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.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy Needs a Nap.

August 24, 2023August 22, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 102 Comments

“Hey Twiggy. Are we playing with Be Mine today?”

“I don’t know. I thought it would be a good idea, but..”

“But what? You love Be Mine.”

“Yeah, I do, but usually we pay inside and there is something off about outside.”

“Okay, go inside, and I’ll bring Be Mine in.”

“Thanks, Dad. I’ll make the play-no-play decision when we get in there.”

“Well, there it is. You want me to toss it or something?”

“Thanks for bringing it in. I’m having a little crisis of toy play.”

“Crisis? How could you possibly have a crisis over toys?”

“Well, let me ask. Have you ever had some indecision over your writing?”

“Sure I have. Now that you mention it, some crisis, too.”

“So there you have it. Writing is important to you, and toys are important to me.”

“Never thought of it that way. So what are you doing about it.”

“I’m coming over to sit with you and take a few minutes to think.”

“What conclusion have you come to?”

“There is something about Be Mine. An aftertaste, maybe.”

“Do we need to replace Be Mine?”

“Hummm. That might be a little drastic.”

“So what do you think we should do?”

“Well, Be Mine is one of my favorites after all.”

“That’s true.”

“Do they make a bacon spray?”

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Her Ball

August 17, 2023August 16, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 105 Comments

“How about playing with your ball?”

“Give it a toss and I’ll go get it.”

“There you go.”

“I got it.”

“Bring it here, and I’ll toss it again.”

“Not sure I want to chase it.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“Love on it. What else?”

“Why are you at the door?”

“Loving on a ball is an indoor activity.”

“I see. So you are surrounded with comfort.”

“Oh, dad, you are so wise.”

“Does that taste good?”

“Look at this tongue. What do you think?”

“I guess it does.”

“It sure does. Sometimes, there is nothing finer.”

“I’ll take your word. By the Way. We are taking a blog break until next Thursday. I have a family thing to attend.”

“So that is the day I’m here normally, right?”

“Right.”

“So you are taking a blog break until next Thursday.”

“You are so right. Mom staying?”

“Yup.”

“Have fun.”

“Thanks.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt -“Lower.”

August 15, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

Today, I opened The Last Drive randomly to page 157 and, without looking, pointed to the page. The word under my finger is lower, which is the prompt today.

“Higher or lower?”

“I don’t know. What do you think?”

“Well, from here, it looks like it could be a little higher.”

“Sorry, you cut out. What did you say?”

“Can you hear me?”

“Yes, I can now. You were breaking up. So, higher or lower?”

“I would say a tad higher.”

“You sure?”

“Well, it’s just my opinion.”

“You know, once I make this eyebrow cut, it is forever.”

“We’ve been working on this damn Black Hill of rock for five years. Of course, I know.”

“Now, now. Let’s stay calm.”

“I swear. This project is unending. I don’t know why you talked them into it.”

“It’s been a dream.”

“Okay. Well, my feet are freezing. I need to go in. Tonight, we’ll drink to a perfect eyebrow on Teddy’s face. You think they’ll name this place after you?”

“It’s still Mount Rushmore. I think that’s the name it should keep.”

“Be careful up there.”

“Sorry, you’re breaking up.”

“See you at dinner.”

“What? Ugh, damn wireless.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do While Tubing

August 14, 2023August 13, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 57 Comments

This post originally ran on July 10th 2017. Since I know this summer activity continues, maybe a word of caution will be headed this time. I hope you enjoy it.

* * *

The inspiration for this post is the Texas sport of tubing. To be a tuber, all you need is a truck inner tube, a cooler of beer, snacks, and a lovely full river like the Guadalupe. Since I have not been tubing myself, this list is a matter of observation.

10 If you are tubing, do not wear regular shoes. If you do, at best, they will be water-logged. At worst, you will lose just one and will have a distinct limp at the end of the day. (Something about water and loafers that just don’t mix, huh, Bosco?)

9 If you are tubing, do not leave your cooler tube untethered. If you do, at best, your floating neighbors will catch it before going downstream. At worst, your cooler will wander off and bump into Tiny, the WWF champ who just finished his twelve-step plan to quit drinking.(Funny how he ripped the top off the cooler, almost like he knew there was a twelve-pack inside. He is now looking at you, and I would paddle on if I were you, Buster.)

8 If you are tubing, do not assume you won’t drag the bottom. If you do, at best, you will get a suit full of mud. At worst, you might lose your suit to the weight of the clay and will have to work out a creative way to exit the river. (Looks like Channel Six News is doing a special on tubing. You should be a big hit with that officer waiting for you, Ferd.)

7 If you are tubing, do not ignore the current. If you do, at best, you’ll struggle to get out at the end of your float trip. At worst, you will keep going until you empty into the Gulf of Mexico. (The Coast Guard wants to talk to you, Buford. Something about smuggling by inner tube. Good luck with that.)

6 If you are tubing, do not forget to park your car at the end of the trip. If you do, at best, you might catch a ride with your friends. At worst, you will still be hitchhiking after the sun goes down. (Who is going to pick up someone with a tube and cooler who looks deranged, Tex?)

5 If you are tubing, do not overserve yourself. If you do, at best, you’ll fall asleep. At worst, you’ll decide to imitate Jack Sparrow and board your neighbor’s tubes demanding pieces of eight. (Funny how that one guy gave you a knuckle sandwich calling it a piece of five, huh, Putz?)

4 If you are tubing, do not forget your manners. If you do, at best, most will ignore you. At worst, a committee of fellow tubers will intercede and make sure you get drydocked. (Shouting obscenities at homeowners along the bank is something your crowd doesn’t do, Bunky.)

3 If you are tubing, do not decide to pull out and eat your lunch on private land. If you do, at best, the owner will nicely ask you to move on. At worst, the owner threatened to shoot the next trespasser, and it looks like it is you. (Nothing like a shotgun to inspire movement, right, Leroy?)

2 If you are tubing, do not tie up with your friends and make an island such that no one can pass. If you do, at best, expect a lot of yelling. At worst, you might experience a few blowouts as others pass you. (You did not expect that sharp object did you, Ralph?)

1 If you are tubing, do not think the banks of the river are all public rest stops. If you do, at best you might embarrass yourself. At worst, you may violate local obscenity laws and find yourself in big trouble. (Never thought you were demonstrating lewd behavior, huh, Pal?)

Views of the Neighborhood – Different Things

August 13, 2023August 12, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 79 Comments

Today we are going to go to the neighborhood and look at two different things. We are being catered by Con Todo of Austin. Our entertainment is Patsy Cline.

Menu (click to enlarge if needed)

Picture of an old time school bus

We are ready

This is a mailbox in the neighborhood. This photo was pulled from Google by The Producer. It is what is considered a ‘before’ photo.

Here is the after. Looks like someone got too friendly with VooDoo Rangers.

Here is the interim view. Need to continue to get mail.

Now for the cement block first phase of construction.

The next phase of stucco work is complete.

Finished product.

Here is a culvert with brickwork.

Here is a culvert with brickwork of another kind. (Go figure, right?)

I hope you enjoyed the different things. Relax and enjoy the food and music. I hope you have a terrific week.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Envelope

August 12, 2023August 11, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 70 Comments

Tapping my fingers on the counter has no effect on the speed of delivery of the only elixir that can be considered by me as lifesaving. The machine must make the frothy, full-flavored coffee in its own time. That is understood but it does not make it any easier to wait or understand the wait when every nerve is screaming for caffeine. The mind is strong, but the flesh is weak. To quote the flesh, “Give me coffee or someone gets hurt.”

Finally, the machinations are over, and my cup runnith full. One sip and the insurrection going on inside the body is put down. All the minions go back to work, and the day has begun. During the second sip, a slight sound is detected by the Arlo security system. A quick phone check shows the message, Movement, at the front door. Snapping on the two-way communication system, the question of who is there is transmitted to the outside. The response is surprising. Special Delivery. A signature is required.

A huge sigh escapes just at the thought of disarming the security system. But since there doesn’t seem to be an alternative. 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. Easing the door open, no one seems to be on the porch. There is a buzzing like a hive of bees. In a flash, a drone drops down and meets me eye to eye, so to speak. A metallic voice asks for my signature, quickly scrawled on a glass plate. An envelope is thrust at me from somewhere inside the drone. I take it, and the drone shoots straight up and disappears.

I can see the envelope is from Linda Hill. I open it and read the message inside. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “envelope.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy! To see how others handle the prompt, visit Linda’s blog. Here’s the link: https://lindaghill.com/2023/08/11/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-aug-12-2023/

“Well, that was easy.”

“It was like it was made for me.”

“You use the word ‘envelope’ every week.”

“I know, right?”

“Maybe Linda decided to give you a break.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

“So now that the prompt is nailed, what do we do now?”

“We could go to the library.”

“Um, why?”

“To pick up some books.”

“Books to read, you mean?”

“Yeah, that’s what you do with books.”

“Is there a chance it is on the way to the pub?”

“If you ask if we can stop at the pub after the library, the answer is yes.”

“How about before?”

“You’re pushing the envelope.”

“Okay, after is fine. I can hold out. Got Uber ordered.”

“Great. What kind of mess did you order this time?”

“Tell me you didn’t enjoy the other rides?”

“The road grader was a challenge.”

“Only cause it rained, and there was no room in the cab.”

“There was that too.”

“So the guy is here.”

“Where?”

“Over there.”

“All I see is a Good Humor truck.”

“That’s it. I must warn you he has a couple of stops before we arrive.”

“Did I ever tell you how much I dislike bells?”

“No, never. He going to throw in a Dreamsicle, too.”

“Just can’t wait.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

August 11, 2023August 9, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 82 Comments

Today’s good news story comes from Twiggy’s birthplace, Dog Ranch Rescue via Newsweek.

Woman Adopts the One Shelter Dog Nobody Wanted: ‘No More Waiting’

BY ALICE GIBBS ON 8/7/23 AT 5:46 AM EDT

From left: Doris with her new family and a close-up picture of the French bulldog. She was left without a home at 9 years old but now has a forever residence.Photo-DOG RANCH RESCUE

A dog that was surrendered to a shelter because of a family allergy has found her perfect forever home.

“Her family, who had her since she was a puppy, had a baby, and the baby developed terrible allergies to her,” Laura Galloway from Dog Ranch Rescue told Newsweek. “They had to choose between the baby and Doris. It hard for Doris to lose her home like that at 9 years old.”

Dog Ranch Rescue in Anna, Texas, specializes in caring for French bulldogs, and when the heartbroken family reached out and explained their situation, the shelter took on Doris. Founded in 2014, Dog Ranch Rescue provides help for dogs from local shelters, strays and puppy mills.

Restoring dogs to good health and rehoming them, Dog Ranch Rescue works hard to ensure every animal finds their perfect forever home. Since the shelter opened, more than 2,000 dogs have come through its doors and found new, permanent families.

Finding the perfect home for Doris wasn’t easy, though. She didn’t get along well with other canines and needed someone who would understand the requirements with adopting an older dog, too.

“Our sanctuary is a wonderful place, and we take exceptional care of the dogs, but it’s not a home,” said Galloway. “We had her for months and months looking for a needle in a haystack.”

But the right owner appeared from an unlikely source when Clarissa Cardenas, in her early 20s, got in touch with Dog Ranch Rescue.

“When I got the application from Clarissa, I was a little concerned because she was younger,” said Galloway. “But, as I got to know her and listen to her heart—it made me want to cry.

“She didn’t have unrealistic expectations about adopting a senior dog and just understood what adopting a dog like Doris would take,” Galloway added.

Living in San Antonio, Clarissa let the rescue know that she was heading to Colorado on vacation and wanted to stop by. When Galloway met Clarissa, she knew the young woman would be the perfect pet owner.

“To have someone so young be so worldly, have wisdom of many years—it’s amazing,” said Galloway. “Then, when she came, Doris couldn’t have been happier to meet her.”

Before long, Clarissa whisked Doris off on vacation with her, and after their trip, Doris will head back home with her new family.

“No more lobby for Doris, no more waiting,” Galloway said in a post on Facebook, announcing the French bulldog’s new home.

The good news is that a special person, mature beyond her years, went out of her way to open her heart to a needy dog. Today’s JohnKu talks about wisdom and caring. I hope you have a terrific weekend.

Measuring wisdom,

Is not a matter of years . . .

But how one behaves.

Thursday – Twiggy Ventures Forth

August 10, 2023August 8, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 122 Comments

“Hey, Twiggy.”

“Yes, Dad.”

“Don’t you think going out and playing would be a good idea?”

“Gee, Dad. It’s so hot out there.”

“Oh, come on. You are a Texas dog. You can take it. Besides, it’s below a hundred right now.”

“Well, if you think it’s okay. Maybe for a little while.”

“Okay, so here you are. What do you think?”

“The heat’s no problem, but what’s with the kaleidoscope?”

“That called dappled sun. Poets go nuts over that stuff.”

“Well, I think it is some kind of trigger. Feels like I’m in a virtual game.”

“It does keep you cooler. Check out where the sun is full strength.”

“I suppose that is a good thing.”

“You suppose? Too much heat is not good.”

“I was hoping to take a sun bath. I’m going up on the porch.”

“This is like Hell’s Back Porch.”

“It does feel good on the bones.”

“Well, it may be good for a bulldog, but as for this human, I’m out of here.”

“You have to know when enough is enough. I’ll take a little more.”

“I hear you knockin’, but you can’t come in.”

“Nice imitation of Fats Domino, but time to open the door.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Clothes

August 8, 2023August 6, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

So I opened The Last Drive randomly to page 271 and, without looking, pointed to the page. The word nearest my finger is clothes, which is our prompt today.

“Well, sir, we can certainly measure your waist, but I think it will still be an extra, extra large.”

“That simply can’t be. The last time I bought trousers, I was a large.”

“Looking at your trousers, sir, I imagine that was a while ago.”

“I beg your pardon.”

“I’m just saying that you need larger clothes, sir.”

“I can’t understand it. I don’t eat more or drink more. Why do I weight more?”

“Only the gods know for sure, sir.”

“How old are you?”

“Pardon?”

“You look about my age, and you are like a rail.”

“Lots of worry on my part, sir.”

“Worry?”