Today, I readomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 147. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word nearest to my finger is “complicated.” This is our prompt today.
Complicated by John W. Howell © 2026
“It’s complicated.”
“All I asked was how come you two are not together.”
“And I’m telling you there are complications to an easy answer.”
“I mean, you and he are always together.”
“Today we are not.”
“What happened? Is he sick?”
“No, nothing like that.”
“I guess I’m not going to get an answer.”
“As a friend, I guess you deserve an answer.”
“As a concerned friend.”
“Well, you know how he and I have worked together to build our house.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“And you know how delightful the property is with the beautiful lake and all.”
“I do. It is a special place. You two have done wonders.”
“We have had a slight argument.”
“Oh goodness, what about?”
“He thinks we should move and start another.”
“Why on Earth should you do that?”
“According to him, it is our duty to the environment.”
“So where is he now?”
“Off scouting another location. One that would benefit from our skills.”
“You mean a barren place with a trickle of water.”
“Exactly.”
“You guys do build nice dams for sure.”
“I just wish we could settle down in one place.”
“Maybe someday.”
“It’s not easy being a beaver.”
Fiction Favorites 
I really like the pay-off. I didn’t guess they were beavers – and yet the clues are there! Well done, John.
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Thank you, Esther. 😀
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Perfect chosen. Let`s get going! 🙂 I wish you a wonderful week, John! xx Michael
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Thank you, Michael. Wishing you the same.😀
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Thanks, John! 🙂
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😀
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Dam good one this week.
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Ha ha ha Thanks, Charles
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Beavers didn’t immediately come to mind, but ants did. Another good one, John!
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Ooooo. Ants. Need to hold that memory. 😀
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I didn’t realise they don’t stick around!
Nicely done, sir!
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Thank you, Dale. They may. The fact is that beavers mate for life.
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They just like to move on the regular 😉
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😀
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Wow, John! Beavers are such effective workers with good relationships!
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They are for sure, Tim
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😊 This reminds me of seeing beavers at work in the UP of Michigan or Canada while I was fishing.
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I used to love going to Canada to fish. 😊
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ha! I was thinking of birds. Not even close!
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Ah well. There is always next week.
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Haha! You got me. Since we’ve recently had work done on our house, I reacted like I would need to move without enjoying it!
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Sounds normal to me. 😀
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Two rodents that give a darn! ; )
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Yup.
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Whew! I suspected a praying mantis but am glad everyone is still alive.
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Ha ha ha. That would be a good guess.
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I was thinking beaver about half-way through. Hard-working little critters and so good for the environment!
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Yes, they are. Thanks, Noelle,
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I knew there was a surprise waiting for me in this conversation, John, and after the “trickle of water,” I suspected beavers – environmental restorers at work! Thanks for the fun, feel-good post!
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I thought at first birds, but then the barren place with a trickle of water clued me in.
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