Top Ten Things Not to Do at Full Moon Campfire on the Beach

September 19, 2016September 18, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 46 Comments

Moon Rise

The inspiration for this post has been my attendance at some full moon campfires on the beach. Now I know everyone who will read this will not have the opportunity to attend some full moon campfires, but you never know and should be prepared. A full moon bonfire event usually has a collection of friends, a little food, and some adult beverages. The idea is to celebrate the moonrise with companionship and good cheer.

Top Ten Things Not to Do at a Full Moon Campfire on the Beach.

10 If you are at a full moon campfire, do not over rotate the demonstration of your fire building skills. If you do, at best your neighbors and friends will wonder if you have some problem with fire. At worst, the conflagration generated will take a company of firefighters and several thousands of dollars to get under control and damage repaired. (Boy, that gasoline sure went up quick didn’t it baldy?)

9 If you are at a full moon campfire, do not think volume alone will get everyone to like your selection of music. If you do, at best no one will hear you when you ask how they like the music. At worst, the accidental slip of your boombox into the tub of ice will generate a standing ovation. (You are just now beginning to suspect the fall wasn’t so accidental)

8 If you are at a full moon campfire, do not take the opportunity to talk non-stop about your favorite subject. If you do, at best you will end up talking to yourself. At worst, the generous folks who have put up with you for the last four full moon campfires will finally crack and will offer you a big cup of ” shut the f**k up.” (Wow! Where did that come from huh pilgrim?)

7 If you are at a full moon campfire, do not bring some exotic dish that only a food crank could love. If you do at best, you will have plenty of leftovers for tomorrow. At worst, someone will take a taste of your dish and ask loudly “who brought the dog food?” (So everyone didn’t care for charbroiled, sustainable, line-caught, tofu but did they have to be insulting?)

6 If you are at a full moon campfire, do not think you need to consume your weight in an adult beverage. If you do at best, you will fall asleep before anything embarrassing happens. At worst, you will be living down the suggestion that everyone go skinny dipping in the Gulf. (The funny part is you were the only one and that moon was the brightest.)

5 If you are at a full moon campfire, do not think you need to instruct everyone on the fine art of marshmallow roasting. If you do, at best most will ignore your technique and burn them anyway. At worst, the youngsters will now see you as that old fart who doesn’t know how to mind their own business. ( Halloween will be the time for the payback)

4 If you are at a full moon campfire, do not misplace your shoes. If you do, at best you will give the impression that you have lost your faculties as well. At worst, while searching in the dark, you will have stepped any number of beasties not to mention that corkscrew that old man Jenkins dropped last month.(Makes you wonder why you didn’t just keep them on doesn’t it?)

3 If you are at a full moon campfire, do not scream at every passing vehicle to slow down. (This is in Texas only where driving on the beach is allowed) If you do, at best you will lose your voice in a half hour. At worst, that hulk of a guy getting out of the truck happens to be named Tiny and just broke up with his girlfriend who used to tell him to slow down all the time. ( I guess you know how to pick ’em huh?)

2 If you are at a full moon campfire, do not think you need that twenty million candlepower military surplus flashlight. If you do, at best those you illuminate won’t pass out. At worst, that helicopter above you from homeland security is thinking the source of the light is a danger and is requesting permission to let go with the equivalent of a thousand gallon water balloon. (Good thing you wore your bathing suit Bunky.)

1 If you are at a full moon campfire, do not believe all the attendees will benefit from a full lecture on the type and history of this full moon. If you do, most will ignore what you have to say and will keep offering you a drink. At best, you will be looking at the moon and discussing the fine points without noticing the group has moved fire and all a quarter of a mile away. (You thought they were are stunned into silence by your brilliance didn’t you Professor? (Sure is lonely at the top.)

Views of the Neighborhood

September 18, 2016September 17, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 59 Comments

This week I thought I would give you a quick tour of the Port Aransas museum. The first photo is an external shot of the building which is a fine example of a kit house sold in the early 1900’s. A person would buy the home complete in a kit and then put it together on their land.

PA Museum

The creation of the Port Aransas Museum was accomplished through a joint effort between the Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association [PAPHA] and the City of Port Aransas.

PAPHA was created November 15, 2002. One of its goals was to create the first historical museum in Port Aransas to preserve and showcase the town’s history. Another was to inventory historic Port Aransas sites.

The site survey was accomplished by obtaining a matching grant in 2006. PAPHA also received the Visionaries in Preservation grant from the Texas Historical Commission, completing the process needed to advance as a preservation organization.

Owners of an early 1900s kit house offered to sell it to PAPHA where it stood. That was not an option due to the cost of land in Port Aransas and the lack of funds in the PAPHA treasury. Another option was for the owners to give the house to PAPHA to move to another location, which is what they did.

In 2007, Preservation Texas, a private, non-profit statewide preservation group, named the house one of the state’s top 12 most endangered structures.

Papers were signed transferring ownership to PAPHA on Feb. 8, 2007. The problem then was where and how to move it, and how to pay for all aspects, including remodeling into a museum after the move.

PAPHA applied for grants, held fundraisers and met with the City of Port Aransas, utility companies and movers. Enough money was raised to move the house, but not for land.

The City Council and City Manger agreed to find a place on city property for a museum, finally settling on part of the Community Center property site.

In April 2008 the house was moved to it’s current location. It was renovated and opened as a museum by December of the same year.

Here is a small sample of what is inside.

Farley boat — A depiction of the fishing trip of FDR in 1937

A Tarpon. Once plentiful in Port Aransas now very rare

PA Museum — Interesting exhibits of some extraordinary town citizens

I can’t possibly place all the photos of the interior in this post. Maybe someday you will visit and take a look. Thanks for reading

Introducing Charms of the Feykin by Charles E. Yallowitz

September 17, 2016September 14, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 4 Comments

Return to Windemere in Charms of the Feykin!

To make a champion fall, one must wound their very soul.

Nyx is leading the charge to rescue Delvin and Sari, who have gone missing in the southern jungles of Windemere. Battling through the local predators, the champions are surprised when they reunite in the Feykin city of Rhundar. Instead of captives, the missing heroes have become the city’s rulers and are on the verge of starting a war with those that want to exterminate their new followers. Even with such a noble cause, Delvin and Sari have changed into brutal warlords that may kill each other and their friends long before they step onto the battlefield.

Have Delvin and Sari really changed for the worst or is there a greater threat pulling the champions’ strings?

Grab it on Amazon!

Add it to your Goodreads ‘To Read’ List!

Excerpt: Broken Bonds

Sari draws two daggers and sprints at Luke, slashing at his sabers in an attempt to cut his hands as he unsheathes his weapons. Instead, the forest tracker unclips the scabbards from his belt and spreads his arms to avoid the gypsy’s attack. The swords still sheathed, he does his best to deflect his former friend’s strikes while harmlessly smacking her in the sides. When a dagger slices his arm, Luke kicks out to knock Sari back. A hint of a grin on her face causes him to slow his attack, his foot aching as it bounces off her immovable body. Knowing he has to trick her, the half-elf runs backwards to get the gypsy to charge. Before she falls behind, the warrior lets her gradually catch up while remaining out of slashing range. Once Luke reaches the riverbank, he lunges forward and aims a swing at the sprinting woman’s knee. Forced to decide between taking a blow that would surely break bone or risk a similar injury by turning her power on while running, Sari tries to twist out of the way. She lands on her back at the forest tracker’s feet and curses when he pins her arms by jamming his sabers against her wrists.

Before Luke can tell the gypsy to stop struggling, an arm of water bursts from the river and bats him away. Phelan leaps out of the rapids and sprints at the prone warrior, his daggers lengthened by keenly edged liquid. The weapons sink into the muddy earth when their target rolls away, the ringing of drawn steel revealing that the champion is no longer restraining himself. With a flurry of stabs and slashes, the half-elf drives his new opponent back and whittles away at the watery daggers. Trying not to kill the Feykin, Luke delivers an echoing hilt punch to Phelan’s head every time the other warrior attempts a counterattack. Faced with the full speed and skill of the agile forest tracker, the outclassed hunter has various watery weapons fly out of the river. None of them hit the champion, who remains close enough to continue his barrage of muscle-rattling strikes.

Ducking to the side, Luke slashes at the other man’s exposed flank in what he hopes will be a crippling, but non-lethal, blow. The saber clangs off a patch of icy armor and a freezing tremor makes the half-elf’s arm go numb. A searing pain erupts from his lower back and he whirls around, the motion preventing Sari’s dagger from doing more than a long cut across his side. His first saber swings an inch over her head, but his second weapon leaves a gash up the middle of her chin. Enraged by the pain, the gypsy moves out of Luke’s reach and summons a massive hammer of water. She freezes the forest tracker’s feet to the ground before he can move, which allows the large weapon to connect. It repeatedly comes down on the warrior, breaking several ribs and one of his arms. Sheathing his sabers and remaining on the ground, the half-elf draws the stiletto and hurls it into Sari’s thigh. A look of shock is on her face and she stares at Luke’s battered form as if seeing such injuries for the first time.

Need to catch Legends of Windemere from the beginning? Then click on the covers below!

You can start for FREE . . .

Or grab the $4.99 ‘3 in 1’ bundles!

Cover Art by Jason Pedersen 3D Conversion by Bestt_graphics — Cover Art by Jason Pedersen
3D Conversion by Bestt_graphics

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Also Available in Single eBooks:

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Interested in a new adventure? Then grab your Kindle & dive back into the world of Windemere! Don’t forget an apple for Fizzle.

About the Author:

Charles Yallowitz was born and raised on Long Island, NY, but he has spent most of his life wandering his own imagination in a blissful haze. Occasionally, he would return from this world for the necessities such as food, showers, and Saturday morning cartoons. One day he returned from his imagination and decided he would share his stories with the world. After his wife decided that she was tired of hearing the same stories repeatedly, she convinced him that it would make more sense to follow his dream of being a fantasy author. So, locked within the house under orders to shut up and get to work, Charles brings you Legends of Windemere. He looks forward to sharing all of his stories with you, and his wife is happy he finally has someone else to play with.

Blog: www.legendsofwindemere.com
Twitter: @cyallowitz
Facebook: Charles Yallowitz
Website: www.charleseyallowitz.com

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “est”

September 17, 2016September 16, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 28 Comments

SOCS

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this week’s prompt is “est.” That’s right “est.” What the heck am I supposed to do with “est?” I guess I will just have to figure it out once I start my story. Linda Hill says to have fun with it so as a good soldier I will try. If you want to suffer a little go to Linda’s post and read how you can jump into this exercise. https://lindaghill.com/2016/09/16/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-sept-1716/

“I was wondering why you continue to invent these dialogs?”

“What are you talking about?. This is fun stuff.”

“Maybe for you, cause all you have to do is come up with sentences in response to what I say. I’m the one who has to work in the prompt.”

“Oh, poor baby. Are we feeling a little oppressed?”

“‘We’ are feeling like we have more of the heavy lifting on this prompt business.”

“Okay then I’ll take over the prompt part, and you just sit there and react to what I say.”

“You’re on. Go ahead.”

“What’s the prompt?”

“I can feel this is going to work well. The prompt is est.”

“What? Dis you hiss at me.”

“No. That’s the prompt E-S-T.”

“Est? What the hell kind of prompt is that?”

“Stop now. You are either going to play or give it back to me.’

“And have you whine for the rest of the day no thanks. Okay, I’ll give it a try. Ahem. Your girlfriend is the nicest.”

“Okay, you got one. Now leave my girlfriend out of this.”

“My, my. You certainly are sensitive. I would say the sensitivest.”

“Beep. No such word. Try again.”

“Hmm. Before I met you today, I was the busiest. Now I’m playing a word game.”

“That works. How are you going to keep folks entertained with this stuff?”

“What’s the problem I have two.”

“Yeah and no one cares. You are not doing anything with the prompt.”

“Like what.”

“Like tell a story. You are just picking words out of the air.”

“Well, why didn’t you say so. Here goes. There was a guy who was the baddest, ablest, calmest, deadliest, evilest, and most contrary person in town.”

“Now you’re talking go on.”

“Well he walked into the bar and yelled,’who is the fastest gun in the place?”‘

“Then what?”

“Some other guy jumped up and said ‘I may not be the fastest but am the gnarliest.'”

“Now I see where you are going?”

“What?”

“You are saying “est” words in alphabetical order.”

“Story is good though isn’t it?”

“No comment.”

A Big Thanks to Olga Nunez Miret for Helping to Launch #Newbook Our Justice

September 16, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 2 Comments

olga translator

Olga NÃºÃ±ez Miret

Thank you so much Olga Nunez Miret for the lovely post in support of the launch of Our Justice. Please visit Olga right HERE

A Big Thank You to Jan Sikes For Helping Launch #Newbook Our Justice

September 16, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 1 Comment

Jan Sikes

Thank you, Jan Sikes, for the post announcing the launch of Our Justice. You can see her post HERE.

Jan Sikes

A Big Thank You to Jill Weatherholt for Helping Launch #Newbook Our Justice

September 16, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 1 Comment

JILL WEATHERHOLT

Writing Stories of Love, Faith, and Happy Endings While Enjoying the Journey

Jill Weatherholt

A big thank you to Jill Weatherholt for posting the announcement of the launch of Our Justice. You can visit her post HERE.

Friday – JohnKu AKA – TGIF

September 16, 2016September 13, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 32 Comments

It’s Friday again and time to look back on the week. It has been a good one except for the stock market concerns over the lower price of oil. I can never figure that one out. A lower price of oil means lower cost of manufacturing and travel. A lower cost of manufacturing and travel means more income. More income means more discretionary spending. More discretionary spending means better profits. Better profits mean a healthy economy. OH, I GET IT NOW! The street is worried about rising interest rates. So yeah, let’s sell off all our stock because we are worried about a .25% increase in interest rates. Investing in the market should be called gambling on the market. Today’s JohnKu talks to a gamble and the market.

Take your earned money,

Throw it hard against the wall. . .

Yours to keep has stuck.

A Big Thank You to Susan Nicholls for Helping Introduce #Newbook Our Justice

September 15, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 2 Comments

Susan Nicholls newer photo

Susan Nicholls

A big thank you to Susan Nicholls for posting an announcement on the launch of Our Justice. You can see the post HERE

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Thursday – A little Personal – Kreative Kue #94 By Keith Channing

September 15, 2016September 13, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 23 Comments

Another photo prompt from Keith Channing. Here is his explanation.

“Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr 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 – pingbacks don’t work.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.”

Here is the photo.

Kreative Kue #94