Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

November 16, 2018November 15, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 62 Comments

It is Friday and time to start preparing for the weekend. This is the last Friday before Thanksgiving. It is hard to believe the holidays are on us already. I’m not sure if we are ready or not. I guess there really is no choice since the day comes around and ready or not it will be Thanksgiving.

We have had another pretty challenging week with Bailey. She has had some difficulty with nausea. We have some new medicine, and so far it looks like it is working. Bailey, bless her heart, does not like to take medication. We have to grind pills and then get some media that she will accept. She used to take her medicine in baby food. Now she is on to us. The only way she will take it is in a suspension that I give her by syringe. No needle, just the syringe into the mouth behind the molars. Even as I write she has decided to keep a clamped jar. Well probably TMI, but all in all, Bailey is hold ing her own.

Thanks to everyone who has offered such kind words of support. Those words do help.

Today’s JohnKu talks about what words can do. I hope you have a lovely weekend.

Words can encourage,

When all seems dark and hopeless . . .

Kind thoughts work wonders.

Thursday – A little Personal – Sunny Day in the Yard

November 15, 2018November 14, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

“So, Dad. Where are Lucy and Bailey?”

“They are coming, Twiggy.”

“Gee whiz, Lucy. You guys think I have all day.”

“Bailey is still finishing her lunch. What do you ve in mind?”

“I thought we could play some ball.”

“Yeah, That sounds good. This sun feels good.”

“You are wandering around. What’s the deal?

“I’m doing my stretches. I don’t want to pull a muscle chasing you.”

“That is a great idea. I guess I should do the same.”

“There you go Little Stuff. It’s good for the legs.”

“Wait, Lucy. You are going too fast.”

“A couple of times around the yard is good for the wind.”

“I have to stop, Lucy. My little legs have to work twice as fast as yours.”

“Good thing I have super brakes, Small Stuff. I could have run right over you.”

“I want to kiss you for helping me exercise.”

“Not on the lips, Little Potato. Not on the lips.”

“Hey, there’s Bailey. Glad you could make it.”

“Yeah me too. Pops was trying to give me a pill, but I out foxed him.”

“Bailey, did you toss that pill over here?”

“Don’t let Pops see it. He’ll do the gavage thing on me.”

“Lucy, Forget the pill. Where is Twiggy going with that jolly ball?”

“Beats me. Hey, Twiggy don’t you want to play with us?

“You better go after her. I think she wants to play keep-a-way.”

“This could be fun for sure.”

“Hey, Bailey. You going to play?”

“If you two come back here, yes. You know I’m not as strong, and we have to keep that in mind.”

“What do you think, Little stuff?”

“Yeah, let’s go where Bailey is. It will be more fun with all of us playing.”

“Good choice.”

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

November 14, 2018November 13, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 46 Comments

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we were a witness to Louis and Larry discussing who had the knowledge to operate the equipment that killed Sandusky. The conversation ended with a declaration by Louis that there were only two people who knew how the machine worked. One was Louis and the other Sandusky. Let’s get back to the police station since Larry is having a discussion with Andrew. Maybe Andrew has another perspective.

“So, you say the only two that know how to work that wave machine are Louis and Sandusky himself?”

“According to Louis, those are the only ones he knows about.”

“Okay so let’s take a look at the facts.”

“What facts?”

“Aren’t you the one who keeps saying to look for motive?”

“My wife told me that.”

“Yeah, let’s not get into that too much. I’ll keep believing that you keep saying it.”

“Okay then. What about the motive?”

“Take Sandusky for instance.”

“What about Sandusky?”

“What motive would he have for killing himself?”

“I think you have me. I can’t think of one.”

“Right you are too. So, we can rule him out.”

“Agreed.”

“This leaves Louis.”

“You know, as hard as I want to believe Louis killed Sandusky, I just can’t get there.”

“What would be his motive?”

“Would be like killing his banker. Doesn’t make sense.”

“So, we agree that Louis is not the one either.”

“I think that is the only logical conclusion. Where does that leave us?”

“With a lot of hard work to turn up another suspect.”

“One who knows how to operate the machine and who has the motive to eliminate Sandusky.”

“Think your wife can help?”

“Wow, Andrew you sure took a one-eighty.”

“Desperate times call for desperate measures. We are clearly out of options.”

“I guess I could go back to a fortune-teller who put me in touch with Ruth and see if she can help.”

“I don’t think we have any other options.”

“Man, Andrew you amaze me.”

“Just call me Renaissance man.”

“That fits. Let’s go.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt

November 13, 2018November 12, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 37 Comments

Twiggy and Lucy — “What is that, Bailey?”
“Could be a bird, a plane. No, it’s a ceiling fan Little Stuff”

As you may know, Keith Channing has taken the month of November to craft another Na-No-Wri-Mo 50,000 word novel. So again today I am promptless. GP Cox came up with a solution. He more or less said, “Why don’t you point a finger at a spot in a book and use that as a prompt.” He recalled a prompt on a Steam of Conscious Saturday where Linda Hill proscribed just that prompt method.

So thank you, GP Cox. Here it goes. I’m opening L is for Lawless by Sue Grafton and putting my finger on a page. It is page 143 and my finger sits on the phrase, I picked up the five and held it closer. This is the prompt today.

“Why are you sitting all alone?”

“Why not? I don’t know anyone here.”

“The idea was for you to go out and make friends.”

“So why are you here?”

“I wanted to make sure you would be okay.”

“I’m okay. I just don’t have anything to talk about with these people.”

“I don’t get that. You are surrounded by a number of folks that are just like you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You know. Love comic books and Sci-Fi.”

“I guess that’s what a Comic-Con is all about. I still feel shy.”

“Talk to me. You are sitting here with a cosplay look of The Fly. Hasn’t anyone come up to you to comment on your fabulous costume?”

“Well, yeah they did?”

“They did? What did they say?”

“They thought I looked pretty natural.”

“So what happened? Did you talk to them?”

“A little. Then they got annoying?”

“Annoying? What did they do?”

“Made comments about my proboscis. One said it looked yucky.”

“How many were there?”

“Five in all.”

“So the others were cool, right?”

“Yeah, they were good.”

“So where are they?”

“Well. I picked up the five and held them close.”

“Then?”

“I ate them.”

“Oh no. You said the other four were good.”

“I guess I should have said delicious, but I didn’t want to shock you too quickly.”

“I guess I appreciate that. I think we had better go.”

“Yeah, I need to check my web. Might have caught something.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do at the First Sunday Football Game at Philadelphia in 1933

November 12, 2018November 11, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 48 Comments

This is a continuation of the Top Ten Things Not to Do list with a historical background. Today marked the anniversary of the first Sunday football game played in Philadelphia in 1933. If you were there, some actions are a no-no.

Top Ten Things Not to Do at the First Sunday Football Game at Philadelphia in 1933

10 At the first Sunday football game in Philadelphia, do not sit next to your parish priest unless you have been to church. If you do, at best you can take confession right there. At worst, you will be invited to a special service titled Miscreants of the Week. ( Of all the seats in the stadium you had to pick this one, Farzad.)

9 At the first Sunday football game in Philadelphia, do not forget to tip Tiny, the WWF Champ and now stadium vendor, for your hot dog. If you do, at best that mustard stain on your back will come out. At worst, Tiny who believes tips are a showing of love will think you hate him. (The time to vacate your seat is now, Fedele. That large tray of hot dogs will not rest well when Tiny lets it go in your direction.)

8 At the first Sunday football game in Philadelphia, do not try to eat a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich and cheer for your team at the same time. If you do, At best the guy in front of you is wearing a raincoat. At worst, your expelled cheesesteak bite goes down the collar of the police chief in the row in front of you. (I don’t think you will be able to explain this as an accident, Felicien. Good luck on your first night in jail)

7 At the first Sunday football game in Philadelphia, do not cause yourself to be over-celebrating on your carry in hootch just because the blue laws in Pennsylvania allowed Sunday sports. If you do, at best you’ll find someone to take you home. At worst, you will need an ironclad excuse for spending the night in the bleachers. (Gotta wonder why none of the cleaning crew found you huh, Fenris.)

6 At the first Sunday football game in Philadelphia, do not sit in the Chicago section wearing your Eagles jersey. If you do, at best the fans around you think you have a mental condition. At worst, as the game progresses someone may get the idea to remove you crowd surfing you over the lip of the Baker Bowl stadium. (It is a long fall from the top to the parking lot, Ferke. Flapping your arms may help a little.)

5 At the first Sunday football game in Philadelphia, do not think you don’t have to pay off your bet because the score was tied at 3 and 3. f you do, at best the bookie consider your bet too small to collect. At worst, your bookie is the kind who believes any no pay a matter of honor. ( Those cement overshoes are styling, Fidal. Might prove to hamper treading water though.)

4 At the first Sunday football game in Philadelphia, do not blow your large and loud horn to cheer on your team. If you do, at best you’ll be sitting alone. At worst, your fellow participants will tire of losing their hats, hair, and hearing and will stuff your horn where the sun don’t shine. (I know I’m surprised as well, Finnbar. I think that high decibel honk is terrific. Might be better on a MAC truck though.)

3 At the first Sunday football game in Philadelphia, do not ask your neighbor to share their popcorn. If you do, at best the corn will be gone. At worst, your neighbor has just been diagnosed with the flu and is more than happy to share. (Don’t worry, Fionn. In the 30’s the flu only took maybe half of those diagnosed. Oh, look a guy in a black hoodie carrying a scythe. I don’t see any hay that needs cutting do you?)

2 At the first Sunday football game in Philadelphia, do not run out and attempt to ring the Liberty Bell to count the first field goal points. If you do, at best the Liberty Bell Center in Independence National Historic Park will be closed on Sunday. At worst, your attempt at goodwill has been seen as a terrorist act. ( Well, you’ve earned yourself a nice cozy room in Guantanamo, Firmann. I have no idea why it is so dark here.)

1 At the first Sunday football game in Philadelphia, do not dispute how the Eagles got their name. If you do, at best there was no money on the fact that they got their name from the Blue Eagle which was a symbol for economic recovery during the Franklin Roosevelt administration. At worst, you now need to walk home since you put your car up to back your bet that the Eagles were named after the great American Bald Eagle. (You could have been right too, Flanagan. You might try putting your thumb out. Maybe some hapless fool will give you a lift.)

Views of the Neighborhood – Pools . . .Yes Pools

November 11, 2018November 10, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 73 Comments

First, a note of appreciation to our veterans. Thank you so much for your service and sacrifice

I have to admit there was nothing going on in Port Aransas this week. I have wanted to do a pool feature for a while. Could I do it in the summer when the water is blue, the temperatures in the 90s, and there are tons of happy people around the pool? No, of course not. Needed to wait for a rainy, cloudy, and in the 50’s. Put on your overcoat and come with me.

Here is the entrance to the pool at Cinnamon Shores the biggest community in the area.

This is an infinity pool. There is a pond in the background.

Mustang Royale is a community next to where I live.

The pool is a little smaller than the last.

Another community in Port Aransas.

The entrance to their pool.

The pool.

Pioneer Park is the largest RV resort in Port Aransas.

The pool entrance.

The pool has a lot of decking tiles.

Sunflower resort.

Sunflower Resort pool.

The Palmilla Beach Resort.

This is one of the prettiest in the area.

The Port Aransas Community Pool

The community pool. There is actually someone in the 83-degree water.

This is our community.

Our community pool.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Mean(s)

November 10, 2018November 9, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 49 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this weeks prompt is “mean (s). Linda Hill says we can use the prompt with or without the (s). Maybe I’ll use them both. If you would like to participate in this fun go to Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Nov. 10/18

“What does that mean?”

“I think it is pretty clear.”

“If it were clear I wouldn’t ask.”

“You ask a lot of questions so how am I supposed to know if something is clear to you or not?”

“It’s not clear to me.”

“Okay. The sign means to keep off the grass.”

“Why does it say, ‘Touch Not?'”

“I figure that would cover everything. Feet, hands, body. You name it, ‘Touch Not’ means no part of anyone should be on my grass.”

“You are a mean mother. You know that?

“Why would you say I’m mean?”

“Who cares if someone steps on your precious grass. It is meant to be walked on.”

“Oh no, it is not meant to be walked on. Grass means green visual. Nothing else.”

“Green visual. Did you just make that up?”

“Maybe. I think that is what grass means to me.”

“What about picnics, flying kites, lawn bowling, and crochet?”

“On someone else’s grass.”

“I can tell you this attitude means a potential for a lonely old age.”

“If those who want to visit me mean to walk on my grass, I would be happy being lonely.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“I do mean that. My ‘Touch Not’ sign goes up tomorrow.”

“Why not today?”

“It would mean postponing my lawn party.”

“You are a disturbed person. You know that right?

“Talk about mean?”

Friday – JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

November 9, 2018November 8, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 74 Comments

Friday and another weekend is almost here. This week has been a matter of caring for Bailey and continuing the work on the WIP edits. We have an appointment with the editor in January, so the deadline is getting near. My productivity has not been the best this last week, but I have managed to keep plugging.

I am actually writing this post from the Oncology office of the Blue Pearl Animal clinic in San Antonio. In conjunction with the vets, we have decided on the course of treatment which will include chemotherapy and regular blood panel checking. Unfortunately, Bailey’s liver has been compromised, and the easiest treatment is also the hardest on the liver. So we will have to do intravenous therapy rather than a pill.

This means a greater chance of side effects and rules out home treatment. Will will have to travel to get the treatment and Bailey does not travel well, but we will all have to bear a little inconvenience to keep her feeling well. Today’s JohnKu talks about worthwhile effort.

An effort by John W. Howell

Inconveniences,

Can be well tolerated. . .

For a noble cause.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Lucy, Bailey, and Twiggy Play Inside

November 8, 2018November 7, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 77 Comments

“Fe fi fo fum. I smell the blood of a Frenchie.”

“You are supposed to rhyme with fum. Like Englishman.”

“To really rhyme with fum I’d have to say Frenchie bum.”

“Aw, now that would not be nice.”

“Well I’m just sayin'”

“Have I shown you my latest wrestling hold? I call it the jaw lock.”

“Have you seen my latest? I call it the step over chokehold.”

“Yak. I can see it is a good one.”

“Say, Uncle.”

“Oh my gosh. What if I don’t say, Uncle?”

“I may have to give you a hug.”

“Okay then. I’ll Take the hug.”

“Why don’t you see what Bailey’s doing.”

“Good idea.”

“Hey, Bailey. What’s up?”

“Just finished a delicious breakfast, Little one. I was thinking of a nap.”

“Looks like a good day for it?”

“That’s what I was thinking.”

“You doing okay?”

“I feel great Little Stuff. Just need to get rested and build my strength.”

“Twiggy was right. It is a great day for a nap. In fact, I should be taking a sunbath outside.”

“You want to go out, Bailey?”

“Yes, Pops. Thanks.”

“Ah. Now we’re talking.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Short Story

November 6, 2018November 5, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 51 Comments

“Hush. Bailey’s asleep.”
“Just resting my eyes Lucy.”

As you may know, Keith Channing has taken the month of November to craft another Na-No-Wri-Mo 50,000 word novel. Therefore I am promptless for Tuesday. Since I have titled this day as anything possible, I thought I would offer a short story. This story is based on an actual incident at our local store where the ending was not so gracious. Needless to say, I was taken back by the lack of customer service.

A request by John W. Howell

“Excuse me.”

“Yes?”

“I see you are out of ham puree baby food.”

“Yeah, so?”

“I wonder if you could order some.”

“The truck comes in on Saturday.”

“Could you check to see if you ordered some more. You see my dog is very ill and she likes the ham variety. It is the only thing I can get her to eat.”

“Pet food is on aisle six.”

“I know that. I’m asking you to go into the office and look at the order book to see if anyone ordered the ham puree baby food.”

“Didn’t you say it was for your dog?”

“I did.”

“So why don’t you just buy the dog food and let it go at that.”

“I told you. The ham variety of baby food is the only thing she will eat.”

“I don’t have time to check right now. I’m sure it is ordered.”

“I bought the last twelve jars last Friday, and no more have come in.”

“See that’s the problem. We order on Wednesday, and so the truck will be here Saturday.”

“Please check.”

“I told you I don’t have time.”

“Can you make time?”