Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Language

August 12, 2025August 11, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

Today, I randomly opened Eternal Road – The last stop to page 233. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “language.” That is our prompt

“That is not the kind of language we use, young man.”

“Sorry, Mum, but I’m very frustrated.”

“Over what?”

“Well, you know how Pa sent me out to hunt for dinner.”

“He said it was about time you learned to contribute to the family.”

“Yeah, I got that.”

“So, what is so frustrating?”

“Pa makes everything look so easy.”

“And?”

“I found out that hunting is more complex than it looks.”

“I think anyone could have told you that.”

“Well, long story short, I didn’t get any dinner.”

“Hmm. That does present a problem for you.”

“I know. Pa is going to be pretty mad.”

“Don’t you think your father knows how hard hunting is?”

“I suppose. He’s been doing it a long time.”

“And don’t you think he would have made sure we had dinner, knowing it was your first time?”

“You mean?”

“I think the only problem is not your father getting mad, but how you see yourself as a hunter.”

“A failure.”

“See, that’s not the way you should look at it.”

“Well, that’s how I feel.”

“You have to know that every time your father went hunting, he didn’t always bring back dinner.”

“Really?”

“Really. But what he did was to continue to go out each day, no matter what.”

“So never give up?”

“That’s it. Tell me, did you see any game?”

“Sure.”

“So what happened?”

“Every time I stalked the game, they ran away.”

“Sounds like a scent problem.”

“What’s that?”

“Did you pay attention to the wind?”

“No. What’s wind got to do with it?”

“Springboks have a great sense of smell. If the wind is behind you, your scent blows toward them.”

“If the wind is in my face, then their scent blows towards me and mine is not detectable.”

“That a boy. Take this information and make us proud.”

“Make the pride proud. You got it, ma.”

I will be taking a blogging break from Friday of this week to Thursday of next. Totally off the grid.

Top Ten Things Not to Do When Writing the Great American Novel

August 11, 2025August 10, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 53 Comments

This list was authored by Marie Ann Bailey and me and posted on September 30, 2013. We hope it is still useful.

Top Ten Things Not To Do When Writing the Great American Novel

10. If you are writing the Great American Novel, do not begin your manuscript with the words, “It was a dark and stormy night.” These words have already been copyrighted by Snoopy, and you could find yourself in a nasty lawsuit.

9. If you are writing the Great American Novel, do not let your spouse read a word of it. Your spouse will want to protect you from yourself and make suggestions that could lead to annulment proceedings by both of you.

8. If you are writing the great American novel, do not use your friends, neighbors, or family members as easily identified characters. People tend to be a little touchy when they think you have exposed them for what they really are.

7. If you are writing the Great American novel, do not include sex scenes that at some later time you will need to explain “How did you know that?” to your spouse. Even worse would be the question, “Why haven’t we done that?”

6. If you are writing the great American novel, do not tell anyone you are doing it until it is all done. If you talk too much, the people you tell will give you several stories that they are sure you can use. Even worse, you will have to listen to all the stories about how they are also going to write a book, as if it is as easy as saying.

5. If you are writing the Great American Novel, do not start replacing frustrated moments with food and drink. The frustration will continue, but you might find yourself in a position where you need new clothes beyond your tattered, trusted terry-cloth robe for that book launch party. It could also be that you will need to seek help for your addictions.

4. If you are writing the great American novel, do not assume everyone in the world is causing you to come down with a case of writer’s block. The interruptions are a way for normal people to test whether or not you are still of sound mind and body. The writer’s block is all yours.

3. If you are writing the great American novel, do not try to get your family to understand why you would rather remain behind to tap on your keyboard than to go to the movies, theater, restaurant, bar, or sporting event. Simply pretend to have come down with a bout of the flu and let it go. You may have to create some unusual sounds, but as a world-famous author, you can do it.

2. If you are writing the Great American Novel, do not suspend everyday hygiene routines. The wild-eyed, disheveled, evil-smelling iconic view of an author is long past. If you are clean and look healthy, you will avoid unusual questions, not to mention the threat of intervention from loved ones.

1. If you are writing the Great American Novel, do not let anyone tell you that you are wasting your time. The fact that you just might be doing so is nobody else’s business but yours. You will eventually reach your goal (or not), but at least you had the faith to get there.

I will be on break from Friday to Thursday of next week – That is to mean totally off the grid.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Toe/Tow

August 9, 2025August 8, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 74 Comments

Waiting for the perfect cup of coffee can try one’s patience. The red light blinking behind the eyes is a low caffeine warning, and it intensifies with each passing moment. The red warning is joined by the beating of the anvil with a sledgehammer feeling in the brain. The body is giving its last “Warning Will Robinson” before a complete fetal position meltdown. But wait. The soothing syrup has begun its movement from inside the guts of the machine to my cup. Salvation is at hand.

Just as the cup meets the lips, the Westminster chime that is the doorbell cuts through the air like a bullet train to Avignon. The Baskerville Hounds take the cue to join the mayhem and escalate the decibels to eardrum-splitting altitude. A quick toss of a bag of kibble and slamming of the soundproof room door quickly brings back some decorum. l

Checking the security system monitor, I see someone who looks like Daffy Duck standing with an envelope in one hand. Not wanting to go through the world discussion about leaving the message, the better course of action is to simply shut down the security system and open the door.

Heaving a sigh, the security system shutdown process has 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, the IEDs and shoulder-held rockets put away. The Proton torpedoes switched off. The locks on the door are thrown. And the door opened.

The duck hands me the envelope. I thank him, and he stands with his hand out. Looking at his hand, he says, “A tip mate.” Thinking hard and not wanting to toe the line, my response is finally, “Be the wind not the flag.” He looks cross, so slamming the front door seems to be the right thing to do.

Opening the envelope, there is a message from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “toe/tow.” Use one, use both, use them any way you’d like. Bonus points for using both. Have fun!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link:

https://lindaghill.com/2025/08/08/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-aug-9-2025/

“I’m telling you all those non-tips are going to come back to haunt you.”

“Like how?”

“Maybe no one will deliver anymore.”

“Nah. They are paid to do that.”

“How about sailing the envelope up onto the roof?”

“And risk a one-star Yelp review?”

“Yeah, okay. Be a scrooge if you want.”

“I’m surprised he hasn’t shown up yet.”

“You and he could be best buddies.”

“Oh, come on. Who is going to tip someone who looks like Daffy Duck?”

“Just the whole world is all.”

“Please. There wouldn’t be enough to fit on my big toe.”

“Weak.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you were trying to squeeze in the word ‘toe’ for the prompt, that was very weak.”

“Can you do better?”

“Yeah. You are cheap from head to toe.”

“Who always buys the VooDoo Rangers?”

“Well, that part is an exception, which now that you mention it, would be nice. To have one.”

“Uber?”

“Over there.”

“Looks like a 1961 Thunderbird.”

“I think so.”

“At least we won’t need a tow.”

“There is one thing, though.”

“Of course, there is.”

“We have to stop at the auto show in the farmer’s market.”

“How long?”

“Two hours.”

“I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?”

“To get a cooler full of VooDoo Rangers. Maybe there’ll be hummus and crackers at the farmer’s market.”

“Now you are talking.”

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

August 8, 2025August 7, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 63 Comments

Today’s heartwarming animal rescue story comes from The Good News Network.

Wisconsin Bear with Snack Jug Stuck on Head Freed, Relocated and Released

By Andy Corbley–Aug 7, 2025

Wisconsin residents called in by the dozen: “There’s a bear in my yard,” they said.

However, wildlife authorities were taken aback by the next detail: “It has a jar on its head!”

The Winnie the Pooh wannabe was a 2-year-old female black bear who had obviously followed her nose about 18 inches too far. Feasting on cheese balls, pretzels, or something else that’s sold in those massive plastic snack jugs, the animal couldn’t extract its head after it had finished.

“My immediate neighbor was like, ‘hey, just heads up, here is what’s heading towards your house,’” said Jayme Morey, coordinator for the Chequamegon Humane Association in Ashland, Wisconsin.

Used to spreading the word about missing dogs and cats, this emergency was rather different. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources had been tracking the bear for a week, as Morey’s call wasn’t the only one they had received.

They were finally able to find it, tranquilize it, and remove the jug from its head. Clearly skinny, the bear had been trapped for at least 11 days based on the record of sightings by locals. It could still get water by dunking its head and slurping up what entered through the sides of the jug.

“We’ve seen this come up from time to time, often with a bear, occasionally a deer,” Randy Johnson, a large carnivore specialist with the Wisconsin DNR, told CBS News. “The good news is this is the time of year when food is the most abundant in the woods, and she’s got two months to kind of get back into healthy shape going into winter.”

credit – USDA Aphis Wildlife Service via Facebook

Indeed, the bear was just 70 pounds when rescued—about the same as some of the largest dog breeds. A bear of that age at that time of year should weigh over 150, Johnson said.

He said she had a good shot of surviving, and after her release, she jogged to a berry patch and started chowing down.

The good news in this story is that concerned citizens spoke up about the bear’s plight. Today’s JohnKu talks about staying vigilant. I hope you have a super weekend.

If something looks odd,

Don’t think it will go away . . .

Call an official.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste Wait for Mom.

August 7, 2025August 6, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 117 Comments

“Hey Twiggy. Where’s Mom?”

“Um, I’m not sure.”

“Not sure? What are you crazy?”

“What does that supposed to mean?”

“If she gets out of our sight, we may lose her forever.”

“I don’t think so. Be patient. She’ll show up.”

“In case you haven’t noticed, patience is not one of my virtues.”

“Well, what are you afraid of then?”

“When Mom disappears, she is out of my control.”

“Well, that sounds a little nuts to me.”

“What I mean is I get concerned about her.”

“Goodness, she has been around a lot longer than you.”

“Okay, I admit it. I get insecure when she’s not in my sight.”

“Like all Frenchies.”

“I’m checking behind the bikes.”

“Yeah, go ahead and hide out. I think I hear her.”

“You do? Where is she?”

“Coming this way from the garage.”

“Oh, I see her. Hey, Mom, here we are. Yoo hoo, Mom.

“She’s coming. By the way, you better figure out what you are going to say about the pillows you messed up.”

“I’m going to blame you.”

“Ha ha ha. She’ll never fall for that, but give it your best shot.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Lift

August 5, 2025August 5, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 57 Comments

Today I opened The Last Drive to page 191 and with eyes closed pointed to the page. My finger fell closest to two words; eyebrows and lift. Making a judgement call I felt “lift ” was the closest. Lift is the prompt.

“You get a face lift or something?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Your eyes seem so much bigger and younger looking.”

“No, I didn’t get a lift. This is my natural look.”

“Oh come on. You can tell me. You had an eye job right?”

“For the last time. No lifts.”

“Okay, okay no use getting upset.”

“How would you feel if I asked you about your so-called lifts?”

“I would tel you the truth.”

“Making an implication that I’m not?”

“No, not at all. I’m just saying if I had a lift I would tell you.”

“Did you ever think that it is nighttime.”

“What’s that got to do with it.”

“In the dark our pupils get larger to let in more of what little light there is.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“Yes and given we are nocturnal these so-called larger eyes are an accommodation to the dark.”

“Go figure. Nature is amazing.”

“So are you satisfied there have been no lifts?”

“Yes. You are a very wise and good teacher.”

“Thank you. It comes with the territory.”

“Territory? What territory?”

“We are owl’s you nincompoop. We are naturally wise.”

“Oh. Hey look. Is that a mouse?”

“Now you are wise. Changing the subject is a good thing.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do When Trying to Write at Work

August 4, 2025August 3, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 56 Comments

This post was published on May 19, 2014, and co-authored by Marie Ann Bailey and me. I think some writers out there try to write on their day job, so maybe this list will provide some helpful tips. Apologies to the bosses out there who have writers on staff.

Top Ten Things Not to Do When Trying to Write at Work

10 When trying to sneak time to write at work, do not think that putting a black curtain across the entry to your cubicle will keep your boss and co-workers at bay. At best, your boss will simply think you are being antisocial and enroll you in a workplace team-building course. At worst, your boss will hear your keyboard clacking for once, suspect you of engaging in a double-cross with a competitor, and have company security pay a visit to your cube after hours.

9 When trying to sneak time to write at work, do not think that arranging to work after 5 pm will allow you to play catch-up on the work you should have been doing earlier. At best, you will find out that your boss likes to cruise the cubicles and chat after 5 pm, making it difficult for you to concentrate and finish your work. At worst, your boss decides to spend the late evening with you in your cubicle, telling you such hair-raising stories about the psychopathic upper management, which (although good fodder for your writing) frightens you into giving up trying to sneak time to write at work just so you can spend less time there and more with the psychologist.

8 When trying to sneak time to write at work, do not steal your cubicle mate’s sign that says, “Do Not Enter: Breastfeeding in Progress.” At best, you are of the right age and gender to have such a sign on your door, but unless you have a baby, your boss may decide to move you to a low-walled cubicle in the bullpen. At worst, you are not the right age or gender, and your boss, who is renowned for lacking a sense of humor, decides to relocate you to the mailroom.

7 When trying to sneak time to write at work, do not think that you can simply delete your erotic novel after saving your draft to a thumb drive. At best, you gain a small and unknown-to-you bevy of readers in the IT department who eagerly retrieve every installment of your book after you think you have deleted it. At worst, an installment of your novel is secretly emailed to your boss as evidence of your abusing work time and work equipment. Of course, your boss will wait until after you have finished the novel before hosting a tense one-on-one meeting with HR.

6 When trying to sneak time to write at work, do not choose to write during a period of competing deadlines and high activity. At best, you might be able to save and close your Word document safely every time your boss bursts into your office with yet another due-yesterday project. At worst, you become so frazzled by the constant interruptions that you inadvertently send your boss a synopsis of your romantic novel when you were supposed to send an Environmental Impact Report on a proposed shopping mall development, and now the boss looks at you differently.

5 When trying to sneak time to write at work, do not think that getting to work early (and away from the chaos of your own household) will help you. At best, your colleagues who are already there will soon tire of your constant refusal to hang out with them in the break room until the work day officially starts. At worst, your boss is one of those who also shows up early and decides to take advantage of your presence by sending you more work earlier every day.

4 When trying to sneak time to write at work, do not think you can gracefully shift from typing like a fiend on your personal laptop to entering data on your work computer whenever someone walks by your office or cubicle. At best, you learn how to position your personal laptop beside your work computer so it is out of sight and you appear as if you are working. At worst, you eventually develop such a bad case of carpal tunnel syndrome that you have to go on medical leave and abstain from writing altogether.

3 When trying to sneak time to write at work, do not think simply hiding under your desk with your laptop will be enough to keep your boss from knowing what you are doing. At best, there is already so much keyboarding going on at your workplace that no one even notices the tap-tap-tapping of your laptop as you pound out another short story. At worst, you become so engrossed in your writing that you don’t realize that your tapping is the only sound in the workplace until you stop and peek out from under your desk to see your boss standing in the entryway, with your latest performance review ready for your signature in hand.

2 When trying to sneak time to write at work, do not think that you can get away with writing another scene in your comedic screenplay during a staff meeting by making it seem as if you are simply taking notes. At best, another staff member is actually delegated to take notes, and so your boss just thinks you are being diligent and doesn’t ask you to share. At worst, since you are writing a comedy, you have to frequently stifle laughter, which eventually gets the attention of your boss, who takes your stifled laughter personally and decides to invite you to meet with HR via an email with the subject: Death of a Salesman.

1 When trying to sneak time to write at work, do not think you can (for long) get away with claiming to have stomach problems and then trying to write on your tablet in the restroom. At best, you will become adept at balancing your tablet on your knees, but the words you type might not be worth the loss of lower-body feeling from sitting on the toilet for too long. At worst, you will learn more about your colleagues’ bathroom habits than any sane person should know, making you really afraid to touch the doorknob on your way out.

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Impaired Driving Prevention

August 3, 2025August 2, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 81 Comments

Today, we are going to the Justice Center in Lakeway for a presentation on impaired driving. We are catered by Bangers Sausage House of Austin, and our entertainment is Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes.

S E R V I N G A BISCUIT A BASKET – Four house-made biscuits served with honey butter & seasonal preserves.

FRIED FRENCH TOAST – Look, I’m just going to say it… this is absolutely delicious. The key

is the super thick challah bread that we somehow manage to make both crispy on the outside and custardy on the inside. We top it with whipped cream, powdered sugar, candied bacon bits, a maple-bacon glaze, & and a delicious strawberry sauce.

CORNED BEEF HASH SKILLET – Our house-brined corned beef sauteed in cast iron with Yukon Gold potatoes & Cajun “Mirepoix.” Topped with two eggs, pickled peppers, onions, & and grilled sourdough toast.

AVOCADO TOAST – It all starts with toasted pumpernickel, creamy avocado, & a six-minute egg. We then add the marinated cherry tomatoes, spicy salsa macha, & our seed mix for some crunch. We finish it with fresh herbs & a squeeze of lemon that brings it all together.

BRATWURST – Our take on the most classic of German sausages. Mild, perfectly balanced, & most importantly, delicious. Topped with sauerkraut & grain mustard.

SPICY ITALIAN – A classic Italian sausage with plenty of fennel & a whole lotta red pepper. Topped with sautéed-to-order peppers, garlic, & fresh basil.

DRUNK CHICKEN -Beer, serrano peppers, red pepper flakes, cilantro, & more beer. Topped with garlic aioli & grilled onions.

JALAPEñO CHEDDAR BRATWURST – Our world-famous bratwurst with some jalapeño & cheddar cheese mixed in. Topped with grilled jalapeños & grain mustard.

CHICKEN & APPLE – You get the sweet from the Honeycrisp & the tart from Granny Smith. We then double down on the apple flavor with apple juice & applesauce. Add a dash of brown sugar & some chicken thighs have mercy!

VEGETARIAN B.L.T. Vine-ripened sundried tomato sausage, infused with cheese curds. Topped with shiitake mushroom “bacon,” sliced tomato, shredded iceberg lettuce, & garlic aioli.

A U S T I N S I N C E SHRIMP & GRITS – Sautéed gulf shrimp served over grits cooked with pork belly drippings, topped with house-made bacon, & a six-minute egg. Garnished with peppers, onions, BBQ sauce, & our Pig Dust seasoning.

BACON FLIGHT – Four, count ’em, FOUR ways to enjoy our house-made bacons! Original house-made bacon, black pepper-bacon, bourbon coffee-bacon, & sweet’n’savory bacon chutney. Served with pure maple syrup & white gravy.

PANCAKE PLATTER – A fat stack of four pancakes, two sausage patties, two eggs, & a side of crispy potatoes. Add some maple syrup, fresh berry compote, & a dollop of whipped cream & you’ve got yourself a proper breakfast.

Picture of an old time school bus

Let’s go.

Here is the information and sponsors for the presentation.

The Justice Center is visible in the background, with a green ribbon in memory of those lost in the July 4th flood.

A fire rescue information table.

Underage drinking prevention table.

A place most want to avoid.

A field sobriety test simulation

Ahhh popcorn.

Inside is a drinking and driving simulation.

Information on texting and driving.

A distracted driver simulation.

Tips for teen safety.

Rescue.

Mayor Tom Gilgore is introducing the Blessing family, who lost their daughter, Aspin, to a drunk driver.

A compelling presentation by each member of the Blessing family on the impact of losing a family member

The Blessings have founded Your One Choice to spread awareness about the consequences of drinking and driving. Aspin is pictured.

Wrist bands for reminders not to drink and drive.

Thanks to the Blessing family, the city, the county, and the state for a meaningful educational day.

Now it is time to enjoy the food and music. I hope you have a beautiful week..

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Blush

August 2, 2025August 1, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 76 Comments

Looking forward to a nice cappuccino, the heat of a blush races across my face. There is no milk. Checked the fridge, wine cooler, and even the cow. Nope, there’s no milk and therefore no cappuccino. A large coffee is the consolation prize. Pressing the two coffee buttons on the touchscreen, the normal wait produces the liquid of my dreams. One sip and the Westminster chimes signal the dogs that duty calls. A knuckle bone tossed into the soundproof room and a door slam stops the bedlam and saves the window panes from an eventual shatter.

Glancing at the security monitor confirms a visitor so foreign that the “do not ring the doorbell” sign is in a language not yet learned. “What do you want?’ is the question through the intercom. “Letter for Howell” is the answer. “Leave it,” is the order. “Needs signature,” is the rebuff.

Heaving a sigh, the security system shutdown process has 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. 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, the IEDs and shoulder-held rockets put away. The Proton torpedoes switched off. The locks on the door are thrown. And the door opened.

Standing before me is a character with a large red handlebar mustache, a big cowboy hat, and two six guns. If I had paid a royalty to Warner Bros., I would swear it was Yosemite Sam. But since it can’t be. “Sign here, pardner.” The clipboard has a spot for my signature. After signing, the letter is released. Turning to go back inside, the character says, “Where’s my tip?” “Don’t eat the yellow snow,” is the reply, and the doors slam.

The letter is from Linda Hill and says: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “blush.” Use as a noun, use it as a verb, 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/2025/08/01/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-aug-2-2025/

“Pretty short with the delivery guy. Made me blush.”

“Oh, stop. That is all a figment of my imagination. There are no hurt feelings.”

“Well, if I were the one on the end of that tip, I would have hurt feelings.”

“Admit it. You laughed.”

“Okay. I did.”

“So where is the harm?”

“I see your point. Why don’t you contact Warner Bros. and see if they mind you using their characters?”

“In a past life, I had some experience with Warner Bros.”

“How did that work out?”

“It was fine, but they are pretty strict about their character use.”

“So?”

“I don’t think it would be worth the trouble.”

“Well, okay then. What about your flagrant use of the VooDoo Ranger trademark?”

“What about it?”

“Don’t the folks at New Belgium Brewing get upset?”

“Upset about free advertising?”

“Guess not. And speaking of VooDoo Ranger.”

“Uber?”

“Right over there.”

“I’ll be darned. A Volvo wagon.”

“Yup. Safest wagon on the road.”

“Or at least the one that appeals to the fussiest folks. What year is that?”

“Maybe a 2003. Most look alike, so it’s hard to tell.”

“Well, it will get us there.”

“Just one thing.”

“Yeah, of course.”

“We have to drop off the Cub Scout pack on the way.”

“Doesn’t seem like a big problem.”

“No, except we have to teach them knots.”

“Huh?”

“Yeah, it is knot day at the meeting.”

“Do you know any?”

“I know what not to drink.”

“Idiot.”

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy Update and Something New

July 31, 2025July 30, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 105 Comments

Twiggy had a follow-up with her regular doctor last Thursday. He was concerned with her head tilt and face paralysis.. He ordered an MRI, which was done on Monday. Preliminary results indicated an inner ear infection, as well as some involvement in her jaw and spine. A spinal tap was done and the fluid showed signs of a bacterial infection. A culture was started, and we should know what kind of bacterial infection by the end of the week. We need to see the type to ensure the medicine is the right one. In the meantime, She is on an antibiotic and Prednisone (steroid). She is resting well and eating, so it appears she is feeling a little better. The side effects of the anesthesia used in the MRI procedure took about 24 hours to subside.

The photos below were taken last Friday, and I decided to let Twiggy rest and use these photos this week. Thank you all for your messages of concern and prayers. I wish I could say everything was okay, but there is still the possibility of an uphill battle ahead.