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 thought it was going to be an awesome monster.”
“Well, the Wildebeest is pretty fierce.”
“Looks like a skinny water buffalo.”
“Oh, come on. Did you see those razor-sharp horns?”
“Well, I suppose those could be pretty formidable. Let’s go out and find one.”
“I’ll take a stroll and see if I can lure one out.”
“You better be careful. I had a second look, and skinny translates into fast.”
“So far, nothing, Little One.”
“Go into the rocks. Maybe they lurk there.”
Okay, I’m headed that way. Keep your eyes open while I’m gone.”
“You don’t have to tell me. I’m a highly honed watchdog.”
“Hey, who put that flower here?”
“I can’t hear you.”
“Mmm, smells like cloves. Must be a dianthus.”
“Hey, Twiggy. There’s nothing here. Go around to the other side of the house. I thought I heard the sound of hooves.”
“Nothing here, Lucy. I don’t hear anything either.”
“The Wildebeest sniffs the air. She can detect a small animal upwind. Too soon to say if it is the puma. It will be only a matter of time until the battle takes place that will settle the territorial dispute forever.”
The drill is to open a book at a random page and, without looking, point to the page. The word or words nearest the finger becomes the prompt. For example, I opened The Last Drive randomly to page 187, and my finger landed on the word ‘we’ll.’ So let’s see what can be done with that word.
“Aren’t you tired of being under the boot of the man?”
“I try to stay out of the way.”
“Spoken like a true wimp.”
“No spoken like someone who has learned to not make trouble.”
“As I said, a wimp. Don’t you ever want to be in command?”
“Not in my nature. So what’s your plan?”
“We lay a trap.”
“A trap? What kind of trap.”
“I think we could set it up so we could have a pit dug when the man walks across the yard. He would fall in, and we’d have him.”
“How tall is the man?”
“I would say six feet or so.”
“So to hold him the pit would have to be more that that.”
“Yeah. Hmm that would be a pretty big hole.”
“That he wouldn’t notice?”
“We’d cover it.”
“Okay. Now not to be a spoil sport how tall are you?”
“Never measured.”
“My estimate is a quarter of an inch.”
“So?”
“You are planning a hole that is at least 240 times your size. What makes you think you can do this?”
“We are ants. We lift weights 100 times our own. Why not dig hundreds of times our size? I’ll organize a digging party.”
“I think you have been listening to Frank Sinatra too much. High hopes has noting to do with this reality. Besides as you dig the hole you don’t think the man will see it?”
“I suppose it would stand out.”
“And the minute he thought a bunch of ants were digging a hole he would spray the whole mess and kill us all.”
This post originally ran on May 16th, 2016. Since cocktail parties are still going on, I think it will be helpful.
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The inspiration for this list came after attending some parties recently. Although I’m not a psychologist, I can only surmise the individuals I happened to run into were behaving abnormally. In searching for truth, I Googled social disorders and came upon “Cocktail Party Guest,” and the explanation became clear. I hope you enjoy the list. If you are, at times, a cocktail party guest, know this list is with love.
Top Ten Things Not to Say to a Cocktail Party Guest
10 If you happen to talk to a cocktail party guest, do not say, ”How are you?” If you do at best, you will only have to stand for ten or so minutes for the rundown. At worst, you will be forced to take the person home with you since you are now forced into the position of Good Samaritan. (You had hoped they would say, “Fine,” like everyone else, didn’t you?)
9 If you happen to talk to a cocktail party guest, do not say you are a writer. If you do, at best, the person will tell you some stories they will write. At worst, you will be forced into a corner and have to tell the person they remind you of Ernest Hemingway. (Of course, maybe one of those stories will be your next novel)
8 If you happen to talk to a cocktail party guest, do not say anything about your last vacation. If you do, At best, you must attempt to get away after the second holiday story. At worst, you will watch your ice melt as you go on a verbal tour of all the continents. (Don’t you wish a trap door would open and drop you ten stories to the furnace room.)
7 If you happen to talk to a cocktail party guest, do not say, “What do you do?”. If you do, at best, they will try to convince you they own the city. At worst, they will be in the selling profession and won’t let you go until you sign up for a cleaning product pyramid scheme. (Wasn’t this the project you read about where all the company officers went to jail?)
6 If you happen to talk to a cocktail party guest, do not ask where they live. If you do, at best, they will assume you are trying to type their social/economic status. At worst, the person will believe you are a cat burglar and have designs on their jewels and money. (In each case, you didn’t get an answer, and the latter begs the question, did you enjoy the police escort home?)
5 If you happen to talk to a cocktail party guest, do not be the first to mention your kids. If you do, at best, the person has you outnumbered by a factor of two children. At worst, the person you are talking to has just returned from Washington, where they witnessed the President giving their child the Student of the Year award. (Man, it could not get any more humiliating than that, huh, Bunky?)
4 If you happen to talk to a cocktail party guest, do not raise a political point. If you do, at best, the person is a political science professor at the college, and you are in for a pretty long evening. At worst, the person is a member of a splinter group who has the destruction of the two-party system as a mission. (How do you feel going home with your very own AK 47 gift)
3 If you happen to talk to a cocktail guest, do not admit you know nothing about Doctor Who or Marvel Comic characters. If you do, at best, you will need to find someone else with which to talk. At worst, the person will take the next three hours to provide the background and in-depth synopsis of every episode or character. (Remember to relax your knees occasionally so you don’t pass out.)
2 If you happen to talk to a cocktail party guest, do not make a negative comment about the party. If you do, at best, the person will disagree and then tell the host. At worst, you will make your unfortunate comments to the unknown spouse of the host, who just happens to play golf once a week with your boss. (That meeting with the boss on Monday might be a bit tense, hey Bud?)
1 If you happen to talk to a cocktail guest, do not keep calling them by the wrong name. If you do, at best, the fourth correction will verify you are an idiot. At worst, unbeknownst to you, this person has been hired by the company you work for to come in and weed out the deadwood. (You may not be too old to find another job. Yeah, Right?)
Today we will visit Lakeway’s Air Park, where a celebration of Alan Babin’s 20 years of life takes place. It was 20 years ago the Army medic was severely wounded while saving others. If you want to read more about Alan, you can visit my post HERE.
We will have pancakes and sausage at the airpark, and our entertainment will be Lee Greenwood.
So get on the bus and let’s go.
Here we are at the air park. The marker tells us we are in the right place.
The tables are ready for the pancake breakfast.
A tribute to Alan. Since he was a medic, he has the nickname “Doc.” Today, in addition to the open house and breakfast, Alan will be taken on a flight around Lake Travis escorted by a warbird.
Here is the plane that will take Alan on his ride. It is a 1973 BEECH C90
Incoming is the War bird that will escort Alan’s flight.
A taxi to position.
A 1949 NORTH AMERICAN T-6G was used as a trainer for naval aviators. Others have flown in for the occasion.
A 1943 Aircraft: Beechcraft D17A Staggerwing
A 1946 Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser with flotation.
1946 Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser without flotation.
A 1963 PIPER PA-18-135 with flotation.
A 2021 Vans RV-10
Folks looking at the plane that will take Alan on his flight.
The Producer caught a shot of the flight.
Well, that is the tour. So, let’s join the others and enjoy those pancakes while we listen to the music. I hope you have a great week.
The blessed coffee machine generously gives up its treasure without nary a peep. Sipping the revitalizing fluid generates a lightning flash in the Morpheus stunned brain. It comes with the melodious and, if truth be known, ominous cords of the calliope. The circus must still be in the backyard.
Racing to the back confirms the worst case. The large tent is still in place and filled with what appear to be hundreds of spectators. Phil Harris’ electronic voice echoes throughout the interior space.” Ladies and Gentlemen and children of all ages. I now direct your attention to the center ring where our very own Wile E. Coyote and the Roadrunner will attempt on the high wire a feat that has never been attempted before.”
A hush comes over the crowd, and a lone spotlight picks up Wile E. Coyote precariously balanced on a bicycle high up in the tent’s rarified air on a taught wire. There is no net, so death-defying takes on a new meaning. He is holding a rocket from the ACME Bird Blasting Company. The Roadrunner is at the other end of the wire, and it appears that she intends to run straight at Wile while continuing to maintain balance.
The music reaches a crescendo, and the Roadrunner begins her run. Wile engages the rocket fuse and takes aim at the Roadrunner. As the distance closes, the rocket ignites, and Wile struggles to hold it for a last-minute adjustment. Unfortunately, he does so for a second too long as the afterburner kicks in, and the rocket and Wile punch through the tent ceiling and are last seen acting out the “Rockets Red Glare” lyrics from the Star Spangled Banner.
A “beep beep” causes me to jump two feet and realize the Roadrunner is behind me. Once turning, she hands me an envelope. Then, with another “beep beep,” she is gone. We all know the drill. It’s from Linda Hill. The message reads, Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “starts with gen.” Find a word that starts with “gen” and use it in your post. Have fun!
Photo of Alan Babin during the community honor ceremony of his home – Photo courtesy of the Austin Statesman
Today’s good news is a local story about an American hero who lives here in Lakeway. Alan Babin was excited to become a Lakeway resident for many reasons, not the least of which is that he is able to leave his home independently in his wheelchair.
The Gary Sinise Foundation gave Babin and his family a smart home in 2018 adapted to his specific needs, a significant gift for the injured U.S. Army corporal who served as a medic in the 82nd Airborne Division. Due to the wounds he received 20 years ago, he has had to work hard to be able to do many everyday tasks.
On March 31st, the city declared it Alan Babin Day in honor of the 20th anniversary of surviving catastrophic wounds during his service in Iraq. Alan was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor and Purple Heart for his actions to save another. The proclamation issued by the city tells more of the story.
There was a unique open house at the airpark to honor Alan, and we will be visiting that open house on Sunday. The good news here is that a community cares about one of its own who sacrificed his own health and safety for another. Today’s JohnKu talks about honor. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Resa McConaghy is a talented designer with extensive experience designing Hollywood film costumes. She is also an accomplished photographer and writer. Her photographic concentration is on street murals; she has an amazing collection. Today, she honored me with a discussion and review of The Last Drive. To give her readers a sense of the story, Resa has designed six gowns for Sam, the principal character. A visit to Resa’s place will give you a view of the book and an experience you will want to repeat.
The sequel to “Eternal Road” once again has Sam and James traveling through time in a 1956 Oldsmobile.
Sam (Samantha) is an Angel Emissary. Her current mission: Find Ryan, a recent soul and his guide, Eddie. They have gone missing. Lucifer is suspect for their disappearance. To aide her on the mission, she wrests James from his eternal home.
DISCLAIMER: There are no gowns in this story, per se.
Resa – John, I drew Sam as her angel self. I mean, when she’s not out on missions, she would be in her angel wear. I hope you approve of the drawing. (I don’t see wings)
John – I love Sam’s Angel self. I think it is exactly what she would wear around the cloud so to speak. She doesn’t have wings so that was a good call.
It works this way. I open a book at random and point to the page. The word or words closest to my finger becomes the prompt. Today I opened The Last Drive randomly to page 49. My finger was closest to the word ‘was.’ Since it was part of a quote, I decided to use the whole sentence.
This post originally ran on April 10, 2017. Since we all still (or should) go to the eye doctor, I hope you enjoy it.
* * *
The inspiration for this list was living through the replay of the eye doctor visit with our youngest. Since she is a millennial, we were glad that she went to the eye doctor, so we were passively listening to the blow-by-blow description of the visit.
Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Eye Doctor
10 If you are at the eye doctor, do not guess at the letters on the chart. If you do, at best, you’ll have to retake the test. At worst, the doctor will outfit you with coke bottle lenses that render you sightless. (Seemed like a good joke until the $400 bill was put in your hand, huh, Ferd?)
9 If you are at the eye doctor, do not hesitate when asked which lens is better, one or two? If you do, at best, you’ll get a third choice that doesn’t work. At worst, you’ll spend the afternoon reviewing the lens tests until you finally declare a preference. (It makes you wonder why you are so indecisive, huh, Buford?)
8 If you are at the eye doctor, do not turn down the grandfather sunglasses if your eyes have been dilated. If you do, at best, you may hurt yourself squinting. At worst, you’ll never see Tiny, the WWF champ stepping off the curb. (Always wondered what it is like to run into a rhinoceros, did you? Buster? Now he looks pretty mad.)
7 If you are at the eye doctor, do not have garlic bread for lunch. If you do, at best, your exam may be from across the room. At worst, the doctor must call in a hazmat crew to remove you and your smell from the office. (Sure looked good on the menu, huh, Pard?)
6 If you are at the eye doctor, do not complain about the magazines. If you do, at best, the doctor will raise your bill to cover improvements. At worst, the magazines were a personal choice by the doctor and sold by the underprivileged children of the doctor’s church. (You wish for an atomic bomb blast to take you out right now, right, Slick?)
5 If you are at the eye doctor, do not try to tell the doctor what you think you need regarding a prescription. If you do, at best, the doctor will ignore you. At worst, the doctor will refer you to the eye doctor next door who happens to specialize in large animals. (You look pretty foolish in that stall, Slug.)
4 If you are at the eye doctor, do not have a few drinks before. If you do, at best, the doctor will be able to detect the fact. At worst, the doctor will be calling social services to set you up with a counselor for the seeing impaired. (Why all these people think you need help is beyond you, isn’t it, Putz?)
3 If you are at the eye doctor, do not try on one hundred pairs of frames. If you do, at best, you’ll realize your face is the problem. At worst, the office will close, and you’ll find yourself on the street with two monocles in your hand. (Try to figure out how to use those, Tex. A hint. You have to arch your eyebrow.)
2 If you are at the eye doctor, do not try to stay within your insurance budget. If you do, at best, you get half a pair of glasses. At worst, you might be able to make it work if you give up on the nose and ear pieces. (You are right back to the monocle, aren’t you, Pal)
1 If you are at the eye doctor, do not argue about going to stronger lenses. If you do, at best, you will appear petty and self-absorbed. At worst, you will demonstrate your fear of getting older, which your doctor will take as a cry for help. (I hope you are enjoying your group therapy sessions. Come on, tell us how you really feel. That’s where it’s at, isn’t it, Bunky?)
