Today I randomly opened Eternal Road – The final stop to page 109. With etes closed, I pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “shakes.” That is our prompt today. Also if you would like a Kindle copy of Eternal Road it will be free on Amazon in the US from October 2 through October 5th. I’ll publish a link and reminder nearer the event.
Shakes by John W. Howell © 2025
“You have the shakes. How come?”
“I’m not sure. I just can’t seem to get warm.”
“Have you eaten anything that may not agree?”
“You know I did have some fish last night. Maybe that’s it.”
“You can never be too careful.”
“Yeah I know. I thought it was fresh.”
“Were the eyes clear?”
“Yes and it was nicely chilled too.”
“Well, maybe that is not the reason then. Could be the weather.”
“It does seem colder for sure.”
“I think we are getting ready for winter. So how can I help you?”
“Just talking helps. I think the shakes are gone.”
“It’s pretty dangerous getting chilled. Especially up here.”
“I think I’m going to be okay.”
“That sounds great. How about a swim.?”
“Good idea. That will get my blood rolling for sure.”
“We can go visit the rookery and check out the chicks.”
“They are probably pretty big now. They are over five months old. We gotta watch out for the Mama’s though.”
“I know. Nothing riles a penguin Mama like the thought of a chick being disturbed.”
“Last one in is a rotten egg.”
I will be on a break from Friday September 26th until Thursday October 2nd.
Fiction Favorites 
Ya got me. Again!
Penguin life seems cold blooded, even if they are warm blooded creatures. Just thinking about it gives me the . . . shakes. 😉
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Can you imagine not feeling well in the Antarctic?
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I can’t imagine feeling WELL in the Antarctic! LOL
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I can never guess the character until right at the end, good job, John…
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Thank you, Jaye. 😊
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Cute story, John. Enjoy your break.
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Thank you, GP.
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Fab story, John. Didn’t guess at all!
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I didn’t give you many clues.
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Can’t figure out if the ones talking are penguins or leopard seals that would eat penguin chicks. Maybe I’m overthinking. Enjoy your break.
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They were penguins. Good idea on the leopard seals, though. 😊
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Great surprising story, John. Thinking of a penguin with the shakes raises my eyebrows.
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I know. It is not a pleasant thought. Thanks, Tim.
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Hope you have something fun planned for your break.
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My sister’s 90th birthday celebration.
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I love trying to figure out what critters are having the discussion. I almost never (okay, never) guess until the end.
I was worried at the why of wanting to check out the chicks at first….
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Yes, I know it was a worry. They just wanted to check out the chicks
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He he he… So glad that was all.
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😊
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Haha! Nice of you to put your book for free, John!
Enjoy your break! 😇
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Hopefully, I will get some new readers.
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I didn’t guess penguins! Enjoy your break!!
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Thank you, Liz.
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You’re welcome, John.
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Nicely done, John. I can’t imagine not shivering in penguin land!!
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Yep! Better watch out for those mamas! Helping spread the word about the book and enjoy your break!
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Thank you, Jan. 😊
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Ya got me! I did NOT think Penguins! Have a great break!
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So glad I got ya. 😀 Thanks for letting me know.
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Very clever, John. I did not think about penguins. 😄
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My other idea was drug withdrawal, but penguins seemed more uplifting. Thanks, Gwen.
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Drug withdrawal?! 🤣 I’m glad you chose penguins.
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Ha ha ha. You know me. I just said that.
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These Penguins need to chill out and be cool. As the Swedish saying goes “there is no cow on the ice” (meaning what you worry about is not so bad)
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I like that saying since a cow on the ice would be very worrisome. 😀
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Yes you are right.
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If you are hanging out in or near Antarctica, you’ll be freezing your penguin tail feathers off. Enjoy your break.
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John, in situations where we have a foot of snow and the wind chill is around zero, while out clearing the white stuff away I periodically remind myself that if penguins can do this, I can too. Nice to be back visiting you here again – enjoy your break.
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Thank you, Bruce. It is lovely having you back. 😀
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Another great prompt met fantastically well, John. Enjoy visiting with your sis. We’ll catch you back on the flip side.
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Thank you, Monika. 😀
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Wishing you a peaceful and pleasant break, John. 🍂
“You can never be too careful.” My thoughts after eating some shrimp a few years ago and suffering for it.
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Ha ha ha. Thank you, Michele.
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😁
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😊
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You had me on this one! Enjoy your break, John.
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So glad to do a gotcha. 😊
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And you do gotchas very well. 🙂
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😊
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