The idea is to randomly open a book and, without looking, point to a page. The word or words closest to your pointing figure becomes the prompt. Today we opened The Last Drive to page 31, and the word nearest my finger is “curls.”
Curls by John W. Howell © 2023
Thinking hard today has been difficult. I’m not sure if it is the high humidity or some kind of star alignment. In any case, when I opened my eyes and looked at the word “curls” near my finger, my mind froze. This is not just the momentary fleeting freeze usually associated with panic. No, this is the garden hose washing all the chalk off the driveway kind of freeze. A blank slate of emptiness freeze. (Final metaphor) It is an empty canyon with three echos freeze. In short, I had nothing.
Usually, taking a quick walk around can be done to thaw the mind. So after a three-mile bike ride, the feeling returns to the old mind. So now, let’s talk about curls.
I think the best way to handle the prompt is to tell a little story.
Once upon a time, there was a very strong man. He would work out in the gym building his muscles. He would do curls with heavy weights to develop his arms. His legs were strengthened by running and more weight work. All this exercise had one objective: to allow him to ride the curls of waves with his surfboard. He loved his surfboard and would spend hours waxing it and admiring the curls in the wood. One day while he was sitting on the beach, he couldn’t help but notice a fellow surfer riding the waves. She placed herself on the front of her board, allowing her toes to make curls over the leading edge. The effect was increased speed and control. When she finished and was making her way to the beach, he decided he needed to talk to her about the style she used. Getting closer, he noticed her wet hair hung in curls and framed her beautiful smile. He greeted her with a grin and an upbeat good morning. The two chatted and found much in common and spent the rest of the day together until the dusk curls of the clouds indicated that the day was done.
Well, that is it. But, yes, they developed a relationship and now live in Santa Monica, California, with their two kids and a dog.
I hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading.
Fiction Favorites 
What a truly toe-curling story that was, John. Well played, Sir!
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Thank you, Keith. 😊
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That was a fun little story.
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Thanks, Charles.
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I think you’ve earned some 16 oz curls for that one.
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Thanks, Craig. 😁
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Aw, this one was sweet, John!
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Thak you so much, Vera. 😊
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A great story and perfect use of the word curls. Amazing how many ways it can be used.
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Thank you, Darlene. It was fun thinking about them.😊
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Wonderful, John!
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Thank you, Jill. 😁
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Well, wasn’t that ingenious. I immediately thought of hair curls, but you carried it further. Great job, John!
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Thank you, GP. 😁
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Fun story, John. Lifting curls wouldn’t have been my first choice – I guess that says something about me. I hope you have a great day.
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Healthy choice. Thanks, Dan.
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Is the dog named Curly?
That was impressive, John. If I’d done a finger prompt and drew a blank, I’d have turned to a new page and tried again. Bravo.
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The lip curls in the text threw me off. I couldn’t use it cause it was already on the page so a bike ride did the trick. Thanks, Staci.
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Nice take, John. I was trying to think of things that curl – maybe a cat curled at their feet or a plant uncurled its frond. You managed to get a lot of them!
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Thank you, Noelle. 😊
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I love a happy ending especially one involving curly hair!! The bane of my hair’s life. 😂
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Yes I hear curly hair is a challenge. Thanks, Deborah
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All I could think about was your finger as it curls around your coffee cup and then another one and then another one and then another one. And I don’t even like coffee!
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Thanks, Pam. I like that vision.
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John, they have recently moved from CA to Alaska to pursue their new passion…marmotte team curling. This is the team they are training… 😂https://media.tenor.com/cD6SlMOlQ1oAAAAd/marmotte-france3f3curling.gif
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, JIm.
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You went from frozen to a little story I was happy to curl up to. Lovely use of a word that has so many meanings!
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Thank you, Dale. 😊
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😊
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🤗
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Sorry…looks like it won’t open😢
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Good one, John, with a happy ending 🙂
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Yes I thought it was time. Thanks, Denise.
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Good one, John! Your great imagination really went with it.
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Thank you, Tim
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Love the point and shoot and this lovely imagery John,
💗
“The two chatted and found much in common and spent the rest of the day together until the dusk curls of the clouds indicated that the day was done.”
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Thank you, Cindy. So nice of you to say so. 🤗
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You’r most welcome John~! 💗
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😁
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Awww, I am a sucker for a happy ending. You responded to this prompt in aces, John!
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Thank you, Jan. I’m glad you liked it
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Loved All of those curls John…. And how they were weaved into the story..
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Thank you, Sue. I enjoyed getting on with it. 😁
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What a nice story, dear John.
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Thank you so much, Fab 4oC
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Nicely spun, John. Ya gotta love a happy ending!!
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Yes indeed. Thanks, Debbie.
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Hilarious, John. Now that you’ve mastered the curl, you might curl up on the couch with your ladies and have a great nap. You deserve it! 😊
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I would like that for sure. Thanks, Gwen.
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I’m not much for happy endings to a story, usually . . . but you made it happen my man. As only you could. Thank you for a Tuesday treat.
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Glad you liked it. Thanks for letting me know.😁
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You the man.
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That’s a whole lotta curls! Well done!!
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Thanks, Liz. 😁
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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I love how this prompt finally curled around your imagination. No pun intended. 😀 Hugs.
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Thank you, Teagan. Hugs back
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Well done on the prompt, John, very well done. The story brought ‘curls’ to a new level.
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Thank you, Jennie. Was glad to break free and pleased you liked it.
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You’re welcome, John. 😀
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😁
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Very sweet story. Funny how you solved the need for a story with a story. I wish the word had been curds though. As in cheese curds.
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I could have done a lot with curds
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Deep-fried. or with whey.
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Poutine is my choice
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I love poutine.
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Settled then.
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LOL
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