Today I opened Circumstances of Childhood randomly to page 159. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page, and the word closest to my finger is “meetings.” This is our prompt today.

Meetings by John W. Howell © 2026

“Why do we always have to have meetings?”

“Beats me. Maybe it’s so the boss has something to do.”

“That is pretty funny.”

“But close to the truth. When’s the last time you saw him do anything?”

“Productive, you mean?”

“Ha ha ha. I mean, just anything. Productive is too high a bar.”

“Let me think. Oh, I know. Remember when he invited us to go hunting?”

“Yeah, I remember. He crashed through the bush and scared all the game away for five miles.”

“That was some day for sure.”

“I think I was talking about doing something that didn’t mess things up.”

“I think you got me. I can’t remember a time when he didn’t mess things up.”

“So what is this meeting about?”

“Rumor is he is going to introduce a new strategy.”

“Strategy for what?”

“I’m not really sure. I just heard two guys talking.”

“So you must have heard more.”

“Well, it seems he thinks we lions ought to be the hunters and the lionesses ought to stay home.”

“You have got to be kidding me.  That’s not going to work. He should know from that hunting trip.”

“Well, maybe it’s just a rumor.”

“I hope so. I’m not sure I could even catch anything. I can almost feel my stomach growling now.”

“Well, we will know in a minute. Here he comes.”

 

 

 

Today, I randomly opened The Power of Three by Teri Polen to page 67. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “trash.” That is our prompt today.

Trash by John W. Howell ©2026

“When are you going visit the trash young man?”

“Aw, Mom. I just got interested in this puzzle.”

“That’s not a puzzle, it’s just a bunch of sticks.”

“Yeah, and the idea is to make them look like something.”

“Well, mister, you need to put that stuff away and get to the trash.”

“Why do I always have to do the trash?”

“Because you live here and we each need to pull our own weight.”

“What about sister?”

“What about her?”

“I never see her do the trash.”

“That’s because she does other chores.”

“Liked what?”

“Well if you must know, she is at the creek .”

“Doing what? Throwing daisies and making wishes?”

“Hilarious, smart guy. I’ll have you know she is catching tonight’s supper.”

“When did she learn how to fish?”

“Dad taught her.”

“Oh man. I thought that was something special between dad and me.”

“No when it comes to putting food on the table. Now, I think you’d better get moving.”

“Okay, okay. Anything special?”

“Some fruit or salad would be nice.”

“Why aren’t we raccoons like other animals?”

“What do you mean?”

“You know. Hunt and catch prey.”

“Cause we are fat, lazy, and human stuff is easy pickings. Now get to it.”

“Yes, Mom.”

 

Today, I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 67. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “approach.” This is the prompt today.

Approach by John W. Howell © 2026

“Nice approach. Now let’s see you sink that one.”

“You know it makes me nervous when you are watching.”

“How can I help but watch. I’m right here.”

“Maybe you could just turn around and look the other way.”

“That is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. It can’t make that much difference.”

“But it does.”

“Why?”

“Well, I know you will be evaluating my technique.”

“Technique?” Oh, come on now. I’ve watched you sink hundreds. I don’t recall a technique.”

“So you say.”

“I’m serious. If you asked me to explain your so-called technique, I would be at a loss for words.”

“Could you humor me then?”

“And turn away?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, all right. I was going to offer some advice, though.”

“Like what?”

“Once you sink that bird, tuck it under a log. You can then come back for it.”

“That is a great suggestion. Where’d you learn that?”

“You know that old gator who hangs out in the West swamp?”

“Grumpy old fart?”

“That’s the one. That’s his approach to saving the game. He taught me that.”

“Well, okay. Thank you. Never mind the turnaround. Here I go. I know just the log.”

“When you come back, we’ll lie out in the sun.”

“I’d like that. See you soon.”

 

 

Today I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 77. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger that we can read is  the compound word “short-range.” This is our prompt.

Short-Range by John W. Howell © 2026

“What are you talking about?”

“Were you listening?”

“I guess I had my mind elsewhere. So, what were you saying?”

“I was trying to get you to quit focusing on short-range activities in favor of a more long-range concentration.”

“Wow, I don’t even know what that means.”

“Let me give you an example.”

“Please.”

“That apple you are eating.”

“What about it?”

“Instead of eating it now when there are plenty of apples, maybe you should save it for when apples are scarce.”

“But I’m hungry now.”

“Won’t you be hungry later?”

“Um. I guess so.”

“So if there are no apples later, what are you going to do?”

“Eat pears?”

“You are missing the point.”

“I’m trying hard to understand.”

“I am trying to get you to plan for scarcity.”

“Scarcity? What the heck is that?”

“It’s when the things you need to survive are not easy to find – like apples.”

“Is this something new?”

“What?”

“Scarcity.”

“No, it is a matter of life.”

“Why haven’t I faced it before?”

“Cause you had someone who took care to see that you had everything you needed.”

“What’s changed?”

“You are getting older and will soon be on your own.”

“Who thought that up?”

“It is a fact of life. I’m trying to teach you to think of more than just one day.”

“But you are my Mom. You do my thinking for me.”

“Not forever, son. Come spring, you will be too big to stay.”

“After hibernation?”

“That’s right. So do you understand the lesson?”

“I do but don’t have to like it.”

“Someday you will have cubs of your own, and you’ll look back on today and laugh.”

“I’m not laughing now.”

“I know. You will, trust me. Now, finish your apple.”

 

Today I opened My GRL randomly to page 51. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “worked.” This is our prompt.

Worked by John W. Howell, © 2025

“Well, that worked.”

“What do you mean. This is a mess.”

“It may not look pretty, but at least the leak is stopped.”

“I’ll give you that, but what an eyesore. The neighbors are going to have a field day at the New Year’s Eve party, talking about the mess you made.”

“So you are just worried about what the neighbors will say?”

“Darn right I’m worried.”

“You should be happy that we got the leak under control and not worry about the gossip.”

“I’m the one who has to deal with these folks. All you do is work most of the time and don’t have talk to them.”

“Still. For the most part, we keep our place neat. This was an emergency. Don’t you think they will understand that?”

“I still don’t understand why it has to look like such a fright?”

“The water pressure was just too great to take the time to make a lovely patch. I had to get the water stopped before it ruined everything.”

“Can you fix it now?”

“No the binder has to set up before I make any more adjustments.”

“How does this happen anyway? You built our place. Did you do a lousy job?”

“This is a small setback, and you are making a mountain out of a molehill.”

“You don’t have to listen to the whispers.”

“We had unprecedented rain, and the water pressure was just too much.”

“Why didn’t this happen to others?”

“Take a look.”

“What?”

“Do you see any dams left downstream?”

“OMG, where are they?”

“So much for wondering if ours was built properly. I don’t think you have to worry about what is said at the New Year’s Eve party. I think you and I will be the only ones there. The rest will be chasing their tails trying to find logs to rebuild.”

“You are my hero. Happy New Year, you eager Beaver you.”

*Blush*

 

 

 

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?”

 

 

Today, I opened My GRL randomly to Page 25 and, with eyes closed, pointed to the page. My finger landed closest to the word” meeting.” That is our prompt today.

Meeting by John W. Howell © 2025

“What’s this meeting about?”

“I don’t know. I got a message to show up here at 9:00.”

“Yeah, me too. Makes me a little nervous.”

“Why’s that?”

“When the Boss calls a meeting with no subject, my mind always goes to a dark place.”

“Now that is silly. The Boss never calls meetings for bad news.”

“Well, this could be a first.”

“Besides, this is the holiday season, and we are way too busy for bad news.”

“All well and good. I’ve heard rumors that Amazon and free deliveries are putting the squeeze on traditional holiday outlets.”

“That may be true for some, but all our gifts are custom-made. Are you worried about a layoff?”

“That has crossed my mind.”

“Believe me, if there was going to be a layoff, it would have happened in the spring, not in the middle of the holidays.”

“That does make sense. We are needed right now.”

“You feel better?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“Good. You’re fired.”

“W-what?”

“Just playing with you. Relax. Everything is okay.”

“You had me there.”

“One more point. The entire team needs you to guide the sleigh. Especially if it is foggy.”

“Thank you, Prancer. As the last to join the team, you can see why I might worry.”

“You’re good kid. Oh look. Here comes Santa, and if I’m not mistaken, he has a bag of oats slung over his shoulder. Looks like the reason for the meeting is a par-tay. Now smile.”