Views of the Neighborhood – Holiday Market Place

December 5, 2021December 5, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 91 Comments

Since this is the gift-giving season, I thought it would be fun to go shopping. The Emmaus Catholic Church here in Lakeway is having a market sale. To keep up our strength, we will be catered by Biscuits and Groovy in Austin. Our entertainment is ABBA. (Yes, we have a big music budget)

THREE BISCUIT DISHES
Made with three freshly baked buttermilk biscuits.

Biscuits + Groovy
Biscuits, gravy, sausage, pepper, chives
The Village
Biscuits, gravy, sausage, jalapenos, colby jack, pepper, chives
The Aretha
Biscuits, gravy, sausage, bacon, colby jack, pepper, chives
The Donna
Biscuits, gravy, three scrambled eggs, sausage, colby jack, pepper, chives
The Johnny
Biscuits, gravy, sausage, bacon, potatoes, colby jack, pepper, chives
The Gloria
Biscuits, gravy, three scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, jalapenos, colby jack, pepper, chives
ONE BISCUIT DISHES
The M.C. Hammer
One freshly baked buttermilk biscuit served open faced with two scrambled eggs on one side and your choice of maple bacon or sausage on the other. Topped with colby jack cheese and chives. Gravy upon request.
The Bee Gee
One freshly baked buttermilk biscuit with butter and jam (strawberry, grape, or the jam of the day)

Let’s go.

There’s the signpost up ahead

Checkout the room.

NIce displays.

Now we are talking. Santa stuff.

A portrait of your pet.

Lots of sparkles.

Bags.

Boots and leather.

Knit and crochet.

Stuffed animals.

I loved the name ‘Second Wind.’ Soaps and stuff.

Hats.

Knights of Columbus nut stand.

Louis Vuitton selections.

Oops. Looks like they are late.

There were some cars outside as well. 1959 TR3.

1972 Cheverlot Caprice convertable

1986 Porsche 951 (Turbocharged 944)

1979 MGB convertable.

I hope you enjoyed the shopping. Now relax and listen to ABBA.I hope you have a great week.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Rev

December 4, 2021December 3, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 61 Comments

Trying to concentrate on a paragraph revision of the revision that was just revised, it came to me that my mind was preoccupied with that chest sticking out of the turf in the backyard. Leaving the keyboard, I wandered over to the window just to check and make sure the chest was still there. Reaching in my pocket, I pulled the shiny key and was surprised at how warm it felt. Looking into my palm, the slight glow of the key caused me to drop it.

Picking it back up, it left what could be described as a burn mark on the floor. Making a mental note to figure out how to explain that, I headed to the yard. Approaching the chest caused the key to vibrate, confirming my original suspicion that it and the chest belong together.

Putting the key into the obvious place on the chest caused a spark, much like putting a screwdriver into an electrical outlet. Who does that? You ask. Now you know why my banned activities include electrical work. Anyway, after the spark, turning the key in the lock did not produce any results. After several revolutions, it was clear something else was needed. While scratching my head to figure out the problem, a guy in a blue uniform came up behind me. “Special delivery,” he said. The surprise caused me to jerk the key from the lock. The chest lid popped open. “Sign here,” said the guy. I did, and he handed me an envelope and left.

Wondering who would send me a special delivery letter, I ripped it open. Here is what it said. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “rev.” Use “rev” or find a word that contains it. Have fun!” It was signed “Linda.”

If you would like to have fun visit Linda Hill’s blog and read how. Here is the link. /https://lindaghill.com/2021/12/03/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-4-2021/

“So, what was in the chest?”

“Don’t know.”

“Wait a minute. What do you mean you don’t know?”

“I didn’t look.”

“For heaven’s sake. You are like cliffhanger central.”

“I think you said something like that last week.”

“Well. It’s true. We all sit here listening to your goofy monologues, and then you leave us out on a limb.”

“We only have so much time, and I had to get the prompt in there.”

“Yeah, what’s up with ‘rev’ anyway.”

“Really revs your engine, right?”

“Let’s review why.”

“Okay. I like what you did there.”

“Revolting is more the descriptor.”

“To each his own. You could reverse what you said.”

“Revitalize, you mean?”

“I can imagine your words reverberating in the halls of logic.”

“Huh?”

“You know. Your way to get revenge.”

“I’m lost, as are most of your readers.”

“Revolution is the path to clarity.”

“For me, it might be a revolver.”

“Reveal why?”

“To shoot myself in the face.”

“But that would revoke your pub privileges.”

“Thank goodness we got here. You have to buy.”

“Why?”

“So that I can revert back to a trusting human being.”

“Done.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Good News Fri Yay

December 3, 2021December 2, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 82 Comments

Good News from Mexico. The jaguar population there increased by about 800 animals from 2010 to 2018. This is according to the latest census. The news confirms that Mexico’s national strategy to protect jaguars is working.

The jaguar (Panthera onca) ranges from northern Mexico through Central America, the Amazon Basin, and northern Argentina. Before 2010 ecologists had never properly counted jaguars in Mexico, making it challenging to design a conservation program in the iconic cat’s northernmost ranges. An alliance created by Gerardo Ceballos of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and founder of Mexico’s National Alliance for Jaguar Conservation used the results of the first Mexican jaguar census in 2010 to create a national strategy endorsed by government policy and scientists alike. The latest count is most encouraging for the cat and we humans.

“It was incredible to see jaguars in so many places where there weren’t any before,” said Ceballos. Good news indeed.

Our next good news story is about the marriage of farming with renewable sources.

Jack’s Solar Farm – Photo by Werner Slocum: NREL

Planting crops under solar panel arrays called Agrivoltaics, the plants grow better and need less watering, while the panels produce more electricity. Our good news comes from Jack’s Solar Garden in Boulder, Colorado. There the owner Byron Kominek has successfully planted crops under about 3200 solar panels. In doing so, he can generate enough power to serve 300 homes. In addition, the plants do better since the panels shield the crops from damaging sun, rain, and hail. Also, the shade reduces the need for water by 150%.

It is estimated that if one million acres of US farmland were covered with solar panels and crops planted below, there would be enough power generated to meet the country’s renewable energy goals. Wouldn’t that be something?

Today’s JohnKu talks about signs that nature is responding to conservation efforts. I hope you have a great weekend.

Every day the news,

Has nature information . . .

Good progress reports.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Lucy and Twiggy Back to Nature

December 2, 2021December 2, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 97 Comments

“Where are you going?”

“Just out back here. I want to check the flowers.”

“Sound fun. I want to help.”

“Okay, by me. I was just going to have a sniff.”

“Look in this little pot. What is this?”

“Hmmm. Can’t see from here. I’ll have to come over there.”

“Your eyes okay? You should be able to see from there.”

“Just getting older little one. Ah yes, this is ivy and sage.”

“These roses still smell great.”

“It won’t be long until they stop blooming. But, of course, you would think by December second they would have stopped by now.”

“These thorns are still pretty strong.”

“You better leave those alone. Those are Mama’s pets.”

“I thought we were Mama’s pets.”

“We are but in a different way. Think if someone tried to hurt us. Mama would have a fit.”

“I get it. You see this?”

“What is it?”

“I’m not sure, but it is slow-moving.”

“Don’t touch that thing. It’s a chinch bug. Put that in your mouth, and you’ll foam like a rabid dog.”

“I guess that would drive Mama up the wall.”

“Yes, we don’t need that kind of drama.”

“So what else do we have to check?”

“You know, I think we should see if those lounge chairs still hold our weight.”

“You’re not saying we are fat, are you?”

“No, I’m thinking we are tired, though.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible- Kreative Kue # Kreative Kue # 337 by Keith Channing

November 30, 2021November 29, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 79 Comments

Keith is back, and these are his 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 keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm on 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.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next time.”

The photo.

“So it looks like you are off to a good start.”

“Well, thank you, but I need your advice.”

“I assumed you hired me for a reason.”

“Yes, and at three hundred an hour, we should get to it.”

“Right. What seems to be the problem.”

“That wall over there.”

“Yes.”

“I want to go two stories high but am not sure if the foundation will support that weight.”

“What kind of foundation did you pour?”

“Concrete.”

“I’m sure that will support the wall.”

“Shouldn’t we take a look at it?”

“Is that what you want?”

“It seems logical to me.”

“Well, then we should.”

“Excuse me, but you seem to agree with everything I say.”

“What you say has great merit.”

“What if I’m wrong?”

“You will know that too.”

“I hired you to give me feedback on this project.”

“How do you think it is going?”

“Okay, but I need confirmation.”

“I think it is okay too. By the way, do you have the time?”

“Eleven o’clock.”

“That sounds right. Are we finished?”

“Why do I get this feeling your feedback is what you think I want to hear?”

“Consulting is giving the client what the client wants. You don’t have another cup of that coffee, do you?

Top Ten Things Not to Give as a Present This Year

November 29, 2021November 29, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 78 Comments

This list was originally posted on December 7th, 2015. Except for the fact that eighty-plus years have witnessed the holidays, all else seems relevant. I hope you enjoy it.

* * *

This list is inspired by watching seventy-plus Holidays come with mixed results on gifting, both giving and receiving.

Top Ten Things Not to Give as a Present This Year

10 This year, do not give anyone a fruitcake. If you do, at best, it will find its way into the city recycling center. At worst, it will come back to you next year just a little bit harder than when last gifted. (Sure, it looked good in the catalog, didn’t it?

9 This year, do not give anything that has “as seen on TV” printed on the package. If you do, at best, the recipient will know you shopped in the drugstore. At worst, the gadget will be responsible for taking out the recipient’s electrical system. (You didn’t get that recall notice, did you?)

8 This year, do not give Scandinavian cookies in a metal tin. If you do, at best, the made in USA label will give away the lack of an imported gift. At worst, the cookies will taste like overpriced Little Debbie vanilla wafers. (How’s that stuck to the roof of the mouth feeling working out for your recipient?)

7 This year, do not give frozen mail-order steaks. If you do, at best, the steaks will be received by a vegan. At worst, the steaks will arrive in time to sit on the porch between Christmas and New Year while your recipient is skiing in Telluride. (They never said they were going out-of-town, did they?)

6 This year, do not give fruit gifts. If you do, at best, whatever you choose is hated by 75% of the people in the recipient’s household. At worst, the gift you select arrives during the worst snowstorm in one hundred years and won’t show up until spring. (Man, those pears sure didn’t freeze well, did they?)

5 This year, do not give personal grooming devices. If you do, at best, the recipient will wonder your intent. At worst, you may get a call from the recipient’s lawyer talking generalities about severe damage to very personal areas. (The ad said it was perfectly safe, and you believed it, right?)

4 This year, do not give a box of chocolate-covered cherries. If you do, at best, they will cause the recipient to choke on the first and throw the rest away. At worst, the recipient will be so depressed by the lack of thought the entire box will be eaten, and the recipient is admitted to the ER with symptoms of a glucose overdose. (It seemed like a good idea while you were getting your prescription filled. Didn’t it?)

3 This year, do not give a discount coupon for a day spa visit. At best, you will broadcast how cheap you are. At worst, the day spa is running discounts because their service sucks. (Can you say toe fungus without cringing?)

2 This year, do not give anything that is designed to be worn under clothes. If you do, at best, you will raise a question regarding the need. At worst, the size will be all wrong, and it won’t matter if you choose too small or too large the result will be the same. (Did you have a few drinks at that trunk show, or are you just an idiot?)

1 This year, do not give anything you bought on an impulse just to have a gift to give. If you do, at best, you will have difficulty explaining why that particular gift. At worst, you will probably overspend for something that has no thought behind it. (That will be your payback for procrastinating your search for a gift.)

Views of the Neighborhood – Walk for Alzheimer’s Texas

November 28, 2021November 27, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 84 Comments

Today we are going to Lakeway park to check out the walk for Alzheimer’s Texas. We need to get on our walking shoes. After the walk, we will be catered by The Peached Tortilla in Austin. our entertainment is Joe Cocker.

THAI CHOP CHOP SALAD
chopped napa, fried tofu, green apple, fried shallots, thai vinaigrette, rice puffs, peanuts, fresno chiles, watermelon radish, fish sauce caramel, herbs CONTAINS PEANUTS

BRISKET HASH
kimchi miso corn, sweet potatoes, fresnos, onion jam, pasture-raised fried egg
ask your server for our vegetarian option

SHORT RIB BENEDICT korean braised short rib, grilled ciabatta, kochukaru hollandaise
ask your server for our vegetarian option

FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH asian slaw, japanese pickles, gochu glaze, easy tiger easy bun served with belgian fries

KOREAN STEAK & EGGS BOWL sous vide hanger steak, sunny side up eggs, kimchi, egg furikake, rice

AVOCADO TOAST
miso scallion creme fraiche, alfalfa sprouts, watermelon radish, lemon oil
served with greens tossed in yuzu vinaigrette add soft scrambled pasture-raised eggs

All top shelf beverages, Beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and Tea.

Jump on.

Here is the sign announcing the walk.

The registration tent.

“Would you like a snack?”

The sponsors are getting set up.

The volunteers are offering maps and pens.

The DJ is pumping out heart pounding music.

The start and finish line.

One of the teams participating.

Another view of the registration tent.

So get your warm ups completed and off we go. When you get back enjoy the food and Joe Cocker. I hope you all have a great week,

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Golly Gee

November 27, 2021November 26, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 44 Comments

I was sitting on the back porch with a cup of coffee, contemplating my next chore on the honey-do list. My thoughts immediately went to what would be a better thing to be doing instead. Golly gee, how about sailing the seven seas? Was one idea that blew through my brain like a rocket from the ACME rocket company. Best forget that, came the next blast that strangely had the face of Wile E. Coyote attached to it.

Finishing my coffee and standing while stretching out the effects of sitting for ten minutes. Gave thanks to the impact of nature on the old bones and heard a slight sound of metal hitting concrete. Looking down, there it was, the key that was long forgotten along with this morning’s breakfast. It might have been Raisen Bran Crunch, but that didn’t matter. The key is what was important. Scooping it up made me realize there will have to be a hunt or a hint about what the key can open.

Just as my thoughts began a quest, I summoned than back to reality as a large chest half-buried itself in the turf. Looking up, the realization that I could have been under that chest hit me a little lighter than the chest would have. Suffice it to say the answer to the key mystery was a few steps away. However, the chest had a lock, and since there is a God, surely the key will fit.

On the way to the chest, a petite man in green stopped me. Come on, the thought hit. I don’t need a troll right now. “Not so fast, big man.”

It was the troll talking. “You need to pay me before solving that key mystery.”

He was holding an envelope, and I just knew it had this week’s prompt. Coming right out and asking for the envelope paid off. “Sure, here you go,” he said. “No lock, though.”

I opened the envelope, and sure enough, there was the message. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “golly gee.” Use “golly gee” or another interjection that displays the same sentiment in your post. Enjoy!”

If you want to have this kind of fun, visit Linda’s blog. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2021/11/26/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-27-2021/

“Did you pay him?”

“I don’t know how much he wants.”

“Why not ask him?”

“We are out of time.”

“Golly gee, don’t give me that. I refuse to wait a week.”

“So go ask him yourself.”

“Where is he?”

“In the backyard. By the chest.”

“Now you are creeping me out.”

“Why?”

“There is no backyard, and you just directed me there.”

“Of course, there is a backyard.”

“In your mind.”

“In everyone’s mind. I just put it there.”

“You ought to listen to yourself. You sound nuts.”

“That’s what storytelling is all about.”

“Maybe for you. I need hard facts.”

“Like this tall frosty glass of VooDoo Ranger Ale?”

“I’ve had one of those.”

“So to you, that’s a hard fact.”

“Yes.”

“Take a drink then.”

“You trying to confuse me. There’s no beer here.”

“Okay then. I’ll just drink it myself.”

“Hold on. I’ll take one.”

“Here you go.”

“You are a warlock, you know that?”

“Maybe.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri Yay Good News

November 26, 2021November 24, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

As many folks take to the airways this holiday, you can bet some will get a little overwhelmed, especially the kids. For those traveling through or to Denver, the good news is there is help.

More than 100 dogs (one cat) make up the Canine Airport Therapy Squad (CATS) at Denver International Airport. It’s the most extensive airport therapy animal program in the country and is entirely volunteers. The dogs, cat, and their volunteers walk around the airport in four-hour shifts, dispensing cuddles for anxious travelers (or anyone who wants to give a belly rub). While the program was suspended from March 2020 until May 2021, these days, they’re back patrolling the terminals, looking for humans who could use some stress relief.

Let’s meet some of the stress relievers. All photos courtesy of CATS

Here is Jackson the Goldendoodle. He likes dental treats and swimming.

Meet Blue. His favorite treat is Moist and Meaty, and his favorite activity is playing with his sister Amelia

Toby’s favorite treat is Bacon (you go, Toby). His favorite activity is hiking in the mountains.

Xeli’s favorite treat is catnip, and her favorite activity is making friends.

Matilda’s favorite treat is salmon, and being hugged is her favorite activity.

These are just five of the 100 at the airport this weekend. What good news indeed. Today’s JohnKu talks about help in times of need. I hope you all have a super weekend.

Caring by John W. Howell

When stress has you down,

No matter where it occurs . . .

An animal helps.