This week is a Storybook Walk – Valentines edition. The book on the walk is “I’d Know You Anywhere My Love” by Nancy Tillman. We will be taking the bus to the Lakeway Activities Center and then disembark to have lunch on the walk grounds. We have a tent and electrical – hook-ups, so our meal will be hot where it needs to be hot and cold where it needs to be cold.
For an appetizer, we are serving cold stone crab and parm and tomato crostini. For the main course, you have a choice of Shrimp Étoufée, Dirty Rice, Roasted Brussels Sprouts. or Beef Wellingtondemi-glace, Yukon gold mashed potatoes, and broccolini. Both are served with spinach Salad cranberries, feta cheese, candied pecans, heirloom tomatoes, and red wine vinaigrette. For dessert, we are offering warm turtle brownies, and tres leches cake. Home churned vanilla bean ice cream is available. In addition to the Top Shelf liquors, we are serving a 2016 Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva for the red wine and a 2018 Hall Sauvignon Blanc Knights Valley for the white. Our entertainment for today will be The Seekers.
So hop on the bus, and let’s go. When we get there, we will take a stroll.
There’s the sign post.
The book cover.
A footbridge to cross
A pledge to know you no matter what you become.
Your smile will give you away.
The gleam in your eyes will be a tip-off.
How about your grin?
Or maybe your chinny chin.
A leftover from the Walk of Lights
A bench ready for Valentine’s Day.
Love messages in the trees.
A panda and giraffe being friends.
Messages left on the back of the Panda and Giraffe mural.
If you were a bear-cub.
I’d know you by your nose.
Your give away feet.
Your snowy owl wings say it’s you.
I would know your roar.
A lovely message for Valintine’s Day
Thank you for a visit. I couldn’t hope to show you all the pages of the book, but I hope you got a flavor. Now relax and have some food and drink and enjoy the Seekers.
It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and I pulled a postcard out of the mail today. To my surprise, Linda Hill did not make a trip to deliver the prompt. She sent it on this card instead. After reading the prompt I can see why. This week’s prompt, as written by Linda, is:
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “flag.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
This one sure didn’t need a box or large envelop for sure. If you would like to participate in the fun, go to Linda’s blog and read how to do that very thing. (Was hard not to end that sentence with a preposition) Here is a link to Linda’s place.
“It’s Friday Lucy.” “I see it is by the clock on the wall.” “Let’s ruckus.”
Well, here we are on Friday again. It has seemed like a short week for some reason. I can’t explain why. Maybe it’s busy.
Taxes took up a bit of time this week. I spent 2 1/2 hours on Turbo Tax customer support to fix a problem caused by Microsoft. When I booted up Turbo Tax, I couldn’t get the software updates. I let this situation go several times, but since I bought the disk a while ago, I knew I needed them. I really don’t know what the problem was, but a Microsoft bulletin suggested a couple of fixes that didn’t work. Finally, The tech and I uninstalled the program and then eliminated some programs that looked to be interfering. Long story short, all is well. I had previously saved my work, so nothing was lost except time.
This is Super Bowl weekend, and I always look forward to the commercials. Of course, having two quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady playing against each other should be entertaining. I guess I’m not alone. The sports pundits are calling this the greatest match-up ever. Who am I to argue. I don’t have a favorite, so I guess whoever plays the best game should win. (DUH John)
Still more executive orders out of Washington. We shall see.
This week’s JohnKu talks about having fun. I hope you all have a great weekend. This week’s view of the neighborhood is a Story walk. See you there.
“Since it is Wednesday can we take a nap?” “Of course Little One. Why would you ask?” “I just wouldn’t want to sleep through Friday.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, Pricilla got a call from Cortez’s men advising her that they will want to trade Carolyn for Lazar. We also know she has her techie working on Stennis’s phone to see if any of the numbers he called could lead them to Cortez’s men. Andrew, Larry, and Pricilla are in a small room at the Highway Patrol headquarters. I think we ought to go there now and see if there has been another phone call from Cortez’s team.
“I think we ought to get out of here and go to my office.”
“You not comfortable that the place is full of bugs?”
“Let’s just say If I want to be overheard, I’ll talk in a crowd.”
“Andrew and I are at your service, Pricilla.”
“Yeah, I appreciate that too. You guys want to ride with me?”
“That would be swell since we got here in Lieutenant Mayfield’s car.”
“I’ve wanted to ask you. You have any gut feelings about Mayfield.”
“Gut feelings?”
“Yeah. You’re a detective. You know what I mean by gut feelings.”
“Should we be talking about that here?”
“Maybe you’re right. I keep forgetting this is Mayfield’s domain. Let’s say our goodbyes to the Lieutenant and go downtown.”
“Do you think Cortez’s men will have a problem with you being separated from Lazar?”
“They shouldn’t. Besides, how are they going to know.”
“Let’s hope they don’t know. If they find out then, that will tell you something.”
“I get that for sure. Let’s go.”
“After you, Pricilla.”
“You two wait here. I’ll go say goodbye to Mayfield.”
“We’ll be here.”
“Larry.”
“Hold on, Andrew. Wait till Pricilla is out of earshot. Okay, what is it?”
“Talk about gut feelings. I’ve got alarm bells going off all over the place.”
“Yeah, me too. What the hell is wrong with everyone anyway. I’m not sure, but I don’t think there is a straight shooter on this side of the keyboard.”
“Keyboard?”
“Never mind. I’m as nervous about Pricilla as I am about Stennis and the Lieutenant. I get this feeling we are in a big game of Clue. I’m waiting for Colonel Mustard to step out.”
“That’s pretty funny, but I know what you mean. I just don’t have a handle on who’s who.”
“We need to get to the bottom of the reason we came here. We got the Sandusky cold case and the supposed murder of Alexis Rafferty. Now we could just cut out losses and go back to Boston and forget we ever got caught in this mess.”
“I don’t recommend that, Larry. For heaven’s sake, Janis Rafferty and Ned Dixon would get away with murder. We don’t want that. Here comes Pricilla.”
“Okay, guys, we are ready to go.”
“We are with you.”
“Yeah, I’m counting on that. The lieutenant says good-by and hope you have success with your case.”
Harvey Wilcox – Registered Hollywood in 1887. Wikipedia image
Today marks the 134th anniversary of Hollywood’s official registration with the Los Angles County recorders office in 1887. I know I would like to go there and see what the beginning looks like. We need to take out the top ten list to avoid any tear in the time continuum. James’s Oldsmobile is ready so let’s get going.
James’s Oldsmobile from Eternal Road – The final stop
10 If you go, do not say anything bad about Kansas. If you do, at best, no one will hear you. At worst, Harvey Wilcox will be standing right behind you. (For your information, Mahpee, Harvy, the guy who registered Hollywood, came to Southern California from Kansas. I think I would say “go Jayhawkers,” and walk away.)
9 If you go, do not ask Tiny, the WWF champ, for directions to the Walk of Fame. If you do, at best, Tiny will be on his lunch break and not hear you for the chewing. At worst, Tiny will realize he has no idea where the Walk of Fame is located since it is not in place yet since it was built in 1953. (you must know what happens when Tiny gets confused, Maichail. I would just lay back and enjoy the pinwheel drop. We have plenty of Ben-Gay.)
8 If you go, do not use any curse words. If you do, at best, Wilcox won’t hear you. At worst, you will look up after hitting your thumb with a hammer, and he’ll be there. (Harvey Wilcox came from Topeka to establish a utopian vice free community. Your blue language has his ears burning, Maitland. Speaking of burning, I wonder how Harvey’s eyes feel boring into yours?)
7 If you go, do not mention alcohol. If you do, at best, Daeida Wilcox will be otherwise distracted. At worst, she and Harvey will think you need saving. (The two of them are prohibitionists, Makaio. You can now look forward to an interdiction and 24 hours’ worth of instruction on the evils of alcohol.)
6 If you go, do not scoff at the name Hollywood. If you do, at best, the Wilcocks will be in the city. At worst, they will overhear you. (Since Daeida came up with the name, Makin, Harvey wants satisfaction. His second just hit you with a glove made of armor. When you wake up the whole thing may have blown over. doubt it.)
5 If you go, do not ask about where the Hollywood sign went. If you do, at best, no one will care. At worst, Wilcox will think it a great idea. (Now you have altered time, Maks. The Hollywood sign was erected in the hills in 1923 and originally advertised a new community called Hollywoodland. The sign originally said Hollywoodland but was shortened in 1943. What are we going to do with this sign in the middle of town?)
4 If you go, do not mention film making. If you do, at best, only the workers will hear you. At worst, Wilcox will want to know what you are talking about. (You better not detail that in 1900 filmmakers fled the State of New Jersey to get away from Thomas Edison’s attempts to monopolize the industry. If you do, Malek old Wilcox will have a heart attack. Works of the devil in his mind.)
3 If you go, do not talk about the Oscars. If you do, at best, people will think you are talking about your uncle. At worst, Wilcox will get wind of your conversation. (Sure enough, Mallory, Wilcox wants you in jail. The idea of promoting film making he believes to be a sin. Since the first Oscars were awarded in 1929, you could have skipped the discussion. I guess it is too late. Here comes two of Hollywood’s finest.)
2 If you go, do not comment on the streets of Hollywood. If you do, at best, you won’t be heard. At worst, Wilcox will be right there when you make your statement. (Wilcox was the guy who laid out the dirt streets lined with pepper trees, Maloney. Although not appealing to everyone, they had a certain sparseness he favored. He is giving you a chance to run. I would take it.)
1 If you go, do not recommend planting English holly to back up the name Hollywood. If you do, at best, the guy planting pepper trees will ignore you. At worst, Wilcox will like the idea. (Unfortunately, Malyn English Holly needs more water than that available in Los Angles’ desert climate. Now that Wilcox planted all that holly, he is looking to you to find a way to irrigate it. Put down that watering can. You are going to need more than that.)
Today we are going to see several things that are more or less random. We will need to get on the bus and make sure we have enough to eat and drink for this little excursion.
We will be having a choice of crispy chicken parm egg rolls or baked brie and sourdough crostini for the appetizer course. The main course today is either Rosemary Braised Lamb Shanks or Coquilles Saint-Jacques. The lamb is served on a bed of garlic mashed Yukon gold potatoes and the Coquilles Saint-Jacques with jasmine rice. Both have a side of fresh steamed asparagus. There is brown betty with freshly churned ice cream or New York Style cheesecake drizzled with homemade dark chocolate sauce for dessert. In addition to top-shelf drinks, we have a 1981 Reata Chardonnay Sonoma Coast for the white wine and for red a 2017 Mount Veeder Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley.
Today’s entertainment is The Eagles.
Jump on the bus.
Our first stop in the park, and we have a shot of the shuffleboard. I know, I know pretty tame stuff.
Next is a view of a wren house ready for the next lodgers.
Check this out. A birdhouse that looks like a bunch of lights at the football stadium.
Another group of birdhouses imitating light fixtures.
I couldn’t help putting this one on the route. I hope he is happy to have that in his front yard for the weekend.
Another park and a giant chessboard. Anyone want to play?
Here is an outside photo of a bird blind.
An interior photo of the blind
This is the view from the blind. Notice all the feeders around. I’ll bet there are some good pictures taken from here.
Another birdhouse on a pole with Lake Travis as a backdrop.
A rough birdhouse in the woods.
Well, that’s it for this tour. I hope you have a great week and will stay and have some more food and listen to the Eagles.
The end of the week signals Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and I see Linda Hill has decided to leave a big package at the curb. I don’t blame her since it looks heavy. The sign on the side says Prompt so, I guess this is it. Man, this is heavy.
Your prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “the beginning, the end.” Write about the beginning of something and the end of something. Bonus points if your first sentence contains “the end” and your last sentence contains “the beginning.” <– Read that again. Have fun!
“What are you doing out there, Lucy.” “Since it’s Friday I’m walking the line to make sure it’s secure.” “Now at least I know where I get my paranoia.”
We have a Friday! Yes, indeed, it is here.
This week has been a good one. Lots of news from Washington regarding executive orders from the president. Looks like most of the problems of society are ordered to be solved. It will be interesting to see the longer-range effects on some of them. I think most people feel good that something is being done about what are perceived to be inequities.
I have gotten into a rhythm regarding my latest WIP. I’m able to get down something each day, which is an important thing to do. I wrote the last three lines, which I always do, but I am not sure they will stick. Here they are, so you can keep me honest.
Sam feels the light slowly spread around her as the source comes closer from above. Her tears do not obey her will and run unchecked from her eyes. She hesitates but finally looks up into the blinding storm and whispers, “Thank you, my Lord.”
Yes, my WIP is another book with Sam and James. This time they have been called upon to find a soul and guide who are missing on the Eternal Road. The soul is Ryan Sanders, who stayed with his crippled plane in Afghanistan to prevent it from crashing into a settlement. The guide is Eddie Rickenbacker. Yes, that Eddie Rickenbacker. Sanders always admired the WWI pilot.
There you have it. Just enough to keep me on the hook. Oh, one last thing. The first stop on the Eternal Road is Super Bowl I. The book has a working title of On the Road Again, but that probably won’t stick.
Today’s JohnKu is about a story. I hope you all have a great weekend. On Sunday, we are doing a potpourri kind of tour. A little bit of a mixture of things.
