Top Ten Things Not to Do at Full Moon Campfire on the Beach

September 19, 2016September 18, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 46 Comments

Moon Rise

The inspiration for this post has been my attendance at some full moon campfires on the beach. Now I know everyone who will read this will not have the opportunity to attend some full moon campfires, but you never know and should be prepared. A full moon bonfire event usually has a collection of friends, a little food, and some adult beverages. The idea is to celebrate the moonrise with companionship and good cheer.

Top Ten Things Not to Do at a Full Moon Campfire on the Beach.

10 If you are at a full moon campfire, do not over rotate the demonstration of your fire building skills. If you do, at best your neighbors and friends will wonder if you have some problem with fire. At worst, the conflagration generated will take a company of firefighters and several thousands of dollars to get under control and damage repaired. (Boy, that gasoline sure went up quick didn’t it baldy?)

9 If you are at a full moon campfire, do not think volume alone will get everyone to like your selection of music. If you do, at best no one will hear you when you ask how they like the music. At worst, the accidental slip of your boombox into the tub of ice will generate a standing ovation. (You are just now beginning to suspect the fall wasn’t so accidental)

8 If you are at a full moon campfire, do not take the opportunity to talk non-stop about your favorite subject. If you do, at best you will end up talking to yourself. At worst, the generous folks who have put up with you for the last four full moon campfires will finally crack and will offer you a big cup of ” shut the f**k up.” (Wow! Where did that come from huh pilgrim?)

7 If you are at a full moon campfire, do not bring some exotic dish that only a food crank could love. If you do at best, you will have plenty of leftovers for tomorrow. At worst, someone will take a taste of your dish and ask loudly “who brought the dog food?” (So everyone didn’t care for charbroiled, sustainable, line-caught, tofu but did they have to be insulting?)

6 If you are at a full moon campfire, do not think you need to consume your weight in an adult beverage. If you do at best, you will fall asleep before anything embarrassing happens. At worst, you will be living down the suggestion that everyone go skinny dipping in the Gulf. (The funny part is you were the only one and that moon was the brightest.)

5 If you are at a full moon campfire, do not think you need to instruct everyone on the fine art of marshmallow roasting. If you do, at best most will ignore your technique and burn them anyway. At worst, the youngsters will now see you as that old fart who doesn’t know how to mind their own business. ( Halloween will be the time for the payback)

4 If you are at a full moon campfire, do not misplace your shoes. If you do, at best you will give the impression that you have lost your faculties as well. At worst, while searching in the dark, you will have stepped any number of beasties not to mention that corkscrew that old man Jenkins dropped last month.(Makes you wonder why you didn’t just keep them on doesn’t it?)

3 If you are at a full moon campfire, do not scream at every passing vehicle to slow down. (This is in Texas only where driving on the beach is allowed) If you do, at best you will lose your voice in a half hour. At worst, that hulk of a guy getting out of the truck happens to be named Tiny and just broke up with his girlfriend who used to tell him to slow down all the time. ( I guess you know how to pick ’em huh?)

2 If you are at a full moon campfire, do not think you need that twenty million candlepower military surplus flashlight. If you do, at best those you illuminate won’t pass out. At worst, that helicopter above you from homeland security is thinking the source of the light is a danger and is requesting permission to let go with the equivalent of a thousand gallon water balloon. (Good thing you wore your bathing suit Bunky.)

1 If you are at a full moon campfire, do not believe all the attendees will benefit from a full lecture on the type and history of this full moon. If you do, most will ignore what you have to say and will keep offering you a drink. At best, you will be looking at the moon and discussing the fine points without noticing the group has moved fire and all a quarter of a mile away. (You thought they were are stunned into silence by your brilliance didn’t you Professor? (Sure is lonely at the top.)

Views of the Neighborhood

September 18, 2016September 17, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 59 Comments

This week I thought I would give you a quick tour of the Port Aransas museum. The first photo is an external shot of the building which is a fine example of a kit house sold in the early 1900’s. A person would buy the home complete in a kit and then put it together on their land.

PA Museum

The creation of the Port Aransas Museum was accomplished through a joint effort between the Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association [PAPHA] and the City of Port Aransas.

PAPHA was created November 15, 2002. One of its goals was to create the first historical museum in Port Aransas to preserve and showcase the town’s history. Another was to inventory historic Port Aransas sites.

The site survey was accomplished by obtaining a matching grant in 2006. PAPHA also received the Visionaries in Preservation grant from the Texas Historical Commission, completing the process needed to advance as a preservation organization.

Owners of an early 1900s kit house offered to sell it to PAPHA where it stood. That was not an option due to the cost of land in Port Aransas and the lack of funds in the PAPHA treasury. Another option was for the owners to give the house to PAPHA to move to another location, which is what they did.

In 2007, Preservation Texas, a private, non-profit statewide preservation group, named the house one of the state’s top 12 most endangered structures.

Papers were signed transferring ownership to PAPHA on Feb. 8, 2007. The problem then was where and how to move it, and how to pay for all aspects, including remodeling into a museum after the move.

PAPHA applied for grants, held fundraisers and met with the City of Port Aransas, utility companies and movers. Enough money was raised to move the house, but not for land.

The City Council and City Manger agreed to find a place on city property for a museum, finally settling on part of the Community Center property site.

In April 2008 the house was moved to it’s current location. It was renovated and opened as a museum by December of the same year.

Here is a small sample of what is inside.

Farley boat — A depiction of the fishing trip of FDR in 1937

A Tarpon. Once plentiful in Port Aransas now very rare

PA Museum — Interesting exhibits of some extraordinary town citizens

I can’t possibly place all the photos of the interior in this post. Maybe someday you will visit and take a look. Thanks for reading

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “est”

September 17, 2016September 16, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 28 Comments

SOCS

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this week’s prompt is “est.” That’s right “est.” What the heck am I supposed to do with “est?” I guess I will just have to figure it out once I start my story. Linda Hill says to have fun with it so as a good soldier I will try. If you want to suffer a little go to Linda’s post and read how you can jump into this exercise. https://lindaghill.com/2016/09/16/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-sept-1716/

“I was wondering why you continue to invent these dialogs?”

“What are you talking about?. This is fun stuff.”

“Maybe for you, cause all you have to do is come up with sentences in response to what I say. I’m the one who has to work in the prompt.”

“Oh, poor baby. Are we feeling a little oppressed?”

“‘We’ are feeling like we have more of the heavy lifting on this prompt business.”

“Okay then I’ll take over the prompt part, and you just sit there and react to what I say.”

“You’re on. Go ahead.”

“What’s the prompt?”

“I can feel this is going to work well. The prompt is est.”

“What? Dis you hiss at me.”

“No. That’s the prompt E-S-T.”

“Est? What the hell kind of prompt is that?”

“Stop now. You are either going to play or give it back to me.’

“And have you whine for the rest of the day no thanks. Okay, I’ll give it a try. Ahem. Your girlfriend is the nicest.”

“Okay, you got one. Now leave my girlfriend out of this.”

“My, my. You certainly are sensitive. I would say the sensitivest.”

“Beep. No such word. Try again.”

“Hmm. Before I met you today, I was the busiest. Now I’m playing a word game.”

“That works. How are you going to keep folks entertained with this stuff?”

“What’s the problem I have two.”

“Yeah and no one cares. You are not doing anything with the prompt.”

“Like what.”

“Like tell a story. You are just picking words out of the air.”

“Well, why didn’t you say so. Here goes. There was a guy who was the baddest, ablest, calmest, deadliest, evilest, and most contrary person in town.”

“Now you’re talking go on.”

“Well he walked into the bar and yelled,’who is the fastest gun in the place?”‘

“Then what?”

“Some other guy jumped up and said ‘I may not be the fastest but am the gnarliest.'”

“Now I see where you are going?”

“What?”

“You are saying “est” words in alphabetical order.”

“Story is good though isn’t it?”

“No comment.”

A Big Thanks to Olga Nunez Miret for Helping to Launch #Newbook Our Justice

September 16, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 2 Comments

olga translator

Olga NÃºÃ±ez Miret

Thank you so much Olga Nunez Miret for the lovely post in support of the launch of Our Justice. Please visit Olga right HERE

A Big Thank You to Jan Sikes For Helping Launch #Newbook Our Justice

September 16, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 1 Comment

Jan Sikes

Thank you, Jan Sikes, for the post announcing the launch of Our Justice. You can see her post HERE.

Jan Sikes

A Big Thank You to Jill Weatherholt for Helping Launch #Newbook Our Justice

September 16, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 1 Comment

JILL WEATHERHOLT

Writing Stories of Love, Faith, and Happy Endings While Enjoying the Journey

Jill Weatherholt

A big thank you to Jill Weatherholt for posting the announcement of the launch of Our Justice. You can visit her post HERE.

Friday – JohnKu AKA – TGIF

September 16, 2016September 13, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 32 Comments

It’s Friday again and time to look back on the week. It has been a good one except for the stock market concerns over the lower price of oil. I can never figure that one out. A lower price of oil means lower cost of manufacturing and travel. A lower cost of manufacturing and travel means more income. More income means more discretionary spending. More discretionary spending means better profits. Better profits mean a healthy economy. OH, I GET IT NOW! The street is worried about rising interest rates. So yeah, let’s sell off all our stock because we are worried about a .25% increase in interest rates. Investing in the market should be called gambling on the market. Today’s JohnKu talks to a gamble and the market.

Take your earned money,

Throw it hard against the wall. . .

Yours to keep has stuck.

Thursday – A little Personal – Kreative Kue #94 By Keith Channing

September 15, 2016September 13, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 23 Comments

Another photo prompt from Keith Channing. Here is his explanation.

“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 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 #94

“Now what makes you think that person is reading your mind?”

“Look at her. She seems to know what I’m thinking.”

“Come on you haven’t even talked to her. How do you know?”

“I don’t want to tell you. You’ll laugh.”

“I might laugh anyway since you are being foolish. Let’s go talk to her.’

“No that’s the last thing she wants.”

“What are you talking about? You know this is not funny anymore.”

“I know. It is about that guy we passed on the road. Remember him?”

“You mean the one with the sign that said, ‘Help Me?”‘

“That’s the one.”

“What about him?”

“We should have stopped.”

“This has gone far enough. What do you mean,’we should have stopped”‘

“I think that guy is an angel.”

“Now you are scaring me. let’s go.”

“We can’t now.”

“Why not?”

“We need to wait for the guy.”

“Who says so.”

“She just told me.”

“Um. She is way over there.”

“She is talking to me now.”

“How? Her lips aren’t moving.”

“I don’t know. In my head.”

“What is she saying?”

“Help him.”

Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day

September 14, 2016September 12, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 33 Comments

Hump Day

It is Wednesday Story Day again which means we have to go back there and check on Mrs. Worthe and Ben (Please don’t make me.) Last week we left Ben in a position where he was offered a fifty-thousand dollar payoff if he would go with the Worthe’s to the Cayman Islands. Mrs. Worthe asked him to step in the house so she could get the money. The last line spoken last week was by Ben and he said, “After you Mrs. Worthe.”
“Why thank you, Ben. You are such a gentleman after all.”
“Truth be told I don’t want to turn my back on you .”
“Now there you go you, naughty boy. Being rude again.”
“Well, I calls em as I sees em.”
“Cute. Where did you get that one an old Gabby Hayes movie?”
“Who?”
“Never mind. Stay here I’ll get the money.”
“OMG look who’s here.”
“Hi, Alexis. How are you?”
“Just fine Ben. Mom told me you had gone away.”
“She could only hope.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Your mom has invited me to the Cayman’s?”
“No way.”
“Yes, way. She wants me to come with you guys and soak up a little sun before she eliminates me.”
“Don’t talk silliness. She’s not going to hurt you.”
“Well, I have to beg to differ. She is in the bedroom getting $50,000 for me. It’s an incentive to get me to go.”
“Fifty thousand? How about us. Isn’t that incentive enough.”
“You told me to get lost.”
“My mom told me you told her that you didn’t want to see me anymore.”
“As I said it was a lie.”
“Let’s not fight, Ben. After all, we have a whole month together. Who knows what can happen.”
“You give up your nun vows?”
“You bad boy. I wasn’t talking about that. I was talking about the beach, pool, and nightclubs.”
“Yeah, I could have guessed.”
“Who is that coming up the walk. Why it’s Father Lightfoot. What do you suppose brings him here.”
“Not sure. I have a feeling it’s going to be an expensive visit, though.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible with The Experimental Notebook of C.S.Boyack II and Lisa Burton #RRBC

September 13, 2016August 26, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 63 Comments

Today I am so happy to welcome Lisa Burton once again to Fiction Favorites. For those of you who have been roleplaying vampires too long and haven’t been out much, Lisa is the robot assistant of Author C.S Boyack. Don’t let the term robot throw you. Lisa is every bit as human as I, as I, as I am. She is a terrific spokesperson and is used to help Craig with his promotional programs. Also noteworthy is the fact that Lisa is much better looking than Craig, so you have to respect his intellect on the choice. Without further blather, I present Lisa Barton who is here to discuss C.S.Boyack’s latest book.

Thanks for having me over again. The last time I was here I think I was interviewing you. You might find it interesting that you played a role in some of the goings on at Entertaining Stories.

My job today is to promote Craig’s new book, so we ought to deal with that first. It’s called The Experimental Notebook of C. S. Boyack II. The book is Craig’s second collection of short stories and micro-fiction. The first one was pretty popular, so he decided to do it again.

The covers have a theme going, and Craig could carry this on for quite a while. There is one alchemy wheel on the first book, two appear on this cover, and there will be three on the next one – if he produces it.

These are all speculative fiction and there is some paranormal, some science fiction, and one that barely passes for fantasy. There are also two in the collection that aren’t speculative at all. Because of them, this collection has more stories than the first one. Craig considers them as free add-ons. They deal with murder, though, so somebody ought to like that.

Craig likes to revisit at least one character from his novels in these collections. I was proud to get a short story in the first book, but this time, it fell to someone else. Pete Rogers is a gangly teenager in Craig’s novel Will O’ the Wisp. In this story he’s all grown up, has a wife and new baby, and is trying to make his way in the world. The story has also moved from the 1970s to the 1980s, but there are less cultural references in a short story. Pete winds up having quite a rough night on the same ground where everything went down in Will O’ the Wisp.

The story is called Night Bump Radio, and you, John helped out with some of the radio lingo in the story. Craig said to tell you; you’re an honorary Research Siren. (“I’m touched,” says John. “Thank you, Craig”)

About this time, you came up with the idea of having me interview you for a blog post. I’d never heard of anything like this, and neither had Craig. A fictional character interviewing a real author, pretty unique. Of course, we wanted to participate.

When Night Bump Radio was written, we discussed it as being one of the posters to promote this book. We acquired the poster, but I stole it. This was the birth of Lisa Burton Radio, the show where I interview the fictional characters, including Ned Tranes and John Cannon.

Lisa Burton

It wouldn’t be like me to show up at a promotional stop and not bring a gift. My posters reflect, but not 100%, one of the stories in the collection. This one is from a story called Career Move. People are more than welcome to snitch it and use it as a background image on a PC, iPad, phone, or whatever.

The Experimental Notebook of C. S. Boyack is only 99¢. For that price, I think it’s well worth the risk. Thanks for inviting me today, and Craig’s looking forward to hosting you on your own promotional tour.

Thanks, Lisa. I was honored to be one of Craig’s beta readers for both of the notebooks, and I can say they are both books everyone is going to want to own. At $0.99 (A third of a Starbucks coffee) these have to be one of the best literary buys around. I hope Craig will give me a shot at a beta read for number three.

Please come back again.