Tag: thriller fiction

Views of the Neighborhood – Charlie’s Pasture

~ John W. Howell ~ 60 Comments

Today we are visiting The Port Aransas Nature Preserve which encompasses 1,217 acres in an area formerly known as Charlie’s Pasture. The area was named after early resident Charlie Bujan who allowed the locals to graze their cattle on his property. The Port Aransas Nature Preserve includes nearly 3 miles of crushed granite hike and bike trails and boardwalks over the algal flats. Amenities include the pavilion, sheltered overlooks, picnic tables and restrooms.

Birders look for waterfowl (Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Cinnamon Teal), grebes (Least included), heron and egrets, cormorants, shorebirds (such as Black-necked Stilt), and flaming pink Roseate Spoonbills.

So here is a view of Charlie’s Pasture. Hope you like it.

Charlie Pasture

The entrance.

Charlie's Pasture

A long view of the pavilion.

Information about the preserve is on the post.

A view looking back from the information post. Notice the Farley boat and retired oil derricks.

Closer view of the pavilion with water behind.

Swallow nest in the rafter of the pavilion

A view of one of the hiking trails from the pavilion

Closer shot of the warning sign. Yes, snakes are here. Best to wear boots.

Shot of the water located on the hiking trail

Going to the Charlie Fishing pier. Notice the receptacle for old fishing line.

A little closer view of the four oil derricks on Harbor Island. For those who have seen my Views posts before, the ferries (Which I have pictured often) Run to Harbor Island from Port Aransas and land to the right of the derricks. A sign regarding wakes reminds us that large freighters move through the Corpus Christi Channel.

A look back toward the shore from the fishing pier. Notice the houses in the background. They are permanent residences.

A shot of a fisherman and the Corpus Christi Channel channel.

A photo from the pier by the fisherman. This is looking North West. Charlie’s pasture is on the left.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Limb”

~ John W. Howell ~ 22 Comments

 

SOCS

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This weeks prompt is Limb. Linda Hill says we can use the word any way we want. If you would like to participate, visit Linda’s blog for some helpful instructions and great posts on the prompt. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2017/07/28/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-2917/

Limb by John W. Howell © 2017

“So, what did you say was the prompt this week?”

“Limb.”

“Limp? What the hell kind of prompt is that?”

“Not limp you dolt. Limb.”

“Lamb? Okay, that is a little better. I could do a little, “Mary had a little lamb.”‘

“Not lamb. What’s the matter with your hearing anyway? It’s limb.”

“Ah, I got it now. Okay, how about a recipe for gin and tonic. We can use lime as a garnish.”

“I may have to call a doctor after I slap you. Not lime. It’s Limb.”

“I know a guy named Lim. He was in my math class.”

“Let me give you a hint. I will tear you limb from limb if you don’t stop.”

“Is that from Shakespeare?”

“No, it is from my mouth.”

“So the prompt is limb like a branch of a tree?”

“By Jove, I think he’s got it. Yes, limb like on a tree.”

“Well, that shouldn’t be too hard then.”

“After we finally get to it, no.”

“I have the greatest knock, knock joke. It even has a limb in it.”

“Sounds fun.”

“You start it.”

“Okay knock, knock.”

“Who’s there?”

“You idiot. just start running.”

 

Friday – JohnKu – AKA TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 42 Comments

TGIF

 

Friday again. (Yes, John it comes around once a week at this time.) This week has been full of looking at the last proof of Circumstances of Childhood. Next week I should be heavy into formatting which is always fun. (What? are you sick?) I got word the cover is going to be a couple of weeks from now, so I think the mid-September date might slip a little. It is no big deal and I good with anything before November 1st. (So you say to readers.) I wrote a JohnKu last week about the vagaries of publishing, so I think this week I’ll I will discuss one’s inner voice. Yes, those parenthetical statements came from my inner voice.  We all have one, and sometimes mine needs to go off to a seminar on positive thinking. I hope you have a great weekend.

Inner Voice by John W. Howell

So what’s that I hear?

Far away behind my eyes. . .

That arrogant voice.

Thursday – A Little Personal – The Toy

~ John W. Howell ~ 67 Comments

Stella

“Excuse me, John.”

“Yes, Stella what is it?”

“Shouldn’t those canines be playing instead of sleeping all day?”

“I think you have a point. Let me talk to them.”

“Lucy. Wake up.”

“Huh…wait, what boss?”

“Don’t you think you and Bailey ought to do something other than sleep on the couch.”

Stella, Bailey and Lucy

“Aw. . . Man, Boss. I’m glad you woke me I had this dream that I was sleeping next to Stella.”

“Never happen. See you even dream of sleeping in your sleep. You guys need to do something.”

“How about you, Bailey.”

“Gosh, Pop. I’m good right where I am. Er, what did you have in mind?”

“So Lucy. Here is a toy. Why not play.”

“Boss, boss, boss. You expect me to play with a terry cloth pig? Maybe Stella would do that. Not I.”

“Nope, I’m good, John. Got my three-headed snake on a stick.”

“Here Bailey. Take this thing away from me.”

“Okay, Lucy. Only because I love you. Mmmmmfffffptttt.”

“Man this thing tastes like it’s been in mothballs.”

“Boss. We gave it the college try. This just isn’t our kind of toy.”

“Fine ladies. Hit the couch.”

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

~ John W. Howell ~ 44 Comments

Hump Day Camel

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again. Last week Nurse Campbell (Uh Staci) and Lucas seemed to be getting along quite well. Although most of you feel Lucas is on the make, I’m not so sure. Well, we need to go back to Anton, Illinois. It seems while Lucas is in the hospital Seth Gibson (The Sheriff) has been snooping around. He makes a phone call to Alice. Let’s go and take the literary license of being able to hear both sides of the conversation. (It is our right as readers.)

“Hello, Alice?”
“Yes, Seth it’s me.”
“Man, are you ever going to sweeten up?”
“Just get to it, Seth. What do you want?”
“Okay, I’ve been doing some inquiries about Lucas and his parents. I got a call from a pharmacist in Kenosha.”
“Kenosha? What the heck is a Kenosha?’
“It’s not a thing. It’s Lucas’ hometown in Wisconsin.”
“Where his parents were murdered?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“What did he want?”
“Well, I called every drugstore in Kenosha to see if there were any unusual circumstances around prescription drugs—”
“Wait a minute Seth. What pharmacist worth his salt is going to give you information without a court order. Medical information is private.”
“There is an old adage in investigative work. ‘Shake the tree to see what falls.’”
“Whatever that means.”
“I just identified myself as the sheriff conducting an investigation into the Saveride murders and what falls out of the tree but this Pharmacist.”
“What did he say?”
“Well, he was real cautious given the sensitivity of any medical information. He wanted to make sure he would not be tied to the case.”
“So you told him he would not, right?”
“Yes, I did. Then he tells me that Lucas was getting regular prescriptions for anxiety. He even mentioned that the side effects could be uncontrolled rage or thoughts of suicide.”
“My gosh, Seth. I wonder if he is still on ’em.”
“It is something to follow-up on for sure. The reason I’m telling you this is so you’ll be careful around him.”
“Yes, Seth I’m sure you want me to be careful.”
“You know Alice, sometimes you are too smart for your own good.”
“Oh, okay Seth. I’ll try to dumb down for you.”
“Goodbye, Alice. You’ve been warned.”
“So you believe the Pharmacist?”
“Not sure. I wonder why he would give up the information so easily. I just want to keep you safe so until I check it out, so you be careful.”
“Okay, Seth. By the way…Thanks. Bye.”
“Bye Alice.”

Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #132 by Keith Channing

~ John W. Howell ~ 46 Comments

Kith explains “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 6 pm 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.

Kreative Kue #132

Working by John W. Howell © 2017

“Be quiet someone is in there.”

“Who is it?”

“I have no idea. It is somebody who’s working.”

“How do you know she’s working?”

“Light over the computer. Back to the windows. Certainly not someone having a holiday.”

“What do we do now?”

“I’m not sure. We can’t bust in there now.”

“What about all that loot that was rumored to be in there.”

“I guess we will have to hit another place.”

“Aw come on. One look at us and she’ll faint.”

“We can’t take that chance. What if she screams and some guy comes out with a gun.”

“What’s the chance he’ll be able to hit us both?”

“So you are volunteering to be shot.”

“Well, no. I see what you mean.”

“I think we are going to have to settle for some other place.”

“You told me you saw the loot.”

“Yes, I did.”

“Tell me.”

“It will just torture you.”

“Yeah, but better to dream than not.”

“Okay. There was cheese, peanut butter, and walnuts.”

“Go on. You don’t mean it?”

“That’s what I saw.”

“You know the last time I had cheese I had to slide it out of that stupid four way snap trap.”

“When’s the last time you had walnuts?”

“I can’t even remember, but I had to drop one once when the cat showed up.”

“Me I never eat peanut butter. They always use peanut butter on those snap traps.”

“Man I’m starving.”

“Let’s go to the barn and get some grain.”

“I guess that will have to do. Be careful that damn owl has been around lately.”

“If I didn’t know better, I would think people don’t like mice very much.”

“Don’t say that. I have some pretty tender feelings.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do on a Photo Shoot.

~ John W. Howell ~ 66 Comments

Top Ten Thing not to do

 

This list was inspired by my Producer. We did a shoot yesterday and the subject of Ten Things Not to Do came up. I have to admit publically that I only did number ten once.  The rest – all fiction. I hope you enjoy the list.

10. If you are on a photo shoot, do not ignore the advice of your Producer. If you do, at best you’ll have lousy photos. At worst, you’ll have bad pictures and an ex Producer. (See what happens when you ignore good advice, Pard?)

9 If you are on a photo shoot, do not take photos of people without permission. If you do, at best you may have to run fast. At worst, you will take a lovely photo of Tiny the WWF champ before he could suck in his substantial belly. (Funny how that camera turned to dust in Tiny’s hand huh, Tex?)

8 If you are on a photo shoot, do not try to get the whole picture while backing up to the edge of a cliff. If you do, at best a fence will stop you from going over. At worst, you will be catching multiple shots of the cliff face whizzing by you. (It is now time to worry about the landing, Putz.)

7 If you are on a photo shoot, do not take too many pictures of the same thing. If you do, at best you’ll waste camera memory. At worst, your producer will believe you have some kind of fixation on the object. (Sure you can explain away a building, but that person in a bikini is another matter right, Ferd?)

6 If you are on a photo shoot, do not take the shot until you check the camera settings. If you do, at best the last setting is still okay for this shot. At worst, you will get home to find the best shot of the day is a blur. (Oh don’t worry, Buford. You’ll get another chance to photograph that rare bird in flight. Maybe in the next life.)

5 If you are on a photo shoot, do not take the shot until you check the background. If you do at best, all is good. At worst, that cute puppy in the background just decided to lift a leg as you pressed the shutter button. (And of course, this is the only photo of the scene hay, Bunky?)

4 If you are on a photo shoot, do not take photos of places where you see signs that say “No Photographs.” If you do, at best you might get away with one or two with no flash. At worst, just as you are about to take the first photo, the word SECURITY shows up in your viewfinder. (That guy is big and very close to you, Buzzy.)

3 If you are on a photo shoot, do not get carried away with the scene. If you do, at best you may forget to set something. At worst, every one of your photos has the camera body strap or your thumb front and center. (Well that was fun. Maye the circus will be back next year, and you can try again, Doofus.)

2 If you are on a photo shoot, do not enter private property to take photos. If you do, at best you may be asked to leave. At worst, you might not be able to out run that gigantic bull you thought would make a great picture. (You did see the “No Trespassing – Wild Bull” sign didn’t you, Ace?)

1 If you are a photo shoot, do not ignore the weather to get your shot. If you do, at best you might get wet. At worst, that bolt lightning sure cleared your sinus. (You know not to stand in water in an electrical storm huh, Bosco?)

Views of the Neighborhood – City Services

~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

My producer and I were discussing the number of services that were available for residents of our city. We have a population of 3,300 and it is amazing the number of services available in Port Aransas. We decided to detail them here. We left off trash and brush collection as well as police and fire since those are available to most cities. We did not include those activities available exclusively to tourists too. I hope you enjoy a recap of those amenities available.

Port Aransas Services

This is our community theater.

The new art center (under construction)

The Museum

The Computer Center.

The weekly newspaper

Chamber of Commerce

Animal rescue

And since the Producer is also involved in Boxer rescue we have extra pictures of dogs…

And these adorable kittens. Our shelter is a no-kill shelter, so all the rescues have an opportunity for a new home.

The Library. (Which is expanding)

A wildlife refuge named Charlie’s Pasture. Here is the pavilion with bay water in the background

The Marine Science Institute

The public pool with new water slide.

Port A parks

Skate park

Port A pParks

Baseball fieldParidise Pond

Paradise Pond

Roberts Point Park

Robert’s Point Park

I.B.Magee Park

I.B. Magee Beach Park

The Birding Center

Marina

The marina

The airport.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Sealing/Ceiling”

~ John W. Howell ~ 36 Comments

 

SOCS

It is Stream of Conscious Saturday time again. This weeks prompt is Sealing/Ceiling. Linda Hill says we can use these any way we want. We can use one or both. If you would like to join in this prompt go to Linda’s blog and read all about it. Here is the link where you will see other’s work too. https://lindaghill.com/2017/07/21/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-2217/

Sealing/Ceiling by John W. Howell © 2017

“What are you doing up there?”

“I’m sealing the ceiling.”

“What?”

“There is a leak in the roof, so I’m putting some stuff on the ceiling, so the water won’t leak in.”

“Shouldn’t you be putting something on the roof?”

“I would but it is so high up there, and besides it’s raining.”

“I’m not sure this is going to work. What about the water in the attic?”

“I have that figured out too.”

“I can’t wait to hear this.”

“Yeah, I put a bunch of towels on the attic floor. They will catch the water.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier to put a bucket in the attic?”

“What happens when the bucket gets full?”

“What happens when the towels get soaked?”

“You have me there. Do we have a big bucket?”

“Get that one we use to hold beer at picnics. It’s plenty big.”

“Where will I put the beer?”

“You don’t have any beer.”

“What if we want to go on a picnic?”

“It is raining out there. We are not going on a picnic.”

“What if it stops raining?”

“Then you won’t need the bucket to collect rain water.”

“Then I can use it to put beer in?”

“OMG either you are the dumbest human on Earth, or I am the smartest. Yes, you can then fill it with beer.”

“I’m not dumb. You are pretty smart though. How can I put beer in the bucket when it’s filled with water?”

“You empt— No wait. You fill the bucket with ice and then put the beer in. The water will make it extra cold.”

“Okay, smarty pants I have you now. How do I get a bucket filled with beer, ice, and water down the stairs to the backyard?”

“This will make sense to only you. You don’t. You have everyone come up to the attic to get their beer.”

“Oh, I get it. They will get their exercise, and I won’t have to lug that bucket.”

“Doh.”

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 50 Comments

 

Glad to see Friday roll around. It has been a busy week filled with some activities. Circumstances of Childhood (My next) has been fully edited and proofed. It now needs formatting and then will be ready to go.  I wrote to my cover artist about the cover but did not get a response. This is very unusual, so I’ll have to follow through and make certain she got the e-mail. When launch time comes, I will be asking for help. I will publish a separate, and if you would like to be part of the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up. It looks like a mid-September launch if I can get a cover.

It is always amazing to me how many things can go south in the preparation process for publishing a book. It might be better not to have a target date and just do it when it is ready. Ah, what fun would that be? Today’s JohnKu talks about publishing. I hope you have a great weekend.

Publishing by John W. Howell © 2017

Ready to publish,

Wait, just one more check before. . .

Where’s the back cover?