Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Jour”

 

SOC Badge by: Doobster at Mindful Digressions
SOC Badge by: Doobster at Mindful Digressions

A Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This week’s prompt is “jour.” It can be as part of a word, with a suffix or as the French word for “day.” If you would like to know more about the craziness challenging weekly prompt go here http://lindaghill.com/2015/04/10/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-april-1115/. Here is my interpretation. Hope you like it.

Jour by John W. Howell © 21015

“Bon Jour Mon ami.”

“Okay what is going on with you?”

“Going on? I just said good morning in French.”

“Yeah, I got that. I just wonder why you are speaking in French. You barely have English down pat.”

“Aw. That’s cold. I’m trying to better myself. I decided to start a journal.”

“And what does that have to do with French?”

“I figure I will practice in my journal and then become a journalist.”

“Journalist? I still don’t get the French connection.”

“Well, I can’t start at the top of journalism. I have to be what is called an apprentice.”

“Okay, I’m beginning to what to bite your nose off. What does apprentice have to do with French?”

“After apprentice study is complete I will be a journeyman.”

“Now that you are a journeyman you are speaking French?”

“No, but the French will allow me to select a Nom de Plume.”

“A what?”

“A pen name.”

“You need French for that?”

“Can’t hurt.”

“I’ll give you to the count of three to run away and I suggest you do it very fast.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA TGIF

 

a hourglass

This week was a doozy. I spent it all editing my fourth book and am not finished yet. I also have been working on the screen porch which badly needed an upgrade. The builder put in screens with aluminium frames and they almost melt in the salt spray. I have done replacement frames and find those are melting as well. The only thing left is a makeover with vinyl frames. I am surprised at how little time I have to work on things like a screened porch. After all the blogs, e-mails, tweets, edits, short stories, and post visits I find I have about an hour a day. I guess it’s better than nothing. I also have a patient spouse who understands. (Lucky) Today’s JohnKu (a term coined by Words4jp) is about time. I hope you  like it.

Time by John W. Howell © 2015

When time seems endless,

The joy of relaxation . . .

Gives way to deadline.

 

Thursday – A Little Personal

Today I thought I would post a few pictures which I took on three bike rides. These are all beach scenes since that is the place I do my riding. I hope you like these.

2015-03-25 10.09.44

The first is a picture of a group of pelicans who were headed away from where I was going. Notice the birds fly in a V formation like geese. This allows the lead bird to fall back and coast once he/she becomes tired.

2015-03-29 16.07.33

Here is a rather far away shot of the Coast Guard helicopter that patrols the beach daily. They are on the look out for drug runners and a possible stray soviet submarine. *chuckle* Also you can see Sunday was a beautiful day. The rest of the photos are taken in cloudy conditions.

2015-04-06 10.50.23

Early in the week I came across a lonely Portuguese Man o’ War washed up on the beach. When the surf is rough (as it has been for a few days) these guys have no propulsion system and are at the mercy of the current. They usually wash in from far out in the Gulf.

2015-04-06 16.01.56

Monday morning saw this sculpture left behind by someone expressing his belief in the Resurrection. I believe the sign read “He has Risen originally and someone came along and changed it to “He Has Fred.” I hope Fred has an iron clad story. He may need it someday.

2015-04-06 16.05.05

I can see the tragedy written all over this scene. “Help me make a sandcastle daddy.” “Sure honey. Here I’ll use this shovel to dig the foundation….Damn.”

2015-04-07 08.46.25

This was taken yesterday and you can see the effects of the Gulf high surf. There are thousands of Portuguese Man o’ War and assorted pieces of wood and seaweed washed onto the beach.This is a continuous process and by next week things could change dramatically.

2015-04-07 08.56.47

Man O’ War are not the only things washed up. I have yet to find treasure but now and then an interesting item will appear. This is some kind of cover which has the instructions, “close before starting engine” on the top. I wonder if someone started the engine with it open and this is all that is left of whatever it is with an engine. I guess we’ll never know.

Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day.

 

 

a snoopy

Wednesday Story day again. Well, we are just getting to know our two characters in the little drama. Some of the comments received have expressed sympathy for Charlotte and some dismay that Bob is out there somewhere. I have to agree with all the comments. Last time Charlotte had just about given up getting Bob to type his manuscript. She decided to read it, and the first line that opened the book was “It was a dark and stormy night.” She also was vaguely familiar with the title “My Struggle.” So let’s join the pair in Charlotte’s office.

“I find this opening line to be somewhat laughable.”

“You do? Why?”

“Have you ever read the cartoon Peanuts?”

“No. Is it about the circus?”

“No, it is a satirical look at life in general.”

“Nope. Sorry.”

“That’s okay. There is a character named Snoopy who wants to be a writer and his book starts with the line “It’s a dark and stormy night.”

“You’re kidding right?”

“No, the author of the strip was making fun of authors.”

“I don’t think it is so funny to steal my line.”

‘I don’t think he stole your line since the story has been in the papers for a number of years.”

“So then how did he get my line? I only wrote it last year.”

“I think there could be a good argument that you stole his line.”

“Can’t be I ‘ve never heard of this fellow Snoopy.”

“Okay let’s look at the title then.”

“My Struggle. Great right?”

“So what does it mean?”

“I think it is pretty self-explanatory. It describes what is in the book. I detail all the problems that I have overcome to become a famous author.”

“Give me an example.”

“Well, you just saw one. More than this Snoopy character have stolen my words.”

“Um. Like who?”

“A guy named Hemingway took a story about a fish I caught and wrote about it without my permission.”

“Oh, my gosh. Could you excuse me for a moment? I need to make a phone call.”

“Sure I’ll wait outside.”

“Close the door, please. Thanks.”

Sleeper of the Wildwood Fugue by Charles Yallowitz – Now Live

LEGENDS OF WINDEMERE:
SLEEPER OF THE WILDWOOD FUGUE
LIVE on Amazon Kindle!

Art by Jason Pedersen
Art by Jason Pedersen

The final champion stirs and reaches out to any who can hear her voice. Yet all who heed her call will disappear into the misty fugue.

Awakening their new ally is only the beginning as Luke, Nyx, and their friends head south to the desert city of Bor’daruk. Hunting for another temple once used to seal Baron Kernaghan, they are unaware that the game of destiny has changed. Out for blood and pain, Stephen is determined to make Luke wish he’d never set out to become a hero.

By the time the sun sets on Bor’daruk, minds will be shattered, and the champions’ lives will be changed forever.

Don’t forget to mark it as ‘To Read’ on Goodreads too!

Charles E. Yallowitz
Charles E. Yallowitz

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: Legends of Windemere
Twitter: @cyallowitz
Facebook: Charles Yallowitz
Website: www.charleseyallowitz.com

Read the Previous Volumes of Legends of Windemere!!!

BEGINNING OF A HERO

PRODIGY OF RAINBOW TOWER

ALLURE OF THE GYPSIES

FAMILY OF THE TRI-RUNE

THE COMPASS KEY

CURSE OF THE DARK WIND

Tuesday – Anything Possible- Sequel to My GRL Estimated in June

 

a revenge

 

I got an e-mail Friday indicating the sequel to My GRL will be published sometime in June. The operating title of the sequel is His Revenge and is the story of Billionaire Matt Jacob’s desire to avenge the actions of John J. Cannon. John spoiled Jacob’s opportunity to score a spectacular event by blowing up the Annapolis Midshipmen on their summer cruise. John became a national hero, and Matt is methodical in his attempt to use this hero status to cripple America’s economy and to wreak havoc on America’s influence around the world.

Look for more details as they occur. I am not confident about the June date, but I thought it would be a nice jinx to announce it as tentative and then maybe it will happen. Once the date is firm, I will be calling for tour volunteers.

 

Thanks in advance for your help with this launch

 

 

Top Ten things Not to Do at Whole Foods

The inspiration for this list came during several visits to Whole Foods. None of these circumstances were as a result of personal interaction while shopping there.

 

 

a whole food store

 

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 rate 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.

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 prior to checking out. At worst, you might be asked to weigh in for a residual weight charge. (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.

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.”

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 government 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.

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.

4 If you are in Whole Foods, do not sit at the wine bar do not reach over the counter to help yourself. 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.

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.

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 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.

Sunday – Fifty-Two Views of the Gulf

Happy Easter all. On a walk yesterday I had an idea that is a riff on the Japanese artist Hokusai Katsushika’s One Hundred Views of Fusiyama. (Mt. Fuji). I thought I would take a picture a week of the Gulf from the same location and then add a line or two of whatever pops into my mind. So with the introduction here is the first.

2015-04-04 08.21.50

 

The temperature is in the high sixties and wind is about twenty-five miles an hour. It is overcast, and this picture is almost devoid of color. The white railings are part of  the walkway to the beach that goes up and over the dunes.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday Prompt – De plus ed

SOC Badge by: Doobster at Mindful Digressions
SOC Badge by: Doobster at Mindful Digressions

 

It is Stream of Conscious Saturday and this week’s prompt is to use “De” anywhere in the post, and there is extra credit if the word I choose ends with “ed.” If you would like to participate go here for the rules, http://lindaghill.com/2015/04/03/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-april-415/ Here is my contribution.

De-emphasized by John W. Howell © 2015

“So I walked into his office and slammed my keys on his desk.”

“Oh, my. What did he say?”

“He didn’t say anything. He knew better.”

“How did you leave it?”

“He told me I was through and then I went to my cube and got my keys and went back and slammed the keys on his desk. I guess I’m still through.”

“You mean he never said anything.”

“Nope, he just handed me this card.”

“What does it say?”

“I’ll read it. The front says ‘congratulations.’ Then you open it and inside it says ‘you have been Deemphasized’”

“Boy, that’s cold. Anything else?”

“Just signed by the boss.”

“Damn I have never heard of a de-emphasized card before.”

“Sure beats a sympathy card.”

“I guess so. What are you going to do now?”

“I think I’ll go apply for a de-emphasized check.”

“Where do you get that?”

“At the de-emphasize bureau I suppose.”

“Can you get a license while you’re there?”

“Funny.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

a typo

 

Friday is here at last. I have been editing my last book and I am constantly amazed at how stupid I am when I’m in the writing zone. Words fly like the wind when I’m working on a piece and, unfortunately, at times when I go back I have to scratch my head and mumble to myself, “what was I thinking.” I thought the words all came out right the first time. Yet here I am faced with what would be my version of the dead sea scrolls to interpret. I might as well be in some dusty tomb with a spyglass and a flashlight as to be sitting in front of my computer. I write a thousand words a day and the work boils down to about eight hundred understandable. So my editing is all about the dreaded rewrite. The story line is good, the characters solid it’s just I can’t understand what the hell is going on with words like gret, sid, ot,form,laght, sotp, saop etc.  Today’s JohnKu (a term coined by Words 4jp) is a reflection of my thoughts today. hope you like it.

 

Typing by John W. Howell Copyright 2015

Typing is God’s gift,

To save us from handwriting . . .

Typos Devil sent.