I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 61. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page, and my finger fell closest to the word “exterior,” which became the prompt. (Excuse the blurred book content. I didn’t reset the camera, so my hand is the prominent feature.)
Exterior by John W. Howell © 2025
“So, what color do you have in mind?”
“For the exterior, I would like something that says “Fall.”
“Fall? Um, can you give me a little more about Fall?”
“Well, you know how you get up after a nice rain, and everything looks colorful?”
“I-I think so.”
“You know how you step off the porch and take a deep breath. You can smell all the fall flowers and see the beautiful leaves.”
“You know, I go to work early and don’t notice.”
“How about when the sun breaks through the clouds and makes little dappled rays in the golden and red leaves.”
“I think I’ve seen that.”
“I want the exterior to look like Fall.”
“Here, let me show you a couple of colors. Maybe you will like them.”
“That one is too yellow.”
“How about this one.”
“Too green.”
“This?”
“Too blue.”
“Okay, I have a better idea. How’s this.”
“OMG, that is perfect.”
“You threw me off a little with your description since I consider this the quintessential fall color.”
“Well, it sure says Fall to me. What do you call that color?”
“It’s called “pumpkin” Mrs. Peter.”
“I think it will make my shell look terrific, and Mr. Peter will like it too.”
“You ever going to leave that guy?”
“No. Peter Peter keeps me very well.”
“Very well. I’ll get started tomorrow.”
“Great.”
Fiction Favorites 
Another good one!!
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Thank you, Darlene. 😊
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Don’t forget the spice with the pumpkin 😀 that says fall all too well!
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Of course.
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Terrific, now I’m in the mood for pumpkin pie. 🥧 Great prompt story though.
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Thank you, GP. 😊
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Ha ha ha! I cottoned to it when I read “Mrs. Peter.”
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Dead give-a-way, Liz. 😊
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Yup. Pumpkin everywhere.
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😊
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hahah! ‘Peter keeps me very well.’ Like Liz, I realized after I read ‘Mrs Peter.’ This was fun!
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Thank you, Lois. Glad you liked it. 😊
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Hahahaha! Poor thing does not know what’s in store for her!
You are the best, John.
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Aww. Thank you, Dale. 😊
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You know it!
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😊
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Once she’s in the pumpkin shell
Mr. Peter will keep her very well?
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So I hear. 😀
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😋
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Ooh, super clever! Love what you did with this!
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Thank you, Journey. 😊
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Took me a second to recognize the name. A classic.
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Yes, it is. Thanks, Charles.
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Nicely done! Peter Peter knows he’s found a treasure, as she’s sure to make a comfy domicile for them.
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At least, that is what we have been told. Thanks, Debbie.
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I didn’t get there at first, but then the penny dropped. As entertaining as ever, John.
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Thank you, Esther. I try to keep the penny from falling too early. 😀
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This one made me smile, John 🙂
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Always a good thing, Denise.
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Love the exchange…and applaud the cleverness. Well done, John.
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Thank you so much, Monika. 😊
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Ah, yet another possibility for pumpkin spice – which I hate unless it’s in a pie. Good one!
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Thank you, Noelle.
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Peter’s more settled these days, thanks to his love of reading and pumpkin . . of course 😉
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Yes, he has stopped running around with the chick he had stashed in the corn. Full-time pumpkin shell guy now.
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He’s moving on up.
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I would say so. You should see that girl in the corn.
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Spicy!
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Ha ha ha
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Hilarious, John. 😄 This Finger Point story is a classic! Bravo!!
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Thank you, Gwen. I’m glad you liked it.
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This brought me back to my painting days. I once painted a home for someone in a hideous shade of purple. (Hey, I just put on the paint.) They were traveling at the time. When they got back, the husband contacted me, and I was hired again to paint their house in a much more neutral color.
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Worked out well for you. Purple? That must have been hard to put on, too. Did you wear sunglasses? 😎
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Love it, John!
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Thank you, Sue. 😀
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😄 Fun play on words. Cute! 🎃
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Thank you, Michele.
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This was fun. Well done on exterior.
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Thank you, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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