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.
“Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm on Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next time.”
This list was originally posted on September 26th, 2016. Since drive-throughs still exist, I think the advice will be helpful.
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Top Ten Things Not to Do in a Fast Food Drive Through
10 If you are going to a drive-through, do not ask the order taker for a dining recommendation. If you do, at best, you’ll get a repeat of the “how can I help you?” At worst, the order person will tell you to eat somewhere else. (Didn’t expect that did you? You better take the advice so you can be assured your drinks are 99% spit free.)
9 If you are going to a drive-through, do not ask for a description of the special of the day. If you do, at best, there is no special. At worst, the order person will believe you are mocking their position and will get even. (Do not lift that lid on the soft drink; just throw it away.)
8 If you are going to a drive-through, do not tell the order taker that this is a to-go order. At best, you won’t hear the comment since the mic is turned off. At worst, you’ll have to sit and listen to the laughter of the entire order crew and patrons as the order taker broadcasts “THIS IS A TO-GO ORDER” over the loudspeaker. (What were you thinking? DRIVE THROUGH. Duh?)
7 If you are going to a drive-through, do not ask for special handling of your sandwich. If you do, At best, you’ll be asked to pull over. At worst, you will sit in the penalty box in the hot sun until the staff finally remembers you are there. (Your special handling request is forgotten as well.)
6 If you are going to a drive-through, do not joke about a wine pairing. If you do, at best, you’ll confuse the order taker and take more time. At worst, the order taker will seek out a manager to find the answer. (The manager’s name is Tiny, and this is the fourteenth-hour Tiny has been at work. Tiny was also the Class A high school wrestling champ in the state and had to relinquish the title because of anger issues. Bon appetite.)
5 If you are going to a drive-through, do not change your order. If you do, at best, you will get both. At worst, you will get the order of the car behind you, which bears no resemblance to what you wanted. (You have to wonder how a burger that big can fit into a mouth.)
4 If you are going to a drive-through, don’t forget to check your order. If you do forget, at best, the only thing missing is a straw. At worst, that deep-fried chicken sandwich you didn’t order triggers your cholesterol and blood pressure to new levels. (“So how did we come to eat that thing?” is the question asked by your doctor. Regrettably, you try to blame the drive-through.)
3 If you are going to a drive-through, do not try to stock your condiment supply with a request for extra. If you do, at best, you’ll get one more catsup, and that’s all. At worst, you will get too many catsups and not enough mustard and mayonnaise. (The charge for all of this will be on your credit card bill, which will be way too much.)
2 If you are going to a drive-through, do not answer “yes” to any questions regarding quantity. If you do, at best, you will spend more and eat more. At worst, the three-week exercise program that had you feeling good will now need a reset. (How can something that only weighs twelve ounces put three pounds on your frame?)
1 If you are going to a drive-through, don’t wait until you get to the order spot to decide you are a vegan. If you do, at best, there will be nothing on the menu for you. At worst, the cars behind you will raise an uproar as you search for an acceptable item. (That police officer heading toward you is responding to the manager who finally gave up asking you for your order.)
The crape myrtles have been late blooming this year. They have finally made an appearance, and we need to go and check them out. I have to say, some of the shots are a little subdued due to the hazy conditions this week. So that we don’t go hungry on our tour, we are catered by Grizzeldas of Austin. Our entertainment is Neil Diamond.
Menu migas – scrambled eggs, crispy tortilla chips, queso fresco, crema, ranchero sauce Appetizers – house chips & salsa tomato, Quemado & Verde barbacoa taco – dry-aged Jacoby beet, serrano, radish pickled red onion, House crema.
House hot sauce, rice. retried beans choice of tortillas chilaquiles – crispy tortilla chips, salsa Roja, frita, sunny side egg, queso fresco, crema,
cilantro, pico de gallo picadillo taco – dry-aged Jacoby ground beef, potatoes, charred raias, rice, refried beans, choice of tortillas +bacon+egg, queso, or avocado guacamole – cilantro, lime, pico, jalapeños, chips queso Blanco
Monterrey jack cheese, Grizz spice rub, pico de gallo, cilantro, house chips avocado tostada – black beans, scrambled egg, pico de gallo, serrano crema, cilantro horchata french toast – horchata batter, sourdough, strawberry puree. mixed berries. whidded cream vegetarian omelet – spinach, bell pepper, pico de Gallo, fundido cheese, American cheddar steak fajita scramble – Jacoby brand skirt steak, scrambled egg, pickled jalapenos, tomato. white onion American cheddar churro chicken & waffles – house churro waffles dusted in cinnamon and sugar, beer-battered chicken strips, candied pecans, spicy syrup, powdered sugar chorizo brunch burger –6oz dry-aged Jacoby beet and chorizo patty, rajas
fundido cheese, guacamole, spicy mayo served with crispy Kennebec potatoes churros – dulce de leche & cinnamon sugar enchiladas verde –roasted chicken, rajas, queso fundido, house crema,
cilantro, sunny side egg
Jump on, and let’s go.
An example of a large red.
These are Mexican Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) I threw these in cause I like them
A lovely pink
One of the lavender shades.
Another pink.
Large soft pink.
White.
Light red.
Deep red.
Another white.
The final is light red with a moon background.
I hope you enjoyed the blooms. Now relax and have some authentic Mexican food and listen to Neil Diamond in one of his later concerts.
The usual Saturday ritual of watching paint dry coffee brew has been completed. A sip of the restorative elixir assures one that life is indeed worth living. A stroll past the windows reinforces the fact that the entire world seems to share the same thought.
A second sip and deep sigh proceed, looking forward to a relaxing time spent with my dear friend caffeine. As the scent of the roasted beans threatens to overtake my consciousness, the doorbell rings. Twiggy and Lucy erupt like the mad dogs of Cerberus, and with the baying hounds behind me, a question is sent out over the Ring camera app. “What the hell do you want.?”
The shivering soul on the porch apologizes for missing the flashing sign and klaxon horn warning about not ringing the doorbell and informs me he was sent by Dan Antion with a message. Dan Antion? is the thought running concurrently through my brain. The other thought is seriously considering murdering the messenger. My opinion of him is not worth a red cent. I finally go through the disarm and unlock process to face the man. He is covered in a curious scent but choosing to ignore it; the inquiry as to the nature of the visit is repeated. He explains that Linda Hill has a temporary electrical problem, and Dan Antion is filling in for her on the prompt delivery.
He hands me an envelope and then asks what spray I was using at the driveway’s entrance. I took the envelope and told him it was the essence of skunk, which helps keep the werewolves away. After that, he spent no more time standing and invested several minutes in running.
After relocking and arming the automatic machine guns, I opened the envelope. Here is the message.
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “cent/scent/sent.” Use them in any form you like. Use one, use two or use them all. Bonus points if you use all three, and Cheryl will put your next drink on David’s tab. I know, you used to get bonus points for two, but inflation… Enjoy! It came to me quickly that David owes me a drink. If you would like to join in go to this link and read how easy it is.
After being threatened with eviction, a retiree was able to buy the house she had rented for two decades after a quarter-million dollars was raised by the community on her behalf.
Known for having a heart of gold and a pair of green thumbs, Linda Taylor was a beloved neighbor in her Minneapolis community.
After arriving in the area 19 years ago as a volunteer to help the homeless and needy, she began renting a small house on 10th avenue and East 36th street in the Powderhorn Park district. There, the 70-year-old retiree became a “bright star” of the neighborhood.
It seemed though that bright star would be severely darkened, perhaps permanently, when her landlord decided to sell the property, and gave her until the end of January to evict.
Word gets around tight communities, and after she told one neighbor, the greater part of Powderhorn rallied around her, striking a deal with the landlord that if he would give “Miss Linda” until the end of June, they would raise the money to buy the house.
There was no one-size-fits-all approach to the fundraising efforts. Inflation is at a 40 year high driven by previous monetary inflation reaching broader sectors of the economy, while gas just crossed a national average of $5.00 a gallon, yet even in such difficult times, folks were able to open heart, mind, and wallet, to make the project a reality.
It involved an art show, bake sale, pro-bono work by a real estate agent, countless small donations, and other community-fund drives to come up with the dough—which they did, a full month ahead of the June 30th deadline.
“Yesterday I went and did the closing for the house,” Taylor said. “It makes me feel so good, everything that I have given, it’s coming back to me and I want to continue to give. I love this neighborhood.”
The good news here is the Golden Rules is very much in play. (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.) I hope you have a great weekend. Today’s JohnKu is about helping others.
In Keith’s words. “Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm on Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next time.”
This list was originally posted on August 22, 2016. Since then, the real estate market has exploded, and I’m not sure realtors even have open houses. These days usually list the home and give buyers a week to submit a bid. Someday, the old ways will come back, and this list may be handy when they do.
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The inspiration for this list is having attended some realtor open houses and having an active imagination of the realtor’s reaction if one of the visitors should do any of the things on the list. I am entirely innocent.
10 If you attend a realtor open house, do not make yourself at home no matter what the salesperson says when you arrive. If you do, at best, you’ll be asked to take your feet off the couch. At worst, the police will ask you once to get out of the shower and get dressed. (Don’t make them use that stun gun, Bunky. You’ll look ridiculous on the nightly news especially buck naked.)
9 If you attend a realtor open house, do not think that pot on the stove is hot cider. If you do, at best, the potpourri won’t make you sick. At worst, you’ll find the wood chips and cinnamon sticks aren’t as fun on the revisit. (That ER ipecac treatment was as close to waterboarding as you will get for a while.)
8 If you attend a realtor open house, do not think you can test the bed. If you do, at best, you’ll be shown the door. At worst, your photo ends up at the Multiple Listing Service, and this will be your last open house. (You should have set the alarm before that nap.)
7 If you attend a realtor open house, do not make jokes about the home owner’s relative’s photos. If you do, at best, no one will hear you. At worst, the realtor will rat you out to the owner. (You didn’t know this was your boss’s house until you saw his photo in the last frame, did you?)
6 If you attend a realtor open house, do not help yourself to one of the cookies in the kitchen. If you do, at best, that is why they are on display. At worst, you are now painfully aware the cookies were props. (How long will you have to chew that wax before it goes bye-bye?)
5 If you attend a realtor open house, do not turn on the big game. If you do, at best, the broker will ask you to turn it off. At worst, you will still be watching as the owners return to their house. (It’s retty uncomfortable explaining how you came to turn the thing on in the first place. Oh, and how that beer just magically appeared.)
4 If you attend a realtor open house, do not open drawers to have a peek. If you do, at best, no one will know. At worst, you’ll go into the media room and be able to watch the security camera replay of your bathroom snooping. (Don’t even try to figure out how to erase the file. The central control is locked, and the owner is looking at your performance on a cell phone ten miles away.)
3 If you attend a realtor open house, do not be tempted to open the refrigerator. If you do open it, at best, only the salesperson will know. At worst, the owners return home through the kitchen door just as you look inside the refrigerator. (Your comment about “nice-looking pot roast leftovers” does nothing to ease the tension.)
2 If you attend a realtor open house, do not be tempted to pick a flower or two, no matter how lovely. If you do pick one, at best, you can tell a fib about it being broken off. At worst, you have the flower in your hand and no way to hide the fact from the owner. (The owner happens to be named Tiny and stands seven feet tall and rushed out to his garden to find you with his favorite Zinnia in your hand. You should just fall down now.)
1 If you attend a realtor open house, no matter what, do not turn on the Jacuzzi. If you do, at best, that broken switch will fail to operate. At worst, the broken return pipe will shoot water until the tub is dry. (Of course, you can’t turn off the superheated motor, so you stand by helplessly watching the firefighters try to save the house from the burning lanai.)
Today we are going to attend the Lakeway Autopark open house. This event doesn’t take place often, but this was the weekend for it. We are boing catered by Matties of Austin and music by the (who else) B52’s
Menu
Biscuits + Chorizo Cream Gravy˚ with scrambled eggs
Milk Punch French Toast macerated strawberries, candied pecans, whipped cream, bourbon maple syrup.
Green Chile Pork Chilaquiles tomatillo sauce, chunky pico de gallo, over-easy eggs, cotija cheese, tortilla chips
Breakfast Plate˚ scrambled eggs, home fries, bacon or house-made wild boar sausage . . . . .
Fried Chicken Eggs Benedict˚ buttermilk biscuits, hollandaise, green salad
Basmati Rice Bowl (V) chickpeas, coconut curry, roasted vegetables, cilantro, tomato, and green onions.
So Jump on, and let’s go
Welcome to the Airpark
A T-28 trainer doing a flyover with smoke
Looks like the turnout is great.
A small custom-built racing plane.
A piper cub
Military version of a 1953 Piper Cub
The trainer has just touched down on the runway. (you can see the smoke from the tires just behind it.)
A Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser float plane.
A modern Cirrus plane. (The one that can deploy a parachute in case of trouble)
The US Navy North American Aviation T-28 VT-5 trainer parks. This one is marked with service on the USS Lexington, the same ship my father served on in World War II. Although my Dad was a Naval Aviator, this trainer was not in service until 1948, which was after my Dad left the service
A well-coordinated take-off.
A beautiful Socata TBM-900 (single-turboprop)
Another view of the participation.
A permanent Mooney aircraft letting you know you are at the airpark. I hope you enjoyed the visit today. Have some food and enjoy the music.
Staring at the cup as the machine finishes its work, the residual effects of my second Covid booster have me fixated on the beauty of the dark frothy liquid. For two days, my body has been in a state that could best be described as hungover. Recalling the days when copious amounts of gin were consumed with an equal quantity of abandon and mirth. The next day was payback for all that fun. It has been years now, but today I feel the effects mirrored by that libertine care abandonment of years ago.
The cup is ready, and it appears that life will continue a sip later. But unfortunately, my phone has sent an alert of a front door visitor. A deep sigh indicates that this might not be the time to entertain whoever may be there. Deciding to ignore the Ring camera and try sipping coffee from a reclining position on the couch, I move the magazine in my way. The cover picture would rattle me on a normal day. Today the sight of a piazza in a cast iron pan is almost enough to inspire a call to 9-1-1.
Forgoing the couch, I go through the process of opening the front door. Chains undid, Locks unlocked, steel bars rolled aside, explosive device unarmed, the door is swung open. I tawt I taw a puddyy tat,” was the first thing to come out of Tweety Bird’s beak. y shock at seeing her was only exceeded by the fact she was ten feet tall. You been hanging around that Alice person?” was my question.
Tweety just smiled and handed me an envelope, turned, and was down the driveway. Pity, the cat, was my thought as I opened the envelope. Inside was a message from Linda Hill. Here’s what it said.
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “a picture from wherever.” When you sit down to write your post, find a picture, whether in a magazine, newspaper, or even product packaging. Write whatever thought or emotion the picture provokes. Enjoy!
If you want to enjoy, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link
