Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Complicated

February 25, 2025February 24, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 70 Comments

Today, I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 147. I closed my eyes and pointed to the page. The word readable nearest my finger was “complicated,” which became our prompt.

“It’s complicated.”

“I’m sure it is, but tell me.”

“I’d rather not.”

“Why?”

“Because you could get hurt feelings.”

“Oh, come on. We have known each other long enough not to get hurt feelings from the truth.”

“You may think that, but I know better.”

“What do you mean?”

“Remember that time you wanted that stupid T-shirt.”

“The one that said, “I’d rather be on top?”

“That’s the one.”

“You talked me out of it.”

“And remember how hurt you were?”

“Well, I thought it would be good for a laugh.”

“Yeah, until a time that your mother might see it.”

“Okay, I get your point. I guess I did have hurt feelings that you thought my humor was gross.”

“The word is vulgar.”

“Okay, okay. I’ve changed, and you can tell me anything now.”

“Uh-huh.”

“So what is wrong with my idea?”

“First off. You have been listening to Frank Sinatra, right?”

“Well, yes.”

“And now you think you can move that rubber tree plant.”

“The song has inspired me.”

“Not to hurt your feelings, but as an ant, you can’t. Don’t give me that high hopes, malarkey either.”

“Okay, I’m going to listen to you.”

“Be still my beating heart. Why now?”

“Cause I don’t think that plant will fit in the foyer.”

“Okay, I can live with that.”

“And there is some new sugar the humans dropped on the floor, which we don’t want to go to waste.”

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Storybook Walk – Conclusion

February 23, 2025February 22, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 70 Comments

Today, we are returning to the Lakeway Storybook walk’s Black History Month exhibit. If you missed the first you can go HERE and catch up. I have to let you know the photos were a challenge. It was overcast but the glass fronts on the enclosures reflected all the trees. I did my best but some are marginal. We are catered by Garrison of Austin and our entertainment is Louis Armstrong.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “In Person”

February 22, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

Finally back to a normal schedule, it was good to see the coffee machine in person. She wanted to know where I had been. Rather than go through a long story, the simple answer was,”Out.” Never to be left in the dark the machine asked,”Where?” My response stopped the discussion right then and there, “Reproductive problems.”

Of course the reproduction mentioned was a book tour but the machine decided not to pursue the subject. My coffee was delivered hot and fragrant. One sip and my mind went to the clock. The setting is for February 21, 1925. The location is New York city, and the duration is one hour. A pull of the plunger and we find ourselves in the offices of the New Yorker at 25 West 45th Street in Manhattan. The staff is celebrating the first issue.

The New Yorker was founded by Harold Ross (1892–1951) and his wife Jane Grant (1892–1972), a New York Times reporter, and debuted on February 21, 1925. Ross wanted to create a sophisticated humor magazine that would be different from perceivably “corny” humor publications such as Judge, where he had worked, or the old Life. Ross partnered with entrepreneur Raoul H. Fleischmann (who founded the General Baking Company) to establish the F-R Publishing Company. Ross edited the magazine until his death in 1951. During the early, occasionally precarious years of its existence, the magazine prided itself on its cosmopolitan sophistication. Ross declared in a 1925 prospectus for the magazine: “It has announced that it is not edited for the old lady in Dubuque.”

Just as the Champaign was openede the alarm too me back to the couch. A text from Linda Hill has come in. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “in person.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

To see what others have done with the prompt visit Linda’s blog. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2025/02/21/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-feb-22-2025/

“So you visited the offices of the New Yorker in person.”

“Nice job on nailing the prompt early.”

“Since you were gone, I thought about how to do that early in the discussion.”

“So we could concentrate on other matters I suppose.”

“How clever you are. How was the tour?”

“Terrific. All the volunteers did a fabulous job. There is one more stop on Wednesday the 26th but we are pretty much back to normal.”

“I missed out trips to the pub.”

“Yeah, Ill bet. Speaking of that did you manage to find someone else to go with you.”

“No. I stayed at home.”

“Doesn’t sound like you.”

“Well without you there is no reason to go.”

“Dear me. Okay let’s get going. Uber?”

“Right over there.”

“Now this looks appealing”

“Yeah, we get a couple of cheese steaks with the ride.”

“i don’t eat beef.”

“I know. You’ll have a cheese steak with no steak.”

“A toasted cheese then.”

“Yeah. You got it.”

“Okay let’s go.”

“You’ll enjoy it. I promise.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

February 21, 2025February 20, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 85 Comments

An example of the pods at Dallas Love Field Airport – credit: JetWind Corporation

Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network.

Jet Engine Exhaust is Turned into Electricity to Power Dallas International Airport

By Andy Corbley –Feb 20, 2025

An intuitive piece of hardware collects days’ worth of renewable energy from airplane engine exhaust before takeoff from a Dallas airport.

“Boarding is completed” is a common refrain heard over the intercom system in the moments before taxiing to the runway.

At that moment, the pilot will begin a series of engine tests and pre-flight checks, during which the turbine engines will idle with their ferocious noise and exhaust fumes.

A company called JetWind has realized that all that idling force is like the strong winds needed to power a wind turbine and has built a series of pods that can capture it during the 5-10 minutes the aircraft is sitting at the gate waiting for clearance to taxi.

“The main goal of our project is to harness the consistent wind created by jets and convert it into an eco-friendly energy source,” JetWind’s founder and president, Dr. T. O. Souryal, told Interesting Engineering.

“What was once considered wasted energy can now benefit energy grids, ultimately promoting smarter and more sustainable infrastructure across the globe.”

Three years of testing between 2021 and 2024 have informed the official deployment of JetWind’s flagship product at Dallas Love Field airport. 13 sets of pods will sit beneath the gate hooked up to external batteries that connect to the grid the airport uses. Solar panels add to the energy generation, and the whole set can create about 30 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy, enough to power a family home for a few days.

While it isn’t nearly what the average airport will consume during a day of operations, when combined with 12 other systems like it, it can make a big difference in reducing the building’s carbon footprint.

“Dallas Love Field has always been a hub of progress, and the introduction of JetWind’s Energy Capturing Pods reinforces its position as a testing ground for innovative technologies,” said former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert.

“By converting man-made wind into energy, we highlight Dallas as a leader in sustainable solutions and prove that cities can take significant steps toward tackling global energy challenges.”

The debut of the JetWind pods at Love Field has attracted attention from around the globe, including companies and governments from Switzerland, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, the UK, France, and Australia.

The good news in today’s story is that not all energy projects are enormous. Even the little ones count. Today’s JohnKu is about little steps. I hope you have a beautiful weekend.

Even small projects,

Can add up to big savings . . .

It is worth small steps.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste confront Winter Weather

February 20, 2025February 19, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 128 Comments

“Not sure going outside to play is a good idea, Tempeste.”

“Why not? Looks okay to me.”

“Mom took me for a walk earlier and it was cold.”

“Cold? Since when does Texas cold bother us?”

“This was a little bit colder than Texas cold. It was freezing.”

“Hey Dad. How cold is it out there?”

“Right now it is 22 degrees Fahrenheit ( Minus 5.5 C) Feels like 2 degrees F (minus 16.6 C)”

” Well that does seem a little colder than we are use to.”

“I wouldn’t plan on spending too much time out there.”

“Okay Dad. We appreciate the advice.”

“Well Tempeste. What do you think?”

“Hold on. Wait till Dad is out of ear shot.”

“Yeah he’s gone. What do you think?”

“I say a couple of sweaters and we are good to go. I’m going to have a look see.”

“How does it look?”

“Would you believe there is snow on the neighbor’s roof?”

“You’re kidding.”

“I’m not kidding. There are flurries blowing around. I think Dad is right. Let’s hit the couch.”

“Sometimes that old guy knows what he is talking about, Twiggy.”

“I’m just glad he doesn’t put us to work or something.”

“Work? Whats that?”

“The curse of the sleeping class.”

Views of the Neighborhood – A Concert at the Lakeway Activity Center

February 16, 2025February 15, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 66 Comments

Today, we are visiting the Lakeway Activity Center to attend a concert by the singing group A Capella Texas. This concert is in a series of brown bag lunch concerts sponsored by The Lakeway Arts Committee.

Here’s a little about A Cappella Texas.

A Cappella Texas entertains audiences with world-class a cappella harmony featuring new and challenging contemporary a cappella, doo-wop, gospel music, and traditional barbershop arrangements. Since 1961, Austin has been home to a Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) chapter. In the past six decades, the Austin Chapter and its quartets have brought people together in harmony and fellowship to enrich lives through singing. Hundreds of local singers and schools have joined in the fun as they have encouraged and preserved the uniquely American a cappella art form known as barbershop music.

We are catered by Acre 41 of Austin, and our entertainment is Home Free.

Eggs Your Way – bacon or sausage, breakfast potatoes, toast

Tres Leches French Toast – strawberries, powdered sugar, whipped cream

Huevos Rancheros – sunny egg, crispy tortilla, black bean, avocado, jalapeno, queso fresco

Salmon Poke Bowl – maitake, edamame, cucumber, avocado, ponzu, sushi rice

Wagyu Flat Iron & Eggs – eggs your way, breakfast potatoes

Spinach & Mushroom Egg White Omelet – havarti, breakfast potatoes, toast

Smoked Ham & Pimento Cheese Omelet – house pimento cheese, breakfast potatoes, toast

Buttermilk Pancakes – blackberry preserve, maple syrup

Sausage & Egg Burrito – chicken sausage, queso chihuahua, pepper jack, salsa roja

Thick Bacon Benedict – hollandaise, English muffin, asparagus, poached eggs

Picture of an old time school bus

Let’s go

The Activity Center.

The Center courtyard. Places to relax.

Tortoise ceramics in the courtyard

There is a sign for the performance.

Tables decked out for Valentine’s Day.

The Chairperson of the Arts Committee welcomes everyone.

A nice turnout.

Some know how to do it.

Getting ready for the performance.

The Chairperson of the A Capella Texas group makes an introduction.

There they are. A note on the

Up a lazy river.

A wonderful concert. Now, it is time to enjoy some acapella music and enjoy brunch.

Saturday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste at Play

February 15, 2025February 14, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 125 Comments

“Yes, mom. Twiggy and I are here playing.”

“Go on out there. She is looking for us.”

“Okay, Mom. I’ll tell her.”

“Tell me what?”

“Mom says not to rub the chairs and to play nice.”

“The only reason the chairs are facing out is so you won’t jump on the table.”

“Do you know how much fun it is to land in the center?”

“The last time you had that bowl of roses all over the place.”

“I’m going to shake some sense into Crabbie.”

“That crab has no sense, so good luck.”

“You want to trade toys?”

“Mmm. I’m happy with this one.”

“What, Mom? Yes, we are playing together.”

“That’s pretty funny. We aren’t even close to playing together.”

“Well, we could if you would share that doll.”

“I’m almost finished with it.”

“So I can play with it?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“Wow. It looks pretty wet.”

“You know how it is with toys and mouths.”

“Okay. What did you have for breakfast? Whale?”

“You saying it’s funky?”

“It smells days old. Where are you going?”

“Out to get Crabbie.”

“That will be a no. I just can’t let you do that.”

“Alright, I’ll leave Crabbie alone if you stop tickling me.”

“Say, Uncle.”

“No way.”

Views of the Neighborhood – Potpourri

February 9, 2025February 8, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 81 Comments

Today, we visit the neighborhood to check on things we might not have seen before. Since it is Super Bowl Sunday, we will have a traditional Super Bowl offering.

We are catered by Doc’s Backyard Grill, with their Superbowl menu. Our entertainment is The 1985 Chicago Bears.

WINGS

BONELESS HOT WINGS

TRADITIONAL HOT WINGS

WHITE WINGS – Chicken & fresh jalapenos wrapped in smoked applewood bacon and tossed in buffalo wing sauce

APPETIZERS

BEAN & CHEESE NACHOS, PULLED PORK NACHOS -Pulled pork, goat cheese, black beans, red onions, and cilantro.

SHRIMP NACHOS – Blackened shrimp. Monterey Jack cheese, black beans, red onions, cilantro, and avocado.

QUESO – Topped with pico de gallo.

FAJITA NACHOS – Fajita chicken or marinated steak.

GUACAMOLE

SLIDERS

FISH SLIDERS – Three blackened or hand-battered fish sliders topped with Doc’s Sriracha coleslaw.

BAT SLIDERS – Three smoked applewood bacon, avocado, chipotle mayo, and tomato sliders topped with Doc’s Sriracha coleslaw.

DOC’S MINI CHEESEBURGER SLIDERS – Three sliders topped with American cheese and grilled onions.

BUFFALO CHICKEN SLIDERS -Three buffalo chicken sliders with bleu cheese crumbles.

PULLED PORK SLIDERS – Three pulled pork sliders topped with BBQ sauce & Doc’s Sriracha coleslaw

BURGERS/SANDWICHES

CHEESE BURGER – Lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. Served with a pickle spear.

BRUNCH BURGER: A half-pound patty, fried egg, applewood bacon, hash browns, tomatoes, and queso.

TORT BURGER: Guacamole, cheddar cheese, and pico de gallo are served in flour tortillas, quesadilla style, with a side of queso and tortilla chips.

BBQ APPLEWOOD BACON CHEDDAR BURGER – Smoked applewood bacon, BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, and grilled onions. Served with a pickle spear.

BLACKENED JALAPEÑO CHEDDAR BURGER – Grilled jalapeños, onions, peppers, cheddar cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes.

VEGGIE BURGER – Black bean chipotle burger, lettuce, tomatoes and onions.

LONE STAR CHICKEN SANDWICH – Grilled chicken breast, smoked applewood bacon, guacamole, Monterey Jack cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes.

BBQ PULLED PORK SANDWICH- Pulled pork, BBQ sauce, and onions.

Served with a pickle spear.

BUFFALO CHICKEN SANDWICH: Fried chicken breast tossed in Buffalo sauce, bleu cheese crumbles, lettuce, and tomatoes with crinkle fries.

BLACKENED FISH SANDWICH – Blackened fish filet, lettuce, and tomatoes.

Picture of an old time school bus

Hop on the bus, and let’s get rolling.

Here is a cute puppy angel.

A happy turtle.

I have no idea what all this is.

A cute rosemary bush.

Now we’re talking.

A wire hen with stone eggs.

A doubtful frog.

An intense Cardinal.

Need help with this one.

A Valentine’s Day decoration.

You must look carefully, but here is another Valentine’s Day nod.

I hope you liked the tour. Time to sit back, enjoy the food and music, and get ready for the game. Here’s wishing you a lovely week.

Saturday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste in the Sun

February 8, 2025February 7, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 114 Comments

“Where you going, Twiggy?”

“I want to take a sun bath.”

“Sunbath? What is a sunbath?”

“It’s where you lay out in the sun and let the sun warm your bones.

“Anything with the word bath in it can’t be good.”

“Oh, you would be surprised how good.”

“Do you need shampoo and stuff?”

“No, you just bring yourself and the sun take care of everything.”

“Does it get in your eyes and sting?”

“No, and your shampoo doesn’t do that either.”

“Do you get all wet and shivery?”

“Of course not; the sun is nice and warm. I’m heading for the cot.”

“I always make mom think I am being killed when she gives me a bath.”

“Yeah, I have heard you. Come on out here. It is lovely.”

“Okay, so I’m here. What is that nasty stain?”

“It’s been here since we moved in. I think a worker dropped something on the concrete. Ignore it.”

“The weather is nice but I’m just unsure of the bath thingy.”

“Stop being a baby and get over here.”

“Whoa. You were absolutely right. This is like heaven.”

“I told you. Well, just relax and let the sun do its job.”

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Story Walk Ribbon Cutting

February 2, 2025February 22, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 76 Comments

Today, we are heading to the new Lakeway Story Walk ribbon cutting. According to the Lakeway Parks and Recreation site, here is some background.

“This year, we are thrilled to unveil our new Story Walk Display along the City Hall Trail! These Storywalk boards will feature seasonal displays year-round, offering a mix of holiday celebrations, cultural and historical education, and family-friendly stories. We hope this new addition will enhance your trail experience while providing an engaging and educational opportunity for all.

February Display: Black History Month
From January 31st through February 28th, explore our Black History Month celebration. This display highlights 28 influential Black figures who have profoundly shaped society.”

We are catered by Moonshine of Austin, and our entertainment is Aerosmith.

CHICKEN & WAFFLES – lemon butter, maple syrup, chipotle cream gravy

CHICKEN FRIED STEAK – chipotle cream gravy, Yukon mashers

CHICKEN ALMONDINE – artichokes, lemon cream, Yukon mashers

GREEN CHILE MACARONI – roasted chicken, corn bisque, bacon gratin

SALISBURY CHOP STEAK – mushroom gravy, Yukon mashers

SEARED RAINBOW TROUT – bacon cornbread stuffing, soft grits, chile butter

ST LOUIS PORK RIBS – dr. Pepper BBQ, tobacco onions, Yukon mashers

CENTER CUT PORK CHOP – peach chutney, herb salad, demi-glace, mashers

BLACKENED CATFISH – crawfish tails, hot sauce, pecan meunière, soft grits

JALAPEÑO HANGER STEAK – salsa verde, demi-glace, yukon mashers

HORSERADISHCRUSTEDSALMON- lemon dill butter sauce, brussels sprouts

CREOLE SHRIMP & GRITS – creole sauce, tasso ham, toasted baguette

Picture of an old time school bus

So, let’s get going

The Parks and Recreation table is ready with scissors and ribbon.

The Mayor, Tom Kilgore (R), and the City Manager, Joseph Molis, give some brief remarks.

With City Council members in attendance, the ribbon is cut to officially open the Lakeway Story Walk.

An explanation of Black History Month.

The first to take the walk.

The displays are a permanent fixture, and the content will change monthly.

The first stop is Thurgood Marshall.

Dr. Martin Luther King

Jesse Owens

Jane Bolin and self-portrait.

Henrietta Lacks.

The trail continues for more but we are out of time and need to enjoy the music and food. I hope you have a great week. We will come back to the Story Walk.