“But Mama. Those folks are having a TGIF celebration.” “You don’t want to get near that house, sweetheart. An author lives there.”
Here it is Friday again. This week has been the week of notables. The fence guys arrived and finished the fence in three days. The pups can now cavort in safety with no sightline to deer. Twiggy’s bark-a-thons at the deer are now confined to only brief sightings from the house.
Our bed arrived after three months. So nice to be up off the floor. We need to accomodate Lucy’s arthritic hips with a bench. (Yes she needs to be on the bed) Twiggy’s life is unchanged. She could not get up when the bed was on the floor so she still gets a lift.
My desk arrived just yesterday. The office is pretty much done except for a bench. The dreaded futon is in there now but has an appointment with Goodwill.
The outdoor furnature arrived in eleven different packages on four different days. I mentioned to the FedEx guy, “I bet you hate us.” He responded with “Sometimes.” I had to laugh out loud and agree. He was stuggling with a box weighing 132 pounds (60Kilos)at the time. The fence guys had blocked the driveway so he was forced to go through gravel to get to the porch.
The call is out to two landscapers. More on that later.
Today’s JohnKu talks about after all the projects are done. I hope you have a great weekend.
“See the rug, Lucy. We are getting our bed today, and it will go with it.”
“By go, do you mean it’s leaving?”
“Ha, haha. No, I meant it is coordinated in color.”
“Coordinated in color. I wonder what that means? I think I’ll sit this one out.”
“Wow. Close your eyes for a minute and look what happens. Hey, Twiggy.”
“I hear you, Lucy. What do you want?”
“Come into the bedroom.”
“Amazing, Mom. Is this what you mean by coordinated?”
“Yes, sweetheart, it is.”
“Uh, Mom.”
“Yes, Lucy.”
“That bed looks pretty high. I’m not sure I can make it up there.”
“Don’t you worry. A foot bench is coming along with some other things for in here. You’ll be fine.”
“What about me, Mom?”
“Well, Little Potato. You’ll need to be lifted like always.”
“Great Mom. Lucy, come here quick. Look in the back. There is a fence there.”
“All those guys you have been giving a piece of your mind have been working for the last two days. Looks like another day or two, and we’ll have a secure yard.”
“Whatcha doing Little One.” “Keeping an eye out for Friday.” “Two days wait, Little Potato.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week Larry and Andrew made the decision to go to California to see if they can place Ned and Janice together at anytime prior or after Rafferty’s death. (I hope all that make sense to you.). They have to fly into Reno airport and then drive to South Lake Tahoe. Let’s join the pair as they head out of the Reno airport toward South Lake Tahoe.
“So, I’m looking at the mapping app on my phone, and we have an hour and fifteen minutes.”
“That on turn by turn Andrew?”
“Yup. Oh, look. We go through Carson City.”
“What the big deal about Carson City.”
“Aw, Larry. You have been left out of history. Gold rush, lawlessness, gambling, houses of ill repute.”
“Not my every day hobbies, Andrew.”
“Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to pull a lever or two on the way.”
“We are going to hit 580 through Carson City which will take us around. Besides, there is plenty of opportunity in South Lake Tahoe to do any of these items you mentioned.”
“I suppose you are right.”
“I think the faster we start nosing around, the faster we can get some answers.”
“Don’t forget we also have a Sandusky case to solve.”
“Don’t remind me. I’m in one case at time mode right now.”
“Funny how the Sandusky thing leads us into the Rafferty thing.”
“I still think if we solve Rafferty, we will be onto a solution to Sandusky.”
“Hey, Larry. You notice that black SUV behind us.”
“Yeah what about it?”
“It left the airport the same time we did.”
“There are a lot of people going to South Lake Tahoe. Might be a tour.”
“I only see two guys in the front seat.”
“Okay. Let’s see if they follow us onto 580. Here is the on-ramp.”
“Yup they are behind the two cars behind us.”
“I would quit turning around, Andrew. If it is suspicious, they will know you made them. It is better knowing we are followed that to tip them off. If we are being followed, they would just have another car fill in.”
“You’re the boss.”
“I’ll keep tabs on them in the mirrors. Looks like they dropped back a couple of cars.”
“I like that idea. I’ve seen too many SUV bumps smaller car off the highway movies. Why did you get a Prius again?”
“To save money and reduce our carbon footprint.”
“Right now, I would rather have a Hummer at six miles to the gallon.”
“Andrew. You have to stop worrying. If and that’s a big if, these guys are following us, they’re not going to do anything with all these cars around. Oh, oh.”
“What do you mean by oh, oh?”
“They just moved up. In fact, it looks like they are going to come alongside us.”
“We don’t want that do we?”
“No, I don’t think so. I want you to brace yourself. I may have to make a quick stop. I hope the guy behind us is awake today.”
“Whattya mean a quick stop.”
“Well, one way to avoid those guys is to slam on the breaks when they get alongside. They go by we pull off the road.”
“Pull off? Where?”
“See that access road over to our right?”
‘Yeah.”
“I’ll pull onto the shoulder then up and over the berm there and onto that road. Should be a piece of cake.”
“That is a pretty good drop to the access road.”
“Yeah trust me. We’ll slide down. Okay, get ready. Here they come. Oh shit.”
“Shit?”
“They have weapons. They are getting ready to fire. Hold on Andrew.”
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 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 Monday.”
This week marks the anniversary of the first Academy Awards which were held in 1928. Time to get your time travel suit on and attend the ceremony. If you are going, here is a list of the Top Ten Things Not to Do. Hopefully, it will keep you out of trouble and prevent a tear in the time continuum. Have a good time but be careful out there.
Top Ten Things Not to Do at the First Academy Awards.
10 If you are attending the first Academy Awards, do not put on makeup in preparation for the filming of the even. If you do, at best folks will think you are a part-time clown. At worst, you’ll cause the host Douglass Fairbanks to ask security to escort you out. (Since the first filming of the awards did not happen until 1930, your makeup looks so out of place, Hanes the host thought you were wearing a mask. There’s a lot of jewelry to be worried about.)
9 If you are attending the first Academy Awards, do not try to sneak in at the door guarded by Tiny the WWF champ. If you do, at best Tiny will gently bar your entrance. At worst, Tiny has been hoping to try his new clothesline punch on a live body. (Now that you feel like your head is missing, Hansel here is a ticket. Now pick yourself up and try another door.)
8 If you are attending the first Academy Awards, do not think you can arrive fashionably late. If you do, at best the hors d’oeuvres will be all gone. At worst, since the ceremony is only fifteen minutes long you may miss it. (After all the trouble to get here, Hargrove you would think you could arrive on time. Yeah sure your coordinates were off. That’s what they all say.)
7 If you are attending the first Academy Awards, do not mention to anyone that you hope Broadway Melody wins Best Picture. If you do, at best no one will listen to you. At worst, your time travel will be outed as Broadway melody was next year’s winner. (Now that you are in handcuffs, Harkin it is time to reflect on the quality of your research. BTW the winner is called Outstanding Picture. Best Picture was a change made years later.)
6 If you are attending the first Academy Awards, do not comment on the fact that there is no sound with the film clips. If you do, at best folks will think you are making a joke. At worst, people will begin to wonder why you think silent films are an oddity. (You see Warner Brothers just produced the first talkie,Harme, The Jazz Singer. No one is sure sound is here to stay. In any case time you got up to go. Here come the guards again.)
5 If you are attending the first Academy Awards, do not order Merlot with your dinner. If you do, at best the server will not understand you. At worst, the somilier will wonder how you heard of a wine that is not yet popular in the US. (You’ve done it again, Hasani. Talk fast and tell them you were clearing your throat before the guards arrive. Just ask for a glass of red wine and maybe the whole thing will blow over.)
4 If you are attending the first Academy Awards, do not ask for a doggy bag. If you do, at best the server will be confused. At worst, those around you will be so grossed out you’ll be left at the table alone. (It seems everyone misunderstood your request and thought they had been served dog food. Not sure you can correct this one in time, Hassel. Good luck. Here comes the chef. Yes, he has a fairly large knife.)
3 If you are attending the first Academy Awards, do not ask for an Irish Coffee after dinner. If you do, at best the server will ask you how to make it. At worst, along with your other strange habits, folks will believe you are from outer space. (I’m not sure, Havika. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea for you to attend. Irish coffee wasn’t invented until the 1950’s. Also wearing that Apple watch has folks a little nervious.)
2 If you are attending the first Academy Awards, do not complain about the missing red carpet. If you do, at best folks will think you’re just odd. At worst as you start to explain the antics of film stars on the red carpet there will be a recognition of your strangeness. (Since the red carpet was introduced to the Academy Awards in 1961 in Santa Monica, is it any wonder people are slowly backing away from you, Hazen?)
1 If you are attending the first Academy Awards, do not roll up to the front door of the Roosevelt Hotel in your Delorian. If you do, at best you’ll cause the valet person wet pants. At worst, you’ll cause the rest of the guests to flee in panic. (All are sure you are an alien invasion, Heaton. You need to get home quick.)
Lakeway Park is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary. As is fitting there was cake, kite flying, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The day was beautiful with temperatures in the high seventies. Come walk with me.
The first aid tent which oversees the kayak and paddleboard lending.
A couple of grandparents enjoying the day.
Kites are in the air.
Getting ready to launch.
Gotta have ice cream.
Shave ice and water too.
A tent by the Colin’s Hope organization whose mission is to educate on the dangers of drowning. The organization was founded by the family of Colin Holst who tragically lost his life in a swimming pool at age four in 2007.
A beautiful American Eagle in flight
Lovely bird.
A grandmother providing coaching on aerodynamics. The tea tent is in the background.
It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is “strain.” Here is what Linda Hill says about the prompt this week. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “strain.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!” Well you read her instructions. If you would like to participate visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link.
“Hey, you guys. It’s Friday. Let’s boogie.” “They are ignoring us Little One.”
FRIDAY IS HERE. Goodness, that was my outside voice. It is good to see Friday again.
Not too much new to report. I am still experimenting with Amazon on My GRL and lost money. My keywords were right. The Ad message was right. The bids were right if slightly too high. I got an unprecedented number of clickthroughs, but the actual sales were below expectations. I redid the blurb and continued. The only thing that has not been tweaked is the cover. I may have to consider a new cover but will do further testing to see for sure.
My office bookcases and credenza has arrived and only lacks a desk. I guess soon there will be no more excuses for not jumping into the WIP with both feet. Not sure on the desk arrival but it should be soon, so I have some procrastination room left.
Our bed is supposed to arrive on Monday. Now maybe we can get the box springs off the floor and the rug properly placed. Since this has been a two month deal thee are no breaths being held.
The fence guys put us off for a few days. We have had tons of rain, so it’s not a surprise. The landscape plan is done, and now we need some bids. The patio furniture is due for delivery within the next two weeks. We have a patio already in so we don’t need landscaping. Once the fence is in it will be nice to go onto the patio knowing the dogs won’t be able to get away.
Todays JohnKu talks about working your plan through to completion. (which is an objective we are getting near.) I hope you all have a lovely weekend.
Today Twiggy decided to get involved in the cleaning process. Whether it was curiosity or a Don Quixote move I can’t tell. Let ‘s just follow her and find out.
“So there you are soul sucker.”
“I want you to know I fear no evil.”
“Yeah sure. Come at me if you dare.”
“I hope you know better than to go after my toy.”
“I’m not afraid of no ghost. Excuse me but I need my rest.”
“Hey, Twiggy.”
“Yes, Dad.”
“Could you pick up your toys so I can get that corner?”
“Dad. Do you see an opposable thumb on these paws?”
“Uh, Twiggy. Looks like something followed you in here.”
“Yeah, ignore it. Lucy. It’s Dad doing the vacuuming.”
“I heard you talking to it in the other room.”
“Yeah, I was trying to make up an adventure. Dad spoiled it.”
“What happened?”
“Dad asked me to pick up my toys.”
“Ah. Buzzkill.”
“Well, ladies. I’m finished.”
“Not too soon either, Boss.”
“Maybe next time I can do a Man of LaMancha drama.”
“So Lucy what day is it?” “Can’t you tell by my demeanor?” “Wednesday, right?” “Right.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week Andrew and Larry discovered two phone calls made from Ned’s cell to Janice. The calls were brief but did prove they contacted each other at the time of Rafferty’s death. Of course, evidence of a conspiracy to commit murder will take more than two brief phone calls. Larry believes the two met and probably out of town. So he and Andrew are going to start with the airlines to see if any bookings have been made. Let’s get back to Larry’s office to check on the status.
“Here is your latte. Find anything?”
“Oh, man. There have to be thousands of reservations.”
“You centered on the few days before Rafferty’s murder?”
“I am. The problem is Boston has about 16,000 flights leaving every month. Some domestic and some foreign. So far no hits on Ned or Janice.”
“Could they be using false names?”
“Yeah, of course. That only makes the job tougher.”
“How about phone numbers? Don’t you have to give your phone number when you make a reservation?”
“Most airlines require it.”
“Search by phone number then.”
“This could take a while. The ticket database is huge and slow as hell.”
“Give it a try.”
“Done.”
“What’s it doing?”
“That annoying pinwheel.”
“Well, it is processing. Did you put in a date range as another filter?”
“Yup. We need to be patient.”
“Not your finest virtue.”
“Yeah, I know. Where’d you get this Latte?”
“Around the corner. “
“Sammy’s place?”
“Yes.”
“I should have known. Sammy’s is a sandwich shop, not a coffee house.”
“What? It’s no good.”
“No, it is good.”
“What’s the beef?”
“Just thought you would work harder for the latte is all. Hold on the search is finished.”
“What’s it say?”
“No matches to your search.”
“Crap.”
“We have to think a little bit about this.”
“How about a private plane?”
“Yeah, we can check to see if Ned has one or at least can lease one. I’m thinking about a little lower tech.”
“Lower tech? what do you mean.”
“Like around South Lake Tahoe. Maybe canvass some of the hotels.”
“So you think they went to South Lake Tahoe? You think the chief can help?”
“I’m not sure but trying to find a match in all this data is almost impossible. I think we leave the chief out of this. He has a Barney Fife vibe.”
“So do a search on the private plane front first. Then if nothing it looks like a road trip.”
“What do you mean? All we have to do is call the hotels.”
“And broadcast to everyone in South Lake Tahoe that we are trying to get information of Ned and Janice.”
“Yeah, so what?”
“I think they had help in this and we ought to keep it on the down low.”
“Man, Andrew you are sounding paranoid.”
“Oh yeah. I have lived this long for a reason. Let me mention one name to you.”
“Okay shoot.”
“Cortez.
”Okay, I get it. Let me do the search then if nothing we’ll get some flights to South Lake Tahoe.”
