Tag: Our Justice

Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day

~ John W. Howell ~ 46 Comments

Hump Day

 

Well, it is Wednesday Story Day time again. Last week we had to witness the return of the Widow Murphy and find out she pretty much has some strong opinions about Alice. I think we got the opinion that the widow had designs of Lucas herself and was pretty much bad mouthing the competition. The widow offered Lucas some lunch and it looked like he was going to take her up on the offer. Oh and let’s not forget she asked Lucas to come in without his shirt. Oh, my. We need to go back to Antion Illinois to see what is up with all of that.
“Well, son I have Chicken salad for lunch. Go wash up and it will be ready when you get back.”
Yes, ma’am. Where is the bathroom?”
“Right down that hall to the right.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“You can call me Harriet.”
“Yes, Miss Harriet.”
“That boy sure is well-mannered.”
“I’m back.”
“Goodness, you gave me a start. I was thinking what a well-mannered boy you are.”
“Thank you, ma— er Miss Harriet. My mom taught me respect.”
“I can see that. I can also see you have your shirt on.”
“Yes, Miss Harriet. My mom would never allow me to come to the table unless I was wearing a shirt.”
“Oh, she is some woman. Have a seat. Would you like some sweet ice tea?“
“Sounds good. This salad looks delicious.”
“I know young men would rather have beef, but I think you’ll find it tasty. There is plenty so if you want more just ask.”
“Thank you, Miss Harriet. It is very tasty. I may take you up on that offer.”
“Tell me, Lucas. You mentioned your mom. Is she from around here?”
“No. She lived in Wisconsin.”
“You say lived. She’s not there anymore?”
“N-no. She uh…”
“Oh dear. I think this old woman should mind her business. You don’t have to answer.”
“That’s okay. I just miss her, and it is hard to say that she has passed.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss. Has it been long?”
“She and dad were killed last year.’
“Killed? Oh, my. I am sorry.”
“They were murdered in their sleep.”
“How awful, my dear boy. Do they know who did it?”
“The police are really stupid. They think they know but haven’t done anything about it.”
“Oh my gosh. And now you live here in Antion. All by yourself?”
“Yes. I want to finish school, and it’s the only way. I couldn’t stay in Wisconsin. I work here in the summer and then go to the University in Champaign-Urbana. I’ve got an apartment there.”
“How do you manage?”
“My parents left me enough Miss Harriet.”
“I’ll stop asking questions now. I can see you are upset.”
“No. You are very kind. I’m not upset. I would like some more chicken salad if you don’t mind.”
Of c-course, Lucas. I’ll get it.”
“More tea too, please.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #115 by Keith Channing

~ John W. Howell ~ 47 Comments

Here are Keith’s words to explain what is going on. “Using this photo (Below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr 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.”

Here is the photo

Kreative Kue #115

Lunch by John W. Howell © 2017

“Hey, humans. Get that phone will ya? Where did everyone go?”

“We are in the kitchen, Ralphy. Just let it ring.”

“OMG. Did you have to have a klaxon horn for a ringtone?”

“George maybe you had better answer it.”

“Not me. You know who it is.”

“You don’t know that for sure. Go look see if the caller ID confirms it.”

“I’m telling you, I don’t even want to go near it. She’ll know.”

“Don’t be a fool. She will not know.”

“You humans in the house. Anybody going to answer this thing or do I keep on barking?”

“Hush Ralphy. I’m coming to look.”

“Look? Why not just toss it out?”

“Harriet. It is her. I’m not going to answer it.”

“George you coward. Hit the silent button.”

“She’ll know I hit silent.”

“She won’t care. Our lunch is going to the flies. Shut the phone off. I don’t know why we run when that thing goes off anyway.”

“Okay, there I did it.”

“Good man. See you are brave after all. Okay, Ralphy  jump back up on your chair and let’s continue with our lunch.”

“By the way. How did you teach that dog to use a knife and fork?”

“It was easy. I think he already knew. Was that her on the phone?”

“Yup.”

“See she never knew.”

“Wait until next time.”

“Why does she keep calling?”

“I dunno. I guess she doesn’t have a lot of friends.”

“What does she want anyway?”

“To give us a sea cruise.”

“What’s wrong with that anyway?”

“We get seasick, and I would hate to disappoint her by saying no.”

“You are a good man, George. Ralphy don’t gulp your food. Take a drink of water.”

“He handles that bottle well too.”

 

Ten Things Not to Do at The Final Four Playoffs

~ John W. Howell ~ 49 Comments

March Madness

 

The inspiration for this list—Wait! have you been put to sleep for the last couple of weeks? You know the inspiration so here goes.

Ten Things Not to Do in the Final Four Playoffs

10 Do not fall sleep overnight outside in Phoenix without a tent. If you do at best, you may get a scorpion bite. At worst, you may be hauled off by a pack of coyotes who have you confused with a large sheep. (No, these guys aren’t inviting you home for dinner Roscoe. You are dinner.)

9 Do not think the public intoxication laws are not in force during the tournament. If you do, at best you’ll avoid all the testing blockades. At worst, you will be asked to walk a straight line that is all but impossible if you were sober. (Well a nice ride in the patrol car is an interesting way to spend the evening huh, Buford?)

8 Do not believe the locals who tell you the sun in Phoenix is not fierce in March. If you do, At best you’ll have an uncomfortable night’s sleep. At worst, you will be the first sunburn victim admitted to the burn trauma unit at the hospital. ( At least your picture is in the paper, Ferd. Of course, the headline reads “Idiot Let’s Self Get Burned.”)

7 Do not pay attention to the KissCam in the arena. If you do, at best your date will think you are proposing. At worst, Tiny the WWF champ sitting next to you will think you are proposing and wants you to know he says yes.( Don’t try to get out of this one claiming a mistake, Tex. Tiny doesn’t take well to hurt feelings.)

6 Do not take that 32oz drink into the stands unless you have an easy way out. If you do, at best you will have to hold everything for the entire game. At worst, you will struggle through the row only to block the view of the biggest guy in the stadium just as the winning basket is made.(Guess what Roy? His team lost. I think he may blame you.)

5 Do not paint your face with your team’s colors. If you do, at best your parents won’t be watching the game to see how they are wasting that tuition. At worst, the paint was the wrong kind, and now you are sitting in a job interview explaining your blue and gold complexion. (You didn’t want that job. After all, it was your dream would have paid one hundred grand a year huh, Bunky?)

4 Do not watch the tournament while at work. If you do, at best you will not get caught. At worst, you might get your job and the tournament confused like telling those twelve fights to hold during the penalty free throw. (You always take your job as an air traffic controller seriously don’t you, Bosco?)

3 Do not yell for the entire game. If you do, at best you’ll be reduced to a whisper. At worse, you’ll get a phone call from your agent who is wanting you to accept that movie deal on your book. (Unfortunately, he can’t hear you, and the offer expires in five minutes, Putz)

2 Do not think food in the arena is calorie free. If you do, at best you’ll be facing a slight weight gain. At worst, you will need to revisit that reduction program since all the tension of the game was channeled through your mouth. (Looks like six months of salad and water got wiped out in a single afternoon, huh Bub?)

1 Do not take your frustration in losing the tournament out on other drivers on the way home. If you do, at best you’ll get home safely. At worst, you’ll meet your road rage match, and he’s driving a military grade four by four. ( You can use that flat car as a sled next winter can’t you, Buba?)

Guesting in Siân Glírdan’s Green Room #RRBC

~ John W. Howell ~ 12 Comments

Today I have the pleasure of being a guest of Siân Glírdan in her green room before taking off on a fabulous adventure. I have been given the opportunity of taking a trip to an exotic destination which is explained in the post. I also am allowed to take anything I wish to enhance my experience. So come over to Siân Glírdan’s place and see where I’m going and what I’m taking with me. Here is the link http://wp.me/p7wYAB-f4,

About Siân Glírdan

Siân Glírdan is the fusion persona of the elven roleplay character, Janowyn, High Bard of the River Kingdom and her ‘real world’ creator, author, Jan Hawke. Glírdan is the elven word for ‘songsmith’, and Sîan is a Welsh variant of Jan (in case you were wondering!).
When it became obvious to Jan that Jano had a far better handle than she could ever have on writing in the fantasy genres, Sîan was born, fully formed and raring to go. A Freebooter’s Fantasy Almanac, which is basically the manual on how Jano was brought into being and developed, is Sîan and Jano’s first official collaboration. They’re currently working hard on an epic future fantasy series, loosely based on the ancient Celtic world. The first volume should reach the shelves at the end of 2016.

Freebooters Fantasy
Click cover to visit Amazon

 

SiânGlírdan

Jan Hawke (Siân Glírdan) is also the author of Milele Safari

Jan Hawke
Click Cover to Visit Amazon

 

Saturday Stream of Consciousness – Prompt “Man”

~ John W. Howell ~ 41 Comments

SOCS

 

It is Saturday Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This weeks prompt is “Man.” Linda Hill says we can use it by itself or as a word with “man” in it. Wow, this leads to all kinds of thoughts. I could address the issues of mankind, discuss man and woman, talk about the man in the moon. Knowing myself, I probably won’t do any of that stuff. If you would like to join in here is a link to Linda’s post. https://lindaghill.com/2017/03/17/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-mar-1817/

Man by John W. Howell ©2017

“What are you going to write about?”

“Man.”

“What?”

“Not what. I’m writing about man.”

“Oh, I thought you were calling me man.”

“No, the subject is man.”

“I see. So what are you going to write about?”

“Man.”

“Uh. I get that. What about man?”

“Well, I thought I would tell a story about a man.”

“What kind of story.”

“Um, maybe a story involving a man.”

“Hello is this mic on? I know it is about a man. What about the man?”

“Er. He is a man and—”

“Okay just stop there. I think you have no idea what you are going to write.”

“I resemble that. How did you know?”

“I think it would take an idiot not to know. You are stumbling around like a lost soul.”

“Hey. You just gave me a story idea.”

“I did? Tell me.”

“This guy meets up with the devil and is offered riches.”

“Oh please go on.”

“Here’s the good part. The devil want’s the man’s soul for the riches.”

“And when it comes time to collect the riches there is some hitch right?”

“You are clairvoyant. How did you know?”

“I watch reruns of the Twilight Zone which maybe ought to tell you something.”

“That you have no life.”

“Yeah right.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 63 Comments

 

TGIFAnother week has flown by. Well, at least it seems that way. I am sitting on the lower patio writing this post and I have to say the weather is perfect. Beautiful sky and temperature in the 70’s. The pups are having their sun bath and all is right with the world. I decided to post a picture of them relaxing instead of the usual Friday TGIF meme. Speaking of Friday this week’s JohnKu is all about enjoying the time we have been given. I hope you have a great weekend.

Enjoy by John W. Howell © 2017

Sunny day today,

Nary a cloud in the sky. . .

What is not to love.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Interview by Steve DeWinter

~ John W. Howell ~ 33 Comments

I am pleased to have appeared on Steve DeWinter’s interview show titled Fiction Silicon Vally Spotlight. On this show, Steve features Indy authors. Here is the link to the show on YouTube.

teve de WinterA little bit about Steve.

You can visit him at his information site to see all his books.

Steve is a #1 Bestselling Amazon Action & Adventure Sci-Fi Author who has also co-authored two fantasy novels with Charles Dickens.

Yes! That Charles Dickens. books have hit #1 on the Amazon Children’s Action & Adventure Sci-Fi Bestseller list, #1 on the Amazon Steampunk Bestseller list, and my adult thrillers reached as high as lucky #13 on the Amazon Action & Adventure Bestseller list. I also have the distinction of having nine books in the top twenty of the Amazon Children’s Action & Adventure Sci-Fi Bestseller list all at the same time.

His books have hit #1 on the Amazon Children’s Action & Adventure Sci-Fi Bestseller list, #1 on the Amazon Steampunk Bestseller list, and my adult thrillers reached as high as lucky #13 on the Amazon Action & Adventure Bestseller list. He also has the distinction of having nine books in the top twenty of the Amazon Children’s Action & Adventure Sci-Fi Bestseller list all at the same time.

When not writing, he curates other author’s work to find the best in children’s literature every month for Book-Rover’s monthly Book Box service which you can find at book-rover.com along with other great things on the horizon

Steve's book

Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day

~ John W. Howell ~ 45 Comments

It is Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we had further revelations that The Sheriff (Seth) and Alice never got a divorce. We didn’t find out why, and according to Seth, it is just one of those things. So far the widow is still missing, and Lucas hasn’t made much headway on the house. I think we should get back there and see if there are any other things we can find out about this weird community.
“Hey you, boy.”
“Yes, ma’am. I see you are back from the beauty shop.”
“Yeah, a bunch of nonsense. Say, I thought you would have been half way done by now.”
“Well, ma’am I’ve had a lot of interruptions is all.”
“Okay but I’m paying you by the job and not by the hour so if you want to fritter away your time that’s your business. Come down here for a moment.”
“Yes, ma’am what is it?”
“I wanted to warn you about that Alice Weston woman.”
“What about her Mrs. Murphy?”
“She’s a she-wolf in lamb’s clothing. I might add that clothing comes off too quickly in my mind.”
“W-what?”
“I just saw the sheriff in town, and he said she was around here while I was gone. That true?”
“W-well, yes ma’am. She was here.”
“She didn’t bother you did she?”
“No, ma’am. She was very nice.”
“That’s what I’m worried about, boy. A nice young man like you better take care.”
“Take care?”
“Yes. Take care that women doesn’t sweet talk you into anything you’ll regret.”
“I think I can take care of myself, ma’am.”
“Mind my words, Lucas. That woman is trouble and if you’re not careful you’ll get burned.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I’ll be careful. Now I’d better get back to work.”
“I was just fixen’ to make some lunch. Why don’t you come inside and wash up.”
“You yourself said I was frittering”
“Aw pay me no mind. I’m an old curmudgeon and get a little on my high horse sometimes. I would love to have some company for lunch. You look like you could use a good meal.”
“Yes, ma’am. I would be pleased. I’ll go put on a shirt.”
“Oh, no need. You are fine the way you are. Just come in. You can wash up in the spare bathroom.”

 

Tuesday – Anything Possible Kreative Kue #114 with Keith Channing

~ John W. Howell ~ 31 Comments

Keith explains.

“Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr 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.

Kreative Kue #114

The Agent by John W. Howell © 2017

“Are you sure Tom Brokaw got his start this way?”

“Of course he did, Amad baby. Trust me. Pay your dues and fame will be yours.”

“I’m not sure what hiring you as an agent did for me.”

“Aw, you know how to hurt a person. You don’t mean that at all.”

“I haven’t had a paying job since I signed with you.”

“Let’s not go into this right now. The camera man is setting up the shot. Hey you guys where is the sound tech?”

“You can’t order these people around. I work for them not the other way around.”

“Believe me, Ahmed baby. In this town agents are kings. We make the whole thing work. I can yell at whoever I want. Do you know your lines?”

“Of course I do. It is not hard.”

“Okay run them with me.”

“Do we have to right now? Everyone’s listening.”

“Yes, we do.”

“Okay here goes. Ahem, don’t forget folks, Manhattan Island used to be a deserted as this strip of land. Now is the time to invest for your future. Call 888-777-6666. Operators are standing by.”

“Excellent. I liked the way you punched up the word ‘now.’ You are a natural Ahmed baby. You’re going to be great.”

“How much is this gig worth?”

“You get a cut of every lot that’s sold.”

“What? I’m on commission?”

“Don’t call it a commission. I prefer to call it a royalty.”

“Who negotiated that arrangement with you?”

“The land owner.”

“Sounds like he knows how to negotiate.”

“He takes after me.”

“You are related?”

“He’s my son Amir.”

“Amir, my brother?”

“Hush Ahmed. Everyone’s looking.”

“Aw, mom.”

 

Top Ten Things Not to do in The Back of a Police Car

~ John W. Howell ~ 62 Comments

Spring Break

 

Spring break inspires many things. There are enough police interventions during this time to be an inspiration for some stories. I picked a small segment of time and provide advice to those who find themselves behind the grid so to speak.

Top Ten Things Not to do in The Back of a Police Car

By John W. Howell © 2017

10 In the back of a police car, do not start a campfire thinking you need to stay warm. If you do, at best the foam extinguisher may make your face break out. At worst, your dad will not answer your call, and the judge is remanding you over for psychological evaluation. (Looks like the cost of the car and long-term care will be on you, Pumpkin)

9 In the back of a police car, do not remove your clothes. If you do, at best you will be asked to put them back on. At worst, in addition to all the charges so far you have added indecent exposure. (Let’s see how this plays in the hometown paper, Bunky)

8 In the back of a police car, do not sing Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. If you do, at best you will be on key with no consequences. At worst, your performance will be videotaped and go viral showing up at every job interview background check for the next ten years. (Wonder why it’s so hard to find work, Buford?)

7 In the back of a police car, do not try to kick your way out. If you do, at best you may sprain an ankle. At worst, the resisting arrest charge will require arm and leg restraints for every court appearance. (Nothing makes one look guilty quite as much as chains huh, Tex?)

6 In the back of a police car, do not try hysterical crying as a method of possible release.  If you do, at best you may be locked up for your own protection. At worst, you may find yourself strapped to a gurney under observation at the local hospital. (This was not an intended result was it, Bucky?)

5 In the back of a police car, do not think you are in a public restroom. If you do, at best you find no place to wash up. At worst, you will notice the name tag on the officer now holding you around the neck which reads, “Tiny.” (You didn’t know this was Tiny’s (WWF champ) favorite car did you, Slug? Now it might be a little too late.)

4 In the back of a police car, do not whine about the tight handcuffs. If you do, at best you will be ignored. At worse, your cuffs will be traded out for a full straight jacket. (Makes the cuffs seem like a luxury right, Pard?)

3 In the back of a police car do not try to tell the officers how mush of a mistake they are making in arresting you. If you do, at best they will continue to ignore you. At worst, instead of a short ride and warning, they may personally drive you to the county jail and book you in. (Nothing like making it tougher on yourself huh, Slick?)

2 In the back of a police car do not wave and smile at everyone you pass. If you do, at best no one knows who you are. At worst, unbeknownst to you, some your parent’s friends witnessed your procession. (Those scholarship funds just aren’t going to cover all your college expenses now that you are cut off are they, Buster?)

1 In the back of a police car, pray you don’t get sick. If you do at best maybe the prayer will be answered. At worst, your prayer has been ignored, and you are now faced with two angry police officers and a very messy backseat. (Tomorrow morning ought to be a beaut huh, Roscoe?)