Tag: Our Justice

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Ma.”

~ John W. Howell ~ 46 Comments

Stream of Consciousness

 

Mama just killed a man. Put my gun against his head pulled the trigger now he’s dead. Well, it is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this weeks prompt is “ma.” Linda Hill says we can use “ma” or any word containing “ma.” Also, there are bonus points for starting the post with “ma.” Now you see why I did a riff on Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.

If you would like to slowly lose your grip on reality, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is to do. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/11/30/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-1-18/

Ma by John W. Howell © 2108

“You would not believe the dream I had last night. It was a real nightmare.”

“You know dreams are only imaginary?”

“I know that, and I don’t normally pay attention to them.”

“Was this one that dramatic that it has you upset?”

“How’s this sound. David Letterman is the chairman of our company.”

“Well, that doesn’t sound so bad. In real life that would be immaterial.”

“Yes, but I had to give a presentation to him on filmmaking. I don’t know squat about the subject.”

“So what did you do? Make up some facts?”

“I walked in and he was sitting behind this giant desk with a margarita in his hand.”

“Okay, this sounds like it is getting funny. I imagine he was pretty friendly.”

“Quite the opposite. He called my presentation the benchmark of mediocrity.”

“Oh, that’s harsh. Maybe he was drunk.”

“The whole thing ended up with him demanding my resignation.”

“What did you do with that malicious request?”

“I took it as a mandate to find another job.”

“So did you find another job and leave that dismal place?”

“I’ve been busy this morning. I need to go to Monster Dot Com on my MAC.”

“You sure you’re not being premature. After all, it was a dream. What were you doing all morning?”

“Working on my resume. Oh yes. I sent my marvelous letter of resignation.”

“You gotta be kidding me. Because of a dream, you formally resigned?”

“You had to have been there. Besides, I hate filmmaking and I think to try to succeed would be too much drama.”

“Your company makes computers. You work for a manufacturer not a filmmaker.”

“I think I have post-traumatic dream disorder. I’ll write to the boss and tell him it was a big mistake.”

“Good luck with that. Use your personal magnetism.”

” I wish I hadn’t opened the letter with ‘Dear Demanding Asshole.'”

“Yeah, that might take a little touch of diplomacy to fix.”

 

Friday JohnKu – AKA- TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

 

Lucy, Bailey and Twiggy
“Hey, Lucy. It’s Friday. Let’s get ready to rumble.”

 

Friday is here and time to get ready for the weekend. This week was pretty productive. The edits are pretty much finished on the next book. Gwen Plano and I have written the sequel to The Contract and now we are trying to get to a name. The manuscript is due to the editor in January and hopefully, we will have a name by then.

Bailey is doing quite well. She is eating (Knock on wood) and appears to be comfortable.

Today’s JohnKu is about adaptability. I hope you have a great weekend.

The Unexpected by John W. Howell © 2018

When you think all’s well,

The unexpected rises. . .

Alter and adapt.

Thursday – A Little Personal – On the Beach

~ John W. Howell ~ 46 Comments

Twiggy, Lucy, and Bailey

“Lucy what are you doing?”

“Look to your right, little one.”

“What is that?”

“It is a big bird called a heron.”

“Can we chase it?”

“OMG no. The boss has a fit. He thinks the birds ought to be left alone.”

“I can certainly understand that. He’s a softy for animals.”

“Not so loud he’s right behind us.”

“You don’t suppose he understands dog do you?”

“Comes pretty close.”

Twiggy and Lucy

“What are we doing now?”

“This is a gopher mound. We dig in it like Idiots hoping t catch a gopher.”

“Do we?”

“Never.”

“Why you stopping?”

“Look there is a signpost up ahead.”

“With another heron.”

“Man you learn fast. nice job.”

“Will that heron fly off there?”

“Of course. When he gets hungry.”

“We should go there and wait.”

“Remember what I said about the boss?”

“I remember. Maybe I’ll just hunt for seashells.”

“Yeah, there may be some around here. The boss wants us back to the golf cart.”

“Hey Lucy, look. A dog on a leash.”

“Yeah, that is pretty common.”

“I’ll give him my pit bull bark.”

“You do that. I’m sure he is quivering in the sand.”

“Now my mountain lion face.”

“Be careful. Your face may freeze like that. I’m sure glad the boss is back. We are heading home.”

“How was the beach, Little stuff.”

“It was great. I got to dig in a gopher mound.” What is Lucy looking at?”

“Oh, she does that whenever the dog across the street starts barking.”

“Why does she do it?”

“She says she is giving that dog a greedy look in her brain. It is supposed to stop the barking.”

“Obviously doesn’t work. We missed you at the beach.”

“Thank, little stuff. Someday I’ll play on the beach all day.”

 

 

 

~ John W. Howell ~ 36 Comments
Twiggy
“It’s only Wednesday? Man, do I need a Friday.”

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we found ourselves back to Micki Lee’s place where we were witnesses to a full-scale flirt being perpetrated by Micki and Andrew. Make no mistake, these two are old enough to be grandparents so we better watch out since anything can happen. We also were there when Micki called up Gloria, and like she was on a 100 Mbps download, she was right there. Let’s hope Larry can hold it together. Time to get back there. Don’t forget your bottled water.

 

“Gloria, Larry asked me to get in contact with you since he and his colleague Andrew have run into a bit of a snag on the Sandusky case.”

“Hold on, Micki. I can speak for myself.”

“Okay, Larry go ahead.”

“Larry, dear. Before you start aren’t you going to introduce your handsome sidekick.”

“Come on Gloria. Did you have to join Micki in such foolishness.”

“I think Micki and Andrew might have some attraction to each other. Right, Micki?”

“Well, he is a fine cut of a man.”

“You two know Andrew is sitting right here don’t you?”

“We know darling. The problem is Andrew is in a state of suspended animation and can’t see or hear us.”

“What? You mean after this session he won’t know what went on?”

“That’s right Dearest. He might as well be a chair in the room for all he’ll know.”

“Where is he right now?”

“As you can see, he is sitting here with us, but for all practical purposes he could in Dubuque, Iowa.”

“So, whatever I learn here, I’ll have a tough time convincing Andrew that it is true.”

“I’m so sorry for that, love. You see there are rules. We spirits can’t just have anyone witnessing our good works. Such a thing is only for the privileged.”

“As much as I’m flattered, I wish Andrew could be here as well.”

“We are wasting time, detective. You better ask Gloria what you want to know.”

“Okay, Micki. Here’s the deal, Gloria.”

“I know the deal, Larry. You’ve got a body that looks like suicide and only one suspect if, in fact, it’s not. Forget Louis. He is not your killer. You also are very right not to think Sandusky took his own life. He was murdered.”

“Why?”

“Well now. You have hit on the million-dollar question. The why is all about the bass. All about the bass no treble, Larry.”

“You mean the motive?”

“Exactly. Think of why someone would want Sandusky out of the way.”

“Money?”

“Bass.”

“Sex?”

“Treble.”

“So, for some reason whoever killed Sandusky did it for money.”

“My love. You are definitely getting sharper in your old age.”

“You are mocking me, aren’t you.”

“Only slightly my dear. Just slightly.”

“One more question. Who did it.?”

“Oh, my poor Larry. One. If I told you this story would be over. Two. You and your hunky partner need to figure it out. Chase the money, my dear.”

“Gloria wait.”

“She’s gone, Larry.”

“So, when does the séance begin.”

“Ah Andrew, I’m afraid while you were in Dubuque, we completed the contact.”

“What? Dubuque? I don’t get it.”

“Maybe someday, Andrew. Would you care to stay for some tea? I’m sure Larry has to be running along.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt

~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

 

As you may know, Keith Channing has taken the month of November to craft another Na-No-Wri-Mo 50,000 word novel. So again today I am promptless. GP Cox came up with a solution. He more or less said, “Why don’t you point a finger at a spot in a book and use that as a prompt.” He recalled a prompt on a Steam of Conscious Saturday where Linda Hill proscribed just that prompt method.

So thank you, GP Cox. Here it goes. I am opening Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez to page 135. Today’s prompt is the sentence, “She was furious for three reasons:” Here goes nothing.

Furious By John W. Howell © 2018

“I see you stomping your foot. What’s the matter?”

“You wouldn’t understand. It is one of those shopping things from which you seem to be immune.”

“Come on. I know it wasn’t me who made you angry, so let me help.”

“Do you know anything about dresses?”

“Um. I know when you look good in them.”

“Typical comment from the totally oblivious.”

“Okay you are mad, I get that. I guess I’ll just leave you to your mood.”

“Wait. I’m sorry. You are right. You didn’t have anything to do with the situation so I shouldn’t take it out on you.”

“Tell me what happened. Maybe it will make you feel better.”

“You should know that I’m furious for three reasons.”

“That is a beginning. What is reason one?”

“I ordered a new dress for the holiday party online for pickup.”

“Doesn’t sound too bad.”

“That is not a reason. I was giving you context. Here is reason one. I drove to the store and had to wait forty-five minutes until they found the dress.”

“That seems like a long time.”

“Duh. It was supposed to be in pick up.”

“Reason two.”

“I ordered a petite size, and the dress they gave me was a medium.”

“Uh oh. I’ve been in that bear trap myself.”

“Yeah until I banished you from clothes shopping.”

“How about reason three?”

“There were no petite sizes in the dress I wanted. It was on sale and a bargain.”

“When you ordered it did they say the size was in stock.”

“Of course they did, or I wouldn’t have been able to order it.”

“Did you speak to a manager?”

“I did.”

“What happened?”

“I got a refund.”

“Well, it all turned out then.”

“Except I lost out on a bargain, I wasted gas on the round trip, and I had to spend more money on another dress.”

“More money? How much more?”

“Two hundred dollars.”

“Well, do you like the dress?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Well seems like all is well that ends well.”

The other dress went with my shoes. I had to get new to go with this dress.”

“Shoes?”

“One Seventy-five.”

“Let’s sue.”

 

 

Top Ten Things Not to Do in the Great Flood of 2348 BC

~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

 

 

This post continues the Top Ten Not to Do list with a historical background. Scholars widely assert that November 25th is the anniversary of the beginning of the great flood in 2348 BC. Pretend you were there and here is a list that will keep you out of trouble.

Top Ten Things Not to Do in the Great Flood of 2348 BC.

10 In the time of the great flood, do not mock Noah’s boat building so far from water. If you do, at best he won’t hear you. At worst, after forty days and nights of rain, you are going to wish you never had. (Good luck on treading water for a few months, Gregory. Those boat jokes seem a little lame now don’t they?)

9 In the time of the great flood, do not offer Tiny the  WWF champ some help with that rhinoceros. If you do, at best he’ll pass on the assist. At worst, Tiny who has just finished his group session on self-esteem will believe you think he is incapable of loading that snorting beast into the Ark. (Now you have to worry about a loose rhinoceros and soothing Tiny’s feelings, Giovanni. I think the rhino might be an easier task.)

7 In the time of the great flood, do not ask Noah about who is playing in the show lounge. If you do, at best Noah will think you are joking. At worst, Noah will realize you think the whole boat thingy is a Carnival cruise. (I suppose you should feel grateful Noah allows you to ride in the dinghy, Graham. He could have just tossed you overboard.)

6 In the time of the great flood, do not start singing the Unicorn Song. If you do, at best Noah will think it cute. At worst, since Noah was not able to get the unicorns on board, he’ll feel bad. (Don’t forget Noah is 600 years old, Gilbert. He probably never heard of the Irish Rovers and now you are in the brig on bread and water.)

5 In the time of the great flood, do not smack a pesky mosquito. If you do, at best it will recover. At worst, you just killed one of the two on board. (Although it seems like you have done a service to humanity, Gustavo, Noah is going to be plenty pissed since he was supposed to have two of everything. I would lay low if I were you.)

4 In the time of the great flood, do not try to bring more than one carry-on bag on the Ark. If you do, at best the second bag will be floating. At worst, you’ll be caught, and Captain Noah will allow the bags to ride but toss you off. ( I don’t think the punishment is too harsh, Gustavo. What is every being brought two suitcases?)

3 In the time of the great flood, do not try to water ski off the back of the Ark. If you do, at best you won’t lose your grip on the rope. At worst, the Ark is not going fast enough, and you’ll sink like a stone. (It doesn’t do much good to signal for help, Gerard. That giraffe has no idea what you mean.)

2 In the time of the great flood, do not ask Noah for a turn at the tiller. If you do, at best he will turn you down flat. At worst, he will give you a spin. ( The fact that you don’t know North from South is not going to play well here, Gabe. Lucky the mountain tops are fourteen cubits under the water. What’s a cubit you ask? Go look it up.)

1 In the time of the great flood, when Noah asks you to release a dove, do not release that duck. If you do, at best the duck will come back. At worst, the duck will be able to float, so there is no need to return to the Ark. ( Noah is now asking you about how to determine if the waters have receded. “Wait until you see land,” is not the answer he is looking for, Gideon. Those water wings should help keep you up until you sight land. By the way that shark following you has not eaten for a couple of weeks.)

Views of the Neighborhood – A Fund Raising Event

~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

This is the poster announcing the event to raise money for the EMS Toy Roundup and The Port Aransas animal shelter. PALL stands for Port A Low Life one of the sponsors.

Be a pall holiday party

The sign at the Civic Center

The fire department was there.

The EMS was there.

Bud Light was there.

Look a signpost up ahead

It is Santa and not the Twilight Zone.

Th e room is ready for the party.

Silent auction is ready.

The bar is ready.

The food will be ready.

The bounce house is ready

The bandstand is set up.

Close up of a table.

 

As a result of this event, no child in Port Aransas goes without a Christmas. Also, needed funds are raised for the Port Aransas animal shelter. Those attending have a great time while contributing to a worthy cause.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Digest.

~ John W. Howell ~ 48 Comments

Stream of Consciousness

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is “digest.” Linda Hill says we can use it any way we want. If you would like to join this band of happy souls, go to Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/11/23/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-24-18/

Digest by John W. Howell © 2018

“Wow am I full.”

“Not surprising since you ate enough to feed a family of five.”

“Let me digest for a minute before hauling out the lecture material.”

“I just don’t understand how you can put away that much food.”

“Easy. Open mouth, insert food.”

“You know very well what I mean.”

“Okay, the lecture is about to begin. Give me the Reader’s Digest version if you don’t mind.”

“I’m just glad we didn’t have any guests to witness this scene.”

“Alright, that is about all I can handle. This is Thanksgiving. You’re supposed to eat a lot.”

“By a lot are you talking about four servings?”

“Well, if that’s what it takes to be thankful.”

“What about the children?”

“What about them?”

“Do you think you set a good example.”

“I don’t think they even noticed. Look at them playing over there.”

“You going to help me clean up?”

“What’s to clean up?”

“You know how these carcasses attract hyenas. I hate those things. They are always laughing and at who knows what. Gives me the creeps.”

“Darling you know I’m king of the jungle, and no damn hyena’s going to mess with me. Just so you can rest easy, I’ll drag these Zebra leftovers into the underbrush. Might be good for a snack later.”

“How can you even think of a snack.”

“Don’t you have a gazelle to chase down or something.”

“You watch the cubs. I’ll be back in a flash.”

“Take your time. I’ve got a wildebeest game to watch.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments
Lucy and Bailey
“Uh, Lucy. It’s Friday. Time to get up and party.”

Black Friday has physically arrived. It has been preceded by virtual black Fridays since the fourth of July (Obvious exaggeration). This is the only day of the year where you can save tons of money by spending tons of money. (only in America is this possible)

Today’s JohnKu explores this phenomenon. I hope you have a super weekend

Black Friday by John W. Howell © 2018

Invest your money,

In gifts, toys, appliances . . .

Think of what you saved.