Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

Friday the 13th

 

Hard to believe it is Friday once again. (The Thirteenth at that ) This has been one of those weeks that fly for me. I tried to take stock of where I spent my time this week. What did not come up was any time spent on my WIP. Most of my WIP time was spent working on projects around the house. The biggest of these was installing eleven outside lanterns. The hurricane took all our lighting fixtures to the next county. The job entailed removing the old hardware and lamp anchoring bracket, (The thing that you attach the lamp to on the side of the house) installing a new anchoring bracket, and then the lamps. I was very fortunate that I had a voltage detector since I tested each wire before beginning the installation. Only once was the wire active, but had I touched it to metal there would have been a sinus-clearing surprise.

I managed to install all of them without getting electrocuted. Here is a before and after of just one of the lamps. By the way, the before shows you that the outside lamp is gone, but you can also see the damage to the paint, door frame, and siding.

New lamp

The new lamp sits on a newly painted and repaired wall. As you can see, the damage from the hurricane is no longer visible since it has been painted away. No one could stand in this spot by the lamp and imagine that once, not too long ago, there was a storm here. In essence, the physical damage no longer exists.

Today’s John Ku talks about how we can be affected by events.

Scars by John W. Howell © 2017

When we are wounded,

There remain some reminders. . .

There’s some we can see.

 

 

38 comments

  1. patriciaruthsusan's avatar

    Congratulations on getting all your outside lanterns back up and the storm damage repaired, John. It looks lovely now. I liked the meme up top. I hadn’t thought about it being Friday the 13th until I read that. 😀 — Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I thought the meme was hilarious. Thanks, Suzanne. 🙂

      Like

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

    Very handsome lantern and great paint job! Your JohnKu is perfect. Scars…some we can see – great line. Have a fantastic weekend… 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Unfortunately, the ones we can see are usually the least impactful. Thank you, Gwen. 🙂

      Like

  3. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    Congrats on not getting zapped. That poem works for so many things.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I’m so glad you see that, Charles. The poem is meant to mean many things. It should bring up the question, “Are we still talking about repairs?” Thanks.

      Like

      1. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

        Funny. I’ve been asking that question all morning. Not even sure they still have my laptop at this point.

        Like

  4. Jill Weatherholt's avatar

    I’m impressed, John. The lantern look great! So happy you didn’t get electrocuted. 🙂 Happy Friday!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I did receive a little jolt which caused me to get the current tester. When all the lights are blown off you can’t tell if the switch is on or off. Thanks, Jill

      Liked by 1 person

  5. John Fioravanti's avatar
    John Fioravanti · ·

    Congrats on completing that outside work, John – it looks fantastic! Do have a wonderful weekend!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, John. You as well.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. quiall's avatar

    I love the lanterns! Do you suffer from paraskevidekatriaphobia?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I usually take Friday the 13th as it comes. I have to admit, though, we have had a bunch of ladders leaning against the house and I have avoided walking under them. I can’t find a word for that. :-D. Thanks for the fun, Pam.

      Like

  7. Jeyran Main's avatar

    Happy Friday! Keep up the good work writing 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Jeyran. Happy Friday to you and the same advice. Keep up the good work. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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

    Love the haiku, John. Repaired yet changed forever.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks, Audrey. Changed forever and needs to be recognized as such and adopted as the new normal.

      Like

  9. Natalie Ducey's avatar

    Wonderful to see, John! And your words are so very true. Happy Friday! 🙂

    Like

  10. Dan Antion's avatar

    I’m sure you will remember the damage for a long time, John, but you did a great job repairing it. I love that lamp fixture. Is it the same style you had before or did you change it up a bit?

    Like

  11. Mae Clair's avatar

    I really like that lantern, John. I’m glad that things are slowly getting back to normal for you and yours. Happy Friday and Happy Friday the 13th!

    Like

  12. coldhandboyack's avatar

    Repair work drives me crazy. I am not a tool guy, but have changed fixtures before. It’s just not my thing.

    Like

  13. Teri Polen's avatar

    That’s a job – 11 lanterns – and it looks great. Happy Friday, John!

    Like

  14. Debbie's avatar

    John, I can appreciate not having any time to tend to the WIP. It’s been that kind of week for me, too. Still, sometimes we have to tackle the pressing tasks first, and it looks as if you’ve done a great job here!

    Like

  15. Teagan Riordain Geneviene's avatar

    A very profound Johnku, my friend. The new lantern you showed looks lovely. So much work. Don’t be hard on yourself about the WIP. Huge hugs.

    Like

  16. Jan Hawke's avatar

    I’d forgotten it was THAT day! 🙂 So glad you’ve got all those pesky Harvey ‘presents’ sorted and looking ship-shape again – the John-ku nailed it though! 😀

    Like

  17. Phillip McCollum's avatar

    I’m always a nervous nelly when I have to do any electrical work. Too many stupid mistakes I’ve made in the past… Looking really good, John. “We will rebuild….”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you Phillip. I have come to depend on the voltage tester. Never strip a wire without it. 🙂

      Like

  18. D.L. Finn, Author's avatar
    D.L Finn, Author · ·

    So much truth in this week’s poem… What we can’t see inside or the scar left behind once the “repairs” are done. Great outdoor lights and the idea of touching a live wire as sinus clearing…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, DL. I’m glad you liked the sinus clearing ability of a live wire. I thought that description was pretty funny too. 😀

      Like

  19. guyportman's avatar

    Sterling job John. I wouldn’t have a hope in hell installing those lights.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Ha ha ha. I’ve done it a number of times.

      Like

  20. Author Jan Sikes's avatar

    Love the new lantern. I know this is such a slow process, but you are making headway!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Jan. We are. I wish we could get contractors to show up. They are all so busy.

      Like

  21. The Coastal Crone's avatar

    Looks great! Those voltage meters are essential. We tried to get someone to repair or rather replace the fireplace cap that was blown away. Husband finally gave up and did it himself with the aid of Lowe’s in CC. The one in Aransas Pass won’t be open until late November. Hurricane Harvey really tested those houses out on the Island. Glad your place held strong!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      He did his own cap? I am totally impressed.

      Like

  22. dweezer19's avatar

    Glad you’re getting things back to normal around the homestead John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Cheryl

      Like