As I have written on past Memorial Days all ten things not to do on this day are the same. Do not fail to remember those who gave their lives to keep us free.
I hope you have a peaceful Memorial Day.
Tag: thriller fiction
Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF
“Yes, Little One. After all, you and I have to work so hard all week. Where’s that cabana person anyway?’
Ah, Friday……*crickets* Hello. Anybody here? here? here? Well, notwithstanding the echo, I’m going to assume somebody’s out there.
Not much going on here. Been sending out queries and actually got a response. “Thanks, but no thanks.” I wrote back and thanked them for at least letting me know. I think if every agency could somehow let you know it would be a help. Of course, who said agencies were in the business of having to let those who query them know the outcome. After all, they were sitting there minding their own business when some interloper like me bothered them with a query. I think I will revise my thinking on this item. If I haven’t heard anything, I’m going to assume they are having trouble deciding if the literary or mass-market agent should represent me.
Oh, wait. Let’s take this one step further. With my query letter in hand, the agent took the initiative to contact Harper Collins. Harper Collins is having a difficult time determining whether or not a $50,000 advance will be enough to keep the book from Hachette. Of course, the agent thinks a six-figure advance will be required. So until they work out the details, no one is going to contact me. Yes, this is better.
I hope everyone is doing okay now that the states are starting to open up. This particular old guy is going to take his time to embrace my fellow humans. I’m going to wait until I see the net result of people congregating again. Today’s JohnKu talks about caution. I hope you all have a super weekend.
Rush by John W. Howell © 2012
Let’s go bar hopping,
Or into a crowded store . . .
Not to worry, Right?
Thursday – A Little Personal – Lucy and Twiggy – Two Cents
“So, what are you doing there, Little one?”
“I’m checking things out is all.”
“Oooo. I love checking things out. Talk to me.”
“Well, this new sod seems to be coming along.”
“I agree. It still needs some time before it’s mowed.”
“Yeah, I was going to mention it needs a haircut.”
“If you want to see a mess, follow me.”
“You talking about the side yard?”
“I sure am. Where did you go?”
“I see a weed over here. Just making a note of it.”
“You will need a whole book to make weed notes in this place.”
“When are the guys coming to tear out this St Augustine grass and lay the rest of the sod?”
“I heard mom on the phone with them. They said this weekend.”
“It’s been four weeks. What was the holdup?”
“This kind of sod is a little scarce. So it took some time to find a grower.”
“How do you know all this stuff?”
“I keep my ears open.”
“Well, I’m still going to mention a few things to dad.”
“You go right ahead, Little One. I’m sure he’ll appreciate your two cents worth.”
“Come on. My opinion is worth at least a buck.”
“We’ll see, Little one. We’ll see.”
Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #263 by Keith Channing.
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 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.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”
The photo.
I Spy by John W. Howell © 2020
“Harold, come here.”
“What m’love?”
“Look out the window over there. Just beyond the trees.”
“What am I looking for?”
“Don’t you see above the trees what looks like some kind of antenna?”
“Oh, now I do. Would you look at that? Them government people are checking on us.”
“Checking on us? Whatever for?”
“I think they are checking to see if we are maintaining the shelter in place rules.”
“Couldn’t it be they are looking at someone else?”
“Bertie. Think about it. What other houses are there around us? We are the only one here.”
“What do we do then?”
‘Well, we are sheltering in place according to the rules.”
“I just don’t like being watched. I mean a couple of over the hill pensioners like us. Don’t they have anything better to do?”
“I see your point. It is a matter of personal freedom. It’s bad enough being cooped up here without some snooper team checking up. I’m going to get something.”
“Don’t you lower yourself to go down there and talk to them, Herold.”
“I have no intention of talking.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I have something here in the closet.”
“What is that thing?”
“This, my dear, is an MK153 shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapon.”
“Goodness, where did you get that thing.”
“Amazon prime.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Take out that snooper thingy.”
“Won’t you get into trouble?”
“A gray-haired old fart like me. What are they going to do? Shoot me?”
“Maybe. Might shoot me too.”
“You know I never thought of that. Okay, maybe we try to ignore that thing.”
“Nah. Take it out. Harold.”
Top Ten Things Not to Do on the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1804
This last week marked the 216th anniversary of the beginning of the full Lewis and Clark expedition. On May 14, 1804, Clark and the Corps joined Lewis in St. Charles, Missouri, and headed upstream on the Missouri River to try and find a water passage to the Pacific Ocean. This is one journey you won’t want to miss. If you go take along this list so maybe you will stay out of trouble.
Top Ten Things Not to Do on the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1804.
10 On the expedition, do not insist that the expedition started in Pittsburgh in November of 1803. If you do, at best, the men will ignore you. At worst, since most came with Clark in 1803, you might make some enemies. (You see, Lorne, Meriwether Lewis and a few of the crew picked up a keelboat in Pittsburgh in 1803, but the full complement of 45 souls including Lewis, Clark, 27 unmarried soldiers, a French-Indian interpreter, a contracted boat crew and a slave owned by Clark named York.)
9 On the expedition, do not refuse Tiny, the WWF champ, when he wants to trade his handmade moccasins for your LL Bean boots. If you do, at best, you better use the excuse that you and Tiny are not the same size. At worst, you and Tiny are the same size, and your refusal is being interpreted as pure rejection. (Tiny missed his last dependency group session where he was to be given advice on how to handle rejection. He is now left up to his own devices. Yeah, Leroi that pinwheel over the head just before the mat slam is part of it. Try not to hold your breath. It doesn’t hurt as much when you land if you don’t.)
8 On the expedition, do not try to help with directions. If you do, at best, you will be ignored. At worst, Lewis and Clark will take your comments as a lack of confidence in their leadership. (Now you’ve done it, Lorence. You have made a backseat driving move that might get you left behind. If it happens, be sure and ask for a musket. The bears are pretty wild around here.)
7 On the expedition, do not sit in the peace pipe ceremony and then declare you don’t smoke. If you do, at best, everyone will think you are joking. At worst, you will break the spell and the peace process. (You may wonder why everyone is looking at you, Loki. I think you can interpret the looks as a dead man walking.)
6 On the expedition, do not ask Sacagawea out on a date. If you do, at best, she’ll just say no. At worst, she will tell her husband, French-Canadian trapper Toussaint Charbonneau. ( I hope you have your running shoes on, Lazarus. If there is one person you don’t want to mess with is a trapper. The fact that Toussaint is French-Canadian and does not take guys hitting on his wife lightly, I would start running now and don’t stop until you hit St. Louis, which is about 290 miles East.)
5 On the expedition, do not accept an invitation from Meriwether Lewis to go hunting. If you do, at best, the event will be uneventful. At worst, there is a hunting accident. (Since Lewis was shot in the butt during one of these trips, Lucky. Hopefully, you stayed in front of him. If not, here take this band-aid.)
4 On the expedition, do not offer to do the cooking for a night. If you do, at best, the group will politely decline. At worst, they will be enthusiastic about seeing what you can do. (The only thing there is to eat is the dog, Lennox. I hope your Beef Bourgogne recipe is adaptable or this may be the end of the trip for you.)
3 On the expedition, do not offer to watch out for all the specimens collected. If you do, at best you will get a polite no. At worst, Lewis and Clark will take you up on your offer. ( I hope you knew, Lex that there are 120 animal specimens and 200 botanical samples. Good luck with toting all of that stuff. Also, some of those animal specimens are getting real gamey.)
2 On the expedition, do not complain about sore feet. If you do, at best, no one will listen. At worst, those who hear your complaint will think you’re a softy. (Everyone has traveled the same 8,000 miles, Lev. Your claims have fallen of deaf ears.
1 On the expedition, do not expect the same rewards as Lewis and Clark. If you do, at best, you’ll be disappointed. At worst, you overvalued your importance to the mission. (Since both Lewis and Clark received double pay and 1600 acres of farmland, Len. Perhaps they will share it with you. Of course, maybe someday pigs will fly as well. )
Views of the Neighborhood – Mailbox Holder Decorations
This is another view of some of the decorations that have been placed on top of mailbox holders. It hardly seems possible that I did a post over a year ago about the mailbox decorations here in Lakeway. This tour has some different ones from the last. If you missed the last one, HERE is a link. I hope you enjoy our stroll today.
I would call this one Jerimiah.
This is a metal plant. I like the turquoise color.
A pot with some petunias.
A peacock, of course.
Kind of a sad raccoon.
A happy fawn.
This looks to be the bluebird of bitterness.
Here is a symbol of good luck. I hope you have a great week.
Top Ten (Okay, there are twelve) Coronavirus Memes – Time for a Laugh
This week marks the 216th anniversary of the beginning of the Lewis and Clark expedition, but guess what? I just did not have the wherewithal to create the Top Ten Things not to do on that trip. Maybe some other day. Today, we need a laugh, so I thought I would put a few of my favorite coronavirus memes to lighten the week a little. This is not to make lite of our situation, but just to have a smile or two.
Cause for worry
Good tip
True
Clever Police.
Typical
I would want to do that.
Tough choice.
Love it.
Can’t fight it forever.
Work at home blues
Maybe the answer. I hope you enjoyed these.
Views of the Neighborhood – Stay at Home Orders Relaxed
Since the governor of Texas relaxed the stay at home orders, I decided to go out into the world and see if folks were leaving their homes to do authorized activities. I hope you enjoy the stroll with me.
The first stop Tennis courts. Yup folks on them
Foursome playing there.
Sign at the sand volleyball court. There is no one there. (Who wants to play a volleyball game with just two on a side. In the Olympics maybe.)
No one at the pool.
Five at the skatepark.
Practice green getting play.
Golf players
Snack bar players
This is the drive up food service at the country club.
Practice tee’s getting a workout.
The Greenbelt parking lot is jammed.
The city park has quite a few visitors.
The parking lot at the city park is full.
So I would say it looks like people are out and about. Thanks for coming along.
Friday JohnKu – AKA- TGIF
“Right behind you, Little One.
It is Friday again, and most of the states have had some kind of easing of the restrictions connected with COVID-19. I guess we all with wait with bated breath to see if folks who bunch up together will cause an increase in the number of cases. As for Texas, the governor eased the restrictions and opened pools and hair salons. In watching the news, it looks like opening the lakes and parks with the idea of social distancing is not working. Party coves on the lakes are jammed and the walkways at parks crowded. So we will see how all this turns out.
There’s not much more going on. I’m planning to start another WIP, but I am trying to decide between two different arcs. No hurry here. Given the pandemic, time seems to be a less important asset. Today’s JohnKu talks about the new timelines. I hope you have a great weekend.
Time by John W. Howell © 2020
Not sure you agree,
But time seems to be less rushed. . .
Maybe it is me.
Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF
“Oh, Goodie.”
Another Friday has arrived, and we are not too sure what that means anymore. Well, for one thing, it means that whatever annoyance we had to go through with our work at home situation will be over in about eight hours. It also means that this is the first day of a new month. That always gives us hope for a new beginning.
Here in Texas, the governor has opened up individual businesses. He has set a limit of 25% occupancy, which means most restaurants will not open due to the high cost of start-up versus the return. Most will still offer carry out and delivery.
Also, the governor indicated that the take out and mixed drink accommodation may become permanent. Once that cat is out of the bag, it is tough to get it back in. On a survey here (very unofficial) by the local TV station, 75% of those polled responded that they had taken advantage of the take-home or delivery of mixed drinks. I guess this could cut down on the drinking and driving at least.
I have to share an agent rejection that I had this week. I submitted my material last Sunday evening at about 5:30 PM. This was done on the agency form and included a query letter, a bio, and the first five pages of the manuscript. I got an answer back at 8:30 PM. So on a Sunday, the agent was standing by the computer to “carefully evaluate” my submission. You gotta say that is one dedicated agent. Hahaha.
Today’s John Ku talks about continuing with your goals, no matter the obstacles like automated submission forms with automated responses. I hope you have a great weekend.
Forward by John W. Howell © 2020
It’s your goal after all,
No matter the obstacle. . .
Your own choice to quit.
