Tag: Our Justice

Views of the Neighborhood – Holiday Parade

~ John W. Howell ~ 62 Comments

This week started the holiday season here in Port Aransas. Like everything else we do here, it was kicked off with a parade. The parade started about a half mile from the community center and ended there with hot cocoa, popcorn, cookies, coffee, and a visit by Santa. The evening was capped with live music and the lighting of the holiday tree. I apologize for the quality of the parade photos. The darkness fell and I really should have had a tripod. I think you can catch the spirit.

Holiday Party

The Community center is ready for the Holiday festivities.

The elves are putting out the cookies.

Frosty is waiting to greet everyone.

Frosty’s brother is here too.

The parade and activities were sponsored by the Department of Parks and Recreation.

The tree is waiting to be lighted.

The parade is starting

EMS is here.

A decorated golf cart.

A golf cart with red running lights.

A classic 1948 MG.

The lifeguards are here with a Santa float.

The real Santa on a hook and ladder.

One of Port A’s finest.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Contrast”

~ John W. Howell ~ 45 Comments

Stream of Consciousness

 

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and our prompt this week is “contrast.” Linda Hill says we can use the word or maybe a concept that demonstrates contrast. If you would like to join in and have some fun go to Linda’s blog and read how. It is not hard. All you really need is a strong sense of self-worth and plenty of alcohol. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2017/12/15/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-16-17/

Contrast by John W. Howell © 2017

“So there I was looking through my viewfinder.”

“Viewfinder? Were you taking a picture?”

“Of course I was taking a picture. What do you think? Think I go around looking at the world through my camera.”

“Well, you have that ginormous lens.”

“Okay, okay don’t interrupt. Let me finish the story . You’ll be impressed.”

“So far not.”

“You have to trust me on this. So there I was looking through my viewfinder and what do you think I saw?”

“Do you want me to tell the story?”

“I saw two buildings that were framed in perfect contrast.”

“Perfect what?”

“Contrast. Contrast.”

“What the heck is contrast?”

“These buildings.”

“No, I mean what do you mean by contrast?”

“Oh. Contrast is a color or illumination that makes one object stand out from the other.”

“Okay and I will be impressed how?”

“Here look at the photo on my camera.”

“Okay I see two buildings. So what?”

“Don’t you see that one is grey and one is mauve?”

“Well they are different color for sure.”

“Do you see both?”

“I said that.”

“Perfect contrast.”

“Man, you need to get out more.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 61 Comments

 

TGIF

 

I Always like Fridays. It is almost a signal to do something fun. People keep asking me why I like Fridays if in fact I am retired. The answer is pretty straightforward.  Friday is still the golden standard to measure the week. I don’t know about you, but I tend to write more during the week than on Saturday and Sunday. The week seems like it has been set aside for work and the weekend for play. I suppose Friday represents the cut off between feeling accomplished and being given permission to be lazy. So why not celebrate its arrival retired or not?

This week was good in that our roof was completed. I don’t know what it is about a metal roof, but there is an enormous amount of pounding that goes with the installation. All is quiet now. We also have the contractor who is repairing our sun deck, railings, and garage actually working. YAY. He is doing all kinds of demolition. (which contractors love to do) Always have to hope he’ll come back and put everything back together. This brings up today’s JohnKu. It is about the ease of dismantling. I hope you have a super weekend.

Tear Down by John W. Howell © 2017

The dismantling,

Of buildings and or people. . .

Easy. Rebuild tough.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Lucy Has a Question

~ John W. Howell ~ 61 Comments

“Hey, Boss.”

“Hi, Lucy. When you stand there like that, I know there is something on your mind.”

“How do you know I do not just adore you.”

“Um. I would say I just know. So what is the question.”

“Okay, then you caught me. I was wondering if that is Santa on the roof?”

“Santa? What makes you think Santa is on the roof?”

“Tell him, Bailey.”

“Well pops. We hear the pitter patter of pretty heavy deer up there.”

“I’m always amazed how you wake up from a sound sleep and seem to know what’s going on, Bailey.”

“Boss. Come over here and take a look.”

“Lucy. I don’t have to take a look.”

“Lucy’s not kidding, pops. You should see this.”

“Can’t you just tell me?”

“It looks like a bunch of elves delivering long pieces of metal.”

“That’s because they are the roofers, you two. Remember, the hurricane damaged our roof? These guys are fixing it.”

“But so much stuff, Boss. You should see it all.”

“I know, Lucy. They are replacing the whole roof, so there is a lot of stuff to put up there.”

“Can Bailey and I bark at them?”

“That would be a no. Lucy.”

“Beg for treats?”

“No.”

 

 

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

~ John W. Howell ~ 38 Comments

Hump Day

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we were treated to seeing Alice almost fall over herself when she learned from Frank Plano the private detective (got it right this week) that Lucas had a five million dollar insurance payment. She got on the phone with Harriet and promised to get back to her. I see she is going back to the living room where Frank waits.
“I’m sorry the coffee took so long, I had to make fresh. Here you are.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Weston.”
“Do you take anything in your coffee?”
“No, I like it just like this. It’s delicious I might add.”
“Why, thank you. It’s a blend I have made up special.”
“I would love to know the recipe.”
“Ah, my little secret, Mr. Plano. You’ll just have to keep coming back for more.”
“Ahem. Well yes, thank you. Now, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?”
“Questions? I thought we were going to discuss Lucas.”
“In due time, Mrs. Weston. First, I wonder if you have any reaction to the information I uncovered that you and Mrs. Murphy used to travel regularly to Kenosha to meet with the Severides.”
“Where did you get that information?”
“My sources are confidential, Mrs. Weston.”
“Well, then my reaction will remain confidential, Mr. Plano.”
“I see. Okay, let me go in a different direction.”
“I’m not sure I like this line of questioning, Mr. Plano. What gives you the right to come to my house and ask me questions?”
“I have no right what so ever, Mrs. Weston. I am conducting an investigation that will form the basis for a report to my client. I would like to have your side of the story included, but since you don’t seem to want your side told, I’ll just present the information that I have.”
“Okay. Yes, Harriet and I used to visit the Severides. So what?”
“You were seen at their house the night they were killed.”
“Now you are fishing, Mr. Plano. No one saw us at their house.”
“You sure?”
“Yes, because we were never there that night.”
“You were in Kenosha that night though, right?”
“I don’t think that is any of your business.”
“Fine, I’ll just use the sworn statement of the person who saw you.”
“For heaven’s sake. So we were in Kenosha that night. What does that prove?”
“You tell me, Mrs. Weston. You seem pretty defensive to me.”
“Are you finished with your coffee?”
“Yes, and it was divine.”
“Then I’m going to ask you to leave.”
“I sure wish I had your side of the story before I go.”
“There is no story Mr. Plano. Good day to you.”
“Good day, Mrs. Weston. If you change your mind give me a call. Here’s my card.”
“You can keep it, Mr. Plano. As I said, there is no story. I’m going to shut the door now. mind your toes.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #152 by Keith Channing

~ John W. Howell ~ 42 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 keith@channing.info 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.

The Solution By John W. Howell © 2017
“What are you looking at?”
“Shush. I think I hear something.”
“Don’t be a fool. There is nothing there. Keep digging.”
“I’m not sure I’ve told you I love you enough.”
“Aw, that’s sweet. What caused you to say that?”
“You know how I feel about you.”
“Yes, of course, I do.”
“I guess I’m a little taken with the fact we are on our honeymoon.”
“I know isn’t it wonderful? But you know this isn’t technically our honeymoon. That won’t begin until after the ceremony.”
“Well, I’m just filled with love. I think we have been on a honeymoon ever since we met.”
“You know, you say the nicest things.”
“I am so excited about our life together at last.”
“It has been a trial, but that is all behind us now.”
“I still think I hear something.”
“That is impossible.”
“Let me lean a little closer.”
“I think you are imagining things.”
“I don’t know. I may not have hit him hard enough.”
“Oh for heaven’s sake. He’s been dead for a day now. Hurry up and get him covered so we can get to the ceremony.”
“Should we say some words?”
“Why?”
“He was your husband after all.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do In the Snow in South Texas

~ John W. Howell ~ 77 Comments

Snow in the South

 

The inspiration for this list was a one-inch snowfall on our tropical island in South Texas.  The last snow was in 2004 and before that in the 1900’s. As you can imagine residents of this island had no idea what to do with snow. This list is too late for them but may be handy in another ten years.

10 If you live in the South and it snows, do not think you can drive to the store. If you do, at best you may find yourself in a ditch. At worst, your erratic driving may cause a pile up on the beach road which won’t clear till spring. (Twenty miles an hour was a bit too fast for conditions huh, Cyrek?)

9. If you live in the South and it snows, do not throw snowballs at strangers. If you do, at best you’ll hit one, and they will laugh. At worst, you will hit Tiny the WWF champ right after he left his respect support group meeting. (Looks like Tiny took the snowball in the face as a sign of disrespect. I think you should begin running now, Cyril.)

8 If you live in the South and it snows, do not think you can wear flip-flops as usual. If you do, at best your feet will turn blue. At worst, you will find your condition being discussed by a group of interns at the local ER. (Do the words frostbite and amputation bother you, Cyrano?)

7 If you live in the South and it snows, do not think the rest of the world wants to hear about it. If you do, at best you’ll get a lot of disconnects. At worst, you’ll be describing the beauty and unusual snow to your cousin in Fargo, North Dakota who hasn’t been out of the house for six weeks due to the snow. (Wonder why he’s calling you all those names? It’s cabin fever, Cyan.)

6 If you live in the South and it snows, do not think you have to rush to the store to clean the shelves of bread, milk, water, and bathroom tissue. If you do, at best you’ll get the moniker of the village idiot. At worst, you will be just checking out when you notice the snow has all melted making your hour trip to the store and your massive horde unnecessary. (Did you check the weather report, Crespin? Why are those people pointing and laughing?)

5 If you live in the South and it snows, do not demand your 7:00 am tee time. If you do, at best the pro will not let you play. At worst, you’ll set the course record for the most lost balls and highest score. (White on white is a difficult thing to see. Right, Courtney. When you do see em frozen shots don’t go that far do they?)

4 If you are in the south and it snows, do not continue with your plans for a beach party. If you do, at best everyone will stay home. At worst, those that do come will end up not at the beach but in your house. (Ever try to roast hot dogs and do smores in the fireplace, Corwin?)

3 If you are in the South and it snows, do not think you can drive without cleaning your windshield and rear window glass. If you do, at best the snow might blow off. At worst, you won’t be able to see well and might hit someone. (The policeman you ran into is lecturing you loudly how dangerous it is to drive without being able to see while he is writing the ticket. He is about finished, Conell.)

2 If you are in the south and it snows, do not think you have to plan a dinner like you are living in the Antarctic. If you do, at best the snow will leave before you start cooking. At worst, you’ll serve the Hoosh, Pemmican, Sledging biscuits, Marmite and hot coffee meal as the temperature reaches seventy degrees. (Never saw folks sweat so much while they ate did you, Cnute?)

1 If you are in the South and it snows, Do not think you can wait to make a snowperson. If you do, at best there will be a little snow left to work. At worst, you and the kids will be all bundled up only to find nothing but water. (Hard to make a water person isn’t it, Clifton?)

Views of the Neighborhood – Snow

~ John W. Howell ~ 81 Comments

We had an unusual occurrence Friday. We got about an inch of snow and it was the first time since 2004.

We woke up to snow. Here is a shot of the backyard.

A corner with the giant Birds of Paradise.

A third view of the backyard. This photo looks blurry in the distance but that is snowfall.

Lucy makes some tentative steps. She has not seen snow before.

Lucy tries the “Let me go back,” maneuver.

Baily is an old veteran of snow since she went to college in Waco where it snows more. The dogs are blurry because they are running around a full speed.

A shot of the upper palm tree leaves covered with snow.

The palm trees by the hurricane-damaged pool. This is facing East so you can see the snow coming from the North and piling up on the tree trunks.

The cart over to the beach.

A shot from the top of the cart over. The Gulf is to the left.

A photo on the beach. The snow falling makes the horizon look foggy.

One more shot of the beach and Gulf. You can see large snowflakes falling.

I met Tiny on the cart over and he had lost his head over the snow. The cap shows how fast the snow is falling

These are my footprints after about five minutes. You can see the falling snow is filling them in.

Our Hibiscus decided to close up and wait for better weather. I hope you enjoyed the snow. It may be another ten years before we see it again.

 

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “liqu”

~ John W. Howell ~ 32 Comments

Stream of Consciousness

 

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this week’s prompt is “liqu.” Yes, you see what I wrote, liqu. Linda Hill advised us that we could either use a word the starts with liqu or has liqu in it somewhere. If you would like to join this happy band of nut cases go to Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Dec. 9/17

Liqu by John W. Howell © 2017

“I need to talk to you.”

“Well have a seat and tell me who you are.”

“Jackson Bump is my name.”

“Yes, Mr. Bump. What can I do for you?”

“I need to enhance my liquidity in my portfolio.”

“What portfolio would that be Mr. Bump?”

“My stock portfolio.”

“Let me look that up. Do you have your account number?”

“Yes, it’s 7601772.”

“Here we go. Ah yes. Mr. Bump. I can see you are pretty consolidated in just a very few stocks.”

“That’s why I need to liquefy one or more of my positions.”

“Might be a smart move for safety. Which did you have in mind?”

“What ones are there?”

“My goodness. Okay, let me read them to you. The first is Acme Liquorice Company. Their earnings look like they are in the black. Excuse me a small joke. The next is Worn Shoe Liquidators. Looks like someone walked a mile in theirs. The final stock is DWI Liquors. Looks like a long-term holding.”

“Which would you recommend?”

“I think I would liquidate the Worn Shoe Liquidators. Their long-term prospects look a little thin. That would get you a nice piece of change after you liquefy.”

“What should I do with the money?”

“If it were me I would add a little more to your liquor holding. I would Liquorize so to speak.”

“I don’t know. I’m thinking of staying liquid for a while.”

“Don’t blame you. Here have a martini. It will get you started on the road to all things liquorishness.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 72 Comments

Funny Friday

 

This week had its challenges for sure. Stepping away from the personal, the week saw a couple of good things as well. Gwen Plano and I finished the draft of The Contract. By a draft, I am referring to the manuscript that is ready for a Beta read. We will be giving it over to our editor after the beta readers provide their input. We received a super response to our call for Beta readers. My thanks to everyone who volunteered. There will be more to say about the book as we get closer to the publication which looks like may or June.

Here is South Texas we are under a winter storm warning. A WINTER STORM WARNING????? WTH.  Yes, they are calling for snow here. It’s not going to stick but could be up to an inch in some places. Come on, folks. This is the South. I hope I can get a couple of pictures cause it will make an interesting Views of the Neighborhood. Today’s JohnKu talks about the weather. I hope you have a great weekend.

The Weather by John W. Howell © 2017

The sun feels real warm,

I will lay and rest my bones. . .

Whoops, where’s my snowsuit?