Headstall

I'm ready for my closeup... well... as ready as an old man can be.

Thanks, Mags! And thank you and everyone else for the wonderful support I am kindly given. I enjoy the comments immensely.

Lol. I've had my moments too, and one of the first things I learned was nudging a horses belly with my knee to make them exhale. They get smart about it, though. Nothing worse than your saddle tilting when you start moving. We don't have cactuses around here, and I am thankful for that.

You do give great comment, Craig.

Yeah, I see your point, but didn't you have to walk to the garbage or file it or read it or something? Any of those would have counted as being productive.

Jubal put his all into his work today. Hello, my friend. You're right that it was something we expected him to do, and he didn't disappoint. It feels like reality is setting back in for him, though. His fears, which he ignored while Lucas was unconscious, are rearing their ugly heads again. So, he counts on the farm, his skills, and some of his better memories to help him deal. I'm sure Lucas will be thankful... and he is always impressed by the quality of Jubal's work. I'm glad you mentioned the wild horse, because they are the thread Jubal holds onto, a reason for him to stay without arousing suspicion from those he has met and those he hasn't. He's telling himself he can do this... be Lucas's friend... but can he really. We've been watching a man in love, and that is a hard thing to keep bottled up and hidden. As always, I love hearing you thoughts, sweet lady. Thank you.

Thanks!

Hug it out.

Sweet! I love the interaction between readers in the comment section. I can just sit back and enjoy.

Thanks, Terry. It's not that they are hard to write, but narration chapters are easier to get wrong. The trick is to keep them moving--insinuate action--and watch for repetitive word choice... and don't go around in circles in the way that can be fine in a dialogue driven chapter. If I compare it to hockey, it is more an end to end game. You can dipsy doodle here and there, but don't get the puck frozen on the boards. This is the second time I've heard poetic in these comments, and I love it, that that aspect of me as a writer comes through. Helping readers relate to what I'm writing is the goal, so triggering memories and stirring moods is a big part of that. I agree about all the other comments. I may not have a 'crew', but my readers are engaged and are always giving me food for thought and validation. Motivation is huge for a writer, and all you guys and girls give me that aplenty. Cheers! G

We live for corny around here, J J. Yes, that is what Vincent said, and all of us can see it, but Jubal has never found it to be true in the years since Vincent. He doesn't trust other men, and he doesn't trust himself. Still, it doesn't keep him from loving someone else, and that shows in all the meticulous work he did today. Labors of love is exactly right, and yeah, he has much to give. Thanks for the encouraging comments about the writing... it is appreciated, my friend. I might sputter once in a while, and blow smoke out my tailpipe, but there are eight cylinders under my hood on a good day. I'll be driving as long as the seals don't break.

Thanks, Cachondeo! I plan on doing just that. Cheers, my friend.

Lol. You think so, Albert?

We saw a man in love who demands the highest standards from himself. Nothing is too good for Lucas. And yes, it was an introspective day for him. I'm so pleased you liked the description of the construction. I always worry that sort of thing can be boring. I love building things, but that doesn't mean others do. For the frontier, it is a beautiful home with real windows that open, a double loft, exceptionally constructed chimney/hearth, level wood floors, and a front and back door. Not your typical log cabin of the time. Thanks, my friend. I appreciate hearing your thoughts, as always.

Um... jeez... I don't even know what to say, Doc. I've been compared to other authors, like Larry McMurtry for example, and yes, even Herman Melville another time, but I can't wrap my head around such comparisons and such praise. I love it, though, and I am truly honored you would think me anywhere close to such an esteemed author. As a writer, I have learned to have my own fun, often including things I never expect to be noticed, but ones that give me great satisfaction. Layering is a technique I learned in painting, and it has become something I find gives a richness to writing. Parallels can be quite subtle, but can have impact even without readers actually connecting the dots. I would hope that in all my books, the readers go away truly knowing and understanding the characters, what makes them tick, and what they bring to the party, and that underlying meanings and even social messages might occur to them at some point. That is one of the most satisfying aspects of writing for me. The past has played a huge part in Jubal's story, even though it has been mostly tidbits. I believe the reason his isn't a hard and bitter man is because he had Vincent, and a love that was real and reciprocal. In this chapter we can see Vincent constantly comes to mind. It doesn't mean he's still in love with him... I don't believe he is... but it shows he was a positive influence for the time they shared, and that influence has lasted. It was also very telling his most intimate memories of Vincent that he has shared with us, happened while he was laying in Lucas's bed, on Lucas's side. Does he have that deep down ache for Lucas rising to the surface? I'm pleased that you too see the wildings as a metaphor for the journey Jubal is on. In some respects, he has been a prey animal too, surviving on his instincts, and his tendency to mistrust. Even wildings can be tamed, though. It's rewarding, what you say about the past being dealt with and discarded. It would be great for Jubal if you are right. At one point he thinks he needs to leave the past be, but is he right? It seems to me he is using the good parts of his past to his benefit. Thoughts of Vincent seem to make him stronger, and I learned a long time ago that my past is best turned over and examined on a regular basis. Again, I thank you, my friend, for such encouraging words. They make me want to get infinitely better at my craft.

I'm glad it's not just me, Kris. I am so proud of myself when I finally get the loppers out after doing the one-legged lean for most of the summer. I used to work just like Jubal, but those days are long done. If I hang a picture now, I feel accomplished for the day.

Oh, jeez. This is so sad, Sherye. I'm sorry that happened. Horses, even ponies, are not to be fooled with. It probably traumatized your brother, and would likely have traumatized your pony too. It must have been hard on your dad too. He probably felt guilty.

The 39 club? Oh, sweetie, I barely remember 39. Thank you for the Birthday Wishes, though. Each year that passes feels like a victory. You are so kind with your words. As a kid I hated that my birthday was so close to Christmas. My mom would say I got ripped off for good presents because of it. Glad my response wasn't too much. I often think my in depth responses send some people running...

Couldn't agree more, centex. And no, he wouldn't label them as such, but that's what they are. To him, this is something Lucas needs, and things that will make him happy. We can all see he's found a home here, but he would never allow himself to think that way. It would be too presumptuous, and fraught with disappointment. He has the means to move on now, but any fool can see his heart would not be in that, so he will stay as long as Lucas needs him to... or it gets too dangerous. It's hard to open a damaged heart back up, but Jubal has, to a degree. He acknowledges his love for Lucas, but only to himself. It would take a lot of courage to admit it to Lucas. Reid and Billy may just be a case of hero worship, but that scene and his thoughts upon waking show just how little faith Jubal has in his own perceptions. Pretty difficult to navigate for a gay man, and that's a damn shame. There is definitely an open question about Jubal's fear. Time should tell, right? Thanks, buddy. Appreciate the thoughtful comment.

I meant I thought it was a little moment to readers, but it really held big significance for me, since that broken branch was there from the first night he arrived in the dark. I love the way you see it and I see it somewhat the same. I like tying things together, and up until now, Jubal has been working on the house, and the garden to some degree. To take care of the branch showed me how comfortable he was with doing things on his own, outside of his parameters. I felt it showed he was taking ownership of the farm in a sense, which is a big deal when we know Jubal. Maybe it will translate to other things in his life?? I don't know if that makes sense, but I would never limb trees on a property I didn't own. Jubal has passed that point, confident in his position on Jubal's land, and is doing everything he can to relieve the stress Lucas was showing when last he saw him. So, in that sense it was symbolic of the change in him... which is pretty much what you are saying, except you said it different... and better.

This brings to mind tin cans tied on a string as an early warning system. Yeah, Doc, this wasn't that. It was just one of those things needing taken care of that got relegated to low importance.

Aww, shucks. Thank you, my friend. This means a lot to me. I try never to be flowery, or load up with too much description, but I do see poetic images when I imagine scenes, and I'm pleased that somehow translates. I think you know well that I am a poet at heart... I love poetry and always have. Prose can be poetry too... it's all words after all.

That's an interesting thought, Craig. However, I think it is just something that got put off because there was so much else to do on the farm, and ducking, while annoying, is not high on the priority list. Jubal made time, though, and I find that interesting.