Views of the Neighborhood – Potpourri

May 16, 2021May 15, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 73 Comments

Today we are going to wander and just take in whatever we can find. There is nothing special going on in Lakeway, so we can just be leisurely and enjoy the day. We are being catered by Sawyer & Co, Austin. It is a New Orleans-style restaurant, so be prepared for some spice. Our entertainment is Sara. Bareilles.

Sawyer Benedict
poached eggs, grilled ham & creole hollandaise on toasted biscuit

Huey P Benedict
poached eggs & cajun style pulled pork with creole hollandaise on toasted biscuit

Breaux Bridge Benedict
poached eggs* over signature boudin with creole hollandaise & choice of toast or biscuit served with brabant potatoes

Trailer Park Benedict
frito pie with house chili, poached eggs* cheddar & grilled onions

Big Easy Omelet
french fries, ham, chili, cheddar, onions with choice of toast or biscuit

Eggs Sardou
fried green tomatoes, poached eggs* with creole hollandaise over creamed spinach & artichoke hearts with toast or biscuit

Creole Shrimp and Grits
pan-seared shrimp in garlic butter, bacon, mushroom & creole sauce over cheesy grits

Jambalaya
with two eggs* any style, choice of bread

Crawfish Etouffee
Boudreaux approved and served over rice

Catfish Orleans
fried or blackened catfish topped with crawfish étouffée over rice

Desserts

Bread Pudding
with bourbon sauce

Key Lime Pie

Apple Pie

Pecan Sticky Bun
homemade cinnamon roll with praline topping

Root Beer Float

SHAKES
Vanilla, Chocolate,Strawberry, Chocolate Peanut Butter

Today’s wine. White: SAUVIGNON BLANC Patient Cottat, Sancerre, France 2019 and Red: CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE Château La Nerthe, Rhône, France 2016.

So let’s get on the bus.

Before we get too far, we need to check out this fawn and mother on my driveway.

Mama needs to do some bathtime chores.

Running to mom.

Speaking of fawn, here’s one that has been parked by its mother. This is usually okay, but the mom parked this little one on the front lawn in full view of everyone passing.

A close-up. The fawn is sound asleep.

A palm tree in bloom.

A field of wildflowers.

Here is beautiful artichoke agave that, because of the spring freeze, is shooting up a flower. This is usually before dying.

A small part of the herd having a stroll.

Here is a non-murdered crape myrtle blooming its heart out.

That is it for today. I hope you have a great week. Sit back and enjoy the food and music.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Growth

May 15, 2021May 14, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 33 Comments

I was lying in the backyard working on a troublesome paragraph when all of a sudden,, the FedEx driver threw a box over the fence. I thought it quite odd, so I called out to him. He yelled back that I need to open the box soon before whatever is inside gets too much bigger. Thinking the FedEx guy knows a lot about boxes, I did open it. Much like a fake snake coiled in a can, the weekly prompt sprung out of the box and two feet into the air. I managed to wrestle it to the ground and turned it over. Here is what it said, Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “growth.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

If you would like to have, fun visit Linda Hill’s blog and read how easy it is. Here’s the link.

https://lindaghill.com/2021/05/14/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-15-2021/

“Don’t even go there.”

“Where?”

“You know darned well where.”

“You mean because the prompt is growth, I would say something gross.”

“Exactly.”

“Okay then. What did you have in mind?”

“I was thinking in terms of growth in maturity.”

“Who’s?”

“Not yours for sure. You still have that idea in your brain.”

“You seem to be able to read minds. That is evidence of your parapsychology growth.”

“I don’t read minds; I just know you.”

“Harsh indeed. So you are going to write about maturity growth?”

“Yes. I’m going to use myself as an example.”

“That’s a laugh.”

“Why do you. say that?”

“Anyone who makes up stories about a FedEx guy tossing a package over the fence has some growing up to do.”

“All right, smartypants—”

“Smartypants?”

“Never mind. Just tell me your idea about growth.”

“That growth on your chin.”

“What growth? You mean my goatee?”

“More like a goat tee, hee.”

“You are just jealous.”

“Why does every nerd say somebody’s jealous when it is pointed out something nerdy about them?”

“Cause you are. My goatee is a work of art.”

“More like a growth of a band of hair that couldn’t make it on the head.”

“Okay, let’s focus on something else.”

“Like the growth of peanuts?”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Peanuts coupled with large frosty pints of beer.”

“My turn right?”

“Right.”

“Not sure you want to drink with a nerd.”

“The nerd that buys is one of my guys.”

“Terrible.”

“I need poety growth.”

“Or a heart attack.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

May 14, 2021May 14, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

“Hey everyone. Dad put the wrong headline on this post which is now corrected. Also, it is Friday and I couldn’t be happier.”
“Well done, Twiggy. He also posted this photo yesterday.”
“Cut the guy some slack, Lucy. he needed a quick one.”
“Happy Friday.”

Another fast-flying week. I have to wonder if it is just me,, or is the calendar out of control? Reminds me of those old movies where the pages fly off a calendar to show time passing. I personally would like time to take a break and not be in such a hurry to pass us by. Too much to do and too little time.

Inflation worries had the stock market in a tissy on Tuesday and Wednesday. Looks like investors think the latest cost of living numbers will trigger a Federal Reserve increase in interest rates. Given that the Colonial pipeline hack pretty much disrupted transportation for the Eastern half of the country might have driven prices up. Most analysts still maintain that a little correction is a good thing.

The housing market is going nuts. If you are thinking about selling a house,, now is the time. Of course, I always miss the seller’s market when selling and the buyer’s market when buying. My motto is to buy high,, sell low. Right now, I’m not needing to sell. I’ll wait for a housing collapse before listing my place.

Still working on my WIP. James and Sam still haven’t been able to find Ryan and Eddie (Two missing spirits) They looked for them at an aerodrome in World War I, at Gettysburg in the Civil War, and they just left Hiroshima. The Hiroshima trip was courtesy of Lucifer so you know it was not meant to be uplifting.

Today’s JohnKu talks about the economy. I hope you all have a super weekend.

Economic cycle,

Could also be called roulette . . .

The ball needs to drop.

Thursday – A Little Personal

May 13, 2021May 12, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 85 Comments

“What are you doing, little one?”

“I’m wondering if we should play ball.”

“I don’t know. The grass is pretty wet from the rain.”

“Yeah, but we can still play.”

“You better check out this grass. I know how you hate to get a wet ball.”

“It doesn’t feel that wet to me.”

“Well, stand there a while and let the water seep into your paws. Then tell me.”

“There sure is no sun, so we might as well make the best of it.”

“I’m walking away, so you’ll have to speak up.”

“Oh, look in the sky. I think it’s an eagle.”

“Get on the porch then.”

“It’s a vulture. He won’t bother you.”

“You sure? I don’t feel like being picked on.”

“If I didn’t know better, I would say that vulture spooked you.”

“Nope, just keeping up with my exercise program.”

“There is one more thing to watch out for. A spider.”

“Yikes. I don’t even like the looks of him.”

“They are good things to have. They eat insects.”

“You have to walk carefully around them for sure. Insects? Yuk.”

“So the final final on the ball game?”

“All this talk about eating makes me want a snack. Let’s pass on ball and go for food.”

“Who was talking about eating? I just mentioned the diet of spiders.”

“Did you mention the word, ‘eat?'”

“Yes. . . Oh, for heaven’s sake.”

“Just beat on the door. You are bigger.”

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

May 12, 2021May 11, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

“What are you doing, Twiggy?”
“My yogi. This is down dog.”
“I thought you would be asking if this is Friday.”
“It can’t be Friday cause it’s Wednesday.”
“Be still my beating heart.”

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we were pleased to see Tony’s boss pony up and approve Tony’s cooperation with our gang’s inquiry. Tony let us all know that the restaurant has surveillance tapes that have a 24-hour loop. He is quite sure that if Cortez’s people picked up an order last night at 5:10, he would have it on tape. We are waiting for Tony to call his boss to see if it is okay to give the officers the tape. Here comes Tony. It looks like he is off the call with his boss. We better get back to see what he has to say.

“Tony, I see you are off the call.”

“Yes, sir.”

“What did the boss say? Is it okay to give us the tapes?”

“He said without a warrant, I can’t give you the tapes. I can let you view them until you do get a warrant. He mentioned that the tapes were company property and might have customer information that would cause some bad press if released.”

“Oh? Like what?”

“He mentioned license plate numbers.”

“Okay, I get it. He wants to make sure that if there is a leak, he is covered.”

“Exactly.”

“I think we can live with this. Larry? Andrew?”

“Okay, by me.”

“Most certainly.”

“Alright, Tony. Why don’t you lead us to the viewing room.”

“That’s funny.”

“What’s funny.”

“Viewing room. It’s actually a closet.”

“Yeah, I see that that is funny. Take us to the viewing closet.”

“Follow me.”

“Right behind you.”

“Watch this back door. It is cumbersome.”

“I got it.”

“Thanks, Larry.”

“Mmmm smells good in here.”

“The closet is over here. I hope you can all see.”

“Set up the tape, and we’ll do our best.”

“Since I’m the least important here, I’ll hang back.”

“Okay, Andrew. Thanks.”

“Yeah, thanks, Andrew. Also, you are the biggest here.”

“Hilarious, Larry.”

“Okay, gentlemen, I have the tape cued for 5:10.”

“I don’t see anything.”

“The ticket reads when the food is ready. Sometimes it takes a few seconds for the car to move from the payment window. There.”

“I see it—another SUV. Looks like an Escalade, and it’s light-colored. Too bad this tape isn’t in color.”

“There’s the plate in the little window to the right.”

“Can you freeze it?”

“Frozen.”

“GSR7075. Nevada plate. Look, the plate surround has the auto dealer’s name on it. Reno Motors.”

“Good Tony. I think we’ve seen enough. You sure that is the car that picked up the order?”

“Yes, sir. The ticket number was confirmed at the delivery window. I checked after my initial call to the boss.”

“Okay, then I think we are done here. If necessary, we will get a warrant for the tape. Can you put it in a safe place so it won’t be recorded over?”

“Yes, sir. I’ll pull this one and put in a replacement. I will save the delivery window receipt too.”

“Thanks, Tony, you’ve been a real help.”

You guys want more coffee?”

“We really have to run. Maybe a raincheck.”

“Anytime.”

Lunar Boogie #NewBook by C.S. Boyack

May 12, 2021May 9, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 60 Comments

Today I’m very pleased to welcome Lisa Burton, C.S. Boyack’s robot assistant to my blog. As Craig’s spokeperson, she is here to tell you all about his latest book. So without further delay here’s Lisa.

Thanks for having me back, John. I’ve been sequestered out at the writing cabin for a long time. Robot girls can’t get viruses, but I’m supposed to fit in when I go out. I don’t like masks and bleach wipes. Ordering things on Amazon just isn’t the same as a good shopping spree. I’m sooo grateful that you invited me over to chat.

I’m here, because Craig has a new book out. It’s called “Lunar Boogie,” and it’s number four in The Hat Series. This time, Lizzie and the hat are on the trail of a werewolf.

My poster for this visit involves this beautiful sapphire ring. It turns out to be the most valuable clue they have. Lizzie discovered it when she stepped in a pile of werewolf crap. This is one of Craig’s stories, so there are some strange things happening.

They know who this ring belonged to all along, but have access to someone the police don’t. The hat has known a lot of witches in his day, but the one who brought him here is still around. She helps with some of their cases, and they need her.

The ritual she performs is weird, and involves a mushroom called dead man’s fingers. This is a real mushroom, and when the fungus wears the ring, magic things happen. The clues are vague and cryptic, but give Lizzie enough help to keep forging ahead.

They still have their band, and bills to pay, so monster hunting has to work around life’s requirements a few times. There’s plenty of the band life, and lively music. This time there are even a few Christmas songs.

The police don’t have the vaguest clue that a werewolf is involved in the killings. They’re chasing a serial killer, because that’s what their experience allows for. Without Lizzie and the hat, this could be a long sad winter.

This is the first book in the series that doesn’t throw-down at Halloween. The winter setting allows the hat to take on some new configurations and Lizzie seems to prefer a mad bomber style for winter monster hunting. I’m proud of them, it looks cute.

I’m going to tell you a little secret. Whenever Craig finishes a story, he has me put all the story elements away in the basement. I’m a good assistant, but I’m keeping this ring. I also scored a bottle of vintage Emeraude perfume. This is the good stuff, so I’m keeping it, too. Maybe one of the other tour posts will get into how that played a role in the story.

Tell your fans they can download the poster if they like. They make fun backgrounds for iPad and phones. Send them off to check out the new book, too. Their purchases keep robot girls in shoes and handbags, if you know what I mean.

Thank you so much for telling us about Craig’s book and giving us some insight as to what we can expect. I know I always enjoy Craig’s writing. Have a safe tour around the blogosphere. I always enjoy your visits.

***

Blurb:

Lizzie and the hat are back in action, only this time they’re up against the most tragic monster of all, a werewolf.

This adventure is more like hunting an animal, and the werewolf is unlikely to come to any of their musical performances. This puts Lizzie out in the dark corners and wooded areas of the city. It may be more beneficial to get the monster to hunt Lizzie than to stalk him on his own turf. All she has to do is be quicker on the trigger than the wolf is on his feet.

At the same time, the police think they’re after a serial killer. Lizzie tries to keep them alive while also keeping them out of her way. As the body count rises, so do the pressures. It doesn’t help that people are blaming Lizzie and the hat for the killings. This involves an urban myth about them that the locals call Hellpox.

Pull on your boogie shoes and join the hunt. Designed as an afternoon read, this one is tons of supernatural fun.

Universal link to buy.

http://mybook.to/LunarBoogie

About Craig:

Visit Craig:

Blog My Novels Twitter Goodreads Facebook Pinterest BookBub

Top Ten Things Not to Do at Whole Foods

May 10, 2021May 9, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 72 Comments

This post was originally run on April 7th, 2015. I hope you get a laugh or two out of this re-run.

Top Ten Things Not to do at Whole Foods

10 If you are at Whole Foods, do not think you are at a discount outlet. If you do, at best, your heart will hit a never before achieved rate at checkout. At worst, you will have to do the wait of shame while the checker calls the stock person to return everything you were forced to give up at the checkout. (The people behind you have a feeling of love right now.)

9 If you are at Whole Foods, do not think the salad bar is a taste first, then buy spot. If you do, at best, store security will remind you loudly that you are not to eat anything before checking out. At worst, you might be asked to weigh in for a residual weight charge on your next visit. (You will be asked loudly for your weight prior to entering the store.)

8 If you are at Whole Foods and are having a salad to go, do not forget the price is by the pound. If you do, at best, you may have loaded your salad with heavy veggies that will lighten your cash. At worst, you will come to realize for the cost of the salad, you could have bought a farm and raised your own. (You will need a horse, of course.)

7 If you are at Whole Foods, do not go there hungry. If you do, at best, you will overspend dramatically. At worst, you will come face to face with the reason the store has the nickname “Whole Paycheck.”( Yes, you can get a loan for your next trip.)

6 If you are at Whole Foods, do not decide to discuss politics with the essential oil and vitamin store person. If you do, at best, you will have to listen to some very disturbing theories on the government’s use of food to eliminate its enemies. At worse, you might find yourself involved in a discussion and resulting firm request to join the Retake the Food underground, which has only one satisfactory conclusion, and that is to run out of the store. (You are lucky you didn’t sign up.)

5 If you are in Whole Foods, do not joke around about wanting more trans-fat in your diet. If you do, at best, you will receive some pretty strange looks. At worst, you might be wrestled to the ground by well-meaning food cranks in an effort to save your mortal self from a fate worse than nicotine addiction. (Now that you are tied up, maybe you can explain it was a joke.)

4 If you are in Whole Foods, do not reach over the counter to help yourself if you sit at the wine bar. If you do, at best, you might be asked to leave. At worst, you may be banned from Whole Foods for up to a year that they consider the ultimate punishment. (As if anyone could stand not to visit for a year.)

3 If you are at Whole Foods and are looking for organic potato chips understand they still are not a good thing to eat. If you forget, at best, you might wonder where you got that extra ten pounds. At worst, you will no doubt feel comfortable consuming organic potato chips until you no longer feel comfortable in your clothes. (The calories jump on the body the same way organic or no.)

2 If you are at Whole Foods and want a breakfast taco. Remember, the prices of the extras beyond the tortilla are on an individual basis. If you forget, at best, you will have the most expensive taco you have ever had. At worst, you will need to make a run to the bank before your number comes up.(You can leave a security deposit to hold your place.)

1 If you are at Whole Foods and decide to have a cup of coffee, do not think you can just order a cup of coffee. If you do, at best, the rest of the line will wonder what planet you were from as you stumble through the process. At worst, you will finally walk away with a cup of something that will closely resemble an oil change in the rainforest. ( That buzz you feel is all-natural.)

Views of the Neighborhood – Enchanted Forest – Part Two

May 9, 2021May 8, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 89 Comments

We are going back to the Lakeway Enchanted Forest. Today we are going to concentrate on the displays near or on Trees. Of course. We need to carry our fuel and entertainment with us. Today the Brunch is being catered by Launderette in Austin. Our entertainment is Alanis Morissette.

SWEET THANGS

BUTTER & PRESERVES toasted sourdough, housemade preserves & cultured butter
ZUCCHINI BREAD cultured butter topped with Maldon salt
BUTTERMILK PANCAKES blueberry maple compote, crème Fraiche
KEY LIME KOUIGN AMANN

SPECIALTIES

RAINBOW BOWL beet hummus, quinoa, roasted carrots, sprouts, sesame, soft egg
SALMON GRAVLAX sesame bagel, cream cheese, capers, tomato, red onion
ENGLISH MUFFIN SAMMIE scrambled egg, Deer Creek cheddar, fennel sausage, avocado, romesco
BENNY TOAST poached eggs, sauce aligot, braised greens, truffle hollandaise, toasted focaccia
FRIED CHICKEN SAMMIE coriander poblano slaw, pickles, challah
PLANCHA BURGER American cheese, special sauce, pickles, challah
THE AMERICANA sunny eggs, oyster mushroom, roasted tomato, bacon, toast
PORK SHOULDER HASH potato, brussels sprouts, sunny eggs, salsa verde
LITTLE GEMS smoked trout, kale, grapefruit, red onion, avocado, agave citrus vinaigrette

BRUNCH COCKTAILS

MIMOSA cava, fresh orange juice
FOR YOUR HEALTH mezcal, pineapple turmeric syrup, spiced agave, lime
BLOODY MARY vodka, tomato juice, Worcestershire, tabasco, horseradish
TEQUILA SPRITZER Blanco tequila, apricot liqueur, chili syrup, bitters, cava
APEROL SBAGLIATO Aperol, Cocchi Rosa, lemon, orange bitters, cava
PAMPLEMOUSSE & ROSE rose liqueur, gin, lime juice, grapefruit juice, Peychaud’s Bitters
MARGARITA Blanco tequila, orange liqueur, spiced agave, lime

For wine, we have CHARDONNAY Scribe, Carneros, California 2016 for the white and CABERNET SAUVIGNON Matthiasson, Napa, California 2017 for the red.

Get on board.

Here we have a fairy house with a fountain.

Looks like a grumpy old man to me.

Gnome and his wishing well.

Massive tree snake.

A fairy in the tree.

Kiss me. (Virtually, of course )

A gnome trailer park.

Several fairies around a fish pond.

Herbs drying in the trees.

The man in the fungus.

A happy forest spirit.

Faries in the park.

Our last is a door to the secret garden. So relax, have some food and listen to the music.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – To Your Left

May 8, 2021May 7, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 45 Comments

I was minding my own business today when a courier rode up and asked my name. Thinking maybe it was a process server, I told him, John Doe. He mumbled something about the Publisher’s Clearing House Sweepstakes, so I owned up to my name. Sure enough, it was an envelope from Linda Hill. I couldn’t wait to tear into it, and here’s what was written on the paper inside. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “to your left.” When you sit down to write your post, look to your left. What is the thing closest to you? Write about the memories that thing induces. Enjoy!

When I sat down to write my post, Twiggy’s eel toy was the nearest thing to me laying on the floor. Here is a photo of it.

“You are not serious.”

“Why? What’s wrong with talking about an eel?”

“That is a dog toy, for heaven’s sake. How much history could it have?”

“Plenty.”

“Yeah, right. Why didn’t you sit down next to a 25-year-old bottle of bourbon? Now that would be history.”

“Cause I drank it 25 years ago.”

“So, what is the history about the eel?”

“Twiggy likes to play tug o’ war with it. She’ll bring it to me and want to play.”

“Oh, snore.”

“Come on. It’s cute.”

“How long has she had this eel?”

“Since she was eight weeks old?”

“So over two years.”

“Yup. An antique in dog toys.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Dog toys don’t always last. This eel has been terrific.”

“Why was it out laying on the floor.”

“So that it will be ready to play.”

“You don’t mind having dog toys laying all around the place?”

“It is very thin. Doesn’t get in the way.”

“What about appearances?”

“What do you mean?”

“People will think you are a slob.”

“I wouldn’t want to dissuade them.”

“Why doesn’t that bother you?”

“Love me, love my dogs.”

“You sound like a nut case.”

“I have twenty bucks dedicated to nothing but beer.”

“Einstein.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

May 7, 2021May 6, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 56 Comments

Photo of Twiggy trotting by Lucy — “Where you going kiddo?”
“I thought I heard Friday on the patio.”
“You are right Friday is here.”

It is Friday again, and I think I must spend part of the week in a state of unconsciousness. That would be the only reason the week passes so quickly. Well, here we are on the eve of the weekend.

It has been a week of finally getting past the block on my WIP. I still can’t figure out what the problem was, but managed to move on. I have been able to score one thousand words a day which is my goal.

On Sunday, we will be visiting the Enchanted Forest again. There are some interesting things done with the trees so we will concentrate on those. I hope you can make it.

This week’s JohnKu talks about peace and quiet. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

When all is quiet,

Do not suspect something’s wrong . . .

Sound of peace working.