Headstall

A wonderful theme, Parker, and the poems are beautifully expressed. Hearing of the student brought forth emotions. I had a friend who drank himself to death on purpose... it was his goal and he achieved it, literally never being sober. He lost all friends but one, who drank almost as heavily. Looking back, I have always wondered. There were clues, in fact many of them--including a drunken pass--and it makes me sad to think he saw this as his way out. Anyway, great poetry as always. The Haiku as well made me ponder, and I have those forlorn nests all over my property. Cheers.

I'm pleased you can see a bond between these two strangers, as well as the bond between Dinah and Lucas. The animal connections are an important part of my westerns, because it is the truth. People relied on their stock to survive, and sometimes they were their only companionship. Bean isn't a riding horse just like Dinah isn't a riding horse. They all have their roles. I can tell you that Jubal is over the moon at finding her again, and as you say, she's no Kema, but Jubal loves her just the same. Thanks, Buddy. Cheers!

Hello, pervs, whiners, and Drewthers... and dugh and Mom.

The Order appears finished, but is it? I wonder. Great chapter, Albert. Thank you! Cheers!

Yes, there were killers in the Old West, but killing was not an easy thing for most people. It shook Lucas up for sure, and Jubal too. Still, they stuck together, and came out alive. I think we can see a bond forming... maybe. Thanks, buddy. Cheers!

If I may say... I was not suggesting lines of dialogue should be labeled. Sorry if that was what you thought. It was only to indicate that second character for the point I was making. Labeling would be disruptive and a definite no no. Dialogue should have a flow to it, and for this point, I am talking visually. In essence, each new paragraph should be a different speaker(stick to that--unless a speaker has a long speech and it needs to be broken up--even so, you can put in an action/reaction line from the other character to keep to that rhythm) and that should help the reader, and while overusing names is another no no in my opinion, maybe every once in a while it is okay especially if there are more than two people. In a group, speakers would use names to get their attention, and that will also assist readers. I sometimes write dialogue with no addressed names for a scene, but that is usually well into a story. If you notice, there are no addressed names in the example given... it's not necessary, and usually not how people talk, though that does depend on the character and the emotion in the scene. An example there is "John! Are you kidding me?" In my previous example, names are used in the observations as a means of helping the reader and assisting the character development within the scene. Hope this helps, and I really hope I didn't confuse things for you. Cheers! Gary

Thanks, Albert! I've been reading it again as well.

Um... no....

Banking is a pain, but necessary. One more appointment in February for the year. I got a better return than I was expecting, so there is that.

I am from searching for safety and solitude.

Hello to the land of misfit toys.

Sweet dreams, B.

Here's hoping their lines don't get tangled.

Lol. Bunch of horndogs. Fishing can be innocent.

Yeah, empath, there is a lot to be said for being late--no waiting. Thanks for reading and commenting. It sure sounds like Jubal hasn't had any luck other than bad. I think having to shoot Kema is the worst of it for him, but losing his money and his dreams has to hurt big time. Maybe luck is shining on him finally, with Lucas stopping and offering him a choice. Fingers crossed. Cheers!

Hello, all. More snow overnight.

Be careful of the horn.

Valen Arkenstone sounds like a formidable foe. Sadly, Vlad is used to such tragedy in his life. I suppose he will find new recruits before he takes on the Brotherhood. Great chapter, buddy. Cheers!

Hi, Albert.

Hello, all. More snow overnight. Thanks @Albert1434 and @dughlas.

My money's on you.

Thank you, friend! It's kind of surprising to me that I fell into the western genre to begin with. It started with an Anthology entry called "Finding Refuge", the third one I wrote for the Rewind Antho, and the enjoyment I had for it never went away. "Sidewinder" came way later, and helped me get out of a covid funk. The positive reaction to it led to "Larkspur", which was equally as rewarding. "Boundaries" happened because of something @Aditus posted on the antho thread, kind of like he challenged me to write a western for it (after I had already written two other entries). In the end, it led me to "Bearpaw", another great experience. The other side of writing westerns, though, is it may have kept me from writing a Book Two of "Morningstar". Thanks again.

Hey, don't encourage it/him/them! I must remain strong, right?

I haven't been chirped at by a hungry bird in a while. Thanks, dugh.

Thanks, Albert. I did a little work on it this morning.