Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Start of a New American Football Season

August 31, 2026August 30, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

Yes, it’s true. We are beginning the pre-game season. I thought I would put together a list that will hopefully lead to a more enjoyable season for all. (Notice I labeled it American football in deference to the name the rest of the world calls soccer) This post ran first on August 19, 2019.

10 At the start of the football season, do not try to change entertainment providers. If you do, at best, you’ll have a sports bar close. At worst, you will be hanging aluminum foil off a shirt hanger trying to pick up tonight’s game. (We all know that no matter how you hate your current provider, Isa the new one won’t work for at least 30 days.)

9 At the start of the football season, do not try to hire Tiny the WWF champ to do your yard work so you can watch the game. If you do, at best, he’ll come on Tuesdays. At worst, he will show up on Saturday and will have his broad nose pressed against your window to see the game. (By the way, Islam Tiny just left his separation anxiety group therapy session, and this is no time to tell him to get lost.)

8 At the start of the football season, do not try some tricky recipes for game day. If you do, at best there is still Pizza Hut. At worst, you will know your goose liver pate is being seen as meatloaf when someone asks for catsup. (You should have never tried, Istvan. Your friends would have sooner had meatloaf.)

7 At the start of the football season, do not vow to beat the Joneses with an elaborate tailgate scheme. If you do, at best, the Joneses won’t show up. At worst, Jones has hired an eighteen-wheeler. (To make matters even worse, Ivey, the thing is fully furnished, including a hot tub, kitchen, and a Garth Brooks live performance.)

6 At the start of the football season, do not join the one-hundred-dollar squares game at work. If you do, at best, you will only have spent $100.00. At worst, you didn’t read the fine print, and you are expected to ante $100.00 a week. (Don’t worry, Ixon. That guy with the big nose and muscles isn’t all that bad once you pay up. He may even buy you a beer.)

5 At the start of the football season, do not insist on wearing your team jersey to work on Friday. If you do, at best, your team is very popular with your fellow workers. At worst, your team is playing your bosses’ alma mater this week. (The boss does not look amused, Izod. I think you had better explain that you lost a bet and your team is really the bosses’ team. The boss is not going to buy it, but at least you have plausible deniability, especially if the bosses’ team loses.)

4 At the start of the football season, do not quote every single statistic about every single player during lunch. If you do, at best, everyone will be engaged in other discussions. At worst, sooner or later someone will ask you if you would like a big cup of shut the f–k up. (Now you know you need to be quiet, James. Otherwise, you will know what it is like to eat your lunch all by yourself.)

3 At the start of the football season, do not go shopping for a giant screen TV. If you do, at best, your store will be running a sale. At worst, since they know you and everyone else wants a big screen badly, your store will add 10% to the already outrageous price. (You should have made this purchase during the Fourth of July sale, Joshua. No one wanted a TV then.)

2 At the start of the football season, do not try the old mancave in the garage bit. If you do, at best, your spouse will nix the idea immediately. At worst, you’ll get the mancave set up only to be forced to make room for the cars. (You didn’t think this one out, Jonathan. You see the snow and ice on top of the vehicles is not suitable for them or you when it comes time to try and unfreeze the doors to go to work.)

1 At the start of the football season, do not try to exert dominance over the remote. If you do, at best, others in the house want to watch the same games as you. At worst, no one has any interest in the games you want to watch. (So there you are on the back patio, Jason. Yeah, that’s your breath, you see. I hope you are enjoying watching the game under the same weather conditions it is being played in. Another hot toddy may help.)

Views of the Neighborhood – Mailbox Toppers

August 30, 2026August 29, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 96 Comments

Today we are going to cruise the neighborhood in search of new mailbox toppers. We are catered by Emmer and Rye of Austin. Our entertainment is The Marvelettes.

Cacio e Pepe’ Blue Beard Durum Spaghetti, Challerhocker, Black Pepper

Caramelle House Ricotta, Grilled Peach, ‘Nduja, Shishito Butter

Rigatoni Yonderway Pork Sausage, Pomodoro, Tommboy Cheese

Pappardelle Smoked Wagyu Short Rib, Crème Fraîche, TX Olive Oil

Paddlefish Roe 8g

Hopi Blue Corn Empanada Long Beans, Sikil P’ak, Sweet Pepper & Sunflower Relish

Gulf Fish Texas Saffron, Charleston Rice ‘Grits’, Grilled Okra

Lamb & Pork ‘Carnitas’ Persimmon Gravy, Sauerkraut, Spaetzle, Green Garlic

Berkshire Pork Summer Vegetable Medley, Blackened Chow Chow, Shiokoji

Smoked Half Chicken Snowcap Beans, Lactic Tomato Sugo, Zephyr Squash

Texas Akaushi Wagyu* Beef Tallow Potatoes, Black Garlic Sauce, Chimichurri

Let’s go.

Here’s a pot with a solor light and flag.

Little red truck.

Horned toad.

Dino.

When pigs fly.

Happy turtle.

Patriotic dog.

Curious Dachshund.

A flying pig and cow.

A lipstick frog. All ready for kissing.

Time to relax and enjoy the food and music.

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Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Sleep”

August 29, 2026August 28, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 63 Comments

After a lousy night’s sleep, there is nothing better than a big cup of joe. It is always appreciated when the machine is ready to go and delivers that steaming cure for the firetruck siren in my head from caffeine withdrawal. The first sip turns the siren off. As we know, the second sip is accompanied by the sound of the doorbell’s Westminster chimes. This annoying intrusion is then followed by the “Bark them to St Louis” reaction of Twiggy and Tempeste.

The quiet is stunning. There are no chimes or baying of Igor’s hounds. Checked the security monitor in case something was missed, but there was nothing. After turning on the infrared laser and painting the porch area, the image of a visitor appears. It is Casper the friendly ghost. The security shutdown process is begun out of curiosity.

The B-2 bomber squadron and the F-35 escort must be called off. One call does it. The tank corps and gunboats are told to stand by. The Apache helicopters are rerouted. The electric shock fence is turned off. The drawbridge over the quicksand is lowered. The robot attack dogs returned to their charging station. The laser-guided machine guns on the roof are set to caution. The nest filled with rattlesnakes put away. The bucket filled with 1000 marbles is locked down. The tear gas canisters shut off. The electrified welcome mat set to off. The fall-away sidewalk into the pit filled with spikes is locked. The hornet’s nest closed. The water cannons are set to safety. Bear traps are set to off. Peregrine Falcons perched on the roof above front door fed. The vat of boiling oil set to warm. Monty Python’s Harmless Little Rabbit’s cage is closed. The front door is opened.

Casper is standing in the glow of the laser, a clipboard and an envelope hovering near him. Taking both and returning the signed clipboard with a fiver, a tip comes to mind. “When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.” — William Arthur Ward. It is given to Csper, and he leaves.

Inside the envelope is a message from Linda Hill. It reads:

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

To see what others have done with the prompts, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link.

https://lindaghill.com/2026/08/28/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-august-29-2026/

“Man, I had a bad night’s sleep last night.”

“What’s the problem?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I kept thinking about our Uber ride today.”

“What about the ride?”

“I’m worried you won’t like it.”

“Since when does that even count?”

“You know I want you to enjoy your ride to the pub.”

“And yet I usually arrive needing a shower and an electroshock treatment.”

“Aw, it’s not that bad.”

“I’ve been in a neck brace all week from falling out of that 10-story car.”

“This week will be different. Look over there.”

“I must say this is an improvement. I think it’s a 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack, 6.4-liter (392) HEMI V8, in Sublime Green.”

“Well, you would know.”

“What’s the catch?”

“Aw, come on.”

“There is always a catch.”

“There’s only a driver’s seat.”

“So we sit on the floor?”

“Cushions, actually.”

“Doesn’t sound too bad.”

“I’m worried about you getting out.”

“Why’s that?”

“*Cough.* You are no spring chicken.”

“You worry about you. Ouch.”

“What was that?”

“I think I broke a fibula.”

“What?”

“Just kidding. Let’s go.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – Fri-Yay/Good News

August 28, 2026August 25, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 54 Comments

An uninhabited tropical island and its surrounding coral reef reflect the conservation project that has protected the area for decades. Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons.

Today’s good news story comes from the Times of India. Thank you to Noelle Granger for sending it to me.

In 1991, German development worker Sibylle Riedmiller invested her savings in an uninhabited island; three years later, its reef became a protected sanctuary.

In April 1991, Sibylle Riedmiller was sailing around Zanzibar when she came across an uninhabited island surrounded by a shallow coral reef. What she saw was unusual for the region: a largely intact marine ecosystem at a time when destructive fishing, including dynamite fishing, was damaging reefs along the Tanzanian coast. Rather than seeing Chumbe Island as an untouched paradise, the German development worker saw an opportunity to protect it. She put her own money into the idea of creating a conservation project that could eventually support itself through carefully managed tourism. According to Marine Policy, Chumbe Island Coral Park Ltd. (CHICOP) negotiated with the Zanzibar government between 1991 and 1994 to have the island’s western coral reef and forest cover gazetted as a protected area. On December 24, 1994, the reef sanctuary was formally designated as a no-take area, prohibiting fishing and other extractive activities, with management entrusted to CHICOP.From an uninhabited island to a protected reef. Riedmiller had arrived in Tanzania in the early 1980s as an aid worker involved in education projects. By the time she reached Zanzibar, she had developed a strong interest in the region’s marine environment.

She was particularly concerned by the destruction caused by fishing practices and by the limited public understanding of coral reefs. According to the IUCN, Sibylle Riedmiller found Chumbe Island on April 21. The uninhabited island contained a fringing coral reef, seagrass beds, a mangrove cave and coral-rag forest, along with a historic lighthouse and abandoned buildings. Restrictions on access and fishing, linked partly to the island’s former military use, had helped keep its terrestrial and marine ecosystems relatively undisturbed, making Chumbe a suitable site for protection. Riedmiller’s idea was not simply to put a fence around the island. She proposed a model in which tourism would generate income for conservation and environmental education. This meant creating an organization capable of managing the protected area while also developing a small, low-impact tourism operation. A no-take reef backed by tourism. The protected area gave the reef stronger protection than neighboring waters. The sanctuary covers roughly 30 hectares of reef and associated marine habitats, while the island itself contains a protected forest reserve. Marine Policy also notes that Chumbe is Tanzania’s first managed marine park and one of the earliest examples of a privately established and managed marine protected area. The study noted that the sanctuary was legally designated as a no-take area, meaning fishing and other extractive uses were prohibited. But protection required people to enforce the rules. One of the project’s important decisions was to recruit and train local fishers as park rangers. They knew the surrounding waters, understood local fishing practices, and could communicate with other fishing communities. The approach also gave former fishers alternative employment and placed local people at the center of reef protection. The project eventually added an education center and a small ecolodge. The buildings were designed around environmental principles, including solar power, rainwater harvesting, composting toilets, and wastewater filtration systems. Ecotourism began in 1998, with visitor revenue supporting conservation management and educational programs rather than private profit.

Chumbe Island is surrounded by the turquoise waters and coral reefs of the western Indian Ocean. Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons.

Protecting the reef by teaching people about it. Conservation at Chumbe was never limited to protecting the reef. Environmental education became an important part of the project, with local schoolchildren visiting the island to learn about coral reefs, seagrass, forests and marine life. Teachers were also involved so that lessons about the marine environment could extend beyond the island. According to a study published in the Journal of Ecotourism, Chumbe Island Coral Park combines ecotourism with marine conservation and environmental education, while using a low-impact approach to minimize pressure on the island’s natural environment. The model was designed to generate income from tourism while supporting the management of the protected area. The reef remains at the center of the project, but Chumbe’s protected environment extends beyond coral. The island also contains seagrass beds, intertidal habitats, and a coral-rag forest, forming a broader ecosystem managed alongside the marine sanctuary. Riedmiller’s investment grew into a conservation model built around three activities: protecting the island and surrounding waters, educating local communities and visitors, and using carefully managed tourism to help fund the work.

The good news in this story is that one person turned a deserted island into an eco-tourist destination that benefits the island and surrounding area. Today’s JohnKu talks about one person making a difference. I hope you have a beautiful week.

One saw the vision,

Enlisted more commitment . . .

Paradise is born.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste Go Hunting.

August 27, 2026August 24, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 114 Comments

“Hey, Twiggy. What are you looking at?”

“A whole herd of moochers.”

“Moochers? What do you mean?”

“Those deer who have Mom buffaloed.”

“Scoot over, let me see.”

“There they are getting handouts.”

“Wow. You are right. Why do you call them moochers?”

“Because they always have a hoof out for carrots.”

“Carrots? You and I don’t eat carrots.”

“I know it’s just the principle.”

“Oh, I get it. Mom pays attention to them.”

“Well, yeah.”

“And you are jealous.”

“Hold on. There’s one that deserves to be barked to St Louis.”

“How long have you had this obsessive jealousy of the deer?”

“I don’t have an obsessive jealousy. It’s just, I think these guys have the potential to take over the yard.”

“A cute little fawn like that one is going to take over?”

“It grows up. Sometimes it turns into a big ole buck.”

“Well, they are leaving.”

“They will be back. Trust me.”

“You going to wait here for them?”

“I just might.”

“How long are you going to wait?”

“We have all day.”

“What do you mean, ‘We?'”

“Okay then. I have all day.”

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

August 25, 2026August 23, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 56 Comments

Today, I randomly opened Eternal Road – The Last Stop to page 99 and, with my eyes closed, pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “mess.” That is our prompt.

“You are a mess.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“No, I mean you are literally a mess.”

“In what way?”

“You have food all over your face. It’s like you haven’t been taught anything.”

“I don’t see that I’m doing anything different.”

“This must be the first time I’m noticing then.”

“Uh oh. Looks like the honeymoon is over.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well, pointing out little things that now bother you when they never did before.”

“But you should see the mess on your face.”

“I’m not sure how to avoid it.”

“Maybe if you wouldn’t gulp your food, you could be a little more careful about how it goes in.”

“There’s another.”

“Another what?”

“Indication of dissatisfaction.”

“Oh please. Just because I say something about your slopping eating, you take it to mean the honeymoon is over.”

“Is it?”

“If you don’t quit harping on it, I may have to smack you.”

“A loving comment.”

“Eat your carrion and then maybe we can fly to the lake and get you cleaned up.’

Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Opening of the Wizard of Oz in 1938.

August 24, 2026August 23, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 57 Comments

This week marks the anniversary of the opening of the movie The Wizard of Oz in New York City in 1938. Since we all want to attend that gala event, we need to take our Top Ten Things Not to Do list so we can enjoy the evening without causing an incident or a tear in the time continuum. All set? Let’s go. This post ran first on August 19, 2019.

Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Opening of The Wizard of Oz in 1938.

10 At the opening of The Wizard of Oz, do not think anyone will appreciate your cosplay attempt with the lion costume. If you do, at best, no one will take your photo. At worst, since cosplay is a thing of recent history, the zoo will be called, and you’ll be netted. (This is a fine kettle of fish you’ve gotten yourself into, Iapetus. At least there’s plenty of red meat served. I would keep an eye on that big fella over there. I think he likes you.)

9 At the opening of The Wizard of Oz, do not let Tiny the WWF champ see you cut in line. If you do, at best, you can quickly make friends with the person you cut in front of. At worst, Tiny, who was just warned about the evils of line cutting by his boss, has decided to make an example of you. (Stop screaming, Idris. Tiny will eventually stop twirling and slam you to the pavement. Then it will be time to scream.)

8 At the opening of The Wizard of Oz, do not make any comment about the Munchkins. If you do, at best, they’ll be too busy to hear you. At worst, your comment regarding size challenge will not go unrevenged. (How does it feel being carried aloft by one hundred hands, Ignat? I hope you enjoy the ride cause the next stop is the Hudson River.)

7 At the opening of The Wizard of Oz, do not sing along with Dorothy on the song Over the Rainbow. If you do, at best, the music will be loud enough to drown you out. At worst, the theater management will finally find you. (They thought you had brought your cat to the performance, Iliya. Looks like you better say a quick goodbye to your seatmates.)

6 At the opening of The Wizard of Oz, do not think it amusing to arrive on a pink horse. If you do, at best, traffic will be so bad you’ll never get to the front door. At worst, you’ll come face to face with the militant leader of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. (The leader makes the Wicked Witch of the West appear to be a Girl Scout, Imad. That umbrella feels like a billy club, doesn’t it? Best to ride out of town.)

5 At the opening of The Wizard of Oz, do not ask the concession person for a copy of the DVD. If you do, at best you’ll get a box of Raisinets instead. At worst, the concession person thinking you mean to hold up the stand will whistle for the police. (Now you have the pleasure of explaining what a DVD is, Imanol. Maybe it’s better to say you meant Raisinets after all.)

4 At the opening of The Wizard of Oz, do not ask to try on the ruby slippers. If you do, at best Judy Garland will say no. At worst, you’ll get them on. (Now what are you going to do, Indra? You have size fives on your nines and no way to get them off. You’re lucky there is not a real witch, Glenda. She would send you back to Kansas.)

3 At the opening of The Wizard of Oz, do not ask the Winged Monkey King for an autograph. If you do, at best he won’t have a pen. At worst he might decide to take you back to the tower to share a lunch. (Don’t look now, Iolo, but the term “share” has a different meaning to the Flying Monkeys)

2 At the opening of The Wizard of Oz, do not ask Auntie Em for a cookie. If you do, at best she won’t hear you. At worst, you will be the one-millionth person to make that request. (So Auntie decided to give you something for your effort, huh, Ionakana? Here, take this steak and put it on that eye. The swelling will go down in no time.)

1 At the opening of The Wizard of Oz, do not shout out, “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.” If you do, at best no one will know what you are talking about. At worst, when that part comes in the movie, the audience realizes you shouted a spoiler. (Time to leave your seat, Iowereth. There are about 300 moviegoers who want a piece of you. Guess what? There aren’t that many pieces to go around.)

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Activity Center Cool Arts Show

August 23, 2026August 22, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

Today we are visiting the Lakeway Activity Center to check out some art. We are catered by Paperboy of Austin, and our entertainment is Glenn Frey

Brunch Menu

chicken & biscuit – crispy-fried chicken, country gravy, sunny egg*, spicy honey

texas hash – roasted pork, sweet potato, onion, kale, poached egg*, pecan mole

classic breakfast – two eggs, maple sausage, buttered toast & seasonal preserves, potato wedges or cheddar hashbrowns

migas- egg, avocado, pico de gallo, cotija, serrano hot sauce, grilled tortillas

steak & eggs – marinated flank, peanut salsa macha, sunny eggs, arugula, radish, secret sauce, potato wedges

paperboy pancake – maple syrup, brown butter, add blueberries or chocolate chips

Hop on the bus.

There is the sign for the show.

Watercolors.

Lovely oils.

Beautiful flower paintings.

Ceramics.

Lovely pastels.

Halloween art.

Other side of the table.

Ceramics and pottery.

Bold colors.

Cards and ceramics.

Jewelry.

More jewelry and paintings.

Paintings and cards.

Ceramics and ceramic jewelry

The group Whiskey and Wine kept everyone entertained.

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

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Starts with GL”

August 22, 2026August 21, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 70 Comments

The glass touchscreen on the coffee machine is glowing with a soft light. A quick thump of the top brings up the icons. The best guess is the machine was caught sleeping, and, of course, we will never know. A touch of the two coffee button starts the flow of the life-giving elixir that promises to quell the falling Mosler Safe hitting the concrete sound that the lack of caffeine is duplicating in my head.

The first sip does the job. The second sip (Of course) is accompanied by the Westminster chime of the doorbell and the eardrum-bleeding cacophony of Igor’s hounds, Twigy and Tempeste. A toss of a veggie burger into the soundproof room and a slam of the door brings the peace train into the station. A check of the security monitor shows what appears to be Gladstone Gander holding a clipboard and envelope. Since asking anyone to simply leave the envelope has never worked, the security shutdown process is begun.

Gladstone Gander hands me the clipboard and envelope. The signed clipboard is handed back with a fiver. Once in the house, the envelope reveals a message from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “Starts with gl. Find a word that starts with “gl” and use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

To see what others did with the prompt, visit Linda’s post at https://lindaghill.com/2026/08/21/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-august-22-2026/

“So you got the prompt out of the way quickly.”

“Yeah, so fast that Reader Tom probably missed it.”

“Of course there is Reader Jim, to point out what Reader Tom missed.”

“Those two are on it for sure. It seems you know them.”

“Sure do. We worked together in another life.”

“Doing what? Robbing banks?”

“Ha ha ha. No, we were in the drug business.”

“I knew it was some nefarious dealing.”

“Sorry. Just over-the-counter healthcare products.”

“Ah, sorta like VooDoo Rangers.”

“Sorta. You call Uber?”

“Right over there.”

“You have to be kidding me.”

“What’s the problem?”

“We need a ladder to get into that thing.”

“I’m sure there is one in the bed.”

“I hope so. Any other information I should know?”

“That we are going to a dirt truck rally.”

“Swell.”

“It will be fun they said.”

I’m so glad to have this entertainment today.”

“I knew you would be pleased.”

“Not.”

“It will only take a few hours. We have a cooler filled with VooDoo Rangers, too.”

“I’m in.”

“All right, all right, all right.

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

August 21, 2026August 19, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

Today’s good news story comes from AS USA Online Sports Newspaper and was sent in by special reporter.

Thousands of Christmas trees have been dropped from helicopters in the US since 1990. 36 years later, the coastal restoration effort is a success

What started as an unusual recycling experiment has become a key part of Louisiana’s fight to save its coastline.

By Lucía Martín Payo and Roddy Cons

Update: Aug 12th, 2026 10:39 EDT

Every January, thousands of Christmas trees end up in the trash after the holiday season. In New Orleans, officials have found a remarkable way to give them a second life.

Instead of sending the trees to landfills, the discarded firs are collected, tied together into large bundles and dropped by helicopters over coastal marshes. The goal is to help slow the decades-long loss of land threatening Louisiana’s coastline.

A state losing ground to the water

Louisiana has lost more than 2,000 square miles of coastline since the 1930s due to natural erosion and powerful storms. Rising sea levels and sinking land have made the problem even worse.

The Mississippi River also no longer carries as much sediment into the wetlands as it once did, reducing the natural process that helped rebuild the coast. As a result, marshes are disappearing rapidly, weakening their ability to absorb storm surges and protect nearby communities from flooding.

The Christmas tree recycling program is designed to help restore some of those damaged wetlands by creating natural barriers that trap sediment and encourage new land growth.

A creative solution backed by research

Scientists have found that these tree barriers can make a measurable difference. Studies show that the structures can reduce water flow by half and increase the thickness of the soil each year.

Experts caution that the initiative alone cannot solve Louisiana’s massive erosion problem, but official figures show the program has already helped restore an area of wetlands equivalent to around 200 soccer fields.

By turning old Christmas trees into tools for coastal restoration, New Orleans has transformed holiday waste into a small but meaningful weapon in the fight against climate change and rising seas.

The good news in this story is that cast-off holiday trees that could become waste are turned into useful environmental tools. Today’s JohnKu talks about waste. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

What most see as waste,

Louisiana sees as . . .

Treasure for the Earth.