I randomly opened the book His Revenge to page 109. Without looking, I pointed to the page, and the closest word to my finger was a tie between hot and water, so I used both.
Hot Water by John W. Howell © 2024
“What are you reading?”
“A fascinating book about scientific experiments.”
“Really. You don’t look like the science type to me.”
“Oh yeah. I have been interested in science ever since I was little.”
“Funny you think you know someone, and then they surprise you.”
“Well, it’s not like I’m a dolt, you know.”
“I didn’t mean to imply you were. I’m just surprised, is all.”
“Okay. I can see that.”
“Any experiments touch your fancy?”
“Yes. One in particular stood out for me.”
“What was it.”
“It was where a frog was put into some water and gradually heated.”
“Oh, I remember. The frog finally was boiled in the hot water.”
“That’s the one.”
“Wait a minute. You are sitting in water.”
“Yeah, and it’s becoming hot water.”
“You should get out.”
“But it doesn’t feel hot to me.”
“Hello. That’s cause you are a frog, and you’ll end up dead.”
“I guess you are right. It is amazing how our bodies adapt to the changing temperature, isn’t it?”
“Amazing and dangerous. I only find that trait useful when it gets freezing.”
“Now that I’m out of there, it seems cold.”
“Well, duh. No more temperature experiments, okay?”
“I could use a coffee.”
“Good idea. Let’s hit the Lilly Pad Thai place.”
Fiction Favorites 
I really must have a go of this…
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Give it a try. You will enjoy it.
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😊🐸😊 🐸… I think there are lots of frogs not realising we are already in Hot Water John… Great story… 😀 💚
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You are so right, Sue. Pretty much the moral of the story. We here in America are in one big pot and are clueless.
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You are so right about that, John. Your frogs are certainly smarter than we are.
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😂
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Most are the same here in England too John… But at least we have already jumped out the pot 😉 Big hugs xx ❤ 🐸
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I hope not into the fire.
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Praying… I hope not either John xx
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😊
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When one lily pad doesn’t suit you – it’s time to hit another one!
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Yup. Need to change pads as often as necessary. Thanks, GP.
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That was a close one.
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Yes it was. Good thing he realized the danger.
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Yes, gradual changes are sneaky.
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They sure are and before you know it the time to escape is gone. Thanks, Tim.
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Haha. That’s me, in the bathtub every freezing winter night. But it goes the opposite – as the water chills, so do I! On another totally random note, now that it’s getting colder in the mornings, I throw my ‘get up and go’ clothes in the dryer for five minutes. Warms me up like the frog and I hop a lot higher.
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Sounds like a good idea. 😁
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Whew! Glad he got out of the water. Also a smart move to get some Thai food.
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Thanks Dave. 😁
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Kermit thanks you.
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Yes he needs protection. Thanks, Lois.
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Slow but sure, you lead us to the twist. Good job, John.
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Thank you, Dan.
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The lily pad Thai place. LOL I love it!
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Thank you, Kymber.
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Lovely and whimsical, John. I had to smile. We need a Lilly Pad Thai place – great pun.
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Thank you, Noelle. Glad it brought a smile.
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🙂
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I just read that today is the international day of coffee. So your little story has a fitting conclusion. 🙂
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Yes indeed. Thanks, Rabirius
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Lol! Greatness!
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Glad you liked it, Jan
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Glad he got out of the hot water to enjoy a coffee 🙂
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I was getting worried. But all’s well in the end.
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Nicely handled, John. I especially like the Lily Pad Thai reference — made me giggle!
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Giggles are a good thing. Thanks, Debbie.
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The slowly boiling frog is a great metaphor but it is a myth. If you slowly boil a frog he will jump out, just like he would if you put him in already hot water. However, it is true that we humans may stay in a difficult situation much longer if it is creeping up on us instead of suddenly happening. On a note related to hot frogs. I just read in Scientific American that there is an illness, chytridiomycosis that has wiped out 90 amphibian species since it was discovered. That disease can be effectively fought using frog saunas. You let the frog sit in a sauna and he will more easily fight off the disease.
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I did a post on the frog fungus. The sauna only worked on frogs who are hot weather tolerant. It does not work on the cold weather types. Thanks, Thomas.
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I see. That is interesting.
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Another great story, John. 🌞 You’ve got me thinking—I’ve not seen a frog in years. Maybe it’s just Arizona, but honestly, I’ve not seen even one. I’ll have to research this now. 🐸
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Thank you Gwen. I wouldn’t be surprised if your desert climate is more conducive to toads than frogs. Thanks for the kind words.
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Those hot tubs can be quite deceiving. 😉
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Yes especially if you don’t know what you are doing. Thanks, Monika.
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Oh, this brings back a memory from my childhood that I still feel guilty about today. I had no idea about cold blooded and hot blooded animals at the time. I had caught a good-sized frog and secretly kept him “for a pet.” Unbeknownst to my parents, I thought it would be fun to take a bath with him. Sadly, the water was hot, and suddenly I had a lifeless frog. It was a hard lesson for a little kid to learn.
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Oh dear. We need to exorcise that memory.
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LOL. I’m glad the frog got out of the hot water in time, John. “Lilly Pad Thai” made me snort! Hugs.
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A good ole snort is a wonderful thing.
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Hot water means you need a good shower 🙂
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Good use for it. Thanks. 😁
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Close call, John! And coffee is good anytime! 🙂
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So true on both counts. Thanks, Lauren.
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Nice. That experiment is used to tell people that they will get used to whatever they are given and by the time they realize that they are being used or brainwashed it is too late.
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Very true, Lakshmi.
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Well done, John. Love the Lily Pad Thai place.
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Thank you, Jennie. Nothing like a well placed pun. 😊
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😀
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