Tag: John W. Howell Author

Top Ten Things Not to Do When You Are Short on Time.

~ John W. Howell ~ 70 Comments
Photo by Luke Chesser on Unsplash

 

This post was done on January 19th, 2015. I don’t think there has been an addition of time since then, so it may still be useful

* * *

Mondays creep up on me sometimes. I guess I should remember how quickly the weekend goes and not be surprised. Needing to do another Top Ten list got me thinking about time and being under the gun, so to speak. I decided to use this situation as an inspiration for this week’s list.

Top Ten Things Not to Do When You Are Short on Time.

10 If you are short on time, do not stop to talk to sweet old Mrs. Beagly while she walks her dog. If you do, at best, the latest tale will have you captive until you are late. At worst, Mrs. Beagly will sense you are trying to avoid a long chat, and in doing so, she will believe she has cause to stick those pins she has been soaking in bat guano in that doll that has a lock of your hair on its otherwise bald little head.

9 If you are short on time, do not begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the neighbor who has fallen and can’t get up. If you do, at best, you will hurry the process, and the neighbor will be able to tell you don’t have your heart in it. At worst, despite rushing the process, you have yet to get a sign of life, and because you are late and not that it matters anyway, you call the time of death about three minutes too early.

8 If you are short on time, do not begin surgery on a brain. If you do, at best, you may forget something in your haste to finish. (You know, like reconnecting the pleasure center) At worst, you will run out of time, and unfortunately, once you start, there is no good way to pack everything up and plan on finishing tomorrow, so your foursome will just have to find another player or go with three.

7 If you are short of time, do not begin building that rocket to Mars. If you do, at best, you might finish with several nuts and bolts left over, and the answer for this phenomenon is not “they packed extras.” At worst, you may rush through the job and actually finish, only to see your beautiful rocket light up the night sky over Disneyland just in time for the Main Street Parade finale.

6 If you are short of time, do not take flying lessons. If you do, at best, you will know only half of what you need when the propeller on your airplane decides to visit a local cornfield. At worst, you will have rushed through so many of the classes dealing with things like fuel starvation, magneto malfunction, preflight check, and navigation that on your cross-country flight, you might be intercepted by two F18s flown by two very unhappy-looking pilots who signal you to follow them.

5 If you are short of time, do not attempt to prepare an elaborate dinner for your boss and her husband. If you do, at best, they might overlook the rare chicken and concentrate on the bone in potatoes. At worst, you will give your boss a bad case of salmonella from undercooked food, and although you try to deny it, everyone will assume you did it on purpose so you could have the spot.

4 If you are short of time, do not start a mechanical fix on the family car. If you do, at best, you may not be able to put the car back together again in time for work tomorrow. At worst, you hurriedly fix the vehicle, and while commuting to work, you notice the tire passing you on the right, followed by a loud screech and sparks from the hub hitting the road. This is only the beginning since the tire went on and found its way into the front seat after passing through the windshield of the police car in the oncoming lane.

3 If you are short of time, do not offer to help with the kid’s homework. If you do, at best, you will not finish, and the child will get an incomplete the next day. At worst, you will do the best you can in the time allowed and will be more than mortified at the failing grade your child received, as well as the note attached to the homework reminding parents children should do their own work. ( And a PS that the teacher would like you to come in and discuss the issue.)

2 If you are short of time, do not offer to help coach your child’s soccer team. If you do, at best, the parents will forgive a couple of your absences. At worst, the parents will blame you for the losing season, and the stigma will stick with you and your child until the child graduates from high school and, for their own good, enrolls in a college in Spain.

1 If you are short of time, do not offer to watch someone else’s kids for just a moment. If you do, at best, the other parent will only be a few minutes late, and no harm will be done. At worst, the other parent will arrive way past the time you were to be at your meeting for the bid parameters on a building. The explanation will range from a “to die for” sale at Niemen’s to “I just lost track of time.” The net result is you have been excluded from the bidding on the new project whose scope has changed from one building to a whole shopping center.

Views of the Neighborhood – A Visit to the Bee Cave Arts Foundation Hive Gallery

~ John W. Howell ~ 81 Comments

Today, we are visiting the Bee Cave Arts Foundation Hive Gallery to check out the latest exhibition. This special two-month-long art exhibition celebrating Women’s History will be on exhibit from February 3rd – March 22nd. Presented by the Lakeway Arts District and Bee Cave Arts Foundation, this creative exhibit showcases the largest-ever array of paintings, drawings, sculptures, mixed media, and fiber arts by 68 talented local women artists. Their uplifting art was inspired by women’s history, health, beauty, motherhood, and equality. Due to the number of pieces, it is difficult to take single shots. We are catered today by Juniper East in Austin, and our entertainment is Peggy Lee.

Special menu for Women’s History

HOUSE FOCACCIA – whipped ricotta, Calabrian honey
PUFFY POTATO – whipped dijon, fine herbs, add Ossetia caviar
OYSTER & CAVIAR – murder point oysters, Ossetra caviar, prosecco gelee
RAINBOW BABY BEETS – whipped ricotta, Calabrian chili vinaigrette, citrus, pistachio
LITTLE LETTUCE – baby gem, honey shallot vinaigrette, crispy bits
ENDIVE SALAD – endive conserva, gorgonzola, pomegranate vinaigrette, shaved walnut
CACIO E PEPE – parmesan, toasted black pepper, Texas olive oil, Perigord truffles
CRAB BUCATINI – jumbo lump crab, lobster butter, Brussel leaves, bottagara, parmesan
SAFFRON RISOTTO – roasted butternut squash, toasted pine nuts, gold leaf
CHILEAN SEA BASS – cannellini, bean ragu, baby tomato, charred black kale, balsamic, basil
BRAISED SHORT RIB – mustard glazed baby potatoes, charred baby carrots, carrot puree
OYSTER MUSHROOM RAGU- creamy polenta, pecorino, salsa verde
POST OAK GRILLED BEEF TENDERLOIN – walnut bagna cauda, grilled gem lettuce, shallot vinaigrette

Desert
CHERRY PANNA COTTA -cherry compote, orange, mint, passion fruit.
CHOCOLATE BUDINO – chocolate almond crumble, caramel.
ITALIAN STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE – olive oil cake, mascarpone cream, gelato

Picture of an old time school bus

Let’s get on the bus.

To give you an idea of the spaciousness of the beautiful gallery, here is a log shot of part of the space.

This is a mosaic of the Hive logo made under the direction of Austin mosaic artist and muralist J Muzacz, author of the book ATX Urban Art.

Displays of art, pottery, and sculpture.

Lovely paintings and clothing.

A place to appreciate the art and to think.

Interesting pieces, even in the hallway.

Well-lit and unique pieces.

The torso to the left is a stunning piece.

The rose can’t help but dominate the space. Another alcove to relax.

A working section of the gallery with fine art for company. As you can see, this exhibit is a beautiful way to experience the talent of the 68 women on display. I hope you have enjoyed a peek. Now it’s time to relax and enjoy the food and music.

 

 

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Heavy/Light/Dark

~ John W. Howell ~ 61 Comments

A picture of a string with drops of water- the logo for SoCS

 

Brewing can’t be rushed. The coffee machine takes offense to pacing and wringing of hands. Of course, the machine is like a drug dealer who doesn’t use. It has no empathy for those strung out waiting for the next fix. Jonesing for the dark, sensious liquid to fill the cup, is a heavy burden, only made light by the trickle of liquid from the machine spouts.

Finally the cup is full and the first sip hits the brain like the locomotive of a speeding train. Consciousness is once again restored and thoughts turn to the clock. Yes it is time for another trip. This time we are going to Atlanta Georgia on February 10, 1924. The clock set for a two hour duration and plunger pulled.

We are in the police station. Mrs Asa G. Chandler, newly wed wife of CocaCola millionare, and two men were arrested and charged with Occupency of a Dive. Yes, folks the socialite and two men were reportedly drinking scotch in an apartment on the fasionable Juniper Street area of atlanta.

The two men with Mrs. Chandler were promenent businessmen known in town. The three were released on a $100 dollar bond. The arrest was conducted by Police Chief Beavers and an associate. Mrs. Chandler pleaded for mercy but Chief Beavers who was a friend of Mr. Chandler had to do his duty.

Mr. Chandler was approached by the press and his only comment was that he knew nothing about the situation and the story should be killed. This is not the first time Mr. Chandler has had problems. He was sued for $500,000 by a New Orleans woman for breach of promise, citing torrid love letters that he supposedly sent. The Jury found him innocent this week.

Just as we were  digging into other aspects of the story, like the fact that Atlanta society was shocked by the wedding, the alarm went off and the sofa had a new occupant. Of course a text from Linda Hill was waiting. It reads Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “heavy/light/dark.” Use “light” and/or its opposites. Bonus points if you use all three. Enjoy!

If you want to see what opter blogger have done with the prompt here is a link to Linda’s post. https://lindaghill.com/2024/02/09/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-feb-10-2024/

Heavy/Light/Dark by John W. Howell © 2024

“What was that?”

“It was a bit of gossip from 1924.”

“How do you find this stuff?”

“I was looking at the Omaha Morning Bee for February 10th 1924 and there was the story on the front page.”

“Omaha?”

“Yeah. It was a big story. Don’t forget most prohibition busts made the news.”

“But someone in an apartment snorting some scotch hardly shounds like a story.”

“It was the wife of a big shot with CocaCola and suposedly someone complained.”

“Police chief not too busy I guess.”

“Go figure he was one of the husband’s friends.”

“Sounds a bit fishy.”

“Well that was the heavy story of the day.”

“Speaking of heavy. How about a dark ale.”

“You mean you don’t want a light beer?”

“Carbonated defrost is what those are. VooDoo Ranger for us.”

“Order Uber.”

“Already did. It’s sitting over there.”

Photo by Dan Antion  https://nofacilities.com/

“Kiss Mobile?”

“Oh come on. Can you imagine how many folks will want a ride in it.”

“I can hear the line now. “Wanna go for a ride in my kiss mobile?”

“Could be worse. I was going to get us an ice cream truck but could find one.”

“Well I guess you are right. Let’s go.”

“Let’s go for a ride and some kisses.”

“Stop it.”

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

~ John W. Howell ~ 73 Comments
Family photo courtesy of Sandrine Heute

Today’s good news story comes from the good news network.

Kinder than Chemo Cancer Drug Cured This Young Man of Leukemia–Available in the US

By Andy Corbley

Picture a very unhappy situation: you have leukemia; what are your options? Everyone knows about the side effects of chemo, and most people will have some idea about the Nobel Prize-winning CAR-T cell therapy—but there’s also a third option.

It seems startling to be so overlooked because it’s so straightforward. Blinatumomab cured the young fellow above of his B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The BBC reports that 20 medical centers in the UK are already using off-brand stocks of blinatumomab to treat this cancer, and the country has already approved the drug for adult use.

‘Blina,’ as it’s referred to for short, is also an immunotherapy drug; it seeks out and kills cancer cells that typically disguise themselves from the body’s innate immune system. However, unlike chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T cell), blina is cheaper.

Blina is a kind of targeted therapy drug called a bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE). It’s administered via a pump and plastic bag through a tube inserted into the patient’s arm.

The bag is carried around in a slim backpack, and the supply lasts a few days. CAR-T cell therapy requires a patient’s cells to be taken out and modified to fight off whichever cancer is present—which takes time.

Like CAR-T, the healthy normal cells are not destroyed as in the case of chemotherapy, allowing the patient to continue leading a mostly normal life.

“Chemotherapies are poisons that kill the leukemic cells but also kill and damage normal cells—and that is what causes their side effects,” said chief investigator and consultant pediatric hematologist Professor Ajay Vora to the BBC. “Blinatumomab is a gentler, kinder treatment.”

Gentler on the body—not on the cancer. Arthur, now 11, was one of the first kids to receive the treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. His family got the word that his blood cancer was cured on New Year’s Eve.

Having started chemo years before, which both left him very weak and failed to kill the cancer, the family called Blina a “little ray of sunshine” and said that they celebrated the new year twice as hard.

On March 29th, 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to blinatumomab after successful trial results, though serious side effects were not uncommon. It’s available for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment.

The good news in this article is Cancer is still under attack, and new discoveries are making survival much more frequent. Today’s JohnKu talks about science. I hope you have a great weekend.

Discoveries by John W. Howell © 2024

The disease still kills,

But science still plods along . . .

Miracle life saves.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy in the Morning

~ John W. Howell ~ 105 Comments

I see you are having an after-breakfast play session with Bee Mine.”

“Yes, Bee Mine and I have a standing date.”

“It is so nice to have a friend like Bee Mine.”

“I’m telling you, Dad, I wouldn’t know what to do without Bee Mine.”

“What makes Bee Mine so special.”

“She is always ready to play and listens to my troubles without judgment.”

“Troubles? What troubles do you have?”

“You may be the last person on Earth who should ask that question.”

“What do you mean I should be the last?”

“Well, I hate to say it, but you may not cause trouble, but you might be a carrier.”

“A carrier. What does that mean?”

“Like right now. I need to get to your other side for a nap.”

“All you have to do is crawl over me.”

“And push you out of the way. Very troublesome.”

“Looks like you managed.”

Mom’s going to exercise. Say goodbye, and I need some breakfast.”

“Here are more troubles. Will she come back?”

“Of course, she’ll be back. Why so close, chum?”

“Well, when one of you is gone, I need some comfort.”

“Or the hope of getting something out of my cereal bowl?”

“Now that you mention it, there is a certain attraction to it.”

“You have had your breakfast.”

“If you could spare a flake, it would go a long way to easing my troubled mind.”

Tuesday Anything Possible – Prompt – Kreative Kue #418 by Keith Channing

~ John W. Howell ~ 70 Comments

In Keith’s words. “Using this image (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really. Either put your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before the end of the week. 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. Thank you for taking part.”

Keith’s post link. https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2024/02/05/kreative-kue-418/

The photo.

Showtime by John W. Howell © 2024

“I don’t understand.”

“Ma’am, you must buy a ticket to watch the movie.”

“What about this boy here. Does he have a ticket?”

“He has a student pass.”

“Ah ha. So, he has no ticket.”

“Well, not per se.”

“So,  you have decided to discriminate against seniors. Is that what I hear?”

“Not at all. Everyone has to have a ticket. You can’t just walk in here and expect to see the show for free.”

“I think my age qualifies me to do that very thing.”

“What if everyone felt that way? We would go broke.”

“I’m not everyone. Besides, judging by the audience’s size, you will go broke anyway.”

“The show doesn’t start for twenty minutes, so don’t judge the size of the audience until it does.”

“Back to my original point. Don’t seniors deserve a break?”

“Do I need to call the police?”

“If you do, I think the publicity will kill you. I can see reading about you throwing an old woman out of the theater just because she is too destitute to afford a ticket.”

“You are not destitute.”

“How do you know?”

“Cause your name is on the theater building.”

“How do you know my name?”

“You are the second richest woman in the state. Your picture is everywhere.”

“So I own this place?”

“Yes, you do.”

“Here, take this twenty.”

“What changed your mind?”

“Only a fool would try to cheat themselves.”

“I’ll get your change.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do at a Super Bowl Celebration

~ John W. Howell ~ 94 Comments
Photo by City Church Christchurch on Unsplash

 

Since the Superbowl is this weekend, I thought I would pull some advice from a January 26th, 2015 post. It all seems to be relevant.

 

Top Ten Things Not to Do at a Super Bowl Celebration

10 If you are attending a Super Bowl celebration, do not arrive wearing team clothing for a team that is not playing. If you do, at best, everyone will think you are a sore loser or are drunk.  At worst, the crowd may come to the conclusion you’ve had a stroke or burst aneurysm and call for EMT support, and you will end up watching the game on a fifteen-inch screen next to the nurse’s station while waiting for an attending physician.

9 If you are attending a Super Bowl celebration, remember that many people like to watch the ads. If you forget and stand in front of the TV during commercial time, at best, you will be called many names in the process of getting you to move. At worst, the most enormous guy in the room wanting to demonstrate his downfield tackling expertise will use you as his dummy.

8 If you are attending a Super Bowl celebration, do not carry in your famous crab dip that must be kept at forty-two degrees or become a hazardous waste site. If you do, at best, the temp will stay near the required amount, and only one or two will be overcome. At worst, there will be no way to keep the dip cold enough, and you will have singlehandedly wiped out a full production day on Monday for several of the attendees, not to mention hurried trips to the ER for a prophylactic pump of the stomach

7 If you are attending a Super Bowl celebration, do not believe your host’s offer “to make yourself at home.”  If you do, at best, you will be embarrassed when someone asks you to take your feet off the couch. At worst, you will be totally shocked to discover the room you decided to use for a bath is the overflow bathroom for the party, and you will spend a good amount of time under the water.

6 If you are attending a Super Bowl celebration, do not be tempted to look into any drawers or behind any closed doors. If you do, at best, only the homeowner will notice the disturbed contents. At worst, the host, being a techie nerd, has installed cameras in each room, which playback on the fifty-inch screen that is beside the game screen to the amusement of everyone at the party. (Except the one you came with)

5 If you are attending a Super Bowl celebration, do not think since the drinks are free, you should help yourself to the point of being over-served. If you do, at best, you might make a complete ass out of yourself, which others will find as typical of a low life. At worst, you will find yourself disoriented while actively looking for the bathroom, which you imagined you have found in the large bureau in the corner of a spare bedroom, shortly before passing out on the carpet.

4 If you are attending a Super Bowl celebration, do not think your duty includes eating a portion of everything that is laid out on the buffet table. If you do, at best, several people will believe you have lost your job or recently divorced.  At worst, your pile of food will be an indication that you need an intervention, which will be organized to take place after the game, to the embarrassment of you and the person with whom you attended the event.

3 If you are attending a Super Bowl celebration, do not be the first to suggest some kind of gambling scheme for the game. If you do, at best, several guests will think you make a living that way. At worst, you will have several disputes around who really won and will be forced to double-pay several to keep the peace.

2 If you are attending a Super Bowl celebration, do not become overly obnoxious when your team is ahead. If you do, at best, the lead will be short-lived. At worst, someone will take an exception to your attitude since they feel bad about their team being behind. As much as they have tried to remain under control, as they learned in group therapy sessions, they are just beginning to lose their grip on reality while holding your shirt.

1 If you are attending a Super Bowl celebration, do not even think of driving your car if you have been drinking. If you do, there is no best or worst, just the potential for disaster for you or an innocent bystander.

Views of the Neighborhood – Potpourri

~ John W. Howell ~ 106 Comments

Today represents one of those in-between kind of weeks. I have called it potpourri. We went to Bee Cave to witness Bee Cave Bob the Armadillo, seeing his shadow indicating early spring. It is too early for many Valentine’s decorations. So, we will now wander the neighborhood to see what else is going on. We are catered by Diner Bar in Austin. Our entertainment is Fleetwood Mac.

Menu

To start

  • SHRIMP TOAST– benne seeds, fino sherry, sourdough
  • DEVILED EGGS – smoked fish, Dijon, trout roe
  • SPICY BLUE CRAB SALAD – 0ld bay, cayenne, toasted saltines
  • DINER BAR LETTUCES – feta, pickled peppers, oregano
  • CHICORY SALAD – radicchio, escarole, anchovy dressing
  • RABBIT DIRTY RICE – braised rabbit, chicken livers, Holy Trinity
    Dinner
    • COUNTRY PASTA – bucatini, pork belly, black pepper, parmesan
    • CHICKEN COUNTRY CAPTAIN – curry, sourdough trencher, almond, currants
    • GRILLED KOBOCHA – pumpkin middlins, coconut, pepitas
    • 16OZ NY STRIP – maître d’ butter, garlic confit, lemon
    • PORK SCHNITZEL – Dijon, chicories, anchovy vinaigrette
    • DAYBOAT CATCH – salsa verde, clams, potatoes, white beans

Picture of an old time school bus

Let’s get on the bus.

Austin Statesman photo

 

Bee Cave Bob coming out of his den.

Taylor Kamnetz photo

An early spring  prediction by Bee Cave Bob

Deer in the neighborhood

Wondering if I have a handout

Oops. Looks like someone forgot the holiday decorations.

The first Valentine’s decoration.

A new sculpture on the mailbox.

A shutter that needs fixing and a wreath that needs storing. (I am not going to mention the holiday lights)

Some more deer in the yard.

Looks like this mailbox had a rough night.

Ding, ding, ding. Another winner for Valentine’s decoration.

A bunch of does getting carrots.

All (but one) scatter when the buck arrives.

I hope you enjoyed the little tour. Now, it is time for food and music. I hope you have a great week.

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Watch

~ John W. Howell ~ 77 Comments

A picture of a string with drops of water- the logo for SoCS

 

The coffee has been delayed. Checking my watch for the fourth time does not seem to help. Finally, within the bowels of the pesky machine, I hear the faint rumbles that assure me that soon the liquid soothing syrup will be streaming out of the spouts. Sure enough, here it comes.

After a deep sip, the mind thaws, and memory turns to the clock. The setting is simple, February 3, 1924. The place is Washington, DC. The duration is two hours. Checking my clothes before pulling the plunger ensures the dress is appropriate for February in Washington. No use freezing on my watch is the thought.

The plunger pull causes us to end up at 2340 S Street NW in Washington. There are uniformed police everywhere. Listening carefully to the officers, the cause of the commotion is Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the US from 1913 to 1921, has died. We are in front of his home, where he passed at 11:15 this morning.

President Wilson did have a stroke in 1919 that left him all but incapacitated. He and his second wife Edith and his doctor kept the public from knowing the absolute truth. It is said that Edith was, in fact, acting in Wilson’s absence. He retired from the Presidency in 1921.

The alarm sound precedes a trip to the couch. My phone tells me I have a text. It is from Linda Hill (who else?) It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “watch.” Use it as a noun or a verb; use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

If you want to see what other bloggers do with this prompt, visit Linda’s post at this link: https://lindaghill.com/2024/02/02/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-feb-3-2024/

Watch by John W. Howell © 2023

“Wow, that Wilson thing was serious.”

“Yes, it was. There was no succession plan enacted.”

“if that were on my watch, I would have told someone.”

“The cabinet knew but went along with the President’s wishes.”

“Well, I’m glad nothing Earth-shattering took place.”

“The only thing that seemed to be affected was the ratification of the US membership in the League of Nations never happened.”

“Why was that?”

“Wilson, who favored joining, was too ill to negotiate his position, and those opposed in Congress had their way, so the US never joined. Maybe it didn’t matter after all since the League disbanded in 1946. So you may be right. Nothing Earth-shattering.”

“This political talk has made me thirsty.”

“You get thirsty when we aren’t even talking.”

“There’s Uber.”

“I don’t see it. Just that strange-looking truck.”

“That’s it. A vintage 1950s home delivery truck. Isn’t it sweet?”

“I guess you could call it sweet. I would love to know where you find these things.”

“Discount Uber is the place. I watch for the best specials.”

“Okay, I’m game. Let’s go.”

“One other thing.”

“Yes.”

“He has block ice to keep the milk cold.”

“And?”

“Hello. What else does very well when cold?”

“VooDoo Ranger?”

“Bingo.”

“You are the best.”

 

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

~ John W. Howell ~ 96 Comments

Today’s good news story comes from the Epoch Times. This story was sent to me by Noelle Granger. Thanks, Noelle. I have edited it slightly for length.

A picture designed by The Epoch Times using imagery from Nancy Feighan and Molly Shannon/Shutterstock.

‘I Don’t Ask for Anything’: Man, 81, Clears Snow From Neighborhood Sidewalks for Over 20 Years

By Louise Chambers 1/27/2024 Updated: 2/1/2024

An 81-year-old who has been clearing snowy sidewalks in his neighborhood for over 20 years refuses to accept cash donations, insisting he loves the snow and helping his neighbors.

Jimmie Sinatra grew up in Lakewood, Ohio, and bought a house with his wife in the area in 1995. That same year, he invested in his first snowblower. Soon, he upgraded to a Craftsman snowblower that he can walk behind and has been maintaining the prized apparatus ever since.

“I just like snow,” Mr. Sinatra told The Epoch Times. “I love playing in the snow, walking, and taking my dog for a walk in the snow, and I decided to do a couple of neighbors’ sidewalks. Then, when my wife and I talked about getting a bigger snowblower, I decided to go all the way up the block.”

Currently, Mr. Sinatra clears snow from about 34 sidewalks, and if there happens to be a school at the end of each block, he helps there, too, as he hates seeing kids walking in the snow.

Mr. Sinatra clears the streets when the snow reaches 5 or 6 inches deep. Initially, only his immediate neighbors knew that he was helping clear snow for the neighborhood, and those living further down the street had no idea about it. However, over the years, a couple of people have noticed his handiwork and have asked if he could clear their driveways, too.

“I don’t ask for money, I don’t ask for anything, I just do it to help the neighbors,” Mr. Sinatra said. “It’s something for me to do. I enjoy it, that’s all. I enjoy helping people.”

Before retiring in July 1998, Mr. Sinatra worked in the material handling department of the Ford Motor Company in Burke, Ohio, for 33 years. His beloved wife encouraged his snowblowing hobby until she passed away four years ago from Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“That’s the way she was too, helping our neighbors out,” said Mr. Sinatra, who has become a religious man since his wife fell ill. “I changed my ways and just prayed every day and every night,” he said. “I think I used to take everything for granted, but I don’t anymore because it’s all in God’s hands. … I know my wife’s spirit is in the house with me, and that’s what I live for.”

Mr. Sinatra’s routine: 34 sidewalks from the corner of Woodward Avenue and Hillard Road up to Delaware Avenue in Lakewood, Ohio. (Screenshot/Google Maps)

At the age of 81, Mr. Sinatra has his own health problems. In May 2023, he was diagnosed with stage four chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema in both lungs. He has trouble breathing so he wears a scarf to keep warm and carries an inhaler when he leaves the house to clear snow.

And, when he can no longer continue, he hopes that someone will take over and continue to clear the snow on the sidewalks and driveways of people who can’t do it.

“I have a lot of nice neighbors, and they take care of me and watch out for me, check up on me and make sure I’m okay because I’m by myself now,” said Mr. Sinatra, imploring: “If you see somebody that needs help, no matter what it is, give them a helping hand and don’t be afraid to do it. Just help your neighbors and your fellow man out.”

The good news in this story is one man took it upon himself to help his neighbors for the joy of doing so. Today’s JohnKu talks about joy. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Helping by John W. Howell

No one has to ask,

It is just the absolute . . .

Joy of helping out.