Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Alarm

October 25, 2025October 24, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

The klaxon low caffeine alarm in my brain is making me beg for a quicker process for the first cup of coffee. Along with the annoying sound is flashing red lights behind my eyeballs. Mornings are not usually this tense but it has been twenty four hours since my last hit of the nerve medicine. Finally the cup fills and the first gulp is on its way to quiet the noise in my head. The second sip is just swallowed when the familar but dreaded sound of the Westminster chimes tone of the doorbell means another idiot can’t read the DO NOT RING THE DOORBELL advice just above the button.

A toss of a ham bone followed by slamming the door on the sound proof room renders the crazed Pterodactyl like barking of Twiggy and Tempeste into silence. (Where would he get a ham bone? This is fiction and you’ll have to go with it.) Anoter sip and a check of the monitor reveals a scarecrow, a lion, and a tin man on the porch. “Who dares approach the great wizard of Oz?” is the high volume message out over the intercom. The answer comes back that an envelope is needing a signature in order to be delivered. With a prolonged sigh the security shut down process is begun.

The SWAT team needs to be put on standby. A quick text to the leader confirms that status. Also, the flight of A-10 Warthogs must be diverted. Another call to the commander puts that worry to rest. The SEAL team needs to be called off, and a call to the leader makes that possible. A call to the tow truck driver stops the deployment of an M1A1 Abrams Tank. The control panel simplifies the shutdown process of the security system. The boiling oil vats are put on standby, the turret mortars disengaged, the Trebuchet on safety, the concertina wire rolled, the Claymore mines reset, the tower Gatling guns on safety, the moat net dropped, the alligators fed, and the IEDs and shoulder-held rockets put away. The Proton torpedoes switched off. The gamma ray beams covered. The high-powered maser guns switched to standby, and the nanorobots were chained in the basement. The locks on the door are thrown. And the door opened.

The tin man hands me a clipboard for a signature. After signing the scarecrow hands me an envelope. All three look like they want a tip.”If you pretend to be more confident, over time you’ll just become more confident and you won’t have to pretend anymore,” is my tip as the door slams.

The envelope has a message from Linda Hill. It reads:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “alarm.” Use it as a noun, use it as a verb or an adverb or an adjective, use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

To see what others have done with the prompt visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2025/10/24/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-25-2025/

“So another day of no tipping.”

“I gave them a tip. Besides I thik it was three kids dressed up for Halloween.”

“Then you should have given them some candy.”

“If folks continue to push that doorbell button then they are on their own.”

“You make Scrooge look like a philanthropist.”

“Well maybe if one of those visitors would knowck it would be a different story.”

“By the way I keep getting asked if you have a soundproof room?”

“I would remind you that this is fiction.”

“You mean the turret machine guns aren’t real.”

“Of course they are. You think I’m going to sit her unprotected?”

“Okay. Just thought I would ask.”

“No harm done. Where’s the Uber?”

“Right over there.”

“Goodness where did that thing come from?”

“I figured for Halloween it would be fun.”

“Halloween is next week.”

“I know but your next Saturday post is after so I thought we would celebrate early.”

“What do you mean celebrate.”

“Oh that. We are going to drive around on the way to the pub and pass out candy.”

“Where’s the candy?”

“In the back.”

“What kind?”

“Two hundred pounds of Twix.”

“Just Twix?”

“Yup. They were the only one who offered to pay for the endorsement.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Yeah, I am. I got Twix cause they are my favorite.”

“Okay I like them too. They don’t go well with VooDoo Rangers though.”

“I got some pork rinds for that purpose.”

“You are da man.”

“Thanks. Let’s go.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – FRI-Yay/Good News

October 24, 2025October 23, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 73 Comments

Today’s good news comes from the Good News Network.

Virus That Kills More Elephants Than Any Other Cause Is Finally Defeated

By Andy Corbley–Oct 23, 2025

Veterinary immunologists have developed a vaccine for a virus that’s one of the the leading killers of elephants in captivity and in the wild.

With no cure, and with a penchant for claiming the lives of elephant calves, elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) has been responsible in recent years for the deaths of five elephants at England’s Chester Zoo, which participated in the development of the vaccine.

The EEHV vaccine’s successful early trials have been heralded as a “landmark moment” for the protection of wild and captive animals in conservation herds.

Delivered in a two-dose set, with the first containing a harmless, dead version of the virus and a second providing a booster to increase the immune response, it was found to trigger a robust immune response against EEHV with no harmful side effects.

“This is a landmark moment in our work to develop safe and efficacious vaccines,” said Professor Falko Steinbach, senior author of the study and a veterinary immunology professor at the University of Surrey. “For the first time, we have shown in elephants that a vaccine can trigger the type of immune response needed to protect them against EEHV.”

The team behind the development of the vaccine, which included scientists from the University of Surrey, Chester Zoo, and the UK’s Animal and Plant Health Agency, published a study presenting the findings from the vaccine trial in Nature Communications.

It showed by comparing blood samples of vaccinated elephants vs non-vaccinated elephants that the drug should be able to prevent herd members from dying of EEHV, and support conservation breeding programs across the world.

“EEHV has taken the lives of so many elephants, both in human care and in the wild, but this vaccine offers hope,” said Dr. Katie Edwards, lead conservation scientist at the Chester Zoo. “We can’t yet say this will be the end of EEHV deaths, but we have taken a massive step towards that goal.”

The good news in this story is that medical research is for animals as well. Today’s JohnKu talks about priorities. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Research is not only,

To benefit humankind. . .

But all living things

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste Battle a Monster.

October 23, 2025October 22, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 110 Comments

A new robot cleaner has entered the jungle. Twiggy and Tempeste cope as best they can.

“What the?”

“Hey, Tempeste. Come up here. What is that thing on the carpet over there?”

“I just woke up. What thing?”

That black thing sneaking around.”

“OMG. I have no idea. I don’t like the sound of it, though.”

“We’d better set off the St. Louis bark alarm.”

“Wait. Let’s take a better look. It might be a new toy.”

“New toy? It’s moving around all by itself.”

“I see that. I take it as a threat.”

“The puma challenges the outsider to declare itself friend or foe. Tempeste, where are you anyway?”

“I’m behind the chair putting on my panther persona.”

“Well, get out of here. The thing has flanked me.”

“Not to worry. The panther will save the day.”

“I think it is caught. We can knock it out.”

“Look at that eye blinking. Did it have a stroke?”

“Just when I thought it was safe to walk away.”

“It came to life the minute you turned your back.”

“Big lesson learned. Don’t turn your back. Hey, you, the puma orders you out of here.”

“I can see it quiver in fear with those powerful words.”

“Powerful or not, it’s leaving.”

“I have to hand it to you. Your words did the trick.”

“Another lesson. Don’t mess with the puma.”

“And be very afraid of the panther.

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Drive

October 21, 2025October 20, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 57 Comments

Today I randomly opened My GRL to page 167. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “drive.” This is our prompt.

“So how far of a drive it it?”

“Not long.”

“How long is not long?”

“Well let’s just say we will need to sleep in the car.”

“That long?”

“Would you rather stay home.”

“Let’s not take it too far. I was just trying to figure out how long we would be cooped up.”

“Cooped up? You sound like a chicken.”

“You know how much I hate that back seat.”

“I’ll be with you.”

“That’s another thing. You always take more that yoyr share of the space.”

“I resemble that remark.”

“As you should.”

“Okay I’ll make a deal.”

“How much will this cost me?”

“Not that kind of deal.”

“What kind then?”

“I’ll make sure you have half of the back seat if you don’t whine about the trip.”

“I don’t whine.”

“Okay no complaining then.”

“You have a deal.”

“Can we sing that 99 bottles of beer on the wall song that Dad likes.”

“If we must. He will probably start it anyway.”

“Will Mom have treats?”

“She always has treats.”

“Okay then. I’m ready oh wait. One more thing.”

“What’s that?”

“We need to have a window down.”

“Why so you can hang your head out and bark at everything we pass?”

“Yeah. How did you know?”

“It’s the same with every trip.”

“Okay but this time I’ll try not to barf.”

“That would be sweet.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do in the Presence of a Camera

October 20, 2025October 19, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 79 Comments

This list, co-authored by Marie Ann Bailey and me, was first published on June 22, 2014. Since there are still cameras around, it might be useful today.

Top Ten Things Not To Do When in the Presence of a Camera

10. If you are tempted to take a selfie (why, we don’t know) to show your friends your new tan lines, do not send the picture to anyone. If you do, at best, you may show too much line. At worst, your picture may go viral on the internet for the next million years.

9. If you are with friends and a picture is being taken, do not stick out your tongue as if you are Miley Cyrus. If you do, at best, you will look as graceful as Miley Cyrus. At worst, like your mom said, “Your face may stick that way.”

8. If you are tempted to take a selfie in the bathroom, do not take a picture until you check the background. If you do, at best, there may be some stray clothes lying around. At worst, that shot of the commode may be enough to get an unexpected visit from the health department and possibly a letter from a concerned citizen about the lid being in the up position.

7. If you are tempted to take a selfie, try to make an expression that does not resemble a duck. If you don’t, at best, you will look like any one of a million selfies. At worst, your lips may be entered in the most obviously botched category at the Botox convention by a well-meaning friend and win.

6. If you are in charge of taking pictures of a friend’s get-together, do not ask everyone to say cheese. If you do, at best, you will have different group photos that look the same. At worst, you will have walking dead expressions, and your outing will resemble the before shots at the orthodontist.

5. When posing for a group picture, do not put up two fingers behind the head of the person next to you. If you do, at best, you will ruin what could have been a nice picture. At worst, everyone in the photo will be able to attest that those two fingers represent the number of drinks that it takes to get you blotto.

4. If you have had too much to drink, do not show up in each picture with your red solo cup. If you do, at best, you will have a chronicle of your behavior. At worst, you will document your own downfall and will have to face the inevitable slide show every time you and your friends get together.

3. When taking pictures of the scenic wonders of America, do not take photos from a moving vehicle. If you do, at best, you might catch a tree or two in the blur. At worst, you will have lovely landscape colors that resemble finger paints to show, as a result of your trip.

2. When trying to capture the romantic nature of the moonlight over the lake, do not use a cell phone camera. If you do, at best, you might get what appears to be a pinhead in the night. At worst, you will have a close-up view of your fingerprint that can be used as a new form of identification.

1. When taking pictures of pets, children, or anything on the ground, do not stand as tall as you are and take the shot. If you do, at best, you will get shots of little frightened beings resembling something out of The Hobbit. At worst, since you are not down at their level, your angle of attack will produce nothing but the tops of the innocent little heads.

Views of the Neighborhook – Lakeway Photo Contest Winners and Runners-up

October 19, 2025October 18, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 74 Comments

Today, we are going to take a look at the lovely photos of the winners and honorable mention entries in the Lakeway Annual Photo Contest. The contest is open to residents of Lakeway and provides opportunities to win in seven categories. They are Birds, Community, Deer, Flora, Foliage, Vistas, and Wildlife. All photos must be taken in Lakeway. We are catered by Emmer and Rye of Austin, and our entertainment is Ringo Starr.

Picture of an old time school bus

Get on board.

So here we are – The Winners.

Birds – Charlie Cobb – Breakfast

Community – Michael Paule – Sunrise over Honey Creek

Deer – Troy McLean – Velvet and a Bloom

Flora – Jennifer Landis – Lovely Lark

Foliage – Bill Galloway – Contemplative Bench

Vistas – Debbi Varela – Flight Across the Moon

Wildlife – Keith Everill – Squirrel

The Runners-up

Birds – Robert Kormos – Catch Me if You Can

Community – Joe ReceR – Snow Day in Tuscan Village

Deer – Renny Eisele – Fawn

Flora – Madison Cottey – The Bloom’s Buzzkill

Foliage – Robert Kormos – Hidden Song Falls

Vistas – Keith Everill – Rainbow over Mount Lakeway

Wildlife – Bill Galloway – Nothing to See Here

I hope you enjoyed the photos. Now it is time to relax with some music and food. I hope you have a great week.

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Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Hook”

October 18, 2025October 17, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 63 Comments

Today the coffee machine greeted me with the following message. “We here at AI headquarters want to wish you a happy day.” Like a fool, the thank you came out of my mouth so fast it could not be stopped. Who thanks a heartless machine is the thought that came to mind. Pressing the Latte Macchiato button and waiting for the frothy brew to be delivered, causes more thinking about the anthropomorphic nature of this machine. It amazes me that a greeting in the morning is a hook sufficient enough to pull me in to say thank you to a piece of stainless steel and electrical components. The coffee is delivered and at the first sip Egor’s baying hounds reacting to the doorbell shatter the feeling of peace. A quick toss of a chew toy into the soundproof room followed by a slam of the six inch sound proof door, brings back peace in the valley.

Checking the monitor shows a large grey blob that take up the screen. The process of attempting to find out who is there is met with the delivery answer. Of course the delivery has to be signed for so there is no chooice but to open the front door. With a sigh the security shut down process is begun. The SWAT team needs to be put on standby. A quick text to the leader confirms that status. Also, the flight of A-10 Warthogs must be diverted. Another call to the commander puts that worry to rest. The SEAL team needs to be called off, and a call to the leader makes that possible. A call to the tow truck driver stops the deployment of an M1A1 Abrams Tank. The control panel simplifies the shutdown process of the security system. The boiling oil vats are put on standby, the turret mortars disengaged, the Trebuchet on safety, the concertina wire rolled, the Claymore mines reset, the tower Gatling guns on safety, the moat net dropped, the alligators fed, and the IEDs and shoulder-held rockets put away. The Proton torpedoes switched off. The gamma ray beams covered. The high-powered maser guns switched to standby, and the nanorobots were chained in the basement. The locks on the door are thrown. And the door opened.

Before me is Dumbo the elephant holding an envelope and clipboard in his trunk. He gives me the envelope and a place to sign on a clip board. Returning the signed clipboard the ubiquitous sign of a tip expected is made with the right foot. “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken,” is my tip as the front door is slammed. The envelop is from Linda Hill and inside is a message It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “hook.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

To see what others have done with the prompt visit Linda’s post. Here is the link https://lindaghill.com/2025/10/17/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-18-2025/

“I like how you slipped the prompt in there.”

“I was thinking of doing something with Captain Hook.”

“So glad you thought better about that.”

“Aw come on. We could have clapped for Tinker Bell.”

“Yeah, count me out. Much better this way.”

“I also thought about the old hook, line, and sinker gullibility thing.”

“I always love stories like that.”

“Well, nothing came to me so I went back to the security set up.”

“What about history?”

“Nothing going on that is worth putting here.”

“Well, at least there is goof ole VooDoo Ranger.”

“Uber?”

“Right over there.”

“Hey he’s already heading down the road in that 1936 Buick.”

“Don’t worry he’ll be back.”

“Where is he going?”

“He said he had an errand to run. Something about a pumpkin.”

“So we wait?”

“Do you have a better idea.”

“I wish we could have caught him and then go on the errand.”

“Humm. I thought you would rather stay.”

“I suppose you are right.”

“He said it would only be a few minutes.”

“That sounds good to me.”

“Why is your hand shaking?”

“VooDoo withdrawl maybe.”

“Yeah, right.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA -TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

October 17, 2025October 16, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 79 Comments

This week’s good news story comes from Yahoo News ‘The Cool Down. Many thanks to Noelle Granger for sending this story to me.

Creature hunted nearly to extinction makes stunning comeback: ‘It’s thriving’

Hannah Slusher

Sat, October 11, 2025 at 5:30 PM CDT

In a remarkable win for both people and the planet, the Eurasian beaver — once hunted to near extinction in France — is making a triumphant comeback.

A single beaver family that arrived in the tiny hamlet of Montlahuc in 2020 has transformed a dry, sun-scorched pasture into a thriving wetland, showing how one small species can help fight the negative impacts of a warming world and revive local communities.

Montlahuc, a village of just 40 residents in the Drôme region, had suffered years of worsening drought that left meadows parched and local farmers struggling. But within three years of the beavers’ arrival, a once-barren field now holds more than 2,000 square meters of standing water.

Birds, insects, and lush green vegetation have returned, inspiring residents to rethink how they manage their land.

“We used to graze this land only once a year,” local farmer Marc-Antoine Forconi told Futura. “Now, it’s thriving.”

Beavers are often called “nature’s engineers” for good reason. Using their powerful teeth and instinctive building skills, they construct dams and channels that slow water flow and store moisture in the soil. This natural water management supports healthier ecosystems, creates habitats for other wildlife, and provides a low-cost, low-maintenance way to help landscapes withstand drought.

Inspired by their furry neighbors, Montlahuc farmers have even built their own small dams to retain water — though, as Forconi joked, “The beavers outperformed us.”

Once reduced to only about 100 individuals in the early 20th century, Eurasian beavers are now protected and number between 20,000 and 25,000 in France, according to Futura. The species’ return highlights how protecting wildlife can lead to unexpected climate solutions, echoing other success stories, such as the resurgence of gray wolves in Yellowstone or the rewilding of bison in Europe.

This quiet resurgence is more than a feel-good story. It’s a reminder that working with nature, rather than against it, can create healthier landscapes and a more resilient future for communities everywhere.

The good news in this story is that nature has once again demonstrated that good practices and effective land management can help reverse environmental damage. Today’s JohnKu talks about taking that lesson to heart. I hope you have a delightful weekend.

Nature keeps saying,

Take care of the land and it . . .

Will take care of you.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste at Play

October 16, 2025October 14, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 102 Comments

“What game do you want to play, Tempeste?”

“I was thinking of maybe fetch.”

“Um. There is a problem with that.”

“What is that?”

“We have no thumbs to be able to hold and throw the ball.”

“What about Dad?”

“He’s in the office working on something.”

“Well, there’s Mom.”

“She is busy as well.”

“Well then, Twiggy. How are we going to play ball?”

“I guess ball is out. How about tuggy?”

“With that miserable little toy?”

“Better than nothing.”

“One more look tells me this thing is totally inadequate for two Frenchies to play tuggy.”

“So where’s that leave us?”

“It leaves us standing around until dinner.”

“Speaking of which. I hear the call of the kibble. You coming?”

“There is a stray leaf back here. Maybe it will be tasty.”

“More than the delicious stew and kibble.”

“On second thought. Hold up.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Floor

October 14, 2025October 13, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

Today, I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 137. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “floor.” This is our prompt.

“Not sure I can do it.”

“Oh, come on. I’ve done it a thousand times.”

“Yeah, but you’re older.”

“That has nothing to do with it.”

“Does so. You have experience.”

“Well, I think I have taught you everything you need to know.”

“But that was all theoretical stuff. This is the real thing.”

“Maybe your nerves are taking over. I’m telling you, if you follow my instructions, it will be a snap.”

“Why do I have to do it anyway?”

“Because I can’t keep living your life. You need to be able to take care of yourself.”

“That is a long stretch of openness.”

“I’ll give it to you. From here, that floor looks pretty foreboding. Trust me, once you get running, you’ll be in the kitchen in no time.”