johnwhowell

[johnwhowell]

Tuesday - Anything Possible - Finger Point prompt - Departure

Today, I opened the second book in the Eternal Road series: The Last Drive randomly to page 119 and pointed with my eyes closed. The word closest to my finger is “departure.” This is our prompt today. Departure by John W. Howell © 2025 “Do you have everything?” “I think so.” “Do we need to do a checklist?” “Naw. I think I remembered everything.” “This is a big step in life for you. How do you…

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Top Ten Things Not to Do When You Have Allergies

Photo by Allef Vinicius on Unsplash   This post was published on May 12, 2014, and co-authored by Marie Ann Bailey and me. Since allergies don’t seem to go away, I hope you find it useful.   Top Ten Things Not to Do When You Have Allergies 10 When you have allergies, do not offer to house sit for friends with animals. If you do, the best that will happen is that your sneezing will cause the…

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Views of the Neighborhood - Art Display at Lakeway City Hall - Char Michelson

We are heading to Lakeway City Hall again to view a colorful display of Char Michelson’s artwork. We are catered by Hestia of Austin. Our entertainment is Chicago. So let’s go   Here’s information on the artist. A shot of the gallery. None of the paintings is titled, so we will enjoy the work and maybe make up our own titles. Lovely monuments in sandstone. Flowers, pitcher, table, and…

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Stream of Consciousness Saturday - Prompt - "Jumble."

The words on the coffee maker’s touchscreen are a jumble of disassociated letters. It appears as if the machine is having some kind of breakdown. My only thought is to reboot it and see if there is any improvement. The plug is pulled, and an almost imperceptible sigh is released deep inside the black box. Inserting the plug in the outlet brings the machine back to life. The words “Thank you” pop…

[johnwhowell]

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

© energy dependence   Today’s story comes from INFO Culture and was sent to me by Noelle Granger. Goodbye to energy dependence – Alaska discovers more than 1,200 TWh hidden under the ice, and the find could change the world 18 June 2025 by Carol Clark A Frozen River in Alaska Could Hold the Key to America’s Next Energy Breakthrough Move Over Solar and Wind—There’s a New Renewable Power Source…

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Thursday - A Little Personal - Tempeste Makes a Break for It.

“You know Twiggy. I’ve been thinking.” “Pretty dangerous stuff, Tempest.” “I’m serious. I want to get outside that fence and see the real world.” “That fence keeps you from eating everything on the ground.” “So I’m told. I believe it keeps me from developing my full potential.” “You keep eating sticks and leaves, and you have the potential of a walk across the Rainbow Bridge.” “Oh, come on.…

[johnwhowell]

Guest Post - Esther Chilton - The Secret Dragon - Pre-Order Launch - #newbook

  I want to welcome Esther Chilton to Fiction Favorites. Most of you know Esther as a fun blogger who puts up some interesting prompts. She also blogs about the places she has visited. You may not know that Esther is an accomplished author, writing tutor, and editor. She has many awards, and her work can be found in newspapers, periodicals, and commercial materials. Today, Esther talks about her…

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Tuesday - Anything Possible - Finger Point Prompt - Punch

Today I randomly opened Our Justice to page 53 and pointed to the page with eyes closed. The word “punch ” was closest to my finger, our prompt today. Punch by John W. Howell © 2025 “Go ahead. Take a swing.” “Oh, come on. I’m not going to punch you.” “But that’s what you said.” “Yeah, I used the word, but in a different context.” “Let me quote you. ‘If you don’t leave the girl alone, you’ll get a…

[johnwhowell]

Top Ten Things Not to Do When Spending Time at the DMV

  This post ran in 2014 and my last visit to the DMV validated that the information is still useful. My thanks to Marie Ann Bailey who co-authored this post back then. Top Ten Things Not to Do When Spending Time in the DMV 10 When spending time in the DMV, do not show any sign of impatience. If you do, at best, the clerks will slow service just to see you sweat. At worst, you will need a…

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Views of the Neighborhood - Wildlife of the Hill Country - Walk Part II

Yes, we are back  to finish the wildlife of the hill country walk. These are animals that live all around us in Texas. If you missed part I here is a link. We are catered today by La Condsa in Austin. Our entertainment is Menu TOSTADA DE CALABAZA – requesón, pepita pesto, summer squash ENMOLADAS – chicken thigh, tomatillo, pipian verde (gf) SOPES DE BARBACOA – beef cheek, avocado,…

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Stream of Consciousness Saturday - Prompt - Drink

    With brain pounding and mouth drooling my coffee drink is finally ready. A sip of the life affirming elixir is interrupted by the invasive sound of Westminster chimes signalling some idiot can’t read the sign above the doorbell that reqads in large letters DO NOT RING THE DOORBELL. Twiggy and Tempeste have gone into stage two barking and a Benny bone has to be tossed into the soundproof…

[johnwhowell]

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

Today’s good news story comes from Clever Journey’s newsletter.  It was sent to me by GP, whose blog is at  https://pacificparatrooper.wordpress.com Breakthrough at Texas University as Researchers See Plant Extracts  Remove Microplastics From Water Researchers from Tarleton State University in Texas have discovered that plant-based extracts, particularly from okra, fenugreek, tamarind, and…

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Thursday - A little Personal - Twiggy and Tempeste as Puma and Panther.

“Want to play Puma and Panther?” “I’m always up for that game.” “Want to switch? I can be the panther, and you the puma?” “Wait a minute. Look at my color. How would that work?” “You would have to imagine that you were a puma.” “That would be hard since I have invested so much of my persona in being a panther.” “All right then. The puma pads through the desert.” “The panther is on a hilltop…

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Guest Post - Poetic Justice by Dan Antion and Willow Willers

  I want to welcome Willow Willers and Dan Antion to Fiction Favorites. The two got together to craft an exciting story, and I’m so pleased they are with me today. I’ve laid out the tea, so maybe Willow and Dan can spill more about their book. Welcome, Dan and Willow. “John, Willow, and I would like to thank you for hosting us today. Your support means a great deal to us. We’ve been talking a…

[johnwhowell]

Tuesday - Anything Possible - Finger Point Prompt - Shower

Today I opened Circumstances of Childhood randomly to page 229. With eyes closed I pointed to the page. My finger fell closest to the word “shower.” That is our prompt. Shower by John W. Howell © 2025 “So what did the weatherman say?” “We should experience a shower today.” “It looks like more than a shower.” “I admit the rain is falling pretty heavy.” “It has been going on since last weekend.” “I…

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Top Ten Things Not to Do When Traveling With a Cat

  This post was published in December 2013 by Marie Ann Bailey and me. Since summer travel time is upon us, maybe there will be some helpful hints here. Top Ten Things Not to Do When Traveling With a Cat 10 When traveling with a cat by car, do not assume that your cat will not get car sick.  Take it for a short spin first.  Usually, five minutes is long enough to determine if you will need to…

[johnwhowell]

Views of the Neighborhood - Wildlife of the Hill Country - Walk

Today, we will visit the Activity Center walkway for a tour of the wildlife of the Hill Country sponsored by the Lakeway Parks and Recreation. We are catered by III Forks of Austin, and our entertainment is Charlie Daniels. Menu Snake River Farms – American Wagyu, Gold NY Strip – Served with flamed Jack Daniel’s Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon Infused Maldon Salt Snake River Farms – American Wagyu,…