“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.
There won’t be a Kreative Kue for a couple of weeks – it seems someone is rather keen (and in a hurry) to buy our home here in France. Next week, we’ll be heading to the north of England in an effort to identify a house to live in after we have to leave this one! The next scheduled Kreative Kue will be on Easter Monday, 22nd April.”
Looks like I will be on my own for the next two weeks. Good luck to Keith in househunting. (I have walked in his shoes)
If your significant other is having a birthday, there are things that one should not do. It just so happens that yesterday was my significant other’s birthday, and except for one thing I managed to avoid the other stuff on the list.
10 If your significant other is having a birthday, do not take a lot of time writing a Ten Things Not to Do list. If you do, at best there is still time for other activities. At worst, you will run out of time to celebrate the birthday. (Now you are in deep yogurt, Ghoukas. What happened to the cake, presents, and good wishes? You better pray for author understanding.)
9 If your significant other is having a birthday, do go to the gym with Tiny the WWF wrestling champ. If you do, at best you’ll only have sore muscles from sparring with him. At worst, Tiny will show you his latest helicopter spin and drop maneuver. (Hard to celebrate from the ER huh, Giancarlo? Don’t worry someone will call and let your significant other know you won’t make the party.)
8 If your significant other is having a birthday, do not think a packet of beef jerky from the convenience store is the perfect gift. If you do, at best your significant other will take it as a joke. At worst, you’ll be dining alone tonight. (That beef jerky helps cover the taste of the crow, Gili. Better luck next year.)
7 If your significant other is having a birthday, don’t forget to cancel your participation in the weekly bowling event. If you do forget, at best you’ll stay home. At worst, you’ll go to the event and suffer dire consequences. (Did no one ever tell you about life choices, Gilvaethwy? You now must live with the results of your neglect. Please remember it was Fido’s house before you moved in.)
6 If your significant other is having a birthday, do not think going to your favorite place is the best experience for a birthday. If you do, at best none of the usual crowd are there. At worst, your bowling team members and the local motorcycle club are having a beer chugging contest. (You could have made a reservation at a beautiful place, Giovany. But no, and now your significant other is being cheered on as she downs a quart bong. Tomorrow is not going to be a good day for you.)
5 If your significant other is having a birthday, do not expect a home cooked meal instead of dinner out. If you do, at best you’ll get cold cuts. At worst, your significant other will cook something and leave it with a note that lets you know a restaurant visit was expected. (Looks like your significant other and a bunch of friends are having more fun than you, Girvin.)
4 If your significant other is having a birthday, do not offer to bake a cake unless you know what you are doing. If you do, at best you can still have time to call the bakery. At worst, the suggestion will be made to use your masterpiece as a doorstop. (Never knew frosting to get that hard did you, Glaucus. Maybe NASA would like to know about your formula.)
3 If your significant other is having a birthday, do not buy a card with a message that is obviously not a natural expression of your feelings. If you do, at best your significant other will get a chuckle. At worst the inscription, “Roses are red, Violets are blue, I want to run away, How about you?” will be taken the wrong way. (You were talking about a trip together, Gobrwy. What are you doing in court?)
2 If your significant other is having a birthday, do not give a gift which you know is not suited. If you do, at best you might be able to keep it. At worst, you might be wearing it. (They say to give a gift that you would like to receive, Godric. Not sure your significant other had a cordless weed trimmer in mind as the perfect gift.)
1 If your significant other is having a birthday, do not invite guests to the celebration who your significant other does not know. If you do, at best there will be some new friendships made. At worst, you will get no kudos for the uncomfortable feeling your significant other will have in a room filled with strangers. (It seemed like a good idea at the time, Gofraidh. You better get over there it looks like your significant other, and your boss are having some kind of argument.)
The park in Lakeway is celebrating the Twenty-Fifth anniversary. Since the Producer and I have never visited in our three weeks here, we thought it a good idea. We were surprised by the size and services offered. As a side note, the city council bearly passed the approval for the park when it was first proposed. Now it is a city treasure. I hope you like the tour.
A sign letting you know that this is it.
Unique cactus at the entrance.
A surprise was a full-sized ball diamond named Ranger Field after the excavating company who made it possible. (Not named after the Texas Rangers)
A view of the outfield from the umpire position.
A shot of the bleachers and dugout down the first base line.
A huge playground. I noticed that this part is for 2 to 5-year-olds. Given the directions of not wearing a helmet, I think the children learn to read very early here.
A pavilion for parties including a dance floor.
A Texas-shaped stone honoring those who made the park possible.
A sigh with rules.
A shuffleboard needing some TLC.
A cactus garden
The cactus garden dedication.
A dog park with an agility course.
Rules of the dog park.
A kayak launch site on Lake Travis in Lakeway Park.
A place to borrow a life jacket if you left yours at home.
Sand Volleyball courts.
A view of the lake. The construction is a new park bench. (Not in view)
This is very unusual. It is a butterfly garden with all manner of flowering plants to attract butterflies. You can see some Texas Bluebonnets in the background.
It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is “dough/d’oh.” Linda Hill says, “Use one, use both, use ’em any way you like. Enjoy!” Well, you heard her. If you would like to join in visit Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.
“It is a beautiful Friday morning, Little One.” “What should we do today, Lucy?” “The sky’s the limit, Little Potato. The absolute limit.”
Another Friday and just have to say time flies. This seems to be the big lament. I’m happy to report the washer, dryer, and refrigerator arrived and are installed. I’m pleased to say we will not have to eat salted game and fish anymore. Okay, maybe I exaggerate a little. We do have a fridge in the garage that has met our needs quite well. It just seems that everything you need is out there and everything you don’t need is in here. I think you get the picture. Also stumbling over two cars to get to a quart of milk is a little inconvenient.
We seem to be getting closer to more of the things we need. Once you have clean clothes and ice, there isn’t much else. Well, we still need a dining room table. Ours arrived with two broken legs. That meant going back and getting a new one. We are still not sure when it will come. The dining room chairs are a way off as well. We are fortunate to have a kitchen island where we can sit and eat. The island stools were some of the first things to arrive so we lucked out.
All in all, things are coming along. This week’s JohnKu talks about patience which is one thing we have learned to embrace. I hope you have a rewarding weekend.
“Yeah, it’s Wednesday, Little One. Friday will be here shortly.” “I got your back, Lucy.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we learned that Janice was the beneficiary of a five-million-dollar insurance plan. We also discovered that Cortez had a similar policy on Alexis Rafferty as a critical member of his organization. Although Larry and Andrew were dismissed by Evon there is a lingering question on who would most benefit from Alexis’ demise. I see Larry and Andrew are in the car heading back to the station. I’m sure we want to hear what they have to say.
“Well, Larry that was a rather inelegant departure.”
“Yeah. Don’t remind me, Andrew. Do you believe Rafferty had ten million bucks riding on his head.”
“That is certainly a lot of money.”
“Yeah and I wonder who had the most to gain by seeing him dead.”
“Hard to say. Mrs. Rafferty would get five of the ten.”
“And Cortez the other five.”
“That’s right. Also, we learned that Rafferty didn’t want to sign that report.”
“Although it looks like he did.”
“Could be a forgery.”
“That would be worth checking for sure. So, if Rafferty didn’t want to sign the report and Cortez could get five million if he were no longer around, I say the scale of who would gain more tilts to Cortez.”
“Of course, that assumes he could collect.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think the insurance company is going to investigate the circumstances of the death and if they determine it is a homicide all bets will be off.”
“So, we need to contact that company and see where they are in their investigation.”
“I didn’t get the company’s name. Did you?”
“No, but I think when Evon gives me a call about Rafferty’s contract, I’ll ask him for it.”
“I have another idea. Let’s call that chief of police in South Tahoe and see if the company contacted him. Surely they would want to talk to the police.”
“Great idea. Also, in this way, we won’t tip our hand. You have genius tendencies, Andrew.”
“I just feel that the less contact we have with Janice and Evon the better.”
“You think they had something to do with the death?”
“I think we can call it murder given what we know now.”
“Okay, do you think they had something to do with the murder?”
“Five million bucks can be a big motivator.”
“See I think Rafferty alive would be able to make more than five million so I don’t agree with you.”
“You like Janice huh?”
“No. I mean that she could gain more if Rafferty were alive and working.”
“Unless there is another reason.”
“Like what?”
“Oh, like a boyfriend. Like marital discord. Maybe Rafferty had a girlfriend.”
“So, we need to check out Janice carefully.”
“And Rafferty. Cortez, we know could have done it.”
“Man, we have a lot to do.”
“You need to slow down. Nothing like a Boston police detective being given a ticket in the burbs.”
“You’re right. I’m pretty anxious to get back to the station and get to work.”
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 post continues the Top Ten Things Not to Do against a historical background. In March of 1665, the establishment of the Newmarket course in Salisbury, New York, a section of what is now known as the Hempstead Plains of Long Island is recognized as the start of thoroughbred horse racing in the United States.
If you plan to travel back to witness this event the following is a list that may help guide your appropriate behavior.
Top Ten Things Not to Do at the First Horse Race in America in 1665
10 If you are at the first horse race, do not ask about the missing bugle First Call to the post. If you do, at best no one will know what you are asking. At worst, someone will hand you a bugle and demand you play it. (Since the First Call was used beginning in the 1860s to signal that the race is ten minutes away, it doesn’t matter what you play, Gavin. Just know that whatever it is will be used throughout history. I think I would hand the bugle back and tell them you don’t play it.)
9 If you are at the first horse race, do not try to get close to the favorite if Tiny the WWF champ is the groom. If you do, at best Tiny will just push you away. At worst, Tiny just left the owner’s office with the instructions to keep everyone away at all costs. (What you should know about Tiny, Gavril is “at all costs.” does not include considering your welfare as precious. I would begin moving toward the door and for heaven’s sake don’t make eye contact with Tiny.)
8 If you are at the first horse race, do not ask for a program or schedule of races. If you do, at best you will be laughed out of the track. At worse the track owner might think you are going to start your own racetrack and are nothing but a spy. (The fact that the track owner is the national bull wrestling champ and is known for his lack of sense of humor means you should probably begin to find a route of escape, Gaylin.)
7 If you are at the first horse race, do not ask for special seats in the clubhouse. If you do, at best you will be shown a stool in the barn. At worst, you’ll give some entrepreneur a bright idea on how to make money without a horse. (Even today, thanks to you, Gearoid, the racetracks have figured out how to charge for deluxe seats while making those who pay through the nose feel special.)
6 If you are at the first horse race, do not dress like you were going to the Ascot in coat and tails. If you do, at best someone will ask you for a drink order. At worst you might be mistaken for the town crier and be asked to repeat the latest news. (Now how are you going to explain what is going on around here, Gelasius? You just arrived twenty minutes ago.)
5 If you are at the first horse race, do not order a mint julep. If you do, at best the barkeeper will think you are drunk. At worst, you’ll get all involved in trying to explain Kentucky whiskey, mint and Ice. (Now everyone is asking questions about where you are from and how you know anything about Kentucky whiskey, Geoffroy. They also want to know what Kentucky whiskey is anyway.)
4 If you are at the first horse race, do not ask where you can find the two dollar window. If you do, at best you will be directed to Seth the carpenter. At worse, when they figure out you intend to bet on the race you will become the first bookie in American history. (Too bad you don’t know anything about betting, Geralt. When you gave twenty to one odds on old Paint you never expected him to win, did you? I think I would push the “home,” button on that fancy time traveler of yours.)
3 If you are at the first horse race, do not accuse the jockey of your losing horse of throwing the race. If you do, at best he won’t hear your accusation. At worst, he will slap you with a glove. (Now the glove didn’t hurt, but you have come to realize, Gergo, you have been invited to a sword party known as a duel. Sorry, Tiny is not interested in being your second or stand-in. Let’s hope those fencing classes in college come in handy.)
2 If you are at the first horse race, do not believe those who tell you that “The Kings Ride.” is a sure thing. If you do, at best you only lost two dollars. At worst, you bet the farm. (What is funny, Germanus, you don’t own the farm. Look over there. See that big guy with the red face. It’s his farm and now wants a piece of you.)
1 If you are at the first horse race, do not bet on a horse because it has a funny name. If you do, at best you might win. At worst, Mymotherinlaw’sunderwear decides to finish last. (Yes it was a funny name, and it is a good thing you didn’t bet a lot, Gerrell. I hope you know that you now own the horse since you were the only one to claim it in the claiming race. Hope time travel is possible for a horse.)
A lot of things are made of rock around here because it is plentiful. I noticed some substantial mailbox’s around the place, so I decided to take some photos of them to share with you.
We do have some squirrels in the neighborhood. Here is a tribute to them.
I haven’t seen any owls yet, but I’m sure they are here.
Looks like a cactus garden and a cactus statue. These guys must love cactus.
This one is unusual. A cup with lips. I could see fighting for coffee in the morning
Here is a burro with horns. (It could also be Bevo the mascot of The University of Texas which is located in Austin. I’ll bet that is it)
Here is a majestic elk standing on an ordinary mailbox.
A parrot. Must be an homage to a family pet. Of course, there are parrots in Austin. I just haven’t seen any around here.
