Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

TGIF

 

Friday is here, and the Fourth of July is history. It is good to celebrate the birth of our country. This year I was quite surprised that there were no disruptive fireworks anywhere near our house. This has to be a first.  Even though the possession of fireworks is against the law in our town, outsiders still have come in and littered the beach with burned out rockets. Maybe since we called the police as did several neighbors when last week some yahoo was setting off what sounded like dynamite they decided to patrol our area. Whatever happened it was a blessing. This brings us to today’s JohnKu. It talks about peace.

Peace by John W. Howell © 2108

Compared to the noise,

That always disturbed our sleep . . .

The silence was blessed.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Fourth of July – With Twiggy, Lucy, and Bailey

“Hey, you guys. Come to see this.”

“What are we looking at, Little Stuff?”

“That Red, White, and Blue thing.”

“That’s our flag. Humans call it the Star Spangled Banner.”

“Can I hold it? Or better yet, get my mouth on it?”

“No Twiggy. This flag represents the land of the free. It is not for teething.”

“I do love how it smells though. So much like freedom.”

“I have one that is my size, Lucy. I know all about freedom cause I was born in freedom.”

“I know Little Stuff. Your mom was rescued from a breeder and here you are.”

Twiggy, Lucy, and Bailey

You guys want to take the flag.”

“No little stuff. This is your first Fourth of July so you keep it.”

“Good idea Bailey. In fact, you ought to run with your flag, Twiggy.”

Twiggy

“Okay, here I go.”

“Run, Twiggy, run.”

“You go, girl. Celebrate your freedom.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #181 by Keith Channing

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, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.

The photo.

Kreative Kue #181

Pop Quiz by John W. Howell © 2018

“Now class. Since we all have been off for a few days, I think it is time for a pop quiz.”

“Aw teacher.”

“You have something to say, Johnnie?”

“Well, you know how hard it is to remember stuff over vacation. I think everything I learned fell out of me at the beach.”

“This is precisely why a pop quiz is in order. It would show what we need to learn again if we forgot.”

“But, teacher. What good does all this stuff do?”

“I’m surprised to hear you say that, Johnny. Just before vacation, you put your knowledge to excellent use.”

“I don’t remember that.”

“Oh come on. You don’t recall standing at the top of the stairs encouraging the rest of the class to follow you.”

“I recall that, but don’t see how learning fit it.”

“Didn’t you learn to navigate the stairway?”

“Yes but—”

“And didn’t you learn to measure your pace so you could last?”

“I did but—”

“When you reached the top what did you do?”

“Thanked you for helping me get there.”

“Exactly. So about that pop quiz?”

“Okay teacher. I guess it won’t hurt.”

“Thank you, Johnny. Alright, class. For today’s pop quiz we are going to run to the top of the stairway. The last one up gets a failing grade.”

Views of the Neighborhood – Harvey Update

I did say I would not be showing the damage of Hurricane Harvey since I felt it too personal. Today I am giving you a view of those places that will in all probability not be repaired and the owners have gone elsewhere.

Harvey

This home is vacant. Note the color of the sky. That is a haze produced by the blowing sands of the Sahara desert in Africa.

This is a shot of the house that I took before Harvey. I was highlighting the rope on the fence. You can get a good idea of the normal sky color too.

Here are some homes that are being moved to a different location.

I did not realize there are businesses that will buy your home or RV and take it away.

Here is a lot that no longer has a house.

Another house ready to be moved. I was touched by the flag left by the owners.

Here is another lot where the house has been relocated. The car is still there.

This will most likely be torn down.

This was a popular restaurant in Port Aransas. Not sure it will open again.

On a positive note, this convenience store and gas station was totally destroyed but is being rebuilt.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Cheers”

Stream of Consciousness

 

It is Stream of Conscious Saturday once again and this weeks prompt is “cheers.” Linda Hill says we can use is any way we want. (Don’t you just love the freedom of choice?)If you would like to join in go to Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/06/29/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-june-30-18/

Cheers by John W. Howell © 2018

“What are you looking for?”

“I’m trying to find some old episodes of Cheers.”

“I think you might have to go to YouTube for that.”

“I thought there was an On Demand channel with some of them.”

“I think you are out of luck there.”

“Yeah, I think you are right.”

“What do you want to do tonight?”

“How about going to the Bull and Finch.”

“The what?”

“The Bull and Finch. It’s the bar that was used as an outside shot for the show Cheers. I think you will get a kick out of it.”

“I thought the bar used was named Cheers.”

“Yeah, the owner changed it to Cheers, but it used to be called the Bull and Finch.”

“That sounds like fun. Why don’t we?”

“I’ll call the airline.”

“The airline? What for?”

“The Bull and Finch is in Boston.”

“And here we sit in LA. Great.”

“Ah don’t worry. five hours and we are there.”

“Will we make it by closing time?”

“Let’s see. They close at 10:00 PM Eastern time. It is now ten o’clock in the morning Eastern. A five-hour flight. An hour to the airport. An hour to the Bull and Finch when we land. We should be there by seven. Plenty of time. You in?”

“This sounds exciting. Of course, I’m in.”

“Okay. Hold on I’m calling. Hello American. I need two seats on a flight that gets us to Boston by six tonight. You do? That’s great. Yup Hold on. I need your credit card.”

“My credit card? I thought this was on you. it was your idea.”

“Yeah right? I was just trying to cheer you up so to speak.”

“How much are the tickets?”

“Twelve hundred.”

“Forget it.”

“Yeah, American. We won’t need those tickets after all. Sorry. Goodbye.”

“So what do you want to do tonight?”

“I already made my choice. You decide.”

“How about a glass of wine, some dinner, and a movie?”

“Sounds okay to me.”

“Cheers then.”

“With coffee?”

“It is only seven in the morning.”

“Cheers to you. We can do it all again tonight.”

“What?”

“The cheers thing with wine.”

“Oh that. Yes, we can. I thought you were talking about that ridiculous trip to Boston.”

No. That can wait until tomorrow.”

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

Dirty Beach

 

In about eight hours we will be able to bear witness to the holiday celebrations. Next week is the fourth of July. Since the fourth is on a Wednesday, we here on the coast have two kinds of vacationers. The first will arrive Friday evening and stay through Wednesday. The second will come on Tuesday and remain through the weekend. In each case, they will haul their fireworks, wood, Keystone beer, and extended families. What this means to us is sleepless nights, wood smoke-filled days, and plenty of trash. When the holiday is mid-week, the mayhem goes on for at least nine days. A Monday holiday only destroys four.

We never look forward to a relaxed holiday and are joined by 3000 of our neighbors who look forward to the day after labor day. I can hear you now. “If you don’t like it, John, then move.” I guess that is pretty good advice. I think I will try to make the best of it and stay in my room. Ha ha ha. Today’s John Ku describes me well.

Grumpy Old Man by John W. Howell © 2018

Sitting on the porch,

Choking on fire starter fumes. . .

Wishing it would rain.

 

Thursday – Anything Possible – Quiet Day of Recovery

Lucy Bailey Twiggy

“You heard Pops you two. No running around. Twiggy needs her rest after surgery.”

“Yes, Mama Bailey. We heard. A little jog couldn’t hurt.”

“Come on Twig. Chase me.”

“You sure it will be okay?”

“What can it hurt. All dogs run.”

“Well okay. You go and I’ll run after you

“There you go, Twiggy. You look great.”

“I don’t think I can catch you two.”

“Go catch Bailey. Then come back after me.”

“Okay, Lucy. Look out, Bailey here I come.”

“Gotcha, Bailey.”

“You sure did kid. Now go get Lucy, but walk.”

“Gonna get cha, gonna get cha. Gonna, gonna, gonna.”

“Bring it on, little stuff. I can outrun a freight train, let alone a little caboose like you.

“Okay ladies. Time to come inside.”

“Lucy?”

“Yes, Boss?”

“You and Twiggy take it easy out there?”

“You have no need to worry, Boss. We were like lambs. Right Twiggy?”

“Yes, Dad. Just like grazing sheep.”

 

Podcast Interview of Gwen and John by Annette Rochelle Aben

Annette Rochelle Aben was very gracious to have Gwen Plano, and I on her Tell Me a Story podcast on The Magic Happens Radio Network. We are discussing the collaboration that took place on The Contract between heaven and earth. Here is the link to the site.

http://www.themagichappensnow.com/tell-me-a-story-with-annette-rochelle-aben

Once clicked you need to scroll down until you reach this position.

Tell Me A Story

About Annette.

Annette

Annette’s Bio

I was born writing! At least this is how it seems. I had the good fortune to be published while a sophomore in high school so continuing the journey by publishing books has been a natural course of events.
It is my pleasure to announce that the book I have just released is # 1 Best Seller! And that is: A Haiku Perspective 2018 which is available in both Kindle and paperback formats! Enjoy celebrating a year of my life as told using the framework of Haiku style poetry.
Angel Messages Two – songs of the heart, is a book filled with beautiful photos and remarkable tanka poetry. People LOVE this book because of the comfort it provides. Many have gifted it to others and been thanked over and over again.
A Tanka Picture Book is exactly as the name suggests. I took photos of a variety of everyday objects, works of art and nature, then wrote a tanka poem for each. I suggest this book for all the right reasons. It will entertain, provoke thought, stimulate conversation and be a great addition to your library!
I have chosen to release my annual haiku collection in time to celebrate National Poetry Month, in April. A Haiku Perspective 2017 is filled with smiles, laughter, wisdom and creativity, all cleverly disguised as haiku poetry. Enjoy!
My book, GO YOU some encouragement when you need it, is a pep-talk in a book! Each page gives you a quick way to start your day, help you through a moment or even provide someone else words that can inspire them to a better life. We can all use a cheerleader, when one isn’t available, this book fits the bill!!
Most of the books I have published here are centered in poetry, Haiku poetry to be exact. Much of the feedback I receive about the haiku poetry is that people can really understand the messages and they appreciate that the poems are short and sweet!
Angel Messages – a wing and a prayer is my first book about Angels. Filled with photos, prayers, poems and prose of and about Angels, this book will delight any Angel lover in your life. Check out the reviews, people are drawn to the inherent inspirational nature of this book and as result is fast becoming their favorite. You can have it right away using the Kindle option or order a paperback copy (or two) and carry it with you wherever you go.
I mentioned that many of my books are filled with my poetry and several of them combine that with my love of taking pictures. Books that feature poetry and photos include Perspective, it’s all about replacing one thought with another, PhoKu, visual perspective haiku and BooKu, Halloween haiku. Perspective has a wide variety of pages that can feature prose, poetry and nature photographs, while PhoKu is filled with the photographs I have taken in nature with Haiku poetry added to them, hence the title: PhoKu. BooKu is a “behind the scenes look at how Halloween decorations feel about their jobs. All three of these books are available in print and Kindle formats.
A Haiku Perspective 2015, and A Haiku Perspective 2016 are haiku poetry books. When I first experimented with the haiku writing format, I have no idea I would enjoy it as much as I do. These days, I am writing haiku daily and finding myself thinking in 17 syllables. You can find these books in both print and Kindle formats
There are several other books planned for release this year alone, So please, check back frequently to see what I have published and share what YOU are doing! Cheers!!

Please visit Annette on Amazon and at The Magic Happens

Thank you so much, Annette.

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

Hump Day

“I’m sorry to say it is Wednesday, little one. Friday is fourteen dog days away.”

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we got to know the M.E. a little better. His name is Andrew, and his wife whose name begins with G passed away one year ago. We noticed that this is all very coincidental. Andrew even gave a little warning about going with the circumstances that seem to be present. Now that the two of them have their coffee let’s go listen to the conversation.

 

“So, Andrew tell me about the Sandusky case.”

“What do you want to know?”

“First of all, I got to get to the bottom of this missing heart business.”

“You need to be asking me some questions since I’m not certain what you mean. As a detective are you talking from a professional level or just out of interest?”

“Definitely interested but need to approach this from a professional level.”

“Okay then. I need to be careful what I say since I don’t want to mislead you. I still think it is against the law to give false information.”

“Come on, Andrew. I’m not going to nail you on false testimony.”

“When you hear what I have to say you may.”

“Let’s set some ground rules then. How about if we talk on the record for those facts you are sure of. Those that are iffy we can talk off the record.”

“Yeah, I think that will cover it. Okay, the heart was taken from the body, and there was no outward sign of removal.”

“What do you mean outward. Is there some other sign?”

“Off the record?”

“Geeze off the record already?”

“Well if you want me to answer your question.”

“Okay, off the record.”

“I think someone eliminated the heart with some kind of shockwave.”

“Shockwave? What do you mean?”

“You know how they remove certain types of gallstones?”

“No. Tell me.”

“Well you get in a pool of water, and a shock wave is sent that pulverizes the stones.”

“You think this was the same thing.”

“I can’t prove it but, yes.”

“So, this guy’s heart was blown up? How come there was no residue.”

“Ah, back on the record. There was residue which I noted in the report.”

“Andrew, there is no mention of residue heart in the report.”

“You’re kidding. I distinctly remember making the notation. I did not theorize about the shockwave but noted the missing heart by processes unknown.”

“The only thing in the report was the missing heart notation.”

“I find that hard to believe. I need to look at the report.”

“You don’t have a copy do you?”

“Well, there was one on my computer hard drive when I retired. I always made backup reports.”

“Okay then. Let’s go downtown, and you can see the original report, and maybe we can talk to your replacement about looking on the hard drive.”

“Finish your coffee and let me get ready. You driving?”

“Yes, I can drive.”

“I’ll be ready in a minute.”