tuck.”

September 7, 2024September 6, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 50 Comments

Coffee can’t come soon enough. There should be a way to start an IV while still in bed. In that way, stepping on legos, stubbed toes, tripping over footstools, and all manner of mayhem might be avoided. Such is impractical, so one must go through the minefield to reach the golden elixir. The first sip is worth the trouble. Once the brain came to life, the clock was the first thought. Although there was no tock to accompany the tick, the tech behind it is intact. It is set on September 6, 1914, and the tack is Atlantic City, New Jersey. A safety tuck under the arm and a plunger pull find us immediately at the Miss America pageant.

The fourth annual Miss America Pageant was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and won by Miss Philadelphia, Ruth Malcomson (1906—1988). The 1922 and 1923 winners, Mary Katherine Campbell (who had entered from Ohio as Miss Columbus), placed First Runner-Up. The pageant marked the last time previous winners were eligible to enter the Miss America pageant.

Mary Katherine Campbell ( December 18, 1905 – June 7, 1990) was The only person to win the Miss America pageant twice and the second woman in history to win the title.

Just as we were about to meet and greet the winners, the alarm drops us onto the old trusty couch. A text has arrived from Linda Hill. It reads:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “tack/tech/tick/tock/tuck.’” Use one or use ’em all for the bonus points. Enjoy!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link: https://lindaghill.com/2024/09/06/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-sept-7-2024/

“All those women and you didn’t get to talk to any?”

“That’s right. A sad thing, too.”

“I think you should take me with you on these ventures.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because I would know what to do instead of standing around until the time ran out.”

“What would you do?”

“Get a few phone numbers. Maybe ask one out.”

“They are in the past. You know that, right? What good would a phone number do you?”

“Hmm. You make a good point. Okay, maybe just a quick hug.”

“I could see you getting hauled off to jail for assault.”

“All right, never mind. Let’s take a new tack.”

“Okay.”

“Does the tech in that tick-tock allow for return visits?”

“I suppose it does.”

“There you go then. We tuck that puppy in a bag and take it with us.”

“And?”

“When we need to extend time, we reset it and return.”

“Let me think on that.”

“I know the perfect thought juice.”

“VooDoo Ranger, right?”

“How did you guess?”

“How about Uber?”

“Right over there.”

“A 1949 Ford truck.”

“Looks that way. Of course, the 49 and 50 looked just like it.”

“The important part is you seem fascinated with trucks.”

“Yeah, I guess a soft spot, and we can buy two more VooDoo Rangers with what we save on the fare.”

“What do you mean ‘we?'”

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

September 6, 2024September 5, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 76 Comments

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

In the Choctaw Nation’s territory in Oklahoma, tribal leaders have erected a knotted statue to honor a 170-year-old cross-continental connection.

The “Eternal Heart” sculpture, combining a heart with a Celtic trinity shape, was designed to honor the eternal bond forged between the Choctaw Nation and the most unlikely of people: the Irish.

In 1847, when Ireland was experiencing years of starvation due to potato blight, the North American Choctaw tribe joined a compassionate campaign in the U.S. to help these strangers a whole ocean away from them.

Despite their own suffering, having been forced to relocate hundreds of miles from their native land, the tribe pooled their pennies and raised $170 (almost $5,000 in today’s currency) through a relief fund to send to Midleton in County Cork.

An early artist impression of the sculpture in Cork—released to the press.

Nine years ago, a soaring silver monument to honor these donations was unveiled in Cork, and Choctaw leaders were invited to the grand unveiling.

“The bond between our nations has strengthened over the years,” Chief Batton said. “We are blessed to have the opportunity to share our cultures, and meet the generous people who have continued to honor a gift from the heart.”

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Navajo and Hopi nations were experiencing high rates of infection, and the Irish saw their moment to demonstrate that they remembered the kindness shown to them by America’s native peoples. Irish donors raised $2.7 million for water and supplies through a GoFundMe, with many leaving messages of remembrance and hope.

“Ours is a debt that can never be repaid, but please consider this a small token of love and solidarity from your Irish brothers and sisters. Praying for the strength, well-being, and prosperity of your community always,” said Caroline Kelly, adding a Gaelic message of unity. “Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine.”

“When the Choctaw people had nothing, they gave Ireland all they could at a time when we needed it most. I know it’s not much, but I hope this helps our friends in their time of need,” added Ciaran Mc Brearty.

One of the truly wild parts of this historical story is that the people of 19th century Ireland who ultimately benefitted from the Choctaw donations didn’t learn about the aid money’s origin until decades after the famine had ended.

One can only imagine their surprise when the Midleton residents found out that it came not from Catholics or countrymen but from a group of ‘Indians,’ the conceptualizations of whom the Irish would have only possessed via written accounts of colonial explorers, and the high drama contained in early Wild West, Cowboys and Indians-like material distributed by publishers in America.

In 1995, then-Irish President Mary Robinson visited the Choctaw Nation to express gratitude and rekindle the friendship between the two nations. During the visit, President Robinson was appointed “Honorary Chief of the Choctaw Nation.” This historic visit began a renewed commitment to honor the bond forged by the Choctaws’ selfless act.

“It is a great honor to have a hand in exemplifying the Choctaw-Irish connection through my art,” said Choctaw sculptor Samuel Stitt. “The Choctaw culture of giving and caring for others is passed down to each generation. The ‘Eternal Heart’ is an artistic interpretation of how the Irish people and Choctaw Nation will forever be connected by that human characteristic of compassion—one people for another.”

The unveiling of the “Eternal Heart” sculpture reminds us of the power of compassion and solidarity and stands as a testament to the enduring friendship between the Choctaw Nation and the people of Ireland.

The good news in this report is helping others form a bond that could last a lifetime. Today’s JohnKu talks about helping others. I hope you have a wonderful week.

A simple gesture,

Of kindness to one in need . . .

Brings both together.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Tempeste Shows Twiggy Agility

September 5, 2024September 4, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 126 Comments

“Hey, Twiggy. I’ve been to an agility class. You want to see what I learned?”

“I would like that. I’ve never been.”

“Okay, so this thing is called a tire. I don’t know why, but it is.”

“So what do you do with it?”

“The idea is to jump through it.”

“Wow. You did that nicely.”

“They raise it up, so jumping through gets harder. Right now, it is perfect.”

“Are there other things to jump?”

“Oh yeah. There is a crossbar, and they also have these sticks you have to weave through. My favorite is the tunnel.”

“Sounds like work. I’ll meet you in the yard. The sun isn’t on the turf yet, so we can play.

“The panther sees movement in the tall grass.”

“The puma stays downwind and is ready to spring a trap.”

“The panther slowly stalks its prey. The sight of the puma’s pointy ears makes an easy target.”

“The puma regulates breathing to minimize movement .”

“The panther makes contact and wishes the puma a good day.”

“The puma returns the greeting and decides to make a confrontation some other day.

“The panther executes a sneak attack.”

“The puma readies razor-sharp teeth for a bite on the panther’s neck.”

“Have you ever noticed how my shadow looks like Batman?”

“Another score for attention deficit on the panther side.

Top Ten Things Not to Do When You Have a Sitter

August 19, 2024August 18, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 68 Comments

This post ran on July 16, 2018. Since sitters are still in fashion, I think it might still be good advice.

* * *

The inspiration for this list was a discussion about Alexa and what would happen if one asked Alexa remotely to turn on the lights and music while a sitter was in the house. That was just the priming of the pump I needed to develop Ten Things.

Top Ten Things Not to Do When You Have a Sitter

10 If you have a sitter, do not say, “Help yourself to anything in the fridge.” If you do, at best, the sitter will be on a diet. At worst, that week’s worth of shopping that you just put in the fridge will need to be replaced tomorrow. (It is amazing how someone so small can put away that kind of food huh, Eaton?)

9 If you have a sitter, do not ask Alexa to turn on the lights and music from a remote location. If you do, at best, the sitter will call the police. At worst, Your sitter, Tiny, the WWF champ, who you hired after the local minister said he needed a chance to be responsible, will knock out each wall with a lamp trying to protect the kids. (Well, the joke is on you, Ed. Looks like your good deed did not go unpunished.)

8 If you have a sitter, do not let them invite their friends over. If you do, at best, the police will be called early. At worst, you will be reading how the party that started at your house spread to a city-wide night of rampage. ( That bill for repairs looks like the national debt, Eddy.)

7 If you have a sitter, do not let them prepare dinner. If you do, at best, 100% of your dishes will find their way to the sink. At worst, the fire department could not find a working hydrant and could only watch as your house became a vacant lot. (Lucky for you, there is insurance. Oh, wait! Someone forgot to send in the premium, and the cancellation notice is in the former mailbox, Elton.)

6 If you have a sitter, do not let them use your computer. If you do, at best, your data cap was reached in two hours, and now you have dial-up speed for the rest of the month. At worst, your computer picked up so many viri the tech at the computer store declared it a DOA. ( It is a shame that you never backed up that 100,000-word novel, Evander.)

5 If you have a sitter, do not let them choose a movie on pay TV. If you do, at best, they will fall asleep after only one selection. At worst, you receive your bill and note that the sitter selected twenty movies and only watched six minutes of each. (Well, Ever. The charges stick after five minutes. You never said, “Just pick one.”)

4 If you have a sitter, do not leave the liquor cabinet unlocked. If you do, at best, your sitter is a teetotaler. At worst, unbeknownst to you, your sitter was just released from a twelve-step residency program. The array of bottles was just too much. (Well, this is a fine mess. Not only is all your liquor gone, but the sitter insists that you need to pay for another stay in the clinic. After all, Elwood. You were the one who left that temptation.)

3 If you have a sitter, do not leave your checkbook on the kitchen counter. If you, at best, the pizza box will cover it. At worst, on the next statement, you’ll find that the sitter has given a self-issued generous tip. (Don’t try to find the sitter, Eadward. Russia has no extradition treaty with the US.)

2 If you have a sitter, do not tell your friends who it is. If you do, at best, the sitter availability will be rare. At worst, you will be in a bidding war for the sitting service and will only quit when the sitter earns more than you. (You would like to make that kind of money, wouldn’t you, Eamon?)

1 If you have a sitter, do not let your kids influence your choice. If you do, at best, none of your rules will be followed. At worst, before you know it, you have an additional member of the family, and now you have to get a new sitter. (At least all the kids get along, Eberhard.)

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste Visit Aunt Kizzy

August 15, 2024August 13, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 88 Comments

“Here we are at Kizzy’s house.”

“Oh boy, it has been a while.”

How about you, Tempest? Ready to see Kizzy?”

“”Yeah, I can’t wait to jump on that big ole horse.”

“Okay, kids It’s time to play. Inside or out?”

“You have to be kidding. Inside, of course. It’s 10,000 degrees out here.”

“Hey Tempeste have I ever shown you my lion imitation?”

“No, Kizzy, I don’t think so.”

“Check it out. Grouffffff.”

“You have some serious teeth in there.”

“Twiggy why are you so quiet.”

“Well, for one, I’m a little nervous around lions, and I think you have it.”

“Aw, you know the saying. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. I think I knocked her out”

“Just be careful down there. Lions know how to play possum.”

Whoa, you are right. This one just attacked.”

“You are all mine now, you panther pipsqueak.”

“Twiggy, are you going to help your sister?”

“In a word Dad. Nope.”

“That’s okay, Dad. I got this.”

“Sure you do, ersatz panther. You have a first-course booking on the lion menu.”

“Who you calling ersatz? Come on, big stuff. You want a piece of me?”

“I’ve changed my mind. I think you will be dessert.”

“So Tempeste. After you take care of that lion, I think there is a treat waiting.”

“Yeah, hold on. I’m starting my Panther stalk right now.”

“Well, girls. Did you have fun?”

“We certainly did. Aunt Kizzy is so much fun.”

“How about you, Kizzy?”

“I love it when these guys come to visit.”

“Well, see you next week. Bye now.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Purchases

August 13, 2024August 12, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 63 Comments

Today, I opened the book The Last Drive randomly to page 87 and, without looking, pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “purchases.””

“So, what’s in the bag?”

“I couldn’t help myself.”

“Okay, what is it?”

“Not an it.”

“There are a few things in the bag?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Are they a secret?”

“No, not really.”

“Well, can I see them?”

“You can’t laugh.”

“Why would I laugh?”

“Cause they may seem a little strange.”

“Okay, I won’t laugh.”

“Here they are.”

“What are they?”

“Magic beans.”

“What? Where did you get these?”

“A guy in the Costco parking lot. He sold them to me.”

“Sold? How much.”

“Oh, no money. Just our firstborn.”

“Huh?”

“Yeah. We don’t plan to have kids, so I thought, what the heck.”

“Jack, you idiot.”

“What?”

“The test was positive.”

“Oh. Well, he doesn’t know our address.”

“Did the guy have red hair?”

“Yes. How did you know.”

“Give the nice man standing behind you his beans back.”

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway – Pops With Cops

August 11, 2024August 10, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 61 Comments

Today, we are going to visit Rough Hollow, a neighborhood in Lakeway. It is at the Rough Hollow Visitors Center, where the Lakeway Police Department is hosting an event titled Pops with Cops. No, it isn’t a cocktail hour but frozen treats to help stave off the effects of the heat. We are catered by Eberly of Austin, and our entertainment is Jan and Dean.

HALIBUT pomme purée, pepper relish, watercress salad

SALMON crispy rice cake, romanesco, citrus, chive beurre blanc, trout roe

EGGPLANT MILANESE basil purée, toasted almonds, charred zucchini & tomato salad

HALF CHICKEN Parisian gnocchi, caper-brown butter jus, arugula

SHORT RIB ‘nduja collard greens, grilled corn, radish, chimichurri

PORK CHOP confit potatoes, spinach mustard seed-bacon glaze

TEXAS WAGYU STRIP sautéed kale, confit garlic, bordelaise

Picture of an old time school bus

So let’s go.

A poster announcing the event.

The Rough Hollow Welcome Center.

Another photo of the center with Police cars in attendance.

Motor cycle officers getting ready.

A nice selection of frosty treats.

Lakeway City Councilman Kent O’Brian taking a selfie with the officers

I think it turned out very well.

I thought I would share some more photos of the Rough Hollow Center, including the splash pad.

Kids play area.

The swimming pool. In addition, the center has a complete workout facility and tennis court.

I have a disclaimer here. There were other photo opportunities of officers with kids, but my policy is to avoid taking photos of children for this blog. Everyone had a great time.

So let’s enjoy the food and music. I hope you have a great week.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Pore/Poor/Pour

August 3, 2024August 2, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 66 Comments

The coffee machine is taking its sweet time producing the brew I need. Desire is like a pore that gets bigger. When the cup finally arrives, the tendency is to pour it directly down the throat. My poor body is screaming, but a sip will have to suffice. Once done, my attention turns to the clock. It is set for August 3rd, 1924. The destination is Lyon, France, and the duration is an hour. The plunger is pulled.

We find ourselves in Lyon, the site of the 1924 Grand Prix of France.

Giuseppe Campari of Italy won the French Grand Prix, driving an Alfa Romeo P2 and finishing first among 22 drivers, more than one minute ahead of Albert Divo of France. The race took place over 35 laps for a total distance of 810.09 km.

We now know that Giuseppe competed in auto races until 1933. He was also a professional opera singer. Sadly, he was 41 years old when he was killed in a crash in 1933.

Just as the champaign corks start flying, our alarm goes off, and we land safely on the trusty couch. Linda’s text is waiting. It reads.

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “pore/poor/pour.’” Use any of them or use them all. Bonus points if you fit ’em all into your post. Have fun!

If you are curious about what other bloggers do with this prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2024/08/02/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-aug-3-2024/

“Looks like you got the bonus.”

“Yup. One more lug nut for my Bentley Turbo convertible.”

“You crack me up with that.”

“We all have to have a goal.”

“Yeah, but a Bentley Turbo?”

“Name a better one.”

“Best-selling author?”

“One that is achievable.”

“How about a Voo Doo Ranger?”

“I think you have something there. Uber?”

“Right over there.”

“That looks like a 1979 GMC Caballero.”

“It beats me. All those kinds of cars look the same.”

“It’s a classic. Of course, the cabin is a little cramped. Maybe you could ride in the back.”

“You would have to pour me out at the pub with my poor, very sore anal pore.”

“TMI, let’s all sit up front.”

“Good solution.”

Calling All Beta Readers – The Last Book in the Eternal Road Series

July 24, 2024July 31, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 53 Comments

This is a call for beta readers for the final book in the Eternal Road series. The working title is Another Look – At the Eternal Road. I ask readers to finish the book by September 10th, 2024, and then answer these questions.

1 Did you find the story enjoyable?

2 Were there any parts that you felt were confusing?

3 Was the pace to your liking?

4 Any missing parts?

5 Was the ending satisfactory?

Before you agree to read, you must know that this is a rough edit without the benefit of a professional editor. That will be done after the beta read stage is finished. Also, if you have a suggested title in mind, please feel free to suggest it.

Here is the blurb.

Sam and James are dragged into another strange assignment when a couple of souls on The Eternal Road drop off the radar. Archangel Micheal gives the pair specific orders to resolve the issue and get Billy Ray Chitwood, the national race car champion, and Dale Earnhardt, his guide, back on the task of finding Billy’s Eternal Home.

Finally meeting up with Billy Ray and Dale, the foursome finds themselves in a future where World War III has devastated the country. The team discovers the cause of the start of the war and vows to mitigate that circumstance and save the world from devastation. They encounter their old nemesis, Lucifer, who has in mind trading the war for Sam accepting his offer to be his queen in exchange.

Will Sam and James overcome Lucifer’s interference and change the course of history, or is Sam destined to be Lucifer’s queen in exchange for world peace?

This may be the book for you if you like your fiction to have twists, action, uncertain outcomes, and a little paranormal interplay.

If you would like to read the book in beta, please e-mail me at johnhowell (dot) wave (at) gmail (dot) com. The file will be a PDF. Let me know if you prefer a different one.

Thank you in advance for helping.

Top Ten Things Not to Do Out of Town if You Are an Author.

July 1, 2024June 30, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 84 Comments

This post ran on June 4th, 2018, but I think the advice holds.

* * *

The inspiration for this list was a trip to Phoenix Arizona this weekend to attend the birthday party of my best friend.

10 If you are an author out of town, do not try to keep up with your e-mails. If you do, at best, in your haste, you’ll trash many e-mails that you want to read. At worst, you will delete your entire e-mail account, including the publishing contract and acceptance letter from Simon & Schuster. (They wanted to hear from you in a week, Eduardo. Oh well, maybe the next book.)

9 If you are an author out of town, do not think Tiny the WWF champ will excuse you for taking all the armrest space on the flight as you work on the next draft of your book on your computer. If you do, at best, you may lose the feeling in that arm. At worst, the plane will be diverted to an alternate airport as the Air Marshals attempt to subdue Tiny, who keeps yelling something about “limb from limb.” (You never knew Tiny had such an uneasy feeling about an arm in his face, did you, Ellis?)

8 If you are an author out of town, do not start reading the hijack scene from your book out loud during your flight. If you do at best, your whisper will be unheard. At worst, some well-meaning passenger will have you in a hammerlock before you can explain. ( I think the part about “This plane is under control of the Hamas empire got the guy upset, don’t you, Esteban?)

7 If you are an author out of town, do not try your latest dialog on a fellow bar patron. If you do, at best, you will be met with stony silence. At worst, the patron will think you are handing out a pick-up line, and your face might be met with the business end of a gin and tonic. (Wow, that was a surprise, huh Emilio? I think the bouncer is headed your way.)

6 If you are an author out of town, do not think you can openly try to explain your next book to a hapless passenger waiting for a flight in the terminal. If you do, at best, you might recognize the eye glaze in enough time to avert embarrassment. At worst, You will have gone one step over the line, and your victim will be anxiously trying to get the attention of the security folks. (Looks like the story might need a bit of rework, Edison.)

5 If you are an author out of town, do not try to place a few of your books on the airport newsstand in the terminal next to a famous author. If you do, at best, they won’t get tossed. At worst, the customer who picks up one of your books suddenly discovers they meant to get the famous author and now demands their money back. (It seems they are quite vocal, Eliot. The clerk cannot find the stock number in the register, and the security is headed this way.)

4 If you are an author out of town, do not try to crash another author’s signing just because you don’t think anyone will recognize you. If you do, at best, you will be asked to leave quietly. At worst, your next-door neighbor just happens to walk in and wonders loudly why you are there. (Looks like the author has noticed you there in the back of the room, Ewan. He is not pleased, and maybe you should not have picked an ex-SEAL author’s party to crash.)

3 If you are an author out of town, do not try to create a new story out of the location of your stay if it is commonplace. If you do, at best, it will be a dead-end story. At worst, once the story is finished, you will realize how boring the location really is. (It would have been nice to discover this earlier, huh, Elgin.)

2 If you are an author out of town, don’t think you must write every sight and conversation in your notebook. If you do, at best, you will miss an authentic experience. At worst, the guy you have been profiling might suddenly catch on. ((You have awakened a sleeping giant, Egan. Too bad the giant is in a witness protection program due to testifying against a mob boss and thinks you made him.)

1 If you are an author out of town, do not miss your flight while trying to get that last paragraph critical to your story written. If you do, at best, there is another flight in an hour. At worst, you just missed the last flight and now must spend the night in the terminal. (It looks like the only spot to sleep is on the floor, Errol. I don’t like the looks of that guy in the hoodie. Do you?)