raven1

Hey Kris! Glad to see you made it here. The Second Time Around is a great sequel to this. I think you'll enjoy it as much.

Hi Albert! Hope you all are safe and warm!

It is sad news that GG has brought. Colin and Richie will be hit hard. Armand had to paint his grief over the news. It was so nice to see the boys are ever thoughtful of Louise. Carl is using her for a painting, Tommy bought her a cap like the rest, and Ivan bought her a pet ewe. Trying times ahead for Colin and his mother as well as the family. I needed some tissue for this chapter.

An amazing rescue of the women, children and even the babies. It was not the massacre tale that haunted Cory's family for ages.

The young warrior seems to be warring with himself and his guilt. Yet, he still searches for a way to rescue the girl and others trapped in spite of the danger to himself.

A very daring move on the part of the boys. I wouldn't want to do that! It's to easy to be caught in caves when it rains. They don't even have full tanks.

Looking forward to that. I loved snorkeling in Belize, Hawaii and Bali. I am working up to the new adventures and anticipate getting there. I plan to read the stories in order with a new generation. I like the progression of life and how CJ adapts and changes. I did read your anthology entry this year, so I know there is a lot more ahead. I also have a friend who has started your first CJ book. I am slowly reading this in the hope he can binge and catch up in a few books down the line. It's always fun to have company reading the same book.

Yes I am following his story and did the research then also. I would love to see the place in person. His description was more detailed, but I did love both of your descriptions. I also take trips, but not on motorcycles. I do love to go to bike museums. I saw some very old Harleys and talked to the museums' owner, a older mechanic biker whose museum was part of his shop. I also enjoyed going to visit a friend's showroom in Chiang Mai who was the Harley dealer before Covid force closure of his place. Getting lost on road trips often result in some surprising discovery's. I learned in early in life to never get mad when lost. It was more fun to anticipate new discoveries. On one such lost adventure I stumbled on an old hippy commune somewhere between the border between California and Oregon. Friendly, fun and accepting people who grew awesome pot! That was the highlight of that trip, totally unplanned.

The parallel searches are interesting contrasts. The you warrior is dedicated in his task to rescue the girl and the women and children of the tribe. Cory and Terry are equally interested in the caves and their streams. Both Cory and the young warrior now share similar motivations, guilt.

At 74 recovery does take longer. I don't let that stop me though and suspect it doesn't stop you either. I, my Thai husband and a few friends spent several hours in a disco here in Chiang Mai two days ago. Friday night we're going out to our local gay bar and afters. Good think I am retired and can sleep in all I want. I do enjoy the adventures of CJ, Owen and the Squad. Very inspirational! 😉

A very good description of an intricate cave that traps the children and women of the this village. I wonder if the stream will provide an escape for them.

Great chapter and I got a good laugh along with an earworm from the words above. I repeated the words and had them memorized in seconds. In my poor youthful years, hiking and camping were standard vacations. They required a lot of proper prior planing. The habit continued as I used the internet and my PC to plan vacations around the world. Smart phones has changed a lot of things. Planning now consists of we'll go to point A, then B, then back home. Planning is spur of the moment using recommendations of locals and smartphone searches, but we still have fun. As always Carlos you have me jumping down the rabbit hole satisfy my curiosity whenever these guys go to a new place. Disney Concert Hall was interesting. Unfortunately my quest to learn about Gaslamp Quarter was thwarted by the internet today. Still have that damn earworm.

We have much in common. I miss my home in the forests of Mt Hood. Hikes through the woods were always a way to renew my spirits no matter what season. This is a wonderful poem that left me with refreshing memories recaptured in your words.

A powerful heroic statement worthy of a warrior. Your patience will surely triumph over our common foe.

These were very difficult poems to read. I don't have personal knowledge to feel the pain. However, as a teacher of young children for many years, I know the lasting affects abuse has on children and their families. Their stories cannot be told by me, but a few of them were horrible beyond belief. Keep shouting, keep writing. Don't let us become apathetic to the evil that destroys the lives and souls of others.

An intriguing poem that eloquently explains what is meant when we speak of the curse of living in interesting times. We have made gains that others feel threatened by. They have pushed back, but we are still ahead of where we were before. After teaching many decades, I have trust in the new generation to push the pendulum of change back again. Once more we will go forward with new force to change the world for better in many ways.

I'm probably way off base Gary, but the first poem seemed like a slightly satirical comment about how author's feel as they post the last chapter in their book. (Postpartum Publishing Depression). Other commenters have a different impression, but I will stick to mine. Silly cats come in many different shapes, sizes, colors and smells. I'm glad my cat Orange is an apartment cat. At least when she smells (and she does), I can still stand to pet her and let her jump onto my lap.

This is true for all life. We begin a slow march to death the day we are born. Depression is a frequent visitor to us all as living exposes us to many assaults on our souls. Please remember it is your determination we admire. Your passionate dedication to writing that inspires us to change and survive. Stay focused on the good you do. Thanks!

Thanks Geron for adding the link to the Challenge picture!

To friends, Andy and Donnie have been joined at the hip all their lives. Now in middle school they face new challenges to their friendship. How they and their friends met these challenges is an endearing story filled with humor. They also have a great time with a common interest in football and a new interest in theater. Read this great tale and don't miss out on all the fun.

Please, please, please.

An awesome speech and so true. I try to listen to others, but find myself caught in the many traps Celeste describes. No @Krista, you are not alone. I think the sad reality is that all humans are guilty as 'fff..' to greater or lessor extent. Celeste is right that only one small change will result in better conversations. For me that means working on being present and not multitasking. Wish me luck, please.

Another beautiful story that I got to read a second time. The play and the football win were fun to read. Dickie and his goons attempt to isolate Andy and Donnie was perfectly thwarted by the friends, team and hometown crowd. Their punishment is to suffer the isolation returned to them for the rest of high school. It was a fit punishment they brought on themselves without violence. I think our boys will have no problems with the parents and be able to build a life together along with their great friends.

No quite the whole book, but I'm enjoying it and will get there soon.

Hey Gary, I'd appreciate a bit of moisture. Can you send me some? It would help get some of the pollution out of the air here. 😄