I came across this fifty-gallon barrel while riding on the beach. Although it is sturdy plastic, it still shows signs of extreme wear. As you can see, the bottom is completely ripped open. I can’t imagine how long the barrel was in the water but given all the bi-halves and algae it must have been a while. The discovery of a half-destroyed barrel naturally led me to a story that you will find below. Hope you like it.
My Barrel by John W. Howell © 2015
“I like the barrel. what are you going to do with it?”
“I thought I would load it up with some important things and set it adrift in the ocean.”
“Why in the heck would you do that?”
“For science. I want to send a message to whoever finds the barrel that it is my barrel, and they should tell me where it is.”
“So you can go get it?”
“No. Just to see how far it traveled and where it ended up.”
“Couldn’t you do that with a bottle and a note?”
“Well, sure but what kind of statement would that make?”
“What are you putting in this thing.”
“I thought a computer so whoever finds it can see where it came from and can then just hook up and send me a message.”
“What happens if the barrel gets damaged or sinks?”
“Not going to happen. Look at this thing. It is waterproof and indestructible.”
“Okay, but I think you are taking a chance.”
“It will be fine. Oh, by the way, the computer I’m using belongs to my boss.”
“He let you use his computer? Is he nuts?”
“No. On vacation.”
Fiction Favorites 
Hahaha. That was fun!
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Glad you liked it.
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I sense an ulterior motive. Just can’t put my finger on it. 🙂
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Well, would be a nice way to take a cheap cruise.
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True. I hear barrels are good for waterfalls too.
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Nice one John.
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Thank you Dan
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I am so glad to learn that I am not the only one that takes photos of debris on the beach and makes up stories about how it got there 😉
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Well there are a few of us. Very few. Thanks
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Riding on the beach…that’s an interest! Riding what?
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A bicycle
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“On vacation? Where?”
“Atlantis”.
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Seems so right?
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Yikes! Hope this creative soul has another job lined up for when he gets fired, ha!!
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Great story John and I am sure another one to be told once the boss gets back…
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Thanks Nancy. I have to think about that one. Sounds like it will be fun.
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I am sure it will John. Just checking to make sure that my emails have been getting through for the Sunday Show.. no pressure but perhaps you could let me know if the draft arrived.. thanks.
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Gee Nancy I have checked everywhere and nothing. Can you resend? johnhowell.wave@gmail.com
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I have resent using my gmail account John and perhaps you could let me know if you have not received.. best wishes.
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🙂
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Ha ha ha. Somebody is waterlogged. 😀 😀
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True
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Makes for interesting reading. 😀
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🙂
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Hahaha! I wouldn’t want to be there when he gets back.
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I would love to be a fly on the wall.
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That’s funny. 😀
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Glad you liked it.
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Giggle. I’m pretty amazed at what you find.
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Yes it all comes from Galveston
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Ugh. Galveston. What an ugly beach we have, but I try to help keep it clean.
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Takes a village.
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Truly
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That’s one way to get rid of a poor performance review…
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Ha ha ha. Good one.
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Ha! I saw this (picture) on LinkedIn. I wondered what you were going to come up with, but i didn’t have time to click through or read. Another good one.
(Hey… i got a lead for a public affairs job at NASA. Houston definitely qualifies as getting me back out west. Wish me luck.)
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OOOO Good luck. We need you in back in Texas.
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Thank you, John. Hugs
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