Tuesday – Anything possible – Finger Point Prompt – Meetings

September 9, 2025September 8, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 60 Comments

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

“How many meetings have we had on this?”

“Oof. Seems like a 100.”

“You would think someone would make up their mind.”

“I know, right?”

“I mean, how hard is it to make a decision on when to kick off the trip?”

“If it were up to me, that decision would have already been made.”

“Yeah, me, too.”

“So when is the meeting?”

“The boss said at eight.”

“Well, I guess we’d better get over there.”

“I have an idea.”

“Will it help?”

“I think it will help us.”

“Okay, shoot.”

“Why don’t we just decide and then take off?”

“Are you crazy?”

“What? We have done the same thing every year. We know the way.”

“Leave without the flock?”

“Come on. Be brave, Buck O. What’s the worst that could happen?”

“Without the flock, we could become exhausted and not make it.”

“You really think that old ‘wind beneath my wings’ thingy has merit.”

“I do. Also, it is a tradition. Flying in formation, honking, and pooping. It is what Canadian geese do.”

“Sheesh. I guess we’d better get going or we’ll be late for the meeting, eh?”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Offense

August 26, 2025August 26, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 62 Comments

Today I randomly opened Circumstances of Childhood to page 141 and with my eyes closed, pointed at the page. The word closest to my finger is offense. That is our prompt today.

“No offense but do you know what you’re doing?”

“No offense?”

“Well, I’m just wondering. That looks complicated.”

“I’ve been doing this for years. So, to answer your so called ‘no offense’ question. Yes, I know what I’m doing.”

“Okay. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“I’m not offended but it seems that youngsters ought to think a little more before talking.”

“You have to admit that from where I’m sitting your actions look a little strange.”

“Strange? How so?”

“For one we are way too high for my comfort.”

“Well you didn’t have to come along.”

“I can say if I knew were were going to end up on the top of the world I would have stayed home.”

“It is a little late for that now.”

“I know and that is what worries me. How are we going to get down to the valley?”

“You’re kidding right?”

“No.”

“We are going to glide down.”

“Glide down?”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake. Look at you. You are scared aren’t you?”

“I’ve never been this high before.”

“You are a condor. What do you mean you have never been this high before? These mountains are your home.”

“My mom never let me .”

“That explains it all. Today you are going to become an adult.”

“By sailing down to the valley.”

“By catching the wind currents and soaring above the mountains and then down to the valley.”

“Does sound fun.”

“Yeah. Just don’t look down. Spread your wings like this and step off. Go ahead. I’m right behind you.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Language

August 12, 2025August 11, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

Today, I randomly opened Eternal Road – The last stop to page 233. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “language.” That is our prompt

“That is not the kind of language we use, young man.”

“Sorry, Mum, but I’m very frustrated.”

“Over what?”

“Well, you know how Pa sent me out to hunt for dinner.”

“He said it was about time you learned to contribute to the family.”

“Yeah, I got that.”

“So, what is so frustrating?”

“Pa makes everything look so easy.”

“And?”

“I found out that hunting is more complex than it looks.”

“I think anyone could have told you that.”

“Well, long story short, I didn’t get any dinner.”

“Hmm. That does present a problem for you.”

“I know. Pa is going to be pretty mad.”

“Don’t you think your father knows how hard hunting is?”

“I suppose. He’s been doing it a long time.”

“And don’t you think he would have made sure we had dinner, knowing it was your first time?”

“You mean?”

“I think the only problem is not your father getting mad, but how you see yourself as a hunter.”

“A failure.”

“See, that’s not the way you should look at it.”

“Well, that’s how I feel.”

“You have to know that every time your father went hunting, he didn’t always bring back dinner.”

“Really?”

“Really. But what he did was to continue to go out each day, no matter what.”

“So never give up?”

“That’s it. Tell me, did you see any game?”

“Sure.”

“So what happened?”

“Every time I stalked the game, they ran away.”

“Sounds like a scent problem.”

“What’s that?”

“Did you pay attention to the wind?”

“No. What’s wind got to do with it?”

“Springboks have a great sense of smell. If the wind is behind you, your scent blows toward them.”

“If the wind is in my face, then their scent blows towards me and mine is not detectable.”

“That a boy. Take this information and make us proud.”

“Make the pride proud. You got it, ma.”

I will be taking a blogging break from Friday of this week to Thursday of next. Totally off the grid.

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Lift

August 5, 2025August 5, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 57 Comments

Today I opened The Last Drive to page 191 and with eyes closed pointed to the page. My finger fell closest to two words; eyebrows and lift. Making a judgement call I felt “lift ” was the closest. Lift is the prompt.

“You get a face lift or something?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Your eyes seem so much bigger and younger looking.”

“No, I didn’t get a lift. This is my natural look.”

“Oh come on. You can tell me. You had an eye job right?”

“For the last time. No lifts.”

“Okay, okay no use getting upset.”

“How would you feel if I asked you about your so-called lifts?”

“I would tel you the truth.”

“Making an implication that I’m not?”

“No, not at all. I’m just saying if I had a lift I would tell you.”

“Did you ever think that it is nighttime.”

“What’s that got to do with it.”

“In the dark our pupils get larger to let in more of what little light there is.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“Yes and given we are nocturnal these so-called larger eyes are an accommodation to the dark.”

“Go figure. Nature is amazing.”

“So are you satisfied there have been no lifts?”

“Yes. You are a very wise and good teacher.”

“Thank you. It comes with the territory.”

“Territory? What territory?”

“We are owl’s you nincompoop. We are naturally wise.”

“Oh. Hey look. Is that a mouse?”

“Now you are wise. Changing the subject is a good thing.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – “Slipped”

July 29, 2025July 28, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 50 Comments

Today I randomly opened Eternal Road – The final stop to page 143. With eyes closed I pointed to the page and my finger fell closest to the word “slipped.” This is our prompt, today.

“Who left that banana skin there? I almost slipped and fell.”

“Beats me.”

“What do you mean “beats me,” I just saw you eating a banana a few minutes ago.”

“So because I ate a banana I’m the culprit?”

“I would say you are a suspect. Did you or did you not drop the skin.”

“Before I answer let me check one thing.”

“Okay. Check away.”

“Is self incrimination a thing here?”

“Huh?”

“If I declare that I dropped the skin you almost slipped on does that make me guilty.”

“That would be a confession, so yes.”

“I refuse to answer and incriminate myself.”

“Okay wise guy. How about I gather some evidence and prosecute you.”

“Do I get a jury of my peers?”

“I’m sole judge and jury.”

“Which leave the verdict open to appeal.”

“Appeal to who?”

“Or whom as the case may be.”

“Okay to whom?”

“The Supreme Court.”

“There is no Supreme Court here.”

“What is this a third world country?”

“Now that you mention it, Yes. Look around. We are in the rain forest.”

“Well I’ll be a monkey’s uncle.”

“Leave your relatives out of this. As the silver back boss of this troop, I’m the final say.”

“Okay I dropped the skin. There you happy?”

“Such ado about nothing. Go pick it up.”

“Yes boss.”

“And be careful next time. Safety first.”

“You are sounding like a human now.”

“Go wash out your mouth.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Everything

July 22, 2025July 21, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 76 Comments

Today, I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 107 and, with my eyes closed, pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “everything.” That is the prompt for today.

“You are my everything.”

“Goodness, you make me blush.”

“No, I mean it.”

“What makes you say that?”

“You want me to detail why I feel you are my everything?”

“I think that would be nice.”

“To begin you provide for us.”

“By provide, you mean?”

“You give us sustenance.”

“Okay?”

“You always make sure we have enough to eat.”

“Oh, now I get it. Is there anything else?”

“Well, you make sure I get plenty of exercise.”

“I guess that is a good thing.”

“You make sure we never take you for granted.”

“Strange. How do I do that?”

“Well, you are very hard to catch.”

“That’s my nature.”

“You are underground and I have to listen carefully to figure out where you are.”

“Earthworms are like that.”

“But it is tough work.”

“Yes, but you robins are built for that.”

“I suppose. Well, the kids are getting pretty hungry, so we ought to get along.”

“I guess I’m invited for dinner.”

“Ha ha ha. Good one. You made me laugh and I dropped you.”

“Good luck next time.”

Tuesday Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Genuine

July 15, 2025July 14, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 52 Comments

Today I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 187. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page, and my finger fell closest to the word “genuine.” This is the prompt.

“Yeah sure. Tell me again where you found this?”

“Like I said, it was by a tree, and I was just looking around, and it caught my eye.”

“How did it ‘catch’ your eye?”

“Just look at how brilliant it is. Who would miss that?”

“Do you know how rare it is to find one of these?”

“I know that’s why I was so excited to show it to you.”

“Well, you did the right thing. We first have to determine if it is genuine.”

“How do we do that?”

“The easiest way is to rub it against a tooth. If it feels smooth, it probably is genuine.”

“You say probably. Can’t you be certain?”

“We have to do a couple of other tests.”

“Like?”

“The smell test. One sniff and I can tell the real thing from some kind of imitation.”

“Okay, then what?”

“The final test is taste.”

“Taste?”

“Yup. We put our tongue on it and then try to remember what the taste was of a one-carat treasure.”

“Since I found it, shouldn’t I be the one to determine if it’s genuine?”

“Usually, but I have more experience and can be very objective.”

“Alright, I trust you. Go ahead and tell me if it is genuine.”

“Umm smells right.

“Uh huh.”

“Feels smooth on the tooth.”

“So far, so good.”

“Yum tastes like I remember.”

“Hey, don’t eat the whole thing.”

“Eh, what’s up, Doc. By the way, caret is spelled carrot. Have a nice day.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – “Planet”

July 1, 2025June 30, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 52 Comments

Today I randomly opened Eternal Road – The final stop to page 201. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page, and the word nearest my finger was planet. Planet is our prompt today.

“What planet are you on?”

“Whatya mean?”

“I mean, are you crazy?”

“What makes you ask that?”

“The way you are looking at that plant.”

“I just think it looks terrific, is all.”

“That is not the look I see.”

“Okay, smart one. What do you see?”

“I see someone who is coveting something that he has no business coveting.”

“Covet? What does that mean?”

“Means you have designs on making something that doesn’t belong to you, yours.”

“Wow. You are deep into psychology today, aren’t you?”

“I just know you. When you get that look, you’ll move Heaven and Earth to get what you want.”

“I always admire that in myself.”

“That may well be, but that plant does not belong to you.”

“I think I would be a better steward. Look at those leaves. They look wilted to me.”

“They are not wilted. You are just making that up. Besides, that plant is way too big for you to carry.”

“Oh, come on. Where there is a will, there is a way.”

“Is that the secret to your success?”

“No. I think my secret is high hopes. High apple pie in the sky hopes.”

“So you are going to take that rubber tree plant?”

“Hold my beer.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point prompt – Departure

June 24, 2025June 23, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 48 Comments

Today, I opened the second book in the Eternal Road series: The Last Drive randomly to page 119 and pointed with my eyes closed. The word closest to my finger is “departure.” This is our prompt today.

“Do you have everything?”

“I think so.”

“Do we need to do a checklist?”

“Naw. I think I remembered everything.”

“This is a big step in life for you. How do you feel?”

“I’m a little nervous but am looking forward to learning more.”

“It seems like yesterday that you were so small.”

“Yeah, but now I’m fully grown.”

“Well, at least your body has grown. Your brain needs a little more time.”

“This is why you are sending me off, right?”

“Yes, dear. You cannot stay and continue to grow into a responsible adult. You need learning and experience that your dad and I can’t give you.”

“Well, I’m going to miss you both. Where is Dad anyway?”

“I don’t think he could stand to say goodbye, so he went fishing.”

“Yeah, I get that. Well, tell him goodbye, and I’ll see him later.”

“I will do that, my precious. Now spread those wings and get going. Don’t forget you are an eagle,. A bald eagle, so be proud of your heritage.”

“I won’t forget Mama. Goodbye. I love you.”

“I love you, son. Make us proud.”

“Mom, don’t cry.”

“Bitter sweet, my boy. Go now.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Punch

June 17, 2025June 16, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 54 Comments

Today I randomly opened Our Justice to page 53 and pointed to the page with eyes closed. The word “punch ” was closest to my finger, our prompt today.

“Go ahead. Take a swing.”

“Oh, come on. I’m not going to punch you.”

“But that’s what you said.”

“Yeah, I used the word, but in a different context.”

“Let me quote you. ‘If you don’t leave the girl alone, you’ll get a punch.'”

“Yes, that’s accurate.”

“So what part of that wasn’t a threat that you will punch me?”

“What I meant was the girl would likely punch you if you didn’t quit annoying her, not me.”

“Well, she didn’t.”

“Yeah, that’s because you turned on me instead.”

“Besides, I wasn’t annoying her. She was asking me for a ride.”

“Why would she ask you for a ride?”