Today I randomly opened Circumstances of Childhood to Page 159. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “meetings.” That is our prompt.
Meetings by John W. Howell © 2025
“How many meetings have we had on this?”
“Oof. Seems like a 100.”
“You would think someone would make up their mind.”
“I know, right?”
“I mean, how hard is it to make a decision on when to kick off the trip?”
“If it were up to me, that decision would have already been made.”
“Yeah, me, too.”
“So when is the meeting?”
“The boss said at eight.”
“Well, I guess we’d better get over there.”
“I have an idea.”
“Will it help?”
“I think it will help us.”
“Okay, shoot.”
“Why don’t we just decide and then take off?”
“Are you crazy?”
“What? We have done the same thing every year. We know the way.”
“Leave without the flock?”
“Come on. Be brave, Buck O. What’s the worst that could happen?”
“Without the flock, we could become exhausted and not make it.”
“You really think that old ‘wind beneath my wings’ thingy has merit.”
“I do. Also, it is a tradition. Flying in formation, honking, and pooping. It is what Canadian geese do.”
“Sheesh. I guess we’d better get going or we’ll be late for the meeting, eh?”
Fiction Favorites 
Dear John
The geese start flying above our house and rest in the marshes. That’s a sign of the beginning of autumn. The Canada geese fly together with the pink-footed geese here.
All the best
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Sorry, Klausbernd, this comment went to spam. Yes, geese flying is a sign of the beginning of fall
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Yeah, stick with the tradition! Together you reduce the odds of getting shot out of the sky by the local hunters, eh? 🙄😮
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An excellent point, GP. Safety in numbers. 😊
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A good one! 😁
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Thanks, Darlene.
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Snicker, giggle…good one, John.
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The giggle part is the best. Thank you, Monika, 😊
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Their discussion can be loud at their meetings. I wonder why one would not want to attend and travel with the flock.
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I recall meetings at work that went nowhere, and I often wished I could skip them. I think I gave those feelings to the geese. Thanks, Tim
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😊
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Ah yes. A meeting to make a decision. That’s the punchline, right?!
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The whole metaphor enchilada. Thanks, Lois.
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Makes me wonder about the times I see solitary geese flying around this time of year.
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They may be the thinkers of the flock.
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I think I’ve seen these two, John. We always seem to have one formation fly over that has a couple guys that are out of place – like they’re not paying attention.
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They might be the non-conformists of the group.
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LOVE IT! You had me going, John, until we took flight. 🤣
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Thanks for flying along Susie. 😀
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My pleasure. ❤️
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😀
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I love this, John. It certainly gave me a smile! Bravo 🤗💗
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I’m glad you enjoyed it, Harmony.
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So glad they decided to stay with the flock 🙂
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Yes. Good choice.
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Geese always seem to have a lot to say for themselves so I can imagine them having a meeting. Entertaining story, John.
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Thank you, Esther.
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Took me a while to figure out the geese. We have a large flock in our community – they just stay here all year round!
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A lot do. Thanks, Noelle.
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Whew, I’m glad these are geese. I was afraid they were hummingbirds or Monarchs, both of which I worry about when I hear they’re migrating. The geese are just mean enough to make the trip!
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They are mean enough for sure. Thanks, Debbie.
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Yep. Better stick with the flock. 🤪 Thanks, John.
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Yes indeed. Thanks, Jan.
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You got me, even if I was kinda . . sorta onto you. You still got me. And I’ve got to believe their . . . wait for it . . goose would be cooked if they didn’t stick to the flock.
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I have to agree, given all the 12-gauge’s along the flyway.
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Seriously!
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😊
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I knew there had to be a camouflaged animal in here some what. At least it was not a flock up, except for the name. Fun entry.
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Thank you, Pat. Now it’s time to get the flock out of here.
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Honking good idea, John.
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😊
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We have geese here that never leave. They just poop here all winter.
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Ha ha ha. Good one, Craig
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Well played John. I wonder if this trip is flying north or south.
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I guess it depends on where they are. 😀
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They should stick with their beautiful tradition. Coincidentally, my cousin just sent me a video of the Canadian Geese flying overhead. 😊
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Obviously, your cousin’s group can make decisions and get on with it. 😀 Thanks for sharing, Michele.
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haha Yes! I believe so. 😄 You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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Buck O. is certainly right. It is too risky to fly alone. However, after 100 meetings you wonder what the problem is.
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Since this is a metaphor for American business, one only knows. Thanks, Thomas.
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I looked up and saw a V-formation of geese overhead this afternoon and I knew they had finally finished their meetings and agreed on a route! Fun post, John!!!
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It looks like your chapter of the Goose Brigade has its stuff together. Thanks, Jill.
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Buck-O, stick with the tradition. I enjoyed this, John.
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I’m glad you enjoyed it, Jennie.
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🙂
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Indeed, this–Flying in formation, honking, and pooping–is definitely what Canada geese do … especially the pooping 😉 Where I used to walk, we had great flocks of Canada geese every fall, and every fall I had to practically hopscotch my walk down the sidewalk to avoid stepping in their poop … lol.
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I took a fall on goose poop once. Was not a happy Camper.
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Ick 😦
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Yes, ick.
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