There is only one thing not to do on Memorial Day, but it can be repeated ten times.
Do not forget to thank those who gave their lives so you can live yours.
Thank you, Grandfather.
Tag: Circumstances of Childhood
Views of the Neighborhood – Art Fair
Yesterday was the kind of day that we locals like to get away from the beach.
Here is a shot straight out from the cart over at eight AM. Pretty nice.
Here is a photo looking south from the cart over at eight AM. A little congested but nice.
Same straight out view as before taken at four PM (you might be able to squeeze in with a Sherman tank or front loader.)
View looking South at four PM. Yes, that is vehicular hardware as far as the eye can see.
There was an art fair downtown and so rather than showing any more pictures of the crowded beach, I thought you might enjoy the flavor of the Art Fair. The fair was held in the ballpark of the church. I could not possibly show everything available, so I picked out some that I hope you enjoy.
The Port Aransas Art Center sponsored the Art Fair.
There were different kinds of booths. This is jewelry.
Some exciting oils and prints.
Lifelike oils.
Interesting pottery.
This shot gives you an idea of the scope of the fair.
A local artist Noel Stephenson with an outrageously good painting of a Portuguese Man-of-War
Another view of her work
Photography
Hand-painted glassware
Bird paintings
Of course, a band. In the background, you can see the roof of the church not yet complete.
Because we are a beach town, one would expect at least one painted surfboard. Hope you enjoyed the tour.
Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Grill”
It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this weeks prompt is “grill.” Linda Hill says to have fun with it. So in that vein, I will proceed. If you would like to have fun with “grill” or are just curious as to why a bunch of seemingly normal looking people do this each week, stop by Linda’s blog and read all about it. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/05/25/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-26-18/
Grill by John W. Howell © 2018
“What is that on your teeth?”
“It’s my grill.”
“Grill?”
“Yeah. What do you think?”
“You look like your about to break into a rap song.”
“Now come on. You can’t say this doesn’t look cool.”
“I guess I could say it. The problem is you probably won’t hear it.”
“What?”
“See what I mean?”
“I’m just messing with you. I heard what you said. Everyone has their own opinion.”
“What does your family say?”
“Oh, they think I’ve lost my mind.”
“Well?”
“You know my family. They can’t handle anything out of the ordinary.”
“I think this is just a little more than out of the ordinary. Is that permanent?”
“Heavens no. See it comes right out.”
“Well, that’s a blessing. How much did that thing cost? Looks expensive.”
“You would be surprised. I got a good deal.”
“A good deal? How’s that?”
“Bought it used.”
“Uh. What?”
“Yeah, a guy I know wanted to upgrade to a model with diamonds so he—”
“Stop right there. You are telling me you bought that thing that you put in your mouth from someone who already put it in his mouth?”
“No now come on. That would not be sanitary.”
“So what do you mean used?”
“The guy swore he never wore it.”
“Who is this guy?”
“You don’t know him.”
“Do you?”
“Well, he was hanging out at the corner.”
“OMG.”
Friday JohnKu – AKA TGIF
This day, once it is, complete will kick off a three-day weekend. Everyone deserves the promise of time off to honor those who gave so much. As I sit and think about what Memorial Day means to me, I get a profound feeling of gratitude for those who gave their lives that I might be able to live my life in peace. There is nothing I can do to repay their gift other than to pause and remember how dear the sacrifice. So I shall. Today’s JohnKu is a memorial.
Too Soon by John W. Howell © 2018
Too soon came the call,
For you to offer yourself. . .
To protect our life.
Enjoy the weekend.
Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy’s First Swim
“Hey, Dad. What’s Mom doing?”
“She is setting up the dog pool.”
“Dog pool? What is a dog pool?
“Go see for yourself.”
“Lucy, Bailey.”
“What short stuff?”
“What is this thing anyway?”
“It’s a place to get cool.”
“Cool? How’s that?”
“You know, you ask a lot of questions, Twiggy. See I’m in the water.”
“So you have wet paws, Bailey. How fun is that?
“The water feels good. If you lay down it’s better.”
“Okay let me see a laydown.”
“Not so fast little one. You need to get in here too.”
“Then there won’t be any room.”
“Bailey, who you kidding. You never lay down in the pool.”
“Sush. I’m trying to get the id-kay to ay-lay own-day in the ool -pay”
“I’m not going to lay down if you don’t, Bailey.”
“Where did you learn pig latin?
“From my iblings-say. I’ll get in but standing up.”
“Hey, mom. Hold the pool. Twiggy’s doing the Curley Shuffle.”
“This feels pretty good, Lucy. Come on in.”
“You know short stuff. I just had a manni and I think my nails are still wet.
“Lucy doesn’t like the pool, Twiggy. Don’t let her fool you”
“That true, Lucy?”
“You get out of there now, Twiggy. You never know whats under the water.”
“But I can see the bottom.”
“That’s what Captain Ahab said.”
“Okay, I’ll give it to you, Bailey. The pool is good for drinking.”
“I can’t reach it. Lucy.”
“That’s okay, Little one. You can jump right back in.”
“Hey, Bailey. How about if you leave some for us.”
“I think you two are on your own. A couple of chickens I would say.”
Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day
It is Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we were in a fortune-telling shop run by Micki Lee. Larry Dunfee, a police detective was there as well. It is there we learned from Micki that she believes Larry was brought to her shop by someone close to Larry. Then Larry dropped the bomb that his wife had died a year ago on that very day. We need to get back to see what else we can learn.
“Here is your black tea.”
“Thank you, Ms. Lee.”
“Call me Micki.”
“This tea hits the spot, Micki.”
“I’m glad. It should settle things a little.”
“What do you mean?”
“As I said I think you are in danger and you are well aware of it. I think your nerves are on edge. The tea should help.”
“I feel better already. You mentioned someone close guided me to your shop.”
“At least this is the feeling I get.”
“Be honest with me. Are you really a fortune-teller?”
“I do tell fortunes, yes.”
“I guess what I mean is can you predict the future?”
“No, Larry. I don’t know who can, but definitely, I cannot.”
“Then what is it you do?”
“I have a connection with the spirit world. I can talk to those who have passed to the other side.”
“Other side? You mean heaven?”
“Not exactly. There is a plane that could be called a dimension where spirits reside. I can communicate with them while they are there.”
“Can you talk to my wife?”
“I have, yes.”
“When?”
“While I was making the tea. She is very concerned about you.”
“Concerned how?”
“Your diet is atrocious. Her word, not mine. You go days at a time with little sleep. You are drinking too much and watching too much television.”
“It does sound like her.”
“She also thinks you ought to be careful with a case you are working on.”
“Case? I have hundreds.”
“She mentioned the name, Sandusky.”
“Oh my God. Where did you ever get that name? No one knows anything about that case.”
“Maybe it is time for us to have a full discussion with your wife.”
“What do you mean, ‘us?”’
“Me, you, and Gloria.”
“Wait a minute. You are sitting there telling me you, and I can talk to Gloria?”
“That is exactly what I’m saying, and there is no better time than now.”
“What will I say? I mean. I miss her so much. I’m not sure I can hold it together.”
“Trust me. You will be fine.”
Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #175 by Keith Channing
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 – pingbacks don’t often work.
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.
The Spectators by John W. Howell © 2018
“Alright riders. Keep this side of the white line and in single file.”
“Why do we need to stay here, Boss?”
“What is the matter, Schmidt? Did you miss the briefing?”
“No, sir. I was there.”
“Then you know the answer to the question. Don’t make me say it out loud so they can hear.”
“Who sir?”
“You are getting on my last nerve, Schmidt. The ectators spec ey.”
“All those people lining up to watch us?”
“Keep your voice down. They’ll hear you.”
“So what, Boss?”
“In another minute I’m going to reach back and give you a smack.”
“I still don’t get it.”
“Before we started on this mission I told you there would be some who would not want us to complete what we need to do.”
“Yeah, but look at them. They are cheering.”
“Are you listening? They only sound like they are cheering. They are shouting out their orders.”
“Orders.”
“I told you before we started. This would be no picnic for us.”
“What the hell. What do you mean, orders?”
“What part of flesh-eating didn’t you get when I covered this earlier.”
“I thought they would be monsters.”
“Trust me, Schmidt, they are. They only look like us to lure us over that white line.”
“And once over the line, we are lunch?”
“Now you’ve got it. All we have to do is get by these things, and we will be free to ride out of this place.”
“This can’t be true, boss. Look at them. There’s a cute one up ahead.”
“Don’t fall for it, Schmidt. Stay in line.”
“It’s getting harder, Boss.”
“Schmidt. Come back. Everyone else. Stay in line. Schmidt, come back. That’s an order.”
“Can’t hear you, Boss.”
Cover Reveal and Pre-Order for The Alternative by S. Burke
I am so pleased to have Suzanne Burke join my blog today to announce the cover reveal and pre-order period for her new book, The Alternative. I was lucky enough to have done a beta read for this story collection and I can tell you it is a five-star read. So Suzanne the blog is yours.
Hello, and welcome to the Cover Reveal of my New Thriller Anthology
“The Alternative”
The Alternative
The Alternative
by S.Burke
Available to Pre-Order NOW.
Release Date: Monday June 18th 2018
Mystery> Thriller & Suspense > Anthology.
It is such an exciting time for an author when releasing a new book! I would be remiss in not sharing my heartfelt thanks to the marvelous people who gave of their time so readily to beta read my latest book. Their valuable insights helped me enormously when crafting “The Alternative”
At long last, I’m able to share the cover and blurb for “The Alternative” my latest Thriller Anthology. “The Alternative ” is due for release on June 18th.
It is NOW available for Pre-Order
I have many good friends sharing this cover across the blogosphere today and tomorrow, so you’re likely to see it pop up in various places. Thank you to everyone participating in my cover reveal splash, and to everyone dropping by to share in my excitement. Here’s my new baby . . .
With much gratitude to Eeva Lancaster at The Book Khaleesi for the cover creation.
Cover Created by Eeva Lancaster at The Book Khalessi
Presenting “The Alternative” A Thriller Anthology.
“The Alternative”
BLURB:
The Alternative.
There are those that cling unreservedly to the lifeboat that believing in Karma hands them so willingly.
They work, they live, and they function in a world that allows them the option of unreservedly trusting that Karma has no deadline.
Until they are handed the spark that ignites them into becoming the instrument of Karma itself.
There are others who have had all they once held to be truths, everything they once stood for and took pride in, torn apart and ripped from them by the hand of a cruel fate.
Then, of course, there are those who believed in nothing and no one, to begin with …
These are their stories.
The stories of people both good and bad, who made the choice to exact “The Alternative.”
An excerpt from Chapter 1. Picasso.
February 1990.
The tall man stretched his arms and flexed his long artistic fingers. He stood back to gain a different perspective of his latest work of art. He’d spent a great deal of time sketching his outline and was well satisfied with the outcome. Perhaps this one would be the perfection he craved above all else.
His other efforts were upstairs in the gallery, and while they were far from his lofty imaginings, they each represented another step forward toward his ultimate goal. He knew this exhibition would prompt worldwide interest, that was a given. His reputation was on the line. That at least was something he valued.
He grunted and moved the newest piece into the workroom. The more difficult application of his talent needed to begin.
***
NEW YORK JULY 2015
Meredith keyed in her code, shouldered the door open and dropped her briefcase onto the polished boards of the entry. Working on autopilot, she flicked on the light and bent to collect the mail from the floor; throwing it onto the small bureau without bothering to check the sender. She shrugged off her coat and draped it over the arm of the sofa. Too damned weary to be bothered with any external interruptions tonight, she removed the home phone from its cradle and headed to the kitchen to fix enough coffee to sustain the long evening ahead, deliberately ignoring the well-stocked bar. She was well aware that she’d need every bit of concentration she could muster. She removed the Glock from her handbag, and out of habit, she placed it on the coffee table next to the perpetually full ashtray.
Her head was already pounding and she rubbed at her tense neck muscles until her fingers ached. Relief from the unresolved tension still hovered … just out of reach. She held her breath for a moment, stilling her impatience. If all went to plan, this thing would be finally ended. If justice existed at all, it would go well. All the years she’d worked to bring what was the only course left open to herself and the others to completion was coming. ‘Soon now’, was her daily mantra. But the darker visions still danced vividly in her mind’s eye and tormented her rare sleeping hours … it had been that way for almost twenty-five years.
The memory haunted her, dark and unforgivingly brutal. It replayed in clear and explicit detail every time she was forced to reflect on it … and its aftermath.
***
THE ALTERNATIVE IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER
“The Alternative” on AMAZON.COM
Suzanne Burke Amazon Author Page
Thank you so much for joining me here today. Your support is very much appreciated.
I would be delighted to hear your thoughts and comments below.
Top Ten Things Not to Do When You Left Your Money and ID at Home
The inspiration for this list was going to dinner and forgetting to put my wallet in my pocket. Although it sounds impossible, I very seldom need to leave the house (Yes, Mr. Hughes?) so I have lost the natural tendency to check to see if I have everything with me. Lucky for me, none of the consequences materialized.
10 If you leave the house without money or ID, do not offer to pick up the dinner tab. If you do, at best your partner will have you covered. At worst, you and your guests will experience kitchen cleanliness first hand. (So you took your boss to dinner, Etu and he forgot his wallet as well. It is a shame about his new suit and that ketchup accident.)
9 If you leave the house without money or ID, do not offer to buy Tiny, the WWF champ, a drink when he has apparently had too much. If you do, at best Tiny will forget the offer. At worst, Tiny has been drowning his sorrows at being told no one likes him in his self-esteem seminar. (Notice how his eyes lit up when you offered to pay for his drink, Eustachy? The bartender is waiting for the money, and Tiny’s eyes are beginning to detect you may renege. Might be time to leave fast.)
8 If you leave the house without money or ID, do not exceed the speed limit. If you do, at best all the traffic patrol officers are in a meeting. At worst, trying to explain who you are and that you are licensed to drive may have to wait for the judge tomorrow. (You have to admit not being able to post bail has given you a brand new experience, Evans. I think that big guy over in the corner kind of likes you.)
7 If you leave the house without money or ID, do not unload your overstuffed grocery cart on the ten items or less conveyor belt. If you do, at best the store will be un-crowded. At worst, you will have sixteen construction workers behind you who only have thirty minutes for lunch. (As the clerk calls for the manager you can detect some discontent behind you, Everley. Might be a good idea to sprint for the door while you can still sprint.)
6 If you leave the house without money or ID, do not take a number at the DMV. If you do, at best you’ll come to your senses before long. At worst, you’ll wait the required number of hours until your number is called only to discover the missing items. (The only person who is happy with you now, Evin is the person next to be called after you are told to step aside.)
5 If you leave the house without money or ID, do not enter the toll road. If you do, at best a kindly motorist will pay your toll. At worst, the toll taker will exercise the right to have your car impounded. (No, the tow truck operator will not give you a ride home, Ethan. He’s going to take your car to the impound lot where if you are lucky no one will put another on top of yours.)
4 If you leave the house without money or ID, do not go through the drive-through at your favorite fast food restaurant. If you do, at best you can say you’re sorry and move on. At worst, the manager of the store has been given a reprimand for having high waste numbers and is now dialing the police. (Don’t be concerned with the honking patrons behind you, Eli. The manager is calling a SWAT team claiming you are holding up the store. Time for a Dukes of Hazard get away.)
3 If you leave the house without money or ID, do not get on that train to Yuma. If you do, at best the conductor may miss you. At worst, you might find yourself standing in the middle of the tracks in a place with no name. (Are those vultures circling overhead, Ezra?)
2 If you leave the house without money or ID, do not try to get through the TSA inspection point at the airport. If you do, at best you’ll be turned away. At worst, a picture of someone who looks like you just came across the international terrorist warning screen and the guy looking at you wants a promotion. (You might as well put those hands in the air, Elliot. That air marshall doesn’t look like he is kidding with the order.)
1 If you leave the house without money or ID, do not attempt to make a withdrawal from your bank. If you do, at best the clerk recognizes you. At worst, when asked for ID you provide some excuse that causes the clerk to hit the silent alarm. (How does the cold marble floor feel, Everett? I think I would follow the suggestion and don’t move.)
Views of the Neighborhood – Go Topless Event
This weekend the beach was inundated with Jeep owners celebrating the topless season of Jeep ownership. Here is a description of the event from the All Things Jeep website.
“Go Topless Day® is a spring tradition when we celebrate the return of warm weather and sense of fun and adventure that comes along with owning a Jeep! Go Topless Day® was started by All Things Jeep’s founders in 2008 after a particularly brutal New England Winter. The first event was a small meet up of Jeepers at a local farm and ice cream stand, but the event has since grown to include thousands of participants all around the world!”
Here is a view of how Go Topless Day® went in my neighborhood.
There were a few unusual vehicles. This is a hunter’s Jeep
Here is a restored 78 with Beer Bumps and Whiskey Dents decals.
Here is another shot of this beauty.
Yes. You could eat off the engine.
Pay no attention to that golf cart in front of a line of Jeeps.
Another line-up. There are various clubs from across the state represented.
This shot gives you an idea of the flags and spirit.
This shows that behind the Jeeps folks have brought campers for an overnight experience.
I thought this was pretty unique. A tent on the back of a Jeep.
A nod to humor.
An unusual color for sure. It was a beautiful weekend for the event and everyone seemed to be having a great time.®®
