sojourn

I don't apologize for choosing to leave out the "deeply religious". They have many voices, often encouraged and unchallenged, just turn on your TV and channel surf. I understand folks can feel strongly about their faith. This chapter was more about how 'deeply religious" people impacted their lives. I have love for my fellow man. I believe in "the Golden Rule". I have hope in a brighter future. I have faith... just not in organized religion or in a far too distant god. He was the only imaginary friend I ever had, then I broke my arm. Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

Thanks, Did you change your pic? Jim

Thanks. I really mean that. It is most flattering to have a reader want to be involved in a discussion with characters I created. I like to think that discussions such as their's take place quite often. But, the truth is... I don't think so. Still maybe their discussion might inspire others. We can hope. Thanks so much for sharing your insights. Jim

WOW! What a slam! Yet I find myself smiling. "To me that is the internal discourse of the uneducated" Ok, first off, I admit I am poorly educated. I further admit that I too sometimes skim paragraphs in even my favorite stories. I too enjoy history and visiting historical edifices. I certainly felt challenged in giving five characters their unique voice in order to share their experiences and resultant perspectives. It was probably one of the most challenging chapters I have ever undertaken. So I take no offense in your comments and in fact share in most of your views.... Except. I think dialogue concerning beliefs is critical, whether through characters or in real life. True, most Christians believe Moses actually took two of each animal onto the Ark. (I know. But it always humored me that most angry Christians missed that detail. Some have even said, "You're damned right Moses gathered the animals with god's help.") If hate filled preachers and ideologues are not challenged, their self serving dogma of hate could boil over into the very same situation we have with IS in the Middle East and around the world. Jackson and the others weren't proselytizing. Their discussion centered more on the impact, mostly negative impact, organized religion had on their individual lives. Please note some of that negative impact had nothing to do with their being gay. Dialogue maybe boring, but I think it is one way to reduce the likelihood of attacks such as Matthew Shepard suffered. Yes, I blame "Christian values", which devalue gays almost entirely, for having a supporting role in most all hate crimes and certainly for much of the discrimination gays have and do experience. If you think I single out Christians, just substitute, Judaism, Islam, Mormonism or any major religion. I know there are denominations that embrace gays, but they are in the minority. I also believe you probably skimmed over some of these paragraphs. Thanks for sharing your insights. Jim

Ott! i might have known you would be the one to get us all back on track. I have the feeling we have not seen the last of our Chicago friends. Not the least of which is Doc's cock.😜 Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

Some like to brag about the contributions Catholics made, but they controlled almost everything, especially education. So intelligent people likely to make such discoveries had little choice but to be Catholic. God may exist, but he has given us scant proof to support his existence. Faith is a human construct that needs to be studied. We all have faith that the sun will rise tomorrow, etc. but how does it cover such expand to cover eternity. Thanks for your thought provoking comments. Jim

Thank you for being understanding and accepting of other beliefs. It is a rare perspective. Please nurture it and encourage it in others. Thanks for sharing your insights. Jim

WOW! Thanks for the comment. It was a challenge to have five unique experiences and opinions. Thanks for posting your comments and sharing your insights. Jim

By now you know I am a sucker for happy endings. Thanks so much for sharing yours. Jim

I like your viewpoint. I think people get defensive because they are not comfortable with their own beliefs. You can identify the insecure folks pretty quickly. I like discussing gay issues with a straight man who is truly comfortable in his orientation. In both cases no one is going to change anyone's mind, but you can gain a better understanding, if you are willing to listen. I find truly stimulating, unguarded conversations are rare, but something to be valued. Thanks for sharing your comments. Jim

Jeff was hardly surprised by the number of texts and missed calls on his phone. He would have slept into the afternoon if Sam had not pounded on their bedroom door insisting that he call his Aunt Mellie through FaceTime so she could see he and Paul were unharmed. Uncle Joe, Raymond, and Ilya had been satisfied with Sam’s report of the previous evening's events. But, Mellie wanted to see their faces before she would be convinced they had not been harmed. She had already grilled Sam and insisted o

"Stuttgart phase". Now you're just bragging. 😁 Thank you for your flattering comments. I would almost pay to hear such kind words. Jim ps, I only just now stumbled upon your comment. GA does not see fit to send me emails notifying me of comments as they are posted, no matter what selections I make. Sorry for the time lapse. Jim

A GREAT STORY! Even for us "not typically fantasy fans", it was a compelling tale. Skold's transition from one who perceives himself incapable of caring, even in the slightest, to one who has friends, family and a lover is masterfully accomplished. I hope to see a sequel coming soon.

I am sorry you experienced that, but glad you have survived. I can only say I certainly wish the best for you and all those who have suffered and will continue to suffer and struggle while rebuilding in the years ahead. I have lived through hurricanes, tornadoes and a blizzard. Someone said, and I agree, "left to her own devices, Mother Nature is not nurturing. She continually tries to wipe out the human species. It is only through perseverance, intelligence and determination that we have moved to the top of the food chain and have been able to, so far, thwart her best efforts." My thoughts are with you. Be safe. Jim

I really think Paul is coming into his own. He seems to have accepted his new life and his new relationship. His faith in Jeff's love for him is unshakable. I doubt we will see much more of the hesitant, almost shy man we first met. Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

I know I should get defensive about your "uneven" observation, but I agree with you. In hindsight, I think there was too much to deal with in a single chapter. I just didn't want to see it drawn out like Christmas was. But, it really deserved more. I will try to remember your comments as we move forward. Oh, and don't for a minute think that that Bette Davis classic didn't cross my mind. 😉 Thanks for letting me read your concerns. Jim

I think the evening's excitement was enough to validate Paul's sense of foreboding. It could have been much worse, the glass floor could have broken beneath his feet. Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

I thought Paul showed complete trust in his mate's faithfulness. Funny you mention Sam and Dave's story, I get complaints for telling Raymond and Daniel's story "too much". Thanks for reminding me I need to post another "Navy" tale. I swear, except for the sex, thise posts are true to the best of my recollection. Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

I am confused... They used Midway, not Mieg's Field. It was pretty much a toss up between O'hare and Midway. I lived a short time in Cicero, so I chose Midway for the Cicero Ave address. Thanks for letting me know you are enjoying the story. Jim

No. No proposal. I said it was "illegal", that doesn't mean it can't be done. I know and do a lot of "bad" things. They are what I am bestest at. Thanks for posting your comment. Jim

I think "no sweat" may be a stretch, but Paul has accommodated changes very nicely. I think he would have behaved very differently to the men's room scene, just days ago. I got your message about posting a comment. It is those comments posted on previous chapters and stories that I am most likely to overlook. I generally check the most recent chapter enough to keep up. Thanks again for letting me know you are enjoying my story. Jim

Ott, What's with you and Doc's cock? You're the only reader, on two sites, that has mentioned his appendage... Do you know what that makes you? Do ya? That makes you my kind of people! I happen to know that we have not seen the last of Doc's cock.... he he he. Thanks for posting your comments. As always they are enjoyed and appreciated. Jim

You know I always enjoy reading of your approval. I agree, Jeff may have a few regrets, but leaving Chicago for good is not among them. Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

Thank you for posting your comments. I actually had a real designer identified, but then went with a fictitious name... at least I hope I did. I only hate autocorrect when it makes me look stupid. Most of the time it helps. Please don't repeat that last bit. I don't want people to know I need it. Jim

Thank you for posting your comments. Jim