Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Memory

November 1, 2014June 26, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 20 Comments

This week’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt is Memory. If you would like to join in go here to learn more: http://lindaghill.com/2014/10/31/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-november-114/

The following is my interpretation of memory. It is titled The Doctor. Hope you enjoy.

“So what did the doctor say?”

“What doctor?”

“The one you just got home from seeing.”

“Oh, that one. She said I need to have some more tests. She thinks I may have…”

“Have what?”

“Hold on don’t rush me. She said my memory might need to be sharpened.”

“Sharpened? How?”

“I’m not sure. I went into the office and sat down and then they asked about a dog.”

“A dog? What does that have to do with memory?”

“That’s what I was thinking until I realized I was in the vet’s office.”

“The vet’s office?”

“I thought you went to see your primary care physician.”

“I thought so too but I forgot where the office was so I went in there.”

“Did they think your were crazy?”

“Not really. They told me my nose felt cold and thought I was in pretty good health except for the memory thing. They were so nice I made a follow-up appointment. I helped myself to a couple of biscuits although they were pretty sandy. They did say I should bring my dog next time.”

“We don’t have a dog.”

“Yeah, I didn’t tell them that.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Degree/Degrees

October 25, 2014June 26, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 11 Comments

Today’s prompt from Linda Hill for the Stream of Consciousness Saturday post is degree/degrees. If you want to play along go to Linda’s site and read about it. You can also see how others interpreted the prompt. http://lindaghill.com/2014/10/24/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-october-2514/

My interpretation is titled What is That? I hope you enjoy it.

“What is that?”

“What?”

“That rolled up thing in your hand.”

“This, my friend is my degree from college.”

“College? What is that?”

“You’re kidding? You don’t know what college is?”

“I know what it is I just wonder why you have a degree from college.”

“Shows I have an ability.”

“To do what?”

“Well for one thing it is a BS degree.”

“Okay, I am with you on that. You got plenty of BS alright.”

“Don’t be a jerk. It stands for Bachelor of Science.”

“I know you’re not married but didn’t realize you committed yourself to science.”

“It’s just the title of the degree. I have a concentration in Accounting.”

“Accounting for what?”

“Gad you’re thick aren’t you?”

“My aunt always said there’s no accounting for some people’s behavior.”

“I’ll bet she’s the root of your genius.”

“What is that?”

“What?”

“Root of genius.”

“You are exempt. Let’s get back to work.”

“Okay, here is your shovel.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday.

October 11, 2014June 26, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 16 Comments

This week’s Stream of consciousness prompt is the letter “s.” If you would like to learn more about this fun exercise go to http://lindaghill.com/2014/10/10/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-october-1114/ and ask for Linda Hill. Oh yeah, tell her John sent you. Here is my contribution to this week’s prompt “s”

The exercise is to write the first thing that comes to mind after seeing the letter “s.” I have to admit the first thing on my mind is simply silly subjects submitted Saturday summarily sanctioned sanctimoniously. I know that is a mind or mouth full but there you have it. The ranting’s of a truly deranged mind.

My second thought on the letter “s” had to do with those people who say shoot instead of shit. I have always found them to be genteel and of good manners. I have wished to be like them but whenever the opportunity arises I always revert back to the base element. Take hitting my thumb with a hammer. I want to say shoot, but it never seems to work out. Also asking someone to pick up something they have thrown down never seems to have the punch when you say, “excuse me would you pick up that shoot over there?”

I guess I am doomed to continue to show my lack of education and breeding by continuing to ignore a very effective way of lifting my speech out of the shoot and into a higher plane. (Doesn’t sound right somehow) Oh, shoot maybe I need more practice. Damn what is this on my shoe? I wish people would pick up their dog shoot. Maybe the English have it right. Just say shite and be done with it.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday

August 16, 2014June 26, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 17 Comments

This post is in response to the Linda Hill Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt “Time” You can go here to see some of the other author submissions

http://lindaghill.wordpress.com/2014/08/15/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-august-1614/

Time by John W. Howell

“Do you have the time?”

“Yeah, I sure do.”

“That’s good. Could you tell me what time it is?”

“Yes I could tell you.”

“Okay. What time is it?”

“Half past six.”

“Thank you. Was it so tough to tell me?”

“No not at all and no need to get huffy.”

“I’m not huffy. I just think I had to go through a lot just for the time.”

“That may be, but I wasn’t the one who didn’t know, now was I?”

“Meaning?”

“Let’s see. My watch not yours. I know and you don’t. I think any amount of fun I have at your expense you have coming.”

“Okay, I see that. Let’s do it another way. You ask me for something.”

“Swell, do you have ten dollars?”

“Sure here.”

“See Ya.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday

August 9, 2014August 8, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 21 Comments

This is in response to the Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt using the word or thought of two. The prompt and rules can be found at: http://lindaghill.wordpress.com/2014/08/08/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-august-914/

“Give me a couple of those donuts.”

“A couple? Do you mean two?”

“Yeah, I mean two. What do you think a couple is?”

“Well, where I come from a couple could be four or more.”

“How’s that?”

“You got mom and dad and the young ens. We say that’s a couple.”

“Okay, but you don’t say a couple of donuts is more than two.”

“You do if they are on sale like buy two get one free. Then a couple is three.”

“Okay, so maybe I’m pretty dumb. I wouldn’t call a couple of donuts three even if the one was free.”

“You are not in the donut business.”

“And I’m so glad I’m not.”

“Here’s your donuts. That’ll be a couple of dollars.”

“A couple as in two or three?”

“Surprise me.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt

August 2, 2014August 1, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 18 Comments

This week’s stream of consciousness Saturday prompt is “Hear/hear.” SoCS is a weekly affair and you can drop in to check it out at: http://lindaghill.wordpress.com/2014/08/01/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-august-214/

My attempt to interpret “here/here” follows and it titled Tell Me Again.

Tell Me Again by John W. Howell

When I listen to you talk I can almost see the scenes you describe. I am with you on a long trek up the mountain and fast track down to the sea below. You’ve carried me along for the journey of a lifetime and I know it must be hard to have the extra burden. I wish I could help, but you have me transfixed and a prisoner of your words. You painted the verbal picture of the courtroom with the majesty of the law. The judge and jury so eloquently drawn it is as if I am there. The words of the bailiff calling, “Hear/hear order in the court.” Almost imagined by me yet understood clearly. The judge so beautifully pictured from your mouth leans over the verdict and gently asks that god have mercy on my soul. Tell me again what happened and why I must stay and you can go? Tell me another story, but this time make the ending not so dark. Tell me why I am no longer allowed to go free?

Getting Out – Prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday

July 12, 2014June 26, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 13 Comments

The Saturday Stream of Consciousness prompt for this week is “Getting away or Getting out.” I have chosen Getting Out as my subject. This post is part of SoCS:http://lindaghill.wordpress.com/2014/07/11/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-1214/

“When you getting out?”

“What’s it to you?”

“Just curious. That’s all.”

“Yeah well, it’s none of your business. How about you?”

“If when you are getting out is none of my business what makes you think knowing when I’m getting out is any of yours?”

“Oh, I know you are dying to tell me since you are probably a short timer.”

“Okay, Mr. Genius. I’m getting out tomorrow.”

“Hah. That’s what I thought.”

“Come on tell me.”

“All right, but don’t spread it around since it’s not confirmed yet.”

“Who am I going to tell?”

“getting out is such a good thing you might want to blab it all over the place.”

“I promise. I won’t say a thing.”

“Okay. I get out tomorrow as well.”

“Whoa. So you are short-term too.”

“Well, I hate to tell you, but when one goes the other goes about the same time. You are really pretty dumb sometimes. Twins get out almost together.”

“I never knew that. Of course, I’ve never done this before.”

CSB Prompt is as CSB Prompt Does

November 12, 2013 ~ John W. Howell ~ 11 Comments

English: Illustration of the pain pathway in R... — English: Illustration of the pain pathway in René Descartes’ Traite de l’homme (Treatise of Man) 1664. The long fiber running from the foot to the cavity in the head is pulled by the heat and releases a fluid that makes the muscles contract. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is in response to the Community Story Board Prompt for this week: Tomorrow by Julian Froment. You can see Julian’s here; http://goo.gl/ujGp3c

“Okay what did you say?”

“I said I can’t believe you forgot about picking me up.”

“Aw honey I didn’t forget.”

“I don’t know what you call it then. I waited at the airport for an hour and no you.”

“I know, I know. It’s just─”

“Just what you dead beat?”

“Well it’s just I made a mistake that’s all. I thought your flight was tomorrow. ”

“Mistake. I would say leaving your wife at the airport so she has to call a cab cause your sorry ass can’t answer the phone is more than a mistake. I told you when I left when the flight was. Here’s the damn schedule right on the table where I left it.”

“I wasn’t home to answer the phone.”

“Tell me something else I don’t know. Who were you with? That slut of a sister-in-law of yours?”

“Naw I was not with Teresa. I was at the doctors.”

“The doctors? What the hell you doing at the doctors.”

“This pain in my chest is worse.”

“Pain what pain?”

“I told you I had a pain.”

“You mean that pain you mentioned a month ago?”

“Yeah that’s it.”

“You said it was cause you got hit on the job. What did the doctor say?”

“Tumor.”

“What? What ya mean tumor?”

“Yeah he said they need to operate tomorrow. If not I would have to wait a month and he thought that might be too late. I told him I couldn’t tomorrow cause you needed to be picked up from the airport.”

“No wait. Call the doctor and tell him you can do it tomorrow.”

“Too late. His office called and told me before you came in that they had another in my place.”

CSB Prompt is as CSB Prompt Does

November 8, 2013 ~ John W. Howell ~ 10 Comments

This post is for the CSB’s writing prompt Childhood Memories.

“Have you made up your mind?”

“No sir I am still trying to decide.”

“Well okay you take your time. We stay open till nine.”

“Oh I can’t stay out that late. My mom says I need to be home before dark.”

“How old are you anyway?”

“Just turned ten.”

“I would say you need to be home by dark. How far away do you live.”

“We are just down the block about midway.”

“Does your dad know you are out?”

“I don’t have a dad. He went to heaven.”

“Oh geeze kid, I’m sorry.”

“Yes Sir. How many of those licorice Scotties can I get for a penny?”

“Those are two for a penny.”

“How about those wax lips and moustache.”

“Those are a penny each.”

“Those B.B.Bats there?”

“A penny each.”

“That Clark Bar?”

“Now those candy bars are five cents for any one of them. The Hershey’s, the Mounds, the Zag Nut, the Three Musketeers are all five cents.”

“Five cents is all I got.”

“Well if you don’t decide soon it will be dark and you’ll be late getting home.”

“Even if I am a little late my mom doesn’t get there until later.”

“Where’s she at?”

“She works at the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company.”

“Oh A&P.”

“How about those Dots and JuJy Fruits?”

“All a nickel. If you have a nickel why can’t you decide?”

“Well. . . I need to buy some candy for my sister too. I don’t want to split hers up. I want her to have one for herself.”

“Where’s your sister?”

“She works too.”

“How old is your sister?”

“I don’t know. Not as old as my mother. Are those malted milk balls a penny?”

“No. They are two for a penny.”

“The hats?”

“Penny.”

“Those candies on paper?”

“Nickel a foot. Just a minute. I forgot about a special I am having today.”

“What’s a special?”

“Do you like Almond Joys?”

“I really do.”

“I am running a special on Almond Joys. For today only and only for kids with sisters, they are two for a nickel.”

Prompt is as Prompt Does – Community Story Board

October 13, 2013October 13, 2013 ~ John W. Howell ~ 5 Comments

It’s Sunday, and time once again for the Weekly Prompt at The Community Story Board. Go here for details

http://wp.me/p3xQw1-1Ga

This week is to see what everyone can do with the word “Yesterday …”

Interpret it as you will, but the word yesterday must appear somewhere in your work, be it the title or in the middle of a sentence. Write poetry, prose, fiction, or memoir it is yours to create.

Here is mine:

“Yes sir. Can I help you?”

“I’m not sure. I think I have lost my way. Is this a hotel?”

“No sir. This is not a hotel it is a reception area.”

“Well it looks like a hotel. You actually look the front desk clerk.”

“I can assure you sir this is no hotel and I’m not a clerk.”

“Then where am I?”

“Do you remember anything about yesterday?”

“Yesterday? Let me think.”

“Weren’t you driving your car? Going to San Francisco wasn’t it?”

“Yeah. I was driving. Wait a minute. I was driving down US One and there was a dog or goat or something in the road.”

“And the ocean was to your left.”