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.
I have been doing the Views of the Neighborhood in Lakeway for four years. The odds that each view will be spectacular become less the longer one temps the fickle finger of fate. This week the finger got me. I was excited to go and record the Member Craft Show at the local country club. It just seemed logical that wherever the elite met to play golf, there would be some outstanding results.
I have to say those who displayed their crafts and interests were gracious and lovely. The problem was only four tables were taken. Two were crafts, one a vet and one an author. We are being catered by Barlata of Austin. Our entertainment is Brad Paisley.
All Paellas are gluten-free, with the exception of the Fideuas
After hanging up from the oxymoronic customer care representative of the coffee machine company, it is apparent the next scene would be me screaming for help. It seems the machine needs a reboot which will take two hours to completely reset. Two painful hours before the first cup of the day. Thoughts turn to grinding beans in the blender and boiling water. Maybe even chewing a few while the clock moves as if it were invented by a tortoise.
As luck would have it, The Producer plans for such a disasters and produces a mug of hot steaming ersatz Columbian from a jar. Any port in the storm is my motto, and after a sip, the worry over caffeine availability is dispelled. A mental note on the purchase of cold brew is recorded to avoid this scene in the future.
Now that the head is clear, the subject of the monolith on the porch must be resolved. The security shutdown process is begun. The claymore mines disarmed. The tower machine guns are placed on standby. The boiling oil vat is secured. The moat net retracted. The concertina wire rolled back. The trebuchet secured. The gate lifted. The locks and deadbolts reset. The front door opened.
The tall box is still there. Walking around, it gives no clue as to its contents. An ear placed on it reveals no sound. Turning toward the porch once again, the sides of the box suddenly drop to unveil a statue in the likeness of Roger Rabbit. He is standing with a defiant expression and his finger pointing toward my front door.
Moving closer, a small sign hangs on the finger that says, “Pull me.” Having had a bunch of Wiseacre friends, I know that direction will never be followed. Further observation of the stature reveals little tiny words etched in Roger’s overalls. The words became clear with the help of a magnifier (which was in my robe pocket). They were from Linda Hill and stated, Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “scene.” Use it any way you like. Have fun!
In an incredible story of luck and survival, a Texan was pulled from her submerged car after 3 hours under the water.
The woman had been reported missing by loved ones but was only discovered because a fisherman happened to see the faint outline of a car roof sticking up out of the water in a Texas lake.
The call to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office came in on Friday morning, according to a press release. At Lake O’the Pines, a fisherman said he saw a Jeep about 40 feet from the boat ramp.
It took 18 minutes for deputies to arrive. They determined it was too dangerous to wade out to the vehicle and instead took the fisherman’s boat out to the car after a wrecker had arrived to tow it out.
“It was at that time they saw the woman,” Police Capt. Chuck Rogers told Business Insider. “The fisherman and wrecker employee was able to help the woman from the Jeep. They placed her into the boat, and she was brought to shore.”
Longview Police Department in Texas, located about 25 miles south of the lake, had the woman, whose identity was not released, listed as a missing person, though no reports have emerged as to why or when.
Emergency services arrived and treated her for hypothermia—it had been a brisk morning, and the water was not warm.
Regarding the woman’s survival, details haven’t been released as to how much water entered the Jeep, how much air was available, or how long she was under; she claims at least several hours.
As soon as a car begins sinking in water, a very limited amount of time exists to save oneself, but there are effective methods that everyone should know of. The first step is to try and open the door, though usually sinking occurs too fast, or the weight of the water outside prevents this. The second step would be to open the window.
A car door, if unlocked, can be opened once the car is fully submerged and the air pressure inside and outside equalizes. If there are passengers in the backseats, the first priority is to stay calm, unlock all the doors, unbuckle all seatbelts, and open all the windows. If no one can escape during the sinking, everyone should be able to open the door and swim out once the whole car is submerged.
In the case of the Texas woman, her car was not fully submerged, which removed the immediate risk of drowning but meant the door and windows were stuck shut. She managed to survive in the cold water for 3 hours.
In such a case as this, hypothermia becomes a real risk, especially for young children and the elderly. Breaking the windows should become a top priority if there is a tool inside that’s capable of doing so.
If oxygen is entering the car from outside, continuously move the limbs as that will help generate heat, but if air is not coming into the cabin, the best option is to remain as calm as possible, slow and control your breathing, and use a phone if possible to call for help.
The good news here is the woman fought to survive despite the odds. Today’s JohnKu talks about inner strength. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Today, I am happy to welcome fellow Story Empire contributor and blogging buddy D.L. Finn to Fiction Favorites. She has a new collection of stories to tell you about, and if these are like her others, this will be an enjoyable collection to own and enjoy.
Thank you for having me visit today, John, to share my short story collection, In the Tree’s Shadow.
“Lyrical Dragon” has an interesting beginning. While commenting on one of John’s posts, I forget what the post was about now, but words from the blog, lyrical dragon, inspired me. I mentioned in the comment that I’d like to write a story about those words. With John’s encouragement, that is just what I did. The blog became my muse.
At first, I wasn’t sure how the dragon would be lyrical. I knew lyrical meant a way to express emotions or thoughts. Dancers, artists, and writers can express themselves lyrically, but how would a dragon? Then it came to me, poetically. What if the dragon spoke in haikus? Although the story doesn’t center on that fact, it creates a creative way to get the dragon’s point across to the young girl, Janine, in the story. I know poetry can tell stories, but my stories haven’t included poetry. This was the perfect way to combine two things I love: storytelling and poetry.
John’s note: I was interested in which post the Lyrical Dragon was mentioned, so I looked it up. It was one with Lucy and Twiggy, where they tried on sweaters as possible dragon costumes in preparation for Halloween. Lucy declared herself a Lyrical Dragon since her sweater didn’t fit.
BLURB
A collection of short stories where dreams and nightmares coexist.
Nestled inside these pages, you’ll meet a couple in their golden years who take a trip with an unexpected detour, a boy desperate to give his brother the Christmas gift he asked for, a girl with a small glass dragon who is at the mercy of her cruel uncles, and a young mother who has a recurring dream about murder. You’ll be introduced to worlds where people get second chances and monsters might be allowed their desires, while angels and dragons try to help. Happy endings occur, but perspective can blur the line between good and evil in these twenty-seven tales. Since the stories vary between 99 and 12,000 words, whether you have only five minutes or an entire evening to settle into reading, there is something that will suit your time and taste.
EXCERPT:
The walk home from the general store was hot and dusty on the red dirt road. Sweat poured down Janie’s face as she labored to carry the burlap sack of provisions her uncles had sent her to get. Because of their poor farming skills, almost everything had to be bought, and what extra money they’d had in the past disappeared when her mother did. Her uncles wouldn’t comment on where her mother had gone, but Janie had her suspicions. The town’s rumor mill, overheard on one of her shopping trips, decided her mother had run off with a man. Janie knew her mother wouldn’t leave her only child behind with these lazy, no-good men.
“They will pay for whatever they did to my mother. I promise you that, Lyrical Dragon.”
Heat radiated from the tiny green dragon charm that bounced against what Uncle Barry called her flat-boy chest. The necklace was the only thing Janie had left from her mother, so she hid it well around her greedy relatives. They’d sell anything of value so they didn’t have to work. With her mother gone, she was the only one left to provide food. The rains had stopped, and the garden was withering in the scorching sun. Water was limited, and everything was fading away except her fat uncles.
I try to write poetry in new places, including the back of the Harley.
I like to be surrounded by color and rarely tolerate a white or tan wall.
BIO:
D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adult fiction, a unique autobiography, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.
The prompt is found by opening a book to a random page and, without looking, point to the page. The word or words closest to the pointing finger is the prompt. Today, I opened The Last Drive to page 205, and when I opened my eyes, the word invisible was nearest my finger.
This may appear to be an implausible story made up in the mind of someone who clearly needs professional help. Let me unequivocally state that everything that is said here is the truth. In fact, I’m so grateful that the staff allowed you to interview me. It’s no secret that my being here is a total miscarriage of justice. When your story is published, all of America will see I have been wrongly accused. What’s that? Start at the beginning?
You are aware that I am the foremost biological researcher in academia today. However, you may not be aware that I discovered a compound that, when ingested, brings about a state of invisibility in organic material. I can assure you that my experiments on plants and animals proved to all who would read my findings that it was now possible for complete stealth. Think what this would mean to an army of totally invisible warriors. They would be unstoppable.
Of course, my compound could also be used for ill-gotten gains in the wrong hands. Think of a burglar being able to walk freely undectected into a home. Likewise, a bank robber could enter a bank vault and help himself. This is why the formula must be protected with the utmost security.
I hope your story will include warnings to authorities to make sure protection is paramount. As far as the unfortunate subjects who succumbed to the experiments, they should be memorialized. I can give you their names; they should be treated as heroes in the cause. It did take some time to work out the safety profile. I deeply regret their sacrifice. But wait, we have just begun. Where are you going?
* * *
“Well, did you get the story you were looking for?”
“He believes he did a good thing and thinks he’s discovered a way to make people invisible.”
“That’s why he is in here. So you’re convinced he’s not a political prisoner?”
“Not only that, but I think he is certainly a mental case.”
“So, your story?”
“There is no story. He’s a serial killer who poisoned many people, and that’s that. Will he ever be cured?”
“Hard to say. There are days he thinks he is invisible too.”
“That must be hard.”
“No, he is well-behaved when he thinks no one can see him. Come with me. I’ll escort you to the main gate.”
This post ran on May 23rd, 2016. Still looks like the advice will hold.
* * *
The inspiration for this list came to me while witnessing a couple of houses for sale. I figured that, among other things, these items would be pretty obvious. I have to believe they were just not top of mind when the listing broker showed up to sign the listing. Of course, no listing broker worth their salt would point out particular areas needing improvement until the agreement is signed. After the ink is dry, it is hoped some discussion will occur.
Top Ten Things Not to Do if Your House is For Sale
10 If your house is for sale, do not decide to make your regular batch of sour kraut during the broker open house. If you do, at best, those attending are all sour kraut lovers. At worst, small notes will be made on the file to the effect that a complete cleaning will be needed to eliminate the dead animal smell. (Where did someone get the idea sour kraut smelled like a dead animal?)
9 If your house is for sale, do not assume everyone will overlook all the repairs that have been put off. If you do, At best, you might be able to save the deal by reducing the price to offset what needs fixing. At worst, you will be the proud owner of this house until it falls. (Or until you get off your butt and finish the repairs.)
8 If your house is for sale, do not think the words “Don’t mind the mess” will cause potential buyers to follow your advice. If you do, at best, the potential buyers will politely spend a few moments and then disappear. At worst, the potential buyers will factor in a mess in their offer price. (How do you feel about paying the buyers $1000.00 per messy room in a reduced offer.)
7 If your house is for sale, do not think you can shove all your junk into the garage. If you do, at best, your potential buyers will be the same kind of folks who don’t use their garage for cars. At worst, your potential buyers will assume all your junk will remain with the house and will make for the nearest exit. (Gee, you told them you would have all that stuff moved, right?)
6 If your house is for sale, do not hang around while potential buyers visit. If you do, at best, the potential buyers will think you don’t trust them. At worst, the potential buyers will believe you have some creepy alternative motive for spying on them. (The creepiness of the reason will escalate the more they see you.)
5 If your house is for sale, do not think your massive prize collection of garden gnomes has the same appeal to potential buyers. If you do, at best, your potential buyers will wonder what other collections you have that must be shipped. At worst, your potential buyers will think your house is cursed by the garden people and will make tracks out of there. (Some of those ceramic folk look like they might be dangerous after dark.)
4 If your house is for sale, do not leave your pet parrot behind for the showing. If you do, at best, the potential buyers will learn some new words that Polly has heard from you. At worst, the potential buyers are both grossly allergic to exotic bird droppings due to many years serving in the Peace Corps in the jungle. (Your first inkling of a problem is the flashing EMT lights and police cars in front of your house, all being interviewed by the Nightly News.)
3 If your house is for sale, do not go ahead with the plans for that four-week vacation. If you do, at best, you will need to come home early to sign papers. At worst, you will return after the break to find every light on, running water, and wide open doors due to some showings. (You hope you will be able to get rid of that swarm of mosquitoes that look like they are carrying malaria.)
2 If your house is for sale, do not forget to have your pest and house inspection. If you do forget, at best, the potential buyers will have it done, and the finding repairs will be up to you. At worst, the potential buyers will employ “Midnight House Inspection and Pest Control,” whose fee depends on the number of problems they can find. (You never knew you had a black widow spider infestation, did you, Bunkey?)
1 If your house is for sale, do not try to do it yourself. If you do, at best, you will avoid the obvious pitfalls of “for sale by owner.” At worst, you will find yourself discussing unforeseen issues, which will be resolved by price reductions. (It makes the commission look cheap now, doesn’t it?)
Today we will go to the Activity Center and walk on the Fairy Trail. This is a display by Parks and Recreation to celebrate spring. We are catered by Zaza Mediterranean of Austin, and our entertainment is Little Big Town
Menu
Z1. Zaza Platter (Mix) Beef, lamb, and chicken. Comes with tomato, lettuce, onion, white and hot sauce.
Z2. Gyro Platter (Beef & Lamb) Comes with tomato, lettuce, onion, white and hot sauce.
Z3. Beef Shawarma Platter Comes with tomato, lettuce, onion, white and hot sauce.
Z4. Chicken Fajita Platter Comes with tomato, lettuce, onion, white and hot sauce.
Z5. Chicken Shawarma Platter Comes with tomato, lettuce, onion, white and hot sauce.
Z6. Zaza Garden Platter Falafel, grape leaves, and cauliflower. Comes with tomato, lettuce, onion, white and hot sauce. Vegetarian.
Z7. Falafel Platter Tahini sauce. Comes with tomato, lettuce, onion, white and hot sauce. Vegetarian.
Z8. Chicken Kabob Platter Shish tawook. 2 skewers. Comes with tomato, lettuce, onion, white and hot sauce.
Z9. Lamb (Kabob) Platter 2 skewers. Comes with tomato, lettuce, onion, white and hot sauce.
Z10. Kofta Kabob Platter 2 skewers. Comes with tomato, lettuce, onion, white and hot sauce.
Z11. Mixed Grill Signature Platter Chicken, lamb, and Kofta. Comes with tomato, lettuce, onion, white and hot sauce. Signature platter.
So let’s get on the bus.
On the way to the trail is the work going on in the sculpture garden. Here is a shot of the bridge crossing Hurst Creek. The green bumpers are to keep any construction materials out of the water.
We had a shot at the pre-concrete installation a couple of weeks ago. This is newly poured.
The entrance to the fairy walk.
A friendly elk. (All the figures are lit at night)
A view of flowers and a very large dove.
Here is a bluebonnet among the rocks.
Some deer.
A different view of the flowers and dragonfly.
For Dan, pieces of equipment working on a water retention structure.
Mushrooms galore. I will admit nighttime would have been better, but I’m sure you have better things to do with your evening.
Sit back and enjoy the food and entertainment. I hope you have a wonderful week.
The only sound this morning is the dignified monotone of the coffee machine, indicating the cup is ready. Feeling mononucleosis-like exhaustion from the previous week’s mayhem, the cup offers the promise of relief. A few sips bring me to the point of recognizing the silence surrounding my inner sanctum.
As my interior monologue about the serenity of the place comes to a close, the intrusive sound of the Klaxon horn connected to the doorbell shatters the momentary peace. Twiggy and Lucy take up their Hounds of Baskerville impersonation while the security shutdown procedure is begun. A quick glance at the security camera screen shows the presence of a monolith on the front porch.
The claymore mines are disarmed. The tower machine guns are placed on standby. The boiling oil vat is secured. The moat net retracted. The concertina wire rolled back. The trebuchet secured. The gate lifted. The locks and deadbolts reset. The front door opened.
A tall box stands before me. An envelope with the words OPEN ME FIRST is taped to the front. Ripping it off and tearing it open reveals two messages. The first tells me to pull the handle marked OPEN on the box. The second is from Linda Hill and says Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “starts with mono.” Find a word that starts with “mono” and use it in your post. Enjoy!
When Lowe’s employee Dave Urban came across the Getty family in the PVC aisle, he thought he would be helping them find the right fittings or something like that.
It was after he heard what was being built and who it was being built for that he took the time to do more than just help.
The Getty family was building parallel bars to help their son William practice walking.
“He was born very prematurely, just 23 weeks, so as a result, he has quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy, and one of our goals for William is to get him walking,” mom Jessica Getty told local news.
So inspired by young Will, Dave ended up spending half an hour cutting and fitting the PVC right there in the store, ensuring that everything was perfect to help Will get started finding his feet in the world.
“Then came the test. Will got up, out of his wheelchair, and grabbed hold of those bars. I think you saw that courageous smile of his. Sense of pride, ah, it keeps getting me,” Urban said, holding back tears.
The whole family saw how much it meant to Dave, and quickly made a lasting friend out of the man, who himself said the experience rewarded him “100 times back.”
The good news here is one man cares for others and takes the time to help. Today’s JohnKu talks about the highest form of giving.
