“And who’s bright idea was this?” “Looks like a Twiggy repellent device to me.”
The week has flown by. I’m not sure if it is because I don’t have my Christmas shopping started yet, or just a busy week. I always get a sense of panic when I don’t have my shopping done. This year is unusual in that I don’t even have an idea of the items to shop for as yet. Usually, I am ahead of the curve, but with all that’s been going on, I haven’t had the mental capacity to really concentrate.
Bailey takes a good deal of attention and time. She needs to go out every two hours which makes for a regulated day. On top of that, her medications and general care eat up some time as well. It isn’t the amount of time but the frequency of delivery.
We found out last week that the chemo treatments were causing some increased heart stress. So, for the second time, the cancer treatment was creating life-threatening problems. We have now stopped the chemotherapy. We know that in the end, this will shorten Bailey’s life. We also know that Bailey feels better without the treatment and so we are defaulting to quality vs. quantity. We tried everything, and now the objective is to make sure she is comfortable and loved for as long as she has.
Today’s JohnKu talks about hard decisions. I hope you all have a peaceful and fun weekend.
It is Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we were in Micki’s shop when Gloria gave us the news that Louis was not Sandusky’s murderer. She did advise Larry to look for a money angle. Also, Andrew missed the whole thing since he was under some kind of spell. Micki did offer to serve Andrew some tea if he would like to stay. (I think the tea was a metaphor) Well, Andrew turned her down, and he and Larry went back to police headquarters. Let’s join them there.
“So, Larry. What the heck went on back there?”
“Between you and Micki? I have no earthly idea.”
“No, you dolt. What happened during the séance?”
“Gloria made a brief appearance and declared Louis to be innocent.”
“Damn. You don’t say. This puts us back to square one.”
“Wait a minute. Do you believe in what Gloria says?”
“I have no other choice. You and I aren’t doing too well on collecting evidence.”
“That’s true but why all of a sudden are you accepting Gloria’s word with no reservations.”
“The mere fact I have no recall of the séance is enough to convince me. I wasn’t asleep, and I wasn’t awake. That was the work of spirits.”
“Well, whatever it takes. I’m glad you have come around fully.”
“It was my idea to consult Gloria this time around.”
“I thought you were just humoring me.”
“I plead guilty. Now I’m a convert. So what else did she say”?
“In so many words, chercher de l’argent.”
“Search for the money?”
“Yeah. That was it. Then she left.”
“So, you and I have to figure out what money she is talking about.”
“Which brings to mind that banker guy. What was his name.”
“Dixon, I think. Wait, I wrote his name down. Here it is, Ned Dixon.”
“Since he is a banker and banks have money, I think we should start with Ned.”
“That does make some sense, I guess. What will we ask him?”
“I think we start off with him explaining everything he knows about Sandusky and the business. Then as we get into it, we wait for him to make some mistake or another.”
“Mistake? What kind of mistake?”
“Oh, I don’t know. An inconsistency perhaps. Some facts that change. We’ll have him explain things several times to see how his story holds up.”
“What reason are you going to give for the questions.”
“I think I’ll just say we are investigating Sandusky’s death and that any information Dixon knows that might help would be appreciated.”
“You know if he has something to do with the killing, he’s going to bolt.”
“Yeah, but that will tell us something. I’m going to call him and get an appointment.”
“So, you’re doing an in-person interview?”
“Yup. The best way to be able to tell if the guy is hiding something.”
In Keith’s words now that he is back. “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 on 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, with links to your own blog or web site, on Monday.”
This post continues the Top Ten things not to do with a historical backdrop. On December 2, 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte himself Emperor of France. If you were there here are at least ten things that I hope you did not do. I hope you enjoy this list.
10 At Napoleon’s crowning, do not boo when he takes the crown from the pope and puts it on his head. If you do, at best do it quietly. At worst, you will be the new Emperor’s first guest at the guillotine. (This didn’t turn out the way you planned huh, Guy? Who would have thought the Emperor had no sense of humor? Hello, like everyone knew that, idiot.)
9 At Napoleon’s crowning, do not rush up to congratulate the new Emperor. If you do, at best, too many will be ahead of you. At worst, Tiny the WWF champ has been given the job of the Emperor’s bodyguard. (It is just your luck, Georgio that Tiny reacts to motion as opposed to intellect. Maybe the court doctor can reset those bones. In the meantime, drink more Champaign.)
8 At Napoleon’s crowning, do not think your old buddy is the same good guy as before becoming Emperor. If you do, at best, your hug of congratulations will be forgiven. At worst, you will wake up in the dungeon facing an assault charge. (For as many times as you and Boney partied together this comes as a complete surprise right, Garrett? Don’t worry I’m sure your buddy will reconsider. I would not hold your breath waiting though.)
7 At Napoleon’s crowning, do not wear your “Bring Back Louis XVI,” t-shirt. If you do, at best it will be taken as a joke. At worst, you will be the second guillotine guest of the Emperor. ( Whatever were you thinking when you decided to wear that shirt, Gunther? Sure it was your color but come on. )
6 At Napoleon’s crowning, do not overdo the champagne toasts. If you do, at best you have a terrible headache tomorrow. At worst, although you meant to say only complimentary comments in your last toast somehow it didn’t come out the way you planned. (Congratulations, Gallagher you are now a field marshal in charge of the Siberian front. Don’t forget your long underwear.)
5 At Napoleon’s crowning, do not ask Josephine to dance. If you do, at best she’ll say no thank you. At worst the full effect of the tap on the shoulder for a cut in by the Emperor will be realized. (What you didn’t know is the Emperor is a very jealous man. That tap signaled the home guard to drop you off in Spain, Garson. Hope you enjoy paella.)
4 At Napoleon’s crowning, do not fail to laugh at the Emperor’s jokes. If you do, at best you can feign a cough. At worst, even though the Emperor tells the lousiest jokes the laughing guards will see you out. (Maybe a lesson learned, Garcia. I’ll bet you are hoping these laughing guards are going to see you home safely. That dungeon straight ahead might mean otherwise.)
3 At Napoleon’s crowning, do not make comments about the Emperors New Clothes. If you do, at best every one read the story. At worst, Napoleon who has not read the story will believe he is naked. (You know what they say about the messenger, Giuseppe. Sayonara.)
2 At Napoleon’s crowning, do not do karaoke. If you do, at best your song will be Happy Days Are Here Again. At worst, your song will be The Bohemian Rhapsody. (Good luck with the Freddy Mercury part, Grover. Just your luck the Emperor is a big fan of Queen.)
1 At Napoleon’s crowning, do not offer to fire the cannon in salute. If you do, at best the wick will go out. At worst, your cannon is not aimed well, and you just took out the Emperor’s bedroom. (You could offer your place for sleeping, Gebek or maybe better, just start running.)
There was a parade yesterday in Port Aransas. It was the annual holiday parade to benefit the EMS toy roundup. There were so many who came to participate that to take photo’s of the parade itself would have made selecting which carts to show here an impossible task. So I went to the staging area and took some shots. Hopefully, you’ll get an idea of the festive nature of this parade.
Santa in an Aloha shirt
Folks decorate their golf carts and make a voluntary donation to the EMS toy roundup. Here is a number of carts arriving at the staging area.
The staging area is getting quite crowded.
Love the nose.
Gifts under the Christmas Palm tree
Quite a decorating job.
The kids love it.
The dogs love it.
Santa’s elves
EMS will lead the parade
Holiday dog.
A common sentiment here.
A jeep to enforce the Don’t mess with Texas mantra.
Mama just killed a man. Put my gun against his head pulled the trigger now he’s dead. Well, it is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this weeks prompt is “ma.” Linda Hill says we can use “ma” or any word containing “ma.” Also, there are bonus points for starting the post with “ma.” Now you see why I did a riff on Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.
“Hey, Lucy. It’s Friday. Let’s get ready to rumble.”
Friday is here and time to get ready for the weekend. This week was pretty productive. The edits are pretty much finished on the next book. Gwen Plano and I have written the sequel to The Contract and now we are trying to get to a name. The manuscript is due to the editor in January and hopefully, we will have a name by then.
Bailey is doing quite well. She is eating (Knock on wood) and appears to be comfortable.
Today’s JohnKu is about adaptability. I hope you have a great weekend.
It is Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we found ourselves back to Micki Lee’s place where we were witnesses to a full-scale flirt being perpetrated by Micki and Andrew. Make no mistake, these two are old enough to be grandparents so we better watch out since anything can happen. We also were there when Micki called up Gloria, and like she was on a 100 Mbps download, she was right there. Let’s hope Larry can hold it together. Time to get back there. Don’t forget your bottled water.
“Gloria, Larry asked me to get in contact with you since he and his colleague Andrew have run into a bit of a snag on the Sandusky case.”
“Hold on, Micki. I can speak for myself.”
“Okay, Larry go ahead.”
“Larry, dear. Before you start aren’t you going to introduce your handsome sidekick.”
“Come on Gloria. Did you have to join Micki in such foolishness.”
“I think Micki and Andrew might have some attraction to each other. Right, Micki?”
“Well, he is a fine cut of a man.”
“You two know Andrew is sitting right here don’t you?”
“We know darling. The problem is Andrew is in a state of suspended animation and can’t see or hear us.”
“What? You mean after this session he won’t know what went on?”
“That’s right Dearest. He might as well be a chair in the room for all he’ll know.”
“Where is he right now?”
“As you can see, he is sitting here with us, but for all practical purposes he could in Dubuque, Iowa.”
“So, whatever I learn here, I’ll have a tough time convincing Andrew that it is true.”
“I’m so sorry for that, love. You see there are rules. We spirits can’t just have anyone witnessing our good works. Such a thing is only for the privileged.”
“As much as I’m flattered, I wish Andrew could be here as well.”
“We are wasting time, detective. You better ask Gloria what you want to know.”
“Okay, Micki. Here’s the deal, Gloria.”
“I know the deal, Larry. You’ve got a body that looks like suicide and only one suspect if, in fact, it’s not. Forget Louis. He is not your killer. You also are very right not to think Sandusky took his own life. He was murdered.”
“Why?”
“Well now. You have hit on the million-dollar question. The why is all about the bass. All about the bass no treble, Larry.”
“You mean the motive?”
“Exactly. Think of why someone would want Sandusky out of the way.”
“Money?”
“Bass.”
“Sex?”
“Treble.”
“So, for some reason whoever killed Sandusky did it for money.”
“My love. You are definitely getting sharper in your old age.”
“You are mocking me, aren’t you.”
“Only slightly my dear. Just slightly.”
“One more question. Who did it.?”
“Oh, my poor Larry. One. If I told you this story would be over. Two. You and your hunky partner need to figure it out. Chase the money, my dear.”
“Gloria wait.”
“She’s gone, Larry.”
“So, when does the séance begin.”
“Ah Andrew, I’m afraid while you were in Dubuque, we completed the contact.”
“What? Dubuque? I don’t get it.”
“Maybe someday, Andrew. Would you care to stay for some tea? I’m sure Larry has to be running along.”
