I have to admit the activity list was a little sparse this week. There was one event worth noting. It was the Hook ’em and Book ’em Bay and Surf Fishing Tournament. This one benefits the Port Aransas Police Foundation and the Police Department.
Here is a shot of the trophies for the winners.
There is also a sponsor list.
At first, I thought maybe I could win a police pick-up truck, but found out it was a display only.
This tournament has fisher folks out in the bays and along the beaches. The participants were not due back until way later, and I had a Kansas and WVU football game to watch, so I thought I would take some photos of people fishing off the piers at Robert’s Point Park.
Here is a person contemplating the best time to throw the bait net.
It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday again and this week’s prompt is “flower/flour. Linda Hill says we can use one or both but in any case “have fun.” I think I can do that. If you would like to join in go to Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/09/21/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-sept-22-18/
“Oh. I’m guessing you have been up the hill to see Linda.”
“Well, there is a prompt going on today.”
“Let me guess. Flower and flour.”
“Right on.”
“Hmmm. A phrase out of the sixties.”
“Which should give you a hint on flower power.”
“I really don’t need a hint. I remember studying the sixties protests very well.”
“So what was flower power?”
“It was not a what but a symbol to end the madness. Folks used the flower as a metaphor for peace. Allen Ginsberg the poet coined the term in 1965 as a symbol for peaceful affirmative action to end the war in Vietnam.”
“My goodness. I didn’t know all that. So what is flour power?”
“Something you made up?”
“Yeah, I did.”
“You tell me what it means.”
“I think it stands for all those cooks out there who make wonderful things to eat out of flour.”
“Okay, so I would say the difference is flower power stands for a movement and flour power stands for skill in baking.”
“Couldn’t have said it better myself.”
“Wish you had.”
“Had what?”
“Said it yourself. You and these prompts will be the end of me someday.”
Another Friday is upon us. Here’s wishing you all a lovely weekend. I was supposed to be in McKinney Texas at a book festival. Unfortunately, there is a lot of rain expected in the area (near Dallas). Rain tends to cut down on attendance, so the event was postponed until next June. I was looking forward to this event but can fully understand the organizer’s need to put it off. It would not be a good thing to have a bunch of authors travel to the location and have no readers show up. Today’s JohnKu talks about change.
It is Wednesday Story Day time again, and last week we learned that Larry has been having dreams about his deceased wife. Andrew has some very definite ideas about Larry’s experiences with Gloria which are very rational. Larry tends to think in metaphysical terms since he is convinced he was able to talk to his wife. As they were talking Andrew’s phone rang. Since it could be someone responding to the ad they placed we should get over there and find out who is on the other end.
“Yeah, Hello. Yes, this is the correct number for the ad. You do huh? Hold on let me get a pencil and paper.”
“Who is it?”
“A guy who has a machine big enough to do an anchor. hush, I need to get his name and address.”
“Okay, I’ve got something to write with. Could I get your name? “
“Uh huh.”
“And address? Whoa, slow down.”
“Yup, I think I have it. Can we come over this afternoon and take a look at the equipment?”
“That will be great. Thank you so much for calling.”
“No, I didn’t ask the price. I figured you would have to look at the anchor and then give us a proposal. Does that work for you?”
“Swell see you at three Mr. Dixon. Bye now.”
“Mr. Dixon, huh?”
“I figure it is a phony name, but we can run it just the same.”
“Why phony?”
“I have this gut feeling our Mr. Dixon knows nothing about the equipment and is making the call for someone else.”
“Could it be our killer?”
“Come on Larry. That would be way too easy. No, I think this is a company who had a going business and might be in bankruptcy.”
“You can tell all that from one conversation with a guy and his phony name?”
“He sounded like a banker to me. Just the way he talked. We can run the address and see what pops up. He didn’t tell me the name of the company, and I didn’t ask. I didn’t want to appear to be too knowledgeable.”
“Well, so what you are telling me this will be a dead-end.”
“I wouldn’t say that, Larry. After all, there has to be someone there who is going to scope the work. Who knows maybe that someone will know something.”
“I get this Alice in Wonderland feeling about this whole machine thing.”
“It is a long shot.”
“I think Gloria is going to haunt me tonight.”
“That’s a strange thing to say.”
“She told me to go for the motive and the killer would be found. She did not say to run around town looking for some super pulverizing machine.”
“We both agreed that if we found such a machine, the motive might just pop up.”
“I know. I just don’t want to lose sight of the fact that the motive for blowing up a heart has to be core to this case.”
“Registered detective.”
“So, we have an appointment at three o’clock. Where is it?”
“By the docks of course.”
“Why do you say of course?”
“Have you read any mysteries?”
“Not that I remember.”
“Murders always take place by the docks.”
“Funny I can’t recall a murder by the docks.”
“There is also an excellent café by the wharf that serves killer clam chowder.”
“Let me run the address in the system and get a printout of who supposedly owns the business and then let’s go. I would never turn down a bowl of chowder.”
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.”
“I work for the Audubon Dailey News, and we are doing a feature on what birds think.”
“And what does that have to do with me?”
“You a bird?”
“So I’ve been led to believe.”
“Do you think?”
“Contrary to conventional wisdom around bird brains, yes.”
“So how about an interview?”
“On what I think?”
“Yes.”
“About what?”
“Huh?”
“On What do you want me to give my thoughts?”
“Oh. My paper wants to know in general what you think about.”
“Ah. Like when I’m all alone and not being disturbed.”
“Well, that would be interesting.”
The first thing I think about is Why does the sun go on shining?”
“Okay. That is pretty philosophical.”
“Why does the sea rush to shore?”
“Uh huh.”
“Don’t they know it’s the end of the world?
‘Cause you don’t love me anymore.”
“Wait a minute. Those are lyrics to a song.”
“And a lovely song it is. Why do the birds go on singing?
Why do the stars glow above?
Don’t they know it’s the end of the world?
It ended when I lost your love
I wake up in the morning, and I wonder
Why everything’s the same as it was
I can’t understand, no, I can’t understand
How life goes on the way it does
Why does my heart go on beating?
Why do these eyes of mine cry?
Don’t they know it’s the end of the world?
It ended when you said goodbye. Any questions?”
“I should have known you have a little mockingbird in you.”
“By the way. The song is titled The End of the World written by Songwriters: Peter Mcnulty-Connolly / Marcus Mybe / Louie St. Louis / Kurtis Deshaun Williams / Michael Angelo
This list continues with the historical backdrop for my brand of lunacy. I hope you enjoy it.
10 If you are crossing the Delaware with General Washington, do not dangle your feet in the water off the back of the boat. If you do, at best they will be numb. At worst, the General will think you have lost touch with reality. (Looks like you may be sidelined for the big event, Frasco. Although you may want to avoid the battle, your pay envelope will be much thinner.)
9 If you are crossing the Delaware with General Washington, don’t try to sit in Tiny the WWF champ’s seat next to the General. If you do, at best you might be swimming across the Delaware. At worst, Tiny who has formed a bond with General Washington may take your move as a sign of affection for the General. (Since Tiny failed the “Unrequited Love and How to Cope,” seminar he now thinks a knuckle sandwich is an answer. Just jump out, Fredek. It will be easier in the long run.)
8 If you are crossing the Delaware with General Washington, do not think wearing boat shoes from L.L.Bean will impress your fellow soldiers. If you do, at best you’ll get a new nickname. At worst, a Master Sargeant will put you on report for being out of uniform. (Of course, one more on-report isn’t going to break you, Freyr. You have come to like peeling potatoes.)
7 If you are crossing the Delaware with General Washington, do not start singing “row row row your boat.” If you do, at best a few might join in. At worst, the General will single you out and threaten you with the stockade if you don’t quit making noise. (Looks like Georgie thinks you might be a British spy, Fridolf. I think quiet is the better part of this equation.)
6 If you are crossing the Delaware with General Washington, do not bring your fishing equipment. If you do, at best you might catch dinner. At worst, the General will ask you to keep fishing until you have caught enough to feed the Continental Army. (Holy cow, Frygies. That is a lot of fish. We’ll come back for you.)
5 If you are crossing the Delaware with General Washington, do not ask if dinner at the captain’s table is a formal affair. If you do, at best no one will understand your question. At worst, you’ll be reminded that you are on a rowboat and there is no captain’s table, and someone will hand you the flag. (You know that the flag goes in the front of the charge don’t you, Fryderyk. Yeah, that’s right, up front where all those bullets and flying cannon balls are.)
4 If you are crossing the Delaware with General Washington, do not let anyone know you get seasick. If you do, at best some will be sympathetic. At worst, the old salt will continually describe in minute detail the roast pork dinner he had last night. ( If you can just hang on little longer, Francis the shore is not too far away.)
3 If you are crossing the Delaware with General Washington, do not begin humming and old German tune. If you do, at best you’ll keep the volume down. At worst, since you are on your way to attacking the Hessians in Trenton, the General might think you are mocking the mission. (Washington is not sure this whole thing will work, Finn so I would lay low if I were you. That water is certainly cold.)
2 If you are crossing the Delaware with General Washington, do not mention that your enlistment in the army expires at midnight. If you do, at best, you’ll get a so what? At worst, someone will take your musket and shot, and you’ll be defenseless when you reach the shore. (Better offer to reenlist, Fabian. Otherwise, you are going to be pretty uncomfortable dodging shot from both sides.)
1 If you are crossing the Delaware with General Washington, do not stand up in the boat and start singing “Old Man River.” If you do, at best you’ll be ordered to sit and be quiet. At worst, you will finish your song while trying to keep your head above water. (Looks like the General has just about had enough of the stand-up comedy, Floyd. Hopefully another boat will scoop you up.)
This week was to be a pirate parade in honor of “Talk Like A Pirate” day here in Port Aransas. Unfortunately, the parade had to be canceled due to rain. We did get a lot of rain Friday and yesterday. Invest 95L dropped about eight inches before it was over. So instead of a parade here are a few shots of the results of the rain.
This is the pond behind our house. Up to now, this is as far as it rose.
The pond is within its banks.
Given the high tides due to water being pushed against the dunes the city moved all the portable toilets to higher ground.
You can see the tides came up to the dunes.
This is Twelfth Street in Port Aransas. The water did not reach any of the houses. That pile to the left is a house recently torn down due to Hurricane Harvey damage.
The golf course needed pumps to get the water off the greens.
The city put up high water warnings where necessary.
Drainage ditches are very full. Luckily the rain quit last night.
Closer to home here is a shot of the access to the beach and the golf cart path and parking area. You can see some timbers have been dislodged. The white fence surrounds the pool, and the dark structure is the new shade structure recently completed. All Harvey repairs. Sorry about the parade but thanks for getting wet with me on the tour.
It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is “post.” Linda Hill says we can use it as a stand alone or to find a word that uses “post” as a prefix. If you would like to join in with this fun just pop over to Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/09/14/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-sept-15-18/
“A prefix is a word or a letter placed in front of another.”
“So what would be a prefix to the word post?”
“How about lamp?”
“Ah, lamppost. I get it.”
“I have decided not to use a prefix though.”
“Pretty brave. You going to use ‘post’ alone.”
“Yup.”
“Go ahead then.”
“This post will not contain any prefixes to the word post.”
“Pretty boring so far.”
“Ahem. The torn and folded piece of paper was driven into the post by whoever used the large knife to stick it there. Not sure whether or not I should interfere in whatever was going on, I just sat astride my horse and stared.”
“Okay, that’s better. Keep going.”
“It was clear the paper has some kind of message and the post because it is central to the town is the perfect spot for special delivery.”
“Now you’re cooking.”
“My mount sensed some danger and kept urging me to pull away. With a firm hand, I guided it closer to the post and wrapped my fist around the handle.”
“And then?”
“A scream moving out from the gates of hell fell across us, and the horse bolted leaving me on the ground with the knife. The note was still attached to the post. I wasn’t sure I could stand but looked up to see a small rivulet of blood begin to amble down the post from where the knife used to be.”
“Wow.”
“This is none of your business came a thought out of the air, and it was clear to me that my troubles had just begun. I tried to rise but could feel a force holding me down. I looked at the knife and tried to open my fingers. Almost like a magnet, the knife held me fast.”
“What did you do?”
“Not sure.”
“What do you mean not sure?”
“I haven’t finished the story.”
“You got us all worked up, and you haven’t finished the story?”
“Want to catch some lunch?”
“I want you to finish the story.”
“After lunch.”
“That will be the goalpost then. Story after lunch.”
“Linda Hill will love you. Sure the goalpost is to finish the story after lunch. I’ll give you a hint. The guy dies.”
“I know it’s Friday Dad. I need a weekend for sure.”
Friday again. This week has been all about the weather. Named storms have been forming up and Florence is projected to make landfall this morning. We have to pray that all the precautions have been enough to save human life on the East Coast. We have been lucky here in Texas in that Invest 95L is not expected to rise to hurricane strength. It will bring three to five inches of rain but that is way better than what is expected for Florence. There have been over one million people who have evacuated away from the Eastern coastal towns. Let’s hope that those who chose to stay are spared as well.
This week’s JohnKu talks about the power of nature. I hope you have a peaceful weekend.
