Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

June 15, 2018June 14, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 36 Comments

It is Friday again and time to look forward to a little bit of rest. This has been a busy week. Gwen Plano and I have been a guest on some remarkable blogs this week. We are so grateful for the support that we have received and do thank everyone who has been generous enough to share their precious blog space with us. Since I have been reblogging them, you know who they are. Our promotion goes one more week so you will see some interesting places to visit.

Today’s JohnKu talks to the idea that we authors are a lonely bunch who cannot thrive alone. It is a paradox that consistently tells us to appreciate those who are willing to help. We should also be reminded to give back to those who assist us when they are in such need. Have a safe and happy weekend.

We think we have strength,

To work a problem alone. . .

Until we have help.

Thursday – A little Personnel – Twiggy and Lucy

June 14, 2018June 13, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

“So Lucy. Pay attention to me.”

“I thought I heard a UPS truck out there.”

“There’s no truck out there. That’s another golf cart going by.”

“I guess you’re right. Okay, what do you want to do?”

“How about if you tell me a story?”

“A story, huh. I can do that. Once upon a time, there were three dogs.”

“Very cool cause we are three dogs.”

“Yes and these three dogs all lived in the same house.”

“It is getting better since we all live in the same house.”

“Then one day a giant came to the house and said. ‘Fe Fi fo fum, I smell the blood of a Frenchie bum.”‘

“Wait a minute. Why would he single out a Frenchie? There are two boxers. Why a Frenchie?”

“You’ll just have to wait until the end of the story to find out. May I continue?”

“Gosh. I suppose. I just don’t get the single out the Frenchie thingy.”

“So the giant demands to know where the Frenchie is hiding.”

“You won’t tell him will you?”

“It’s just a story, Twiggy. So the Giant goes through the house until he finds the Frenchie”

“Oh no. Then what happens?”

“The giant gives the Frenchie a big ole bone.”

“A Big bone you say?”

“Yup and the dogs live happily ever after.”

“Lucy. You are the best.”

“Boss? Can you find something for this kid to do?

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

June 13, 2018June 12, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 42 Comments

“It Sure Seems Like Friday to Me. What is This Wednesday Thing?”

It is Wednesday Story Day time again. Last week we learned that Larry got involved with the Sandusky case through some unusual circumstances. The file kept popping up on top of his stack. He finally opened and one of the things he discovered is Sandusky died without any sign of a wound. The cause of death was his heart was missing. None of us can believe a heart could come up missing without a wound on the body. I see Larry and Schmidt are continuing their conversation. Let’s get back and see if we can learn anything new.

“Could it be that the report about the heart is wrong?”

“I don’t know. Schmidt. I haven’t talked to the M.E.”

“Don’t you think that would be a good next step?”

“Problem is the guy retired.”

“So what? You can still talk to him.”

‘I guess you are right. I’ll call up personnel and see if I can get an address.”

“Anything else about the file that’s unusual?”

“Funny you should ask. The investigating officer made a note about wanting to talk to some of Sandusky’s next of kin.”

“Did he?”

“There is nothing in the file that indicates any discussions.”

“No notes of conversation or a transcript?”

“No. You would think there would be.”

“How about we talk to the investigator?”

“I would love to do that.”

“What is stopping you?”

“Detective Ortega died two weeks after the Sandusky case was opened.”

“No shit. You gotta be kidding me.”

“Whoa, Palomino. He died in a car accident.”

“A car accident. How did it happen?”

“He was on his way to church and T-boned by a huge truck. “

“Church? Truck? This just gave me the willies.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t you see. He probably talked to the next of kin and they had him snuffed.”

“Oh please. You sound like a B-movie plot.”

“No heart in the body and the detective dies. Tell me that is not suspicious.”

“I’ll admit it does sound fishy now that you put the two together.”

“So what should we do?”

“I think we ought to pick up the case and try to get to a motive.”

“Motive? What the hell are you talking about? We need to find the killer.”

“My wife told me to look for a motive.”

“Larry. I don’t want to hurt your feelings or anything but your wife has been gone for a year.”

“It is a long story, Schmidt. How about we try to talk to the retired M.E. Maybe he can remember something.”

“Now you are talking. You scared me a little with the talk of your wife.”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

Tuesday Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #178 by Keith Channing

June 12, 2018June 11, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 37 Comments

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 – pingbacks don’t often work.

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.

“What the hell?”

“Excuse me, ma’am?”

“Why is this thing telling me to sign in again?”

“Well. you have to use the sign in procedure to use the computer.”

“Come on sonny. I’m not that stupid. I’m talking about this website.”

“Oh sorry. I thought you were having trouble signing in.”

“Yeah if only. I got bigger problems than that.”

“Can I be of assistance?”

“Do you know anything about binary physics?”

“Er..no.”

“Then thank you very much but butt out.”

“Well. I never.”

“Never what?”

“Experienced such rudeness.”

“Please. At your age, I’m sure you have.”

“I can’t remember when then.”

“So put on your big boy pants and get over it. I need to concentrate.”

“Fine. I’ll just finish my banking then.”

“Banking?”

“Yes, I do my banking online.”

“What bank do you use?”

“First National.”

“I would take my money out of there if I were you.”

“What? Why would I do that?”

“Cause in ten minutes that place will be empty.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Look sonny. I’m giving you a hint since you tried to be nice. Take it or leave it.”

“What are you doing over there?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know? Now are you going to move your money or not? I’m ready to hit the enter button.”

“I can’t believe this.”

“Believe it, sonny. Believe it.”

Top Ten Things Not To Do at an Organic Supermarket – Replay

June 11, 2018June 10, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 31 Comments

Since I’m traveling today, I decided to rerun one of my Top Ten Not to Do lists. This list originally ran on July 11th, 2016. If you haven’t read it before I hope you enjoy it.

The inspiration for this list is many visits to organic chain supermarkets. I’m usually there because I like a brand of wine that the chain carries. Of course, living on an island means when I drive the 360 miles round trip, I want to linger and observe other activities. I hope you like the list.

10 If you are shopping at an organic supermarket, do not secretly pop samples into your mouth from the bulk food section. If you do, at best you may ingest a foreign object. At worst, you will be caught and weighed before being charged the $10.00 a pound going rate. (Had to wonder what that walk-on scale was for, huh Bo-Bo?)

9 If you are shopping at an organic supermarket, do not block the aisles as you study each purchase looking for evidence of an ingredient to which you are allergic. If you do, At best your cart will be hit as others try to get around. At worst, you might get run over by Tiny the 300 pound WWF champ as he sprints toward the carrot juice section. (Better to joust with a train. Right?)

8 If you are shopping at an organic supermarket, do not ask the butcher if the organic pork is grass-fed. If you do, at best he will laugh you out of the store. At worst, he will convince you to go home and read up on the dietary habits of pigs. (At least tofu is on the list of things pigs will eat. Of course, there is nothing pigs won’t eat.)

7 If you are shopping at an organic supermarket, do not ask the clerk if the organic bottled water is gluten-free. If you do at best, the clerk will be confused. At worst, you might cause a very delicate personality to crack completely. ( Can you imagine what would have happened if you asked for help finding something.)

6 If you are shopping at an organic supermarket, do not forget to bring your own bags. If you do, at best you will have to balance your purchases and hope to make the car before the peanut butter hits the parking lot surface. At worst, you will be charged for more bags which you’ll never need again. (Asking for a plastic bag was a big mistake)

5 If you are shopping at an organic supermarket, do not show visible signs of your pending heart attack when you see the total bill. If you do, at best you will make the clerk’s day. At worst, those around you will want your hide for exposing the fact that to eat this way is very expensive. (Yeah they knew it, but don’t need reminders)

4 If you are shopping at an organic supermarket, do not ask the clerk if there are cruelty-free grapes in the wine. If you do, at best the clerk will call the manager for an answer. At worst the manager has just turned in his gross receipts and is now on probation for slipping sales. (The manager’s sense of humor is at an all-time low and used to be a postal worker till released for anger management issues)

3 If you are shopping at an organic supermarket, do not ask the beauty aids clerk which essential oil they would recommend to attract more dates. If you do, at best the clerk will think you totally perverted. At worst, the clerk will take the opportunity to test the company’s non-hostile work environment policy with a request of the boss to toss you out of the store. (Wow! Talk about overused political correctness)

2 If you are shopping at an organic supermarket, do not buy hemp products with the belief that you can use then to get high. If you do, at best you will waste your money. At worse, you will feel pretty foolish waiting in the shower for the hemp soap to kick in. (Meanwhile, the water temperature is moving toward Antarctic)

1 If you are shopping at an organic supermarket, do not ask the carry out person any questions about attire, body art, or hairstyle. If you do, at best they will ignore you. At worst, they will start the long story about personal freedoms and what it means to be able to be who they are. (That organic ice cream dripping on the pavement cost $10.00. Might be time to move on)

Guest Post at Karen Ingalls – The Contract

June 10, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 2 Comments

Today Gwen Plano and I are being hosted by Karen Ingalls who is helping spread the word about the contract.

You can visit her here. http://kareningalls.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-contract.html

About Karen

Karen Ingalls is an award-winning author, blogger, and public speaker. She is a retired RN, has a Master’s Degree in Human Development, avid reader, and author of three books. Her purpose is to raise awareness on health/wellness, promoting the benefits of reading, and being supportive of authors. She is an active member of Rave Reviews Book Club, Cheryl’s Books and Sweet Tea, and GoodReads Support for Indie Authors.

All proceeds from Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir go to ovarian/gynecologic cancer research. Karen is available at no charge to give presentations about gynecologic cancers.

A favorite quote is: “Find a seed at the bottom of your heart and bring forth a flower.” (Shigenori Kemeoka)

Thank you so much, Karen

Views of the Neighborhood – Nashville Indiana

June 10, 2018June 9, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

I am in Nashville Indiana to attend the High School graduation of my granddaughter. This week’s Views of the Neighborhood will give you a small taste of the town.

On the outskirts is the Bean Blossom overlook

Spectacular view.

Another View.

The reason for the trip. My Summa Cum Laude grandaughter. Pay no attention to that old guy beside her.

The state bank building which is now a shop.

A view of the main street.

The county courthouse.

A memorial to those who gave their lives in service to America.

Another view of the main street.

Peaceful.

Beautiful old building.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt -Start with a Noun

June 9, 2018June 8, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 33 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This weeks prompt is “start with a noun.” Linda Hill describes the exercise as starting the post with a noun and then base the post on the noun. Sounds fun. If you would like to join in, go to Linda’s place and read how. Here is the link

https://lindaghill.com/2018/06/08/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-june-9-18/

“Diploma.”

“What did you say?”

“I said diploma.”

“Okay, and what is that supposed to mean?”

“Well this weekend is graduation time, and I was thinking of all the young people who are getting their diplomas.”

“So what deep thoughts do you have?”

“Nothing deep.”

“Not surprising.”

“Just a feeling of hope that all the dreams that go with a diploma have some chance of coming true.”

“You said nothing deep. This sounds pretty deep to me.”

“I don’t know about that. I do know that there is a sense of newness around being recognized for achieving academic goals.”

“Oh, I get it. The diploma is a symbol of a new beginning.”

“Now that you put it that way, I say yes it does.”

“I have to agree with you.”

“And maybe one other thing.”

“Okay, what’s that?”

“I would gift each and every graduate with the best wishes possible.”

“Might be nice to wish each finds themselves in this busy world.”

“Yeah, that too.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

June 8, 2018June 7, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 42 Comments

Another week in the history books. I hope it was a good one for you. As you may know, Gwen Plano and I are in the process of launching our collaboration titled The Contract. There will be a lot of information about the book during the launch, so there is no need in publishing another launch announcement here.

Gwen and I are so grateful for all the volunteers who have stepped forward to offer assistance. I will be reblogging each as they occur and it is hoped you can visit them and enjoy.

Today’s JohnKu talks about the kind of support being offered by the wonderful bloggers in our universe.

A wise person said,

That none of us is alone . . .

A book launch is proof.

Thank you all.