Today I opened The Last Drive to page 191 and with eyes closed pointed to the page. My finger fell closest to two words; eyebrows and lift. Making a judgement call I felt “lift ” was the closest. Lift is the prompt.
Lift by John W. Howell © 2025
“You get a face lift or something?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Your eyes seem so much bigger and younger looking.”
“No, I didn’t get a lift. This is my natural look.”
“Oh come on. You can tell me. You had an eye job right?”
“For the last time. No lifts.”
“Okay, okay no use getting upset.”
“How would you feel if I asked you about your so-called lifts?”
“I would tel you the truth.”
“Making an implication that I’m not?”
“No, not at all. I’m just saying if I had a lift I would tell you.”
“Did you ever think that it is nighttime.”
“What’s that got to do with it.”
“In the dark our pupils get larger to let in more of what little light there is.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Yes and given we are nocturnal these so-called larger eyes are an accommodation to the dark.”
“Go figure. Nature is amazing.”
“So are you satisfied there have been no lifts?”
“Yes. You are a very wise and good teacher.”
“Thank you. It comes with the territory.”
“Territory? What territory?”
“We are owl’s you nincompoop. We are naturally wise.”
“Oh. Hey look. Is that a mouse?”
“Now you are wise. Changing the subject is a good thing.”
Fiction Favorites 
Ya gotta know when to delay and deflect the conversation, something I’m not good at! So, speaking of being wise, they say ‘with age comes wisdom’, when does that kick in?
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I’m no expert either. Maybe someone out there can tell us when wisdom kicks in. 😀
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Sometimes age just shows up all by itself.
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Ha ha ha. What about wisdom?
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Working for Linda Hill?
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😊
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Excellent first line.
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Thank you, Charles.
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“Now let’s talk about you we can turn our head all around!”🦉
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Always good to see what is gaining on ya. Thanks, Lois.
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Good one, John. 😄 I love watching owls, and, lift or not, their eyes are amazing. Enjoy the day!
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Thank you, Gwen. So glad you liked it.
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Perfect, John. I cottoned to the speakers when you mentioned nighttime!
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Glad you caught it, Noelle.
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Good fun.. ha.. thanks John!! 💕
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Thank you, Cindy. Glad you liked it.
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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, John.
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😊
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That opening line draws or interest. I can’t imagine saying that to anyone! I didn’t guess who the dialogue was between. Well done, John.
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Thank you, Esther.
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Owls are such great creatures
😍
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They are for sure, Tim. 😊
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I had a feeling it was owls!
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Can’t fool you. 😀
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Heh, heh . . .
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🤭
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Another good one, John. Your stories are always a “hoot.”
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I’m glad you like them, Diana.
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This is very timely — the other day was Owl Appreciation Day. Did you plan it that way, John? Regardless, I guessed owls early on — maybe because they’re on my mind, and I love them so!
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I was not aware (at least consciously) of Owl Appreciation Day.
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Ha! They say seeing an owl is good luck but I’m guessing the mouse may disagree with that. Great job with the prompt, John!
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Thank you, Monika. I would agree the mouse should call it an unlucky encounter.
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Owls… you caught me, John. LOL. And now I’m biting my tongue and still failing to NOT tell you this post is a hoot. Hugs.
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There was one hoot earlier so you would not be alone.
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A great prompt and what a fantastic twist, John! ♥
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I had no idea, dammit! You get me every time. LOL
This post has me thinking I will only go out at night, it’s soooo flattering!
I also have that song in my head, only the nocturnal cover to that song in this instance. Hoooo are you? Hooo Hooo! Hooo! Hooo!
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Good one. The Who. Love it.
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You always hook me up with a good song, either purposely or otherwise.
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😀
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An owl having, well perhaps actually not having a facelift. That’s a fun and unexpected plot twist.
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Glad you liked it, Thomas. Thanks.
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”Hoooo wants a Voodoo Ranger?”
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Meeeeeeeeeee
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Must be all that night cream! 😄 These stories are fun riddles. Thanks John!
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Glad you like them, Michele. 😊
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Very good! Linda
Ps – I’m still puzzling over whether it is a tautology in the book when the author wrote that his eyebrows lifted and then felt the need to say “wow I’m surprised” – what happened to show don’t tell in writing??
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The “Wow I’m surprised” was not needed for sure.
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😅
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😊
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Well done, John. That opening line sounded like something I might say. I’m surprised he didn’t get knocked out of the tree.
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Dan
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Showing your writer chops, John.
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Choppity chop chop. 😀
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