with John W. Howell
“It is a beautiful flag. We should remind everyone that today is the day to remember all those who have served our country in the armed services.”
“Yes, Twiggy and to also remember those who served but are now across the rainbow bridge.”
“I think we owe them a lot, Lucy.”
“We do Little One and mostly we owe them our thoughts and thanks for protecting our freedoms.”
“You think a message coming from a couple of dogs is okay?”
“I think they will like it.”
“So here we are. Raining cats and dogs out there.”
“Yup, so you need to find something to do.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I think I will lay down right here and take a nap.”
“Well, that’s fine for you old-timers, but we youngsters need action.”
“Go get your orange ball then. That thing bounces everywhere.”
“That’s a good idea. I love that ball.”
“Maybe we can play with it later. But, in the meantime, you need to stay occupied.”
“I don’t see it over here. This is where I left it.”
“Well, keep looking. You must know where you last had it.”
“No luck. I have looked everywhere.”
“How about that green ball you were so crazy over last week?”
“That green ball has lost its attraction. Humm, I wonder about eel.”
“There you go. A little game of tug’o war with the Boss.”
“See, there’s the problem. Dad is working on his WIP. So he won’t be ready till later.”
“Okay then. Why not think of something you can do by yourself?”
“Thinking by myself is about all I can do by myself. I wish it would stop raining.”
“It will, Little One. You need to have patience.”
“Patience? What’s that?”
“Oh yeah, I forgot who I’m talking to right now.”
“Whoa. Look at the stuff on the porch.”
“I know, Little One. You should see the stuff on the grass.”
“That’s a lot of leaves.”
“You’re not kidding. The boss better gets to work.”
“Look at the rocks. They are wet.”
“So’s the patio.”
“How much rain did we get?”
“Not much. I would say a half-inch. It was the wind that caused all the tree stuff to fall.”
“What are you looking at for heaven’s sake?”
“I’m not sure. It’s not moving, though.”
“What now?”
“I thought I saw something scurry under the lounge.”
“Before I run over there, it is a false alarm?”
“I’m afraid so. It was a leaf that turned over.”
“Well. I’m heading back in. Nothing is interesting out here.”
“You have to keep your eyes open. There are interesting things everywhere. Check out this stick.”
“Come on, Lucy. All this stuff is just normal.”
“You need to think differently, Little One. Almost everything is special if you look closely.”
Oh, wait. This stick taste like bacon.”
“See what did I tell you?”
“I might have exaggerated a little.”
“But you are trying.”
“Hey, you two. I think you ought to go out and play.”
“Our week off is over?”
“Boy, that went quick, Lucy.”
“Well, you know what they say. Time flys when you are having fun.”
“What are you going to do on the patio?”
“The same thing I was doing on the bed.”
“I was thinking of starting a rock collection.”
“There are enough here for sure. I don’t think the cabana boy’s been here for a while.”
“I think something is lurking in the dark place.”
“You always say that, Little one.”
“Yeah, I know. This time I think it is real, though.”
“Let’s just relax on the lounges and take a break. The first day back is hard.”
“I’m just not going to be able to relax until I find out what’s back there.”
“Just go then. I won’t be able to talk you out of it.”
“You were right. Nothing back there.”
“Why are you running then?”
“To get the old heart rate up there.”
“You look a little concerned to me.”
“Naw, I can tell you there is nothing there. Let’s go back to the house. There’s no sun today anyway.”
“I suppose we could do the starving dog impersonation and maybe beg a treat.”
“I have to tell you the truth. There was an ugly spider back there.”
“You afraid of a little ole spider?”
“With green eyes? I sure am.”
“Oh, please. You are fine. I’ll scratch the door.”
“Don’t you just love how mom reacts to that?”
“So, what is this stuff, Lucy?”
“Those are costumes. They are supposed to be dragon costumes.”
“Dragon costumes? What are dragon costumes doing here?”
“Remember when you decided you wanted to be a crocodile instead of a puma?”
“Yes, I remember, but how did dragons come up?”
“Well, the artist Resa suggested we dress up as dragons and have a dragon duel to the finish. She thought it would be more fun.”
“Boy, that sounds like no fun at all. I’ve never been a dragon.”
“See, that’s the point. You need to expand your comfort zone. Dragons might be fun.”
“Well, maybe I’ll try it. How about you? I must say that costume looks a little skimpy.”
“I think mom is hunting up another. Why don’t you try yours on?”
“How do I look? It feels good for sure.”
“You look a little like a leopard. I think you need some scales and maybe some backfins.”
“I don’t think it matters. I’m starting to feel like a dragon. What kind am I?”
“How about a magical dragon? Let’s pop over to the porch out of these rain puddles.”
“Good job on getting your costume to the porch. How’d you do that?”
“I had a little help from the boss. By the way, I’m a lyrical dragon.”
“A lyrical dragon, huh? Well, lyrical dragon, prepare to come face to face with a fire-breathing magical dragon.”
“I’m not sure magical dragons breath fire. We need to work on this more. Take off that costume, and let’s chat.”
“You know I’ve been doing some thinking about our fantasies.”
“Oh-oh. When you start thinking, things can get messy.”
“It’s just we have such a good time with water buffalo and puma. I’m wondering why we don’t just stick with what we know.”
“There are good reasons to do that, Little One. Also, it is good to expand your horizon.”
“You know Lucy, you are so wise yet sometimes miss the obvious.”
“What have I missed?”
“We are dogs, for heaven’s sake. I’m going after that squirrel.
“It’s a beautiful day to be outside, Lucy.”
“Huh? Oh yeah. I think this white spot moved.”
“Look at the oodles of sunshine.”
“Uh-huh. What’s that above the window?”
“You ought to pay attention to nature instead of being distracted by superfluous things.”
“Okay. I’ll get down close to the yard and won’t be distracted.”
“Look at the flowers and take time to investigate the wonders of our world.”
“Hold on. What the heck has come over you. You sound like you’ve had too much yoga.”
“Oh, I don’t know, Lucy. There is just a lot going on in the world, and it just seems like we should be in the moment more.”
Okay. I think I’m going to tell Mom you need a feelings doctor.”
“That’s not it at all. I’m just glad we have a place to find peace.”
“Hey, Mom. Twiggy is talking funny. Might be time for the old V-E-T.”
“I know what V-E-T spells, and I don’t need to go there. What are you doing?”
“Have you ever really looked at an acorn? These suckers are complex.”
“Okay, you have made your point. We can enjoy all aspects of our life.”
“That’s for sure. Take a look at this leaf.”
“What I love about you, Lucy, you always have a level head.”
“Comes with age, kiddo. You’ll get there someday.”
“So, in being more level-headed, I’m heading for the nap zone.”
“Now you are speaking my language.”
“Yup, the umbrella is up, and we are good to go.”
“Terrific little one, save me a place.”
“It’s very cool under this umbrella.”
“See, this is more like it. Nothing to do but relax.”
“I wonder what the philosophers are doing today?”
“I don’t know, but move over, will ya?”
“Hey, Lucy. How about a game of tug-o-war?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I was thinking of something rougher.”
“Like the puma takes the water buffalo by surprise?”
“Yeah, and the water buffalo prepares a defense.”
“There is no defense as the puma goes for the soft underbelly.”
“Which the water buffalo protects with sharp hooves.”
“The puma withdraws momentarily for another attack.”
“The water buffalo pummels the puma senseless.”
“The puna stikes again and this times hits paydirt.”
“The water buffalo gives the puma a whack with a powerful leg.”
“The puma is impervious to the pain.”
“The water buffalo uses her secret body hold.”
“Which the puma breaks in a second.”
“The water buffalo prepares for the final blow.”
“The puma rises up for the last attack.”
“The water buffalo is ready and deploys her jet black horns.”
“That was a good fantasy. Sure you don’t want to play tug-o-war?”
“Nope, I’m good.”
“If you want to play water buffalo and puma later, I’m willing.”
“I’ll be honest. Those fantasy’s wear me out.”
“I know what you mean. I think I’ll just chill with this tuggy.
“Hey, Lucy. Do you want to play with Eel?
“Gee, I was just getting ready for a nap.”
“Yeah, but look how much fun we can have.”
“Call the boss; maybe he’ll play with you.”
“Ah, Dad. Let’s do the tug-o-war.”
“Sure, Anything you want.”
“That’s the ticket. Now drag me.”
“You sure your teeth can stand it.”
“Hey, Lucy. Look at me. Being dragged.”
“Let me just imagine it, Little one.”
“I’m coming back by you. Want to play too.”
“Goodness. What part of nap didn’t you get?”
“Okay then. I let go.”
“Sure your teeth are okay?”
“They are fine. Why do you ask?”
“Well, being hauled around with your whole weight on them.”
“You calling me fat?”
“No, I’m not. Just concerned about your teeth. Now remove yourself from my face.”
“I think she was calling me fat.”
“Was not.”
“What do you think?”
“Who are you talking to? The boss left.”
“My friends, Lucy. My friends.”
“Hey, Lucy. I hear something over there.”
“Might be a lawnmower. Let’s go see.”
“Look at this. A little something running around here.”
“I don’t see anything.”
“Over here. Not over there. It’s over here.”
“I wouldn’t touch anything that’s on the ground running around.”
“Look, it’s the cutest. I wonder if it wants to be friends?”
“Looking at its size, I imagine it is scared to death.”
“Would you look at that. I just touched it, and it flew off.”
“I don’t think it wanted to play with you today.”
“I don’t get why not.”
“I think it left a piddle puddle. That says a lot.”
“Where are you going?”
“So hot here. I’m heading for the shade.”
“Hey, I think it’s come back.”
“Must have rabies to do something crazy like that. Stay away from it.”
“It didn’t come back. A nice layout will help me forget.”
“Forget what? You fall in love with a bug?”
“Well, it would have been fun to have a new playmate.”
“What am I? Chopped liver?”
“No, you are the best. it just would have been interesting with someone new.”
“You said that the last time a squirrel almost had a heart attack with your playing.”
“Okay, I guess I’m foolish. How about a game of ruckus?”
“Sounds good. Can we do it inside, though? This Texas summer is a killer.”
“Okay then. I’ll throw myself against the door and tell the folks we want in.”
“You are very good at that for sure.”
“I can hear mom coming. You want anything once we get inside?”
“You going to do that big eye, poor starving, almost too weak to stand, acting bit?”
“Yes.”
“Good, I’ll take a peanut butter biscuit.”
Hey Friday. Come on in. You sure are looking good today. We all could use a couple of days of rest. So here, have a margarita and take a load off.
This week has been a challenge for sure.
COVID cases are causing the cancellation of several events across the country. Garth Brooks and Stevie Nicks canceled five performances where COVID cases were the highest. The Texas governor tested positive but has no symptoms. He is a good example of the benefit of being fully vaccinated. I think there is going to be more news on cancellations. The President announced that Medicare funds to nursing homes that don’t have all providers vaccinated will be affected. Who boy can you imagine the forms that will need to be filled out on this one? The President is also going after those states that forbid local mandates on masking. It looks like the Supreme Court won’t have to worry about a lack of cases this year.
The Taliban took over the capital city of Kabal. Seems like the administration could have done a better job in executing the withdrawal from Afganistan. Funny how both sides of the political aisle blame the other for the mess. Cut the blame game, Mr. President, and get on with protecting our allies and those Americans still caught in-country. What’s done is done.
The CDC surprised us all by recommending a booster shot for those fully vaccinated. It was an original recommendation for those with compromised immune systems and those 65 and over. Now, bam, another mass rush for boosters. I have to wonder if anyone in Washington takes the time to plan anything ahead of the action. I, for one, have no idea of the guidelines for getting a booster. This announcement should have been held after some semblance of the process had been worked out.
The stock market is struggling due to uncertainty about what the Fed will do with its COVID stimulus program. The recovery from the original COVID business impact is again threatened by the Delta variant. Wall Street is afraid the Fed will cut back on the bond-buying stimulus, which is running at $120 Billion a month. Analysts believe the recovery is running into COVID and inflation bumps that were not predicted. Notes from the Fed meeting in July seem to point to a slowdown in bond-buying by the end of the year. I guess we will have to wait and see.
Today’s JohnKu talks about our nerves. I hope you have a great weekend and will try to forget all the bullshit flying around. Certainly, try not to be hit by any.
Nerves by John W. Howell © 2021
There’s the variant,
Prices going through the roof . . .
What will calm our nerves?
