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.

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

~ John W. Howell ~ 63 Comments
“First it’s sheltered in place. Now you tell me it is only Wednesday.”

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we were there when Andrew and Larry met Cortez. He told them that the Asst DA was a person they should check. He gave them the hint to look for a connection between the ADA and Dixon. You remember Ned Dixon? He was the guy who we first met at the company that had the electronic pulverizing machine. Well, anyway we should get with Andrew and Larry. They have checked out of the hotel and are headed for the airport.

“What time’s the flight?”

“Four o’clock.”

“Ah, good. We don’t have to rush, and maybe we should take Cortez’s suggestion of using the back roads.”

“Yeah. Good idea. I wanted to ask you about that whole conversation.”

“I have to say, Andrew. It was very confusing to me too.”

“So, what do you think Cortez is up to now?”

“I don’t know, but I can say one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“I feel better about our decision on getting back to Boston.”

“I think it will give us a little more time to figure this out.”

“Not to mention not having to dodge major ordinance.”

“Ha, haha. Hey, did you just miss the cut-off road.”

“Damn. I did. Means we will have to take the freeway.”

“Wait, let me plug in the airport destination to my phone. Maybe there is another road that will get us there.”

“Go ahead and try, but if I know those mapping apps now that we are on the freeway, it will stick with it.”

“Boy, how right you are. This piece of crap has us on the highway, alright.”

“Just keep your eyes open. Now I have to wonder about Cortez’s advice.”

“How so?”

“If we take the highway, Tagget’s thugs may intercept us. What’s not to say if we took the backroads that Cortez’s goons wouldn’t be waiting.”

“Either way, we have a 50% chance of running into trouble.”

“Naw, I would say it’s more like 100%.”

“Whattya mean?”

“Look up ahead.”

“Looks like a big accident.”

“Or a set up by the ADA.”

“What should we do?”

“Hang on. I’m going to do a U-turn and cross the median. We are going back to that cut-off road.”

“This is illegal, Larry.”

“Well, it is better than having to shoot it out with the ADA’s people. There we are on our way back.”

“Except for one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“You don’t see those blue and red flashing lights behind us?”

“Crap.”

“Well said.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible- Kreative Kue # 255 by Keith Channing

~ John W. Howell ~ 60 Comments

In Keith’s words.

“Using this photo 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 next 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 Monday.”

The Photo.

Kreative Kue #255

Light the lights. By John W. Howell © 2020

“Well, we finally made it to Broadway.”

“Oh, my goodness. What a trip it has been.”

“You are so right, sister. We have come a long way.”

“Did you ever think we would be here one day?.”

“Not even in my wildest dreams.”

“When I was a little girl, I used to dance and sing and pretend to be on Broadway.”

“Me too. That’s amazing. We had the same thing going on.”

“I used to put on shows for my family. I even had a cardboard sign with Broadway written on it.”

“Oh, that sounds cute.”

“I would charge my family a penny for the show.”

“Hahaha. I would probably have had to pay my family to attend, so I never mentioned a price.”

“So now we are here. What is the first thing we should do?”

“We need to find an agent.”

“Yeah, and then some auditions.”

“How about an apartment?”

“And some food.”

“Uh, ladies?”

“What?”

“Yes?”

“I think we better get jobs.”

“Buzzkill.”

 

Top Ten Things Not to Do on The First International Airline Service in 1919

~ John W. Howell ~ 87 Comments

Ten things not to do

 

This week marks the occasion of the first international airline service inaugurated on a weekly schedule between Paris and Brussels. The service was established by Lignes Farman. If you want to be part of this historic occasion, don’t forget to take your list so you can avoid some of the pitfalls of time travel.

10 If you take a flight, do not think you can get first-class treatment. If you do, at best you’ll be lucky to get a seat. At worse, you’ll be freezing and caught in many cross drafts. (You see, Knox the first plane used was a Farman F60 Goliath which was built as a bomber. Your seat is wicker and, you should have read the instructions about dressing warmly. Yeah, that’s your breath you see in the unheated cabin.)

9 If you take a flight, do not ask Tiny the WWF champ and your steward today for anything. If you do, at best, he will tell you to sit down and buckle your belt. At worst, he just found out he is being replaced by a female. (It looks like Tiny is going to show you how it feels to skydive, Kade. Don’t forget to ask to borrow Tiny’s parachute. It’s worth a try.)

8 If you take a flight, do not ask “are we there yet.” if you do, at best, no one will answer you. At worst, the pilot will walk back and explain the realities of air travel in 1919. (The next question is “Who is flying this thing,” Kenan. With the pilot standing there giving you arrival information, you may wonder. Breathe easy buckaroo the first autopilot was invented in 1914 by the Sperry Corporation. Of course, we don’t know if this plane has one.)

7 If you take the flight, do not forget to exchange your money for the fare of 365 francs. If you do, at best you won’t get on the plane. At worst, since this amount is about $50 dollars in 1919, you may get charged 365 dollars instead. (You should have known there wouldn’t be a money exchange at a 1919 airport, Kaapo. All they want is 365 of anything. The fact that the $50.00 value in 1919 is $679 today should give you an incentive to exchange to francs.)

6 If you take the flight, don’t ask about the customs declaration process. If you do, at best you’ll get a funny look. At worst, someone will think you are a member of the treasury department. (Since customs for international flights were not established for the first two flights, Kadar, whoever you asked, is now opening the cabin door. I think I would worry since the plane hasn’t landed yet.)

5 If you take the flight, do not expect meal service. If you do at best you’ll be hungry when you land. At worst, since the plane has lightly structured wings, it is susceptible to turbulence. (Can you just see it, Kaelan, you’ve just wolfed down a baguet with Fois Gras, and you hit an air pocket.? You and your Fois Gras will be reunited after a 500 foot fall. Hot meals were started in 1936 and sandwiches in October of 1919.)

4 If you take the flight, do not let the crew talk you into a high altitude record. If you do at best, you may get to 20,000 feet which was done in a Farman F60 later in the year. At worst, no one understood that the oxygen starts to thin at 10,000 feet. (So here you are, Kaemon, having all kinds of fun setting a record and meanwhile, your pilot passes out from the lack of oxygen. Yes that screaming you hear is you.)

3 If you take the flight and are a white knuckle flyer, do not grab the back of the seat in front of you. If you do, at best it is well bolted to the floor. At worst, the seat comes loose and you now have the passenger in front of you in your lap. (Don’t worry Kaga. The flight is two hours and fifty-five minutes. Plenty of time to make friends.)

2 If you take the flight, do not grab any of the control wires running through the cabin. If you do at best it is not important. At worst, you’ll grab the main control cable just as the pilot needs it. (Now the left full rudder has bee stopped, Kai. Y’all are headed for a very big mountain. I would suggest letting go of that cable very slowly so the pilot can maintain control.)

1 If you take the flight, do not say anything derogatory about the airplane. If you do, at best no one will hear you. At worst, you’ll be sitting next to Lignes Farman the builder. (You are now invited to go outside and settle the matter like gentlemen, Kaila. Too bad you are still 6000 feet in the air.)

Views of the Neighborhood – Bike Ride

~ John W. Howell ~ 105 Comments

Views of the Neighborhood

Here I am on my bike. This is my only outside event so, I thought I would record some of the more unusual things seen while riding the neighborhood.

Views of the Neighborhood

Yes, that house and Jeep are purple. You can’t really see them, but there are purple lights around the tree as well.

“Trash day? Sure, toss that double sink. I’d rather use a bucket now that we are going third world.”

“Hey, dear. Where’s my office chair?”  “I isolated it for your protection.”

“Just your ordinary deer in your ordinary yard.”

This old Jeep has to be a point of irritation in this house. Maybe some dirt and flowers would help.

New driveway and sod.

Never see a Pittsburgh Steelers sticker around here, so I had to take this one. Go Steelers.

A terrific armadillo mailbox decoration.

The murdered Crape Myrtle is coming to life.

Here is a yard wholly surrounded by cut firewood. Talk about stockpiling and expensive fencing.

Some napping flamingos

For the life of me, I have to wonder what a pig means to these folks.

Our final shot is a cement deer. This buck is very handsome and poses nicely for the photo.

So don’t ask what I’m going to do next week. I’ll just have to take it as it comes. Thanks for coming along. Have a great week.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Welcome”

~ John W. Howell ~ 56 Comments

Stream of Consciousness Saturday

 

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and here is Linda Hill with this week’s prompt. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “welcome.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!” If you would like to have some fun with these prompts, visit Linda’s blog and read how. It is easy to let yourself go. Here is the link.

https://lindaghill.com/2020/03/20/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-march-21-2020/

Welcome by John W. Howell © 2020

“Ahhhhhchoooo.”

” Gesundheit.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I think I’m allergic.”

“To what?”

“Not sure.”

“I see you are not stressed over the Saturday prompt.”

“No, in fact, I welcome the challenge.”

“What is is this week?”

“Welcome.”

“Pretty formal. I’ve lived here for years.”

“No, it’s ‘welcome.”‘

“What’s welcome. We get something new?”

“Quit being a poor imitation of Bud Abbott. The word is welcome.”

“You talking about the good word?”

“OMG, are you serious? The prompt is ‘welcome”‘

“Of course, it is. You throw down the welcome mat every Saturday. We can hardly do anything until you have completed your prompt.”

“Okay, I give up. You recording this or what?”

“What.’ I’m not recording anything so it must be ‘what.”‘

“What must be ‘what?”‘

“You asked, I answered. I wish I knew. Since I’m not recording, I must be doing ‘what.”‘

“How do we get off this loop?”

“Let’s have lunch. Maybe it will help.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Oh, wait. The prompt is ‘welcome.’ Right?”

“Right.”

“Darn, I thought I had it with ‘welcome.’ ‘Right’ is pretty good too.”

“Private memo to myself. Just shoot me.”

 

 

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 93 Comments
“Okay, Lucy. It’s Friday ruckus time.”
“Whisper Little One, Whisper.”

With all the news of social distancing and the crazy swings of the stock market, this week seemed like a never-ending stream of bad news. Well, now we are eight hours to at least some time to take it easy. You may be at home working all week, and now is the time to pitch all that and head for the patio, backyard, or even a walk around the block. If spring has not arrived in your area, then maybe it’s time to play some board games or even binge-watch something you have always wanted to see. Yeah, you could also read a book. 😁 The point is to separate your weekend self from your working self. You’ve earned it.

This week I made the decision to stop going out. I’m in the high-risk age group (At the upper end) and have underlying medical issues. I have had a compromised immune system for the last ten years and have been able to stay healthy. I learned to wash my hands and be very careful. Unfortunately, I have seen some folks totally disregard the CDC warnings, and I can no longer trust that my efforts will be enough to stay healthy.

Instead of working out at the gym, I am now riding my bike. Our daughter has decided to stop coming for Sunday dinner since she believes it too risky. I have to respect her mature attitude, but I can’t say it is a pleasant prospect. I know she will miss visiting and can’t help but be proud of her choice.

Today’s JohnKu contemplates the new realities of life. I hope you all have a great weekend and will keep yourself safe.

Reality by John W. Howell © 2020

Stay six feet apart,

No more than ten in a group . . .

Sanitize those hands.

Cover that pesky sneeze,

Don’t forget the Clorox wipes . . .

All this, too, shall pass.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Social Distance

~ John W. Howell ~ 92 Comments

A Little Personal

“Twiggy. What are you doing in the shower?”

“I heard we had to distance ourselves, and this is the furthest place I could find.”

“Okay, we need to talk. Let’s ht the livingroom.”

A Little Personal

“The suggestion on social distance applies to humans.”

“Well, I still think Lucy looks, suspect.”

“Maybe you two should go outside.”

“I’m telling you, Boss. She has flipped.”

“She is just concerned like all of us, Lucy. Twiggy, come on over.”

“But you pups have nothing to worry about. Besides, isn’t it nice to have us here all the time?”

“Yeah, sure. What’s that Little One? A squirrel?”

“Nope, no squirrel.”

“How about a ruckus inside, Lucy?

“What about social distance?”

“Well, the way I see it, we are fine here. Look at my shark impersonation.”

“Your dorsal fin looks a little skinny but otherwise a good one.”

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

~ John W. Howell ~ 47 Comments
“Hey, you two. Let’s go outside and play.”
“We are in the Wednesday mode, Boss. Check back on Friday.”

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, Larry and Andrew brought us up to speed. If you missed it don’t worry, Larry and Andrew have decided to go back to Boston after they speak with Joachim Cortez about what he knows regarding the goons that came and shot up Jerry’s place. If all this is Greek, just read on, and it will become clear. I’m a firm believer in living in the moment and would encourage “reading at the moment.” OH MY GOSH. Larry and Andrew are approaching Cortez’s table in the restaurant. We better hot foot it over there to catch every word.

 

“Well, well, well, my two favorite investigators. Please have a seat.”

“Thank you, Joachim. We aren’t going to stay long. We just had a couple of questions.”

“I hear you put a bullet into my son in law.”

“Wentworth? That’s funny.”

“What do you mean, funny?”

“Okay, we will have a seat. It’s funny because he shot himself in the foot.”

“That sounds exactly like him. My apologies, he told me you did it. Would you gentlemen care for a drink?”

“I would love a coffee. How about you, Andrew?”

“A coffee sounds good to me as well.”

“Here is a fresh pot the server just brought. Help yourself.”

“With all these cups on the table, you must have a lot of visitors?”

“You might say this is my office away from home. Now, what can I do for you today?”

“We were having a discussion with Wentworth before he had his..um …accident, and he wanted to be forthcoming, but we got the feeling he was afraid.”

“Forthcoming about what?”

“While we were chasing a lead, a few goons showed up at our subject’s apartment and put about a hundred holes in the place.”

“Would this be the apartment of Jerry Foster?”

“Hmmm. How did you know?”

“I read in the paper that his place was the target of a drive-by shooting.”

“Already in the papers, huh.”

“Yes, detective.”

“Would you have any information on who sent the shooters?”

“I might have a lead, yes.”

“Would you be willing to share this lead?”

“As you know, detective information has great value. Might I enquire as to why you want to know?”

“Other than almost getting killed ourselves, we think Foster was the target which would make him part of our ongoing investigation into who killed Sandusky and Rafferty.”

“Why is that?”

“As you say, information has value. Before I tell you why I think Foster was the target, I need to know who ordered the hit.”

“I don’t want to spread vicious lies, so let me just say I believe if you investigate Spencer Taggett, you may get some answers.”

“Spencer Taggett, the Assistant District attorney?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“What does he have to do with this mess?”

“All I’m saying is if you check around, you might make a connection between him, Ned Dixon, and Janice Rafferty. Now, why do you think Jerry Foster was the target?”

“I thought it was because he overheard an argument between you and Rafferty.”

“So, you would believe I ordered the hit?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“If I had ordered the hit, detective. You nor Foster would be still around. No, it wasn’t me. More coffee?”

“No, thank you, Joachim. We do appreciate your hospitality and information, though. We need to be going.”

“If you want my advice.”

“Yes, sir, we would welcome your advice.”

“I would get back to Boston, where you have some authority and shake the trees on Rafferty and Dixon.”

“Yeah, that is good advice. We already know they shared a room here, so there’s not much more we can learn.”

“Plus, you will get out of Taggett’s jurisdiction, which might be healthier for you all the way around.”

“Great talking with you, Joachim. You take care of yourself.”

“Be careful out there, detective. I’d take the sideroads to the airport if I were you.”

“Thanks again.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #254 by Keith Channing

~ John W. Howell ~ 36 Comments

In Keith’s words “Using this photo 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 next 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 Monday.”

The photo.

Kreative Kue #254

“What do you mean you can’t find it? The coordinates are clear.”
“The coordinates are real clear, but we still can’t find it.”
“That’s impossible. Give me an optical scan of the area.”
“Okay. Coming at you.”
“I don’t see anything.”
“That is exactly what I told you.”
“Maybe the solar flares are distorting the picture.”
“Okay. What do you see then?”
“Some vegetation is all.”
“That is exactly what we are seeing.”
“Why don’t you walk a couple of klicks and send us another shot.”
“What? Through the coordinates, you mean?”
“That object is as big as a mountain. It can’t have disappeared.”
“So one would think. Maybe our measuring devices have been damaged. You think the locator on the thing could have gotten damaged in flight.”
“Well, the takeoff was certainly a jolt. You could be right.”
“Not to mention the landing. This planet’s gravity is pretty strong.”
“Okay let,’s assume the locator is faulty. Can you get to higher ground and, maybe you can spot it.”
“Yeah, there is a cliff up ahead. We have to cross what looks like a desert.”
“Go ahead and cross.”
“Okay, the rover made it across the sandy place. It looks like this desert has been dug out of the cliff.”
“Can you climb to the top of the cliff?”
“I have shot a grappling hook and rappelling rope up and over. All I have to do is climb up there.”
“You have permission to do that.”
“Okay, I’m here. My goodness.”
“What?”
“This is a plateau and, it is made of grass.”
“Can you see the sphere?”
“No, but when I rise with my jet pack, I can see a huge hole not too far away. There is some kind of pole rising up from the hole.”
“Send me the picture.”
“Here you are.”
“Look at that. Amazing. Aim the camera up to the top of that pole.”
“I don’t have an LD lens, so I don’t know if you can see the top.”
“Yes, I can make it out. There is some kind of symbol on a flag on top. Jet to the hole and point the camera into it. Be careful and don’t fall in.”
“Here it is. “Look at that. The sphere is at the bottom of the hole.”
“You sure. It doesn’t look like ours. The size looks right, but that one is white. Can you see the letters on it.”
“Yes, I can.”
“Do you have any idea what it means?”
“S-P-A-U-L-D-I-N-G? I have no idea.”
“Well, it can’t be good to see other spheres landing around there. We’ll just chalk ours up to lost and take the penalty. Come on back. It’s time for lunch anyway.”
“Roger that sir.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do When Congress Authorizes Daylight Savings Time in 1918

~ John W. Howell ~ 99 Comments

Top Ten Things not to Do

 

This post is an updated repeat of last year. Since Daylight Savings Time is so near and dear to us all, I thought you would enjoy a re-run.

This week marks the 102nd anniversary of Congress authorizing Daylight Savings Time, which set up the legal precedence for the states to take action. So if you were there or plan on a time trip, the following list is designed to keep you from making any mistakes that might result in a time warp or tear.

Top Ten Things Not to Do When Congress Authorized Daylight Savings Time by John W. Howell © 2020

10 If you were there when Congress authorizes daylight savings time, do not think the action is a big joke. If you do at best, you’ll be early or late to everything. At worst, you will finally realize that the fun will last for a hundred and two years. (Tired of laughing yet, Gairbeth? Join the rest of us.)

9 If you were there when Congress authorizes daylight savings time, do not push your protest sign into Tiny the WWF champ’s face. If you do, at best, Tiny will ignore you. At worst, Tiny, the newly elected Senate sergeant-at-arms, will give you a demonstration of the latest wrestling hold he just learned from the Senate pages. (Don’t worry, Gall. The loss of feeling in your lower body will come back in a couple of days. In the meantime, I would grab things to keep you from falling down.)

8 If you are there when Congress authorizes daylight savings time, do not bring your confused cow to the protest. If you do, at best, you will not be allowed in the chamber. At worst, your cow will be called upon to testify, and your entire argument will hinge on a simple yes or moo. (You were told to bring credible witnesses to prove as to the inconvenience of DST, Galvin. The rest of us have to suffer due to your lack of follow-through. Just wait until you get back to 2020. Does the word “goat” mean anything to you?”

7 If you are there when Congress authorizes daylight savings time, do not say the mnemonic “Spring forward, fall back” out loud. If you do, at best, not many will catch on. At worse, those who hear you will think you are in favor of the move. (Now you are facing an angry crowd, Gamal. How are you going to explain the rationale for the change? I think most folks get the fact that their morning work trip will be in the dark. To do what? Allow everyone to play outside after dinner?)

6  If you are there when Congress authorizes daylight savings time, do not brag loudly that your smartphone automatically resets the time. If you do, at best, most will think you’re drunk. At worst, the local constable will look at you much closer. (He does not look like someone you will be able to fool, Gannon. You better come up with a plausible explanation for that cell-phone. Oh, and you know it doesn’t work in 1918 right?)

5 If you were there when Congress authorizes daylight savings time, do not try to convince everyone that they get an extra hour’s sleep in the fall. If you do, at best, those with kids will laugh you out of the room. At worst, the crowd will take you for a shill of the government. (Looks like someone is lighting a fire under that tar bucket, Gardar. Maybe there’s going to be an old-fashioned tar and feathering soon. I hope you aren’t the honored guest.)

4 If you are there when Congress authorizes daylight savings time, do not list the 23 ways changing time harms health. If you do, at best, you’ll cause concern. At worst, you may cause the Center for Disease Control to put a stop to your free speech. (you see, Garnet, this whole DST thingy is a government plot to keep you confused about your everyday life. Think about going to work in the dark. Confusing no?)

3 If you were there when Congress authorizes daylight savings time, do not try to convince those near you that the farmers need the daylight at night to milk the cows. If you do, at best, there will be no farmers nearby to contradict you. At worst, your words reach the Grange farmers co-operative. (Don’t look now, Garrey, but a delegation from the Grange is heading in your direction. It seems that they would rather have the sunlight in the morning and believe you are behind the change. My, those pitchforks look nasty.)

2 If you were there when Congress authorizes daylight savings time, do not show folks how to set their digital watch. If you do, at best, you will scare them away. At worst, some brave ones will take you for an alien. ( Looks like there is going to be a trial by twelve angry men, Garry. Gotta wonder about the drinking and exactly how fair that trial will be. I think I would take the opportunity to skedaddle if I were you.)

1 If you were there when Congress authorizes daylight savings time, do not offer to organize a clock changing party. If you do, at best, no one will want to celebrate. At worst,  some of the celebrants will get out of control. (Looks like the constable is going to be a calling, Garuda. Best to get your story straight about minding your own business when a bunch of roughnecks busted into your place, drank all your liquor, and then hit the town. I’m sure he’ll believe you. Well, maybe a slip out of town move might be better.)