Each year Port Aransas celebrates its roots with an Old Town Festival. This year due to the rain the popular parade had to be canceled. Also, the sand pumpkin carving contest was postponed Other events went on as scheduled. Here is a photo review of the goings-on.
The sign points the way.
The first stop is The eighth annual Expression Session Surfing Contest. Here you seem some boards waiting for surfers.
The Texas Gulf Surfing Association is here.
A big tent with hot dogs and T-shirts and loud music.
A surfer coming in from the cold under the Horace Caldwell Pier. The Gulf temperature is in the low 70’s
More contestants going out.
A shot of the surfers using the iPhone zoom.
Wading into the cold water.
Have to have a VW camper which doubles as a kissing booth.
Here is the kisser. A little too stiff for my taste. (a manikin)
Type A surfers.
Some young folks getting ready to surf.
An old folk pretty much done for the day.
There is also The Pawesome Doggie Surfing Contest but it had not begun yet. Here are a trio of spectators.
The next stop is the Port Aransas Hurricane Tree Recovery Campaign.
Native Texas tree plantings are free.
Some of the varieties.
More.
All you do is sign in and pick out which trees you would like.
Here is a shot of the Museum where a special surfing exhibit is on display. The sign points to the community center where storytellers are relating Wild Sea Stories which are tales of Port Aransas’ past.
Here is a shot of the community center where the stories are being told and a lunch is being served.
Here is a photo of the Farley Boat Works which was the location for the Barn Dance Saturday night. In addition to a band, there was red or white clams linguine served.
All in all the rain did not put a damper of the Festival.
All aboard!Beep-beep, yeah! The party bus is here. (Click here for theme music Magic Bus!) Our first stop is in Connecticut to pick up Dan Antion, who has a handy guided tour of Atonement, TN. Dan agreed to be a relief bus driver too, since bus-driver-Lilith the calico, sometimes has to take a break to give Deme or Honeybell a head bath.
Where “atonement” begins
It’s best if you read the first book first. So, for the launch of “Bloom,” Atonement, Tennessee is on sale for 99¢ (e-book). Click Atonement book covers for purchase links.
Residents of my fictional town might be of any race and from any ancestry. So author and translator Olga Núñez Miret translated the debut novel to Spanish! For that language I changed the title to Expiación y Magia!
Atonement, Tennessee in Spanish
Speaking of the otherworldly pigs, I should mention the order of the Atonement stories. Your first visit to the town is Atonement, Tennessee. It’s an urban fantasy — set in our present-day, real world but with magical elements. Aside from the heroine and her neighbor-friends (or as Diana Peach likes to call them, the gall palls (Diana’s review here), you’ll meet the grumpy sheriff, Robin Warden.
Includes the prequel
The first “snort” in The Glowing Pigs, Snort Stories of Atonement, Tennessee is about a very young Deputy Robin. (Review by Dr. Phuong Callaway here.) That particular story is tied to the novel I’m launching today, Atonement in Bloom.
Long awaited sequel to Atonement, Tennessee
Here’s the blurb!
The quaint town was stranger than Ralda Lawton could have imagined. The local population included supernatural beings of the fae variety. Although only she and a few others knew about that.
In a past life, Ralda ― Esmeralda had been involved in something with those supernaturals and it had carried into her present life. In Atonement, Tennessee, that almost got her killed. Now she has new problems, and new supes to complicate matters.
Atonement in Bloom continues the misadventures of Ralda, her friends, and neighbors in the small (but far from peaceful) town of Atonement, Tennessee. Her old house and cemetery are still there, along with Lilith the cat, quirky townsfolk, and assorted supernaturals.
Now Lilith the calico sniffs out a strange beast.
Fae foolery backfires. A friend is abducted.
On a cold December day, Atonement, Tennessee comes into bloom.
I don’t know why the party bus is stopping. Oh! It’s a delivery of flowers in honor of the book launch from Kirt Tisdale of The Wall Gallery! Wow… beautiful blue roses. Thank you, Kirt. The blue rose of the impossible is an important element of Atonement in Bloom.
We’re back on the road, and Dyanna at Ravenhawk’s Magazine has plenty of music for our road-trip. Lilith, slow down. I see Melissa from Today You Will Writeat that bus stop up ahead.
Hang on to your seat-belt. Lilith just took a sharp curve and we are magically in Kentucky. Deme wanted to check out Teri Polen’s October horror and suspense book fest, Bad Moon Rising! You’ll find 31 authors and their books there!
Welcome to Atonement, TN! Everybody in town is taking part in the fun. Annie’s Antiques is hosting an exhibit of Art by Rob Goldstein.
What’s that on the next table? It looks like an Aladin’s lamp. And a puff of colorful smoke! Oh, it’s the Lamp Magician. Welcome, Magician. I’m glad you could join the party bus!
My stomach is growling. Thank goodness Carol Taylor and Gerlinde de Broekert have catered the book fair. There are delicious foods at every booth! However, Deme and Honeybell love to read, so they ran straight to the Atonement, TN Book Fair. They’re in hog heaven with so many great books!
Heartfelt thanks to everyone for supporting this Bloomin’ Party Bus. Click the author names for more info.
(If anyone wants to share a link to a review of your book, or anything about yourself, please leave a comment with the link.)
Resawill help you find the right thing to wear. She’s a costume designer. She would have enjoyed helping Ralda, Bethany, and Lacey search through the antique clothes in Sunhold’s closets (scene in “Bloom”).
It is Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we all stood around while the anchor was boiling in the descaling solution. We learned that Louis the tech had met Sandusky ten years ago. I think we all jumped to the conclusion that Louis may know a lot about what happened back then. Let’s get back since I see Larry doing his best Colombo imitation of subtleness in his questions.
“So did you kill Sandusky?”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Sandusky was killed ten years ago, and someone who knew a lot about conduction and pulverizing things was responsible. Sound like anyone you know?”
“Hold on detective. I said I met Sandusky. I don’t know anything about his death. I read about it in the paper like everyone else.”
“Funny you should remember his name right away.”
“I could never forget Sandusky.”
“Why’s that?”
“He gave me fifty thousand dollars that’s why.”
“Okay now, this is getting good. Why did he do that?”
“He wanted me to perfect a process he was working on.”
“What process?”
“Removing organs from people without having to cut them open.”
“You have got to be kidding me.”
“No detective I’m serious.”
“What was he going to do with the process.”
“Well, that’s the funny part.”
“Go on.”
“He said it was going to be a medical breakthrough on transplants. His process removes the organ with no cutting.”
“How does the transplanted organ get in the body?”
“I asked him the same question.”
“And?”
“He told me it was top-secret. If he told me he would have to kill me.”
“He was serious then?”
“Let’s just say I didn’t detect that he was joking. You ever meet Sandusky?”
“No, not while he was alive.”
“He had the coldest eyes I’ve ever seen. Gave you the chills.”
“But you took the fifty thousand.”
“Was a no-brainer. I already had the process developed. I even think he knew that.”
“So, you told him how to do it?”
“Yup. Even signed away my rights.”
“You practice on a body?”
“Yeah, several.”
“OMG.”
“They were research cadavers. I borrowed them from the University. You can check with the Dean. It was all on the up and up.”
“So, tell me. Did the process include pulverizing the organ?”
“That is how it worked. The organ exploded inside.”
“We need to go downtown and have a little more discussion.”
“Fine by me. I have nothing to hide. Your anchor is done, and I would have told you what I know without the subterfuge.”
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 next 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, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.”
“Well, that is a blessing. I’m glad you called me right away.”
“We didn’t know what else to do.”
“I think you did the right thing. Most people wait too long and then it is too late.”
“It’s not too late I hope?”
“Just a few more moments and I can give you a better idea of what we are facing.”
“I’m sorry for being so anxious, but we wouldn’t know what we’d do if we didn’t have Betsey.”
“Betsey that’s what you named it?”
“Her.”
“Excuse me?”
“Betsey is a girl.”
“Oh my gosh. I never would have guessed that the way it looks.”
“Her.”
“Yeah, I get it. Her. Hold on. I think I have found the problem.”
“Thank heavens. Can you solve it?”
“Yes, I think so. I have the instrument in my bag. Humm. Let me see. Oh, yes, here it is.”
“What do you have to do?”
“I’ll need you to help.”
“Anything. Just tell me what to do.”
“I’m going to make a slight cut here. After that, I need to use this to go in and remove the blockage. I want you to hold this instrument and when I tell you, place it in my hand. Can you do that?”
“Yes. I’m good.”
“Okay, so here we go. First the cut. Yes, that looks good. Hand me the instrument.”
“Here you go.”
“Ah. I’ve got the blockage. Hand me that cloth.”
“What is that thing?”
“Looks like a chunk of charred wood.”
“Charred wood? How is that possible?”
“You’re right. It’s a petrified piece of brisket. How often do you clean this thing?”
“Every time I use her.”
“Well, you better be more careful. You almost lost it.”
“Her.”
“Whatever. If you want to keep it in top condition, you better do a better job of cleaning. You’ll save my fee too.”
“We have a lot of hamburgers to grill. Is she up to it?”
“Yes. I sealed the cut. She is good to go.”
“You know they don’t make grills like this anymore.”
This post continues the historical tableaux for the Top Ten Lists. As always I hope you enjoy it.
10 If you are at the Battle of Waterloo, do not volunteer to carry the French Eagle battle standard. If you do, at best your application will be lost. At worst, every British and Prussian soldier will be trying to take it from you. (So how does it feel, Flannery, having 15,000 swords all waving at you?)
9 If you are at the Battle of Waterloo, do not continue to try to meet Emperor Napoleon if Tiny the WWF champ tells you to go away. If you do at best, you may get thrown out. At worst, Tiny who just finished his last group session on self-esteem may think you don’t respect him. (Uh oh. Looks like Tiny is priming that musket, Floinn. Might be a good time to try out the Air Jordans.)
8 If you are at the Battle of Waterloo, do not order Napoleon Brandy as an after-dinner drink while dining with the British Commander the First Duke of Wellington. If you do, at best the restaurant won’t have any. At worst, the Duke’s team will think you a spy. (You just finished your last meal, Fonzie. I hope you enjoyed it.)
7 If you are at the Battle of Waterloo, do not offer to be a Henry Kissinger-like, peace negotiator. If you do, at best you will cause uproarious laughter. At worst one side will take you up on your offer. (But the other side has decided to use you as a target for practice. Might as well put that white flag down, Forrester. It’s not going to stop 15,000 lead balls heading your way.)
6 If you are at the Battle of Waterloo, as the brandy example, do not order beef Wellington at Napoleon’s staff dinner. If you do, at best they will all think they did not hear you right. At worst, someone will get the idea that it would be fun to have a dual. (Guess who has been chosen as the duelee, Fortune? Yup. Better find a second fast.)
5 If you are at the Battle of Waterloo, do not take Emperor Napoleon’s horse for a fast getaway. If you do, at best he has a spare. At worst, the horse has been trained to return to Napoleon with a whistle. (This is a fine kettle of fish you have gotten yourself into, Francois. You can add horse thief to the charges of treason, sedition, and spy. Don’t worry though you only have one life to give.)
4 If you are at the Battle of Waterloo, do not ask your British commander about tea time. If you do, at best he will think you are joking. At worst, he will assign you the job of going to the French lines to get a croissant to go with the tea. (I’m not surprised the French started shooting at you, Franky. Everyone knows croissants are for breakfast, not afternoon tea.)
3 If you are at the battle of Waterloo, do not try speaking French to the French to be better understood. If you do, at best you will be disappointed. At worst, your BonJour greeting will be met with a hail of bullets. (I guess it is your American accent that gets in the way, Franz. Try Spanish next time.)
2 If you are at the battle of Waterloo, do not turn your map upside down to get a different view. If you do, at best your general will get dizzy. At worst, the general will order the charge of the Scots Greys in the wrong direction. (Now you are charging alone in the right direction, Frazier. Good luck when you meet the French Chevau-légers of the line (lancers) They look pretty mean too.)
1 If you are at the Battle of Waterloo, do not keep your souvenir stand open after the first cannon salvo. If you do, at best you will have few customers. At worst, you’ll have to take cover. (The cannonballs seem to be attracted to your stand, Freeowine. Maybe cheap trashy gifts have that effect on hot, heavy, metal balls flying through the air.)
Port Aransas held its First Annual Trash Dash yesterday. Although a brief downpour made everything wet, it did not dampen the enthusiasm of the participants
Here is a shot of the registration table. All participants got a T-shirt and a collection bag. The idea is to go out and for one hour collect trash on the beach. The most trash collected wins first prize.
A photo of one of the volunteers Angie Huckabay will give you an idea of the front of the shirt.
The back shows the sponsors and the plea to Keep Texas Beaches Clean.
Here is a mom and her children signing up to participate.
Here is a French Bulldog in the mud and mugging for the camera.
Here is a shot of the trophies. There are awards for the first, second, and third place.
First place
Second Place.
Third place.
Ready, set, go. And they are off
Another group.
A couple of boys headed for the dune.
A group photo of participants. Photo by Shannon Solimine
Some of the Eighty bags picked up. Photo by Shannon Solimine
First Place. Photo by Shannon Solimine
Second Place. Photo by Shannon Solimine
On the way home, we spotted that the missing sea captain (from Hurricane Harvey) is being replaced. I will bring you an after shot when he is complete.
It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday again and this weeks prompt is “precious.” Linda Hill has advised that we can use it anyway want and has issued an order to” have fun.” In that vein, if you would like to join the fun visit Linda’s blog and read the easy instructions. Here is Linda’s link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/10/12/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-13-18/
“This lady at the supermarket called me ‘precious.”‘
“What did you do?”
“What do you mean?”
“Around here if someone calls a person your age ‘precious’ it is not necessarily a compliment.”
“Oh really. I offered to help her with her bags is all.”
“Was she in a wheelchair?”
“No.”
“A walker?”
“How old was this lady?”
“I don’t know. About my age I guess.”
“Tell me what you said and what she said?”
“I said my those bags look heavy. Can I help you out with them?”
“A lady your age.”
“Yup.”
“What was her response.”
“Thank you no, I can manage.”
“So where does ‘precious’ come in?”
“I said, “But you look too delicate to handle such a load.”
“Oh my goodness. Now the ‘precious.”‘
“Yeah.”
“Okay give it to me.”
“Well, aren’t you precious.”
“That’s all?”
“A little more.”
“Go ahead.”
“She said, ‘I’m sure there is a little ole wife at home who needs your help. Why don’t you run along and give the little woman a hand?’ or something like that?”
“She call the manager?”
“No.”
“Well, that’s a break.”
“She showed me her gun.”
“What?”
“Yup. Seems she’s a police officer.”
“What did you do?”
“Put her bag back on the counter.”
“Anyone see all this?”
“Just Mrs. Murphy.”
“Radio Free Europe Murphy? The biggest gossip in town.”
Now available as an audio book too
