Thursday – A Little Personal

April 30, 2015April 27, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 35 Comments

Here is another photo from a bike ride. It is a perfect shoe sitting just above the high tide line. Also, the picture has captured some footprints showing someone walked by the shoe, and it is clear the shoe has not been disturbed. I could not resist another story prompted by this picture. I hope you like it.

“What are we going to do?”

“The first thing is not panic.”

“Easy for you to say. You are the survivalist I’m just along for the ride.”

“Okay, I never thought the boat would sink.”

“With everything we need to survive I might add.”

“Yes, that is true. Don’t forget I’m a trained survivalist. I will keep us safe.”

“Safe? You’ve got to kidding. Look around. There is nothing on this little island. One palm tree and that’s it.”

“The tree will give us shade that we will need until we can get some water.”

“Too bad I left my Perrier on the desk in the galley.”

“You are alive, so that is something.”

“For how long with no food or water.”

“Oh, that’s easy. No food thirty days. No, water? Well, that’s a little less. Like seven.”

“Seven days? You gonna dig a well or what?”

“No, I will collect the dew in this plastic bag. Also, I have a pen and some paper. I’m going to write a note and stuff it in my shoe. These shoes float. It will be like a message in a bottle. I know we are less than seven days from the mainland the way the current flows. There the shoe is drifting see?”

“Yeah I see. Somehow I can’t imagine anyone looking in a shoe for a message.”

“Have faith.”

“Yeah sure.”

Wednesday – Story Day AKA Hump Day

April 29, 2015April 27, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 21 Comments

It is Wednesday story day again. Last week we left poor Charlotte listening to the book My Struggles as read aloud by Bob. She was attempting to provide some constructive criticism and suggested Bob would not remember details from being an infant. Bob said he recalled elements of his infancy. Charlotte then opined aloud that she needed a drink, and it wasn’t the water that Bob was offering. Let’s go back to the pair and see if Charlotte has regained her composure.

“Thank you, Bob, but the water was not what I had in mind.”

“Oh, I see you would like something stronger.”

“Yes, Bob. Given the degree of difficulty with this project I think I could use something stronger.”

“I have a flask if you would care for a nip.”

“My goodness no. I was thinking of some coffee.”

“There is a shop next door. I’ll run and get us some.”

“What a lovely thought Bob. I would like some coffee.”

“I’ll be right back. I’ll get the coffee black and bring cream and sugar.”

“I like Splenda as well as half and half.”

“You got it. I’ll be right back.”

“Take your time. I need to make a phone call.”

“Hello.”

“Hello, Melissa this is Charlotte.”

“Ah yes. How are you dear?”

“Don’t dear me Melissa. Bob is a mess.”

“Whatever do you mean a mess?”

“He thinks he can remember his birth.”

“Oh, but sweetie he can.”

“What? You can’t be serious?”

“He has a remarkable memory. He remembers things I have long forgotten.”

“But being put into a sink at birth?”

“Like I said he remembers.”

“I’m not sure I can continue with this assignment.”

“No? Why not?”

“I don’t think Bob is going to correct any of the mistakes in his manuscript.”

“Yeah, so?”

“It’s going to be a piece of junk. Everyone will laugh at him.”

“Don’t you think they already do?”

“Um, I suppose.”

“So what’s the harm? Just get the thing published and who will care?”

“I guess I will.”

“You don’t count. Goodbye.”

“Oh. My gosh.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible #RRBC’s Matthew Armstrong

April 28, 2015April 28, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 14 Comments

Rave Reviews Book Club has begun a new program that has as a goal highlighting other bloggers and writers. The idea is to take a little bit of time to support someone who has a message to share. This week I would like to introduce you to a person who you may have already met. His name is Matthew Armstrong, and as described on his Facebook page he is a Human Behavioral Specialist, Author, and Health Educator. Matthew has an objective of making sure each person he reaches with his message recognize and work toward developing their potential.

His website at http://buildingabrandonline.com/ provides advice on how to build a brand online. There a numerous helpful posts on how one can begin taking charge of one’s destiny.

His blog http://buildingabrandonline.com/beyourpotential has several detailed discussions on how to maximize potential. A visitor will find such subjects as:

5 Traits and Principles to Being a Successful Entrepreneur and Business Owner!

The One Thing To Overcome Anything!

10 Personal Development Quotes To Motivate You!

What is your Purpose in Life? How will you know your Purpose? Do what you are meant to do!

In addition, Matthew has a YouTube feature that has advice on all things including diet. http://www.youtube.com/beyourpotential/

Visit any one of these places and check Matthew out. His twitter handle is @mathewarmstrong if you would like to connect he also is on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BeYourPotential

Matthew has also recently published his first book of fiction titled Sex God: An erotic adventure of self-discovery available on Amazon.

Blurb

Unfulfilled in his marriage and life, Alex Sterling makes an indecent proposal to his wife, Angela, which sets them off on an erotic adventure of self-discovery, revealing dark and repressed parts of themselves. On the verge of losing everything that is most important to him, Alex is a man in early life crisis, playing a high-stakes game and going to extreme measures to save what he values most. Is he going through a mental breakdown or is this some sort of spiritual transformation? He has no idea as his grasp on reality crumbles and all his worst fears are inevitably realized.

Bio

Matthew Armstrong comes from Irish descent, attending the same grammar school as Oscar Wild — but only for a short while, as he was expelled for speaking his mind and not conforming. Through two decades of living and traveling in 6 continents, he has gained much life experience and studied many cultures and ways of life along the way. Originally an Author of non-fiction, covering topics from health, philosophy, relationships, spirituality & human potential, Matthew now finds his inspiration in writing fiction.

Ten Things Not to do if You are the Designated Fill-in Shopper

April 27, 2015April 25, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 48 Comments

This list is inspired by being tapped by my wife to do the grocery shopping while she was on a trip. It is true in our house our chores are divided according to talent. I have no talent in the area of grocery shopping. I cook competently and do dishes (uh load the dishwasher). I also do not do laundry and not because I have a problem doing it. The fact that at one time we had pink towels and sheets from formerly white is the main reason for being banned from the laundry.

Ten Things not to do If You are Designated Fill in Shopper

If you are asked to shop, do not buy anything that is not on the list. If you do, at best you will be making a return trip for the returns. At worst, you will need to attend a special class run by your spouse on the principle of wasting money.

10 If you are asked to shop, do not think you are empowered to make substitutions of items on the list. If you do, at best your substitutions will be a welcome change. At worst, you will have selected a form of something that the entire family has gotten sick after eating one time before.

9 If you are asked to shop do not fail to turn in the coupons. If you do, at best you will be allowed back in the house. At worst, you and the coupons will be making another trip to the store for a refund as well as attending that special class on wasting money.

8 If you are asked to shop do not go to a different store without permission. If you do, at best some of the items will be unavailable. At worst, there will be a big difference in the prices and your bill will be above the all-time high that will not be a good thing.

7 If you are asked to shop do not think, you can ignore the recyclable bags just this once. If you do, at best you will be able to stuff the plastic into the trash without being caught. At worst, you will be subjected to another long class dealing with the evils of the plastic bag and its effect on the environment.

6 If you are asked to shop do not think, your newness will excuse you checking out in the express lane when clearly you have more than the required items. If you do, at best a few people will glower and may even say something. At worst, you will be recognized and reported to your spouse with the resulting discussion on proper store protocol.

5 If you asked to shop do not think, you can pack bags like the store personnel. If you do, at best you will have overstuffed bags. At worst, you might have several bags break in the parking lot causing a loss of the items that as reminded by store personnel is after the fact payment wise.

4 If you are asked to shop do not go to the store hungry. If you do at best, you will only buy one or two extra things. At worst, you will have to explain the extra bags of groceries including what will look like a year’s supply of beef jerky.

3 If you are asked to shop do not take any of your friends with you. If you do, at best you will have unexplained extra stuff in your order. At worst your friends will talk you into hosting a poker game this week, and you’ll have bought all the snacks and beer. (The explaining of this phenomenon will be the challenge of the year)

2 If you are asked to shop do not offer to take the kids with you. If you do, at best will learn the meaning of the phrase “no good deed goes unpunished.” At worst, you will have forgotten half the items on the list in addition to buying several impulsive things that the kids will be forbidden to eat. (Marshmallows in cereal is a no-no.)

1 If you are asked to shop no matter how much you feel you are putting your life on the line, you cannot refuse. If you do, at best you may hurt your spouse’s feelings. At worst, you will be the cause of a relatively significant family argument that won’t end well in terms of the next time you need a favor.

Sunday – Fifty-Two Views of the Gulf

April 26, 2015April 25, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 15 Comments

It occurred to me that I have mislabeled this feature. Instead of fifty-two views of the Gulf it should be called one view of the Gulf fifty-two times. You’ll forgive me, right? I thought so.

The photo above is the fourth picture of the Gulf taken from the dune walkover. It is the fourth picture taken while it is raining. While it has not rained every day for the last month, it certainly has been when the photo time comes around. Compare this to last week’s photo and you can see the rain is not hard enough to keep folks from walking on the sand.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday

April 25, 2015April 24, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 14 Comments

SOC Badge by: Doobster at Mindful Digressions

Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this week’s prompt is “Very/Very.” If you would like to participate in this fun, please visit http://lindaghill.com/2015/04/24/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-april-2515/. Here is my interpretation.

“The guy said what to you?”

“He said, ‘very very.’”

“What the hell did that mean?”

“I’m not sure, but he had a pretty big gun pointed at my face.”

“What did you do?”

“I said, ‘very very merry merry.’”

“Oh, my gosh. Then what happened?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing? You’ve got to be kidding.”

“Well, he did mutter ‘very very merry merry carry carry.’”

“Wait, what. Why did he do that?”

“I’m not sure, but he had a little smile on his face. I think it was becoming a game, so I said, ‘very very merry merry carry carry hairy hairy.’”

“Wow, that was good. What then?”

“He told me I was disgusting and walked away.”

“Seriously.”

“I’m here aren’t I?”

Friday JohnKu -AKA – TGIF

April 24, 2015April 23, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 20 Comments

Friday again. Seems just like it was Friday a short while ago but of course I’m not getting up and hitting the outside world. I don’t have to struggle to get to work and when there struggle with co-workers and well-meaning (I’m sure) bosses. Time becomes a relative thing since I don’t have a clock that needs attention. The only thing scheduled in a typical day that serves to get me out of bed is potty and breakfast for the dogs and pacifying for the cats at 6:30 AM. The rest of the day is pretty much on the pet schedule. Let’s see there is beach walk at 8:30 followed yard sun bath at 12:30. Then there is brushy at 3:15 and another beach walk at 4:00. This routine demands dog dinner at 5:00, the yard at 6:30 and final potty call at 9:30.

Come to think about it, I am a slave to the pets and my schedule looks every bit as complex as when I worked in organized commerce. Today’s JohnKu (a term coined by Words4jp) talks about life’s schedule.

Beating the deadline,

Receives high praise, compliments . . .

Till the product fails.

Thursday – A Little Personal

April 23, 2015April 22, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 18 Comments

There were some unusual things on several bike rides this week. I thought you might enjoy me sharing them with you. There is no continuity in these photos, so I guess I will just call this the ramblings of an old geezer.

We have a colony of cutter ants that live under the dune boardwalk. What you are seeing is the workers carrying pieces of clover that other ants cut back to the nest. The ants heading to the left of the photo are holding the leaves by their hind legs. The ants going to the right are heading for a clover pick up. Okay, so maybe a bit strange but I thought it interesting.

I showed a picture of a Coast Guard helicopter before but here is an army helicopter on patrol during a rainstorm. These things fly over the beach every two hours.

Here is a Monday morning photo. Notice the trash cans maybe twenty paces in the background. There are signs warning no glass bottles on the beach but my belief is anyone who would leave this kind of thing is too stupid to read. (Yes I picked them up and threw them in the can)

When I was taking the photos of the buildings around town, I had the dogs with me. They were nice enough to pose for a photo. I didn’t realize it, but the professional photographer is in the glass reflection. So I guess we could call this “Lucy and Bailey in relief with a dope.”

Wednesday Story Day – AKA- Hump Day

April 22, 2015April 21, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 22 Comments

Wednesday Story Day again. Happy hump day and I hope the rest of the week goes like you want it to go. Last week we left Charlotte and Bob in Charlotte’s office. Charlotte just got off the phone with Melissa Bob’s mother and learned that Melissa has some information about Charlotte, which Charlotte doesn’t want others to know. Melissa more or less told Charlotte that helping Bob was quid pro quo for keeping her mouth shut. Let’s rejoin Charlotte and Bob and the point where Charlotte suggested starting to read the first chapter of My Struggles, which is Bob’s book.

“Okay, you want me to read it aloud to you?”

“I think that would be the best way Bob since your handwriting is something you can interpret more quickly than I.”

“Sounds good. Here I go. It was a dark and swarmey er stormy night when I was borned,”

“Excuse me Bob but that should be the word born. When I was born. For now, we’ll not go into the fact that was born is passive voice.”

“Born is present tense. I was not born today but twenty-five years in the past. Borned. What the heck is passive voice anyway?”

“Trust me Bob born is correct. Let’s move on. Passive voice is less preferred than active. You have a lot of passive voice and it slows the reader down.”

“Ahem, I don’t understand active voice. Let me continue reading. The nurse took my little hand that was brand new as was the rest of me and lifted me up from all the yucky stuff that usually comes with being borned.”

“Bob let me interrupt again. I love the idea of describing things as you go along. I think the reader would get you are a newborn given you are describing the night of your birth. You don’t have to say brand new and that ‘rest of me business.’ Also lifted is good enough. We will assume it is up.”

“Gee Charlotte you are picking my writing apart. I thought the idea of being new could be essential to what comes next.”

“Okay, Bob. What’s next?”

“The nurse threw me into a sink filled with water and made me cry until my voice went hoarse.”

“How do you know she did this Bob and how do you know your voice went hoarse?”

“My mom told me.”

“Well, then we should add something like according to my mom. A baby doesn’t make a credible narrator.”

“Why not?”

“Cause babies can’t remember things like the first day.”

“I do.”

“You do what?”

“Remember being put into the sink.”

“Oh, my gosh. I need a drink.”

“Here’s some water.”

Special Guest – #RRBC President Nonnie Jules on her Celebrating Poetry as Love Tour

April 21, 2015April 20, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 38 Comments

Please welcome Nonnie Jules on her Celebrating Poetry as Love Tour stop with me today. As you know, I am a member of Rave Reviews Book Club and so glad to be able to participate in spreading the word about Nonnie’s new co-authored book. Nonnie is a wonderful supporter of indie authors and an excellent leader of the over five hundred member Rave Reviews Book Club organization. Nonnie, Fiction Favorites is yours.

Thank you all for allowing me to celebrate INTERNATIONAL POETRY MONTH with you by sharing excerpts from my first co-authored poetry book, “IF ONLY THERE WAS MUSIC…” The Poetry of Forbidden Love. Here is a bit of the book’s introduction below:

“Ever read poetry that was so soothing, so mellow, and just so perfectly sweet, you felt it should have been a love song? “IF ONLY THERE WAS MUSIC…” is just that kind of poetry…but it’s also poetry written about forbidden love.

Back in the summer of 2014, I was approached by an up-and-coming author by the name of Giani Jordan. Giani said that he had been following my writing for over a year and was extremely impressed. He was reaching out to me because he wanted to collaborate on a poetry book. Well, since I didn’t know Giani and wouldn’t attach my name or my writing with just anyone, I asked if he would send me a few samples of his work, and he did. I was blown away by the intensity and the depth of this man’s writing, and wanted to know more about this person he clearly was in love with and was writing so fervently about.”

In summation, Giani was in love with a woman {Christine}, who belonged to another, and to make this situation even more complicated, he, himself was also involved in a relationship.

The “snippet” of poetry which you are about to read below, is {Christine’s} response to Giani’s apology for his temper, which just might have cost them their love. This is also a treat for today’s host as this piece has not yet been published! You guys are so lucky! Take a peek:

“BROKEN”

There are no words to take away the pain

Of your hateful words, slung yet again

Your venomous tongue, your vile spew

Has removed my heart, so far away from you.

Last night I willed them, but no tears would come

I told myself, “This time I’m done!”

I wanted to cry, I missed you so

But realized it just might, be time to let go.

I held your hand, in the palm of mine

I tried my damnedest to still the time.

Rewind the clock, to go back a day

So you could take, all my pain away.

I love you still and always will

But the road to getting back seems all uphill

I will not call, I won’t make one move

Because repairing us, is now up to you…

If you’d like to read similar delightful poetry, I invite you to pick up your own copy of “IF ONLY THERE WAS MUSIC…” The Poetry of Forbidden Love on Amazon. I’d also like to invite you to follow this tour in its entirety as each day, at each stop, you will find more and more of these love songs without music, and even more reasons to fall in love with your lover, and Poetry, again. If you aren’t in love when you start reading this book, you will go seeking a love afterwards.

Please visit my complete tour line-up HERE, and at each stop that you leave a comment (including this one), your name will be entered that number of times, into a random drawing for a $25 Amazon Gift Card!!!

Thanks to my awesome host for today and thanks for stopping by, dear Guests. I hope to see you every day throughout this amazing tour to help keep Poetry alive!!! Always remember, that Love IS Poetry…they’re truly one in/and the same.

Author Bio:

Nonnie Jules is a mom, a wife, an author and also President of Rave Reviews Book Club. Her passion is children and her advocacy lies in supporting others and encouraging others to do the same. She has authored other fine books such as: “The Good Mommies’ Guide to Raising (Almost) Perfect Daughters,” “DAYDREAM’S DAUGHTER, NIGHTMARE’S FRIEND (A Novel),” and “Sugarcoatin’ Is For Candy & Pacifyin’ Is For Kids!”

Although Poetry should be celebrated every day of the year, the month of April has been set aside specifically to lift it up, and so this is why Nonnie has embarked on this blog tour to keep it alive and bring awareness to the fact that Poetry is a great medium for release and expressions of all kinds.

PURCHASE LINKS:

THE GOOD MOMMIES’ GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS: www.amazon.com/dp/B00CP62O56

DAYDREAM’S DAUGHTER, NIGHTMARE’S FRIEND: www.amazon.com/dp/B00GLM2VVM

SUGARCOATIN’ IS FOR CANDY & PACIFYIN’ IS FOR KIDS: www.amazon.com/dp/B00IRIA014

CONTACT:

Twitter: @NonnieJules

Blogs:

www.BooksByNonnie.wordpress.com

www.Nonniewrites.wordpress.com

www.AskTheGoodMommy.wordpress.com

www.RaveReviewsByNonnieJules.wordpress.com

“This tour sponsored by 4WillsPublishing.wordpress.com.”