It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is “art.” Linda Hill directs that we should “Talk about something that’s hanging on your wall. Add a picture.” Well, that sounds fun. If you would like to join in on this type of escapade visit Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.
“I’m supposed to describe something hanging on my wall.”
“Other than the spaghetti from last night?”
“Very funny. No, I’m supposed to describe a piece of art. I can even include a photo.”
“Wow, you know how to have fun. So go ahead.”
“This piece of art was done by John Gable who lives in Maine. It is a watercolor and is titled, “Before the Parade.”
“Okay tell me more.”
“The painting shows two vintage automobiles waiting at the side of the road for the parade to begin. One of them is hardly visible. The cars will be in the parade, and you can see that the day is a warm one as the drivers are waiting in the shade.”
“Sounds like a slice of life.”
“Also a large truck is on the road and passing the two waiting.”
“So what does this painting tell you?”
“I would say that John Gable paints in a photo-realism style. He brings a level of detail into his work which is amazing. This looks like a moment in time captured forever.”
“When did you get this piece.”
“I was in Maine in the early eighties and bought it from John then.”
“So it’s Friday, right?” “Yes, Little Potato. It is.” “YAY” “I second that.”
Another Friday which signals another weekend. (YAY) This last week saw the manuscript delivered to the editor. The title is The Predator a world domination fight to the finish. It is a sequel to The Contract, and in it, Gwen and I hope to answer some questions raised in the first book. It looks like we will be ready to publish in June, God willing and the creek don’t rise. We are currently working on a blurb and the cover. We’ll give you some more info when we have something to share.
That is all the exciting news from here. I have begun my next book which will be a solo effort. I want to give you the last three lines since that is where I always start. Here they are,
“I don’t think any of that matters anymore, my son. Now that you know the truth.”
“But how could you keep this kind of secret from me.”
“To see you grow and prosper was worth any deception. Now come on. We have much to discuss.”
Today’s JohnKu talks about the doors that close and those that open. I hope you have a great weekend.
“What time is it?” “It’s Wednesday. Go back to sleep Little One. I set the alarm for Friday.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we were present when Andrew and Larry questioned Louis about his involvement with Joachim Cortez the head of the Mendoza cartel. We learned that Cortez is somehow part of a legitimate medical device company and he never paid Louis. We also determined the reason Louis didn’t mention this information when first questioned is he was afraid. In fact, it is the same reason he never tried to collect the money from Cortez. I see Larry and Andrew have entered the Healthway Medical Device Company and are approaching the receptionist. I guess they decided to take the bull by the horns and visit Cortez. I think this may not be the best move but certainly want to be there when they confront Cortez. Andrew is taking a seat and Larry is talking to the receptionist.
“Yes, that’s right. I’m Detective Dunfee. Here is my card. I would like to visit with Mr. Cortez.”
“Mr. Cortez is in a meeting. Do you have an appointment?”
“No, but this is official police business.”
“Can I inform Mr. Cortez the nature of the meeting?”
“You can tell him I have some questions regarding Mr. Sandusky.”
“Very well, sir. If you have a seat, I’ll see if Mr. Cortez can be interrupted.”
“Thank you.”
“So, what did she say?”
“To have a seat and she’ll see if Cortez can be interrupted.”
“You tell her about Sandusky?”
“Of course. “
“You sure this is the best approach?”
“I’m telling you, Andrew, I would rather be anywhere else but her. I don’t know if this approach is the best or not. I do know we need to push this case forward. Hell, we may just scare up a few leads while we are here.”
“You use the term, ’scare’ very lightly.”
“Ha ha. That’s pretty funny.”
“What about the person Louis talked to here.”
“A Miss Alverez? I think we can contact her anytime. I have a feeling she isn’t going to give us anything new.”
“So it’s the big guy or nothing?”
“Yup.”
“Mr. Dunfee?”
“Yes?”
“Mr. Cortez will see you now.”
“Okay, thank you.”
“Please follow me.”
***
“Ah, detective please come in. Who else is with you?”
“This is Andrew Cummings the former city Medical Examiner.”
“My pleasure sir. Won’t you both have a seat? Can I get you something to drink? A coffee perhaps.”
“No thank you, Mr. Cortez. We both had ours.”
“Well then what can I do for you today?”
“We have opened Sandusky case since we believe he was murdered.”
“I see. I think I remember that unfortunate situation. It was about ten years ago. Didn’t he take his own life?”
“I would rather no comment on a case currently being investigated. I do have some questions for you though.”
“For me? I don’t know how I can help, but please go ahead.”
“Did you hire Sandusky’s company to develop a medical procedure?”
“I believe we hired an employee of that company as a consultant. His name was Louis something or another I believe.”
“Yes, Louis Stamos.”
“Ah yes. That’s it.”
“What was the nature of the equipment you wanted to be developed?”
“We were looking for a non-invasive surgical method.”
“Did Louis develop it”’
“He said he did.”
“What do you mean?”
“We got the prototype, and it didn’t work.”
“So you didn’t pay him?”
“Correct. How do you know all this.”
“We talked to Louis.”
“Why’s that?”
“We have reason to believe that the device worked just fine.”
“I would be cautious what you say from here on out, detective. I have been nice enough to visit with you. This courtesy will end very soon if I believe you are hinting that I’m less than truthful. In any case, I do believe this conversation is over. My person will show you out.”
“Thank you, for your time.”
“One more thing detective. I have friends who don’t take kindly to people insulting me. Am I making myself clear?”
Keith Channing is still away on holiday so I created another finger point prompt. This time I used Ian McEwan’s book Saturday. I opened it to page 165 and pointed at a sentence. The sentence reads, “Look,” he says. “It’s an orchid for your room.”
“I live in Toledo, Ohio but am originally from North Dakota.”
“Wow. North Dakota can get cold, can’t it?”
“That is for sure. Sometimes it is twenty degrees below zero in the winter.”
“How did you find your way to Ohio?”
“I prefer to say I was pilfered from North Dakota.”
“That’s a strange word to use.”
“It is one of the words brought to my attention by my friend Marc. I use it because I was only a young boy when my parents moved to Ohio.”
“So here you are checking into a hotel in Florida.”
“I know. It is funny how life treats us, isn’t it?”
“Do you have any luggage?”
“I only have this urn and my valise.”
“An urn?”
“Yes. You see my parents asked me to take them to a warm spot after they passed. They are both with me here.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you. I don’t see it as a loss. I have the memories of them in my heart so I think they will be with me forever. I will be spreading them out in the warm water tomorrow.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“You have already done it.”
“I don’t think I understand.”
“You have blessed me with your concern and that is the finest gift you could give.”
“I-I’m speechless.”
“Please believe me. Kindness and concern for others is a rare commodity today. You have a gift and I might even say you are blessed as well.
“I want you to have something. Look. It’s an orchid for your room.”
“How lovely. Thank you. Why the tears?”
“I’m not sure. Erm if you need anything just call the front desk.”
“I will. Thank you again.”
“Your room is down the hall.”
“We both know I’m not staying.”
“You’re a spirit aren’t you?”
“Yes. Yes, I am.”
“You have come for me, haven’t you?”
“I have. It’s time.”
“Should I be afraid?”
“Are you?”
“No.”
“There’s your answer. Take my hand. Walk with me.”
This post is a continuation of Ten Things Not to Do with a historical background. Since Sunday was the four hundred and seventy-ninth anniversary of King Henry VIII’s marriage to Anne of Cleves, I thought if you had an invitation to the wedding I would give you some pointers on how to stay out of trouble. Of course, the marriage only lasted six months but still a beautiful event.
10 If you attend the wedding, do not show up late. If you do, at best no one will notice especially the groom. At worst Henry will spot you coming in late, and by the look on his face, he isn’t happy. (Now you have gone and done it, Gunnolf. Henry was looking for someone to practice his wife removal system, and it seems like you will be the one.)
9 If you attend the wedding, do not try to outdo Tiny the WWF champ on his toast to the bride and groom. If you do, at best Tiny will have had enough champagne and not be offended. At worst, Tiny will have had too much champagne and having just graduated from a Dale Carnegie course on speaking take offense to your action. (Don’t worry, Gustaof. That hammer lock doesn’t usually result in a broken bone. OMG, I could hear that snap from here. My bad.)
8 If you attend the wedding, do not try to bring an old wedding gift of yours to regift. If you do, at best your card will get lost. At worst, the king will recognize the present as the one he gave you at your wedding. (Remember those lands and the castle Hank awarded you last year, Guyapi? They now belong to your idiot brother-in-law.)
7 If you attend the wedding, do not try to make a funny speech after you have had a lot to drink. If you do, at best someone will take you out before any real damage. At worst, you rambled on until you hit one of the kings sensitive issues. (I guess you don’t remember too much about your speech, Gwern. I would begin to make up a perfect apology for that unfunny joke about the three previous Mrs. Henry the Eights.)
6 If you attend the wedding, do not try to upstage the bride and groom with outrageous clothes and behavior. If you do, at best you will look like a fool. At worst, Henry will take note of your action and at the faire, he will pair you with Ivan the Brutal in the jousting match. (Ivan sure has a fast horse and large lance, Gwyddawg. I think you might want to consider just falling off your horse before he makes contact. So you are accused of cowardice. Sure beats a classy funeral.)
5 If you attend the wedding, do not ask for seconds at dinner. If you do, at best no one will know. At worst, the chef will ask the king if it is okay to give you another helping. (They say Henry is not moved to anger too quickly, but you have tipped him over, Gustav. It seems he is not pleased to go over his wedding budget by one dinner.)
4 If you attend the wedding, do not insist on dancing with the bride. If you do, at best there will be too many ahead of you. At worst, you get your chance and suddenly remember you don’t know how to dance. (This is somewhat awkward, Gene. You can’t just stand there holding the bride’s hand. Oops too late. Henry thinks you are hitting on his new wife. Can you say sayonara?)
3 If you attend the wedding, do not compliment the king on his choice of wives. If you do, at best he will ignore you. At worst, he will think you are mocking him. (It seems Henry did not want to marry Anne because he thought her too plain. The marriage was annulled six months later but since you are still in the dungeon, Garret, you won’t know. Seems you hit a sore spot.)
2 If you attend the wedding, do not think you can bring guests of your own. If you do, at best they’ll get lost in the crowd. At worst, you will be dismayed to see all your guests fawning over the king. (The king wants to have a word with you, Gace. I think I would just jump the moat and make your getaway.)
1 If you attend the wedding, do not believe the big table filled with gifts is there as favors for the guests. If you do, at best someone will set you straight. At worst, you will be halfway to the door with a gift tucked under your arm when you run into the king. (He wonders where you are going with that gift, Guilio. I think I would tell him you were just returning it to the gift table and then do it. A fast exit is indicated here as well.)
A beautiful day. Here is a shot of the beach at about eight o’clock Saturday morning
The Producer and I decided to check out the shipping channel to see if any boats were on their way to the Gulf. Sure enough, that orange thing way down there is headed our way.
You can see the Port Aransas/Aransas Pass Ferry making it’s way to Port Aransas.
This is a shot of the Port Police boat.
Now we are getting somewhere. The ship is almost upon us.
There she is, The Eagle Kinarut a crude oil tanker built in 2011 and currently sailing under the flag of Singapore. She arrived in Corpus Christi on January 3rd and passed Port Aransas on January 5th. If you would like to know her exact position right now click on this link
Another Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this weeks prompt is a doozy. It is sap/sep/sip/sop/sup. Linda Hill says we can use all of them or just a few or find a word with them included. Well, I choose all just cause I can. If you would like to get these feelings of independence, go to Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.
Well, it is Friday, and like most holiday weeks it came up fast. Always seems strange to have a new year. I keep putting 2108 on things that require a date. I should be squared away sometime in July.
In moving around WP lately, I’m wondering if all of you who have ad-supported blogs realize what is being advertised. This photo is one I have wondered about.
To each his own I guess.
Since we are starting a new year, this week’s JohnKu talks to expectations.
