Gandalf

Much like Phil I spent most of my life working with youth and families and even now at 78 am not that interested in geezers. So getting as attracted to Phil and his life and all this transformation is somewhat surprising. I thank you again for sucking me into this world. I am of to my great granddaughters fifth birthday party.. my second foster son’s granddaughter. I suspect Phil will approach the life that I have had and am having. I love this. Pax. Steve

The window you have created! I now have a window into several of my favorite commentators /authors here. To throw out my two cents. I was in French class when JFK was shot and on the bus home when he died. I am the first year baby boomer my second foster son is the last year of Boomers, which makes him 60. Pax. Steve

I was in High School from 1961-65. At my 50th reunion the one boy I thought might have been gay said he had never admitted to himself that he might be gay. It was a weird amazing time. Like your window analogy for viewing the story. Suspect it will drag me in even more as most of your tales do. Thanks for your work. Pax. Steve

I was 25 when I took in my first foster kid. He was 16 and had been institutionalized for 9 years. Subsequently I had another foster son who I took in when he was 15. I also had my own daughter and raised two of my sister’s children. By coincidence I also became a Child welfare worker for 25 years splitting my time between child protective and foster care worker. This story captures both aspects of this life. A life and job that many police and teachers say to me that they could not do. Many of your tales show these issues but for now this hits home the hardest. When I was sailing across the Atlantic I how I did my job: and why? Well my second foster son was with me halfway and that summed up that part and part of the job. My amazing coworkers was the second part of the question. Thanks for your world that helps elucidate mine. Pax. Steve

Again it is fun to compare the Nifty, published, and current versions of the ending. I’d much rather be mentioned by Rachel Madow than Dan Rather. But there is no question that this version is more mature and effective. I have enjoyed revisiting this and am currently on my third book of yours. that said the first versions hooked me and led me to read all I could find of your work. I think partly due to your youthful enthusiasm. I sailed from Maine to Key west and ultimately to Spain in 2003-4. I really wanted to look you up and meet you and regret not doing so. Enjoy GA. I think the interaction between authors and readers is special here. Pax. Steve

I hadn’t been online as much recently so am catching up. What a nice tale. You have, as you are so good at, fleshed out the main people and the others as well. Looks like I have a number of new friends of yours to meet. Thanks. Pax Ste

Damn You. I continue to enjoy reading/rereading this but like several have mentioned waiting for the next chapters is hard so I have reread two of the Killian books and started, A Kind of Death. Hope to see more as time goes on. Thanks so much for your work! Pax. Steve

I’ve just reread the nifty version, the published version, as well as this version of chapters 8 & 9. There appears to be fewer words giving the same info but more vividly. You hooked me 25 years ago and I still enjoy. Started reading one i missed on nifty. Pax

Amazon tells me I bought this book in 2004. Not sure I won’t read it rather than wait for these chapters. In that fall I sailed from Maine south and really thought of trying to contact you while in Chesapeake Bay. I chickened out but always regretted that. I ended up living on my boat for the next three years. Two of them in Spain. Reading more of your stories on line. Pax

I want to believe this prejudice and level of homophobia is a bit dated. But I fear not in many parts of the Country. Pax. The addicted Ste.

I read this first online then bought the book and reread it several times . Did you republish again Josh? And here I go again. I was going to say I might not reread it all again buttt. Pax Ste

I thought you started here? Did you disappear during the reformatting in the teens? Or maybe another site. I’m sorry you are out of print. Always buy you if I know you have anything come out. I’m not here as much as I used to be but so glad you are sharing your incredible stories here. Pax. Ste

I thought you started here? Did you disappear during the reformatting in the teens? Or maybe another site. I’m sorry you are out of print. Always buy you if I know you have anything come out. I’m not here as much as I used to be but so glad you are sharing your incredible stories here. Pax. Ste

Mark, not only do you have us all talking about your characters as though they are real but here, in the down below, many commentators have also become characters of your saga. You and the tribe in and out of the saga are such fun. Thanks so much for creating them and us.

Whatever, JJ is JJ. I read the chapter in the waiting room at a medical center and was laughing so much that people were looking at me. All the characters are such a part of my life that it is like being at a family gathering. Well maybe a little worse. lol. Ste