Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

April 24, 2020April 23, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 86 Comments

“You know I’m going to miss this old grass.”
“Please. The new is so much better.”
“We have a lot of memories together.”
“You’re killing me.”

Here we are rounding third base heading for home on the week. The weekend is almost upon us. It might be a good time to change into something more comfortable and relax. (Hahahaha. quarantine humor ) I don’t know about you, but I’m having a difficult time selecting something to wear. It doesn’t make sense to spend time on putting on something no one, but your cellmate will see. So the choices boil down to shorts and a t-shirt. I do get a different color for each day. I know, I know a bit OCD of me. Let’s put it this way; if I didn’t select a different color each day after a week, I would have to burn what I wore the last seven days. So my color choices are a rotation device. How did I get on this subject anyway?

If you have stopped by on Thursday, you know that the new grass installation has begun. We are replacing St. Augustine with Zorro Zoysia. We need a lawn that will stand up to the thundering paws of Lucy and Twiggy. We also need some shade tolerance and grass that can sustain a certain level of minimum watering. St Augustine is none of the things. We had counted on our landscaper to install something to meet our needs, but he chose the wrong grass. He is replacing the severely damaged part, but we are buying the new sod needed to complete the yard. It didn’t make sense to have two types of grass or fair to make him pay for the part that is somewhat okay.

I still have concerns about opening the economy too soon. I can understand the need to get the country back to work, but I hope folks have learned a self-protection process and will follow it. There is so little we know about the spread of COVID-19, and no widespread testing available, I think it will be up to the individual to stay safe. Today’s JohnKu talks about individual responsibility. I hope you all have a super weekend.

We need protection,
From those supposed leaders . . .
Make our own choices.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

April 10, 2020April 9, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 67 Comments

It is Friday for sure. You can count on me. I looked at the calendar to verify. I just thought about all of the workers who used to go to the workplace. This whole individual isolation thing has given you a shot of what we permanently at home types have been facing for years. Take Friday, for instance. I’m sure it meant some kind of marker that made you feel good to be facing a weekend. Right now, that marker is pretty blurred. Maybe Friday used to be pizza night. Well, no need for that right now. Whatever Friday used to mean, I have faith that sooner or later, it’s meaning will return. Look on the bright side. These days your commute from the bedroom to your workspace is the same even though it’s Friday. On the plus side, you don’t have to sit in traffic looking at someone ahead of you who is towing a boat, obviously heading for a fun weekend on the lake. Yes, there is that.

My WIP (The Eternal Road – The Final Stop) came back from the editor, and I have been working on the synopsis. This requires taking 85,000 plus words and distilling them down to 800. Yeah just shoot me.

I will begin the query process next week. As I’ve said before, I’m not going to take a long time at the query but will give it a shot. The story is very different so who knows.

Today’s JohnKu discusses the idea of nothing ventured nothing gained. I hope you all have a good weekend and that you and your families stay healthy.

We all want something,

That takes a degree of risk . . .

Go for the first step.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

March 27, 2020March 26, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

“What makes Friday a bath day, Mom.”
“I don’t want to hear the answer Little One.”

Another Friday here in Shelter in Place Land. The eve of the weekend doesn’t seem so special except for all of you work at homers who come Saturday can finally bake cookies, wash the car, and mow the lawn without guilt. Nothing worse than having that lawnmower noise in the background when the boss calls at 2:00 PM to see how you are doing.

One beautiful thing is when the meeting planner decides to do a face time meeting, all you need is a shirt. You can keep the bottom jammies out of sight.

A question. Is it my imagination or does the FedEx guy stare at the bunny slippers when you answer the door?

So I’ve been working at home since 2012 and have a few tips for those of you who would normally go into work each day.

Get dressed. It doesn’t matter what you wear just get dressed in something different than what you wore to bed.
Comb whatever hair you have.
Shave at least every other day if you would normally do that daily.
Go outside for at least a half-hour.
Do not watch TV during the day time.
Eat three meals a day, not just one long meal.
Separate work hours from leisure hours.
Talk to your family before work hours and after work hours. (one bonus is meeting them for lunch which you could rarely do)
Don’t tell your boss how much you love working from home.
Do some facetime with work cohorts. It will keep you informed.

Today’s JohnKu talks about our situation, not being unique. There is some comfort in that idea. I hope you all have a great weekend and stay healthy.

The boat is the same,

Everywhere throughout the world. . .

We are together.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

March 20, 2020March 19, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 93 Comments

“Okay, Lucy. It’s Friday ruckus time.”
“Whisper Little One, Whisper.”

With all the news of social distancing and the crazy swings of the stock market, this week seemed like a never-ending stream of bad news. Well, now we are eight hours to at least some time to take it easy. You may be at home working all week, and now is the time to pitch all that and head for the patio, backyard, or even a walk around the block. If spring has not arrived in your area, then maybe it’s time to play some board games or even binge-watch something you have always wanted to see. Yeah, you could also read a book. 😁 The point is to separate your weekend self from your working self. You’ve earned it.

This week I made the decision to stop going out. I’m in the high-risk age group (At the upper end) and have underlying medical issues. I have had a compromised immune system for the last ten years and have been able to stay healthy. I learned to wash my hands and be very careful. Unfortunately, I have seen some folks totally disregard the CDC warnings, and I can no longer trust that my efforts will be enough to stay healthy.

Instead of working out at the gym, I am now riding my bike. Our daughter has decided to stop coming for Sunday dinner since she believes it too risky. I have to respect her mature attitude, but I can’t say it is a pleasant prospect. I know she will miss visiting and can’t help but be proud of her choice.

Today’s JohnKu contemplates the new realities of life. I hope you all have a great weekend and will keep yourself safe.

Stay six feet apart,

No more than ten in a group . . .

Sanitize those hands.

Cover that pesky sneeze,

Don’t forget the Clorox wipes . . .

All this, too, shall pass.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

March 13, 2020March 12, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 84 Comments

“Ah, Friday in the sun. Pretty great huh, Twiggy?”
“What did the DOW do today?”

Another week almost finished. It has been one lollapalooza too. I wonder if the news could get any worse. ( I suppose if we hang around long enough it will get worse) I think with all that’s going on it is time to count blessings. I don’t think any good can come from continuing to dwell on all that is going south.

Let me see.

I’m sitting on the patio writing this post and I can smell the scent of the mountain laurel.

The crossvines have started to bloom.

The cardinals are all singing at once.

The pups are enjoying the weather.

The temperature is 74 degrees with a high of 79 today.

There will be a meatloaf sandwich for lunch with potato chips.

I still have the mental capacity to write.

I’m still working on my WIP. (Back from the editor.)

Got word the landscaper is going to replace all the sod. (If he’s still in business after the financial meltdown. Oops there I go not thinking positively again.)The sod didn’t do well. Had a case of cinch bugs when installed.

Going to watch a recorded episode of NCIS tonight.

Got some new bottle brush topiary style potted shrubs

The new pots (for the bushes) arrive today along with a new hose.

I feel better already. Todays’ JohnKu talks about where to focus when things seem out of control. I hope you have a great weekend.

When it seems doubtful,

That living can be normal . . .

Think of your blessings.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

March 6, 2020March 5, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 54 Comments

Here we are another week in the history books. The week was marked with some unexpected results in the Democratic Super Tuesday primary. Also, the Federal Reserve cut the interest rate on Fed funds by half a point. This was the first such cut since 2008.

No matter the results of the primary and the low cost of borrowing the Coronavirus keeps on coming. As long as it remains a mystery of containment the financial markets are going to continue to be uncertain. An old sage once said to me, “Don’t worry about the value of a portfolio unless you are planning to sell.”

I take comfort in that advice since I have no plans to sell anything. Hopefully when I do have plans to sell things like Coronavirus will be long forgotten. In the meantime, keep calm and wash your hands.

Today’s JohnKu takes another look at fear with the idea of putting it into perspective. I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend.

The news is not good,

Markets falling, deaths rising . . .

Control your own space.

Avoid larger groups,

Continue to wash your hands . . .

Don’t look at your stocks.

You have no control,

Over markets and disease . . .

You can control panic.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

February 21, 2020February 20, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 79 Comments

“Hey, Lucy. It’s Friday. Want to play?”
“Calamari?”
“Yup.”
“Toss the squid.”
“I don’t have an opposable thumb.”
“Run it over then.”

Another week rolls along. Eight more hours, and we can all jump into a giant container of our favorite coping substance.

This has been a pretty quiet week. I have pretty much tended to the blog, and that’s about all.

I am trying to put together some data that can be used to query agents. One of the cardinal rules of a query is you must tailor the information to match the specific needs of the agent. This means that a wholesale generalized query letter will probably hit the trash. I am doing the research now. Also, I’m working on a blurb and synopsis.

None of what I’m doing will be a waste should I decide to go ahead and self-publish again. So I look upon the work as necessary.

We had some much-needed rain this week. It was the gentle stuff that does some good as opposed to the frog strangler type, which just ends up flooding the low lands.

After a couple of days of fewer reported cases of the Coronavirus, yesterday saw an increase. Of course, the stock market responded to the fear. Since a vaccine is twelve months off, we all need to be mindful of the basics of prevention. This is true for the flu as well as Coronavirus. 1. Wash hands a lot, especially if you frequent public areas. 2. Sneeze or cough into a tissue or your sleeve. 3. Get the rest you need. 4. Wear a quality germ mask if you have to fly.

Today’s JohnKu talks about personal responsibility in staying well. I hope you all have a great weekend.

The government is,

able to do just so much . . .

We need to take charge.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

February 14, 2020February 13, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 77 Comments

“You going to play with that squid, Little One?”
“For some reason, I’m thinking of Calamari for dinner.”

Happy Valentine’s Day. Another Friday and a reason to celebrate. Only eight more hours until Saturday Eve. This week seemed to go pretty fast at least for me.

On the WIP, I’m very glad to say the manuscript is in the editor’s hands. Once done, I have a decision to make. Do I self publish again for the sixth time or do I try to find an agent? I guess one of the deciding factors will be how much I think the story will resonate with an agent. Another is just how much rejection and time currency am I willing to spend. This thought of agent representation always comes to me at tax time when I get a chance to look at the amount of royalties I earn vs the amount of money I spend. I don’t think I’m alone in this conundrum. We shall see.

This week also witnessed the arrival of the tree trimmers. We asked our neighbors if they would be willing to trim the trees that rub our roof. Two said yes. Two said no. So we hired trimmers to take out the tree limbs that cross our property line on the ones that said no. All is good.

This week’s JohnKu talks about why we write. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Is it the money?

Or maybe some other thing . . .

That holds us captive.

If it’s the money,

Is it Income or outflow?

A big conundrum.

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

February 7, 2020February 6, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 54 Comments

Lucy and Twiggy — “Dad will you please tell Twiggy it is Friday.”
“It’s Friday, Twiggy.”
“I think Mom should weigh in.”

Well, the week is almost over. Eight more hours, and it will be weekend eve.

Quite a week, actually. The Superbowl was an excellent game. For one who had no allegiance to either team, I certainly found the game better than the commercials. That last nine minutes was almost classic in its come from behind drama. For those who don’t know what I’m talking about, let me just say there was some exceptional teamwork displayed that allowed the losing team (Kansas City) to pass the leading organization (San Francisco) to win the game.

The Iowa Democratic caucus blew up with a new, untested app. It amazes me that no one thought to really test this app in live conditions. The voters and volunteers who worked hard on the campaigns were the losers in this fiasco. Of course, a couple of candidates said they won. The usual conspiracy theorists were also out in force, blaming everyone except maybe the Russians for the mess.

We had the State of the Union address with all the usual manure piles being thrown around. A lot of immature children were without supervision that night, and it is clear party politics will continue to throttle progress.

This week also saw Donald Trump acquitted of the two impeachment charges brought by the house. My summary of the whole thing is a partisan move by the house was offset by a partisan move by the Senate for a sum zero gain at a pretty healthy cost. Of course, the vitriol remans. I was shocked to read one blogger wish the Coronavirus on the Senate leadership and the President. Another thought payback against Democrats would be a good thing. Come on, folks. Don’t match the juvenile behavior in Washington with the same out here in real life.

It is really time for Americans to come together more than ever. Hatred should live elsewhere and not in our own town.

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

It starts very small,

Then rolls on out of control . . .

To poison us all.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

January 31, 2020January 30, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

Twiggy and Lucy TGIF — “Hey, you two.”
“What dad?”
“It’s Friday. You should be out playing.”
“We’re working up to it. We decided on no sudden moves today.”

The week seems to have flown by. Not sure why. Maybe it is because it has been a busy one.

I have received most of the beta reader comments on my WIP. I have been very pleased with the quality of the suggestions. Beta-reader comments are seldom a surprise to me because they usually are directed at a part of the story that was bothersome when it was written. It sure helps to have another set of eyes look at the work.

All of the beta readers enjoyed the story which makes life worth living. I am now waiting for the final comments and then will finalize the MS and send it to the editor.

I am very grateful for the support and attention to detail that each beta-reader gave. You have my gratitude.

All else is good. I am currently beta reading a memoir written by a well known New York antique dealer. It is a fascinating story of the NYC celebrity scene from the 50s to the 90s.

We finally got some much-needed rain that was more than a misty sprinkle. Hopefully, more is on the way.

Today’s JohnKu talks about how we look at life. I hope you have a fabulous weekend.

When you see a glass,

Do you ever ask yourself. . .

Half-full or empty?