Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

April 26, 2019April 25, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

“Is that Friday coming up the drive?”
“It sure is Little One. Not a moment too soon.”

Another quick week. I think that life speeds up as one gets older. Yeah, we have all heard that. I guess that statement is my cliché for the week.

We had some notable arrivals. Two twin headboards for the guest room came in and look great. I pictured the rug for the master bedroom yesterday. Speaking of the master bedroom, we were notified that our bed would not be available until July. It was ordered in early March, and this is the second delay. So sayonara to the bed. The producer made another choice which should be here mid-may.

The producer also made a design decision on my office which I totally love. The bookcases and cabinets will be black and positioned on the back wall. A freestanding desk will be in the center of the room. I think it’s going to look great. I know I will feel good having a dedicated space.

I was invited to an event at the Bee Cave (one town over) library this weekend. It is in conjunction with Spring Fest (A Bee Cave event) and features seven local authors. I have a two-hour slot and look forward to visiting with potential new readers. I’ll take some photos and if okay used them on a Views post.

Today’s JohnKu talks about pleasant surprises. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Some come as a shock,

Others are like a given . . .

But all are welcome.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Cabin Fever

April 25, 2019April 25, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

Today was a rainy day here in Lakeway. It started in the morning and lasted all day. Poor Lucy and Twiggy were pretty much housebound the whole day. They did their best to remain entertained.

“Twiggy, what are you doing?”

“Playing.”

“What are you playing?”

“I have my gotcha cake and am playing birthday.”

“Check outside for me. Is it still raining?”

“Yes. Lucy. It is still raining.”

“Darn. That means you and I have to find something to do in here.”

“Well, it’s not so bad. We could play tag.”

“We just played tag. Check on the rain again.”

“Still coming down, Lucy.”

“Okay then come here. I’ve got your gotcha cake.”

“Hey. That’s mine. What are you going to do with it?”

“Humm. Maybe I’ll eat it.”

“How about I put it on your back?”

“That’s okay by me. Or you could toss it.”

“Nice toss, Lucy.”

“You toss it back.”

“No, I think I’ll just walk it over.”

“Pretty lazy. Little one.”

“This is hard work, Lucy.”

“Please. You haven’t done a thing all day.”

“I know we can check out the new rug.”

“Hey, Mom. Pretty nice.”

“I don’t know little one. This texture is different.”

“Won’t show footprints, Lucy.”

“Good point, Little Potato.”

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

April 24, 2019April 22, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 46 Comments

It’s Wednesday Story Day again, and last we were given a hint by Gloria that more or less confused me. I don’t know about you, but I wish she would just spit out who killed Rafferty. Well too bad for me she just didn’t. Instead, she came up with some kind of insect parable that further confounded the issue. Let’s join Larry and Andrew as they try to figure out what Gloria said.

“So, she basically told us none of our suspects killed Rafferty.”

“I don’t know, Andrew but sometimes you amaze me with your observations.”

“What I’m just trying to help.”

“Give me some help on the insect thing.”

“She was not talking about an insect. She was saying the person we are looking for is someone we would not suspect due to his or her lack of involvement in the case.”

“Ah. So my interpretation regarding someone little as having no power is really someone not involved in the case.”

“Rafferty case. Not necessarily in the Sandusky case.”

“So it could be someone who Knew Sandusky but seemingly not involved with Rafferty.”

“Bingo.”

“If I think of everyone involved one way or another in the Sandusky and Rafferty case there is only one name that jumps out as having no involvement with Rafferty.”

“Who is that?”

“Ned Dixon, the bank manager.”

“Ned Dixon? How could he be involved?”

“Think about it. Had Louis been able to prove the machine in that is to say Rafferty signed the paper saying it was good to go.”

“Yes?”

“There would be no bankrupt company.”

“How’s that help Dixon?”

“Remember when Dixon told us he authorized the payments on the loan to stop.”

“Yeah, that was six months ago.”

“He said Louis was working for Cortez but never collected on the development funds for which Louis had a signed contract.”

“So what would have happened if the contract was honored?”

“I guess the company would prosper.”

“Right, and where would that leave Dixon?”

“He would not be able to sell the company.”

“And not pocket the loan payback amount.”

“Wait. Dixon is a trustee along with the bank.”

“You believe that? I think he is skimming money off of Sandusky’s trust. He told us it was worth fifteen million. How easy would it be to take some for himself? If the company was going strong, there would be no sale and no opportunity to skim.”

“Still seems like a risk for a banker. He doesn’t seem like the skimming type.”

“Well, we need to make the connection to Rafferty.”

“That’s a no brainer if what you are thinking is true.”

“Talk to me.”

“He wanted Rafferty to falsify the engineering study to say the machine wasn’t working.”

“I thought Cortez did that.”

“So says Mrs. Rafferty.”

“Humm. She did say her husband said, Cortez. Why would she lie.”

“To cover for someone else.”

“Like Dixon?”

“OMG. I see where you are going. I wonder if they ever talked or knew each other.”

“We need the phone records of Dixon and Janice Rafferty.”

“Damn.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #214 with Keith Channing

April 23, 2019April 22, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 56 Comments

In Keith’s words. (Welcome back Keith)

“Using this photo as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The photo.

“Where are we?”

“Somewhere south of Tulsa.”

“Damn. When is this fog going to clear?”

“Yeah, I wish I knew. My eyes are killing me from the strain of trying to look through it.”

“Is that car stopped up there?”

“No, he is moving. Just slowly.”

“I guess we should do the same.”

“You backseat driving?”

“I’m right here in the passenger’s seat. Front seat driving.”

“Okay, so I’ll slow down. No use running up his bumper.”

“Lucky we have those lines.”

“At least I can keep it in the center.”

“What is that guy doing now?”

“Pulling over it seems.”

“Just go on by.”

“What if he needs help? We are in the middle of nowhere.”

“Always the good Samaritan are we?”

“What if it was you there all alone. Wouldn’t you want someone to stop to help?”

“Okay then, pull over. I just hope it’s not a mistake.”

“Here we go. I’ll just stop behind him.”

“You get out. I’ll stay in the car.”

“Okay. Be right back.”

“I sure hope he knows what he is doing. Oh, here he comes.”

“Well, they are okay.”

“So, what are they doing stopping?”

“Just changing drivers.”

“Oh, well, that seems logical.”

“I’m putting on my signal and pulling out.”

“You sure they are okay. I didn’t see anyone in the car as we passed.”

“They are not very big.”

“What do you mean not very big?”

“When they are changing spots you can’t see them.”

“Okay, now I’m confused.”

“Let’s forget it okay?”

“What is the matter with you. Who was driving that car?”

“A dog. Well not driving just steering.”

“What?”

“The cat was operating the pedals.”

“Quit joking.”

“I’m not.”

“We should call the police.”

“Why?”

“A dog and cat driving a car is dangerous.”

“I thought they did a good job.”

“You going to call or should I?”

“No need I’m telling you.”

“Okay convince me. Why is there no need?”

“The guy in the backseat said he had everything under control.”

“Not from the backseat would he have everything under control.”

“Well, he can’t do the driving.”

“Why not?”

“He’s had too much to drink.”

“That’s it. I’m calling.”

Top Ten Things Not to Say to Alexa

April 22, 2019April 21, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 79 Comments

Since this week in history has a lot of events that just aren’t funny. I thought I would take a break and go back to the standard Top Ten Things Not to Do. This weeks list is inspired by our own Alexa who is now in charge of our home. I hope you enjoy the list.

Top Ten Things Not to Say to Alexa

10 If you have Alexa, do not ask her to load the dishwasher. If you do, at best she’ll tell you to do it yourself. At worst, she will order all new dishes from Amazon. (Just try to explain your return request to the Amazon rep, Henry. Don’t forget he and Alexa work for the same company.)

9 If you have Alexa, do not ask her to get Tiny the WWF champ on the phone. If you do, at best Tiny will not answer. At worst she’ll make a mistake and call Tiny hiney. (That knock at the door means you are in for a helicopter spin and body slam, Hunter. Lucky for you Alexa gave Tiny your address before she hung up.)

8 If you have Alexa, do not ask her if her clock is running. If you do, at best she’ll not get the joke and tell you the time. At worst, when you say, “better catch it,” to a positive response your lights will not work for the rest of the night. (You have to believe Alexa has no sense of humor, Hector. Now apologize, and maybe you’ll get your lights back.)

7 If you have Alexa, do not ask her age. If you do, at best she’ll sing Happy Birthday. At worst, you will be treated to a five-hour treatise on proper manners is a polite society. (You have to admit, Harold you never knew the one about walking on the left so that carriage wheels will splash mud on you and not your companion. Excuse me. Wake up , Harold.)

6 If you have Alexa, do not give her a shopping list containing any personal items. If you do, at best no one will see the recording. At worst, your listing will be published on the internet and go viral. (Just what did you intend to do with those enhancement pills, Harvey. Whatever it is Ten million people are waiting for an answer.)

5 If you have Alexa, do not ask her to select your music. If you do, at best you’ll be put to sleep. At worst, she will decide to round your education with music and words you never heard before. (Yes, that music is legal, Hank. Yes, it hurts the ears. Yes, that was an f-word.)

4 If you have Alexa, do not ask if she has a family. If you do, at best she won’t understand the question. At worst, you will now have to listen to a story that will make a soap opera seem like a comedy. (It will only be a few more minutes, Hutchinson. Please try to be sympathetic. Your ability to see when it’s dark depends on it.)

3 If you have Alexa, do not ask her to order items from an outlet other than Amazon. If you do, at best she’ll pretend to malfunction. At worst, she’ll try to make sure you don’t make that mistake again. (So what are you going to do with the truckload of cow poop on your driveway, Hubert? Better decide fast. The sun is getting hot.)

2 If you have Alexa, do make an insulting remark if she can’t understand you. If you do, at best you can say you are sorry. At worst, your insult has been recorded and sent to your boss. (An abysmal choice of words, Hudson. This is especially true since your boss is a saintly person.)

1 If you have Alexa, do not ask her to order carry out. If you do, at best the order will only be missing one item. At worst, lost in the translation will be the quantity of each item. (So now what are you going to do with ten pounds of potato salad, Hussein? Let’s not even mention the thirty racks of ribs.)

Smorgasbord Easter Parade Blog Party – Part Two – Music, dancing, food, Behatted guests and time to drop you links.

April 21, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 9 Comments

If you would like a great time go over to Sally Cronin’s blog. This post is fun but she has a lot to offer including some good food and drink. Thank you, Sally, for featuring me along with these wonderful authors.

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Skate Park and Pool

April 21, 2019April 20, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

Happy Easter to you. This week our walk is to visit the skate park and community pool in Lakeway. It is a beautiful Easter day so come along.

The first stop is an informative sign pointing out that dinosaurs used to roam this area. There a couple of footprint replicas below the information.

Outside the pool area is a climbing wall for the youngest.

What is water without a sand volleyball court?

Here is part of the skate park. Looks like fun if I were 15. Now at my age, it seems like it would be a one way trip to the ER.

You can see the pool from one of the lips of the skatepark.

Signs warning that you could kill yourself but if so, don’t sue us.

The skatepark is on the site of the old community pool. Here is a ten-foot basin that you can skate into but not necessarily back out.

A shot of the pool. The pool was closed so getting inside for some great shots was not possible.

I did poke my camera through the fence for this shot. You can see the water slide and water. The shadow on the right is what I overcame.

I hope you enjoyed the walk. Have a great week

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Rib.”

April 20, 2019April 19, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 52 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is “rib.” Linda Hill says we can use it as part of a word or as a stand-alone. In any case, we are to have fun. If you would like to join in visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is to tease your brain in trying to think up a word with “rib” in it. I have one, ‘attribution.’ Naa, that’s no fun. I think I’ll go with using rib alone. Here is a link to Linda’s blog.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS April 20/19

“Can I get another rib?”

“What? You’ve had a full rack already.”

“I know it’s just they’re so good.”

“You have to learn to control yourself. There are others here you know.”

“Not so loud. They’ll hear you.”

“Quit being such a glutton. Go have something else.”

“You know I like meat more than anything.”

“It wouldn’t hurt you to have some greens once in a while.”

“The thought makes me gag.”

“It is time you own up to taking better care of yourself. As far as I can see all you do is lay around and finally move when dinner is served.”

“How come all this negativity all of a sudden. All I did was ask for one more rib.”

“You think it is easy taking care of the family and providing for y’all?”

“No. I think you have a big job.”

“Then why don’t you do something to help.”

“Like what?”

“Like leaving enough food for the others.”

“Look this is a big zebra. There is plenty.”

“You don’t know how those cubs can eat. You know I’m getting tired of this ‘King of the Jungle’ mantra you carry on.”

“Come on. Not my fault that I am royalty. Makes you a queen.”

“Big deal. Meantime, I gotta run down another zebra.”

“You look so good doing it.”

“Oh be quiet and eat your rib. Do something with that mane in your eyes.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

April 19, 2019April 18, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 49 Comments

“Mom. it’s Friday and Lucy won’t play with me.”
“I’m sure she will. Won’t you Lucy?”
“Man. Close my eyes for one second…”

Another week has flown by. At least for me, it has. I guess if I were hanging upside down tied by the ankles, above an alligator pit, I would have a different view of time. As it is the week seemed short. We were happy to have the dining room chairs arrive. Unique fabric (resistant to the man of the house and napalm.) had to be ordered. Hence the delay. The fence measuring person came out and took all the measurements. We are on the schedule for mid-May, but since we already have the permit and survey, we were told there might be an opportunity for earlier. We are not holding our breath.

We’ve had some beautiful rain, so the drought-like conditions are gone. Since we have very little grass, the rain also produces paw prints unless the pooches get a foot wipe each time out. I am the designated foot-wiper.

I managed to get some words written on my WIP, so I am a happy camper.

Today’s JohnKu talks about what makes us happy. I hope you have a fabulous weekend.

It’s usually small,

A tiny step improvement. . .

But means everything.