Today, I opened Eternal Road – The final stop to page 267 and with eyes closed pointed. My finger fell closest to the word “tampered.” This is our prompt today
Tampered by John W. Howell © 2026
“Somebody tampered with my stuff.”
“What do you mean?”
“Look here.”
“What am I looking at?”
“See the mess?”
“I hate to say this, but your place is always a mess.”
‘Not like this.”
“Okay, spell it out for me. What’s wrong?”
“When I left this morning, everything was in its place. Now everything is strewn about.”
“It does look like someone came through here looking for something.”
“Who does that?”
“I must say it is a breach of your personal space.”
“Who has the unmitigated gall to trespass and mess with my stuff?”
“You know what?”
“What?”
“Is that mouse poop over there?”
“I’ll be darned. Doesn’t that take all?”
“What are you thinking?”
“My prey dares to come up here.”
“Gotta give him credit.”
“I’ll tell you what else I’m going to give him.”
“Like any self-respecting hawk, I hope it’s a dinner invitation.”
“Darned right.”
Fiction Favorites 
Me thinks you are in a predator state of mind.
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Maybe. 🦍
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😁
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If search for traps.
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Smart thing to do.
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I’m guessing that mouse will be the main course in due time.
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the unmitigated gall–so hawk-like, isn’t it? Of course, I was thinking of a cat… 🙄
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A cat would fit, I suppose. Thanks, Lois 😊
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Pretty cheeky to invade the nest like that.
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I would say so, too. Thanks, Craig.
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Fantastic, John. Is that mouse being bold, or trying to commit suicide?
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There are old mice and bold mice, but not old bold mice. Thanks, Tim 😊
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😊
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😊
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Sounds like a good call got any idea about Gus from my cat close the door I know lol
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😊
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That would be guts😜
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I got there.
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👍
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Had four cats at once. Lucky for me, they were all house kitties.
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A very bold visit to the Hawks nest. We are being over ran by mice this year and the cats are no help, so us humans have to do it.
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Maybe you can call Hawks Are Us for a rental. 😀
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Yes, I need them!
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😀
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Very entertaining, John.
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Ha! Yep! Sounds logical to me.
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Good. Thanks, Jan
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Stumped me again!
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Love that.
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Tell you what, hawks ain’t to be messed with. And maybe they miss once or twice, but it only delays the inevitable.
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So true. We have red-tailed hawks, and they are beautiful.
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They’re so beautiful. And to watch them scoping out the landscape from so high above, wow.
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So true. A wonder of nature.
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They really are.
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Ha ha these entertaing stories are always intriguing mysteries. Thank you for the fun read.
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Glad you enjoyed it, Thomas. Thank you. 😊
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Wondering if tampered ever has a positive connotation. 🤔
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I don’t think so. At least I can’t think of one. 😊
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I could totally see you writing a post about one of the dogs tampering with the other’s stuff. I’ll be looking for it. 😊
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That happens every day. I should record it. Thanks for the idea, Pete. 😀
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Awwww … poor mousy!!! But, the hawks will dine well tonight, I guess. I do love the way you can take a single word and weave a fun story out of it!
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Thank you, Jill. These stories are exercises to keep my creative mind active. I appreciate your comment. 😊
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Hmmmm … maybe I should try that!
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😊
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The mouse messed with the wrong creature, without a doubt.
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Neil. 😀
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Nicely done! Hadn’t expected those characters but am delighted with that surprise.
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Thank you, Monika. 😀
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Wow, that’s one bold mouse … but not for long 😉
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Not for long, indeed
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I’m with the hawk on this one!
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Yes, indeed
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Well done, John. I had no idea it was a hawk, although mouse poop was a big clue.
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That was a bit of a hint.
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😀
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