Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Flyer/Ad”

November 23, 2019November 22, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 46 Comments

Stream of Consciousness

Yes, it is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this week’s prompt is going to take some explanation. I think I’ll let Linda Hill explain. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “flyer/ad.” Look at the latest ad you got in the mail (if it’s a store flyer, choose the product right in the middle of the page) or choose the next online ad you find, and theme your post on whatever the product is. Do not name the brand if you hate it unless you add that it’s an opinion/review of the product in question. You don’t want to chance getting sued. Have fun!”

Somehow I find the chance of getting sued and the word fun in the same sentence as ironic. If you would like to experience irony first hand, go to Linda’s blog and read how to participate. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2019/11/22/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-23-19/

“Why do you care where the flyer is from yesterday?”

“I almost hate to tell you.”

“Oh, let me guess. You are doing that Saturday Stream thing, right?”

“Er… In a word, yes.”

“I threw it in the trash.”

“Darn. I just dumped the coffee grounds into the trash.”

“No, wait. I think I may have put it in the wastebasket.”

“Okay, that would be better than going through the coffee grounds.”

“Here is the flyer.”

“Oh, thank you. This is a mattress company.”

“Well, can you work with that?”

“I’ll have to, I suppose.”

“So I can go back to living my life?”

“Yes. I have a question, though.”

“Okay, shoot.”

“Have you ever heard of The Casper Mattress Company?”

“Nope.”

“I haven’t either. Maybe this is some kind of joke.”

“Well, they paid the postage to prank us.”

“So, you are saying they are a real company?”

“Yes, I have no reason to doubt them.”

“Do we need a mattress?”

“Why do you think the flyer was in the wastebasket? Why don’t you write the Saturday post and be done with it?”

“Cause now I’m curious. Maybe this company is named after the ghost.”

“You are killing me now.”

“Don’t you think it possible?”

“Anything is possible, including manslaughter.”

“Hmmm. I’ll be in my office if you need me.”

“‘Need’ is a relative term.”

“Well, you’ll know where I’ll be.”

“I hope you and Casper have a great time.”

“Me and Casper? It sounds like a great title to a post.”

“Knock yourself out.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

November 22, 2019November 21, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 67 Comments

Lucy and Twiggy — “So you don’t want to play? It’s Friday.”
“Oh, that’s right. Okay, you’re it.”

Another Friday has finally graced us with its presence. I think most of us are glad to see it here. I can imagine a nightclub bouncer would not be too thrilled with Friday, but for the rest of us, it means the eve of freedom. It means the beginning of the end of the workweek. Eight hours is all that separates us from our work world and our relaxing world.

I think given all that is going on in our country these days we definitely need to spend time in the relaxing world. I’m not sure but I have to wonder who is really enjoying all the vitriol coming out of Washington. I for one have had my fill.

Today’s JohnKu talks about trying to live through stressful times.

I hope you all have a very relaxing weekend.

It’s not all roses,

And living can be stressful. . .

Need an inner strength.

Thursday – A Little Personal – The Temps Get Better

November 21, 2019December 9, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 67 Comments

Lucy and Twiggy

Well, the temperature has definitely improved. High is to be 79 degrees. Time to play outside.

“Come on Twiggy, let’s play.”

“Yeah, I’m coming. Just checking on Mom.”

Twiggy and Lucy

“What needs checking?”

“You know she loves having me around. I just want to make sure she won’t miss me.”

Lucy and Twiggy

“I can assure you she won’t miss you. She probably welcomes a little alone time.”

“That is hard to believe, but okay. I’ll take your word.”

Lucy and Twiggy

“look at this, Lucy. The lounges are set up.”

“Huh? I thought I saw a bird over here.”

Lucy and Twiggy

“Look, the pillows are on the lounges. I think summer is back.”

“This is still fall, Little One. Don’t be fooled.”

Lucy and Twiggy

“You ought to feel how soft.”

“I know I used to sleep on them.”

“Oh, yeah. They are soft, alright.”

“I thought I heard something.”

Lucy and Twiggy

“Was it Mom crying her eyes out?”

“No. It did sound like she was laughing through.”

Twiggy and Lucy

“Now, I’m concerned.”

“Oh, please, Little Potato. Chill out and take a nap. Mom’s fine. Probably glad to not to have you underfoot.”

“I hope she doesn’t forget me.”

“Take a nap.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue # 238 by Keith Channing

November 19, 2019November 18, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 57 Comments

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.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The photo.

Kreative Kue #238

“Look at that place down there.”

“I know right? It’s beautiful.”

“Who do you suppose lives there? Probably some money-grubbing aristocrat.”

“The garden is lovely.”

“You can say that again.”

“The garden is lovely.”

“For heaven’s sake, I didn’t mean to really say it again.”

“Well, I’m a very literal kind of person.”

“With a side of Obsessive/ Compulsive behavior.”

“I resemble that. I’ve been told also that I am very sensitive.”

“What do you mean sensitive?”

“To the feeling of others.”

“Give me an example.”

“Well you said, ‘Who do you suppose lives there?'”

“Yeah, so what?”

“I never answered you.”

“Now that I think about it you did not. Why?”

“Cause I didn’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

“Uncomfortable? How would I be uncomfortable.”

“You mentioned that the owner of that house might be a money-grubbing aristocrat.”

“Yeah so?”

“I live there.”

“What? That’s impossible. You are just a plain old nerd I met at the balloon launch area.”

“Aristocratic nerd don’t you mean?”

“Aw come on. You are pulling my leg.”

“Ask the balloon pilot.”

“You’re serious.”

“Yup. We are landing for a spot of tea and a few watercress sandwiches.”

“At your place.”

“Right on the South lawn. See where the garden paths come together in a roundabout? Right there.”

“Goodness.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Launch of Microsoft Windows 1.0 in 1981

November 18, 2019November 18, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 48 Comments

This week marks the 38th anniversary of the launch of Microsoft Windows 1.0 in 1981. Most of us were around for this event but probably didn’t pay attention to it when it happened. So let’s go back now that we have the knowledge of what Windows became and view the historic occasion. I have made a list of the Top Ten things not to do as we take a time trip. We wouldn’t want to disrupt the time continuum.

Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Launch of Microsoft Windows 1.0 in 1981.

10 If you go to the launch, do not ask to see the view from the windows. If you do, at best, you’ll get a blank stare. At worst, Bill Gates will call security since you obviously don’t belong here. (Now you’ve done it, Jody. You’ve drawn attention to yourself by cracking the most inane joke of the day. Here come the guards. Might be time to leave.)

9 If you go to the launch, do not try to take the mouse from Tiny, the WWF wrestling champ. If you do, at best, Tiny will be finished playing Pong and will give it to you. At worst, Tiny, who has not attended his sharing group session for three weeks, is just not in the mood to give up the mouse. (You can do one of two things, Johann. 1. Walk away. 2. Find out what it is like to be slammed to the floor and held down for the count of three. Yeah, walking is a good choice.)

8 If you go to the launch, do not ask how to get on the web. If you do, at best, folks will think you a strange lover of spiders. At worst, you’ll try to explain the worldwide web when public access is ten years away. (Some of the people think you are brilliant, Johnn. Most think you are totally nuts. I think it might be time to go.)

7 If you go to the launch, do not ask about Microsoft Word. If you do, at, best, no one will hear you. At worst, Bill Gates will become apoplectic since Word is a top-secret project scheduled for launch in 1983. (Those big guys making their way toward you, Jonn are Gates security men and they want to have a talk with you. They are thinking of rubber hoses and a water tank. Good luck with that.)

6 If you go to the launch, do not sing the song Cherish by Kool and the Gang thinking you’ll fit in. If you do, at best you’ll have a good voice. At worst, since the song did not become popular until 1985, a Hollywood type wants to sign you to a recording contract. ( So what are you going to do now, Jordain? We have a serious continuum tear possibility here. if you accept that $100,000 advance.)

5 If you go to the launch, do not discuss the sequel to Raiders of the Lost Ark. If you do, at best, you can always say you were kidding. At worst, people will get the idea that you are not from around there. (There are so many scientists here that you may not be able to explain your way out of your time travel situation, Jordy. Best to hit the way back button)

4 If you go to the launch, do not ask Bill Gates’ date if she would like a ride in your Volkswagon Vanagon. If you do, at best, she’ll ignore you. At worst, she will think you are a nutcase. (You see you may think the Vanagon is cool, Jorg, but in the day there was a definite hippy vibe around it. It looks like Bill has a problem with the freestyle kind of life. Yes, those are police.)

3 If you go to the launch, do not order a Bud Light at the bar. If you do, at best, the bartender will be confused, and you can say, Miller Lite. At worst, since Bud Light was introduced a year later, suspicions will rise. (Most have been looking at you with some skepticism, Jorian, this might be the last straw. Yes, the police have been called.)

2 If you go to the launch, do not pull out a package of Nerds candy. If you do, at best, folks will like them. At worst, someone will ask where to buy Nerds. (Nerds were introduced in 1983, so you may have some trouble telling folks where to get them, Jory. Just tell them these are imported from England. Worked for Skittles.)

1 If you go to the launch, do not wear your Apple watch. If you do, at best people will think it’s a toy. At worst, Bill Gates will want one. (Just how are you going to convince Steve Jobs that he ought to make one for Bill, huh, Joselito? I think you are in a real pickle

Views of the Neighborhood – Fall in Lakeway

November 17, 2019November 16, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 66 Comments

The rain stopped, and the temps went into the 60s. Time to get out and try to find fall color here in Lakeway. Come on along and let’s see if there is any.

You can tell the upper atmosphere is frigid. The jet contrails are very visible. This is about as colorful as the trees get here. This is a lake on the way to my exercise parlor.

Here’s a shot looking toward one of the greens on the golf course.

Here is a photo into the sun, but I thought the calm water was worth the shot.

Another lake in town.

I’ve shown you this waterfall before but wanted to see how the fall had changed it.

I like the cascading water effect here.

here are some Lilly pads looking a bit yellow.

A babbling brook. You can see the yellow trees in the background.

Just to show you that it is fall, I took a shot of the place where wildflowers grow in the spring. Since there are none, it must be Fall.

Thank you for taking this little walk

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Dream

November 16, 2019November 15, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 50 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday again and this week’s prompt is “dream.” Linda Hill says we can use it as a noun or a verb. She also means we can use it any way we like. Well, that brings up a host of possibilities. If you would like to participate in this madness, go to Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.

https://lindaghill.com/2019/11/15/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-16-19/

“What are you eating?”

“It is called a Dreamsicle.”

“I’ve never seen one of those before.”

“Want a taste?”

“Thanks. That is dreamy, all right. Is that orange sherbert on top of vanilla ice cream?”

“Yup. Just a dream, a dream.”

“You’re singing.”

“Yup. All our plans and all our schemes.”

“What song is that?”

“Just a Dream by Jimmy Clanton.”

“I know one. Sing with me, sing for the years
Sing for the laughter, sing for the tears.”

“Dream on. Aerosmith, right?”

“Right.”

“Try this. All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey.”

“California Dreaming by the Mamas and Papas. Here’s one. This is my quest to follow that star. No matter how hopeless, no matter how far.”

“Impossible Dream by Richard Kiley. Now me. I need you so that I could die. I love you so and that is why.”

“All I have to do is Dream by the Everly Brothers. I’ll bet you won’t get this one. In the dark, and I’m right on the mark.”

“Hmmm. Let see.”

“I’ll give you a hint. Fire breathing.”

“Dragon?”

“Close.”

“Imagine Dragons. The song is Dream.”

“Bingo. You go ahead.”

“A candy-colored clown they call the sandman.Tiptoes to my room every night.”

“Easy. In Dreams by Roy Orbison. Have we done enough?”

“I think so. One more. Cheer up sleepy Jean. Oh, what can it mean to a Daydream believer and a Homecoming queen?”

“Monkees. Daydream Believer. I think we have run the course.”

“One more use of the word dream.”

“What?”

“Creamy head, amber color, bubbles.”

“BARLEY POP!”

“You got it. Let’s go.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

November 15, 2019November 14, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

“Twiggy. What is that thing?”
“It’s my eel toy. I’m celebrating Friday.”
“Good luck with that.”

Friday. So good to see your smiling face. We can celebrate making it another week. Here in Texas, we got hit by a cold front that took the wind chills down into the basement. Man, it was cold. We are not expected to get back to the 70s until next week. I know, I know you folks in the North have no sympathy. My only defense in being such a weenie is if I wanted to be chilled to the bone I would have moved to Alaska. At least I would know what is waiting for me during the winter. This year here the temps went from the 90s to the 30s overnight. No chance to get used to a gradual decline.

The WIP editing is coming along. I’m at page 223 out of 300. I also cut out about 2000 words so far and am down to 93,000. I would say I’ll be finished in another eight days or so.

This week’s JohnKu talks about having to cut precious words from a manuscript. I hope you have a great weekend.

You hate to do it,

The words were hard to come by . . .

Sacrifice is tough.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Cold Snap

November 14, 2019November 13, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 89 Comments

A little personal

so here we are faced with going outside when it is freezing.

“Oh my gosh, Lucy it’s cold.”

“Yes, it is Little One. Good thing you have that sweater.”

“Okay, I have to run to stay warm.”

“Right behind you, Little Leopard.”

“Keep running.”

“But we have to stop eventually. We are out here for a purpose.”

“Makes sense. I’m ready to go inside.”

“Wait for me.”

“Puff puff. That was some run.”

“Feel warm, though, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do.”

“I must say you look ferocious.”

“Please don’t tell anyone I’m in a cat sweater, Lucy.”

“Your secret is safe with me. Look at the Boss. He has something.”

“I picked this off the lounge chair. It’s ice.”

“Ice? What the heck is ice?”

“Frozen water.”

“Well, you have two frozen pups, and if you don’t mind, we need inside. We like our water unfrozen.”

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

November 13, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 50 Comments

“Twiggy. What are you doing?”
“Camping out till Friday.”

My apologies all. I had some technical challenges today and so this post did not publish as scheduled. Here it is now.

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we were all encouraged by the information given Charles Jenkins, one of the two servers that brought room service to Mrs. Rafferty posing as Mrs. Dixon (Whew I hope I haven’t lost anyone.) Charles gave a positive ID when Larry showed him the picture of Janice Rafferty. So the other server is entering the conference room. I think we better get there fast to catch every word.

“Yes, come in young man. This is Andrew and I’m Larry.”

“Y-you guys are cops I hear.”

“Yes, that’s correct. Can we get your name?”

“I don’t know anything.”

“Wait a minute. We haven’t asked anything yet.”

“Yeah, but for the record, I want to stay employed and healthy.”

“What makes you think talking to us could jeopardize those two states of nature.”

“States of nature?”

“Never mind. Why are you so nervous?”

“You are kidding me, right?”

“No, I’m asking a direct question.”

“The hotel manager said you had some questions about who we served.”

“Yeah so,?”

“I’ve served a lot of important people. I wouldn’t want word to get out that I’m a snitch.”

“This person we want information about is not important.”

“Well, that does make a difference. I thought you wanted info on some pretty heavy hitters.”

“No, her name is Dixon and, you served her on the 14^th of February.”

“Valentine’s day?”

“So, happens.”

“I don’t remember.”

“Here’s a picture. Does she look familiar?”

“Oh shit.”

“So you recognize her.”

“Um yeah.”

“Do you know her name?”

“Yeah Mrs. Dixon. Janice Dixon.”

“Why the reaction?”

“Um…well….you see it’s embarrassing.”

“What?”

“Charles and she were a number.”

“What?”

“Yeah, they got hot and heavy at a party that Charles and I went to and then left.”

“When was this?”

“The night before I served her room service.”

“Do you know where they went?”

“No idea. Charles never made it into work and that’s why I had to fill in. I didn’t say anything and just left the food for her. She gave me a hell of a tip.”

“Big tip?”

“I’ll say. A hundred bucks.”

“How come?”

“She just winked at me.”

“Did you talk to Charles about it?”

“Yeah, I asked him where they ended up.”

“What did he say?”

“Just that they had a drink and he dropped her off.”

“Any reason for him not showing up at work?”

“He said he caught the flu.”

“You believe him?”

“Sure, I’ve had the Pabst Blue Ribbon flu before.”