Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Mash

April 17, 2021April 16, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 49 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time, and there was a small envelope lying on the front sidewalk. I opened it, and here is what it said “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “mash.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!”

If you would like to have some fun, visit Linda Hill’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link https://lindaghill.com/2021/04/16/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-april-17-2021/

“Why are you staring at the piece of paper. Oh wait, don’t answer that. It has to be Stream of Consciousness time again.”

“Yes, it is. This week is a one-word prompt that has me flummoxed.”

“Flummoxed, eh? Must be a big word.”

“You just get in from Toronto? No, it isn’t a big word. it’s a confusing word.”

“Like antidisestablishmentarianism?”

“No, like mash.”

“Mash?”

“Yeah, mash. What can you do with mash?’

“Oh, man. How about a song and dance?”

“Song and dance?”

“Yeah, Monster Mash and Mash potatoes.”

“No, everyone will do those.”

“Okay, then let’s go to sour mash.”

“Sour mash? What the heck is that?”

“The makins for whiskey. You get corn and let it ferment and—”

“That will be fine. We don’t need to go on about sour mash.”

“How about Mash 4077?”

“The TV show? Um, that’s another one everyone will do.”

“Okay, I’m close to giving up. How about an idea from you?”

“I could talk of the Mash bike.”

“Yeah, that would be a real crowd-pleaser.”

“At least it would be unique.”

“Like green hair.”

“It is getting close to lunch.”

“yeah, so what does that have to do with the prompt?”

“The pub is calling.”

“I’m always game for that. You need to complete your prompt exercise.”

“Okay, how about we have a black and Tan and . . . wait for it. . . bangers and mash.”

“You did it.”

“Yup, I did.”

“Let’s go. The first is on me.”

“Uber is waiting.”

Friday John Ku – AKA- TGIF

April 16, 2021April 15, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 92 Comments

“You look for Friday over there. I’ll look over here.”
“How will I know it’s Friday?”
“Believe me you will know.”

It is Friday again. This week has flown for me and I can’t put my finger on why. I guess the why doesn’t matter anyway. The important thing is it was a good week. Well, I have to be very honest. At my age, every week is a good one. At least I have myself convinced of that which makes life much more enjoyable.

Looks like Texas is approaching 34% of the population has received at least one shot of the COVID Vaccine. 21.2% of all Texans are fully vaccinated. This is a change of about 7% for each category since April 2nd. There are reports that estimate at least 30% of Texans do not plan to get vaccinated at all. So the so-called herd immunity level; of 70% looks iffy right now.

People will “likely” need a third shot of the Pfizer vaccine as a booster within 12 months of being fully vaccinated, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said yesterday. Looks like the virus is here for a while.

The number of COVID cases across the US is beginning to rise given the lifting of restrictions by the states. My belief is the restrictions were lifted too early. This could be a very tense summer indeed.

Today’s JohnKu talks about the importance of a positive mental attitude. I hope you all have a safe and happy weekend.

Have you ever asked,

Yourself the title question . . .

What is your answer?

If your answer sounds

Like there needs some improvement . . .

Attitude is first.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Lucy and Twiggy Outside.

April 15, 2021April 14, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 110 Comments

“Looks like a nice day to be outside.”

“Yeah, it does. Not too hot and lots of clouds.”

“I see mom put out some flowers.”

“Yes, Little One, the first of the season.”

“Hey, what’s this. Somebody left a piece of kibble here.”

“I would leave that alone if I were you.”

“Whoa. This has a real bite to it.”

“I told you to leave it alone.”

“I don’t think I ever tasted anything like that before.”

“That’s cause it’s not kibble.”

“What is it then.”

“I suspect it is squirrel poop.”

“I’m glad you are so fast, Lucy.”

“Yeah, why were you chasing me anyway?”

“Calling that kibble squirrel poop. Hey, do you hear that?”

“Whatever it is, you sure picked up speed.”

“We need to get in. There is danger.”

“Hold on, Little One. Mom will open the door.”

“No time, no time, I gotta save us.”

“Okay, Little one. I’m coming to help bark the door open.”

“See, I told you so. A delivery truck for next door.”

“Well, at least it’s not UPS.”

“I wonder if I can bark this one to Tulsa?”

“Easy Little one. Let it rip.”

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

April 14, 2021April 13, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 56 Comments

It is Wednesday Story Day again. Last week, Larry, Andrew, and Mike Moore arrived at the warehouse where the SUV was found that spirited ADA Thomas, Lieutenant Mayfield, and Lazar Popović away from the highway patrol headquarters by two guys posing as agents of the FBI. Supposedly Lazar will be traded for Carolyn. When our boys pulled up, the warehouse had many patrol cars around it, and Moore asked everyone to stand down. Let’s get to the warehouse, so we don’t miss anything.

“Patrol one. Moore here.”

“Go ahead, Moore.”

“Are you men in place to breach the structure?”

“Affirmative. We have someone at every entrance..”

“Okay, good. So we don’t shoot each other I think we ought to go in the main door in front. You people in position can make sure no one sneaks out the back. You. copy?”

“Loud and clear.”

“Good. Have a couple of troopers meet us at the front. We will go in on my count.”

“Roger that, Moore. Trooper one out.”

“Moore out. Okay, Larry, you have a sidearm, right?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Andrew?”

“I only have my two arms.”

“Fine. You stay here. Larry, follow me.”

“Right behind you. Bye, Andrew.”

“Keep your head down, Larry.”

“Larry, when we meet up with the troopers, I’m going to ask you to stay behind us, okay?”

“You’re the boss.”

“Hi, guys. My name is Moore, Special Agent. FBI.”

“Sampson here. You know me as Patrol one.”

“Sounds like our communication gear is working fine. Okay, here’s how we are going to do this. Let’s check to see if the door is unlocked. If not, we need a ram up here.”

“We already checked. It’s unlocked.”

“Great. Then let’s hit it. Your guys can penetrate and loft a couple of stun grenades.” We’ll follow you.”

“Does that guy in the suit have a vest?”

“No, he is going to stay behind me.”

“Okay, sounds good. We are ready.”

“On three then. One, two, three. Go, go, go.”

“Hot damn. Someone’s shooting.”

“Launch the grenades.”

“There they go. Okay, shootings stopped. Let’s go.”

“Shit, a lot of smoke.”

“Yeah, that happens. Stay low. We don’t know how many were in here. Nevada Highway Patrol. Put down your weapons.”

“Oooh.”

“Here’s one. Put the cuffs on him. He looks stunned but not badly hurt. Man, that is some weapon he has. Talk about machine guns. Careful now there could be more. I don’t see Thomas or Mayfield anywhere.”

“It looks like there was just one guy left behind.”

“Check to see if anyone made it out the back.”

“Patrol one to troop. See anyone come out the back.”

“Patrol two negative.”

“Patrol three, negative.”

“Patrol four, negative.”

“Well, that covers it. We are pretty clear in here. Doesn’t look like the rest are here. I hope that guy can tell us something.”

“Don’t count on it. They work for Cortez, and loose lips are not one of their approved habits.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #307 by Keith Channing

April 13, 2021April 12, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

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.”

The photo

“So Trevor, old boy. How have you been lately?”

“You are talking like we don’t share living space. You know how things have been lately.”

“I’m just trying to make conversation while we wait.”

“Yeah, well, don’t bother. Those humans will be in there forever. Or at least, it will seem forever.”

“What goes on in there.”

“See that horseshoe?”

“Yes, I do now.”

“That is a sign of luck.”

“And what does a sign of luck mean?”

“We’ll be lucky to get out of here in less than two hours.”

“Why do you say that?”

“See that beaded curtain?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Once a human goes through a beaded curtain, it is like the brain is wiped clean.”

“I still don’t understand.”

“Inside beaded curtains are all kinds of weird things. There’s tea to drink.”

“That doesn’t take long.”

“Cakes to eat.”

“Yum. I could do that in a second.”

“Leaves to read.”

“Huh?”

“These people finish their tea and then look at the dregs at the bottom for guidance.”

“Like sniffing a fireplug?”

“I suppose. They put their nose in it and get all up in the leaves.”

“I know I need to get my nose all up in things to get a read on them too.”

“Also, there are things.”

“Things?”

“Yes, shelves of things. Useless crap like soap and those smelly sticks.”

“I remember we ate a couple of those. Mom kept yelling about her defusers. I thought that maybe there would be an explosion.”

“I remember that too. Pretty funny. The most feared of all items is a scarf or hat the gets put on for a picture.”

“A picture of the humans?”

“No, you dolt. A picture of us.”

“Us?”

“See my pose.”

“Yes.”

“Imagine some hideous scarf or bunny ears.”

“The horror, the horror.”

“Yes. You describe it well. Was that your Marlon Brando voice?”

“Thanks. Been working on that. Why don’t we just take off?”

“Whhhaaaattt? We were given the command ‘wait.'”

“So it is just a word.”

“Don’t be a fool. Behind that word is all the things we hold dear. Kibble, treats, ear scratch, belly rub, fetch, delivery person barking—”

“Okay, I get it. We will stay till our hinnies hurt. I just hope the hat and scarf thing is not in the cards.”

“You want to play a game of cards?”

“Sure, which one?”

“I’m thinking of a card. You tell me which one.”

“The three of clubs.”

“Nope. That’s not it.”

“Hey wait a minute.”

“You are too quick for me. It was the Ace of Spades. I’m thinking of another.”

“Queen of hearts.”

“Nope.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do While Birdwatching

April 12, 2021April 11, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 73 Comments

This post was originally run on April 11th, 2016. I hope you enjoy it.

The inspiration for this list is the fact that birds of all kinds are in the process of migration and spring has sprung. I thought I would start off with a little bird joke.

Vultures
As migration approached, two elderly vultures doubted they could make the trip south, so they decided to go by airplane. When they checked their baggage, the attendant noticed that they were carrying two dead raccoons.

“Do you wish to check the raccoons through as luggage?” she asked.

“No, thanks,” replied the vultures. “They’re carrion.”*

*Courtesy of http://Hungarianbirdwatching.com

Top Ten Things Not to Do While Birdwatching

10 If you are birdwatching, do not leave home without your species checklist. If you do, at best, you will not know the species of birds in your area. At worst, you will broadcast to every watcher for ten miles that you have no idea what you are doing. (Which is the case, right? Slick.)

9 If you are birdwatching, do not ask someone if you could borrow their binoculars. If you do, at best, you will get a lecture on proper preparedness for birdwatching. At worst, the folks you ask will spread the word that you are an escaped mental patient. (Who else would ask for binoculars. It’s like using someone else’s toothbrush.)

8 If you are birdwatching, do not take a guess out loud about the species of bird. If you do, and you are wrong, your fellow birders will pounce as if they are Panthers to correct you. At worst, the leader of the group will ask you kindly to sit at the edge of the road with the hopes you will be run over. (Man, these folks are serious)

7 If you are birdwatching, do not toss terms like mantle, bib, and flair around lightly. If you do, at best, you will broadcast the fact that you should have stayed home. At worst, you might be responsible for that kindly old gent finally going postal after being so patient with you. (He is certainly agile with that cane, isn’t he?)

6 If you are birdwatching, do not snicker at the apparel of your fellow birdwatchers. If you do, at best, they all will be too busy to notice. At worst, they will all snicker at you when you need hospital care for the sunburn, chigger, and tick bites. (How’s that Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever treating you?)

5 If you are bird watching, do not make any sudden noises. If you do, at best, you will capture the frown crown. At worst, your noise caused the rare Tillywinkle Warbler to take flight, causing most of the group to miss the sighting. (Does that group murmuring sound like an old west posse?)

4 If you are bird watching, do not pull out a pastrami sandwich to munch on while looking at birds. If you do, at best, your fellow birders will try to ignore you and the pastrami. At worst, the leader will offer a kindly suggestion about the appropriate place for that sandwich. (No one told you that eating and bird watching are not allowed. The location suggested for the sandwich sounded quite impractical and dark, didn’t it?)

3 If you are bird watching, do not yell “Tally Ho” when you sight a rare species. If you do, at best, the bird will fly away. At worst, the group is not carrying a defibrillator to handle what could be resultant heart attacks. (Those old folks go down like ten-pins, right, Buster?)

2 If you are bird watching, do not offer your fellow watchers a pull from the old flask. If you do, at best, they will try to lose you in the woods. At worst, just as you thought you were getting along, you realize the group is setting you up for an intervention. (After all, no self-respecting birder would chance anything that would interfere with seeing the birds. Therefore, you need help)

1 If you are bird watching, do not walk and watch at the same time. If you do, At best, that hole you stepped in is only a few inches deep. At worst, you could walk off the end of the swamp pier and into the waiting jaws of “Old Hickory,” the crocodile. (He gets, at least, one a month this way.)

Views of the Neighborhood – Spring Flowers

April 11, 2021April 10, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 97 Comments

Today we are going out to find the spring wildflowers, and as usual, we need to be fortified with good food and drink. Today we are being catered brunch from Matties in Austin.

Matties Brunch

STARTER
FriedGreenTomatoes shrimp+crabsalad,lemon,creoleremoulade . . . . .
SALADS
Farmhouse Salad (V) local greens, fennel relish, tarragon vinaigrette, cherry tomatoes

Beet Salad cardamom yogurt preserved lemon, arugula, hazelnuts

Frisée Salad pickled apples, arugula, roasted grapes, candied pecans, bleu cheese, lemon-poppyseed dressing

Little Gem Caesar (V) creamy cashew caesar dressing, rebel tomatoes, almond “parmesan,” garlic crostini Add to any salad
Roasted chicken breast Seared salmon
ENTRÉES
Biscuits+ChorizoCreamGravy ̊with scrambled eggs
Milk Punch French Toast macerated strawberries, candied pecans, whipped cream, bourbon maple syrup.
Green Chile Pork Chilaquiles tomatillo sauce, chunky pico de gallo, over-easy eggs, cotija cheese, tortilla chips
Breakfast Plate ̊ scrambled eggs, home fries, bacon, or house-made wild boar sausage.
Fried Chicken Eggs Benedict ̊ buttermilk biscuits, hollandaise, green salad
Basmati Rice Bowl (V) chickpeas, coconut curry, roasted vegetables, cilantro, tomato, green onions
Grassfield Farms Beef Burger ̊ aged Tillamook cheddar, tomato-bacon jam, Duke’s mayo, house frites. Add egg, bacon, or avocado
SIDES
Nueske’sBacon HomeFries Porfi’s Housemade Sage Sausage FreshFruit(V)

Wine

Raventós i Blanc Blanc de Blancs Conca del Riu Anoia, Catalonia, Spain 2016

Moussé Fils ‘l’Extra Or d’Eugène’ Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut Champagne, France nv

Chateaude Brézé Cremantde Loire Brut Rosé France nv

Rose Gold Côtes de Provence,France 2018

Dessert

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Tart honey roasted peanuts, flourless brownie, salted caramel sauce

Mexican Vanilla Ice Cream peach curd, blackberry compote, sugar oat streusel

Hummingbird Cake banana, coconut, pineapple, cashew, almond,
rum-cream cheese frosting

Today’s entertainment will be a soothing and relaxing time with a Cardinal at the falls.

So let’s get on board.

Along the side of the main drag in Lakeway is a beautiful display of bluebonnets.

And some wild daisies.

Closeup of the bluebonnets.

A few four nerve daisies in with the bluebonnets

The California poppies are blooming

A close-up of the California poppies.

We are now at the greenbelt, and the iris are blooming.

A close-up of the iris.

The cedar sage (Salvia roemeriana) is lovely.

Path with bluebonnets on each side.

A close-up of the bluebonnets

It could be Antelope horns (Asclepias Asperula), but I’m not sure.

Evening primrose close-up.

The evening primrose in the natural setting.

Some prairie verbena (Glandularia bipinnatifida)

A fern by a water feature.

We have finished our tour. Stay and have some food and listen to the falls and cardinal.

Have a great week.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Difference

April 10, 2021April 10, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 53 Comments

A large box was left on the porch today. Since it wasn’t from Chewy, I was pretty sure Linda Hill had paid a visit with this week’s prompt. The box did have a sinister look about it. Sure enough, after a precautionary soak in a tub of water, here is what was inside.

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “difference.” Whatever the word “difference” conjures first in your mind, write about it. Enjoy!

If you would like to enjoy little things like this and want to experience difference go to Linda’s blog and read how easy it is to participate.

Here is the link.

https://lindaghill.com/2021/04/09/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-april-10-2021/

“Hey, there, my man. Why are you hanging that wet paper on the line?”

“This is the prompt from Linda Hill.”

“Why is it wet?”

“I wanted to make sure it wasn’t from a bomber, so I soaked the package in water.”

“Surely you know the difference between Linda’s messages and something strange like a package from a bomber?”

“I don’t like to be called Shirley. Yes, I know the difference between a Chewy box and Linda’s. This one looked a little strange.”

“How so? Give me an example of the difference.”

“The return address on this one was blacked out.”

“Yeah, okay. That does show a difference.”

“There was a printed warning on the side.”

“What did it day.”

“Explosives – Do not drop.”

“A total difference for sure. Anything else?”

“Another note.”

“Which said?”

“Loud ticking is normal.”

“Hahahaha. I think Linda was playing a trick on you.”

“See, that just shows the difference between you and me.”

“What difference?”

“You laugh at everything.”

“And you frown at everything.”

“Like I said, there is a difference between us. You see the glass as half full.”

“And you see the glass as half empty.”

“Speaking of.”

“Yeah, a nice full glass of beer.”

“You’re turn to buy.”

“I’ll make it a pitcher.”

“Even better.”

“Viva the difference.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

April 9, 2021April 8, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 77 Comments

“Hey, Lucy. Look at these spots before my eyes”
“That’s dappled sunlight, Little One.”
“Who invented that?”
“The Big Dog over the Rainbow bridge.”

Hello, Friday you big beautiful thing you. It is so nice to see you again. Yes, indeed, it is Friday and close to the weekend.

This week has been pretty much a non-event. Yes, I worked on my WIP and am please about that. The new month started, and I can’t believe it is April already. Other than that not much to say

Today’s JohnKu talks about what to do when blogging news is scarce.

I hope you all have a great weekend.

When you have nothing,

New and ready to report . . .

Sign off gracefully.