Headstall

I could use a nap right now. I spent about four/five hours at Home depot and Lowes. Bought myself a battery powered nail gun for $300 on sale... hope it works well... should make it easier on my shoulders. Another $75 on nails.

Lol. Virgil would find it funny. And so do I.

We'll see what Virgil can do to help the young man. He definitely needs someone in his corner besides Murry the barkeep. When he answers Virgil's question about why he stays in Matador Hill with "Where else would I go?" it breaks my heart, and probably Virgil's too. I see Wyatt as sad, but we can't ignore his resilience either. His parents, and it would seem his ma especially, instilled a strength in him that keeps him from being pathetic despite the treatment he gets. It's so nice to have you join me for this story, little buddy. I've always looked forward to your comments. Glad you could experience the scenes visually. When I read, I like to feel a part of the action, and that's what I try to do as a writer, so thanks for that. Hope you like the rest. Cheers!

That's just... I can't even...

Well, hello there, Drewbear.

Happy Sunday, all!

Never mind.

Sweet dreams, B.

Aloha, Albert.

I always want to do the thing.

Thanks, dugh.

We're way better than Texans. Hey, bro and Mum in SC.

Happy GA Anniversary, Adi! Happy Birthday, Steve!

Watch this and contemplate how everything in nature is connected... and how we constantly interfere...

Dan! Yes, it's been too long since I've heard from you. Virgil is a good guy, but I would add he is an observer. He notices things, and he's not afraid to speak up. I hope you do find he is layered despite the shortness of the story. It is so nice to hear I've been missed, and I should tell you there is another story of mine coming in the next anthology grouping. Thanks, buddy. Here's to westerns, and to talking about them. Cheers!

This took me back to some articles I read as a kid about this affliction called homosexuality, and what needed to/should be done to those depraved souls. They terrified me then and they would terrify me now. As sad as this story was, the skill with which you told it is impressive. I held my breath for much of this, so engrossed was I at this honest and accurate portrayal of gay men's lives. I mean it, Dodger. Your writing was impeccable, and you gave the subject matter the thoroughness and care it deserved. We must never forget, and stories like this aid our cause. To be considered a criminal for who you love is a travesty we are not far removed from. Cheers! Gary....

Dactyls made me chuckle. I'll never look at them the same. I don't know if it was your intent, but the last one made me a bit sad. If we choose to be invisible, are we? There have been times I didn't feel part of the room... that I wasn't appreciated when I took part. I guess loneliness is universal... it can happen anywhere... and I felt loneliness in this one.

Happy Saturday, all! Still hoping my new western gets more attention through reading, story likes, recommendations, and reviews, but it is what it is. Anyway, here's another cowboy...

G'day, little sir.

This misfit is doing all right. Have fun, Tink.

Aloha, Albert.

I hope you had a pleasant day, dugh. My fingers are crossed. Sorry about the Canadian thing.

I found this brave, but another part of me says there is no way in hell that it should be. We shouldn't have to be brave. We shouldn't have to feel pressure imposed, or put pressure on ourselves. If we are confused, then we should be confused until we get things sorted. We shouldn't be held back from that because of family, friends, religion, words, fear, threats, or thought of somehow being less because we don't fit that supposed norm. I hate that word. Normal isn't a thing. It's a concept forced down our throats by those entities or people who can't handle anything different from themselves. I count myself as fortunate, but it took me a long time to get to where I needed to be. My early life experiences gave me such a fear of creating waves that I let myself be fooled... and caged. That was on me... I wasn't brave enough to forge my path... yes, I had choices that worked, and yes I had some confusion, but deep down, very deep down, the truth played hide and seek while I refused to look. As I said, I was luckier than most in that I was able to correct course without losing everything, but it's a journey I would not want to relive. So yeah, I eventually found my courage, thanks to a very persistent, unrelenting therapist, but only because the alternative was to choke to death on buried inner pain that wreaked havoc with all parts of me. I accepted and saw the truth of the warnings given. I needed to be brave, though as I already said, I shouldn't have had to be. I didn't just need to be brave for me... I needed to be brave for the people who loved me. They needed me to be whole... and strong. I really love what you said about writing. "To possess the ring of truth, writing must come from within. I don’t mean it has to be overtly profound or wear the author’s heart on its sleeve. Good writing grows out of an author’s experience. Their worldview. And to have that worldview, you must first know yourself. Of course, you can produce writing without that knowledge. It’s more likely your readers will complain of cardboard characters though. Those ones we all know about with paper-thin emotions, inhabiting a two-dimensional world. I find it cathartic to acknowledge elements of myself in my characters." Being whole, feeling content within myself and with myself, has probably played a part in my ability to connect with readers. I too am thankful for GA. It allowed me to get past some turbulent times... and maybe a broken heart. When the time came to not only read, but to write, I was ready to learn. I knew myself, trusted myself, and understood the world around me. I was immersed in the gay community, had great friends, and tons of stories ready to spin. I couldn't have done that without GA. It came with a support system of amazing people, like yourself, and I will forever be thankful. You essay, your truth, struck a deep chord within me. Some of our journey is similar, and I related to that elusive answer you looked for, even if it was not the same one I looked for. Thanks, northie, for writing this. I'm really happy for you, and I suppose, happy for me too. Cheers. Man this was long-winded. Sorry for rambling on.

Two very fortunate men who braved the wars and were able to witness the tides of change. I wonder what it will really be like in 2053. Will we still have those rights we cherish? I sure hope so, but my fears are ever present. This was sweet... and proof that love and sex are not just for the young. We may lose some hair and we may have holes in our memories, but we are blessed if we can still cuddle on the couch with the one we've shared our life with. Many don't have that. Thanks for this, Bill. Cheers!