Friday – John – AKA – TGIF

June 23, 2017 · by John W. Howell · in TGIF · 54 Comments

Friday here in the UK and eight hours from now it will be Saturday eve in the US. Been real busy seeing everything Edinburgh has to offer and will be moving up North to Port Soy. Port Soy is the home of my maternal grandmother and we will get an idea of where she spent her youth. Our MacKay family history on my mother’s side is steeped in tradition. Clan MacKay can trace its history back to 1210 when the first recorded chief was born. Since that time it has been a matter of clan wars, land gained, land lost, castles built, castles sacked, and service to various kings and queens once the British conquered Scotland. Here is the Tartan, Crest, and Coat of Arms

Clan Mackay tartan

Clan Mackay Crest

Manu Forti means “With Strong Hand.”

Clan Mackay Coat of Arms

Today’s JohnKu speaks of history. I hope you have a great weekend

We think about now,

There is a past worth finding. . .

To enrich your life.

***

I am still out of the country and apologise if I don’t get to your comment in a timely manner

Tags: author, books, Clan Mackay, Family History, fiction favorites, His Revenge, John W. Howell Author, My GRL, Our Justice, Scotland, thriller fiction

54 comments

Jill Weatherholt · June 23, 2017 - 4:09 am ·

I’m happy you’re finding your past, John. Enjoy! Stay safe!

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1. John W. Howell · June 23, 2017 - 1:33 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Jill. 🙂
  
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Keith Channing · June 23, 2017 - 5:07 am ·

I’m confused by your time zones, John. CDT is 6 hours behind BST, so 10 am Friday in UK equates to 4am Friday in Texas. Or am I misinterpreting you?

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1. John W. Howell · June 23, 2017 - 1:32 pm ·
  
  Yes, Friday at 4am plus eight hours equals 12:00. I made a call that after 12:00 it was Friday evening. Like the day before Christmas is called Christmas eve the day before Saturday is called Saturday eve.
  
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Charles Yallowitz · June 23, 2017 - 5:13 am ·

Looks like you’re having a fun adventure. Have a great weekend. Do you have anything with the tartan on it?

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1. John W. Howell · June 23, 2017 - 1:27 pm ·
  
  I do not have anything with the Tartan on it. Thanks, Charles.
  
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  1. Charles Yallowitz · June 23, 2017 - 1:52 pm ·
    
    That’s a shame. Any way to get one?
    
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davidprosser · June 23, 2017 - 5:24 am ·

You’ve confused me today John. US time is generally behind British (about 5 hours for NY)so how will it be Saturday eve at home in 8 hours when that’s about Friday eve here?
Glad you’re having a good time in Scotland.
Hugs

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1. John W. Howell · June 23, 2017 - 1:26 pm ·
  
  Let me explain using Christmas as an example. The night before Christmas its Christmas eve. The night before Saturday is Saturday eve. So what I was trying to say was, my post went live Friday morning and eight hours later is would be Saturday eve. Hope that clears it up.
  
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  1. davidprosser · June 23, 2017 - 4:07 pm ·
    
    It just indicates that you’re dealing with some (at least one) thick people resident in the UK John. Sorry about the confusion, please continue to enjoy your trip.
    Hugs
    
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  2. John W. Howell · June 23, 2017 - 6:11 pm ·
    
    No problem, David. 😀
    
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patriciaruthsusan · June 23, 2017 - 5:38 am ·

Family history is interesting. Have a continuing good time, John. 🙂 — Suzanne

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1. John W. Howell · June 23, 2017 - 1:24 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Suzanne
  
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Dan Antion · June 23, 2017 - 6:23 am ·

It must be cool to pin things back so far, John. Where’s the shot of you in your kilt?

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1. John W. Howell · June 23, 2017 - 1:23 pm ·
  
  Ha ha ha. As I said, the wind is blowing too hard.
  
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  1. Dan Antion · June 23, 2017 - 2:52 pm ·
    
    Well, when you get back to Texas.
    
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  2. John W. Howell · June 23, 2017 - 2:53 pm ·
    
    There you go.
    
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Gwen Plano · June 23, 2017 - 7:08 am ·

It’s fun to journey with you and your family. Though I have some roots in Scotland, I don’t know anything about them. You’re fortunate to have a sense of heritage. Enjoy every moment!

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1. John W. Howell · June 23, 2017 - 1:23 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Gwen. i’m giving it my best shot.
  
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Audrey Dawn - Oldest Daughter Redheaded Sister · June 23, 2017 - 7:56 am ·

Thanks for sharing a part of your family’s history, John.

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1. John W. Howell · June 23, 2017 - 1:22 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Audrey
  
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Mae Clair · June 23, 2017 - 7:59 am ·

John, I find this so fascinating! How wonderful it must be to walk where your ancestors did. I love the tartan and the Coat of Arms. Have you ever thought of incorporating the tartan colors into your branding or blog? Just a thought, because, as I said…I love this stuff!

I’ve done some ancestry on my side, but nowhere near as far back as you have. Love that you’re experiencing the country of your ancestors first hand. Perhaps some of that history will spin it’s way into a plot idea or two 🙂

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1. John W. Howell · June 23, 2017 - 1:21 pm ·
  
  Since only my mother’s side was Scottish and Dads Welsh, I only feel a half so I never thought of displaying the tartan. Thanks for the suggestions.
  
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  1. Mae Clair · June 23, 2017 - 1:24 pm ·
    
    Couldn’t resist. I love the colors 🙂
    
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  2. John W. Howell · June 23, 2017 - 1:43 pm ·
    
    I understand.
    
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rijanjks · June 23, 2017 - 8:11 am ·

What an awesome feeling to walk the ground where your ancestors walked and know that their DNA still lives on in you. Love the Tartan and Coat of Arms. Hope you’re getting lots of fodder for more great stories!

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1. John W. Howell · June 23, 2017 - 1:17 pm ·
  
  Not sure about the stories but it is nice the walk in the history.
  
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tpolen · June 23, 2017 - 8:21 am ·

I’m with Dan – a kilt shot is the least you can give us.

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1. John W. Howell · June 23, 2017 - 1:16 pm ·
  
  Ha ha ha. A little too windy for a Kilt.
  
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Debbie · June 23, 2017 - 9:50 am ·

I love your clan’s tartan! Those colors are beautiful together. Hope you’re having a good safe trip and taking a LOT of pictures (some to share with us, of course!)

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1. John W. Howell · June 23, 2017 - 1:15 pm ·
  
  Yes, I’m taking a ton of pictures.
  
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janhawke2014 · June 23, 2017 - 10:03 am ·

Och, Aye! That’s a bonny tartan, John 😀

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1. John W. Howell · June 23, 2017 - 1:15 pm ·
  
  Thank ye, Jan. 😀
  
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aFrankAngle · June 23, 2017 - 10:48 am ·

Hey hey hey … cheers to you being about to visit a place of your root. Good luck finding any alcohol up there for the toast. 😉 Safe travels!!!

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1. John W. Howell · June 23, 2017 - 1:14 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Frank. Yeah, alcohol is real tough to find. ;-D
  
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  1. aFrankAngle · June 24, 2017 - 4:01 pm ·
    
    Yep … just a bit shy of being a dry country.
    
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  2. John W. Howell · June 24, 2017 - 6:23 pm ·
    
    Especially on the whisky trail.
    
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  3. aFrankAngle · June 24, 2017 - 8:59 pm ·
    
    They had to be laughing at our Prohibition.
    
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  4. John W. Howell · June 25, 2017 - 1:37 am ·
    
    They still are.
    
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The Coastal Crone · June 23, 2017 - 11:09 am ·

What a nice surprise to find you “live” on Friday! You may find some MacKay ghosts as you head north. Stay safe, John!

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1. John W. Howell · June 23, 2017 - 1:10 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Jo. 🙂
  
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Teagan Geneviene · June 23, 2017 - 12:11 pm ·

So happy you sound enthusiastic, John. Love the colors of the tartan. Hugs again.

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1. John W. Howell · June 23, 2017 - 1:09 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Teagan
  
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guyportman · June 23, 2017 - 2:30 pm ·

Sounds like you are having the trip of a lifetime John. Like the tartan. Will you be bringing a quilt made of it back home with you? That stag doesn’t look too happy having those knives pointed at it.

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1. John W. Howell · June 23, 2017 - 2:39 pm ·
  
  I should get a blanket at least.
  
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  1. guyportman · June 23, 2017 - 4:42 pm ·
    
    I meant to say kilt.
    
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  2. John W. Howell · June 24, 2017 - 6:29 pm ·
    
    Ha ha ha
    
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Phillip McCollum · June 23, 2017 - 4:07 pm ·

Sounds like a fantastic trip, John. I bet you’re soaking in all of that history and finding lots of inspiration!

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1. John W. Howell · June 23, 2017 - 6:11 pm ·
  
  History yes . Inspiration? Not sure.
  
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Charlotte Hoather · June 24, 2017 - 2:13 pm ·

Welcome to Scotland 💙 they had a heatwave in London last week shame it didn’t venture North with us both 😀.

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1. John W. Howell · June 24, 2017 - 6:25 pm ·
  
  We had such great weather Monday and Tuesday. It was lovely. I like the cool.
  
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Writing Links 6/26/17 – Where Genres Collide · June 26, 2017 - 6:01 am ·

[…] https://johnwhowell.com/2017/06/23/friday-john-aka-tgif/ […]

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1. John W. Howell · June 26, 2017 - 11:39 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Traci.
  
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circadianreflections · June 27, 2017 - 10:33 pm ·

I love the colors in your family Tartan. Will you get a kilt? Men in kilts make me weak in the knees. I have no ideas where that comes from!

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