

“Speaking of long.”

“Yeah, I think we’ve covered the subject.”

“You wearing your collar to the bar?”

“No, I think I’ll leave it here.”

“Good, the Eau de mothball is not a good scent for you.”

“Thanks.”