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

June 17, 2022June 16, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 83 Comments

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

Woman About to be Evicted Was Saved By Neighbors Who Bought the Home For Her

By Andy Corbley June 14th, 2022

After being threatened with eviction, a retiree was able to buy the house she had rented for two decades after a quarter-million dollars was raised by the community on her behalf.

Known for having a heart of gold and a pair of green thumbs, Linda Taylor was a beloved neighbor in her Minneapolis community.

After arriving in the area 19 years ago as a volunteer to help the homeless and needy, she began renting a small house on 10th avenue and East 36th street in the Powderhorn Park district. There, the 70-year-old retiree became a “bright star” of the neighborhood.

It seemed though that bright star would be severely darkened, perhaps permanently, when her landlord decided to sell the property, and gave her until the end of January to evict.

Word gets around tight communities, and after she told one neighbor, the greater part of Powderhorn rallied around her, striking a deal with the landlord that if he would give “Miss Linda” until the end of June, they would raise the money to buy the house.

There was no one-size-fits-all approach to the fundraising efforts. Inflation is at a 40 year high driven by previous monetary inflation reaching broader sectors of the economy, while gas just crossed a national average of $5.00 a gallon, yet even in such difficult times, folks were able to open heart, mind, and wallet, to make the project a reality.

It involved an art show, bake sale, pro-bono work by a real estate agent, countless small donations, and other community-fund drives to come up with the dough—which they did, a full month ahead of the June 30th deadline.

“Yesterday I went and did the closing for the house,” Taylor said. “It makes me feel so good, everything that I have given, it’s coming back to me and I want to continue to give. I love this neighborhood.”

The good news here is the Golden Rules is very much in play. (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.) I hope you have a great weekend. Today’s JohnKu is about helping others.

A simple concept,

Treat all those you meet daily . . .

Just like you are they.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Overcast Day with Twiggy and Lucy

June 16, 2022June 15, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 117 Comments

“Hey, Lucy. Where you going?”

“To the patio to catch some rays.”

“Do you happen to take a look at your shadow?”

“Shadow. What shadow?”

That’s what I mean. No sun.”

“Yeah, but a nice laydown would feel good.”

“The laydown didn’t work out, huh?”

“You were right about the sun. Where did it go?”

“Saharian dust, I’m afraid.”

“Saharian dust? What the heck is Saharian dust.”

“You know you could listen to the evening news instead of snoring out after dinner.”

“Just tell me.”

“Okay, dust from the Saharian desert blows over Texas every June and July.”

“So what happens to the sun?”

“It gets blocked. So, it is like a cloudy day only dust-filled.”

“I never paid attention. But, hey, look over there. Some sun coming through the windows.”

“If you can wait until tomorrow, the wind will change, and the dust will be blown out.”

“What’s wrong with the little bit of sun now?”

“Well, nothing, I suppose. It’s going to be in and out, though.”

“Look, I can see your shadow.”

“Maybe there will be six more weeks of Saharian dust then.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #364 by Keith Channing

June 14, 2022June 13, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

In Keith’s words. “Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm on 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.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next time.”

The Photo

“It won’t be long now.”

“Long for what.”

“Till it’s mine.”

“What?”

“You don’t see that big ole thing beyond the trees?”

“The moon?”

“Yeah, the moon.”

“Why do you say it’s going to be yours?”

“Well, the deal has to go through yet, but it’s a sure thing.”

“Deal?”

“Yeah, I bought the moon.”

“You what?”

“I bought the moon and got a great deal.”

“I’ll bet. What kind of a deal?”

“I traded a guy my deed for the Brooklyn Bridge and some cash for the moon. The joke’s on him, though.”

“Oh?”

“That deed was a phony.”

“You get a deed for the moon?”

“He promised to mail it.”

“I hope it wasn’t a lot of cash.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Why?”

“I printed it in my basement.”

“Figures.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do at a Realtor Open House

June 13, 2022June 12, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 60 Comments

This list was originally posted on August 22, 2016. Since then, the real estate market has exploded, and I’m not sure realtors even have open houses. These days usually list the home and give buyers a week to submit a bid. Someday, the old ways will come back, and this list may be handy when they do.

* * *

The inspiration for this list is having attended some realtor open houses and having an active imagination of the realtor’s reaction if one of the visitors should do any of the things on the list. I am entirely innocent.

10 If you attend a realtor open house, do not make yourself at home no matter what the salesperson says when you arrive. If you do, at best, you’ll be asked to take your feet off the couch. At worst, the police will ask you once to get out of the shower and get dressed. (Don’t make them use that stun gun, Bunky. You’ll look ridiculous on the nightly news especially buck naked.)

9 If you attend a realtor open house, do not think that pot on the stove is hot cider. If you do, at best, the potpourri won’t make you sick. At worst, you’ll find the wood chips and cinnamon sticks aren’t as fun on the revisit. (That ER ipecac treatment was as close to waterboarding as you will get for a while.)

8 If you attend a realtor open house, do not think you can test the bed. If you do, at best, you’ll be shown the door. At worst, your photo ends up at the Multiple Listing Service, and this will be your last open house. (You should have set the alarm before that nap.)

7 If you attend a realtor open house, do not make jokes about the home owner’s relative’s photos. If you do, at best, no one will hear you. At worst, the realtor will rat you out to the owner. (You didn’t know this was your boss’s house until you saw his photo in the last frame, did you?)

6 If you attend a realtor open house, do not help yourself to one of the cookies in the kitchen. If you do, at best, that is why they are on display. At worst, you are now painfully aware the cookies were props. (How long will you have to chew that wax before it goes bye-bye?)

5 If you attend a realtor open house, do not turn on the big game. If you do, at best, the broker will ask you to turn it off. At worst, you will still be watching as the owners return to their house. (It’s retty uncomfortable explaining how you came to turn the thing on in the first place. Oh, and how that beer just magically appeared.)

4 If you attend a realtor open house, do not open drawers to have a peek. If you do, at best, no one will know. At worst, you’ll go into the media room and be able to watch the security camera replay of your bathroom snooping. (Don’t even try to figure out how to erase the file. The central control is locked, and the owner is looking at your performance on a cell phone ten miles away.)

3 If you attend a realtor open house, do not be tempted to open the refrigerator. If you do open it, at best, only the salesperson will know. At worst, the owners return home through the kitchen door just as you look inside the refrigerator. (Your comment about “nice-looking pot roast leftovers” does nothing to ease the tension.)

2 If you attend a realtor open house, do not be tempted to pick a flower or two, no matter how lovely. If you do pick one, at best, you can tell a fib about it being broken off. At worst, you have the flower in your hand and no way to hide the fact from the owner. (The owner happens to be named Tiny and stands seven feet tall and rushed out to his garden to find you with his favorite Zinnia in your hand. You should just fall down now.)

1 If you attend a realtor open house, no matter what, do not turn on the Jacuzzi. If you do, at best, that broken switch will fail to operate. At worst, the broken return pipe will shoot water until the tub is dry. (Of course, you can’t turn off the superheated motor, so you stand by helplessly watching the firefighters try to save the house from the burning lanai.)

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Skypark Open House

June 12, 2022June 12, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 83 Comments

Today we are going to attend the Lakeway Autopark open house. This event doesn’t take place often, but this was the weekend for it. We are boing catered by Matties of Austin and music by the (who else) B52’s

Biscuits + Chorizo Cream Gravy˚ with scrambled eggs

Milk Punch French Toast macerated strawberries, candied pecans, whipped cream, bourbon maple syrup.

Green Chile Pork Chilaquiles tomatillo sauce, chunky pico de gallo, over-easy eggs, cotija cheese, tortilla chips

Breakfast Plate˚ scrambled eggs, home fries, bacon or house-made wild boar sausage . . . . .
Fried Chicken Eggs Benedict˚ buttermilk biscuits, hollandaise, green salad

Basmati Rice Bowl (V) chickpeas, coconut curry, roasted vegetables, cilantro, tomato, and green onions.

So Jump on, and let’s go

Welcome to the Airpark

A T-28 trainer doing a flyover with smoke

Looks like the turnout is great.

A small custom-built racing plane.

A piper cub

Military version of a 1953 Piper Cub

The trainer has just touched down on the runway. (you can see the smoke from the tires just behind it.)

A Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser float plane.

A modern Cirrus plane. (The one that can deploy a parachute in case of trouble)

The US Navy North American Aviation T-28 VT-5 trainer parks. This one is marked with service on the USS Lexington, the same ship my father served on in World War II. Although my Dad was a Naval Aviator, this trainer was not in service until 1948, which was after my Dad left the service

A well-coordinated take-off.

A beautiful Socata TBM-900 (single-turboprop)

Another view of the participation.

A permanent Mooney aircraft letting you know you are at the airpark. I hope you enjoyed the visit today. Have some food and enjoy the music.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – A Picture From Wherever

June 11, 2022June 10, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

Staring at the cup as the machine finishes its work, the residual effects of my second Covid booster have me fixated on the beauty of the dark frothy liquid. For two days, my body has been in a state that could best be described as hungover. Recalling the days when copious amounts of gin were consumed with an equal quantity of abandon and mirth. The next day was payback for all that fun. It has been years now, but today I feel the effects mirrored by that libertine care abandonment of years ago.

The cup is ready, and it appears that life will continue a sip later. But unfortunately, my phone has sent an alert of a front door visitor. A deep sigh indicates that this might not be the time to entertain whoever may be there. Deciding to ignore the Ring camera and try sipping coffee from a reclining position on the couch, I move the magazine in my way. The cover picture would rattle me on a normal day. Today the sight of a piazza in a cast iron pan is almost enough to inspire a call to 9-1-1.

Forgoing the couch, I go through the process of opening the front door. Chains undid, Locks unlocked, steel bars rolled aside, explosive device unarmed, the door is swung open. I tawt I taw a puddyy tat,” was the first thing to come out of Tweety Bird’s beak. y shock at seeing her was only exceeded by the fact she was ten feet tall. You been hanging around that Alice person?” was my question.

Tweety just smiled and handed me an envelope, turned, and was down the driveway. Pity, the cat, was my thought as I opened the envelope. Inside was a message from Linda Hill. Here’s what it said.

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “a picture from wherever.” When you sit down to write your post, find a picture, whether in a magazine, newspaper, or even product packaging. Write whatever thought or emotion the picture provokes. Enjoy!

If you want to enjoy, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link

https://lindaghill.com/2022/06/10/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-june-11-2022/

“Feeling rough, huh?”

“Yeah, a little. better than yesterday.”

“The booster did that?”

“Yeah. t was the same last time too.”

“So what was with the magazine?”

“The pizza you mean.”

“Okay, the pizza.”

“Can’t explain it. shot of a pizza in a pan, and I about lost it.”

“You should have gone right to the door.”

“And what come face to face with a ten-foot Tweety earlier?”

“I see your point. hose characters can be a pain for sure.”

“I just can’t figure out why they come around me.”

“Maybe they think you’re a character.”

I suppose that’s it.”

“Well, at least Resa McConaghy thinks it’s a good thing.”

“You saw her post?”

“I sure did. t was terrific so let’s go celebrate.”

“No pizza, right?”

“Just hops and barley.”

“Music to my tastebuds.”

”

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

June 10, 2022June 9, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

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

Millions of Tons of Earth Dug for New London Subway Line Became a New Bird Sanctuary

Andy Corbley

–

May 31, 2022

Multi-billion dollar civic engineering projects tend not to be good news for wildlife, but upon the completion of a new English underground railway line, the upturned earth was used to rebuild a coastal habitat for birds in Essex.

The new bird sanctuary instantly became one of the richest in Britain’s coastline for avocets, spoonbills, black-tailed godwits, and other wading birds.

The Elizabeth Crossrail is a high-speed line that runs from Reading to the west of London, through the capital, to Shenfield near the east coast. During the $24 million (£19 million) project, seven million metric tons of soil was dug up to make thirteen underground railway tunnels, half of which were transported by boat to the eastern shore of the country.

The earth was taken to a place called Wallasea Island, once just a tiny peninsula of the wild Essex coastline, consisting of salt marshes, coastal lagoons, muddy flatlands, and other features, but several times during the Medieval period and after it was drained to make sheep pasture or farmland.

Farming often is not as profitable now as it was then, and as the defensive seawall was in need of repairs, the farmer that used to own the land sold it to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

“Massive amounts of soil were dug up from below the streets of London during tunneling needed to create the Elizabeth line,” said Rachel Fancy, site manager of RSPB Wallasea Island. “That material was given to the RSPB, allowing us to create our Jubilee Marsh, the cornerstone of our new reserve.”

Jubilee is the appropriate name in this case. Bird-friendly journalists from the Guardian, reporting on the state of Wallasea Island, now note the diversity of species and the rich numbers.

Hen and marsh harriers have appeared in winter while wigeon, teal, plover, yellow wagtail, lapwings, blackbirds, oystercatchers, and skylarks were all recorded in what reporters called a “nature lover’s paradise.”

It took 1,500 trips by canal to bring the dirt to Wallasea. Once there it was transported via conveyor belt to a dump, where tipper trucks slowly deposited it along the shoreline to create a steady sloping terrain up from the sea, protecting it from rising levels.

After the manicuring and landscaping was finished, the seawall was strategically breached in three separate places at low tide, which, once it rose again, gently partitioned the landscape into the various landscape features seen today, as opposed to turning it into a big muddy lake if the wall had been breached all at once at high tide.

In its first year, Wallasea Nature Reserve hosted 150 breeding pairs of avocets, which is endangered-in-Britain, instantly making it one of the bird’s strongholds.

“We are really proud that Jubilee Marsh is helping to combat the threats from climate change and coastal flooding,” Mark Wild, Crossrail’s chief executive, told the Guardian.

The good news here is that with proper planning human expansion need not come at the expense of the earth. Today’s JohnKu talks about stewardship. I hope you all have a super weekend.

This is all we have,

Humans need to work smarter . . .

To preserve our life.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Lucy Supervise the Work

June 9, 2022June 9, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 81 Comments

“Oh, oh, Little One. Looks like the General Contractor is at work again.”

“General Contractor as in Dad, Right?”

“Yeah. I wonder what he is up to today?”

“I have to hope it is nothing we need to be involved in helping.”

“I think if we follow the electrical cord, we may get an answer.”

“Look at that thing, Lucy. What is it?”

“Well, I can tell it’s a ladder. Looks like there’s a rake and more wire on it.”

“We need to check this out.”

“I think this is where I go lay down on the porch.”

“No, wait. I see what it is. He is charging the security light.”

“Why all the wire, though?”

“I think that is his longest extension cord.”

“Maybe so. By the way, how did you become such an expert?”

“Ever hear of Rube Goldberg? We have our own version.”

“Hey, boss. Nice work on the security light charging.”

“Yeah, we got a glimpse of your jerry-rigged charging station.”

“Just remember they laughed at Marconi. See you two later.”

“Lucy. What do mac and cheese have to do with jerry-rigging?”

“Beats me, Little One. Time for a nap.”

Tuesday – Anything possible – Kreative Kue # 363 by Keith Channing

June 7, 2022June 6, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 49 Comments

In Keith’s words.

“Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm on 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.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next time.”

The photo.

“What’re we going to do with this thing?”

“You’ve got to be kidding?”

“Just asking.”

“We will go by the humans, and each of us will have a hold of the stick.”

“Seems kind of dumb.”

“Says you. You know those humans are suckers for cute.”

“If you say so.”

“Here’s the thing. You the big brute and I the wiley terrier come walking along with this stick, and the cuteness factor will go off the charts with those humans.”

“I still don’t get it.”

“Can you say treats?”

“Huh?”

“Yeah, when they see us doing the partner thing on this stick, they’ll turn over chairs running for the cameras and treats.”

“How long do we have to do this?”

“Couple of minutes tops.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“So, you can let go of the stick till we get closer.”

“What do you mean?”

“I got the stick. You can let go.”

“Um. I don’t think so.”

“Why not?”

“You said it yourself. Wiley terrier.”

“We are partners.”

“Sure we are.”

“You imply I can’t be trusted.”

“Not an implication. More like fact.”

“That hurts.”

“Not the first time. I’m sure.”

“Let go.”

“No.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do in the Heat

June 6, 2022June 5, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 84 Comments

This post was originally published in August of 2016. We are expecting 100+F (37.7+C) temperatures for the next seven days. So I think this list is still relevant.

* * *

By design, I will admit this list is a little overstated and the product of a fiction writer. So natural questions like, “Who would do that their thing?” (avoiding ending the sentence with a preposition) should be tempered with the fact that I MAKE THIS STUFF UP IN MY HEAD.

Top Ten Things Not to Do in the Heat.

10 If you are in the heat, do not decide to fire your pottery. If you do, at best, the 1000-degree oven will win. At worst, you might be forced to take fluids intravenously. (Man, that drip sure gets in the way, hey Bunkie?)

9 If you are in the heat, do not do the yard work promised last winter. If you do, at best, you will lose intelligence points at home. At worst, that elevated heartbeat signals you to proceed to the nearest ER. (Too bad no one is at home to drive you, Sport)

8 If you are in the heat, do not tackle that welding project. If you do, at best, you may lose weight. At worst, the third-degree burns on your face are in sharp contrast to the non-burned places where your goggles were in place. (A little aloe vera gel might help cool that down.)

7 If you are in the heat, do not volunteer to help out as a crossing guard at summer school. If you do, at best, the soaking wet shirt makes an interesting statement that the PTA would like to discuss in person. At worst, your memory will always be kept alive in the crossing guard Hall of Fame for not dropping your stop sign as you went down. (What a great testimonial to dedication. Sorry you missed it)

6 If you are in the heat, do not think it is a good idea to carry ice cream home for a treat. If you do, at best, you can still enjoy the Oreo chunks, which are all that is left. At worst, tucking the ice cream into your recyclable bag and your wallet proved to be a mistake. (Handing the police your ice cream-soaked license was a big mistake. “I had to get home, officer, before the ice cream melted.”)

5 If you are in the heat, do not think several adult beverages will help you stay cool. If you do, at best, you may be hot but can’t feel a thing. At worst, you overdo it and realize you slept in the yard all night. (Don’t worry about those mosquito bites. The swelling will go down, and you will be able to see in a day or two.)

4 If you are in the heat, do not think sitting in water all day will spare you from suffering. If you do, at best, you will suffer prune body. At worst, you will need help getting out of the water since you absorbed many gallons and now weigh over three hundred pounds. (The six o’clock news has the entire rescue recorded for replay at ten o’clock as well.)

3 If you are in the heat, do not decide to take up running as an exercise. If you do, at best, you will faint after two blocks. At worst, you will finish a five-mile run and have to take three weeks off work to recover. ( Who was that person who gave you a lift home anyway?)

2 If you are in the heat, do not decide to use your super big grill and smoker. If you do, at best, you will choose to finish everything in the oven in the house. At worst, you will have created an environment that is hotter than the hinges on the gates to hell, and you can’t get cool. ( Chugging the five-gallon water cooler bottle might help. Well…maybe not.)

1 If you are in the heat, do not think your pets have some magic immunity to the high temperatures. If you do, at best, you may need to cool them off quickly. At worst, you may need to get them to the nearest vet for emergency treatment. Okay, this one is serious, and all too often, people forget to keep their pets (and children, sorry to say) protected from the effects of high temperatures. Don’t be one of those people.