From The Producer, Twiggy, and me, we wish you and yours a safe and enjoyable Labor Day. Remember those who work hard so that we can maintain our way of life.
I have closed the comments.
Author: John W. Howell
I have been working in business for over forty years and now have the time to work in special areas of interest. My passion has always been to create compelling stories of fiction. I have authored six novels and am working on my Seventh. The first novel is still in manuscript form and being utilized as a door stop in the laundry room. The second is a contemporary fiction novel of 89,000 words and is complete and I am currently seeking a publisher. I also write poetry but have not had the guts to share any with anyone. The one time I read a piece to a person their only comment was, “it doesn’t rhyme.” I will continue to write and hopefully my blog, Fiction Favorites at www.johnwhowell.com will provide some entertainment and an interesting thought or two.
I live in the Austin area with my wife Molly and an assortment of loving pets.
Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Art Show
Today we are going to visit the activity center and the art show. We are catered by Clarks of Austin, and our entertainment is Rod Stewart.
Menu
New England Clam Chowder – Chive, Chervil, Bacon, Oyster Crackers
Roasted Golden Beet Salad – Watermelon, Sheep’s Milk Feta, Mint,
Toasted Pistachios
Wood Grilled Shrimp – Toast Pea Tendrils, Shaved Celery, Harissa Aoili
Mussels & Clams – in White Wine & Herbs Wood-Charred Sourdough
Lobster Roll – Drawn Butter, Bibb Lettuce with Clark’s Fries or Slaw
Tuna Salad Sandwich – Olive & Parsley Vinaigrette with Clark’s Fries or Slaw
Pan Roasted Black Angus Hamburger – Sauce Gribiche & Gruyere with Clark’s Fries or Slaw
Toasted Pullman BLT – Niman Ranch Bacon, Tomato, Butter Lettuce, Sunflower Sprouts, Avocado & d’Espelette Aioli
Grilled Kale & Goat Cheese Omelette – Crispy Marble Potatoes & Red Chimichurri, Hollandaise
Crab Cake -Watercress & Frisee Salad, Pickled Shallots, Hollandaise
Let’s go.
Here is the poster for the event. We did not go on the studio tour.
This is birdbath heaven.
Also, a TV tray heaven.
A jazz trio for our listening pleasure.
Plants are art , too.
These paintings are made with alcohol inks. Alcohol inks are fast-drying, waterproof, highly pigmented, alcohol-based inks that are great to use on a variety of surfaces. These are dye-based colors (as opposed to pigment-based) that are flowy and transparent.
Some oils on canvas.
Mixed media.
A big selection
Of course, pottery is art.
Some are larger than life.
Computer-generated art and graphite.
To cool off with some shave ice.
Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Chews/Choose
The machine works its magic. No begging, threatening, cajoling, or tears were needed for a delicious cup of steaming stuff that makes life worth living. The first sip rushes the caffeine to the brain like cocaine on steroids. The brew’s intense flavor is conducive to several chews rather than a simple swallow. It is always love at first taste of the drink we choose.
After the sip has me centered, a loud noise sends Twiggy off on a barking jag that will eventually clear the neighborhood. Checking my phone, I see a big old box has been dropped on the front porch. There is a tag in the corner that gives me a hint that life is about to get more stressful. The tag has big block letters spelling ACME.
The security system must be shut down to investigate the box. The tower machine guns are deactivated, the moat screen rolled, the concertina wire retracted, the boiling oil set to standby, the claymore mines detached, The trebuchet reset, the iron gate opened, and the locks and bolts thrown.
The front door is carefully opened, and the box is examined. There is a string with an envelope attached. On the outside of the envelope, the printing says OPEN and READ ME. Following the instructions, there are two letters inside. The first is from Linda Hill and reads. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “chews/choose.” Use one, use ’em both, use ’em any way you’d like. Bonus points if you get ’em both in. Have fun! The second is from the President of Warner Brothers. It says simply, We hope you enjoy your gift.
To see how other bloggers have responded to the prompt, visit Linda’s blog. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2023/09/01/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-sept-2-2023/
Chews/Choose by John W. Howell © 2023
“Well, you got the bonus points.”
“Yup. Sure did.”
“What are those bonus points used for?”
“Anything you choose.”
“What do you use them for?”
“I’m buying a Bentley Turbo Convertable.”
“Wow. You can do that?”
“Sure.”
“When do you get the car?”
“Well, it will be a while cause I have to buy it piece by piece.”
“What?”
“Yeah. I have four lug nuts so far.”
“Four lug nuts? At this rate, it will be forever. Sounds like a fool’s errand.”
“See, there marks the difference between us.”
“What do you mean?”
“I have a dream and am working on it. You are more day to day.”
“But four lug nuts. That is almost enough to hold one tire on a nonexistent car.”
“How many Bentley lug nuts do you have?”
“None.”
“The journey starts with the first step. Before you know it, I will be cruising in my convertible.”
“If you can still get a license at that age.”
I’m going to change the subject. How about a VooDoo Ranger?”
“At last, you get to the essential parts of life. Uber is here.
“Can’t wait to see wait the sale vehicle is today.”
“It’s over there.”
“What is that thing?”
“It is a vehicle that paints lines on the street. Got a good price ’cause they need to paint the lines on the road that runs by the pub.”
“Where do we sit?”
“See that trailer with all the cones.”
“Yeah.”
“We sit there and place the safety cones next to the new lines on the way.”
“What fun.”
“I knew you would be thrilled. Here, take some of these tobacco chews. Goes with the job.”
Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News
Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network. Here is the story as published.
Remarkable Man Averts Oil Tanker Disaster by Crowdfunding to Stop Crumbling Ship From Releasing Tons into Red Sea
In July, news media reported that a derelict oil tanker off the coast of Yemen had its more than 1 million barrels of crude removed in a successful cleanup operation.
The operation may have prevented a major environmental catastrophe in the Red Sea because the tanker, FSO Safer, was 47 years old and had serious mechanical and structural risks.
Now, an addendum to the story reveals the work of a true hero whose crowdfunding campaign succeeded in collecting the money necessary for the sea-saving work.
That addendum began when truce negotiations between Saudi Arabia and the controlling faction of Yemen, the Houthis, opened a wartime window of opportunity to do something about this environmental Sword of Damocles that had been hanging over the communities in the Red Sea since the FSO Safer was abandoned in 2015 after Saudi’s invasion.
The agreement to allow environmental crews is required so that a new vessel can be purchased to hold the oil, which technically belongs to the Yemen state, though who that represents isn’t settled yet. After agreement was reached in May of 2022, the race was on for the United Nations to conduct a hugely ambitious fundraiser of $144 million for a new tanker and a salvage company to drain all the oil, clean all the insides of the tanks, and bring the massive bulker to shore.
David Gressly, the UN’s resident humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, spearheaded the fundraiser and salvage operation but said that progress was slow going.
“If we had a major oil spill there, we would have probably raised a billion dollars in a month because there are mechanisms for governments to do just that,” Gressley told the Guardian.
After government and private sector donations weren’t adding up, Gressley opened the fundraising to the world—anyone with a dollar to spare was invited to contribute to this admittedly massive goal.
By September 2022, the campaign had gathered $75 million of the required $144 million, an astonishing return driven by individuals, from Yemeni businessmen to schoolchildren in the US. When the campaign reached $121m in July this year, the emergency humanitarian fund of the UN provided a low-interest loan to cover the rest.
From there, work was turned over to Boskalis, a salvage company that finished the cleanup operation by August 11th after the MT Yemen, a brand new oil tanker, weighed anchor alongside Safer to siphon off the last of her oil before the old girl was towed to Yemen’s shore for scuppering.
Alongside his lifesaving work in Yemen, Gressley is also considering establishing contingency plans for future situations of the sort since he was still explaining that the money he helped raise would be going to a good cause even after the Boskalis said Safer had between 12 and 18 months of time left before crumbling into the sea.
You can watch an animation of the oil transfer.
The good news in this story is a person cared about averting a disaster and did something about it. Today’s JohnKu talks about the benefits of being decisive. I hope you have a great weekend.
Action by John W. Howell © 2023
There is time to wait,
But knowing action is first . . .
Averts disaster.
Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy Gets Two Baths
“Hey Twiggy. Whatcha doing?”
“I’m thinking about a sunbath.”
“That sounds great.”
“Yeah, the temperature is below blowtorch. The sun feels good.”
“Sure looks comfortable.”
“Ahh, this is the life.”
“Looks like you shifted.”
“Need a little shade for my face. A girl has to watch her complexion.”
“I didn’t know that was a consideration.”
“Well, one can’t be too careful.”
“How do you find out about things like complexion?”
“I do my research.”
“Well, let me say I’m impressed.”
“You have to stay up with things these days. Did I just hear Mom calling?”
“Yeah, I heard it.”
“She’s not calling from the patio to join her under the umbrella.”
“No, it sounds more like she’s calling from inside.”
“I guess I better find out what she wants.”
“Did you find out what Mom wanted?”
“Look at me. I’m soaking wet.”
“Ah, bathtime.”
“You coulda told me.”
“That would have been a lose-lose move.”
Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Pitchfork
I randomly opened The Last Drive to page 195 and, without looking, pointed to the page. The word pitchfork was closest to my finger.
Pitchfork by John W. Howell © 2023
Walking along the dark, rutted road, Silas Yoder turns his head to avoid looking at the pitchfork that a glance lets him know is leaning against the ancient hickory nut tree. A rub of chin whiskers did not contain the temptation to take a second look. A quick shift of his eyes has the same effect as putting a tongue on a frozen flagpole. His gaze is locked on the wretched tool.
It was broken and burning the last time he saw it. Knee to handle, a dose of kerosene, and a three-foot hole made sure no one would ever trace it to that horrible scene. Now, here it is, leaning against the tree, mocking his attempt at concealment. He knew it was the same since the handle still had the stains and prints from his bloody hands.
Trembling, he moves closer with measured steps. He must figure out a way to get rid of that cursed thing before it is found by someone else. As he gets nearer, the tines of the fork begin to vibrate and glow red. A low hum reaches his ears, and he interprets it as a warning. He is now convinced the fork is alive. How can I kill it? Is a question that crosses his mind. Almost like the fork is reading his mind, the hum gets louder and more invasive. Things are moving in time with the hum inside his head. A few stabs of pain let him know he is now in danger. Any more time spent near this fork may prove to be fatal. He decides to turn and run, but his body is not obeying his mind’s commands. He is vibrating like the fork and feeling heat spreading down from his brain.
“So you found him on the old Cutter Road?”
“Yeah, the doc says he died of a heart attack.”
“Why that old guy went walking there, I’ll never know.”
“Yeah, especially after his wife was so brutally killed. Any suspects on that yet?”
“Naw. Looks like she was stabbed several times with an old-fashioned pitchfork. Looks like the work of a maniac.”
“You find the weapon?”
“Not yet. Got a tip to look for a new hole in Yoder’s backyard. Probably a waste of time, but will check it out.”
“A tip?”
“Crazy thing. Came on my cellphone as a text. No way to trace the sender.”
“Maybe a hoax.”
“Maybe, but still need to check.”
“Want company?”
“Sure. let’s go.”.
Top Ten Things Not to Do on a Trail Ride
Today’s post was run on July 17th 2017. I know most don’t do trail rides, but hopefully, you’ll get a chuckle out of the list.
* * *
The inspiration for this list was receiving a photo of a couple who had gone on a trail ride. My last ride was in Aspen, Colorado, but I still remember the experience. We were riding at 8,000 feet in the Rockies, and the sights were hard to describe. Hope you enjoy the list, knowing not many of you take trail rides routinely.
Top Ten Things Not to Do on a Trail Ride
10 If you are on a trail ride, do not think beach wear is appropriate on a horse. If you do, at best, the little chaffing will be soothed by lotion. At worst, a cactus encounter will yield a trip to the ER. (Those thorns certainly make a mess, huh, Buford?)
9 If you are on a trail ride, do not let your horse bite the mount of Tiny, the WWF champ who is on a horse for the first time. If you do, at best, Tiny will keep his seat. At worst, Tiny will be airborne, and once he lands, He’ll want to “talk” to you. (You know Tiny tends to talk with his knuckle megaphone, right, Tex?)
8 If you are on a trail ride, do not think you can ignore your guide. If you do, at best, you’ll not get lost. At worst, you will only be lost until the forest service helicopter spots you. ( How do you like that five-figure search and rescue bill, Ferd?)
7 If you are on a trail ride, do not think your needs are the only ones that need to be addressed. If you do, at best, someone will set you straight quickly. At worst, you may find yourself walking back to base by yourself. (It might have been that statement about needing a china plate for lunch that was the last straw, Bosco.)
6 If you are on a trail ride, do not get off your horse unless the guide tells you. If you do, at best, you might find a way on your own to get back on. At worst, you frightened the horses behind you, and now all are running for the barn. (Wonder why no one is talking to you, Pal?)
5 If you are on a trail ride, do not ask if there is a vegan choice for an entrée at the campfire dinner. If you do, at best, the grizzled guide will give you a look not to be forgotten. At worst, your guide will hand you a plate that he swears is meatless. (You should have arranged your choice ahead of time, Buster. Is that something moving in the meatless dish?)
4 If you are on a trail ride, do not forget to take water. If you do, at best, you have to hope the guide has bottled water. At worst you’ll have to drink from the guide’s canteen. (Was that a hint of chewing tobacco backwash in that last drink, Bunky?)
3 If you are on a trail ride, do not irritate your horse. If you do, at best, he won’t dump you on the trail. At worst, at 8000 feet, your horse will decide to trip slightly, giving you the opportunity to apologize. (The apology better be sincere and fast, Roscoe.)
2 If you are on a trail ride, do not think you have to act like John Wayne on a cattle drive. If you do, at best, your fellow riders will ignore you. At worst, yippie yi ki yay is horse language for dump this idiot. (How did you get on the ground so fast, Putz?)
1 If you are on a trail ride, do not try to keep up with your texts and e-mails. If you do, at best, you’ll finally lose a signal in the mountains. At worst, your horse will detect you are not paying attention and will take the opportunity to gallop to the barn early. (Looks like you are barely holding on, Roy. That screaming is very becoming as well.)
Views of the Neighborhood – An Other Person’s Treasure.
We are going to take a look at some of the things people have decided they no longer need. Yes, it is another look at the trash. We are catered by Bird Bird Biscuit. Our entertainment is Queen.
Menu
So let’s go.
Our first view is a kiddie assortment. Maybe outgrown, but the Salvation Army doesn’t pick up.
Last call.
No more lounging at home. Gotta go back to the office.
More kiddie toys and a questionable piece of art.
Coffee table or hide behind. You decide.
After three nights of wine drinking, the Simpsons decided to recover. Getting rid of the evidence was the first item on the agenda.
All I need is this trash can, this chair, and my remote.
The BBQ side of beef was heavier than anticipated.
Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Tune
Back home to the Jura coffee maker at last. Humming the tune Yellow Brick Road while waiting for the soothing syrup to make its way into my cup makes the time shorter. The tune has been in my head since it was the last duet sung with my daughter while away. Keeping it in my head also holds the memory of a very special time spent with her, my son-in-law, and the three grandkids.
You see, they are a music family, and when we get together, they cause me to believe that there is some music in my bones as well. Being a realist allows me to play along but not take my participation too seriously. They have a studio with all the sound equipment needed to make the experience feel real. It is so much fun.
So the coffee is ready, and the tune will stay for a while. Since this is Saturday, there should be some kind of delivery of a note from Linda Hill. The silence of the place raises the fear of being forgotten. Suddenly my phone rings and when answered a recorded message intones. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “tune.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!
If you would like to see what other bloggers do with the prompt, visit Linda’s blog. Here’s the link. https://lindaghill.com/2023/08/25/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-aug-26-2023/
Tune by John W. Howell © 2023
“Well, this was low-key.”
“I think I’m still getting over the trip.”
“Oh, come on. How could a little four-day vacation be that tiring?”
“You’d sing a different tune if you knew my family.”
“Type A’s?”
“Squared. Never a dull moment.”
“But fun?”
“Oh yeah. Ton’s of fun.”
“There must be a story connected with the Yellow Brick Road tune. Like, who played the munchkins?”
“This was the Elton John version. There were no munchkins. No story except we both wanted to do it together.”
“I see.”
“Time for Uber?”
“He’s already here.”
“I see a garbage truck over there. Is that him?”
“No. Of course not. It’s the gravel truck behind him.”
“What’s wrong with a simple car?”
“Hey, come on. Pulling up to the front of the pub in a T680 Kenworth is more fitting to our lifestyle.”
“Your lifestyle you mean.”
“Well okay. But still it turns heads.”
“In pity I’m sure.”
Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay Good News
Today’s good news comes from the Good News Network. Here is the story in its entirety.
4 Decades of Data Suggests Pacific Coral Reefs Can Acclimatize to Warming Oceans and Resist Future Bleaching
Data collected over the last 40 years at a remote coral reef within the territorial waters of Palau has shown that corals are more adaptable to warming oceans than previously thought.
In fact, they’ve already adapted—potentially at a rate of 0.18°F per decade, and the researchers say that established models for coral bleaching events should be updated to presume an enhanced capacity for these stunning underwater ecosystems to sustain themselves over the decades.
The Newcastle University-led study focused on the Pacific Island nation of Palau and drew on decades of field observations, as well as many possible future coral bleaching trajectories for Palauan reefs, each with a different simulated rate of thermal tolerance enhancement.
They found that if coral thermal tolerance continues to rise throughout the 21st century at the most likely historic rate, “significant” reductions in bleaching impacts are possible.
“We quantified a natural increase in coral thermal tolerance over decadal time scales, which can be directly compared to the rate of ocean warming,” said study lead author Liam Lachs.
The researchers say that high-frequency bleaching can be fully mitigated at some reefs under low-to-middle emissions scenarios where, for example, the Paris Agreement commitments are fulfilled.
“We know that coral reefs can increase their overall thermal tolerance over time by acclimatization, genetic adaptation, or shifts in community structure; however, we know very little about the rates at which this is occurring,” said study co-author Dr. James Guest.
“This study uses data from a remote Pacific coral reef system and estimates the rate of increase in tolerance since the late 1980s. The results provide some hope that reefs can keep up with increasing temperatures, but only if strong action is taken on climate change.”
To survive amid climate change, the researchers say coral communities need to endure progressively more intense and frequent marine heatwaves.
The Newcastle team’s findings reveal that the thermal tolerance of corals in Palau has likely increased at a rate of 0.1°C per decade since the late 1980s.
The researchers say that the increase suggests that natural mechanisms, such as genetic adaptation, acclimatization of corals, or their symbiotic microalgae, could have contributed to the enhancement of coral thermal tolerance.
Several early models on climate change, global warming, and ecological degradation have been shown to be incorrect over the years, including the effects of ruminant agriculture on greenhouse gas emissions and plastic pollution entering the ocean—which GNN recently reported could have been overestimated for years by a factor of 30.
On corals, some scientists aren’t waiting to see if they can adapt at their own pace. Researchers in Florida are breeding corals that are specifically identified as carrying genetic adaptations that make them less vulnerable to heat and acidic water.
The good news here is as the world struggles with the effects of global warming, the coral reefs are adapting to the changes. Today’s JohnKu talks about the global warming situation. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Global Warming by John W. Howell © 2023
Global warming worries,
Are First World concerns today . . .
Need Third World buy-in.
