Friday JohnKU – AKA TGIF

May 20, 2016May 18, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 34 Comments

Happy Friday

This week was quite unusual. On Sunday night and half of Monday, we had monsoon rains. Our total accumulation for the twelve-hour period was over five inches. The quantity of rain caused a lot of flooding in Corpus Christi. We were lucky when the ponds overflowed their banks, only about six inches of water rose into the street. None in the house. Of course, the repair that I had done for a leak in the garage will need to be redone. Still leaks. The contractor was very responsive and will redo the repair next week. Beyond that, the week was pretty standard. The pace was fast and the time went like the wind.

Today’s JohnKu talks about the unexpected. I hope you all have a great weekend.

Things that are not planned,

Come in without a welcome…

Leave a mess behind.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

May 13, 2016May 11, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 44 Comments

Friday the 13th

Another work week has slipped by us all. Friday is upon us once again and with it the promise of deserved rest over the weekend. Of course, if you are like me there is a complete list of things to do just waiting. Those of you who have regular jobs probably think us loafing full-time writers have all kinds of time to get those little home chores done during the week.

I have seen the looks at Lowes. “You look retired. What the hell are you doing here on the weekend? Why don’t you give us workers a break and stay the hell home.” That was the look put down in words. I have an answer. There never is enough time during the week to get those tiny tasks done. After all, there are posts to write, edits to do, new fiction to invent, new google research topics, coffee to drink, and tweets to publish. I haven’t even mentioned the dogs to walk, the bike to ride and photo’s to be taken I DESERVE TO GO TO LOWES ON THE WEEKEND JUST AS MUCH AS THE NEXT PERSON.

Whew. I had to get that off my chest. The truth is I just can’t imagine going to Lowes during the week. I would miss the crowds, the lack of checkers, the unavailable help, and the general feeling of accomplishment just getting out of the place with half of what I went there to buy. So I’ll still truck to Lowes on the weekend to check in with my fellow do it your selfers (yes, I know that is not a word) and revel in our mutual bond of misery. Why change? Oh, and the John Ku this week asks a question about change. Hope you like it.

Comfortable us,

Satisfied that all is good. . .

Is change to be feared?

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

May 6, 2016May 5, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 38 Comments

Ah Friday

Another Friday and I have to say this week was quick. (I guess I always say that in one way or another) I spent some time with the youngest daughter helping hang some things (shelves, curtain rod, etc.) in her new apartment. It is always nice having some one on one time. She took me to a great place for dinner, and we had a chance to chat a little which is something I always enjoy. She is so adult that it is scary. The rest of the time was spent running around to various doctor appointments which is the life of a senior citizen.

I did mail the manuscript for Our Justice (The third of the John Cannon Trilogy) to the editor, and she is working on it now.

My JohnKu talks about feeling good about accomplishments. I hope you enjoy it.

Coming to the end,

Of a challenging project. . .

Think how accomplished.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

April 29, 2016April 28, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 38 Comments

sayfridaycancelled

Another Friday to celebrate. Woo Woo. My celebration is for a week well spent doing catch-up on my “work around the house” chore list. I have often commented that living by the Gulf is like being on a boat. There are a number of things that have to be constantly maintained. Little stuff like door locks, door bells, lamps, fixtures, vinyl fence, and even siding.

Since I have finished book three of the John J. Cannon trilogy and am just waiting to send to the editor, I have a little free time each day. Having time will be a temporary situation since my next book is calling for an edit. Yes, the first draft is done, but I’m sure it is a big mess and will need more work.

So, I got out the power sprayer and went to work spraying everything that would tolerate water. That included the whole exterior of the house and all the vinyl railings and fence. I must say the house looks better not covered in salt and sand.

I also put lubricant in all the locks and managed to change out some vent covers which had deteriorated as a result of the sun. In addition, I reconditioned the doorbell (which is an annual affair)

All in all a productive time. I expect my wife will be shocked upon her return from Austin where she has been helping youngest daughter move. Today’s JohnKu talks about doing some things you don’t want to do.

Your daily conscience,

On the refrigerator…

For what seems like months.

Friday JohnKu – AKA TGIF

April 22, 2016April 21, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 39 Comments

Another week is history. It was a pretty productive one. I made some progress on my WIP. I had to figure out an ending that would make more sense to more people. I have to admit I was a little too esoteric on the ending, and it raised some questions as to feasibility in the minds of some beta readers. One of the great things about beta readers is they tend to tell it like it is, and when something makes vague sense to them, it is time to change things up a bit. So I spent the week going back over the ending a few times and hopefully it will work better for everyone. I can say I’m pleased with it, so I think a number of good things came out as a result of the beta reader’s comments. Today’s John Ku talks about advice. Have a great weekend.

We all get advice,

Well-meaning friends give the best…

Not to be ignored.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

April 15, 2016April 14, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 40 Comments

funny-friday-smiling-bulldog-dog

Friday again and no I’m not going to talk about how quick the week has flown. I think I’m finally over wondering about time passing. I have given into the fact that like sand in an hourglass these are the days of our lives.(Brought to you by Ivory soap)

I managed to get a lot done this week on my WIP. As most of you know I’m finishing up the John J. Cannon Trilogy with the last book titled Our Justice. I sent my manuscript off to Beta readers and received some great comments. For those of you who do not use Beta readers, I would highly recommend that you begin. It is so good to get another set of eyes to look critically at your work. The feedback was all received by me by the first of April. I have been spending the time editing the story taking into account the excellent comments. I will be sending the revised MS to the editor on May 3rd. I have a little time, and I am going to meet the deadline. I made excellent progress this week. Today’s JohnKu talks about setting a goal as the way to accomplish more. I hope you enjoy it and have a great weekend.

Wander aimlessly,

Hoping to achieve something…

A goal is magic.

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

April 8, 2016April 7, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 34 Comments

Thank God its Friday Friday is upon us with the fleetness of a gazelle. At least, it seems that way. For ~~us old folks~~ me sitting at home writing ~~our~~ my hearts out, the days move way too fast. I know, I know not much sympathy from you younger folks who need to get up and head out the door to some other place of employment. I have to imagine that unless your job entails standing on your head, the days have to move pretty quickly as well.

I was on the phone with my uncle who is 92 and he mentioned how quickly he felt his life passed. He says he has no regrets and that he lived a full life but is still amazed at how fast it went.

I suppose this is another lesson in taking the time to enjoy what you are doing since before you know it that time may be gone. Today’s John Ku talks about appreciation. I hope you enjoy it.

Smelling the roses,

Is said to enhance one’s life. . .

Make it once a day.

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

April 1, 2016March 31, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 35 Comments

Thank God it's Friday

Friday is here again, and I think it is about time. This week has been the week of repair. No, not mental or physical repair but repair of the house. We have had workmen in and around since Monday. There was a leak in the garage that required taking out a substantial amount of drywall, finding the hole, and then putting the drywall back. Included was plastering and painting with a side of texture thrown in.

The strip of siding that was blown off in the wind which needed replacing. Just when we thought all the work was complete, our Time Warner system did a hick-up, and a tech was here for the better part of a half day. So now looking at the weekend I can say (knock wood) the workers are gone, and there is peace once again.

Today’s John Ku is about why not to put off repairs. I hope you like it.

Repairs by John W. Howell

One little wet spot.

Nothing to worry about yet. . .

Till the ceiling falls.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

March 25, 2016September 15, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 38 Comments

Another week has flown by. Well, to those of us who are not involved in high-pressure jobs it has flown by. I can imagine if you were trying to save the world or work as a bomb defuser the week goes by at a snail pace. To this writer, it seemed to pass pretty quickly.

We are looking forward to our new neighborhood social event. We are calling it Full Moon Fire. With our new walkway in place, we have decided to celebrate the full moon with a fire on the beach and a gathering of neighbors. The idea is to take your golf cart loaded with food and drink over the walkway (now called a cartway) and watch the moon rise over the Gulf while enjoying the company of the neighbors. Since this will be the first and it will be tonight I’m not sure what to expect. I think it could be a beautiful evening. We will see. Today’s John Ku talks about the moon.

Moon under water,

Slowly rising in the night. . .

A welcome beacon.

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

March 18, 2016September 15, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 32 Comments

Friday came pretty quick this week. Not sure why, but I’ll just take it as a good thing. Of course, at my age to see the days fly by tends to make one wonder. Is there a way to slow them down? Maybe the idea of days rushing by is a matter of perception since as we get older, we know that there will be fewer and fewer days, so each becomes pretty precious. We then take more time being amazed by how fast they fly. Meh, enough of this. Today’s John Ku talks about the footrace as a metaphor for life. I hope you enjoy it.

We start out slowly,

As if climbing an incline. . .

The downhill goes fast.