Sunday – Fifty-Two Views of the Gulf

May 10, 2015May 9, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 21 Comments

Sunday has come so fast and time for another look at the Gulf. I noticed after the picture was taken that I stood back a little too far and so a lot more of the dune crossover is visible. As you can see the day is overcast and the sea is quite rough. We have had about three days of over 24 mile an hour winds which serve to whip the surf into quite a frenzy. The dark spots on the sand near the water is seaweed that has been carried in at high tide. If you look closely you can also see two lonely yellow Morning Glories to the right. If you look at the photo below you will see they weren’t here last week. The dunes generally are covered with them all summer.

The photo below is last week’s for reference

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Name”

May 9, 2015May 8, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 24 Comments

SOC Badge by: Doobster at Mindful Digressions

Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This week’s prompt is “Name” and we minions can use it any way we want. If you would like to join, the fun go to Linda Hill’s site and read all about it and jump in. http://lindaghill.com/2015/05/08/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-915/ my interpretation follows. Hope you like it.

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

“What’s that you’re saying?”

“Oh, nothing just a quote.”

“A quote? From where or what?”

“It’s from Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet.”

“Who are they?”

“Shakespeare?”

“No, the other two. I know Shakespeare. They make fishing equipment.”

“For heaven’s sake. It is the sonnet writer William Shakespeare.”

“He on YouTube?”

“No, he lived in the sixteen hundreds and wrote beautiful poetry.”

“So he lived uptown?”

“What do you mean uptown?”

“Well, the sixteen hundreds are way uptown.”

“Man alive. Why do I even try?”

“So the other two what’s their name. What’s the story on them?”

“They were lovers who were from families that hated each other.”

“So they couldn’t be seen together and they died under tragic circumstances.”

“Wow. I’m impressed. How did you know?”

“I saw Westside Story. That’s what happened in that movie.”

“Yeah, it happened in the movie as well I guess although I think Romeo and Juliet inspired the movie.”

“Well, I didn’t know that was true.”

Does it change your mind about Shakespeare?”

No, should it?”

“It should make you think about stuff more.”

“I guess you’re right. I have something to say but should think it through.”

Now you’re talking. When you’re ready say it.”

“Want to get a beer that by any other name would still taste good?”

“Well, it’s a start. Sure, Why not?”

Friday JohnKu – AKA TGIF

May 8, 2015May 7, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 33 Comments

Lovely Friday again. It has been a busy week. Among other events, I went to a poetry reading and tossed out a couple of short stories to an audience of four. Almost made me laugh that in a town of four thousand there are four people who are interested in the written arts. Two of the four were fellow writers so it was a fun night and brought to mind the idea that no matter how small the group writers will still read. The poor souls who were the only civilians in the audience had a good time as well. At least they laughed in the right places and clicked their thumbs when it was over. The reading took place beside a marina overlooking some beautiful boats, and I would call the scene peaceful. All in all, I didn’t care about the quantity of the audience it was the quality that mattered. Today’s JohnKu (a term coined by Words4jp) talks about quality. Hope you like it.

Quantity is good,

Until something needs fixing. . .

Quality shines through.

Thursday – A little Personal #RRBC’s Behind the Pen with Bethany Turner

May 7, 2015May 4, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 21 Comments

Last Saturday I was Interview by Bethany Turner on her Blogtalk radio show titled Behind the Pen. Since I did not fall on my own petard I thought I would make the interview available should you wish to listen. It is a half-hour and If you can’t sit that long I understand. Below the link to the broadcast is a picture which will at least make your visit worthwhile.

Here is the link to the broadcast. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ravereviewsbookclub/2015/05/02/rrbc-rave-waves-blogtalkradio-behind-the-pen

Here is the photo payoff for the visit. It is a stormy sunrise.

Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day

May 6, 2015May 4, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 32 Comments

Wednesday Story Day again and we need to go back and join Charlotte and Bob. If you will recall Bob had left to get some coffee and Charlotte called Melissa again. Charlotte wanted to warn Melissa that if Bob’s book gets published he will be a laughing stock he writes so poorly. Melissa doesn’t seem to care and insulted Charlotte by telling her she didn’t count when it came to caring if Bob was the butt of people’s jokes. It was obvious to Charlotte Melissa didn’t care what came of Bob or his book as long as it got published. Charlotte now knows she is nothing but a way to keep Bob from being a bother to Melissa. So let’s go back to our duo.

“Here you are Charlotte. I got you a plain coffee with Splenda and half and half on the side.”

“Thanks, Bob. The coffee looks splendid. Tell me a little about Melissa.”

“Melissa? Well you know she’s my mother right?”

“Yes, I know that. Mmm, this coffee is delicious.”

“I’m glad you like it. The place makes good coffee. What else do you want to know?”

“Oh, not too telling. Maybe how you two get along.”

“Get along? You mean do we see eye to eye?”

“Well, maybe that’s a suitable place to start.”

“She hates me if you want to know the truth.”

“Now, how do you know that she hates you?”

“She tells me all the time. I’m the reason she can’t focus on what she needs.”

“She tells you she hates you?”

“Not in so many words, but she lets me know I’m in the way.”

“In the way?”

“Yeah, you know when some guy comes over I have to disappear.”

“Why’s that?”

“She knows if a guy sees me he will realize she is older than the mid-thirties which is a lie she tells all her dates.”

“Oh, my gosh. Where do you go?”

“I hide in my room and work on my book.”

“For how long?”

“Until the guy leaves.”

“So you handwrite your book while your mom is with someone.”

“Can I be honest with you?

“I hope so.”

“I thought you were one of my mom’s friends and I’ve been putting you on.”

“Putting me on how? About your mom?”

“No that’s all true. No about the book.”

“What about the book?”

“I have another that I have written. This handwritten thing was supposed to drive you nuts and then you would tell my mom that you give up. Which would mean she had to deal with me again. You never did.”

“Where is the other book?”

“Here on my computer.”

“Oh, my gosh.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible #RRBC’s Shirley- Harris Slaughter

May 5, 2015September 15, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 30 Comments

It is my pleasure to have as a guest on Fiction Favorites one of Rave Reviews Book Club’s biggest supporters of other authors Shirley Harris-Slaughter. Shirley is on 4Wills Publishing Crazy! Hot! And Living on the Edge Blog Tour and I am so pleased to help support her. Shirley and I also share a Detroit background so Shirley is a special guest indeed.

I want to thank you for such warm hospitality and support. Thank you, Nonnie Jules, of 4Wills Publishing for putting this all together.

From the Author of…

Crazy! Hot! And Living On The Edge!!

By now you have probably picked up that I have been stalked by crazy people in my life’s experiences. I was beginning to think that something was wrong with me. Why was I running into these people? Why couldn’t I have a normal relationship?

I found the answers along life’s bumpy road. I came from a dysfunctional family. My father was an alcoholic with his own demons to deal with. I didn’t know that his problems would profoundly affect the choices I would make in my life. I wasn’t an alcoholic. I couldn’t even handle a drink without becoming ill; but I was told I am an enabler and that somehow explains everything.

I resented being told that but something had to explain why I kept making the wrong turns in life. My second husband told me it wasn’t me but the ‘boys’ I chose. He said, “Their stupidity was my good fortune.” I cannot tell you how relieved I felt hearing those comforting words. I wasn’t crazy after all.

Someone appreciated me and made me feel cherished. That helped me to repair my tattered self-esteem.

Shirley Harris-Slaughter

book EXCERPT:

I recall one night, while preparing my baby son for bed, I sat down and laid him on my chest to rock him to sleep. Suddenly, I started to feel this tightness in my chest. It felt like I was being squeezed, and it got worse and worse until I was writhing in agony and pain. I had difficulty breathing. I tried and tried, but I just couldn’t get enough air in my lungs. My mother called for help, but when the police arrived and offered to take me down to Detroit Receiving Hospital, she exclaimed: “Over my dead body! You are not taking my daughter downtown!”

At that time, Receiving Hospital had a reputation for admitting a lot of violent criminals and crime victims, and she didn’t want me in that environment. So the officers left. Fortunately, they returned with the decision to take me somewhere closer to my mother’s home. We rode to Mt. Carmel Mercy Hospital, right in our neighborhood. The doctors went through the normal line of questioning, including personal inquiries about my marital status. When I told them I was separated from my husband, they all looked at me with the same sympathetic but knowing expression on their faces.

“OK,” one of them said, “That explains it all…”

JUST PUBLISHED: http://wp.me/P48F9L-9T

THREE REVIEWS: http://amzn.to/1DOGVBl

PURCHASE LINKS:

CRAZY! HOT! AND LIVING ON THE EDGE!!

AMAZON — http://bit.ly/CrazyHotLiving

OUR LADY OF VICTORY, THE SAGA OF AN AFRICAN AMERICAN CATHOLIC COMMUNITY

AMAZON — http://bit.ly/OLVTheSaga

CONNECT:

Email Address: sharrislaughter@gmail.com

Author Facebook Page: http://bit.ly/SHarrriSlaughter

Twitter Page: @sharrislaughter

Email: sharrislaughter@gmail.com

Blog: www.shirleyslaughter.com

Leave a comment at each stop (including this one) and get your name entered that number of times into a random drawing for:

1st Prize: $15 Amazon Gift Card

2nd Prize: Autographed copy of “Crazy! Hot! and Living On The Edge!!”

“This tour sponsored by 4WillsPublishing.wordpress.com.”

Top Ten Things Not to do IF You Think You Are Going to Win a Contest or the Lotto

May 4, 2015May 3, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 28 Comments

This list was inspired by reading a story about a person who had a dream that they were a Lotto winner and went out and bought new cars before the drawing.

Ten Things Not to do if You Think You Are Going to Win a Contest of the Lotto

10 If you think you are going to win a contest or the Lotto, do not quit your day job until the drawing is over. If you do, at best your boss won’t take you seriously when you give a reason for resigning. At worst the Publisher Clearing House Award Team will knock on your door only to discover they have made a mistake, and your neighbor with the barking dog is the actual winner.

9 If you think you are going to win a contest or the Lotto, do not brag to your in-laws before the drawing. If you, at best they will believe you are a little naive. At worst, your father in law will present an IOU for the amount of money he has loaned to your spouse over the years. The bill will still be due even if you don’t win.

8 If you think you are going to win a contest or the Lotto, do not sign the papers for that beautiful new house until after the drawing. If you do, at best you will be the proud owner of two homes and utterly broke. At worst, the Federal government will want to talk about the amount of income you stated on the bank loan forms of twenty million which was used to approve the loan. They keep mumbling vaguely about something called bank fraud.

7 If you think you are going to win a contest or the Lotto, do not tell all your friends before the drawing. If you do at best, they will want the money back for the drinks they bought you. At worst, they will think you won and are avoiding their requests for a loan.

6 If you think you are going to win a contest or the Lotto, do not put off saving for retirement. If you do, at best you will need to keep working until you have enough to retire. At worst, you will retire and find out you needed to work more, and no one is hiring.

5 If you think you are going to win a contest or the Lotto, do not put your house up for sale until after the drawing. If you, at best you will sell it and need to find another. At worst, you will sell your house and find you don’t have enough money to buy one of similar value and no way to qualify for a loan.

4 If you think you are going to win a contest or the Lotto, do not tell your boss exactly what you think of them before the drawing. If you do, at best your boss will send you for a mental evaluation, and all will be forgotten. At worst, you will say things you want to retract but you know a retraction is impossible even as you pack for your new assignment in North Korea.

3 If you think you are going to win a contest or the Lotto, do not avoid setting up a college fund. If you do, at best your kids will be so bright and talented they will win full scholarships to Ivy League schools. At worst, your kids will have to take jobs and loans to get through college and will eventually find their way back to your basement since they can’t afford housing and pay back the loans.

2 If you think you are going to win a contest or the Lotto, do not invest in that oil well with your brother-in-law before the drawing. If you do, at best you have given your brother-in-law a gift, and at least it’s not your brother. At worst, you will need the money you gave the brother-in-law to meet your near term commitments since you figured you were throwing the money away and wouldn’t need it. Now you need it. The silver lining he is not your brother.

1 If you think you are going to win a contest or the Lotto, do not finally buy that expensive gift for your spouse before the drawing. If you do, at best you will be forgiven for the thought. At worst, you will have to return the gift and explain why you bought it in the first place. However, the excuse comes out it will still sound like you have lost your mind.

Sunday – Fifty-Two Views of the Gulf

May 3, 2015May 2, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 20 Comments

Finally, the Fifty-Two Shades of Gray is not going to be a reality. We have had a glorious week and the picture shows you what I mean.

The truck belongs to a lone fisherman. The puffy little clouds gave way to deep blue in the afternoon. Since I take this picture in the morning for consistency the clouds remain and you can see the effect of the sun with shadows on the path. The sea is very calm, unlike last week. The picture below taken last week is quite a contrast to this week.

Interview of Moi on #RRBC’s Blogtalk Radio Today at 12:00 CDT.

May 2, 2015May 1, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 16 Comments

Just a quick post to let you know if you need some company with lunch today I will be interviewed by the gracious Bethany Turner on her show Behind the Pen on Rave Reviews Book Club Blogtalk Radio.

You can listen in by clicking on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ravereviewsbookclub.

I will try to avoid cringe-worthy statements but won’t guarantee it. Bethany will have control and we will talk all things authorly. (Is that a word?)

Thanks.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt Compliment/Complement

May 2, 2015May 1, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 16 Comments

Stream of Consciousness Saturday again. This week’s prompt is Compliment/Complement and can be used together or separately. If you want to join this fun, go to Linda Hill’s site and read the rules. Here is the link http://lindaghill.com/2015/05/01/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-215/ My interpretation follows.

“Hi, Sarah how you doing?”

“Very well, Jackson. Thank you.”

“I enjoyed taking you to the party.”

“Me too. You complement me.”

“Well, okay. You have lovely hair.”

“Huh? Oh, I get it you thought I was looking for a compliment.”

“You said complement me.”

“I meant you make me feel complete.”

“Whoa. That is some compliment.”

“Well, it’s true. You are a complement to me.”

“Thank you, Thank you very much. You compliment me as well.”

“Hum, as in make you whole?”