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

~ 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 Constwitter
Update:

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.

Treasure by John W. Howell © 2026

What most see as waste,

Louisiana sees as . . .

Treasure for the Earth.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste Deal with The Natural.

~ John W. Howell ~ 98 Comments

“So Twiggy. What are those lights on the wall?”

“That’s the sun shining through the upper windows.”

“Upper windows? Are you sure. Look like open doors to me.”

“Yes, I’m sure, Tempeste. That is just sunlight cast on the wall.”

“How come I’ve never seen them before?”

“Maybe you weren’t paying attention, or it was cloudy when you were.”

“That is kind of a stunner. Seeing something for the first time.”

“Don’t be too hard on yourself. You are very busy, and the sun only comes out for a few minutes.

“A few minutes? You and I have been sitting here a few minutes, and they are still there.”

“Okay, I’ll give it to you. Maybe it’s more than a few minutes.”

“What else aren’t you telling me?”

“There is nothing else. The sun passes overhead, and the rays disappear.”

“Sun overhead? What kind of magic is that?”

“Brother. I didn’t mean to get into all of that.”

“So tell me.”

“The Earth goes around the sun, so sunlight appears to move, but really it’s the Earth.”

“Seems pretty complex. I can see the squares getting smaller.”

“There you go. As we move, the sun gets higher in the sky and poof, no more direct light through the windows.

“I’m going over there to make sure those aren’t doors.”

“While you are there, check out the little halos around the sunlight.”

“Okay, now I’m really confused. Where did the halos come from?’

“The refracted light from the window glass makes the halos.”

“I gotta lie down. You are making my head hurt with all this stuff.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. Come join me in a nap. When we get up, the lights will be gone.”

“Taking their halo buddies with them, I hope.”

“Yup. The whole gang will be adios.”

Tuesday Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – “Attached”

~ John W. Howell ~ 62 Comments

Today I randomly opened The Last Drive to page 159 and, with my eyes closed, pointed to the page. My finger was closest to the word “attached.” This is our prompt today.

Attached by John W. Howell © 2026

“Are you still here?”

“Well, yes. I think we have unfinished business.”

“As far as I’m concerned, we are no longer attached, so I would like it if you moved on.”

“What do you mean, ‘No longer attached?’ What about love?”

“What’s love got to do with it? I gave you the best years of my life, and now here we are.”

“But didn’t those years count?”

“Of course they did. We had some good times, but now life dictates that you move on.”

“Life?”

“Yup. I have to prepare for another.”

“Another? You mean you found another?”

“Not exactly found. I’m having another baby.”

“Oh my. That is a surprise.”

“For me too. That’s why you must go. Find someone new and start a family.”

“But you are my mother.”

“Sure I am, but you see another Joey is coming and there’s no room in the pouch for the two of you.”

“So you still love me?”

“Of course. Nature dictates that you move on, though.”

“Okay. Can’t fight nature.”

“Watch out for the dingos.”

“I will. G’day, Mom.”

“G’day, son.”

 

Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Introduction of the First IBM Personal Computer in 1981

~ John W. Howell ~ 76 Comments
Photo by Yuheng Ouyang on Unsplash

 

August marks the anniversary of IBM’s introduction of the first personal computer in 1981. If you want to return to that time, take this list with you. It may save a mistake or even a tear in the time continuum. This post ran first on August 12, 2019

Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Introduction of the First IBM Personal Computer in 1981

10 At the intro of the IBM PC, do not laugh out loud at the 16 to 256 kB amount of memory being offered. If you do, at best someone will think you are laughing with delight. At worst, you’ll be put in a position of explaining what you believe to be so funny. (Just because your current laptop has a thousand times that memory, you need not be a snob, Isaias.)

9 At the intro of the IBM PC, do not tell Tiny the WWF champ that he needs to learn to keyboard. If you do, at best Tiny will think you mean someone else. At worst, Tiny will think you are mocking his two-fingered approach to typing. (The other worse part is Tiny just left his self-esteem support group where he was told he is a beautiful, perfect, big boy. I think you will have to deal with his feelings of rejection, Illias. It is going to hurt. I’m just sayin’)

8 At the intro of the IBM PC, do not ask if there are any discounts available on the $1,565.00 price tag. If you do, you’ll likely get a strange look. At worst, the engineers will go into a lot of detail about the components and how expensive everything is inside. (Now don’t you feel foolish, Ismael? Put that Best BUY coupon away. It is not helpful to tell them that you can get a PC priced at $141.00 in 1981 dollars. Might even get you run out of town.)

7 At the intro of the IBM PC, do not ask if you can play Pong on it. If you do, at best, more funny looks. At worst, one of the engineers will suddenly see you as a genius and won’t get away from you. (You may think this is a good thing, Izzy, but the guy hasn’t been out of his clothes for two weeks.)

6 At the intro of the IBM PC, do not use white-out on the screen to correct mistakes you make trying out a unit. If you do, at best the group will think you are cute. At worst, they’ll think you are a technology terrorist. (There are a couple of big guys moving your way, Iban. Might be a good idea to take your white-out and correction tape and head for the door.)

5 At the intro of the IBM PC, do not complain if you get a stripped-down version with no monitor for your $1565.00 ($4313 in 2018 dollars). If you do, you may be told to buy a more expensive model. At worst, the engineers will sit you down and explain that the PC was designed to be hooked to a TV monitor. ( So now you know, Ivo. You just plop that sucker down by your TV and plug it in the back. Well, assuming you have a connection on your TV. If not, come back and get the +$3,000 models. We’ll throw in a couple of floppy disk drives too. Don’t tell me you don’t know what floppy disks are?)

4 At the intro of the IBM PC, do not scoff at Charlie Chaplin’s character The Little Tramp as a spokesperson for the IBM PC. If you do, at best, the market will ignore you. At worst, the advertising folks will lock you in a room and make you watch an endless loop of Little Tramp commercials until you buy a PC. (Best just buy one in the first half-hour, Idal. Otherwise, your brain may melt.)

3 At the intro of the IBM PC, do not buy before you try. If you do, you can expect some inconvenience. At worst, you’ll be trying to save to drives that don’t exist and print to empty slots. (Maybe you should have tried it out first, Isham. Looks like you will need the more expensive one after all.)

2 At the intro of the IBM PC, do not ask if it is compatible with your iPhone. If you do, at best, no one in the room will know what an iPhone is. At worst, the security department will believe you asked the question because you are from a competitor. (Looks like it is going to be a fun ride out the front door, Izak. Try to land on something soft this time.)

1 At the intro of the IBM PC, do not ask if it comes in colors other than grey. If you do, at best the salespeople will think you are joking. At worst, the salespeople will think you are a corporate spy for Apple. (Looks like they are ready for this kind of thing, Issa. Here comes the sheriff with a couple of deputies. Might be a good time to hit the way back button on that cell phone.”

Views of the Neighborhood – Two Daughters, An Old Guy, and Wine

~ John W. Howell ~ 79 Comments

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Bald, Balled, Bawled

~ John W. Howell ~ 52 Comments

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

 

The coffee machine touchscreen is balled up with different languages. Given the two-year-old beating on pots and pans feeling in my head, it took great restraint to not give in to the bald disappointment of caffeine denial. The machine bawled for someone to help. Pulling the plug and reinserting it turned everything back to normal. The two coffee icon was touched, and the heavenly elixir poured forth.

The first sip sent the kid to the backyard. The second (You know what’s coming) was accompanied by the dual torture of the Westminster Chimes of the doorbell and the glass-cracking din of the hounds of Baskerville trying to bark the intruder to St. Louis. A toss of a wagyu porterhouse steak into the soundproof room, followed by the slamming of the door, reunited the environment to the sound of silence.

A glance at the security monitor showed that the idiot on the porch who can’t read the “Do not ring the doorbell” sign was Br’er Rabbit. With a sigh, the security shutdown process is begun.

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 are 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 is closed. The water cannons are set to safety. Bear traps are set to off. Peregrine Falcons perched on the roof above the front door fed. The vat of boiling oil set to warm. The front door is opened.

The rabbit has a clipboard and a letter. He passes them to me, and after signing, it is returned with a fiver, and the advice to watch out for tar babies.

Inside the house, the envelope reveals a message from Dan Antion filling in for Linda Hill, it reads:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “Bald, Balled, Bawled” Use one. Use two or use them all any way you’d like. If you manage to use all three, I’ll slide you some bonus points. Enjoy!

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

https://lindaghill.com/2026/08/14/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-august-15-2026/

Bald, Balled, Bawled by John W. Howell © 2026

“Looks like you  got some bonus points.”

“Yeah, I had to work hard for them.”

“It didn’t seem too hard.”

“You weren’t writing the post.’

“A little on edge today, are we?”

“No, but making these prompts work is a little difficult sometimes.”

“Okay, I get that. ”

“Did you also get an Uber?”

“Sure did. It’s right over there.”

Photo by Dan Antion

“How are we supposed to ride in that?”

“What do you mean? There’s room.”

“I don’t mean room. I’m talking about wind, rain, and bugs.”

“Oh, no problem. Here is an all-weather duster and goggles.”

“Okay, now about the catch.”

“One drag race is all.”

“What?”

“We have to swing by the raceway on the way to the pub.”

“How do you know it’s one race?”

“The driver says he doesn’t expect to win, given that he has older technology.”

“What if he does win?”

“Oh. Then it will be hours.”

“Swell.”

“I’ve packed a cooler with VooDoo Rangers just in case.”

“Now you’re talking. Let’s go to the races.”

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

~ John W. Howell ~ 72 Comments

Today’s good news story comes from the Times of India and was sent in by field reporter Noelle Granger.

Thanks to Noelle.

Florida returned half a million oyster shells to the Gulf of Mexico. The discarded shells became new reef habitat for marine life
Florida returned half a million oyster shells to the Gulf of Mexico. The discarded shells became new reef habitat for marine life

Florida returned half a million oyster shells to the Gulf of Mexico. The discarded shells became new reef habitat for marine life.

TOI World Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM /

Oyster reefs also protect coastlines by helping reduce the force of waves during storms.

What looked like waste has turned into an important tool for restoring marine life along Florida’s coast. Between 2007 and 2024, Florida placed more than 500,000 tonnes of recycled oyster and clam shells into the Gulf of Mexico as part of a long-term effort to restore damaged marine habitats. According to a report by Upworthy, the shells did not come from the sea directly, but were collected from seafood restaurants, where they were discarded after meals, and from seafood processing plants. Instead of sending them to a landfill, they were returned to the water in areas where oyster reefs had declined over the years. At first, many people questioned the idea, even calling it dumping waste into the sea. Even researchers saw little visible change in the early stages of the project and were unsure whether the effort would succeed.

Although there was no immediate change on the surface, important processes had already started. As the shells were placed in the water, bacteria settled on them and formed a thin layer called biofilm. This is one of the first building blocks of a marine ecosystem, creating conditions that allow other organisms to attach, settle, and grow. The shells slowly broke down, releasing calcium into the water. This created small areas with a different water chemistry called microzones.

These tiny changes create suitable conditions for several underwater organisms that depend on such environments to survive. The shells also solved another major problem. Healthy oyster reefs need hard surfaces where young oysters can attach and grow. As many reefs had disappeared, much of the seabed had become soft and sandy, making it difficult for new oysters to establish themselves. The recycled shells acted as that missing foundation, and young oysters settled on them, gradually forming new reefs over time.

Shells were collected from seafood restaurants, where they had been discarded after meals,

Impact on water quality

Oyster population growth also brought additional benefits. While feeding, they filter large volumes of water, removing particles and helping reduce harmful algal blooms. Cleaner water also supports the growth of other plants and animals that depend on coastal ecosystems. Over time, these changes spread through the food chain, and fish and larger marine animals find more suitable habitats. According to the project, populations of fish, turtles, and dolphins recovered to levels not seen for more than 25 years. The gradual rebuilding of the seabed eventually became visible as marine life returned to areas that had earlier struggled to support it.

Importance of reefs

Healthy marine ecosystems support commercial fishing, which generates income for coastal communities. When fish populations decline, fishermen’s earnings are impacted, and seafood prices increase. Cleaner coastal waters support tourism, a major source of income for communities in Florida. Oyster reefs also help protect coastlines by reducing wave energy during storms. They act as natural barriers that can limit erosion and protect nearby shores. Oyster populations have declined over the years because of overharvesting. Human-caused environmental disasters, including the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, have also damaged marine habitats, making it harder for oyster reefs to recover. The results from Florida have drawn attention from coastal engineers and marine biologists, and similar shell recycling programs have already been introduced in several US states, including Alabama, Texas, Louisiana, California, Mississippi, and the Carolinas.

The good news here is recycled shells are giving birth to new life and improved environment. Today’s JohnKu talks about recycling. I hope you have a wonderful weekend

New Life by John W. Howell © 2026

The oysters are dead,

Instead of throwing them out . . .

They support new life.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste Are Back – (So’s Dad)

~ John W. Howell ~ 78 Comments

“Gosh, Tempeste, I’m beat.”

“*Snort*… what did you say?”

“Sister went home, and we had such a good time, I’m exhausted.”

“Me, too. It was wonderful having her here.”

“Yeah, it was. All that playing does wear one out.”

“Notice I’m not moving too fast.”

“Yeah, I noticed. What are you doing?”

“This is my upside. down dog yoga move.”

“That is very strange. I haven’t seen that move before.”

“That’s cause I just invented it.”

“Enough of this lying around. I’m getting up.”

“That couch jump is going to get you into a big bunch of trouble.”

“No one’s to know unless you blab. Ah, down-facing dog.”

“Don’t worry. You have enough on me to guarantee my silence.”

“Up-facing dog. How about it? You going to move today?”

“I think I’ll just stay here and rest my eyes.”

“Well, okay. I guess I’ll find something to do by myself.”

“Maybe that’s a good thing.”

“Or maybe I’ll just close my eyes, too.”

“Now you are talking. Best way to get over someone you miss.”

“I do miss her.”

“Me too.”

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste Have a Message to Deliver

~ John W. Howell ~ 88 Comments

“Tempeste. What are you doing?”

“I’m checking out the outside.”

“Why are you doing that. You know it’s 100 degrees out there.”

“I kn0w but I’m thinking of asking Dad to get the pool out.”

“You know it is still too hot even for the pool.”

“I suppose you are right. Why aren’t you playing with your toys?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I’m in a lazy mood, I suppose.”

“What about your precious marshmallow?”

“I think she needs a rest for a while.”

“I know how that can be.”

“So what’s next? You know Dad wants us to make an announcement.”

“Yeah, I know. Can we just take a nap first?”

“No, I think we should get on with it.”

“Why doesn’t Dad make his own announcements?”

“I think he counts on us, since we have more readers than he does.”

“That does make sense. Okay, let’s get it done.”

“I’ll take the first part. Dad is taking a blogging break for a week.”

“He will be back next Thursday with us again.”

“Our sister is visiting from Indiana. We are so excited.”

“He wants to make sure her visit is enjoyable.”

“So off the grid he goes and will not be visiting blogs”

“Adiós, Papa.”

 

Tuesday Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Amazes

~ John W. Howell ~ 59 Comments

Today I randomly opened Eternal Road- the final stop to page 245. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word “Amazes” is closest to my finger. This is our prompt.

Amazes by John W. Howell © 2026

“You know what amazes me?”

“What?”

“The way those guys move on top of the water.”

“I never gave it much thought, but you are right.”

“You know what else?”

“No, what?”

“They go so fast.”

“Also, have you noticed how much they disturb the water near the shallows?”

‘They sure do kick up the sand for sure.”

“I have to laugh when they stop and sit too.”

“I know. They have no idea that we know what they are up to.”

“They throw that thing into the water and have a stupid worm skewered to it.”

“They must think we are stupid. Everybody knows there are no worms down here.”

“Everybody except those goofy sunfish.”

“Hey, look at that.”

“What?”

“They just tossed a perfectly good-looking frog into the water.”

“Why would they do that? Frogs are good eatin’.”

“I don’t know, but I’m not going to look at a gift horse in the mouth. That frog is going to be my lunch.”

“As a small-mouth bass, you can take that with one gulp.”

“You bet I can. Watch.”

“Bon Appétit, Leroy.”