Friday JohnKu – Aka – TGIF

TGIF

 

It is Friday and I am headed home. I don’t get in until late tonight but it will be nice to see the Gulf and listen to the waves. It is surprising when you live with wave noise in your ears 24/7 how quiet the world is when you leave.

It has been a great trip but now time to catch a glimpse of the red, white, and blue. I always get a little thrill when the customs agent hands me my passport and says, “Welcome home.” I guess as I get older it is small things like that greeting that makes me appreciate living in America.

Today’s JohnKu talks about home. I hope you have a great weekend.

Home by John W. Howell © 2017

Travels mean away,

The return is always sweet. . .

There’s no place like home.

58 comments

  1. patriciaruthsusan's avatar

    Welcome home, John. I’m saying that when I’m in India. I guess I should consider it home but I never could quite do that. All the best. 🙂 — Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I understand. I admire your grit. 🙂

      Like

  2. Gwen M. Plano's avatar
    Gwen Plano · ·

    You are so right – there is no place like home, especially after a long journey. Welcome home! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Gwen. I’m in Toronto but working my way to Texas.

      Like

  3. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    Have a safe trip back. May your luggage meet you at the baggage claim.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you. Charles. Good thought. Going my luggage was three days late.

      Like

      1. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

        Ouch. My last and international trip had that. I went to Israel like I was supposed to. My luggage got off in Athens for some reason.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Oh my. What a nightmare.

          Like

        2. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

          It made for an odd introduction.

          Liked by 1 person

  4. GP's avatar

    So true. They home is where your heart is – and my heart will always live on US soil!!
    [that picture is of Freddie mercury from Queen – a big favorite around this house!]

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I know. I love Queen. Wrote two books while listening to their CD’s Thanks, GP.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. GP's avatar

        Being as each one was at or near genius level – maybe they helped?!!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          I’m sure they did.

          Liked by 1 person

  5. Jill Weatherholt's avatar

    Welcome home, John! I agree, there’s a special feeling when we step back on to America soil. I’m happy you had a nice trip. Enjoy the sounds and smell of the Gulf! Great meme!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Jill. Glad its the weekend. 🙂

      Like

  6. Mae Clair's avatar

    Safe travels, John, and welcome home! I fully understand that feeling of stepping back onto American soil!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I’m in Toronto now but looking forward to it.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Cayman Thorn's avatar

    Two of our national treasures, you and Susie Lindau, are back home! It’s time for a parade…

    And it wouldn’t be Friday without a JohnKu. 🙂

    Happy Friday!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Aw. Such a nice thing to say. Thanks, Pilgrim

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Cayman Thorn's avatar

        True thing. 🙂

        Like

  8. Teri Polen's avatar

    Safe travels and welcome home, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Teri.

      Like

  9. Audrey Dawn - Oldest Daughter Redheaded Sister's avatar

    Hoping those waves welcome you in all the right ways. Smells, sounds and taste of the air all offering a great welcome home. ♡

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Audrey. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Author Jan Sikes's avatar

    Wishing you safe travels today. Yes, you will enjoy the tranquility and peace of the ocean. Can’t wait to hear all about your adventures!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Jan. 🙂

      Like

  11. Debbie's avatar

    So true, John, and how nice that you’ll be home for the Fourth! I miss hearing the waves, too, and I’m not even out of the country, ha!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Ha ha ha, Thank you, Debbie.

      Like

  12. Phillip McCollum's avatar

    Yup, nothing makes you appreciate home like being away from it. Welcome home, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Phillip. Good to be on the road.

      Like

  13. Natalie Ducey's avatar

    Lovely. Welcome back, John! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks Natalie.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Staci Troilo's avatar

    Lovely poem, John. Safe travels, and assuming you read this after you’re back, welcome home.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      nope still on the road. I’m in Toronto right now. I get home about 10:30 PM or so.

      Like

  15. The Coastal Crone's avatar

    Welcome home, John! Glad you missed USA and the Gulf of Mexico.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I’m not quite there, but yes. Thanks, Jo.

      Like

  16. guyportman's avatar

    There is nowhere quite like home John. I only wish my experience of American airport customs were as positive as yours. Have a good weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Maybe you were giving it the old “Colonies” routine, Guy.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. guyportman's avatar

        No, I said I from The Yemen.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Oh that is a way to get some friendly responses.

          Like

  17. John Fioravanti's avatar
    John Fioravanti · ·

    Hope your trip is uneventful. Gee, I don’t get greeted like that by Canadian Customs. I guess they’d rather I stay away.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Ha ha ha, John. I’m sitting in Toronto eh?

      Liked by 1 person

      1. John Fioravanti's avatar
        John Fioravanti · ·

        Oh, My! I coulda met you there! Are you on the plane or in the terminal?

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          No I just got through customs and am waiting for my flight. No worries. Big Wave to you.

          Liked by 1 person

        2. John Fioravanti's avatar
          John Fioravanti · ·

          It would have been a nice opportunity to sit and talk with you a bit. Big wave back, eh!

          Liked by 1 person

        3. John W. Howell's avatar

          Yes. I should have thought that through

          Like

  18. Dan Antion's avatar

    Click your heels three times, John. Then line up for the nice man from TSA.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      And don’t forget the Customs officer.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. coldhandboyack's avatar

    Safe travels, and I’m glad you had a good time.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Soooz's avatar

    Welcome back to your home soil, John. I know I still get a huge lump in my throat when flying in to Sydney, as soon as the Opera house comes in to view I turn into a marshmallow. We all seem to be genetically predispositioned to respond to the scent of home soil. I understand it when I witness folks cry with pleasure as they walk away from the plane.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I do too, Soooz. Thanks. 🙂

      Like

  21. circadianreflections's avatar

    Welcome home! It’s lovely to travel and see the world, taste the different foods, meet new people, make new friends, but it’s always so good to get home isn’t it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It is good to get home. Thanks, Deborah.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Traci.

      Like