Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Trick.”

 

 

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and this week’s prompt is “trick.” Normally Linda HIll would come by to deliver a complicated prompt in person. This one is quite simple, and she sent it by Uber Eats. Thanks, Linda, for the brioche and the prompt. Her only caution is, “To use it any way we want and to have fun.” I think I can do that. If you would like to join in on the fun, visit Linda’s blog and read how; here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Oct. 31/2020

Trick by John W. Howell © 2020

“Shake.”

“What are you doing to that poor dog?”

“He’s not a poor dog, and I’m trying to teach him a new trick.”

“What new trick?”

“To shake hands.”

“But he has a paw.”

“You know what I mean,:

“Maybe he’s too old to learn a truck.”

“You believe that old saw, huh?”

“Well, I’m just sayin’. Does he do other stuff?”

“Just sit.”

“Hmmm. Maybe he is a one-trick pony.”

“Yikes, another cliche.”

“Are you giving him a treat?”

“A treat? No.Just a command.”

“Well, see. There might be the problem. You need to reward him when he performs the trick.”

“Okay. I’ll try it.  Here, Bosco, I have this nice porterhouse steak if you’ll shake.”

“You are insane. He’s not going to buy the fact that you offer a piece of kibble and call it a steak.”

“He’s shaking.”

“Speaks to the intelligence of the animal. Want to go to the pub?”

“Um. Do I get a treat?”

“Sure. I’ll let you buy.”

“Sounds like a trick.”

“You think? By the way, congrats on working trick in along with ‘treat.’ Happy Halloween.”

 

 

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

“Yes, indeed, ladies, it is Friday.”
“Oh, good Boss. Can we have the car keys?”

 

 

Good to see Friday here again. It lets us know that time is, in fact, marching on. That is always a good thing. (Not that time marching on is a good thing but knowing it is marching is helpful)

Ahem. Now that I got out of that circle, I can talk about significant things. I don’t know about you, but I’m not looking forward to daylight savings time. Sheesh. With the “Fall back” situation, it will mean the pups will decide at 5:30 that it is time to get up. The only way to prevent that is to keep them awake for an hour later the night before. Yeah right. Ever try to keep a sleepy dog awake. So maybe if everyone stays quiet, they will lose track of time and snore in. I’m not counting on it.

Eternal Road has 17 ratings on Amazon for a 4.8 overall. I’m so pleased with the reviews and thank everyone who took the time. A reminder that the 99¢ price on the Kindle version goes up to $2.99 on November 1st. Here is the universal link once more.

Today’s JohnKu talks about daylight savings time. I hope you all have a super and safe weekend.
Daylight Savings Time by John W. Howell © 2020
It is time again,
To mess with our clocks and ask . . .
Why the heck do we?

Thursday – A Little Personal – Cold Front Hits Twiggy and Lucy

“So, Lucy. You guys going out today?”

“First, let’s check that watch of yours, Boss.”

Lucy and Twiggy

“Says here the temperature is 38 degrees. High today of 59.”

“Are you kidding me?”

Lucy and Twiggy

“You know, I think I’m going to take a rain check on the outside.”

“Oh, come on. It’s refreshing.”

“Hey, Lucy. Don’t let him talk you into anything. Who left this Yak stick here?”

“How about you, Twiggy. Going outside?”

“Gee, dad. Take a look at this coat. It is short hair. I’m not really supposed to go out under 70 degrees.”

“You two are a pair. A pair of what I don’t know.”

“Well, Dad, This yak stick is calling my name.”

“Not much exercise in that thing.”

“Yeah, but it’s like heaven. Think of how my jaws are getting ripped.”

“That’s all we need are muscular jaws around here.”

“Have a seat Lucy. I’m just explaining to Dad the physical wonders of the yak stick.”

“Yeah, good luck with that, Little One.”

“Okay, I’m coming down to see you.”

“Yak stick and all.”

“You two ready to go out?”

“Boss. We need to wait until it is warmer. Besides, your bulldog here has clamped onto the yak stick, and that is a morning shot right there.”

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

“Lucy is that Friday?”
“MMFF. Uh, No, Little One that’s Wednesday.”
“Noisy thing isn’t it.”

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we learned a guy named Somner who made the ID’s for Carolyn was beaten pretty badly. Chances are he gave the identity names to Cortez’s men. If so, Cortez will hunt Carolyn down and take her for insurance against Lazar talking. Now it is a race to see who can find Carolyn first, Cortez, or our side. There is some more discussion going on with Lazar. I think Larry has asked him a question. Let’s go and find out what they are talking about.

 

“I’m sorry my mind was a million miles away. Could you repeat the question, detective?”

“Sure, Lazar. What I asked was do you know of any place in France where Carolyn might be heading?”

“That’s a good question. Let me think a second. I remember in high school, there was an exchange student from France. He and Carolyn were pretty good friends.”

“Do you know where he lived?”

“Oh, yeah, he was at our house several times. He was really a nice kid. He and his family lived in Paris.”

“Do you have a name?”

“Sure. His name was Pablo.”

“And he was French?”

“Yeah. He always got asked the same question. His parents named him after Picasso.”

“How about their names or address?”

“I have all that in my phone. His parent came for a visit and stayed with us.”

“Pricilla. I think we may have a lead here.”

“Yes, Larry. Thanks for the help. So here’s your phone Mr. Popović. Get the address, and we will have some people go there to protect that family.”

“What do you mean to protect?”

“I’m sure Cortez will be paying them a visit as well.”

“How will he know she is going there?”

“My guess is he will have someone bribe someone in the passport control office to give him the address.”

“How will the passport control office get the address?”

“Don’t arrivals fill out a form with the address where they are going to be staying?”

“She has a French passport and is, therefore, looks to be a citizen. She won’t have to do anything.”

“Well, there goes that theory. I still think getting some folks over there will at least allow us to get Carolyn. Who knows? Maybe Cortez’s men will be following her so we can prevent a grab there.”

“There is another concern Ms. Thomas.”

“What is that, Mr. Popović?”

“It is a three and one half-hour drive from Coquelles where the Chunnel terminates in France to Paris. Cortez’s men could grab her anywhere along that route.”

“Goodness. We have to get her on the train as it arrives in France.”

“Can you do that?”

“If the stars align and if we can get Somner to tell us the name on the French Passport.”

“If he can’t tell us?”

“Then, we need a miracle.”

 

Review of Eternal Road – The final stop by Victoria Ray

Today Victoria Ray NB has published an outstanding review for Eternal Road on her site.

A little about Victoria.

Victoria Ray NB is a multi-genre author, known for her surreal, thought-provoking themes and humor. She is living in Sweden with her family and two dogs: Daisy and Sky. She holds a Ph.D. in Classic Russian Literature.

Ray is working in genres:
– surreal humor & satire
– ERO GURO (erotica+grotesque)
– absurdist fantasy & sci-fi
– action thriller
– dark comedy
– parody
– poetry

The definition of NB = “never boring”.

Check out the review and while there check out her books which I think you’ll find very entertaining.

To give you an idea.

Her Sophia Von X Thriller earned this from Readers Favorite.

Here is the link to Victoria’s post.

https://raynotbradbury.com/book-review-eternal-road-the-final-stop-by-john-w-howell/

Tuesday Anything possible – Kreative Kue #286 with Keith Channing

In Keith’s 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 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 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 Monday.”

The photo.

Kreative Kue #286

Say What? By John W. Howell © 2020

“Okay, now hold it right there.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I understand this whole art museum thing.”

“Okay.”

“But I don’t get what we are doing here in the middle of the night.”

“I can explain.”

“Please do then.”

“We came at night because you see better then.”

“Oh, so you wanted me to be able to see the art better?”

“Em, no.”

“You know what a highly intelligent and sensitive bird I am, so you want me to critique a few pieces.”

“That’s not it.”

“Ah. You want me to appraise some paintings. I’ll have you know my appraisals are sought after.”

“No.”

“To write a review on a piece or the collection.”

“Sorry.”

“Okay, I give up.”

“There is a mouse in this room, and we would like you to have it for dinner.”

“You want this highly trained and wise owl work for his dinner?”

“Yup.”

“I hope no one finds out about this.”

“Why?”

“I mean, think of my reputation.”

“What reputation?”

“As a bon vivant and renaissance bird. I had those damn eagles convinced I walked on water.”

“A little too much brag, I would say.”

“‘A little too much brag, I would say.’ You sound like my wife.”

“Sounds like you should have taken her advice. You ready.”

“Wait, wait, wait. Are the security cameras working?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t want this to hit the internet. Could you turn them off?”

“Absolutely not. Besides, no one cares about seeing you catch a mouse.”

“I’ve got a million followers on Tic Toc, 100,000 on Instagram, 25,000 on Twitter. They will care.”

“I don’t know about that. I just need the mouse caught.”

“Could you at least call my agent?”

“Agent?”

“Yeah. She’ll know what to do. Maybe this could be the beginning of Super Owl, the next hero.”

“Maybe I should have used a cat.”

“That orange one I’ve seen around.”

“Yup.”

“He has an agent too and is much fussier. He’ll want catering and star billing.”

 

Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Founding of Harvard College in 1636

Wikipedia Image

This was the weekend that we moved daughter into her new house. With all the work I did not have time to do an adequate job of a Top Ten Post. This post ran on October 29th, 2018. I hope if you missed it you will enjoy it. For those who have seen this one, next week will be better. Also, I’m over at Story Empire today talking about burnout. Here is the LINK

***

This post continues the Top Ten Things Not to Do with history as a backdrop. Harvard College, the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, is founded in Cambridge, Mass on this day in 1636.

The Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Founding of Harvard College in 1636.

10 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not suggest a celebration with a kegger party. If you do, at best the kegger store will be closed. At worst, the administration will create a rule against keggers. (Congratulations, Fyodor. You are the first student at the college to be put on probation.)

9 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not pledge a fraternity where Tiny the WWF champ is a member. If you do, at best Tiny will flunk out before you get there. At worst, Tiny who was just criticized by the dean for necessary hazing had ordered you to bend over. (Let’s hope the dean lecture has not made Tiny even angrier, Frederick. Is that paddle as big as it looks?)

8 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not organize a demonstration protesting the dorm food. If you do, at best no one will join you. At worst, the college put you in charge of food procurement. (Looks like your fellow students are getting tired of squirrel stew, Falcon. I think I would try to raise a few vegetables if I were you.)

7 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not cut class on the first warm day. If you do, at best you can get notes from the nerd, At worst, your professor will pull a pop quiz that is 20% of the term grade. (No amount of begging is going to help, Fallon. I would go to the infirmary and see if you can con someone into an excuse.)

6 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not try to organize a football team. If you do, at best no one will know what you are talking about. At worst, you’ll find some players who are ready to play but can’t see a ball. (Looks like you will have to make one, Fraser. Try to get it a little rounder okay. That thing looks like a fat sausage.)

5 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not go outside wearing that Yale sweatshirt. If you do, at best no one will notice since Yale was founded in 1701. At worst, someone will take offense thinking Yale is an acronym for Young American Liquor Enterprise. (You have to understand the Puritan Ethic is still pretty strong, Fiorello. The time in the stocks will go fast. Think positive.)

4 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not fail to return your library book on time. If you do, at best the fine is only 1p a week. At worst, a press-gang will come looking for you. (It would have been easier to return the book, Ferril. Now you won’t get back to the College until your sea duty is over. Five years will go pretty quickly.)

3 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not try to organize the first co-ed dance. If you do, at best your fellow students will just laugh. At worst the administration will pass a rule prohibiting co-ed dancing. (Good luck finding a co-ed, Fabrice. The first sex-blind admissions were not until 1977. Oh, and you need to serve time on the dunking chair due to the rule violation. I hope those hold your breath contests come in handy.)

2  If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not park your horse in the faculty parking lot. If you do, at best no one will need the space. At worst, professor Curmudgeon will alert campus security to shoot you on sight. (Never thought taking a tenured professor’s parking place was that big of a deal, huh Faddei. Those musket balls look like they would hurt.)

1 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not buy your books ahead of time at the used bookstore. If you do, at best you might save money. At worst, the professor will change the course text with no notice. (Well, looks like your used books will make an excellent fire starter, Fadil. Better luck next term)

Views of the Neighborhood – Halloween Final Edition

Welcome to the final edition of the Halloween Views of the Neighborhood. Since Halloween is next Saturday, this will be the last post showing the decorations in the neighborhood. The temperatures have also tuned quite nippy (in the 70s), so we will be serving hot mulled cider, Prosciutto, and provolone sandwiches on toasted ciabatta, napa cabbage slaw, and brownie bites. There is also a full bar, and The Traveling Wilburys will be entertaining us.

Jump on the bus, and we will be off.

This first house has quite a display. I love that witch.

Excuse me while I switch off the lights. Makes the display spooky for sure.

We saw these social distance ghosts a while ago.

This is their yard at night. That image on the house is a changing picture.

A bunch of ghouls.

Scary at night.

Flat monsters.

All blown up

Poor pumpkin

All better

Happy monsters.

Cute mailbox topper.

Maybe a cute mailbox topper. Then again maybe not.

Definitely not a cute mailbox topper.

I guess that does it for this year. I hope you liked the series. Hang around and have more cider and listen to “End of the Line” by the Traveling Wilburys. I hope you have a super week.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Starts with M”

 

 

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again.  Here is Linda Hill with this week’s prompt. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “starts with ‘m’.” Use any word that begins with the letter “m” as the subject or theme for your post. Enjoy!”

Okay, so here we go.

Starts with M by John W. Howell © 2020

🎶”Mairzy dotes and dozy dotes.”🎶

“Okay, I give.”

“You remember that old melody?”

“Can’t say I do.”

“It was popular in the 40s.”

“Well, no wonder. I was born in the 60s.”

“Your loss.”

“Loss? what do you mean?”

“It was a cute song.”

“Sing it.”

“Naw.”

“Why not?”

“Cause I have accomplished what I set out to do.”

“What’s that?”

“Starts with M. It’s the Saturday prompt. I used the word Mairzy.”

“I fell for another, right?”

“Deep into a black hole.”

“Not sure, mairzy is a word.”

“Okay, then I could say mares eat oats, does eat oats.”

“You could. But there is not going to be anyone around to hear you. See ya.”

 

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

“Twiggy. You still after that Squirrel?”
“I figured Friday would be a good time to catch it.”
“I can see that plan is going well.”

Another Friday is here and that means the weekend is a mere eight hours away. Oh happy day.

This week has been quite busy with odds and ends. I have begun thinking about the sequal to Eternal Road and have a couple of plot points in mind. You have to woder about what kind of circumstance could possibly bring two souls who are happily spending their eternal time as they envisioned, together again?  You have to believe it would be something major. Well it is. Before I spill the whole story let me just say, “Workin on it.”

Halloween is sneaking up on us for sure. If you have followed the Views of the Neighborhood you know we have been taking tours and looking at Halloween decorations. Well this week is the last look since Halloween is on a Saturday and by Sunday when Views is posted it will be old news.

Reviews for Eternal Road continue to arrive. I’m so grateful for them and loved that the fact that all of the readers enjoyed the book.  This makes the job of an author so rewarding and certainly makes me feel good.

The 99¢ price on Kindle ends on November 1st here is a link if you want to take a look.

Today’s JohnKu talks about feeling good about what you are doing. I hope you all have a super weekend.
Your Job by John W. Howell © 2020
It doesn’t matter,
What kind of work you’re doing . . .
You need to feel good.
If not then it’s time,
To consider a big change . . .
In the job or you.