Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF Bailey Visits

August 31, 2018August 30, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 48 Comments

Another Friday is here and time to reflect on the week. I am happy to report the doc has released me to driving and outpatient physical therapy. This means that I hit all my mobility targets and am no longer on a walker. I still have a cane but expect that to go quickly. I am also pleased that I no longer need the pain meds and have a bit of a clearer mind. I am still not back to snuff on endurance so there might still be some photo opportunities that go by the wayside. We will just have to see. I know Bailey is a little put out she has not had a chance to stand in as a spokesdog. Perhaps this Sunday will be her turn.

Thank you all for your encouragement and good wishes. I can’t imagine how it would have been without you.

Today’s JohnKu talks about support. It is essential for all of us to help each other through those challenges that we are bound to face. Have a great weekend.

When the ocean turns,

From calm to deadly riptide. . .

A firm hand a joy.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF and a Guest Interview at Janice Spina’s

August 24, 2018August 23, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 48 Comments

Today I am very pleased to be featured in an interview on Janice Spina’s blog. As you know, Janice is an award-winning author, reviewer, editor, and blogger. Go here for the interview and stay a little while to get an idea of all of Janice’s talents.

Also,

Friday is here and seems like a century since last week’s post. I guess that is life when you only do PT for ten hours a day. I have two home health care specialists who visit to monitor my progress. The physical therapist comes every day and the nurse twice a week.

I’m pleased to say the exercises although painful are producing results. To describe what is needed, think laying on your back and pulling your foot across the surface until your heel touches your butt. At that point, your leg is bent about 130 degrees. Today I am at 120 degrees which is darned good at this stage. Like every good Type A, I want to get to 130 degrees before my follow-up appointment on the 28th. Why? Because I think the doctor will lift restrictions and I can go back to riding my bike again. It has only been twelve days since the operation but one can hope.

Today’s JohnKu talks about a winning mindset. Have a good weekend

Everyone can win,

No matter how hard the goal . . .

If desire is high.

Friday – JohnKu – AKA – TGIF and Update

August 17, 2018August 16, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 112 Comments

Well, it is Friday, and usually, I give Y’all some kind of update on whats going on. I will be very brief but think you should know how the surgery went. I had a small hiccup last Friday in that my Cardiologist didn’t like what he was seeing on the EKG done by the preop internist. He wanted to do one himself. This meant we had to drive to San Antonio (158 miles) Monday morning leaving the house at 7:30. Long story short we made the appointment and the EKG was excellent. We actually had some time left over to go to Costco thus eliminating a second trip.

I checked into the hospital and by 4:00 I am the proud owner of a new knee. I never asked what kind of knee so when people ask I say, “Stromberg 97.” For those in the know, that s the name of a carburetor popular in the late 50s. (yes, we are talking hot rod and mine had two under the hood. I was raised in Detroit after all.)

I came home yesterday after two nights and am now doing physical therapy at home with a tech who arrives each day. I am restricted on activities until the follow-up appointment with the surgeon on August 28th. The treatment takes about ten hours a day so you can imagine there isn’t much time. I’m writing this with my leg elevated and knee surrounded by ice packs. That is about the only free time there is.

As you can see (I hope) I am visiting your posts. I don’t intend to pick mine back up just yet. I have lovely medication, but it does leave me a little slow on the creative side.

So today’s JohnKu celebrates the skill and knowledge of those folks who cared for me and the concern you have expressed throughout the week. Thank you, and I hope you have a great weekend.

A wish by John W.Howell

That is all it takes,

One wish expressed from the heart. . .

Alleviates fear.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

August 10, 2018August 9, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 83 Comments

Friday is here, and we can look forward to a super weekend.

I want to let you all know that I will be taking a sabbatical from my blog, twitter, and Facebook beginning Tuesday, August 14th. My last post will be on Monday.

My leave is due to a needed knee replacement procedure on Monday, August 13th. I’ll be hospitalized for at least two days. I’m not sure how long my absence will be but want you to know, so you won’t wonder where I went. I don’t think I’ll be stopping by to leave comments on your posts until I’m sure my brain is clear. There is nothing worse than having to apologize for an incoherent response with the phrase, “That was the oxycodone talking.”

I hope my absence won’t be too long but in situations like this one never knows.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Today’s JohnKu talks about absence. Have a great weekend.

We appreciate,

Those we are used to seeing . . .

And miss when absent.

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

August 3, 2018August 2, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 59 Comments

Ah, weekend eve. This week seems to have been a long one for some reason. I guess it might be the work being done on home projects and trying to balance work on the WIP. Sometimes it makes the days a little longer and the nights a little shorter. All in all the week felt slow, and I’m not complaining. Something about taking things slow seems to work out.

The weather has continued to be hot and humid, but that’s what it is every summer here. The tourists are behaving themselves for the most part. Last night there was some kind of firework extravaganza on the beach. Since they are illegal here, I hope the police cracked down. The noise stopped abruptly so maybe that was why.

Other than that everything has been pretty quiet.

Todays JohnKu talks about the tedious aspect of ordinary. I hope you have a super weekend.

When things are normal,

We may take it for granted. . .

Until the deluge.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

July 27, 2018July 26, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 63 Comments

The week has been a quick one for sure. We continue to have hot and humid days here on the Texas Coast. Of course, people always ask, “So what did you expect?” I think to some degree they are right. Having lived in San Antonio during the summer, one cannot expect snow in August.

When the heat gets really bad, I tend to think back to the times when there was no air conditioning. I always wonder how folks could bear to sleep in temperatures above eighty degrees. I did it for two nights when the electricity was out during Hurricane Harvey, and I can double dog guarantee doing it for a longer time wouldn’t make it any easier.

I think our technology allows us to exist in areas where we probably should avoid. Also, that is the beauty of technology. Allowing expansion into areas that would otherwise be inhabitable. Today’s JohnKu talks about human destiny. I hope you have a super weekend.

From the earliest,

Humans have sought to expand . . .

Where is the boundary?

Friday – JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

July 20, 2018July 19, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 70 Comments

Twiggy — “Hey, Dad. We doing this screened porch project or not?”

Friday is here, and for all who must carry the yoke of employment, there are only about eight hours in this work week. Since you have come this far, you can certainly make it to the finish. At least it is hoped.

I made some progress on the WIP which is always a good thing. The rest of the projects for the week were pretty much around keeping up with the blog, e-mails and some projects around the house.

I find when working on projects, the idea is to set a goal much like I do with writing. One such project is cleaning the last of the hurricane debris out of the screens on the porch. I have twelve panels that have to be removed from their frames, cleaned and replaced. The structures then need to be painted where necessary and everything put back.

So rather than try to do them all in a day (about 12 hours) which would mean a total loss of a writing day, I decided to do one per. In this way, twelve days and the entire job will be done. I have to admit it does take a little negotiating to make sure the time frame is in keeping with the head of the house. Happy to say, it is. Today’s JohnKu talks about the demands of time.

This to do and that,

Trying to find enough time . . .

Need to allocate.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

July 6, 2018July 5, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 32 Comments

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.

Compared to the noise,

That always disturbed our sleep . . .

The silence was blessed.

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

June 29, 2018June 29, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 59 Comments

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.

Sitting on the porch,

Choking on fire starter fumes. . .

Wishing it would rain.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

June 15, 2018June 14, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 36 Comments

It is Friday again and time to look forward to a little bit of rest. This has been a busy week. Gwen Plano and I have been a guest on some remarkable blogs this week. We are so grateful for the support that we have received and do thank everyone who has been generous enough to share their precious blog space with us. Since I have been reblogging them, you know who they are. Our promotion goes one more week so you will see some interesting places to visit.

Today’s JohnKu talks to the idea that we authors are a lonely bunch who cannot thrive alone. It is a paradox that consistently tells us to appreciate those who are willing to help. We should also be reminded to give back to those who assist us when they are in such need. Have a safe and happy weekend.

We think we have strength,

To work a problem alone. . .

Until we have help.