Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Registration

October 7, 2025October 6, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 50 Comments

Today, I randomly opened The Last Drive to page 181. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word nearest to my finger is ‘registration,’ which becomes our prompt.

“Your license and registration, please.”

“But officer, I didn’t do anything.”

“You are under suspicion of speeding. Please give me your license and registration.”

“Speeding? You have got to be kidding.”

“I don’t kid, sir. I’m going to ask you one more time for your license and registration.”

“Okay, here they are. I just don’t understand.”

“Well, Mr. Ah . . . Tuttle. I clocked you at 40 over the limit as you came over that hill.”

“Wait a minute. You clocked me at 40 over?”

“I just said that.”

“It’s impossible.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Not only can’t I go 40 over, I can’t even go 40.”

“Very funny, sir. Wait here while I check these credentials.”

“I would take a look at your dash cam, too.”

“Why’s that?”

“I think you will see that it wasn’t me who was going 40 over.”

“Who would it be then?”

“About a week ago, for whatever reason, I got into a race.”

“Ah, now we are getting somewhere.”

“It was a race with a hare.”

“A hare?”

“Yeah. It sounds stupid, but when the race started, the hare took a nap.”

“Then what?”

“Well, I think he overslept or goofed off and then had to hurry to catch up.”

“What does this have to do with the over 40?”

“I think it was the hare passing me who tripped your radar.”

“So what happens if you lose the race?”

“Well, the parable’s lesson of slow and steady goes out the window.”

“Let’s go to the patrol car. Here, I’ll carry you to save time. Ah ha. I see the hare on the dash cam.”

“So now he is going to win.”

“Not on my watch. Hold on, I’m going to ride you past the hare and then pull him over. This should give you time to finish.”

“You are the best Officer. From now on, you will be in the fable as well as the tortoise and the hare.”

“My grandkids will be so proud.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt

September 23, 2025September 22, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 49 Comments

Today I randomly opened Eternal Road – The final stop to page 109. With etes closed, I pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “shakes.” That is our prompt today. Also if you would like a Kindle copy of Eternal Road it will be free on Amazon in the US from October 2 through October 5th. I’ll publish a link and reminder nearer the event.

“You have the shakes. How come?”

“I’m not sure. I just can’t seem to get warm.”

“Have you eaten anything that may not agree?”

“You know I did have some fish last night. Maybe that’s it.”

“You can never be too careful.”

“Yeah I know. I thought it was fresh.”

“Were the eyes clear?”

“Yes and it was nicely chilled too.”

“Well, maybe that is not the reason then. Could be the weather.”

“It does seem colder for sure.”

“I think we are getting ready for winter. So how can I help you?”

“Just talking helps. I think the shakes are gone.”

“It’s pretty dangerous getting chilled. Especially up here.”

“I think I’m going to be okay.”

“That sounds great. How about a swim.?”

“Good idea. That will get my blood rolling for sure.”

“We can go visit the rookery and check out the chicks.”

“They are probably pretty big now. They are over five months old. We gotta watch out for the Mama’s though.”

“I know. Nothing riles a penguin Mama like the thought of a chick being disturbed.”

“Last one in is a rotten egg.”

I will be on a break from Friday September 26th until Thursday October 2nd.

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger point Prompt – “Appointment”

September 16, 2025September 15, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 54 Comments

Today, we randomly opened Eternal Road – The final stop to page 209. With my eyes closed, I pointed to the page, and my finger landed closest to the word “appointment.” This is our prompt today.

“Do you have an appointment?”

“No, but my tooth is killing me.”

“Let me ask the dentist if he can see you.”

“Tell him it’s an emergency.”

“I’ll be right back.”

“Excuse me, sir.”

“Yes?”

“If you don’t have an appointment, you are at the end of the line. Look around. There are several waiting to see the dentist.”

“I understand, but I’m in pain.”

“We are all in pain. So that doesn’t make you special.”

“Let’s see what the dentist says, shall we?”

“Just like the privileged ones. Don’t take responsibility and push good citizenship off on someone else.”

“Man, you got up on the wrong side of the bed.”

“It just burns my butt that you think you can walk in here and jump to the head of the line.”

“Okay. I think you can just settle down.”

“Yeah, right. How did you get a toothache anyway?”

“I was eating some chicken, and I guess I bit down on a bone or something.”

“Which tooth is it?”

“I’m not sure. I have so many. Wait a minute. You’re not the dentist, so why all the questions?”

“I’m just trying to figure out if I can help. Open your mouth.”

“What? No way.”

“Come on.”

“There.”

“I see the problem. You have a bone caught between two teeth. Here, let me pull it out.”

“Whoa. That feels better.”

“Where did you get this chicken anyway?”

“It just fell in.”

“I take it you didn’t tuck it under a log.”

“No, I was too hungry.”

“See. That’s what you get by not following alligator rules. The prey must soak until tender.”

“Okay, I get the lesson. Now I’m outta here. Thanks for the help. See ya later, alligators.”

“Sir, the doctor will see you now.”

“That’s okay. Tell him to see the next in line.”

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?”