It’s Saturday. It’s raining. Does this sound like a repeat post? It’s not cold enough for snow, but we are getting dumped on from above. Fortunately, David and I have rain gear and understand the importance of supporting tradition. So, we gather at the bar to relax, dry out for a while and wrestle with Linda G. Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt:
“Your prompt for #JusJoJan the 13th and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: ‘close up/close-up.’ Use the verbal phrase ‘close up’ and/or the noun/adjective ‘close-up’ somewhere in your post, or write a post in the spirit of the phrase. Have fun!”
Linda G. Hill
If we were having a beer, you’d have one question for me.
“So, Dan. It seems your ready to close up shop on your January goal.”
“Which goal would that be, David?”
“Whoa. You guys need to remember the rules. No resolutions, goals, objectives, or intentions are welcome in this place.”
“Why is that, Cheryl?”
“Because sooner or later people always drift toward the thought that eating and drinking less would be a good thing. Now, you want your usual?”
“I get the feeling there’s only one answer, how ‘bout you, Dan? Yes, Cheryl. I’ll have a John Howell’s Special, and my soon-to-be-out-of-the-race buddy will have a cold Modelo Especial.”
“David, other than the beer and bourbon, what are you talking about?”
“I read your reply to Maureen yesterday. You’re giving up on Just Jot January. Is that true?”
“Ah. I see. Well, it’s my pleasure to answer that by saying, yes and no, David.”
“You know I hate that answer.”
“That’s why I said it’s my pleasure.”
“Here you go, bourbon, beer and I threw an order of Teagan’s mushrooms in for each of you.”
“Thanks Cheryl!”
“Cheers, Dan. But is it true?”
“I am going to stop posting every day. That part is true. But Linda is a compassionate host, and she accepts participation by commenting on her blog. I call it Just Jot January by Comment, or JusJoJanByCo, for short.”
“Interesting, but why? You’re almost halfway through the month.”
“I can’t keep it up. I mean, I can, but I don’t want to. I’m not a post-every-day kind of guy. I’m better with four days a week.”
“But uncharacteristically bad at math, you post five days a week.”
“Yes, well I do put up the Thursday Doors Recap on Sunday, but A) that’s a service to the participants in the challenge, and B) it’s mostly an automated process.”
“I see. Kinda like when you come in here and a Modelo appears on the bar.”
“Yes, just like that.”
“But, if they’re ‘Jots’ and you don’t add photos, how much work can it be, Dan?”
“It throws off my timing, and it takes away from other things, like reading other blogs and reading books. I love JusJoJan, but I like the challenge of working it into my regular posts.”
“Cheryl’s doing it – she’s even writing more. She has a whole story going on.”
“I know, David. And Cheryl’s story is a great one, but it’s not working for me.”
“But you’ll still be there—at Linda’s place—every day?”
“Yes, and I won’t rule out writing a post on a Tuesday or a Friday, depending on the prompt.”
“Speaking of writing, how’s that new book coming?”
“It’s coming along well. I’m a little over halfway through.”
“It’s a mystery, right? Do you know who done it?”
“I do not! I keep flitting between possibilities. I wish I had written a butler into the cast of characters.”
“The book features Rascal Todd. Is that still the case?”
“It is. The reporter-cum-reluctant-sleuth is the star of the book, unless you’re a cat lover, then Bonkers gets top billing.”
“But no dreaming and no looking into the future.”
“No, Zack and Billy are sitting this one out.”
“Here you go boys, stuffed mushrooms hot out of the broiler.”
“Those look great, Cheryl. Thanks. Can we get another round to wash them down.”
“Sure. Maybe with enough Modelo, you’ll change your mind about JusJoJan.”
“Ha! I don’t think so, Cheryl. I need to figure out who done it.” “Well, just so long as it isn’t the bartender.”
No Facilities 
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