Today I opened Circumstances of Childhood randomly to page 229. With eyes closed I pointed to the page. My finger fell closest to the word “shower.” That is our prompt.
Shower by John W. Howell © 2025
“So what did the weatherman say?”
“We should experience a shower today.”
“It looks like more than a shower.”
“I admit the rain is falling pretty heavy.”
“It has been going on since last weekend.”
“I listened to the ten day forecast and it is supposed to continue as a shower.”
“Do you think it was a good idea to take this hike?”
“Sure why not? A little rain isn’t going to put a damper on our fun.”
“Okay I just don’t want to be too far from home.”
“Don’t worry we can get back pretty quick.”
“How far have we come?”
“I would say we are a day’s walk fro m home.”
“Not sure I want to get any further away.”
“That’s fine we can stay here for a while. You’ll see the rain is going to taper off and the sun will be out.”
“I hope so. I do recall Noah telling us not to go too far.”
“You know that old guy is nuts. He says there is going to be a flood but I don’t see any flood warnings.”
“Well all the same if the rain doesn’t slow down I think we should head back.”
“Okay That is a deal. Don’t forget we unicorns can run like the wind.”
“I know I just don’t want to get cut off by rising water. What if Noah is right?”
“Okay we can head back now. I see you are a little nervous.”
“That would make me feel a lot better.
* * *
Tomorrow I am pleased to host Dan Antion and Willow Willers on launch day of their new book, Poetic Justice. See you then
Fiction Favorites 
Fun backstory on why there are no unicorns today, John.
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Thank you, Pat.
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Talk about missing the boat. Good one, John.
Thanks for mentioning tomorrow’s post!
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Since I’m usually off Wednesday, I thought I would do a teaser. 😀
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Thanks!
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er..I take it, they didn’t hike back fast enough.
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That’s what I’m thinking. Too many fast-flowing rivers.
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I thought you might like this idea for one of your Friday posts.
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Great GP. I’ll run it this Friday. Thank you
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Oh those silly unicorns!
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https://youtu.be/_EPsuOEH1fY Silly indeed.
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I’ve seen them perform this live! So much fun.
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😊
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Feels like that’s repeating here. Too much rain.
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Might want to get the ACME Arc plan from IKEA
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Fascinating, John, to picture unicorns in the rain.
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All prancing around.
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Oh dear, the Unicorns are too late. That’s the reason for dying out. Or when did you last see a Unicorn?
Thanks
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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I have never seen one. 😊
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Unicorns and Noah…the nuns must have skipped that part. 😆
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I think so too.
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I like this John …it’s such an interesting take on the story and fits well ! I am also very excited to be visiting with you and Dan tomorrow… thank you for your hospitality.💜💜
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See you tomorrow, Willow. 😀
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you bet 💜💜
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😀
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And now we know why there are no Unicorns today. 🙂
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You heard it here second. The first was the Irish Rovers with the Unicorn Song https://youtu.be/_EPsuOEH1fY
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This is priceless, John. I thought the reveal was Noah, but you always save the best till last.
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Always nice to pull the wool. Thanks for letting me know.
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Too bad they didn’t make it back in time!
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I know, right?
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Poor little things. Why didn’t they outrun the mosquitoes and flies?!?
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That is a good idea for sure.
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Oh dang! They missed the boat! Explains so much…
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Great job meeting the prompt challenge, John. Guess weatherman have always been a bit off with their forecasts. 😉
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Like most weather professionals..
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Are you familiar with the Irish Rovers’ unicorn song?
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Yes. My story was. inspired by the song.
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I was wondering about that! It’s a great song.
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In one comment, I enclosed a link to the song on YouTube
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Thanks, John! I listened to it. I have such good memories of that song.
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It is a good song for sure.
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I wish you’d share some of that rain. Our dribbles don’t help much. Another great story, John. I think you have fun writing these stories — certainly your readers have fun reading them. 😄
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I do enjoy writing them since many times I’m surprised how they turn out. Thanks, Gwen.
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I didn’t expect the Unicorns…. I wonder, no doubt they miss the boat, as they’ve been mystical creatures as long as I remember… 🙂 Always lovely to read your word prompts John.. Have a great rest of your week ❤ 🙂
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I hope you have a great week too, Sue.
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😃🥰
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🤗
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They needed a better weather app. Blame NOAA not Noah.
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Good one, Craig.
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At first my thoughts went to Ray Bradbury’s “the long rain” on Venus, but of course it is Noah.
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Of course. 😊
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Another clever story with ah-ha! reveals. You’re a magician with these stories, John 🌞
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So glad you liked it, Dave. Thanks for letting me know.
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So that’s what happened to them! 🦄 Creative storytelling!
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Yes, that is what happened. Poor things.
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😞 At least they live on in posters and emojis.
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That is one form of immortality for sure.
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😄
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😊
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Hahahaha!
Moral of the story. You can make fun of the guy building the huge ass ark all you want. I mean, it IS a nutty idea. But . . don’t stroll too far from the huge ass ark because welp, you never know!
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That’s right. You never know.
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Ya never do.
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😊
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Darn, the unicorns didn’t make it. But this will be a good explanation the next time one of my grandkids asks why there aren’t an unicorns around today!
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Yeah, explain that they were foolish and drowned (Good luck with that one.) 😀
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Every kid at heart wants a unicorn to be alive. Sigh.
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