Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Point”

Stream of Consciousness

 

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday again and this weeks prompt is a bit different so I thought I would quote Linda Hill.

“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “point.” Open a book on your lap, close your eyes, and put your finger on the page. Whatever you land on, whether it be a word, a phrase, or a sentence, write about it. Enjoy! “

If you would like to join this fun visit Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/11/02/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-3-18/

I opened a book in my lap and my finger fell on the sentence, “I smiled at his tone.” So here goes.

I Smiled at His Tone by John W. Howell © 2018

“I can’t believe it is November already.”

“I know right? The days go by so quickly it is hard to keep up with them.”

“Well, I don’t know about that. I just know that I’m not sure I can face Daylight Savings Time again.”

“What is so hard. You go to bed and sleep in another hour.”

“Yeah and get up while it is pitch black out.”

“So what can you do about it?”

“I went to city hall.”

“What? What for?”

“To complain to the city council.”

“And?”

“I met with our representative and explained that I would like to have Daylight Savings Time suspended.”

“So tell me what did the representative say?”

“He looked at me and then asked me to leave.”

“What did you do?”

“I smiled at his tone. Then I told him he would have to call the police to get me out of his office.”

“So did he?”

“I have a court appearance next Tuesday.”

“And Daylight Savings Time.”

“Still on.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

“Welcome home, Bailey.”
“Nothing feels as good as home Little Stuff. This grass is divine.”

Friday is here, and it has been quite a week. Monday saw the need to rush Bailey to the Emergency Care Clinic in San Antonio. She was continuing to deteriorate, and we needed some advanced tests and scans that were not available locally. They kept her and did all the testing to confirm the diagnosis. Baily has stage V Lymphoma. As you can guess the prognosis does not include a cure. The best we can do now is focus on her quality of life which we intend to do with additional treatment. We will be concentrating on continuing the drugs that make her feel the best she can for the time we have left.

Thank you for all the good wishes we have received since Bailey’s illness became known and know we appreciate your kindness.

As those of you who have faced the loss of a pet know, it is a hard road that requires courage to do whatever is in the best needs of your loved one. We hope Bailey has the six to ten months of relatively good health that the vet has projected. None of us are ready to say goodbye. We feel blessed to have the time to continue our love for her. When the quality of her life is in jeopardy though we will need to be strong and do what is right for her.

Today’s JohnKu talks of responsibility. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Responsibility by John W. Howell © 2018

The news is not good,

Whose welfare needs protection . . .

Yours or the loved one?

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Lucy have a Talk

Lucy and Twiggy

“Okay, Lucy. You can let go of my new toy.”

“mom told me to keep you entertained.”

“I get that, but really, I’ll stay out of trouble if you let go.”

“Yeah, like the time you took off with that bath mat?”

“I’m serious. I have grown up. I don’t do that stuff anymore.”

“How about that toilet paper roll?”

“Come on. Tell me you could resist grabbing that puppy.”

“I haven’t done that trick for five years.”

“Okay then. I promise. No funny business if you give me the toy.”

“What will I tell mom if you break your promise?”

“I won’t break it. I promise. By the way, when is Bailey coming home.”

“The Boss is picking her up in San Antonio this afternoon.”

“San Antonio? How come so far?”

“Bailey was pretty sick, little one. She had to be transported to the clinic there. She wasn’t getting better on the treatment locally.”

“Is she okay?”

“She will be ready to play with you.”

“How can we play when you still have your mouth on my toy?”

“When Bailey gets home. I’ll let go. You know you can always release.”

“I’m a bulldog. Release is not in our vocabulary.”

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

 

“Say what you want. I’m waiting right here for Friday.”

It is Wednesday Story Day time again and last week Larry and Andrew made a decision to see if they can get Louis to open up and perhaps confess to offing Sandusky. They also reminded themselves (or maybe Gloria stepped in) to look for other motives and not just focus on the possibility of Louis getting greedy. So let’s get back to the police station and go with Larry into the interrogation room.

“So, Louis. How are you feeling today?”

“Other than being held here against my will, I feel great.”

“You can leave anytime, Louis. Can I get you a cup of coffee?”

“No thanks. That crankcase oil you cops call coffee is not to my taste.”

“Water then.”

“No, sir. I don’t want anything from you.”

“You sound a little resentful, Louis.”

“I think the word is pissed, detective.”

“Why so, Louis?”

“You haul me down to this station and make like I have something to hide. I told you everything I know about Sandusky and it is like you don’t believe me.”

“Why is that important?”

“You have to be kidding me. You are the police. You can arrest me anytime for anything.”

“That’s not true Louis. We need to have probable cause to arrest you.”

“And?”

“We have nothing on you except you invented a procedure that killed a man. Might be a stretch but I think I could make a case for involuntary manslaughter.”

“So, charge me then.”

“I really don’t want to take taxpayer time and money chasing a charge that some fancy lawyer could convince a judge to give you community service as a sentence. I would rather get some information from you to find the real killer. You can afford a fancy lawyer, right?”

“I don’t have any money for a lawyer. What kind of information are you looking for anyway?”

“I want to know who would want Sandusky dead?”

“Oh, is that all. You have a Boston phone directory?”

“Um yeah.”

“Open any page and there are probably three or four on that page who would want Sandusky dead.”

“You know I’m not one who likes games much.”

“I’m just trying to say there are a whole lot of people who are better off as a result of Sandusky’s death.”

“You kill him?”

“Hell no.”

“Know who did?”

“I have a couple of suspicions, yes.”

“Talk to me.”

“What do I get out of fingering some possibilities?”

“I’ll forget about the manslaughter charge if I can bring a murder one against someone else.”

“In writing?”

“Hell no.”

“I guess I’ll have to trust you then.”

“I guess so.”

“I’ll have that coffee now.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #198 by Keith Channing

Since Keith has NaNoWriMo and other commitments, there will be no Kreative Kues until Monday 3 December. This week’s challenge will, therefore, remain open until the end of November.

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 on Sunday, 2 December (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, on 3 December.”

The photo.

Kreative Kue #198

Das Boot by John W. Howell © 2018

“Kapitan. You should take a look at this.”

“Move aside Fritz and let me see. Mein Gott, what is that thing?”

“It looks like it might be an enemy ship.”

“Ja, but look at the color.”

“Maybe they like to decorate their ships for Halloween.”

“Don’t be a dummkopf. It would take months to paint that thing.”

“Why do you think they use such a color?”

“I can’t imagine. Maybe some sort of way to hide it.”

“It sure stands out against that jetty.”

“Prepare the bow torpedoes.”

“You aren’t going to sink her are you Kapitan?”

“That is what we are here for Fritz. What is the matter with you?”

“For one thing I don’t see any guns on her.”

“So?”

“Might be a non-combatant.”

“Yes, this is true.”

“And for another, our torpedoes haven’t been launched in a long time.”

“So what? We have gone for a long time before.”

“Finally, my arthritis is acting up again, and I don’t think I can punch the launch button.”

“Now that is a problem because I can’t straighten up enough to reach it.”

“Kapitan?”

“Yes, Fritz.”

“We have not had a message from the vatherland in how long?”

“Since September of 1945 Fritz.”

“And this year is 2018.”

“Ja.”

“Maybe we ought to retire Kapitan. War is a young man’s game.”

 

Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Founding of Harvard College in 1636

 

harvard

This post continues the Top Ten Things Not to Do with history as a backdrop. Harvard College, the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, is founded in Cambridge, Mass on this day in 1636.

The Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Founding of Harvard College in 1636.

10 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not suggest a celebration with a kegger party. If you do, at best the kegger store will be closed. At worst, the administration will create a rule against keggers. (Congratulations, Fyodor. You are the first student at the college to be put on probation.)

9 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not pledge a fraternity where Tiny the WWF champ is a member. If you do, at best Tiny will flunk out before you get there. At worst, Tiny who was just criticized by the dean for necessary hazing had ordered you to bend over. (Let’s hope the dean lecture has not made Tiny even angrier, Frederick. Is that paddle as big as it looks?)

8 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not organize a demonstration protesting the dorm food. If you do, at best no one will join you. At worst, the college put you in charge of food procurement. (Looks like your fellow students are getting tired of squirrel stew, Falcon. I think I would try to raise a few vegetables if I were you.)

7 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not cut class on the first warm day. If you do, at best you can get notes from the nerd, At worst, your professor will pull a pop quiz that is 20% of the term grade. (No amount of begging is going to help, Fallon. I would go to the infirmary and see if you can con someone into an excuse.)

6 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not try to organize a football team. If you do, at best no one will know what you are talking about. At worst, you’ll find some players who are ready to play but can’t see a ball. (Looks like you will have to make one, Fraser. Try to get it a little rounder okay. That thing looks like a fat sausage.)

5 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not go outside wearing that Yale sweatshirt. If you do, at best no one will notice since Yale was founded in 1701. At worst, someone will take offense thinking Yale is an acronym for Young American Liquor Enterprise. (You have to understand the Puritan Ethic is still pretty strong, Fiorello. The time in the stocks will go fast. Think positive.)

4 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not fail to return your library book on time. If you do, at best the fine is only 1p a week. At worst, a press-gang will come looking for you. (It would have been easier to return the book, Ferril. Now you won’t get back to the College until your sea duty is over. Five years will go pretty quickly.)

3 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not try to organize the first co-ed dance. If you do, at best your fellow students will just laugh. At worst the administration will pass a rule prohibiting co-ed dancing. (Good luck finding a co-ed, Fabrice. The first sex-blind admissions were not until 1977. Oh, and you need to serve time on the dunking chair due to the rule violation. I hope those hold your breath contests come in handy.)

2  If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not park your horse in the faculty parking lot. If you do, at best no one will need the space. At worst, professor Curmudgeon will alert campus security to shoot you on sight. (Never thought taking a tenured professor’s parking place was that big of a deal, huh Faddei. Those musket balls look like they would hurt.)

1 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not buy your books ahead of time at the used bookstore. If you do, at best you might save money. At worst, the professor will change the course text with no notice. (Well, looks like your used books will make an excellent fire starter, Fadil. Better luck next term)

Views of the Neighborhood – Harvest Moon Regatta

This weekend was the annual Harvest Moon Regatta. This is a sailing race from Galveston to Port Aransas. The distance covered is about 150 miles. The race used to begin on Friday and end on Saturday, but this year it began on Thursday. Some captains asked if they could use their motors. Here is the answer. “No.  This is a sailboat race.  In the past, the race started on Friday, and some motoring was allowed in case the winds were light, and people were not able to finish in time to make it to the awards ceremony.  The race now starts on Thursday; motoring is not allowed, except for emergency purposes.  (Note: While you may disagree, the Race Committee does not consider getting to Port Aransas in time to party Friday night, to be an emergency!)

I hope you enjoy the photos.

harvest moon regatta

Here is a shot of the sponsor’s sign

Harvest Moon Regatta

T-shirt concession.

Check-in desk.

A vendor tent with equipment like generators and radar units.

This one is for Dan Antion. Big ole ship.

This is not a participant but looked good navigating the channel.

Like the fact this boat has a Sugarland home. (there is no salt water near Sugarland.)

A shot of some of the boats that took part.

Another boat from a landlocked city.

I liked this shot for the flag.

This Marilyn Monroe flag caught my eye.

A boat from Annapolis Maryland.

A group of catamarans

The Producer says this is her kind of boat.

This crew was a little puzzled since there were a few lines out of place.

Lots of flags

These were displayed at a booth selling boat photos of participants.

This is the tent where the victory party took place Saturday night. Hope you enjoyed the tour.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Bone”

Stream of Consciousness

 

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday again and this weeks prompt is “bone.” Linda Hill says we can use it any way we want. I just love the smell of freedom in the morning. If you would like to participate and lose yourself forever just visit Linda’s blog and she has the easy info on how there. Here is the link https://lindaghill.com/2018/10/26/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-27-18/

Bone by John W. Howell © 2018

“What is that thing?”

“I found it in the park.”

“Well, I’m glad you didn’t find it in the backyard. What is it?”

“I think it is an animal bone.”

“It’s the size of a baseball bat. What kind of animal would have a bone that big?”

“If I were to hazard a guess I would say a tridactyl.”

“You mean like T-Rex.”

“Exactly.”

“Oh man. Don’t be telling me we have a T-Rex in the neighborhood.”

“You know they are extinct, right?”

“So they say, but I wouldn’t take any chances.”

“Oh come on. How silly can you be? Extinct means no longer on the planet.”

“I hear you. It’s just that I have been hearing some strange noises when I’ve been out at night.”

“What kind of noises?”

“Heavy footsteps in the grass.”

“Well, maybe it is some other kind of animal or your imagination.”

“I’m telling you these were big heavy footsteps.”

“You want to go out and take a look to see if there are any tracks?”

“Its dark now.”

“We have fire remember. We can make a torch.”

“I keep forgetting the fire thingy. How did you do that?”

“Rubbed a couple of sticks together. Come on. Let’s make a torch, and I’ll show you that it could not be a T-Rex out there.”

 

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

“So Friday. You’re here finally. What took you so long?”

 

Another Friday. Hopefully, your week went well, and you were not too disturbed with the correction in the stock market. I also hope you were not too disappointed with not winning the Mega Millions Lottery. (Well except for that one ticket sold in North Carolina.) I guess we are all happy no one won the Powerball jackpot on Wednesday, and we can still dream of winning $700 million plus. The next drawing is Saturday so good luck to us all.

This week has been a bit of a challenge, and I normally wouldn’t share these details, but you have come to know Bailey through this blog. She has not been feeling well, so we are in the process of trying to find out the cause of her symptoms. We have had blood testing and an ultrasound and have narrowed the possibilities. It will in all probability require a cat-scan to rule out the last potential if other treatments do not work.  In the meantime, we are eliminating the other variables as we wait for a cat-scan appointment.

I hope you have a great weekend.

 

Care by John W. Howell © 2108

It is just a dog,

Some would say about Bailey . . .

Family I reply.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Lucy, Bailey, and Twiggy Try to Play

The rainy weather is still with us and it presents a challenge to the canines.

Twiggy, Lucy, Bailey

“I’m going to bite off your ear.”

“Oh, no please spare me.”

“That was a good ear bite move, Little One. But now you are going to die.”

“Oh, I’m so afraid, Lucy you big ole cow.”

“Okay, you two. Looks like the smack talk is getting out of hand. Time to take it outside.”

“But it is raining.”

“Not now so move it.”

“Man take a look at that pelican in the pond.”

“Hold on. I’ll be right there.”

“I’ve never seen one in there before.”

“Do you think he is okay, Lucy?”

“Yes, I do. What do you think, Bailey?”

“It just flew off, so I would say it is fine.”

“Lucy the pelican flew over that house across the street.”

“I’m wondering what game we can play?”

“I thought I left the ball over there.”

“No, Twiggy. We passed the ball coming out here.”

“Yeah, Twiggy. It is right in the middle of the yard.”

“I don’t know Bailey. She still has something on her mind.”

“I still can’t get over the pelican in the pond.”

“Small stuff. You need to move on.”

“Okay, can I name the game?”

“Anything to get you off the pelican.”

“No fair peeking. This game is called night ball. You have to find it in the dark.”

“Twiggy. You come up with the weirdest games.”

“Fun though, Right?”