A wish for a very Happy Thanksgiving to all in the US and to the rest a day of peace.
Tag: Circumstances of Childhood
Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we saw the PI Frank Plano get Seth’s goat. As we all suspect Seth looks like he has something to hide. At the very least he is out of sorts about something. I now see Frank has left Seth’s office and drove out to have a discussion with Harriet Murphy. Might be a good idea to go and see what he has to say to Harriet.
“Come in Mr. Plano. I have some coffee brewing in the kitchen. Follow me, and we can be more comfortable there.”
“The coffee does smell good, Mrs. Murphy lead the way.”
“You can sit there, Mr. Plano. How do you take your coffee.”
“Just a touch of cream if you have it.”
“I do, Mr. Plano. I just finished baking some oatmeal cookies so help yourself from that plate there.”
“My goodness, Mrs. Murphy you know how to treat a guest.”
“You can call me Harriet. Okay if I call you Frank?“
“That would be just fine. Mmm, this cookie is to die for.”
“Here’s your coffee. Take a sip of that with your cookie.”
“Ah. This is heaven. Thank you for seeing me, Harriet.”
“My pleasure Frank. What can I do to help you?”
“You are very close to the Severide boy aren’t you?”
“You mean Lucas? He’s not a boy Frank. He is an adult.”
“Yes. My apologies. he certainly is.”
“I understand he works for you.”
“Yes. He’s my painter.”
“And you are paying his medical and legal bills.”
“Legal bills? How did you find that out?”
“Harriet. I am surprised you should ask in that you have hired one of the best private detectives around.”
“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Let’s say you caught me on that.”
“So why are you doing all this for Lucas?”
“First of all he fell from my roof, and I think it is my responsibility.”
“And second?”
“I feel sorry for him losing his family and all.”
“How much do you know about that?”
“About what?”
“The death of his parents.”
“Nothing. Why do you ask?“
“There is a rumor going around about you and Mrs. Weston.”
“Rumor? What kind of rumor?”
“That you are, um shall we say, in a relationship.”
“What does that have to do with Lucas’ parents?”
“Oh, it may have nothing to do with Lucas’ parents if you and Alice are not covering up anything.”
“What are you saying Mr. Plano?”
“Wasn’t Alice taken in for drug possession.”
“So?”
“Weren’t you with her that night?”
“And if I was?”
“Didn’t the sheriff get her off?”
“I have nothing more to say to you, Mr. Plano. Please leave.”
“May I finish my cookie?”
“I think you can take it with you. Good day, sir.”
Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #149
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 keith@channing.info 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 Stroll by John W. Howell © 2017
“I don’t often come this way.”
“Why not?”
“Well, the neighborhood is a little sketchy.”
“What do you mean by sketchy?”
“Take those two birds we just passed for example.”
“Those guys behind us?”
“Yeah, didn’t you think they were a little odd?”
“I thought they were beautiful. Those feathers were something else.”
“What about the way they looked at us?”
“I didn’t notice anything.”
“The one standing sneered.”
“Sneered? How is that possible he has a bill like us.”
“Maybe it was the look in his eye.”
“You are way too self-conscious. Not all birds can be like you and me.”
“Check out these two weirdos up ahead.”
“Those beautiful black and brown guys?”
“Yup those two.”
“What’s the problem?”
“You ever see a black and brown bird before?”
“No can’t say I have.”
“That’s just what I’m talking about. How do you know they can be trusted.”
“Are you saying because they look different from us maybe they can’t be trusted?”
“Exactly.”
“How about you, Can you be trusted?”
“What kind of question is that? Of course, I can be trusted. Why would you ask?”
“Let’s face facts here. You and I are the only white birds on this block.”
“Yeah, so what?”
“Don’t you think those other birds are wondering if you can be trusted because you have no beautiful feathers?”
“Why would they think that?”
“Why do you?”
Top Ten Things Not to Do on Thanksgiving
The inspiration for this list is the fact that this week is Thanksgiving here in the US. There have been a number of Thanksgiving situations which I personally witnessed, and I thought it would be fun to capture them and provide ample warning for your occasion this year. If you have ever done any of these things, it might be a nice change to sit back and let others have center stage this year.
10 On Thanksgiving, do not try to prepare the perfect Turkey. If you do, at best you’ll have reason to dry. At worst, not only is this year’s turkey not perfect, it is the worst one ever. (Nothing like eating what resembles dry balsa wood huh, Chandler?)
9 On Thanksgiving, do not invite your cousin Tiny the WWF wrestling champ to your house for dinner. If you do, at best you’ll possibly get by with only a broken dining room chair. At worst, Tiny and your uncle Jim will continue the feud begun last year’s Thanksgiving dinner. (Who is going to clean up what looks like a movie bar fight scene in your living room, Cohen? Not to mention reviving Aunt Helen.)
8 On Thanksgiving, do not try out that experimental stuffing recipe on the family. If you do, at best you’ll have plenty left over. At worst, the family will feel cheated out of a traditional dinner. (Who started the food fight is not a question that needs an answer right now, Canyon. It is probably more important to get that stuff off the walls before it hardens.)
7 On Thanksgiving, do not think you can deep-fry your Turkey in the kitchen. If you do, at best your place will smell like an oil derrick for a month. At worst, the fire department will declare what’s left of your house and lot a hazardous waste site.(Who is going to cover the EPA bill for clean-up, Channing?)
6 On Thanksgiving, do not think it is a good idea to start serving mimosas at eleven o’clock. If you do, at best you’ll run out of Champaign before everyone is blitzed. At worse all your guests have lost interest in the dinner and are out in the yard trying to work off the Champaign with touch football. (Don’t worry, Cortez. Sooner or later they will be back for the leftovers.)
5 On Thanksgiving, do not try some unnatural seating configuration thinking it will liven the conversation. If you do, at best you won’t seat sworn enemies next to each other. At worst, since you now have strangers all having to talk to strangers the sound of crickets is deafening.(That magazine suggestion doesn’t seem all that good right now does it, Cord?)
4 On Thanksgiving, do not think everyone in the world would enjoy a tofu turkey. If you do, at best the polite ones will give it a try. At worst, you will wonder why all your guests are on the phone ordering Dominoes delivery. (The fact that you were looking out for everyone’s health doesn’t seem worthwhile now, Cable.)
3 On Thanksgiving, do not think because you hate pumpkin pie, everyone else does as well. If you do, at best your banana creme will be well received. At worst, the traditionalists will find an excuse to leave early so they can pick up a frozen Mrs. Smith’s pumpkin pie. (Hare to believe you only have one guest remaining isn’t it, Cacey?)
2 On Thanksgiving, do not think sharing leftovers is not expected. If you do, at best you’ll get some strange looks as people leave. At worst, your loudest relative will ask out loud, What? No leftovers to take home? (Maybe you should have put together some to go containers, Cadell. Well there is always next year if any return.)
1 On Thanksgiving, do not think you can turn off the football game. If you do, at best you’ll have some complaints. At worst, you will discover most of the guests in your bedroom watching the game anyway. (It is shocking that people want to watch a game even if it is the two worst teams playing. Right, Cadell?)
Views of the Neighborhood – Thanksgiving Feast
A group of volunteers from Kyle, Texas decided they would come down to Port Aransas and set up a Thanksgiving dinner as a way to help. The reason for doing so, as explained by Deborah the organizer, “Our hearts are with Port Aransas.” So she began to organize a Thanksgiving dinner for all Port Aransas residents. She made a point in telling me that she never asked for volunteers. All her help came from those who wanted to be a part of something beautiful. All the volunteers live in the greater Austin area which is a three and one half hour drive to Port Aransas.
As you enter the cafeteria there is a place to fill out a name tag. This one idea had everyone feeling that they knew everyone else.
Here are some folks beginning to arrive.
More arrivals
There was ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, sweet potatoes, green beans, and corn. Notice the smiles of the volunteers
Of course a roll too.
The tables were set with festive decorations.
There were pies, cookies, and cakes for dessert along with a big pot of coffee.
This is the wonderful family from Kyle that took it upon themselves to reach out with full hearts and share the joy of Thanksgiving with a town in need. Many thanks to you all.
This is a shot of the cafeteria from the outside.
I wanted to put in a photo of the H. G. Olsen Elementary School which is right next door to the cafeteria to give you an idea of how much planning it must have taken to secure a venue for the Thanksgiving event.
Here are a few of the temporary buildings now known as Olsen Elementary School South Campus.
As a footnote to this story, I was at the hardware store after taking the photos. While I was there two meals from the Thanksgiving event were delivered to the two employees working. Both were overwhelmed by the generosity of the folks from Kyle Texas.
Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Psst”
AAAAOOOOOGGGGAAA. It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. I have to quote Linda Hill to explain this week’s prompt. Here is what Linda says, “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “psst, or any other attention-getting noise or word.” Find a word or noise that you’d use to get someone’s attention, and start your post off with it. Enjoy!” So, now you know why I hit the ooga horn up front. If you would like to join in this fun go to Linda’s site and read how. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2017/11/17/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-18-17/
Psst by John W. Howell © 2017
“Hey, you.”
“Who are you yelling at.”
“Not the guy behind you I can assure you.”
“Alright. What do you want?”
“I need to ask you a favor.”
“A favor? What kind of favor?”
“Oh, its nothing that is illegal for you.”
“That never occurred to me. So why would you mention illegal?”
“I just meant it is nothing that will get you into trouble.”
“Trouble? What kind of trouble?”
“I mean there will be no trouble.”
“You said trouble first.”
“For heaven’s sake. Will you do me a favor or not?”
“Depends on what it is.”
“That’s reasonable.”
“Thank you. As long as it doesn’t cost me anything I’ll do it.”
“Yeah, well it might cost a little.”
“Well then count me out. What’s that?”
“Oh, this? It is my gun and I want your wallet.”
“You said it was not illegal.”
“For you, it’s not. For me big time. Hand it over.”
“I don”t have a wallet.”
“Where do you keep your money?”
“In a paper sack.”
“Let me see it.”
“Here.”
“It’s all pennies.”
“A penny saved is a penny earned.”
“Of all the patsies in this world, I gotta pick Scrooge McDuck.”
“I resemble that.”
“Get off my foot. Take your bag of pennies.”
“You are so nice.”
“Beat it.”
Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF
Spent another week editing and in erudite discussions with the insurance company. We all know about editing, so I will concentrate on the insurance company discussions. I was in Lowe’s picking up drywall screws on Wednesday when my phone rang. I was all excited because my caller id told me it was my adjuster. I had left a message on Monday to the effect of wondering the status of an additional claim I had submitted four weeks earlier. To my surprise, it was not my adjuster at all. It was my new adjuster. NEW ADJUSTER????? What happened to the other guy who never returned my calls, texts, or emails and who I have spoken to only twice in two and a half months of trying to get my home repaired? Oh, he has been transferred to another department. Sure he has. Okay, what about my additional claims? The answer, “What additional claims?”
Ye gods, do something to stop me from getting in my car with a very large baseball bat, driving to Austin, and causing a hurricane on the insurance company headquarters.
I explained the deal. The insurance company had appraised the damage at one price. The contractor bids are coming in at two to three times that price. Wow, was he surprised? I had to ask the question, “If you had 3000 jobs waiting for you would you really do one at a discount?”
He said understood. I sent the paperwork again and just between you and me, I’ll bet I’ll be doing a JohnKu one month from now with the same theme. Speaking of JohnKu, this week’s talks about available resources. Hope you have a great weekend.
Resources by John W. Howell © 2017
Repairs on one house,
Can be negotiated. . .
Not on one thousand.
Thursday – A Little Personal – Bailey Has a Question
“Hey, Pops.”
“Hi, Bailey. Looks like you have a question.”
“I do. Lucy and I need some information.”
“Okay. I’ll try to help.”
“What is that thing over there?”
“That is a new waterer.”
“Why do we need that?”
“So mom and I don’t have to keep filling the bowl. Go try it.”
“I’m not too sure. Lucy, you go over there.”
“Um. Looks pretty scary to me.”
“Oh go on you big sissy.”
“Uh-uh. Not going over there. The thing gurgles.”
“Stella. What do you think?”
“You big coward. Wait. That thing is making noise.”
“Lucy? I don’t know how many times I have to tell you to leave me out of your messes.”
“Hey, Boss. I think Stella is afraid.”
“Not on your life you white moose. Just cautious is all.”
“Okay ladies time for an opinion.”
“Well, Pops. I’m afraid that contraption is just too risky for we warrior types. Even though Stella is a Frady Cat and it is natural for her not to like it, I think we are going to be forced to pass.”
“Who’s a Frady Cat?”
“Okay ladies. Mom’s not going to be happy but I can lead you to water but can’t make you drink.”
“Isn’t that a saying about horses, pops?”
“Still fits.”
“For Lucy anyway.”
“That will be fine, Stella.”
Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we had a rather odd conversation between Alice and Harriet. Alice made a recommendation to Harriet to fire the lawyer. It looks like she and Harriet have something to hide. I see the private detective is going to the sheriff’s office. This could be a juicy convert station, and I think we ought to go and catch what they are saying.
“It is very nice of you to see me.”
“You’re the private eye hired by Jason McDonnell, why wouldn’t I see you? We are on the same team. By the way, I never got your name.”
“The name’s Frank. Frank Plano.”
“Nice meeting you Frank. You want some coffee?”
“No thanks Sheriff. I would like some information though.”
“Sure enough. Have a seat.”
“Thanks. You don’t mind if I take a few notes do you?”
“Go right ahead. I do that myself so that I can remember the conversations. I use a recorder as well. How about you?”
“I don’t think a recorder is necessary. So let me come right out and ask why you have an interest in investigating a case that is outside your jurisdiction?”
“Yea, that’s a good question, Frank. You don’t mind if I call you Frank do you?”
“Not at all. May I call you Seth?”
“Sure that’s my name.”
“So to the question Seth. How come?”
“Here’s the deal. This kid comes to town like he owns the place. He gets cozy with a couple of the women in town, and all the time he has a couple of murdered parents. He is somewhere and comes home. Hours later he calls 9-11 with some lame excuse about not knowing they were dead. He gets a bundle of insurance money. His sister goes missing and who knows where her share of the insurance went. When I did a background check on him, I found all this out. I called the local law enforcement guys in Kenosha, and they were doing squat. To me, that wasn’t right, so I decided to gather the evidence and force those lazy sons a bitches to press the case. What else do you need to know?”
“So you gathered some evidence.”
“Well, not enough I can tell you.”
“So you decided to go for a confession?”
“Yeah, that was pretty stupid. But, hey, no venture no gain you know what I mean?”
“Yeah, I know what you mean. So what is your next step?”
“There’s this pharmacist who seems to want to talk about a lot of things. He tells me the sister was a druggie.”
“And he supplied the drugs?”
“Yeah looks that way.”
“Not a very reliable witness I would say.”
“Why not?”
“Looks like he would say anything to stay out of trouble.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“What would you do to stay out of trouble, Seth?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I’m wondering if there is another reason you are pursuing this case.”
“You accusing me of something?”
“Oh, maybe it isn’t just you. Maybe there are more of you involved.”
“Okay, that’s it. You pick your ass up off my chair and get out of my office.”
“A little close to the bone. Sheriff?”
“I would watch myself while you’re in town, Mr. Plano. A lot of folks around here don’t cotton to strangers. Now get.”
Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #148 by Keith Channing
In Keith’s words. “Using this photo 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 keith@channing.info 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 trip by John W. Howell
“So where is the cruise ship?”
“Who said anything about a cruise ship?”
“You said we were going on a cruise.”
“I don’t think I said a cruise.”
“What did you say then?”
“I think I said you and I were booked on a boat trip.”
“Boat trip, cruise. What’s the difference?”
“For one thing a boat trip is on a boat, not a ship.”
“To me, they are the same.”
“A boat is smaller.”
“Like those in the river there?”
“Exactly.”
“Okay, so it’s a small boat. Still a cruise to me.”
“Hold on. Another thing that separates a cruise from a boat trip is on a cruise you don’t have to do anything but eat, sleep, and play.”
“Yeah, I get that. So on a boat trip, you need to be involved in doing things.”
“Now I think you have it.”
“Like what things?”
“Depends on what you signed up for.”
“Signed up for? What does that mean?”
“Well, for instance, I signed up to be a deckhand.”
“Deckhand. Wait a minute. I thought this was going to be a vacation?”
“It is. A working vacation.”
“You mean to tell me we are going to be working as deckhands on one of those barges?”
“No, not at all.”
“Well. that’s a relief.”
“You’re signed up as a cook.”
