Headstall

Hey, Patrick. I'm so pleased to see someone new reading "Endings". This was a bit of a life-changing experience for me... for a number of reasons. The main thing is, though, is that I am immensely proud of it. Depression is insidious, and it can lurk about for years before it rages. Chase is in a terrible place, but so is Hank. I expect, if you continue reading, you will run the gamut of opinions you'll have about these characters. The reaction to this story, too, was like nothing I'd seen before. I hate depression too, but better understand the warning signs now. Chase has some important steps to take, if he can get on the right track. There are no shortcuts. This made my morning, buddy. Hope you stick around. Cheers! Gary

Howdy!

@Onim Thanks so much for the Story Like!

Yeah, I don't think Albert or Rob give August enough credit for the work he does on the ranch. They think moving cattle is the important work, but the maintenance August does is what keeps the ranch operating. Sure another hand could do it, but it sounds like August has always been a responsible worker. You may digress, but it is impossible to ignore the state of our current world. Will there be a demise? I would definitely like to see Albert knocked down a peg... and maybe the rug pulled out from under Rob. Sounds like he needs an intervention. Thanks for this, my friend. I truly appreciate it. Cheers. G

I did some weed trimming and only lasted about twenty minutes. I was soaked when I came back in.

@FanLit Thanks so much for the Story Like!

As a reader, I was never a big fan of short stories. I wanted to escape when I read, and that meant my voracious appetite craved long, complicated stories, ones to make me laugh and weep, and get my heartrate going. Writing changed that. At first I was reluctant to write short stories, but then how could I support these popular things called anthologies? So, I dove in and wrote something I originally intended to be a poem. It opened my eyes to the power of short stories, and I haven't stopped writing them since. Once I even wrote three entries for one anthology. To anyone on the fence about participating, anthologies are where I learned discipline and economy, and that has served me well in all my writing, whether short or long. Prompts, once avoided, do the same thing, and have gotten me to write something I normally wouldn't have. Yup, I finally figured out size doesn't matter.

Hello, folks. Still hot AF here.

Lol. How many boys have gotten confused while rassling? How many finally found some answers? Seems to me August and Fletcher rassling brought up some questions... and some confusion, but no answers... at least not yet. There are none so blind as those who will not see. August is freaked out that his secret is known, and all he wants to do is run away. Thanks for this, buddy. I appreciate the support and the belly laugh you provided. Cheers! Gary

Hello, dear friend! Yep, Gar is back. My mom used to call me that (I remember my bio-dad did too... I'm pretty sure). I really needed to see some enthusiasm, and you always make me feel better about what I'm posting, so thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm doing well, and I'll try my best to entertain. I woke about one morning thinking of feuding families in the Old West. I don't know where it came from, but the saga of Fletch and Augie was born soon after, and once again my almost written contemporary story got pushed aside. I missed you too... I missed the interaction with readers, and am trying not to worry that it has been slower than usual. Here's to Roping the Moon Mondays and hopefully a satisfying journey... Cheers! Gary

Screw (worm) you.

I think that might have been your younger tastebuds. My uncle grew a lot of them on his farm across the road from us on the east coast, and my mother always cooked BSs, but it took me a while to like them. Fortunately, she'd only make me eat two or three. Now I love them, especially roasted ones.

I couldn't agree more about parents who abuse their children. Even the threat of it terrorizes them.. once they see or experience the violence, it never leaves them. I have first hand knowledge of abuse and abusive relationships, so writing Mark the way I did was a difficult choice, but the only one that felt right. He is not to be excused by any means, but i thought it important he be understood. He committed one final decent act to save Chester. Usually, the victim is the one to die. Uncomplicated love? Never seen it. That doesn't mean Chester won't be able to overcome his trauma and thrive in a loving relationship. Maybe Jordy will be exactly what he needs... someone who will understand and have the patience to give him space when he needs it. It means so much to me for this story to get some attention. I like to think the authenticity of it gives it power for readers. I know writing it did for me. Thank you, Patrick. Cheers! G

Greetings.

Hey, Patrick! I can see you are paying attention. I won't say too much, other than your instincts might be good ones. Albert Cooley strikes me as not liking to be told no to, or to lose at any instance. I think most of us have met those people who always need to be right, always need to come out on top, always need to win. We do get some hints that things changed after August's mother died... but we don't know exactly why. Love that you are engaged, my friend. Please keep sharing your thoughts for all of us. Cheers! G