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.

Hatred by John W. Howell © 2020

It starts very small,

Then rolls on out of control . . .

To poison us all.

 

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.

Outlook by John W. Howell © 2020

When you see a glass,

Do you ever ask yourself. . .

Half-full or empty?

 

The last Friday of 2019 has arrived. It is hard to believe that 51 of them have preceded this one. The good news is that there are now 52 more getting ready to be issued as soon as the new year turns over.

I hope you all are having or had a great holiday. I managed to keep to a timetable and am just about finished with the final edit before beta read on my WIP. I will be working on a blurb and will send out a call after the first of the year. The beta will be available in three formats, MOBI, ePub, and PDF.

The beta readers will have six weeks to return comments. Since the MS is about 305 pages, this should not be a burden. If you would like to read the story, which I’m tentatively naming The Eternal Road – the Final Stop, look for the announcement on Monday, January 6th.

Today’s John Ku talks about the New Year. I hope you have a great weekend.

New Year by John W. Howell

Always great promise,

In starting over anew. . .

Old habits die hard.

 

Here it is another Friday. It is Friday before Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. It makes it a pretty important Friday for sure. It is that kind of Friday that makes you really nervous if you don’t have all the gifts bought and all the plans made. It is the kind of Friday that makes you wish you had started the holiday preparation a wee bit earlier….like October. Don’t forget there are 24 hours in a day and if you don’t need a lot of sleep, plenty of time to get everything done. Well, maybe not everything but enough, so no one will know you put off your preparations until the last second. Yeah, that’s what Friday feels like, the last second.

Todays, JohnKu talks about procrastination. I hope you have a delightful weekend getting everything done.

Last Minute by John W. Howell © 2019

Many things to do,

Not enough time to do them . . .

Why did you delay?

To really get into the spirit if you want a really great time go to Sally Cronin’s blog today. She is hosting a fabulous Christmas Wish post which features music, food and the wishes of a number of your friends and fellow authors. If you don’t visit another post today this has to be the one. https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/12/20/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-christmas-party-just-one-wish-guests-food-music-and-laughter/ 

 

Another Friday has finally graced us with its presence. I think most of us are glad to see it here. I can imagine a nightclub bouncer would not be too thrilled with Friday, but for the rest of us, it means the eve of freedom. It means the beginning of the end of the workweek. Eight hours is all that separates us from our work world and our relaxing world.

I think given all that is going on in our country these days we definitely need to spend time in the relaxing world. I’m not sure but I have to wonder who is really enjoying all the vitriol coming out of Washington. I for one have had my fill.

Today’s JohnKu talks about trying to live through stressful times.

I hope you all have a very relaxing weekend.

Living by John W. Howell © 2019

It’s not all roses,

And living can be stressful. . .

Need an inner strength.

 

Friday. So good to see your smiling face. We can celebrate making it another week. Here in Texas, we got hit by a cold front that took the wind chills down into the basement. Man, it was cold. We are not expected to get back to the 70s until next week. I know, I know you folks in the North have no sympathy. My only defense in being such a weenie is if I wanted to be chilled to the bone I would have moved to Alaska. At least I would know what is waiting for me during the winter. This year here the temps went from the 90s to the 30s overnight. No chance to get used to a gradual decline.

The WIP editing is coming along. I’m at page 223 out of 300. I also cut out about 2000 words so far and am down to 93,000. I would say I’ll be finished in another eight days or so.

This week’s JohnKu talks about having to cut precious words from a manuscript. I hope you have a great weekend.

Sacrifice by John W. Howell © 2019

You hate to do it,

The words were hard to come by . . .

Sacrifice is tough.