Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

July 30, 2021 · by John W. Howell · in TGIF · 100 Comments

“Boss. Twiggy keeps running away.”
“Isn’t that what tag is all about?”
“Not when one gets older it isn’t.”
“You’ll be fine. Go get her.”

It is Friday again and the beginning of that period of rest that we all need. I hope your week went well.

We all learned that the CDC issued some revised guidelines for mask-wearing. They advise mask-wearing even if fully vaccinated in public places, indoors in those areas where there is a high and substantial level of Covid transmission rates. This covers about 225 million Americans or about 63% of the population. So if your area has between 50 and 100 new cases per 100,000 population or a positivity testing rate of 8% to 10%, then you are in a substantial to high transmission rate area.

Also, the CDC is recommending those school-age children in grades K through 12 wear masks when they go back to school. This has caused so much confusion in the school districts here in Texas. The governor issued a directive that school districts and communities are not allowed to mandate mask-wearing, so at best, any decision on masks has to be an advisory position. Texas shares the no-mask mandate with Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Montana, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Makes your head spin.

We also learned this week that eating foods high in flavonoids can help beat cognitive decline. To all you youngsters out there, this knowledge has little relevance. To we old codgers, what it means is all the strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, cherries, red cabbage, onions, peppers, kale, parsley, black tea, oolong tea, green tea, wine, chocolate, soybeans, and citrus, that we have consumed is keeping our cognitive abilities from diving into the dirt. This was a study done over a 25 year period with 75,000 participants, and results were published in the American Academy of Neurology journal. So keep eating and drinking that stuff, and if you are not eating or drinking it, you should start.

Today’s JohnKu talks about cognitive decline. I hope you have a super weekend.

To protect the brain,

Flavonoids are wonderful . . .

Give me some more wine.

Tags: author, books, Circumstances of Childhood, Eternal Road - The final stop, fiction favorites, Friday, Haiku, His Revenge, JohnKu, My GRL, Our Justice, TGIF, The Contract with Gwen Plano

100 comments

Dina · July 30, 2021 - 4:31 am ·

Cheers, John! I think we all need more. 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend yourselves. X

LikeLiked by 3 people
1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 7:26 am ·
  
  You as well, Dina. The dark chocolate is calling me by name. 😁
  
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Keith Edgar Channing · July 30, 2021 - 5:00 am ·

I stopped drinking wine five years ago, John, but I’ll go along with the rest of the advice. Have a good weekend. We’re off to the zoo on Sunday, and I shall be driving south to my old haunt at The Hawk Conservancy Trust next week (210 miles, which means two recharging stops each way).

LikeLiked by 3 people
1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 8:29 am ·
  
  How long does a recharge take?
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  1. Keith Edgar Channing · July 30, 2021 - 9:12 am ·
    
    I’ve only ever charged at home so far; this will be my first long trip. From what I’ve read, it should be about 30 minutes.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 9:23 am ·
      
      Okay, so you can stretch your legs, have a cuppa and then be on your way. Do they charge you a fee?
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
    2. Keith Edgar Channing · July 30, 2021 - 10:01 am ·
      
      Some charging points are free but most make you pay. Either way, I wouldn’t expect more than about £20. The same journey in Clare’s very economic diesel estate would cost more than £50.
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
    3. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 3:18 pm ·
      
      They are mostly free here.
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
    4. Keith Edgar Channing · July 31, 2021 - 3:15 am ·
      
      It will take more than that to tempt me to move to Texas, John 🤠
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
    5. John W. Howell · July 31, 2021 - 7:13 am ·
      
      I think you are well placed where you are, Keith. Texas ain’t your kind of town.
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
Writer Lori · July 30, 2021 - 5:11 am ·

Knew all that wine and chocolate would turn out to be a good thing!😉

LikeLiked by 3 people
1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 8:49 am ·
  
  Yes indeed, Lori. Sounds like we should do more. 😁
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
Liz Gauffreau · July 30, 2021 - 5:28 am ·

Good to know about the hedge against cognitive decline!

LikeLiked by 3 people
1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 8:52 am ·
  
  I thought it was interesting and shareable. Thanks, Liz.😁
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  1. Liz Gauffreau · July 30, 2021 - 5:34 pm ·
    
    You’re welcome, John.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
Jill Weatherholt · July 30, 2021 - 5:33 am ·

I with you! Cheers!🍷

LikeLiked by 3 people
1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 8:54 am ·
  
  Hahaha 🛢
  
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Charles Yallowitz · July 30, 2021 - 5:35 am ·

Wine and chocolate are healthy? Finally some good news.

LikeLiked by 3 people
1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 8:55 am ·
  
  Yes, good news for sure.😁
  
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Staci Troilo · July 30, 2021 - 5:44 am ·

I immediately seized on the wine and chocolate news. Take the wins where we can! Have a great weekend.

LikeLiked by 2 people
1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 8:57 am ·
  
  Yes indeed. Have a great weekend as well, Staci. 😁
  
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harmonykentonline · July 30, 2021 - 5:51 am ·

Chocolate and wine! You just set me up for an amazing weekend 🤣. If anyone questions me, I can blame it on that author guy in America 😂 Great haiku. Have a wonderful weekend, John and everyone 🍷🍷🍷🙂

LikeLiked by 2 people
1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 8:59 am ·
  
  Yes blame me for sure, Harmony. I stand behind the research and a huge bottle of wine. 😁 Have a super weekend.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
GP · July 30, 2021 - 6:36 am ·

I like your plan with the wine, but that gives me a stomach ache – so…. I’ll have a bowl of fruit with my cocktail and I should be covered!

LikeLiked by 3 people
1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 9:01 am ·
  
  You can marinate the fruit in the cocktail for a change up. Thanks, GP. I think you’re covered. 😁 Have a dark chocolate bar just to make sure.
  
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davidprosser · July 30, 2021 - 6:51 am ·

Just putting my shoes on to go buy all the fruit and chocolate I can. Damn the diabetes. Have a Great Weekend John.
Hugs

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 9:02 am ·
  
  Sorry about the no wine deal. Good luck on the other stuff though. Thanks, David.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
Joan Hall · July 30, 2021 - 7:13 am ·

Finally! A health benefit for all the tea I’ve been drinking. My memory should last as long as I do.

Happy Friday, John.

LikeLiked by 2 people
1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 9:06 am ·
  
  Yes it should. Maybe switching to wine will make that memory hum. 😁
  
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Dan Antion · July 30, 2021 - 7:24 am ·

And pass the chocolate.

Have a great weekend, John.

LikeLiked by 2 people
1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 9:14 am ·
  
  Thnaks, Dan. Have a great one as well.
  
  LikeLiked by 2 people
Dale · July 30, 2021 - 8:04 am ·

Of course the States with the no-mask policies are also the ones with the highest levels of transmission rates. Maths seems pretty darn simple to me.

As for the flavenoids, I nod as I eat my yogurt with blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and look at my snack bag full of cherries. Chocolate is always within reach and wine, well, hello? Of course! All those veggies are on my list. The only place I am lacking is in the tea department. Hmmm…

Happy Friday to you, you highly cognitive gent (I ain’t using old codger)…

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1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 9:15 am ·
  
  A nice iced green tea would do the trick. (with a sprig of mint)
  
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  1. Dale · July 30, 2021 - 9:18 am ·
    
    Oooh… Now you’re talking. Of course, today, I just about near froze (a slight exaggeration) on my morning walk in the rain. Warm tea would have been better – though coffee was what I had!
    
    LikeLiked by 2 people
    1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 9:25 am ·
      
      Yeah I’m sitting in 79 degree soon to be 100 temps. I forget about the Northern territory. Stay warm then.
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
    2. Dale · July 30, 2021 - 10:20 am ·
      
      Yeah… that ain’t in our sights for the next good while, it appears. Bummer. Tomorrow is my mother’s surprise 80th birthday shindig and we are only expecting 73 with mostly sun – mind you, that is rather comfortable just not conducive to using the swimming pool!
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
    3. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 3:16 pm ·
      
      Your mom and I are the same age. Happy Birthday, Mom.
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
    4. Dale · July 30, 2021 - 4:17 pm ·
      
      Indeed! Her official birthday is August 5th, but we are surprising her tomorrow 😉
      And thank you 🙂
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
    5. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 4:47 pm ·
      
      Nice.
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
coldhandboyack · July 30, 2021 - 8:08 am ·

Flavonoids? Maybe I can make them into an alien species in a story. Black market pets that make you smarter.

LikeLiked by 2 people
1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 9:16 am ·
  
  Go for it.
  
  LikeLiked by 2 people
Gwen M. Plano · July 30, 2021 - 8:24 am ·

Chocolate is the answer to almost everything. I keep it close at hand and thanks to you, I now have another reason to reach for a bite. Have a wonderful weekend, John. 😊

LikeLiked by 2 people
1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 9:17 am ·
  
  Thank you, Gwen. Have a wonderful weekend as well. Those Dove darks are the answer. 😁
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan Sikes · July 30, 2021 - 8:40 am ·

You are SO right about the confusing mask/no mask mandates, John. I hate to see our children have to go back to having the masks on all day for school, as we will see another rise in strep throat. The doctors all agree that breathing the bacteria back in is the cause. I don’t know. It definitely is enough to make the head spin. Love the JohnKu and the flavonoid advice! I will continue to consume these wonderful brain foods and drinks! Here’s to chocolate and wine! The perfect combo!

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1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 9:19 am ·
  
  I agree on the chocolate and wine combo. Have a super weekend, Jan. 😁
  
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Debbie · July 30, 2021 - 8:48 am ·

You know, eating and drinking all the “right” stuff can still result in cognitive decline. But at least that list is tastier than Lima beans and cauliflower, right?!? Happy weekend, John!

LikeLiked by 2 people
1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 9:21 am ·
  
  Yes. Cognative decline has many causes. You are right about the taste though. Let’s see. Limas or wine. Tough choice. 😁
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
noelleg44 · July 30, 2021 - 9:27 am ·

Your side yard is gorgeous, John. I know the girls are enjoying it. I do like wine and various berries, so I’ll just keep at it!

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 3:19 pm ·
  
  Good idea, Noelle.Keep it up.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
Tails Around the Ranch · July 30, 2021 - 11:54 am ·

Wine and chocolate…my personal favorite flavonoids but your list includes some other tasty things.

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 3:13 pm ·
  
  Yes we have been eating a lot of berries and enjoying them.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  1. Tails Around the Ranch · July 30, 2021 - 3:59 pm ·
    
    What…no wine or chocolate? 🤣
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 4:47 pm ·
      
      Those are a given.
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
robertawrites235681907 · July 30, 2021 - 12:26 pm ·

This is interesting, John. My sons have been wearing a mask every day for school since last year August when the lockdown ended. They have not been sick once since they started wearing them to school. I don’t have any problem wearing a mask and also prefer it because I too have been illness free. I am glad we have to wear masks here, they are very sanatory.

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1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 3:12 pm ·
  
  Colds and flu are spread just like COVID. I have been wearing a mask on airplanes for years.
  
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karenringalls · July 30, 2021 - 1:40 pm ·

I raise my glass of wine to each of my brother and sister authors! Have some chocolate, sip the wine, enjoy the sun and the wonders of nature…and laugh! Those are the sure cures for anything and everything.

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1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 3:11 pm ·
  
  Wonerful toast, Karen. Thank you. ❤️
  
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Baydreamer · July 30, 2021 - 2:01 pm ·

Great news about wine and chocolate, John. You made my day! 🙂 Cheers! 🍷😁

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 3:10 pm ·
  
  Glad to help, Lauren.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
D.L. Finn, Author · July 30, 2021 - 4:04 pm ·

I do like that list of what to eat… or drink. I’m all for it. I went back to wearing mask mainly to keep the grandkids safe.

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 4:47 pm ·
  
  I’m wearing a mask mainly to keep me safe.
  
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Marie A Bailey · July 30, 2021 - 5:04 pm ·

Ah, chocolate and wine … that’s my cup of tea 😉

Ah, Texas and Florida, seemingly joined at the hip ;-(

Yeah, our county’s case positivity rate was at 15%, last time I looked. Meanwhile, FL’s governor has been hanging out in Texas and Utah.

We rejoined our gym a few weeks ago, before cases started to spike. The vaccination rate in our county is only 51% so we’re pretty sure that a lot of the unmasked people at the gym haven’t been vaccinated. Ick. We wear our masks at the gym, for the most part. When I’m on the elliptical or treadmill, I have to take it off otherwise I fear I’d pass out. But I keep my distance from others.

Oh, well, that month when we thought things were getting better was nice!

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 7:54 pm ·
  
  Yes Texas and Florida. I wear my mask and also bring my own anti-viral wipes. If people get too close I cough. Usually gets them to vacate.
  
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  1. Marie A Bailey · July 31, 2021 - 4:57 pm ·
    
    Heh heh 😉
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorryless · July 30, 2021 - 6:28 pm ·

Now that wine is officially in the game winning playbook, I’ll have to celebrate with a glass or two next weekend. Tonight’s drink, martinis, was already set in stone . . .

Have a great weekend Boss

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 7:48 pm ·
  
  Yup. Make mine a Tanqueray on the rocks with three olives please.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  1. Sorryless · July 31, 2021 - 10:57 am ·
    
    You know the drill.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    1. John W. Howell · July 31, 2021 - 2:55 pm ·
      
      Here’s my bucket. Gin please.
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
    2. Sorryless · August 1, 2021 - 7:09 am ·
      
      Oh, we’re talking buckets. You are my kind of company, sir.
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
    3. John W. Howell · August 1, 2021 - 9:03 am ·
      
      Hahaha.
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
Vashti Q · July 30, 2021 - 6:44 pm ·

Ha, ha! Your Johnku is hilarious this week, John. Well, berries and citrus fruits are my favorite. I drink green tea with lemon every morning. I eat and drink everything on that list except for soybeans.
I’ll be wearing a mask in public places. Stay healthy and safe! ❤

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1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 7:46 pm ·
  
  Soybeans are good. Try an Edamame recipe https://www.acouplecooks.com/easy-edamame/
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  1. Vashti Q · August 5, 2021 - 9:43 pm ·
    
    I’ve had them and they are good, but because of my UT cancer history my Oncologists advised me not to eat them. 🙂
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    1. John W. Howell · August 6, 2021 - 6:47 am ·
      
      Good idea. Gotta stay ahead of that stuff. Best wishes, Vashti. 😊
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
petespringerauthor · July 30, 2021 - 7:46 pm ·

Thanks for the laughs, John. Can you believe we have to go through this again with the masks? Get the darn vaccination, people! 99% of the people dying are unvaccinated. This isn’t rocket science.

Can I get my strawberries in a daiquiri?🤣

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 7:50 pm ·
  
  You bet on the daiquiri. I can’t believe these people who refuse to get vaccinated. Asking for trouble.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  1. petespringerauthor · July 30, 2021 - 8:03 pm ·
    
    Not to mention prolonging this thing for the rest of us. I’m usually pretty understanding of others’ choices, but this one is hard to wrap my brain around.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 9:18 pm ·
      
      Me too.
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
Becky Ross Michael · July 30, 2021 - 8:44 pm ·

Cheers, John. Your yard looks wonderful!

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · July 30, 2021 - 9:14 pm ·
  
  Than you, Becky. 😁
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
Jennie · July 31, 2021 - 8:41 am ·

Here’s to an excellent list of what to eat and drink. Our school districts are up in arms and full of confusion on mandating masks for children.

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · July 31, 2021 - 10:28 am ·
  
  I can imagine. Glad I have no kids in school.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  1. Jennie · July 31, 2021 - 2:23 pm ·
    
    It is very hard for parents.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    1. John W. Howell · July 31, 2021 - 2:47 pm ·
      
      I would just mask my kid or keep them home.
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
    2. Jennie · July 31, 2021 - 4:35 pm ·
      
      Good choice to mask the kid.
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
    3. John W. Howell · July 31, 2021 - 5:16 pm ·
      
      Yes.
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
circadianreflections · July 31, 2021 - 8:59 am ·

Cheers to that list!

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · July 31, 2021 - 10:31 am ·
  
  😁
  
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The Coastal Crone · July 31, 2021 - 2:02 pm ·

Cheers for flavonoids, especially the wine! Thanks, John, as I had not seen the report. I need all the help I can get at this age.

Your yard looks great!

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · July 31, 2021 - 2:48 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Jo. The wine is most important. 😁
  
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kethuprofumo · July 31, 2021 - 5:20 pm ·

I say, dear John! Now I know why my brains functions well…yet. I take plenty of black tea everyday. Earl Grey is my favourite. The Green Turf Friday is certainly calling for a nice barbeque! 🙂 🙂 🙂

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · July 31, 2021 - 5:21 pm ·
  
  Yes a barbeque would work well. 😁
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  1. kethuprofumo · July 31, 2021 - 5:22 pm ·
    
    I hope fire is not dangerous for the artificial turf.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    1. John W. Howell · July 31, 2021 - 5:27 pm ·
      
      Very dangerous. That’s why the grill is on concrete. 😊
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
Resa · August 2, 2021 - 3:26 pm ·

How about that…I’m drinking red wine! It’s the only alcohol I like.
As a vegetarian almost my entire life, I eat all the foods you talk about, aplenty!
Hmm, I could be so rich in flavonoids that I’m overly cognitive. I’ll probably still be cognitive in my urn!

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · August 2, 2021 - 4:28 pm ·
  
  Your cognatation may be eternal. 🤣
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  1. Resa · August 2, 2021 - 4:47 pm ·
    
    Oboy!!!
    Hmm….????
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    1. John W. Howell · August 2, 2021 - 9:03 pm ·
      
      🤣
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – MAd Production. Company. · August 5, 2021 - 11:00 am ·

[…] Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF […]

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1. John W. Howell · August 5, 2021 - 11:09 am ·
  
  Thank you for sharing.
  
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