Keith Channing is taking some time off from his Kreative Kue feature. Being addicted to prompts, I have brought back the Finger-Point Prompt. Here is how it works. I open a book to a random page and, without looking, point to a spot on the page. The word or words closest to my finger is the prompt. Today I opened Eternal Road – The last stop to page 201. My finger is closest to the word ‘struggle,’ our prompt.
Struggle by John W. Howell © 2024
“What are you doing?”
“Trying to figure out this math problem. It is a real struggle.”
“You want some help?”
“You know anything about calculus?”
“Are you kidding me? I have a PhD in quantum physics.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“I think there is a lot you don’t know about me.”
“I would appreciate the help, but I need to know something.”
“What? As if I couldn’t guess.”
“What do you mean?”
“When people know I have a PhD, they always ask me what am I doing being a plumber.”
“That did come to mind.”
“Let me tell you a little story. I was working on a job, and when it came time to present the bill, the customer looked at it and said, ‘This comes out to $500.00 an hour. That’s more than my doctor charges.'”
“Okay, and the point is?”
“The point was my reply to the customer, ‘I know. I used to be a doctor.’ Now let me look at your problem.”
Fiction Favorites 
Love it
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Thank you, Cazzy.
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There once was a writer in plight,
Who struggled to find words to write.
With a deadline so near,
And ideas unclear,
He stayed up, wrestling words through the night.
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I know that guy. 😁
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As long as he fixes the problem, amm-I-right?
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So right. 😁
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Ha!
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Rimshot. 🥁
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I know right. I was going to end the story with “That joke is so old it needs assisted living.” I thought everyone would enjoy the groan so I left it off.
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I can understand that!! 🧐
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I wish I could. 🤣
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Reading this and enjoying it was no struggle for me. Plumbing companies do take a heap of money for their services, but I’ve gotten lazy about doing those things myself in my old age.
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Yeah me too. I had a company out for a leaky valve under the sink. My big problem was not fixing the valve but getting up after the job was done. 😊
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Math was built around struggling and pain.
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For sure. 😁
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Which is why my husband will get out the plunger every time before we even think of calling the plumber.
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Good strategy.
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Which is also why I cringe every time I need to have some plumbing done… They can be so generous when they offer you a discount if you pay cash… coz they are already making a fortune and paying as much in taxes. Poor buggers.
All that to say, this was a wonderful write, John!
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Aw. Thank you so much, Dale. 🤗
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You know it, mon ami 🤗
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😊
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But I bet it’s fixed!
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Yes indeed.
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Ha ha,! I love the punchline!
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Thank you, Liz.
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You’re Welcome, John.
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😁
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A good one! My dad used to tell this story:
“How is your oldest son doing?”
“Great, he’s now a doctor.”
“And your youngest son?”
“He’s now a lawyer.”
“What about your middle son?”
“Oh, he’s a plumber. He paid for the education of the other two.”
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Great story, Darlene. 😁
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Bwahahahaha! Way to nail the challenge and clever story. Love it!
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Thank you, Monika. So glad you did.
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😂 Good one, John!
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Thank you, Marie.
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I always liked your finger-point prompts, John. This one is terrific. Hugs.
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Thank you so much, Teagan. Glad you liked it.
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Well done, John! Lots of truth there, too.
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Thank you, Debbie. 😊
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Things have sure changed over the years. When we were first married, I tried to fix everything, including plumbing issues. That’s a little like asking a bus driver to fly to the moon. Now, that my eyesight is terrible, and we have a little more money, I don’t have the patience to try and fix things. My plumber is on speed dial and worth every penny.
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I think we are all in that category, Pete. Thanks.
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I KNEW I was wasting my time being a CPA … I should’ve just learned to replace pipes!!! Good job, John!
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Yeah my MBA seems like I should have invested in plumbing school too. 😁
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That’s why we don’t like to call a plumber! We’ve always said that we’re in the wrong business. 🙂 Good one, John!
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Calling a plumber is the last resort action.
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Wonderful, John! Reminds me of our treeist (arborist) who has taken care of our trees in the past (trimming, removing etc).
He got his PhD in Philosophy from Harvard. Likes trees better.
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I think I would like trees better than philosophy.
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That’s great, John. It’s probably easier to get a quantum physicist to show up than a plumber.
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I think so. I thought you were off,
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I’m off after tomorrow’s Doors post.
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Oh. I lost track of time. Not trying to get rid of you or anything.
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.😂,
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😊
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Well done on the prompt, John.
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Thank you, Jennie. 😊
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You’re welcome.
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😊
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