with John W. Howell
Finally, the Fifty-Two Shades of Gray is not going to be a reality. We have had a glorious week and the picture shows you what I mean.
The truck belongs to a lone fisherman. The puffy little clouds gave way to deep blue in the afternoon. Since I take this picture in the morning for consistency the clouds remain and you can see the effect of the sun with shadows on the path. The sea is very calm, unlike last week. The picture below taken last week is quite a contrast to this week.
Just a quick post to let you know if you need some company with lunch today I will be interviewed by the gracious Bethany Turner on her show Behind the Pen on Rave Reviews Book Club Blogtalk Radio.
You can listen in by clicking on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ravereviewsbookclub.
I will try to avoid cringe-worthy statements but won’t guarantee it. Bethany will have control and we will talk all things authorly. (Is that a word?)
Thanks.
Stream of Consciousness Saturday again. This week’s prompt is Compliment/Complement and can be used together or separately. If you want to join this fun, go to Linda Hill’s site and read the rules. Here is the link http://lindaghill.com/2015/05/01/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-215/ My interpretation follows.
Compliment/Complement by John W. Howell © 2015
“Hi, Sarah how you doing?”
“Very well, Jackson. Thank you.”
“I enjoyed taking you to the party.”
“Me too. You complement me.”
“Well, okay. You have lovely hair.”
“Huh? Oh, I get it you thought I was looking for a compliment.”
“You said complement me.”
“I meant you make me feel complete.”
“Whoa. That is some compliment.”
“Well, it’s true. You are a complement to me.”
“Thank you, Thank you very much. You compliment me as well.”
“Hum, as in make you whole?”
“Naw, as in saying nice things about me.”
“I think we should get going to the movie this is getting complicated.”
“I agree. Excellent Segway.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”
“I think I’m getting it.”
Great book at an unbelievable price. Who can beat Free?
Right on schedule, the Amazon freebie has kicked in, and you can now download Occasional Soulmates for free. The deal runs through Sunday evening.
If you have a spare mo or two, let your readerly friends know about it via Twitter, Facebook, email, sky writing, semaphore, Morse code, secret languages, or even telephone. They need to read this book! Your mom needs to read this book.
If you never thought a dude could write chick lit, Occasional Soulmates will prove you wrong.
Just sayin’.
Grab your copy today, and help move some virtual paper by spreadin’ the word for me.
As always, much obliged!
Friday is always a welcome sight. It usually comes in the nick of time (so to speak) and is the capstone to a very busy week. I suppose that’s why we all like Friday it gives us permission to take a break. I know I speak of Friday as if it is capable of giving us welcome praise or a pat on the back. Sometimes it does feel like Friday has some personality and substance. I think when we make it to Friday that in itself is a reward. It’s a little like crossing a finish line in a race. The line is there pure and simple. The act of crossing it adds meaning to the line’s purpose.
Not to be overly focused on the weather I am happy to report some sunshine showed up this week.
This week’s JohnKu (A term coined by Words4JP) discusses Friday as a symbol rather than just another day of the week. I hope you like it.
Friday by John W. Howell © 2015
Friday is but one,
The rest of the week is six . . .
Yet we love it so.
Here is another photo from a bike ride. It is a perfect shoe sitting just above the high tide line. Also, the picture has captured some footprints showing someone walked by the shoe, and it is clear the shoe has not been disturbed. I could not resist another story prompted by this picture. I hope you like it.
Stranded by John W, Howell © 2015
“What are we going to do?”
“The first thing is not panic.”
“Easy for you to say. You are the survivalist I’m just along for the ride.”
“Okay, I never thought the boat would sink.”
“With everything we need to survive I might add.”
“Yes, that is true. Don’t forget I’m a trained survivalist. I will keep us safe.”
“Safe? You’ve got to kidding. Look around. There is nothing on this little island. One palm tree and that’s it.”
“The tree will give us shade that we will need until we can get some water.”
“Too bad I left my Perrier on the desk in the galley.”
“You are alive, so that is something.”
“For how long with no food or water.”
“Oh, that’s easy. No food thirty days. No, water? Well, that’s a little less. Like seven.”
“Seven days? You gonna dig a well or what?”
“No, I will collect the dew in this plastic bag. Also, I have a pen and some paper. I’m going to write a note and stuff it in my shoe. These shoes float. It will be like a message in a bottle. I know we are less than seven days from the mainland the way the current flows. There the shoe is drifting see?”
“Yeah I see. Somehow I can’t imagine anyone looking in a shoe for a message.”
“Have faith.”
“Yeah sure.”
It is Wednesday story day again. Last week we left poor Charlotte listening to the book My Struggles as read aloud by Bob. She was attempting to provide some constructive criticism and suggested Bob would not remember details from being an infant. Bob said he recalled elements of his infancy. Charlotte then opined aloud that she needed a drink, and it wasn’t the water that Bob was offering. Let’s go back to the pair and see if Charlotte has regained her composure.
“Thank you, Bob, but the water was not what I had in mind.”
“Oh, I see you would like something stronger.”
“Yes, Bob. Given the degree of difficulty with this project I think I could use something stronger.”
“I have a flask if you would care for a nip.”
“My goodness no. I was thinking of some coffee.”
“There is a shop next door. I’ll run and get us some.”
“What a lovely thought Bob. I would like some coffee.”
“I’ll be right back. I’ll get the coffee black and bring cream and sugar.”
“I like Splenda as well as half and half.”
“You got it. I’ll be right back.”
“Take your time. I need to make a phone call.”
“Hello.”
“Hello, Melissa this is Charlotte.”
“Ah yes. How are you dear?”
“Don’t dear me Melissa. Bob is a mess.”
“Whatever do you mean a mess?”
“He thinks he can remember his birth.”
“Oh, but sweetie he can.”
“What? You can’t be serious?”
“He has a remarkable memory. He remembers things I have long forgotten.”
“But being put into a sink at birth?”
“Like I said he remembers.”
“I’m not sure I can continue with this assignment.”
“No? Why not?”
“I don’t think Bob is going to correct any of the mistakes in his manuscript.”
“Yeah, so?”
“It’s going to be a piece of junk. Everyone will laugh at him.”
“Don’t you think they already do?”
“Um, I suppose.”
“So what’s the harm? Just get the thing published and who will care?”
“I guess I will.”
“You don’t count. Goodbye.”
“Oh. My gosh.”
Rave Reviews Book Club has begun a new program that has as a goal highlighting other bloggers and writers. The idea is to take a little bit of time to support someone who has a message to share. This week I would like to introduce you to a person who you may have already met. His name is Matthew Armstrong, and as described on his Facebook page he is a Human Behavioral Specialist, Author, and Health Educator. Matthew has an objective of making sure each person he reaches with his message recognize and work toward developing their potential.
His website at http://buildingabrandonline.com/ provides advice on how to build a brand online. There a numerous helpful posts on how one can begin taking charge of one’s destiny.
His blog http://buildingabrandonline.com/beyourpotential has several detailed discussions on how to maximize potential. A visitor will find such subjects as:
5 Traits and Principles to Being a Successful Entrepreneur and Business Owner!
The One Thing To Overcome Anything!
10 Personal Development Quotes To Motivate You!
What is your Purpose in Life? How will you know your Purpose? Do what you are meant to do!
In addition, Matthew has a YouTube feature that has advice on all things including diet. http://www.youtube.com/beyourpotential/
Visit any one of these places and check Matthew out. His twitter handle is @mathewarmstrong if you would like to connect he also is on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BeYourPotential
Matthew has also recently published his first book of fiction titled Sex God: An erotic adventure of self-discovery available on Amazon.
Blurb
Unfulfilled in his marriage and life, Alex Sterling makes an indecent proposal to his wife, Angela, which sets them off on an erotic adventure of self-discovery, revealing dark and repressed parts of themselves. On the verge of losing everything that is most important to him, Alex is a man in early life crisis, playing a high-stakes game and going to extreme measures to save what he values most. Is he going through a mental breakdown or is this some sort of spiritual transformation? He has no idea as his grasp on reality crumbles and all his worst fears are inevitably realized.
Bio
Matthew Armstrong comes from Irish descent, attending the same grammar school as Oscar Wild — but only for a short while, as he was expelled for speaking his mind and not conforming. Through two decades of living and traveling in 6 continents, he has gained much life experience and studied many cultures and ways of life along the way. Originally an Author of non-fiction, covering topics from health, philosophy, relationships, spirituality & human potential, Matthew now finds his inspiration in writing fiction.
This list is inspired by being tapped by my wife to do the grocery shopping while she was on a trip. It is true in our house our chores are divided according to talent. I have no talent in the area of grocery shopping. I cook competently and do dishes (uh load the dishwasher). I also do not do laundry and not because I have a problem doing it. The fact that at one time we had pink towels and sheets from formerly white is the main reason for being banned from the laundry.
Ten Things not to do If You are Designated Fill in Shopper
If you are asked to shop, do not buy anything that is not on the list. If you do, at best you will be making a return trip for the returns. At worst, you will need to attend a special class run by your spouse on the principle of wasting money.
10 If you are asked to shop, do not think you are empowered to make substitutions of items on the list. If you do, at best your substitutions will be a welcome change. At worst, you will have selected a form of something that the entire family has gotten sick after eating one time before.
9 If you are asked to shop do not fail to turn in the coupons. If you do, at best you will be allowed back in the house. At worst, you and the coupons will be making another trip to the store for a refund as well as attending that special class on wasting money.
8 If you are asked to shop do not go to a different store without permission. If you do, at best some of the items will be unavailable. At worst, there will be a big difference in the prices and your bill will be above the all-time high that will not be a good thing.
7 If you are asked to shop do not think, you can ignore the recyclable bags just this once. If you do, at best you will be able to stuff the plastic into the trash without being caught. At worst, you will be subjected to another long class dealing with the evils of the plastic bag and its effect on the environment.
6 If you are asked to shop do not think, your newness will excuse you checking out in the express lane when clearly you have more than the required items. If you do, at best a few people will glower and may even say something. At worst, you will be recognized and reported to your spouse with the resulting discussion on proper store protocol.
5 If you asked to shop do not think, you can pack bags like the store personnel. If you do, at best you will have overstuffed bags. At worst, you might have several bags break in the parking lot causing a loss of the items that as reminded by store personnel is after the fact payment wise.
4 If you are asked to shop do not go to the store hungry. If you do at best, you will only buy one or two extra things. At worst, you will have to explain the extra bags of groceries including what will look like a year’s supply of beef jerky.
3 If you are asked to shop do not take any of your friends with you. If you do, at best you will have unexplained extra stuff in your order. At worst your friends will talk you into hosting a poker game this week, and you’ll have bought all the snacks and beer. (The explaining of this phenomenon will be the challenge of the year)
2 If you are asked to shop do not offer to take the kids with you. If you do, at best will learn the meaning of the phrase “no good deed goes unpunished.” At worst, you will have forgotten half the items on the list in addition to buying several impulsive things that the kids will be forbidden to eat. (Marshmallows in cereal is a no-no.)
1 If you are asked to shop no matter how much you feel you are putting your life on the line, you cannot refuse. If you do, at best you may hurt your spouse’s feelings. At worst, you will be the cause of a relatively significant family argument that won’t end well in terms of the next time you need a favor.
It occurred to me that I have mislabeled this feature. Instead of fifty-two views of the Gulf it should be called one view of the Gulf fifty-two times. You’ll forgive me, right? I thought so.
The photo above is the fourth picture of the Gulf taken from the dune walkover. It is the fourth picture taken while it is raining. While it has not rained every day for the last month, it certainly has been when the photo time comes around. Compare this to last week’s photo and you can see the rain is not hard enough to keep folks from walking on the sand.
