raven1

I also love The Boot and The New Boot. They are more than shelters offering handouts. They give their clients a hand up to enable them to create a new start in life. Stacy and Max both believe in that approach to helping others. It is a better investment with lasting returns rather than temporary help lasting for a few hours or days. Their work at and with these shelters demonstrates the kindness and consideration of these two.

I love all the Christmas pics and look forward to seeing more orchids soon.

I am also looking forward to Michael meeting them. They are special people. I wonder how Michael will react when he finds out they know Stacy, Max and the rest of the family.

You've made many good comments, and I like the speculations. Michael is nervous about the job, but he's got great support. I think that Brad and Harry talking about Mikey was special for both of them. I can say anything about the speculations. Sorry, @Bill W

It was a fun chapter to read, @Albert1434. I love the picture of Michael you've posted. I did get a small laugh thinking he was playing for a classroom at the School for Blond Boys. I just love how AIs interpret our instructions when I make a picture.

Like justice, Fate is blind. Even good people with talent, intelligence and skills can end up homeless. There are so many wonderful people who are living like this. Let's all keep them in our prayers for Christmas and our New Year's wishes.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will continue.

Hi Albert! How are you and Steve? Ready for the holidays?

What a great assortment! Those must have taken days to make. It's so nice that you and Mum take the time and effort to give presents to children whose names are on an "Angel Tree". I hope you are back to health and full of energy when the holidays arrive.

We'll be waiting right here for you.

I hope someone doesn't try this with any of your stories @Mancunian. Just know I can verify that this one is an original. I've seen you develop this story for the last 8 months from scratch.

The homeless people at The Boot/New Boot come from all walks of life. They need to be fed according to their own needs, wants and beliefs. It is only respectful to cater to these differences. I'm in agreement with both the song and the singers. I miss AbFab so much!

Hey @JohnnyC! You gave me a scare for a minute, but I see you and @Mancunian cleared things up.

And it's very good!

Maybe, it should be...Shortly I will be thirty.

You got the English spelling correct, but the pronunciation is lew ng. The first part is stretched out, quickly followed by the second, which is short. (lleww ng)

Walking in the Air is a great song. Libera, the UK boys' choir, is one of my favourite groups to play at Christmas. The other is Pentatonix, an acapella group that is unbelievable. Both have a lot of Christmas songs on YouTube if anyone is interested.

Hey @Danilo Syrtis, Ravens eat almost anything available, but this one is a bit picky. I am adventurous but have ruled out insects after trying the crickets. I do love a lot of food that Westerners wouldn't even try. Some Thais do eat insects, but I have never seen them eat scorpions or tarantulas.

Sneak? Sounds right. Innocent? This does sound like a great prompt for a story, however.

I will keep it short, but I am excited to see some of the characters introduced in this chapter. The place Michael is applying to for a job, G.J.C. Limited, and Ben, the person on the phone, are from other stories, I think. It will be fun to find out. Charlie and Brad had time to talk, and Michael made a great impression on everyone at the New Boot.

Jubal had a difficult time facing crowds in the town twice. He started thinking paranoid thoughts, much like before, but this time, he was able to think things through and realize it was just normal curiosity. These people were not out to get him. I also noticed that he started the same kind of thinking about the wildlings but decided to fight for the dream he shared with Lucas. He followed the tracks until he found the herd. I think that Jubal has made up his mind to stay as long as he can. It was a shame that wolves got to the mare and fold. The missing stallion may have met a similar fate with the wolves. I wonder if the herd will return to the farm if that is the case. It's a place with food the herd needs with all the new folds. A great chapter, @Headstall.

It was probably the only secret your brothers hid from your spying eyes.

What!!!!!!! Cyrus and Kaplan need to have a talk with your wayward beta @astone2292. I'll take you for a night on the town. Oh, the places we will see!

Maybe @Al Norris has been the right kind of naughty to be on Santa's 'naughty but very nice' list. Rumour has it that guys on this list get long visits from the big guy with some very nice and naughty gifts.

I'm very sure this one was @astone2292's idea. He seems to like vicious pandas.