Tag: Our Justice

Views of the Neighborhood – Good Time Scavenger Hunt in Lakeway City Park

~ John W. Howell ~ 83 Comments

For the new year, it seems appropriate to concentrate on time. Today we are going on another scavenger hunt sponsored by the City of Lakeway Parks and Recreation. There are ten clocks, so we will try to find five today. Since we will be outside, it is a good idea to have a lovely catered brunch. Today that will be from Eastside Tavern in Austin. We also have Chicago back again.

Menu

Brisket + Cheddar Tater Tots

Topped with Scallions, Served with Chipotle Aioli

Load it up with Beans, Cheese, Sour Cream & Salsa Verde

Turkey Avocado Toast

Served with Avocado Spread, Cold Sliced Turkey, Soft Boiled Egg, Tomato and Radish

EST Heartstopper Burger

Topped with Brisket, Pulled Pork, Sausage, Bacon, Jalapeno, Onion + Queso

Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Add Your Choice of Meat: Brisket, Chopped Beef, Pulled Pork, Sausage or Smoked Turkey

Brisket, Egg & Cheese Sandwich

Brisket, Scrambled Eggs, and Cheddar on Texas Toast

Served with a Side of Red Potatoes

EST Chicken Fried Steak

Smoked sirloin breaded and fried with our homemade brisket gravy and served with a side of potatoes.

Brisket “SOS.”

Buttered Texas Toast topped with Sliced Brisket.

Topped with a Chopped Brisket Gravy

Whiskey-Infused Banana Bread French Toast

Tullamore Dew Smoked Banana Bread. Topped with a Whiskey Cream Cheese Whip.

Available a la Mode

Brisket Patty Melt

Topped with Melted Swiss, Caramelized Onions, Mushrooms + Chipotle Aioli

Top Shelf drinks, Coffee, tea, beer, wine, and soft drinks

 

Picture of an old time school bus

So let’s go.

The instructions tell s to look for the restrooms and then start down the path. There are no other hints, so we will have to keep an eye out.

There are the restrooms, and here is a path. I see something on the green thing.

I thought so. The first clock

We have to turn around and start down the path. There is something

And clock number two.

A tree with a rock behind it. Let’s look.

You guys are good. Clock number three.

Some equipment up ahead. Aways a good spot for a clock.

Yup. Number four ho.

Big ole birdhouse up ahead.

A clock at its base.

So we will take a break now and come back next week. So sit back and relax, have some food and enjoy the music. I hope you have a great week.

 

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

~ John W. Howell ~ 77 Comments

We have two good news stories today.

The first is about saving turtles with a twist.

From the Port Aransas South Jetty of December 22

This photo shows folks transferring cold-stunned sea turtles from an airplane to waiting vehicles in Corpus Christi, Texas. (A still from South Jetty staff video © 2021 by Lee Harrison.)
Thirty-two cold-stunned sea turtles were flown in for treatment at facilities, including the Amos Rehabilitation Keep (ARK) in Port Aransas, Texas.
All of the turtles are juvenile Kemp’s ridleys, an endangered species, rescued after they were found in distress in the area of Cape Cod, in coastal Massachusetts.
Eleven were being transported to the ARK, according to Lee Harrison, president of the non-profit Friends of the ARK organization. (Harrison also is a South Jetty staff photographer.)
The rest went to the Texas Sealife Center and the Texas State Aquarium for rehabilitation.
Sea turtles are cold-blooded reptiles that require warm temperatures to stay alive.
When the water temperatures dip below 50 degrees, sea turtles can suffer from decreased heart rate and circulation.
Lethargy can be followed by shock, pneumonia, and possibly death.
It is good that Texas could help out and good that there is an organization that flies turtles to points of rescue.
And now a relaxing story from the North.
Photo courtesy of Aurora Borealis Observatory

As winter begins to settle across the Northern Hemisphere, webcams in wild places have been picking up some startling sights.

Pictured is a reindeer in a snowy birch forest. The aurora pulses overhead in swirls of iridescent light as it grazes. It’s beautiful, a truly relaxing sight.

Today’s JohnKu talks about the new year. I hope you have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve.

2022 by John W. Howell © 2021

We hope it’s better,

Than the mess 2021 . . .

Let us make it so.

* * *

There is an issue leftover from yesterday’s post. So to Twiggy and Lucy. Yes, Dad did the leaves.

Here’s the proof. (photo was taken at 11:57 AM Central time December 30, 2021)

 

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Lucy Think About 2022

~ John W. Howell ~ 99 Comments

Well, Little One, the year 2021 is almost finished.”

“Do we get another one?”

“Why yes, we get another one. It’s called 2022.”

“So why do the years keep changing?”

“Gee, no one has ever asked me that before.”

“You have to wonder. The same question could be, why do the clocks change?”

“The years change because humans need to mark time. They want to know where they’ve been and where they are going.”

“What about the clocks?”

“You have me there, Little One. I can’t think of a good answer.”

“Anything special we need to do when the year changes?”

“We can make up some New Year resolutions.”

“You have to explain more about that. What are resolutions?”

“So many questions. Let’s just say you promise yourself that you will be a better dog in the next year.”

“I thought I was the best I could be already.”

“For instance. Maybe you not bark the UPS person to St Louis.”

“Oh, so resolutions are giving up what you love to do?”

“No, I think it is more thinking of others more than yourself.”

“So the UPS guy doesn’t like the barking, and if I gave it up, he would be happier?”

“You have hit the nail on the head, Little One. I think you have the idea.”

“Between you and me? That’s not going to happen. I’ll have to think of another resolution. Maybe giving up snowboarding.

“Well, you work on it. In the meantime, I hope Dad resolves to do something about these leaves.

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Thunderstorm

~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

Keith Channing is still on break, so it is time for a finger-point prompt once again. Today, we have opened that non-New York Times bestseller, Eternal Road – The final stop by the world infamous author, John W. Howell. Randomly it was opened to page 167, and again randomly, a finger was pointed to the page. Of course, the word closest to the finger is prompt. In this case, the word is ‘thunderstorm.’  Since I have no idea what will come out as I proceed, I hope you will enjoy whatever it is.

Thunderstorm by John W. Howell © 2021

“That noise. I can’t believe we can hear it. The sound of a ball rolling on a wooden floor.”

“That is thunder.”

“Thunder? Oh, I don’t think so.”

“Yes. It is the sound that lightning makes.”

“Huh?”

“When there is lightning, the thunder is the resulting sound.”

“Okay. But I see lightning, and then the thunder comes later.”

“That’s cause light travels faster than sound. So an old trick is to count the seconds from the time you see the lightning until you hear the thunder.”

“What does that tell me.”

“How far away the thunderstorm. One mile for each second.”

“Where did you learn that?”

“Not sure. Maybe school. All I know is you don’t want to be outside when there is a thunderstorm.”

“There’s that sound again. I didn’t see any lightning.”

“Maybe it is because the curtains are closed.”

“Why do they call it a thunderstorm? Shouldn’t it be called a lightning storm?”

“Yeah, good point. I’m not sure.”

“Maybe that should be something we investigate.”

“Yeah, along with how come we hear thunder with no lightning.”

“I think I have the answer.”

“Okay, tell me.”

“We live above a bowling alley, Mr. Thunder expert.”

“There’s supposed to be soundproofing.”

“Said the landlord before the lease signing.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do on New Years Eve -Take Two

~ John W. Howell ~ 34 Comments
Pixabay image

 

One thing not to do is mess up a schedule for a post that was supposed to run two days after Christmas. You may have noticed that I scheduled the Top Ten post by mistake, and it ran yesterday. Sadly this kind of thing throws everyone off. I do apologize.

Rather than pull it down, I decided to let it run and explain it today. If you missed it, here is a link. Top Ten Link

 

 

Views of the Neighborhood – The Best of 2021

~ John W. Howell ~ 79 Comments

Since we are coming to a close in 2021, I thought it would be fun to capture some of the past Views of the Neighborhood by giving a sample of some of the best subject views.  We don’t have a catered event, but I’m sure you can remember some of the best menus. We won’t need to get on the bus since we have already gone there. I hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane.

The most Holiday laughs

Cutest Holiday topper.

Best Axis Deer shot.

Funniest Turkey

Best Halloween

Best waterfall.

Best trash.

Best art show

Best bluebonnets

Best Twiggy and Lucy photo (at least the happiest)

Best non-holiday mailbox topper

Best tree planting.

Best spring flowers.

Best Fawn.

Best treasure hunt.

Best Snow (January 2021)

I hope you enjoyed the tour, and I wish you a great week.

Top Ten Things Not to Do on New Year’s Eve.

~ John W. Howell ~ 64 Comments
Photo by Alysa Bajenaru on Unsplash

This post ran on December 29th, 2015. I think there is still some relevant advice. I hope you enjoy it even though it ran one day early.

* * *

Since this is Monday, you should expect a Top Ten list. This week will be the same as the others for the last year. So YES, here is the Ten Things Not to Do list (although a little late today). This week’s list was inspired by a New Year’s Eve party I attended (or maybe many). I’m not saying if I was a perpetrator of any of these things, but I hope you enjoy them.

Top Ten Things Not to Do on New Year’s Eve.

10 On New Year’s Eve, do not try to set a personal record for alcohol consumption. If you do, at best, your evening will close early. At worst, New Year’s Day will represent your personal purgatory, just begging for relief. (Getting off your knees might be the first step to redemption)

9 On New Year’s Eve, do not set resolutions that you think would be great to accomplish if you were a superhero. If you do, at best, you will not last a week on your new plan. At worst, you will consider your failure at resolutions to be among one of the many failures for the year. (Now you need to be talked down off the ledge)

8 On New Year’s Eve, do not think your goodwill to humankind feeling leftover from the holidays should be demonstrated by public displays of affection for everyone you meet. If you do, at best, most will try to dodge your advances. At worst, there will be one person who will think you are the new lost love that they have been searching for their whole life. (Now you have someone stalking you for months despite the restraining order)

7 On New Year’s Eve, do not think your stomach deserves to be challenged with copious amounts of strange food. If you do, at best, your later hours will be spent in a degree of discomfort. At worst, your stomach will get even when you least expect it. (Yes, it is two in the morning, and that’s you calling trains into the ceramic microphone)

6 On New Year’s Eve, do not think your off-key singing throughout the year will suddenly get better with the addition of Champaign. If you do, at best, you will still draw the same looks you got for the rest of the year. At worst, you will begin to gather stray cats and dogs who think you are calling them for dinner while singing Auld Lang Sine. (Better find some kibble fast)

5 On New Year’s Eve, do not think your famous green monster punch will be enjoyed by everyone. If you insist everyone try it, at best, your party may end early. At worst, you may be responsible for sending some guests over the edge due to a strong allergy to Everclear and, if not an allergy, certainly a diminished capability for strong drink. (hint green carpet spots never come up)

4 On New Year’s Eve, do not try to surprise your significant other with a mystery destination that you promise will make the best New Year’s Eve ever. If you do, at best, you may have selected a place that has some negative memories. At worst, you may spend the entire evening lost in a strange neighborhood which will not be the best destination. (It might be the most memorable as the prime reason your significant other is no longer significant and not your other)

3 On New Year’s Eve, do not get all romantic if all year you act as if romance was as welcome as the measles. If you do, at best, you will look ridiculous. At worst, you could cause a significant upset to the person you are ordinarily ambivalent about. (How was that first dose of pepper spray?)

2 On New Year’s Eve, do not think it a good idea to put that lampshade on your head. If you do, at best, some will laugh not with you but at you. At worst, the shade is an antique given to the host by a grandmother just before her demise, and now it is on the floor under your fanny after you slipped on a bottle and fell to the floor. (Oh, though you would like to know, the video on U Tube has gone viral)

1 On New Year’s Eve, do not think you have to stay up past a reasonable hour to see in the New Year. If you do, at best, the next day’s activities will be a challenge. At worst, you will throw off your sleep cycle, not to mention nodding off at your mother-in-law’s New Year’s Day family gathering. (The pool of drool on the damask fabric of the antique couch will be your mark forever)

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

~ John W. Howell ~ 51 Comments

Two widowed penguins seemingly comfort one another as they gaze upon Melbourne’s lights. St Kilda, Australia. Tobias Baumgaertner, Finalist Community Choice Award

An excerpt of a story by By Margherita Cole on December 29, 2020, in My Modern Met. For the whole story, click on Margherita’s name.

In 2019, photographer Tobias Baumgaertner snapped a romantic shot of two widowed penguins overlooking a pier in Melbourne, Australia. He shared the photograph on his Instagram during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to help lift people’s spirits, and it quickly went viral, garnering thousands of likes, comments, and shares. So, it’s only fitting that Baumgaertner’s photo, nominated for the Community Choice Award in the 2020 Ocean Photography Awards, won the title by popular vote.

“I posted this image of these two Fairy penguins a little more than half a year ago, and since then it has circled the globe, it has been seen by millions, and I have received thousands of messages and comments of how these two little guys have touched and mended broken hearts, brought joy, hope, and love into your lives,” Baumgaertner said on his Instagram. “It has become a symbol of togetherness and love. Times are still not easy for many of us, [so] I repeat what I wrote back then. During times like this, the truly lucky ones are those that can be with the person/people they love most.”

The German wildlife photographer spent three nights with the Fairy penguin colony in St. Kilda in hopes of attaining the perfect picture. Although the conditions were difficult, and he wasn’t able to use any lights, his patience finally paid off when he captured two penguins comforting each other in front of the pier. “A volunteer approached me and told me that the white one was an elderly lady who had lost her partner and apparently so did the younger male to the left,” Baumgaertner wrote. “Since then, they meet regularly, comforting each other and standing together for hours watching the dancing lights of the nearby city.”

Today’s JohnKu talks about Christmas Eve. A very Merry Christmas to all who celebrate.

Christmas Eve by John W. Howell.

Tis the day before,

We celebrate Christ’s birthday . . .

Peace on Earth to All.