Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Cheers”

June 30, 2018June 30, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 33 Comments

It is Stream of Conscious Saturday once again and this weeks prompt is “cheers.” Linda Hill says we can use is any way we want. (Don’t you just love the freedom of choice?)If you would like to join in go to Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/06/29/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-june-30-18/

“What are you looking for?”

“I’m trying to find some old episodes of Cheers.”

“I think you might have to go to YouTube for that.”

“I thought there was an On Demand channel with some of them.”

“I think you are out of luck there.”

“Yeah, I think you are right.”

“What do you want to do tonight?”

“How about going to the Bull and Finch.”

“The what?”

“The Bull and Finch. It’s the bar that was used as an outside shot for the show Cheers. I think you will get a kick out of it.”

“I thought the bar used was named Cheers.”

“Yeah, the owner changed it to Cheers, but it used to be called the Bull and Finch.”

“That sounds like fun. Why don’t we?”

“I’ll call the airline.”

“The airline? What for?”

“The Bull and Finch is in Boston.”

“And here we sit in LA. Great.”

“Ah don’t worry. five hours and we are there.”

“Will we make it by closing time?”

“Let’s see. They close at 10:00 PM Eastern time. It is now ten o’clock in the morning Eastern. A five-hour flight. An hour to the airport. An hour to the Bull and Finch when we land. We should be there by seven. Plenty of time. You in?”

“This sounds exciting. Of course, I’m in.”

“Okay. Hold on I’m calling. Hello American. I need two seats on a flight that gets us to Boston by six tonight. You do? That’s great. Yup Hold on. I need your credit card.”

“My credit card? I thought this was on you. it was your idea.”

“Yeah right? I was just trying to cheer you up so to speak.”

“How much are the tickets?”

“Twelve hundred.”

“Forget it.”

“Yeah, American. We won’t need those tickets after all. Sorry. Goodbye.”

“So what do you want to do tonight?”

“I already made my choice. You decide.”

“How about a glass of wine, some dinner, and a movie?”

“Sounds okay to me.”

“Cheers then.”

“With coffee?”

“It is only seven in the morning.”

“Cheers to you. We can do it all again tonight.”

“What?”

“The cheers thing with wine.”

“Oh that. Yes, we can. I thought you were talking about that ridiculous trip to Boston.”

No. That can wait until tomorrow.”

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

June 29, 2018June 29, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 59 Comments

In about eight hours we will be able to bear witness to the holiday celebrations. Next week is the fourth of July. Since the fourth is on a Wednesday, we here on the coast have two kinds of vacationers. The first will arrive Friday evening and stay through Wednesday. The second will come on Tuesday and remain through the weekend. In each case, they will haul their fireworks, wood, Keystone beer, and extended families. What this means to us is sleepless nights, wood smoke-filled days, and plenty of trash. When the holiday is mid-week, the mayhem goes on for at least nine days. A Monday holiday only destroys four.

We never look forward to a relaxed holiday and are joined by 3000 of our neighbors who look forward to the day after labor day. I can hear you now. “If you don’t like it, John, then move.” I guess that is pretty good advice. I think I will try to make the best of it and stay in my room. Ha ha ha. Today’s John Ku describes me well.

Sitting on the porch,

Choking on fire starter fumes. . .

Wishing it would rain.

Thursday – Anything Possible – Quiet Day of Recovery

June 28, 2018June 28, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

“You heard Pops you two. No running around. Twiggy needs her rest after surgery.”

“Yes, Mama Bailey. We heard. A little jog couldn’t hurt.”

“Come on Twig. Chase me.”

“You sure it will be okay?”

“What can it hurt. All dogs run.”

“Well okay. You go and I’ll run after you

“There you go, Twiggy. You look great.”

“I don’t think I can catch you two.”

“Go catch Bailey. Then come back after me.”

“Okay, Lucy. Look out, Bailey here I come.”

“Gotcha, Bailey.”

“You sure did kid. Now go get Lucy, but walk.”

“Gonna get cha, gonna get cha. Gonna, gonna, gonna.”

“Bring it on, little stuff. I can outrun a freight train, let alone a little caboose like you.

“Okay ladies. Time to come inside.”

“Lucy?”

“Yes, Boss?”

“You and Twiggy take it easy out there?”

“You have no need to worry, Boss. We were like lambs. Right Twiggy?”

“Yes, Dad. Just like grazing sheep.”

Podcast Interview of Gwen and John by Annette Rochelle Aben

June 27, 2018June 26, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 36 Comments

Annette Rochelle Aben was very gracious to have Gwen Plano, and I on her Tell Me a Story podcast on The Magic Happens Radio Network. We are discussing the collaboration that took place on The Contract between heaven and earth. Here is the link to the site.

http://www.themagichappensnow.com/tell-me-a-story-with-annette-rochelle-aben

Once clicked you need to scroll down until you reach this position.

About Annette.

Annette’s Bio

I was born writing! At least this is how it seems. I had the good fortune to be published while a sophomore in high school so continuing the journey by publishing books has been a natural course of events.
It is my pleasure to announce that the book I have just released is # 1 Best Seller! And that is: A Haiku Perspective 2018 which is available in both Kindle and paperback formats! Enjoy celebrating a year of my life as told using the framework of Haiku style poetry.
Angel Messages Two – songs of the heart, is a book filled with beautiful photos and remarkable tanka poetry. People LOVE this book because of the comfort it provides. Many have gifted it to others and been thanked over and over again.
A Tanka Picture Book is exactly as the name suggests. I took photos of a variety of everyday objects, works of art and nature, then wrote a tanka poem for each. I suggest this book for all the right reasons. It will entertain, provoke thought, stimulate conversation and be a great addition to your library!
I have chosen to release my annual haiku collection in time to celebrate National Poetry Month, in April. A Haiku Perspective 2017 is filled with smiles, laughter, wisdom and creativity, all cleverly disguised as haiku poetry. Enjoy!
My book, GO YOU some encouragement when you need it, is a pep-talk in a book! Each page gives you a quick way to start your day, help you through a moment or even provide someone else words that can inspire them to a better life. We can all use a cheerleader, when one isn’t available, this book fits the bill!!
Most of the books I have published here are centered in poetry, Haiku poetry to be exact. Much of the feedback I receive about the haiku poetry is that people can really understand the messages and they appreciate that the poems are short and sweet!
Angel Messages – a wing and a prayer is my first book about Angels. Filled with photos, prayers, poems and prose of and about Angels, this book will delight any Angel lover in your life. Check out the reviews, people are drawn to the inherent inspirational nature of this book and as result is fast becoming their favorite. You can have it right away using the Kindle option or order a paperback copy (or two) and carry it with you wherever you go.
I mentioned that many of my books are filled with my poetry and several of them combine that with my love of taking pictures. Books that feature poetry and photos include Perspective, it’s all about replacing one thought with another, PhoKu, visual perspective haiku and BooKu, Halloween haiku. Perspective has a wide variety of pages that can feature prose, poetry and nature photographs, while PhoKu is filled with the photographs I have taken in nature with Haiku poetry added to them, hence the title: PhoKu. BooKu is a “behind the scenes look at how Halloween decorations feel about their jobs. All three of these books are available in print and Kindle formats.
A Haiku Perspective 2015, and A Haiku Perspective 2016 are haiku poetry books. When I first experimented with the haiku writing format, I have no idea I would enjoy it as much as I do. These days, I am writing haiku daily and finding myself thinking in 17 syllables. You can find these books in both print and Kindle formats
There are several other books planned for release this year alone, So please, check back frequently to see what I have published and share what YOU are doing! Cheers!!

Please visit Annette on Amazon and at The Magic Happens

Thank you so much, Annette.

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

June 27, 2018June 26, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 35 Comments

“I’m sorry to say it is Wednesday, little one. Friday is fourteen dog days away.”

It is Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we got to know the M.E. a little better. His name is Andrew, and his wife whose name begins with G passed away one year ago. We noticed that this is all very coincidental. Andrew even gave a little warning about going with the circumstances that seem to be present. Now that the two of them have their coffee let’s go listen to the conversation.

“So, Andrew tell me about the Sandusky case.”

“What do you want to know?”

“First of all, I got to get to the bottom of this missing heart business.”

“You need to be asking me some questions since I’m not certain what you mean. As a detective are you talking from a professional level or just out of interest?”

“Definitely interested but need to approach this from a professional level.”

“Okay then. I need to be careful what I say since I don’t want to mislead you. I still think it is against the law to give false information.”

“Come on, Andrew. I’m not going to nail you on false testimony.”

“When you hear what I have to say you may.”

“Let’s set some ground rules then. How about if we talk on the record for those facts you are sure of. Those that are iffy we can talk off the record.”

“Yeah, I think that will cover it. Okay, the heart was taken from the body, and there was no outward sign of removal.”

“What do you mean outward. Is there some other sign?”

“Off the record?”

“Geeze off the record already?”

“Well if you want me to answer your question.”

“Okay, off the record.”

“I think someone eliminated the heart with some kind of shockwave.”

“Shockwave? What do you mean?”

“You know how they remove certain types of gallstones?”

“No. Tell me.”

“Well you get in a pool of water, and a shock wave is sent that pulverizes the stones.”

“You think this was the same thing.”

“I can’t prove it but, yes.”

“So, this guy’s heart was blown up? How come there was no residue.”

“Ah, back on the record. There was residue which I noted in the report.”

“Andrew, there is no mention of residue heart in the report.”

“You’re kidding. I distinctly remember making the notation. I did not theorize about the shockwave but noted the missing heart by processes unknown.”

“The only thing in the report was the missing heart notation.”

“I find that hard to believe. I need to look at the report.”

“You don’t have a copy do you?”

“Well, there was one on my computer hard drive when I retired. I always made backup reports.”

“Okay then. Let’s go downtown, and you can see the original report, and maybe we can talk to your replacement about looking on the hard drive.”

“Finish your coffee and let me get ready. You driving?”

“Yes, I can drive.”

“I’ll be ready in a minute.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #180 with Keith Channing

June 26, 2018June 25, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 50 Comments

In Keith’s words, “Using this photo 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, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.”

The photo.

“Hey, Ralphie. Take a look.”

“What is it?”

“It’s one of them boats that goes out in the sound looking for whales.”

“Seems kind of dumb to me.”

“Yeah me too. I can’t see spending all kinds of time on a tub like that when all you have to do is look out toward the horizon and see all the whales you want.”

“Well, maybe those folks want to see a whale up close.”

“I’m suposen’ that could be true alright.”

“For the life of me, I can’t see what is so exciting.”

“I’m with you. You seen one whale you’ve seen them all.”

“Especially those big ole grey things.”

“Can you believe how those rubes ooh and ah when those hulks break the surface in one of those amateur grabs for attention.”

“I guess they think that is a hard thing to do.”

“How about when some dope asks the captain if they can pet a whale?”

“I know right? You would think the whale was a pet dog or something.”

“Well them folks have nothing to fear. Most of those big guys eat Brill and not humans.”

“Yeah. I would like to see some tourist try to pet a shark.”

“They might come away missing a limb for sure.”

“You ever had human?”

“God no. I smelled one and was convinced to stay with my fish diet. Don’t think I could handle that heavy protean. How about you?”

“I was running with a pretty bad crowd and happened on a swimmer. I was tempted but glad I took off.”

“See we are the best.”

“I still don’t see why they call us killer whales though.”

“Yeah. Go figure. Want to follow that boat and put on a show?”

“Might be fun. A couple of jumps ought to do it. Let’s go.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do While Making a Top Ten Things Not to Do List

June 25, 2018June 24, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 47 Comments

10 If you are making a top ten things not to do list, do not search the internet for top ten ideas. If you do, at best your creativity will be stilted. At worst you’ll start duplicating others work without knowing it. (Looks like that plagiarism charge is going to stick, Elder. There goes the old writing career.)

9 If you are making a top ten things not to do list, do not ask Tiny the WWF champ to preview the ridiculous stuff you wrote about him. If you do, at best Tiny left his reading glasses at home. At worst, Tiny just left his self-esteem support group and is now taking everything you wrote literally. (I wouldn’t worry about getting your shredded paper back, Elia. I think I would begin to make book for the door.)

8 If you are making a top the things not to do list, do not check with a loved one to see if it is funny. If you do, at best you’ll be disappointed with the response. At worst, you’ll get a reminder about how beautiful it would be if you had a real job. (You can’t expect everyone to like your stuff, Ellery. Keep looking maybe you’ll find one person who does.)

7 If you are making a top ten things not to do list, do not stare at people who will eventually end up being on the list. If you do, at best one may ask you, “Are you looking at me?” At worst, you might be taken for a stalker and have to explain yourself. (As you can see the police have no interest in your list making career, Elson. They just want you to come quietly.)

6 If you are making a top ten things not to do list, do not make the subject so obscure no one will get it. If you do, at best your readership may drop. At worst, you will be explaining your meaning for the next ten years. (So why do you suppose nobody got the Top Ten things not to do in a Barnyard, Emery? I thought it was fascinating.)

5 If you are making a Top ten things not to do list, do not make a list so familiar that everyone will think you did these things. If you do, at best you’ll look like a fool. At worst, the FBI opens a file about you, and you get this strange feeling you are being followed. (Don’t look now, Emilin but there is a black SUV at the end of your block.)

4 If you are making a top ten things not to do list, do not think the subjects will come to you if you drink more. If you do, at best you can run one you published before. At worst, you will actually hit publish without waiting until the morning after to proofread the work. ( You know those seven words George Carlin said can’t be used on the radio? Well, Emrys you used each one in your post. They aren’t allowed there either.)

3 If you are making a top ten things not to do list, do not think you have to be practical. If you do, at best your work will be as dry as unbuttered rye toast. At worst, you’ll get mail from folks more practical than you telling you how your list is impractical. ( just shows to go ya, Endymion, you can’t please all the people all the time. Gotta stick with fiction.)

2 If you are making a top ten things not to do list, do not stop until you have ten things. If you do, at best you’ll look like you had a bad night. At worst, folks will be looking for the tenth item and will assume you are holding out on them. (Okay so it is not such a big deal, Enrico but some of your regulars are talking boycott. Who advertises ten and then publishes only nine? Crazy people that’s who.)

1 If you are making a top ten things not to do list, do not think you will be discovered some day. If you do, at best you’ll still work in the dark. At worst, you will create a false expectation that your lists are the key to fame. ( Looks like another day has passed without that million seller, Ericson. Looks like you need to make another list.)

The Alternative By Suzanne Burke- My Review

June 24, 2018June 23, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 80 Comments

I originally posted a review for the Alternative on Amazon. Yes, I bought the book, read it and gave a five-star review. For some reason yet to be explained, Amazon removed my review. So I feel no obligation not to publish the same review here on my blog. So here it is.

My Five Star Review

Suzanne Burke has a masterful way of telling a story. She is very direct in laying out the plot in such a way as to convince the reader that the ending will naturally follow the sequence that has been presented. The beauty of the way Ms. Burke crafts her tale is when the finish comes it packs the wallop of a couple of horse’s hooves.

The collection of stories in The Alternative is no exception to this phenomenon. One cannot even be assured that any one of the stories will follow a prescribed path to a conclusion. That is the beauty of Ms. Burke’s work. The reader is delighted and surprised every step of the way.

There is delightful darkness to Ms. Burke’s storytelling. Having read other work by her, I have to believe she finds the dark infinitely more interesting than the light. I can say one thing. Once you read a Suzanne Burke novel or short story, you’ll become a fan.

This collection of stories is well told and have a sophistication not generally found in the short story style. Anyone of these stories carries the depth of plot and complexity that would be typically be found in a full-length novel. I would recommend this collection of short stories to anyone who likes a well-developed plot and the demonstration of an exceptional level of writing craft.

Author Bio

Suzanne Burke resides with her daughter and grandson in a small country town located hundreds-of miles to the west of her previous home in Sydney Australia.

Suzanne had long wanted to write, life interrupted and she didn’t begin her journey into the world of writing until she was in her early fifties.

Suzanne has written her memoirs under the author name of Stacey Danson, both her non-fiction books have ranked in the top 100 paid in Kindle on Amazon. “Empty Chairs” and “Faint Echoes of Laughter” continue to earn wonderful reviews.

Suzanne writes her powerful Thrillers “Acts Beyond Redemption” and “Acts of Betrayal” and her Paranormal anthology “Mind-Shaft” as S. Burke.

Connect with Suzanne

Views of the Neighborhood – Check on the Birding Center

June 24, 2018June 23, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 53 Comments

I decided to go by the Leonabell Turnbull Birding Center to see how much progress has been made on the Hurricane Harvey reconstruction. Join me as we walk about

The Farley boat has been replanted

The plant labels are back. This is a Firecracker plant.

A new information sign with leaflet containers.

This is a sign detailing the recovery plan. It also asks for patience.

I retook this photo since it amazes me how much vegetation was taken by the storm. Those three mothballed oil rigs were not visible before the Hurricane.

The Port Aransas Garden Club has adopted a site at the center.

There is always some idiot who sticks their head in the Alligator sign.

I had hoped to see a lot of birds listed. But we do know Big Bird Little Bird, a coot, a pelican, Kristi, James, and Jane were spotted. I can’t read the frown face

Unfortunately, the access to the birding center is still not repaired.

The alligator’s swamp is still filled with debris (He is fine and living in another part of the reserve)

The Cattails are beautiful.

Reminders not to feed the wildlife anything including yourself. Sorry that the center is still under construction but it looks a lot better than it did. I’ll come back when the walkways are finished.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Bug”

June 23, 2018June 22, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 25 Comments

It is Stream of Conscious Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is “bug.” Linda Hill says we can use it any way we want. (that’s a relief. I hate to be shoved into using a word in a way I don’t want.” If you would like to have a go at this fun visit Linda Hill’s blog and read how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS June 23/18

“Ixnay on the alktay.”

“Okay, so what weird thing do we have going today?”

“Read my lips.”

“I can’t understand a thing you are saying with those chapped lips.”

“For heaven’s sake. I think our place has a bug in it.”

“A bug? No biggie. Get some Raid.”

“Not that kind of bug you idiot. A listening device bug.”

“I see we’ve been reading too many spy novels.”

“I’m serious. I think someone is listening.”

“Okay genius. If so you have tipped them off that you know they are listening.”

“I tried to give you a sign.”

“Pig Latin is not a sign.”

“I mean with my lips.”

“You looked like you were passing gas. Your lips didn’t tell me a thing.”

“So now what do we do?”

“I don’t know about you, but I’m going to confess to tearing off the mattress tags.”

“Come on. Be serious.”

“I think it’s time for you to be serious. What makes you think someone is listening.”

“Strange things happening.”

“Like what?”

“Well, I was in that fast food place and ordered a hamburger.”

“Yes?”

“You know how much I love french fries. I even said to you before I left the house that I wish I could have some fries.”

“Yeah, I remember. You want to lose some weight, so you are not having any.”

“Well, that’s just it. When I placed my order, the server said, “Do you want fries with that?”

“So?”

“How did the server know I wanted the fries unless whoever is listening called ahead and told.”

“I think you need to lay down.”

“And supersize. How did the server know to ask? It keeps going on and on. When I couldn’t find the rye bread at the supermarket how did the checker know to ask if I found everything okay?” How does the gas pump know to ask “debit or credit?”

“I’m going to call the doctor in a minute if you don’t stop.”

“You better heed these warnings. As for me, I’m going to stop talking in the house. Do you hear that Mr. CIA? No more talking.”

“My prayers have been answered.”

“What’s that?”

“Nothing. Nothing at all.”