Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

June 21, 2019June 28, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 79 Comments

Twiggy and Lucy — “It’s Friday Little One. You gotta move.”
“Five minutes more, Lucy.”

It is Friday again. This week has flown for some reason. Maybe it’s that I’m back to writing on what I hope to be my sixth book. For some reason, I have thoughts of the paranormal in my brain. I tried hard working on an adventure with Ned Tranes. Ned is the police chief in the three John Cannon stories. For whatever reason, Ned continued to drag his feet, and the story became like pulling teeth. Not much fun.

I did sit down and write a short story which exploded into a whole new world. Let me give you a blurb, and you’ll see (hopefully) what I mean. The names are not the final characters but just placeholders.

Samantha and James were best pals in the second grade. One day Samantha suddenly disappeared with no explanation or resolution. James prayed his heart out for her return, but all his pleadings went unanswered.

Driving alone on a long trip to Kansas City, James picks up a hitchhiker. It has been fifteen years since Samantha went out of his life, and here she is in the front seat of the car.

Samantha explains that because of his prayers, she has been chosen to escort him to the eternal home. It is then James learns he is no longer of this world. She tells him gently that he fell asleep, and his body did not survive the car crash.

There are rules to follow for those on a journey to the eternal respite, and Samantha has been schooled in the proper procedures. Violate the regulations and a soul risks spending eternity seeking the place rather than being there.

Join James and Samantha as they travel toward the safety of his eternal place. They will be facing the challenges of abiding by the rules, different time periods, and staying clear of those who have an incentive to see that James never makes it home.

Maybe it will work. I know I’m more excited to write this story so we’ll see how it goes.

Today’s JohnKu talks about when writing becomes a chore. I hope you all have a great weekend.

Dragging to the desk,

Having to face dross again . . .

Better start over.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

June 14, 2019June 13, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 61 Comments

Friday is here. I know we were all wishing Wednesday was Friday, but it was only a false alarm. The rain here is scheduled to stop for the next three days. That is a good thing. We went through some pretty stiff storms on Sunday, but even with a tornado warning, everything is fine. There is no going into the back yard, though. The landscape architect went back there on Wednesday, and I’m not sure she came out. Her car is gone, so I have to assume the best. We did receive the information that gutters need to be put up before the landscape work begins. Oh, joy another delay.

I’m heading to McKinney, Texas this weekend. There is a book fair there, and I want to meet the reading public. It is a 41/2 hour drive. So I’ll be pretty much out of pocket Friday and Saturday. Please excuse me if I miss a visit or comment. Know I’ll be shaking the bushes and begging folks to buy my books.

I’ll be having dinner with some Texas authors on Friday night, so that will be fun. Big thanks to Jan Sikes for setting it up. I’ll also give you a photo recap of the fair on Sunday.

Todays JohnKu talks about putting yourself out there. I hope you all have a great weekend.

There’s always a time,

To meet and greet your readers. . .

You have to seek it.

Friday – JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

June 7, 2019June 6, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 72 Comments

Lucy and Twiggy — “How we supposed to ruckus tied up like this, Lucy?”
“The Boss wants out feet to stay out of the mud Little One. A couple days and the ground will be dry again.”

Friday has graced us with another visit to usher in the weekend. We finally got to see the first iteration of the landscape plan. We didn’t have any significant adjustments. Next week the architect and foreman will be taking a close look at access and amount of work so an estimate can be put together. We, of course, are anxious to get the mud covered but need to allow the process to move forward at its own pace.

Here is a shot of the plan.

I know it’s hard to see, but you can get the idea that there is an area of patio to the left and an area of grass to the right. The patio area features crushed granite and black star gravel stone borders. The grass is pretty much grass so the dogs can run.

Today’s John Ku talks about what makes a house a home. I hope you all have a delightful weekend.

A building set up,

To keep one dry and secure. . .

Love makes it a home.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

May 31, 2019May 30, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 50 Comments

“You know, Lucy it is Friday, and there is a whole world out there.”
“Full of mud, Little One. Full of mud.”

Another week has gone by, and Friday is here already. Seems too quick sometimes.

We are feeling that the end of the line regarding getting the house settled is in sight. The Producer is at the accessory stage of selection. The necessary items have all arrived. We had an outdoor chair that needed a part replaced, but that is pretty much it. The last thing for my office is on its way, so maybe next week I can give you a look.

Landscaping is still in the design phase. The rain brings mud, and we are getting anxious. As they say, “All things come to he who waits.”

Today’s JohnKu talks about getting back to the WIP. It is a message meant for me alone. I hope you all have a great weekend.

Diversions aside,

No more excuses at hand. . .

Get back to writing.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

May 24, 2019May 23, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 57 Comments

Well, here we are on the cusp of a Memorial Day weekend. If we were at the coast, the store would have been visited, supplies laid in, and our loins girded for another onslaught. There would be drunks, illegal fireworks, bottles, and cans everywhere. A walk on the beach impossible without confronting, loose dogs, loud music, and city folks who believe littering is a God-given right.

But, we are not on the coast. We are in a quiet neighborhood where the cardinals and doves make up the bulk of the noise. Oh, sure there is a stray motorboat sound but nothing like a three-tier boombox putting out decibel levels to rival the Blue Angels at a five hundred foot flyover.

In short, we intend to honor those who made the mayhem at the coast possible. Those who felt a higher calling than the preservation of their own life. We will remember those who sacrificed all to maintain the freedom we enjoy today. We will do this honor in an elegant way far from those who only thought is where they left the bottle opener for that illegal glass bottle of ale.

Today’s JohnKu talks about Memorial Day. I hope yours is filled with joy and remembrance of those who gave all of us the highest gift possible.

They never doubted,

But knew it was the right thing . . .

Eternally blessed.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

May 17, 2019May 18, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 70 Comments

The front yard deer — “But Mama. Those folks are having a TGIF celebration.”
“You don’t want to get near that house, sweetheart. An author lives there.”

Here it is Friday again. This week has been the week of notables. The fence guys arrived and finished the fence in three days. The pups can now cavort in safety with no sightline to deer. Twiggy’s bark-a-thons at the deer are now confined to only brief sightings from the house.

Our bed arrived after three months. So nice to be up off the floor. We need to accomodate Lucy’s arthritic hips with a bench. (Yes she needs to be on the bed) Twiggy’s life is unchanged. She could not get up when the bed was on the floor so she still gets a lift.

My desk arrived just yesterday. The office is pretty much done except for a bench. The dreaded futon is in there now but has an appointment with Goodwill.

The outdoor furnature arrived in eleven different packages on four different days. I mentioned to the FedEx guy, “I bet you hate us.” He responded with “Sometimes.” I had to laugh out loud and agree. He was stuggling with a box weighing 132 pounds (60Kilos)at the time. The fence guys had blocked the driveway so he was forced to go through gravel to get to the porch.

The call is out to two landscapers. More on that later.

Today’s JohnKu talks about after all the projects are done. I hope you have a great weekend.

The rush is over,

The termoil at last is done . . .

What do we do now?

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

May 10, 2019May 9, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 66 Comments

FRIDAY IS HERE. Goodness, that was my outside voice. It is good to see Friday again.

Not too much new to report. I am still experimenting with Amazon on My GRL and lost money. My keywords were right. The Ad message was right. The bids were right if slightly too high. I got an unprecedented number of clickthroughs, but the actual sales were below expectations. I redid the blurb and continued. The only thing that has not been tweaked is the cover. I may have to consider a new cover but will do further testing to see for sure.

My office bookcases and credenza has arrived and only lacks a desk. I guess soon there will be no more excuses for not jumping into the WIP with both feet. Not sure on the desk arrival but it should be soon, so I have some procrastination room left.

Our bed is supposed to arrive on Monday. Now maybe we can get the box springs off the floor and the rug properly placed. Since this has been a two month deal thee are no breaths being held.

The fence guys put us off for a few days. We have had tons of rain, so it’s not a surprise. The landscape plan is done, and now we need some bids. The patio furniture is due for delivery within the next two weeks. We have a patio already in so we don’t need landscaping. Once the fence is in it will be nice to go onto the patio knowing the dogs won’t be able to get away.

Todays JohnKu talks about working your plan through to completion. (which is an objective we are getting near.) I hope you all have a lovely weekend.

You put plans in place,

To reach the desired goal. . .

Do not stop till done.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

May 3, 2019May 2, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 70 Comments

“Lucy come quick. There’s a big dog out front.”
“That is a deer Little One.”
“It’s Friday can she come in and play?”

Another Friday comes upon us like the wind. It has been a good week for me. I hope it was for you. I attended a library event on Saturday, and it was part of a vast SpringFest. I will do a Views of the Neighborhood on Sunday to give you an idea of the scope.

Worked a little on my WIP. I’m not very happy how it started out. There is a critical piece of the story that has a clunker in it which needs fixing. Once fixed it will justify the motivation of the bad guys.

I have also been toying around with Amazon Marketing Service. I swear I will understand what is going on there one of these days. Well, I am determined to take it one step at a time and learn (and pay) as I go. It bugs me a lot not to be able to maximize the potential that exists there.

Today’s JohnKu talks about trying your best to maximize your potential. I hope you have a lovely weekend.

You see it lying,

Almost within easy reach . . .

The hard work begins.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

April 26, 2019April 25, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

“Is that Friday coming up the drive?”
“It sure is Little One. Not a moment too soon.”

Another quick week. I think that life speeds up as one gets older. Yeah, we have all heard that. I guess that statement is my cliché for the week.

We had some notable arrivals. Two twin headboards for the guest room came in and look great. I pictured the rug for the master bedroom yesterday. Speaking of the master bedroom, we were notified that our bed would not be available until July. It was ordered in early March, and this is the second delay. So sayonara to the bed. The producer made another choice which should be here mid-may.

The producer also made a design decision on my office which I totally love. The bookcases and cabinets will be black and positioned on the back wall. A freestanding desk will be in the center of the room. I think it’s going to look great. I know I will feel good having a dedicated space.

I was invited to an event at the Bee Cave (one town over) library this weekend. It is in conjunction with Spring Fest (A Bee Cave event) and features seven local authors. I have a two-hour slot and look forward to visiting with potential new readers. I’ll take some photos and if okay used them on a Views post.

Today’s JohnKu talks about pleasant surprises. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Some come as a shock,

Others are like a given . . .

But all are welcome.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

April 19, 2019April 18, 2019 ~ John W. Howell ~ 49 Comments

“Mom. it’s Friday and Lucy won’t play with me.”
“I’m sure she will. Won’t you Lucy?”
“Man. Close my eyes for one second…”

Another week has flown by. At least for me, it has. I guess if I were hanging upside down tied by the ankles, above an alligator pit, I would have a different view of time. As it is the week seemed short. We were happy to have the dining room chairs arrive. Unique fabric (resistant to the man of the house and napalm.) had to be ordered. Hence the delay. The fence measuring person came out and took all the measurements. We are on the schedule for mid-May, but since we already have the permit and survey, we were told there might be an opportunity for earlier. We are not holding our breath.

We’ve had some beautiful rain, so the drought-like conditions are gone. Since we have very little grass, the rain also produces paw prints unless the pooches get a foot wipe each time out. I am the designated foot-wiper.

I managed to get some words written on my WIP, so I am a happy camper.

Today’s JohnKu talks about what makes us happy. I hope you have a fabulous weekend.

It’s usually small,

A tiny step improvement. . .

But means everything.