Friday JohnKu – AKA TGIF

May 25, 2018May 25, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 52 Comments

Memorial day — American flag flying in the wind

This day, once it is, complete will kick off a three-day weekend. Everyone deserves the promise of time off to honor those who gave so much. As I sit and think about what Memorial Day means to me, I get a profound feeling of gratitude for those who gave their lives that I might be able to live my life in peace. There is nothing I can do to repay their gift other than to pause and remember how dear the sacrifice. So I shall. Today’s JohnKu is a memorial.

Too soon came the call,

For you to offer yourself. . .

To protect our life.

Enjoy the weekend.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

May 11, 2018May 10, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 60 Comments

Here we are. It is almost the weekend already. I hope your week was a good one and you are looking forward to some well deserved time off. Here at the beach, we have finally settled into some beautiful days. We had some high winds that are as a result of a Northern high-pressure front moving in. It is now stationary, so that means the winds are calm and the seas moderate.

The best part is the onshore water is clear and beautiful. When the wind kicks up the surf it also causes turbulence which then makes the sand become water born. This leads to murky conditions which are not the best for view or swimming. We, locals, are always glad to see the deep blue offshore and the gradual blue to turquoise near shore. Most places have signs of spring, and ours is no different. The blue water is a sure sign.

Today’s John Ku talks about signs of season change. I hope you all have a beautiful weekend

Might be a Robin,

Could also be the tree buds . . .

We all know it’s spring.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

April 27, 2018April 26, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

Another week into the history books. I guess we all had our share of triumphs and defeats. I’m not sure we can expect an easy ride but let’s say the bumps in the road make you aware you are going somewhere. I’m sure you have been on an auto trip where you had a long stretch of highway. Isn’t it amazing that you can travel on that road and totally not remember what you have passed? Hit a pothole, and you are instantly transported to the present.

I’m reminded of a flight I was taking from a small town in Indiana to Chicago O’Hare airport. This was a regional carrier and small turboprop aircraft. Where I was seated on the right side of the plane, I could see the pilots and instrument panel. We had just started to enter a holding pattern above the fuel tanks of Gary Indiana when the right engine disintegrated. Yes, chunks came into the cabin, but no one was hit. I was able to hear the pilot’s comment to the co-pilot just as all the lights on the right side of the panel went red and the and the emergency alarm began announcing “Fire.”

So what did the captain say as he was jolted into the here and now? I thought that his words would allow the NTSB to forever close the case with the explanation he shouted out to his co-pilot.

“What the hell was that?” was all he offered.

Long story short we landed safely, we all applauded the pilot and since I was the last to leave I heard him say to the co-pilot, “Some days we do earn our pay.”

Today’s JohnKu talks about those bumps in the road. I hope you have a wonderful Weekend.

Those who expect it smooth,

Are the most disorganized. . .

After the first bump.

Friday John Ku – TGIF

April 20, 2018April 19, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 60 Comments

It is another Friday. If you made it this far,a very enjoyable you should give yourself a pat on the back. There are only about eight more hours until you can lay the burden down and take a rest. (notice I didn’t mention those who didn’t make it. Silent prayer.)

Not much new to report. The puppy is thriving. The book is all formatted. The hills are alive with music.

Today’s John Ku Talks about when things go well. I hope you have a delightful weekend.

The stars are aligned,

Work and play are going well . . .

Enjoy the moment.

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

April 13, 2018April 12, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 73 Comments

Friday has arrived once more. Given the way the stock market has been behaving, I have one more reason to love Friday. It is the eve of two days where the idiots of Wall Street have to be content with no trades. So, no matter what Trump Tweets, or what Congress does not decide, or who Syria decides to murder, the market stays where it is for two blessed days.

When we decide to give up our day jobs things like market volatility take on a new perspective. While working, any drops in the market can be viewed as an “oh well,” situation. While retired, such declines are accompanied by a nitro-glycerin capsule under the tongue. Sage advice is to think in long-term concepts both for those still working and retired folks. That is good advice to follow as long as there is still some lifeline in the long-term.

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

Steady as she goes,

Is good for the heart and soul . . .

Chaos takes its toll.

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

April 6, 2018April 5, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 67 Comments

Another Friday is upon us. I hope your week was good. Ours was fantastic. Our little rescue puppy, Twiggy arrived, and we haven’t been the same since. She is a bundle of energy and has a household of boxers and humans attending to her every whim. Of course, Eight-week-old puppies don’t have many whims. Eat, play, poop, pee, and sleep is about the repertoire. She does love to chase the boxers, and one cannot help laughing out loud at that scene. Two huge dogs running from her as if she just stepped out of an MGM lion logo shot.

The Contract is nearing completion. The paper edition is formatted, and the e-book should be done by the weekend. Gwen and I are formulating the marketing plan and know we will need some volunteers for a launch post. The launch is scheduled for June 11th with a pre-order period of a week before. We will need enough blog stops to fill two weeks. Stay tuned.

Today’s John Ku talks about the newness of life to the young. I hope you have a super weekend.

What seems old to us,

Takes on a new-minted face. . .

When a baby looks.

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

March 30, 2018March 29, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 58 Comments

Another week in the bag. (so to speak). We are happy that all the repairs have been made at our house. Yesterday was the first day in six months that no one was scheduled to come in and do something. The sound of silence is deafening. I have to say after all the angst and loss of hair, the house looks great.

Here is the photo I ran on this blog before the flooring work started.

So here is the finished item. Wider planks, darker wood, more texture in keeping with a beach house.

Today’s John Ku talks about the new normal in a disaster area. I hope you have a great weekend.

Normal completion,

Can be months instead of weeks . . .

Learn patience virtue.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

March 23, 2018March 23, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 60 Comments

Friday is here and a good thing too. I am heading to Galveston to participate in the Galveston Book Fair. The fair is from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM tomorrow. I am driving, and it is a 41/2 hour trip by car, so I need to go up the night before. I have been anticipating this festival in that I have decided to take a local approach to helping spread the word on my books. I plan on two others for this year, and then I will make a decision if I need to continue or go in a different direction.

Like you, marketing my books has been one of the hardest things about being an Indie author. Intellectually I know they won’t sell themselves so outreach tactics are necessary. I still haven’t found the magic bullet for success but will keep trying.

Today’s JohnKu talks about finding the formula for success. I hope you have a lovely weekend.

We all want success,

Although the way may be hard . . .

Quitting’s no option.

Friday – JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

March 16, 2018March 15, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

It all begins fine,

The Gremlins put in two cents . . .

The timeline heads South.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

March 9, 2018March 8, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 56 Comments

Friday is here again. (yay) This week has been busy. I’m doing a beta read, and it is an excellent book. My only problem is getting enough time to sit and read. I think we all know what that’s like. I usually read at night before going to sleep, but the timetable on this book is such that my average pace is a little too slow. So it will be a photo finish. I’ve planned to wrap my day as fast as possible to spend quality time with this piece.

The Contract came back from the editor and so now it is time to do the fine tooth comb read to make the decisions necessary on the excellent suggestions. What I like is we plan to publish the book in June so we can take the time to do the job right. This reminds me to pen a JohnKu that talks about doing the job right. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

A job worth doing,

Is worth doing the right way. . .

So which way is right?