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.

Top Ten Things Not to Do on Thanksgiving

November 20, 2023November 19, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 79 Comments

The inspiration for this list is the fact that this week is Thanksgiving here in the US. There have been several Thanksgiving situations that I personally witnessed, and I thought it would be fun to capture them and provide ample warning for your occasion this year. If you have ever done any of these things, it might be a nice change to sit back and let others have center stage this year.

10 On Thanksgiving, do not try to prepare the perfect Turkey. If you do, at best, you’ll have reason to cry. At worst, not only is this year’s turkey not perfect, it is the worst one ever. (Nothing like eating what resembles dry balsa wood, huh, Chandler?)

9 On Thanksgiving, do not invite your cousin Tiny, the WWF wrestling champ, to your house for dinner. If you do, at best, you’ll possibly get by with only a broken dining room chair. At worst, Tiny and your uncle Jim will continue the feud that began last year’s Thanksgiving dinner. (Who is going to clean up what looks like a movie bar fight scene in your living room, Cohen? Not to mention reviving Aunt Helen.)

8 On Thanksgiving, do not try out that experimental stuffing recipe on the family. If you do, at best, you’ll have plenty left over. At worst, the family will feel cheated out of a traditional dinner. (Who started the food fight is not a question that needs an answer right now, Canyon. It is probably more important to get that stuff off the walls before it hardens.)

7 On Thanksgiving, do not think you can deep-fry your Turkey in the kitchen. If you do, at best, your place will smell like an oil derrick for a month. At worst, the fire department will declare what’s left of your house and lot a hazardous waste site. (Who is going to cover the EPA bill for clean-up, Channing?)

6 On Thanksgiving, do not think it is a good idea to start serving mimosas at eleven o’clock. If you do, at best, you’ll run out of Champaign before everyone is blitzed. At worse, all your guests have lost interest in the dinner and are out in the yard trying to work off the Champaign with touch football. (Don’t worry, Cortez. Sooner or later, they will be back for the leftovers.)

5 On Thanksgiving, do not try some unnatural seating configuration, thinking it will liven the conversation. If you do, at best, you won’t seat sworn enemies next to each other. At worst, since you now have strangers all having to talk to strangers, the sound of crickets is deafening. (That magazine suggestion doesn’t seem all that good right now, does it, Cord?)

4 On Thanksgiving, do not think everyone in the world would enjoy a tofu turkey. If you do, at best, the polite ones will give it a try. At worst, you will wonder why all your guests are on the phone ordering Domino’s delivery. (The fact that you were looking out for everyone’s health doesn’t seem worthwhile now, Cable.)

3 On Thanksgiving, do not think because you hate pumpkin pie, everyone else does as well. If you do, at best, your banana creme will be well received. At worst, the traditionalists will find an excuse to leave early so they can pick up a frozen Mrs. Smith’s pumpkin pie. (Hare to believe you only have one guest remaining, isn’t it, Cacey?)

2 On Thanksgiving, do not think sharing leftovers is not expected. If you do, at best, you’ll get some strange looks as people leave. At worst, your loudest relative will ask out loud, What? No leftovers to take home? (Maybe you should have put together some to-go containers, Cadell. Well, there is always next year if any return.)

1 On Thanksgiving, do not think you can turn off the football game. If you do, at best, you’ll have some complaints. At worst, you will discover most of the guests in your bedroom watching the game anyway. (It is shocking that people want to watch a game even if it is the two worst teams playing. Right, Cadell?)

Views of the Neighborhood – In Search of Thanksgiving

November 19, 2023November 18, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 66 Comments

Thanksgiving is not the kind of holiday where you see a lot of decorations. I found evidence of a spirit of Thanksgiving and want to share it with you. We are catered by Franklin Barbeque of Austin. Our entertainment is Dee Dee Sharp.

Sandwiches

Brisket
Pulled Pork
Turkey
Chopped Beef
Tipsy Texan

Sides

Potato Salad
Slaw
Pinto Bean

Pies

Bourbon Banana
Pecan
Ruby’s Dang Pie
Key Lime Pie

Picture of an old time school bus

We are ready

A happy turkey welcome.

Texas style of leaves turning.

Hints of yellow in the green.

Crape Myrtles are ready for the winter.

There you go. A little flag.

A bee is thankful for The Producer’s Roses. (photo by The Producer)

A banner that screams harvest.

A longhorn and unique Thanksgiving display.

A tired turkey. (It could have been overserved.) The Christmas wreath is a nice touch.

A nod to the season in the flowerboxes.

Our favorite Armadillo is all decked out to greet the Great Turkey.

Ride ’em, Turkey.

Now let’s relax and have some food and enjoy the entertainment. I hope you have a great week and Happy Thanksgiving.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt Clown

November 18, 2023November 17, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 75 Comments

Coffee has a way of calming nerve endings, and the coffee machine makes the need for calming nerve endings an absolute necessity. The grinding beans, the sound of tamping, and the initial spurt of brown aroma-filled liquid from the spout are all designed to place the anticipation gauge on maximum. It makes one want to tell the machine to quit the clown act and deliver the goods.

Finally, the cup is full, and the first sip is recorded as incoming by the central nervous system. The brain lights up and remembers the alarm clock gift from the president of Warner Brothers. Picking it up brings back the challenge of figuring out how to set it so a visit can be made to a time zone, knowing how much time can be spent there.

The dial for the year is set to 1923 cause it is a hundred years ago. The month and date are set for November 18th cause that is today. Now, how do I set the alarm that will bring me back? Wait, here is a little switch that says ‘pull.’

OMG, it is San Diago, and there is Ed Fletcher unveiling the Pacific coast milestone of a southern transcontinental highway in San Diego’s downtown plaza and reading a message of congratulations from President Coolidge. This ends the transcontinental route from Washington, D.C., to Dan Diago. What is that ringing?

Back in my living room, but not before being handed a letter by a bystander to the event. The letter is from Linda Hill (how does she do that?) and reads. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “clown.” Use it as a noun or a verb; use it however you’d like. Have fun!

To see what other bloggers do with this prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2023/11/17/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-18-2023/

“How come you don’t stay longer at the places you visit?”

“Cause I still haven’t figured out how to set the time for the alarm.”

“That is a bummer. This series might be a bust.”

“Don’t clown around about that.”

“I’m serious. You have to spend a little more time. You were lucky to even get the description out.”

“Yeah, No kidding.”

“You did get the prompt in, though.”

“You noticed.”

“Who could miss it.”

“Well, let’s celebrate.”

“I ordered an Über.”

“I’m afraid to look.”

“You might be surprised.”

“Wow, I am surprised. We are going in style.”

Let’s go.”

“Who’s the clown who is going to pay for this?”

“Check that mirror over there.”

“Thought so.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

November 17, 2023November 16, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 61 Comments

Today’s story comes from the Good News Network. Here it is complete.

Will Falcon, aka Vitaly Sokol, CC license

Dominica to Create World’s First Sperm Whale Reserve–for the 200 That Call the Island Home

By Andy Corbley Nov 16, 2023

Sperm whales are the ocean’s greatest nomads, but one island in the Caribbean is creating a permanent home for them.

A roughly 300 square mile patch of ocean in the territorial waters of Dominica is the only place known on Earth where sperm whales can be seen regularly throughout the year when they arrive to breed, and it’s here that Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of the island nation has established the world’s first sperm whale reserve.

“The 200 or so sperm whales that call our sea home are prized citizens of Dominica,” Mr. Skerrit said.

“Their ancestors likely inhabited Dominica before humans arrived. We want to ensure these majestic and highly intelligent animals are safe from harm and continue keeping our waters and our climate healthy.”

The marine reserve covers 800 square kilometers for those using metric, an area where commercial shipping and fishing will be forbidden from entering. Large ships can harm sperm whales, but smaller vessels, designated in the law as artisanal fishing, will be permitted inside the reserve, provided their methods do not harm the whales.

Sperm whales have the biggest teeth in the animal kingdom. They also have the biggest brains and can pass down a unique cetacean culture that includes dialects of their clicking language.

Tourists will be able to view and swim with the creatures in sustainable numbers, BBC reports.

The good news is a country takes its animal citizens seriously and has taken measures to protect them. Today’s JohnKu wonders about the rest of the world. I hope you have a fabulous weekend.

Dominica cares,

To protect its citizens . . .

Will you join in, too?

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy Bound

November 16, 2023November 14, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 157 Comments

“What are you doing?”

“Looking at these ugly runners.”

“We put those down so you won’t slip on the tile.”

“Did y’all have a choice of colors?”

“Those runners are for your protection. Now that you can walk around a little, we don’t need a slip and fall.”

” I appreciate them. It’s just this healing process takes so long.”

“I know. But look at you. Using the wedge to get up here.”

“It does give me a feeling of freedom to be able to move around.”

“I hear a ‘but’ in there somewhere.”

“Well, being out of this jail would be nice.”

“You know it is for your own good.”

“Doesn’t make it any easier.”

“Look how far you have come already. You walk like a champ and try to sneak runs.”

“I know. I wish I could go into the backyard and battle a wildebeest.”

“That day will come, sweetheart. You just have to be patient.”

“A virtue that somehow I missed when it was handed out.”

“Buck up, Beanie. You’ll be fine.”

“You’re right, Dad. Thanks.

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #407 by Keith Channing

November 14, 2023November 13, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 60 Comments

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 your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before Sunday evening UK time. 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. Thank you for taking part.”

Keith’s post. https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2023/11/13/kreative-kue-407/

The Photo.

“I don’t think I have it in me.”

“What d’ya mean?”

“Look at what I’ve done so far.”

“Aye, and you’ve earned some good time too.”

“But it was all done by hand.”

“That was the agreement.”

“Would it hurt to get a loader or tractor to help?”

“Now, laddie, you know that’s not possible.”

“But it would help us so much. Just the dirt alone takes eons to scoop to fill these foundations.”

“I feel yer pain, my son. But it is what it is.”

“Give me one reason why we can’t get some machines.”

“Well, son, if you must press me.”

“Yes, one good reason.”

“Machines haven’t been invented yet.”

“What?”

“You know, part of yer redemption was to work with yer hands.”

“I know that, but who said anything about going into the past?”

“Twas the only way to keep ya from temptation and see it worked.”

“I’m so tired.”

“Think how tired you’d be shoveling the devil’s own coal for eternity. Let’s get to work, shall we?”

Top Ten Things Not to Do Playing Board Games

November 13, 2023November 12, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 81 Comments

This post ran on November 13, 2017. I think the advice may hold. I hope you enjoy it.

* * *

The inspiration for this list is the approaching holidays, where families all gather around and play a board game or two. I hope you enjoy the list.

Top Ten Things Not to Do Playing Board Games

10 If you are playing a board game, do not insist on using the same token as last year. If you do, at best, you will be teased for being a stick in the mud. At worst, you’ll have to sit out the game since your older brother already laid claim to the piece. (You believe he did that on purpose, don’t you, Chester?)

9 If you are playing a board game, do not argue with Tiny the WWF champ, who is spending the holidays at your house as part of a prison holiday release program, when he lays down a scrabble word XXZZWMP. If you do, at best, you’ll need to leave the game. At worst, you’ll need to find some ice for that black eye. (Mama said not to argue with Tiny, didn’t she, Conor?)

8 If you are playing a board game, do not think by getting monopolies on all the properties, you will win. If you do, at best, no one will have money left. At worst, you could be the cause of your unemployed brother-in-law to go off the deep end. (Maybe you should have let him have a few wins, Collin. You need to talk him down off the roof.)

7 If you are playing a board game, do not start bellyaching if you must go to jail. If you do, at best, the other players will make fun of you. At worst, you will cause everyone to decide to do something different. (Not much fun playing the game alone, is it, Cyrus?)

6 If you are playing a board game, do not try to mark the career cards so you can pick the best career. If you do, at best, you might get caught. At worst, even if you cheat, you lose anyway. (How does this happen, Chance? With a name like yours, you could have just played the game.)

6 If you are playing a board game, do not shout out who killed Mr. Boddy of Tudor Mansion until all the clues are exposed. If you do, at best, the game is over. At worst, you will be eating Thanksgiving dinner outside on the porch. (Kind of chilly here in Minnesota at Thanksgiving, huh, Cecil?)

5 If you are playing a board game, do not set that BIG GULP cup too close to the game. If you do, at best, the condensation off the cup may get some money wet. At worst, an excited player will inadvertently tip the cup over. (Guess where all that soda went, Cormac? Yup, that’s right, the tsunami of Coke and ice wiped the game out, and FEMA doesn’t want to hear about it.)

4 If you are playing a board game, do not think you must play until there is a clear winner. If you do at best, it will be hours. At worst, the game could go on for the entire weekend. ( you planned on doing other things, didn’t you, Crispin? Like take a shower.)

3 If you are playing a board game, do not slip from reality. If you do, at best, others will notice. At worst, you will need to decompress once the game is over. (Your psychologist is not available on Sundays, Carlin. You need to lie down.)

2 If you are playing a board game, do not try to confuse your fellow players with some off-the-wall move. If you do, at best, you will be reminded to stick to the rules. At worst, your off-the-wall move will backfire, and you’ll lose all your gold. (Now, what are you going to use for food, huh, Chase? You are beginning to feel the specter of starvation, aren’t you? What was that about reality?)

1 If you are playing a board game, do not think the rest of the players don’t notice your extra helping of $100.00 bills as you do your banking duties. If you do, at best, you’ll be asked to return the bills. At worst, you will be formally banned from the family games and turned over to the justice department for bank fraud. (Okay, so the justice department is not interested, Curt. It is still mighty embarrassing.)

Views of Neighborhood – Arbor Day – Tree Planting

November 12, 2023November 10, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 74 Comments

Our parks team had a great time planting trees with the community volunteers this weekend for Texas Arbor Day. Six live oak trees were planted in the median of Lakeway Boulevard thanks to the help of nearly 30 residents, led by our city forester, and participation by Davey Tree, Mayor Pro Tem Mastrangelo, and Councilmember O’Brien.

I did capture the event for us to enjoy as well. We are being catered by Chick-fil-A of Bee Cave, who is also feeding the participants. Our entertainment is Plain White T’s

Instructions on how the day is going to go.

The professionals from Davy Tree for guidance.

The police for traffic control.

Walking to the work site.

A proclamation read by Mayor Pro Tem Mastrangelo (left), with Councilmember O’Brien standing by, ready to work.

Lakeway forester Richard Leon gives some instructions on what to do with roots.

A Day to Remember our Veterans

November 11, 2023November 9, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 87 Comments

Today has been set aside to remember our veterans. We owe all who have served a thank you for keeping our freedoms intact. The living and those who have sacrificed their lives so that we may live all deserve to be remembered and thanked. Friday may have been the day indicated for observation, but today is the day for remembrance.

My Dad, John Allen Howell, is just one of those to be remembered.

He was 31 years old when he volunteered to serve in World War II. He could have stayed home but felt he had some engineering skills that could be useful.

His Squadron was Bombing Group 9 (Yes, Bugs Bunny was the logo)

In this photo, he is on the aircraft carrier Lexington CV 16, serving as the navigation officer for the squadron. He flew with the squadron, navigating them to the target and back to the ship under radio silence. He did his duty.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

November 10, 2023November 9, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 70 Comments

Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network

School Hosts Students on Opposite Ends of Violent Conflict–Teaching Reconciliation Over Revenge

Andy Corbley Nov 9, 2023

In Italy, a one-of-a-kind school sees Palestinians graduating alongside Israelis, Americans with Tribal origins alongside those with European origins, and Bosnian Muslims next to Orthodox Serbs—all in the name of creating a generation of interfaith peacebuilders.

The Swallow Citadel of Peace, located in a medieval campus in the hills of Tuscany near the city of Arezzo, offers a variety of higher educational programs and degrees, but it comes with a catch.

Prospective students must live with the “enemy”—either those of a domestic ethnic group or a neighboring nation—all in the name of deconstructing the reasons behind their hatred and conflict, breaking the trance of viewing people as the “other,” and returning to their nations as peace leaders.

In this time of ethnic conflicts all over the world, where a generation has been brought up tending plants sewn by seeds of conflict four or five generations in the past, it could be the most important school on Earth.

“We didn’t want to build a Utopian place where students could pretend war doesn’t exist,” explains Franco Vaccari, co-founder and president of Rondine. “We wanted, rather, to create a neutral ground, away from the chaos of their homelands and bigger Western cities, where our students could focus on a peaceful dialogue.”

The school, called Rondine, which means the swallow in Italian, offers various degrees like a master’s program in conflict management and humanitarian action. Students arrive and begin an intensive course in the Italian language and then proceed to study interfaith dialogue, methodological, and leadership skills to deconstruct the idea of “the enemy” and reconciliation.

At the end of their journey, they are required, as per the scholarship, to go back to their country of origin and lead a peacebuilding and reconciliation program for 1 year.

Ruzica Markovic is one such student who spoke to the Christian Science Monitor about her progress. A Bosnian Croat born in the aftermath of the Balkans War, which saw the ethnically motivated killing of 100,000 people across the region, she has since graduated and returned home to hold interfaith cafe events, conferences, and summer camps focused on reconciliation.

“I learned to see the other person as myself: a being with emotions, challenges, pain, frustrations, maybe some traumas. That’s the lesson I brought back home,” Ms. Markovic told CSM in a video call from Sarajevo.

It’s not as easy a mission as it might seem when walking through the veritable medieval castle that makes up the Rondine campus, filled with gnarled oaks and beautiful Tuscan food, and educators at the Citadel of Peace said that sometimes the news gets turned on and arguments flair up that haven’t been expressed in months.

But many opportunities like shared study, communal dorms, and sporting events all help to reinforce the idea, nay the truth, that the students there are just people, not enemies.

This year’s new class will include Armenians and Azerbaijanis—hot on the heels of the latter’s seizing, and some say ethnic cleansing, of the former’s presence in the disputed territory of Artsakh-Nagorno-Karabakh. It will include Russians and Ukrainians, hot on the heels of the latter’s recent defeat by the former in the Donbas and Kherson.

It will include Canadians and Americans of tribal origin, European origin, and Palestinians and Israelis.

The good news here is a proactive program working on understanding and peace at the grassroots level. Today’s JohnKu talks about getting along. I hope you have a fabulous weekend.

Peace is not easy,

It takes a lot of hard work . . .

And understanding.