I imagine a hoary, skinny old man sittin' on 'is porch a'tellin' this tale while them damned whipper-snappers runs around out'n the street tryin' ta get theyselves kilt... ^_^

Only thing missin' was a "wait... Where was I again?" ^_^

'Who are you again?'

*giggles... thank you FC...

Vix

So I followed this winding tale hither and yon, to ships and ports and golf courses and airports. Yet somehow I ended up in front of Samuel Clemens' brother's house. And it feels like that was the intended destination all along.

Wouldn't you say, Mark?

*hug*

I think he smiled... and then lit up one of those nasty old cigars he liked...

actually - much of what was in there was true history; as I remembered it to be, of course...

Vix

If you don't know where you're going, you'll end up somewhere else
- Yogi Berra

Here's another one: "Always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they won’t come to yours."

*laughs... and the truth of that one won't be known until after we pass... I do wonder how many ghosts do show up...

Vix

he was a smart man...

Vix

Speaking of spellcheck: early on in the story there's a "d" where an "s" should be. Toward the end, there's an "e" where an "a" should be. I know, it's late. LOL

*laughs... never trust a machine... it'll take your arm off and keep right on purring away...

Vix

Now where was I?

*smiles very big...

Vix

Around and around and around she goes . . .

(while I get water up my nose)

no no no no... the black line is just too straight! It curves... a lot!

Vix

A Möbius loop, with only one side, going on forever.

I shall have to look that one up... *looked up... Ohhhhhhhhh... a 'round tuit'! You dad always said he'd get it done when he got around to it... so his son made and gave him on of these and said, 'OK Dad, here's your 'round tuit'.

Vix

My dad had one of those. The other side was a wooden nickel...

*laughs... I have a wife, and 'When I get a round tuit,' does not work with her...

Vix

I love a playful and structured loopy ramble. I also love how you described the word porter as very open to interpretation. It's been a super good prompt. Everyone's gotten really creative with it so far.

*smiles... and that's what the prompt is for. I almost always try to think outside the box. For instance - make up your own word, or a new definition for an old word. In CoD, my usual brain dead game of choice, if you did well, and won your round, a female electronic voice says, well done, that was knackered. Really? For me, the word knackered means 'tired out'.

Thanks for the read...

Vix

Feels more so like you are speaking directly to me rather than I'm just reading, and I quite like how that works. Makes me think I'm listening to my loony uncle ramble on again about something and then change the subject before I can even open my mouth. Much enjoyed.

*smiles very big... I do looney pretty good... it sort of comes natural like...

Vix

Most interesting tale... don't all good minds wonder around an idea or subject?

I think the do… thank you Fem…

Vix

You are welcome dear heart.

Entertaining and educational as always V!

"He carried these in his arms, and that’s why guns and such are called arms."

That I didn't know.

*chuckles... just a touch of logical thought...

Vix

Ah, well you definitely had me there ;)

Get out of here! I never knew that!

Vix

The problem with "Porter" is that, as you said, comes from the root of the word "Port". Sounds simple until you realize just how many meanings Port has.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/port

I just wonder if the "Porter" must always carry (Port)... their stuff on their left side (Port)... through a gate (Port)... while drinking wine (Port)... carried at 'Port Arms'.

that's one of the things I so love about the prompt - it gives us a reason to examine our words more closely...

Vix

Ah... the heck with that. Just toss 'em out there and see what sticks.

*laughs… I’ve done that too…

Vix

I remember a saying we had in the Navy;
"Run it up the flagpole and see who salutes it. If nobody salutes it, serve it for lunch and see who eats it. If nobody eats it, shove it into the main gun and fire it off into space... see how far it flies. If it doesn't fly, it wasn't worth it."

*laughs... I never heard the whole thing. Those were such different times.

Vix

I dunno.... If you're ever out on the ocean and see some flying stuff that was never meant to fly... look for a nearby Navy ship.

*laughs... I was talking to one sailor once, and he told me they built a pretend rocket, and whenever the Soviets were shadowing them, they would run it up on the ramp just to bait them...

Vix

ROTFL! That sounds like my brothers!

I could listen to your word-related rambles for hours, Vixyy.

Well bless your heart… thanks so much Hania.

Vix