sojourn

that is in another tale. 😇 Jim

I thank you for the kind words and more importantly, taking the time to note them in this comment. Jim

POST THE LOVE STORY YOU WROTE. you need to have other gay men enjoy your talent and relate to your story whether they are young or old they can relate.To me your story does not hit home it feels like home. DPRS

LOL! Thanks for making me smile. Jim

I have, in the past, quickly edited any grammatical errors readers have shared with me. Just today I encouraged Yerex to post an award worthy story of masculine, unrequited love in the world of Canadian big lake fishermen. I gave him the "immediate edititing" as a selling point. (I will point to this comment when Yerex becomes too big headed with his popularity.) I spent 15 minutes looking for the typo. I apologize, not so much for having made the error but for failure to correct said error. I am recovering from a heart stint last week and preparing for by pass surgery, or so I am told, in April. I tire easily. I am certain I will look again for this error. Jim

It warms my heart to know that The Princess can capture a man's heart all over again. Thanks, Jim

I am always amazed at how easily I take a seat beside Granger and feel the carriage bump along on the road or lean to match the roll of a ship. I have been with Granger through all his pain, pleasure, joy, and devastating heartbreak. He grows in adversity and I doubt the man would recognize the boy he was. More importantly, I am sure the boy would admire the man he has become. I have been hoping that Daventry, Caroline, and George would make a wonderfully fulfilling "couple". Lord Astly needs the familial environment and the care of a good mother. Daventry has no plans to wed, SO MARK, WHAT'S THE HOLD UP??? I can see DP at home might keep Caroline raising her skirts at some middle class merchant. I have even stronger hopes that Granger will allow Daventry to seduce him before much longer. The overlying hypocrisy of the upright, upper-class, "god-fearing", socially responsible and socially acceptable people is appalling and yet is understandable in light of marriage always having been and remains to date a "financial" rather than romantic arrangement. Today, we are expected to marry for love and fuck for fun and whenever we are caught, we pay for our sins with divorce courts, alimony, child support, and joint tenancy. George would be well advised not to make a public fuss. A couple of sailors, a jug of rum, a bit of silver, and a couple of belaying pins and pfft no more lover. Not only would Caroline get the message but all possible future fuckers might think twice. George would simple suggest as much to Winkler and Boles. I bet that sort of thing was just as common as an "acceptable affair". January huh? Mark, I am irritated with the informatiion. I appreciated the heads up so we don't worry. I am also pissed at the delay. Weird, not sure I think I just learned that not all irritation has a responsible source. Happy holy days and happy holidays merry christ mass etc, whatever your faith or traditions dictate. Jim

Damn! Is it just me or did we arrive at another crucial point in this tale? In the past it was easy to convince myself that the situation would be resolved to George's betterment in short order. Now, it could be that the best intentions are judged to be criminal negligence or even desertion. Is it possible that old enemies acting behind the scenes or are waiting in the wings to seek revenge? (Insert spooky laughter here. (what? it's almost Halloween! lighten up.) The carriage ride has served to darken the cloud that has followed George since deciding to leave his ship. "..better to travel in anticipation than to arrive at disappointment." These thoughts plague many returning sailors and Granger is no exception. George faces great uncertainty in his career and in his marriage. On the homefront, a reassuring kiss and a night of passion may reassure him. Daventry knows George so well yet he sees a kindred spirit in Caroline and thus sees her faults as his own. These faults also loom large in the decisions and actions in his own homecoming. It will be interesting also to see how he deals with his infant son, if he will seek to marry soon and will that "maturity" allow him to settle down. George and Daventry are better men than I. The only thing that will ease MY anxiety as I face these personal dilemmas with them... is a NEW CHAPTER, MARK!. Write faster, post sooner. pretty please. jim

Who'd a thunk that posting a letter could be so drama filled. Sometimes George is trapped within his shroud of social niceties that so responding in kind or just running the ass through is just not proper. Allowing the bastard to be dunked in the cold salt water would be just the thing to assuage one's desire for petty revenge. It did mine and I can be quite petty. It may be appropriate to mention that these "dispatches" were tantamount to certain documents that were recently retrieved from another who should be over the side. National secrets, naming spies, and troop movements were as likely to be in those dispatches just like in marcyargo. See Mark has unintentionally draw a modern day parralell.... ah but where do we find our own George and Daventry? Mark, thanks for Sharing you talent here for us. Jim

I get caught up in the tail and details and well, just the whole story and it pisses me off when a chapter ends. That was intended as a sincere compliment to Mr. Arbor's writing skills. By the by, I was incorrect in my assertion Anson's problem was sexual. I was not totally wrong but not close enough to score a hit. Great story. Thank you Mark. jim

As for Douglas, he failed to expect respect and worse yet, when it was denied, he failed to demand it. Expecting everyone to do his or her job is "common sense" and yet assuming either of those conditions can have catastrophic results. As if the drama with Douglas was not enough of a beginning... We now have secrets to be shared with the new Captain. My two cents is betting it is a sexual situation that is troubling the young man. Life at sea is "hours of tedious boredom interspersed with moments of stark terror". With Mark, the terror is often mitigated to political intrigue but his writing is seldom boring. 😉 behind two more chapters so I need to log in sooner and read faster. the other side of that coin is for Mark to; please write faster, post sooner. Jim

It is still good to know my efforts are enjoyed. I have a couple of projects in work. I do appreciate your comments. Jim

the question of the day is, how does the third Lt. know or assume he may have the opportunity to "disappoint" Granger? Beyond that, the draw or hearth, home, and family begins to reclaim George's considerations. And as international political intrigue is left behind, now more familiar and no less frightful intrigue awaits in England. I have long held the belief that "the family you make is more important than the family that made you". Maybe George should have cut off big brothers penis instead of just having a snip at it. Great work Mark, thanks for sharing.

I do love the practical lessons in management Mark is oft want to proffer. Do not seek to be feared. Do not seek to be loved. Be fair, be consistent, demand respect and it will be earned. jim

Another chapter that displays George's seamanship skills and people skills. In short order he has shown both these traits are manifest within his Lordship. It is always refreshing to see good people skills strengthen a team and inspire men to be a bit better. I have worked for ship's Captain that made me work so as to never disappoint him. Another ship's Captain made me want to leave the ship everyday and forever ASAP. Those views were never mine alone. A few words of appropriate praise, a consistent attitude toward "good order and discipline" and all men have the framework within which they can excel. George knew this and saw its lack in many of his peers. This chapter could serve as good reading for any who are in a position of influence. Most managers cannot. Most leaders are not. Most followers know this. Sadly, today people are bound not by a desire for anything, they are not bound rather they are manipulated by their own anger, hatred and fear. I got to stop watching the news and read more of Mark's stories... At least there, integrity and honesty mean something and an outright lie is not cushioned with the label "falsehood". Mark, write faster and post sooner... I need a serious distraction. Jim

Even as the Aids epidemic was first raging I saw the damage it was doing to the gay community. As a closeted homosexual it was clear to me that people began to fear anything gay. I feel certain, had it not been for Aids and Reagan's inaction regarding the epidemic gay rights and gay marriage would likely have been the law before the 1980s became history. I feel that Aids gave voice to haters like those born-again-bigots who found an enemy to strengthen their ranks, fill their pews, and their pockets. Thanks for an interesting read. Jim

I was cocksure it was the beginning of a professional encounter. Of course, I was right. Hmm, okay maybe half cocked. The "antiseptic solution" pissed all over that notion. I hope the rest of the story is as delightful as this chapter. Jim

Nurturing is critical for a child to grow and to be secure in him or her, etc. self. Challenges are important for a child to become an adult. It is this growth that makes one contributing member of any given society. Today, we think of 16 as being immature. And while there is physiological evidence to support that, it is also important to understand that demands make us mature sooner than nature may suggest. I like this story. It is more character driven than circumstantial. The father's favoriting the first born son is hardly ancient history. I do enjoy a tale of hardship and adversity soundly defeated by hard work, dedication, and intelligence. Thanks for sharing your talent, Jim

Now this is an intriguing start. Either we are in for a treat and an examination of an historical account (after all, all writing is history unless one is precognizant.) Jim

You will be moved. Be warned: This not an easy read but it is a GOOD READ! A satisfying tale told in compelling prose. Well paced and though it does slog a bit with wrong turns. even that is acknowledge rather tongue in cheek at the end. It has heroes and villains, good luck and bad luck, mother nature at her most unfeeling, and above all our heroes perseverance. This story is told through the eyes of a child who survives murderous physical assault, extreme sexual abuse from his family and cold, callous neglect by those charged to protect and defend. It reveals the inner strength of the boy becoming a man. And a man finding love and acceptance within himself. How he survived, grew, and even thrived is a true tale of heroism. That tale is told in a style that connects so well to the protagonist you can almost feel the flesh of his ankle being abraded by the shackle. You will laugh a little, cry more than once, and rejoice at the goodness of people who do not realize they are too are Heroes. This story does not offer retribution, karma, punishment for the bad, nor justice for the victim. It shines in a way that makes surviving and growing in the face of incredible adversity a tale of heroism. You will be moved.

I have followed this tale very closely. I found myself choking up a bit on this chapter. It seemed a surprise to me. I think because I understand how shedding a lifetime of lies can be so freeing even in the face of adversity. I have enjoyed this story immensely thanks for sharing your talent. Now, onward to morning. Jim

that particular line came to me when I remembered my children first exercising big people words. I chuckle every time I read that phrase. Thanks for making me smile. Jim

The family you make is as least as important as the family that made you. Thanks for commenting, Jim

Thank you for taking your time to comment. I ofter wonder how many guess before the ending about Gordy's return. I think those that enjoy it most are those like you "hit me like a shot". Those words tell me good things about my ability to share a story. Thanks again, Jim

Thanks for the kind words. To hear you say the dialogue is realistic is high praise. Thank you for commenting, Jim