Top Ten Things Not to Do on New Year’s Eve.

December 30, 2024December 29, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 59 Comments

This post was written on December 29th, 2015. Since we are facing another New Year’s Eve, I thought it was worth repeating. I hope you enjoy it.

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Top Ten Things Not to Do on New Year’s Eve.

10 On New Year’s Eve, do not try to set a personal record for alcohol consumption. If you do, at best, your evening will close early. At worst, New Year’s Day will represent your personal purgatory, just begging for relief. (Getting off your knees might be the first step to redemption)

9 On New Year’s Eve, do not set resolutions you think would be great to accomplish if you were a superhero. If you do, at best, you will not last a week on your new plan. At worst, you will consider your failure at resolutions to be among one of the many failures for the year. (Now you need to be talked down off the ledge)

8 On New Year’s Eve, do not think your goodwill to humankind feeling leftover from the holidays should be demonstrated by public displays of affection for everyone you meet. If you do, at best, most will try to dodge your advances. At worst, there will be one person who will think you are the new lost love that they have been searching for their whole life. (Now you have someone stalking you for months despite the restraining order)

7 On New Year’s Eve, do not think your stomach deserves to be challenged with copious amounts of strange food. If you do, at best, your later hours will be spent in a degree of discomfort. At worst, your stomach will get even when you least expect it. (Yes, it is two in the morning, and that’s you calling trains into the ceramic microphone)

6 On New Year’s Eve, do not think your off-key singing throughout the year will suddenly get better with the addition of Champaign. If you do, at best, you will still draw the same looks you got for the rest of the year. At worst, you will begin to gather stray cats and dogs who think you are calling them for dinner while singing Auld Lang Sine. (Better find some kibble fast)

5 On New Year’s Eve, do not think your famous green monster punch will be enjoyed by everyone. If you insist everyone try it, at best, your party may end early. At worst, you may be responsible for sending some guests over the edge due to a strong allergy to Everclear and, if not an allergy, certainly a diminished capability for strong drink. (hint: green carpet spots never come up)

4 On New Year’s Eve, do not try to surprise your significant other with a mystery destination that you promise will make the best New Year’s Eve ever. If you do, at best, you may have selected a place that has some negative memories. At worst, you may spend the entire evening lost in a strange neighborhood which will not be the best destination. (It might be the most memorable as the prime reason your significant other is no longer significant and not your other)

3 On New Year’s Eve, do not get all romantic if all year you act as if romance was as welcome as the measles. If you do, at best, you will look ridiculous. At worst, you could cause a significant upset to the person you are ordinarily ambivalent about. (How was that first dose of pepper spray?)

2 On New Year’s Eve, do not think it a good idea to put that lampshade on your head. If you do, at best, some will laugh not with you but at you. At worst, the shade is an antique given to the host by a grandmother just before her demise, and now it is on the floor under your fanny after you slipped on a bottle and fell to the floor. (Oh, though you would like to know, the video on U Tube has gone viral)

1 On New Year’s Eve, do not think you must stay up past a reasonable hour to see in the New Year. If you do, at best, the next day’s activities will be a challenge. At worst, you will throw off your sleep cycle, not to mention nodding off at your mother-in-law’s New Year’s Day family gathering. (The pool of drool on the damask fabric of the antique couch will be your mark forever)

Views of the Neighborhood – Christmas Past

December 29, 2024December 28, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 98 Comments

Today, we are cruising the neighborhood to check out the remains of the Christmas decorations. This is a trigger warning that some of these images may be disturbing to those who don’t want to let go of the Christmas spirit. We are catered by Juniper of East Austin. Our entertainment is Home Free.

NEW YEARS EVE TASTING MENU

PAO DE QUEIJO – Brazilian cheese bread
CURED HAMACHI TARTARE – Maine uni, finger lime, colatura vinaigrette, serrano
CRISPY POTATO & OSSETRA CAVIAR – crab gribiche, chervil
SPINACH & CATUPIRY CHEESE AGNOLOTTI – pecorino fonduta, confit peppercorns, chives odd white truffle
SEARED SCALLOP – toasted fregola, oyster cream, seaweed oil
SEA BASS “MOQUECA” – crispy rice, coconut broth, dende oil
ROSEWOOD WAGYU NY STRIP – hen of the woods mushrooms,
black garlic vinaigrette, watercress, odd black truffle
BRIGADERIO – dark chocolate cremeux, hazelnut praline,
chocolate crunchies

Picture of an old time school bus

Back to our old bus – Let’s go.

Poor little fella.

Goodness. Looks like a mass deflation.

I have no idea what this is supposed to be.

Another view gives no new ideas on what this is supposed to say.

Whoops, an overserved Reindeer.

That Reindeer should have partnered with the overserved Santa.

Or maybe we should all go to a meeting together.

We know pops. You’re just tired.

Speaking to tired. Wake this one in the morning.

I hope you had at least one laugh on the tour. Now, it is time to enjoy the food and entertainment.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – My Year

December 28, 2024December 27, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 78 Comments

The coffee machine has decided to take some time off for the holidays, which finishes my year perfectly. Since AI is new to me, there was no way to negotiate any other outcome. This morning’s coffee is being made in a French Press. We are in the four-minute waiting period, which seems like four hours. Finally, the press is ready. A slow, steady pressure is applied, and the grounds are squeezed to one-quarter their size. The Costa Rican coffee aroma hits the nose, and the first sip brings back the memory of the clock.

The clock is set for December 29, 1924. The location is Hollywood, California, and the time is two hours. A pull of the plunger and we find ourselves at Grumman’s Chinese Theater. We are here in time to see the premiere of the silent movie Peter Pan.

The adventure film Peter Pan, directed by Herbert Brenon and starring Betty Bronson in the title role, was released by Paramount Pictures (at the time, Famous Players–Lasky). The film was an adaptation of the J. M. Barrie play Peter Pan, or the Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up, which had premiered almost 20 years earlier (on December 27, 1904) and which Barrie novelized in 1911 in the book Peter and Wendy.

After the movie, our alarm goes off, and we find ourselves on the couch with a tub of popcorn. A text from Linda Hill comes in. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “my year.” Use “my year” as the theme of your post. Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2024/12/27/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-28-2024/

“Well, that was a trip. Whatever happened to that silent movie?”

“After being considered lost, the film footage would be rediscovered at the Eastman School of Music in the 1950s and restored. In 2000, the Library of Congress selected the film for preservation in the National Film Registry.”

“I would like to see that movie.”

“I know you can buy it on DVD from Amazon.”

“Oh. I was more or less thinking of free viewing.”

“Ah. It is on YouTube. Here’s the link https://youtu.be/KregKeKX9as”

“Yeah, that is much better. Gotta keep room in the budget for the VooDoo Rangers.”

“You haven’t paid for a VooDoo Ranger in years.”

“I know, but this may be my year to do it.”

“You are running out of time. Did you call Uber?”

“Yup, he’s right over there.”

“You are joking, right?”

“Got a great deal.”

“I’ve said a hundred times we don’t need great deals on an Uber.”

“How’s free?”

“Really?”

“Yup, and all we have to do is hold some electrical wires for the guy.”

“Hold some electrical wires? You mean like up in the air.”

“Yeah, in the bucket while he splices them onto the power grid.”

“Power grid like a billion watts power grid.”

“Well, yeah. He said there’s nothing to it, and it is only a half hour of work.”

“Why I go along with this, I’ll never know.”

“Also, wear your rubber boots.”

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

December 27, 2024December 26, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 75 Comments

Today’s good news story comes from The Good News Network and is about a best-selling author.

James Patterson Gives $300,000 in Holiday Bonuses to 600 Bookstore Employees

Andy Corbley – Dec 26, 2024

Believing that books save lives, international best-selling author James Patterson is taking the reins for dozens of American booksellers this year and giving their employees a $500 holiday bonus.

To protect the beloved industry and its bottom line, Patterson’s donations totaled $300,000 this holiday season and were divided between 600 bookshop workers.

According to the American Booksellers Association (ABA), workers either submitted an application for the bonus or were nominated by their colleagues, friends, or perhaps even an author.

“Booksellers save lives. Period,” Patterson said in a statement to ABC News. “I’m happy to be able to acknowledge them and all their hard work this holiday season.”

People Magazine reports that Alabama’s Thank You Books, Iowa’s The Nook, and San Francisco’s City Lights Books are just some locations that have witnessed Patterson’s gifts.

“We appreciate Mr. Patterson’s financial generosity as well as his generosity of spirit. We all continue to be awed by, and grateful for, Mr. Patterson’s continuing support of independent booksellers,” Allison Hill, CEO of the ABA, also said in a statement.

“It means everything to have him recognize and reward booksellers’ valuable role in the industry.”

This is just one of many large donations offered by Patterson to bookstores, totaling over $1.5 million of personal wealth over the last 20 years. This included a $500,000 donation during the opening salvos of the COVID-19 pandemic when enforced lockdowns and business closures threatened small businesses in many states.

“The White House is concerned about saving the airline industry and big businesses — I get that. But I’m concerned about the survival of independent bookstores, which are at the heart of main streets across the country,” Patterson said in a statement at the time.

“I believe that books are essential. They make us kinder, more empathetic human beings. And they can take us away momentarily from feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and scared.”

The good news in this story is that an author who has significantly benefitted from bookstore employees is willing to give back in recognition of those benefits. Today’s JohnKu talks about payback. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

We all owe someone,

For helping us on life’s path . . .

How do we pay back?

Thursday – Anything Possible – Twiggy and Tempeste – A New Coolaroo.

December 26, 2024December 26, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 76 Comments

“Hey Tempeste, come try this Coolaroo.”

“Try what?”

“Coolaroo is the name of this resting place.”

“It is a hilarious name.”

“Yeah, that may be, but taking a break on it is nice.”

“Okay. Since you are the chief rester around here, I’ll take your word.”

“You don’t have to take my word. These things are made by Austrailians.”

“What does that mean?”

“If anyone knows how to rest, it’s the Aussies.”

“You know I have never met an Aussie.”

“They do work hard and play hard. Dad has some relatives there.”

“This thing does smell good and is easy on the feet.”

“I’m not sure, but I think I hear the roar of the dinner bowl.”

“Did you see that the leaves are all cleaned up?”

“Yeah, Dad cleaned them up.”

“There goes another food opportunity.”

“You aren’t supposed to eat leaves. I think the dinner bowl was a false alarm.”

“I’m heading back to the Coolaroo. Could use some nap time.”

“I’ll call you when the dinner bowl is on.”

“You are the best sister. This is nice.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Christmas Eve

December 24, 2024December 23, 2024 ~ John W. Howell

Tempeste wishes she could pose under the Christmas tree, but we don’t have one this year because she is obsessed with pulling off the ornaments.

Twiggy is glad we removed the tree since the constant “Tempeste no!” drove her crazy.

A warm wish for a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah from our house to yours.

I have closed comments and will be offline until Thursday.

Top Ten Things Not to Do When Boarding Your Pet

December 23, 2024December 22, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

This post ran on December 19th, 2016. Boarding pets is a way of life, so I hope you enjoy it.

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This list was inspired by the fact that many people are traveling for the holidays. Not every pet is comfortable going along, so many owners place their pets in a boarding facility. Here are a few hints to keep the outside world from thinking you have clearly lost your mind. Yes, parting with your pet into the care of others is traumatic, but we need to exercise some dignity when surrendering the fur baby.

Top Ten Things Not to Do When Boarding Your Pet

10 If you are boarding your pet, do not deliver them dressed in an outrageous costume. If you do, at best, it may get lost. At worst, your pet will be marked as belonging to a crazy old person who thinks their pet is a child. ( Did you ever wonder why your pet is depressed when you return. Huh Ferd?)

9 If you are boarding your pet, do not ask to meet all the other pets to see if there are any undesirables in the group. If you do, at best, the staff will be too busy to accommodate you. At worst, you will see some characters that will give you nightmares. (This isn’t a country club, Bunky. Your pet has to face the reality of the real world)

8 If you are boarding your pet, do not try to make friends with other pets by passing out treats. If you do, at best, the staff will ask you to stop. At worst, one of the pets getting a treat is allergic to everything. (Looks like Tiny, the WWF champion, is heading your way after helping Brutus get rid of the treat. Hope that the automatic door is working)

7 If you are boarding your pet, do not hand the staff a long list of things they need to do to make your pet happy. If you do, at best, the list will hit the basket the moment you leave. At worst, the staff will realize that taking in your pet may be a monumental liability they cannot accept. (Now you have nowhere else to go, Buster, since you’ve been banned from every other kennel.)

6 If you are boarding your pet, do not overstate the ability of your pet to get along well with others. If you do, at best, your pet will be quarantined from playtime. At worst, you will be called back from your trip to answer a summons relating to your unfriendly pet. (Maybe you can explain to the court that, to your knowledge, your Great Dane never had a taste for Dashound.)

5 If you are boarding your pet, do not insist on leaving a picture of the family to keep it company. If you do, at best, the staff will lose the image. At worst, your pet will not appreciate having to share the cramped space with the photo. (Wonder how it got so wet Buford?)

4 If you are boarding your pet, do not think that by paying extra for a live video feed, you have the right to call the facility at all hours of the night. If you do, at best, your calls will go to voicemail. At worst, you will be banned from this facility and asked to come get your pet. (This is the last one in town, Raymond. What are you going to do now?)

3 If you are boarding your pet, do not spend an inordinate amount of time saying goodbye. If you do, at best, the staff will need to get your pet settled and may tell you to go. At worst, your pet will wonder what is going on and may have an anxiety attack. (Not a pretty picture of you and your pet sobbing on the floor of the reception area.)

2. If you are boarding your pet, do not include all their favorite toys. If you do, at best, your pet will not play with most. At worst, other pets will find the toys more enjoyable and be lost to the pack forever. (It makes you wonder how the toys got out into the general population. Right, Slick?).

1 If you are boarding your pet, do not forget to have all the immunizations up to date. If you do, at best, the facility has a resident vet who can take care of that for you. At worst, you will cancel your trip since no facility will allow you entry. (Well, too bad those tickets are not refundable)

Views of the Neighborhood – Holiday Decorations

December 22, 2024December 21, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 67 Comments

We are going to tour the neighborhood and check out some of the holiday decorations. We are catered by Caroline of Austin. Our entertainment is Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton.

SANDWICHES

Bacon, Egg & Cheese – two eggs over hard, aged cheddar, cheddar sauce

Sausage & Egg Burrito – chicken sausage, chihuahua & pepperjack cheese, salsa roja

Brush Creek Brunch Burger – wagyu beef, fried egg, peppered bacon, aged cheddar, chipotle ranch

PLATES

Biscuits & Gravy – buttermilk biscuits, sausage gravy, fried eggs

Spinach & Feta Egg White Omelet – grilled red onion, cherry tomato, breakfast potatoes, choice of toast

Ham & Cheddar Omelet – smoked ham, aged cheddar, breakfast potatoes, choice of toast

Eggs Your Way – choice of chicken sausage or peppered bacon, breakfast potatoes, choice of toast

Whipped Ricotta Pancakes – syrup, whipped butter, powdered sugar

Crispy Chicken & Waffles – maple syrup, honey butter

Sweet Corn Cake Benedict – jalapeño cheddar corn cake, avocado, tomato & corn salsa

Huevos Rancheros – sunny eggs, crispy tortilla, black bean, jalapeño, avocado, queso fresco

Green Chili & Chicken Enchiladas – fried egg, yogurt crema, cilantro, avocado, lime

Santabus from Waterford Unified School District, photographed by Suzanne Bauer, director of transportation.

Let’s get on the bus

A cute fella.

The Grinch.

Penguin.

Santa wind display.

Abominable Snow Monster.

Santa and his tree.

French bulldog. (no, not in my yard)

An odd one. Santa with a unicorn and T-Rex.

Cute wooden bear.

Santa, Frosty, and Snoopy.

The Turtle Elf.

The Viking mailbox topper decked out for the holiday.

A hologram-like deer.

Our old friend, the Armadillo.

The Grinch and his Skeleton crew.

Santa and his longhorn.

Well, I think we have seen enough. It is time for entertainment and music. I hope you have a great week and A very happy holiday.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Wish

December 21, 2024December 20, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 68 Comments

Linda Hill’s prompt today is ‘wish.’ Here is what she says about it. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “wish.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy! If you want to see other posts on this prompt, go to Linda’s blog. Here is the link https://lindaghill.com/2024/12/20/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-21-2024/

I can only think of one way to use this prompt. Here it is.

“That was an oldie.”

“I wanted to play the Jimminy Cricket solo, but Disney won’t allow it.”

“What do you mean?”

“The video owner won’t allow playing it on other venues.”

“Well, at least you got the song.”

“Yeah. When You Wish Upon A Star was a boyhood favorite.”

“It’s from the movie Pinocchio.”

“That was released a long time ago.”

“1940.”

“Before you were born?”

“Not long before. I was born in 1941. The movie played when I was a kid. I suppose it was a re-release.”

“It is a beautiful song. Makes me think of a wish.”

“Don’t even tell me, or it may not come true. Did you order Uber?”

“Yup. He’s right over there.”

“I see he some trees.”

“I think they are going with us to the pub.”

“Now that is festive.”

“Notice it has a back seat.”

“I’m so pleased. It will even be a warm ride.”

“Well, we must watch out for you oldsters after all.”

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

December 20, 2024December 19, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 60 Comments

Thick-billed parrots – Credit: OVIS / Ernesto Enkerlin Hoeflich

Today’s Good News comes from the Good News Network.

Endangered Thick-billed Parrot That Once Roamed the US Is on the Way to Recovery

By Andy Corbley

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Dec 19, 2024

A public-private partnership in Mexico just announced that the population of thick-billed parrots is approximately 2,500 individuals—at least 10% higher than that recorded 12 years ago.

The number was determined in a recent population survey in a protected area in the state of Chihuahua, where this charismatic species once roamed north into the United States.

The thick-billed parrot is an emblematic species of the temperate forests of the Sierra Madre Occidental, once found in Arizona and New Mexico.

Since 1995, this species, listed in danger of extinction by the Mexican government, has been the subject of numerous studies and actions for protection and management, while the mountain forests on which it depends have been the focus of extensive reforestation.

These efforts, led by the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP) and the civil organization Organización Vida Silvestre (OVIS), along with the participation of local communities and other organizations in the US and Mexico, are yielding encouraging results as demonstrated by the increase in population, a statement from OVIS details.

“This emerging success story reflects the importance of collaboration between society and government and a vision of healthy ecosystems and sustainable communities, which is in line with the policies and practices that CONANP will strengthen in the following years,” said the head of CONANP, Pedro Álvarez-Icaza.

The census data suggests that the population of thick-billed parrots will continue to increase as the region’s communities consolidate sustainable forestry management practices.

Sergio Jiménez, OVIS’s executive director, thanked the various institutions’ support.

“This multi-institutional effort led by Ernesto Enkerlin Hoeflich, scientific director of OVIS, is bearing fruit after three decades, which gives us hope for other species at risk and points to the need for cooperation, persistence, and long-term planning to produce results and effective conservation.”

A significant effort was undertaken in the 1980s to restore populations of this parrot among the sky islands of Arizona. These dramatic, short, squat mountain chains amid the scorching lowlands were perceived as perfect havens for the reintroduction. Still, the problem was that predatory species like the American goshawk had already returned in large numbers to these hills, and their take of the parrots proved unsustainable.

In October 2020, it was announced that a higher elevation among the sky islands, including the Chiricahua mountains, would be sought to form the basis for a new reintroduction attempt.

If populations recover substantially enough in Mexico, the bird may recolonize its former haunts in the Southwestern US without the need for scientists’ intervention.

The good news in this story is that species on the verge of extinction can recover with concerted effort. Today’s JohnKu talks about efforts. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Even the hopeless,

Can benefit from our help. . .

The key is hard work.