Stalker Talk with S. Elf and Kimmi-Jo

Sundays and Mondays a couple of colleagues and I have gotten into the habit of meeting for breakfast at the IHOP on Hwy 121 near Glade Road in Euless, Texas, after our night shift completes.  We picked this new brekkie-hangout spot because it's en-route to each of our homes, and only a few minutes from our office which is nearly located in the back yard of DFW International Airport.  I'm not plugging DFW in this blog because, I have an intense dislike for that airport in particular, and detest American Airlines just as much.

I won't bother telling you here, what I used to do when I'd heard the roar of an AA passenger plane overhead, flying past the flat complex I lived in, which was nearly in the back yard of Love Field Airport in Dallas - and YES!!!  I LOVE Love Field and Southwest Airlines!!!  That one I was happy to link for you!  Next time you're there (for the locals) please tell them femme said "hi!"  I'm much more restrained with less-than-best behavior these days, or I at least try very hard to be.  Most of us don't manage to be perfect 100% of the time.

Our good friend S.Elf.  She allowed me to put her in the blog
if I promised to maintain as much anonymity for her as possible.
I think this suffices, don't you?

And so, back to the IHOP breakfast groupies, which yesterday morning consisted of me, Kimi-Jo and S., our friend who's had an issue with a stalker for longer than Kimi-Jo and I have known her, is our colleague as well as Kimi-Jo's business partner.  S. is very much into the full swing of the spirit of the season, and has been sporting either a Christmas cap (of various sorts) during our shifts, or antlers with bells, or sparkly bouncing snowmen attached to her hair-band, and various other Christmas personal-deco.  S. also has antlers on her new SUV (which is named Sabrina, by the way), and I'm surprised she's not shown up in green and red banded knee socks, or decorated the rest of Sabrina to look like whatever method of Christmas transportation she might have in mind to mimic.  For the duration of the holidays, S. will be heretofore known as S.Elf, which takes less time to type.    S.Elf is over 6' tall and is lately sprinkled liberally with glitter.  That makes it difficult for anonymity in regards to her stalker, but Kimi-Jo and I maintain vigil and surround her when anyone we suspicion might try to make off with our vertically-enhanced partner.  Since I have no description of him, I'm in hopes the stalker isn't as tall as she is.

The logo on my favorite flourescent green cycling tee-shirt.

Earlier in the morning (or night, depending on whether you judge it by if the sun is up or not) I'd voiced to the girls that I needed to find a drop-depot for the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots either close to my neighborhood, or close to places I frequent.  Leave it to S.Elf to notice the big box next the desk at IHOP, and the big sign on the window stating that this location was exactly the sort of drop-depot I was looking for.  You'd be absolutely correct in assuming that I showered the employees with thanks and gratitude for supporting the program.  They just won three customers who will guarantee repeat business when we're in the area.  We'd have come back anyway.  We always get exceptional service there from the manager and the wait staff.  They're friendly, they're articulate, and always very accomodating.

Do you think I'm obvious enough in my
pride and support of the USMC?
(My sincere thanks to Don Proctor for this much
loved insulated spill-proof!)

After the girls got me calmed down from the hyped-excitement of the Toys For Tots box, we were escorted to our table.  And, while waiting for them to present us with rejuvinating beverages, I made the comment that attending a writers' convention might be fun.  I followed the comment with a question to the girls.  "What do you s'pose folks do at a writers' convention?" (I've only been to journalism conventions and found them to be rigid and boring.)

Kimi-Jo's suggestion was that perhaps writers sit around and discuss what they've written, or what everyone else had written.  (I thought that might be ok for about an hour and then I'd be bored with it as well.  You can only cover style but so much before it becomes repetitive and mundane.)

S.Elf however, came up with some excellent ideas at what one might, or maybe should, expect to do at a writers' conveention, which Kimi-Jo and I have since wracked our brains trying to remember. Two sleepy blondes are not known for great ability with re-call, and S.Elf is off tonight/this morning, so we can't consult her to re-deploy the brilliant info she shared with us.  I only know at the time she said it, I deemed it brilliant and wish I'd written it down.  I'll be sure to check with her in regards to sharing the information when I get back into town later this week.

We moved from the discussion of writers' conventions to weblogging, and that I'd noticed my friend Irish's blog (Irish is better known as Annette Donaldson, a friend and author out of Northern Ireland), and how some buttons for following and sharing her blog's hadn't been implemented into it yet.  Hopefully, that is soon to be remedied.  I helped Kim set her blog up and her buttons are all in place and functioning fine, as far as we know. 

Kimi-Jo

Then the discussion moved to style, both in what's written, as well as in presentation.  This bit of the conversation presented a bit of confusion for Kimi-Jo, and during the struggle to break it down into Kim-friendly explanation, S.Elf became frustrated.  Kimi got amused, and I warned her to be cautious about overly-annoying our elf, but ... ah well ... Kimi-Jo laughed and S.Elf responded with a threat.  "Don't push it and make me have to SPARKLE you!" It was then that I noticed the Christmas-cap-of-the-day had elf ears on the sides of it, commented on it, the gears shifted again and everyone climbed back on the let's-laugh-and-be-happy-train. 

I've noticed several reviews stating the service quality of this IHOP is very poor.  However, my friends and I frequent the place, and so far, our service has been great!  I sometimes wonder if the majority of folks who get poor service are poor customers.  I agree with the addage about the customer always being right, however, right is one thing.  Jerk is another.  Some customers I've had the misfortune of having to be seated near ... the very tone of their voice and the foul expression on their face could incite me to dump their order in their lap and serve coffee on their head.  Or worse ... I could send our S.Elf to sparkle them.

Main entrance to the IHOP in Euless, TX off Hwy 121.
Just below the Christmas tree is the collection box for
U.S. Marines Toys for Tots

If you're a writer and have been afflicted with the block, come join us for a sun-rise coffee break at IHOP.  Kimi-Jo  is nearing the completion of her first novel, and hasn't suffered an episode of it yet.  I haven't had writer's block in so long, that I've forgotten what it feels like.

I've a new review out on the Hub covering Pirates of Savannah: The Hunt for Shamus's Booty.  I've got a trip to east Texas on Tuesday to get some photos and finish up some work on part of a larger book project, and next week, I'm headed to south-central Texas to spend some time getting photos and spot interviews from the folks in Goliad, Texas.  Before all that happens, I've got a lunch-meet with Torres, some editing to work on, tires to replace at Art Cervantes' shop, and eventually a little shut-eye before I lock, load and go.  By the way, if you're a local and haven't been to Cooper's Tire in Fort Worth, TX to buy tires ... shame on ya.

Lots of stuff going on this month folks.  If your friends, church or neighborhood have something you can volunteer to help do in spreading a little cheer, and maybe offering a hand for some peeps who are in situations needing it, I encourage you to do so.  It really is much more fun to give than to receive, and Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of Christ.  He was the most exceptional giver I know of and my advice is, if you're gonna follow a leader, He sets the best example to follow.

I'm all finished up here, and I thank you for your time, and don't forget to thank a Vet today if you should meet up with one. :)
God bless and have a great day!

femme

Rhon Shover's Unique Sculpting & New Lit Projects

I've caught up on sleep my last two days off.  In fact, I think I almost slept through both of them.  My system didn't come equipped with a night-owl mode, and I may never get used to this shift.  But, on the bright side, the colleagues I work with at night are the best, and so I'm always in good company.

Also, there's that wonderful perk the night crew has about being able to use our computers and mobiles when we're not busy that counts for a great deal.

But the crunch it's putting on my social life, I can't say I'm liking a whole lot.  However, in the pursuit of better things to come, I'm persevering and dealing with it.

During my family's day-after-Thanksgiving outing, which I wasn't a part of because I was stuck in bed nursing a migraine, they kept their plans for lunch at Riscky's in the Fort Worth Stockyards.  I hated to miss it because I love the place, but glad they got to go.  Nee (Alicia) was kind enough to snap some photos for me while they were there so I could share with you what the rest of us missed.

Stage Coach - Fort Worth Stockyards
(Source: Nee's fotos)

Per Nee, and her critical eye for horses, the equines pulling the coach were too thin and one seemed to not be feeling well, which didn't make her happy.  So, the owners/handlers didn't make any points with her.

The stockyards horses however, looked to be in great shape, as usual, and seemed to be feeling good and well cared for. I see them a lot, and they always look like that, which is much appreciated.  Kudos to the stockyards cowhands for taking good care of their four-legged colleagues.



The horses who routinely work the stockyards have superb personalities.  When the touristas gather around them, they get stared at, petted, surrounded by groups of kids and grownups and always take it in stride, never shying from being touched by strangers or the flashing strobe lights from cameras.

Some of these horses are retired ranch horses, who've still got plenty of spirit and energy left to put up with the Texas summer heat and make their way up and down the brick streets, carrying their riders and keeping pace with the long-horn cattle. 

It's tough being a celebrity.
(Source: Nee's fotos)

The cow-hands working the stockyards are just as friendly as their mounts, and are great about sharing information with tourists regarding equines, the history of the stockyards, what their jobs entail, and the history of the horses they ride.

Riscky's has the perfect location in the stockyards.  It's situated at the eastern end of Exchange street, in the northern end of the train station.  When the weather is cool, they unfurl plastic walls to surround it, so guests can still be seated outside without being uncomfortable.  This provides a great view of the stockyards activities going on along the streets and sidewalks, which is usually pretty interesting.

The cowhands and horses are
usually the center of attention
in the Fort Worth Stockyards.
(Source: Nee's fotos)

And, if you're the sort who likes to shop, step out of Riscky's and head into the train station.  On either side of the tracks visitors are provided with lots of shopping options.  From clothing to wine, there's also my favorite art gallery that has some of the most impressive Native American, western and country artistry I've ever come across.  One of the candy shops sells sweets out of large wood barrels, and they're one of the scarce places I can still usually find cinnamon suckers.

A little girl seems quite impressed with
the horse-drawn carriage.
(Source: Nee's fotos)

On Sunday, Kimi-Jo came with us to IHOP for a breakfast-before-departure gathering.  The place was packed.  It always is on Sundays with locals gathering there before and after church services, as well as travellers coming from I-35W & Loop 820 making their way to who knows where.

This time they had a new face mixing with the staff.  He doesn't work for IHOP, but works in IHOP, blending with the guests to make balloons for the kids.  I thought his stuff was pretty cool and kept watching his hands fly as he twisted and wrapped the balloons making some impressively detailed sculptures with them.

Rhon Shover making a T-Rex for a little boy at IHOP.
(Source: femme's fotos)

His name is Rhon Shover, and his business is balloon sculpting, magic and face painting, and several other things.

One of the wait staff traded business cards with him for me, and per his card, Rhon can be reached for bookings at 469.595.3745, or via his website at ShoverMagic.services.officelive.com, or via email at shover_magic@yahoo.com.

So, there you go.  If you've got little ones, I'm betting they'd like this guy at a party.  The kids in IHOP were certainly impressed with him.  I was too.  I even stopped sipping coffee to watch him work his craft.  I've seen balloon scupltures before, and the difference in the others is, Rhon's work is far more intricate.

To make this T-Rex, he used balloons of four different colors as well as additional markings for eyes.  The kids were as fascinated with watching him make the sculptures as they were to receive the finished product.

Rhon Schover - balloon sculpting.
(Source: femme's fotos)

I love to plug artists and businesses that catch my attention in a good way.  This guy impressed me with the way the kids reacted to him.  You can tell a lot about people with how they are around children, and how children react to them as well.

He got good reactions from both the grownups and the little ones, so he gets an A+ from femme's desk.

If you're local to my area (central Texas, DFW) and planning a party for kids, I'd suggest giving him a call.  He seemed to be in high demand throughout the restaurant, and in this crumbling economy, he showed inititive and exceptional creativity in where he showed up to perform.

Thumbs up, Rhon!  You got noticed!  I picked watching you over drinking my coffee, and that's saying a great deal!  Few peeps manage to pull that off.

Two of Rhon Schover's much appreciated balloon sculptures.
(Source: femme's fotos)

After breakfast, we said our goodbyes to Kimi-Jo and headed back home to get the family loaded up for the trip home.

I so hate it when the time comes to say goodbye, and one of these days, hopefully soon, we'll get to say goodbye far more often.

I'll keep plugging away at my larger literature projects, short stories and reviews, and hopefully it won't be long before our visits will be more frequent and last longer.

For now, I have to change gears and switch pages and finish up my latest short story series, 41 at Midnight for Hubpages.  I've had a great time writing this one.  Memories that bring smiles and laughter are always fun to share and write about.  It's received good reviews and comments on the Hub, and I'm anxious to finish it up because readers are waiting, and I have other projects waiting in the wings that need to be attended to.  It's taken a few days to get to it, but on occasion, I have to sleep.

41 at Midnight by femmeflashpoint (me) on
Hubpages.com (Source: Nee's fotos)

I'll head back to the coffee maker for another cup of energy-elixir right after I check the good Bishop Spencer K. McCool Sr.'s morning write up, which should already be posted by now, if he's sticking to his usual schedule, and he usually does.

My day starts, or ends, much better when I read his posts.  I, and a whole lot of other folks, are always appreciative that he takes the time to write them.



Thank you for the read, hope you enjoyed it and thanks much for the support!

By the way, comments are always welcome .... see below for the comment box.

If you've got something special going on you'd like me to share with my readers, please let me know and I'll be happy to spot you here at femme's desk.