Checks and Balances, Check Book, Reality Check, Check it Out, and Rain Check

July 25, 2020 by JoAnna 18 Comments

Today’s prompt for SoCS is check, cheque, or Czech. I noticed after reading the prompt that Queennandini had already posted and went to check on her post since I had no ideas yet. She had a long and lovely list from which I jotted down my favorites. This is not planning. It’s peering into someone’s stream of consciousness and fishing out a few interesting ideas.

Here are the ones I liked. Rain check, Check it out. Reality Check, check book, and something about checks and balances or was that in my head? Well, I think I’ll start with that and maybe work my way back.

“Checks and Balances” is something I heard a lot in history and civics classes in high school about how the US government is supposed to work. The administrative, legislative, and judicial branches are supposed to check and balance one another and no one branch should have too much power. Someone should remind the administrative branch about this.

I like balance. However, I do not balance my checkbook. Yes, I still use a check book and write deposits and withdrawals in it with a pen, but I don’t balance it. I do check on my balances on line and keep an eye on that which is not too far off. Close enough.

Reality check. That’s a huge topic full of possibilities. I’ve noticed if I spend a lot of time looking at news stories or something serious, like listening to a debate on systemic racism like I did a couple nights ago, that I need a break from reality. That’s when I watch Star Trek or read some fiction, or maybe paint something easy. Coloring works too. Later, I might watch a romantic comedy and paint a mermaid. That should do it.

Check it out. Here are some mermaids I’ve painted:

Mermaids by Joannaoftheforest

My husband, David, cut these out of wood, though I’ve recently learned how to do that myself. Three of these mermaids were “painted” with alcohol ink and one was painted with acrylic, all by hand. Alcohol ink is more fun if I’m willing to let go of some control which I need to do anyway to be more abstract.

Hey! I have a Redbubble shop! It’s under my other name. Here’s the link. You’ll find my mermaids, angels, and other stuff there on cups, T shirts, etc.

Rain check. It hasn’t rained here in days and days. The temps have been in the 90s. I’ve heard some thunder, so hope we’ll get some rain soon. Saying, “I’ll take a rain check” is a good way to get out of something you don’t want to do or you’re not sure if you want to do it. Though if you really don’t want to do it, I guess you should just say, no thanks. But if you really do want to do it, but can’t, then we can say, “Can I have a rain check?” Like my girlfriends reunion which we’ve rescheduled twice now. Sigh.

My stream of consciousness had brought this song. It may be wishful thinking about rain.

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Stream of Consciousness Saturday is brought to us by Linda G. Hill. For more streams, check out:

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS July 25/2020

Here are the rules:

1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing (typos can be fixed), and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.

2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop.

3. I will post the prompt here on my blog every Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The,’” or will simply be a single word to get you started.

4. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours.  Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.

5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read all of them! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later or go to the previous week by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find below the “Like” button on my post.

6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!

7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views.

8. Have fun!