Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Start with a Question

June 8, 2024June 7, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 59 Comments

“What the hell?” is a question shouted out loud. Looking in my cup, there is one drop of coffee, after waiting on pins and needles for ten minutes. Grabbing the phone with the coffee machine app, it is quickly ascertained that my password has expired. Choosing a new password takes another ten minutes since various symbol and letter combinations are unacceptable.

Finally, the suggested strong-generated password is selected. It is now safely stored, god knows where in the cloud on a password chain that will never be found again. After a sip of the brain rescue fluid, the clock is secured.

The clock is set for June 8, 1924. The location is the Himalayan mountains in Tibet, and the time is one hour. The plunger is pulled, and we are transported immediately to the base of Mt. Everest.

English geologist Noel Odell catches sight of George Mallory and Andrew “Sandy” Irvine, two fellow members of a British expedition to climb Mount Everest, far in the distance, each man a “tiny black spot” silhouetted against the snow. By Odell’s reckoning, they are within about 800 vertical feet of the summit. It is the last time either Mallory or Irvine will be seen alive.

We do not know if Mallory ever reached the summit. His body was found in 1999, face down at 27,000 feet. He had a small camera that could have given information on whether or not the summit was reached. The camera and Andrew Irving’s body are missing. While contemplating the difficulty of climbing Mt. Everest, the alarm brings us back to the safety of the couch. There is a text from Linda Hill. It reads. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “start with a question.” Begin your post with the first question that comes to mind when you sit down to write your post. Bonus points if you end your post with a question, too. Have fun!

To see what other bloggers do with the prompt, visit Linda’s blog. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2024/06/07/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-june-8-2024/

“When was the mountain finally conquered?”

“On May 29, 1953, by New Zealand climber Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa guide from Nepal.”

“Wow, that was a long time since 1924.”

“Yes, it was. When you figure the cold and lack of oxygen near the summit, it is no wonder so many have died in an attempt.”

“I wonder how many?”

“Since records have been kept beginning in 1922, 322 people have died on the mountain.”

“Goodness. I think I will pass on that bucket list item.”

“You had Everest on your bucket list?”

“Well, no, but it’s not going to be either.”

“I see. Do you think you could climb the Voo Doo Ranger hill?”

“Already ordered the Uber.”

“Don’t tell me.”

“Yup, that’s it over there.”

“A fully restored 1924 Model T Ford Tudor Sedan.”

“Yup, that’s it.”

“I am speechless. It is the same year we just visited.”

“I do have a question, though.”

“Yeah, shoot.”

“You opened this post with a story about your coffee machine password.”

“Yes. What’s the question?”

“What use is a password? Who the hell is going to steal coffee from a machine that sits in your kitchen?

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

June 7, 2024June 6, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 75 Comments

credit – Rewilding Europe, Nelleke de Weerd, released.

Today’s good news is from the Good News Network.

Portugal Welcomes First Wild Bison in 10,000 Years–a Keystone Herd for Rewilding a Quarter-Million Acres

Andy Corbley – Jun 6, 2024

The Rewilding Europe organization is thrilled to announce the arrival of a small herd of bison in a large valley in Portugal.

Believed to be the key to preventing catastrophic wildfires, invasive species spread, and promoting endemic biodiversity, it’s the first time bison have been present in Portugal since the last Glacial Maximum.

From Poland to Romania to the UK, European wood bison are now firmly recognized as one of the best tools for returning what little wilderness Europe has left to as wild a state as possible.

Once upon a time, all of Europe was covered in forests or scrubland, through which the European bison and the steppe bison roamed. Today, nations across the Old World are trying to reintroduce these large grazers into wild areas to help improve native ecosystems.

In Portugal, a country smaller than Pennsylvania, the gradual abandonment of the Greater Côa Valley has presented an unprecedented opportunity for rewilding.

The government has already set aside a quarter million acres of land for conservation, boasting an exciting mix of natural and semi-natural habitats of scrub, Mediterranean dry forests, and steep gorges.

The Iberian wolf is present on the land in the form of a small pack, and the area acts as a refuge for roe and red deer, wild boar, eagles, and an ancient cattle breed that’s left to roam wild as its ancestor, the mighty auroch, once did across Europe.

European Bison keystone species – ARK Rewilding Netherlands

The arriving European bison will be managed in cooperation with the Rewilding Portugal team, who received the individuals from the forests of northern Poland, where over 4,000 bison roam wild.

“We are viewing this translocation as a pilot,” explains Rewilding Portugal team leader Pedro Prata. “The bison will be closely monitored to see how they acclimatize to the local landscape and climate. This is the first time the Rewilding Portugal team has managed bison, so it’s also a learning process for us. Members of the team will receive training in bison management.”

It won’t just be new for the team but also for Portugal. The remains of the European bison have never been discovered in the country or on the whole of the Iberian Peninsula.

Scientific evidence has to look back 10,000 years to find a bison in Portugal—the steppe bison—a predecessor of the modern European bison. However, studies of translocated bison in Spain have shown they are at home in the hot, dry climate.

Through their grazing, foraging, trampling, and fertilizing, bison help to maintain biodiversity-rich mosaic landscapes of forest, scrub, and grassland, as well as numerous micro-habitats, which host a wide range of plant and animal species.

Studies in Europe and North America have highlighted this with regard to the related American bison. These same interactions can boost the capture of atmospheric carbon in both vegetation and the soil.

This report is good news since the rewilding of any area is a step closer to the naturalization of the planet. Today’s JohnKu talks about replenishment. I hope you have a super weekend.

Emptying resource,

Is a dangerous action . . .

Replace what you take.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Niece Kizzy, Twiggy, and Tempeste

June 6, 2024June 6, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 133 Comments

“I think we better get going Tempeste.”

“Why. What’s up?”

“Niece Kizzy is coming to visit. She’ll be here any minute.”

“That’s terrific. She’s always a lot of fun, unlike some I could mention.”

“I do my best to keep you entertained.”

“Oh, I know I was just pulling your four legs.”

“I think I heard something around back. You stay here in case she comes in the front.”

“Not a fan of waiting by myself.”

“Just sit there. You’ll be fine.”

“I don’t like sitting doing nothing. I think I’ll go see what I can find.”

“How did you find Kizzy? Hi Kizzy.”

“I took matters into my own hands, and here she was.”

“Hi, Twiggy. I wonder if you can help me.”

“Sure Kizzy. What do you need?”

“For one, I outweigh this little bat one hundredfold, and she insists on a walk.”

“Well, if that’s all, why not take a walk?”

“There is something undignified about a warrior like me being led by a whelp like her.”

“Hey, who are you calling a whelp?”

“Well, Kizzy, I have learned if you humor her, things go better.”

“Okay, Twiggy. If you say so. Let’s get on with it, Tempeste.”

Watch the video and see Tempeste take Kizzy for a walk.

Tuesday – Anything Possible Kreative Kue #434 by Keith Channing

June 4, 2024June 3, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 77 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.”

Link to Keith’s post. https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2024/06/03/kreative-kue-434/

The photo.

“Hey Trevor. What do you have?”

“I found him in the woods.”

“He looks a little worse for the wear.”

“I know. I thought you could take a look and see what’s needed.”

“I’d be happy to do that. Put him down here.”

“Before I do, you have to know he is a stuffed toy.”

“I’m so glad you told me that. I thought for a minute he was a live elephant.”

“Okay, I catch the sarcasm. I just didn’t want you to think it was me who made him worse for the wear.”

“You? How would I ever think you would do such a thing?”

“Dark sarcasm in the classroom.”

“Okay, just set him down and let me have a look.”

“Here.”

“Hmm. It doesn’t look too bad.”

“What do you mean too bad?”

“There is a little tear that needs fixing and he could do with a bath.”

“Okay. Will that be all?”

“I think so. Let me palpitate him to see if there is anything we can’t see.”

“What’s that noise?”

“Sounds like a squeaker.”

“A squeaker? We need to get that out.”

“Yes, I’ll remove it so you don’t have to tear the poor thing apart.”

“Squeakers, give me the willies.”

“They aren’t good for dogs if swallowed.”

“Are you sure you can do it?”

“I’m a doctor, for heaven’s sake. Of course, I can do it. There it is out. Now let me stitch him back up.”

“Oh, doctor, I’m so grateful.”

“Save it, Trevor. There are no cameras here. There, your friend is ready for a bath.”

“Do we really have to do that?”

“If you want him to come inside, we do. While we are at it, you are pretty ripe as well.”

“On second thought he can be an outside toy. See ya. Thanks.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do While Photographing Doors

June 3, 2024June 2, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 68 Comments

This post ran on April 16, 2018. When it ran, Dan Antion was a participant in the Thursday Doors feature. He is now the lead and has just finished a major story prompt with the doors as inspiration. This post is in recognition of the outstanding job he and all the participants did on this creative effort.

* * *

This list is inspired by the Thursday Door prompt as interpreted by Dan Antion. I have often wondered what would happen if certain things went wrong when looking at his photos. So here they are, and I’m glad to report that Dan has done none of these things.

10 If you are taking door photos, do not ignore that no trespassing sign. If you do, at best, you’ll get a warning shot. At worst, the owner will have a pack of wild dogs trained to discourage trespassing. (You finally found out how quickly you can run, Donahue. Too bad those dogs are faster.)

9 If you are taking door photos, do not keep shooting pictures while Tiny, the WWF Champ, is waving at you. If you do, at best, he is friendly. At worst, he just entered the witness protection program and thinks you are on the opposite team. (This would be a good time to try out those new Nike running shoes, Donato. Oh dear, you forgot to wear them? Try not to scream then.)

8 If you are taking door photos, do not try to shoot and drive. If you do, at best, you’ll get many photos of your reflection. At worst, you are so occupied you miss that curve. (Looks like you are in someone’s bedroom, Donny. I think I would make up a story and fast.)

7 If you are taking door photos, do not continue to back up without looking behind you. If you do, at best, you’ll fall into a flower bed. At worst, you now know the meaning of free fall, Dontell. I don’t think flapping your arms is going to help. You can try it, though.)

6 If you are taking door photos, do not forget to keep your thumb out of the field of vision. If you do, at best, one or two will turn out. At worst, your door photos will all have a significant close-up of your thumb. (No matter how you try to sell the shot as artistic, Duante, everyone knows what really happened.)

5 If you are taking door photos, do not become distracted by the obscure. If you do, at best, some of your fans might enjoy the “door to the alley” shot. At worst, that close-up of a ham sandwich looks to be anything but a ham sandwich. (Looks like those comments are not going in your favor, huh Dorion?)

4 If you are taking door photos, do not focus on only those doors you like. If you do, at best, your audience will fade. At worst, after the one-hundredth shot of the Burger King entrance, someone will mercifully take your camera away from you. (You’ll be able to get it back, Doughall, after a hundred hours of community service.)

3 If you are taking door photos, do not try to include exciting people. If you do, at best, they’ll only cover up the door. At worst, you’ll have someone in your shot who has a thing about obscene gestures. (Okay I would take that one over, Draven. This is a family post, after all.)

2 If you are taking door photos, do not think the weather will cooperate. If you do, at best, some will think that door photo with snowflakes is artistic. At worst, your light setting will be thrown off by the repeated lightning strikes. (You need to find cover, Driscol. You also need to get some rubber shoes for grounding. My goodness, the last bolt did some funny things to your hair.)

1 If you are taking door photos, do not think you need to have each one be perfect. If you do, at best, you will shoot so many that you run out of memory. At worst, you will photoshop the photo until it no longer looks like the door you shot. (What makes you think folks want to see a business building door look like the entrance to the Vatican, Duff?)

Views of the Neighborhood – Potpourri

June 2, 2024June 2, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 74 Comments

Today, we are going to see a few things that were spotted in the neighborhood this week. We are catered by Stell San Jac of Austin. Our entertainment is Kris Kristofferson.

Eggs Your Way – Two Eggs, Crispy Hash Brown, Toast, Choice of Meat: Chorizo, Pork Sausage, Turkey Sausage/Bacon or Smoked Bacon

Chorizo & Potato Tacos – Eggs, White Cheddar, Crème Fresca, Roasted Salsa

Grapefruit Curd Parfait – House Made Granola, Greek Yogurt, Texas Berries

Smoked Salmon Benedict – Poached Eggs, Smoked Salmon, Spinach, English Muffin, Hollandaise

Pecan Praline French Toast – Bourbon Maple Syrup, Vanilla Whipped Cream

Chicken & Waffle -Bourbon Maple Syrup, Country Gravy, Fried Herbs

Lemon Buttermilk Pancakes – Fresh Blueberry, Lemon Syrup

Country Fried Steak – Country Gravy, Hash Brown Waffle, Sunnyside Up Eggs

Biscuits & Gravy – Grilled Chorizo, Poached Eggs, Creole Sausage Gravy

Let’s go.

A big Vitex.

A sad mailbox.

A lovely pink Crepe Myrtle

A fairyland mailbox topper

A giant cactus in bloom.

Rare white Crepe Myrtles.

A smiling ceramic pig on the mailbox.

A large blooming succulent.

A loving Mama and her babies.

The Producer’s dinner plate hibiscus.

Time now to enjoy the food and music. I hope you have a fantastic week.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Recipe

June 1, 2024May 31, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 77 Comments

My mind goes to the song Anticipation by Carley Simon, watching the precious drops of Columbian brown drip from the stainless machine into my double-sided glass mug. The crema forms at the top per the recipe, and the ten ounces of bliss is ready. A hurried gulp brings to mind the clock. The setting is June 1st, 1924, and the location is Chicago. The duration is set for an hour. When the plunger is pulled, we find ourselves on the corner of Dearborn and Madison Streets in downtown Chicago. This is the headquarters of the Chicago Tribune newspaper.

We are in time for Col. Robert R. McCormick’s announcement that what would become one of the most widely heard radio stations in the U.S. and a widely seen television station was created when the Chicago Tribune newspaper purchased Chicago’s WDAP radio station and renamed it WGN, an abbreviation of the Tribune slogan, “World’s Greatest Newspaper.”

Since Col. McCormick is a man of few words, it does not take long for the announcement and our alarm to sound. The couch proved to be a soft landing place, and my text notice tells me Linda Hill has sent this week’s prompt. It reads:

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

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit her post. Here is a link. https://lindaghill.com/2024/05/31/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-june-1-2024/

“Sounds like a recipe for success.”

“What does?”

“Tribune buying a radio station.”

“I agree with you.”

“I remember watching Bozo’s Circus on WGN television.”

“That was a great show.”

“WGN became a so-called superstation.”

“So true.”

“Big audience nationwide.”

“Yup.”

“You sound like you already knew this stuff.”

“I thought everybody knew this stuff.”

“Okay, I was trying to have a conversation.”

“I think we should do that over a VooDoo Ranger.”

“I can’t believe you are the one making that suggestion. I already called Uber.”

“Let me guess. He’s over there.”

“Yes, he is.”

“Look at that.”

“What is it?”

“I’m not sure. But I think it is a 1967 Dodge Polara 500.”

“You lived through years of cars, so I’ll not bet against you.”

“Sweet ride. Let’s go.’

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

May 31, 2024May 30, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 66 Comments

Indian Engineers Tackle Water Shortages with Star Wars Tech in Kerala

By Andy Corbley – May 30, 2024

When a severe water shortage hit the Indian city of Kozhikode in the state of Kerala, a group of engineers turned to science fiction to keep the taps running.

Like everyone else in the city, engineering student Swapnil Shrivastav received a ration of two buckets of water a day collected from India’s arsenal of small water towers.

It was a ‘watershed’ moment for Shrivastav, who, according to the BBC, had won a student competition four years earlier on the subject of tackling water scarcity, and armed with a hypothetical template from the original Star Wars films, Shrivastav and two partners set to work harvesting water from the humid air.

“One element of inspiration was from Star Wars, where there’s an air-to-water device. I thought, why don’t we give it a try? It was more of a curiosity project,” he told the BBC.

According to ‘Wookiepedia’ a ‘moisture vaporator’ is a device used on moisture farms to capture water from a dry planet’s atmosphere, like Tatooine, where protagonist Luke Skywalker grew up.

This fictional device functions according to Star Wars lore by coaxing moisture from the air through refrigerated condensers, which generate low-energy ionization fields. Captured water is then pumped or gravity-directed into a storage cistern that adjusts its pH levels. Vaporators can collect 1.5 liters of water per day.

Moisture vaporators on the largely abandoned Star Wars film set of Mos Espa, in Tunisia – credit © Andrew Corbley

If science fiction authors could devise the particulars of such a device, Shrivastav must have felt he had a good chance of succeeding. In 2019, he and colleagues Govinda Balaji and Venkatesh Raja founded Uravu Labs, a Bangalore-based startup.

Their initial offering is a machine that converts air to water using a liquid desiccant. The desiccant absorbs moisture from the air, and sunlight or renewable energy heats it to around 100°F. The captured moisture is released into a chamber, where it’s condensed into drinking water.

The whole process takes 12 hours but can produce a staggering 2,000 liters, or about 500 gallons of drinking-quality water per day. Uravu has since had to adjust course due to the cost of manufacturing and running the machines—it’s just too high for civic use with current materials technology.

“We had to shift to commercial consumption applications as they were ready to pay us, and it’s a sustainability driver for them,” Shrivastav explained. This pivot has so far been enough to keep the start-up afloat, and they produce water for 40 different hospitality clients.

Looking ahead, Shrivastav, Raja, and Balaji are planning to investigate whether the desiccant can be made more efficient. Can it work at a lower temperature to reduce running costs, or is there another material that might prove more cost-effective?

They’re also looking at running their device attached to data centers in a pilot project that would see them utilize the waste heat coming off the centers to heat the desiccant.

The good news in this article is that smart people are exploring ideas that seem more fiction than reality to solve real problems. Today’s JohnKu talks about the potential of the human brain. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

An idea born,

From a sci-fi writer’s brain. . .

Is now feasible.