Teri Polen reads and watches horror, sci-fi, and fantasy. The Walking Dead, Harry Potter, and anything Marvel-related are likely to cause fangirl delirium. She lives in Bowling Green, KY, with her husband, sons, and black cat. Sarah, her debut novel, was named a horror finalist in the 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.
Last week was a humdinger is the thought as the aroma of a perfect cup of coffee fills the room. A quick sip reminds me that there is an Oscar the Grouch look-alike character living in an urn on the front porch. The temptation to hum the theme from the Good Bad and Ugly is tempered with the need to disarm the security system and have another try at getting rid of the noisy pest.
The tower machine guns are deactivated, the moat screen rolled, the concertina wire retracted, the boiling oil set to standby, the claymore mines detached, The trebuchet reset, the iron gate opened, and the locks and bolts thrown. The front door is open, and yes, the urn is still there.
We all know from reading stories that a rub on a strange urn might produce something. With that learning in mind, my hand quickly rubs a shiny spot on the side of the urn. Like magic, a cloud floats out of the urn, followed by a thing looking similar to Oscar dressed like a genie. He only comes out to the waist and yells, “Okay, you have interrupted my BBQ lunch, so you get three wishes.”
As we have all heard, this wish thing can be tricky, so taking time to think is paramount. After what seems like an hour, the first wish is issued. “I would like this urn to disappear.” There is a sound like “poof,” and it’s gone. The Oscar look-alike is standing on the porch holding a pork chop. “My next wish is to be a New York Times best-selling author for the next twenty years.” The Oscar look-alike nods.”My final wish is that you follow the urn.” The Oscar look-alike holds his hand up. “Hey, governor. If I disappear, that second wish is out of the question.”
Seems to be a fly in the Chardonnay. “So be it. Be gone.” The Oscar look-alike disappears in a cloud; only a fluttering envelope remains. Once landed, it is opened and contains a message from Linda Hill. It reads. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: starts with “hum.” Find a word that starts with “hum” or use the word “hum” itself. Send your bonus points to Dan at https://nofacilities.com/ if you use both. Enjoy! If you want to read how others responded to the prompt, visit Linda’s blog. Here’s the link. https://lindaghill.com/2023/09/29/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-sept-30-2023/
The coffee hit the brain like a falling Moslier safe. So needy was the cortex for some soothing syrup it almost reached out to grab the cup. Of course, what has been playing on my mind is that problem on the front porch. Yes, the URN is the last thought at night and first in the morning. Lest anyone think that the URN has been forgotten, there is a list so the subject is not lost. My lust for it to be gone runneth over.
First security bypass. The tower machine guns are deactivated, the moat screen rolled, the concertina wire retracted, the boiling oil set to standby, the claymore mines detached, The trebuchet reset, the iron gate opened, and the locks and bolts thrown. The front door is open, and the hope that someone ran off with the URN is dashed. It still stands there, calling my name. Wanting to break into song with a really bad version of I Can’t Sleep at Night by the Mamas and Papas only makes the nerves pulse more. Refraining from torturing every cat and dog ear for miles, the song remains unsung.
Gently knocking on the URN brings a not-too-subtle response from inside. “GO AWAY.” Not content with the possibility of being devoured by the resident of the URN, another knock is delivered. This time, the top of the URN lands at my feet, and the head of Oscar the grouch pops into view. “What Did I Just Say?”
My mumbles are lost on the fact that he throws me an envelope and disappears back into the URN. Inside the envelope is a letter from Dan Antion, who is communicating for Linda Hill. It says Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “Last/Lest/List/Lost.” Use them in any form you like. Use one, use two, or use them all. Bonus points if you use all four. I’ll chip in extra bonus points if you use the word formed from the missing vowel in a well-mannered way, but behave yourselves lest you lose all your bonus points… Enjoy!
For the last ten years, this space on Tuesday has been devoted to prompts even though the title is “Anything Possible.”
Well, today, I thought something different would be in order.
I have two friends, Tom and Dan, who regularly suggest what they consider interesting items to include in the Saturday post. Dan, for example, suggested that Roger Rabbit would make a good character. Tom keeps supplying me with security items like the anti-submarine net in the moat and the Trebuchet. In addition, there are plenty of jokes and comments that go back and forth.
This last week was very typical, but I thought I would share an example of one suggestion Tom made and a corresponding upgrade by Dan.
Tom suggested including the following list of facts in a post.
1 Biting your lips triggers a rush of chemicals in your brain that reduce anxiety, stress and boost your mood.
2 If a girl frequently plays with her hair in front of you, chances are she likes you.
3 Toy Barbie’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts.
4 Scotland’s national animal is the unicorn.
5 Try to breathe and swallow at the same time. You can not.
6 It is also impossible to hum while holding your nose.
7 Australia has over 10,000 beaches. You can visit a new beach every day for over 27 years!
8 The human nose can detect around 1 trillion different odors.
9 Flushing is triggered by a surge of adrenaline in the body.
10 People can detect the feeling of fear in your eyes, but they need some corresponding action to confirm it.
11 Daytime naps improve memory and reduce the risk of heart disease.
12 Japan has over 50,000 people over the age of 100.
13 Hot water can freeze faster than cold water.
14 Your brain will perform better when you believe you slept well, even if you didn’t.
I thought it was interesting and filed it away for possible use later.
Dan went on to add;
# 9 Flushing ??
In my house, it is triggered by a full toilet.
Dan would be the first to admit his bathroom humor can use some work.
Dan also wanted to add to the Friday Mastodon tooth story, so I received the following cartoon.
So as you can see, an ad hoc creative team is working behind the scenes to bring you the best content.
The latest from Tom.
I hope you enjoyed this little detour. I know I certainly enjoy Tom and Dan’s humor.
I don’t normally reblog more than one post a day, but I hope you will indulge me. Susannah Bianchi has written a lovely tribute to Lucy and also the love all pets have for us humans. She has thoughtfully embraced the losses of these pets into a unified expression of love. I am very grateful for her thoughts and know Lucy is as well. I have turned off comments here, but they can be made with a visit to Susannah’s blog. Susannah writes about her beloved city of New York and other subjects in a style that entertains as well as informs. Give her a visit, and you’ll see what I mean. Thank you, Susannah; you have touched my heart.
So many of us have gone through this, having to say good-bye to a beloved pet. The latest is John Howell losing his beloved dog, Lucy.
Since I started blogging I’ve witnessed Lisa putting down her Beagle, Chester, Kate losing two cats, Hazel and Molly along with Dale parting with Zeke, her German Shepherd that alas as John so poignantly put it, all went over that rainbow bridge.
There’s nothing sadder; nothing to reproach them for.
They love you no matter what, even if you’re sick and tired, moody and sad; their loyalty unconditional.
It’s why it hurts so much…why it’s the worst day of your life.
I can only compare an animal to a soldier whose sole job is to be there to care and protect under all circumstances, staying until they can no longer.
Mark Bierman has written a wonderful review of The Last Drive. Even though I’m on a break until Monday, I think Mark’s review deserves to be shared. A reminder too, that Mark’s book Vanished is a thrilling read. Thank you, Mark, for taking the time to read and write such a terrific review of my book. I have closed comments here so you can leave your thoughts with Mark.
Ah! Sweet Sunday! The last of the smoke from the wild fires burning North-West of here has cleared out, and we’ve had some much needed rain.
If you’ve read my last post, you’ll see that this is the second book in a series by John Howell. Here’s a link to that one: Review of Eternal Road.
A bit of an intro:
In the sequel to Eternal Road – The final stop, Sam and James are reunited to look for two souls, Ryan and Eddie. Ryan was killed in Afghanistan, trying to avoid a schoolyard with his crippled plane. Eddie Rickenbacker, Ryan’s hero, is to guide Ryan to his Eternal Home, and now both are missing. The higher-ups believe that there has been some interference in Ryan and Eddie’s journey by Lucifer, so Sam and James have the task of finding Ryan and Eddie to get them back on…
Mark Bierman surprised me this morning with a lovely review of Eternal Road – The last stop. Mark has written a very compelling thriller titled Vanished, which explores the dark world of human trafficking. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, which I’m sure you will too. I’m sure Mark would enjoy a visit to his blog. I have turned off comments here and you can leave them with Mark. Thank you, Mark, for taking the time to read and review Eternal Road.
Happy Wednesday! Spring has sprung up in the Great North! It seems like one day we went from towering sticks to fully green flora in a blink. Our newest additions, a couple of ‘cluckers,’ named Ruby and Marshmallow are loving their new digs. Always busy greedily pecking at the yard for whatever morsels they can find.
Spring is about new beginnings, and that’s the main theme of the story I’m reviewing today. So, I’ll leave Ruby and Marshmallow to their barnyard banquet and tell you all about it.
The Deets:
James Wainwright picks up a hitchhiker and discovers two things 1. The woman he picks up is his childhood sweetheart, only Seventeen years older. 2. He is no longer of this world.
James began a road trip alone in his 1956 Oldsmobile. He stops for a hitchhiker only to discover she is his childhood sweetheart, Sam, who disappeared seventeen years…
Resa McConaghy is a talented designer with extensive experience designing Hollywood film costumes. She is also an accomplished photographer and writer. Her photographic concentration is on street murals; she has an amazing collection. Today, she honored me with a discussion and review of The Last Drive. To give her readers a sense of the story, Resa has designed six gowns for Sam, the principal character. A visit to Resa’s place will give you a view of the book and an experience you will want to repeat.
The sequel to “Eternal Road” once again has Sam and James traveling through time in a 1956 Oldsmobile.
Sam (Samantha) is an Angel Emissary. Her current mission: Find Ryan, a recent soul and his guide, Eddie. They have gone missing. Lucifer is suspect for their disappearance. To aide her on the mission, she wrests James from his eternal home.
DISCLAIMER: There are no gowns in this story, per se.
Resa – John, I drew Sam as her angel self. I mean, when she’s not out on missions, she would be in her angel wear. I hope you approve of the drawing. (I don’t see wings)
John – I love Sam’s Angel self. I think it is exactly what she would wear around the cloud so to speak. She doesn’t have wings so that was a good call.
Today we are visiting one of my favorite places, The Hamilton Greenbelt in Lakeway. It has been several weeks since the ice storm, and the greenbelt is again open. It was closed because of the danger of falling limbs and trees across the trails. We are catered by Bouldin Creek Cafe of Austin. (We are going healthy today, so eat up.) Our entertainment is Richard Harris.
Menu
Massaman Jackfruit Curry (GF) – Mild & flavorful coconut Thai-style curry sauce with sauteed sweet potato, broccoli, mushroom, red onions & jackfruit. Served with organic brown rice
Fajitas Ricas (GFO) – Seared marinated portobello strips, zucchini rounds, red onions & garlic served with pico de gallo, shredded lettuce & tortillas served with a choice of beans & either house salsa or chipotle- pecan pesto | Add cheddar-jack or vegan cheddar
Greek Quinoa Bowl (GF) – House-made quinoa tabbouleh, hummus, massaged kale, topped with local tomatoes, kalamata olives, toasted pine nuts & cucumbers over organic spring mix. Served with a side of garlic tahini dressing
Pasta Rosamaria – Penne pasta tossed in scratch-made garlic rosemary “cream sauce” (vegan cauliflower base) served with a side of grilled ciabatta | Splash of soy sauce in a sauce
South Austin Stir Fry (GF) – Rice noodles, broccoli, wild mushrooms, red onions, carrot coins & red/green cabbage stir-fried in a teriyaki ginger miso sauce. Topped with crushed peanuts & Yellowbird agave sriracha drizzle | Contains peanuts
The Slacker’s Banquet (GF) – Seasoned & slow-cooked organic black & pinto beans topped with fresh local tomatoes, scallions, & pickled jalapeños. served over organic brown rice with a choice of side salad, grilled vegan (GF) cornbread, and spinach on the side | Add cheddar jack or vegan cheddar
Big Azz Salads – Citrus vinaigrette (V), ginger miso (V), garlic tahini (V) or parmesan peppercorn, add red curry chickpea salad scoop|
Tofu Broccoli Salad (GF) – Stir-fried sesame tofu cubes & stir-fried broccoli served over organic spring mix with sunflower sprouts, carrots, local tomatoes & sunflower seeds
Good Livin’ Salad (GF) – Orange marinated beets, organic green apples, Texas pecans & fresh basil served over organic spring mix, topped with red onion, carrots, sunflower sprouts, and local tomatoes |
Tarzen’s Big Salad (GF) – Marinated portobellos & stir-fried broccoli tossed in nutritional yeast served over organic spring mix with avocado, carrots, sunflower sprouts, local tomatoes & sunflower seeds. Dressed with chipotle–pecan pesto & ginger miso dressing
House Salad is simple & fresh! (GF) – Carrots, sunflower sprouts, local tomatoes & organic spring mix |
Sandwiches
Choice of black pepper kettle chips, sesame slaw, potato salad, or chips & salsa |
Veggie Royale (GFO) – Award-winning veggie burger on grilled ciabatta with green leaf lettuce, red onion, local tomatoes, & choice of chipotle-pecan pesto or basil aioli | Contains sesame | Add cheddar-jack or vegan cheddar
Kool Hummus Sandwich (GFO) – House-made hummus & chipotle-pecan pesto, local tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, alfalfa sprouts, carrots & organic spring mix on grilled ciabatta
Wanna-B.L.T.A. (GFO) – Our famous house-made tofu bacon with avocado, green leaf lettuce, local tomatoes & basil aioli on toasted sourdough
Chickpea “Chick’n” Salad Sandwich (GFO) – A mild red curry mock “chick’n” salad with fresh leaf lettuce, local tomato, pickled red onion & cucumber served on toasted whole wheat bread (GFO)
Grilled Cheese con Hierbas (GFO) – Golden brown & delicious! Grilled local sourdough, melted cheddar-jack or vegan cheddar with fresh basil | Add spinach, red onion, jalapeño & local tomato
There’s the bus. Let’s go.
Since we have been here before, here is a reminder map.
There are markers in case we get lost or hurt. So you, youngsters, keep an eye on the ancient ones.
Warning sign and broken tree.
Piles of cut-up limbs waiting to be picked up and mulched.
More evidence of damage.
Some lovely red salvia.
You have to look hard, but there is some white salvia to the rear of the red.
Air ferns always fascinate me.
Some bluebonnets under a cloudy sky.
There is one of the markers. If we were paying attention and fell but couldn’t get up, we could tell the emergency crew that we had just passed marker 205. Makes it easy to find us.
Another patch of bluebonnets.
If the sun were to come out, these bluebonnets would shine.
Here is a close-up of a bluebonnet bloom. Notice the white and purple accents.
Lilly pads and sun.
The spillway
And finally, a photo of bluebonnets in the sun.
I hope you enjoyed out tour. Time to relax and have some food while we listen to Richard Harris.
Sally Cronin has a new feature for 2023. It is called Potluck, and she hand-selects posts she feels her readers might enjoy. She is featuring one of my Top Ten lists from 2022. I am very honored and hope you’ll visit. She has a lot going on at her place, and I’m sure there is something she offers that will help you get better known.
Welcome to the new series of Posts from Your Archives 2023 where I will be sharing posts from the last six months of 2022 I have selected from the archives of willing participants. If you wish to be included the information is at the the end of the post.
This is the second post from John Howell and another Top Ten Things Not To Do which strikes a chord, since over here in Ireland, particularly this last few weeks, high winds accompanied by lashing rain has been a feature.
Photo by Khamkéo Vilaysing on Unsplash6
The inspiration for this list is the over twenty-five-mile-an-hour winds we have been experiencing since Thursday. Most of these warnings are a matter of common sense, but in the spirit of public service, I will state the obvious. Hope you enjoy it.
