Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy Update and Something New

July 31, 2025July 30, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 105 Comments

Twiggy had a follow-up with her regular doctor last Thursday. He was concerned with her head tilt and face paralysis.. He ordered an MRI, which was done on Monday. Preliminary results indicated an inner ear infection, as well as some involvement in her jaw and spine. A spinal tap was done and the fluid showed signs of a bacterial infection. A culture was started, and we should know what kind of bacterial infection by the end of the week. We need to see the type to ensure the medicine is the right one. In the meantime, She is on an antibiotic and Prednisone (steroid). She is resting well and eating, so it appears she is feeling a little better. The side effects of the anesthesia used in the MRI procedure took about 24 hours to subside.

The photos below were taken last Friday, and I decided to let Twiggy rest and use these photos this week. Thank you all for your messages of concern and prayers. I wish I could say everything was okay, but there is still the possibility of an uphill battle ahead.

“I like that new tent. What do you think, Twiggy?”

“I like that it doesn’t move in the wind.”

“I was thinking we could play a new game.”

“Let me guess. Who can eat the most Crape Myrtle blooms?”

“Not even close. Want another guess?”

“Okay. How about who can fall asleep fastest?”

Nope. It is a game that you will love.”

“I’m pretty stumped. I can’t think of something we haven’t played.”

“I’ll give you a hint.”

“Why not just tell me?”

“Believe it or not, it is fun stringing you along.”

“Oh, I believe it, and you are doing a good job.”

“The hint is we will be masters of our domain.”

“Hold on. We have no thumbs, so playing a video game is out of the question.”

“You must come inside to get the rest of the story.”

“Okay, but I hope there is no wrestling involved.”

“Well, what do you think. Mom and Dad put this up so we can see out.”

“We certainly can see. So what part of this is a new game?”

“Don’t you get it. We can see who’s coming. No more reacting to noise. We can observe and bark discriminately.”

“That is a good thing. And I see it’s a game changer. Discriminate barking. What a concept.”

“You know, deer come up the driveway.”

“Be still, my beating heart.”

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

July 29, 2025July 28, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 50 Comments

Today I randomly opened Eternal Road – The final stop to page 143. With eyes closed I pointed to the page and my finger fell closest to the word “slipped.” This is our prompt, today.

“Who left that banana skin there? I almost slipped and fell.”

“Beats me.”

“What do you mean “beats me,” I just saw you eating a banana a few minutes ago.”

“So because I ate a banana I’m the culprit?”

“I would say you are a suspect. Did you or did you not drop the skin.”

“Before I answer let me check one thing.”

“Okay. Check away.”

“Is self incrimination a thing here?”

“Huh?”

“If I declare that I dropped the skin you almost slipped on does that make me guilty.”

“That would be a confession, so yes.”

“I refuse to answer and incriminate myself.”

“Okay wise guy. How about I gather some evidence and prosecute you.”

“Do I get a jury of my peers?”

“I’m sole judge and jury.”

“Which leave the verdict open to appeal.”

“Appeal to who?”

“Or whom as the case may be.”

“Okay to whom?”

“The Supreme Court.”

“There is no Supreme Court here.”

“What is this a third world country?”

“Now that you mention it, Yes. Look around. We are in the rain forest.”

“Well I’ll be a monkey’s uncle.”

“Leave your relatives out of this. As the silver back boss of this troop, I’m the final say.”

“Okay I dropped the skin. There you happy?”

“Such ado about nothing. Go pick it up.”

“Yes boss.”

“And be careful next time. Safety first.”

“You are sounding like a human now.”

“Go wash out your mouth.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do If You Are Asked to Go to the Grocery Store

July 28, 2025July 27, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 82 Comments

This post ran in 2020 but I think it is still good advice for now.

Top Ten Things Not to Do If You are Asked to Go to the Grocery Store

10 If you are asked to shop, do not buy anything that is not on the list. If you do, at best, you will be making a return trip for the returns. At worst, you will need to attend a special class on the principle of wasting money. (Nice job, Jerren. All those necessities determined by you are now waiting with you in line while that person ahead of you pays their water bill in pennies.)

9 If you are asked to shop, do not think you are empowered to make substitutions of items on the list. If you do, at best, your substitutions will be a welcome change. At worst, you will have selected a form of something that just doesn’t make sense. (Just when do pork rinds take the place of saltines, Jasen. The fact that you like them better will not help you.)

8 If you are asked to shop, do not fail to turn in the coupons. If you do, at best you will be allowed back in the house. At worst, you and the coupons will be making another trip to the store for a refund as well as attending that special class on listening and memory enhancement. (So, you had the coupons in your pocket, Javan. We all know the out of sight out of mind principle, but you would think the risk of life might offset it)

7 If you are asked to shop, do not go to a different store without permission. If you do, at best, some of the items will be unavailable. At worst, there will be a big difference in the prices, and your bill will be above the all-time high ever for the same items ( That will not be a good thing, Jayce. It’s going to be a long time till the $8.00 a pound grapes are forgotten.)

6 If you are asked to shop, do not think you can ignore the recyclable bags just this once. If you do, at best, you will be able to stuff the plastic into the trash without being caught. At worst, you will be subjected to another long class dealing with the evils of the plastic bag and its effect on the environment. (You have to remember, Jaye. Those cloth bags were an investment in the children’s futures. What is wrong with you? Don’t you care about the future?)

5 If you are asked to shop, do not think your newness will excuse you from checking out in the express lane when clearly you have more than the required items. If you do, at best, a few people will glower and may even say something. At worst, the manager will call your spouse and request a lifting of your shopping privileges. (Imagine the humiliation, Jayron. This one is not going to go away. It has the half-life of a thousand years.)

4 If you are asked to shop do not think, you can pack bags like the store personnel. If you do, at best you will have overstuffed bags. At worst, you might have several bags break in the parking lot, creating a puddle of mayonnaise paired with orange juice, pickles, and Black Butte Porter. (No, Jayvee. You cannot go back into the store and ask for a refund. You bought it, you own it.)

3 If you are asked to shop, do not go to the store hungry. If you do at best, you will only buy one or two extra things. At worst, you will have to explain the extra bags of groceries, including what will look like a year’s supply of beef jerky. (I have to admit, Jazmina the beef jerky did look good. That hickory-smoked variety looked especially delicious. No, I don’t want to buy it from you.)

2 If you are asked to shop, do not take Tiny the WWF champ with you. If you do, at best you will have unexplained extra stuff in your order. At worst, Tiny will insist you host a poker game this week, and require you to buy all the snacks and beer. (Explaining what happened, Jedi might be a best selling novel. Also telling Tiny no, especially after he has skipped his self-image group session might get you a free helicopter ride.)

1 If you are asked to shop, do not offer to take the kids with you. If you do, at best, you will learn the meaning of the phrase “no good deed goes unpunished.” At worst, you will have forgotten half the items on the list in addition to buying several impulsive things that the kids will be forbidden to eat. (That big box of chocolate marshmallow Trix might be difficult to explain, Jedrik. I certainly hope you enjoy it.)

Views of the Neighborhood – Eagle Scout Work and Native Plants

July 27, 2025July 26, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 76 Comments

Let’s get on the bus.

We are at LMUD, and the first view is the beautiful message board built as an Eagle Scout project.

The relaxing bench, stained and walkway, built as part of the Eagle Scout project

The final Eagle Scout project – A path to the Heritage Center.

Here is Nico, the Eagle Scout candidate, who did all the projects.

A class in session – The Beauty and Ease of Growing Cowpen Daisies – Presenter: Leah Crenwelge

And here they are – Cowpen Daisies.

An overview of the native species garden at LMUD.

Several species – Mealy Blue sage (center), Orange Milkweed (right), Purple trailing Lantana (Far Right)

Texas Star Hibiscus (near right).

Flame Acanthus.

Coral Bean.

Monarch on the Gregg’s Mist Flowers

More Butterflies

Little Pink Skullcap

Black-eyed Susan.

Latana.

Gregg’s Mists Flowers

Turks Cap.

Well, that concludes our tour. Time for food and Music. I hope you have an easy week.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Word that Starts with Q

July 26, 2025July 25, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 63 Comments

The quintessential Saturday would be a quiet cup of coffee, a book to read, and a mind soothing finish to a hectic week. Of course, this would require a machine that accepts the fact that it is a servant. Such a Saturday would also require peace and quiet without the jarring interruption that seems to be normal around here. A push of the coffee button produces a surprise. A cup of perfectly made coffee. Hmm there is something wrong here. Taking a sip knowing full well the Westminster chimes will rupture the peace. There is silence.

Taking another gulp of coffee gives the opportunity to grab the clock and set it for a time trip. The clock is set for July 27th.1925. The location is New York City and the time is 11:00. The duration is for an hour. When the plunger is pulled we are taken to Broadway where we are about to see the first autonomous automoble demonstration. And you thought driver less automobiles were a new thing.

The Houdina Radio Control Company, owned by Francis P. Houdina, is giving the first demonstration of a remote controlled automobile. Houdina equipped the driverless American Wonder, a 1926 Chandler car, with a radio antenna and a receiver.

With transmission from another car immediately behind the wonder, The Wonder is guided in New York City. The route goes up Broadway Street and, after a turn, back down Fifth Avenue. The tension rises as the remote controlled car narrowly misses several other vehicles before crashing into a sedan.

Not wanting to wait around for the aftermath the alarm is tripped and we return quickly to the couch. There is a text waiting from Linda Hill. It reads Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “starts with Q.” Think of a word that starts with the letter Q and write your post around it. 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/2025/07/25/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-26-2025/

“So you chose quintessential?”

“Yup. Worked well. I also tossed in quick.”

“I almost missed that. Weren’t you supposed to dedicate your post to the word you chose?”

“Yeah, but Linda knows I’m a bit of a rebel.”

“I’ll say. You are an inspiration.”

“Sound like satire to me.”

“I guess you caught me. I was very surprised driverless cars were being thought about back in 1925.”

“To tell the truth. I was as well.”

What do you say we get a driver and head for the Quench spot?”

“Quench spot?”

“Yeah the pub. Just trying to get in the spirit.”

“Uber?”

“Over there.”

“That is a 1927 Chandler. Like the one used in the demonstration.”

“Yes it is. We get to go to the pub in style.”

“Anything you failed to mention?”

“Nope. We just get in and go.”

“That is a treat.”

“One small thing I forgot.”

“I knew it.”

“The driver put a cooler with VooDoo Rngers in the back seat.”

“Pinch me. This could be the best Saturday yet.”

FridayJohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Good

July 25, 2025July 24, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 51 Comments

Today’s good news comes from the BBC and was sent to me by Noelle Granger. The following is a condensed version of the article. You can see the full article HERE.

‘We’ve raised thousands’: The pickle-shaped ‘janitors’ cleaning Filipino reefs

Sea cucumbers, or ‘janitors of the sea’, scour and clean the seafloor, allowing other animals to thrive. In the Philippines, a group of women stand guard to help them multiply.

Aweng Caasi, a 61-year-old widow, often sits for hours in a wooden hut towering over waist-deep waters in Bolinao, a small town some 300km (190 miles) north of the Philippines’ capital of Manila.

The hut serves as a guard post for fisherfolk protecting a sea ranch filled with sea cucumbers. These unique-looking bulbous brownish-green animals have taken them years to raise.

Caasi’s late husband, Ka Artem, was the leader of the fisherfolk group in the village of Barangay Victory in Bolinao that worked with scientists to build the ranch almost two decades ago. They hoped to replenish the supplies of these pickle-like creatures, which once swarmed these waters. Today, Caasi carries on this legacy.

When Caasi was still in her teens, the Philippines was the top producer of wild sea cucumbers – between 1985 and 1993, it exported some 3,000 to 4,000 tonnes. But overexploitation and overfishing led to a sharp decline in stocks. In the 1980s, fisherfolk in Bolinao and its neighbouring island town, Anda, were collecting up to 100kg (220lb) of sea cucumbers per person per day. The daily per-person catch plummeted to just 25kg (55lb) a decade later, and by 2002, to a measly 2.55kg (5.6lb).

The waters around Caasi’s home, once crowded with the cucumbers, had become barren.

Apart from their economic value, sea cucumbers provide benefits for the environment. Commonly referred to as the janitors of the sea, they clean sediments in the seafloor by eating bacteria and decaying organic matter, and recycle nutrients that benefit ecosystems. Their presence has even recently been found to suppress diseases among corals. Bolinao and its neighbouring towns are known for their rich marine life, which includes a 200 sq km (77 sq mile) coral reef area that provides benefits to residents through shoreline protection, fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism.

Annette Meñez, a marine invertebrate ecologist at the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPMSI), reached out to the Bolinao fishing communities in the early 2000s to ask if they would like to try co-designing a system to restore the town’s sea cucumbers. Meñez has been researching marine invertebrates with UPMSI since the 1980s, including how to help Bolinao’s fishing communities replenish their stocks of sea urchins and giant clams. She also now co-chairs the sea cucumber specialist group of the International Union for Conservation for Nature’s Species Survival Commission.

The university ventured into sea cucumber conservation when it observed the cucumber population shrinking. Meñez says the fishers back then would harvest small sea cucumbers before they were mature enough to reproduce.

In July 2009, less than two years after the first juveniles were sent out in December 2007, the Bolinao farms recorded significant boosts in sea cucumber stocks. Over 19 months, the population had jumped from around 400 to more than 5,500 individual sea cucumbers. The number of reproductively mature adults also climbed from 37 per hectare seven months after the release, to 249 after 19 months, due to mass spawning. As of the latest record in 2024, the ranch has a density of 4,415 sea cucumbers or 883 individuals per hectare, according to UPMSI.

As well as observing an increase in sea cucumbers, the farmers saw a rise in the presence of other animals. Gemma Candelario and Marivic Carolino, who raise mangroves in a neighbouring village, started monitoring and guarding cucumbers in their area in 2022. Within two years, they say, they noticed more species of sea cucumbers and fish arriving.

“The sea cucumbers would eat waste [cleaning the ecosystem] so that’s why more fish would appear,” says Candelario. “Some fish would lay eggs in our mangroves, and other animals would appear, such as crabs and shrimp… So this is a big help for us fisherfolk.”

The researchers from all the sea cucumber farms emphasise that the social impact on the communities was their most valuable milestone. “For me, resilience is not just resilience of ecosystems,” says Meñez. “It has to be the resilience of the coastal communities and the ecosystems they depend on.”

The good news in this story is that the Sea cucumbers are making a comeback with the help of concerned humans. Today’s JohnKu discusses humans’ role in helping the environment. I hope you have a great weekend.

When nature struggles,

Humans need to get involved . . .

And help Mother work.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste Outside

July 24, 2025July 22, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 116 Comments

“You know Twiggy. It’s just too hot to play tuggie.”

“It is just too hot to play anything.”

“I think you are right. Maybe we just take it easy.”

“My kind of activity. Here’s my take-it-easy face.”

“I can almost look you in the eye if I get low enough.”

“Yeah, don’t knock yourself out. Not much to see here.”

“I was trying to see if you are back to normal.”

“As you can see. I still have a little paralysis. It’s getting better though.”

“I’m looking forward to the day when the panther can jump the puma.”

“I would enjoy that too. We’ll just have to wait.”

“As long as you are okay, I can wait for as long as it takes.”

“I’m getting better each day, so I can tell you. I’m okay.”

“You don’t mind if I keep checking up on you, do you?”

“No. Makes me feel special.”

“Well, you are special.”

“Where are you going?

“I need to find a cool spot. This concrete does it.”

“You can go in the house, you know.”

“Yeah, but I like the fresh air.”

“You demonstrate that you are a bulldog every day.”

“That’s good, cause I am.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Everything

July 22, 2025July 21, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 76 Comments

Today, I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 107 and, with my eyes closed, pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “everything.” That is the prompt for today.

“You are my everything.”

“Goodness, you make me blush.”

“No, I mean it.”

“What makes you say that?”

“You want me to detail why I feel you are my everything?”

“I think that would be nice.”

“To begin you provide for us.”

“By provide, you mean?”

“You give us sustenance.”

“Okay?”

“You always make sure we have enough to eat.”

“Oh, now I get it. Is there anything else?”

“Well, you make sure I get plenty of exercise.”

“I guess that is a good thing.”

“You make sure we never take you for granted.”

“Strange. How do I do that?”

“Well, you are very hard to catch.”

“That’s my nature.”

“You are underground and I have to listen carefully to figure out where you are.”

“Earthworms are like that.”

“But it is tough work.”

“Yes, but you robins are built for that.”

“I suppose. Well, the kids are getting pretty hungry, so we ought to get along.”

“I guess I’m invited for dinner.”

“Ha ha ha. Good one. You made me laugh and I dropped you.”

“Good luck next time.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do When Playing Sports with Friends

July 21, 2025July 20, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 62 Comments

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

This post was run on March 31, 2014, and created by Marie Ann Baily and me. I think it might still be good advice.

Top Ten Things Not to Do When Bowling, Golfing, Playing Tennis, or Eight Ball with Friends

10 When playing sports with friends, do not laugh at a missed shot. If you do, at best, they may laugh at you in turn. At worst, you may be wearing an embedded racket, club, or bowling ball on your trip to the hospital.

9 When playing sports with friends, do not play doubles with your spouse as a partner. If you do, at best, you will have a small argument about the missed shot. At worst, you might just end up asking your friends for a marriage counselor recommendation before the game is over.

8 When playing sports with friends, do not try to adjust the score to make your team look better. If you do, at best, you will get caught and look foolish. At worst, you may just win as a result of cheating and will need to atone for your indiscretion someday.

7 When playing sports with friends, do not try to avoid paying your fair share of the expenses. If you do, at best, you will be eventually found out and will have to pay anyway. At worst, your friends will figure out a way to stick you with a bill when you least expect it, which will require a bank loan to cover.

6 When playing sports with friends, do not purposefully try to outspend them on equipment and clothing. If you do, at best, your play quality will need to match the price of your clothing and equipment. At worst, your friends will come to some conclusion about your self-esteem, which may or may not be accurate.

5 When playing sports with friends, do not drink too much alcohol, especially if you are playing mixed doubles. If you become over-served, at best, you may be the cause of the team’s loss. At worst, you may just lose all inhibitions and decide to tell your friends and spouse what you really think of their playing ability, which will make for a quiet ride home and a bad morning after.

4 When playing sports with friends, do not come up with the idea to put money on the game. If you do, at best, you will only win a few dollars. At worst, you may lose a few friends.

3 When playing sports with friends, do not set yourself up as the rule cop. If you do, at best, everyone will get tired of your reminders. At worst, you may find yourself gagged and tied up on the twelfth green with a note to the groundskeeper to let you go if you promise not to say anything more about the rules.

2 When playing sports with friends, do not be the one who decides which game to play. If you do, at best, you will be blamed if the events turn out badly. At worst, you might be forced into a role of peacekeeper since everyone will assume the thing went badly because you suggested it.

1 When playing sports with friends, try to remember that the purpose of the game is to have fun. If you don’t, at best, you will be miserable. At worst, all those around you will be miserable as well and may not want to play with you anymore.