Thursday – A Little Personal – Lucy and Twiggy are Back Where They Belong

February 9, 2023February 8, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 125 Comments

“Hey, Little One,” what’s up?”

“I’m just thinking how nice it is to be back on Thursday.”

“Yeah, now that dad has finished his book tour, we go back to normal.”

“That was some tour. How many stops did he have?”

“Let’s see. He had Twenty-six wonderful fellow writers who volunteered to host him.”

“He didn’t have to bribe anyone?”

“No. They all offered, and that is what makes the whole thing so special.”

“Well, now that we are back, what say we play?”

“Sounds good. What do you want to play?”

“Not so fast. I have to check this turf to make sure it is still the same.”

“We didn’t go anywhere. The turf should be the same. But, in fact, it was a virtual tour.”

“Well then, why don’t we thank everyone who helped Dad spread the word about his book.”

“Good idea, Little One. Here they are in order of appearance. (Left to right) The folks can click on their name and return to their post.

Pete Springer Chris Graham Mae Clair Stephen Geez

Harmony Kent Craig Boyack Beem Weeks Denise Finn

Marie Bailey Dan Antion Jan Sikes Staci Troilo

Gwen Plano Teri Polen Darlene Foster Noelle Granger

Keith Channing Joan Hall Annette Rochell Aben Marcia Meara

Geoff Le Pard Liz Gauffreau Lauren Scott Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes

Robbie Cheadle Diana Peach

Thank you all so much. I had a blast and hope you enjoyed it too. I know hosting takes work, and I am very grateful for your help.

Views of the Neighborhood – The Ice Man Comith

February 5, 2023February 4, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 104 Comments

Today we will motor around and check out the ice damage from the storm that passed through Texas. No need to leave the bus since we will be catered to by Paperboy of Austin. Our entertainment is who else but Vanilla Ice.

BRUNCH

classic breakfast – two eggs, maple sausage, potato wedges, buttered toast, apple butter

texas hash – roasted pork, sweet potato, onion, kale, poached egg, pecan mole
add avocado

paperboy pancake – warm maple syrup, brown butter, sea salt 11 add blueberries or chocolate chips

migas – egg, avocado, pico de gallo, cotija, serrano hot sauce, grilled tortillas add pork carnitas

steak & eggs – 44 farms steak, chimichurri, sunny eggs, potato wedges, secret sauce, arugula

chicken & biscuit – crispy-fried chicken, country gravy, sunny egg, spicy honey

lox plate – grilled toast points, everything spice, caper cream cheese, tomato, cucumber, dill

Picture of an old time school bus

So let’s get rolling.

So here is a juniper pretty well split.

Downed limbs, but also the ice is beautiful

Limbs in the street.

More beauty

Another juniper.

A tree uprooted. Seems the drought caused the surface roots to dry out and weaken.

The same tree is now available for pick-up.

More brush for city pick up, which Lakeway said they will do beginning Monday.

Closer to home. Our artichoke agave is covered in ice.

The mountain laurel on the right and the magnolia tree on the left took hits.

Closer view of the mountain laurel

The magnolia is my 80th birthday tree and looks worse for wear.

She is all cleaned up now and feeling better, although lighter.

Time to relax and enjoy the food and music. I hope you have a wonderful week.

Saturday – A Little Personal – Lucy and Twiggy Survey Ice Damage

February 4, 2023February 3, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 118 Comments

“Where you going Little One?”

“I thought I heard dad say there was some damage to the trees from the ice storm.”

“The damage is over here on the patio side.”

“Oh. I don’t know why I thought it was the potting bench plants.”

“Well, they are toast too. But take a look at the mountain laurel.”

“There are some limbs here on the ground.”

“So true. The weight of the ice broke those limbs off the tree.”

“Can we put them back on?”

“I’m afraid not. Once a limb has been severed it will die.”

“OMG. That sounds pretty severe.”

“Did you notice Dad’s magnolia?”

“He’s not going to like all those limbs on the ground.”

“I think we’ve seen enough, Little One. Let’s go play.”

“This stuff still smells alive. Are you sure it can’t be put back?”

“I’m sure Little One. It is the way nature works.”

“Well then we ought to invent a way that things can live even if they have something wrong wth them.”

“You talking about trees, now?”

“Like these leaves, Lucy. Why do they have to lie here.”

“It’s a cycle that we have talked about before. It is the way nature works.”

“Doesn’t mean we have to like it.”

“You can stay there and sniff that turf all the way to St Louis. As for me? I’m thinking about a soft chew.”

“Hold on. I think I found an acorn.”

“Too early. It’s a rock.”

“Tomato, tomahto. Still interesting.”

“You coming?”

“Right behind you.”

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Heritage Tour

January 29, 2023January 28, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 67 Comments

Today we are going on the heritage tour of Lakeway. There are 22 stops, and we will be chauffeured in a brand-new bus. Of course, we will have to take our bus to get there. We are catered by Odd Duck of Austin, and our entertainment is The Who.

Starters

Gulf seafood ceviche, carrot leche de tigre, strawberry, radish, potato chips

Grilled kale salad, fennel, citrus, sunchoke dukkah, shiitake ranch

Charred broccoli, chèvre, mole spice, apple gastrique, sesame

Cast iron cheddar cornbread, green garlic butter

Mushroom tamal, kohlrabi cheese, field greens, cilantro

Smoked oyster chowder, turnip, pork belly, brassica greens, pork rinds

Main

Capellini pasta, sunchoke cacio e pepe, TX cheddar, carrot salsa macha

Blackened redfish, sourdough sauce, wilted romaine, pecan, lemon

Grilled quail, XO fried rice, braised greens, beet BBQ, fried chicken skin

Dry-aged wagyu burger, blue beer cheese, tostada, pork birria jam, cabbage slaw

Aged pork loin, tzatziki, caramelized fennel, beets, pepitas

Chile beer glazed short rib, radish kimchi, Japanese sweet potato, peanut

Dessert

Lime mousse, strawberry sorbet, puffed rice, butter mochi

Sunchoke blondie, caramelized white chocolate, sherry vinegar caramel, cocoa nib ice cream

Salted peanut butter budino, chocolate cake, marshmallow creme, dark chocolate-covered peanut butter cookie

Picture of an old time school bus

All aboard.

Here is the map of the tour and a list of the stops.

After the tour, we each get a hardcover book about Lakeway.

That bus makes ours look a little shabby. Not as lovely inside, I’ll bet.

There are the registration tents. Yes, we had to have reservations.

We can also meet the mayor, who is here somewhere, and Gwen Wunneberger, who as a girl, lived in the cabin in the background.

Gotta have a sweet and cup of coffee but don’t spoil your brunch.

Always terrific to be welcomed.

The old Liebelt cabin was moved to this spot.

Kay Andrews, dressed in a period costume, gives us a tour of the cabin.

A horse-drawn hay cutter sits in the cabin yard.

Behind the cabin sits a replica of August Liebelt’s headstone in honor of him.

It is time to get on the other bus for the tour. If you really want to see what the tour is like. you can visit a previous post on the subject HERE

I hope you enjoyed the tour. Now, let’s sit back and enjoy the food and entertainment. I hope you have a terrific week.

Saturday – A Little Personal – Lucy and Twiggy Messing Around

January 28, 2023January 27, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 122 Comments

“Lucy. What are you doing?”

“Who says I’m Lucy?”

“What do you mean, ‘who says I’m Lucy?’ I say you’re Lucy.”

“Look closer, pesky puma. There is a water buffalo stalking you.”

“We just played this yesterday. Let’s do something else.”

“Play puma? Play? Do you think this is a game?”

“You’re funny, Lucy. We always play this game.”

“So I’m funny, huh? What kind of funny? Funny, haha, or what?”

“What’s come over you, Lucy? I just said I thought you were funny.”

“Yeah, I know, and I want to know what is so funny?”

“Oh, I get it. You’re doing a Joe Pesci Goodfella riff.”

“Okay, so you figured it out. Had you going though, didn’t I?”

“Let’s just say I thought you had finally gone off the deep end.”

“Why do you always sniff the stair when you are nervous?”

“I’m not nervous, and I think you just made that up.”

“I’m just telling you what I have observed.”

“Don’t go near that door. I heard mom putting together the bath stuff.”

“When did you hear that?”

“Just before we came out. Man, I do not like baths.”

“See, you’re doing it again. Sniffing the stair.”

“Okay, you stay by that door until you’re discovered. I’m heading the other way.”

“I think I hear mom coming.”

“I’m outta here.”

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

January 27, 2023January 26, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 104 Comments

The plane that made the hydrogen-powered flight. credit: ZeroAvia

Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network. Here it is in its entirety.

Aviation Startup ZeroAvia Flies Largest-Ever Hydrogen Electric Aircraft

By

Andy Corbley Jan 24, 2023

An aviation start-up just set a new world-first for the largest hydrogen-powered aircraft flight in history—a 19-seat aircraft called the Dornier 228.

Designed by ZeroAvia, the start-up is developing hydrogen-powered engines for regional flights and has taken off over the last 12 months.

This most recent flight was a 10-minute affair from the Cotswolds Airport in Gloucestershire, England, but was only the most recent manifestation of their success.

ZeroAvia counts American and United airlines as their investors, and by 2025, the firm has 1,500 pre-orders of their hydrogen-electric powertrains to fulfill. In addition, the prototype powertrains have received approval from the UK and US civil aviation authorities.

“This is a major moment, not just for ZeroAvia, but for the aviation industry as a whole, as it shows that true zero-emission commercial flight is only a few years away,” ZeroAvia founder and CEO Val Miftakhov said in a statement Thursday.

The flight comes after news in August that the company signed a memorandum of understanding with American Airlines for 100 of the powertrains being developed for 90-seat aircraft.

“Having support from [one of the] world’s largest airline is a strong indication of the progress we’re making on the development of hydrogen-electric, zero-emission flight,” added ZeroAvia Founder and CEO Val Miftakhov. “We are focused on delivering sustainable travel and are delighted that American, a visionary leader in the industry, sees ZeroAvia as a part of the future of aviation.”

Hydrogen as a fuel source is currently one of two more sustainable alternatives to powering aviation. Accounting for 2.8% of all global emissions, passenger aircraft need high-octane, energy-dense fuel sources because of the weight limitations that batteries can’t account for.

The ZA2000-RJ powertrain from ZeroAvia is predicted to have a 500-mile range on a full tank, which United Airlines said would restore the economic viability of smaller regional flights.

“A lot of small cities have lost service because of the cost, and we think that these technologies will allow United to bring back more frequent service and service to airports that don’t have any service today,” Michael Leskinen, president of United Airlines Ventures, told CBS.

For reference, 500-mile jumps could service distances such as Pittsburgh to Chicago, Amarillo to Austin, or Fort Myers to Savannah. In Europe, the benefits compound because of the size of the continent. ZeroAvia could easily service Milan to Naples, Munich to Hamburg, or Newcastle to Exeter.

The good news here is zero emissions are possible for air travel. Today’s JohnKu talks about innovation. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Like we always have,

Is not an excuse anymore . . .

Innovation rules.

Views of the Neighborhood – GOOD “TIME” SCAVENGER HUNT – Part II

January 22, 2023January 21, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 74 Comments

Well, we are back to finish the scavenger hunt. If you missed part I, you can go HERE and check it out. We will be doing the even numbers today. We are catered by Nixta of Austin. Our entertainment is Chicago.

Picture of an old time school bus

So jump on, and let’s go.

So, right away, we have a problem. This should be number two, but it looks like someone took it. So, after we complete the puzzle, we will have to figure out which letter goes with the number 2.

Ah. At least we have number 4.

Number six, taking a nap.

Number 8 overlooks the drought-ravished Lake Travis.

A certain number, 10.

Number 12 in the mountain laurel.

High flying number 14.

Number 16 on the ground.

Looks like a ground pandemic. Number 18 is there as well.

Number 20 in the trees.

Number 22 has been benched.

Number 24 on a spindly oak.

Numer 26 marks the end of the hunt.

The missing letter was U. The puzzle is solved. I hope you had a good time. Now relax, have some food and listen to the music.

Saturday – A Little Personal – Lucy and Twiggy Check the Plants

January 21, 2023January 20, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 132 Comments

“Little One. Did you see this Fig tree?”

“Yeah. It’s getting some new leaves.”

“Well, that’s not good. There’s more cold coming.”

“Don’t you think the fig knows what it’s doing?”

“I’m not so sure. These crazy winters have most plants confused.”

“These begonias seem to be doing sorta okay.”

“Yeah, for now. Wait till a freeze hits.”

“These roses are getting new leaves too.”

“I sure hope they aren’t sorry. I’m going over to the patio.”

“What’s over there?”

“There were a bunch of flowers in pots. I want to make sure they aren’t budding as well.”

“If they are, what are you going to do?”

“Well, they’re not, so your question doesn’t need an answer.”

“Lucky for you, ’cause I don’t think you had an answer.”

“You may be right. How about we play in the yard.”

“I see a bud here, Lucy. What are we going to do?”

“You know everyone dislikes a wise guy.”

“Good thing I’m a girl, then.”

“How about a game of hide and seek?”

“Great, you’re it.”

“One one thousand, two one thousand….”

“No peeking.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do On Dr. Martin Luther King’s Birthday

January 16, 2023January 15, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 56 Comments

It has been 95 years since Martin Luther King Jr was born. Today we celebrate his birth, although the actual day was January 15th. Today’s Top Ten is focused on just one thing not to do. Do not hate your neighbor, and learn from Dr. King’s non-violent approach to change.

I wish for a day of peace that will become so comfortable that it extends into a week, then a month, then a year. Who knows? It could last a lifetime.

Let’s hope Dr. King’s example serves to guide our behavior going forward.

Views of the Neighborhood – GOOD “TIME” SCAVENGER HUNT – Part I

January 15, 2023January 21, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 99 Comments

Today we are going on a scavenger hunt sponsored by Lakeway Parks and Recreation. It is titled the GOOD “TIME” SCAVENGER HUNT, and here is a description by the city. Happy New Year, Lakeway! It’s a “good time” to celebrate the start of 2023 with Parks & Recreation! As you walk the lower level of Lakeway City Park, you will find 26 clocks along the trail. Each clock has a letter and number that corresponds to the hidden answer key. Solve the secret message and win a prize!

We are being catered by Canje Caribbean of Austin. Our entertainment is Time of My Life from Dirty Dancing.

Striped Bass

Tamarind, Rum Butter, Green Mango, Papaya

Acorn Squash

Coconut Choka, Passion Fruit, Black Beans

Curry Wagyu Beef

Rutabaga, Coconut Milk, Chili Oil

Wild Boar Pepper Pot

Cassareep, Orange Peel, Ginger

Grilled Pork Guisado

Berkshire Pork Chop, Tomato, Tomato

Jerk Chicken

½ Heritage Chicken, Ginger Pineapple Glaze

Picture of an old time school bus

Let’s get rolling. We only have time for half of the alphabet when we get there. We will be hunting the clocks in order, starting with the odd numbers (yes, we are making it difficult), and then we will fill out the key at the end of today. After next week we should have the puzzle solved.