Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Sky’s the Limit”

January 9, 2021January 8, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 57 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness time again, and here comes Linda Hill. She has a balloon on a string and an envelope attached to the string. I’ll bet it is the prompt for today.

“Hi, Linda. Want to come inside.”

“No thanks, John. I just need to deliver this prompt.”

“I like the balloon.”

“Well, grab the envelope and open it. See you.”

“Bye, Linda. Now let me see. I’ll open the envelope. Oops, the balloon just got away. Wow, look at it, climb. The sky’s the limit for that sucker. Let me see what the note says.”

Your prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “sky’s the limit.” Write about something that has or seems to have no end. Enjoy!

“Hey, why are you looking up at the sky?”

“I just lost a balloon.”

“A balloon. What kind of craziness are you up to now? Oh, wait. The Saturday prompt, right?”

“That’s right. It came from Linda Hill on the end of a balloon.”

“Let me guess. You opened the envelope, and the balloon got away.”

“Once again, you qualify as a clairvoyant.”

“Only you would lose a balloon chasing something as dumb as this Saturday thing.”

“The prompt is for us to talk about something that is endless.”

“Yeah, so what have you chosen? The height that the balloon will go?”

“No, that’s not it.”

“The amount of time you will spend on this prompt.”

“Very funny.”

“Okay, I give up. What is it.”

“Your criticism of my prompt activities.”

“Huh?”

“It’s endless. You are always criticizing. Never supportive.”

“Now, wait a minute. People will get the wrong idea.”

“About you?”

“No, about you.”

“What do you mean?”

“You should be writing about big endless things like freedom.”

“Freedom can end.”

“Don’t we know that. How about endless possibilities.”

“That does sound better. Possibilities to do what?”

“Do something else on Saturday besides the prompt.”

“There you go.”

“You left yourself wide open.”

“I give up.”

“Beer time?”

“You’re buying.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

January 8, 2021January 7, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 83 Comments

“Yes,Twiggy it’s Friday.”
“Thank heavens. Didn’t think I would make it.”
“Why? What do you have to do?”
“Wait, Lucy, wait.”
“Blessed is he who stands and waits.”
“Well, I sat most of the time, and I’m a she.”

Twiggy gets her wish. Friday is here, and we are all glad. Before I forget I am also at Story Empire today. Here’s the link but come back.

This has been one heck of a start to 2021. We all witnessed an insurrection act that we haven’t seen since the British burned the Capital in 1814. The sight of those Proud Boy hooligans desecrating the House Chamber was enough to turn the stomach.

There was no excuse for this to happen. The Capitol Police had enough warning from the Hooligan in Chief that this could be a possibility. There were not enough officers placed at the Capital to maintain law and order. If the Capital Police didn’t think they had the human resources to do the job, then Federal troops were needed. I’m no lover of the conduct of Congress but seeing them having to scurry out of the place was a sick sight.

I’m betting that law enforcement needs the mandate to enforce. The sight of that Capital guard chased up a flight of stairs made me wonder how far we are willing to let unruly mobs go. You can draw comparisons to the BLM protests all day long and criticize the lack of Police action as much as you want. The fact of the matter is these thugs should never have gotten access to the Capital, and somebody better figure out why they did and fix the problem.

I’m hoping someone does an honest evaluation of the security needs for the inauguration and then takes the steps necessary to eliminate any mob rule threat. I would also hope that an exercise of the 25th Amendment will ensure that inside leadership of any seditious behavior will be absent.
Today’s JohnKu talks about our heritage. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Mocking the Congress,

Flaunting the laws of the land. . .

Not our heratige.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Lucy Play Outside

January 7, 2021January 6, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 96 Comments

“Hey, Lucy, come quick.”

“Coming. What’s the emergency?”

“I saw the flounder running on top of the fence.”

“Flounder? What are you talking about.”

“Well, that’s what Mom and Dad call the squirrel.”

Lucy and Twiggy

“How did you figure that one out?”

“You see the squirrel, and someone says flounder, it’s not hard.”

“I guess the folks think we don’t know as much as we do.”

“Yeah, like do you hear the pitter-patter of little squirrel feet next door?”

“Even if one is over there, we aren’t going to get it.”

“Yeah, I guess that’s true. What now?”

“Since there is no squirrel to catch, how about a game of tag?”

“Well, are you sure there is nothing over there?”

“I’m telling you there’s nothing.”

“Okay, then. You run, and I’ll catch you.”

“Hey, Twiggy, you ran right by me.”

“I’m thinking of the dog Olympics.”

“You sure you can catch me?”

“The Puma slams on the breaks and sees the water buffalo in a weakened condition.”

Twiggy and Lucy

“What weakened condition? You overgrown house cat.”

“The Puma comes around for the killing blow.”

Twiggy and Lucy

“Hey, Puma. What happened to the killing blow.”

“The Puma thinks it is time to stretch out in the sun. She carefully makes her bed.”

“Brother.”

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

January 6, 2021January 5, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 51 Comments

“Is it still Wednesday, Dad?”
“Yup.”
“Lucy said it was Friday.”
“She was pulling your leg.”
“No, she said it. I think she was pulling my anticipation.”

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we watched as the options for grabbing Carolyn went out the window. It appears that the only option is to wait for Cortez’s team to contact someone. Pricilla believes it will be Lazar’s lawyer. Nothing is certain at this point. IN fact, we don’t even know if and when they will call. As a precaution, Stennis, the lawyer, will hang around for a while to see if a call will come in. I see everyone is hanging around the interrogation room waiting for a call. I guess we should go there and wait with them.

“This is driving me nuts.”

“I know Mr. Popović. I don’t think there is much else we can do. Hold on, I have a call coming in. I don’t recognize this number. Well, there is nothing to lose by answering. Yes, this is Thomas. Hello. Yeah okay. Speaker, it is. You are on speakerphone.”

“I’m only going to say this once, so listen up. We have Carolyn Popović. She will come to no harm if you release Lazar to us. If you don’t see this plan’s wisdom, you can inform Mr. Popović that he will need to do another plan. That will be for the memorial service.”

“Who are you?”

“Please, Ms. Thomas. Don’t make yourself look stupid in front of all those in the room. Also, do not interrupt me again. We will be communicating through you. You can expect a call within two hours, giving you precise instructions. Oh, please triangulate the location of this phone. By the time you figure out where this call is coming from, we will be long gone. Don’t try to call this number since it won’t exist in twenty seconds. That is all.”

“Wait. How is Carolyn? Hello? Hello. Damn, he’s gone.”

“Oh my god. They have my little girl. I don’t care. What happens to me. Do as they say. Let them have me. We have to save Carolyn.”

“Please settle down, Mr. Popović. The government has a standing policy against meeting the kidnapper’s demands. We need to get a plan together. Unfortunately, you will not be too useful. Lieutenant.”

“Yes.”

“Please take Mr. Popović back to the holding cell. Mr. Stennis, you are free to go.”

“Wait, Ms. Thomas.”

“What?”

“I can help, I’m sure. There must be a place where they have taken her that I know about. After all, there are Cortez’s men, and I used to work for him. Please let me stay and help.”

“My better judgment says no, but there is something in what you just said that makes sense.”

“Okay, you can stay. Larry and Andrew. I don’t see that this is something you need to be concerned with so you can beg off.”

“if you don’t mind, Andrew and I would like to stay and help.”

“We can use the help. Okay, you are signed on as well. Lieutenant, how about you?”

“At your service.”

“Mr. Stennis, you are excused.”

“Thank you, but I too wish to help.”

“All the same, I think we have a working group, and your client will be in good hands.”

“Very well. If that is your desire.”

“It is.”

“Okay, Lazar. Remember what I said about saying anything.”

“I remember. All I want to do is get my daughter away from those animals.”

“Alright, then. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye. Lieutenant, would you please escort Mr. Stennis to the front door.”

“My pleasure. Follow me, sir.”

“Everyone, hold on until the lieutenant returns.”

“What’s the problem ?”

“Just wait.”

“Okay, Ms. Thomas, Stennis is out the front door.”

“Riddle me this all of you. How did Cortez’s group know my number?”

“Is it unlisted?”

“Yes, of course. Also, how did they know there were other folks in the room?”

“Now that you ask, it is an excellent question. We have a mole.”

“Exactly, Larry.”

Tuesday- Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #293 by Keith Channing

January 5, 2021January 4, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

in Keith’s words. “Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). 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.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The Photo.

Kreative Kue 293

“Okay, Ms. Watson. We need a really nice photo to go on the back of your book.”

“I don’t understand why.”

“Your readers will want to know what you look like. That’s why.”

“I’ve published ten books without a photo. Why now?”

“The publisher has decided.”

“Oh yeah, just like the title, time of publication, and everything else.”

“I have a job to do. I don’t make the rules.”

“Oh, I know that. Excuse the rant. I just feel like I have no control.”

“I can imagine. I know if someone kept telling me what pictures to take, I would feel the same way.”

“You are being told to take a picture of me.”

“I meant my own pictures. My client’s pictures are paid for by them, so they have a say so.”

“Does that make it right? How much are you being paid for this one.”

“Not much. $200.00.”

“Wow. That seems like a little amount.”

“Well, it’s the going rate for a sitting.”

“What if I doubled that?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll pay you $400 not to take the photo.”

“I have to send something to the client. They paid in advance.”

“I have an idea. You have any costumes here?”

“Only a dog costume.”

“I’ll put that on. You take my picture and send it along with $200 and make up an excuse. I’ll give you $400 to do that.”

“You have a deal. Here’s the costume.”

“It’s hot for sure.”

“Now smile, Tinkerbell. That’s great.”

“Thank you so much. I feel free.”

“You know they’ll just hire another to take the photo.”

“Yeah, but thinking of the look on the faces over there is well worth it.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do on National Spaghetti Day

January 4, 2021January 3, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 125 Comments

Normally I would be doing a post on a historical event but this week was pretty slow in the History department. (Sorry, Susannah and Andrew) It just so happens that today is National Spaghetti Day. So I thought it would be fun to lay out some things not to do in celebration of spaghetti day.

Top Ten things Not to Do on Spaghetti Day

10 If you celebrate, do not wear white. If you do, at best, the sauce will be alfredo. At worse, you will be served a big bowl of sausage and basil. (good move, Martyn. You now look like the subject in a Lizzy Bordon reenactment.)

9 If you celebrate, do not reach for Tiny the WWF champ’s bowl of spaghetti. If you do, at best, have a $20 bill handy. At worst, Tiny, who has skipped several group sessions on his food aggression treatment plan, will grab your arm. (Looks like Tiny wants to separate you from the bowl, Malcolm. I think to drop it while your hand still works is good advice.)

8 If you celebrate, do not try to substitute Bucatini for spaghetti. If you do, at best, no one will see you make the switch. At worst, you’ll be having dinner with Guido Barilla. (You must understand, Marston. Guido is the president of Barilla pasta and does not take kindly to anyone fooling with his spaghetti. Looks like he has called his friend with the big car to take you home. Maybe.)

7 If you celebrate, do not toss your spaghetti against the wall to test for doneness. If you do, at best, you are in your own house. At worse, you are visiting your in-law’s new house. (I guess it goes without saying, Macauley, that the idea of spaghetti on the wall of a new house won’t be well received. I see your father in law going to his gun safe. That can’t be good.)

6 If you celebrate, do not try to twirl your spaghetti on a fork if you don’t know how. If you do, at best, you will be able to fit it in your mouth. At worst, you will be faced with a twirl the size of your head. (Now, what are you going to do, Maverick. You can’t fit it in your mouth, and there is no way to untwirl it. Might want to see if anyone wants to play basketball.)

5 If you celebrate, Do not think el dente means raw. If you do, at best, no one will show up for your meal. At worst, your guests all decide to go to the spaghetti house for dinner. (Seems a shame they all left you, Miska. That advice to read the box cooking directions was especially hurtful. )

4 If you celebrate, do not try to serve Five-Way Chili as an authentic spaghetti original. If you do, at best, there will be no spaghetti experts at the meal. At worse, you have invited Bobby Flay to dinner. (So what are you going to do now, Mace? Bobby keeps looking at his bowl of chili over spaghetti as if there should be more. I think carry out might be the best option.)

3 If you celebrate, do not try a new goat sweetbread pasta recipe. If you do, at best, your guests love sweetbreads. At worst, all your guests have to leave early. (The sad part, Mikhael, is your guests are all together in the ER. I don’t think you should join them for an after-dinner drink. It is ipecak all around)

2 If you celebrate, do not try to serve spaghetti for dessert. If you do, at best, you make it sweet. At worse, you’ll serve up your garlic special. (If your guests haven’t left by now, Mablevi. This concoction of spaghetti and garlic will drive them from the room. No, that chocolate sauce just makes it worse.)

1 If you celebrate, do not make funny animal pictures on everyone’s plate out of the spaghetti. If you do, at best, the sauce will cover them. At worst, your guests will slowly get the feeling that they should leave. (Funny thing about adults, Macbeth. Not many like having their food manipulated into characters. It’s that uncomfortable feeling about not knowing where your hands have been. Oh yes, and that spaghetti giraffe is positively creepy.)

Views of the Neighborhood – A Walk in the Park

January 3, 2021January 2, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 84 Comments

It is a pretty slow week in Lakeway, so I decided to get the bus ready and prepare a spread and have a picnic in the park. No moaning. I have prepared roasted chicken served with fingerling potato salad, chilled asparagus, hollandaise sauce, and charro beans to get you in the mood. For dessert, we are serving assorted napoleon pastries and homemade apple crisp. We have top-shelf drinks and Aubert Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast UV Vineyard 2018 for the red and Kistler Chardonnay Russian River Valley Vine Hill Vineyard 2017 for the white. Today’s entertainment guest is Mary Hopkin.

So let’s get on the bus and be off.

Views of the Neighborhood

Whoa. Stop the bus. Look at the buck just standing by the road.

Well, we can tell we are here. Everybody needs a mask.

In case you wonder how far is six feet.

Here we are by the lake. It will take a moment to set up the tent, lights, and sound system. So let’s all get off and take a stroll.

Looks like plenty of room for volleyball.

Getting closer to the lake, we can see an artist hard at work. A reminder not to dive off the cliff. Yeah, who would do that?

Here is another artist. Looks like a good day to paint.

There is the bandstand where mary Hopkin will perform.

Have a nice jungle Jim for those who are interested.

So make yourself at home. The drinks and food are ready, and Mary’s ready to sing. I hope you all have a great week, and thanks for coming to our picnic.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “In the Corner”

January 2, 2021January 1, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 53 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. If you would like to join this group, visit Linda Hill’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder for #SoCS & #JusJoJan 2021 Daily Prompt – Jan. 2nd

My goodness, Linda Hill, fresh from New Year’s Eve, is here. She is carrying a big envelope, which I assume is the prompt for this week.

“You are right, john. Happy New Year, and here it is.”

“Thanks, Linda. Can I open it?”

“How else are you going to know the prompt?”

“Well, at Christmas, I lost out on a Bentley Convertable.”

“But the note said do not open. There is no note this year.”

“I still feel like I’m in the corner, though.”

“Go ahead, open it.”

“Okay. I’ll read it out loud.”

“Don’t make any mistakes.”

“Gee, whiz. You know how to put someone further in the Corner.”

“My job. Read it.”

“Ahem. Your prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: ‘in the corner.’ Write about whatever the image or thought of ‘in the corner’ brings to mind. Have fun!”

“Would you look at that.”

“I didn’t need an image I had you.”

“There you go. Well, my job is done here. Have a good week.”

“I think my job is done too. Thank you, Linda.”

“Oh, about that Bentley turbo.”

“Yes?”

“You need to work harder.”

“Good advice. Sheesh. Watch that screen door.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – A Brand New Year

January 1, 2021December 31, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 72 Comments

“Happy New Year, Twiggy.”
“Gee Lucy. It doesn’t seem much different out here.”
“But it is a New Year.”
“That’s true. Happy New Year, Lucy.”

Well, here it is at last. The new year with all the hope that the crap from 2020 has been wrung out of our collective crying towel.

Yeah, it feels good to have a new slate. We have to remember that change is not a matter of flipping the calendar. It will take time to ease into what I hope will be the NEW NORMAL. You know where we can all move around without fear. Where we stop calling each other names. Where the radical left and right just go away. Where world peace becomes a priority. Where we can think and plan on the future. Where Congress pulls its collective head out of the place where the sun don’t shine. Where people are viewed as individuals and not generalities. Where opportunity is available to all, who are willing to invest to reach their dreams.

Well, it’s a tall bit of expectation for the new normal. If you share the ideal, I hope you will work to make it happen. Happy New Year

Today’s JohnKu talks about the new year. I hope you all have a great weekend.

It’s not just champagne,

Nor blowing horns with gusto . . .

The New Year is change.