Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

“Okay, I’ll give you till the count of three.”
“I will not need any time to escape a water buffalo.”
“Suit yourself.”

Another Friday is here. If you saw the post yesterday, then you know we finally got a break in the weather. This summer has been one for the record books. Not only were the temps in the 100s but the heat indexes were in from 105 to 110. Of course, this is 2020 so what should we expect? We hope to stay in the 90s for the rest of the season. (Imagine being thankful for 90-degree temps)

We are also missing all the rain. Those to the North, West, and East of us are getting tons. We are getting nada. They say maybe this weekend. Sure let’s have a labor Day deluge. Would be perfect for this year. At least it would be rain.

The launch of Eternal Road – The final stop is going well. I am so grateful for all the nice folks who volunteered to help. I know I’ve said that before but it bears repeating. I hope you enjoy the excerpts as well. They are all different parts of the book.

Today’s JohnKu talks about gratitude (again)

I want to wish everyone a Happy and Safe Labor Day Weekend.

Gratitude by John W. Howell Β© 2020

When you receive grace,

The best gratitude is to . . .

Treat someone the same.

78 comments

  1. Wonderful Haiku and sentiment, John! And here’s praying for rain for you. I’ll send you some of ours … I’ll huff, and I’ll puff … (and collapse, probably!).

    Have a lovely weekend. πŸ™‚

    Liked by 2 people

    1. It worked. We got rain. You are a miracle worker, Harmony. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yay. You might want to charge for the service.

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  2. Spoke to my parents in Boerne last night, John, and they were very excited to have received some rain (around 3” as I recall). Hopefully some comes your way this weekend. Wishing you a relaxing holiday!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Yes we got it yesterday and this morning. Thanks, Lori. (an inch and a half)

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Hurray, dear John! May this Friday be alike a special writing tips for you. As I comprehend Lucy & Twiggy are preparing for Friday Euro 2021! Great! Cin-Cin!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hahahaha. Yes I have them in training mode. Thank you, Maria. Have a great weekend. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you, my dear friend! You do the right thing, dear John! Super-Friday doggy team must be always in good shape! πŸ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

      2. They must. Thanks Maria. Have a super weekend.

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Have a great Labor Day weekend. Even if it rains.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The rain came early and now they are saying it might be clear. Thanks, Charles.

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      1. Hope it helped cool things off.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. 73 degrees right now. Woud be approaching 90 normally

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      3. Definitely a big drop.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. What a fantastic JohnKu! I’ll be happy to send some of our heavy rains your way, but be warned, with them brings more oppressive humidity. We are looking forward to a drop in temps this weekend. Mid 80’s will feel wonderful. Have a great holiday, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, Mid 80s would be a gift. Thank you, Jill. Have a super holiday as well. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Good luck with the release. Hoping for some rain for you and then some more. Excellent pointer in the Johnku … Enjoy the Labor Day weekend!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Frank. We got a nice rain. Happy Labor Day to you.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. That’s a start … hoping for more.

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      2. Me too.😁

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  7. Your JohnKu is perfect! Have a good weekend!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Liz. You as well. 😁

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  8. I’m happy it is all going well for you.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, GP. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Gwen M. Plano · ·

    I love your haiku and am glad to hear the launch is going well. There’s so much to be grateful for–even with temps that drive us indoors. πŸ™‚

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    1. So true. At some point we can be grateful for the 30 degree temps that do the same. Thank you, Gwen. 😊

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  10. Glad the launch is going well, John. Hope you get some rain this weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Teri. We got some. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  11. We actually had thunder and rain this morning. Granted, it was only for ten minutes, but you take what you can get. Look at this tidbit from our NWS office: “College Station and Galveston are only about 140 miles apart but the temperatures between the two cities varied greatly yesterday. College Station’s high was 87 degrees, while Galveston’s LOW temperature was 87 degrees.”

    Happy weekend, and congrats on things going so well with your book!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Those micro-climates are fascinating, Linda. I have always been amazed by the Texas weather. Have a super weekend. Thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. It’s crazy to be happy with temps in the 90’s! But relief is relief. I’m sending good vibes for a good rainfall!
    Wonderful JohnKu

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We had a great rain this morning and last night, Dale. We have two inches in the rain guage. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yay!!! So happy for you guys! πŸŒ§οΈβ˜”πŸ˜

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Yes. We are happy too. Thanks, Dale.

        Liked by 1 person

  13. No rain here either. I am sure the beaches will be packed.

    Yes, pass that grace on! Have a safe Labor Day, John.

    Started “Eternal Road” last night. I like the ride so far!

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    1. So glad you like it. I sure wish I knew who this is. 😁

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  14. Mother Nature isn’t much for portions, what with the lack of rain in some parts of the country and the flooding going on in others . . whoa.

    Glad to hear your newest selection is going swimmingly. And a great Ku to boot!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Marc. All is well and we got rain. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  15. A lovely haiku, John. I share your gratitude and the wisdom of passing it on. I’m sorry to hear about the heat! Yes, it says something when you’re wishing for those cool 90’s. I hope the rain makes a visit, but doesn’t interfere with your plans. πŸ˜€

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We did get rain and are veru happy. Thanks, Diana.

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      1. That’s great news!

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      2. It is. Thank you, Diana.

        Liked by 1 person

  16. Love the haiku … and I’m glad you’re finally getting a ‘break’ in the temps, though I’m not sure I’d be thankful for 90s! I’m actually looking forward to winter this year!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hahahaha. Yes 90s are okay for now.

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  17. Have a wonderful, clement weekend, John! And enjoy those furry friends. I think they’re adorable every single darn time you show them:).

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Kristine. 😊

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  18. Wonderful post and JohnKu, John! We had a break in weather, too, but this weekend it’s going to heat up again. Ugh! Just when the fires are getting contained, the heat is returning, and I think the winds are, also. Fingers crossed that no new fires start. It’s great that you’re adding new excerpts on the posts. Your book sounds more intriguing more and more! Stay cool and have a safe weekend!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Lauren. I hope you have a great weekend too. πŸ€—

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Hi John,
    I got carried away with the “mores” because my brain is slowing down at the end of the day. πŸ™‚ You can edit if you want…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You are fine, Lauren. I appreciate your mores. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  20. What a wonderful JohnKu! Wow! It’s one the whole world should read and understand. We have gotten quite a bit of rain here in the Dallas area and it was most welcomed. We hear there is more on the way!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We got two inches ourselves. Thanks, Jan.

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  21. D.L. Finn, Author · ·

    It has been a strange summer to go along with our strange year. We are headed into the worst part of our fire season, would love some rain sent our way too. Loved your Johnku…so true.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, let’s hope you get rain. I remember the fire seasons when I lived in Sonoma. Real scary.

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  22. Meanwhile, down here, we actually got to 17 degrees on Friday! Summer’s coming πŸ€—

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Good to hear things are looking up down there. 😁

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  23. Very nice, John.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Words to live by, John. Great weather here in Pennsylvania today – low humidity too! Happy Labor Day Weekend πŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Barbara. Happy Labor day to you.

      Liked by 1 person

  25. This has been a tough year all around. That being said, I’m very grateful that we’re near the end of hurricane season and haven’t had any storm come near south Florida. And although July and August were extremely hot we had plenty of afternoon showers to cool things off. I love the sentiment of your Johnku––lovely. I hope the temperature stays mild in your neck of the woods. Enjoy the long weekend!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It sure has, Vashti. Keep your fingers and toes crossed that the hurricanes will stay away. Have a happy labor day weekend too. 😊

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      1. I will definitely keep my fingers and toes crossed.

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  26. In Pennsylvania, we had one of our hottest summers on records, but still far shy of your insane temperatures. I’m sending wishes for cooling rain your way.
    We are closing our pool for the season this weekend. Even today there was a hint of all in the air. As much as I will miss summer, I’m looking forward to winner.
    Wishing you a happy Labor Day, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It is always sad to see the pools close. Happy Labor Day, Mae.

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  27. Lovely JohnKu. Here’s to a Happy Labor Day, hopefully without rain till the next day.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We have had our rain so I don’t think there is any more till next week. Thanks, Jennie.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Whew! Best to you, John.

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  28. Have a lovely ‘howliday’ weekend, John. Like in your parts, we will have another especially hot one today, a not as hot one tomorrow and…highs in the 30’s on Tuesday with snow. Yup, 2020 can kiss my backside. Stay well and safe.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I echo your sentiment for 2020. Stay safe and well also.

      Liked by 1 person

  29. That’s so true! I hope you’re having a great week!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Deborah. 😁 You as well.

      Liked by 1 person