So the idea is to open a book randomly and then, without looking, point to a page. The word or words nearest the pointing figure is the prompt. Today I opened The Last Drive to page 201, and my finger landed on “expression.”
Expression by John W. Howell © 2023
“Say that again.”
“Like a duck on a Junebug.”
“What’s that supposed to mean.”
“It’s an expression for someone leaping at opportunity quickly.”
“Where did it come from?”
“I suppose someone watched a duck go after a Junebug and put the expression together.”
“I have another question.”
“Shoot.”
“Will everyone understand the expression?”
“What do you mean?”
“Unless you saw a duck go after a Junebug, it would be hard to visualize.”
“That’s where imagination takes over.”
“You need to explain that.”
“I don’t think someone would have to have seen a duck go after a Junebug to imagine how fast it would be.”
“And the idea that the Junebug is such a tasty treat that the duck would be quick.”
“Now you got it.”
“Horse pucky.”
“Huh?”
“You ever taste a Junebug?”
“Can’t say I ever have.”
“Well, I was doing some gliding, and one hit me in the mouth. The worst thing I ever tasted.”
“So?”
“Using a duck for an expression without consulting a duck takes poetic license too far. ”
“You are now nitpicking the expression.”
“The expression has no nits cause it has no fleas.”
“You are picking fly specs out of pepper.”
“Who does that?”
“Given our conversation, you would be capable, but it’s just an expression.”
“All these expressions are not based on fact.”
“No, but imagine someone doing those things.”
“Beyond my capabilities.”
“Why?”
“Cause I’m a duck. You should know that ’cause you’re one too.”
“I keep forgetting.”
“Gotta stop reading blogs.”
“I think you’re right. So let’s hit the pond.”
Never heard that phrase before. For some reason I first imagined a duck standing in a June-bug.
Uh, my phone just tried to change duck to the other word. All these years of it trying to make me write duck and it stops me when I actually do it.
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🤣 Looks like it’s turning on you.
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I have the same problem with auto-correct.
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😁
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A blog-reading duck… you should be able to come up with your own expression for that!! hahaha
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“As dumb as a duck on a blog.” Thanks, GP
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👍
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😁
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Out here it’s earwigs. Getting a duck is a good way to keep them out of your yard.
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Man, I do hate earwigs. Thanks, Craig.
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Ha ha ha! I love inspired silliness in the morning!!
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Goes well with coffee or tea. I think I’ll call myself the inspired silliness factory. 😁 Thanks, Liz.
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You’re welcome, John. 😀
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😁
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Anthropomorphic flat billed aquatic avians alluding to tasty crunching critters ! What room did I wake up in ? Did you want that June Bug stir-fried or al dente ?
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You woke up in the silliness factory, Room B. Over easy on the June Bug.
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Ha ha ha and hummm, thought-provoking…
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Liz Gauffreau calls it inspired silliness. That pretty much fits. Thanks, Pam.
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I have no words to respond to this one.
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I hope you liked it.
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I did like it…just could not think of what to say…at a loss for words.
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😁
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I love all the sayings in here. So cute! (And, of course, the zinger ending.) Nicely done, John.
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Thank you, Staci.
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Good one, John 🙂 I wasn’t expecting it told through the duck’s perspective!
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Well you know how it is. 🙄
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LOL! This was great, John!
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I’m glad you liked it, Jill.
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Cool, John, with a good twist at the end. 🙂 I guess paddling around the pond is better than OCD, especially for ducks.
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I would think so, Tim. Thanks.
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A new expression for me, John. At first, I pictured a duck getting a ride on the Junebug. Way off base. Not that I’d want to eat one either. 😀
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Ha ha ah. I like the visual of a duck riding a June Bug. 😁
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Quacked me up, John!
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Thanks, Bruce.
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That was a great expression. I could see it. Here’s one of Billy Battles’ pet expressions: “He was grinnin’ like a skunk eatin’ cabbage in the moonlight.”
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Now that would be a happy skunk. 🤣
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That is an expression I’ve heard all my life, although I’ve never actually seen a duck go after a Junebug. Good one, John!
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I used to have ducks and they pretty much went after anything that moved.
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I suppose all language is full of expressions that somehow don’t make much sense. Some of them were likely coined ages ago, when everybody would’ve understood them; over time, they’ve lost their meaning. It’s kind of a pity, really, don’t you think?
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I always wondered about “deader than a door nail.”
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You were the best person to talk about twists at SE, John.
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Thank you, Dan.
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Hahaha! Some expressions are clear and easily pictured; others? Not so much!
You are a card, John.
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Thank you, Dale. 😁
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😀
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Am enjoying reading this 😄… Thank you John for giving “expression” to this funny conversation !!
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My pleasure. Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed it. 😁
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That was really funny!
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Thanks for letting me know you liked it, Jennie.
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Always a pleasure, John.
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LOL! Good story for the prompt, John. I’d never heard that expression before.
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You might be too far west. June bugs are big in the midwest
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It could have nits if it has lice!!! I love that expression re the duck and the June bug, by the way. Is that a country expression? Southern? Some of the stuff I learned as a kid in Michigan from my mom began to seem so country, but then I am recently realizing LOTS of people learned those same expressions. No example comes to mind though.
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I’m not sure about the duck on a June Bug but I think it is more country than city.
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It sounds like it!!!
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A well read duck has the most interesting conversations! Who knew?
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How would we know? Thanks, Marc.
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That’s the crux of these crumbs.
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That’s a new expression for me, John, and you sure provided the visuals! 😂😁🦆
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Thank you, Lauren.
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Sorry I’m late to this good one, John. Normally, I’m on your great posts like a bum on a baloney sandwich.
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Ha ha ha. Love that expression, Steve. 😁
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