Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway City Hall Art Exhibit – Artist Christy Stephens

~ John W. Howell ~ 49 Comments

Today we are going to Lakeway City Hall to view an exhibit by artist Christy Stephens. Here is some information about the exhibit and the artist.

Christy Stephens is a graphic designer, illustrator, and ceramic artist based in Austin, Texas.

 

Pottery Wall Art- “I like to evoke a sense of wonder and appreciation for the intricate yet extraordinary moments that occur in nature. The interplay of color and texture inspires the magical process of transforming raw clay from nature into functional works of art. I love the contrast between something new and fresh next to something weathered and worn. I invite you to explore my creations, discover the stories behind each piece, and find something that speaks to your heart to treasure for your home.” Christy can be reached online at                   http://cstreetstudio.com

We are catered by Moonshine in Austin, and our entertainment is The Righteous Brothers, Patrick Swayze, and Demi Moore.

Menu

CHICKEN & WAFFLES  lemon butter, maple syrup, chipotle cream gravy

CHICKEN FRIED STEAK chipotle cream gravy, Yukon mashers

CHICKEN ALMONDINE artichokes, lemon cream, Yukon mashers

GREEN CHILE MACARONI roasted chicken, corn bisque, bacon gratin

SALISBURY CHOP STEAK .mushroom gravy, Yukon mashers

SEARED RAINBOW TROUT bacon cornbread stuffing, soft grits, chile sage butter

ST LOUIS PORK RIBS Dr. Pepper BBQ, tobacco onions, Yukon mashers

CENTER CUT PORK CHOP peach chutney, herb salad, demi-glace, yukon mashers

BLACKENED CATFISH crawfish tails, hot sauce, pecan meunière, soft grits

JALAPEÑO HANGER STEAK salsa verde, demi-glace, yukon mashers

HORSERADISHCRUSTEDSALMON lemon dill butter sauce, brussels sprouts

CREOLE SHRIMP & GRITS  creole sauce, tasso ham, toasted baguette

BEYOND VEGGIE BURGER red onion, red leaf, tomato, pickles, mayo, seeded wheat bun

Picture of an old time school bus

The bus is ready.

A view of the entire exhibit.

Consider the Lillies – Ceramic tile on wood.

Selah – Ceramic tile on wood.

Birds Don’t Worry – Ceramic tile on antique white oak.

Serene – Ceramic tile on wood.

Restoration – Ceramic tile on wood.

Harmony – Ceramic tile on wood.

Poppy Study – Ceramic tile.

Ladybird II- Ceramic tile on wood.

Beauty from Ashes – Ceramic tile on wood.

Ornate Study – Ceramic tile.

Reflections – Ceramic tile on wood.

Morning Dove – Ceramic tile.

So there you have it. Time to relax and enjoy the food and entertainment. I hope you have a super week.

 

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt -“Can”

~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

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

The new machine has arrived; since it is not from IKEA, it is ready to go. A punch of the Cappuccino button can produce a heavenly brew that is certain to be addictive. A sip and a wipe of the milk foam mustache can make us ready for the clock. The date is set for July 12, and the location is Arpajon in Northern France. The duration is an hour, and when the plunger is pulled, we land in time to witness a new land speed record.

Driving at 146.16 miles per hour (235.22 km/h) in his Fiat Mephistopheles, Ernest Eldridge of Great Britain broke the land speed record of 145.89 miles per hour (234.79 km/h) set earlier in the week (on Sunday, July 6) by Rene Thomas of France. Both records had been set on a public road at Arpajon, after which the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile announced that it would only recognize records set on closed racing circuits, bringing an end to attempts to set a land speed record on a roadway used by other motor vehicles.

Just when the champagne started flowing, the alarm goes off, and we are once more setting a land speed couch record. There is a text from Linda Hill. It reads

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “can.” Use it as a noun or a verb. Enjoy!

Here is a link to Linda’s post to see what others have done with the prompt. https://lindaghill.com/2024/07/12/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-13-2024/

Can by John W. Howell © 2024

“You snuck the ‘can’ in nicely.”

“Why, thank you. I’m glad you noticed.”

“A question.”

“Go ahead.”

“What made those guys think they could race on city streets?”

“That is a darn good question that I can’t answer.”

“Drat, I thought you were the answer, man.”

“Sorry, this one escapes me.”

“Well, that society put an end to it, so I guess it is a moot question.”

“I suppose you are right.”

“Another question.”

“Shoot.”

“How long are we going to stand here and not mention Voo Doo Ranger?”

“I guess zero time. You call Uber?”

“Yup, he’s over there.”

photo by Dan Antion

 

“Can you believe it? That’s a 1966 Chevy pickup that has been restored and modified.”

“Looks like enough room in the cab for both of us.”

“Yeah, bench seating makes it possible.”

“Before we go, one last question.”

“Go ahead.”

“Do I need to go get my wallet?”

“And disturb the moths? No, I’ll buy.”

“It doesn’t get any better than that.”

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

~ John W. Howell ~ 66 Comments
The bell frogs in their sauna – credit, Anthony Waddle

Today’s good news comes from the Good News Network

In humans, sauna use is so beneficial that some medical researchers are attempting to add it to the standard of care for those at high risk of heart disease.

Well, researchers in Australia have found that this same leisure activity can save certain species of frogs from the ongoing fungal pandemic called chytrid.

GNN has already reported on chytrid and ways to combat it. Documented as having infected 500 species of frog or more, it’s a massive threat to the amphibiome.

Anthony Waddle at Macquarie University in Australia built a series of “frog saunas” to see if they could help golden bell frogs and green bell frogs native to Australia recover from chytrid. The fungal pathogen thrives in cooler tropical temperatures and is unviable above 84°F (29°C).

Consisting of unshaded black brick structures with narrow holes inside an artificial greenhouse habitat with water and plants, the frogs quickly made themselves at home inside the saunas.

Four healthy frogs were used as controls for a study group of eight frogs, half of which were infected with chytrid. Some habitats were shaded, and others were left uncovered to test a range of temperatures. Infected frogs who frequented the unshaded structure, where temperatures could climb as high as 97 to 100°F, had milder infections, but access to any sauna helped the frogs fight off the disease.

Once they recovered via the saunas, the bell frogs were 23 times less likely to die from a repeat infection with chytrid.

Bell frogs “used to live in people’s toilets and letterboxes and everywhere before chytrid,” Waddle told Science News. “Setting up these habitats where they still persist might give them enough of a boost that you could see a population increase.”

Building these simple structures in a garden could help frogs survive chytrid outbreaks and help the local population develop resistance.

Not all frog species enjoy roasting, however, so saunas are limited to warm-weather species. Another solution needs to be found for those who enjoy cooler temperatures.

The good news in today’s story is that folks are working on eliminating a threat affecting a whole animal species.  Today’s JohnKu talks about those folks. I hope you have a terrific weekend.

Heroes by John W. Howell.© 2024

It’s hard to define,

What actions are heroic . . .

The frogs could tell you.

 

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste Do The Blues Brothers

~ John W. Howell ~ 98 Comments

 

“I think we need something to do today.”

“I have an idea. Let’s do Soul Man. We love that song.

“Coming to ya on a dusty road

Good lovin’ I gotta truckload.”

“And when you get it, you got somethin’

So don’t worry ’cause I’m coming.”

“I’m a soul man.”

“I’m a soul man.”

“I’m a soul man.”

“I’m a soul man.”

“Got what I got the hard way

And I’ll make it better each and every day.”

“So honey, don’t you fret

Cause you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”

“I was brought up on a side street

I learned how to love before I could eat.”

“I was educated from good stock

When I start lovin’, I just can’t stop.”

“Well, grab the rope, and I’ll pull you inGive you hope and be your only boyfriend.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.”

“I’m a soul man“I’m a soul man.”“You’re a soul man.”

“I’m a soul man.”

“I’m a soul man.”“I’m a soul man.”

Apologies to the Blues Brothers

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Prompt – Kreative Kue #438 by Keith Channing

~ John W. Howell ~ 53 Comments

In Keith’s words. “Using this image (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really. Either put your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before the end of the week. If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here. Thank you for taking part.”

Keith post. https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2024/07/01/kreative-kue-438/

The photo.

TSA by John W. Howell © 2024

“Sir, could you please step over her for a minute?”

“Of course, is something wrong?”

“No sir, Is this your bag?”

“Why yes. Yes it is.”

“Would you open it for me?”

“W-why?”

“We just need to check the contents, sir.”

“Am I under suspicion?”

“Sir, this is routine. You have been randomly selected. To ensure the safety of our travelers, we conduct random bag checks.”

“Is this allowed?”

“Yes, sir. Congress has authorized TSA to conduct searches of any bag that is on airport property. By the way. Are you a lawyer by chance?”

“No, I’m not. Just a concerned citizen.”

“As a concerned citizen, do you have anything in this bag that might cause harm to other passengers?”

“Not that I’m aware of.”

“Then you shouldn’t mind if we look inside your bag.”

“Okay. Please do.”

“Thank you, sir. First, I’m going to wipe your bag with a narcotic and gunpowder detection strip.”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“Now I’m going to open your bag. Oh my.”

“What?”

“You have a stuffed pumpkin in here.”

“And?”

“My daughter has wanted one of those forever. Where did you get it?”

“I have never seen that thing in my life.”

“And what’s this?”

“What?”

“Looks like you are trying to smuggle a rare species.”

“Wait a minute. That’s our family pet.”

“Sure it is, sir. You have any papers to that effect.”

“Huh?”

“Can you prove this is your dog?”

“Um, I’m not sure. Oh, wait. I have some photos on my phone. Here, look.”

“Humm. It looks like your dog. So what is it doing in your suitcase?”

“I would like to know the same thing.”

“You obviously can’t proceed with a dog in your case.”

“I think I’ll have to go back home.”

“Well, sorry, sir, but that’s the right thing to do.”

“Too bad, too.”

“Why’s that?”

“My boss is going to be furious.”

“Yeah, they do react that way. Just tell the story. You can catch a flight later.”

“But I have the cocaine.”

“What’s that, sir?”

“Oops.”

 

 

Top Ten Things Not to Do Out of Town if You Are an Author.

~ John W. Howell ~ 84 Comments

This post ran on June 4th, 2018, but I think the advice holds.

* * *

The inspiration for this list was a trip to Phoenix Arizona this weekend to attend the birthday party of my best friend.

10 If you are an author out of town, do not try to keep up with your e-mails. If you do, at best, in your haste, you’ll trash many e-mails that you want to read. At worst, you will delete your entire e-mail account, including the publishing contract and acceptance letter from Simon & Schuster. (They wanted to hear from you in a week, Eduardo. Oh well, maybe the next book.)

9 If you are an author out of town, do not think Tiny the WWF champ will excuse you for taking all the armrest space on the flight as you work on the next draft of your book on your computer. If you do, at best, you may lose the feeling in that arm. At worst, the plane will be diverted to an alternate airport as the Air Marshals attempt to subdue Tiny, who keeps yelling something about “limb from limb.” (You never knew Tiny had such an uneasy feeling about an arm in his face, did you, Ellis?)

8 If you are an author out of town, do not start reading the hijack scene from your book out loud during your flight. If you do at best, your whisper will be unheard. At worst, some well-meaning passenger will have you in a hammerlock before you can explain. ( I think the part about “This plane is under control of the Hamas empire got the guy upset, don’t you, Esteban?)

7 If you are an author out of town, do not try your latest dialog on a fellow bar patron. If you do, at best, you will be met with stony silence. At worst, the patron will think you are handing out a pick-up line, and your face might be met with the business end of a gin and tonic. (Wow, that was a surprise, huh Emilio? I think the bouncer is headed your way.)

6 If you are an author out of town, do not think you can openly try to explain your next book to a hapless passenger waiting for a flight in the terminal. If you do, at best, you might recognize the eye glaze in enough time to avert embarrassment. At worst, You will have gone one step over the line, and your victim will be anxiously trying to get the attention of the security folks. (Looks like the story might need a bit of rework, Edison.)

5 If you are an author out of town, do not try to place a few of your books on the airport newsstand in the terminal next to a famous author. If you do, at best, they won’t get tossed. At worst, the customer who picks up one of your books suddenly discovers they meant to get the famous author and now demands their money back. (It seems they are quite vocal, Eliot. The clerk cannot find the stock number in the register, and the security is headed this way.)

4 If you are an author out of town, do not try to crash another author’s signing just because you don’t think anyone will recognize you. If you do, at best, you will be asked to leave quietly. At worst, your next-door neighbor just happens to walk in and wonders loudly why you are there. (Looks like the author has noticed you there in the back of the room, Ewan. He is not pleased, and maybe you should not have picked an ex-SEAL author’s party to crash.)

3 If you are an author out of town, do not try to create a new story out of the location of your stay if it is commonplace. If you do, at best, it will be a dead-end story. At worst, once the story is finished, you will realize how boring the location really is. (It would have been nice to discover this earlier, huh, Elgin.)

2 If you are an author out of town, don’t think you must write every sight and conversation in your notebook. If you do, at best, you will miss an authentic experience. At worst, the guy you have been profiling might suddenly catch on. ((You have awakened a sleeping giant, Egan. Too bad the giant is in a witness protection program due to testifying against a mob boss and thinks you made him.)

1 If you are an author out of town, do not miss your flight while trying to get that last paragraph critical to your story written. If you do, at best, there is another flight in an hour. At worst, you just missed the last flight and now must spend the night in the terminal. (It looks like the only spot to sleep is on the floor, Errol. I don’t like the looks of that guy in the hoodie. Do you?)

Views of the Neighborhood – Potpourri and A 4th of July Search

~ John W. Howell ~ 75 Comments

Today, we are going to see numerous things, including some random, some cute, and some hard to describe. We will also look to see if there are any decorations for the Fourth of July. We are catered by Birdies of Austin. Our entertainment isSeals and Crofts

Fixed Menu

Summer spoon salad with melon, avocado + dill
Spicy watermelon + feta salad with cardamom, pepper + basil Focaccia with house labneh
Marinated chickpeas with nigella seed
Spiced eggplant with pomegranate molasses
Shrimp + shishitos with sage + rose
Sweet corn + pickled peppers
Chicken skewers with pine nut-pepper schmear + tomatoes

(Veg Option Available Upon Request)
—
Olive oil cake with roasted peaches + cold almond cream

Corn soft serve + crunchy candied buckwheat

Picture of an old time school bus

So let’s go.

This is a close-up of a Texas purple sage bush. When it blooms, they say rain is seven days away.

Mama and her two fawns.

A bright pink set of crape myrtles.

Daddy buck with his velvet antlers.

A giant white crape myrtle.

Mama looking for a handout.

Airconditioner box – First sign of summer.

Lawnmower at the curb – First sign of lawn trouble.

Dining room chairs at the curb – First sign of a redo.

Office chair and kiddie pool at the curb – First sign that working from home is over.

A chair that looks like it came from a Mustang convertible and pallets—the first sign of orders from She Who Must Be Obayed.

House with 4th decorations

Nice bunting.

Uncle Sam.

Lakeway lines all its significant roads with flags for the 4th. Here is an example.

I hope you enjoyed the tour. It is now time to relax and enjoy the food and music.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Chicken or Egg

~ John W. Howell ~ 56 Comments

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

 

Banging on the machine has no effect. It is clear the foamer is on the fritz. There is no reason to make a Cappuccino without milk foam. It makes one wonder which came first, the milk foam or the coffee. Clearly, a cup of coffee without milk foam is just a cup of coffee. Milk foam without coffee is just hot milk with a mustache possibility. What is a person to do? The best thing to do is reset and be grateful for a cup of coffee and then get a new machine.

With coffee in one hand and the clock in the other, it is time to head out for another adventure. The clock is set for June 29th, 1914. The location is Sarajevo, Bosnia. The duration is for an hour. When the plunger is pulled we land on the street in Sarajevo. It is 11:00 AM, and two shots have taken the life of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Sophie the Duchess of Hohenberg, his wife.

The shooter is a student, Gavrilo Princip, a Serb separatist who is immediately arrested along with 22 accomplices. Pandamonium breaks out, and our alarm goes off. Back on the sofa, the text from Linda Hill comes in. It reads. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “chicken or egg.” Use the “which came first” conundrum in your post, whether about the chicken and the egg or about a real-life situation that fits the question. Or just talk about chickens and eggs! Enjoy!

To see what others did with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2024/06/28/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-june-29-2024/

Chicken and Egg by John W. Howell © 2024

“That was some visit. I noticed you went back to 1914. Why?”

“For one, nothing was going on in 1924 but the Democratic convention. I could not pass up the event that triggered World War I.”

“Gotta wonder how that was the trigger.”

“Well, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, and allies of each country declared war on each other. It was a mess.”

“What happened to the shooter?”

“He eventually was found guilty and sentenced to twenty years of hard labor in prison. He was too young for the death penalty, but his accomplices were all put to death. He died in prison in 1918.”

“Whoa, Karma at work.”

“Something like that.”

“Speaking of Karma.”

“I suppose this is a run-up to a pub visit.”

“Well with a name like VooDoo Ranger what else would Karma be?”

“Dis you call Uber.”

“Yup, he is waiting over there.”

Photo by Dan Antion

“What a sweet ride. A 1966 VW Beetle. Wait, there is already a passenger.”

“Yeah, that’s old Virginia. I’m afraid she misunderstood me when I mentioned the VooDoo Rangers.”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s into VooDoo and wanted to meet the ranger and swap methods.”

“For heaven’s sake. Couldn’t you clear it up?”

“I tried, but you know how it is.”

“No, I don’t.

“Let’s just say when Virginia gets something in her mind, it is best to go along.  Especially if she asks for a lock of your hair.”

“Your hair?”

“No, yours.”

“I see what you mean. Let’s go.”

 

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

~ John W. Howell ~ 53 Comments
The Nippon Foundation – released

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

Pioneering Zero-Emissions Hydrogen Fuel-Cell-Powered Ship Successfully Tested in Japan

By Andy Corbley –

A consortium of Japanese firms has successfully demonstrated the first-ever zero-emissions ship above 20 gross tons.

Sailing 30 kilometers between the Port of Kokura and the Shirashima Offshore Wind Farm, the HANARIA was powered entirely by hydrogen fuel cells.

An island nation, 10.25 million tons of carbon emissions from Japan’s transportation sector came from coastal shipping and transport. In 2015, former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga outlined carbon neutrality by 2050 as a major component of Japan’s development strategy, in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, and significant steps must be taken to achieve that.

The Nippon Foundation, a research and development fund dedicated to passing the riches of the sea intact to future generations, worked in tandem with manufacturers and shipping operators to develop a suite of hydrogen-powered, zero-emission vessels for use in shipping and coastal transport.

Hydrogen is manufactured by using an electrical current to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. The pure hydrogen can then be used as a substitute for heavy engine fuels like diesel and kerosene in a fuel-cell vehicle. If the hydrogen is manufactured with green energy, it’s known as ‘green hydrogen.’

A passenger ship, HANARIA spans 108 feet (33 meters), weighs 248 gross tons, and is equipped with a hydrogen fuel system. She is expected to transport personnel to the offshore wind farm and conduct site tours.

During the demonstration, she registered zero CO2 emissions using hydrogen fuel from her departure to her arrival and return.

A zero-emissions research or yachting ship to be tested in 2026 – The Nippon Foundation, released.

“The realization of a hydrogen society requires not only technological development but also city and social design, and we look forward to moving ahead with all parties involved,” said the project’s chief leader, Yoshihiko Hamamura, who also holds a post at the Toyota Motor Corporation’s Hydrogen Factory which supplied the hydrogen tanks for HANARIA.

The Nippon Foundation has been carrying out the Zero Emission Ships Project since January 2022. The project plans to test two other vessels by the end of fiscal year 2026, including a yacht and a hydrogen-powered tanker.

The executive director of the Nippon Foundation, Mitsuyuki Unno, said that they hope to help Japan lead the world to zero-emissions shipping.

The good news in this story is that real advancements are being made with hydrogen-fueled vehicles. Today’s JohnKu talks about technology advances. I hope you have a great weekend.

Technology by John W. Howell © 2024

Every day, there’s more,

Great minds working to advance . . .

Stewardship of Earth.