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.”
Fiction Favorites 
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.
LikeLiked by 2 people
🤣 Looks like it’s turning on you.
LikeLike
I have the same problem with auto-correct.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLike
A blog-reading duck… you should be able to come up with your own expression for that!! hahaha
LikeLiked by 2 people
“As dumb as a duck on a blog.” Thanks, GP
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Out here it’s earwigs. Getting a duck is a good way to keep them out of your yard.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Man, I do hate earwigs. Thanks, Craig.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha! I love inspired silliness in the morning!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Goes well with coffee or tea. I think I’ll call myself the inspired silliness factory. 😁 Thanks, Liz.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, John. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
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 ?
LikeLiked by 2 people
You woke up in the silliness factory, Room B. Over easy on the June Bug.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha and hummm, thought-provoking…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liz Gauffreau calls it inspired silliness. That pretty much fits. Thanks, Pam.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have no words to respond to this one.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I hope you liked it.
LikeLike
I did like it…just could not think of what to say…at a loss for words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLike
I love all the sayings in here. So cute! (And, of course, the zinger ending.) Nicely done, John.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Staci.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good one, John 🙂 I wasn’t expecting it told through the duck’s perspective!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well you know how it is. 🙄
LikeLike
LOL! This was great, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you liked it, Jill.
LikeLike
Cool, John, with a good twist at the end. 🙂 I guess paddling around the pond is better than OCD, especially for ducks.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I would think so, Tim. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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. 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ha ha ah. I like the visual of a duck riding a June Bug. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Quacked me up, John!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Bruce.
LikeLike
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.”
LikeLiked by 2 people
Now that would be a happy skunk. 🤣
LikeLike
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!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I used to have ducks and they pretty much went after anything that moved.
LikeLike
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?
LikeLiked by 2 people
I always wondered about “deader than a door nail.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
You were the best person to talk about twists at SE, John.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Dan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha! Some expressions are clear and easily pictured; others? Not so much!
You are a card, John.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Dale. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Am enjoying reading this 😄… Thank you John for giving “expression” to this funny conversation !!
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure. Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed it. 😁
LikeLike
That was really funny!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for letting me know you liked it, Jennie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always a pleasure, John.
LikeLike
LOL! Good story for the prompt, John. I’d never heard that expression before.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You might be too far west. June bugs are big in the midwest
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m not sure about the duck on a June Bug but I think it is more country than city.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sounds like it!!!
LikeLike
A well read duck has the most interesting conversations! Who knew?
LikeLiked by 2 people
How would we know? Thanks, Marc.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s the crux of these crumbs.
LikeLike
That’s a new expression for me, John, and you sure provided the visuals! 😂😁🦆
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Lauren.
LikeLike
Sorry I’m late to this good one, John. Normally, I’m on your great posts like a bum on a baloney sandwich.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ha ha ha. Love that expression, Steve. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person