Today I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 175. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is salutes. This is our prompt today.
Salutes by John W. Howell © 2026
“How many salutes did you say?”
“21 gun salutes.”
“Whoa, that’s a lot of salutes.”
“I know, so I would keep my head down if I were you.”
“You’re not kidding. You don’t have to worry about me.”
“I do worry since you seem to get into more trouble than most.”
“What are these salutes for, anyway?”
“Someone is celebrating a birthday.”
“Are they having a big party?”
“I suppose.”
“We weren’t invited?”
“Afraid not.”
“That’s pretty cold.”
“Well, we don’t know the person.”
“Yeah, but they are doing salutes in our neighborhood. Shouldn’t we be invided to attend?”
“I’m not sure they would want us there.”
“Why not?”
“Humans don’t like us very well.”
“What? Given how cute we are?”
“Maybe it’s the rattles or the poison. Who can say?”
“Well I think it’s rude.”
Fiction Favorites 
I am guessing done type of birds, but not sure of type.
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With rattles and poison?
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Guess I must have missed some obvious clues.
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At the end. 😄
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Just wind off to the side when the guns go off.
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And keep the maraças quiet.
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I. Hate. Snakes. Every time I go out to water the plants, I’m on high alert. All clear so far this year.
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Look out behind you. 😄
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Don’t forget the fangs. Those could offset the cuteness.
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Oh yeah. The fangs.
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If the rattlers went to the birthday celebration with gun salutes they’d get their heads blown off.
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I’m sure they should stay home. Thanks, Tim.
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😊
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😄
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I obviously missed some clues.
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Woooooo snakes. 😳 Nothing will get me moving faster than a slithery thing that moves unpredictably and like lightning.
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While playing the maracas.
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😂 Yes indeed. Though it’s sporting of them to give us an auditory warning.
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😊
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Woo hoo, rattlesnakes. I like snakes but give these guys a wide berth. Did you see the pictures of the white rattlesnake that was in the news. Not an albino, but white.
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I missed that photo. Must have been odd-looking.
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Actually, the snake was beautiful!
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Good to hear.
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A snake!!! I was thinking some kind of bird, at first. Gives new meaning to ‘lie low.’ 😂🐍
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Yes, it does. 😄
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I like the clever reveal. Well done, John.
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Thank you, Esther. 😊
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Not a fan of rattle snakes. Had too many close calls
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I know what you mean. 😊
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Snakes would add excitement to the event. But it might not end well for all involved…
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I agree. These guys should forget about attending.
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No rattlesnakes for me! I’m terrified of them.
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Not my favorite either.
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Poor rats are not invited to the party. As you might remember I loved your book Detour on the Eternal Road.
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Rats? Rattles and poison?
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I was guessing. It was not rats?
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Nope. A couple of diamond back rattlers
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Yes I see it now. I misinterpreted the second from the bottom sentence.
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It feels like there were a few 21-gun salutes going off in the neighborhood on the 4th.
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That it did, Pete. 😄
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Snakes are not our friends. Most aren’t, anyway.
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I would make that some. Most are beneficial.
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