Thursday – A Little Personal – Our Justice Cover Reveal

July 21, 2016July 20, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 48 Comments

As you know, I have been slowly plugging away at getting Our Justice, the last of the John J. Cannon Trilogy, ready for launch.

I am very pleased to reveal the e-book copy of the book cover. So without much fanfare, I give you Our Justice and John J. Cannon.

Our Justice

Our Justice Cover

I am now taking orders for Advanced Reading Copies. These are a copy of the edited and formatted book without a cover. If you would like a copy, please e-mail me at johnhowell (dot) wave (at) gmail.com. Please indicate your preference of PDF, e-pub, or Mobi. Although I place no restrictions on the ARCs, it is hoped you will review the published book when you have finished it. The expected publication date is September first, and the copies will be available August first. I will send an ARC to the first Twenty, who e-mail me.

Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day

July 20, 2016July 17, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 34 Comments

Drunk in College

Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we left Ben acting on the suggestion of Father Lightfoot (Raymond)and trying (in his own way) to seduce Mrs. Worth. I’m almost afraid to go back for fear we’ll see Trudy Worthe embraced in a long hug with Ben. Go back we must, or there will be no point in reading this post any further. (tempting isn’t it?)
“There now doesn’t that feel good.”
“For heaven’s sake, you are holding me too tight. I can’t get my breath.”
“Oh really. You know when I was in High school I was the wrestling champion of my state.”
“That’s not too romantic. Especially when I’m having a tough time breathing.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Is that better?”
“Yes, much better. I must say you have powerful arms.”
“Thank you. I think they were made to be wrapped around you.”
“You naughty boy. That was sweet.”
“Tell me. Do you trust me a little more?”
“I have to admit lying here in your arms does feel good.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“Yes. I trust you more.”
“Do you think we have a future together?”
“What do you mean future?”
“Well, stuff like having sex and hanging out.”
“I’m not sure I could have sex with you.”
“Why?”
“For one thing, I’m married. For another, there is no end of the road. It would be sex for sex’s sake.”
“What’s wrong with that arrangement?”
“I just need security too much I think. If I had sex with you, I would have to leave Mr. Worthe, and he and I have too much joint property to have that happen.”
“Do you have to tell him?”
“He would know.”
“How?”
“He is superb at picking up little signs. He might smell your aftershave or detect a change in me.”
“Sounds like you have gone through this before.”
“I have, and it wasn’t pretty.”
“Any chance of fooling him?”
“Not a chance.”
“Maybe we can think of a way.”
“I’m all ears.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible Kreative Kue #86 by Keith Channing

July 19, 2016July 18, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 45 Comments

Keith Channing has been passing us photo prompts for about a year. In his words “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 – for reasons I have yet to fathom, pingbacks don’t seem to be working.

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 #86

“Martha get out of that drug store and come see this.”

“What is it?”

“See that girl over there?”

“Girl? Oh, you mean that young woman by the statue.”

“Yes, that’s the one.”

“So what about her?”

“I think I saw her touch the statue.”

“Well, that’s not against the law.”

“I know, but I believe she reached for his parts.”

“Parts? What the heck are you talking about?”

“You know his equipment.”

“How can you tell this happened?”

“I was minding my own business and happen to look over, and the statue started moving after the gi….er woman reached her hand up in front. I couldn’t see if she touched him but he started waving his hands.”

“Okay, that will be the last time we have wine with lunch. You know statues can’t move.”

“I’m telling you that one did. Come and look.”

“Oh my gosh. He doesn’t have any clothes on.”

“When is the last time you saw a statue with clothes. No more lunch wine for you either Martha.”

“My goodness he looks alive, and I think he should put his pants on.”

“Do you know how silly that sounds?”

“Why is that young woman laughing.”

“You tell me.”

“I feel like giggling myself.”

“Behave yourself.”

“Maybe one little touch.”

“Martha, you’re making a fool out of yourself. I’m going to get someone to find that statue some clothes.”

“Yes, Clarence you do that. Take your time darling. I’ll keep watch to make sure he doesn’t get away.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do at a High School Reunion – Replay

July 18, 2016July 17, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 34 Comments

As you may know, I have taken a temporary assignment in organized commerce. I have been entirely consumed in that task so if you will forgive me I’m running a Top Ten Things Not to Do from the past. Next week may not be so hectic, so I will get some new material together (I hope)

This one ran last year on July 16th. I hope you enjoy the replay.

This list is as a result of seeing some high school reunion photos and messages on some social media sites. I have never attended a high school reunion, so the information captured here has been matters of here say and recounting of others about their reunion.

Top Ten Thing Not to do at a High School Reunion

10 If you attend a high school reunion, do not pose for photos that you don’t know where they will end up. If you do at best, the photos will only be traded among classmates. At worst, they will end up on the “what the not to wear, eat, or drink” website.(Which will go viral and you’ll be getting calls from the Today show to appear on their segment called EXCESS)

9 If you attend a high school reunion, do not pretend to be what you are not. If you do, at best your little fib will be seen as a joke. At worst, your profile on the class newsletter will be featured under the title Most Successful Grad. (Which will be picked up by the news services and published by your newspaper)

8 If you attend a high school reunion, do not bring a date that you do not know simply because they are beautiful. If you do, at best your charade will be found out early with no consequences. At worst, your date will discover the actual reason you brought them and will make an exit and a scene remembered for the next five reunions. (Only you passing away will halt the story telling)

7 If you attend a high school reunion, do not rent an expensive car for your grand entrance. If you do, at best you will look overly anxious to impress and get the opposite reaction. At worst, the valet will take your rental car for a spin and inadvertently leave the side chrome on the street fleeing a hit and run accident. (Which you will easily be able to explain to the judge)

6 If you attend a high school reunion, do not try to hide the fact that you don’t remember everyone’s name. If you do, at best you will look like a fool trying to check name tags without being caught. At worst, you will call someone by a different name, and the name will be associated by that person to an old flame or rival. (You will have lots a bunch of points on that one)

5 If you attend a high school reunion, do not take this time to argue fine points about your grades with your old teachers. If you do, at best the teachers will wish they had flunked you. At worst, one of them may remember you failed to turn in that assignment in the eleventh grade that will require you to repeat the course and nullify your high school diploma. (Try explaining that to your boss)

4 If you attend a high school reunion, do not think your old flame wants to begin where you left off just by smiling at you. If you do, at best you will be embarrassed to learn they are happily married. At worst, you will be a little too forward thinking all is forgiven only to be arrested as you leave the building for assault. ( Gotta remember no means no)

3 If you attend a high school reunion, do not assume the free drinks at the bar carry no consequences. If you do, at best you may exhibit a little tipsiness that everyone will think is cute. At worst, you will have the honor and resulting infamy of passing out on top of the Congratulations Class cake. (The clothes you’re wearing belong to your roommate as well.)

2 If you go to a high school reunion, do not offer to be part of the planning committee for the next one. If you do, at best everyone will forget your offer. At worst, you will be appointed chairperson with all the rights and responsibilities to make the nest one the best ever. (You will also want to get a Xanax prescription)

1 If you go to a high school reunion, do not tell everyone you meet that “we must get together.” If you do at best, they will all wonder if you are having a breakdown. At worst, the ones you least want to see will stay in touch long enough to cop a free overnight on their way through your town. (Plus they have some kind of foot infection that requires you to burn your sheets when they leave)

Views of the Neighborhood

July 17, 2016July 16, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 44 Comments

The city of Port Aransas does not allow food trucks to operate within the city limits. If you want a good meal, snack or drink on the quick and you want high quality there are some excellent places to go.

Tropical Snow

Here is one of the famous places. It is called Tropical Sno and is in the parking lot of a liquor store. As you can see, it is kind of busy. Yes, those are people standing in line. There are two cute signs in the window that you can read in this photo.

Tropic Sno

“Here I am. What are your other two wishes?” and “Making Mouths weird colors.”

Another outlet is the Lemonade stand. Here is one run by some young folks. They make a mean Arnold Palmer. (Of course, they never heard of Arnold Palmer)

Lemonade stand

For some real down home cooking with a gourmet flair, you can’t beat John Shaw and his Hog Island Taco stand. Here is what he was cooking yesterday.

Menue

Sounds delicious and you can bet it is. John is a fabulous cook and puts out some satisfying, delicious food.

Here is a shot of the outside of John’s restaurant.

Hog Island Tacos

Inside was jam packed with folks waiting for their food. That’s Johh Shaw on the left doing the cooking.

John Shaw

When any of us get the craving for fresh shrimp, we go to the dock and check out when the next load of shrimp is do to arrive.

Shrimp sign

It looks like when you are reading this blog, I should be down standing in line for $5.00 a pound jumbo shrimp.

Here is the boat that brings it all in. The Polly Anna.

Shrimp boat

Well, that’s the View for this week.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “If/Then”

July 16, 2016July 15, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 25 Comments

If you don’t know, it is Saturday Stream of Consciousness time again. This week’s prompt is “If/Then.” Linda Hill also is allowing bonus points for beginning the post with “If” and ending the post with “Then.” If you would like to participate here is the link to check out. https://lindaghill.com/2016/07/15/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-1616/

“If I told you that I love you what would you do?”

“If you said that, I’d wonder what you’re up to.”

“Aw come on. You know I like you.”

“Like is one thing. Love is another.”

“Okay, I’ll keep my thoughts to myself.”

“So what thoughts do you have.”

“I think I will keep them to myself.”

“Oh, pouting are we?”

“No. I just don’t want you to get spooked.”

“I don’t spook easily.”

“Let’s just say I want you to know I care for you.”

“That is so sweet.”

“Thank you, I think. Do we have a future?”

“We can hang out until we know each other better. I’ll answer you then.”

Friday JohnKu -AKA – TGIF

July 15, 2016July 10, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 14 Comments

A week filled with meetings, time pressure, presentations, and general mayhem. As George C. Scott said while playing the role of Gen George Patton, “God I love it.”

Since I need to keep my nose to the grindstone, I’ll keep this short. The JohnKu speaks to busy. And a special note to Dale, I double checked each syllable. Also, this was briefly published last Sunday. I apologize since that was a mistake.

Meetings and mayhem,

Mark the workday as it flies. . .

Friday is magic.

Thursday – A Little Personal

July 14, 2016July 14, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 42 Comments

Since I have hauled back into honest work, I have had to sacrifice some of the fun of being an author for the sake of the available time. One of the joys of being an indie author is formatting the manuscript for publication. You know, the four or five late nights as you struggle with getting the Create Space and Kindle formats in place. Let’s not mention the euphoria that comes with getting a table of contents working. Oh Yeah!

Jo Robinson

Well, I’m pleased to report I outsourced my most favorite activity next to a sharp stick in the eye. Jo Robinson who you know as a talented author provides services to Indie authors. You can go HERE to check them all, but she was a Godsend when it came time to do the formatting work on the next John J. Cannon Thriller which I needed badly.

So thank you, Jo. You save my butt and I am now a believer in professional formatting.

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue by Keith Channing

July 12, 2016July 11, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 30 Comments

This week’s photo prompt (below) from Keith Channing in his own words. “Using this photo 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 – for reasons I have yet to fathom, pingbacks don’t seem to be working.

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 #85