Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Take Another Look”

January 24, 2026January 24, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 60 Comments

The coffee machine sits in silence, waiting for orders. As a hapless slave to a caffeine addiction, there is no way to tolerate a malfunction. Yet the message on the touch pad screen says, “Message 666 see owners manual.” Flipping through the pages, message 666 finally pops up before my caffeine-starved, red-rimmed eyes. “Take Another Look,” was all it said. Looking back at the touchpad screen, the message reads “Got Cha,” and then the menu appears. Shaking my head, the two coffee selections are made, and my patience is rewarded with an eight-ounce mug of brain-saving elixir.

One sip, and the Westminster chimes and Igor’s hounds all begin a cacophony that threatens the eardrums. A quick toss of doggie treats for each and the slamming of the door to the soundproof room brings silence to the Earth. A glance at the security monitor shows Frosty the Snowman on the porch. Of course, the attempt is made to have the delivery left, but as usual, a signature is needed. With a sigh, the security shut-down process begins.

The SWAT team needs to be put on standby. A quick text to the leader confirms that status. Also, the flight of A-10 Warthogs must be diverted. Another call to the commander puts that worry to rest. The SEAL team needs to be called off, and a call to the leader makes that possible. A call to the tow truck driver stops the deployment of an M1A1 Abrams Tank. The control panel simplifies the security system’s shutdown process. The boiling oil vats are put on standby, the turret mortars disengaged, the Trebuchet on safety, the concertina wire rolled, the Claymore mines reset, the tower Gatling guns on safety, the moat net dropped, the alligators fed, and the IEDs and shoulder-held rockets put away. The Proton torpedoes switched off. The gamma ray beams covered. The high-powered maser guns switched to standby, and the nanorobots were chained in the basement. The Klingons are called back, and the Targ is caged. Robbie’s Bot is sent to the basement. The locks on the door are thrown. And the door opened.

Frosty points to the clipboard where to sign. After he hands me an envelope and holds out a mitten hand in the classic tip gesture, the tip of the day is delivered. “Better go and play before you melt away.” Stepping back through the front door, I give it a mighty slam. The envelope is from Linda Hill, and the message inside reads: Your prompt for #JusJoJan the 24th and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “take another look.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/23/the-friday-reminder-for-socs-jusjojan-2026-daily-prompt-for-jan-24th/

“What was Frosty the snowman doing in Texas?”

“Taking advantage of the below-freezing temperatures today, tomorrow, and Monday.”

“Wow. That’s not right. You Southerners aren’t built for that kind of weather.”

“No kidding. We wear knitted caps and gloves when it hits 50 degrees (10 C).”

“A bunch of weenies if you ask me.”

“You are the first to squeal when it hits 100 (37.7 C) in the summer.”

“Who wouldn’t?”

“Not Texans.”

“Whatever. We need to get to the pub, and the Uber is over there.”

“Wait a minute. We can’t go in that.”

“Why?”

“It only seats two, and it’s freezing out here.”

“Take another look. There is a backseat.”

“Who’s going to squeeze in there?”

“I will. There is one errand we have to make, though.”

“Uh huh. I thought so.”

“It’s an easy one.”

“What is it?”

“We need to drop off some moonshine on the way.”

“You are kidding, right?”

“No, this is a real-life Smoky and the Bandit.”

“Can I say no?”

“And miss a VooDoo Ranger?”

“My better judgment says, ‘Pass.” I’ll meet you at the pub.

“Okay, then I’ll stay with you. Let’s call another Uber.”

“Good thinking.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA -TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

January 23, 2026January 23, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 63 Comments

Today’s good news story comes from the Community Impact Newsletter. Thanks to The Producer for sending it to me.

St. Edward’s University partners with H-E-B to plant first Central Texas Tiny Forest

By Dacia Garcia | 5:23 PM Jan 21, 2026 CST
Updated 5:25 PM Jan 21, 2026 CST

St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas and H-E-B grocery chain have collaborated to create the first Tiny Forest in Austin and Central Texas to help improve canopy cover in communities throughout Austin.

St. Edward’s University and H-E-B have partnered to grow Austin and Central Texas’s first Tiny Forest using the Miyawaki Method. (Courtesy St. Edward’s University)

How it works

On Jan. 17, H-E-B team members, community volunteers, university students, faculty, and staff joined together to plant 54 square meters with 164 trees and shrubs.

The project uses the Miyawaki Method, an approach that enables trees to grow 10 times faster and seclude 10 times more carbon than traditional tree planting methods.

Arborist and sustainability coordinator Roy Johnson explained how the method differs from conventional tree planting.

One of the most noticeable differences in a Miyawaki forest is that the seedlings are planted at very high densities. This replicates the regeneration process that occurs in a natural forest when a clearing in the canopy opens up due to a larger tree falling. The saplings grow very fast to compete for the light, and then natural selection will favour the fastest-growing individuals and act to thin out the trees. The result is a densely packed pioneer forest that grows in 20 to 30 years instead of taking 150 to 200 years. This has obvious benefits for projects that are working to maximize a forest’s carbon sequestration potential or recreate habitat for biodiversity and wildlife.

“We can use this method to provide all of the benefits of conventional tree plantings, such as air and ground water filtration, erosion control, and cooling the air through evapotranspiration,” Johnson said. “However, using this specific and detailed method, trees can be expected to grow much faster than conventional plantings.”

Through this method, the trees planted at the event are expected to reach full maturity within the community’s lifetime, as stated in a news release.

Natural resources intern Veronica Chavez said the project will reduce the negative effects of urbanization on the local community.

“Even on just a local level, a tiny forest can improve air quality, help with stormwater management, and provide a cooling effect for the surrounding areas,” Chavez said. “It also becomes a habitat for local wildlife and pollinators, encouraging increased biodiversity in the area.”

On Jan. 17, community members, students, faculty and H-E-B partners joined together to plant 164 trees and shrubs for the Tiny Forest. (Courtesy St. Edward's University) — On Jan. 17, community members, students, faculty and H-E-B partners joined together to plant 164 trees and shrubs for the Tiny Forest. (Courtesy St. Edward’s University)

The background

According to the news release, the Miyawaki Method crafted by botanist Akira Miyawaki was inspired by his time witnessing large-scale deforestation from World War II and overdevelopment in Japan.

The project is a proof-of-concept model that can be shared with overdeveloped communities in need of the benefits of trees, such as areas within the eastern crescent of Austin, which typically receive low tree equity scores.

The event marks the second year of the university’s collaboration with H-E-B through its Trees for Texans program, which aims to support healthier environments for schools, parks, and communities throughout Texas.

Get involved

Community members can directly help the Tiny Forest project by participating in a fringe mantel planting in the fall or reaching out to sustainability@stedwards.edu for information about how to plant a tiny forest in their community. Interested individuals can also stay updated with the forest by checking out its Instagram @Seu_food_forest.

Quote of note

“These tiny forests won’t check every box needed for climate change mitigation and environmental justice, but they have the ability to be a massive boost to both,” Johnson said. “It seemed like we should jump on the opportunity to start introducing this concept to Austin sooner rather than later. We are very excited about the potential and very pleased that the ball has started rolling.”

The good news in this story is that humans have found out how to quickly reforest the land for the betterment of all living things. Today’s JohnKu talks about discovery from chaos. I hope you have a super weekend.

War ravaged the land,

Then a discovery was made . . .

Which benefits all.

Thursday – Anything Possible – Twiggy and Tempeste at Home

January 22, 2026January 20, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 104 Comments

”

“You know I haven’t jumped off the couch in months.”

“This is not the time to start again.”

“It does look pretty far down there.”

“A dislocated hip just waiting to happen.”

“Oh, come on. There is a bed on the floor.”

“With one inch of padding.”

“Why are you always a killjoy?”

“Five years older than you is why.”

“I guess experience does count for something.”

“Yeah, try a $5000 visit to the emergency vet.”

“Oooh. I don’t like that place at all.”

“So, get off the back of the couch.”

“I think you are right.”

“So why don’t you get off?”

“Did you ever hear of an irresistible impulse?”

“Oh, brother. Now I’ve heard everything.”

“What do you say we go out and chase a ball?”

“At last, you have come to your senses.”

“If only I could break away from this couch back.”

“Please stop.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – “Answer”

January 20, 2026January 18, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 51 Comments

Today I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 187. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is answer. That is our prompt today.

“Who has the correct answer? Yes, Jimmy.”

“To see what she could see?”

“No, I’m sorry, that’s not it. Anyone else? Yes, Cindy.”

“To find her brother?”

“Not quite, Cindy, but a good guess. Who’s next? Yes, Tom.”

“She needed to head home.”

“Well, eventually, but not quite yet. Yes, Mary Lou.”

“Her mother calls her.”

“That could happen, but not in this case. Frank, do you think you know?”

“To get an ice cream.”

“That would be fun, wouldn’t it. But for this exercise, we’ll have to wait for another time. I see your hand, Roland. What do you think?”

“She lives over there.”

“That is close, but not the exact answer we are looking for here. Yes, Tim.”

“To see her friends.”

“Another good guess, but just not exactly it. Okay Karen. Your turn.”

“To get to the other side.”

“You are absolutely right, Karen. Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side, of course. Well done.”

“Mr. Jones?”

“Yes, David.”

“That is really dumb.”

“I think you could say that, but it is an anti-joke (sometimes also described as a meta-joke).”

“What’s the purpose?”

“Just to alter expectations. The person hearing the joke expects something witty, and all they get is dumb.”

“Do you have another example?”

“Sure. What’s orange and sounds like a parrot?”

“I don’t know.”

“A carrot.”

“Now that’s funny.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do on a Bicycle

January 19, 2026January 17, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 76 Comments

The inspiration for this list is my three-day-a-week three-mile ride on the single-speed beach cruiser bike. I get some crazy thoughts while moving along, and I thought I would share them with you. This list was first published on January 31, 2017. I hope you enjoy it

10 On a bike, do not think you are riding a motorcycle. If you do, at best, the hand wave you make to the Hells Angels will be ignored. At worst, the leader of the pack, Tiny (WWF champion), will use you as an example of what happens when you mock the Hell’s Angels. (Don’t worry, he will untie you and let you go at the next town or fifty miles, whichever comes first, Ferd.)

9 On a bike, do not think you can take phone calls. If you do, at best, the other end will hear two out of ten words. At worst, you might be distracted enough to miss your turn and end up with a thirty-mile ride. (You have always warned people about that turn, and now you are the poster child, huh, Bunky?)

8 On a bike, do not think riding on a busy highway is the way to go. If you do, at best, you’ll get used to the horn honks. At worst, that eighteen-wheeler blast of air will knock some sense into you as you go airborne. (You were sure people couldn’t fly, weren’t you, Tex?)

7 On a bike, do not insist on exercising your rights to the right of way. If you do, at best, all others will concede. At worst, you’ll confront a passive-aggressive psychopath who has just been told they need to be more assertive. ( That crumpled aluminum mass can be sold for scrap, Buster. Just pick it up and walk the ten miles to the recycle center.)

6 On a bike, do not neglect proper clothing. If you do, at best, you can ignore the stares from those you pass. At worst, the citation for indecent exposure will be seen as a markdown from public lewdness. ( All because of that Speedo, huh, Ace?)

5 On a bike, do not forget that wet roads are slippery. If you do, at best, a couple of slides will be a reminder. At worst, that long hill ending at dead man’s curve seems to be a challenge right now, in that you are going twenty miles an hour straight down. (Brakes are a liability in this situation, aren’t they, Buford?)

4 On a bike, do not forget that insects will hit you at the speed you are going. If you do, at best, a couple of moth hits is all you will experience. At worst, you’ll have the pleasure of being dismounted by the largest June bug on the planet. (This is not a joust, and there is no princess kiss at the end, either, Duke.)

3 On a bike, do not watch the scenery more than the road. If you do, at best, you’ll get a warning to return to your lane. At worst, that lovely cottage and flower garden holding your attention is at the corner of the road and a drainage ditch. (mud and water are easy to get off you. What about the bike, Mike?)

2 On a bike, do not think more about your plot line and less about the double line. If you do, at best, you will get home safely. At worst, your storyline development will be interrupted by a quick ride to the ER. (Now with your leg in the air, you have plenty of time to do the storyline, huh, Ernest?)

1 On a bike, do not think you can do tricks like you’ve seen at the trick bike championships. If you do, at best, you’ll remember that all those champions are under twenty years old and stop yourself. At worst, you’ll get halfway through a triple spin and realize that your arthritis is no longer your major bone problem. (Enjoy everyone visiting you in the hospital and asking, “What were you thinking, John?”)

Views of the Neighborhood – Potpourri

January 18, 2026January 16, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 83 Comments

Today, we are going to take a look at various items. We are catered by Caroline of Austin. Our entertainment is Neil Diamond.

Biscuits & Gravy – buttermilk biscuits, sausage gravy, fried eggs

Spinach & Feta Egg White Omelet – grilled red onion, cherry tomato, breakfast potatoes, choice of toast

Ham & Cheddar Omelet – smoked ham, aged cheddar, breakfast potatoes, choice of toast

Eggs Your Way – choice of chicken sausage or peppered bacon, breakfast potatoes, choice of toast

Whipped Ricotta Pancakes – syrup, whipped butter, powdered sugar

Crispy Chicken & Waffles – maple syrup, honey butter

Huevos Rancheros – sunny eggs, crispy tortilla, black bean, jalapeño, avocado, queso fresco

Green Chili & Chicken Enchiladas – fried egg, yogurt crema, cilantro, avocado, lime

Sweet Corn Cake Benedict – poached eggs, jalapeno cheddar corn cake, avocado, tomato & corn salsa

Picture of an old time school bus

Let’s get on the bus.

Here we are. The first six photos were taken by The Producer.

A new parrot mailbox topper

The moon sets in the morning.

Looks like a bed has met its maker.

A cute doe guarded by a virtual buck.

Fox and a tortoise. (with a broken leg)

Sunrise.

Hibiscus before cold temperatures

Bougainvillea and parsley.

Arbor Day Oak giveaway with leaves beginning to turn.

Cilantro, Rosemary, and Oregano.

Assorted blooms

Daylight super moon.

We can now relax and enjoy some food and music. I hope you have a wonderful week.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste On Their Own

January 15, 2026January 13, 2026 ~ John W. Howell

So where is Dad and Aunt Barbara?”

“They went off to see a sculpture garden and an art exhibit.”

“So what does that mean to us?”

“Of course you would ask that. Well, it means we are on our own until they come back.”

“On our own. Like we’re orphans?”

“No, it means that Dad will be taking some time to be with her.”

“How much time?”

“As you know, she came in on Tuesday and will be leaving Saturday.”

“Okay, so why did Dad turn off the comments?”

“He will be busy and won’t be blogging again until Sunday.”

“So in theory, we are without Dad.”

” When Dad is gone, yes. Here comes Mom to open the door.”

“Gee, I will miss Dad.”

“Don’t be silly. He will be here, just not blogging.”

“But this blog is part of our world.”

“Don’t get too extensional. It just means that come Sunday, Dad will be blogging again.

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – “Focus”

January 13, 2026January 12, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 48 Comments

Today, I randomly opened The Last Drive to page 129. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “focus.” This is our prompt today.

“You got the target?”

“Roger. My focus is absolutely laser sharp.”

“Well, just track it then and wait for my order.”

“Yes, sir. Staying with it.”

“It’s important that you wait until the target is out in the open. You don’t want any trees to cause a miss.”

“Yes, sir. Roger that. Still on target.”

“Good.”

“The target has picked up speed.”

“He might know you are locked on.”

“I don’t get that indication. Maybe he is anxious to return to his base.”

“Yeah, that could be, but we can’t let that happen.”

“So should I take him now?”

“Just hold a few moments more. We need to have a clean kill.”

“He’s starting evading maneuvers now.”

“Yeah, I see that.”

“He definitely knows we are here. ”

“Okay then. Take him out as soon as practicable.”

“Yes, sir. Here I go.”

“Right behind you.”

“Ooooof.”

“Nice one.”

“Let’s go back to the nest and have a feast.”

“I just love squirrel, don’t you?”

“My favorite.”

Top Ten Things Not To Do as New Year’s Resolutions

January 12, 2026January 11, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 47 Comments

This post was originally published by Marie Ann Bailey and me on January 6, 2014. Since some of us still make New Year’s resolutions, I thought it might come in handy.

Top Ten Things Not To Do as New Year’s Resolutions

10. For your New Year’s Resolutions, do not put “Exercise Daily” or the word “exercise” anywhere on your list. If you do, at best, you will wind up paying for a gym membership you will never use because you always have an excuse not to go. At worst, while trying to cover up your lack of participation to your personal trainer, you will drop a 25-pound weight on your foot, resulting in an injury that uses up most of your sick leave and the remaining days of your gym membership.

9. For your New Year’s Resolutions, do not include on your list: “Start the [fill in the blank] diet to lose the ten pounds I gained over the holidays.” If you do, at best, you’ll only lose a lot of water, which, for a few days, may make you look and feel like you lost ten pounds. At worst, the minute you go off the diet, the weight will all come back, two-fold. What was with all that flushing anyway?

8. For your New Year’s Resolutions, do not include in your list: “Quit smoking cold turkey.” If you do, at best, this item doesn’t apply to you because you don’t smoke. At worst, you do smoke, and going cold turkey might get you through five minutes without a puff. Then you will tear through your house, upending the trash as you try to salvage at least one smokable filter. Of course, even five minutes without smoking is another five minutes your body gets a break.

7. For your New Year’s Resolutions, do not put “Get organized” anywhere on your list. If you do, at best it’s too vague (it could mean “get organized at work,” “get your kitchen organized,” or “organize your bookshelf”), and you’ll forget it anyway. At worst, you’ll think that you have committed yourself to organizing everything in your life, including your friends’ and family’s schedules, and they will commit you for having a near-lethal case of OCD.

6. For your New Year’s Resolutions, do not put “Read all the books on my To Be Read list.” If you do, at best, you only have two books on your TBR list, and so you now have the whole year to read them. At worse, you (like so many of us) have a Leaning Tower of TBR in every room in your house. The only way you’ll get through them all is if you quit your job, quit sleeping, and quit taking bathroom breaks (unless your bathroom also serves as a reading room).

5. For your New Year’s Resolutions, do not commit yourself to reading every blog you follow every day. Much like item #5, that will only work if, at best, you only follow a couple of blogs. At worst, if you follow more blogs than there are seconds in a day, you may have a worse dilemma than that in #5. Unless you don’t mind taking your iPad or laptop to the toilets with you, bathroom breaks will cost you precious reading time.

4. For your New Year’s Resolutions, do not put “Get last year’s NaNoWriMo novel (still in first draft) published in six months” anywhere on your list. If you do, at best (and least likely), you’ve already read through your first draft and am pleasantly surprised that it actually makes sense and will need minor editing. At worst (and most likely), you’ll find your first draft is just a hodgepodge of random stories and blog posts, and any attempt to put it in readable form by the end of the year (much less published) will likely drive you insane.

3. For your New Year’s Resolutions, do not add “Save money by not buying books” to your list. Who are you kidding? If you do, at best, that resolution will last only until you receive your next Barnes & Noble 20% coupon. At worst, you’ll fill up your e-readers with free e-books until you realize that reading those books in print is much more fun. Before you know it, you will have spent your imagined savings, and it’s only week 2 of the New Year.

2. For your New Year’s Resolutions, do not add “Learn to do at least one risky activity a month, like sky-diving or bungee-jumping.” If you do, at best, you’ll learn about the activity but never get around to doing any of them once you understand the risks and decide life is too short to risk shortening it more. At worst (and if you don’t think life is already too short), you’ll try to make like Nik Wallenda over the Grand Canyon, but without the success.

1. For your New Year’s Resolutions, do not set your resolutions so high that they remain forever out of reach, nor so low that it’s not even worth stooping to find them. Instead, for your New Year’s Resolutions, start each one with “Be grateful for …” Be grateful for your health, for all the great books and bloggers you have to read, for knowing when to live dangerously and when to live vicariously. Be grateful you are here for a New Year.