with John W. Howell
It is Friday. Our thoughts and prayers go to those affected by Hurricane Michael. Currently, there have been two deaths reported and an untold amount of damage. Power is out for over 800,000 residents. It will be a long recovery for those in the path.
Today’s JohnKu speaks of challenges. Hope you have a super weekend.
Challenge by John W. Howell ©2018
Nature or others,
Serve up the unexpected . . .
We need to be strong.
“Hey, Twiggy. I have your donut.”
“That’s okay. I’m waiting for the recycle pick up man.”
“The what?”
“The truck that comes around to pick up the recyclables.”
“There he is. Lucy come here quick.”
“I’m coming.”
“So what the heck are recyclables?”
“It is trash that can be used again sometime.”
“Okay, so what’s the big deal?”
“Well, it is a fine bark moment.”
“Wait a minute. I thought you aren’t allowed to bark.”
“I know that’s what makes the recyclable truck such a treat. By the time Mom and Dad get up here, I have already stopped. Let’s go back and play.”
“So Twiggy. You going to grab that rope thingy?”
“You know, Lucy I have a tummy that’s growling.”
“Call for dad.”
“Hey, Dad. Any chance for breakfast?”
“Of course. You and Lucy were in our room. I have it all ready.”
“You are the greatest, Dad. Mmmmmmmmm.”
“You are pretty swell yourself, Twiggy.”
“Brother. listen to you two. It’s not like the Boss never has breakfast ready.”
“You are just jealous, Lucy. You already ate yours. Mmmmm.”
“Punk kid.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, Andrew and Larry met Louis the tech. He gave them an overview of how the electronic cleaner worked and now it is time to try it out. I see they have put the anchor in the vat. We should get there to see how the thing works.
“So, I have attached the negative terminal to the anchor. The water and citric acid will act as the positive. When the forces come together, the scale should drop off.”
“How long will it take to finish?”
“Oh, I would say less than an hour.”
“Can you put more than one item in at a time?”
“Sure you can, but you have to amp up the power.”
“So a huge item will take more power?”
“Yes, Andrew. The bigger or more numerous, the more power.”
“What is the biggest thing you have ever done?”
“Probably car parts.”
“Car parts?”
“Yeah, this thing does a number on rust. You put a fender in there, and it comes out like it was just stamped out at the factory.”
“I never thought of that. So why is this place bankrupt. I would think there would be a lot of business.”
“Not sure, Andrew. All I know is the owner disappeared, and there was no one to mind the store until the bank stepped in.”
“Disappeared?”
“Yeah. He was at work one day and then gone the next.”
“No family?”
“Nope, his life was this business. That’s what makes it so odd.”
“When did this happen?”
“About six months ago, Larry. I tried to do what I could but I’m not a businessman, so it was fruitless.”
“I don’t know too many who could go from operator to company savior, Louis. Are you going to start this thing?”
“Yeah. It is just one setting and a push of the button. There you go. Underway.”
“Wow, look at that bubbling. It looks like the anchor is getting a good scrubbing.”
“Louis, one question.”
“Yes, Andrew.”
“What would happen if someone fell into the vat?”
“Odd question. But let me say for the first hour, nothing. The negative pole would have to be attached to do any immediate harm. After an hour, like I said before, the citric acid would start to react with the skin.”
“So if there was any reaction by attaching the pole what would it be?”
“I don’t get where you are going with this, Andrew. You have been all over the place with the talk of human interaction with this system. Why don’t you just come out and tell me what you want to know?”
“Very well. Can a human be destroyed with this system?”
“Yes. Completely.”
“Any way internal organs can be destroyed without harming the body?”
“I would think so. Would all depend on power level and electrode placement.”
“Electrode placement?”
“Yes, the electrode would need to be on the inside of the body.”
“That would leave evidence of the intrusion.”
“Not if the probe was fine enough. It would be a tiny hole through the epidermis and into the organ.”
“Do you have experience with this procedure.”
“No. Of course not. We are talking hypothetically.”
“Yeah, of course, we are. Very interesting Louis. How long before our anchor is done?”
“Do you really care about the anchor?”
“No. You ever heard the name, Sandusky?”
“Sandusky?”
“Yeah.”
“I met him about ten years ago.”
“Oh? Do tell?”
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.”
The photo.
The Wager by John W. Howell © 2018
“Let me buy you a drink, my man.”
“That is very nice of you given the circumstances.”
“Ah what the heck. Life is too short.”
“But it seems like one would feel a little remorse.”
“Remorse? For what?”
“Well, it seems like a pretty goodly amount of money.”
“Yeah, but you know what they say, ‘easy come, easy go.”’
“I know if it were me, I don’t think I would take it so well.”
“You have to remember who suggested the wager.”
“That’s true. I guess if you hadn’t prepared yourself to lose you never would have suggested going title to title on a boat race.”
“That part is true. You see I really had not too much to lose.”
“What are you talking about? That is a gorgeous five-masted schooner.”
“You know the old saying, ‘one mans trash, another man’s treasure.”‘
“Yeah, I’ve heard that.”
“See, I have been trying to sell that tub for over two years with no takers.”
“That is surprising. It is a classic.”
“Yes, it is. Loaded with barnacles and filled with woodworms.”
“So you are saying you are glad to get rid of it.”
“You tell me. The last salvage estimate I got was over a million.”
“Someone would pay you a million?”
“No, I would have to pay a million to get rid of it. Now, how about that drink?”
“Now it is my problem.”
“Yup and at a leakage rate of one hundred gallons an hour, I think you better figure out what to do with it. Those pumps are pretty old. Maybe tow it beyond the shelf and scuttle it.”
“Gin on the rocks.”
In 1683, thirteen families from Krefeld, Germany, arrived in Philadelphia to begin Germantown, one of America’s oldest settlements. Since this week marks that anniversary, the Top Ten Things Not to Do provides advice (maybe a little late) if you found yourself part of that event.
Top Ten Things Not to Do if You Helped Found Germantown Pennslyvania in 1683.
10 If you are part of the Germantown expedition, do not wear your “I’d Rather be in Philadelphia,” T-shirt. If you do, at best your neighbors may wonder where your loyalties lie. At worst, you just might be left behind in Philadelphia to fend for yourself. (You are years away from the invention of the Philly Cheese Steak, Farvardin so life there may be hard.)
9 If you are part of the Germantown expedition, do not try and tell Sehr Klein (Tiny) the GWF (German Wrestling Federation) where he can camp. If you do, at best he won’t understand your American German. At worst, you caught him just as he was released from a program of forced restraint and now wants to be free. (Looks like Sehr Klein has designs on demonstrating his Step Over Toe Hold on you, Fay. You do know how to wrestle, don’t you?)
8 If you are part of the Germantown expedition, do not admit you don’t like beer and would rather have a white wine. If you do, at best the rest will be grateful there is more for them. At worst, the powers that be may come to the conclusion you are French. (Now you have to worry about being invaded, Felican. Don’t worry just surrender and all will be well.)
7 If you are part of the Germantown expedition, do not think clever nicknames will be appreciated by your explorers. If you do, at best no one will answer when you use them. At worst, folks will get the idea you are possessed. ( If you hold your breath long enough you may survive the witch’s dunk tank, Felton. You now regret calling the leader “Fritz,” don’t you?)
6 If you are part of the Germantown expedition, do not refuse to live in a cave-like dwelling. If you do, at best you’ll be able to find a tent. At worst, you will not have a place when the winter snows settle in. (The cave homes were temporary, Feri. I think you ought to change your mind before those blue feet fall off.)
5 If you are part of the Germantown expedition, do not suggest a night on the town in Philadelphia. If you do, at best it is a six-mile walk, and you’ll have to go alone. At worst, you’ll get some friends to join you, and they will make you the designated transport person. (Nothing like trying to carry a couple of passed out revelers, huh Finnan? Too bad horses won’t be brought to Germantown for another three years.)
4 If you are part of the Germantown expedition, do not suggest solving the food shortage with a delivery from Dominoes. If you do, at best your cohorts will think you crazy. At worst you will be tasked with going out foraging for nuts, berries, and squirrel. ( Looks like your nut allergy is going to sideline your efforts, Fidello. Good luck explaining what a nut allergy is to these fifteenth-century roughnecks)
3 If you are part of the Germantown expedition, do not complain when you get a blister on your hand from chopping down trees. If you do, at best you will become the laughing stock of the settlement. At worst, you will be assigned a new job that is even harder. (How do you like playing the Ox on the front of that plow, Fionan? That whip sure clears the sinus huh?)
2 If you are part of the Germantown expedition, do not try to form a football team to play Philadelphia. If you do, at best you might get one or two players. At worst, you’ll field a whole team and have to face the Phillies. (Did you think this through, Finnolaugh? Those guys are huge and don’t have to walk six miles to play.)
1 If you are part of the Germantown expedition, do not try to sell brightly colored cloth and jewelry. If you do, at best you have no buyers. At worst, since the community is made up of Mennonites, you might be the recipient of a religious intervention. (Nothing more elegant than having a group of bearded elders trying to exorcize the devil, huh Flainn? Wow that red-hot poker looks wicked.)
Port Aransas & Mustang Island was the culinary gateway for Texas chefs to compete in the World Food Championships, the largest competition in “food sport”. The inaugural event consisted of 33 top chefs competing over three nights at nine different Port Aransas restaurants. Each night a winner was chosen out of those competing. The event culminated in the Grand Tasting on October 6. Texas is the first state franchise of the WFC. Each winner of the competition moves on to the next competition in Orange Beach, Alabama in November. The competing chefs came from all over Texas to compete. Given the space limitation I can’t show you all of the venues but here is a sample of the competition which took place on Thursday. I hope you get a flavor of the event by this coverage.
The first venue I visited was Lisabellas. This shot will give you an idea of the setup. The competing chefs are on the left. Folks attending got a drink and snack and then a sample of the finished product.
Here are the three chef stations. They had thirty minutes to complete their dish. The competition was outside which made it more difficult because of hot plates etc.
The second venue was The Phoenix. Here is a shot of the BeachOctoberfest promotional sign. This is a Chamber of Commerce sponsored six weekends of events. The Chef Throwdown was one of these events.
Here is a photo of one of the chefs. Notice the building behind which is a Hurricane Harvey replacement.
This photo is of Christopher Beasley in grey to the left. He becomes the Thursday winner of the ticket to Orange Beach.
This shot gives you an idea of the number of people attending the Phoenix event.
We now move to The Black Marlin. Here we have the executive chef of The Black Marlin providing the audience with how the competition is judged and a general statement of the rules. The chefs are located to the right.
Another shot of the crowd attending.
The three chefs at their stations waiting for the start signal.
A sculpture of a Black Marlin. Notice the new palm trees which were replaced after Hurricane Harvey.
Here is a shot of Christopher Beasley accepting his ticket to Orange Beach. Christopher is the executive chef at The Bluewater Cowboy Saloon and Mercantile right here in Port Aransas.
I hope you enjoyed the event.
It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This weeks prompt is “card.” Linda Hill says we can use it any way we want. If you want to join in the madness go to Linda’s blog and read about how easy it is to participate. Here is the link to her post. https://lindaghill.com/2018/10/05/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-6-18/
Card by John W. Howell © 2018
“What are you doing?”
“Playing a card game. What does it look like?”
“But you keep going through that deck over and over. What game is that?”
“solitaire.”
“solitaire? I’ve never seen solitaire played that way.”
“Well, I admit it is a little unusual.”
“Have you won a game yet?”
“No.”
“How long have you been playing?”
“Today or lifetime?”
“Okay, both.”
“Today, three hours. Lifetime, twelve years.”
“You’ve used the same deck of cards all this time.”
“Yes, I have.”
“And never won?”
“Nope.”
“Any idea why not?”
“It could be because I’m playing with a deck of fifty-one.”
“Could be? Are you nuts? You can’t win with a missing card.”
“It really doesn’t matter.”
“It doesn’t?”
‘Haven’t you heard the expression, ‘It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.”‘
“Yeah, but this is crazy. Where did you get this idea?”
“That song.”
‘What song?”
“Flowers on the Wall by the Statler Brothers.”
“Another earworm for sure.”
“Here take a listen.”
“Rather not.”
“I wonder if these are clean or dirty.”
Friday is here and it seems like it came around pretty fast. At least that is my opinion. This week was pretty normal. Not much going on except doing the editing on the WIP.
One exciting thing is Gwen Plano and I will be guests on the Rave Reviews Book Club, Rave Waves Blog Talk Radio show titled Behind the Pen with host Beem Weeks. The show is Saturday, October 6th at 12:00 Central time. We will be talking about The Contract. Here is the link in case you want to tune in. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ravereviewsbookclub
Today’s JohnKu talks about a normal week. Have a great weekend.
Days pass without note,
Excitement is not present . . .
Cherish the boredom.
“How about a game of fetch, Twiggy?”
“Not so sure. Let me jump on the couch.”
“Um if Lucy will play I will play.”
“Okay. Let’s see what Lucy says.”
“Hmm. A little late I would say.”
“How about Bailey?”
“A little late there too Dad.”
“Okay no fetch. What else?”
“How about we see who can keep their eyes closed the longest.”
“Hey, that’s a trick parents play not the other way around.”
“Fraid you lose, Boss.”
“I wasn’t playing.”
“Go ahead and work on your post, Dad. I’ll just catch a few winks.”
“You guys need to be doing something other than sleeping.”
“How about I test this fine couch. I’ll give you a full report.”
“That is not exactly what I had in mind.”
“I can tell you this bed is first rate.”
“I’m sure Twiggy. I’m sure.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week Andrew and Larry arrived at Gault Industries and met with Ned Dixon. Looking around it was obvious to our pair that the plant had seen better days. Ned explained that he worked for the bank and called Louis the tech. We learned Louis has worked for Gault for twelve years so if anything funny went on ten years ago, he should know about it or was the perpetrator of the funny business. I see Louis has arrived so let’s head back to the plant. You might want to grab a bottle of water before you go. I personally would not touch anything out of those faucets.
“Here’s Louis. Louis meet Larry and Andrew. They have a deep diving business and are looking for some major descaling of artifacts brought up from the sea.”
“Nice to meet you, gentlemen. I didn’t get the name of your company.”
“Ah, Neptune Enterprises. We just formed the business, so you probably never heard of us.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I never have.”
“Well anyway. Louis, these two want to see if we have the capability to handle their work.”
“You want to clean stuff from the ocean, right?”
“That’s right, Louis. Some of the items may have been below water for hundreds of years.”
“You will need a pretty strong current to get through those old layers. Yet you don’t want to damage the original piece. Am I on target uh Andrew isn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s Andrew. Nice memory Louis. You are precisely on target. These are valuable artifacts, and we need to make sure the system can clean them without damage. To use an example, it would be like removing someone’s appendix without hurting the body.”
“Yeah, that’s an interesting example. But to ease your mind we have a system that can do as you say.”
“Remove an appendix?”
“No. Cleaning the item without damage.”
“Excuse me, Louis.”
“Yes Larry.”
“I am curious as to how this equipment works.”
“I can imagine. Why don’t we go to the machine and I’ll show you? Did you bring something that needs cleaning?”
“Yes, we brought an anchor.”
“Okay. Go get it.”
“Do you have a dolly or something?”
“Is it big?”
“No just heavy.”
“For heaven’s sake, Larry. Just go get it. We are wasting time.”
“Oh yes, boss. I’ll be right back.”
“Louis maybe you could give him a hand.”
“Sorry Mr. D but I have a bad back. Besides, he has returned.”
“Okay, where to and I hope not far.”
“It is in the next room. Follow me through this door.”
“OMG want is that smell?”
“It is citric acid, Andrew. It is part of the solution to take the foreign matter off of things.”
“Smells like grapefruit.”
“Not surprised since it is made from citrus. I can’t smell it any more. Working around the stuff for a while does that. How about you Mr. D? You smell it?”
“Makes my eyes water, Louis. If you don’t mind I’m going to wait outside.”
“A question for you Louis.”
“Yes, Andrew.”
“Is this citric acid toxic to skin?”
“Well over time it would be.”
“How much time?”
“Let’s say an hour.”
“So, if someone were in this solution for an hour it would alter their skin.”
“More like a burn. Where are you going with this?”
“Just curious. I don’t want our objects ruined if the acid is too toxic. Doesn’t seem like it is.”
“You sound like a medical man with all these body questions and examples.”
“No. Just want to protect my client’s investments. So how does this work?”
“You put the item in the tank. The diodes attached to the item carries a current that begins to vibrate the material on the object until it falls off. The citric acid acts like a cleanser to get between layers.”
“Sounds like a denture bath.”
“Now that is the first example that makes any sense at all.”
“Hey, Louis.”
“Yes, Larry.”
“Can we put the anchor in there and see if it works?”
