Tag: Circumstances of Childhood

Views of the Neighborhood – The Enchanted Forest

~ John W. Howell ~ 50 Comments

As Christmas approaches, Port Aransas celebrates the season with its annual Enchanted Forest sponsored by the Department of Parks and Recreation. The forest is put up in the community center and is a collection of trees decorated by local businesses and organizations.

The community center welcomes folks from around the country to the Enchanted forest inside.

A family from Oklahoma had a swell time.

Enchanted Forest

This is a backdrop for Christmas card photos.

Tiny display in the corner.

Each tree was done by a separate organization. The signs below identified the group.

More trees. The lights on the floor gave the feeling of a path through the forest

Looking back toward the entrance.

A polar bear

The Port A Strong tree.

Three snowmen. The center was pretty dark, but my iPhone made it appear lighter.

a golden tree and a tree of stars.

Frosty of course.

Thank you for coming along and a very Happy Holiday to all.

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Tin.”

~ John W. Howell ~ 44 Comments

Stream of Consciousness

 

Aggregating my thoughts today made  me realize it is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this weeks prompt is “tin.” Linda Hill instructs that we can use the word of a word containing “tin.” She also advises having fun and offers bonus points if we begin and end the post with the word “tin” or a word with “tin” in it. So now you know why there is an unusual beginning to this post.  If you would like an aneurysm, please participate. You can do that by visiting Linda Hill’s blog and reading up on the latest mental health methods. Here is the link.  https://lindaghill.com/2018/12/21/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-22-18/

Tin by John W. Howell © 2018

“This sign will be pinpointing some of my neighbor’s flaws.”

“I think you might be overreacting.”

“To someone who is afflicting me with such aggravation.”

“Tell me the situation, and maybe I can be helpful in deflecting your anger.”

“The guy lets his dog use my yard as a privy and is tainting my environment.”

“Did you have a conversation about the urinating?”

“Of course I did. He began advocating that it was really my fault.”

“Your fault? That must have been aggravating.”

“I’ll say. The brigantine suggested that I build a fence.”

“That does sound like he is conflating the issue.”

“I’d love to know what that means. It’s like I’m consorting with Merriam Webster.”

“It means mixing two elements. I think he is detracting from the real issue.”

“Yeah, no kidding. That’s why I’m dedicating this sign to him.”

“For what it is worth I think you will be escalating the tension.”

“I don’t see how. All this sign says is keep your dog off my property you disgusting idiot you.”

“What if someone put that up and was pointing to restricting your behavior?”

“If I were committing the same offense, I would expect it.”

“Well then, I guess I’m reluctantly consenting to your move.”

“Thank you so much for the attempt at correcting my behavior, but I must do this.”

“Need a hammer for detonating what I’m sure will be WWIII?”

“Very funny. I hope the guy at least finds this sign disrupting.”

“I think you will be ratcheting the tension ”

“I certainly hope so. By the way, do you have any turpentine?”

 

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

 

“This is what Friday’s are meant to be.”

Friday again. It is the last Friday before Christmas. I hope you have all your shopping done. I know I do. (Thank heavens)

This week has been busy. I finally got some help from Grammarly. Guess what they came up with? Uninstall the existing program and reinstall a new one. Can you say DUH? I mean if that was the solution why give me a trial and error week? I should have just done that myself. (Gotta stop again. After all, it is the Holidays and I have a working program.)

Bailey is beginning to be picky about her food. We just got in a supply of the food she loved and she now doesn’t like it. We have gone to chicken which she thinks is fine for now. If and when she is no longer interested in food, we know she is telling us the time is near. We will keep offering her choices in order not to make the mistake of thinking she is asking for some relief. As long as she is eating we know she is interested in being with us. Sadly the end result is known and it is hard to imagine we will have to let her go. Bailey came to us nine years ago on Christmas.

As her stewards, we need to keep her interests as primary. Today’s John Ku tries to avoid the obvious and talks about the best Christmas gifts.

Christmas by John W. Howell © 2018

The best Christmas gifts,

Are not measured by how much. . .

But rather by love.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy, Bailey , and Lucy Terrorize the Neighborhood

~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

Twiggy, Lucy , and Bailey

“Hey, Bailey. Have you seen our moo cow impersonations?”

“Boy Twiggy you look more like an oink-oink to me.”

“What’s that on your foot, Bailey?”

“When I was in the hospital they shaved my foot to give me medication.”

“Did you know about the shaved foot, Lucy.”

“Yes, I did Little One. It was necessary.”

“Twiggy, take a look.”

“At what, Lucy?”

“Look at those people over there.”

“What are they doing?”

“Getting ready to attack us.”

“Let’s go get ’em.”

“That a kid. Bark ’em into submission.”

“They are turning away and going somewhere else.”

“Looks like you took care of them, Twiggy.”

“It does doesn’t it.”

“We do have to remain alert, Lucy.”

“I know right? You can never tell when they will be back.”

“If they come back I’m ready for ’em. Does this bulldog stance make me look bigger?”

“Frighteningly so. Little one. Even I wouldn’t mess with you.

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

~ John W. Howell ~ 42 Comments
Twiggy
“Lucy. Wake up. I hear Friday at the door.”
“It’s only Wednesday Little Potato. Hit snooze.”

It is Wednesday Story Day, and last week we went with Larry to question Ned Dixon about what he might know regarding any money connection to Sandusky’s murder. We were shocked to find out Sandusky had set up a trust for an unnamed beneficiary that is now worth fifteen million dollars. We also found out that whoever tries to claim the money must show up at the bank with a key to Sandusky’s safe deposit box. The box contains a protocol which the beneficiary must satisfy. I think we were gobsmacked to find all this out. You have to wonder what Larry thinks of all of this. Wait there was another point. Sandusky took out a loan based on an agreement signed by the notorious cartel leader, Cortez. Let’s go to Larry’s office and find out what he is thinking.

 

“So, Andrew. Do you believe all this shit?”

“I must say there are more twists in this case than a rattler on an anthill.”

“Where di you get that saying?”

“I just made it up.”

”You are on the East Coast for heaven’s sake. That good ole boy analogy doesn’t seem to fit.”

“I guess it must be these new boots I bought.”

“Handsome for sure. Drop the Western crap.”

“Yes sir, boss.”

“Can do without cool hand Luke as well.”

“What is bothering you today.”

“We are no closer to finding out who killed Sandusky than we were before we started. Also, we know that Cortez is somehow wrapped up in this thing which has the potential to make our lives a living nightmare.”

“Maybe we should just let sleeping dogs lie.”

“Easy for you to say. You don’t have a spirit hounding you every night.”

“We need to think this one through. Gloria said to follow the money, and now we have more questions than answers.”

“Let’s take a step back then. We know Sandusky and Louis were successful in developing a new surgical procedure, right?”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“We also know Cortez signed an agreement to pay for it.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“We do not know what the Cartel wanted to do with the procedure.”

“So far you are stating the obvious.”

“We have to ask ourselves another question.”

“Which is?”

“Why did we have to hear all this from the banker and not Louis?”

“Well, now that is an excellent question.”

“Is it possible the cartel did pay Louis, and he stiffed the bank?”

“Another good question.”

“The answers are with Louis. We need to talk to him again. I’ll bet he can tell us what the cartel intended to do with the procedure as well.”

“I have a feeling you are right. So follow the money leads back to Louis.”

“Yup. There is also one good point about talking to Louis.”

“Which is?”

“We put off trying to talk to Cortez.”

“Which means we put off a major hell till later. I’m all about that.”

“You have Louis’ number.”

“I do.”

“Let’s call and set up a time to talk.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue # 201 by Keith Channing

~ John W. Howell ~ 32 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, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.”

The photo

Kreative Kue #201

The Wait by John W. Howell © 2018

“What the heck is he doing?”

“Let me adjust my scope. Ah yes. He is eating.”

“Eating? What is he eating?”

“Looks like sunflower seeds.”

“God in heaven.  I hope he doesn’t plan to sit there and eat a bag of sunflower seeds.”

“I think that is exactly what he is going to do.”

“You don’t think he is connected to Mendoza do you?”

“I think that is some schlub who is on holiday. His license plate is from the Avignon area.”

“He could be a mule you know.”

“I don’t think so. What mule have you ever seen in a van munching sunflower seeds?”

“There is always a first time.”

“Man I hope this guy moves on.”

“Yeah, I hear you.”

“He’s got about fifteen minutes until Mendoza shows up then all hell will break loose.”

“You think Mendoza would take him out?”

“In a heartbeat.”

“Anyway to warn him?”

“I don’t think we can get down there and then back up here in time. I think he’ll just have to take his chances.”

“He’s alone right?”

“Looks that way.”

“Well, I guess all we can do is pray.”

“Maybe I can take out Mendoza before he has a chance to hurt that old man.”

“Sounds like a long shot but then that’s what you are good at doing.”

“What a nice thing to say. Thanks.”

“Well, it’s true.”

“Still nice to hear. Oh, wait. The old guy is getting into his van.”

“Come on old man. Start it up and get the hell out of here.”

“He going.”

“Thank heavens.”

*

“Mendoza, you hear me?”

“Yeah old man I do.”

“I was at the rendezvous and no sign of the feds.”

“Excellent. You stay a while.”

“I did. Even had some sunflower seeds.”

“You look pitiful?”

“The most pitiful. If there had been anyone waiting for you, they would have come to warn me. I think the area is safe.”

“Thanks, old man. When I get back, I’ll be sure to reward you handsomely.”

“No need my boy. Your safety is reward enough. After all, you are my number one son. See you later.

 

Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Boston Tea Party in 1773

~ John W. Howell ~ 62 Comments

Top Ten Things not to do

 

This post continues the Top Ten Things Not to Do with a historical backdrop. Since December 16, 1773, is the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party the Top Ten list will help you avoid any trouble should you time travel to the event.

Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Boston Tea Party by John W. Howell © 2018

10 If you go to the Boston Tea Party, do not wear your “Stay Calm and Pay Your Stamp Tax,” sweatshirt. If you do, at best your outer coat will cover it. At worse, several colonists will notice it all at once. (Well, Garrick, it looks like you are going into the Boston harbor along with those 342 chests of tea. Hope you can swim.)

9 If you go to the Boston Tea party, do not stop Tiny the WWF champ if he starts throwing other stuff besides tea into the Boston Harbor. If you do, at best Tiny will be so engrossed trying to rip off the mast that he’ll think you are trying to help. At worst, Tiny who just failed his anger management course will stop tearing up the deck of the boat to concentrate on you. (Looks like it might be a good time to practice your rope climb, Garsone. I have it on good authority Tiny likes to rip things in two before tossing them in the harbor. It helps with his anger issue.)

8 If you go to the Boston Tea Party, do not tell Samuel Adams how much you enjoy his beer. If you do, at best he’ll give you a puzzled look. At worst, he will question you extensively about what you mean. (Good luck avoiding spilling the beans about time travel, Gaven. You’ll be lucky to escape a witches trial for what will sound like lies.)

7 If you go to the Boston Tea Party, do not ask the crew to save you some Earl Grey. If you do, at best they will think you are joking. At worst, such a request would be perceived as something a royal would make. (This is great. You are now being taken for a British royal, Gavyn. You are going to have a hard time floating once that chest to which you are chained becomes water soaked.)

6 If you go to the Boston Tea Party, do not try to convince the crew that the Mohawk Indian disguise is not politically correct. If you do, at best you’ll get some puzzled looks. At worst, the crew will think you are disrespecting them. (These guys have ways of dealing with disrespect, Gaynor. How’s that Mohawk haircut feel? I hope that ax was sharp enough to cut and not pull your hair out.)

5 If you go to the Boston Tea Party, do not try to convince the captain of the British ship Beaver that the name of his ship should be changed to a more socially acceptable name. If you do, at best he will be too busy trying to repel raiders to listen. At worst, you will be the only member of the raiding party to be clapped in irons. (How do you think you will raise the money to compensate for the tea loss, Gedalya? In today’s dollars the $18,000 loss is $553,254.15. You do know debtor’s prison terms are a real thing back then?)

4 If you go to the Boston Tea Party, do not bring scones and clotted cream. If you do, at best your fellow raiders will think you’re nuts. At worst, you’ll be sent home to write 1000 times, “I will not joke about the Tea Party.” (When you turn in your paper to Sam Adams, Genius, I would bring a gift. You just might save yourself from being deported to England. Not too many in England are amused about the loss of the tea.)

3 If you go to the Boston Tea Party, do not hum “America the Beautiful” while you dump your assigned tea crates. If you do, at best your fellow raiders are too busy to take notice. At worst, a raider might think you are humming “God Save the King.” ( His look is anything but comforting, Georgie. I think I would prepare to get wet if I were you.)

2 If you go to the Boston Tea Party, do not forget to mute your cell phone ringer. If you do, at best in the noise of the raid no one will hear it. At worse, the entire raiding party will stop what they are doing and look at you in stunned silence. (You gotta hope that whoever is calling you, Geremia will hang up now. If you pull out that cell phone, you might as well jump overboard and take your chances with the British.)

1 If you go to the Boston Tea Party, do not ask your fellow raiders if they are red sox fans. If you do, at best they will think you are talking about foot coverings. At worst, your fellow raiders will think you are talking in code, and since you used the color red, you are a British agent. (The key to surviving walking the plank, Gergor is to get those ropes wrapped around your arms off quickly. Sounds impossible you say? Fair enough. Can you hold your breath for twenty minutes?)

Views of the Neighborhood – Middle and High School Art Show

~ John W. Howell ~ 53 Comments

Every year the Art Center of Port Aransas has n art show featuring the art of high school and middle school students. The competition is juried and open to students from Port Aransas, Flour Bluff, and Seashore Academy. I thought you would like to see the level of art being taught in the local schools. I don’t have too many comments as the art can speak for itself.

Let’s start with the sixth grade. Where you see a ribbon that student’s piece took a prize

Another view.

Art Show

Seventh grade.

Eighth grade

Ninth Grade

Tenth Grade

Eleventh Grade

One view of the Twelfth grade

Another View of the Twelfth Grade.

High School and Middle School Art Show

The Best in Show is the purple ribbon.

As you can see there is a large turnout. Here in Port Aransas art is taken very seriously. I hope you enjoyed the walk through the Art Center.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Hairy”

~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

Stream of Consciousness

 

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this week’s prompt is “hairy.” Linda Hill says we can use hairy any way we want and there are bonus points if we use it in more than one meaning. I’m all over the bonus points so that will be my objective. If you jump to bait easily, you might want to join this group. Visit Linda’s blog to read how. Here is the link

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Dec. 15/18

Hairy by John W. Howell © 2018

“She asks me why
I’m just a hairy guy
I’m hairy noon and night—”

“Another song. What is it this time.”

“One of my favorites. Hair from the Broadway show. They are doing their fifty-year tour.”

“Fifty years? The show was on Broadway before you were born.”

“Yeah, but it doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate it.”

“What brought a fifty-year-old play to mind anyway?”

“I was looking up the Hairy Man Festival in Round Rock Texas and just wondered how many other things had hair involved in them.”

“Hairy Man Festival? What is that?”

“Back in the 1880’s, there was an old hermit who used to try to scare people off by jumping at them. He was covered with hair and became known as the Austin Big Foot. Every year those folks in Round Rock hold a festival in his memory.”

“Nothing much to do around there I’m guessing. What else did you find?”

“The Hairy Who.”

“Okay, I’ll bite.”

“A group of Six Chicago artists who got together to co-create works that spoke of the culture of the Sixties.”

“Interesting. Anything else?”

“The Hairy Frog of Central Africa. Called the Horror Frog.”

“Lovely I’m sure.”

“Has claws.”

“To be avoided I’ll bet. Okay, I’ve heard enough.”

“Wait there’s the hairy woodpecker, spider, and tongue.”

“I can’t hear you. La la la.”

“Hairy ears.”

“I’m going to give you a hairy eyeball if you don’t quit.”

“Okay, that’s it.”

“Fine. How about lunch.”

“Yeah. Let’s go to Harry’s diner.”

 

 

 

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 61 Comments

 

“You say it’s Friday. How do I know you are telling the truth?”

Another Friday is here. I had hoped to report that Gwen and my MS is in the hands of the editor. It is still with me.  I wanted to run it one more time through Grammarly but I can’t sign on. I have been in a loop with their customer care for two days. They have no live reps so you have to go back and forth with a robot. So far the care sucks. I’m still here with no on-line Grammarly even though I pay a Premium for it. Ugh, spit. I have to wonder what causes services that you use constantly, all of a sudden refuse to let you in. I think I’ll stop here since I could go into a full on rant. Y’all don’t need that now.

Bailey has had a good week. She is still eating well and in good spirits. She is interested in her surroundings and does wag her nubby tail on occasion. We can only hope she continues.

Today’s John Ku talks about customer satisfaction. (I just can’t leave it alone) I hope you have a great weekend.

Customer Satisfaction By John W. Howell © 2018

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Some genius thinks a survey . . .

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