Top Ten Things Not To Do When Shopping at the Last Minute for the Holidays

~ John W. Howell ~ 80 Comments
Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

This post was initially published by Marie Ann Bailey and me on December 23, 2013. I thought it might be a good idea to publish it a little early to perhaps avoid last-minute shopping.

Top Ten Things Not To Do When Shopping at the Last Minute for the Holidays

10.  When shopping at the last-minute for the holidays, do not battle another for a parking place. If they are similarly crazed, you may just lose the front end of your car. At the same time, the other driver yells “Wakanda Forever” at you as if they are Angela Bassett in Black Panther.

9.  When shopping at the last-minute for the holidays, do not take your children with you. At best, they will get in the way. At worst, they will be a witness to your stepped-up aggressive behavior when you Taser another parent for the last remaining Lego City Police Boat Chase set.

8.  When shopping at the last-minute for the holidays, do not leave home without a list. If you do, at best, you will no doubt forget something or someone. At worst, you will be tempted to grab armloads of stuff with the rationale that what doesn’t work can be returned, only to find out after the holidays that you were wrong.

7.  When shopping at the last-minute for the holidays, do not think you are going to get anything on sale. If you think you will, at best, you will be disappointed. At worst, you will be afraid to go home, given what you have spent.

6.  When shopping at the last minute for the holidays, do not forget the sizes on your list. If you do, at best, you may just misjudge. At worst, you will get your mother-in-law an extra-large, and you’ll never hear the end of it (even if it is the right size).

5.  When shopping at the last-minute for the holidays, do not think expensive will take the place of thoughtful. If you do, at best, you will spend too much and become everyone’s favorite gift-giver.  At worst, none of your gifts will be appreciated, and all of them will be returned for cash.

4.  When shopping at the last-minute for the holidays, do not have everything gift wrapped at the store. If you do, at best, it will appear as if you did not put your heart into the gifts. At worst, you could be accused of giving gifts you bought for someone else.

3.  When shopping at the last-minute for the holidays do not buy gifts that you yourself would not want to receive. If you do, at best, you might just get it back someday. At worst, the gift might be as tasteless as you thought it was, and now you are the embarrassed recipient.

2.  When shopping at the last-minute for the holidays, do not stop until your list is complete. If you do, at best, the person you left off will give you the best gift ever, and you’ll have to admit that you got them nothing. At worst, your excuse of running out of time will be the straw that broke the camel’s back, since you had a year to make it right.

1.  When shopping at the last-minute for the holidays, do not stop humming your favorite carol. If you do, you might break out in tears, and nobody likes a crier this time of year.

 

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Lights On

~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

Today, we are going to the lighting ceremony for the Lakeway Walk of Lights sponsored by the Lakeway Parks and Recreation Department. We are catered by Barley Swine of Austin. Our entertainment is Andrea Bocelli.

Fixed Menu

Cured Hiramasa – compressed apple, ginger milk foam

Butternut Squash – brown butter – jalapeno vinaigrette, guajillo queso

Shishito Tamale -masa, shiitake, Texas Iberico coppa

Grilled Tilefish- chermoula, persimmon curry, sweet potato

Pig Face Carnitas – sweet chile peas, braised cabbage, preserved orange

Akaushi Ribeye – 30+ day dry aged, salsa macha, poblano crema, scallion roll

Marigold Whip – hibiscus jam, habanada – orange granita, candied lime

Sunflower & Miso Layer Cake – apple jelly, chocolate ganache, peanut

S’mores fixen’s

Wood fire for s’mores.

The bookmobile.

Craigo’s pizza.

Big screen cartoons.

Ninja Warrior Challenge.

Cookie decoration.

Yup, that says it all.

Hot chocolate and water.

A special place to write and send letters to Santa.

The donut man.

The switch is used to turn on the lights.

Nice crowd.

The Grinch.

Mayor Tom Gilmore starts the countdown to ignition.

Santa and Mrs. Claus head for the switch.

The lights are on.

Here is a preview. More to come.

Time now for food and music. I hope you have a great week.

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Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Tower”

~ John W. Howell ~ 43 Comments

A picture of a string with drops of water- the logo for SoCS

 

The Colombian’s calming liquid flows from the spigot. Shaking hands wrap around the cup as if it were a gift from the gods. (May just be) The first sip races to the brain and calms the caffeine-deprived nerve endings. When all seems at peace, the stillness is shattered by the Westminster chime of the doorbell.  The eardrum-splitting barks of Twiggy and Tempeste threaten to clear a city block. A knuckle bone tossed into the soundproof room, followed by a slamming of the door, restores peace to the valley. A check of the security monitor shows Smokey the Bear standing on the porch. The inquiry process through the intercom determines that an envelope must be signed for and that Smoky is moonlighting from the park service.

Since the envelope means the front door needs to be opened, unfortunately, the security system shutdown process must begin.

The SWAT team needs to be put on standby. A quick text to the leader confirms that status. Also, the flight of A-10 Warthogs must be diverted. Another call to the commander puts that worry to rest. The SEAL team needs to be called off, and a call to the leader makes that possible. A call to the tow truck driver stops the deployment of an M1A1 Abrams Tank. The control panel simplifies the shutdown process of the security system. The boiling oil vats are put on standby, the turret mortars disengaged, the Trebuchet on safety, the concertina wire rolled, the Claymore mines reset, the tower Gatling guns on safety, the moat net dropped, the alligators fed, and the IEDs and shoulder-held rockets put away.  The Proton torpedoes switched off. The gamma ray beams covered. The high-powered maser guns switched to standby, and the nanorobots were chained in the basement. The Klingons are called back, and the Targ is caged. Robbie’s Bot is sent to the basement.  The locks on the door are thrown. And the door opened.

Smokey hands me the envelope and a clipboard with the signature block checked. After the signature, the clipboard is passed back to the paw that is obviously intended to be graced with crispy cash. Since it is the holiday season, the paw gets a coupon for one free lunch at Chick-fil-A. The bear seems happy since it is lunch for twenty.

Once inside, the envelope is opened, and a message from Linda is inside. It reads:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “tower.” Use it as a noun, use it as a verb, use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2025/12/05/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-6-2025/

Tower by John W. Howell © 2025

“That tower word has been on this Saturday post for eons.”

“Yeah, so?”

“One would think you would come up with something different.”

“Well, one is very mistaken. Besides the first words out of your mouth, use it differently.”

“I was thinking more on the lines of Tower of Power.”

“Please.”

“Or maybe Tower of London.”

“There will be a lot of those.”

“Radio Tower?”

“From the 1940s, I suspect.”

“Eiffel Tower?”

“With photos, I hope.”

“I am suspecting that you are not going to change your prompt rendition.”

“I think you are a very wise person.”

“Can we change the subject?”

“I can only think of one other subject. Voo Doo Rangers at the pub.”

“Did you order the Uber?”

“Right over there.”

Photo by Dan Antion

“Looks like a 1970 Chevy truck.”

“I think you are right.”

“So it only holds three.”

“That’s all we need. One little problem.”

“There always is. What do we have to do on the way to the pub?”

“Nothing.”

“I can’t believe it. So what’s the problem?”

“We have to pick up some hay on the way back.”

“Okay, that is not a big deal. We will have already had our Voo Doos.”

“The hay place closes at eight o’clock.”

“Wait a minute. We normally stay till ten.”

“Yeah, that’s the problem.”

“Maybe there is a solution.”

“What’s that?”

“Drink fast.”

“I’m down with it.”

 

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

~ John W. Howell ~ 75 Comments
Ed Bambas the veteran – credit, Samuel Weidenhofer

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

TikToker Crowdfunds $1.5 Million for 88-yo Army Veteran After Viral Supermarket Moment

By Andy Corbley –

In time for the holidays comes the incredible story of a stranger using GoFundMe to change a life.

Encountering 88-year-old Army Veteran Ed Bambas working at a local grocery store in Detroit, Australian content creator and TikToker Samuel Weidenhofer decided to try and raise some money to allow the man to retire.

The veteran, who lost his wife some years ago, works 8 hours a day 5 days a week after losing his pension when General Motors went bankrupt.

But Americans being one of the giv-iest breeds on the planet, the GoFundMe exploded with interest, such that, despite the moonshot goal being set at $1 million, a life-changing $1.5 million has been donated in just a few days.

A Mr. William Ackman donated $10,000 to this veteran who he never met, but it’s reflective of the overall response, both in the donations and the words of support section, where between veterans and active duty service members, and the general public at large, the message was clear: we’ve got your six.

“Every dollar we raise will go directly to supporting him: helping with living expenses, medical care, and the small joys that make life meaningful,” Weidenhofer wrote.

“Ed fought for his country, he worked his whole life, and now it’s our turn to fight for him. If you’ve ever been moved by someone’s courage, if you believe our elders and veterans deserve dignity, please consider contributing. Even sharing this story can help us reach more people who want to make a difference.”

Having met the fundraising goal, Weidenhofer is working around the clock to set up a bank account and trust in Bambas’ name where the money can be deposited safely and securely.

In a December 2nd update, Weidenhofer said that there is a planned surprise event for Bambas, who doesn’t know he will be able to retire with dignity after a life of hard work.

The good news in this story is how many were touched and then wanted to help Ed Bambas. Today’s JohnKu talks about generosity. I hope you have a wonderful week.

From the heart by John W. Howell © 2o25

An obvious need,

Was broadcast to many people . . .

The response was love.

I’m not sure the TicToc video will play but here it is.

@itssozer

88 year old veteran still working.. 😭❤️ (donate in B1O) #love #kind #veteran

♬ original sound – Samuel Weidenhofer

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste Have a Discussion

~ John W. Howell ~ 127 Comments

“So, Twiggy, I have a question.”

“I don’t want to play with your pink thing.”

“That’s not the question.”

“I don’t want to go outside. It’s freezing.”

“That’s not it either. I’m wondering why this fence is around the Christmas tree?”

“Oh, brother. You really have to ask?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“The fence is there because a certain child can’t keep from pulling off branches.”

“A certain child? You mean me?”

“Winner, winner chicken dinner.”

“Well, for heaven’s sake. I’m only investigating what it is made of.”

“Yeah, and chancing a trip to the ER.”

“I wouldn’t swallow those branches. Just a taste is all.”

“Well, Mom and Dad can’t take that chance. They have Tempeste-proofed the place.”

“I don’t think that shows a lot of trust.”

“Says the kid who can’t stop eating leaves.”

“Okay, you have made your point. You sure you don’t want to ruckus with me?”

“Let’s wait a little. It may warm up later. It’s supposed to be 55 degrees (12+ °C) later.

“Still chilly.”

“Yes, for us, but better than right now.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Crying

~ John W. Howell ~ 41 Comments

 

Today I opened Eternal Road – The final stop randomly to page 275. I closed my eyes and pointed to the page. The word nearest my finger was “crying.” This is our prompt today.

Crying by John W. Howell © 2025

“Why are you crying?”

“Do I know you?”

“No, but I couldn’t help but notice that you are upset.”

“If so, then maybe you will leave me alone.”

“Well, okay. I just thought if you were in trouble, I could help.”

“I’m not in trouble, and I don’t think you can help.”

“Very well. I’ll just go.”

“Oh, wait. I’m being very rude. I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about.”

“You were trying to be kind, and I was very ungrateful.”

“I could see that something was bothering you. It’s okay.”

“Can I tell you something?”

“Only if you want to.”

“My memory is not what it used to be.”

“That happens as we get older. I have the same problem.”

“You do? You look so young, I never could have guessed.”

“Why, thank you, but I can assure you looks are deceiving.”

“So is your forgetting serious?”

“Not really. Pretty classic. Go into a room and forget why kind of stuff.”

“I think mine is more severe.”

“Tell me. What have you forgotten?”

“I found this big walnut last week.”

“Yes.”

“I forgot where I buried it.”

“For heaven’s sake. That happens to me all the time.”

“It does?”

“Sure, I’ll stuff my cheeks with nuts and then run around and hide them only to forget where.”

“Wow. That makes me feel better.”

“Ah, yes. Don’t worry about it. When the snow comes, you’ll be able to sniff out your hidden treasures.”

“You have helped me. You want to chase me up that tree?”

“Be happy to do that. I’ll give you until the count of three.”

 

Top Ten Things Not to Do When Your Boss is Traveling or on Vacation

~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments
Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

 

 

This list was first published in November 2014. Since bosses still travel and go on vacation, it may come in handy.

Top Ten Things Not to Do When Your Boss Is Traveling or on Vacation

10 If the boss is out of the office, do not think your workload has been reduced for the length of time the boss is gone. If you do, at best, you will get away with the slowdown. At worst, you will be asked by the boss for the status of your projects first thing in the morning of the boss’s return.

9 If the boss is out of the office, do not think you will make brownie points with your boss’s boss. If you do, at best, your boss’s boss will assume you are an opportunist. At worst, the boss’s boss just might give you a ton of extra projects to complete before your boss gets back.

8 If the boss is out of the office, do not think it is your job to be the new boss. If you do, at best, your co-workers will ignore you. At worst, your co-workers will actually come to you for decisions on projects that the boss has refused to consider. Your reward will be fully realized when the boss gets back.

7 If the boss is out of the office, do not think the dress code is suspended. If you do, at best, you’ll be ratted out to the boss by the weenie in the cube next to you. At worst, the boss will come back early and call you into a meeting with the big boss, Lederhosen and all.

6 If the boss is out of the office, do not think you are due for three-hour lunches. If you do, at best, you will upset your co-workers. At worst, your boss asked HR to keep an eye on the department and note the hours of all, and you have several hours to make up.

5 If your boss is out of the office, do not think you can organize an in-office football game with the boss’s office on one end and the VP’s office on the other as the goal posts. If you do, at best, the team that loses will rat you out to the boss. At worst, although it was supposed to be two-handed touch, Bruno from sales decided to repeat his performance as an All-American tackle. As a result of the hospitalizations, HR and security have been looking for you for days.

4 If your boss is out of the office, do not think you can requisition all the supplies your boss has denied. If you do, at best, the supplies will be delivered to your boss’s office for dispersion. At worst, your boss will return to find the budget for supplies has been severely compromised and, instead of asking what happened, will contact the internal department of investigation to request a fraud investigation.

3 If your boss is out of the office, do not think you have carte blanche on business entertainment. If you do, at best, you will be asked to reimburse the company for unauthorized expenses. At worst, your co-workers all join you for the meal and think you can submit it as a team expense, only to find out you will still need to reimburse the company for an unauthorized expense. You also find that none of your co-workers know who you are or remember any meal.

2 If your boss is out of the office, do not think of bending the alcohol rules for the monthly birthday celebration. If you do, at best, the same weenie will rat you out to the boss. At worst, you will have sponsored the best birthday party the team has ever experienced. Still, unfortunately, the party was finally broken up by a city SWAT team after HR and security gave up trying to restore order. Subsequently, every attendee claimed to have been drugged without their knowledge, and your fingerprints are all over the punch bowl.

1 If your boss is out of the office, do not think you can take all the days off. If you do, at best, you will not be discovered missing until someone needs a stapler, which you have the only one in the office. At worst, you will not be missed until your boss returns early to address a problem with one of your accounts, because the client called the president of the company because they could not reach you. Good luck in the new job hunt.

Views of the Neighborhood – Potpourri II

~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

Yes, another miscellaneous view of the neighborhood. Today, we are going to see which holiday decorations are going up after Thanksgiving. They are still few and far between, but there are some. We are catered by the Launderette of Austin. Our Entertainment is Katrina and the Waves.

Menu

TEXAS REDFISH – Old Bay beurre blanc, broccolini, trout roe, crispy garlic

PLANCHA BURGER – American cheese, special sauce, pickles, challah

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Crumb”

~ John W. Howell ~ 64 Comments

A picture of a string with drops of water- the logo for SoCSThe brain screams for relief that only caffeine can provide. There is not a crumb of satisfaction left as the red caffeine warning light and klaxon horn indicate a dangerously low inventory level. A shaking finger moves to touch the two coffee button and the mind slowly returns to easiness knowing the toughest job of the day is complete. The machine does its job and delivers the double dose in lifesaving time. As the first sip hits the brain, the Westminster chime cacophony of the doorbell triggers the baying of Igor’s hounds. A quick toss of a knuckle bone into the soundproof room and a slam of the door bring peace back to the valley. With ears still ringing, a check of the security monitor shows a figure resembling Foghorn Leghorn. Of course, a signature is needed, so the security shutdown procedure must begin.

The SWAT team needs to be put on standby. A quick text to the leader confirms that status. Also, the flight of A-10 Warthogs must be diverted. Another call to the commander puts that worry to rest. The SEAL team needs to be called off, and a call to the leader makes that possible. A call to the tow truck driver stops the deployment of an M1A1 Abrams Tank. The control panel simplifies the security system’s shutdown process. The boiling oil vats are put on standby, the turret mortars disengaged, the Trebuchet on safety, the concertina wire rolled, the Claymore mines reset, the tower Gatling guns on safety, the moat net dropped, the alligators fed, and the IEDs and shoulder-held rockets put away.  The Proton torpedoes switched off. The gamma ray beams covered. The high-powered maser guns switched to standby, and the nanorobots were chained in the basement. The Klingon are called back, and the Targ is caged. Robbie’s Bot is sent to the basement.  The locks on the door are thrown. And the door opened.

“There is an envelope for you. I say, sir, one envelope that needs a signature.” Nodding understanding, Foghorn hands me the clipboard and the envelope. After signing, I hand it back along with a $10.00 bill. “I say thank you. I say thank you very much.” I don’t want to hear more foghorn. I close the door. The envelope is from Linda Hill, and inside is a message. It reads.

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “crumb.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2025/11/28/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-29-2025/

Crumb by John W. Howell ©2025

“Back to the security shutdown, I see.”

“Yes, a lot of folks missed it last week.”

“Very hard to believe.”

“It’s true. I even got e-mails.”

“So this week is a request?”

“No, not exactly. I just said I would do it.”

“A crumb from the table of author John.”

“Stop. You are becoming a pain.”

“I suppose you are right.”

“Uber?”

“Right over there.”

Photo by Dan Antion

“That’s a 1958 Ford F-100.”

“Converted to a tow truck. How neat is that?”

“It’s better than some of the rides lately.”

“One small issue.”

“Uh huh.”

“We have to drop off a car at the service station.”

“Is it on the way?”

“Would it make it a better story if it were on the way?”

“No. Just more convenient.”

“Well, it’s not. It is on the other side of Town.”

“Oh, perfect.”

“But we can spend quality time together.”

“And pretend we ate in the pub having cold Voo Doo Rangers.”

“Hmm. I see your point.”

“Ah, forget it. Let’s just get the tow over with, then on to the pub.”

“You are a mensch.”

 

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

~ John W. Howell ~ 58 Comments
Photo by Francesco Ungaro on Unsplash

 

This week’s good news story is from Upworthy magazine. I ran a story about French Beavers on October 17th, 2025. Here is the link to that story if you missed it. This post is an update on what’s going on in America. Thanks to Noelle Granger for sending me this article.

Beavers were brought to the desert to save a dying river. Six years later, here are the results.

Their engineering feats are pretty dam incredible.

beavers, beaver dam, animals, wildlife, ecosystem, nature, earth, sustainability, deserts, waterways, rivers, pollution, climate change
Canva Photos

Can outsider beavers save this dried-up river?

It’s not easy being a river in the desert under the best of circumstances. The ecosystem exists in a very delicate balance, allowing water sources to thrive in the harsh conditions. These water sources in otherwise extremely dry areas are vital to the survival of unique wildlife, agriculture, and even tourism, as they provide fresh drinking water for nearby residents.

But man-made problems like climate change, overfarming, and pollution have made the job even tougher in some areas. Rivers in Utah and Colorado, part of the Colorado River Basin, have been barely surviving the extremely harsh drought season. When riverbeds get too dry, fish and other aquatic creatures die off, and wildfire risk increases dramatically.

About six years ago, one team of researchers had a fascinating idea to restore the health of some of Utah’s most vulnerable rivers: Bring in the beavers.

Beaver on riverbank. Canva Photos

In 2019, master’s student Emma Doden and a team of researchers from Utah State University began a “translocation” project to bring displaced beavers to areas like Utah’s Price River, in hopes of reviving the river.

Why beavers? Well, it just makes dam sense! (Sorry.)

In all seriousness, beaver dams restrict the flow of water in some areas of a river, creating ponds and wetlands. In drought-stricken areas, fish and other wildlife can take refuge in the ponds while the rest of the river runs dry, thus riding out the danger until it rains again.

When beavers are present in a watershed, the benefits are unbelievable: Better water quality, healthier fish populations, better nutrient availability, and fewer or less severe wildfires.

It’s why beavers have earned the title of “keystone species,” or any animal that has a disproportionate impact on the ecosystem around them.

Pbs Nature Swimming GIF by Nature on PBS Giphy

Doden and her team took beavers who were captured or removed from their original homes due to being a “nuisance,” interfering with infrastructure, or being endangered, and—after a short period of quarantine—brought them to the Price River.

Despite the research team’s best efforts, not all the translocated beavers have survived or stayed put over the years. Some have trouble adapting to their new home and die off or are killed by predators, while others leave of their own accord.

But since 2019, enough have stayed and built dams that the team is starting to see the results of the effort. In fact, beaver projects just like this one have been going on all over the state in recent years.

The water levels in the river are now the healthiest they’ve been in years. The fish are thriving, and Utah residents are overjoyed with the experiment’s results.

According to an early 2025 column in The Salt Lake Tribune (i.e. six years after the beaver translocation began) the revitalization of the Price River has “helped save [our] Utah town.”

“A tributary of the Colorado River, the Price River runs through downtown Helper,” wrote column authors Lenise Peterman and Jordan Nielson. “On a warm day, you’re likely to find the river filled with tourists and locals kayaking, tubing, and fishing along its shore. A decade ago, it was hard to imagine this scene—and the thriving recreation economy that comes with it—was possible.”

Of course, it wasn’t JUST the beavers. Other federal water cleanup investments helped remove debris, break down old and malfunctioning dams, and place tighter regulations on agricultural grazing in the area, which depleted vital plant life.

But the experts know that the beavers, and their incredible engineering work, are the real MVPs.

An actual beaver dam on the now-thriving Price RiverPublic Domain

In other drying, struggling rivers in the area, researchers are bringing in beavers and even creating manmade beaver dams. They’re hoping that the critters will take over the job as the rivers get healthier.

Utah’s San Rafael River, which is in bleak condition, is a prime candidate. In one area of the river, a natural flood inspired a host of beavers to return to the area, and “riparian habitat along that stretch had increased by 230%, and it had the most diverse flow patterns of anywhere on the river,” according to KUER.

It’s hard to believe that beavers nearly went extinct during the heyday of the fur-trapping industry and continued to struggle as they were considered nuisances and pests. Now, they’re getting the respect they deserve as engineering marvels, and their populations have rebounded due to better PR and conservation programs.

It’s about dam time!

The good news in this story is that humans are finally letting nature work her miracles. Today’s JohnKu talks about nature. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Stewards by John W. Howell © 2025

If we would just look,

At the wonders of Nature . . .

We would be stewards.