Today I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 279 and, with eyes closed, pointed to the page. My finger landed closest to the word “escapades,” our prompt today.
Escapades by John W. Howell © 2025
“So how was your flight?”
“Oh my gosh. It was one of the strangest escapades of my life.”
“What happened?”
“Well, we took off in the weirdest weather.”
“What do you mean?”
“It was raining and sleeting.”
“I’m surprised you took off at all.”
“I was, too, believe me. The captain explained that the weather was iffy, but was sure it was safe.”
“Didn’t anyone complain?”
“Well, you know how it is. You certainly don’t want to appear to be a coward.”
“So no one spoke up?”
“Right.”
“You took off and then what?”
“The take off was okay. A little bumpy, then we got up to our altitude.”
“Doesn’t sound so bad so far.”
“Well then, the lightning started.”
“Oh no. I hate that.”
“Yeah, me too. So we diverted to an alternate landing.”
“Where was that?”
“I think it was near a resort town.”
“What makes you think that?”
“There were all kinds of fireworks going off.”
“Fireworks?”
“Yeah. Damn lucky we weren’t hit with them.”
“So then what?”
“We all grabbed something to eat and then got the word we were leaving.”
“Still bad weather?”
“No, it had cleared. Also, the fireworks had stopped, so we took off.”
“And so here you are.”
“Yeah, here I am, but no sooner had we taken off than the fireworks started again.”
“Just like that.”
“Just like that. It then dawned on me that those weren’t fireworks but those stupid hunters shooting at us.”
“Wow. You are lucky to be here.”
“Yes, I am. A couple I was flying with didn’t make it.”
“Aw.”
“I know, right? They ought to outlaw goose hunting. Anyway, let’s not ruin the vacation with that unpleasantness. What’s on the agenda tonight?”
Fiction Favorites 
Danged sky busters.
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Yes, indeed.
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Kind of a sad story this time.
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From the goose’s point of view, yes.
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I broke into a smile about one third in, thinking it was a goose talking. Dang, I was right and the rest of it was a lot of fun!
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There you go. Winner-Winner.
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But not a chicken dinner – goose! I’ve made goose for Christmas dinner and love how it’s served in Prague.
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Hmmm never been to Prague. How’s it served?
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It’s roasted with very little fat left, served with potato dumplings (knedliky) and cabbage (zeli).
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Sounds lovely.
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Well captured… smiling! 🙂
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Glad you got a smile.
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Wow! It wasn’t anti-aircraft fire like I was thinking. He’s lucky to get through that alive.
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The boys had the choke too tight. Thanks, Tim.
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I guessed it was geese but not what the ‘fireworks’ were. Great storytelling, John.
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Hard to fool you, Esther.
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I kept trying to figure out the fireworks, but had to finish reading to get it!! Bravo, Jon!
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Thank you, GP. I’m glad you did.
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It’s been awhile, but you never fail to impress, old friend.
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Yes, it has. So long that I don’t have a record of you stopping in the near past.
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The trip from hell.
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It would seem that way for sure.
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I didn’t figure out geese until I got to the stupid hunters.
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Well, at least you got there. 😀
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Yep!
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😀
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Great one, John. Hugs.
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Thank you, Teagan. Hugs back.
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Like Liz the penny didn’t drop until it got to the hunters…poor geese I guess they will up as someone’s Christmas tables centrepiece on Christmas day…but well written from the prompt, John x
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Thank you, Carol. I’m always glad to get those delayed penny drops. 😀 Thanks for the lovely comment.
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My pleasure,John x
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😀 🤗
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Poor Geese! Your book Detour on the Eternal Road was a lot fun to read
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Thank you, Thomas. I’m sure glad you enjoyed it. Thank you, too, for the lovely review. 😀
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I think I saw them overhead a few days ago. The formation looked a little lean on one side.
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That might well be. Those pesky hunters. Thanks, Dan
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Never thought of geese, but ’tis the season. I can’t imagine killing a goose–so beautiful in the air or on the ground. 🪿
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I agree. But there are still some who like goose for the table. In my mind, a sad situation, but understandable.
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Poor geese! Well, I’m glad the narrator made it (because, of course, there would be no story if he hadn’t). These are such fun stories, John. Maybe I’m a bit slow, but I usually can’t figure out what manner of animal is narrating until the end 🙂
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You are not slow. I take pains to try to hide the animal while giving a few clues
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