Views of the Neighborhood – Fourth of July Decorations

July 3, 2022July 2, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

This is the day before the Fourth of July. So I thought it would be interesting to see some decorations around town. We are being catered by Better Half in Austin. Today’s entertainment is who else but Lee Greenwood.

BETTER HALF BREAKFAST SANDWICH English muffin, crispy hash brown, smoked paprika aïoli, arugula, fried farm egg CHOOSE BACON, BREAKFAST SAUSAGE, BEYOND SAUSAGE, OR AVOCADO

CHICKEN BISCUIT southern fried chicken breast, jalapeño-honey butter, curry bread & butter pickles
PASTRAMI BISCUIT house cured & smoked brisket pastrami,
creamy Swiss & horseradish pimento cheese spread, fried egg

GRANOLA BOWL oats, nuts & seeds, pomegranate molasses,
local Greek yogurt, seasonal fruit & berries, Thai basil & mint

WAFFLE IRON HASHBROWNS coffee & cream gravy, cotija, farm egg, pickled onions, scallions

NEW SOURDOUGH PANCAKES strawberries, coconut lime streusel, vanilla whip

NEW BIG SUMMER SALAD sweet corn purée, power greens & romaine hearts, heirloom cherry tomato, avocado & yellow squash, summer shoots, creamy cotija chimichurri & spicy pepitas
BETTER HALF CHICKEN BURGER house ground chicken, Duke’s Mayo, Swiss, LTO

BETTER HALF CHEESEBURGER 44 Farms ground beef, Dijonnaise, American cheese, LTO

BEYOND MEAT VEGGIE PATTY AVAILABLE

So, hop on, and let’s go.

This is a repeat of a prior year. I thought it was funny and a good use for a poor departed palm tree.

Several mail toppers in town.

From Sea to Sea decoration.

A stylish bunting on stylish home.

The ultimate topper. Armadillo, cactus, and flags.

The Lakeway Heritage Center celebrating the Fourth of July.

The Freedom Memorial is all decked out too.

Lakeway city lines all the thoroughfares with flags. This is the sculpture garden.

A close look at the plaque.

Guardian angel.

Girls with arbor rope.

Girl with Teddy bear.

Boys balancing.

Tennis boy.

I hope you have a wonderful Fourth of July celebration. Now enjoy the food and Lee Greenwood.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Amble”

July 2, 2022July 1, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 75 Comments

A quiet Saturday morning with the sounds of birds adding to the peaceful feeling. Inhaling the aroma of freshly brewed coffee as it is being made adds to the overall feeling of contentment. The temperature is below the blast furnace level, so an excellent opportunity exists to sit on the patio and enjoy the morning.

Twiggy and Lucy decide to come with me to the outside. They are busy reading their nose e-mails, and I’m occupied with mine. A fairly loud noise interrupts us all. Lucy and Twiggy do the instinctual reaction to warn the noise that the suburbs of St Louis are closer than they think. To be barked to St. Louis is a treat no intruder should miss.

The noise repeats, and this time the location is determined to be from the front yard. If this is another Warner Brothers character, I’m going to demand a royalty, I think, as I amble to the front door. After the disarm and unlock process, I’m standing on the front porch face to face with a mule.

Not knowing how the thing got there, I look around for a note. I’m assuming this is another delivery of the prompt from Linda Hill. I go around the back of the mule, and for whatever reason, I lift its tale. “Watch it, buster.” The words seem to come from a loudspeaker somewhere. Moving around to the front, I say maybe the dumbest thing that has ever been said under the circumstances. “Who said that?” Were the words.

“You must have seen movies in your day and know you are in the presence of Francis the Talking Mule.” I look around, thinking that maybe there is a camera somewhere. “Just pay attention, buster.” I look the mule in the eye and puff my cheeks. “Who you calling, buster?”

“The one who needs a prompt I have in my pocket.” The mule drops an envelope on the walk and ambles down the driveway. Not knowing where the envelope came from, I was reluctant to pick it up. Finally gathering the courage, I did a two-finger pick up and opened it. Of course, there was a note from Linda Hill which said:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “—amble.” Add letters to the beginning of “-amble” to make another word or use it as is in your post. Enjoy!

If you want to enjoy, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link.

https://lindaghill.com/2022/07/01/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-2-2022/

“Francis the flipping Talking Mule?”

“Yes. A problem?”

“How many years back was Francis the Talking Mule?”

“The 50s.”

“You getting senile in your old age?”

“No, why?”

“To bring up that character. Must have been popular when you were a kid.”

“In fact, Francis was popular when I was a kid.”

“I knew it. Senile.”

“Quit that. Just a memory is all.”

“It is a break from those Warner Brothers characters.”

“So, what do you think?”

“About what?”

“Francis the Talking Mule.”

“You better clean your driveway.”

“I’m serious.”

“That was a preamble to the advice to forget about Francis.”

“Fine, done. Any more advice.”

“Need to sit with a cold one and think.”

“You are buying, so let’s go.”

“My car is in the shop. Can you drive?”

“Better yet, let’s catch Francis the Talking Über.”

“Very funny. Just call the real one. I think I’m going to be overserved.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Friyay/Good News

July 1, 2022June 30, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 84 Comments

Today’s good news story comes once again from the Good News Network. Here it is in its entirety.

Floating Drones Are Swallowing Tons of Plastic Waste Before it Reaches Ocean

By Andy Corbley

June 24, 2022

From Chennai to Trentino alto Adige to Baltimore, inventors are churning out methods of stopping plastic pollution from entering the ocean by picking it out of riverways.

They come in different shapes and sizes, and a Dutch company just added a whale-shark-inspired drone that can cobble 160 liters of waste to the mix.

Developed by RanMarine in Rotterdam, the drone project was both straightforward, but with a pretty long checklist. It had to be automated, zero emissions, easy to use, economic to deploy and maintain, and be able to clean a freshwater environment without harming it.

The result is WasteShark, which is about 4 feet long and quietly captures trash in a tray between its two pontoons. Like the whale shark that provided its inspiration, a grid stops anything sizeable from entering its mouth, until it detects trash and the grid is lowered.

Once the drone is filled, it’s steered back to the water’s edge, where the tray can be easily removed, and emptied into a larger receptacle.

Watch the video

The good news here is around the world people continue to work on keeping plastic and trash out of the ocean. Today’s JohnKu talks about problem-solving.

Solving a problem,

Even the impossible . . .

Takes a dogged heart.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Cool Weather for Twiggy and Lucy

June 30, 2022June 30, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 98 Comments

“Whoa, Lucy. It is cool out here.”

“Let’s just say it is cooler. Hey Boss, what is the temperature outlook for today?”

“My watch says 84 right now with a high of 97 and a low tonight of 66.” (For our metric friends, that would be 28.8, 36.1, and 18.8.)

Sounds a lot better than the 100s.”

“So Lucy. These rocks are cool as cucumbers.”

“That sun is not as hot as the last few weeks.”

“You think the world is ending?”

“No, we just have had a break in the temperatures. The 100s will be back in a week.’

“I don’t get why the weather is so changeable.”

“Well, as they say, ‘Just hang around, and it will change.'”

“Love to know who says stuff like that.”

“I think it is called conventional wisdom, Little One.”

“I’d love to meet this wisdom guy.”

“It’s not a — Oh, never mind. I’m going to see if the cabana boy is on duty.”

“I can’t believe we can be out here. This shade is great.”

“I’m with you. A little kibble and some cool drinks will make the day perfect.”

“So, where’s the kibble and drinks?”

“The cabana boy is off doing other things. So I guess we will just have to relax without the frills.”

“What are you doing?”

“Smelling the flowers.”

“That’s a plant.”

“No matter. Just enjoying life right now.”

“Doesn’t take the place of kibble and a cool drink.”

“It does if you try Little One.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue # 366 by Keith Channing.

June 28, 2022June 27, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

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 on 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 time.”

The photo.

“Look at the beautiful flowers.”

“I see them. Daisies are my favorite too.”

“I like them as well.”

“Why are we walking on this path, Mama?”

“We need to get some fresh air and look for a nice spot to rest.”

“What was wrong with our old spot?”

“Didn’t you hear all that noise?”

“Yes, but we have heard it before.”

“This was different. There were saws and big machines.”

“What does that mean, Mama?”

“That the world as we know it is changing.”

“Why does it change?”

“I don’t have a good answer. People call it progress.”

“But why did we leave, and are we going back?”

“We left my child, so you can grow up big and strong with fresh air and good food.”

“What about going back?”

“That is impossible, I’m afraid. Those saws and machines destroyed our forest, so we have nothing back there.”

“What about Papa?”

“He’s going to meet us at the new place.”

“That’s good to hear, Mama. How about my friends?”

“The herd decided to move as well. So all the does and fawns will be there too.”

“You mean it? That’s swell.”

“So it will be a new life for us all. Look, baby. There’s a butterfly.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do at a GYM (or Workout Club)

June 27, 2022June 26, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 61 Comments

This post originally ran on August 1, 2016. Since I’m still going to the gym, I still see the same annoying things, so I think it will be helpful.

* * *

Top Ten Things Not to Do at a GYM (or Workout Club)

Having been a gym member for some years, I observed some annoying habits of other attendees. I want to dedicate this blog to y’all. (you know who you are)

10 If you are working out, do not leave the equipment covered in sweat. If you do, at best, you’ll earn the club gross-out award. At worst, you might have a discussion with Tiny, the club rules enforcer. (Tiny tends to talk with his fists, and you could be looking at an incoming knuckle sandwich.)

9 If you are working out, do not do your stretches in a way that blocks others’ use of a machine. If you do, at best, you may find yourself stopped at some point. At worst, a brave soul may only knock you out of the way and use the machine. (You would argue, but it looks like they outweigh you by 100 pounds, and they are wearing a WWF champion belt)

8 If you are working out, do not wear week-old workout clothes. If you do, at best, you’ll have plenty of workout space to yourself. At worst, the membership will take up a collection and present you with the “Sponsor a homeless person” check for twenty-five dollars. (Pretty embarrassing getting into your BMW after the ceremony, isn’t it.)

7 If you are working out, do not drop the bar of weights on the floor. If you do, at best, the population will take cover, thinking an earthquake is in progress. At worst, you happen to hit the floor weak spot, and you and the bar of weights wake up in the basement. (You have to wonder why no one seems to care that you are missing.)

6 If you are working out, do not sing along to the music in your earbuds. If you do, at best, the rest of the club will think you’ve lost your mind. At worst, Someone will call 911 thinking you are in excruciating pain and are in the throes of a heart attack. (You might as well go with the EMTs since they are trained to subdue crazies who resist.)

5 If you are working out, don’t brag about your weight loss. If you do, at best, those who might have considered being a friend are long gone. At worst, you will brag to the wrong person who has a medical condition coupled with psychotic episodes triggered by the word “loss.” (Running fast was never your strong suit, was it?)

4 If you are working out, do not flirt with the instructor. If you do, at best, the instructor will do their best to stay away from you. At worst, the instructor will think you may be the love of their life. (Only now do you find out the instructor is on a work-release program after an episode with a former student.)

3 If you are working out, do not try to hoard as many clean towels as you can fit in your locker. If you do, at best, others will know and treat you like a thief. At worst, security will pay you a visit just as you open your towel-stuffed locker. (Talking fast doesn’t seem to help, does it?)

2 If you are working out, do not make grunting noises as you do your reps. If you do, at best, the room will think you’re obsessed. At worst, the management will send Tiny to discuss proper decorum in the gym. (It seems many folks thought your grunts were a little too personal.)

1 If you are working out, do not make a habit of filling up more than one water bottle at the fountain. If you do, at best, the long line will consist of those who have come to hate you. At worst, the tall guy behind you will cease to be able to control his desire to act on an urge to drown you in the very same fountain. (Wow! “Where did that come from?” You ask.)

Views of the Neighborhood – Folds of Honor Fundraiser

June 26, 2022June 25, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 75 Comments

An event was held last week in support of Folds of Honor. Due to the magic of time travel, we can go back and check it out. We will be having lunch at Cross Water Yacht Club, the event’s sponsor. Folds of Honor is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Our entertainment will be Toby Keith.

Fish & Chips, cole slaw, beans, and a drink.

So jump on the old bus, and let’s get going.

Here we are, and it is a beautiful day. Here is the logo for the organization. The folded flag is the symbol of the sacrifice of those men and women in the military.

A dry-erase board lets us know we are in the right place.

Here is the central cook spot for fries and fish.

The serving tent. So, help yourself when you are ready.

A shot of the Yacht club over a photo of those free to celebrate.

Another photo of the club.

One shot of the venue, which was on a hill overlooking the club.

I hope you enjoyed our trip today. Now sit back and relax and enjoy Toby Keith.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Product/Produce

June 25, 2022June 24, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 67 Comments

Ah yes, Saturday morning. Birds are chirping, and there is a right feeling about the world. It is a little too warm, but the sky is bright blue without a trace of a cloud, marring the sense of serenity. The mood machine is ready to dispense the calming fluid, and it looks like a relaxing day ahead.

The sound of a far away and tight whistle coming from what seems to be the stratosphere reaches my ears. The tone is getting louder and more distinct. Moving to the patio allows me to witness a shadow growing from the size of a sugar cube. The whistle gets louder and the shadow bigger. The brain finally puts it all together. It appears that another delivery from the sky is about to impact the backyard turf.

Making a move under the porch cover happens with an almost simultaneous explosion of dirt, turf, and pieces of wood. Thank heavens the coffee was covered with my hand before the sunami of debris. Once settled, a cautious walk to the crater is rewarded with the sight of an animal in a skydiving outfit that looks precisely like Daffy Duck. “Suffering succotash. They should have told me to let go of the box.”

“Are you hurt?” is my reply. Daffy leads me to believe he is not hurt but a little disappointed in the instructions given by the ACME air freight company. He also gestures to the mess in the hole and shakes his head. “I’m afraid your product is a total loss,” he says.

Peering over the edge, it is hard to make out the nature of the product, so there is no alternative but to ask, “What’s the product?”

“Produce,” comes the reply. “Cumquats specifically.”

Not having ordered the cumquats, there follows a series of questions regarding where they were from and if the address is correct on the delivery. By this time, Daffy is near the end of his patience. He hands me an envelope and asks if the name on the front is mine. Confirming it is causes him to jump out of the hole. He raises his hand, grabs a bar suspended by a rope from a helicopter, and is plucked away.

Thoughts about who will pay to have the yard fixed run through my mind as I open the envelope. Sure enough, the sender is Linda Hill, and here is what the message says.

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “product/produce.” Use one, use them both, use them any way you’d like. Bonus points if you use both. Have fun!

If you want fun, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here’s the link.

https://lindaghill.com/2022/06/24/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-june-25-2022/

“Another character.”

“Yup.”

“Who is going to fix the yard.”

“That is a product of my imagination. There was no delivery.”

“No, produce?”

“Nope.”

“Why do you put us through this then.”

“Gotta introduce the prompt.”

“But you could just say what it is.”

“There’s no fun in that.”

“I’m not sure falling boxes are fun either.”

“To each his own. Maybe I could have a falling beer keg.”

“Now that is worth doing. Dangerous, though.”

“The weight you mean?”

“No, getting the beer too agitated.”

“Good point.”

“Speaking of?”

“Your turn to buy.”

“Easy peasy. I’ll produce my card and charge the product.”

“Let’s leave it alone now.”

“You driving?”

“Yup.”

“Let’s call Über. I think this may be a long barley pop session.”

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

June 24, 2022June 24, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 75 Comments

Once again, today’s story comes from the Good News Network. Here it is in its entirety.

Stray Dog Becomes a Fierce Crossing Guard for These Children Every Day – WATCH

By Andy Corbley – Jun 20,

A stray dog in the country of Georgia has appointed himself as the local crossing guard for young children crossing a busy intersection.

Every morning, he strongly discourages drivers from encroaching upon the crosswalk by barking wildly at them until the kids, who cross hand-to-hand with their teacher, have made it across.

“He’s a very serious boy. He never goes to other streets,” said Tamta, who is part of the community that takes care of Kupata, the dog. Kupata, by the way, is Georgian for ‘sausage.’

According to ecstatic YouTube commenters, this particular ‘sausage’ is an Australian shepherd—it’s his breed that may have given him his instincts to go running up and down beside the little boys and girls he cares for.

Tamta explained that her friend Beqa videotaped Kupata’s work in order to help show that stray dogs are not as dangerous as old customs would have people believe.

“Kupata is the lucky one because we all take care of him, but there are other dogs that aren’t lucky—that don’t have shelter, they don’t have food,” explains Tamta. “This is a problem in our country.”

Hopefully, footage like this one will help others to see strays differently.

(WATCH the video for this story below.)

The good news in this report is that even stray dogs continue to serve humans and deserve a break. Today’s JohnKu talks about helping animals without a home. I hope you have a fabulous weekend.

There is no such thing,

As a useless stray doggie . . .

Homeless is the word.