Keith is back, and these are his 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.”
This list was originally posted on December 7th, 2015. Except for the fact that eighty-plus years have witnessed the holidays, all else seems relevant. I hope you enjoy it.
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This list is inspired by watching seventy-plus Holidays come with mixed results on gifting, both giving and receiving.
Top Ten Things Not to Give as a Present This Year
10 This year, do not give anyone a fruitcake. If you do, at best, it will find its way into the city recycling center. At worst, it will come back to you next year just a little bit harder than when last gifted. (Sure, it looked good in the catalog, didn’t it?
9 This year, do not give anything that has “as seen on TV” printed on the package. If you do, at best, the recipient will know you shopped in the drugstore. At worst, the gadget will be responsible for taking out the recipient’s electrical system. (You didn’t get that recall notice, did you?)
8 This year, do not give Scandinavian cookies in a metal tin. If you do, at best, the made in USA label will give away the lack of an imported gift. At worst, the cookies will taste like overpriced Little Debbie vanilla wafers. (How’s that stuck to the roof of the mouth feeling working out for your recipient?)
7 This year, do not give frozen mail-order steaks. If you do, at best, the steaks will be received by a vegan. At worst, the steaks will arrive in time to sit on the porch between Christmas and New Year while your recipient is skiing in Telluride. (They never said they were going out-of-town, did they?)
6 This year, do not give fruit gifts. If you do, at best, whatever you choose is hated by 75% of the people in the recipient’s household. At worst, the gift you select arrives during the worst snowstorm in one hundred years and won’t show up until spring. (Man, those pears sure didn’t freeze well, did they?)
5 This year, do not give personal grooming devices. If you do, at best, the recipient will wonder your intent. At worst, you may get a call from the recipient’s lawyer talking generalities about severe damage to very personal areas. (The ad said it was perfectly safe, and you believed it, right?)
4 This year, do not give a box of chocolate-covered cherries. If you do, at best, they will cause the recipient to choke on the first and throw the rest away. At worst, the recipient will be so depressed by the lack of thought the entire box will be eaten, and the recipient is admitted to the ER with symptoms of a glucose overdose. (It seemed like a good idea while you were getting your prescription filled. Didn’t it?)
3 This year, do not give a discount coupon for a day spa visit. At best, you will broadcast how cheap you are. At worst, the day spa is running discounts because their service sucks. (Can you say toe fungus without cringing?)
2 This year, do not give anything that is designed to be worn under clothes. If you do, at best, you will raise a question regarding the need. At worst, the size will be all wrong, and it won’t matter if you choose too small or too large the result will be the same. (Did you have a few drinks at that trunk show, or are you just an idiot?)
1 This year, do not give anything you bought on an impulse just to have a gift to give. If you do, at best, you will have difficulty explaining why that particular gift. At worst, you will probably overspend for something that has no thought behind it. (That will be your payback for procrastinating your search for a gift.)
Today we are going to Lakeway park to check out the walk for Alzheimer’s Texas. We need to get on our walking shoes. After the walk, we will be catered by The Peached Tortilla in Austin. our entertainment is Joe Cocker.
Menu
THAI CHOP CHOP SALAD
chopped napa, fried tofu, green apple, fried shallots, thai vinaigrette, rice puffs, peanuts, fresno chiles, watermelon radish, fish sauce caramel, herbs CONTAINS PEANUTS
BRISKET HASH
kimchi miso corn, sweet potatoes, fresnos, onion jam, pasture-raised fried egg
ask your server for our vegetarian option
SHORT RIB BENEDICT korean braised short rib, grilled ciabatta, kochukaru hollandaise
ask your server for our vegetarian option
FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH asian slaw, japanese pickles, gochu glaze, easy tiger easy bun served with belgian fries
KOREAN STEAK & EGGS BOWL sous vide hanger steak, sunny side up eggs, kimchi, egg furikake, rice
AVOCADO TOAST
miso scallion creme fraiche, alfalfa sprouts, watermelon radish, lemon oil
served with greens tossed in yuzu vinaigrette add soft scrambled pasture-raised eggs
All top shelf beverages, Beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and Tea.
Jump on.
Here is the sign announcing the walk.
The registration tent.
“Would you like a snack?”
The sponsors are getting set up.
The volunteers are offering maps and pens.
The DJ is pumping out heart pounding music.
The start and finish line.
One of the teams participating.
Another view of the registration tent.
So get your warm ups completed and off we go. When you get back enjoy the food and Joe Cocker. I hope you all have a great week,
I was sitting on the back porch with a cup of coffee, contemplating my next chore on the honey-do list. My thoughts immediately went to what would be a better thing to be doing instead. Golly gee, how about sailing the seven seas? Was one idea that blew through my brain like a rocket from the ACME rocket company. Best forget that, came the next blast that strangely had the face of Wile E. Coyote attached to it.
Finishing my coffee and standing while stretching out the effects of sitting for ten minutes. Gave thanks to the impact of nature on the old bones and heard a slight sound of metal hitting concrete. Looking down, there it was, the key that was long forgotten along with this morning’s breakfast. It might have been Raisen Bran Crunch, but that didn’t matter. The key is what was important. Scooping it up made me realize there will have to be a hunt or a hint about what the key can open.
Just as my thoughts began a quest, I summoned than back to reality as a large chest half-buried itself in the turf. Looking up, the realization that I could have been under that chest hit me a little lighter than the chest would have. Suffice it to say the answer to the key mystery was a few steps away. However, the chest had a lock, and since there is a God, surely the key will fit.
On the way to the chest, a petite man in green stopped me. Come on, the thought hit. I don’t need a troll right now. “Not so fast, big man.”
It was the troll talking. “You need to pay me before solving that key mystery.”
He was holding an envelope, and I just knew it had this week’s prompt. Coming right out and asking for the envelope paid off. “Sure, here you go,” he said. “No lock, though.”
I opened the envelope, and sure enough, there was the message. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “golly gee.” Use “golly gee” or another interjection that displays the same sentiment in your post. Enjoy!”
As many folks take to the airways this holiday, you can bet some will get a little overwhelmed, especially the kids. For those traveling through or to Denver, the good news is there is help.
More than 100 dogs (one cat) make up the Canine Airport Therapy Squad (CATS) at Denver International Airport. It’s the most extensive airport therapy animal program in the country and is entirely volunteers. The dogs, cat, and their volunteers walk around the airport in four-hour shifts, dispensing cuddles for anxious travelers (or anyone who wants to give a belly rub). While the program was suspended from March 2020 until May 2021, these days, they’re back patrolling the terminals, looking for humans who could use some stress relief.
Let’s meet some of the stress relievers. All photos courtesy of CATS
Here is Jackson the Goldendoodle. He likes dental treats and swimming.
Meet Blue. His favorite treat is Moist and Meaty, and his favorite activity is playing with his sister Amelia
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Toby’s favorite treat is Bacon (you go, Toby). His favorite activity is hiking in the mountains.
Xeli’s favorite treat is catnip, and her favorite activity is making friends.
Matilda’s favorite treat is salmon, and being hugged is her favorite activity.
These are just five of the 100 at the airport this weekend. What good news indeed. Today’s JohnKu talks about help in times of need. I hope you all have a super weekend.
Keith Channing is still doing NA/No, so today is another finger point prompt. Today’s prompt came from the book Eternal Road – The final stop by the bon vivant John W. Howell. The book was opened to a random page, and with eyes closed, the finger was placed on the page. Here is a shot of that event.
You can see the page is 72, and the finger is on the word ‘wall.’
Photo by ConvertKit on Unsplash – No that is not Twiggy –
This post ran on November 24, 2014. Since this is Thanksgiving week, I thought it might be good to review it again.
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This list has been inspired by numerous friends staying overnight and, sad to say, doing one or more of the things on the list. Since this week is Thanksgiving, I thought it would be good to post some behavior tips if a visit to friends is in the cards. (Oh yes, I know you would never do any of these)
Top Ten Things Not to Do While Staying Overnight with Friends
10 If you are staying overnight with friends, do not ask, “what’s for dinner?” if you do, at best, you will come off as pretty a demanding guest. At worst, your host may send you out for fast food. (by yourself)
9 If you are staying overnight with friends, do not sneak late-night snacks. If you do, at best, you may scare your guests thinking there is an intruder in the house. At worst, you might be asked to come out of the house over a bullhorn held by a big person from the local SWAT team. (I would not argue. Just come out.)
8 If you are staying overnight with friends, do not keep telling jokes in which you keep forgetting the punchline. If you do, at best, your friends will take pity on you and try to change the subject. At worst, your friend will believe you are a prime candidate for an intervention, much to the amusement of others in the house. (Full video recording too.)
7 If you are staying overnight with friends, do not keep grabbing extra portions of food. If you do, at best, your friends will wonder why you are not eating regularly at home. At worst, they will assume you have an eating disorder and insist you see their couple’s counselor. (which raises a whole new problem)
6 If you are staying overnight with friends, do not assume your friends want to stay up with you to see the dawn. If you do, at best, your friends will hope you pass out. At worst, the last few drinks made by your friend will be strong enough to ensure you pass out. (Say goodnight Gracie.)
5 If you are staying overnight with friends, do not get sick in their bed. If you do, at best, the stay will be very short. At worst, you may wake up in the backyard with a large dog named Bruno, who thinks you are cute. (I know the drool is annoying.)
4 If you stay overnight with friends, do not sleep until noon, even if you usually do so at home. If you do, at best, your friends will think you rude for missing the brunch they prepared. At worst, your friends will go about their day and leave you in the house to fend for yourself, which will include warding off the affections of Bruno. (He wants you to keep throwing the ball.)
3 If you are staying overnight with friends, do not think it is okay to adjust the thermostat to suit your own comfort. If you do, at best, you might not be invited back. At worst, your friends may surprise you with a deluxe suite which is, in actuality, the back seat of your own car. (You could have saved all those hours driving.)
2 If you are staying overnight with friends, do not take an ordinarily long hot shower. If you do, at best, you may encounter some hostile looks since your host community is under severe water restrictions. At worst, the hosts will be served with a cease service order which will mean no more water for them and a wanted dead or alive poster for you. (You can run, but you can’t hide.)
1 If you are staying overnight with friends, don’t forget to say thank you. If you do, at best, you won’t be invited back. At worst, your friends will come and stay with you and do their best to eat, drink and create mayhem for revenge. (I don’t think they are going home soon.)
When we see Christmas decorations, there is cause to ask, “What about Thanksgiving?” We just finished an outstanding Halloween so let’s see if we can find some Thanksgiving festive decorations. We are being catered by Lucky Robot of Austin. Our entertainment is Bob Seger ( I know he’s been here before, but we Detroit boys have to stick together.)
T O K Y O B R U N C H Saturday and Sunday 11-3
NIKKEI OMURICE Japanese omelette, crispy rice, red bean, shiitake, & cremini mushrooms, peas, choice of salsa macha or ponzu Verde
add Niman Ranch pork belly
PRIME CHIRASHI BOT Big Glory Bay king salmon, Bluefin Tuna, 2 types of daily prime market sashimi over sushi rice, avocado, cucumber, sunomono pickles, sesame, 144 degree egg
NOMNOMIYAKI Japanese savory pancake, Niman Ranch pork belly, napa cabbage, topped with 2 sunny side up eggs, spicy mayo, tonkatsu, sriracha, bonito flakes, microgreens
