Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day #JusJoJan

January 6, 2016January 5, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 31 Comments

Wednesday story day again here and One-Liner Wednesday in some other places. Last time we witnessed Ben fall completely apart by acquiescing to the wishes of Alexis to prevent her from leaving him. We also got a little foreshadowing of the danger when Alexis’ father suggested to Ben that he run away. Of course, Ben did not take the hint and is now under Mrs. Wolfe’s and Alexis’ thumb. We need to go back and see if there is any redeeming value in this relationship. Don’t forget a clothes pin for your nose. It might come in handy.

“So Ben tell me all about your ability to make four separate detonation devices that will work.”
“Mrs. Worthe, I have already told you I have everything ready. All we need is the C4.”
“And you can make them set the charge off remotely?”
“Yes of course.”
“Very well. I will get you the C4. I think it should be put in place as soon as possible. These college students will be coming back mid-month. I think it will be easier to get the explosives in place while there are not so many witnesses.”
“With all the kids back I think it will be easier to deploy the devices.”
“How so Ben?”
“If there are more students Alexis and I won’t be noticed going into the student union. Also, the security camera videos will be harder to single Alexis and I out once the shit hits the fan. Yes, we will be in disguise, but if we are the only two students walking into the union, it won’t be though tracking us down.”
“Okay, you make a good point. Let’s shoot for the sixteenth. All the kids will be back and the union will be packed since it is a Saturday night. They still serve beer there right?”
“Yes, ma’am they do. It will be perfect.”
“Okay, this gives us about a week to make sure everything is ready. We will send our ransom demand on the following Monday.”
“Ooh, Mom. That’s perfect since that is the first day of classes and the whole campus will be filled.”
“Thank you, Alexis dear. Your mom still has a brain. Now Ben get me the schematics for the bombs. I want to look at them.”
“They are here in my backpack. I’ll pull them out.”
“Good boy.”
“Alright, Mrs. Wolfe do not move a muscle.”
“Ben what do you think you are going to do with that gun?”

This post is part of JusJoJan and if you would like to play go to the rules post. http://lindaghill.com/2015/12/31/just-jot-it-january-2016-rules/

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #58 by Keith Channing #JusJoJan

January 5, 2016January 4, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 23 Comments

I guess by now you all know I love writing prompts, and Keith Channing posts a picture once a week on Mondays. You can go here and see the post http://channing.info/wp/2016/01/04/kreative-kue-58/

And here is the picture.

“Do you believe it is 2016 already?”

“I know right? It seems like it was just a couple of days ago it was 2015.”

“Erm. It was 2015 a couple of days ago. I was making a comment on how fast time goes by.”

“Oh, I get it. Hey, what is Jerry doing back there?”

“Back where?”

“In the stern. He’s pulling something out of the water.”

“Could be the bumper genius. One may have gone overboard.”

“I don’t think so. I’m going aft to check it out.”

“Take the walkie talkie with you.”

“I got it. Can you read me?”

“I’m standing next to you. Of course, I can read you. Also, you need to turn the thing on.”

“Oh yeah. Gosh. Makes me look foolish right?”

“Yeah right. Now go back there and contact me when you find out what Jerry’s doing.”

“Captain, can you read me? Over”

“Yes. I can read you. What’s going on? Over”

“Jerry has hooked some kind of tube. It looks like it might be a scientific buoy. Over.”

“Is it heavy? Over”

“Naw. It’s pretty light.”

“Bring it to the bridge. Over.”

“On my way. Over and out.”

“Hey, cap. Look at this thing.”

“I’ll be damned. I’ve read about these but never thought I would see one. I know what that is.”

“You do?”

“Yes. it’s a document carrier. It’s used in the submarine service to carry important documents. If anything happens to the sub this thing is supposed to be jettisoned and explode at a preset depth.”

“Did you say explode?”

“Come to think about it I wonder why this thing is intact. Let me take a picture of it and send it to the naval office.”

“Do I hear ticking?”

“Don’t be silly. It’s obvious something malfunctioned and the pod did not self-destruct. We need to turn this into the Navy. To be safe, we better tow it a few yards astern. Tie it off with a line and throw it overboard.”

“Aye aye.”

“Did you get it deployed?”

“Yes. Not too soon I’m thinking.”

“I got a text from the navy and they have identified the pod as a document carrier.”

“Really. Which sub was it on.”

“They are not sure and need to open it. What was that noise?”

“I think the pod just went off.”

“See if Jerry’s okay. I’ll circle back. Maybe there’s some debris.”

“Captain? Over.”

“Yes. Over.”

“Jerry’s fine. Over.”

“Good. Over and out.”

Well, the captain and crew never found any debris and all they have left is the photo. The mystery of which submarine released the document carrier may never be solved.

This post is part of JusJoJan and if you would like to play go to the rules post. http://lindaghill.com/2015/12/31/just-jot-it-january-2016-rules/

Wednesday – Story Day – AKA Hump Day

December 30, 2015December 28, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 29 Comments

Wednesday Story Day again. If you recall we left Mrs. Wolfe goading Alexis into wanting to not only blow the student union but to turn on poor Ben. It seems Alexis has no inheritance and she is now looking at Ben in a different light. She doesn’t want to be confined to living the life afforded by a normal salary of an engineer. She is now out for blood. Ben of course is taken back and tells Mrs. Wolfe to shut up. Let’s go to see if Ben still lives.

“Don’t you dare tell me to shut up you little weasel.”
“Well you should close your mouth instead of spreading your poison to Alexis.”
“I think I can think on my own Ben.”
“Alexis. Don’t you see what she’s doing?”
“I see she has a concern for my future. Unlike some little minded engineer types who will go unnamed.”
“Come on Alexis. You and I were very happy until your mother stirred the pot.”
“Happy how? I was counting on my inheritance to offset the lack of money you were going to make. I let you believe I was okay with your little meager goals since I knew I had enough money to do what I wanted.”
“And what is it you want to do?”
“I want to travel and not in a trailer either. I want jewels and nice clothes. I want to eat in the finest places.”
“I get it Alexis. You want all the things a few million can buy.’
“Yes Ben. That’s what I want.”
“Okay Mrs Wolfe. You win. I’ll do anything to keep Alexis.”
“Now you are talking like a real grown up Ben.”
“Yes Ben. I have to admit you are cute and I would hate to have to give you up. I’m glad you see it our way.”
“Run Ben.”
“Excuse me sir?”
“You should get out of here while you still can. These two will own your soul if you’re not careful.’
“Be quiet my dear. Here take this drink and go back to your book. We’ll tea good care of Ben. Won’t we Alexis.”
“Oh, yes mommy. Ben is in very good hands. Come sit next to me Ben.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #57 by Keith Channing

December 29, 2015December 28, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 20 Comments

I guess by now you all know I love writing prompts, and Keith Channing posts a picture once a week on Mondays. You can go here and see the post http://channing.info/wp/2015/12/28/kreative-kue-57/

Here is the photo and my interpretation follows.

“Silent night, Holy night, All is calm, All is bright—”

“Whoa. Look at Sam.”

“What do you mean?”

“Look at his face.”

“His face? I can’t see his face.”

“That’s what I’m talking about.”

“Please tell me. I still don’t understand.”

“His whole head is a blur.”

“I don’t see that. What’s going on?”

“I hate to tell tales, but I think old Sammy had one too many at the cocktail party.”

“Were you watching him?”

“It was hard not to. He must have gone back to the bar ten times.”

“Ten times? You counted?”

“Well I followed him so’s I could keep track.”

“And you saw him get a drink each time.”

“I sure did.”

“Did you get a drink each time as well.”

“Well yes. I didn’t want him to get suspicious.”

“Did you drink them all?”

“Yeah, so what?”

“Oh nothing. It’s just Sam doesn’t drink anything stronger than ginger ale. I think the blur the eye of the beholder.”

Top Ten Things not to Do On New Year’s Eve

December 28, 2015December 27, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 41 Comments

For some of you, this list may look familiar since it was the list from last year. I really tried hard to come up with all new things that we should not do on New Year’s Eve, but I found myself repeating stuff I already said. So, I figured why not run the list from last year? After all, if you remember all the items then you should not be wasting your time reading this blog. You should be in Los Vegas counting cards at the blackjack table. Hope you enjoy.

Top Ten Things Not to Do on New Year’s Eve.

10 On New Year’s Eve, do not try to set a personal record for consumption of alcohol. If you do, at best your evening will close early. At worst, New Year ’s Day will represent your personal purgatory just begging for relief.

9 On New Year’s Eve, do not set resolutions that you think would be great to accomplish if you were a superhero. If you do, at best you will not last a week on your new plan. At worst, you will consider your failure at resolutions to among one of the many failures for the year and could need to be talked down off the ledge next New Year’s Eve.

8 On New Year’s Eve, do not think your good will to mankind feeling left over from the holidays should be demonstrated by public displays of affection for everyone. If you do, at best most will try to ignore your advances. At worst, there will one person who will think you are the new lost love that they have been searching for their whole life and will continue to stalk you for months in spite of the restraining order.

7 On New Year’s Eve, do not think your stomach deserves to be challenged with copious amounts of strange food. If you do, at best your later hours will be spent in a degree of discomfort. At worst, your stomach will get even when you least expect it.

6 On New Year’s Eve, do not think your off-key singing throughout the year will suddenly get better with the addition of Champaign. If you do, at best you will still draw the same looks you get for the rest of the year. At worst, you will begin to gather stray cats and dogs who are thinking you are calling them for dinner while singing Auld Lang Sine.

5 On New Year’s Eve, do not think your famous green monster punch will be enjoyed by everyone. If you insist everyone try it, at best your party may end early. At worst, you may be responsible for sending some guests over the edge due to a strong allergy to green dye and Everclear and if not an allergy certainly a diminished immunity to strong drink. (hint green carpet spots never come up)

4 On New Year’s Eve do not try to surprise your significant other with a mystery destination that you promise will make the best New Year’s Eve ever. If you do, at best you may have selected a place that has some negative memories for your significant other. At worst, you may spend the entire evening lost in a strange neighborhood which will not be the best, but maybe the most memorable as the prime reason your significant other is no longer significant and not your other.

3 On New Year’s Eve, do not get all romantic if all year you act as if romance was as welcome as the measles. If you do, at best you will look ridiculous to whomever you are with. At worst, you could cause a major upset to the person you are normally ambivalent about and could come off as someone who should be given a fine dose of pepper spray to get your attention.

2 On New Year’s Eve, do not think it a good idea to put that lampshade on your head. If you do, at best some will laugh not with you but at you. At worst, the shade is an antique given to the host by a grandmother just before her demise and now it is on the floor under your fanny after you slipped on a bottle and fell to the floor. Oh and the video on U Tube had gone viral.

1 On New Year’s Eve, do not think you have to stay up past a reasonable hour for you to retire to see the New Year in. If you do, at best the next day’s activities will be less enjoyable. At worst, you will throw off your sleep cycle which will take you several days and cups of coffee to correct not to mention falling asleep at your mother in law’s New Year’s Day family gathering and pooling drool on the damask fabric of the couch which will be your mark forever more.

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue # 56 by Keith Channing

December 22, 2015December 28, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 23 Comments

I guess by now you all know I love writing prompts, and Keith Channing posts a picture once a week on Mondays. You can go here and see the post http://channing.info/wp/2015/12/21/kreative-kue-56/

Here is the photo and my interpretation follows.

Kreative Kue #56

“I thought the sign was self-explanatory. Driving off the road is not allowed. What makes these damned tourists think the whole world is there for their amusement? Is is not obvious that taking a car down these stairs is a dangerous thing to do. In all my years as a park ranger, I’ve never seen anything like it. Right out of nowhere that van loaded with snot nosed kids and a couple of throwbacks to cro-magnon man come barreling off the road, down the stairs, and through the men’s room and back up on the wall and the road again. I almost believe they took that sign as a challenge. As soon as I get my clipboard I will write down that license plate number and then call it into the Tanzanian state police. They can’t get far, after all, that stone wall probably tore out their oil pan, and their engine will seize up in no time.

Let me see if I have this right. A blue-colored van with South African license plates. The driver looked like some rotter from the city. His wife was on the phone which is typical. I better repeat the number until I get to the clipboard. Let’s see DMB 187 EC. DMB 187 EC. Dumb 87 EC. Yeah, I got it. I wish the park would give me a weapon. I’d a had those two on the ground in no time. Not much I can do with a ballpoint pen and a set of keys. I was lucky to escape the way they were driving. I have to say that trash can saved me. One more time on the number DUMB 78 CE. They’ll be sorry.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue by Keith Channing – Prompt

December 15, 2015December 14, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 26 Comments

I guess by now you all know I love writing prompts, and Keith Channing posts a picture once a week on Mondays. You can go here and see the post http://channing.info/wp/2015/12/07/kreative-kue-54/

Here is the photo and my interpretation follows.

Kreative Kue #55

“Sorry lady but I missed your comment.”

“Oh, young man my comment wasn’t for you to hear. I was talking to my friends.”

“I’m not sure I wasn’t supposed to hear. It sounded like you were commenting on my three legs.”

“My goodness, no young man. I was pointing to that building over there and wondered aloud if that’s where they stored eggs.”

“Eggs huh. Aren’t you a little old to be telling fibs?”

“I think all of us are allowed to tell lies once in a while. Especially if we avoid hurting someone’s feelings.”

“Like mine for instance?”

“Well yes.”

“You needn’t have bothered. I’m long past getting hurt feelings over my three legs.”

“Young man now that you have mentioned your three legs let me ask how you come to have three legs?”

“It is not a pretty story.”

“I think the three of us have heard most everything. If you would like to share, we would be willing to listen.”

“Well, when I was born I had four legs and lost one in the hay bailer.”

“Okay stop right there. You were right in the first place. I think it is none of our business. We have to be going.”

“You don’t want to hear about how I got into the hay bailer?”

“N-no thank you. Come on girls we need to catch the bus.”

“It’s a great story.”

“Bye now young man. Good luck to you.”

“I was on top of the machine—”

“We can’t hear you. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.”

AUTHORS TO READ: DECEMBER EDITION

December 3, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 2 Comments

Many thanks to Brittney Sahin for including His Revenge in her list of What to Read in December. There are a bunch of other good books here as well.

brittneysahin

*If I missed anyone, please let me know- I am in a bit of a brain fog from not sleeping due to the new baby 🙂

Updated List of Authorsto Read by theGenre

Each month I invite authors to share their novels (and latest works in progress) on my blog. I add them to the ‘Authors to Read’ List. I have categorized the authors by their corresponding genres. Please check out the authors at the links below:

Children’s & Young Adult Genre
Literary Fiction Genre
Multiple Genres: Inspiration/Non-Fiction/Based on a True Story/Westerns
Romance
Science Fiction & Fantasy
Thriller and Suspense (Mystery/Horror/Paranormal)

Please share these links! Authors: If your book is listed –share the link to your genre on social media (it will help everyone in your genre out- thank you!!)

Also,each of these books is pinned to my ‘authors to read’ pinterest page, which drives a lot of traffic to…

View original post 35 more words

Thursday – A little Personal

December 3, 2015December 1, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 26 Comments

Office party

I had the occasion yesterday to attend a Christmas party at my old company. (Yes I was invited) Well, it’s not my old company it is the company from which I retired, and it was nice to return. I remember when we threw a Christmas party, and some of the retirees would show up. I wondered at the time why they came. I thought when I saw them at the event, once retired who would want to return to the thousand points of pain ever again? At the time, I couldn’t imagine being in the same position yet here I was accepting an invitation to attend a Christmas party. The party was at the same company in which I had invested, sweat, nerves, and what I thought was sure to be years off my life.

Driving the two and one-half hours to San Antonio, (A crazy stunt in itself) I figured it out. I wanted to see the lovely people who were still there. It was those people who made the workday bearable and in some cases fun. In spite of the deadlines and boss craziness, these folks managed to keep a bright outlook and positive attitude. They were the ones to give a cheery “good morning” and take the time to ask how things were going. They were also the ones who could tell you had spent an all-nighter or were on the cusp of going postal. They seemed to know that your trials were in some ways also their trials since we all worked for the same company. A quick story or joke would lift some of the tension and make the day go better. They were the ones who brought donuts of breakfast tacos and the ones who were first in line to donate to remember a lost family member.

It came to me that those retirees of the past attended the party to touch briefly those who had shown kindness and charity when they needed it most. It could be they needed it then as well, and I hope each received what they were seeking. Me? I wanted to thank some of the folks for being so darned nice. I did just that and came away with the feeling that I would like to attend another one again sometime.

Book Launch Feature — Tales from the Garden

December 1, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 2 Comments

Here is a lovely post announcing Sally Cronin’s book Tales from the Garden. Hugs Teagan and Sally

Teagan's Books

Book Launch Feature — Author Sally G. Cronin

Hello everyone. In case you aren’t familiar with her, let me just say that blogger and author Sally G. Cronin is one of the world’s most generous and supportive people. When I saw that she had a new collection of short stories coming out, I volunteered to participate in the book launch. So without further preamble, here’s Sally to introduce her hew book with a little “behind the scenes” look.

Take it away Sally!

Tales From The Garden – Behind the scenes – by Sally Cronin

I have been overwhelmed by the support of fellow bloggers and writers during the launch of Tales from the Garden and was delighted to be invited by Teagan to be a guest and to talk about some behind the scenes background on the book.

As I progressed through the stories it became clear that I…

View original post 544 more words