Category: A Little Personal

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy’s New Toy

~ John W. Howell ~ 105 Comments

“What’s that, Little One?”

“My new toy. It’s called a green stick.”

“What’s it taste like?”

“Humm. Let me see.”

“Well?”

“I think it tastes like a margarita.”

“Wait a minute. You have never had a margarita.”

“I know, but I’m thinking a margarita would taste like my green stick.”

“I wonder if the big shots at the toy company know that?”

“Well, if they don’t, then someone ought to tell them.”

“Ya hear that you big shots at the toy company. Marketing pro Twiggy says your green stick should be sold as a margarita flavor.”

“Would get a lot of new users, I’ll bet.”

“I think I’ll stick with the bacon flavors.”

“Of course you will. When the next big thing comes along, you’ll still be taking a nap.”

“Hmmm. Now that you mention it. Hey mom. Open the door, please.”

A Little Personal – In memory of My Friend Charlie

~ John W. Howell
Charlie and Joan

 

Ten years ago tomorrow, I lost a dear friend.  His name is Charles L. Gruner, but I always called him Charlie.

Charlie and I met in 1982 when I moved from the East Coast to the Midwest. The company I worked for was headquartered there, and I was given an opportunity that I couldn’t refuse.

I really can’t remember how I met Charlie and his wonderful wife, Joan. I think it might have been a gathering at a neighbor’s house. Charlie lived a couple of blocks over, so it must have been at one of the neighbors. All I know is we hit it off immediately. He is one of those guys who you instantly like. He had a laugh that could be heard across the room. So, if you didn’t know Charlie, you knew of Charlie.

Our relationship became closer as we both went through periods of challenge.  I finally moved away from the area to pursue a new position on the West Coast. We stayed in touch, and then I got some heartbreaking news in 2006. Charlie had Cancer. Well, he beat it that time, and we went on as if nothing was wrong. Although we talked on the phone, I didn’t see Charlie again until the summer of 2011, when I traveled back to the midwest. It was as if we had never been apart. We caught up, and the day flew by. Before the time together was over, Charlie told me he was going to write a book. He wanted to impart some of the knowledge he had acquired in his business life. Charlie was a very successful CEO, and such a book would be a treasure.

One dismal day in December of 2011, his wife called and told me Charlie would not live. I was struck dumb. Twenty-nine years of our friendship was over way too fast. Yet, I was able to talk to him one last time and told him how much I loved him.

Charlie did write his book, and it became published after he was gone. As I indicated in my review, it is a great tool to be kept hidden. If discovered, the secret of the reader’s success will be uncovered.

I still miss Charlie and carry some fond memories.

  • We used to bark like dogs when I drove by his house
  • Charlie would blame the holiday for his overeating
  • He got a pilot’s license and then thought flying too tame
  • He formed his own racing team and drove race cars
  • He loved his wife and his family more than anything
  • He believed it a mark of distinction to be fired from a company
  • He was always willing to help others
  • He always supported whatever I did, even if I made mistakes

 

Charlie’s book is titled Turning Losers into Winners and can be found on Lulu

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Thursday – A Little Personal – Lucy and Twiggy Get New Beds

~ John W. Howell ~ 111 Comments

“Hey, you guys. Mama bought you both a present.”

“What is it?”

“Follow me.”

“Brand new faux fur beds.”

“Dad. Did you say fox fur?”

“No faux, which means false.”

“Smells false too.”

“Hey, Lucy. Give it a try. It’s very soft. Memory foam and all.”

“You go ahead, little one. I’ll watch.”

“This one is fun to dig in.”

“Yeah, looks that way.”

“I think I’ll take this one.”

“Not sure I like a dug-in bed.”

“You saying you want this one?”

“Can you read my eyes?”

“Trouble here, kids?”

“Lucy wants this bed.”

“Well, she’s the oldest. So let her be happy.”

“Well, okay. You happy now, Lucy.”

“I’ll let you know.”

Later that night.

“What do you think, Lucy?”

“ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Thursday – A Little Personal – Lucy and Twiggy Back to Nature

~ John W. Howell ~ 97 Comments

“Where are you going?”

“Just out back here. I want to check the flowers.”

“Sound fun. I want to help.”

“Okay, by me. I was just going to have a sniff.”

“Look in this little pot. What is this?”

“Hmmm. Can’t see from here. I’ll have to come over there.”

“Your eyes okay? You should be able to see from there.”

“Just getting older little one. Ah yes, this is ivy and sage.”

“These roses still smell great.”

“It won’t be long until they stop blooming. But, of course, you would think by December second they would have stopped by now.”

“These thorns are still pretty strong.”

“You better leave those alone. Those are Mama’s pets.”

“I thought we were Mama’s pets.”

“We are but in a different way. Think if someone tried to hurt us. Mama would have a fit.”

“I get it. You see this?”

“What is it?”

“I’m not sure, but it is slow-moving.”

“Don’t touch that thing. It’s a chinch bug. Put that in your mouth, and you’ll foam like a rabid dog.”

“I guess that would drive Mama up the wall.”

“Yes, we don’t need that kind of drama.”

“So what else do we have to check?”

“You know, I think we should see if those lounge chairs still hold our weight.”

“You’re not saying we are fat, are you?”

“No, I’m thinking we are tired, though.”

Thursday – A Little Personal – Happy Thanksgiving From Our House to Yours

~ John W. Howell

“We are wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving, right, Twiggy?”

“Uh..Oh, yeah, Right.”

“Where was your head, Little one.”

“On the turkey smell coming from the house.”

“Does smell good.”

“I’m thinking of an Olympic counter surf, Lucy.”

“Try to control yourself. There will be plenty.”

“Not my strongest suit.”

Comments are closed since we are off for the day. However, we are thankful for you.

Wednesday – A Little Out of the Ordinary with Lucy and Twiggy

~ John W. Howell ~ 105 Comments

“Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving Dad decided to let us have Wednesday.”

“You look a little strange. Do you feel okay?”

“Hey Dad. What’s up with the cartoon?”

“I’m trying to see if you two would make it in a children’s book.”

“That seems like a good idea. Can’t we just be ourselves?”

“I’m not sure how photos will be received. How about a black and white sketch?”

“You know I think this is worse.”

“Okay then let’s go with cartoon for now.”

“Wasn’t the purpose of this post to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving?”

“You can still do that.”

“What do you think, Lucy?”

“I think the boss has pretty much put us on the spot.”

“Yeah maybe we should just play ball and hope this cartoon thingy goes away.”

“I wonder what cartoon kibble tastes like?”

“I’m not sure I want to find out. I wonder about a cartoon ball too.”

“Go get it and see.”

“I think that is the best thing to do. Here I go.”

“Be careful. You never know. The toon goop may be wet.”

“Sure smells okay. I guess it’s going to play okay.”

“Well, that’s a good thing. Not sure I want my kibble in cartoon though.”

“We’ll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it.”

“Wait a minute. Has this toon gone to your head? You are sounding like an adult.”

Let’s wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, Little One.”

“Yes, and a hope that we return to normal next week.”

Happy Thanksgiving.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Lucy and Twiggy Deal with a Conundrum

~ John W. Howell ~ 109 Comments

“Lucy, there must be something wrong.”

“Why do you say that, Little One?”

“Do you see all those leaves?”

“Yes, but this is fall. The leaves come off the trees.”

“I’m worried cause yesterday there were none.”

“Yes, that’s true, but we had some high winds last night.”

“Are you sure this is normal? Look how they’ve fallen all at once.”

“Yeah, that does seem a bit strange.”

“Come down here and take a close look at the leaves.”

“If that will make you feel better, okay.”

“What do you think?”

“They look normal to me. All dead.”

“Dead? What are you talking about?”

“Trees go through a cycle. The leaves are meant to die and fall off. Then they grow back in the spring.”

“Even if it is normal, it doesn’t make me feel any better about dying leaves.”

“I know how you feel. But, since there is nothing we can do, how about a game of tag?”

“Are you ‘it?'”

“Of course.”

Thursday – A Little Personal – Veterans Day 2021

~ John W. Howell ~ 94 Comments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“It is a beautiful flag. We should remind everyone that today is the day to remember all those who have served our country in the armed services.”

“Yes, Twiggy and to also remember those who served but are now across the rainbow bridge.”

“I think we owe them a lot, Lucy.”

“We do Little One and mostly we owe them our thoughts and thanks for protecting our freedoms.”

“You think a message coming from a couple of dogs is okay?”

“I think they will like it.”

 

Thursday -A Little Personal – A Rainy Day

~ John W. Howell ~ 93 Comments

“So here we are. Raining cats and dogs out there.”

“Yup, so you need to find something to do.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I think I will lay down right here and take a nap.”

“Well, that’s fine for you old-timers, but we youngsters need action.”

“Go get your orange ball then. That thing bounces everywhere.”

“That’s a good idea. I love that ball.”

“Maybe we can play with it later. But, in the meantime, you need to stay occupied.”

“I don’t see it over here. This is where I left it.”

“Well, keep looking. You must know where you last had it.”

“No luck. I have looked everywhere.”

“How about that green ball you were so crazy over last week?”

“That green ball has lost its attraction. Humm, I wonder about eel.”

“There you go. A little game of tug’o war with the Boss.”

“See, there’s the problem. Dad is working on his WIP. So he won’t be ready till later.”

“Okay then. Why not think of something you can do by yourself?”

“Thinking by myself is about all I can do by myself. I wish it would stop raining.”

“It will, Little One. You need to have patience.”

“Patience? What’s that?”

“Oh yeah, I forgot who I’m talking to right now.”

Thursday – A Little Personal – Lucy and Twiggy Survey the Rain Effects

~ John W. Howell ~ 114 Comments

“Whoa. Look at the stuff on the porch.”

“I know, Little One. You should see the stuff on the grass.”

“That’s a lot of leaves.”

“You’re not kidding. The boss better gets to work.”

“Look at the rocks. They are wet.”

“So’s the patio.”

“How much rain did we get?”

“Not much. I would say a half-inch. It was the wind that caused all the tree stuff to fall.”

“What are you looking at for heaven’s sake?”

“I’m not sure. It’s not moving, though.”

“What now?”

“I thought I saw something scurry under the lounge.”

“Before I run over there, it is a false alarm?”

“I’m afraid so. It was a leaf that turned over.”

“Well. I’m heading back in. Nothing is interesting out here.”

“You have to keep your eyes open. There are interesting things everywhere. Check out this stick.”

“Come on, Lucy. All this stuff is just normal.”

“You need to think differently, Little One. Almost everything is special if you look closely.”

Oh, wait. This stick taste like bacon.”

“See what did I tell you?”

“I might have exaggerated a little.”

“But you are trying.”