Views of the Neighborhood – Water features

May 21, 2023May 20, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 71 Comments

Today is another slow one in Lakeway, so we will visit some features folks have placed in their yards. I had hoped to get photos of the water bubbling in fountains, but most are not turned on for our visit. Fountains of a certain size have been restricted due to the lack of rain. We will make the best of it with food catered by Bangers of Austin. Our entertainment isBrad Paisley

Bratwurst – Our take on the most classic of German sausages. Mild, perfectly balanced & delicious. Topped w/ sauerkraut & grain mustard. Served w/fries.

Spicy Italian – A classic Italian sausage w/ plenty of fennel and a whole lotta red pepper. Topped w/ sautéed to order, peppers & garlic, & fresh basil. Served w/fries.

Drunk Chicken – Beer Serrano Peppers, Red Pepper Flakes, Cilantro & more beer. Topped w/ garlic aïoli & grilled onions. Served w/fries.

Jalapeño Cheddar Brat –Our world-famous bratwurst w/ some jalapeño & cheddar cheese mixed in. Topped w/ spicy peppers & grain mustard. Served w/fries.

Chicken & Apple – Brown sugar, nutmeg & cinnamon make this a classic. The applesauce & brandy we fold in at the end makes it a legend. Topped w/ garlic aïoli & grilled onions. Served w/fries.

Hot Andouille Sandwich & Fries – Sliced down the middle. Crisped on the griddle. Served on a toasted Martin’s potato bun, dressed NOLA style w/ mayo, lettuce, tomato & house-made pickles. Served w/fries.

Duck, Bacon, Fig – Dried figs, plumped in port wine w/ honey & bacon. Topped w/ fig chutney, grilled onions & garlic aïoli. Served w/fries.

Banger’s Classic Hotdog – An all-pork hotdog made by hand. Topped w/ grain mustard & house made relish.

For Resa

Vegetarian B.L.T. – Vine-ripened & sun-dried tomato sausage infused w/ cheese curds. Topped w/ shiitake mushroom “bacon,” sliced tomatoes, shredded iceberg & garlic aïoli. Served w/fries.

Portabella Mushroom Sausage – Topped w/ grilled asparagus, charred kale & fried shiitake mushroom “bacon” & dressed w/ house-preserved lemons & garlic aïoli. Served w/fries.

Picture of an old time school bus

Let’s go.

We start off with what appears to be a glorified birdbath.

A sleek modern feature. Yes, that is water bubbling.

A nice ceramic bubbler.

A grand fountain behind the gates. That little sign says Trespassers will be shot (Just kidding)

A nice-sized fountain but no water today.

Girl with sombraro and no water.

Another behind-the-gate fountain.

This is usually a pleasant water feature, much like a waterfall.

A large size fountain to complement the house

Little cherubs holding up the two-ton basin.

Our final stop is a nice lot overlooking Lake Travis. We will have our brunch here and enjoy the music. I hope you have a great week.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Stick”

May 20, 2023May 19, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 60 Comments

Trouble-free coffee is the best kind. A full cup and a sip seem like heaven. It is Saturday, which means a day when the agenda is open. Sitting on the couch, savoring the sharp taste of freshly ground French Roast Arababaca beans, is the perfect setting to be interrupted by the phone.

An unknown caller ID flashes on the screen, indicating the kidnapper is trying to reach me. “Joe’s diner,” is my greeting. Heavy breathing is the reply. Then, after a moment, an electronic voice warns me to stop playing games if I want to see the statue in one piece again.

My explanation is straightforward. The heavy breather is told that not seeing the statue again would be a blessing. He promptly hangs up. With some relief, another sip of coffee brings the sound of baying hounds along with the cursed doorbell. The powerspray guy had knocked the do not ring the doorbell sign to St. Louis, and it has not been replaced.

Throwing Lucy and Twiggy a treat, the security shutdown procedure is enacted. After a few minutes, the front door is finally thrown open. There stands Jessica Rabbit, or rather there leans Jessica Rabbit. Pulling her off the doorbell and being hit by the silence of the lamb’s means conversation is possible. “What are you doing here? Is my first question.

Jessica breaks down in tears and begs me to get the statue back. Explaining that the kidnappers were told to pound sand would not help here. Deciding to stick to the story that everything is being done and that the statue would be back soon causes Jessica’s tears to stop. Handing her a handkerchief, she dabs at her eyes and thanks me. She then givs me an envelope, turns, and walks away, leaving only the intoxicating scent of jasmine in her wake.

The message in the envelope is from Linda Hill. It reads Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “stick.” Use it as a noun or a verb; use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

If you would like to visit Linda’s blog and find out how you may participate as well as see how other bloggers respond to the prompt, here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2023/05/19/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-20-2023/

“I didn’t get the prompt.”

“Stick is the prompt.”

“Oh, I get it. You stick to the story.”

“At least you were awake for that part.”

“Wadda, you mean. I listen to all your prompt stories.”

“Are you telling me the truth?”

“Okay, almost all.”

“You should stick to the truth.”

“It is overrated. What are you going to do about that bunny woman?”

“I’m not sure. I suppose if I keep putting the kidnappers off, she’ll just come back.”

“Pretty easy on the eyes.”

“I have to figure out a way to stick it to the kidnappers and get Jessica her statue back.”

“Tall order there, Boy Scout.”

“Speaking of order.”

“Uber is on the way.”

“Great maybe we can figure out a plan.”

“We will need to get that done before the second VooDoo Ranger.”

“Yeah I hear that.”

“There’s the Uber driver now.”

“Hold on. That’s a two seat Shelby Cobra. How we going to fit in that?”

“Tightly my man. Very tightly.”

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

May 19, 2023May 18, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 80 Comments

Today’s good news story comes from my favorite source, The Good News Network. Here it is unabridged.

New York Cop Grabs Suicidal Passenger in First Rescue of its Kind on Staten Island Ferry

Andy Corbley May 18, 2023

It was a rescue that police said had never been done before hanging off the edge of a Staten Island ferry boat.

They were there because an emotionally disturbed man had inexplicably climbed out of the window onto a railing on the outside of the ship, seemingly ready to jump.

Then, after trying to reason with the silent would-be jumper, Officer Gambino, who was roped to the boat from an anchor point above, moved like lightning to grab hold of the individual and press him up against the side of the boat.

“Some people were in dry suits, and some were in rope harnesses in case he went into the water or stayed on the ferry,” said NYPD Emergency Service Unit Sgt. Darion Brooks. “We were prepared for both.”

Brooks told ABC 7 news that this particular rescue strategy had never been attempted before but that the ESU trains for dozens of different situations, some of which have involved potential jumpers.

The moment of arrest was captured in stunning detail by a news helicopter, and the man was transported to a hospital where he could receive psychiatric attention.

Here is the video of the rescue.

The good news here is that there were trained police officers who were able to save a life. Today’s JohnKu talks about rescues. I hope you have a great weekend.

Thinking of police,

More comes to mind than defunding . . .

Think rescue response.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Lucy Investigate

May 18, 2023May 17, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 112 Comments

“Hey, Lucy, come here quick.”

“What’s going on, Little One.”

“I’m not sure myself. All the porch furniture is missing.”

“What the…You are right. The tables and chairs are gone.”

“We haven’t had a mystery like this in a long time.”

“We need to do a little investigating before raising an alarm.”

“Where you going?”

“I see some stuff by the patio.”

“I think I smell a rat.”

“Don’t be silly. There are no rats here.”

“I’m telling you. Something is amiss.”

“Where do you get language like that. Amiss?”

“Well, say what you want. All this equipment spells trouble.”

“I think I remember Dad saying that the house was going to be painted.”

“Someone unknown to us has been walking here.”

“Did you hear what I said about house painting?”

“Yeah, I heard. We need to go and ask about this.”

“That’s the first sensible thing you have said so far.”

“I’m telling you. Someone has been here.”

“I love your obsessive tendencies. Here comes Mom. She’ll straighten it out.”

Review of, Eternal Road: The final Stop, by John W. Howell

May 17, 2023May 17, 2023 ~ John W. Howell

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.

Mar

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…

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Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – “Everyone”

May 16, 2023May 15, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 57 Comments

So the drill is randomly opening a book and pointing to a page without looking. The word or words closest to the pointing finger is the prompt. Today the book is The Last Drive, opened to page 253. The word closest to the finger is “someone.”

“Why are you sitting here?”

“Excuse me, but what business is it of yours?”

“When I see someone out in the middle of nowhere, I have to ask. Who knows, maybe you are in trouble.”

“I can assure you, I’m not in trouble.”

“Okay, then back to my original question.”

“And back to my question. What business is it of yours?”

“I guess you have enough cheek to make it on your own, no matter the trouble.”

“Okay, you have that Good Samaritan look. If you must know, I’m waiting for someone.”

“How long have you been waiting?”

“Does every question breed a new question?”

“Curious, I guess.”

“If I told you how long, you wouldn’t believe me.”

“Try me.”

“Niney-two years.”

“You are right. You can’t be more than twenty.”

“Looks can be deceiving.”

“So I’ve been told. Well, I’m going to leave you now. Good luck in your wait.”

“The wait is over.”

“What do you mean.”

“I was waiting for you.”

“That’s a laugh. I don’t know you.”

“We have never met, but you know me.”

“How’s that?”

“My name’s Michael. Ring a bell?”

“I’ve known a lot of Michaels.”

“How about the one you asked to save that little boy?”

“Uh.”

“Or the one you called upon when the hurricane hit.”

“The Angel Michael?”

“Pleased to meet you.”

“So my time is up?”

“What makes you say that?”

“Today is my 92nd birthday, and I have no idea what I’m doing in the middle of nowhere.”

“Well, pops. You are correct. A new adventure is waiting.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do on a Road Trip

May 15, 2023May 14, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 81 Comments

This post ran on February 20th, 2017. Since folks still take road trips, it might still be useful. I hope you enjoy it.

* * *

The inspiration for this list came with President’s Day weekend. A lot of people are on road trips, and at least maybe they will read this before heading back home today. I always look back fondly on those road trips so many years ago.

Top Ten Things Not to Do on a Road Trip

10 On a road trip, do not let the kids claim their own space in the back. If you do, at best, the territory claims will be endless. At worst, you’ll have to separate them and sit with your knees under your chin. (You forgot about the hump, huh, Bunky?)

9 On a road trip, do not start the 100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall song. If you do, at best, everyone will get tired after ten. At worst, one of the kids will insist on going the whole distance. (How’s that toothache doing, Ferd?)

8 On a road trip, do not miss stating all the rules of I Spy. If you do, at best, a small loophole will allow multiple winners. At worst, forgetting the “in the car” rule means little princess will hold out for 100 miles before declaring her item was a bird on the wire. (Yes, Tex. It was the bird 100 miles back.)

7 On a road trip, do not allow anyone into Buck-ees without a pre-set budget. If you do, at best, you can justify the expense with the bonus points on the credit card. At worst, the manager of Buck-ees wants to sell your car to cover the bill. (What kind of rest stop has diamond-covered boots, huh, Pilgrim?)

6 On a road trip, do not think every tunnel is short enough to hold your breath all the way to the end. If you do, at best, you’ll hit a long one and will have to breathe. At worst, little Tiny, the future WWF champ who is a great competitor, will be blue by the time you emerge. (No one told him to give up, Buster.)

5 On a road trip, if you are the driver, do not hold up your feet over the railroad tracks. If you do, at best, you won’t have a close call. At worst, you might be caught short if you need to make a quick stop. (Is that semi in your lane, Buford?)

4 On a road trip, do not set unreasonable expectations around the number of license plates needed to be spotted to finish the game. If you do, at best, everyone will be discouraged and quit. At worst, your most competitive child will keep going until they have all fifty. (Good luck on that Hawaii plate, Pal.)

3 On a road trip, do not allow the kids to pick their own snacks. If you do, at best, you’ll need to run the car through a car wash when you get home. At worst, you will be peeling the kids off the ceiling after the mega sugar high hits. (You enjoy the screaming too, don’t you, Slick?)

2 On a road trip, do not let anyone in the car read the Stuckey’s signs. If you do, at best, you’ll have to stop every hundred miles. At worst, you’ll have so many log rolls, divinities, and clusters you will be able to open your own store. ( Not to mention the dentist bill, right Ralph?)

1 On a road trip, do not insist that everyone hold it until the gas stop. If you do, at best, the last ten miles will be very tense. At worst, you might be on the receiving end of a family mutiny. (You never realized how strong those kids are, did you, Jake?)

Views of the Neighborhood – Yard Decorations

May 14, 2023May 13, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 99 Comments

Happy Mother’s Day

I have to admit it is a slow week in the neighborhood. The Producer did see some unusual yard decorations, so that is what the tour is all about today. We are being catered by Ten Ten of Austin. Our entertainment is The Yardbirds. (Of course)

Grilled squash, black garlic, baby spinach.

Charred hamachi kama black garlic, pickled vegetables

Sea bass miso butter, bok choy

Pork belly ssamjang, baby lettuce, pickles

Short rib Japanese bbq, shimeji

Wagyu new york strip summer squash, shiso

A5 wagyu tenderloin hatcho miso, 8oz

A5 wagyu strip shiso wasabi gremolata 14oz

A5 wagyu ribeye veal truffle demi-glace 24oz

Picture of an old time school bus

The bus is ready.

We start with a dinosaur and a frog character. (Sorry for the fuzzy photo, but it had to be taken from a distance.

A slightly tilted wind sculpture.

A full-blown windmill.

Mushrooms and lights.

A very strange headless monk. (I think monk.)

One of the more weird yard decorations. When the wind blows, there is an illusion of motion.

Another wind sculpture and some steel flowers at its base.

A glass something sitting among rocks.

Totally weird. Our favorite purple house now has aliens. Two kid aliens are taking a nap on the ground.

Back to normal. Steel sunflowers. (Yeah, they are normal)

That is the tour. I hope you have a great week. now enjoy the food and music.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Starts with Over”

May 13, 2023May 12, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 80 Comments

The new coffee machine is installed, and one button push produces a perfect cup of soothing coffee bean juice. No more begging for performance. No more waiting for relief. This machine is a new generation and seems to be built without attitude. Taking a sip of the gift of the gods sets my brain into motion. Instantaneously my phone rings, and an “unknown caller” warning flashes on the screen.

Since the kidnappers of Roger Rabbit said they would call, against my better judgment, the call is taken. A computerized voice warned me not to call the police and to follow their instructions to the letter. They overemphasized the fact that the statue would not survive any police involvement. They finalized the call with two demands. The first is a drop off of unmarked bills totaling $100,000 to a location they will identify later.

The second is a message from Linda Hill. (I swear Linda knows everyone) The message is “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “starts with over.” Find a word that starts with “over” and use it for your prompt. Enjoy!” After delivering the message, the phone went silent.

To join the fun, visit Linda’s blog and read how. You can also see other responses to the prompt. Here is the link https://lindaghill.com/2023/05/12/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-13-2023/

“Pretty short intro.”

“Well, as they say, ‘short and sweet.'”

“I think that is an oversimplification.”

“How so?”

“Well, we had no security shutdown. There were no characters. A new box on the porch would have been good. I was thinking you could work Helen Crump into an episode.”

“Helen Crump? Who the heck is Helen Crump?”

“She was Andy Taylor’s school teacher girlfriend on the Mayberry sitcom.”

“How do you remember that stuff?”

“I have an overseer named Dan. He sends suggestions to pass to you.”

“So no, we had no Helen Crump.”

“How do you suppose the kidnappers got a message from Linda Hill?”

“Does this blog look like a place that has logical answers?”

“I guess that’s a no-comment, right?”

“You have guessed correctly. Speaking of over.”

“Who was speaking of over?”

“The prompt.”

“Yes?”

“How about we get overserved?”

“Overwhelmingly good suggestion.”

“Summon Uber.”

“In progress. Hey, there he is.”

“In that Willy’s Overlander with no top.”

“Complain, complain, complain.”

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

May 12, 2023May 11, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 74 Comments

White’s seahorse released in Australia – Supplied by Dr. David Harasti

Today’s good news story comes from my favorite source, the Good News Network. Here is the story.

‘Best One We’ve Ever Done’–Scientists Release Hundreds of Endangered Seahorses Back Into the Wild

Andy Corbley May 11, 2023

Marine biologists restoring populations of seahorses off Australia’s east coast are ecstatic at the best efforts they’ve seen so far.

Hundreds of White’s seahorses, the only seahorse or seadragon species on Australia’s national endangered species list, were released into the waters north of Newcastle into specially-made “hotels.”

The project was conducted through a private-public effort consisting of the Sydney Aquarium and the Department of Primary Industries, (DPI) an agency that oversees hunting, agriculture, fishing, and forestry.

A generation ago, divers might see two dozen White’s seahorses at a time off Sydney Harbor at a refuge called Port Stephens, but coastal development and boat moorings have disrupted the habitat of these beautiful and strange creatures.

Sydney Aquarium has a very successful breeding program for the animal that uses individuals from Port Stephens as broodstock. The fathers raise the eggs of the next generation in a belly pouch—a feature unique in the entire animal kingdom—and are collected in large bags of seawater after they hatch.

They are then taken to the refuges and lowered down into their hotels. The hotels are essentially cages meant for much larger animals. They create plenty of nooks and crannies that serve as habitats for them and their prey species, like crustaceans.

Recently, aboard a DPI boat off Nelson Bay, Dr. David Harasti, a scientist with the department, released 350 baby seahorses at one time.

The seahorse “hotels” – Dr. David Harasti

“That was the best one we’ve ever done—350 baby seahorses sitting around in their new home,” he told ABC au, who filmed him doing the release.

“It’s great to see, and I can’t wait to go back in a couple of weeks and see how they’re doing.”

Harasti is also planning to check up on his charges this coming October.

The good news here is that with work, endangered species can be saved. Today’s JohnKu talks about what saving endangered species means to us. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Vanishing Species,

Are the early warning signs . . .

For the rest of us.