Category: TGIF

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 103 Comments
“This stuff still here? It’s Friday for heaven’s sake.”
“Might be here until June.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Yup.”

 

Well, Friday is here with a promise of temps above freezing. It has been a long week of rolling blackouts and threatened water shortages. I have to say, though, we made it through. A lot of folks had severe damage to their homes from broken water pipes.

We are lucky to be living in a new home that was built with a lot of insulation. We also dripped our faucets for extra protection. It was the dripping that the water company found overwhelming. I guess when you get 11,000 homes dripping faucets all night, it adds up. So they sent a notice on Facebook of all places to knock it off or face water shut off. To us, this is all hearsay since we don’t follow the water department on Facebook. (Wwwhaaatt????) Anyway, tonight is going down to 19 degrees F (-7.2 C. I’m still going to drip. We’ll see if a water shutdown occurs. (I’m such an anarchist, right?)

Looks like all the political folks will be doing investigations to see why the power in the state failed. I think the answer might be that the weather was unprecedented, and no one thought winterizing of the production facilities was necessary. So, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer can stay in cozy Washington. (By the way, since when does having the government involved in an investigation help anyone?)

Let’s give Senator Ted Cruz a big hand for heading to Mexico when his heat went out. You have to feel sorry for those who have no moxie. Even more so for those in public service who don’t hang around and see if they can help.

I see Joe Biden has declared Texas a disaster area yesterday and will be sending generators and bottled water. By the time they get here, it will be 70 degrees. Love the optics, though, Joe.

Today’s JohnKu talks about blame. I hope you all have a great weekend.

Blame by John W. Howell © 2021

When things go badly,

There are some who want to help . . .

Others want to blame.

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 94 Comments

 

“Looks like another cold one, Lucy.”
“Yup, Little one. Another fly the couch day.”

Friday’s here and we are calling it Freez Day. We have temps no higher than the 30s until Wednesday with projections for nighttime temps in the teens or lower. On top of everything they are saying up to 4 inches of snow. As I write this, there is thunder and lightning with rain.

There have been countless accidents on the freeways. In Dallas there was a 100 car pile up. Here in Austin there is a 25 car mess which has the freeway blocked.

Needless to say we are not prepared for this kind of mayhem. The protracted temperatures below freezing will no doubt cause water pipes to burst so that will be another problem for folks.

There is not much we can do about the weather. I would say. “I guess we will stay home,” but that’s what we have been doing since last March.

Today’s John Ku talks about the weather. I hope you all have a super weekend.

The Weather by John W. Howell © 2021

Sometimes the weather,

Makes us feel something is wrong . . .

Then it seems so right.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 90 Comments
Lucy and Twiggy
“It’s Friday Lucy.”
“I see it is by the clock on the wall.”
“Let’s ruckus.”

 

Well, here we are on Friday again. It has seemed like a short week for some reason. I can’t explain why. Maybe it’s busy.

Taxes took up a bit of time this week. I spent 2 1/2 hours on Turbo Tax customer support to fix a problem caused by Microsoft. When I booted up Turbo Tax, I couldn’t get the software updates. I let this situation go several times, but since I bought the disk a while ago, I knew I needed them. I really don’t know what the problem was, but a Microsoft bulletin suggested a couple of fixes that didn’t work. Finally, The tech and I uninstalled the program and then eliminated some programs that looked to be interfering. Long story short, all is well. I had previously saved my work, so nothing was lost except time.

This is Super Bowl weekend, and I always look forward to the commercials. Of course, having two quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady playing against each other should be entertaining.  I guess I’m not alone. The sports pundits are calling this the greatest match-up ever. Who am I to argue. I don’t have a favorite, so I guess whoever plays the best game should win. (DUH John)

Still more executive orders out of Washington. We shall see.

This week’s JohnKu talks about having fun. I hope you all have a great weekend. This week’s view of the neighborhood is a Story walk. See you there.

Super Bowl by John W. Howell © 2021

Yes, time not writing,

Causes us to be stressed out. . .

Time for other fun.

 

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 75 Comments

 

“What are you doing out there, Lucy.”
“Since it’s Friday I’m walking the line to make sure it’s secure.”
“Now at least I know where I get my paranoia.”

We have a Friday! Yes, indeed, it is here.

This week has been a good one. Lots of news from Washington regarding executive orders from the president. Looks like most of the problems of society are ordered to be solved. It will be interesting to see the longer-range effects on some of them. I think most people feel good that something is being done about what are perceived to be inequities.

I have gotten into a rhythm regarding my latest WIP. I’m able to get down something each day, which is an important thing to do. I wrote the last three lines, which I always do, but I am not sure they will stick. Here they are, so you can keep me honest.

Sam feels the light slowly spread around her as the source comes closer from above. Her tears do not obey her will and run unchecked from her eyes. She hesitates but finally looks up into the blinding storm and whispers, “Thank you, my Lord.”

Yes, my WIP is another book with Sam and James. This time they have been called upon to find a soul and guide who are missing on the Eternal Road. The soul is Ryan Sanders, who stayed with his crippled plane in Afghanistan to prevent it from crashing into a settlement. The guide is Eddie Rickenbacker. Yes, that Eddie Rickenbacker. Sanders always admired the WWI pilot.

There you have it. Just enough to keep me on the hook. Oh, one last thing. The first stop on the Eternal Road is Super Bowl I. The book has a working title of On the Road Again, but that probably won’t stick.

Today’s JohnKu is about a story. I hope you all have a great weekend. On Sunday, we are doing a potpourri kind of tour. A little bit of a mixture of things.

The Story by John W. Howell © 2021

You can plan and think,

But until something grabs you . . .

The story is not yours.

Friday – JohnKu – AKA TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 99 Comments
“So it’s Friday Lucy. What should we do?”
“How about what we always do.”
“What’s that?”
“Run around like a couple of nut cases and then take a nap.”
“Works for me. You ready? I’ll give you to three.”

Well, here we are, starting day three of the new administration. As I float around the blogs, I see some of those who worked themselves into a frenzy regarding Trump are now writing hate-filled posts about a few in Washington who have a question about the new direction.

I have to wonder why the name-calling and vitriol on these blogs. I was personally looking forward to seeing that kind of behavior stop once Trump was gone. The continued hate-filled sentiments against anyone who is not in favor of the current administration’s expressed plan is exactly what President Biden asked us not to do. Come on, folks, Trump’s team was defeated. Give it a rest. Because folks don’t agree with you, it doesn’t make them any less American for expressing their views. That is unless you want to live in an environment where all opposing views are stifled. Do you? If so, be careful what you wish.

Today’s John Ku talks about free speech. I hope you all have a great weekend.

Free Speech by John W. Howell © 2021

Is free speech defined,

Within how much you agree?

Or is it all speech?

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 107 Comments
“What are you looking for, Little One?”
“I thought I saw Friday run through here.”
“It is Friday, so you may be right.”

 

It is Friday Twiggy, and I think we are all glad. Seems like this was a longer week than usual.

Thoughts on the week.

I am part of the 1B group (Over sixty-five with an underlying medical problem) eligible for the Covid vaccine. That would be good news, with the exception that there is no vaccine available. It looks like the rollout follows the usual 2020 practice, which is a manifestation of the murphy law that says what can go wrong will. I met with my doctor, and we both agreed to stay in quarantine.  Besides, The Producer is not in an eligible age group, so it makes no sense for me to be protected and then go out and drag that evil back to the house.

As we all know, the house of representatives voted to impeach Trump. Most everyone is happy about this circumstance. I, ,wish they would have spent some time on necessary legislation for the country but do understand congressional leadership needing to carry out the purpose that they stated several years ago. Saving face is a big thing these days. This impeachment should be labeled for what it is – revenge. It does nothing to unite the country. As I read other blogs, it doesn’t look like anyone is in the mood to unite. It is going to be an interesting year. I, for one, hope the new president will be able to work on bringing us back together again. A tall order, but pray he can help get it done.

The inauguration is next week. I’ve stated before that I hope there is enough force in DC so that the punk element will think twice before starting another insurrection.

Today’s JohnKu talks about unity. I hope you all have a super weekend.

Unity by John W Howell © 2021

Unity starts where?

With the government only . . .

No. It starts with us.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 83 Comments
“Yes,Twiggy it’s Friday.”
“Thank heavens. Didn’t think I would make it.”
“Why? What do you have to do?”
“Wait, Lucy, wait.”
“Blessed is he who stands and waits.”
“Well, I sat most of the time, and I’m a she.”

Twiggy gets her wish. Friday is here, and we are all glad. Before I forget I am also at Story Empire today. Here’s the link but come back.

This has been one heck of a start to 2021. We all witnessed an insurrection act that we haven’t seen since the British burned the Capital in 1814. The sight of those Proud Boy hooligans desecrating the House Chamber was enough to turn the stomach.

There was no excuse for this to happen. The Capitol Police had enough warning from the Hooligan in Chief that this could be a possibility. There were not enough officers placed at the Capital to maintain law and order. If the Capital Police didn’t think they had the human resources to do the job, then Federal troops were needed. I’m no lover of the conduct of Congress but seeing them having to scurry out of the place was a sick sight.

I’m betting that law enforcement needs the mandate to enforce. The sight of that Capital guard chased up a flight of stairs made me wonder how far we are willing to let unruly mobs go. You can draw comparisons to the BLM protests all day long and criticize the lack of Police action as much as you want. The fact of the matter is these thugs should never have gotten access to the Capital, and somebody better figure out why they did and fix the problem.

I’m hoping someone does an honest evaluation of the security needs for the inauguration and then takes the steps necessary to eliminate any mob rule threat. I would also hope that an exercise of the 25th Amendment will ensure that inside leadership of any seditious behavior will be absent.
Today’s JohnKu talks about our heritage. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Our Heritage by John W. Howell © 2021

Mocking the Congress,

Flaunting the laws of the land. . .

Not our heratige.

 

Friday JohnKu – AKA – A Brand New Year

~ John W. Howell ~ 72 Comments

 

“Happy New Year, Twiggy.”
“Gee Lucy. It doesn’t seem much different out here.”
“But it is a New Year.”
“That’s true. Happy New Year, Lucy.”

 

Well, here it is at last. The new year with all the hope that the crap from 2020 has been wrung out of our collective crying towel.

Yeah, it feels good to have a new slate. We have to remember that change is not a matter of flipping the calendar. It will take time to ease into what I hope will be the NEW NORMAL. You know where we can all move around without fear. Where we stop calling each other names. Where the radical left and right just go away. Where world peace becomes a priority. Where we can think and plan on the future. Where Congress pulls its collective head out of the place where the sun don’t shine. Where people are viewed as individuals and not generalities. Where opportunity is available to all, who are willing to invest to reach their dreams.

Well, it’s a tall bit of expectation for the new normal. If you share the ideal, I hope you will work to make it happen. Happy New Year

Today’s JohnKu talks about the new year. I hope you all have a great weekend.

New Year by John W. Howell © 2021

It’s not just champagne,

Nor blowing horns with gusto . . .

The New Year is change.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 93 Comments
“Finally Friday, Lucy.”
“Yup Little One. How about a ruckus?”
“Sounds good. I’ll give you a head start.”
“Last one to the fence is a goat.”
“No a cat.”

The last Friday before Christmas is here. I hope everyone has their shopping done. If not, I know special handling (To be read “Big Money”) can get those gifts delivered on time. You have to hurry, though. Time is running out.

It has been a quiet week. I did have one hiccup on Word Press. For some reason, many of the post notifications were not delivered by e-mail. In the course of investigating the problem, I closed my WP site. I thought maybe a reboot was in order. I then got a weird message when I tried to log back into WP.  Here is the message

“Whoops!
There was a small systems error. Please try refreshing the page and if the error is still there, drop us a note and let us know.”

Well, I refreshed the page. Nothing happened. I tried clicking on the link, and again, nothing. I hit the internet and found out it was a 502 error with enough steps to fix it that would drive a rocket scientist crazy. I went for a bike ride instead. When I got back, it was working.

I just hate it when WordPress acts up, and there is almost nothing we as users can do about it. It is an out of control feeling for sure. I apologize if I’ve missed any posts on Wednesday or Thursday. I will be checking the reader and hopefully won’t miss much.

It is now working fine, so I guess I’ll just move on. Today’s JohnKu talks about systems errors. I hope you all have a relaxing weekend.

Them by John W. Howell © 2020

A systoms error,

No problem, I will fix it . . .

Says no one, ever.