Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

January 12, 2018January 11, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 70 Comments

This was a typical week regarding no holidays, yet Friday seemed to come pretty quick. I guess it must be my age. I am happy to report that four Beta-readers of The Contract by Gwen Plano and me have already sent their input. (Not due until mid-February) These folks are very dedicated to the task. We have received some excellent feedback. The beautiful part is they report enjoying the story which I think is the whole point in writing.

I have started my sixth book. It is a story featuring Ned Tranes from the John Cannon series. Ned is the chief of police for the city of Port Aransas. He is ex FBI and has been involved in some special operations for the government. I only announce it here so that I won’t get to somehow waffle. I am doing my 1000 words a day on it and expect the first draft will be done by May 1st. That will be just in time to turn to the launch of The Contract. (If all works well and the creek don’t rise)

This leads me to today’s JohnKu which talks about finishing projects. (Which we all see as a challenge from time to time). Hope you have a great weekend.

Starting many things,

Is the easiest of tasks. . .

Finish. Ah, the rub.

Thursday – A Little Personal – The Creature

January 11, 2018January 10, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

“Hey, Boss.”

“Hi, Lucy. How are you?

“Just fine. You know I have something I need to discuss with you.”

“Okay, shoot.”

“Come closer.”

“Is this close enough?”

“Yes, Boss. What I need to tell you I don’t want mom to know.”

“Sounds serious. What is it?”

“Yesterday we were walking in the neighborhood and—”

“There is something in the storm drain Pops. It hissed at us and made a splash.”

“Thank you, Bailey. Do you know what it is?”

“No. I don’t think I want to know.”

“I’m telling you, Boss. You have to see this thing for yourself.”

“Okay, Lucy. How about on walk we investigate.”

“How about mom? She goes with us on a walk.”

“She’ll be okay. She needs to know too.”

‘So here is the dreaded sewer. I’m looking in here and don’t see anything.”

“Go closer, Boss. ”

“Still nothing. Why don’t you two come over here?”

‘Not me Pops. Lucy, you go ahead. Quit tugging my leash.”

“Uh, no. I’m good from back here.”

“Sorry Bailey. Well, ladies. I don’t see or hear a thing.”

“We are sure there was something, Boss. I think it is time to go home.”

“Well that was a bust. I guess we’ll never know what is in there.”

“I think you are right Bailey. It could be anything. Maybe a fish got caught in there.”

“This was no fish, Pops.”

“Yeah, Boss. It wasn’t a fish.”

“You okay though, Lucy.”

“I think I’ll have a little lay down. Things will look brighter at dinner time.”

“Good idea, Lucy. I’ll call you when its time.”

“You’re a mensch, Boss.”

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

January 10, 2018January 9, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 39 Comments

It is Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we learned a little about why Lucas was painting houses. He also gave an opinion that Harriet and Alice were too incompetent to be responsible for the murder of his parents. The final piece of information is that Lucas thinks maybe Seth is involved. Speaking of Seth, i see him going into the lawyer’s office. This could be real interesting, so I think we need to leave Trish and Lucas and head over there.
“There is a Sheriff Gibson here to see you.”
“For heaven’s sake. I wonder what the hell he wants?”
“Shall I tell him you are busy?”
“No. That okay. Tell him to come in.”
“Thank you for seeing me, Jason. I want to advise you that I have a court order here demanding that your client meet me to answer some questions.”
“Why don’t you have a seat Sheriff.”
“Oh. Yes, well, thank you.”
“Now what is this about.”
“Your client is a person of interest in the slaying of his parents and Judge Jeremy has graciously granted me the right to question him.”
“You didn’t need that, Sheriff. I would have allowed you to question Lucas anytime you wanted. All I asked was that I am in his presence when you do so.”
“Yeah, but you got all high and mighty on me. I figured I would get something official so you can’t weasel out of a meeting.”
“Never my intent, Sheriff. I only want to protect my client’s rights. When do you want to see him.”
“I would like to question him as soon as possible.”
“Let me see the order, Sheriff.”
“Sure, here you go.”
“Hmm, says here that access to Lucas will not be unreasonably denied.”
“Yeah. The way I see it, that means right away.”
“Well, sir. The way I see it is you can have access to Lucas when his doctor says he is fit to be questioned. That is not unreasonable.”
“I think not. If I can’t talk to Lucas when I want I think it is an obstruction to the intent of the order.”
“You and I both know that order will need to go back to the judge if you decide to get technical. How about we just find out if Lucas’ doctor has a problem with him being questioned?”
“I think you are trying to delay.”
“If you have to go back to the Judge it may take days.”
“Okay, Mr. McDonnell you win. Give the doctor a call.”
“Hold on, Mr. Gibson. Let me call. Hello, may I talk to Dr. Naismith. Oh, I see. Yes, this is Jason McDonnell. He knows me. Tell him it is a legal matter and I would appreciate a return call. Thank you.”
“What the hell?”
“The doctor is in surgery right now. He won’t get back for a few hours. So what do you want to do?”
“Damn. I sure don’t want to sit around here. Call me when you are ready to meet with me.”
“Very good Sheriff. I will call you. Let me walk you out.”
“Forget it. I know my own damn way out.

Tuesday – Anything possible – Kreative Kue #156 by Keith Channing

January 9, 2018January 8, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 47 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 keith@channing.info 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 – pingbacks don’t often work.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.

The Photo.

“Can you hurry up?”

“One minute. I want to remember this moment with my friends.”

“You’ve taken about twenty photos already. It’s time to leave. We will miss our train if we don’t go now.”

“Do you see how the flower turns toward me when I start to take a picture?”

“No, I don’t see that at all.”

“I think these flowers would like to come with us.”

“You have got to be kidding me. They are planted here.”

“See that fence. Why would you have a fence if they weren’t trying to keep them here?”

“Uh. Maybe to keep nuts like you out of here. You see the no picking flowers sign?”

“Yeah, I saw it. That’s like putting a no touching the prisoner’s sign in a jail. They don’t want any escapes.”

“Listen to yourself. I think you need some help.”

“If we grab as many flowers as we can hold we might have a chance to free most.”

“Where do you get these ideas?”

“I hear voices.”

“Voices?”

“Yes, voices.”

“Okay, now I’m concerned. Where do these voices come from?”

“From the little leaves all around me. They say. “Take me home. Take me home.”

“You sure that’s not your phone.”

“I’m sure.”

“Well, I’m going to leave now. Coming with me?”

“Can I bring a friend?”

“No. It is against the law.”

“Even a little friend?”

“Like one of those leaves?”

“Yes.”

“Fine if you must.”

“Hear that guys? Who wants to go with me?”

“For heaven’s sake.”

“I can’t make up my mind. They all want to go.”

“Look. I’ll get you a package of baby spinach if we leave now.”

“That will do. Let’s go.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do If You Have a Winning Mega Millions Ticket

January 8, 2018January 7, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 61 Comments

The inspiration for this post is the fact that this week there were single winning tickets sold for the Mega Millions and Powerball Lotto games. You and I don’t have to worry about how to handle these winnings so I guess this post is dedicated to those two winners of over $400 million each.

10 If you have a winning Mega Millions ticket, do not tweet “Yay I just won $400 million. If you do at best, you’ll only have ten followers. At worst, your tweet will go viral, and you will now have a million close and personal friends. (Looks like everyone needs a loan huh, Carmichael?)

9 If you have a winning Mega Millions ticket, do not hire Tiny the WWF champ as a bodyguard. If you do, at best you’ll have to hire another to watch Tiny. At worst, Tiny will not be able to resist helping himself to your winnings even though he is a graduate of an intensive self-help course for kleptomaniacs. (You should have known when he showed up at your door offering his services, Carswell.)

8 If you have a winning Mega Millions ticket, do not give a press conference on national TV. If you do, at best it will take you hours to get home because of the traffic jam around your house. At worst, you will be asked for money everyplace you go since you are now well-known. (Who’s bright idea was that conference, Casimero? Oh yeah the lotto company.)

7 If you have a winning Mega Millions ticket, do not answer your phone. If you do, at best it might be your aunt, Mary. At worst, it will be your cousin Vinny reminding you of the five dollar bet you had back in high school. (Vinny believes that the interest on the bet now makes it worth $500,000. Told you not to answer the phone, Cassian.)

6 If you have a winning Mega Millions ticket, do not claim your prize without consulting a tax attorney. If you do, at best you can afford the tax hit. At worst, the new tax laws will put you in a bracket called the 110 percent bracket. (Good luck in raising the extra $4o million you owe, Caster.)

5 If you have a winning Mega Million ticket, do not go out and buy everything on the planet. If you do, at best you’ll come to your senses while there is still money left. At worst, you’ll realize too late that there is no return guarantee on yachts, planes, castles, jewelry, and art. (Now that you have all this stuff, Cavan maybe it is time for a garage sale.)

4 If you have a winning Mega Million ticket, do not let the ticket out of your sight. If you do, at best it will still be where you left it last. At worst, the ticket will ride in your shirt pocket through the wash. (Those tickets sure come out clean don’t they, Chadburn? You would hardly know it used to be worth $400 million.)

3 If you have a winning Mega Million ticket, do not quit work. If you do, at best the ticket is genuine. At worst, though some computer error your ticket is not the winner. (So much for telling the boss where he could shove your job, huh Chiko?)

2 If you have the winning Mega Millions ticket, do not forget to look both ways before crossing the street. If you do, at best the traffic will be light. At worst, your heirs will be enjoying the fruit of your lotto win. (Hard to tell where that truck came from right, Cal?)

1 If you have the winning Mega Millions ticket, do not fail to set aside some for charity. If you do at best, you’ll be labeled a cheap skate. At worst, you won’t get a charitable deduction, and the world will be no better off having you in it. (You wonder why dogs growl and cats hiss when you come by, Scrooge?)

Views of the Neighborhood – Status of Bird Sanctuaries

January 7, 2018January 6, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 51 Comments

The last time we checked on the status of the bird sanctuaries they were a bit of a mess from the Hurricane Harvey. I am happy to report they are making a comeback.

Here is a photo of Paradise Pond taken shortly after the Hurricane.

Here is what it looks like today.

This is what the actual pond looked like.

Now it is cleaned up.

With a return of birds.

Many birds

Although the tree cover is gone the pond itself is filled with wildfowl

Here is a shot taken at the birding center. Off in the distance are many pink Spoonbills and white egrets. I’m sorry the photo isn’t better, but the birds were out of range.

The birding center still has no access for close up shots. The photo of the Spoonbills and Egrets was taken to the left of this destroyed walkway (which I published two months ago). The important point is the birds have returned. I hope you enjoyed the walk today.

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

January 5, 2018January 4, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 43 Comments

Another Friday with the distinction of the first Friday for 2018. This one came pretty quick given the fact that last Monday was a holiday. I don’t know about you, but this Friday does not feel any different from last Friday. I guess it would be pretty unreasonable to expect to wake up in the new year and have it feel different from last year.

I can say that our weather has taken a turn for the worse so far this year. We have been under the Jack Frost thumb. We don’t expect it to last forever so we’ll hold tight and ride it through. Today’s John Ku talks about hold the course in adversity. I hope you have a great weekend.

Life tends to challenge,

And no one knows why this is . . .

Remember don’t quit.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Cold Snap

January 4, 2018January 3, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 79 Comments

“You called Boss?”

“Yes, Lucy. It’s time for your morning walk.”

“Hold on, Boss. Have you been out there today?

“Yes. It is a little chilly.”

“Pops. Sixty degrees are a little chilly. It is thirty degrees right now.”

“Come on. How do you know that, Bailey?”

“You’re kidding, right? I’m a dog. It’s in my DNA to know what is going on outside all the time.”

“Do you agree, Lucy?”

“Well, as I take a sniff of the downstairs exit I can sense some cold air.”

“You guys are like the biggest chickens. It will do you good to get some fresh air. You laid around all day yesterday.”

“Well, there were reasons Boss.”

“Like what kind of reasons?”

“It was a Tuesday. On Tuesday Bailey and I like to lay around.”

“I know. I got a photo of you two.”

“Let me look, Boss. Oh, I see there is some sunshine.”

“See there you are. Come look Bailey. You’ll like it.”

“Um. In a minute, Pops. I need to do some creative thinking.”

“I can imagine, Bailey. How about you Lucy?”

“You know, Boss. Right now I’m good. Let me rest in this ray of death for a minute.”

“So maybe we’ll go for a walk later?”

“We’ll get back to you on that, Boss.”

“How about if I get out your blankets?”

“Now you’re talking, Boss.”

“Way to go, Pops.”

“You ladies look cute.”

“Why thank you. (As if we didn’t know. Right, Bailey?)”

“Right.”

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

January 3, 2018January 2, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 38 Comments

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we left Harriet and Alice who were contemplating what to tell Frank Plano the PI who was at the front door. It seems there was a little of Alice’s blood left at the Severides on the night they were murdered. Harriet and Alice are contemplating what to tell the detective. In the meantime, Lucas and his sister are having a conversation that we should witness. The problem with this storytelling is we cannot be in two places at the same time. Last time we were with them, Lucas told his sister Trish about the insurance. Let’s get to the hospital and pick up the conversation.

“So you are telling me we are both worth five million dollars.”
“That’s right, Trish. Our parents left insurance money to us.”
“And also there is another policy on their lives as well.”
“So I have been led to believe.”
“I have a question for you.”
“Okay sis, shoot.”
“If you have five million dollars, what are you doing painting the Murphy house.?”
“How did you know about that?“
“That private detective told me you were working in Anton as a painter and working for someone named Harriet Murphy. I thought it made sense until you told me about the money.”
“I have to be able to trust you. Can I?”
“Can you what? Trust me? You and I are all we have left as family. I hope you can trust me.”
“Okay. Makes sense. You can’t tell anyone what I’m about to tell you. Promise.”
“I promise although I think that is a ridiculous request. I’m your sister for God’s sake.”
“Thank you. So the reason I took up painting Harriet’s house is I thought she and her friend Alice had something to do with our parent’s murder. I also suspected they took the policy and any money that was in the house.”
“Where ever did you come up with that assumption and how much money did out parents have.”
“You of all people should know out parents were pretty heavy into drug distribution.”
“Yeah, I knew they were involved. I just accepted it since it was easy to tap into the inventory so to speak.”
“I figured. Well, when you think of the drug trade you have to think cash. After all, you don’t use banks to tip-off the feds about your activity.”
“Yeah so?“
“So I think there could have been as much as a million in cash.”
“A million? Are you crazy? How could they hide that much money?”
“A million in one-hundred-dollar bills weighs a little over twenty-two pounds and when stacked is only twenty-five inches wide by six inches long and under five inches high. It could fit under the bed. I’m only guessing at a million. It could be more.”
“Whoa, this is way over our heads.”
“You know the funny part is Harriet hired a private detective to look into the whole thing.”
“She did? What the hell for?”
“Well she really hired a lawyer to help me, and he hired the PI.”
“This is getting more confused the more you tell me.”
“The point is you, and I have to be careful. the person or persons who killed our parents won’t stop if they think we know who they are.”
“Do you know?’
“Absolutely not. I don’t think it is Harriet and Alice though.”
“Why don’t you think it’s them.?”
“They are too incompetent. Whoever did it knew not to leave any clues.”
“A professional?”
“I’m even thinking of a law enforcement officer.”
“The sheriff?”
“Wouldn’t put it past him.”
“You say you have a lawyer? We need to talk to him.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #155 by Keith Channing

January 2, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 35 Comments

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.”

The Photo.