Headstall

Hey... a got an idea for a new story.

My lines are underground... so... moles??? Ground hogs?

Yeah, it's hunting season for them here. They didn't show up today, Kris... I was disappointed.

But... it's so much fun, Doc.

God willing it is, Man. I'm having internet issues, and a tech team is coming out tomorrow to fix the lines. The posting could well be early if I hit what I think is a stable spot.

Not far a'tall, Doc, but y'all must be patient cause we might have hit a slow spot.

Hope springs eternal. Yea, we're back on track, and Jubal is still the man. Thanks, dear, sweet lady. It feels good to have everything straightened out... next chapter is a new, new one. Very best? Aw, shucks, ma'am. I'm obliged to you for such kindness.

Hey, all! I have internet problems... going in and out. I just had a Bell tech here who said the lines are a mess and there is a short, with no other pairs to change me to. He's scheduled a lines team for tomorrow from 8-5. Lucky me.

Hey, all!

The folly of men is a cycle, destined to be repeated. Excellent sonnet.

Oh, as far as Woodrow and Paul, that's a definite maybe.

I try to, Dan. I don't always have the best memory, but some comments, or parts of them, stick with me, and yours did. Glad that makes you smile. Smiles have been in short supply around here lately, so I have learned to appreciate them. That said, I had 19 turkeys outside my door yesterday, and 15-16 today.

Only 15 turkeys showed up today.

Lol. I think you might be the only one who noticed that, Dan... at least, no one else commented on it And are you asking for more of "On Track"? I do love those characters, Woodrow and Paul. I bet they've enjoyed a few more steak fajitas since we last left them, and I remember that you did find your own 'Paul'. Thanks for this, my friend.

I am barbecuing a sirloin steak and baked potato and whole onion... and fried onion. Sour cream and butter.

Hello, all! Hope life is being good to you. The highlight of my day will be feeding the turkeys while staying warm.

Lol. You can ask for anything you want to, re. I sure agree about real life being hard, and for me it's as hard as it's ever been. You can have faith I will give you something I hope you will be satisfied with... what that is I can't say... but I always have to write the story that comes out of my head, no matter what readers might want. Thanks, buddy... wish I could give you more than that, but .

Nineteen turkeys came after I shook the grain pail and threw grain over the grass in the paddock on the house side. Took them about half an hour to come over, but they must have been watching me. Nineteen!

I think maybe we all need a drink, buddy. This is a truly sad time for our Jubal, there is no doubt about that. We just have to be as patient as Jubal has to be. Whatever happens, he has to keep going. That is what life demands. Sorry you're sad, but so am I. Stick with me, my friend.

Hey, all! I'm in that stage after illness where I don't feel great, but I'm no longer useless. Hope you all are well. I made a mistake and posted the wrong chapter for Bearpaw--can't believe I did something so stupid, but I wasn't anywhere near my best--but that has all been fixed now. I lost all the comments and likes when Cia deleted the chapter, but I am slowing getting some of them back as readers revisit Chapter 14... just yammering away here. Hope you all are well. My eyes aren't the best right now, so I concentrate on reading my comments and making responses. I'll soon be back to normal... fingers crossed. Peace and Love!

You're right that that mare was a sitting duck. The smells of the campsite would have kept predators away for a time, but eventually she would have been at great risk. Horses don't like to be alone, and she was only alone a few hours, but I'm sure she would have become more vocal over time, and might even have broken free. Halters are pretty sturdy, but horses can be persistent. Yeah, I'm sure Ronnie didn't treat her as well as he could, but horses were often the difference between life and death, so he would have kept her watered and let her graze some. Jubal will take much better care. With the blood, you have it exactly right. I think it's why he didn't get the lantern at first. he chose to do it in the dark... he knew exactly where it was, but he didn't want to see it while he scrubbed. He just wanted it gone, this ugly reminder that much of Lucas's life had bled into that pool. Will Lucas be okay? Jubal has to think so. I don't think he could handle concentrating on the darkness of such a thing. At this point, Jubal's stake offends him somewhat too. He sees his gold as the main reason Lucas is in the situation he is, and he carries great guilt for that. Is it logical? Not really, but it is understandable when we think of who Jubal is. Still, he knows he should be thankful, and that he will be at some point. Thanks for all the support and understanding, my friend. See you Monday.

Well, Darryl, I confess I do like to stir the pot sometimes. I'm glad you are loving the story, and I thank you for coming back and rereading, now that the issue is fixed. Cheers... Gary....

Wow. That surprises me, that you think it might be better than the Sidewinder stories, but thank you, Terry. I adore Jubal. I once wrote a phrase in a poem that was 'a simply complicated man'. I see him that way. At his core he is really straightforward and simple, but because he is a gay man who has had some real struggles, there are complications to being himself. I admire him and ache for him at the same time. Yet, he is dropping some walls... if case you haven't noticed, he hasn't been covering his neck with his kerchief, and he hasn't even been thinking about it. He went to town shirtless. Maybe he will cover up again, but only one thing matters to him right now. And yes, he is a survivor. Lucas is someone I see as intuitive (healer works)... perceptive... and he knows when to push and when to back off. He treats Jubal with respect, and it is clear he is at least enamored of the man... of the way he is. He sees his qualities like I do. He sees who he is. It would be a damn shame if he doesn't survive, because they have a bond of friendship not to be taken for granted. Lucas is going through all the motions and holds onto his hope, however tenuous. He has a lot of weight on his shoulders, but that actually makes it easier for him to keep moving. He is never one to shirk from work to begin with, and he knows Lucas loves everything animal on his land. They will be his priority until something changes, and he won't ever complain for it. He is thankful to have this. That said, cleaning up the blood on the floor was tough for him. It was the one point where I felt him breaking down a bit. But, as the Jubal I know, he pushed through it, and got the job done... for Lucas's sake, yes, but I think it was for him too. That blood stain was offensive to him, as we all can understand. When we think about his day, it is amazing he hasn't collapsed, but there is one thing left to do... see Lucas again, and come hell or high water, that is what he will do. Love this comment, buddy. Thanks for coming back to the chapter and saying such encouraging things.