Tag: fiction favorites

Sunday – Views of the Neighborhood

~ John W. Howell ~ 42 Comments

Today I want to take you on a quick tour of the Marine Science Education Center

 

Pictured is the education center located on the grounds of the Marine Science Institute here in Port Aransas.

The University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute is the oldest and most significant marine research facility on the Texas coast. The Institute is dedicated to the three central functions of a major university, research, education, and outreach, as they apply to the Texas coastal zone and other marine environments. As an organized research unit, the primary goal of the Marine Science Institute is to improve understanding of the marine environment through rigorous scientific investigations.

 

This is the plaque at the base of the sculpture titled, Interdependency. The sculpture contains over fifty marine species and symbolizes the interdependent nature of our marine world.

 

 

Inside the Educational Center are a number of interactive exhibits designed to explain the mysteries of the coastal zone.

 

For example here is a game teaching where fish are found in the Gulf. The lighthouse mural on the right is named the Lydia Ann lighthouse.

 

There is a telescope inside the center so that you can look at the Lydia Ann lighthouse. I took a photo through the telescope and you can see it off in the distance.

There are also interactive displays.

 

Here is a fishing boat on the bay with a little pond filled with fish that can be caught with a magnet on a rod (yes,the fish have a metal spot with which you have to connect)

Here’s what the boat looks like loaded with tourists (actually my family – daughters and grandkids)

 

There is so much more to see and feel but we are just about out of time. Here is an aerial view so you can get an idea of how large.

 

 

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Break/Brake”

~ John W. Howell ~ 32 Comments

 

 

Stream Of Consciousness SaturdayIt is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This week’s prompt is “Break/Brake.” Linda Hill says we can use one or the other or both. I usually go for broke (past tense of break? huh? maybe?) and I will try them both. Wish me luck

If you would like to join in here is the link to Linda’s site, and there you will get all the information you need to make a fool out of yourself.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS May 21/16

Break/Brake by John W. Howell © 2016

“Okay, gang let’s take a break.”

“Whew, boss its about time to put the brake on overtime.”

“What’s the matter Shultz. A little work will break you?”

“Naw sir. I just think this twelve-hour stuff needs a brake to slow it down for a while.”

“What kind of brake do you have in mind?”

“Well, we could all pitch in and work a little harder and maybe even avoid the afternoon coffee break.”

“Give me a break Shultz. You know the union will kick my ass if I ask y’all to skip a break.”

“Well, it’s been six weeks since I’ve seen my kid. I get up before him and arrive after he’s gone to bed. This kind of schedule will break my home life.”

“You the only one feeling this way? Anyone else need a brake applied to the hours of work?”

“I don’t know, but if we don’ get a break, there will be a massive brake on my love life.”

“Yeah, well we don’t need to go there. Pull the brake handle on that talk.”

“I guess I’m the only one not willing to trade living for money. Okay, break time is almost over, and I can see there’ll be no brake on the work hours.”

“Here’s one for you. Why not take a full-time break? You know cash out.”

“Love to boss, but there’s way too many bills to pay and how do I put a brake on them if I’m on a full’time break.”

“So we are finished with the break/brake discussion?”

“Yup break’s over. Thanks for your concern boss.”

Friday JohnKU – AKA TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 34 Comments

 

Happy Friday

This week was quite unusual. On Sunday night and half of Monday, we had monsoon rains. Our total accumulation for the twelve-hour period was over five inches. The quantity of rain caused a lot of flooding in Corpus Christi. We were lucky when the ponds overflowed their banks, only about six inches of water rose into the street.  None in the house. Of course, the repair that I had done for a leak in the garage will need to be redone. Still leaks. The contractor was very responsive and will redo the repair next week. Beyond that, the week was pretty standard. The pace was fast and the time went like the wind.

Today’s JohnKu talks about the unexpected. I hope you all have a great weekend.

Unexpected by John W. Howell © 2016

Things that are not planned,

Come in without a welcome…

Leave a mess behind.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Interview on RAVE WAVES BlogTalkRadio with Blaire Sharpe #RRBC

~ John W. Howell ~ 8 Comments

Blog talk radio image.unnamed

I am pleased to have as my interview guest on RAVE WAVES “SPOTLIGHT HONORS” Blaire Sharpe the author of Not Really Gone an incredible memoir.

Clip art Blaire

Not Really Gone

The show begins at 11:00 am Central time today. Here is all the information

Welcome to RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB’S BlogTalkRadio Production of RAVE WAVES “SPOTLIGHT HONORS,” where Host, John W. Howell, is joined by AUTHOR, BLAIRE SHARPE. We will be discussing her memoir, “NOT REALLY GONE.” Join us as we explore this book and become better acquainted with the author.

Here is Blaire’s contact information

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBlaireSharpe/

Her Website address:   www.blairesharpe.com

Her Twitter Handle: @BlaireSharpe

 

This segment of SPOTLIGHT HONORS is being sponsored by NONNIE JULES, the author of “IF ONLY THERE WAS MUSIC.”

1If Only There Was Music book cover (1)

If you’d like to know how you can get your own recorded commercial to air during one of our shows, please visit the RRBC site.

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

~ John W. Howell ~ 43 Comments

College meme

 

Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we saw the unthinkable situation where Mrs. Worthe is pretty much taking control of Ben’s life. She insisted that Ben come to her house to recover. The only good thing about this situation is Ben will be able to keep his eye on the family for Father Lightfoot. (Raymond) Let’s go and see how Ben gets settled. (Yes we are jumping right to Mrs. Worthe’s house)

“Now Ben you can consider Mi casa Su casa.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Worthe. I was just wondering.”
“Wondering what Ben dear?”
“I was wondering if Father Lightfoot will be able to visit?”
“Why on earth do you want him to visit? You’re Jewish for heaven’s sake.”
“I know, but he is such a comfort. I think there is only one God after all.”
“You got something going with Raymond?”
“Please, Mrs. Worthe. I’m engaged to Alexis.”
“Yeah well, that may no be for long.”
“W-what are you saying?”
“Alexis is a pretty determined person. She does not suffer losers lightly.”
“Has she said anything?”
“She hasn’t been in to see you has she?”
“No. I thought she was away.”
“Why did you think that?”
“I don’t know. it was the only explanation for not coming in to see me.”
“There you are, Ben. There’s another reason which has escaped your pea brain.”
“She wants to break up?”
“Bingo. We have a winner, winner chicken dinner.”
“Damn. I did not expect that reaction from her.”
“You mean you expected her to hang out with a broke college student who shoots himself?”
“I thought we had a special relationship.”
“Sure you did, Ben. As long as it looked like you may have ten million dollars it was special.”
“Okay, Mrs. Worthe. You win. You win it all. I’m here under your thumb, and my fiancée doesn’t have the guts to come in and tell me we are through. Shows what a loser I am. I need to talk to Raymond and try to find another place to stay.”
“I wouldn’t be mentioning thumb if I were you, Ben. You are going nowhere. Do you have your phone?”
“Huh. Let me check. Where is it?”
“Right here. Now be a good boy and take a nap and maybe later I’ll let you talk to your precious Raymond.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #77

~ John W. Howell ~ 34 Comments

As you know, I’m a fan of prompts. Keith Channing has a prompt each week and in his words here is what it is all about.

“Using this photo (Below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr 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 – for reasons I have yet to fathom, pingbacks don’t seem to be working.

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.”

Here is the photo.

Kreative Kue #

“Hello, Nanu base. Come in.”

“This is Nanu base. Who is this?”

“This is Rubber Ducky One reporting in.”

“Let me see. Rubber Ducky One. Oh yes, I see you were launched in sub-lunar year six.”

“That is correct, and I have landed.”

“Roger that Rubber Ducky One. That was one hundred lifetimes ago. Do you know where you are?”

“I think I’m on the Earth but can’t verify.”

“What makes you think you are on the Earth.”

“There is a lot of water, and I can see land up ahead.”

“Okay, that could be any planet in the system.”

“How about this. I can see a moon in the sky which is blue.”

“The moon is blue?”

“Negative. The sky is blue.”

“Can you reach land?”

“Yes. I have put on my putter-putter and am heading there now. Oh oh.”

“Is there a problem Rubber Ducky One?”

“There is a creature in the water just ahead of me.”

“Can you identify?”

“I’m going to take a chance and say it is a human.”

“How do you know?”

“I’m looking at my Earth creature identification chart and this creature has a dorsal fin and enormous teeth.”

“And you say it is human.”

“Yes. There is a picture of one here and it is labeled with the term lawyer. In checking the index, lawyers are an occupational subset of the human race.”

“Maybe you could offer food and start a friendly discussion.”

“I wonder what they eat?”

Ten Things Not to Say to a Cocktail Party Guest

~ John W. Howell ~ 36 Comments

 

Cocktail PartyThe inspiration for this list came after attending some parties recently.  Although I’m not a psychologist I can only surmise the individuals I happened to run into were behaving in an abnormal manner. In searching for truth, I Googled social disorders and came upon “Cocktail Party Guest” and the explanation became clear. I hope you enjoy the list. If you are at times, a cocktail party guest know this list is with love.

10 If you happen to talk to a cocktail party guest, do not say.”How are you?” If you do at best, you will only have to stand for ten or so minutes for the rundown. At worst, you will be forced to take the person home with you since you now are forced into the position of Good Samaritan. (You had hoped they would say, “Fine,” like everyone else didn’t you?)

9 If you happen to talk to a cocktail party guest, do not admit you are a writer. If you do, at best the person will tell you some stories they are going to write. At worst, you will be forced into a corner and have to admit the person reminds you of Ernest Hemingway. (Of course, maybe one of those stories will be your next novel)

8 If you happen to talk to a cocktail party guest, do not mention your last vacation. If you do, At best you will have to attempt to get away after the second holiday story. At worst, you will watch your ice melt as you go on a verbal tour of all the continents. (Don’t you wish a trap door would open and drop you ten stories to the furnace room.)

7 If you happen to talk to a cocktail party guest, do not ask what they do. If you do, at best they will try to convince you they own the city. At worst, they will be in the selling profession and won’t let you go until you sign up for a cleaning product pyramid scheme. (Wasn’t this the project that you read about where all the officers of the company went to jail?)

6 If you happen to talk to a cocktail party guest, do not ask where they live. If you do, at best they will assume you are trying to type their social/economic status. At worst, the person will believe that you are a cat burglar and have designs on their jewels and money. (In each, case you didn’t get an answer and the latter begs the question,  did you enjoy the police escort home?)

5 If you happen to talk to a cocktail party guest, do not be the first to mention your kids. If you do, at best, the person has you outnumbered by a factor of two children. At worst, the person you are talking to has just returned from Washington where they witnessed the President giving their child the Student of the Year award. (Man, it could not get any more humiliating than that huh, Bunky?)

4 If you happen to talk to a cocktail party guest, do not raise a political point. If you do, at best the person is a political science professor at the college, and you are in for a pretty long evening. At worst, the person is a member of a splinter group who have as a mission the destruction of the two-party system. (How do you feel going home with your very own AK 47 gift)

3 If you happen to talk to a cocktail guest, do not admit you know nothing about Doctor No or Marvel Comic characters. If you do, at best you will need to find someone else with which to talk. At worst, the person will take the next three hours providing the background and an in-depth synopsis of every episode or character. (Remember to relax your knees now and then, so you don’t pass out.)

2 If you happen to talk to a cocktail party guest, do not make a negative comment about the party. If you do, at best the person will disagree and then tell the host. At worst, you will make your unfortunate comments to the unknown spouse of the host who just happens to play golf once a week with your boss. (That meeting with the boss on Monday might be a little tense hey Bud?)

1 If you happen to talk to a cocktail guest, do not keep calling them by the wrong name. If you do, at best the fourth correction will verify you are an idiot. At worst, unbeknownst to you, this person has been hired by the company you work for to come in and weed out the deadwood. (You may not be too old to find another job. Yeah Right?)

Sunday – Views of the Neighborhood

~ John W. Howell ~ 46 Comments

The idea for this post started with a search for the town alligator. Normally the Alligator does not come out while there are people around unless they have little toddlers or small dogs with them. Since it was midweek and I was alone, I did not expect to see anything on my visit to our birding center. So come along with me and we’ll try to find the alligator. I can’t guarantee anything and hope you enjoy the tour.

There’s the sign post up ahead.

 

Yes, there are warning signs which hold promise.

 

The city wants you to know this is a serious place and there is no room for horseplay.

 

Whoops. I think we better let this one go by.

 

Here are the birds we can expect to see. (you can click for a larger size)

 

 

Here are the animals which call the bird center home.

 

Now on to Alligator country. Watch your step.

 

Looks kind of swampy around here.

 

Look, some birds.

 

They are tough to see from a distance. I wish I had brought a telephoto lens. Wait look!

 

It’s a telescope like you would find in New York. I don’t have a quarter. Looking closer it is free! Here is a shot through it.

 

Looks like a few Loons. We need to quit fooling around and find that Alligator.

Here is a bridge to somewhere.

 

Watch your step. I would hide that pet chicken if I were you. (No pets remember?)

 

I’ll be darned there she is. (yes this is a female) Papa is obviously out doing something.

Well, we found the Alligator so I think our trip was a success. Hope you enjoyed it.

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt Two letter Word

~ John W. Howell ~ 40 Comments

Stream Of Consciousness SaturdayIf I thought other prompts were unusual, Linda has set up one of the strangest. The idea is to start today’s post with a two letter word. There is extra credit for ending the post with a two letter word as well. Well, I started it with the word “If.” Let’s see if I can end the whole thing with a two letter word as well. (I really want extra credit) If you would like to have some fun as well go to Linda’s site and read how. Here’s the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS May 14/16

Two letter Prompt by John W. Howell © 2016

“So, what do you have planned today?”

“I’m not sure. I think I would like to catch some TV.”

“TV? It is such a beautiful day, you should go outside.”

“No. I think I should stay in here where it’s cool. You sound like my mother did when I was a kid.”

“Me? Your mother? That’s a laugh. Of course, sometimes you need someone to keep you in line.”

“I’m sure you think that, but I’m capable of taking care of myself.”

“Oh. Sure you are. Tell me what you had for breakfast?”

“If you call what I had at eleven o’clock breakfast, I had cold pizza.”

My, my. Sounds like a full and upright breakfast to me.”

So, you tell me what is wrong with pizza.”

“Ok. Let’s start with the fat content and move through the carbs all the way to the nitrates.”

“If I had any concern about fat I would give it to you. I don’t care about fat. It is good.”

“In moderation, you should say.”

“No. I think it is okay in any old quantity. What’s the matter you look confused?”

“I’m thinking.”

“So this is new for you?”

“As you can see I am thinking about a problem of mine.”

“We can figure it out whatever it is.”

“I’m not sure. You see I have to end this post with a two letter word.”

“At whose insistence?”

” To get extra credit from Linda Hill’s SoCS prompt.”

“It has come to me how to end in a two letter word.”

“Oh, I would be so grateful if you could tell me how.”

“It is simple. I’ll ask a question that will end in two letters.”

“I’m in your hands. Ask away.”

“Do you love me?”

 

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 44 Comments

Friday the 13th

Another work week has slipped by us all.  Friday is upon us once again and with it the promise of deserved rest over the weekend. Of course, if you are like me there is a complete list of things to do just waiting. Those of you who have regular jobs probably think us loafing full-time writers have all kinds of time to get those little home chores done during the week.

I have seen the looks at Lowes. “You look retired. What the hell are you doing here on the weekend? Why don’t you give us workers a break and stay the hell home.” That was the look put down in words. I have an answer. There never is enough time during the week to get those tiny tasks done. After all, there are posts to write, edits to do, new fiction to invent, new google research topics, coffee to drink, and tweets to publish. I haven’t even mentioned the dogs to walk, the bike to ride and photo’s to be taken I DESERVE TO GO TO LOWES ON THE WEEKEND JUST AS MUCH AS THE NEXT PERSON.

Whew. I had to get that off my chest. The truth is I just can’t imagine going to Lowes during the week. I would miss the crowds, the lack of checkers, the unavailable help, and the general feeling of accomplishment just getting out of the place with half of what I went there to buy. So I’ll still truck to Lowes on the weekend to check in with my fellow do it your selfers (yes,  I know that is not a word) and revel in our mutual bond of misery. Why change? Oh, and the John Ku this week asks a question about change. Hope you like it.

Change by John W. Howell © 2016

Comfortable us,

Satisfied that all is good. . .

Is change to be feared?