Saturday – More Views of Edinburgh

July 1, 2017June 30, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 41 Comments

Normally on Saturday, there is a Stream of Consciousness prompt. While travelling I missed it so I thought you might like some more pictures of Scotland.

Here is a photo of the St. Andrews Cathedral. As you can see it is in ruins. The town of St Andrews is very picturesque.

St. Andrews

Here is the Abby at St Andrews. It was destroyed during the Reformation.

Castle at Five

Here is a Castle at Fyvie and is noted because it was a commoner’s castle

There were two swans with their chicks on the side of the road.

Dog and John

This is a shot of a dog in a pub at Fyvie that decided to sleep on my shoe. (Don’t tell Lucy)

Sunset at Whitehills

We visited our Great Grandmother’s hometown of Portsoy. We stayed in Whitehills and here is a sunset shot.

Port Soy

Here is the main street of Portsoy

Portsoy

A shot of the quay in Portsoy.

Portsoy

A picture of my sister and I marking the moment of our visit to Portsoy. I have more photos and will drag them out every once in a while.

Friday JohnKu – Aka – TGIF

June 30, 2017June 15, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 58 Comments

TGIF

It is Friday and I am headed home. I don’t get in until late tonight but it will be nice to see the Gulf and listen to the waves. It is surprising when you live with wave noise in your ears 24/7 how quiet the world is when you leave.

It has been a great trip but now time to catch a glimpse of the red, white, and blue. I always get a little thrill when the customs agent hands me my passport and says, “Welcome home.” I guess as I get older it is small things like that greeting that makes me appreciate living in America.

Today’s JohnKu talks about home. I hope you have a great weekend.

Travels mean away,

The return is always sweet. . .

There’s no place like home.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Bailey

June 29, 2017June 14, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

“Hello, reader.”

“Hello, Bailey. Nice to see you.”

Bailey

“Can I confide in you for a minute?”

“Why sure you can.”

“The Boss is coming home tomorrow and I have some things on my chest that I need to confess.”

“You can tell me.”

Bailey and Lucy

“Lucy and I got on the bed while he was away.”

“Well, I’m sure that’s not a big deal.”

Bailey

“I went swimming right after I ate.”

“You are still here, right? No harm done.”

Bailey

“Lucy and I went gopher digging.”

“I’m sure that was okay.”

“You really think so?”

“Yes, I do.”

Bailey

“Maybe I worry too much.”

Stella

“I’m going to tell John when he gets home.

***

I’m out of the country but will try to get to your comments. I apologise if my response is delayed.

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

June 28, 2017June 14, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 38 Comments

Hump Day

It is Wednesday Story Day time again. Whew, last week we saw Harriet and Alice go to dinner. After the first drink, Harriet starts acting a little frisky and moves next to Alice. This after she warned Alice to knock off trying to rekindle their relationship. We better get back before the next drink is served.

“Now isn’t this cozy.”
“What happened to you not wanting to start anything between us.”
“Oh come on dear. I have a public persona and a private one.”
“So the public wants me to stay away.”
“And the private wants to ravish you.”
“You better watch those drinks. You okay?”
“Of course, I’m okay. Ah here’s the waiter with another drink. Keep these coming boy.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Now Alice. Let’s drink to the future.”
“Okay, that sounds good. To the future then.”
“Hear hear.”
“So Harriet.”
“Yes dear.”
“What is in the future.”
“Well, we both have each other and that wonderful boy.”
“Wonderful boy?”
“Yes. I found out his parents have been killed, so he has no one.”
“I think we all know that. Seth’s been talking about nothing else.”
“Yeah, Whatever. The point is he has nobody. A perfect opportunity for us to more or less a adopt him.”
“I may have had too much to drink, but I’m not sure I like the sounds of what you just said.”
“In what way?”
“I don’t know, but when you sat adopt, it sounds like you have some creepy plan.”
“Don’t make me laugh. you mean like holding the boy as a sex slave?”
“Well, it had crossed my mind.”
“To hold him as a sex slave?”
“No Harriet. It crossed my mind you would do that.”
“You poor thing. Don’t you know? Wait, you of all people should realize, I have given up men.”
“You could have an interest in both.”
“Please. There is nothing a man can give me that I can’t get from you.”
“You say the sweetest things.”
“Don’t pout. You know what I meant.”
“Yes, I know. Does this mean we are going to get together again?”
“Let me answer that in the morning. You are staying over right?”
“You have always know how to woo a woman. I suppose.”
“Good. It is settled then. I think we should tell the waiter we can proceed with the dinner.”
“I’ll drink to that. You excite me, Harriet.”
“You say that to all the boys. Thank you anyway.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #129 by Keith Channing

June 27, 2017June 27, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 26 Comments

Let Keith explain in his own 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 keithkreates@channing.ino 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 – pingbacks don’t often work.

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 #129

“What? Who said that?”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Where are you?”

“If you must know, I’m laying flat on my back under this stupid machine of yours.”

“Oh my gosh. Did I hit you?”

“Oh no, not at all. I was just lying here when I decided to quickly slide under your machine and make myself comfortable.”

“You’re kidding me right?”

“Get this stupid thing off me.”

“I still can’t figure out how you got under there.”

“You know what? Right now your enlightenment is not the main concern. Can you back up?”

“Oh sure. Here goes.”

“Whew. That’s better. Thank you very much.”

“I’m so sorry for hitting you. Um.”

“Um, what?”

“I can’t see you.”

“What a shock.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m invisible is what I mean.”

“Invisible? How is that possible.”

“I’m a spirit.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Prove it.”

“Don’t have to. You can not see it with your own eyes.”

“Um.”

“Um, what?”

“Should I be concerned?”

“About what?”

“The fact that you can communicate with me.”

“And the fact that you were driving on the highway and a big fat truck hit you, knocking you into this field where you fell right on top of me? I would say so.”

“Am I in trouble?”

“Only for the first thousand years.”

***

I’m still out of the country. I apologize in advance if my response to your comments is delayed.

Top Ten Things Not to Do Touring Overseas

June 26, 2017June 26, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 50 Comments

Overseas

The inspiration for this list is my current tour of Scotland. I figure I will only have one chance to use this list so I’m going for it. I hope you like it.

10 If you are touring overseas, do not try to plug your phone charger into a socket without an adapter. if you do, at best it won’t work. At worst, forcing the connection may cause your phone to be damaged. (Now what are you going to do with a melted phone, Herb?)

9 If you are touring overseas, do not ignore the pedestrian crossing signs. If you do, at best all the brakes will be in good condition. At worst, you’ll end up on the hood of a cab driven by Tiny the WWF champ who has just received his license back from too many accidents. (Now, the collision didn’t kill you but there is no guarantee after Tiny is through with you, Burt. He looks pretty mad too.)

8 If you are touring overseas, do not ask the local restaurant if they have Big Macs. If you do, at best they may not understand you. At worst, they will serve you yesterday’s food rescued from the can out back. (You tipped your hand on your gastronomical sophistication huh, Bosco?)

7 If you are touring overseas, do not try to pay with American money. If you do, at best you get an exchange rate of 30%. At worst, you will not find anyone to take the money and the police will be called as you try to leave the establishment. (You should have checked before ordering that big dinner, Putz)

6 If you are touring overseas, do not expect everyone to speak and understand English. If you do, at best you will be doing without a lot. At worst, in trying to communicate you may inadvertently use a phrase who’s essence is perceived to put a curse on the person. (I guess you are wondering why the formally calm person is running at you with a large sword huh, Buford? Don’t worry you have your NIKE’s on but I would get moving.)

5 If you are touring overseas, do not take a picture of anyone without asking permission. If you do, at best they won’t notice. At worst, you’ll snap a picture of a major political figure who doesn’t want anyone to know he is where you captured the photo and who he is with. (Yes, Ferd. It is complicated and now your camera is gone. Those guys were big.)

4 If you are touring overseas, pay attention and heed warning signs. If you don’t, at best you’ll survive the day. At worst, the sign that asked you to mind the path is but a memory as you are being chased by the queen’s security force.(Good thing you have those Nikes huh, Bunky? Of course, that stun dart is starting to slow you down as you can’t feel your feet.)

3 If you are touring overseas, do not litter. If you do, at best a gentle person will remind you. At worst, you just threw down a paper in front of the leader of the Militant Litterer Crushers. (Sadly the paper isn’t that tasty is it, Bud?)

2 If you are touring overseas, do not ignore the local rules of tipping. If you do, at best you’ll get away with one faux pas. At worst, you may have lost luggage, poor service, and soup that is only 89 % spit-free.(You may have saved a little in the short run huh, Leroy?)

1 If you are touring overseas, do not try to navigate the cities and countryside without a map. If you do, at best you’ll be able to ask directions. At worst, you may end up hopelessly lost and a perfect candidate for the pirate press gangs roaming the land. (Okay so there are no press gangs Stew. It sure is dark in this ally though, isn’t it?)

***

I am still overseas and will try to keep up with comments but apologies if I get behind.

Views of the Neighborhood – Edinburgh Neighborhood

June 25, 2017June 25, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 77 Comments

Today’s views are of the neighborhood that I have been in since Monday. There have been so many things to see and here is a sample of the city.

Edinburgh

The requisite view of the surrounding countryside as we come in for a landing.

Edinburgh

This is a shot of street where the apartment we stayed is located. The entrance is below grade through the gate which is just after the stairs.

Edinburgh

This is a view of Edinburgh taken from Calton Hill. It was taken at 9:45 pm and the sun was just beginning to set.

Edinburgh

This is a photo taken at Edinburg Castle. The young, serious, well dressed, military man is in charge of shooting the 1:00 cannon (which is done daily) which you can see in the background. The other guy looks like a writer or homeless person to me.

Edinburgh

This is a shot of the castle. The day was spectacular.

Edinburgh

A view of Edinburgh from the castle. The Firth (inlet of the sea) of Forth is in the background

Edinburgh

The botanical gardens in Edinburgh are vast and interesting. Here is a photo of giant lily pads.

Edinburgh

This is Hoyroodhouse, the ceremonial palace of Queen Elizabeth.

Edinburgh

The Holyroodhuse Abby ruins. This Catholic church was destroyed in 1133.

Edinburgh

This is my attempt at art. A shot of the Edinburgh Castle taken at night with a view of an old town street.

Edinburgh

St Giles Church which is the home church of Scotland.

Edinburgh

An inside photo of St. Giles.

Edinburgh

The National Gallery of Scotland.

Edinburgh

A shot of a typical street.

Edinburgh

The Lord Nelson memorial.

Edinburgh

The National Monument. (which was never finished)

I hope you enjoyed the tour.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – rain/rein/reign.

June 24, 2017June 23, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 26 Comments

SOCS

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This weeks prompt is rain/rein/reign. Linda Hill says we can use all the words or just one or two and can use them any way we want. If you would like to join in, visit Linda’s blog. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS June 24/17

“Rain, rain go away. Come again another day.”

“Hey rein yourself in Buster. We need the rain.”

“Oh come on, these rhymes never work.”

“Why tempt the fates? I mean there was a reason they made up these sayings.”

“In the days of the king’s reign, someone thought it was a good idea to make up rhymes to cover certain circumstances.”

“Okay. Give me an example that makes sense to you.”

“Well besides the rain, rain go away thing, there’s Jack Sprat could eat not fat, and his wife could eat no lean. Betwixt the two of them, they licked the platter clean.”

“So what does that have to do with anything.”

“I guess it was a warning for two people to be synergistic. You know if they ignored the warning something could happen.”

“Like what?”

“What if both could eat no lean? It would be chaos.”

“I still don’t get it.”

“There wouldn’t be enough food available, and maybe both would starve.”

“Now I get it.”

“You do?”

“Yes. You’re nuts.”

Friday – John – AKA – TGIF

June 23, 2017June 14, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 54 Comments

Friday here in the UK and eight hours from now it will be Saturday eve in the US. Been real busy seeing everything Edinburgh has to offer and will be moving up North to Port Soy. Port Soy is the home of my maternal grandmother and we will get an idea of where she spent her youth. Our MacKay family history on my mother’s side is steeped in tradition. Clan MacKay can trace its history back to 1210 when the first recorded chief was born. Since that time it has been a matter of clan wars, land gained, land lost, castles built, castles sacked, and service to various kings and queens once the British conquered Scotland. Here is the Tartan, Crest, and Coat of Arms