Friday – JohnKu -AKA – TGIF and a Visit from Lisa Burton Talking about the Yak Guy Project.

May 18, 2018May 17, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 57 Comments

I am always thrilled to have a visit from Lisa Burton. As you may know, she is the robot spokesperson for Craig Boyack, the very talented author of a new release titled The Yak Guy Project, as well as, a host of other excellent books. My JohnKu is all about book launches.

Much like a newborn,

Love is the main foundation . . .

Followed by much work.

Thanks for the invitation today, John. It’s nice to get out of the writing cabin even for a little while. Port Aransas is looking better than the last time I visited, and Twiggy is an adorable addition to your family.

My mission is to talk about The Yak Guy Project, Craig’s newest book. He gets all whiny if I don’t talk about the book.

This is an alternate world kind of story about a young man from our world. At the beginning, he’s helpless and near death. He’s rescued by a talking yak, who leads him on a journey of self-discovery. What can I say, it’s one of Craig’s stories, so you just kind of have to go with it.

During the writing process, we act out scenes and dialog that Craig comes up with. If something doesn’t ring true, he adjusts it, and we try again. Sometimes, we go back two chapters or more to weave in plants and payoffs.

This leads to a lot of downtime. I brought a poster over today that involves a few of us hanging out while Craig makes adjustments to the story. I hope your fans enjoy it.

The outfits and setting in the poster give a kind of Asian vibe, because that’s what this world is like. The people in the story have been at war for hundreds of years, basically destroyed everything, and are now fighting with pointy things. Yak Guy isn’t going to find any cell phones or video games here.

Writing is kind of a fluid thing. You have a decent plot, a few decent characters, and there is a story. When you start writing, things have a way of changing. One situation, leads to a better situation. Something cool, creates the demand for a plant several chapters back to set it all up.

Most people never see this side of writing. I think it’s because the actual commitment of writing provides a level of detail the daydreaming phase never gets. All of the scenes need to link together too. The detail, plus the scenes, cause even better ideas to come along. Then your personal assistant gets to act it all out to see if it works.

After that, my spokesmodel job kicks in, and I get to wear some of the outfits I used during the writing phase in my posters.

I’ll provide all the details so your fans can pick up a copy of The Yak Guy Project.

Here is the blurb:

Imagine waking up in the desert with no idea what happened to you. You have clear memories of situations and places, but a complete loss in personal matters… like your own name. This situation is bad, and you have no idea how to get home.

When you’re rescued by a talking yak, the situation gets exponentially worse. You’ve obviously lost your mind. The immediate needs of a ride off the salt pan and searing heat, along with a drink of water, outweigh the concerns about your mental state.

This is exactly what happened to the Yak Guy. In fact he’s been placed in an alternate world and given a chance to start over in life.

Can this selfish, almost parasitic, young man learn to start over in a world where charity is hard to find? Life is brutal and short here, but he’s going to have to adapt or perish.

The Yak Guy project is loosely based around The Fool’s Journey from the Tarot. Those with experience in Tarot will spot people and situations from the Major Arcana.

Here is where to get the book on Amazon

Here is how to contact Craig

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Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy Hanging Out With Her Peeps

May 17, 2018May 17, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 72 Comments

“Hey, Twiggy. What are you doing?”

“Oh, Hi Dad. Just trying to find an interesting toy to play with.”

“It’s a beautiful day. Why aren’t you outside?”

“For one I don’t have prehensile paws. I need help with the door.”

“Out you go.”

“Lucy, Lucy, Lucy.”

“Yes, Twiggy. Good to see you out here.”

“What are we doing?”

“I was just going to have a laydown, but now that you’re here, go get your shovel.”

“Okay. I have it. Now what?”

“Bring it over here.”

“Be right there. Here I am. What do I do with it.”

“If it were me I would chew on it a while.”

“OMG, Mom would have a fit.”

“I know. Makes it all the sweeter.”

“Lucy.”

“What Bailey?”

“You’re going to get the little one in trouble.”

“Oh yeah? What if I protect her with my life?

“Mom can be pretty persuasive.”

“In any case, I will make a stand.”

“Lucy. You are my hero. You know that?”

“Aw Twiggy. I just think there are some fun things to do that aren’t human authorized.”

“Like what?”

“How do you like to bark?”

“Oh. I love that.”

“Case in point.”

“I have so much to learn. Thanks, Lucy. I see Dad heading this way.”

“I’m laying on the shovel. No one needs to be any the wiser.”

“Got it, Lucy. Bye Bailey.”

“Buy short stuff.”

“You ready to go inside. Twiggy.”

“Aw gee, Dad.”

“Tomorrow’s another day.”

“Where did this monster truck come from?”

“Mom thought you would enjoy it for a change.”

“I’ll thank her at dinner.”

“Good idea. By the way, where’s your shovel?”

“Shovel? What shovel?”

“Been chewing again, huh?”

“Can’t say I know what you are talking about, Dad.”

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

May 16, 2018May 15, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 45 Comments

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we started a new story. Larry Dunfee, a police detective, went into a fortune-telling establishment in China town. There he met the owner, a fascinating lady by the name of Micki Lee. (of course). Micki told Larry some things that she read in the newspaper and yet could read on his face he was troubled. Larry asked if he was wasting his time and she invited him to chat. Let’s go back and see what the chat is all about.

“So, what is the scam all about?”

“Do you think it’s a scam, Larry?”

“I suppose. You didn’t tell me one thing that wasn’t in the newspaper. By the way, you know my name. What’s yours.”

“Ah. Please forgive my miserable manners. Lee. My name is Micki Lee.”

“Micki? That’s unusual.”

“Would you prefer Mei-Xiu?”

“Oh, I get it. Americanized.”

“You are very quick, Larry.”

“I’ll overlook the sarcasm. What would you like to chat about?”

“Now that is interesting, Larry. I would think you have a whole boatload of things to chat about.”

“What do you mean?”

“Look at you. Your suit is rumpled, you haven’t had a shave for a few days, your hair looks like you combed it with a fork from the diner, and I’ll just bet you gargled with bourbon this morning.”

“How did you know about the fork and bourbon?”

“Stick to the subject, Mr. Dunfee. You are in deep yogurt and need a friend.”

“And I suppose you are just that friend? A bunco artist living in the back of a shop in Chinatown.”

“I think you have described the situation very well.”

“Oh, come on. This is not some detective show on TV. I’m not going to sit here and spill my guts to a perfect stranger. Besides most of the stuff bothering me is highly confidential.”

“I get all that, Larry but let me ask you a couple of questions.”

“Okay. Do you have any water?”

“Sure. You want some tea?”

“Ask the questions, and then I’ll let you know. Right now I’m thinking a bottle of water with the seal unbroken.”

“Suit yourself. Okay, question one. How far from here is your office?”

“Um. Maybe 20 blocks.”

“Second question. What brought you here?”

“Well, I ah—”

“You have no idea, do you?”

“Is that your third question?”

“Here’s the last question. How did I know you were thinking of quitting the department?”

“You said something about my face.”

“It’s deeper than that, Larry.”

“How deep?”

“I think you are in some danger and I think you were brought to my doorstep by someone very close to you.”

“I have no one close. My wife died a year ago.”

“A year ago today.”

“Could I get a cup of black tea, please? Make it strong.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #174 by Keith Channing

May 15, 2018May 14, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 45 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.

“We need to make this a good fight, Sasha.”

“Why is that, Pradeep?”

“There’s a guy up in the stands with an iPhone?”

“Should I turn around?”

“No, take my word for it.”

“What about him?”

“He is a Bollywood producer.”

“You’re kidding. How exciting.”

“I think he is videotaping our performance.”

“How cool.”

“So quit dancing around and come at me.”

“Wait a minute. I’m dancing around because I don’t have a sword like you.”

“You are supposed to use your staff like a Ninja and take me out.”

“And what are you going to do?”

“Use my sword like a warrior.”

“Like we practiced?”

“More or less.”

“How much more and how much less?”

“That guy up there will want action. It is hard to fake a fight.”

“Are you telling me this is for real?”

“No not for real. Just almost real.”

“Good grief. I’m getting out of here.”

“Stand where you are unbeliever. Defend yourself.”

“Unbeliever? Hey, Pradeep. It’s me Sasha, your brother.”

“Lies all lies.”

“For heaven’s sake. Put that sword down.”

“Okay, Sasha you can relax.”

“Why?”

“The guy is gone.”

“You were going to come at me with that sword, weren’t you?”

“Well, yeah. How would we stage a convincing fight if I didn’t?”

“I would think we would have time to practice.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter anymore—”

“What are you looking at?”

“The guy is back.”

“Does this mean?—”

“Defend yourself, unbeliever.”

“Great.”

Top Ten Things Not to Put Off When You Have a Lot to Do.

May 14, 2018May 20, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 52 Comments

The inspiration for this list is living long enough to experience what happens when things are put off. Not all of these things have occurred but enough to give me the title of Consultant on What Not to Put Off.

10 If you have a number of things going on, do not put off buying an anniversary present. If you do, at best you’ll have to spend more to find what you want to give. At worst, what you want to give is no longer available and your second choice falls way short. (That pair of rubber dish gloves just didn’t have the same panache did it, Emanuele?)

9 If you have a number of things going on, do not put off paying Tiny, the WWF champ, the ten bucks you borrowed. If you do, at best you won’t run into Tiny. At worst, you’ll meet Tiny just after he left his financial planner with the news that he is broke. (Right now would be a good time to have that ten spot out where Tiny can see it, Emesto. There won’t be time once he grabs you by the throat.)

8 If you have a number of things going on, do not put off responding to that traffic ticket. If you do, at best you can cover the late fee. At worst, a rookie police officer will see you drive by and will have memorized the license plates of all the outstanding warrants for this week. (Yes, those lights and siren mean to pull over, Emo. Better hope someone can come and bail you out. Oh, and don’t worry about your new car. The wrecker folks got that name for a reason.)

7 If you have a number of things going on, do not put off paying that final notice on the water and electric bill. If you do, at best you might get a grace period. At worse, you planned on filling the bathtub and buying some candles but were caught by surprise. (How do those shins feel after hitting that coffee table five times, Enceladus?)

6 If you have a number of things going on, do not put off filing your taxes. If you do, at best you will remind the IRS agent of his father. At worst, you will remind the IRS agent of her ex-husband. (Why do the terms ‘delinquent, fine, and jail term’ keep coming up in the discussion, Eoin?)

5 If you have a number of things going on, do not put off renewing your auto or driver’s license. If you do at best a wait at the DMV is the only penalty. At worst, just when some eyewitness of a bank robbery described a car like yours, a state police officer pulled in behind you. (Don’t think these guys aren’t going to have guns drawn, Eren. The bank robber will probably get a lighter sentence than driving with expired plates and license.)

4 If you have a number of things going on, do not put off sending your house insurance premium. If you do, at best your agent will remind you. At worst, the rare piece of space junk entering the atmosphere and landing on your house will remind you of the forgotten check. (Don’t worry, Erin. Insurance companies have huge hearts and will likely forgive your oversight. Believe that, and I have an underwater lot I think you would like.)

3 If you have a number of things going on, do not put off making those airline reservations to attend the mandatory company seminar. If you do, at best you’ll have a center seat on a packed plane. At worst, you’ll be on standby, and as luck would have it, there are no seats available. (Who would have thought that Dubuque Iowa was such a popular destination, Erskine? You can tell by the tension in the voice that the boss is not going to forgive and forget.)

2 If you have a number of things going on, do not put off paying that credit card bill. If you do, at best you’ll rack up a big late fee. At worse, just when you are trying to impress someone by grabbing the dinner check, the waiter comes back and tells you in a loud voice that your card has been denied. (You can try all you want to explain a bank error, Eske. Your soon to be ex-client isn’t believing your story.)

1 If you have a number of things going on, do not put off double checking your parachute before your skydive this weekend. If you do, at best it was done right. At worst, you will find yourself in a position of having to hope the spare will do the job. (After all, Estanislao you have gained a few pounds. Oh, and that go cam recording should be hilarious so let’s hope you are there to enjoy it.)

Views of the Neighborhood – Turtle Release and Mother Turtle

May 13, 2018May 12, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 62 Comments

From time to time the ARK (Animal Rehabilitation Keep) will release turtles that have been rescued and rehabilitated from injuries.

Yesterday was the day. This photo and the next two are courtesy of the ARK since they were much better than the ones I took. Above is a shot from a drone showing the corridor formed to give the turtles a wide berth to the sea. (turnout is always good for the releases)

Volunteers in their green shirts are showing the turtles to spectators prior to release.

Here is a turtle staying hydrated until release.

This photo and the rest are mine. No release would be complete without some t-shirts which help raise funds for the ARK.

This is the time when Sea turtles begin to come ashore to lay their eggs. They do this from now until August. These moms return to the place where as hatchlings they initially entered the sea.

On Wednesday of this week, a Kemp-Ridley turtle returned to her release spot to lay her eggs. Just in time for Mother’s Day.

Here is a closer shot of her hard at work digging her nest. Once she is complete with the process which includes burying the eggs, volunteers will dig them up and take them to the sanctuary for safe hatching. They will then be released back to the Gulf. The rope will be tossed into the nest before she buries the eggs. This will ensure that the eggs can be easily found. This turtle laid over eighty eggs.

This is a photo of the trail she left on her way to her nest.

She makes a serpentine path.

Here is a close up of her marks in the sand. You can see how her shell makes groves.

To give you an idea of the distance, her nest is between the car on the left and the truck on the right. These vehicles belong to volunteers. I took this shot from the water.

Happy Mother’s Day to all.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “On the Farm.”

May 12, 2018May 11, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 34 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is words from on the farm. Here’s the deal. We have to use words that have a farm animal sound in them. For example, sMOOth. There are bonus points for using three or more. If you would like to bend your mind a little go to Linda Hill’s blog and read how to join the party. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/05/11/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-12-18/

“I see you are doing the Hill prompt again.”

“How can you tell?”

“You are sitting by that recorder listening to animal sounds. There can be no other explanation.”

“I know right? I’ve got to come up with words with animal sounds in them.”

“Better you than me. What do you have so far?”

“Honeymoon, peephole, boink, quackery, subwoofer.”

“That’s it?”

“Man this is hard.”

“How about cluck?”

“Okay give me one.”

“Er, clucking?”

“That is the sound not a word with the sound.”

“Okay too tough for me. Now, what do you do?”

“Take a break.”

“Why is that?”

“I have a least three words with animal sounds in them. So, I think I’m done.”

“Don’t you have to use these words in a story?”

“Take a look at them. You think the story with these words would be a good outcome.”

“Now that you mention it. No.”

“Let’s go to lunch.”

“I could use a moon pie.”

“Don’t start with me.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

May 11, 2018May 10, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 60 Comments

Here we are. It is almost the weekend already. I hope your week was a good one and you are looking forward to some well deserved time off. Here at the beach, we have finally settled into some beautiful days. We had some high winds that are as a result of a Northern high-pressure front moving in. It is now stationary, so that means the winds are calm and the seas moderate.

The best part is the onshore water is clear and beautiful. When the wind kicks up the surf it also causes turbulence which then makes the sand become water born. This leads to murky conditions which are not the best for view or swimming. We, locals, are always glad to see the deep blue offshore and the gradual blue to turquoise near shore. Most places have signs of spring, and ours is no different. The blue water is a sure sign.

Today’s John Ku talks about signs of season change. I hope you all have a beautiful weekend

Might be a Robin,

Could also be the tree buds . . .

We all know it’s spring.

Thursday – A Little Personal – More Lessons for Twiggy

May 10, 2018May 9, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 47 Comments

“So Twiggy. We have a couple of things to show you today.”

“Really Lucy? I can’t wait.”

“You have to get up and follow me.”

“Where we going?”

“Oh nowhere. I thought I heard the sound of the UPS truck and wanted to check.”

“What’s the UPS truck?”

“Remember the FedEx lesson? It’s a truck like that only brown. Okay not here. Let’s go up on the porch.”

“Wait, Lucy. I can’t get up there.”

“Sure you can. You have to do a little jump. Like this.”

“Oh, I get it.”

“Hey, Twiggy.”

“Hi, Bailey. Lucy just showed me how to jump up on the porch.”

“How nice. So now you can get up on the porch. Nice going, Lucy.”

“Oh hush, Bailey. You are such a grump.”

“Twiggy you have your own bowl over there.”

“I know, but I want to drink out of the big dog’s bowl.”

“Well help yourself. Then we have to show you the Jolly ball.”

“Twiggy. That orange thing is a Jolly ball.”

“What do you do with it?”

“You take that handle. Pick it up and run with it.”

“Ummm. This is hard.”

“You’re supposed to grab it by the handle.”

“It’s too heavy for me.”

“Forget the ball you two.”

“What’s happening?”

“It’s the UPS truck. Hurry.”

“Let me at em.”

“You go, Bailey. Twiggy. Bark your head off.”

“Why do we bark?”

“Not sure. It’s a custom. All dogs bark at the UPS person.”

“That was fun. What do we do now.”

“Well, Twiggy. We take a sunbath.”

“Sunbath?”

“Don’t let Lucy kid you, Twiggy. We take a nap. After all, we worked pretty hard today.”

“Good idea, Bailey. I’m beat.”

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

May 9, 2018May 15, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 50 Comments

Last week we saw the conclusion of the saga around Lucas. This week is a new story and the only introduction needed if to let you know our protagonist Larry Dunfee is heading into a small shop in the heart of China Town. The sign above the door says, “Fortunes, Tarot, Spiritual Readings.” Let’s follow Larry in.

“Hello anyone here?”

“Yessir. I’m in the back. Take a seat, and I’ll be right with you.”

“Okay, thanks.”

“Are you here for a reading?”

“Uh, I think so.”

“Well, here I am. Let us just see what I can do for you.”

“Erm. I just want to know a couple of things, so I am not sure how we go about it?”

“Does this have to do with a family member?”

“Uh no.”

“Do you want to contact someone who has passed?”

“That is an interesting concept that might be useful, but not right now.”

“Okay, twenty questions are over. Tell me what you are looking for?”

“Can you give me an idea of how my life is going?”

“How do you think it is going?”

“Kinda messed up if you want to know the truth.”

“Have you consulted a psychologist?”

“God no. That’s for crazy people. I’m not crazy. Just confused.”

“So…you think I can—”

“Look in a crystal ball and read my fortune.”

“Why didn’t you say that in the first place? Of course, I can.”

“Excellent!”

“Come with me. We need to go in a different room.”

“Wow, this is nice.”

“Close the door, Larry.”

“How did you know my name?”

“It’s on your name tag detective. Please sit.”

“I always forget I have that thing on.”

“Now Larry. Just relax. Let me concentrate a minute.”

“Sure.”

“Hush.”

“Okay, I’m ready. I see by the ball that you are involved in a difficult case. You have no idea on how to proceed. You are thinking of asking for a transfer. How am I doing?”

“I’m amazed. How did you know all that?”

“To be honest, I pulled out the transfer part just looking at your face. Your picture and the story of the killing was on page two of the newspaper. I must say that photo must have been taken ten years ago. The way you are looking now, tells me you do not have a happy life.

“So I’m wasting my time?”

“I wouldn’t say that, Larry. Let’s chat.”